Observations

top of page

The Nod

ohn standing on Sanibel Island beach early in the morning, wearing sunglasses and a blue Greenland Sharks shirt—the photo he decided might someday be his funeral picture.

ohn standing on Sanibel Island beach early in the morning, wearing sunglasses and a blue Greenland Sharks shirt—the photo he decided might someday be his funeral picture.

The Funeral Picture

1 day ago3 min read

Three Greenland Sharks sitting together at a restaurant table before an event.

Three Greenland Sharks sitting together at a restaurant table before an event.

Christopher Walken Thinks You Should Go

Aug 296 min read

Playing Catch

Playing Catch

Playing Catch

Aug 235 min read

Old cardboard box labeled “Do Not Open” beside a large collection of handwritten and typed letters saved by my parents from their courtship.

Old cardboard box labeled “Do Not Open” beside a large collection of handwritten and typed letters saved by my parents from their courtship.

The Box

Aug 88 min read

A smiling boy in a 1970s portrait, years before a childhood struggle with weight, a lifelong love of racquetball, and an unexpected lesson about attention and food would shape his story.

A smiling boy in a 1970s portrait, years before a childhood struggle with weight, a lifelong love of racquetball, and an unexpected lesson about attention and food would shape his story.

The Next Serve

Jul 264 min read

Marcel Duchamp's conceptual artwork Fountain, a porcelain urinal, used as the featured image for a humorous Greenland Sharks blog about unexpected conversations and the people we meet in everyday places.

Marcel Duchamp's conceptual artwork Fountain, a porcelain urinal, used as the featured image for a humorous Greenland Sharks blog about unexpected conversations and the people we meet in everyday places.

Men's Room

Jul 194 min read

John and his father-in-law smile together aboard a boat on a sunny day, standing beneath the canopy with calm water and a distant shoreline behind them.

John and his father-in-law smile together aboard a boat on a sunny day, standing beneath the canopy with calm water and a distant shoreline behind them.

Dangle

Jul 123 min read

An early-1980s brown Ford Thunderbird represents a personal story about a traffic stop, putting off important responsibilities, and the lessons that still resonate decades later.

An early-1980s brown Ford Thunderbird represents a personal story about a traffic stop, putting off important responsibilities, and the lessons that still resonate decades later.

Red Tape

Jun 274 min read

Mary and John Baumeister standing on Coronado Beach in San Diego at sunset, looking out over the Pacific Ocean during a Greenland Sharks blog story about friendship, marriage, and the unwritten rules men follow.

Mary and John Baumeister standing on Coronado Beach in San Diego at sunset, looking out over the Pacific Ocean during a Greenland Sharks blog story about friendship, marriage, and the unwritten rules men follow.

Men Don't Eat Cake in Front of Each Other

Jun 205 min read

Young married couple visiting Las Vegas in the early 1990s after an unexpected job loss, inspired by a father's advice to keep moving forward.

Young married couple visiting Las Vegas in the early 1990s after an unexpected job loss, inspired by a father's advice to keep moving forward.

The Best Time To Go

Jun 126 min read

Man using a leaf blower at a Door County home after severe storms, clearing leaves and debris while discovering the unexpected peace of a simple outdoor ritual.

Man using a leaf blower at a Door County home after severe storms, clearing leaves and debris while discovering the unexpected peace of a simple outdoor ritual.

Zen and the Art of Leaf Blowing

May 314 min read

Group of veterans gathering outside Miesfeld’s Meat Market in Wisconsin discussing breakfast groups, community, and Memorial Day reflections on friendship and service.

Group of veterans gathering outside Miesfeld’s Meat Market in Wisconsin discussing breakfast groups, community, and Memorial Day reflections on friendship and service.

Where Men Gather

May 234 min read

Black-and-white photo of junior high jazz band with student playing trumpet during school performance

Black-and-white photo of junior high jazz band with student playing trumpet during school performance

I Brought My Horn. And Another Bag.

Apr 255 min read

She Hunts. I Sit.

She Hunts. I Sit.

She Hunts. I Sit.

Apr 183 min read

Plannerman

Plannerman

Plannerman

Mar 214 min read

About Eight Isn’t Good Enough

About Eight Isn’t Good Enough

About Eight Isn’t Good Enough

Feb 214 min read

Real Olympians

Real Olympians

Real Olympians

Feb 142 min read

Some Sharks at Breakfast

Some Sharks at Breakfast

Resolution Season Is Over. Good.

Jan 312 min read

What Mom Gave Us

What Mom Gave Us

What Mom Gave Us

Jan 244 min read

The Lost Art of the Apology

The Lost Art of the Apology

The Lost Art of the Apology

Jan 173 min read

bottom of page