friendship – ron stempkowski

You’re Welcome, John Hughes

Posted on November 22, 2019November 22, 2019 by Ron Stempkowski

Growing up in the 80s was special. In many ways. It was special because we were forced to interact with other, decades before the age of the smartphone. There was no internet, no tablets, no 24/7 news... Read More

Home Is Where the Dead Hookers Are

Posted on November 3, 2016May 14, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski

My house never feels more like a home than when it’s brimming with people I love. Recently, my A-List (Retta, Kathy, Alan and Tina) had the opportunity to get together–for the first... Read More

Pondering on What Comes Next

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Ron Stempkowski

Friendships can begin in the unlikeliest of places, perhaps as a reminder that good things can happen even in the darkest of circumstances. I’ve written before about meeting author Claire Bidwe... Read More

A Little Portlandia Weirdness Comes to the Windy City

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Ron Stempkowski

My friend Mindy came to town from Portland for a visit this past week. Though we talk and text regularly, I hadn’t seen her since she came to town to support me and attend Ken’s soiree in ... Read More

My $2k T-Shirt

Posted on August 1, 2011January 31, 2016 by Ron Stempkowski

Every so often I stumble across a neatly folded red t-shirt tucked way back in my closet when I’m organizing or looking for something. I’m always compelled to unfurl it, unfailingly get lo... Read More

There's Something about Tina

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Ron Stempkowski

Tina is a buddy of mine who I met back in 1997 while attending training at Second City. I think our friendship fate was sealed on the first day of improv class as he were tangled into a continuous, ha... Read More

ron stempkowski