Forgetting money, everything has an inherent tangible value (more or less to each person and in differing situations or contexts). For example, when we visited Cuba in 2016 I brought little paper American flags which I saved after their use for decorations on the Fourth of July and inexpensive white Rawlings baseballs. Anticipating its unique …
When I vacation in Key West I have a regular Friday night routine of sitting on a bench across the street from the weekly "Sound Check" at Key West's iconic rock n' roll Green Parrot venue. I've come to consider the bench, fronting the Court House Deli, to be the epicenter of Key West culture and humanity. There, no one has a label or preconce …
Web Master Mitch and I have assumed the responsibility of composing our new opinion polls. The present poll appears below near the bottom of the website. Our first new poll pictured here was our most successful to date, asking Gotham's opinion as to the best picture Oscar and we called it right! The Shape of Water. A great call and a great flick …
We saw "Black Panther" last week in 3-D and to be honest I think it would've been a better choice to see it in 2-D. Passing on the quality of the movie which is breaking box office records, the experience was not a pleasant one. The picture was dark and blurry through the glasses and at times when there was no action I took off the glasses and wa …
One of my favorite songs is Dylan's Forever Young and my oft stated quest is to live to 100 and beyond. With this as background, I was very pleased to receive a link (http://bit.ly/2HFR65V) to a TED talk from Judy Mauer on the subject of "The Strongest Predictor On How Long You'll Live". According to the TED Talk, there was a Brigham Young Unive …
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that all of the shooters in the recent spate of our country's massacres are male. I have followed the commentary closely and not one person has made this distinction to my mind. If anyone can explain it I would welcome it. Said another way, why don't females engage in such carnage? On this subject and …
It was with nostalgic sadness that I learned that the venerable pre war Port Washington movie theater closed. Of course, with the advent of Netflix and their competitors it should not be surprising. Sad still, nonetheless. The Academy Awards will be announced on March 4th and in preparation therefor we try to see as many of the nominated films as …
One of the most valuable things my father ever taught me is that "There are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth". In these politically charged times we are constantly inundated with strong opinions on Facebook, Twitter or political list serves. I am struck by the self assured vehemence of people whose position or opinions …
Last Friday we went to a local theater production. Although all the contributors were professionals and the ticket cost not insubstantial, the experience fell far short. Thank goodness it was a two act play and we could look forward to bolting at the intermission. I say "we" because it was not just me who was disappointed. The main problem or d …
The other morning my day did not start well. As I was scrolling through the early morning emails I came upon my credit card bill and I was shocked to learn my balance due was double my norm. My first fear was that I had been hacked, but that was not the case. The problem was that my payment of the previous month's balance had arrived late. The …
A couple years ago, while at a GOtham Green meeting I had a "Save the World" type of inspiration to blurt that, in the spirit of the tobacco litigation, somebody should bring a lawsuit against the oil companies concerning their obvious impact upon our climate change. Of course, it was a favorably received notion, but nothing came of it. Recentl …
Recently Joanne and I stayed in on consecutive Saturday nights and watched Godfather I and II. Our (unanimous) impression was that the original was better, if not far better, than II. It is so rich in color, music, composition, content, acting, writing and lessons. And it is so eternally quotable. Topical today is second son Fredo's protestations …
I drive an ordinary mid sized car, but where I live there are a preponderance of behemoth SUVs. The problem is that the streets in my village are narrow winding two ways which were not built to accommodate behemoths. The problem is exacerbated by what seems like a behemoth own the road-"coming through" mentality. Being mindful of this problem …
It's that time of year and whether or not they are followed through with, it is time to make New Year's resolutions.In as much as this has been one of the best years of my life, my first resolution is to keep on keeping on.Passing that, my primary resolution is to be more of a PR director for my wife Joanne's uniquely beautiful art. An example is …
When I was young I was afraid of the dark and everything that went with it, imagined, real or suggested. So fearful that I had extreme trouble falling asleep. Yesterday was the winter solstice, the shortest (day light) day of the year. One could call it Heart of Darkness Day and say it is the worst or best day of year, as darkness bottoms and sta …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend