Just a reminder, an apology is overdue… I assure you the freedom, fun, untethered simplicity and privacy my generation enjoyed as kids, growing up in the United States (in the 40s, 50s and 60s) will never be experienced by my grandkids, or anybody’s grandkids, regardless of where they grow up. What’s most tragic is my … Continue reading
About our candidates… Everybody, specially the media, always talks about who is going to “win” the election. I wish everyone would talk about who’s the smartest candidate. There is a difference, you know, between who’s the smartest and most qualified to solve our problems and who’s going to “win”. Just because someone is a “winner” … Continue reading
When I graduated from 8th grade, in 1957, my parents gave me an amazing 35mm Wirgin camera, 2 rolls of black and white Kodak film, I think they were 24 exposure rolls, a brown custom fitted leather camera case with a matching leather strap and a collapsible fan-shaped flash attachment with 6 flash bulbs. The … Continue reading
Regarding Giuliani’s recent “remarks” about Obama not loving America, well, here’s how I feel about Giuliani… Since withdrawing from the election for a US senate seat because of cancer, Giuliani has become a nuisance, a vexation to everyone’s spirit. He just needs to be ignored henceforth and forever more! Socrates says it best… “When … Continue reading
On 8/6/14 I emailed the letter below to US House of Representative member Mr. Steve Cohen and US Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker. I’m most embarrassed to say, I helped elect them. I also emailed a letter, similar in content, to John Boehner, Speaker of the House… Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader… and Mitch … Continue reading
Lately, marijuana is in the headlines a lot. In 1964 our congress took a big step, and rightfully so, to legislate morality and get rid of discrimination with the Civil Rights Act. Fifty years later, I think some of our states are trying to legislate “happiness” by legalizing pot? Thank you very much, but I … Continue reading
The 50s, 60s and 70s were a period of intense discontent, mistrust and passionate “cultural change” in the United States. The Vietnam war, young folks protesting that war, burning draft cards and bras, the civil rights marches, Rosa Parks and freedom rides, the Civil Rights Act, Woodstock, Kent State, love-ins, LSD, pot, hippies, yuppies and … Continue reading
If you didn’t go to high school in the 50’s or 60s, don’t bother watching this video or reading my “essay”. If you did go to high school in the 50’s or 60’s you might enjoy this 5 min. video and my essay. The video is straight from YouTube. A friend introduced me to it. … Continue reading
It’s impossible to feel good all the time, for most of us anyway. So, when you have one of those not so good days or moments, if you haven’t seen this CBS 60 Minutes piece, you really should watch it. It’ll probably make you feel good. It’s about a symphony orchestra and choir in Africa, … Continue reading
Look at me folks. Today is Friday, Friday morning. Do you understand? Be loving to all, and be on your way. Don’t dilly-dally. Great things are expected of you today. See you at you supper. May God Bless everyone! OK, you can inhale now.
What were your hopes and dreams a long time ago? When we were in high school, college, starting our first job, moving into our first apartment or house, or getting married, why did some of us let a lot of our hopes and dreams fade away? My experience has told me, back then, some of us … Continue reading
Have you ever played in a band? With all due respect, I’m not talking about your high school or grade school band. Have you ever played in a band for money? Do you know what it feels like to play a guitar, a sax, a piano, an acoustic or electric bass, the drums, or a … Continue reading
As time passes, I often remember you and me and all the fun we had when we were kids. I can’t prove it, but I think you were about two years old when I found you. I was a cocky eight-year-old then. From the way you acted and looked, I decided you had been a … Continue reading
A few days ago I read Daphne Prost’s very funny article COULD THE ZOMBIES ALL JUST DIE NOW? PLEASE? For your enlightenment, her website is http://daphnepropst.wordpress.com. As I read her article, I suddenly realized where Hollywood got the idea for a zombie. The idea grew from many years of Hollywood moguls observing our “leaders” in Washington … Continue reading
JAZZ. SWING. BIG BAND SWING. BENNY GOODMAN, GLENN MILLER, COUNT BASIE, DUKE ELLINGTON, LOUIS “SATCHMO” ARMSTRONG… THERE ISN’T ENOUGH ROOM TO LIST ALL THE GREATS OF JAZZ that make Jazz the enduring and feel good art form it is. From its deepest roots in the music of our slave culture, into the twenties, thirties and … Continue reading
Two distinctly different people met and became close friends. Their differences were never a barrier to accepting each other. Each was a man making a friend for life. A few days ago I read a blog about Geronimo, a Chiricahua Apache warrior (http://militaryhistorynow.com/?s=geronimo). The article is titled GERONIMO AND THE APACHE—THE TALIBAN OF THE WILD … Continue reading
I’m tired of people exhorting their armchair quarterback opinions about politics and the economy. I want to talk about something the politicians can’t screw up. Well, maybe I should say, they haven’t screwed it up YET… Do you know what Boogie-Woogie Music is? What about dancing to Swing Music from the thirties, forties and early … Continue reading
I Phones, I Pads, laptops, smart phones, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, hot zones, Facebook, Twitter, video games, data streaming, texting and video surveillance (hidden or otherwise) are making people obsessive-compulsive information gatherers, whether they really need the information or not. These devises have morphed into our security blankets. When was the last time you left home without … Continue reading
What is the ultimate video game? If you caught a glimpse of the pictures or the videos below and then guessed flying an F-18 for the United States Navy’s Blue Angels, you’re right. At least to me it’s the ultimate video game. What makes this the ultimate video game? The pilots cannot make a mistake, … Continue reading
Written around 1920 by Max Ehrmann, some are familiar with the poem Desiderata and some are not. Many times, and in several languages, the words of this poem have been recorded. When you hear this poem, you’ll know what inspired writing is all about. And not surprisingly, in 1971 it won a Grammy for Best … Continue reading
Shortly after I published my last article, HEAR YE! HEAR YE! 58 YEARS IS LONG ENOUGH…, I decided to get a few more concerns off my chest … As far as I’m concerned, left-wing, right-wing, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Tea Party, Libertarian, or The Greene Party, etc., most of these candidates just want make sure they’re … Continue reading
I know, this article will have the same impact as me standing in my backyard and hollering help to the world, but I got to say… HEAR YE! HEAR YE! The purpose of this article is to get as many people as possible to vote in every election and to follow 2 simply rules when … Continue reading
Even the peasants swing their pitchforks to a good beat… Today, no social commentary, no stories, no who shot John, just some great music. A good beat that will hopefully make you say what James Brown is famous for screaming, “I FEEL GOOD!” Turn up the volume to get the full blast value of this … Continue reading
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I visited our grand-kids and in Denver, Colorado, the mile high city. During a side trip into the mountains, we visited a child’s indoor interactive playground, in Beaver Creek, Co. (altitude approximately 8,500 feet). While I enjoyed watching the kids having a blast, I noticed on a … Continue reading
WARNING: THERE IS NOTHING OFFENSIVE, GRAPHIC OR REPULSIVE IN THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE OR VIDEOS… Except for a visit to a zoo, when was the last time you had a close encounter with a gorilla? I know, that’s a silly question, but I couldn’t resist asking… Please remember, the gorillas in these videos are really … Continue reading
All over the world in the 50’s, millions of kids experienced a musical earthquake of the highest magnitude. This earthquake came from the rich musical soul of a changing and growing America. That soul, that passionate emotion, was, and still is, rooted in songs, rhythms, and melodies from around the world: Negro Spirituals, Latin and … Continue reading
One of the most dreadful, frightful series of words in the American language, in any language, is “ASSEMBLY REQUIRED”. Several days ago my wife decided to replace the coffee table in our den. A few days later she called to tell me she finally found a coffee table she really liked. I said, Fine, but … Continue reading
I don’t know how you feel, but I’ve decided, the only thing in my life I have 100% control of is my integrity. When we were in high school, college, starting our first job, moving away from dad and mom into our first apartment or house, or getting married, why did some of us let … Continue reading
When I get an email and in the signature block I read: ‘Sent from my IPHONE’, or ‘Sent from my BLACKBERRY’ (or something similar) I want to gag. It’s as though the sender wants to impress me, that he/she has the latest “Magic Bullet” communication device, or their device has some inherent charm or revelation … Continue reading
If you haven’t seen it, in person, it’s known as the GRAND CANYON. Once this spectacular, ever-changing, vivid event of nature is witnessed, the most smug person is even overpowered by its beauty and magnificence. My wife and I visited the Grand Canyon in September of 2010. Although my wife is not a big fan … Continue reading
****** * * * * * * * * * * I suggest in the interest of improving home and office safety, all throw rugs, regardless of size, color, thickness or shape, be outlawed! They’re cute, till someone trips over one. No, I didn’t … Continue reading
The shoelace is one mankind’s greatest inventions, right there with the wheel, the zipper, the ballpoint pen, the tie clip and false teeth. I checked; it was around 2000 BC when the first evidence of shoelaces showed up in the timeline of man. Unfortunately, I think the shoelace business is not going to be around … Continue reading
At best, the definition of the word politician is unsettling. Definition number 2 for the word “politician” in the dictionary that came with my computer is “a person who acts in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement within an organization”. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, page 911 (copyright 1983), has for its … Continue reading
Back in 1976, can’t remember the exact day, a sunny summer day for sure, Billy was 3 and Jay was 6. I watched them playing in the backyard; you know those silly games little boys play. You never know what’s next. Boys, you sure know how to make us hold our breath. We like to … Continue reading
No Ulterior Motive 