”What is normal?” ”Normal wasn’t so great for so many.” School massacres were normal. Genocide was normal. Corporations replacing families was normal. Drugging kids to make them obedient was normal. Dying because health care was unaffordable and too complicated and drugs that cost $13 sold for $1300 was normal. Not being able to take off … Continue reading On normal – from The Art Thieves
Category: Recommendations
That time I fell in love in Boston
Me and Boston have some history, with much of it not being very positive. I mean, how could it be? I’ve been a Yankees fan my entire life! Baseball aside, though, there are a myriad of reasons why Boston just never measured up to my own definition of a city. A. It’s kind of small. … Continue reading That time I fell in love in Boston
My Wicked ways
Many years ago I read Gregory Maguire’s book, Wicked, and I absolutely despised it. While there were moments when I eagerly turned the pages, the truth was I just wanted the story, and the book, to be over. I’ve never read anything else he’s written and was also successful in avoiding any of the hype … Continue reading My Wicked ways
Notes from a retired party planner
Somehow, ok, maybe it’s because I’m good at it, I’ve become quite the “milestone birthday party planner (MBPP). Through the years I’ve planned three 50th birthday parties (my mother’s dessert & cordials festivities, my ex’s Tuscany/London celebration and my own DeFazio’s & wine shindig) and, in recent years, two 60th birthday fetes, one of which … Continue reading Notes from a retired party planner
A Demon disciple
I’m in the midst of doing something which I’ve never before done - I’m relistening to an audiobook. A couple of things, I think, make this remarkable. The first is that the audiobook encompasses 21+ hours of listening, a real commitment of time and attention, especially when you multiply it by two. The second is … Continue reading A Demon disciple
A legendary weekend
When it comes to my birthday, I take things pretty seriously - at least as far as self indulgence and celebration go. My attitude is that it is MY day and I’m going to spend it as close to precisely the way I want to. This condition has been consistent for me as far back … Continue reading A legendary weekend
A Beautiful reason to have come home
The first musical I ever saw on Broadway was Grease in 1980. I don’t remember much of the show, but I do recall being mesmerized by the costumes, dancing and singing and, really, isn’t that what a musical is all about? On Sunday afternoon I was in the audience for a production of Beautiful: The … Continue reading A Beautiful reason to have come home






