Archive - The Early Stuff

A Long, Long Time Ago

On high school cross-country, adolescent laughter, "American Pie," listening to Dr. Dre in the locker room, and finding joy when you need it most

Apr 11

October 2024

This Is Your Song

On fathers, sons, music, and the Southwest Freeway

Oct 23, 2024 •

September 2024

A lengthy account of my first weeks of high school, from a distance of many years, with references to the Fab Five, Stephen Crane, circus music, and…

Sep 4, 2024 •

March 2024

Lessons from driving with J. Ray

Mar 17, 2024 •

February 2024

Bonus Track: "Nightswimming"

On R.E.M. and a random moment at my parents' piano

Feb 19, 2024 •

Only the Greatest Knight Ever

Notes on a friendship

Feb 8, 2024 •

January 2024

Bonus Track: "Kokomo"

On our first favorite song

Jan 13, 2024 •

On the pursuit of coolness, the pop hits of 1989/1990, and the songs other kids sang in elementary school

Jan 3, 2024 •

December 2023

The Point Guard of Deer Meadow

On the greatest birthday party of my childhood, addiction, ambition, and a random Bulls/Heat game during the 2012 regular season

Dec 1, 2023 •

November 2023

The Age of Embarrassment

On childhood joys, adolescent humiliations, and ordering papaya juice at Chili's

Nov 3, 2023 •

September 2023

The Possibility of Failure

On late-night comedy, elementary school obliviousness, and the judgment of Jaspers

Sep 1, 2023 •

August 2023

The Early Stuff: An Introduction

On childhood stories, becoming an adult, and filling up your car with diesel gasoline

Aug 17, 2023 •

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts