Archive for February 2008
Self Cleaning
I walk in the door, put down my keys, and start flipping through the mail: New York, New Yorker, Con Ed. Abbi emerges from the kitchen, kisses me, and collapses into my arms. “The first day back from vacation always sucks,” I whisper into her ear. “It’s not that,” she says looking up at me…
Read MoreBenjamin Braddock, Holden Caulfield & Me
There’s a great article in Vanity Fair’s Hollywood Issue on the making of one of my all-time favorite film’s, The Graduate. Of course, the film, released in 1967, somehow captured the zeitgeist of the late ’60s, especially the generation gap between parents weened on Eisenhower-era prosperity and optimism, and their increasingly disillusioned kids; Kennedy had…
Read MoreLess Than You Need – MP3
This weekend, I spent nearly eight hours on one song. This is not that song. That song is called, “For You,” a simple crescendo in D. It began a few weeks ago as I sat and reacquainted myself with my guitar. A simple D pattern and a few lyrics emerged. And so, with some time…
Read MoreWords Like Silent Raindrops
There’s not a ton of evidence around the apartment to indicate Abbi’s absence. I haven’t been sitting around in my boxers watching TV, eaten frozen pizza, and tossing empties into a pile in the corner. Nah, to the contrary, I’ve been dressed almost the entire weekend. The sink’s empty, the dishwaher’s full of clean dishes,…
Read MoreRun To You
At its best, running is free and unfettered. It doesn’t take much: a good jog on the beach really only calls for a pair of shorts. Often, though — especially these 27° February mornings — gearing up to run feels like suiting up for battle. Here’s a breakdown of my armour, from head to toe:…
Read MoreExhale
“Oh shit!” It’s been one helluva Friday. The clock on my computer reads 6:16 pm. “I’m supposed to meet my wife at Exhale in fourteen minutes!” I pack my bag, grab my hat, and dash for the elevators. I stride down the escalator and dial up Counting Crows “Daylight Fading” as I rush through the…
Read MoreShaking All The Nonsense Out
It took some convincing to get noted author, activist, singer/songwriter and mystic Bo Lozoff to preside over Abbigail and my wedding ceremony. In addition to his 200+ days on the road speaking in prisons, schools and churches on behalf of his Human Kindness Organizations’ Prison-Ashram Project, Bo co-manages the affairs of his organization with his…
Read MoreReclining On An Ocean Swell
Dude, I know it bums you out that everyone but you is taking sea-kissed, sun-baked vacations right now. Mom’s in Egypt. Dad’s in South Carolina. Chris and Jen are heading to Barbados in the morning. And Abbi’s going to West Palm on Saturday. You? You’ll be spending your three-day weekend alone in New York City…
Read MoreThe War Of Independence: A Family Snapshot
I was a sixth grader at Holmes Elementary in Oak Park, IL, when my parents divorced, and my mother moved my brother and I to Berwyn, PA. I began sixth grade at Devon Elementary there. I was eleven-years-old. My father (who, it’s worth noting, was exactly my age now) remained in Chicago where he worked…
Read MoreLet’s Go Somewhere Else
My first inclination was to hail a cab. According to my Apple Dashboard weather widget, it was fourteen degrees when I stepped through the revolving doors of 1515 Broadway into Times Square. I live just over a mile from my office. It takes me roughly twenty minutes to walk west on 45th, then north on…
Read More