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Monthly Archives: July 2020
Mary Trump’s Too Much and Never Enough
I read Mary Trump’s book yesterday. I couldn’t put it down, and no that’s not just a figure of speech. I confess it did take me past midnight, reading 200+ pages, skipping nothing, re-reading a few key passages. We bought … Continue reading
An omen
On my visit today my mother asked me to bring her a book from another room, which she was going to read later. And then she pulled out something else and started to read to me in Hungarian, asking me … Continue reading
Walking the University of Toronto Campus Guide
I shouldn’t have needed a book to wake me up to the nuances & subtleties of my many connections to the University of Toronto. But it’s a bit like a family album, these beautiful pictures of loved ones to remind … Continue reading
The last three
When we speak of old films we’re usually looking at images of performers who died long ago. Some died young like Marilyn Monroe or James Dean. Some had long full lives like Jimmy Stewart or Ginger Rogers. There was a … Continue reading
Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays
Tagged A Midsummernight's Dream, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Felix Mendelssohn, Max Reinhardt, Mickey Rooney, Nini Theilade, Olivia De Havilland, William Shakespeare
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A Beethoven discovery, aided by my dog
I’m framing this analysis around Sam my dog. She’s a 13+ year old rescue, and in my opinion amazingly well-behaved. Sometimes she’ll occupy the ottoman beside the piano, allowing her to read along with me if she so desires (no … Continue reading
An agnostic musing about leadership & talent
As I was tidying my office today, I fell into a book. You know how it is. You open it and are seduced or abducted, suddenly lost to yourself, deep in the book. While Jim Fisher’s The Thoughtful Leader: A … Continue reading
Barbecue genius @ The Kingston Social
I’m a bit looped, after eating an amazing meal. It’s from The Kingston Social, a place here in the east end of Toronto. One gets the menu a few days in advance, then places orders. And one then picks up … Continue reading
Douglas Chambers: The Reinvention of the World
I have been stuck on this one for awhile, not knowing quite what to write. I’m trying to avoid being a downer, but it’s hard to see the silver lining when you’re deep in the dark clouds of a pandemic. … Continue reading
Ennio Morricone has passed
This is almost an insult, to post this short little thing in response to the passing of Ennio Morricone. I’m merely doing this to call attention to his range, to his influence, and yes, because it’s fun posting something moving … Continue reading
Pete Davidson – The King of Staten Island
You might know Pete Davidson a couple of ways. He’s a regular on Saturday Night Live. He could be the avatar of sensational relationship failure, famously dumped by Ariana Grande, among others. Pardon me, I have no idea what he’s … Continue reading