• Feature

    Feb. 13, 1990: The Story of Tiny and Valera

    February 13, 2026 - By 

    In the late summer of 1989, I had an idea to approach the University of Central Florida’s student newspaper, “The Future,” about writing a weekly column. I wrote the first one and very humbly submitted it in person to the editor, Scott Altman. Without much fanfare, it was accepted, and so it went for the next fifteen months. Ultimately, many positive experiences grew from these efforts. One esteemed instructor made much of my work and was instrumental in me winning a Scripps-Howard Foundation Fellowship for the column. Thank you, Keith Fowles.

  • Feature

    Rare Air Episode 61

    October 2, 2025 - By 

    Almost exactly seven years ago, I stopped to shoot this footage along Highway 105 just south of Boone. Reviewing it and re-reading my journal entries from that time, I’m surprised to see all the directions our lives were travelling.

  • Feature

    Rare Air Episode 60

    June 27, 2025 - By 

    On Saturday, July 6, 2019, I sat down with my laptop and began writing a journal entry, as I’ve been doing consistently, at least once a week, since mid-2003. With only two more full days remaining at the vacation spot of our dreams, I was ready to ask myself big questions, and to renew my search for answers. One essential takeaway

  • Feature

    May 30, 2001: The Countdown Begins… Escape from LA, Part 1

    May 31, 2025 - By 

    All of this started playing out 24 years ago today – thought I’d bump it back to the top of this blog to rekindle the memories… Escape from LA by Roger Darnell Wednesday, May 30, 2001: The Countdown Begins As I sat at my desk at the end of the business day (night) on Tuesday, I knew I really needed to get some sleep to be ready to start loading the truck bright and early the next morning; surveying my office, though — still largely intact — it finally also sunk-in to me that I needed to get it packed,…

  • Feature

    Rare Air Episode 59

    March 23, 2025 - By 

    I’ve been featuring video shot during our 2019 trip to St. John since episode 47. Revisiting what I wrote to accompany that edition – and almost every one since – pining away for past times is clearly my recurring theme. Honoring the present does remain vastly important for me, always, and yet, this digital pathway is sure to involve even more savoring of sweet, bygone times.

  • Feature

    Rare Air Episode 56

    June 27, 2024 - By 

    Before I publish the 57th episode in this series, Beth and I are once again set to experience Saint John in person. It is very safe to say we are eagerly anticipating our visit to a new (to us) East End accommodation, during August’s second week.