The Storm

The Storm by Edvard Munch is on display at the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in Manhattan. In the Munch painting the lights are still on in the house which was not the case last night for thousands of households during SANDY.  This SuperStorm affected an estimated fifty million people and should bring the subject of climate change to the forefront which was absent during recent debates. I was impressed with our civic leaders' performances as they gave up being politicians for the duration.
It was heartwarming to see ambulances from Indiana and electrical workers from Tennessee arriving in New Jersey. Lastly, it is sad to see the millions being spent by SuperPacs on negative political ads which monies could be better spent on disaster cleanup. I salute all the professionals involved in this extraordinary effort.
tjs

2nd Anniversary

Today, October 29th, this blog is two years old. When my journalist son got me hooked on it I thought it would help me keep my mind sharp while commenting on the passing parade, injecting a bit of humor and perhaps eliciting a chuckle of appreciation from an anonymous reader. A mid-west reader thought I could provide a "blast from the past". So after 475 postings and 17600 page views here we are. A few things have changed - the blogger is no longer in Florida, my son has left Chicago for New York and Andy Rooney is no longer with us. Tomorrow I intend to repeat the initial blog posting of Oct. 29, 2010 - "The Political Scene - 2010" - much of which is still relevant. If this aged item does not "pop up" then Google the title or check it on Facebook. And many thanks to you dedicated readers who think this is worth reading.
tjs
Next - The Political Scene - 2010
PS - Please stay safe during this current storm SANDY.

Gnashing of teeth V

                                                                      THE WASSAIL

Then here's to the heartening Wassail - wherever good fellows are found -

Be its master instead of its vassal - and order the glasses around.

For there's something they put in the Wassail - that prevents it from tasting like wicker -

Since it's not tapioca, or mustard or mocha - I'm forced to conclude it's the liquor.

tjs
(Couldn't hold this until Christmas)

Next -  2nd Anniversary (Mon.)

Potpourri VIII

Eyebrow raising phrase of the week - "Women in Binders" - as this has all the earmarks of an R rated issue and since this "blog" is intended for family consumption, I would rather not go there.

Military tutorial 101 - "The cavalry no longer needs horses" -( Barack Obama. ) - but they are still used for military parades and funerals and we had commandos on horseback in Afghanistan in 2001 so don't close the stable door yet.

"Politics is NOT Beanbag!" - Anonymous Pundit.

A club featuring "lap dances" was hauled into court for failure to pay State taxes. The club claimed that "lap dances" were "dramatic or musical arts performances" and should be exempt similar to the ballet. The judges disagreed but it was a 4-3 decision so perhaps several of the judges may have witnessed such performances of terpsichore.
tjs
Next - Gnashing of Teeth V

Miracles

The San Francisco Giants appear to be another team of destiny. Facing elimination they won three games in a row on the road in Cincinnati. They then found themselves down three games to one against the reigning champion St. Louis Cardinals and again won three in a row to advance to the World Series against the formidable Detroit Tigers beginning tonight. This is not the first of GIANT miracles. The other one occurred October 4, 1951 when Bobby Thomson hit the "shot heard around the world." It was also known as the "Miracle at Coogan's Bluff." - which was the nickname for the Polo Grounds - the home of the then New York Giants. Both GIANT teams' colors were/are orange & black - also the colors of Hallowe'en. The fans of this current team hope they will keep playing right up to the end of October as a Hallowe'en treat - but the menacing TIGERS may have some tricks awaiting them.
tjs
Next - TBA

Multi-tasking

The New York Marathon will be run on Sunday, November 4th. Sara Beck of the NYTimes writes about a unique entry - a 67 year old psychiatrist who will be juggling three "beanbag" type balls as he runs. Since he is both a jogger and a juggler - hence the description "joggler". He will be among the 47,000 participants vying for elbow space as they course over the Verrazano Bridge. Some jogglers have been known to balance five balls - but clubs or bowling pins are awkward and knives are discouraged. Also discouraged are those normal struggling runners who find the joggler running ahead of them. Our joggler does not plan to set any records and expect that his "time" will be much slower than that of a certain V.P. candidate.
tjs
Next -Miracles

Is the Doctor In?

One of the down sides to moving a distance is one loses one's medical professionals. My guru in Jacksonville, Florida was a fantastic diagnostician, good friend and always available. Now having re-located to the Lower Main Line of Pennsylvania I have encountered a surprising revelation. I have heard of several physicians altering their practices to a "boutique" or "concierge" arrangement where the patient now pays an annual "retainer" plus the pay as you go individual fees. The "retainer" is usually in four figures. It is supposed to reflect "personalized" care and you may even receive the professional's cell phone number as a perk. But I always thought the old fashioned way was also supposed to be "personalized". And my experience with a hotel concierge was always on the basis of a voluntary gratuity for services rendered. Now, THAT  might be an acceptable alternative. What say you, Doc?
tjs
PS - If you can't afford the "boutique" arrangement, we can all go to the E.R. and take a number as suggested on the campaign trail.
Next - Multi-tasking

Gnashing of Teeth IV

                                                               THE MINT JULEP

There is something about a MINT JULEP - it is nectar imbibed in a dream -

As fresh as the bud of the tulip - as cool as the bed of the stream -

There is something about a MINT JULEP - a fragrance beloved by the lucky -

And perhaps it's the tint, of the frost and the mint, but I think it was born in Kentucky.

tjs

Next -Is the Doctor In? (Mon.)

W-Hole Foods

I must confess I never worked in a bakery - I guess I never kneaded the dough. Since we moved back north we have grown fond of Trader Joe's  Tuscan Pane bread even with its slight aeration. But this week they have outdone themselves with ventilation. I guess every baker is entitled to a bad day once in a while. But as the Kingfish used to say "Holey Mackerel, Andy!"  Years ago they used to say "don't buy a new car  that was made on a Monday." It was called the Lordstown Syndrome after a factory in Ohio.  You baseball fans of a certain age may have heard of the Blacksox scandal - it was 1919 and the best player involved was Shoeless Joe Jackson.
Little boys were heard crying "Say it isn't so, Joe." But the game recovered and I will continue patronizing Trader JOE - but I might just scale the loaf after a little squeeze.
tjs
Next - Gnashing of Teeth IV

Potpourri VII

I was appalled at Mike Huckabee's description of our Vice President on recent debate. Huckabee was once a man of the cloth but it appears his cloth has frayed.

Quote of the week: "Lust is no crime!" D.S.K. Paris, France.

There is a prominent political candidate in our state who shares my name. When I enter the local coffee shop the barista greets me loudly by name causing heads to turn - some smiling - some scowling - but no autograph seeking at that hour of the morning. I have this recurring dream that I will create a stir at the local mall - but I draw the line at kissing babies.

Hallowe'en - If you are thinking of a Big Bird costume this year I hear they are in great demand and short supply. So you may have to revert to Plan B and think Elmo, Waldo or maybe Groucho.
tjs
Next - W-Hole Foods

Autumn Leaves

After two decades in Florida we are now back in the northeast in time for the flaming foliage and the crisp clear air. It reminded me of an old toast (somewhat risque) that I heard years ago that went something like this: "Here's to our first parents - Adam and Eve - who wore fig leaves - that's all - and here's to my favorite season - Autumn - when the leaves begin to fall." Mea maxima culpa!
tjs
Next -Potpourri VII

Airport Security

All of us, at one time or another, have suffered through the inconvenience of the security check- in line - belts and shoes off and a gentle pat down. Passengers with disabilities are ushered through express gates in their wheelchairs. A request for a wheel chair is granted without a "show cause." Some airline folks have noticed that when the lines grow long there is an increase in requests for wheelchairs. A case in point was a flight where six wheelchairs appeared at the departure gate. It was said that the airline wires ahead so that six "chairs" are provided at destination. On this flight two of the six remained unused at destination ramp so it would appear that several miracles occurred in the rarefied air at  thirty thousand feet. The truth is that selfishness lives on in our society.
tjs
Next - Autumn Leaves

Gnashing of Teeth III

                                                                  THE OLD FASHIONED

There is something about an Old Fashioned - that kindles a cardiac glow-

It is soothing and soft and impassioned - as a lyric by Swinburne or Poe.

There is something about an Old Fashioned - when dusk has enveloped the sky -

And it may be the ice, or the pineapple slice, but I strongly suspect it's the RYE.

tjs
Next - TBA (Mon.)

Potpourri VI

It isn't the cough that carries you off - it's the coffin they carry you off in. Must be time for those flu shots.

On November 1st, five days before our general election, there will be a global conference of world investors held in the Cayman Islands, a popular location for offshore investments. The keynote speaker has been announced as George W. Bush and the timing of this event should bring no joy to the R candidate.

Seen on a headboard of a Manhattan hotel "Everyone ought to have a Lower East Side in their life."

Blogger will be away celebrating Columbus Day weekend - expect to resume mid-week or thereabouts.
tjs

The Barnes Museum

The Barnes Art Museum recently moved from suburban Philadelphia to a new building location in center city. In so doing they have received an award from the U.S. Green Building Council for how they handled construction waste and landfill to warrant this highest environmental rating. The N.Y. Times reported that other "green" elements of this new museum include a " vegetated roof, wood flooring reclaimed from Coney Island's boardwalk and a system designed greatly to reduce potable water consumption." Friends who have visited the museum tell me that this latter "system" refers to the toilets. There have always been mixed opinions about the manner in which Barnes displayed his eclectic collection but I would like to witness it if nothing more than to visit the restrooms.
tjs
Next - Potpourri VI

Amnesty II

On July 19th we commented on the effort of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel to offer amnesty for the return of pilfered merchandise. They really didn't expect much recovery - it was more an effort to place the venerable landmark for attention by the social media. Anyway, the deadline for surrender of items has passed and the following have been turned in: one coffee pot, two butter knives, one fork and a coaster.  Other hotels have had amnesty programs. At the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. the most sought after souvenir was the brass plated plaque from room 871 which once housed a certain New York State governor entertaining a lady of the evening. I guess some folks liked those digits to play the trifecta at the local racetrack or perhaps a hot LOTTO hunch. (Update by James Barron NYT 9/27/12)
tjs
Next - The Barnes Museum

Bowled Over

Not having seen the New Yorker's latest cartoons I can only nominate as cartoon of the week "Bibi's Bomb", the one with the curly pigtail as a fuse. It resembles my old twelve pound bowling ball, the one with the three holes. In my prime I carried a 150 average - which with perfection considered as 300 - that meant I only "scored" fifty percent of the time - but at least higher than those 47% of the masses. My bowling career took place prior to automatic pinsetters. We had live pinboys in the pits and if you didn't play at a pace to suit them, they would bang the pins against the wall which was both intimidating and unnerving, which might have been Bibi's intention with his artwork. At least he didn't draw us a mushroom cloud. So, using  the jargon of the "alleys" I can only say "Bibi, don't STRIKE - SPARE us,!"
tjs
Next - Amnesty II

Pseudonyms

Jim Dwyer's "About New York" column last week (NYT) concerned an Albany staffer being reprimanded for using a fictitious name while defending an assemblyman on the Internet. This was a case of "sock puppetry" - a new word for your lexicon. Apparently the practice is widespread throughout the blogosphere. A British historian invented a nom  de plume to review his own work. Even Benjamin Franklin used several names in Poor Richard's Almanac. A New York individual created seventy-two identities to hold on line debates- and the list goes on and on. A friend of mine once signed his letters "Osgood Hooker"  more in playfulness than deception. And I must confess having succumbed on a few occasions. You see, my surname is as common as Chang in the Hong Kong directory and on several occasions I have lost restaurant reservations to imposters. My address in Yonkers, N.Y. at the time was on David Lane and henceforth I was Mr.  David Lane on the reservation book. When my "name" was called over the P.A. system I only hoped that none of my neighbors were in the crowd. How someone could remember seventy-two identities I will never understand since I sometimes forget what PIN I am using. That individual could make a fortune in Las Vegas counting cards.
tjs
Next - TBA