Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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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
WNBA Cities by Population
In Connecticut, where I grew up, watching women’s basketball is a way of life. Thanks to Caitlin Clark, the rest
Lisbon: Just Not the One You’re Thinking About
I just went to Lisbon, the one you are thinking about. I walked the narrow streets, climbed the endless hills,
The Most Confusing Weekend of My Life
I’m still thinking about that confusing weekend because, well, how could I not be? It all started with a short
What Is a Primate City?
I stand firmly against the primate city. The good news, as you’ll see, is that I don’t live with one.
What Is a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)?
In the US, cities are nothing without metropolitan areas, and metropolitan areas are defined by their anchor cities. In other
What the Heck Is the Third Chapter?!
The best part of being a writer is that you can make stuff up, even when it’s real. That’s why
Syracuse: Is There Actually Hope?!
First impressions, when suboptimal, can be the nail in the tourism coffin. Such was the fate of Syracuse when I,
7 Famous Musicians From St. Louis
Back in 1995, a series of rejections resulted in an unexpected opportunity—thirty years later, I would be able to write
Arts Vibrancy: Where Upstate NY Dominates
There’s nothing worse than having weak metrics jammed down your throat. Self-worth, after all, is often measured by house size,
The Best Jet Lag of All Time
A time difference of thirteen hours, I had a feeling, would make for the jet lag from hell. Flying into