It’s an age-old conundrum, but maybe today I’ve figured it out — I’ve been back in Provincetown just over 24 hours. Once again I’m overwhelmed by the idea that I can get in a tin can (or two, and then a hotel bed, and then a ferry) and end up in a place that feels every bit as home—but different—as where I…

Sometimes you just have to sit a hand out — “Take my picture,” Grandma said, holding up a bloody mary. “I’ve never had a drink this early in my life.” It was 11:30ish am. We were in Harlem at Sylvia’s for a gospel brunch, 1998-ish. My cousin Scott and his wife Katie had come to Manhattan for a long weekend…

But I just might end up seeing her, even if it costs me my reputation — I am saying my personal trainer’s girlfriend did. He couldn’t give 2 mierdas about it, nor did he want to go to Lisbon for the concert, not even in his wildest dreams. Being the anti-hero I am, and not wanting any bad blood between them, I said I would be…

These covers hold just as much sway as the originals, in some cases (maybe) more — I was in the mood for some catchy, punky power pop vibes the other day, so I dialed up Bowling for Soup on Señor Spotify and discovered they’d covered “Flowers.” After bopping out to that for a few listens, I thought back on other surprise covers I’ve come across lately…

He’s so helpful and always goes the extra mile, even if that means starting with an extra inch. — Many years ago, I had a knot surgically implanted under my left shoulder blade. I did this to make sure all my future massage therapists would actually have to earn their money. At least that’s what I tell them. Earlier this week, it flared up. “What did you do?” my…

Why are you asking for bad karma? — I was about a block and half from my flat the other day and, by force of habit, reached into my pocket to pull out my keys. I still had a major thoroughfare to cross. I probably wouldn’t have made the light, and there were a good 30ish meters to…

And then, hmm, whaddya know—it was over and done. — This next superset is going to be six tap-and-go squats (on a rack I’d never used before), then 12 lunges on each leg, then 20 bodyweight squats. So said Gym Albert, after 3 sets of kettlebell squats for a warmup. I had hired a personal trainer a few months ago…

How many slices would you like? — “When did you stop auditioning?” I’m having dinner with Whitney, a friend of a friend who’s fresh in from New York. It’s her first Spanish paella, her 2nd night in town, and we’re well into our third hour of conversation. We’ve only met once before, in London several years ago…

Or, How I’m Spending the First Month of My Summer Vacation — Rabbit Rabbit, y’all Not long after I met Larry, he introduced me to rabbit rabbit. It’s a superstition / habit / ritual where, for good luck, a spoken double bunny must be the first thing out of your mouth every Day 1, 12 times a year. It’s also a fine way to ruin…