Sorry to both of my readers about the long break between blogs. I hope you've been keeping yourselves occupied while I have been otherwise engaged.
So, NYC this Summer is about as weird as I can remember. An abundance of folks having conversations with themselves in diners and on the streets. Regular (?) folks, talking to themselves, laughing, yelling, pleading, exhorting...another odd phenomenon.
Also, tourists in NYC. It is now impossible to walk at intersections in midtown NYC as tourists stand on the corners, looking around for a cab or a hotel or are texting and standing in the middle of the sidewalk or just generally moving at the snail's pace that is normal in Normal, Illinois but not New Yawk City. And I've become that guy who tells these people to get out the way! I am now that Geezer who would be in a Martin Scorsese film, if Martin Scorsese still made those kinds of New Yawk centric movies.
One last thing...tattoos...WTF? We are now living in a world that is driven by Honey Boo Boo TV.
In the words of the late, great Fred Ebb..."Whatever Happened To Class?" I'm glad I'm not young anymore.
Have been traveling to Seattle lately for work a bit. Lovely place. Someone said that Seattle is the new NY and that NY is the new Des Moines. Might be the case. Lot's to do there, a vibrant downtown, a large concentration of good musos, restaurants all over the place and nice folks. One of the few places that is in consideration for a move from the Hudson Valley.
Lot's of great concerts coming up...new programs, new music. Doing a Benny Goodman Tribute with the GREAT Ken Peplowski in Santa Rosa. Conducting from the drums on this one. Can't wait.
New Year's Eve with the Grand Rapids Symphony, a couple of concerts in Long Beach and Ft. Myers with the Copa Boys Tribute to the Rat Pack and then concerts with the Three Phantoms, Classical Mystery Tour and our annual Christmas Extravaganza in Santa Rosa as well. Plus Big Band concerts at Hofstra University, The Neel Center in Florida, a Sinatra & Basie at the Sands concert in Illinois and a Riddle Tribute with the Fabulous Naples Jazz Orchestra.
So, taking life as it comes. We welcomed our new Grandson, Hudson Berkowitz into the World two weeks ago. Nine pounds, one ounces of wonderfulness. He's a cutie but I might be prejudiced. Nah, he's a cutie.
OK, promise to write more frequently but don't forget to call nonetheless. I'm always available!
Happy end of Summer.
Mike B
