"Breezy"

A surprising number of films are overlooked for reasons other than lack of merit. Some are poorly marketed, some are foolishly pulled from distribution for business decisions unrelated to art (e.g., to create a tax loss).

One such film is "Breezy", a 1973 labor of love by Clint Eastwood. Clint directs the movie but doesn't appear in it. The film was barely released and obviously not marketed properly. The studio didn't get behind the film so it died at the box office despite getting good critical reviews. This fate is unfortunate because the film is certainly worth watching. Happily it's now available on streaming (Amazon Prime).

The story is about a jaded older man (in his fifties) who encounters a drifting young woman (20-ish). After several encounters the two slowly fall in love despite the older man's skepticism. This is certainly a May-December romance but handled with more delicacy than usual. Also there's significant nudity which is sensitively presented. The actors are well-known: William Holden and then-newcomer Kay Lenz. (Three years later Lenz married teen heart-throb David Cassidy of "The Partridge Family." Her star went up, his went down and their marriage crumbled as a result.)

I enjoyed this film. The acting is superb and the plot plausible. A romance with a happy ending, something rare these days.

Catwoman

I admit this freely -- when I was nine years old I fell in love with Julie Newmar, an actress who played Catwoman on the "Batman" TV show (1966-67). I found Catwoman irresistibly beautiful. When, on the show, she fell into a vat of acid and died, I sobbed. Real tears. Tears of inconsolable grief.

After her successful acting career Julie achieved additional heights in other fields. She invented several products -- for which she received three U.S. patents -- and brokered high-end real estate in California. She prospered from both endeavors.

Julie is still alive today. She's 93 years old and reasonably healthy. She has a neurological condition that limits her mobility so she uses a scooter but she's mentally sound. Julie lives with and cares for her adult son who is both deaf and has Downs Syndrome. They spend their days gardening and painting colorful pictures. She says they're very happy.

Six decades after "Batman" I'm still in love with Julie Newmar. :)

Believe it or not Julie has a new book coming out next month. It's called "More Than Catwoman: The Fearless Lives of Julie Newmar." In her memoir Julie "invites readers to live fearlessly at every age." You can pre-order a copy on Amazon. I did.

Confront Life

“Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?” asks writer Elizabeth Gilbert. "[W]e are all walking repositories of buried treasure....The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them."

The hunt to uncover those jewels is living creatively. The courage to go on that quest separates an enchanted existence from a mundane one.

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) believed confronting difficulty is essential to a fulfilling life. In 1873 he wrote:

"Any human being who does not wish to be part of the masses need only stop making things easy for himself. Let him follow his conscience, which calls out to him: 'Be yourself!'"

"There is no way to help any soul attain...happiness...so long as it remains shackled with the chains of opinion and fear....How hopeless and meaningless life can become without such a liberation. There is no drearier, sorrier creature in nature than the man who has evaded his own genius."

As Picasso advised “to know what you’re going to draw, you have to begin drawing.” Nietzsche counsels:

"No one can build you the bridge on which you, and only you, must cross the river of life. There may be countless trails and bridges and demigods who would gladly carry you across, but only at the price of pawning and forgoing yourself. There is one path in the world that none can walk but you. Where does it lead? Don’t ask, walk!"

I hear ya, Freddie.

Vermont

Robin and I just returned from a trip to rural Vermont. We visited casual acquaintances and transformed them into good friends. Plus we visited a terrific "sugarbush" (Morse Farm) where we tasted delicious maple syrup and hot sauce.

It was our first time travelling since recent medical cataclysms. We learned how difficult some activities are now. For example, in the past I performed ALL piloting of our cars and motorcycles -- and was well-accustomed to the aggravation and exhaustion of fighting traffic near NYC. For Robin, that was a new experience. She had a tough time with it: at one point (when a dashboard warning light popped on) Robin wanted to turn the car around and return home. I needed to calm her down and reassure that all's fine and safe. In the past she may have taken for granted the effort I'd put into our travel.

A benefit of the trip was stimulating conversation about where we'd like to live in the future. New England has always appealed to me and is now a leading contender. Only when you visit the area do you see its immense contrast to suburban New York. Less traffic, less rude people, less expense and more beautiful country. Our new friends live on nine acres -- NINE ACRES! -- for less than our house with 0.15 acres costs. Whew.

In Pursuit Of A Bagel

It's possible to find adventure anywhere if you try hard enough.

This morning I woke up at 4:30 a.m. (which is not unusual) and decided to walk a mile to a bagel store to buy their fine bread product. If you arrive when the store opens at 5 a.m. there's no line of customers -- that annoyance starts later on Sunday mornings. Despite being on one of Long Island's busiest commercial roads (Route 110), the store and streets are empty this early except for Spanish-speaking staff at the store. They always greet me enthusiastically but probably wonder "What's this gringo doing up so early? This is when only we have to be out of bed."

Did I mention that, at this hour, it's pitch-black? (Sunrise is 6:32 a.m.) Did I mention that it is pouring rain? (I brought an umbrella.) Heading out I anticipated (correctly) that my feet would get soaked up to the calves (multiple unseen puddles) and my ankles were at constant risk of getting sprained from ubiquitous potholes on the edge of the roadway. (There's no sidewalk.)

I make it to the store, succeed with the purchase, and head home. All good, right? Not exactly. Remember the dark streets? Heavy rain? Mr. Magoo eyesight?

I reach home -- or what I think is my home and... What the...? It's not my house. The number on the mailbox is mine but it definitely is not my house. Hmm... After walking up and down the street a few times I finally realize I turned down the wrong block. This is not Somerset Street. In the darkness I can't see anything except mailboxes so I didn't suspect my mistake until now. Okay, so I walk around, find the right block and am finally able to peel off soaked sneakers, socks and pants. All this for a bagel.

I didn't expect the expedition to be so challenging, but that's life in the slow lane.

"True Stories"

To conventional minds the weird seems strange. Inexplicable. But to outsiders and those open to considering more than adherence to convention, the weird is fertile soil. Full of interesting, even arresting possibility. 

I'm drawn toward unusual art, including films which are hard for many to grasp. Traditional movies lead viewers by the nose with formulaic plots and manipulative mood music. So if that's your experience and expectation for a film, you're ill-equipped to enjoy weird cinema. It breaks the rules of convention which can be discomforting. You have to expand to appreciate it, not the other way around. It wasn't created as pablum for toddlers.

"True Stories" (1986) was made by David Byrne of Talking Heads. It describes normal life in a Texas town with a surrealistic point-of-view. Everything, both content and visuals, is off-kilter, normal on the surface but with vague suggestions of mystery and deviance.

I like it. Your mileage may vary (YMMV). 

Returning To Photography

I created this casual portrait of Robin earlier this year with my vintage 1972 Kodak Instamatic 30 camera loaded with 110-cartridge film. We were in Ocean City, New Jersey, obviously alone due to the cold.

I carefully planned the picture's composition to move the viewer's eye around, first from the left side to the center and then to the lower right side where -- surprise! -- Robin's smile awaits. The success of this image reassures me that even with severe visual impairments I can still create photographs of artistic aspiration. 

The 'Ber Months

Happy 'Ber Months! (Septem-ber to Decem-ber)

Every year I get to celebrate my birthday (Nov. 3) and favorite holiday (Halloween) the same week. The arrival of September reminds us to start thinking about Halloween costumes. 

What'll yours be this year? Be wild and creative!

I'm considering... James Gandolfini (as Tony Soprano) with Robin as Carmela, Tom Wolfe (author & boulevardier), Jack Hughes (USA/Devils hockey star), Tim Curry (as Dr. Frank-N-Furter) and, of course, Dolly Parton. Although Dolly was a foot shorter than me, with her big hair she reached the same height. :)

Recovering My Mojo

Last May, at the beginning of Summer, I declared an intention to return to photography. I hadn't taken a picture in three years (since my eyesight went south). 

I admitted apprehension because my one attempt to take photos after vision loss was a disaster. My eyesight is really, really bad. But... as we bikers say, it's the journey, not the destination. Since childhood I've loved photography, especially with film. I want to re-claim that joy even if the results are poor. After all I'm doing it just for myself: I'm not a professional artist or trying to sell anything. I can live with mediocre images as long as creating them is fun. And it is.

Over the Summer I took my vintage 1972 Kodak Instamatic 30, loaded it with 110-cartridge film and ventured out to the world. I believe I crafted a few photos worth sharing. I'll post them in about two weeks after the film negatives are developed and scanned. (I use the aptly-named "Old School Photo Lab" in New Hampshire.)

Age Groups

You've probably heard reference to age groups like Baby Boomers, Gen Z, etc. but do you know how to distinguish between them? It's important knowledge if you want to talk about them publicly. Here's a primer:

- Baby Boomers are born between 1946-1964. They're currently 61-79 years old. There are 75 million in the U.S. including me. :)

- Gen X are born between 1965-1980, are currently 45-60 years old and include 65 million people

- Millennials are born between 1981-1996, are currently 29-44 years old and include 75 million folk

- Gen Z are born between 1997-2012, are currently 13-28 years old and include 70 million people

- Gen Alpha starts with children born between 2012-2024. They're currently 2-14 years old. There are 50 million of the little creatures. 

- Gen Beta are babies/toddlers born in 2025-2039.

What are you?

Our Lives

I've seen highs, I've experienced lows. Both were more extreme than I imagined possible.

The philosophy I've developed is, without consciously realizing it, essentially Taoist. Observe everything. Learn as much as you can. Cherish small pleasures. Roll when punched hard. And, finally, see with your mind, not your eyes.

I've come to believe that everything is connected. We may not always grasp this because our perception is limited; we are, after all, primitive animals. But we are part of the universe -- inherently tied to everything else in it including two trillion star galaxies. The plain fact of reality should enliven us, give us hope and serenity. We are meant to be here and, during our short lifetimes, are waves cresting in a big, beatific ocean.

Progress Report

Captain's Log, Stardate 2445.3

Our mission to repair the critical time-line breach progresses. My covert return to 21st Century Earth is yielding useful information. Inhabitants of this era are, as history records, remarkably irrational. Their society is chaotic and one readily grasps how The Second Civil War started in 2029. If it wasn't for First Contact with orbiting Vulcan spacecraft during that intractable war it's doubtful this planet would have survived in any time-line. Humans possess enough technology to save or destroy their world but seem to lack sufficient wisdom to avoid the latter fate.

Universal skills promoting peace and self-development (e.g., empathy, compassion) are in short supply here. Instead of confronting the real cause of political oppression (an entrenched economic class system) people quarrel with others in similar or worse circumstances as they compete for limited resources. Without insight or unity these Earthlings can't understand or correct their plight. Anxiety and rage are on full display in public places, especially roadways, where motorists recklessly vie to "get somewhere" at faster speed than prudent. This species cannot be trusted with warp-drive energy prior to receiving extensive genetic augmentation. (See, however, Khan Noonien Singh.)

My plan to infiltrate the existing power structure continues. I've mastered cultural knowledge necessary to persuade numerous inhabitants to assist me in this effort. My next move is to acquire a professional sporting team since athletics is valued here not for personal achievement but as secular religion with rituals and mystical significance. Fans worship "the baseball gods" and related deities. Sports gambling, once forbidden, now flourishes openly. The majority of young men now divert scarce long-term investment capital to bet on sporting events where, predictably, they lose their money. Loss of such funds cripples the imprudent leading to widespread poverty and social instability. Humans, it appears, do not comprehend the well-established Dunning-Kruger Effect.

Captain out.

The Ravages of Time

If you think of me as an old blind man, you might be surprised to learn that 25 years ago I was a catch. A moderately handsome guy with a soupçon of style.

For the plaintiff, we offer Exhibit A into evidence. A photograph from August 2001. The exhibit speaks for itself.

We rest our case. :)

Light Reading

Lately I've been studying heavy tomes on abstruse subjects like physics and neuroscience. To give myself a break I'm now reading a series of fun books by George Plimpton. They're an amuse-bouche, light refreshment to stimulate my mental palate.

These books were popular in the 1960s and '70s. George Plimpton, a literary gentleman, wondered what it would be like to play sports with professional athletes. At the time George was an out-of-shape amateur who hadn't done anything physical since college -- and was mediocre even then. What interested George were the visceral experiences of meeting pros on their turf, facing reality instead of fantasy.

In Yankee Stadium George pitched to baseball greats Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and a dozen others ("Out Of My League"). On the gridiron, George quarterbacked for the Detroit Lions ("Paper Lion"). He even climbed into a boxing ring and went a few rounds with a champion fighter. And he was a hockey goalie for the Boston Bruins ("Open Net"). These feats were initially published as articles in Sports Illustrated and later turned into bestselling books. "Paper Lion" was turned into a movie starring Alan Alda.

Every sports fan has Walter Mitty fantasies of being on the playing field in heated battle. "It's the bottom of the ninth inning and..." George faced those situations up close and his observations about them are very amusing. 

Riding Buddy

I've met many people in my life. Some are more memorable than others.

Thirty years ago I started riding motorcycles. At the time I didn't know other bikers so I went out and looked for some. I started hanging out at a biker bar in Valley Stream ("The Clubhouse"). The bar was conspicuously rough and seedy. Patrons engaged in sex in the basement, drunks got rip-roaringly intoxicated every night of the week and pool games sometimes ended in fistfights. I always arrived on my bike wearing motorcycle gear, announcing my enthusiasm for motorcycling. Often I traveled in very cold weather, conveying my commitment to living like a badass. Patrons frequently insisted on going outside to inspect my motorcycle "'cause only a lunatic would ride in the ass of Winter."

Before long I befriended the owners, all of whom belonged to a local motorcycle club. After many late nights drinking, tossing darts and shooting pool I developed good friendships. They, of course, steered me toward their M/C which I joined. After probation (several group rides and club meetings) I was admitted to the club. After the first year I got an award for "Most Enthusiastic Member." Two years later I was elected club President and, the year after that, was re-elected for a second term. 

One of the owners, Rich Culmone, became my closest friend. I enjoyed Rich for his rare combination of social deviance and personal generosity. His background is full of eccentric employments and activities. Rich's demeanor is tough and intimidating, yet he's a sweet guy at heart. If you are his friend, as I am, there is absolutely nothing he won't do for you. Rich will take a bullet -- or shoot one -- to protect you. Plus Rich's girlfriend (later wife) Roberta is cheery and delightful.

Since I was new to motorcycling there was plenty I didn't know. Rich taught me gobs about riding and how to be a biker. By example and through advice he rapidly transformed me from a tyro to an old hand. He taught me about biker culture, outlaw clubs, what "81" means, and how to deal with criminals and low-lifes. This was all new to me.

At the time I rode locally every day but hadn't been on any long trips. My first was initiated by Rich and it was a huge learning experience. Rich was planning to ride by himself from New York to Montana to attend the annual BMW Motorrad rally. I could squeeze eight days off work so I decided to join him, traveling as far west as I could in four days (which turned out to be North Dakota) before turning around and coming home alone. I covered 4,000 miles during those eight days, passing through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Canada and North Dakota.

The trip was amazing. My first surprise was when we were leaving: Rich said we had to make a quick stop so he could "get some bullets." Bullets?! Rich bought ammo which alerted me to the fact he was "packing" on the trip. 

A second surprise was crossing the longest suspension bridge in the world: the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. We arrived at the bridge in a windy rainstorm just after the sun had gone down. Minutes later bridge operators lit a sign saying "No Motorcycles" due to the hazardous conditions but we were already on the bridge-span. Wind was so strong that it pushed our bikes sideways toward involuntary lane-changes. I could barely see the road but was aware that the outer guardrail was lower than my motorcycle. Riding with white knuckles I spent eternity wrestling with the likely possibility of being blown off the bridge and falling thousands of feet to a watery death. Later, after getting to the other side, I stopped at a gas station and mentioned this to an old woman at the counter. She said "Yeah, we lose a few cars off the bridge every year."

Riding across the bridge Rich was sure I was gonna die. He worried my family would blame him for putting me, an inexperienced rider, in that dangerous situation. Rich cares for me and would have felt terrible watching me get blown overboard to a watery death but, in truth, there was nothing he could do to prevent it. We were stuck in a real "ride or die" quandary.

After four days on the road with Rich I returned home by myself. The first four days prepared me to solo-ride long distance. I didn't have the guts to do that when we started; Rich gave me the necessary confidence and aplomb. He helped me grow into a long-distance motorcycle rider.

I've stayed friends with Rich ever since then, even after he and Roberta moved to Las Vegas. He returns to New York to visit his daughter and includes seeing me during those visits. A few years ago Rich, like me, started suffering health problems which forced him to give up motorcycling. His charm, however, never disappeared. We joke on the phone and chat about old times, the club and fellow biker-buddies.

Thanks, Rich, for the kindness you've shown me. Keep the rubber side down, buddy.

My Parents

In 1956, seventy years ago, my parents (Ralph & Barbara Jo) got married.

Back then they watched "I Love Lucy" on a small black-and-white television set, listened to Elvis sing on 45 rpm vinyl records, and ate Cheez Whiz and Sloppy Joes. Cooking was adding mayonnaise to something. Dessert was Jell-O in a variety of shapes and colors. 

Like their friends, my parents smoked cigarettes and drank lots of liquor at boisterous parties in "finished basements". Furniture was "mid-century modern"; kitchen counters were easy-to-clean Formica.

My parents bought a house for $15,000 and cars for $1,000. Born into an unstable world in the 1930s, they were fortunate to later live through the greatest period of economic prosperity in our nation's history. They retired in their fifties and lived comfortably down in "sunny Florida" on a civil service pension.

I'm happy they had nice lives.

"The Human Cosmos"

Books, like toys, can be fun or educational.

I just finished the most informative book I've read in decades: "The Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars" by noted British science writer Jo Marchant (2020). The book, an award-winner, addresses a half-dozen important subjects with a through-line that makes sense. The work deepened my understanding of these topics, including my central obsession: what is reality?

While not a typical "beach read," the beach would be an appropriate place to enjoy this book. Like a sentient grain of sand, you can ponder your place in the colossal cosmos.

Psycho Bunny

Have you heard of Psycho Bunny?

It is, improbably, a hip brand of expensive menswear. Made with high-quality materials and real craftsmanship (100% Pima cotton from Peru), their polo shirts ($120) and t-shirts ($60) are worn by successful young men in middle age (30-40 years old). The brand is obviously irreverent, as shown by its odd name, weird logo and vivid colors. The clothes are edgy and made for "men who march to their own drummer." Hey, I resemble that remark!

There's one Psycho Bunny store on Long Island in the Roosevelt Field mall. I went there today and picked up a tee and polo shirt. Here's the front and back of the t-shirt. What do you think?

Light

It's fascinating to learn about nature because much of it differs from common understanding. For example, what is light? How much light do we see? Are there things we don't see?

These questions are important. Light is electromagnetic radiation that appears on a wide spectrum. There are many regions of light, from radio waves to gamma waves, but what humans see is only a tiny sliver in the middle of the spectrum. If you imagine that spectrum the length of the Brooklyn Bridge, what humans see is only two feet wide. The rest of the spectrum is "invisible" to us.

This is why "black holes", which science recently discovered, are "invisible" -- they project only X-ray light humans can't see. If you look through the world's most powerful telescope, you can't see a black hole. We found them through their effect on other celestial bodies. Using math, we confirmed their existence by noting their gravitational force on other stars. No human can "see" a black hole which is why scientists debated for decades whether they really exist.

Here on Earth there are many animals that see light that's invisible to us. Birds and insects, for instance, see UV light that enables them to find food. Snakes see infrared light which lets them see warm-blooded prey in pitch-black night.

Humans see by having light cells in our eyes that detect color (cones) and intensity (rods). While we have only three types of cones, many animals have four, enabling them to see UV light. They find this handy for locating things to eat. Dogs have only two cones so they can't see colors red and green. Cats too have fewer cones but more rods so they see greater detail in low-light, making them good hunters.

The greatest human fallacy is to believe that if we don't see something, it doesn't exist. That was disproven by the recent discovery of black holes. It's also disproven by animals who possess sensory capabilities we lack; they perceive the world differently and see things we can't. Nature is amazing whether we know it or not.

Fine Art

Melissa Maiello is an artist to admire. Her work is extraordinary. Not only does Melissa have technical talent in several art media, she has unique artistic vision. Her art focuses on nature and conveys that subject's sublime beauty and tantalizing mystery. 

Artists "see" differently from the rest of us. They literally perceive more reality.  In the words of Aldous Huxley, "the doors of [their] perception" are open wider than ours. Melissa's art invites us to join her in a realm more vibrant than our own. Exploring that space can be a transcendent experience.

When I heard Melissa's art is on display this month at a festival in Babylon I jumped into the Batmobile and went there. The festival is outdoors, always a nice place to enjoy art and especially appropriate for Melissa's work. There are pieces by twenty artists in the show. 

The festival is open until Aug. 9th. Go! Look! Expand your horizons!

Blogging

Those of us who've blogged for a while (I started in 2010) know that blogging became popular 10-15 years ago and... then slowly fizzled out. When personal videos became possible and easy (on mobile devices) the masses gravitated toward them and away from static word-and-picture blogs. It was inevitable since most people can't write and don't like to read. Watching videos on TikTok and Instagram is their first choice.

I'm sad about this for a few reasons. First, I love to write so expressing myself here has always been a delight. Second, I like to connect with others so reading blogs, pondering the writer's experiences and being able to comment is always fun. And third, I find most video content to be shallow whereas blog posts are usually deep and more meaningful. Plus, on blogs we can show off our fancy vocabulary. :)

It was sad to see my favorite blogs -- which at one point numbered over 60 -- disappear. Of those, only a small handful exist today. Most evaporated without warning, like water on the patio during Summer.

I plan to remain here forever and will continue to support like-minded souls doing the same work. If you're reading this and have a blog, link it in the comments so I can join your community.

Recently I posted about a fabulous new book ("The Secret of Secrets," by Dan Brown [2025]). The novel has passages which give me hope about a future return to blogging. Here they are:

"Online, I am a bodiless consciousness…". (p. 656)

"It’s an unusual idea, but I’ve come to believe that our current technological explosion is actually part of a spiritual evolution… a kind of training ground for the existence that, in the end, is our ultimate destiny… a consciousness, untethered from the physical world, and yet connected to all things.” (p. 656)

The idea of consciousness outside human bodies is growing in popularity as it explains many odd phenomena (like the paranormal, mystical and metaphysical). Science and philosophy are examining consciousness with fresh originality. Noetics are pushing back against materialism and opening doors to new concepts and thought. Blogs may be training wheels for something much, much bigger.

Lucky Coins

As a child, I collected coins. I have dozens of silver dollars minted in the 1800s. 

It fascinates me that these objects -- which you can hold in your hand -- existed before computers (1980s), before television (1950s), before cars (1920s) and even before electricity (1880s). They were made when people traveled in horse-carriages and lit gas lamps at night. Coins from then survived until today.

These coins have seen some shit. The entirety of our modern life passed before their eyes.

When I'm out in public, I always carry one of the coins in my pocket. For luck. If you meet me in person, ask and I'll give you the coin. Spreading luck brings good fortune.

"The Secret of Secrets"

Dan Brown is one of the most successful novelists of our age. His fourth book, "The Da Vinci Code" (2003), sold over 81 million copies. Three of his novels have been turned into popular movies.

Last September Brown published a new bestseller, "The Secret of Secrets" (2025). Happily the book centers on a subject that fascinates me: human consciousness. I'm halfway through the novel and loving it.

While many readers will enjoy the book's thrilling vulpine plot, what interests me are Brown's non-fictional descriptions of philosophy (e.g., materialism v. noetic experience), spirituality, mythology and ancient history. These asides are accurate and entralling.

If you want to read something fun this Summer, try this book. You can borrow it for free from the public library or get it delivered from Amazon. I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on its content.

Waves

A wave never separates from the sea. It seems distinct when viewed and labeled but, remove the label and what is a wave? Water. Always simply water. The same water that flows in the ocean. Only its form has changed. 

We are waves. Not separate from the universe. Not strangers to the world. We are existence itself in beautiful form, here for fleeting moments before returning to the sea.

The Journey

Eight years ago, when I was sprightly and young (59), I roamed the world with enthusiasm.

Those days aren't over. Watch me continue this journey in slightly altered ways. The show hasn't ended.

History

Today is my dad's birthday. 

He grew up in a war-zone during WWII, personally fought in the later Korean war, smoked three packs of unfiltered cigarettes every day and survived a heart attack at 42. After that he gave up smoking and lived into his 90s with almost 40 years of leisurely retirement. 

In the 1950s my father found and married the woman of his dreams, raising two kids with her in a close-knit happy family in leafy suburbs.

Lucky guy.

A Portal

Harmony with nature is resonance, a current to be sensed. We find it by looking closely and moving in time with the natural world.

On a hike years ago I discovered a portal. Ensorcelled, I pointed a vintage camera at the threshold and asked silver film to record its surface. 

Natural Beauty

Saturday night I dined with curly-haired girls, Robin and my niece Heidi. In both cases their hair is natural, just doing what it does. Natural curls, natural colors.

My hair, white as Casper the ghost, is also natural. I don't dye it this color. :)

TCB

Elvis Presley created his own personal motto - TCB - which embodies Elvis's approach to life. It was his mantra.

TCB stands for "Taking Care of Business" and is accompanied by a lightning bolt Elvis drew himself. I first learned about this from Baz Luhrmann's 2022 bio-pic: the logo is in the credits and poster for the movie.

I wear a t-shirt bearing Elvis's logo when I go to the gym. I also just bought a pocket square bearing one for when I'm out on the town, dressed like a true boulevardier. 

The sewn pocket square comes from Lansky Brothers ("Clothier To The King"), a Memphis company founded by a tailor who designed and made flashy clothes for Elvis before and after he became famous. Bernard Lansky was a mensch who helped many rock stars find their unique style. One day he observed a poor, unknown musician (Elvis) peering in the window of his shop. Bernard went outside and invited Elvis in. The rest is history!

Nature

Nothing beats nature for fascinating views.

I'm looking through old photos taken 13 years ago (May 2013). The first is at a local park (Heckscher) in my hometown (Huntington, NY). The second is in Rhode Island where I visited the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.

The second bird looks unreal -- almost like a cartoon -- but he actually exists and was kind enough to pose for my camera. :) 

Tao

I'm reading a 3,000 year old book -- the classic "Tao Te Ching" written by Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu. The book erects a foundation for Taoism and most Eastern philosophy. Its teachings are discussed in a 1970s television show ("Kung Fu"), a 1964 Beatles song ("The Inner Light") and the opening lines of a popular 1970 song ("All Things Must Pass").

Written in laconic language, the Tao Te Ching presents pithy points of wisdom. They encourage harmony with nature as a key to insight and happiness. Sometimes intuitive, sometimes counter-intuitive its lessons lead the reader to ponder possible paths to enlightenment. That contemplation, I find, is itself joyous and educational. Rather than being esoteric, Taoism is a simple philosophy, guiding followers to better, kinder, gentler lives.

Here are a sample of its ideas:

To know

That one does not know,

To know that there is a limit

To what one knows,

This is true and highest knowledge.

*  *  *

Who knows

Does not speak.

Who speaks

Does not know.

Harmonize the light,

Blend with the dust.

This is the Mystic Union.

Whosoever attains this is neither loved nor rejected,

Receives neither benefit nor harm,

Is neither highly esteemed nor despised,

But is nonetheless greatly valued by All-under-Heaven.

Life Is An Opportunity

Life is a precious and fragile gift. An opportunity to be happy, create joy and help others (of all species). 

Yet sadly many humans squander this gift by desultory behavior. (Desultory: lacking a plan, purpose or enthusiasm.)

Memorial Day reminds us of men and women who lost their lives prematurely. To honor them we should live with passion. Their truncated lives ought to inspire us to dive into experience with brio and verve.

“I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.” (Vincent van Gogh)

Memorial Day

National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York (May 2020). 

Taken with all-plastic Holga camera and 120-format photo film.

Perspective

When you're deathly ill, particularly for a lengthy period, you detach from "reality" -- the world others live in. You realize how foolish people are to treat life with casual nonchalance. 

For you, being in that state means every moment is a struggle. Every day an ordeal. Crawling over hot coals you suffer searing pain and emotional horror, sometimes at unbearable intensity. You consider, of course, ways to end the ordeal. How can you not?

It's futile to describe this. It's like trying to explain war to civilians: they don't have concepts to grasp the experience. They imagine a cellar of sadness, not realizing beneath that room is a dreadful dungeon of despair. 

If you're lucky enough to survive serious illness and possible (or, as in my case, reversible) death, you find yourself changed. Your attitude shifts. Radically. You become grateful for every fuckin' day of sunshine life offers you. These are not just words, you've seen the alternative up close and personal. You know what can happen when a nightmare becomes real.

"Kung Fu"

When I was young, television content was homogenous. Networks sought to appeal to the widest audience and produced shows that were the same as others. If one genre worked (e.g., Westerns), it was copied and repeated over and over. Broadcast TV (the only option) was incredibly boring.

It was thus notably rare for a TV show to break the mold. To attempt something novel or artistic. One show did this and its very production was an improbable story. The show, which began in 1971 and ran for three seasons, was "Kung Fu."

At the time nobody in America had heard the phrase kung fu before. Martial arts were not well-known. The overnight success of "Kung Fu" caused immediate and strong interest in martial arts -- and in Eastern philosophy generally.

The show affected many viewers deeply, including me. I watched every episode raptly and, at age 14, was very impressionable. I loved the profound thoughts of Master Po and exotic setting of a Shaolin temple. The hero, Kwai Chang Caine, is a half-Chinese, half-white boy who's admitted to the Chinese temple and taught both Eastern philosophy and martial arts. Later, the boy grows up, leaves the temple and wanders the American West. He travels from town to town looking for his half-brother. He meets people, works and lives a spiritual life. Caine has experiences, often with bigotry and violence. He refrains from fighting unless absolutely necessary but, in each episode, that becomes apparent. Caine then defeats opponents with startling moves and consummate skill.

Two networks passed on the show and only because the third one was desperate, the show got a one-episode trial. The pilot was an instant hit. Further episodes attracted huge audiences who loved the unusual setting and plots. The show won multiple Prime-time Emmys. Master Po's affectionate term for Kwai Chang ("Grasshopper") became a cultural meme.

Thirty years later the entire series was collected in a box set (which I own) with two special features explaining how unlikely the show's creation was. The principals also demonstrate their quest for quality and authenticity. Consultants were hired and used to make the philosophical, historical and martial arts parts of the show as accurate as possible.

Have you ever seen it? If not, I'm happy to lend you my DVDs. That's something Kwai Chang Caine would do. :)

Favorite Movies

What are your favorite movies? Here's a list of my Top Ten. What are yours?

- "Casablanca" (1942 classic with Humphrey Bogart)

- "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" (1985, directed by Tim Burton)

- "Quiz Show" (1994 true story, directed by Robert Redford)

- "House of Games" (1987 mystery, directed by David Mamet)

- "Wall Street" (1987 business drama, directed by Oliver Stone)

- "Bright Lights, Big City" (1988 NYC tale with Michael J. Fox)

- "Harold and Maude" (1971 comedy with Ruth Gordon)

- "Rocky" (1976 sports drama, launched Sylvester Stallone)

- "Pulp Fiction" (1994 crime film by Quentin Tarantino)

- "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1973 cult classic musical)

(The picture above is my spoof on "Wall Street" villain Gordon Gekko.)

Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche, famous for his prescience about the 20th Century, was a deep thinker. And a little nuts. Few were surprised when Freddy had a mental breakdown at age 44 which ended his intellectual life.

I just read Nietzsche's book, "Beyond Good and Evil" (1886). It's mostly a tiresome slog but is leavened by a few personal observations. My favorites are quoted below. You probably recognize the first one whereas the others are more obscure.

- "He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee."

- "One loves ultimately one’s desires, not the thing desired."

- "The practice of judging and condemning morally, is the favorite revenge of the intellectually shallow on those who are less so."

- "In revenge and in love woman is more barbarous than man." 

Audemars Piguet X Swatch "Royal Pop"

Unless you're a student of horology -- and perhaps even if you are -- you may be perplexed by news reports this week that people are getting on a five-day line to buy a watch. Yes, a watch. The release date is Saturday and, for the inconvenience of sitting in that line, consumers will be granted the privilege to buy a single watch for $400. Just one, no more.

Even odder than that, the watch is a collaboration by two companies, Swatch and Audemars Piguet. If you know watches, this is akin to Ferrari teaming up with Taco Bell. An elite luxury manufacturer working with a pedestrian watch company. What?!

To understand this you need some context. True luxury watches cost around $50,000. Ordinary watches range from $50 to $10,000. The difference in price is due to craftsmanship. Luxury watches are made by hand, almost exclusively in Switzerland. Ordinary watches are made by machines everywhere.

The first question that comes to mind is why would someone pay $50,000 for a watch? The answer is three-fold. First, appreciation of real craftsmanship honed over centuries. The second is that luxury watches, unlike ordinary ones, appreciate in value. If you buy one today, it will likely be worth more in the future. No ordinary watch will ever recover its purchase price. Third, people are social animals and love to brag about what they own. Showing off a fancy watch is like wearing expensive jewelry. "Hey, look at this!"

Obviously for $400 you are not getting a handmade watch. The new model (Audemars Piguet X Swatch "Royal Pop") is fully machine-made. Further distinguishing it from luxury watches is its bright color. (There are 8 hues to choose from.) The watch's design references Pop Art of the 1950s (especially Andy Warhol's work). 

Why is Audemars Piguet doing this? It wants to lure new young buyers into the industry. Get them excited so, down the road, they'll graduate up to real watches. With all the media buzz this model is creating, that may be marketing genius.

Why is Swatch doing this? They had success a few years ago with their "MoonSwatch", a collaboration with another company (Omega). The difference here is that Swatch and Omega are owned by the same conglomerate whereas Audemars Piguet is an independent company.

A final point: the watch being sold is a pocket watch, not a wristwatch. The watch industry is pivoting back to pocket watches as homage to its origin. In the beginning for several centuries pocket watches were the only watches made. Then when wristwatches began, only women wore them. Men used pocket watches; women wore watches on their wrist. Only after the World War did men start wearing wristwatches. During the War pilots and soldiers found wristwatches more functional and carried that preference home.

Instead of hiding your new $400 watch in a pocket, many buyers will wear theirs around their neck or hang it from a handbag like a Labubu. Really. That's where we're heading. A trendy item, brightly colored, possessing social cachet. That's why people are waiting in line for five days...

Happy Mother's Day

"A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go." 

I still feel mine.

Ode To Joy

On this day two centuries ago (May 7, 1824), Ludwig van Beethoven conducted a performance of "Ode to Joy", his musical masterpiece (Symphony No. 9). Beethoven was completely deaf at the time -- so he couldn't hear a volcanic burst of roaring applause following the performance. At that moment Beethoven was still facing the orchestra so a contralto stepped up, put her hands on his shoulders and turned Beethoven around so he could visually see the ecstatic response his composition had generated.

As a teenager Beethoven studied the poetry of Friedrich Schiller. A volume of it became Ludwig's most cherished book. He dreamt of setting Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy" to music. The poem is a tribute to freedom, peace and human happiness. Schiller described it as a “kiss for the whole world.” Beethoven carried that kiss to the rest of us where it's still felt today. "Ode to Joy" is regularly played at the Olympics and the United Nations.