Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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The Essence of Syracuse, New York
The essence of Syracuse, New York Is what I set out to capture The ruminations of a Rust Belt dork

5 Songs No One Will Ever Sing About Me
You know those classic movie scenes, the ones where songs proclaim a perfect relationship? Yeah, that hasn’t happened to me

The Amol I Could Have Been
Life comes with all sorts of twists and turns, especially for someone named Amol. As fate would have it, this

Why the Mayor of Toledo Is My Hero
The mayor of Toledo—no, not the one in Spain—is a glutton for punishment. How do I know this? Because he

When Trump Gave Western New York the Finger (Again)
The good times are never meant to last, especially when they were never there in the first place. Donald Trump,

What Five Below Taught Me About the US
Even mundane suburban life, out in the western reaches of New York, can offer flickers of interest. This I learned,

When Western New York Finally Gave Downstate the Finger
It’s about time that Western New York went on the offensive. Decades (or is it centuries?) of bullying have to

Confessions of a Rochester Obsessive
As a Rochester obsessive, you’re guaranteed that at least 99.7% of the country won’t give a sh*t about what you

The Day I Pretended I Was Canadian
On the day I pretended I was Canadian—October 19, 2025, to be exact—I took no chances. Canadians don’t hate all

My Favorite Bible Verse
Thanks to politics, social media, and a son in Christian school, I now officially know how the world works. The

Why Lebron James Chose Syracuse
Lebron James, by text, is a very candid man. The following thread has been abridged for the sake of brevity.*

What Parenting Taught Me About the Rust Belt
I’m no parenting guru. In fact, about a decade from now, I’ll find out how I f****d it up royally.

I Hate You IKEA—but Thank You
Nostalgia, they say, comes with rose-colored glasses. But in the case of IKEA, it can also come with nausea—and not

How The Odyssey Saved Rochester, NY
You know The Odyssey—that Christopher Nolan film with Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway. And you know Rochester, NY—that rusty town

Why Spain Is Actually Playing Italy
Don’t fall for the hype about Spain playing Argentina. (Or, if you’re reading this after July 19, 2026, I hope

Confessions of a Rust Belt Addict
The Rust Belt addict, mercifully, is not always found with a needle in his arm. The addicted, I’ve learned, get

How Being a Writer Ruined the World Cup
Being a writer, as you must know by now, is a dream. By that, I mean it’s a nightmare, something

Thank You, European, for Being So Damn Smart
Dear European, I know you’re smarter than me. How do I know? Because you tell me. Anyway, I’ve come across

These World Cup Population Numbers Will Blow Your Mind
World Cup population numbers are for the worldly—and the weirdly obsessive. Without formally committing to either category, I’ve created this
I’m Officially an Idiot
On June 26, 2026, it became official—I’m an idiot. I’d like to thank my fellow human beings—without you, I would
