Stoner by John Williams
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Inherit The Wind by Lawrence and Lee
The Bridges at Toko-Ri by James Michener
Failsafe by Eugene Burdick
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
You Only Live Twice by Ian Fleming
Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz
Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz
Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis
Conspirata by Robert Harris
Conclave by Robert Harris
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
Winter Journal by Paul Auster
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Bright, Precious Days by Jay McInerney
The Only Story by Julian Barnes
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Talk to Me by John Kenney
City on Fire by Don Winslow
Running to the Mountain: A Midlife Adventure by Jon Katz
All The Old Knives A Novel by Olen Steinhauer
Disclosure by Michael Crichton
The End of October: A novel by Lawrence Wright
The Last Days of Night: A Novel by Graham Moore
Category: Commentary
Thoughts from the “Ancient Geek”…
Respect from one is greater than likes from many.
Admittedly prejudiced, I view the golden age of beautiful women in my lifetime to be in the 1970s.
Criticism intended to dampen effort often fuels energy to proceed and succeed.
Credibility of someone’s criticism and judgment is contingent on their own demonstration of expertise or experience in what they criticize.
Possibly as an exception to my rule I just wrote above, but I know “class” when I see, hear or experience it.
A co-worker in my early career once described me as “arrogant, brash and cocky.” Instead of being insulted, I was thrilled that someone described me exactly opposite of who I actually was.
Just as one defrags their computer hard drive to reduce clutter and improve performance, I write Facebook and blog posts to defrag my mind of mental clutter and ideas.
I am culturally obsolete. Based on the Best of 2023 rankings I see on various publications, I have not read the top books, viewed the top movies and TV shows, or listened to the top music, albums or podcasts. I’m still in a 1960s-1980’s time warp culturally.
Musings from an Older Man
As I’ve gotten older, I find that I don’t care that much for other people’s opinions.
As I’ve gotten older, I find that other people really don’t care that much for my opinions either.
As I’ve gotten older, women don’t find me as attractive. When I say older, I meant over “my peak” at the age 5.
As years get longer, my Christmas list grows shorter.
Santa does not deliver my gifts climbing down the chimney; he packages them with my blood pressure medication deliveries.
The major difference between toys when I was young and today is that today’s children need no imagination in playing with them.
Compliments accompanied by the phrase “for a man your age” are brushed by backhand.
My memory is sharp like a tack; literally….
You won’t know what you’ll never know. You’ll never know what you won’t know. (For philosophy majors only.)
I have reached the age when I no longer have to worry about dying “before my time.”
Bumping Along the Political Cosmos
Elon Musk, a modern-day Howard Hughes in the making, stands out in the realms of technology, space, engineering, and science. However, as demonstrated in a recent interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Musk’s prowess takes a hit when delving into media, politics, history, and business management.
The Ron DeSantis vs. Gavin Newsom debate: no one could remotely relate it to the Lincoln – Douglas debates of 1858. Sponsored by Fox News, Sean Hannity who claimed he would be impartial as moderator, acted like a “heel” WWE referee favoring DeSantis throughout the debate.
Ron DeSantis looks as comfortable on a debate stage as Donald Trump would riding a ten speed bicycle.
In pondering potential presidential candidates, the suggestion arises to consider successful CEOs who possess not only technological acumen but also good judgment, vision, problem-solving experience, and social and cultural awareness. Names like Jamie Dimon, Bob Iger, and Mark Cuban come to mind.
The alarming rise in antisemitism and pro-Hamas demonstrations, notably on college campuses, challenges initial perceptions of media exaggeration. The spread and virulence of antisemitism in the United States should evoke concern across all communities.
George Santos has been expelled from Congress and so should Robert Menendez. To be candid, I would probably expel another 100–150 additional Senators and Representatives if I had the power.
Disagree with Lynn Cheney’s assertion that the country is “sleepwalking” towards a Trump dictatorship. Many people are running with eyes wide open, weapons in hand and screaming loudly and maniacally towards this desired result.
No Regrets
How to Combat a Plateau or Slump in Pickleball
Pickleball is a sport that demands skill, strategy, and continuous improvement. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a novice, everyone encounters plateaus or slumps in their game at some point. Here are some potential strategies to overcome these challenges and elevate your pickleball performance.
Note: This advice is appropriate for just about any sport or performance effort you can make.
1. Take a Break from Competition
Sometimes, the best way to overcome a plateau is to step back momentarily from competitive play. Give yourself a breather to rejuvenate both physically and mentally. This break allows you to return to the court with a fresh perspective and renewed enthusiasm.
2. Practice, Don’t Compete:
During your break from competitions, focus on deliberate practice rather than competitive play. Work on specific aspects of your game, such as refining your serve, improving your footwork, or perfecting your dinking technique. Precision in practice often translates to better performance in actual games.
3. Solicit Advice from Peers:
Engage with fellow pickleball enthusiasts to gather valuable insights into your game. Other players may notice patterns or habits that you’re unaware of, providing a fresh set of eyes to identify areas for improvement. Constructive feedback can be instrumental in refining your skills.
4. Online Research and Video Analysis:
In the digital age, there’s a wealth of pickleball resources available online. Explore instructional videos to learn new strategies, techniques, and tactics. Analyzing your favorite players’ games can provide inspiration and offer a visual guide to implement advanced maneuvers into your own play.
5. Film Your Play and Evaluate:
Recording your own gameplay is a powerful tool for self-assessment. Reviewing footage allows you to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You might discover nuances in your game that are difficult to notice in real-time, enabling you to make targeted adjustments.
6. Improve Fitness Levels:
Enhancing your overall fitness, strength, and agility can have a significant impact on your pickleball performance. Incorporate specific exercises into your routine to strengthen muscles used in pickleball movements. Improved fitness not only enhances your endurance but also contributes to better on-court decision-making.
7. Lose Weight:
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for agility and mobility on the pickleball court. Shedding excess pounds can improve your speed, responsiveness, and overall endurance, positively influencing your game.
8. Play at a Lower Level:
Take a step back and play at a lower level to refine fundamental skills and build confidence. Working on your game against less challenging opponents allows you to focus on specific aspects without the pressure of a highly competitive match.
9. Seek Coaching from Certified Instructors:
Professional guidance can be a game-changer. Enlist the help of certified instructors to receive personalized coaching and tailored strategies. A coach can pinpoint areas for improvement, provide targeted drills, and offer invaluable insights to elevate your game.
More Thoughts on the Fly
- The Republican who performed brave and honorable actions, risking his life and that of his family on January 6, 2021, withdrew his name from the 2024 Presidential nomination due to lack of support. Frankly, I largely viewed Mike Pence as a toady during his vice presidency, but I find him a more suitable option compared to the individual who sought to overturn a fair election process and currently faces 91 civil and criminal indictment counts.
- While I remain concerned about Trump, my greater worry lies in the significant number of supporters he commands and the influence he wields. This speaks volumes about the state of our country, indicating that Trumpism could endure without Donald Trump.
- Inflation, Israel, and the indictments involving his son will likely damage Biden’s prospects in 2024. Although Biden served as a competent placeholder, I would prefer a different, younger nominee for the Democratic party.”
- I recently sold my house and relocated. My main grievance stems from paying a 6% commission fee during the house closing. Considering the current seller’s market and the available technology for facilitating home sales, commission fees should ideally range between 4% and 5%.”
- “The overwhelming presence of misinformation, lies, and exaggerations across various domains such as media, politics, business, science, and education can easily deceive even the most discerning individuals, leading them to believe a significant portion of it.”
- “The auxiliary attractions of gambling and ‘sports talk’ form the pillars upholding sporting events and programming. The off-field or off-court action and controversies often prove more captivating than the actual games themselves.”
Top 8 Disappointments from a Lifetime Philly Sports Fan
Up 3-2 and next two games are home before a rabid fan base and yet, the Phillies lose to the Diamonbacks in the NLCS.
- Eagles Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. 2023
-  1964 Phillies late season collapse.
- Eagles loss to Arizona – NLCS 2023.
-  World Series loss to Toronto 1993.
-  Sixers loss to Portland NBA championship 1976.
- USA loss to USSR in men’s basketball 1972 Olympics.
- Anytime that I bet on the Buffalo Bills to win the Super Bowl, and they always lost. (can’t think of anything that has come out of Buffalo that has been a good experience for me.)
-  Eagles Super Bowl loss to New England – – 2005.
To be a sports fan in Philly, one experiences many years of woe for a few years of joy…
The Diary Keepers: World War II in the Netherlands, as Written by the People Who Lived Through It by Nina Siegal
75% of the Dutch Jewish community perished in the Second World War, while in other western European countries, the proportions were significantly lower. Coincidentally as I read this book, Israel is recovering from terroristic attacks on its citizens.
History has recorded the treatment of Jews by the Nazis from 1933-1945. However this reader was surprised by similar treatment of Jews by the Dutch. The diaries describe how Jews were hunted down and families were separated. Their properties and possessions were seized. They suffered physical beatings and a variety of emotional and mental humiliations.
Some Dutch did their best on hiding Jews or preventing them from being sent outside the country to labor camps and gas chambers. Jews were thrown on trains as cattle. There were vivid descriptions on how they were horribly treated and humiliated.
How could civilized people allows this to happen? Fear of reprisals? Hatred and distrust of Jews?
There were diaries of those who supported Jews and those that supported the Nazis. Their motives are part of the story. The diaries depict stories of both heroism and cowardice. This reader became uncomfortable. Could these same acts happen today? Could they happen in the United States?
History continues to repeat itself…
Very sobering book and surprising as one would expect the Dutch people to be more civilized. Excellent reference book on how a country lives and fares upon occupation by a foreign power.
In The Year 2025…
I see future education primarily consisting of teaching most students how to use AI. No worries about grades, reading and math proficiency, honor rolls or SAT scores. AI will act as the support system to help students know, think and choose similar to a ventilator assisting with breathing.
Esot-eric 