This is a place where I can think out loud, work through ideas, and talk about stuff that doesn't fit cleanly into the type of freelance writing I do. Some ideas will be fully formed, others, as the title implies, will be unfinished.
ICE unleashed tear gas on the street in Chicago's Logan Square today. I tried to find meaning among the fog and my own anger about, well everything.
Published on October 3, 2025
Disasters, Invisible and Visible
ICE has been sweeping through Chicago for weeks now, yet coverage of it is still really hard to find. I wanted to compile both my go-to places that I turn to, as well as offer some ideas to news orgs on how to cover the onslaught better.
Published on September 26, 2025
Hey, things aren't so hot right now, so I decided to collect a few of the good things and share them with you.
Published on September 15, 2025
A Benediction for Chicago on the Eve of Occupation
With the Trump Administration about to roll its ugly occupation into Chicago, I wanted to write a little lyrical love letter to the city.
Published on September 5, 2025
The Amazing Art of the Video Game Marquee
During this long, hot, difficult summer I took a trip to a huge video game arcade and ended up completely in love with the art of the game marquee.
Published on August 1, 2025
Six Scenes of Hulk Hogan, in Reverse
Hulk Hogan died this week. He transformed professional wrestling and he was a virulent racist who played a part in destroying free press in America and aided the rise of Donald Trump, brother.
Published on July 25, 2025
I took my dad's modest stamp collection to Chicago's last stamp dealer. The money wasn't good, but it was a perfect end.
Published on July 18, 2025
Sometimes you need to step out for a second, to take yourself out of the here and now and go somewhere else. With everything so *waves hands in all directions* right now, here are three places I'm going, if only for a moment.
Published on July 11, 2025
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