It’s become a bad joke: One moment, I’m reading a LinkedIn “news” story touting a booming jobs market — and the next, I’m doom-scrolling through endless posts from out-of-work creatives.
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So, about my recent health scare
There I was last Friday at the endoscopy center, awaiting my procedure. I was feeling pretty good, all things considered. Everything was going so well. I’d done the regimen the
Continue readingThey’re telling the truth behind closed doors [UPDATED]
I had a health scare yesterday. I’ll tell you about it sometime, but right now, I need to tell you something else. Something you won’t read in The New York
Continue readingMy short-lived career as a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier
Earlier this year, I’d vowed to get out of marketing. After burning out on writing for university programs, being ghosted by clients who owed me money, and hearing a prospective
Continue readingWhy I’m calling it quits after 30 years of marketing copywriting
Well, I’m doing it. After nearly 32 years in marketing and copywriting, I am moving on. It’s a strange feeling, leaving a job I’ve done for so long. Interestingly, I
Continue readingFor live TV streaming, don’t go Vidgo
Consumer alert: Are you a cable TV cord-cutter looking for a reliable and affordable live TV streaming service? After getting scammed out of $75 and a free 30-day trial, I
Continue readingChewy sets the example for brands by connecting with customers
As the world burns and the rotting edifice of civilized society starts to fall in around our ears, let us celebrate pet-product online retailer Chewy for its exceptional and heartfelt
Continue readingFlorida update #2: A kitty named Ladybug [UPDATE: She’s ours!]
We heard a soft jingle and turned toward the sound. Out of nowhere, a little gray tabby came sauntering over to us in all her striped glory. “That’s Ladybug,” said
Continue readingSad news as The Cranky Creative blog turns four
I’m sorry, Cranky reader. I’m not in the best mood today. My step-father-in-law passed away last week. He’d been diagnosed with lung cancer. Except he didn’t die of lung cancer.
Continue readingFlorida update #1: So far, so friendly
We’d just rolled into town — my wife and I, our two cats, and little else — when we stopped into Wal-Mart to buy a few items for our new
Continue readingWhat a high school softball game taught me about life, people, and winning on my own
Let me tell you about the time I “broke the Matrix” in high school gym class, and what that taught me about life and living well. I remember it was
Continue readingSon of a beach! The Cranky Creative moves to Florida
I fell in love with Florida somewhere between Tampa International Airport’s main terminal and the Alamo Rent A Car. At that time — about eight years ago — the walk
Continue readingA personal update and a heartfelt thank-you to end 2021
What to write for my last Cranky post of 2021? Rather than end the year lambasting another dopey TV commercial, how about we spend some time getting personal? Come, Dear
Continue readingWhy the hell is everything so broken?
Is anyone else experiencing a complete and total breakdown of everything that used to “just work”? I’m talking about placing an online order, or getting a car repair, or speaking
Continue readingThe Cranky Creative ties the knot
I wrote the most important copy of my life in July 2004. I was responding to an online personals ad posted by the woman who is now my wife. We
Continue reading“The Beekeeper’s Secret”
A Very Short Story. Some years ago, I worked for a creative director who regularly organized activities meant to inspire her copywriters and designers and reset our creative brains. One
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