Swan Songs: America’s Vanishing Tradesmen
Back in 2007, I wrote a piece for Swindle magazine titled “American Twilight.” It was a longform narrative story focusing on America’s vanishing tradesmen. I profiled the lives and work of three...
View ArticleEulogy For A Pair of Chuck Taylors (2003-2010)
As a teenager, I never even considered purchasing a pair of Chuck Taylors. To me, they were the footwear equivalent of a Green Day album — overrated and embarrassing, part of a hastily fashioned...
View ArticlePublic Comment On The Current State Of American Graffiti
An anonymous vandal leaves a public message for passersby on Pittsburgh’s South Side, noting the mundane nature of it all. It’s unclear what’s eating the disinterested graffitist, but it appears either...
View ArticleThe Furries Have Arrived
In what’s become an annual summer tradition here in Pittsburgh, the furries have arrived for Anthrocon. For those who are unfamiliar, “Anthrocon is the world’s largest convention for those fascinated...
View ArticleIn Search Of Magical Slave Laborer
I’ve often heard how thankless the job of personal assistant can be, which makes me think this opportunity in one of Pittsburgh’s affluent suburbs might not be a wise career choice. Unless, of course,...
View ArticleOccupy The Rust Belt: Notes From The Pittsburgh Protest
On October 15, I marched with Occupy Pittsburgh, the city’s first action in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. I watched excitedly as the crowd grew throughout the day, building from a modest...
View ArticlePittsburgh Renaissance: The Specter of Urban Renewal
Given the passage of time, and how the Pittsburgh Renaissance (1946-1973) and the destruction of the cultural institutions of the lower Hill District are viewed today, this 1960 Pittsburgh Press...
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