Inasmuch as wall units were invented in 1945, I am older than air conditioning as we first knew it. We got our first wall unit in the 50s. Prior to then, on hot summer days we took midday cold showers, ran through the lawn sprinkler, sat in a kiddie pool, rode our bikes as fast as we could while still wet, went to the beach (without suntan lotion …
With all of the attention on the other side of the Pond over the birth of George Alexander Louis, aka His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, the new heir to the British throne, I wonder what it would be like to live in a monarchy. My speculation only extends to consideration of a parliamentary monarchy -- where the monarch serves as a figur …
It feels like the concept of contrition is truly a thing of the past. Ryan Braun and Anthony Weiner are both being blasted not just for their transgressions, but for the disingenous manner in which they handled their controversies. After testing positive for steroids last year, Braun challenged the system and eventually won, I believe even go …
You may, or may not, know that I am a confessed Royal Watcher. My obsession with the royal family started with Princess Diana. I just really liked her. That obsession has grown to include royal weddings, the Queen at the Olympics last year, and now the icing on the cake – the birth of the Royal Baby. Now, I can’t help but wonder what name will be …
Rolling Stone magazine was, itself, in the news last week for using a picture of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on its cover. In this magazine cover image released by Wenner Media, Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev appears on the cover of the Aug. 1, 2013 issue of "Rolling Stone." The photo, a self image tak …
It was my first concert at the Barclay's Center, and I had to leave at intermission. As I walked out someone was standing by the doors and asked me if by any chance I had an extra unused ticket. It turns out that I did. At that point I was not interested in getting any money for my ticket. The show was great, and I was in the mood to be nice a …
I'm experiencing one of the more difficult parts of parenting, letting go. It's harder because Jake is living with me so I see first hand how he runs his life. I have total faith and trust in him and his ability to succeed. The issue I'm grappling with is mine not his. It's a philosophy I have often talked about...allowing your child to be who they …
A week ago, The Bodega Tall Boys, my son's band, appeared at William Skody's Cafe Wha?Words can barely describe how wonderful the experience was for me, i.e., enjoying and witnessing Alex doing what he loves best and doing it well. Making things even better was the fact that we were surrounded by family, friends, Gothamites and fans.Representative …
The Art Cliff Diner is a popular breakfast and lunch place in Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard. My Art Cliff cap has "1943" on the back. Inside the diner, it looks like it's been around for as long as the cap claims. Suffice it to say, that it's sometimes hard to get in -- especially if you get there too close to the 2 o'clock closing time. Art …
I had very much wanted to blog about the Trayvon Martin case, about information poison and media greed. I very much want to contribute to fixing this. I very much want to help subside what really caused this tragedy...fear. Yes, fear, not racism, on both their parts was the catalyst…fear and societal breakdown. You see both were in bad situation …
There he was. Oblivious to the world around him. A pair of noise cancelling headphones perched comfortably around his head. A little quiet singing? Perhaps. Just to his left, a woman walked quietly oblivious to the world around her. No headphones but a smartphone would suffice. A very serious conversation clearly in full swing. Behind …
At first I thought it was a joke. A friend had posted a picture of her sixteen year old son, Jonah, clearly upset on Facebook. The caption below the photo read that the source of his anguish was the refusal of employees of Legoland in Yonkers to allow him admission into Legoland. When I asked her about it she told me that, Legoland, which bills i …
The end of the Zimmerman trial is news of the day. Acquittal comes as no surprise given the testimony and the law of the State of Florida which puts the burden on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that self defense was not justified. There were no real witnesses, little evidence, and conflicting testimony on who screamed for hel …
Went to the legendary Cafe Wha? last night to see the Bodega Tallboys. Alex Klein's band. If you're not familiar, Cafe Wha? it has quite a history. It's referred to a "sanctuary for talent." Artists such as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Peter, Paul & Mary, Kool and the Gang, as well as comedians, Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby got t …
As some may know, I consider rock 'n roll blogger Bob Lefsetz to be my oracle. Why my oracle? Because of nuggets like the following quote: winners don't always win because they're better than everybody else, but frequently because they outlast everybody, there are fewer competitors down the road.My life experience tells me that this is so true and …
