Author: Harper Lane
My First Trip to Seattle: Surprises and Discoveries On a sunny day in June 2025, I stepped off the train at King Street Station in Seattle, ready for an adventure I had long anticipated. Yet, as I walked the mile to my downtown hotel, I quickly realized it felt more like a hike than a stroll. My first day was filled with unexpected finds. I stumbled upon a curious chewing-gum-speckled wall in an alley and, later, a free snack cart while exploring the busy streets. For a New Yorker like me, Seattle was a delightful surprise full of unique attractions.…
During the past five months, my 64-year-old mother has been admitted to the hospital four times. As her primary caregiver, I’ve taken on the challenges of handling emergency calls and advocating for her treatment, all while trying to keep my own life on track. I also have an 11-year-old son adjusting to middle school, and I work full-time as a civil servant in a major city. On top of this, I’m pursuing my master’s degree in clinical psychology at Columbia University Teachers College, focusing on the integration of spirituality, mind, and body. To add to my challenges, I’m navigating a…
Date: June 1, 2025 I decided to test out Aldi and Walmart, taking a weekly grocery list and a $150 budget for my family of four. While many prices were comparable, Aldi usually offered the items I needed at lower prices. Despite my total being about $27 higher at Walmart, I preferred the shopping experience there. Summary: I took my regular grocery list to Aldi and Walmart with a $150 budget. Prices were similar, but Aldi generally had lower prices for the items I needed. Walmart’s total was $27 more, but I found the shopping experience more enjoyable. My family’s…
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Greg Petronzi of True Patina, a watchmaker specializing in vintage Rolex repairs. He is also a licensed psychologist and professor at New York University. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I’ve had a fascination with watches from a young age. In middle school, I owned a Swatch with a transparent case that allowed me to see the automatic movement in action, which I always found captivating. In college, I pursued psychology, earning a master’s and Ph.D. Over 12 years, I became a licensed psychologist, but my interest in…
Almost nine years ago, while pregnant with our eldest, my husband asked if I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. I declined. I realized that I wouldn’t thrive without the daily interactions that come from working. My career provides me with a sense of fulfillment that I need. Since then, we have made financial decisions based on the fact that we have two incomes in our household. I earn more than my husband, but we seldom discuss it directly. We simply pool our resources and budget together. When he changed careers—from military service to becoming a diesel mechanic—the income gap…
Starbucks is set to make a change that could impact loyalty program members who bring their own cups. Beginning June 24, the coffee chain will discontinue its 25-star bonus for customers using reusable cups. Currently, Starbucks Rewards members receive this bonus, but going forward, they will earn double stars on their entire order instead. Under the existing system, members earn one star for every dollar spent before tax. A typical drink earning nine stars, for example, would provide a total of 34 stars when the reusable cup bonus is included. With the new policy, that same order would result in…
Former Spice Girls member Victoria Beckham has implemented two significant changes to mitigate losses at her fashion brand, Victoria Beckham Holdings Limited. In a recent Bloomberg interview, she stated, “We reduced our price point and merged the two brands we had into one,” aiming to produce high-quality collections without compromising affordability. Beckham emphasized the challenge of creating “considered” pieces using premium fabrics at a reachable luxury price point. When asked about potential impacts from tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, she said the company would be “monitoring the situation very closely.” Founded in 2008, Victoria Beckham Holdings Limited is co-owned…
David Sacks, the White House’s artificial intelligence and crypto advisor, suggested that a significant productivity increase from AI and robotics could improve the financial outlook for the United States. During an episode of the “All-In” podcast, Sacks expressed uncertainty about whether the recent turbulence in the bond market, attributed to rising US debt, is merely a fleeting issue or indicative of a more severe, long-term trend. He proposed that technological advancements might provide a solution for policymakers reluctant to tackle the nation’s borrowing issues. “While I’m concerned about the fiscal situation in America, what if the AI and robotics revolution…
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ fondness for cheeseburgers has surfaced multiple times during his ongoing sex-trafficking and racketeering trial. In the second week of the Manhattan federal proceedings, one of Combs’ former personal assistants recounted how he craved cheeseburgers from a well-known Los Angeles diner shortly before a near-gunfight involving rival Suge Knight in 2008. Another former assistant revealed Diddy’s quirky preference for his cheeseburgers—he enjoys them with a generous helping of applesauce. When questioned, George Kaplan, the ex-assistant, confirmed Combs’ love for applesauce, mentioning he often has it on the side or on top of various dishes, including cheeseburgers. Unfortunately, this…
Early-career engineers should be cautious about specializing too early, according to Philip Su, a former engineer at Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI, and founder of the podcast player Superphonic. Su emphasizes the need for self-awareness in making career decisions, especially when it comes to choosing between being a generalist or diving deep into a specific niche. He notes that while some exceptional individuals, like chess prodigies, are born with unique talents that justify early specialization, most people face risks with a narrow focus, particularly in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. He warns that a chosen specialization could become obsolete. For instance, if…