(Un)welcome to the United States
Since 9/11 I’ve reentered the United States from travel abroad more than a dozen times. Each time, it is more unpleasant. Many people I’ve met in other countries who have … Read more
North America
Niagara Falls From Both Sides
The Horseshoe Falls of Niagara Falls. The view from the Canadian side is pretty impressive. Especially when you see those boats sneaking up on the cascade. The Canadian version of … Read more
Just a Little About Las Vegas
Being back in the United States makes me feel two ways: it’s like vacation so I don’t feel like posting, and it’s just not that damn interesting anyway. So, a … Read more
Sometimes You Have to Go Home
I grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa. According to my grandfather, Council Bluffs was, “the only town that ever hurt Chicago.” I’ve given his pronouncement a lot of thought over the years and I’ve still never quite figured out what it meant.
Maybe it was because Council Bluffs made fun of Chicago on the playground when they were kids. Or maybe it was because someone from CB wrote a letter once to someone in Chicago saying that having broad shoulders and being hog butcher to the world wasn’t really that great. Especially when Carl Sandburg went on to mention that it was also the city of skanky whores and slimy gangsters.