A song lyric started it. “Nothing but the dead and dying back in my little town…” It’s a line from My Little Town by Simon & Garfunkel, and it’s one of those lines that sticks with you. Not because it’s cruel, but because it captures a feeling people recognize when they think about certain places.Continue reading “The Strange Pull of Towns That Have Seen Better Days”
Author Archives: John Berkovich
The Concert Video Nobody Asked to See
There is a modern ritual that seems to happen sooner or later in almost every social interaction, and once you notice it, you realize it follows an almost perfectly predictable script. Someone reaches into their pocket, pulls out their phone, and with unmistakable enthusiasm says, “Hey, want to see a video from the concert weContinue reading “The Concert Video Nobody Asked to See”
When a Vacation Place Becomes Home
Some places begin as destinations. You arrive for a few days, maybe a week, take in the scenery, eat at the local restaurants, and then return to wherever you normally live. You think of the place as a getaway – a day-trip or week-long trip destination where other people seem to have built their lives.Continue reading “When a Vacation Place Becomes Home”
The People Who Applaud When the Plane Lands
If you’ve flown enough times, you’ve probably witnessed this moment. The plane touches down, the wheels hit the runway with that familiar bump, the engines reverse, and the aircraft begins to slow as it rolls down the runway and then the taxiway. Then, somewhere in the cabin, a few hands start clapping. Sometimes it’s justContinue reading “The People Who Applaud When the Plane Lands”
What The Shipping News Teaches About Starting Over
Some films are loud. They announce themselves with spectacle, drama, and sweeping triumph. Others move quietly, almost cautiously, revealing their meaning slowly with each viewing. The Shipping News is one of those slow reveal films. I’ve watched it several times over the years, and each time it hits me a little differently. The movie wasContinue reading “What The Shipping News Teaches About Starting Over”
When the Old You Doesn’t Quite Let Go
There’s an odd place people pass through when they start changing their lives. You know the old version of you is fading away. In many ways, it’s already gone. The habits are different. The priorities are shifting. The things that once filled your time or occupied your mind don’t hold the same appeal (or hurt)Continue reading “When the Old You Doesn’t Quite Let Go”
Never Underestimate Small-Town Artists
Last summer, I wandered into a local art show not expecting very much. I had visited a few art galleries in my time. You know, those ones you might find at a city hall or some museum featuring a host of other stuff. But it was always the big city version, not a small town. Continue reading “Never Underestimate Small-Town Artists”
The Quiet Signs That Burnout Is Finally Lifting
Burnout is a strange thing. When you’re in the middle of it, you often don’t realize just how deep you’ve fallen into the hole. Everything feels heavy. Work that once came naturally suddenly feels like pushing a boulder uphill. Small tasks become exhausting while motivation disappears. And the strangest part of all is this quietContinue reading “The Quiet Signs That Burnout Is Finally Lifting”
The Lexi Thompson “Retirement” That Wasn’t
I’ve been watching the reaction to Lexi Thompson’s “retirement” headlines that still show up sometimes and shaking my head a little. They usually show up when she commits to a tournament. The reaction is often, “I thought she retired or was retiring.” “For someone who retired, she sure plays a lot.” And, let’s face it,Continue reading “The Lexi Thompson “Retirement” That Wasn’t”
The Relationship Between Idleness and Overthinking
When The Beatles stopped touring in the mid-1960s, John Lennon reportedly said something that has always stuck with me. After years of constant travel, concerts, interviews, recording sessions, and screaming crowds, the band suddenly found themselves with something they hadn’t experienced in years: free time. Lots of free time. And Lennon allegedly remarked, half jokingContinue reading “The Relationship Between Idleness and Overthinking”
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