(PssSt, I certainly did.) Now playing, for your listening enjoyment, the one and the only Ella Fitzgerald, “The Bird, Charlie Parker,” Benny Goodman’s “Jazz at Carnegie Hall,” Mr. Lionel Hampton, Harry James, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Lena Horn. CIRCA 1948 — Dorsey High School — my alma Mater Many years later, I can rhapsodize,…
Seek the best rulers; People do know that they exist. They love and they praise; Next they fear, Or, for many, soon to be reviled. When they do not command the people’s faith, Some will lose what little faith they had in them forever. They resort to oaths! But, of the best when their task…
We had a kid at P.S.233 in Brooklyn, New York who was our confirmed hero and leader. His name (for short) was Newtie. Newtie was big for his age and had the courage in his soul to match his God-given size. When you’re eight, or ten, an eleven year old is for sure one of…
Proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that people are capable, and will ask an almost stranger almost anything – this one is for you, baby. I was asked, by an inquisitive and incredibly self-needy person of the opposite sex, (I assume) one of the more innocuous questions ever to be heard or to even…
Following the completion of my nightly chat with a higher power, and unexpectedly as my eyes began to close – pending sleep was no more than a minute or two away… Some nights are different. This night was different than most. Stepping towards me, she displayed a special look always reserved for anguish. It wasn’t…
*Unable to perceive differences of musical pitch accurately. It’s not a disease, though there are many of us (not me) who have it; some are frightfully impaired while others are merely limited to a small extent – dependent on what you think small means. It’s kind of like explaining what is, is. I have a…
They’ll think you mean something like _____* sex. That’s what I did mean. Well, you just can’t say that. People will think you’re thinking about it. What people are you talking about? You mean the adults out there who are thinking about the same thing or things I happen to be thinking about? Did you…
Guarantee: Don’t practice your craft and you will have failure all wrapped up in a neat little package. My surprise is never ending – endless. The novice always comes forth with ignorance constantly enhanced by inactivity of the mind. In other words, if you think you have a chance to hit the ball without the…
I stand accused and convicted without the necessity of a trial, judge, or a jury of my peers. What is a peer anyway? ACCORDING TO WEBSTER’S DICTIONARY: A person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person. Well, allowing for the fact it is almost impossible for a person of reasonable stature…
As reported to me by an erstwhile member of our congress of these United States of America: “As the one and only Harvey Kalmenson (self-elected official), I do hereby stand alone and completely informed by the same elected official, placed in office by me, I hereby so direct his (my) function to continue on, and…