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

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Psychology and perception | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Books & Literature, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, University life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, University life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Reviews | Tagged , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Books & Literature, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment