Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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How Being a Nephrologist Jaded Me
Being a nephrologist, I reminded myself, was my choice. It’s just that, as I looked into her eyes, I couldn’t

The 2026 Great Lakes NFL Preview
Who would come to a random blog by a part-time doctor about the Rust Belt for an NFL preview? No

The Other Guy Who Hates Free Trade Agreements
Where others see an apocalypse, I prefer to look for logic. And that which drives Trump 2.0, as chaotic as

My Favorite Song From Rochester (NY)
Some nepo babies get a real estate empire or worldwide fame. Others get a blog post about a favorite song

Indian Man Found Wandering Along Lake America
In a shocking turn of events, on August 30, 2026, authorities in Rochester, New York, reported having seen what looked

When Dolly Parton Held My Hand
Dolly Parton, the legend, was there for everybody. That includes me, the wannabe coastal elite with the superiority complex. It

I’m a Hipster in Dad Shorts
Sometime around 2012, the hipster thing reared its ugly head. Two years earlier, I had moved with the family to

How New York’s Data Center Ban Kills Upstate (Again)
Yeah, yeah—I know it’s not really a data center ban. It’s a moratorium barring state approvals of hyperscale data centers

How New York State Is Digging Its Own Grave
The beauty of New York State, if one sticks around long enough, generally results in anger. In Upstate New York, it’s

Dear Tennessee: Who Are You Anyway?
Dear Tennessee: I know what it’s like to be misunderstood. I am from the Rust Belt, after all. But

Nashville’s Nicknames: A Critique
Nashville, Tennessee. The place has a brand, pet names and all. But as a first-time visitor, I was able to

Who Is Sohan Shrikhande?
It’s good to have options, or so they say. But how good is it exactly? And are there really options?

Savannah: A Crappy Poem
Savannah, the one in Georgia I always have to check if there’s an h It was a pleasure to get

Florida: I Finally Get You
Dear Florida, I’ve never wanted to like you. And admirably, you’ve made that goal rather easy. To me, you’ve

The Bible in Public Schools: 5 Great Alternatives
I don’t live in Oklahoma, but I have heard that the state superintendent who mandated that public schools teach the

The Week I Got the Last Laugh
I say last laugh. But I have a feeling it’s the first of many. You see, it wasn’t easy choosing

Country Music Vocabulary for Teetotalers
Country music has a healthy (unhealthy?) relationship with alcohol. References abound, and moderation is optional. To get the most out

Diversity and Inclusivity: Less Talk, More Action
Diversity and inclusivity. On June 23, 2024, I was schooled in it. *** It was partly sunny, comfortable, and windy

Thank God I Have a Brother
I don’t actually believe in God, but I do have a brother. And to whatever there is to thank for

10 Tips for the Perfect Dad Bod
Dad bod. There’s no exact definition, but you know it when you see it—limited muscular definition up top and a


