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Greetings, From The Middle of the Pack

This blog is a collection of sharp, self-deprecating observations that use everyday frustrations—like a crown digging into a wrist or the "interminable landscape" of an open mic—as entry points for deeper self-reflection. It’s a space where modern anxiety meets seasoned wit, offering readers a relatable look at the messy process of personal growth and professional recalibration. It captures the voice of a "Part-Time Professional" who is tired of the status quo and ready to "flip the screen" on how they view their own potential.

Coffee with the Monster

Giving a feeling a name makes it tangible, but it doesn't make it go away. If you've been "acknowledging and ignoring" your own sense of displacement, it might be time for a coffee date with your monster.

Word Count: ~395 words

Approximate Read Time: 1 minute, 45 seconds

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Michael Yetman
Napkin Math

Why does a square of linen feel like a barrier to entry? A reflection on why we trade the joy of a good meal for the anxiety of "correct" etiquette—and why I’d rather have a messy conversation over a picnic bench than a silent one over a pristine setting.

Word Count: ~385 words Approximate Read Time: 1 minute, 45 seconds

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Michael Yetman
In Defense of the Irish Goodbye

I used to think the Irish Goodbye was rude. Now I realize the "Long Goodbye" is just me begging for attention. Why I’m retiring from the Farewell Tour.

  • Word Count: ~510 words

  • Approximate Read Time: 2 minutes

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Michael Yetman
The Magic of the Mundane

"Being average is the ultimate VIP pass to the audience. If I were the 'World Breaker' I wanted to be as a kid, I’d be too busy holding up the sky to notice the guy making quarters disappear next to the espresso machine."

Word Count: ~453 words Approximate Read Time: 1 minute and 50 seconds


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Michael Yetman
Penguin Push

"I’ve looked back at the wall of parkas with genuine betrayal, my ankle rolling on the asphalt, wondering why the collective consciousness of the sidewalk decided I was the one who had to go."

  • Word Count: ~375 words

  • Approximate Read Time: 1 minute, 30 seconds

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Michael Yetman
The Watch Paradox

"My Casio was the John Wick of watches: quiet, complicated, and impossible to kill. However, I was swayed to try a Google Pixel Watch... This didn't change my dilemma; it just meant that pushing myself off the couch might accidentally trigger a 9-1-1 call. That is, until a co-worker asked me one simple question."

Word Count: ~306 words

Approximate Read Time: 1 minute, 15 seconds

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Michael Yetman
Open Mic Hero

There are few places on earth I feel more at home than an open mic. It’s a mix of nervous energy and seasoned pros burning cigarettes like they're waiting for a verdict... It's the great equalizer; a nobody can win the hearts of the audience while a 'Netflix Known' hits a flat night. However, the open mic is also an interminable landscape you never learn to escape—mostly because you forget you were trying to leave.
Word Count: 654 words
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutes

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Michael Yetman