New Digs?

You may have heard: the rumor is true. musician Billy Joel finally unloaded his Centre Island compound. It consists of a main mansion (20,000 sq. ft.), two smaller buildings (guest house; beach house), helipad and six-car garage. The compound sits on 26 acres of waterfront property on exclusive Centre Island.

Billy's been trying to sell this compound for three years. Nobody nibbled. He bought the main property 25 years ago and added to it by purchasing adjoining properties. His total investment was around $35 Million. He tried selling it for $50 Million in 2022, dropped the price to $40 Million, then later desperately reduced the price to $30 Million. He finally found a buyer this month for $28 Million -- which is less than he paid for the property years ago. Billy Joel is the only person to lose money on New York real estate.

The buyer is anonymous. Rumors that I'm involved are unconfirmed. You'll have to come to my next party to learn what really happened. :)

"North of North"

I just discovered a new Canadian TV show that's both foreign and familiar at the same time. It's a fascinating combination.

The show, "North of North" (2025; Netflix), is about a small Inuit community in the northernmost part of Canada. That area, Nunavut, is the largest part of Canada (700,000 sq. miles: the size of Mexico) but least populated (around 35,000 people). It borders the Artic and is always cold. In Summer, the temperature may briefly reach 50 degrees but most of the year it averages around minus-10 to minus-30 degrees. There's always snow and people always wear heavy parkas.

What's interesting about the show is that despite the unfamiliar region, the people there (mostly Inuit [what we used to call Eskimos]) live contemporary lives. The main character is a 26 year old woman, an attractive single mom, with a narcissistic ex-husband, emotionally cold mother, odd co-workers and promising new romance. Its themes are universal: a young woman trying to find meaning in life, struggling with sexism, faced with limited options. She operates in a community that's close-knit but confining, like any small town. At the same time the show also includes references to distinctively Inuit culture, like a sea goddess and shamans. Critics praise the show as "warm and likeable;" they included it in last year's Top 30 Shows.

"North of North" is considered a comedy but it's more a drama with some humor. The soundtrack is well-chosen with popular songs you recognize. The first season was released last year; a second season was approved and being filmed. The show's characters are appealing and its plots are entertaining.

Give it a try!

Coffee House

We all need a "third place" -- somewhere other than home or work where we can relax, sip coffee and chat with friends. I found a new one today and am here to report on it.

One distinctive advantage to living in a metropolitan area is the presence of exotic options. Sure there are boring, pedestrian Starbucks around the world but wouldn't it be nice to try coffee from Yemen or Guatemala? To savor a Pistachio Latte? Or bite a tasty organic pastry?

On the way home from a bi-monthly drug-infusion today I coaxed my chauffeur into visiting a new specialty coffeehouse: Mokafé on Route 110 in Melville. (There are additional locations in NYC and NJ.) The Melville location is large and nicely-decorated. Perfect for a comfortable experience. Open until 2 a.m. most nights Mokafé is designed for fun. It is busiest between 9-10 o'clock at night.

Mokafé's owners are from Yemen, Palestine and Guatemala. Their culinary offerings celebrate the owners' cultural heritages. Mokafe’s coffee beans come from farmers in Yemen and Guatemala with whom the owners deal directly. The owners originally started as wholesale coffee distributors. When they opened a coffee-shop it was instantly successful and they've continued in that direction.

The variety of coffee drinks is diverse, as are the interesting pastries, cakes and sandwiches. Experiment with khaliat nahl, sabaya or a pistachio knafa croissant. And when you spot me and my chauffeur canoodling in the corner, come over and say hi. :)

Mardi Gras

Tuesday is Mardi Gras. (The phrase is French for "Fat Tuesday"). If you can't make it down to "Nawlins"/NOLA (New Orleans), celebrate locally. My friend Jaime and I are going to one of Long Island's last remaining restaurants serving Cajun food (Louisiana Joe's in Oceanside).

Mardi Gras is a celebration of life. People wear masks, costumes and beads. The holiday's primary colors are purple, green and gold. People sometimes dress as nature fairies, animals and mythological characters. Medieval costumes are also welcome.

Here's a picture of Jaime & me enjoying Mardi Gras around the turn of the century. Our tradition goes way back!

Heaven On Earth

When you face death, so close you can smell its breath, you realize profound truths. About the value of life. Small pleasures are actually bigger than small, rich opportunities abound, and life offers a platter of pleasures. 

In age we can cherish redolent memories of delightful experiences. I've been lucky to have many. Remembering them, the people I shared them with, and the joy I found balances the scale against decrepitude.

Some years ago my good friend Aimee took me on vacation to an idyllic spot: the Thousand Islands of St. Lawrence River (near the east end of Lake Ontario). The area, separating Canada from the U.S., contains 1,864 individual islands. A century ago it was the summer playground of wealthy New Yorkers, attracted to ineffable natural beauty.

Aimee and I took a ferry boat from Alexandria Bay to Singer Castle and Boldt Castle, locations now available to the hoi polloi. The June day was sunny, bright and dreamy. Cool zephyrs greeted us like friends on the boat-ride. The atmosphere -- and indeed entire day -- was sublime. 

I'll never forget the peace, calm and pleasure I felt that day. Health, eyesight and a caring friend were present, with not a hint of trauma waiting in the near future.

"Brockmire"

My favorite actor, Hank Azaria, has had a long career of amazing performances. All elevated by bright intelligence and startling accuracy. I first noticed Hank in "Quiz Show" (1994) where he transformed a tiny part into a pivotal part of the story.

Hank's greatest achievement, in my opinion, is "Brockmire" (2017+) based on a character Hank created. He plays a 50-year old baseball announcer who's flawed but brilliant, funny but destructive, and traditionally sexist. Most notable of all is how Hank nails the voice of the character.

In the show's four-season run, it was hilarious and deeply insightful. Plus, who doesn't love Amanda Peet? :)

Great art and artists are often underappreciated. Don't let that happen here. Go watch "Brockmire". Its messages are growing in importance, especially from the last season which imagines the dying future of baseball in the 2030s.

Happy Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney is a fun, quirky place.

First time I visited was by accident. I was riding home, alone, from North Dakota on my first motorcycle trip. This was back in the day when GPS didn't exist and I wasn't using a map (1999). I was just heading east toward New York. Passing through western PA on rural roads I spotted a large statue of a strange creature. Then another. Then a sign signaling my arrival in the Groundhog Capitol of the World. Surprise!

I returned ten years ago on my BMW touring motorcycle. Intentionally. I now had GPS. You can see the bike in one of these photos.

What will Phil say today?