Do you remember the 1987 movie of John Updike's above entitled novel?A brief summary: Jack Nicholson is cast as the male lead with dynamic costars Cher, Michele Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon cast as unknowing witches living together in a coven into which Jack wanders. I just love the send up and can't help casting myself and my three female partners …
As you may know, my son Alex has 2 bands: Tiajuana Caravan and, the off shoot, The Tall Boys. When Alex was in the crib we placed a toy guitar next to him and it took root. He now has more than 20 guitars and has become, to my taste, a very entertaining and talented performer fronting and writing songs for his bands. I know no greater thrill (kve …
At my apogee, I was a tall 5'9 3/4" and could even leap to touch the basketball rim. Well, I just took my annual physical and, presently, I just managed to stand 5'7" small. Clearly, I'm shrinking and I have learned the shrinkage has something to do with my posture, gravitational pull on my spinal discs and the deterioration of the intervening …
My son David and I have played on the Gotham Batmen softball team for many years. I am the Batmen pitcher and David plays alongside me at third base. Last week the umpire asked me my age and after telling him I then pointed out that my son was also on the team. At the end of the next inning the ump called David and me over and, surprisingly, put …
I have learned why I have become addicted to my iPhone and Social Media. For background, please read my Friday With Fred blog of two weeks ago: I'm Addicted. It seems that when one garners a Facebook "Like" or comment it stimulates the body to produce the chemical dopamine and when that happens, as the great James Brown exclaimed, "I Feel Good!"I …
So much is going on in his first 100 days and there is so much polarization in our country. It truly is enough to make One's head spin. No matter your political leaning or how you feel about the style and manner of POTUS, we are still one country. We need to settle down, find common ground and perpetuate our unique democracy, i.e.: "indivisable, …
I am compelled to admit that I have become an addict. I am addicted to Social Media. Although mostly a Luddite, I am constantly watching and working my amazingly fecund iPhone. It started years ago with email and a crude self constructed fredslist which became a more sophisticated and responsive list serve. Texting is my least favorite form …
Recently I met a young artist (photo above) at an Art Opening and while making conversation I bragged about a one mile open water swim I had just accomplished. Her response was that she had swum around the island. Taken aback, I asked her how long her swim was and she said 12 miles. Nearly speechless, I came back with "That's nearly as far as th …
All my life I've thought about being a schlepper. Schlepper? It is a Yiddish word meaning someone so stupid or ill educated that he or she can only be employed to carry (schlep) things. Really. To be precise, for my whole life I have wanted to be a schlepper for a famous artist and now my dream has come true as I schlepped my wife Joanne Klein' …
Make of it what you must, but my favorite news fonts are Mika Brzezinski and Rachel Maddow, MSNBC political pundits. Mika in the morning with her partner Morning Joe Scarborough and Rachel at 9:00 at night. Yes they are Liberal, but they make sense to me in these extraordinary times. Mika seems to speak directly to Trump through the camera and R …
Bob Dylan is a contemporary and, with all his deserved glory, I wonder, if he was asked whether he has enjoyed a good life, would he answer candidly and what would he say?I imagine it's not easy being an artist, with the relentless pressure to continue to create and live up to an earlier iconic image. Mick, Keith, Paul, and the others: surely they …
When I was in high school our telephone number was 516 621 3525. Before that there were operators and a party line (which I must admit I listened in on). When my parents moved I managed to have my boyhood number transferred to my home. Today in this iPhone era we still have 2 landlines. 3525 is for Tradition and our Fax. Before you pass judg …
One of the driving forces in my life was the lack of direct praise I received from my father. Yes, his friends told me how proud he was of me, but it was a hollow substitute. As a result I was determined to share my ample pride with my sons and I think I did a far better job than my dad. I am so proud of them! That gets me to Chris Wallace …
One of the best books I read when I was young was Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land (Biblical phrase) which has been referenced frequently in popular music. Well I am no longer young and I feel as if I am a stranger in a strange land when, for example, I get on the subway in Long Island City along with the throng transferring from the Brooklyn …
As I approach the 3/4 pole I must admit that I am now a/the Patriarch. A fancy word for "Old Fart". It snuck up on me as I kept on keeping on and my hair silvered. "Mr. Klein" was my dad and then, suddenly, it was me. All of a sudden, seats are offered to me on the subway. Don't get me wrong, I welcome Senior Citizen discounts and I do enjoy b …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend