Blogs / Articles

  • Mike’s Experience With Travis Mills May 27, 2014Mike's Experience With Travis MillsSay hi to Retired Staff Sargent Travis Mills, formerly of the 82nd Airborne, US Army. As you can see, Travis has undergone a few structural modifications, most visibly in the leg department. Likewise, his left arm is more machine than flesh, and though his right arm appears to be around my waist, it really isn’t. Like the rest of his limbs, ...read more...
  • A Million Thanks to a Million Friends May 27, 2014A Million Thanks to a Million FriendsI have no idea where all you people are coming from, but I’m very glad you’re here. If this were another venue, I might burst out in a celebratory song. read more...
  • A Sign of the Times May 22, 2014David Hebermehl writes, “Hey Mike – Myself and a bunch of other golf course superintendents in and around Louisville Kentucky are having a really hard time finding employees, especially if we have to use e-verify. I’ve tried all sorts of things. Nobody wants to work or work hard. Any ideas?” Hi David – The short – and somewhat self-absorbed answer is – yes. ...read more...
  • George Sutherland May 21, 2014George SutherlandFans of Dirty Jobs will remember George Sutherland. I met George back in ’08 on The Star of India. read more...
  • Freddie’s Dirty Job May 21, 2014Freddie's Dirty JobToday’s question comes form Diane Porterfield. Like a million others, she’s curious about young Freddie. read more...
  • Bay to Breakers May 19, 2014Yesterday was San Francisco’s annual 12K footrace through town – the ever-popular, “Bay to Breakers.” read more...
  • Great Haircut that No One will see May 19, 2014Great Haircut that No One will seeThat’s Christine, hiding behind my head with a razor, removing a few rogue hairs from the back of my neck. read more...
  • Old Friend, New Baby May 16, 2014Old Friend, New BabySome of you might recall my old pal Meyer read more...
  • Happy Birthday Dani…Again May 15, 2014Check out a couple of Facebook friends who snuck backstage at The Science Festival. Some of you might recall Evan – a thoughtful guy who requested an original birthday song for his girlfriend, Dani. Thanks to a few beers and a generous donation to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, I complied. That was a year ago. So, unless the custom has changed, ...read more...
  • Who Needs Air Conditioning? May 15, 2014Who Needs Air Conditioning?Couple years ago I was standing on The Arctic Ocean, several miles off the shore of Greenland, slowly freezing to death. read more...
  • I Don’t Golf May 14, 2014I Don't GolfI don’t golf. Nothing against it, I just never got into it. read more...
  • America Gets a “D” in Infrastructure May 13, 2014America Gets a "D" in InfrastructureEvery four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers issues an “Infrastructure Report Card.” This year we got a “D.” Again. It’s been this way since 1998. (Technically, this year was a “D+” but I never saw the value in assigning pluses or minuses. When I grew up, D’s had consequences that came in the form of extra chores. And ...read more...
  • Puppy Poop Bingo…and the Winner is May 12, 2014Puppy Poop Bingo...and the Winner isAs previously promised, the winner of Puppy Poop Bingo is entitled to a fabulous prize. Specifically, an 8×10 glossy of young Freddie, tastefully arranged into a modest collage, and printed out moments ago at the local Walgreens. As the attached photos attest, Freddie’s signature was not easy to obtain. However – though mangled and coated with slobber – I believe these ...read more...
  • Fast Facts Flashback: Mother’s Day May 12, 2014Fast Facts Flashback: Mother's DaySome of you have suggested that viewing this deeply humiliating piece of my distant past read more...
  • Sidewalk Wisdom May 8, 2014Sidewalk WisdomMore profundity from the Sidewalks of San Francisco. read more...