A few years ago, I realized I had completely run out of new things to say. Every time I spoke, I was merely repeating myself, like a clump of hair circling the drain in the bathtub. Around and around I went, voicing the same concerns and trivialities as I awaited my inevitable descent into the great waste tube beyond. “Be ...

In high school, I wore sneakers every day. They were soft, comfy, and easy to put on. Just jam your foot in, and after a few clumsy steps, the rest of the sneaker would follow. Or not. Tying the laces was optional, but on dressier occasions, I usually made the effort. Some kids didn’t even have laces on sneakers, preferring ...