To Catch a RapistFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA Corey Williams comes home from work after midnight, tired usually, and sometimes thinking about the joy he used to feel "knocking people over." As a powerful defensive end, he certainly didn't mind the violence… Jun 25 08June 25, 2008Article at Houston Press
Students of VirginityThere was a time when not having sex consumed a very small part of Janie Fredell’s life, but that, of course, was back in Colorado Springs. It seemed to Fredell that almost no one had sex in Colorado Springs. Her hometown was extremely conservative,… Mar 30 08March 30, 2008Article at New York Times
Russ Whitney Wants You to Be RichAmong the promises made after midnight to people who want to believe them, amid ads for the cream that will make you look young again and the “motionless exercise” system that will melt away your fat comes the voice from the television that asks,… Mar 18 07March 18, 2007Article at New York Times
The Organ GrinderThe last days of Alistair Cooke were painful and difficult—“what we all go through, really,” says his daughter, Susan Kittredge—but Cooke carried on with typical English fortitude. In his final public broadcast—“Letter From America,” No. 2,869—he… Oct 06 06October 06, 2006Article at New York Magazine
All This Useless BeautyThe road to paradise is lined with real estate companies and grading contractors, and if you don’t get stuck behind a cement truck, you can get there from Asheville, N.C., in about an hour and a half. Highway 64 twists and climbs through the… Sep 10 06September 10, 2006Article at New York Times
Empire of the Alpha MomThe birth of the alpha boy was a planned event—“Very much so,” said his mother, Isabel Kallman—and occurred when the timing was right, on a fine spring day, after an intense 29-hour labor. His parents were both Ivy Leaguers and lifelong New Yorkers,… Jun 10 05June 10, 2005Article at New York Magazine
Beggars Can Be ChoosersHomeless though he was, Kenny was a lord-of-the-manor type, the leader of the pack. You had to be good at something, and he was good at being homeless. He would tell you that he could build a home out of anything, almost anywhere. Kenny had “32 years… Dec 02 04December 02, 2004Article at New York Magazine
Houston Does Not Believe In TearsAfter the disaster, I got back to Houston as quickly as possible and at first could hardly tell anything had happened. It was not as if a bomb had exploded or a building had collapsed. There had been a disappearance, that is all, and the effect was… Jun 09 02June 09, 2002Article at New York Times
Chicken ManFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA On the way to Galveston, Santa Fe is little more than a clearing in the woods. The few streets bear letters of the alphabet but seem to proceed at random, and Jimbo Bradshaw is pretty sure "the goddamn town was… Jun 29 00June 29, 2000Article at Houston Press
Pain in the AssFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA When embarking on a sting, one wants company. It can be rather frightening to go it alone, and so I hope you don't mind the royal we, for I now become it. We just feel more comfortable that way. If it makes you… Jun 01 00June 01, 2000Article at Houston Press
Freaked Out In The Burbs; The Serpent In the GardenFollowing the custom of subdivisions, Canyon Gate is named after the quality least in supply. There are no canyons. There is one gate. When Chris and Christina Foley drove by, after the birth of their second child, they saw little more than scraped… Apr 09 00April 09, 2000Article at New York Times
Larger Than LifeFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA Until about five years ago, there lived in this town at least one grasping old man with an enormous appetite for pretty young women. His name was J. Howard Marshall II, and for many years, he lived respectably,… Dec 02 99December 02, 1999Article at Houston Press
Love Thy NeighborFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA Wednesday, November 27, 1996, 4:50 p.m. -- still a beautiful day in the neighborhood. From a second-floor window in the home of Mr. Charles Van Wormer, a security camera records the moment, as it records all… Mar 25 99March 25, 1999Article at Houston Press
The PatronFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA Before attending a polo match, said Sheri Roane, "the first question everyone asks is, 'What should I wear?' I always say, 'Sporty casual.' " As for herself, the marketing director of the Houston Polo Club was… Nov 19 98November 19, 1998Article at Houston Press
Two Bullets in the BackFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA The fear began. At 1:35 a.m., Carolyn Deal was wakened by the sound of shattering glass. She roused her 62-year-old husband, Jack, who told her to get dressed, lock the bedroom door. She heard coughing just… Jul 09 98July 09, 1998Article at Houston Press
Lesson No. 3: Grunt. People Expect It Tugboat Taylor's school in Houston is the Actors Studio for WWF wannabesTugboat Taylor was minding his business, just telling one of his scholars to step on the head of another, when a visitor asked the rudest question: "This is all pretty fake, isn't it?" The question landed on Tugboat's fleshy face like an atomic drop.… Jun 15 98June 15, 1998Article at Vault
The Trophy SonFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA In her immaculate kitchen, remembering the saddest day, Mrs. Sonja Rutherford's lip began to tremble. "It makes me cry even now," she said, sniffling. "Sorry." And she reached for the Kleenex. They had such… Jan 15 98January 15, 1998Article at Houston Press
The LegendFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA The pros come home in the summer like returning kings, in Cadillacs, Lexuses and Mercedes-Benzes -- tall, disdainful men with gold chains around their necks and diamonds in their ears. Their egos are large,… Aug 14 97August 14, 1997Article at Houston Press
Sherwood's RulesFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA Sherwood Cryer turned left off of Spencer Highway and bounced over the tall weeds growing through the cracks. He stopped his old pickup, got out and stood gazing upon a vast concrete pasture. It was eight… May 15 97May 15, 1997Article at Houston Press
Holy WarriorFacebook Twitter email Print Article AA The morning always began with a prayer and always proceeded with gospel music. It would have been easy to believe this was Sunday service, if the temple in Houston were not called the House of Pain, and if the… Nov 07 96November 07, 1996Article at Houston Press