Archive - Rob’s Free For Now Newsletter

Pinching Pennies in Private

The last time I flew to New York from Los Angeles, I got off the plane and headed to the cab line and thought: Wait a minute.

Jun 6 • Rob Long

May 2026

Greetings, Graduates!

The Commencement Speech I Have Not Been Asked to Give

May 30 • Rob Long

You don’t have enough ice.

May 23 • Rob Long

The Jerk in the Book Club

It’s never really about the book…

May 16 • Rob Long

Have You Dined With Us Before?

(And other irritating things about restaurants)

May 9 • Rob Long

Jake & Jennifer & Don & Me

Why it pays to be nice to everybody…

May 2 • Rob Long

April 2026

Did I Misunderstand?

(I know that I didn't)

Apr 11 • Rob Long

The Fire Marshall of Easter

A reprise of some Easter thoughts…

Apr 4 • Rob Long

March 2026

Episcopalian Ramadan

One of the great joys of travel, if you’re a certain kind of person, is discovering how many places are still basically okay when you pull out a cigar…

Mar 28 • Rob Long

Check the Gates!

In journalism, an essay or article that lays out events in a chronological, step-by-step order is called a “tick tock” piece.

Mar 21 • Rob Long

A few days ago I went to buy a new computer.

Mar 14 • Rob Long

Late for Dinner

I was meeting a friend for dinner at 8PM when I got this text at 5:30PM: “Hey there, I’m actually in your area now, mind if we meet on the early side?”

Mar 7 • Rob Long