Election Night Sadness

I sit on this election night, overcome with sadness, pondering my future. Lacking imagination, I once again headed to the beach, with my lawn chair, the stars and surf, and cinnamon tequila. I am thinking the day is coming that I will leave my country, and by that I mean my country has left me. …

What’s in a Name?

I'm starting a new chapter in my life, thinking about fundamental changes in what I want, what I value, what I wear, how I relax, where I live, what I do, who I am. So its logical that my mind wandered to my name: Dave There's a funny thing about traveling by yourself across the …

The Tiny, Tiny House

There is dancing, and there is parenting, and when a father and adult son find themselves living under one roof, it becomes a daily transition between those two. During the divorce, there was a thought the three of us would go our three separate ways. But common sense dictated my son stay and finish college …

You Need to Go See

I enjoyed myself, time after time, across the 22 weeks of my trip. I've come to think this trick played a major role. Whenever anybody said “You need to eat at ...” or “You need to go see ..” a certain thing, I would. I would make every effort, if I had the time and …

Trust is an Aphrodesiac

I started ballroom dance lessons for poise, aerobic exercise, and gross motor skills. After three or four months, as I gained confidence, I was shocked that I was picking up an entirely different vibe. Something spiritual, something visceral, primordial. Something unexplainable. I spent my summer talking to people, listening to their stories, especially people that …

Setting Off Gaydar .

Through AirBnB, I have made a friend in Orlando. He is unable to drive so he rides a bike or takes buses everywhere. When I spend the night, I try to help him run difficult errands or enjoy a dinner out someplace he doesn't normally get to go. Like every one of my AirBnB hosts, …

My Upside Down Instincts .

I'm amazed by the law of opposites. Everyone knows the adage "If you want something done, ask a busy person" and "Good fences make good neighbors". The prophet Muhammad, pbuh, has an apocryphal story of him traveling every day on the same path. A neighbor would throw garbage in his path (or upon his head, …