author's note: This piece was originally published on the Editorial Page of the Wall Street Journal as an Editorial (NOT as a Letter to the Editor). The incidents described are true and the quotations are word for word. I offer it as an alternative to "Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus,… Read full post »

This a repost of a comment I made earlier today on the NPR web site (http://www.npr.org/2011/01/02/132482428/into-the-tunnels-exploring-the-underside-of-nyc). Their space limits prevented the more complete version posted here. 

I was 14 years old (1947), living in a Jersey City housing project… Read full post »

One of my six grandchildren, Jake, is a senior at Oberlin Conservatory, often called the best music school in the world. Having wandered their practice halls while superb performances seep out into the corridors, I agree. What an environment.

At this very moment - OK, give or… Read full post »

From encountering the phrase "going commando" in various contexts, I gather it means not wearing underwear.  I first heard of it, I think, on Seinfeld. I'll not comment on that behavior, but I want to borrow the metaphor to discuss another form of lack of coverup.

My blog… Read full post »

One of the most important and effective men in the history of America's Classical Music (otherwise known as "Jazz") died today at age 89. He was Dr. Billy Taylor.  You surely find many obits around the net but I know one life he affected.

Sometime around 33 to 35 years ago,… Read full post »

Dear FaceBook,

I feel really bad about this. You are a really nice person and the last thing I want to do is hurt your feelings.  You deserve much more in the way of a relationship than I could ever offer you.

I admit it. I'm shallow.

When you send… Read full post »

Ever since I married about two months ago at age 77, a soto voce commentary follows me as I pass among those who know. Fortunately, thanks to Korean War era hearing damage caused by being too near battle tank cannons when they fire, I can hear little to none of what… Read full post »

Surely you have noticed that many, if not most, people lie about money . . . a lot. It's a very flexible sort of lying that adapts to the immediate circumstances. People lie to lenders and investors, claiming to have a lot of money at hand and then the same people… Read full post »

You must have noticed that it is now almost impossible to click on a video that does not first launch a commercial video. That sucks.

Rant alert. I am about the bite the FUCKING hand I am feeding with my FREE FUCKING blog content. (Blame that outburst on having just read… Read full post »

As is known by those who have read my first OS posts - which happened only last week - I got married about two months ago. I am 77 years old and have lived alone for most of the previous 25 years.

Here's a list of things that my wife,… Read full post »

Blake Edwards died today at age 88. He left behind a wealth of artistic accomplishment, filled with great movies, any one of which would have been enough to ensure his fame and respect for as long as there are people who love movies.

He wrote and or produced or directed… Read full post »

I just got an email through OS, from Mrs. Demesia, informing me of the death of her beloved husband and explaining that before he died in a mysterious way, he embezzled 11 Million US Dollars into a secret fund that needs my help to recover so she and her family will… Read full post »

Frank, I am really sorry I am late in acknowledging your birthday this past Sunday, the 12th. I know you were just kidding when you sent those two guys over to my house with baseball bats.

I mean who around here plays baseball in December, right?

 BTW - for those… Read full post »

It's 9:15pm as I start this post.

A few minutes ago I put my wife to bed again. The first time was at 5:00pm. We keep crazy hours.

After hours of walking around town today to appointments related to her Permanent Residency application, we were stone-faced with cold and… Read full post »

"Ah yes, I remember it well."

Maurice Chevalier nodded that back to Hermione Gingold in the movie, "Gigi."

With names like that, neither one of them, despite their soaring talents, would have had a career in today's world. Now the names that dominate are like those of Brad and Gaga.… Read full post »

My con is almost 20 years old. I confirmed with friends in Santo Domingo that the con that triggered my revenge con is still possible. My tables-turning was inspired by the work of the greatest con man to ever publish his cons. Yellow Kid Weil's autobiography - and a similar revenge… Read full post »