Book Review: Downtown Owl

Bill Simmons gets the credit for this one. I had heard Chuck Klosterman's name before, but really didn't know much about him. Then I heard Simmons, aka The Sports Guy…

Book Review: Election

I don't know why I hadn't gotten around to reading "Election" by Tom Perrotta until recently. I had read "The Wishbones" and "Joe College," his two funny books which bookended…

My New Career Goals

Once again, I have stumbled up on a tremendous skill I possess with little chance to actually support my family pursuing it as a career.

We recently completed my family’s annual beach vacation. For the first time in a long while, we rented a beach house just for the three of us.

In past years, we had split a place with one of my older brothers. A number of issues ranging from the incompatibility of having 20-somethings and an 8-year-old staying at the same house to some problems with the house itself made us realize everyone would be better served with separate quarters.

So I spent a while over the winter perusing web sites to try and find a place small enough and affordable enough for us, but with the comforts that make beach week extra special.

I found a place and made the reservation based only on the photos I could find on the realtor’s web site. Sure, I wanted more assurance, but didn’t really have the opportunity to drive to Delaware to peek into these places.

If I had, I might have seen my new career several months ago. I stumbled upon it instead after we got settled our first night at the beach.

I should open a business where I give rich people advice on how to set up the vacation homes they rent to others.

After all, who knows what regular people want in a beach house better – some guy who uses it as an investment or a schlub like me who likes to pretend he’s living large for one week out of the year.

I’m Baa-ack

So I went to the beach and said I was going to blog since I had free time, then said screw it. I did read three books so will review…

Road to Redemption

Late last month, the U.S. soccer team got some great publicity with a fantastic run at the Confederations Cup. People who usually didn't follow the team tuned in to see…

What’s So Fine About Art?

I don't exactly recall how I first heard about The Old 97's. It may have come from their music appearing on the soundtrack to Scrubs. Someone I know may have…

Buffalo Soldier

Every day on my commute, I drive past a farm in northern Maryland. You can't miss it. It's the one with all the buffalo. Twin Springs Bison Farm not only…

The Eyes Have It

I have always loved the ability to buy things on the Internet. With just a few clicks, you can have some new music on your computer or get yourself some new clothes or even pick out a new book to read.

Recently, I discovered another cool thing I could order online – contact lenses. But the simple process of allowing myself to see the world clearly has brought one big question to my mind.

What is with the militant oversight of vision prescriptions?