Media Frenzy

Dominique Strauss-Kahn of France was the head of the International Monetary Fund. He was thought to be a leading candidate to run for President of France. That all changed rapidly. He was accused of the attempted rape of a New York City hotel maid and arrested as he was preparing to fly back to France. He spent some time in jail, resigned his position with the IMF and is now out on a million dollar bail. He is on house arrest, armed guards, leg bracelet AND he is living in our building in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. He and his attorney state he is innocent. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 6^th.

Now it is a media event, or better said a media circus right outside the front door of our building. According to the press our building is the newest tourist attraction in New York City. “Tourists and the media have been flocking to 71 Broadway. Tour bus drivers point out our building, school groups pose in front of our now famous building.” It has been mind-boggling to see the media folks and their staying power just waiting for something to happen. All of the network’s trucks, the freelancers, photographers, reporters etc. have taken up residence on our sidewalk. This is their fourth day. Strauss-Kahn wanted to be on the Upper Eastside where the well-to-do folks live but they rejected him. Nobody even asked me if it was okay to have this circus move in to our neighborhood. Oh well, it’s an interesting experience.

This guy hasn’t been found guilty of the accusation but it still brings the question to my mind: “What is it with the rich and famous? Why do they keep getting themselves into these messes?” Most recently, there was Arnold Schwarzenegger before that there was Tiger Woods, John Edwards and of course Bill Clinton as well as others I won’t mention right now. Is it their money, power or popularity that makes them think they are immune to this stuff ruining their lives as well as those of their families? Maybe we just know about these guys because of their high public profile….perhaps everyone is out doing this stuff. That would be mind-boggling and hard for me to believe or at least accept. 

Stan the Man

Geronimo: Mind-boggling

We recently toured the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian at One Bowling Green in New York City. The museum lies at the foot of Broadway in a wonderful old building that was originally constructed as the U.S. Customs House. They have an exhibition there, demonstrating the historical and continuing special relationship between Native Americans and horses. One of the famous Native Americans who is part of the exhibit is Geronimo.  This reminded us of our years owning and operating a small guest ranch in Arizona. Our ranch wasn’t far from the Apache Indian Reservation. History told us that Geronimo, with his braves, had ridden across our property as they fled south. Geronimo is a much admired hero of the Apaches. It was a special place to many, including us, due to its history.

Of course, we needed horses on our ranch. We ended up with two for our personal use. One was an Arabian named Cittana and it just so happens that the other horse I bought off the reservation was a mustang who came with the name Geronimo. Geronimo was a headstrong horse but loyal and we became a great team. I don’t know what we would have done without him. We explored miles of desert and mountain terrain, the same terrain that the original Geronimo had rode. I led the way on Geronimo with Katherine on Cittana bringing up the rear. We came to love our horses and the location. Eventually our ranch became the stopping off point for dinner, stories and a good night’s sleep during the Geronimo Ride which was an annual event organized to commemorate the original Geronimo’s ride south.

We were two upset people when it was announced that Geronimo had been killed. Not the original Geronimo but now Geronimo was the code name for Osama bin Laden. The terrorist, the bad guy, the evil guy we have been hunting down since 2001. What does this say regarding how we still feel about the American Indians? We stole their land, their way of life and much more. Now we are stealing their hero and using the name in this way. Somebody should be ashamed of themselves.  I know, now we are getting new versions in the same way we got new versions of how bin Laden was killed and disposed of. Interestingly, the original American Hero, Geronimo wasn’t killed but captured and eventually became a Christian.  He was no bin Laden. Either was my horse that I trust is still alive and well in Arizona.

Stan the Man

   

Bal Harbour, Florida

It is truly mind-boggling how easily a new and different location gains power over me.  Bal Harbour, just north of Miami Beach, Florida has the power to detour my efforts and intentions in unexpected directions. Yes, gazing at the ocean, walking on the beach, sitting in the warm sunshine and generally becoming familiar with new and exotic surroundings. All of this and more has the power to dissuade me from my good intentions. Therefore it has been beyond a week since I have posted anything new on this blog. It is time to get to it. Tomorrow I return to New York City along with the throngs of New Yorkers who come here and make the Miami area simply an extension of New York City. Of Course it is a lot more than that. The weather is consistently perfect. Oh, there are brief tropical showers but the sun quickly chases those away. The beaches of beautiful sand and rolling blue surf are incredible with the water temperature running around 84 degrees. Along the beaches there are walking trails without crowds. In fact there are only occasional runners and walkers. Not nearly enough to obstruct your path. This contrasts with New York City, where walking requires one to navigate an obstacle course through crowds of humanity as they hurry somewhere, anywhere.

I know there are important things going on in the world. I won’t comment since without a television or newspaper I know little. I’m fine with that for right now. I don’t think I will like knowing more anyway. Instead I will post several photos to the right to provide you with a sense of the surroundings here. You will see the beach, palm trees, the unoccupied trails lined with tropical plants. Until next time….

Stan the Man

Mind-Boggling Demise

In the 1920’s, the roaring twenties on Long Island, New York there were a number of large mansions owned by the well-to-do. It was the prohibition years. Drinking, sex and dancing were prime pastimes. One particular mansion was the most sought after party place to get an invitation to and many attended without actual invitations. Winston Churchill and Groucho Marx were known to have frequented the parties. This mansion was the setting that inspired one of the greatest American novelists, F. Scott Fitzgerald, to write The Great Gatsby. It is the story of Gatsby, his heyday and his demise. Every time I read that novel I am struck by not only the story but the method with which it is written. The economy of words is remarkable, and not one word could be left out. Each word is essential to the story.

Now, the mind-boggling is happening. The current owner of that formerly beautiful mansion is tearing it down. He states he can’t afford the $4000/month upkeep. If you see recent pictures of it, it’s obvious that not much upkeep has been done in a number of years. It is a true landmark of an American classic, a great writer and of a historical time for the area. More mind-boggling is that it will be replaced by 4 or 5 large homes on a couple of acres that have no historical meaning. More of what we think of as progress. Couldn’t it have been spared? Too late, it’s a goner.

Stan the Man

Mind-Boggling Coming of Age

Just a brief not: Last night on the NBC news Brian Williams was reporting on the United States debt which has reached $14 trillion and is currently a huge political issue. He referred to that amount as being "mind boggling". More and more I am hearing this term applied to things around us by people in the know. Stay tuned here for our mind-bogglings and don't miss the post just below which is new today as well.
Stan the Man

Mind-Boggling Islands

The Virgin Islands are mind-boggling. What more can I say. I had been on those tiny rocks in the Caribbean many years ago. They did leave an impression but I’d never thought much about going back. Then we received an invitation to join Katherine’s daughter Kim and her friend Deven in a beautiful home they had rented for a week. We couldn’t resist and just returned from a wonderful getaway on St. John. American Airlines got us to St. Thomas from New York in just over 3 hours. After an interesting taxi ride through the hills we climbed aboard the ferry to St John and landed 15 minutes later in that tropical paradise. We quickly discovered Verizon wireless service was non-existent and so were disconnected for our time there which helped make it a real vacation.

The mind-boggling aspects of these islands begin with the weather. Sunshine and comfortable temperatures in the 80s are the rule. The beaches are numerous and pristine white without huge crowds. The water is crystal clear and provides beautiful color schemes of greens and blues. The largest part of St. John is a national park, protected from any development. It is crisscrossed by many beautiful hiking trails ranging from short and easy to long and difficult whichever one prefers. The mountainous terrain outside of the park is dotted with homes valued in the millions of dollars as well as much cheaper. The views are mind-boggling.

Whether you prefer open air, funky beach bars or classy restaurants or perhaps something in-between you have many to choose from. Or if you have your own cooking facilities, as we did, there are several grocery stores that stock just about anything one could desire. Coming from a New Yorker, there are no lines. What a treat! My impression is that the grocery prices on St. John are very competitive with New York City prices. Right now I’m having a difficult time coming up with reasons not to pull up stakes and move to the Virgin Islands. Instead we wish Kim and Deven luck in making their dream come true. We also thank them for their great hospitality during our time together on St. John.

It’s mind-boggling to decide which photos I took on this trip should accompany this post. I will arbitrarily place a couple to the right that may capture some of the scenery of St. John.

Stan the Man  

Expanding Horizons

In most cases museums and art galleries are not things that will encourage me to go out of my way to experience what they have to offer. But, there is something mind-boggling about overcoming your innate resistance and going for it. It often expands your horizons. I thought it was time to experience the Metropolitan Art Museum on 5^th Ave. in New York City. It boggled my mind. In the first place, 5^th Ave. was lined with police officers. I asked one of them, “What’s up?” he says the President will be coming through here within the hour. I did hear on the morning news that President Obama would be speaking at the United Nations and then doing a $3000/ plate fundraising event in Harlem in the evening. After making my way through the fortress I arrived at the front steps of the Art Museum, found my way to the cashier at the entry and was told, no cash is accepted. Out comes one of my many credit cards and I’m in at a senior rate of $15 for the entire day. Unfortunately, I don’t have all day but only 3 hours before the basketball game at Madison Square Garden.

The Metropolitan Art Museum is truly overwhelming or if you will allow me, mind-boggling. In the first place it is huge. It covers several acres on multiple levels. I can’t be specific since I only scratched the surface as I wandered around the place for three hours. Finding one’s way through the myriad of exhibitions is a mind-boggling experience. As I attempted to find my way there was never a lack of incredible pieces of art. From the most ancient Greek statues to exhibits that approached my level of understanding. Okay, I don’t pretend to be able to understand or analyze much of what I saw but now I am motivated to learn more.

I can tell you the exhibit which I searched for, gave up on finding and then stumbled upon was Paul Cezanne’s Card Players. He was a French artist who lived from 1839-1906. A quote from him as part of the exhibit states: “Alas, even though I am already old, I am only a beginner and if I may say so, I believe I do understand.” At any rate, his paintings on display of three card players are mind-boggling. They capture the essence of peasants in France in those days, their character and seriousness about the game. It made me want to know so much more about each of those men and their lives. The exhibit also includes Cezanne’s pencil drawings, the first steps toward the finished product. Along with those are individual drawings and paintings of Cezanne’s models, individually, prior to being integrated into the final painting.

The Metropolitan Art Museum is mind-boggling. Do not miss it if you ever have a chance. I will go back many times until I see it all and then start over again. That’s what it will take to comprehend that which I have seen.

Stan the Man