Behind the scenes of a tech giant’s spectacular rise and even faster collapse — Jim Balsillie, the new CEO of RIM, strides into the dingy office in an expensive suit. It’s his first day, and he’s told the company has been screwed out of a $16 million dollar deal by U.S. Robotics. “Get me U.S. Robotics on the phone!” he barks into a room…

The moment I wish I was there for her — I made the decision to cut my mother out of my life at 26. In those days, it was a radical act. The prevailing belief was that ‘family is family, and you do for family.’ Back then we weren’t nearly as conversant with mental health issues as we are today…

Street life couldn’t prepare her for this — I’d just returned from a weekend away and sighed with relief as I turned the key in the lock. Weekends with my friends were pretty raucous in my 20s — not a lot of sleep was had. Mojo, my beautiful male cat, came running to the door to greet me…

It’s not as vain as it sounds — Last May, I published a story about my first anniversary on Medium. It included a list of suggested do’s and don’ts for newbies. My Medium friend Sandra Pawula shared that it was also her first anniversary. Her comment read: “They say the magic happens in year two! Here’s to our…

I wish I knew how to quit you — The bag in the picture has been my “everyday bag” for the last five winters. As you can see, she’s worn at the seams, but looking pretty good considering she’s gone with me on all my adventures. I remember finding her at my favorite little “discovery” shop. You know that…

The goodbye you never get to say — Five years ago this week it was unseasonably warm. I was at a friend’s house, basking in the bright sunshine, breaking in her new patio furniture. We were enjoying fruity drinks and allowing the heat to relax our stiff winter muscles. We had that peaceful elation you only experience in…

Watching someone’s life unravel with a side of popcorn — Imagine the worst thing that could happen to you. Someone you love, someone in your family, dies suddenly. Then someone else you love is accused of their murder. Horrifying, right? Then imagine your family’s story is made into a documentary the whole world watches. Imagine every stranger you meet having…

Not every gift comes wrapped with a bow — The best part of staying in Historic Savannah was the greenspace. Every block has its own square, named after figures who loom large in the city’s colorful and brutal history. Often there is a statue. Generous benches wait in every corner. …

I think I had the munchies — Last year I added edibles to my Christmas wish list. I’ve never smoked pot, not because I have anything against it, I simply wasn’t curious enough to try. When I’ve hung out with pot smokers in the past, they’d offer me a toke and I’d wave it away. The glazed…