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
20 Haikus About Upstate New York
Those who’ve followed this blog closely have suggested that it’s time for some larger projects, i.e. the types that are
The Coolest Record Store in the World
On June 8, 2024, I had no idea I was going to meet somebody famous. In retrospect, at that record
How the Food Truck Saved the Hospital
“Thank God for the food truck,” said the charge nurse to no one in particular. It hadn’t been a great
My Personal Apology to West Virginia
Dear West Virginia, 1 You became a state in 1863. 2 A little late to the party, yes,
The 10 Best Southern Rock Songs
Southern rock saved the South. No, not in that way. Saved from haters—like me. But let’s be fair. It has
10 “Healthy” Coping Mechanisms
Navigating modern society ain’t for the faint of heart. Yes, you probably have food, shelter, and all that stuff. But
What Are the Northern Lights? (Plus 2 Bonus Songs)
On May 10, 2024, at a latitude of only 43° 5′ 23″ N, while hanging out in my backyard, I
I Just Wrote a Bro-Country Song!
Bro-country. It’s that style of country pop sung by dudes (bros), usually about women, beer, pickup trucks, guns, blue jeans,
The Truth About Nashville
This isn’t some sort of cold hard truth. It’s just the boring truth. Nashville, aka Music City, wouldn’t be a
10 LinkedIn Posts That Cut the Bullsh*t
LinkedIn is that social networking site where we pretend we’re really important. But what if we decided to just tell