I recorded this song on my phone yesterday, in memory of George Michael. I'll tell you why, and what it means to me, after the jump. Those who know me will tell you, without hesitation, that I'm an optimistic person and always have been -- perhaps overly so. I walk around this world grinning like some kind of delusional madman because I really do love life and the people in it. I hope for the best, and unfailingly look for silver linings when the best doesn't happen. My wife would tell you this can be inspiring, but also wicked annoying. But either way, that's me. However, something happened to me after Nov. 8th, 2016 -- something that tossed me into a long, deep, and uncharacteristic depression -- and I only recently realized the true reason for my existential crisis.
So, um, it looks like I haven't updated this site in a wee bit, eh? Funny how time does that! Well then, here are a few bits of news for you. Last week I learned that I won two awards from the North American Travel Journalists Association . If you had told me 20 years ago that anyone anywhere would actually pay me real American dollars to write about traveling — perhaps the single greatest pursuit of human kind outside of love, family, and music — and that I'd actually win an award for such a thing, well... I'd have laughed you right out of the pub. And yet, here we are. Here are the winning stories: Kid County, Ireland (Gold Winner, Family Travel category) It’s no Orlando (and thank God for that), but Ireland doesn’t need the Disney touch to feel like a magical playground for your own little leprechauns. Road Trip, Meet Field Trip (Honorable Mention, Family Travel category) Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t what you buy, but what you learn. I should probabl...
As you may know, I've dabbled in some home improvement and DIY projects over the years -- like redoing our 1970s-era kitchen before our daughter was born. I've also been writing for the Boston Globe's Sunday real estate section a bit lately. And I've always been obsessed with houses and architecture. All this made me realize I should start a blog about that stuff -- so that's what I did! If you get a chance, check out House & Hammer, my new blog about real estate and DIY home improvement . As the name implies, it's partly about houses -- think home ownership , home equity loans , and dream-house caliber "wish listings. " And then it's also about home improvement and DIY projects , like how to build this rustic end table built from reclaimed wood : So tell your friends! Tell your neighbors! And tell me what you think!