Michel Fokine’s ballet “Petrouchka,” created in 1911, is one I’ve seen many times. But perhaps I’ll never see it again, because I have a feeling it’s pretty much banned now. I’m virtually certain that one of its puppet characters, the … Continue reading →
No, I’m not planning to close down this blog. But most of you know I’ve been dealing with Gerard’s death, plus managing open threads on his old blog so that the commenters can continue to go there and chat with … Continue reading →
As an official old curmudgeon, I hereby complain about the following: (1) Company or agency answering messages that feature that same perky/happy voice (what’s she so pleased about?) reciting a long list of possible numbers to press for supposed help. … Continue reading →
Here’s an article about a woman whose mother died of Alzheimer’s, and who decided to get tested for the Alzheimer’s genetic marker in hopes it might reassure her, and discovered she actually has a double dose of the gene that … Continue reading →
[NOTE: This is an edited version of an essay of mine from the past.] Today is tax day. Ah, paying taxes. What fun! Along with close to 100% of Americans, I hate the process. It’s an attitude that unites us … Continue reading →
Here’s an obituary of Mary Quant, who practically invented the kicky women’s fashions of the 60s. I hadn’t thought about Quant in umpteen years. But looking at the photos there and at other articles about her brought back memories of … Continue reading →
We still don’t know who stabbed Bob Lee to death in San Francisco, and we may never know. This article points out the empty words of the DA of the city who said, “We do not tolerate these horrific acts … Continue reading →
Trump’s arrest and conviction for something has been a goal from the start. By “the start” I don’t mean from the day he declared his candidacy in 2015. At that point he was treated mostly as a joke and a … Continue reading →
Zabar’s is offering chocolate matzoh ice cream for Passover: The limited-edition Passover flavor is available through April 13 when Passover ends and is sold by the pint for $20, but there’s a lot to go into it for the price. … Continue reading →
In yesterday’s thread on a poll indicating a steep decline in patriotism in the US, commenter “charles” wrote: That is one thing that makes polls like this so disheartening; if more and more people believe that love of one’s country … Continue reading →
I’m trying to figure this one out: The reason why we love french fries, crisps and chocolate bars so much has less to do with a lack of willpower and more to do with the brain learning to prefer such … Continue reading →
…of switching cellphones. This doesn’t affect the blog, but any technical change stresses me out. Wish me luck! I find more and more that modern “conveniences” have become awfully complicated. I probably barely scratch the surface of what my cell … Continue reading →