Author Archives: Nathaniel Missildine

About Nathaniel Missildine

Nathaniel Missildine lives in Dijon, France with his wife and two daughters. His travel memoir, Save for Fireflies, chronicles his family road trip across the U.S. as a kind of native tourist. For more, visit nathanielmissildine.com.

An Outsider’s Guide to the 2017 French Election

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Nathaniel Missildine

Everything you wanted to know about this year’s French presidential hopefuls but were afraid to pronounce. Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged 5th Republic, Benoit Hamon, democracy, Emmanuel Macron, EU, euro, France, Francois Fillon, French election, globalism, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Marine Le Pen, populism | Leave a comment

NRA Board Member Regrets

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Nathaniel Missildine

Second thoughts for the Second Amendment. Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged 2nd Amendment, gun control, guns, lobbyists, NRA | Leave a comment

Home States

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Nathaniel Missildine

What happens when your absentee vote is not enough to prevent the worst-case scenario? What happens if you try to return home? Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged 2016 election, America, citizen, Donald Trump, Electoral College, heartland | 1 Comment

Hot Takes and Sangfroid in the City of Light

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Nathaniel Missildine

An American expat in France on the Paris attacks of 13 November 2015. Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events | Tagged 9/11, Daesh, Dijon, France, Friday the 13th attacks, ISIL, ISIS, Paris, Paris attacks, terrorism | Leave a comment

American Car and Driver, French License

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Nathaniel Missildine

AS ADULTS, IT’S helpful to be reminded at regular intervals that we know almost nothing. My latest ineptitude prompt came as I faced—again, and in a foreign language—questions like these: You are approaching a blind curve on a two-lane road. Do … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged America, drivers license, expat, France, On The Road | Leave a comment

Catching Us at a Bad Time

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Nathaniel Missildine

Nathaniel Missildine tries to see through the fog of his daughter’s indecipherable texts, chaotic world events, and whatever might be up ahead. Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture, Uncategorized | Tagged Ben Lerner, CIA, Interstellar, texting, Wal-Mart | 1 Comment

Meet Your Overseas Travel Expectations

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Nathaniel Missildine

Nathaniel Missildine shows how to manage the soaring highs and crashing lows of foreign travel Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged customs officer, itinerary, landmarks, travel, verb conjugation | Leave a comment