During the holidays I put aside significant time for reading, inclusive of several topics. My latest venture into intellectual growth was a book called ‘You Are Not So Smart’………….By page 36 I declared myself.
I read “The Catcher in the Rye” when I was in high school. It did not do much for me, but the novel is an American Masterpiece, and is the only book, it’s author, J.D. Salinger ever published. Despite my personal distaste for the story, I was always intrigued by Salinger and his reclusive life……If you have read “Catcher” you will love the 2017 movie ‘Rebel in the Rye.’
The Cleveland Browns are going to be 0-16 this season. I am the first to say nothing is a sure thing, but I am going to make this guarantee….. Johnny Football could not have done worse.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, as I continue to write short stories I must go back……..But I draw the line at high school alumni basketball games!
Since she was a little girl Mary Kate has been enamored by Tinseltown. This Thursday we take her to Hollywood for a semester internship…….. It will be interesting to see how she reacts when the bright lights go on.
Many moons ago when I was 21 years old Ward Tice , principal of Pine Bush High at the time, interviewed me for the school’s varsity basketball job. Coming off another winless year he sold me on the idea that the Bushmen were sleeping giants…….. If only I could of held on for 35 years.
Dunkirk and The King’s Choice are two great movies about Nazi advances in Europe during the year 1940…….After watching them you will be confounded that it took the Japanese bombs on Pearl Harbor for the United States to enter WWII.
Having a baby, funerals, buying a house, going through a divorce, illness; these are typical rationales ( I prefer to call them excuses) for people to put a hold on accomplishment…….all of their weak apologies pale in scale to the annual holiday malaise.
My new found interest in art had me looking at several well renowned artists depiction of the Prodigal Son. It turns out I was unclear of the biblical story relating to two brothers and the claim to their father’s inheritance……. I always was under the impression it was a nickname my family gave me in deference to how cool I was.
My former college basketball coach Steve Moore has won 808 basketball games. He is 2nd in wins for division III coaches and 20th counting all divisions….. In the fall of 1981 I got the rare experience to see the destiny of another person.
What is the over/under on how many times CNN headlines in 2018 refer to the possible impeachment of President Trump……. I set the line at 57. And I’ll take 100 times on the over.
In the whole of 2018 how many times will Fox News say anything negative when referring to the President……… The line is 3. Same amount on the under.
I have completely surrendered any chance of victory over Mary Kate. The best I can ever hope for is a tie………..How can you win any debate against yourself?
The temperatures in Kingston have hovered around zero all week………. I have put an embargo on any jabs directed towards South Florida. Promise.
The media complains about Trump playing too much golf . They complained about Clinton getting serviced by a young intern in the oval office……. I say to the media , ” Calm down. I want my President to be relaxed.
Far too frequently of late people around me are starting sentences with; “You know how honest I am,” “You know what a straight shooter I am,” “You know I don’t bullshit,” “Frankly speaking” ………Actually, I am not convinced.
In general terms a girl marries a man who displays many of the same traits she witnessed from her father……. In Laura’s case she took the traits that go along with that theory to a much higher level.
A politician was recently quoted saying “I choose conciliation vs. conflict,”………Contrary to the thinking of the people closet to me that is exactly how I feel.
It wasn’t her breach of National security, or her lack of a personality, or her elitist attitude , or her attempts to sabotage Bernie Saunders, or the plane on the tarmac…….Twas the Russians who killed the beast.
A local restaurant owner told me my grave stone should say, “He played a great fiddle”, …………Quite a compliment since I am not musically inclined.
The act of effectively and efficiently developing your brain to its’ fullest capabilities. That is my personal definition of intelligence…….Granted one brain can be more capable than another.
My childhood friend Dino Toscani’s deal to purchase Hunter Mountain may be held up due to a conflict of interest. Rumor is that Trump recently appointed him Ambassador to Aruba………I know this is all true because I heard it from Dino himself.
It is a pleasure to watch the bond grow between my daughters as they are entering adulthood. I deeply love them both equally……….Still I always keep in mind that if they were forced to make a choice I am getting thrown overboard first. Yup, that’s how it goes with sisters.
Amazon’s ad campaign has destroyed for me my favorite Super Tramp song. Hearing ‘Give a Little Bit’ use to make me turn up the radio…….. Now when I hear the song in the advertisement on the boob tube I throw the clicker at the screen.
I received a desk calendar as a anonymous gift last year. Each day detailed the origin of a word. I faithfully read the almanac everyday and today 2017 has run out on all of us………I miss my unknown friend already. I hope they read this and send me a calendar for 2018.
Here is what I have to say to all the people making New Years resolutions……. Save your breath . You already had 364 days to invoke changes and you did nothing. Yeah, yeah after the Holidays.
When I was young I disciplined myself to not look back, only ahead. In the autumn of my years I find a strange irony in what appears on the surface to have been a successful strategy………The open highway can be a lonely place.
Happy New Year Harry Catchitore!!!!!…….. Wherever you are.
