TiVo as a metaphor for life

TiVo as a metaphor for life

If we could control time like a DVR... There is a saying that life emulates art, but being a self-proclaimed geek and knowing next to nothing about art, my life has always seemed to emulate technology. Have you ever stopped and thought about how great it would be to have a TiVo for your life? Do you buy cable TV and get all that life has to offer, or are you satisfied with what life gives you over the air waves? If you have a TiVo would you…

What do you want on your tombstone?

What do you want on your tombstone?

Death is a subject we often avoid in conversation, yet it's the one certainty we all share. Rather than dwelling on its inherent sadness, I find myself reflecting on how our encounters with mortality can unexpectedly enrich our perspective on living. The Gifts of Goodbye I've been fortunate to have experienced relatively few losses in my life—a blessing I don't take lightly. Yet, those departures I have witnessed have profoundly shaped my understanding of what matters. My grandfather, one of the gentlest souls I've ever known, passed a…

The grass is always greener

The grass is always greener

Reflections on Human Nature and Contentment Every day on my way to work, I pass cows eating grass in the fields of lovely Livermore, CA. Every morning, there is always at least one cow who has decided that the grass on the other side of the fence is greener and sticks his (or her) head through it. It is interesting because, like cows, humans don't want to be constrained by choices and when obstacles are put in our way we always seem to want to break through them.…

U.S. Residential debt outstanding (1990-2025)

U.S. Residential debt outstanding (1990-2025)

Tracking three decades of American mortgage debt and its impact on the housing market The story of U.S. residential mortgage debt is a reflection of America's economic journey over the past three decades. From the steady growth of the 1990s through the housing bubble and crash of the 2000s to today's post-pandemic reality, mortgage debt tells us about more than just housing—it reveals patterns in consumer behavior, economic policy, and financial resilience. As of Q1 2025, Americans owe a staggering $12.61 trillion in mortgage debt spread across 85.10…