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In an editorial in the Wall Street Journal, the paper railed against a group of men who are being honored by CNN and many of the politically-correct left. I admire them for digging behind the story about Pablo Fajardo and Luis Yanza, who are not the heroes that some make […]
Last night’s film stayed with me for a long time. Todd Field’s “Little Children” used a narrator, the sonorous Will Lyman, who set the stage from the opening scene, where a trio of gossiping, sniping suburban housewives in a park sat apart from a fourth young mother, who just didn’t […]
It’s a beautiful warm spring day and as I sat in my favorite seat by the windows in front of the cafe, I read about an ambitious man in India whose stock is plummeting….despite the fact that his company is the fifth largest supplier of wind turbines in the world. […]
Dave Lenson came into the cafe on Monday afternoon with sad news. He said that Buddy Rubbish was near death, having been rushed to the hospital on Friday night with severe chest pains. Yesterday’s Gazette had the story of the death of one of the funniest guys in the Valley. […]
Today is public speaking day. I always enjoy that. Whether it’s a wedding day toast, a eulogy, or a talk to a class, give me a script and I’ll have fun up on a podium. My first stop is the Holyoke Lions Club, where I’ll be a featured speaker today […]
Like many Costco shoppers I have been eying large flat screen TVs every time I walk past them en route to the dry good section for cafe supplies. I’d just love to see an HDTV on my wall. One brand that has the most tantalizing price point is Vizio. I […]
I’m just back from Oz and prepping for an appearance on Brad and Bo’s WHYN-AM Morning Show. Listen at 8:05 Tuesday morning, and I’ll share some of these tidbits. Here is the complete list, since the segments are usually pretty short. 1. There is no tipping in Australia. So a […]
It’s great to be back home, despite this morning’s 30 degree chill. I love walking into the cafe and saying hello to all of our customers and my friends who frequent the joint. I’d also like to say hello to someone I’ve never met, but who makes my day every […]
My trip to Melbourne was memorable. I only wish that it wasn’t so damn far away! The flight was not bad, no delays and no lost baggage, but when I reached Holyoke at 1 am, I was ready for a long sleep in a familiar bed. It’s great to be […]
Often I compare these journeys to eating tapas. There’s a little bit here, a taste of that there, and you never really settle into a groove because it’s time to go when that finally happens. This week in Melbourne has been splendid, and I must say that Oz is as […]
In Melbourne, the arts are a seriously high priority. Whether it’s public art in city squares, or nurturing the art of new clothing designers or performers, the arts are a big part of the experience of visiting here. Even the highways coming into the city are lined with gigantic steel […]
Josh Oakes says he is raw. Raw as in new to many aspects of running a full time tour guide business here in Melbourne. We met yesterday and he took me to a beautiful part of the country, the spa-focused region of the Macedon Ranges. Here, he said, the emphasis […]