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

Paths to the NBA: There Are a Lot!
The past always seems simpler, and for casual fans of the NBA, it was. The beasts of the game—guys like

What Is LIV Golf? It’s Disruptive
An upstart is always a source of intrigue. And when the upstart involves the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the intrigue

Chicago: The Sensitive Bully
Chicago, you’re an absolute beast And not just for a city that’s not in the East By any measure you’re

What Is Erythritol: Friend or Foe?
Humans are obsessed with sugar. And sugar substitutes. Regarding the latter, you might have heard of the one in the

The World Baseball Classic Explained
Baseball, among those who still pay attention, takes some heat for labeling the pinnacle of its sport as the World

11 Inspiring Quotes About Writing
The world is full of inspiration. Which got me thinking—why can’t I contribute to the ever-expanding sea of motivational reflections?

US Megaregions: Which One Are You In?
If you love staring at maps, you’ll absolutely love learning about US megaregions. Just beware that no one exactly knows

Indian States and Territories for Beginners
From the outside looking in, India might seem like a monolithic entity. But don’t be fooled—everyone kind of hates each

25 Random Facts About Texas (2025 Version)
It’s huge. Unapologetic. Contradictory. And growing rapidly. Here are 25 random facts about Texas, with the disclaimer that as the

San Antonio: The Overlooked One
After a recent post on Philadelphia, I was greeted on social media with some helpful feedback. This is written childishly


