May 22, 2017
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on The Heart Of It All
We sleep in the smaller bedroom on the second floor, the one just at the end of the staircase. The windows in the room face toward the east, and in the morning, unless the blinds are fully closed, the … Continue reading
March 5, 2017
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on A Winning Bet
“I spent $500 on the fifth horse, in the sixth race. I think his name was Chips Ahoy.” -The Hold Steady Trusty Friend, My father’s childhood home, is located off of Baltimore-Washington Parkway at the MD I-175 exit, where Howard … Continue reading
January 12, 2016
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Meditations in a Medieval Winter (Ode to a Good Man)
“This is where I’ve known people since I was a child. This is an enormous asset. I can’t imagine living without this asset, of being friends with people I went to the first grade with. And we’ve stayed in … Continue reading
July 26, 2015
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Defending the Homefront
The rat unleashed a horrible scream, and her skin bubbled up with goosebumps. The stupid rodent wedged itself into her backyard fence, its legs still stuck in a spring trap she had set underneath her back stairs, and its torso … Continue reading
January 21, 2015
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Just A Heartbeat Away: The Short, Depressing History of Maryland’s Lt. Governorship
MSA Archives Wednesday, Jan. 21 was inauguration day here in Maryland, and newly-elected Gov. Larry Hogan (R) assumed office at the state house in Annapolis. More importantly, Maryland swore in it’s new Lt. Governor, one of the least important political … Continue reading
September 12, 2014
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Freak Flag Day
I ordered two Manhattans, both served on the rocks. One for myself, one for Sam. The bartender at Club Charles poured the drinks into water glasses. They were stiff. The bitters, bourbon and vermouth blended together pleasantly.
September 12, 2014
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Rough Weeks In the City
RIP Devin Cook pic.twitter.com/Td811SFGcB — Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) August 3, 2014 There are rough weeks, and there are Baltimore rough weeks. It’s different.
February 23, 2014
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on City Paper Is Dead. Long Live City Paper
I was going to write an extended obituary for City Paper, Baltimore’s alternative weekly, following its sale to frenemy Baltimore Sun this week, but Gawker editor and former CP staff writer Tom Scocca (who’ve we’ve mentioned here before) beat me … Continue reading
January 31, 2014
by Clare Lochary
Comments Off on Class Chatter Super-Catholic Edition
There has recently been a spotlight on my alma mater, Notre Dame Preparatory School, for refusing to list an alumna’s marriage to another woman in its Class Chatter, on the basis that gay marriage is not in keeping with Catholic … Continue reading
January 27, 2014
by Geoff Shannon
Comments Off on Advice from Writers: Scocca, Alvarez, Christensen Help A Young Scribe
Ten years ago I was a middling student and aspiring journalist wrapping up my career at Tulane in New Orleans. Since the university didn’t offer journalism, I carved out a career resume serving as the sports editor for The Hullabaloo … Continue reading