Newspaper Columns

Steve Grogan Rides Alone

Journalism

Old Heroes Never Die Another grim workday ends. Thousands of commuters are taking the train home, quiet and desperate. Among them Steve Grogan rests his eyes. If you don’t know who that is don’t feel bad. Most of the other riders don’t know either. I’ll give you a hint, he’s Tom Brady from a simpler […]

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Lego Obsession

Journalism

A car buzzes down the Mass Pike. I’m asleep in the passenger seat. But it’s not a deep sleep. It’s that kind of wakeful nap that mixes half dreams and music playing on the stereo. My head nods to the side as the car changes lanes. When I wake up I realize, even while unconscious, […]

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One Man’s Car

Journalism

Like a lot of people I loved my first car but it has been a long time since I cared about an automobile. I avoid attachment to objects, especially those that get awful gas mileage. For a while my wife and I got by without a second car. It was inconvenient but even in the […]

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A Rare Individual

Journalism

I’m going to miss my friend Bob. This summer he decided it was time for a big change. He’s moving (probably on the road right now) to Nashville. It’s not like me. I don’t miss people, especially ones I work with. Think about it. If you work a 40 hour week, that’s around 2000 hours […]

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The Ice Man

Journalism

Once the first snow of the season arrives, laying down that semi-permanent mix of ice and grime, I grow cautious. Regardless, I’ll mange to fall a couple of times this winter. I’ve never been good on the slippery stuff. It goes back a long way. During elementary school (I’ve blocked out the exact year) my […]

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A Report From The Road

Journalism

The weather has gone bad in Baltimore. It’s late at night and I’m staring at myself in a hotel mirror. The family and I are returning from a trip to Disney World. Fifteen hours ago we left Orlando in a vain attempt to outrun the storm that put us here. Florida was everything you’d expect […]

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Slowhand

Journalism

Growing up I never learned how to play an instrument. Two weeks ago I decided to change that. It’s been gnawing at me for a while. Now my fingers hurt and my brain aches. But for a few classes in junior high I never studied music. It might be too late to become a rock […]

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Local Golfer Impaled By 5 Iron

Journalism

In honor of the U.S. open here’s a golf related column…. The man I’m talking to is insane. He’s drooling all over himself with rage. He can’t get the words out fast enough. His heart rate must be approaching its limit. And I’m not sure why. The thing is, I don’t care. I’m having a […]

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Insomnia Strikes

Newspaper Columns

Warren Zevon once sang, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Those are wise words from the late signer songwriter. However, he was speaking metaphorically. I REALLY can’t sleep. In fact I haven’t gotten more than a few consecutive hours in weeks. This kind of deprivation takes a toll. I’m cracking up. It’s 2 a.m. and here […]

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Hunter Thompson and the Truth of the Situation

Journalism

originally titled Gonzo To The End… but that’s all wrong. In his author’s note to 1977’s The Great Shark Hunt, (a book of his collected works) Hunter S. Thompson wrote, “I have already lived the life I planned to live.” He was 40 at the time. Little did Thompson know that he’d have 25 plus […]

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