I turn, and a man is right there in front of me, pressing an "Admit One" carnival ticket into my hand. He lifts a voice recorder to my face. "Admit something," he says, his face expressionless. "  

As strange as it might seem, for the past few years I've started most mornings looking through the local obituaries online. On March 3, I finally could stop. My friend passed away. She was difficu  

If there's one thing people from Cincinnati love, it's chili. We love eating it, and we love talking about it. Those of us who have moved away from the area have cans of chili and spice packets ma  

It was the summer after sixth grade. A typical dog day in Cincinnati -- the land was parched, yellow and thirsty; I swore I could hear the grass make sucking sounds. All around, dry lips were crack  

After having a rather childish argument with a female friend, the smart thing for me would have been to simply go home. I seldom do the smart thing. There I was walking down Monmouth Street in New  

When I see hopeless drunks incapable of controlling their behavior or helping themselves, I've been known to step in and lend a helping hand. Guess it's my nature. The last time it happened, I wro  

As far as religion goes, some would say I'm a mess. Get this: Dad's Mom, Mimi, is a devout Catholic. At one time, she considered becoming a nun. At 91, armed with a wheelchair, she never misses Mas  

When I was working on the "Bear" column that appeared here a few weeks ago, I wrote it in longhand one afternoon at the Main Library downtown. This is a luxury I usually don't have. More often tha  

Dear Abby said that a girl could get knocked up from something called heavy petting. She didn't use the phrase "knocked up." She did say "heavy petting." I didn't know what heavy petting meant. L  

One factor that went into my choice for a new winter coat this year was whether or not the young kids who ride the Metro bus would respect me. I look like a scarf-wearing college boy when I step o  

When I walk into Madonna's on a Thursday afternoon, I can tell the mood is serious. I don't pay much attention. I'm on my cell phone talking over a story idea with a friend. Bartender Laura quickl  

Last month at the Laundromat, while sorting my clothes for the washer, I gave up, stuffing socks and shirts wherever they freaking fit. Trouble came marching toward me while I slipped coins in slot  

Just when I think I've seen it all, someone like Jeremy Allen Millsaps shows up. Then I'm amazed all over again at the range of artistic activity that proliferates in a buttoned-down city like Cinc  

For some reason, I've been running into my past lately -- people I thought were long gone from my life. It's a little unnerving at times as it brings back some memories I'd just as soon forget, but  

I thought it'd be easy. I had no idea what I was facing. Wicked, flu-like symptoms. Achy, weak and lightheaded, I was overcome by a stinking depression. I crawled in to work, but when my boss stud