Stay-At-Home Dad; MYOB; Dad's in Jail; Dad's in Jail - Part II; It's A Good Day to Be a Songwriter in L.A.; Retro Surf Photos; Alice in Puppetland; Father's Day Traditions; Decoding the Graduation Garb
When jet-setting reporter Charlie Le Duff became a stay-at-home-dad
A few years ago, when his daughter was born, Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times reporter Charlie LeDuff gave up his jet-set life to become a stay-at-home dad. He wrote:
"I find myself staring into the rearview mirror of my career. There was that time in Iraq when I wandered into a city hall that had been taken over by a radical cleric and his followers. It was Good Friday, and in the spirit of brotherhood we prayed together. By the end, the holy man's supporters were chanting with thumbs raised high: "Charlie good! Charlie good!" In some way I was an ambassador—not of the U.S. government, certainly, but at least to the notion that Americans are a decent, brotherly lot."
Being at home, changing diapers, exchanging emails with his former colleagues who are still covering the exciting stories, hit Charlie hard. But he got advice from a man named Jose:
"Jose articulated the thing my friends — the go-to-work dads — were not able, or not willing, to tell me: You have to decide if the child is more important than the stature, the action, the money. If she is, you must accept it and get on with the routine."
LeDuff is now a muckraking reporter at WJBK-Channel 2 in Detroit.
MYOB
Jeff Girod sounds off at busybodies who want him and wife to reproduce.
Dad's in Jail
Meet Jim Gates, a middle-aged guy who recently picked his dad up from prison. Philip Gates was arrested for protesting at the School of the Americas.
Dad's in Jail - Part II
Jim Gates picks up his dad from jail.
It's A Good Day to Be a Songwriter in L.A.
Singer-Songwriter Priscilla Ahn talks to Off-Ramp contributor Christina Huh about her debut album A Good Day.
Off-Ramp Exclusive: Priscilla Ahn Plays the "Boob Song"
Retro Surf Photos
Surfing photographer Maggie Marsek catches the 70s vibe - and big waves - with her dreamy color photos.
Alice in Puppetland
Miniature puppets march on Disney Hall, which is hosting a Toy Theater Festival this weekend. Off-Ramp contributor Ekene Okobi checks out their new rendition of Alice in Wonderland.
Father's Day Traditions
Actor Christopher Murray talks to John about the father-child tradition of turning a chunk of wood into a toy car.
Decoding the Graduation Garb
Off-Ramp producer Queena Kim asks UCLA's Meg Sullivan about the history of graduation gowns, hats and hoods.