Another Season

I'm pleased to announce I signed for another season with the NJ Devils. 

The team says they're looking for someone physically tough to generate presence on the ice. My agent pointed to my play last Spring, asserting I'm "one hardy motherfu... who always come out swingin' and survives every battle." Terms were acceptable to both sides.

Bring it on.

Are We Not Men?

Good evening, Mr. Phelps. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is:

1. Read this movie review: 

   https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/devo-movie-review-2025 

2. Watch this film: "Devo" (on Netflix)

3. Share your thoughts -- and memories, if you have any.

Devo was a band formed by a bunch of Ohio college students in the early 1970s. Traumatized by the massacre of fellow students at Kent State (two of whom they knew personally, shot by National Guardsmen at a contentious anti-war protest) and disgusted by the ignoble direction of American culture, the students formed a musical band and sought to revolt. Inspired by the Dada movement in Europe (after World War I's horrors), the students embraced surrealism and visual imagery. Devo was the opposite of what rock bands had become at that time -- corporate tools for money-making. Devo had actual ideas. Subversive ideas. A real, if naive, impulse to reverse the direction humanity was heading toward then.

Devo's journey, captured presciently in their song "The Beginning Is The End," was destined for failure. But, before it collapsed, the band garnered attention and had some cultural impact. Devo was embraced by cognoscenti like Brian Eno, David Bowie, Neil Young and Pee-Wee Herman. Its path weaved through the events and personalities of the 1970s-80s. Devo saw the election of Ronald Reagan and reacted accordingly. Devo existed for a decade before, predictably, fizzling out as a money-maker for Warner Records.

If you have any memory of Devo it's probably of their one big hit, "Whip It." They also did many fascinating music videos before MTV existed which caught that wave as it emerged.

One critic wrote: "Devo’s songs now feel like prophecies set to music. That’s cold comfort to the founders, who called it like they saw it but hoped they were wrong."

New Clothes

When you reach my age you think about things you haven't done -- and consider doing them before it's too late. Especially when you've had a NDE (Near Death Experience) you realize time is short so get movin' now.

Propelled by these thoughts I just splurged on something I've always wanted and never had: a bold double-breasted suit. From the time I first started shopping for suits in my 20s I admired these sartorial splendors but felt they're too flashy for practicing law. That inhibition is gone now, however, as I just completed my final legal task last week. I decided to use the fee earned from that job to pursue my dream of a snazzy suit. I ordered the pinstriped suit and shoes shown below from my favorite clothier, Paul Frederick.

Obviously my goal is to become a boulevardier like my literary/sartorial idol, Tom Wolfe. Not only was Wolfe the best writer of the last century, he dressed with brio and aplomb. Those are qualities I'm reaching for with these clothes. Expect to see me in them at our next meeting. :)

New Hobby

I've taken up a new hobby -- tightrope walking. With fresh strength in my legs I walk on a wire 40 feet up in the air. The activity's a lot of fun. Perhaps not as ensorcelling as a fast motorcycle but close. My teacher Philippe Petit says you don't need a net but Robin worries so I use one. I don't want her to fret.

My next goal is to add juggling, first with balls and later batons. When I'm colossally confident we'll set the batons on fire. Won't that be exciting? :)