I don’t know about you, but I’m a little rusty when it comes to Shakespeare. Ol’ Willie Shakes and I have a history. We had some issues over “Macbeth” back in college (a long and hilarious story for another time), but I relied on his Sonnet 116 to propose to my Darling Beloved. A few … Continue reading Brush up Your Shakespeare
A look back at the year that was in 2024 for New South Essays.
My apologies if I’ve been showing too much skin this summer. Modesty and professionalism usually prevents me from exposing my ostrich neck, but the recent "heat dome" has helped me lean into the men’s workplace fashion trend away from the necktie. The death of the necktie has been proclaimed for several years, and last year … Continue reading Fewer neckties
My two older sons and I failed in our first attempt to see the Atlanta Braves take on the San Diego Padres at Truist Park May 18 because of inclement weather, and we weren’t mad about it. The rainout doubled our fun. I had a jacket and we all had our umbrellas at the ready … Continue reading You win some, you lose some and sometimes it rains
If you’re like me, your social media feeds are filled with joyous celebration photos from high school graduations and college commencements across the country. This is the season of endings and beginnings. Last year we had the former. This year we have the latter. All this pomp and circumstance has me contemplating the differences between … Continue reading Graduation vs. Commencement
It seems rare for a family structure to repeat, but my family is living proof it happens. I grew up the oldest of three boys with my mom the lone female in a household of uniquely male eccentricities. I am now the parent of three boys with my wife the lone female in a similar … Continue reading Mothers and sons
It's Star Wars Day, and I cannot let this occasion go uncommented upon. "The Phantom Menace" is back in theaters on the 25th anniversary of its release, and I am frankly shocked that there is now a whole generation that looks back at the prequel trilogy with nostalgia. My children are among them. As I … Continue reading May the 4th be with y’all
My day job has been a relentless torrent of small talk the last few weeks. And it’s glorious. For an extrovert like me, good small talk is a renewable and infinite energy source. I readily admit I have the gift of gab, and I feed off of the social interchange. What I find so appealing … Continue reading Small talk
This week marked the end of an era. For more than 30 years I have been shaving with a Gillette Sensor razor. The same Gillette Sensor razor. That all came to a sudden and tragic end the evening of April 7. While removing my toothbrush from the cabinet, my finger caught on the underside of … Continue reading On loss and stubble
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