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
No, We Won’t Ruin Rochester
I’ve been questioned, at least a few times, why I want to ruin Rochester (NY). The obvious response, of course,
Nashville for Geeky People
Are geeky people also broody? That stereotype may be passé—unless, of course, you’re talking about Nashville. I found this out
WTH Is Up With Salt Lake City?!
As Olivia Rodrigo once said, probably not in reference to Salt Lake City, co-comparison is killin’ me slowly…my jealousy, jealousy
A Dad’s Guide to Parents Weekend
I had no idea, son, that when I bought that $86-round-trip flight, we were about to dominate parents weekend. Sure,
The 12 Best Comments I’ve Ever Received
The best comments, when Google Analytics shows a barely perceptible signal, are any comments. But it’s the ones with honest
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
The Death and Life of Great American Cities has always caught my eye, because as my geographical biography will tell
The Biggest Mistake Rochester (NY) Ever Made
In a city known for its follies, identifying the biggest mistake is a project for the obsessive. That’s why I
I Know No One Famous
To know the famous, it helps if one is famous, a condition of which I’ve never been accused. Between my
I Finally Found My Dream City
The other day, Daniel Wallace, who knows nothing of my existence, helped me find my dream city. That day, you
I Found the Soul of Central New York
On August 21, 2025, according to my Amazon account, I found The Soul of Central New York. In truth, it