R.I.P. Chuck Tanner

Chuck Tanner, former Pirates manager, has died at 82. A little piece of my child hood died with him. He helped bring a lot of joy to me, the city of Pittsburgh and the game of baseball. He always seemed like a great guy and by all accounts was…

A guest blog

I guest blogged today at Jo Parfitt's website. Jo is a well-known expat author and entrepreneur. The post is about how starting and keeping a blog (the one you are reading) helped fan my writing fires and eventually lead me to Big In China.

From the Archives: Gary Moore

RIP Gary Moore, 1952-2011 I was shocked to hear about guitarist Gary Moore's death at age 59. The news prompted me to pull this 2004 Guitar World interview out of my archgives. I interviewed Gary several times. He was a UK and Euro legend…

Andy Aledort and the Groove Kings

My man Andy Aledort, who will be playing both launch parties for Big In China - in Tribeca March 1 and Maplewood March 4. Jamming with these guys again may have been a good enough reason to write the book.

Happy New Year

兔年快乐！恭喜发财！ Have a happy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit!

Local Boy Makes Good

Jeopardy practice host is my man Jimmy McGuire, good friend since third grade... Well, we did go through a big rivals phase in 4th/5th grade and had some good ol' blacktop throw-downs... the kind of thing that would have us in front of child…

Just some great photos

My man David Kann is the greatest photographer, with a perfect knack for getting people to act nutty and express themselves, a great eye and a quick finger to capture the moment every time. He's been getting his vast archive of photos of family…

Putting their Nooks where their mouths are

Breakfast Nook Nook video spokegirls Skyler (l) and Anna actually using them this morning at breakfast, Bonte Waffles, South Orange.

Nega, please

Peter Hessler  author of River Town and Country Driving on Big In China: “Alan Paul plunges into Chinese life and takes us along for the ride, through vegetable markets, used-car lots, Taoist temples, divey bars, and…