An oil painting of a lit candle.

Sight Unseen

A blind expat's musings on life, death and the Trump era

April 24, 2026 | Rome, Italy
Who says avoiding procrastination is the only solution?

The Muse

Some people can't get going until they know time's running out — and what's wrong with that?

A cataclysmic event caused the collapse of rain forests.

Whatcheeria

Think long enough about the phrase "it's a matter of time," and the world changes before your very eyes.

The city was a bastion of Italy's Communist Party.

Mondo paese

Small cities charged with youthful significance can fail to resemble their one-time selves decades on.

They gasp and twitch in disgust.

Myth-busting

Americans often come to Rome bearing a host of myths — which can call for a reality check.

Hard to fight on without a face.

No contest

Who needs ESPN and fantasy football when you have the Empire Sports Gladiator Network?