On Focus

I was forced to write this Memorial Day column from my kitchen table and not the backyard as was planned, for my neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Piggy—the somewhat obese interracial couple who live on the first floor next door were outside slaving over a hot grill yesterday—and smoke always follows beauty.
So inside I came with [...]

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In the Age of Barney Frank

The arrest of four alleged ‘terror suspects’ Uptown last evening will sure-up support for Zion.
According to preliminary press reports, it seems the Pentagon was aware of the plot to ignite a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ in one of New York City’s many Gardens of Gesthemane.
The terror suspects were permitted to drive a van [...]

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The Loop arond Prospect Park

It was a perfect morning to make the four mile lap around Prospect Park—that was until I bumped into a lesbian I pretended to know.
 
Summer again has shown mercy on this cold town. A morning sun was up over Nostrand Avenue by 8:00 a.m. and a warm ray of sunlight had already made an appearance [...]

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Lifetimes Savings

Despite looming starvation, no income and a lack of lifetime savings habits, I have managed not to ask my wealthy parents of Three Springs, PA for a substantial loan during this most recent recession. Mom’s bubbles in the kitchen sink must have multiplied when I asked her for $100 one Sunday, several weekends ago—I could [...]

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Brave New War

Murder of five at a stress clinic in Bagdad will certainly lead to increased funding for mental health needs of our service men and women.
Unlike previous wars when stress was high and men went nuts from the bullets, this generation will offer the veterans of mid-east battles more Zoloft than they can shake a [...]

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The Cloud of Forgetting

Meditation techniques described by an anonymous monk in the book “The Cloud of Unknowing” have rattled my psyche. Not since Eve was tempted by the serpent of old has there been such delicious fruit of literature to feast upon in the banquet of this place called enlightenment.
The author of the “Cloud of Unknowing” suggests using [...]

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Stress Tests for Dummies

The unemployment rate is at 8.9%– the highest since 1984. Despite a surge in government jobs crated by Big Black Brother, indications somehow show that job cuts slowed in the month of April.
The number of out of work Americans is exactly on target of what economist projected although the private sector remains cautious. Outside of [...]

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The Clouds of Unknowing

The Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza is where I spend these rainy days of May. Between thunderstorms and gentle spring mists I make my way here in soggy shoes and a windbreaker that serves as a raincoat and cover for my books.
It is on a computer at the library that these very words [...]

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The Chase ATM

I stopped at the Chase bank branch on Christopher Street to deposit the check from Tom. Although my professional career as a glorified secretary involved much effort at book keeping and managing paper work, when it came to maintaining my own affairs, I was like the Cuckoo bird that does not build a nest, but [...]

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The Smoke Weaver’s Daughters

“I propose a toast,” Jose suggested as I turned to grab my blue windbreaker from the Gap. “To the good times here in New York—and may there be more in Vieques. You know you are welcome to come down anytime. Bring your friend, what’s his name…”
“Jamal,“ Stephen reminded him, although I was certain that Jose [...]

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