Relationships – Fired & Free

Taming Hulk

You can change. I know you can change, because I recently changed something about myself that has been haunting me for years. For as long as I can remember, there has been a Hulk lurking within me. This big, green, angry, Hulk, is the side of me who is ready to pulverize anyone or anything […]

by Fired and Free

Loving Others in West Virginia

This love story takes place at the Bhavana Society in High View, West Virginia. Bhavana is a Buddhist forest monastery in the Theravada tradition. While it’s an incredible place, listed as one of the most sacred locales by National Geographic, I found love here in a slightly circuitous route. And yes, one of the most […]

by Fired and Free

How Are You Doing, Part II

On January 30, 2019, I published a post called, “How Are You Doing.” It was a cynical take on the frequent greeting we use in the United States to address a co-worker, neighbor, delivery person, friend, or anyone else we happen to see out in public. Basically, my view at the time was when we […]

by Fired and Free

Beware of DNA Results – It Might Change Who You Think You Are

My name is Dan D’Agostino. On my birth certificate, it says Daniel in place of Dan. For most of elementary school, I signed my name as Danny on book reports and other assignments. In 4th grade, I decided I had matured sufficiently to begin signing my name as, “Dan the Man.” While I wish “the […]