Some background on “The Lesson”: On a Saturday in April 2001, I was driving home from the gym in San Rafael, CA grinning ear to ear as the local jazz radio station played a cut from my friend Smith Dobson. Not only was it Smith, but it was a track from his Smithzonian album, released […]
On Monday afternoon, with significant tooth pain, skyrocketing anxiety, and a gap in my teeth you could drive a banjo through, I found myself sitting with two other men in the lobby of the urologist’s office. As is natural to our species, the three of us were randomly seated as far apart from one another […]
Since I posted the piece below a few days ago, I have received an amazing (surprising) number of comments, questions, and a few other anecdotes. Thank you. I don’t know of any piano duo albums of Shearing. However, to get a taste of his voice, his humor, and joy for the music (in a more […]
A Memory of George Shearing (8/13/1919 – 2/14/2011) Of all of the people George Shearing ever met, I am one of them. And while he might have had some vague recollection of my name (my father’s), I am quite sure he would have no recollection of me. But meeting him was my first serious kiss […]
The 2011 Tri season is brewing. A little over a month ago, the local club held its kickoff meeting. Workout programs were handed out, goals were set, safety pitched, and the room veritably overflowed with good people and great expectations. Lots of newcomers eyed their first Triathlons, and more seasoned athletes were either looking to […]
For as long as I can remember, a close friend of my father’s used to call me every December 7th and remind me it was Pearl Harbor Day. He had been a navy lieutenant stationed there when the Japanese attacked in 1941. Without any introduction or question as to whether or not I was busy, […]
The 2009 Jarden Westchester Triathlon was my first attempt at training for and competing in any type of Triathlon. I enjoyed a wonderful thread of emails with my niece, “K” (an experienced triathlete), during and up to the main event. She helped me in no small way to prepare mentally and physically for that race. […]
Four months after my rotator cuff surgery, my doctor saw me for a final check up. She had me perform manly feats of strength, like lifting up, pushing down, and extending my arms sideways against hers. She had me do stretches, reach for the sky and rotate each arm in wide circular motions. As I […]
The literature for the Invisible Fence suggests that if your dog crosses the electronic barrier, he will get an electric shock similar to the static charge you might get when you touch something metal after shuffling across a shag carpet. A little snap and crackle, but no pop – more startling than anything. I should […]
HFQ5S6R398WS While that cryptic code above is actually only a test for some technical housekeeping for my blog, it brings to mind one of the less celebrated but personally illuminating moments of the Loma Prieta (CA) Earthquake in 1989. The obvious part of October 17, 1989, was that the earth shook. Registering 6.9 on the […]
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