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
10 Hints You’re the Dumptown Guy
It’s one thing to occasionally appreciate an undervalued city. It’s another thing altogether to force your family to vacation in
Sandusky: You Would Be Surprised!
Sandusky, I was pretty sure, would be my living hell. If the contrived world of Disney—in sunny Orlando—irritated me, I
Where Is Toledo? It’s in a Bad Spot
Where is Toledo? I asked myself as I fidgeted with Google Maps. A few zooms later, I had all the
Setting Sun: The Song That Makes Seattle Cry
The setting sun, as real as it may seem, is rising elsewhere. That is the reality I’ve been forced to
Why Smaller Cities Matter
Smaller cities—shall we say they’re my destiny? My life resume, after all, includes Milwaukee, New Haven, St. Louis, Hartford, and
10 Hints It’s Time for the Big Dance!
The Big Dance, as you know, isn’t really a dance. In 1977, when Al McGuire—the coach of Marquette—said he would
The Month Rochester Never Fails To Let Me Down
Every March, Rochester breaks my heart. Yes, I’m talking about the one in New York, and, no, I’m not talking
I Accidentally Hung Out With Radical Leftists
How could I ever have known that, at the top of the narrow flight of stairs, awaited an angry pack
Dear Canada: I’m Sorry
Dear Canada, I’ve seen your people—they’re my neighbors. They brought us cookies when my family moved into the neighborhood.
5 Random Cities in the US You “Need” To Visit
Trouble, as they say, begets trouble. I’ll give you a hypothetical, focused on random cities in the US. Say you