The news of the passing of Stephen Sondheim filled me with joy. Not because he died, I'm sorry the world is without him. But because the great joy he gave me as the greatest composer and lyricist of the American stage. He constantly expanded and challenged the music theater art form and we are forever … Continue reading In Memoriam – Stephen Sondheim
New York City
Follow-up Review to items from VikingBags.com and VikingCycle.com
It is always fun to unwrap and admired new motorcycle gear out of the box. But check back in a few months after the items have been rigorously road tested on both long and short trips. The real value is how they last and serve your purposes. That is exactly what I did. You may … Continue reading Follow-up Review to items from VikingBags.com and VikingCycle.com
Throwback Thursday – Happy Birthday to the Boss
This Throwback Thursday started in 1949 and continued until last June. Today is the 72nd Birthday of Bruce Springsteen and last June we attended his "Springsteen on Broadway" performance at the St. James Theater. It was the most recent show we saw in New York and it may be some time before we see another. … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – Happy Birthday to the Boss
Broadway takes a big step forward to returning
The pandemic shutdown of theater in New York was very hard to take for those of us who love the art form. While performers took to streaming, I never warmed to the platform. For some odd reason I enjoy sitting shoulder to shoulder with strangers to watch live performers. Not the best pastime during a … Continue reading Broadway takes a big step forward to returning
Personal Memories on the 20th Anniversary of the Attacks of September 11, 2001
Whenever we reach a round number anniversary of a notable event the media pulls out all the stops in their coverage and special editions. I have written previously of my experiences on that date in New York City and will, briefly, here again today. But even before I moved to the Big Apple I often … Continue reading Personal Memories on the 20th Anniversary of the Attacks of September 11, 2001
Celebrating National Waffle Day in the land of Waffle House!
I am still learning my way around the neighborhoods of Central Florida but one thing I know is that we are well within the bounds of Waffle House Nation. When I lived in New York City the closest Waffle House was in Pennsylvania, not far from the New Jersey border. But here in Florida they … Continue reading Celebrating National Waffle Day in the land of Waffle House!
A Ramble on avoiding disasters and dancing with Hurricanes
Having arrived in Florida in the midst of Hurricane Season, I am keeping a close eye on the tropics, as they say here. Getting here was a bit of a hurricane dance as well. I had precious little control of dates and process after I signed the contract to sell the apartment in New York. … Continue reading A Ramble on avoiding disasters and dancing with Hurricanes
Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
You may or may not have heard but I am pulling up roots and moving to the state of Florida. I have lived in New York City for more than 23 glorious years and first fell in love with it when I visited when I was just 17 years old. As I was originally born … Continue reading Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
National Fried Chicken Day and my NYC recommendation
Today is National Fried Chicken Day and I truly love this delicious treat. I have made various tasty versions but the best was when I used a sous vide device to first make the meat creamy and perfectly cooked. But if I want to eat this treat out on the town in New York, I … Continue reading National Fried Chicken Day and my NYC recommendation
Review – Springsteen on Broadway
After a forced shutdown of fourteen months, Broadway is slowly re-awakening and the first eyelid to flicker open is that of a certain Bruce Springsteen. The Boss reanimates his blowout hit of a few years ago, now at the St. James Theatre - "Springsteen on Broadway." This is no arena sing-along event with his fabulous … Continue reading Review – Springsteen on Broadway
Testing a new way to view my quick trip videos
I am hoping to take a long ryde on my Can-Am Spyder in the coming weeks. (We Spyder Riders pretentiously call an outing a ryde to mimic our product name.) Because of the band width needed this blog page does not allow direct posting of video images as I used to do. Instead one must … Continue reading Testing a new way to view my quick trip videos
Tipping Back to Normal?
During the pandemic lockdown Times Square and the theater district here in New York were a ghost town. Unimaginable before we experienced it. But there are several signs things are getting back to normal. More than half of the Broadway Theaters have announced performance dates starting on September 14 and stretching through the end of … Continue reading Tipping Back to Normal?
Happy 100th Patience and Fortitude
One of my favorite buildings in New York is the Stephen A. Schwartzman Building which serves as the primary New York City Library Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street next to Bryant Park. I have spent many happy hours writing there in the astonishing Rose Reading Room. And every time I visit, Patience and … Continue reading Happy 100th Patience and Fortitude
World Theatre Day 2021
Happy World Theatre Day after a full year with no theatre. I can't tell you how much I have missed it. I've tried several screening options but it never filled the void. It was fine but so are movies and television. What I love is to sit shoulder to shoulder with total strangers to absorb … Continue reading World Theatre Day 2021
Recently got my first jab
I recently got my first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. I go back for my second shot later this month. The mass vaccination site at the Washington Heights Armory was smooth, fast and efficient. Get yours whenever you can. I'm looking forward to going maskless soon - it is messing with my beard! As … Continue reading Recently got my first jab
One of my short plays will be streamed by Barrington Stage Company
Wanted you to know that my short play “Happy Birthday, Leonard” was selected to be performed and streamed in The Barrington Stage Company’s Tenth Annual 10x10 New Play Festival. The Festival will have ten performances and be streamed March 11-14 and March 18-21 (starts on Thursday!). Barrington Stage is an award winning and important regional theater … Continue reading One of my short plays will be streamed by Barrington Stage Company
First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
I've covered Manhattanhenge many times on this blog in the past. You can search the blog to find out the scientific detail but essentially it is the dates where the rising or setting sun perfectly aligns with the cross streets of Manhattan. Tomorrow is a rising sun date so set your alarm to be able … Continue reading First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
2020 has been a pretty horrific year. Hundreds of thousands of Americans dying, cities and live audience events shut down and economic stresses not seen in decades. And yet, I have found one significant bright spot in this most difficult of times. SantaCon has been cancelled. If you are not aware, this misguided event is … Continue reading The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
I still miss John Lennon
Forty years ago today John Lennon was shot as he returned to his home at The Dakota building in Manhattan as he returned from a recording session. It is a loss I still feel strongly today. John's focus on peace, love and unity were cruelly taken away from the world. Today my playlist will be … Continue reading I still miss John Lennon
In Memoriam: Norman Nadel
Norman Nadel passed away on October 25, 2010 - you read that correctly, a decade ago. But ten years ago I didn't have a blog so I wanted to take this opportunity to memorialize a great guy ten years out. I started work at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts (since renamed Artis-Naples) in 1989, … Continue reading In Memoriam: Norman Nadel
On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
On October 14, 1935, a dedication ceremony was held for the brand new Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan. It turns 85 years young today and looks amazing for its age! Nestled on a ridge between Inwood and Hudson Heights it has stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. It is home … Continue reading On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
On This Date: The First Saturday Night Live Broadcast
In 1975, 45 years ago, NBC broadcast the first episode of what has become a comedy and music standard - Saturday Night Live. It has been good and it has been bad, it has never stopped experimenting. It has introduced legions of new comedians and showcased classic music groups. It has had iconic moments and … Continue reading On This Date: The First Saturday Night Live Broadcast
John Lennon would have been 80 years old today
If he had not been taken from from us senselessly and far too early, John Lennon would today celebrate his 80th birthday. I would love to have heard his take on the last forty years and especially the last four years. When I was growing up we often classified ourselves as either Rolling Stones or … Continue reading John Lennon would have been 80 years old today
Welcome Krispy Kreme to Times Square
I love standing under a waterfall and letting it stream over me. The doughnut chain Krispy Kreme is scheduled to open a flagship store in Times Square here in New York City today. The shop will feature the world's largest "Hot Now" sign and a giant glaze waterfall in the window. If you see a … Continue reading Welcome Krispy Kreme to Times Square
On This Date: Henry Hudson gets to Manhattan
There is some debate as to the precise date that Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor in 1609, but that should be expected as he had been at sea a while and had not recently synchronized his iPhone. It is not appropriate to say he "discovered" Manhattan as there happened to be residents here … Continue reading On This Date: Henry Hudson gets to Manhattan
Walter Thinnes 
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