Daily Archives: January 14, 2010

This one is for the Old Man:

I don’t take any pleasure in watching the misghegoss in Queens. But really, there is no excuse for this–I mean, just what is the problem with the Mets? C’mon.

There is a big new biography out on Warren Beatty. I don’t know if I’ve got the umph to read the entire thing–I admire Beatty’s best movies, Bonnie and Clyde, McCabe and Mrs Miller, Shampoo, Reds, but I have never fully understood his appeal as a sex symbol.

Still, there is a plump excerpt of Peter Biskand’s biography in the current issue of Vanity Fair. In many ways, it is the ultimate Vanity Fair piece–high-class fluff that is not especially insightful but compulsively readable. The excerpt is about the disaster that is known as Ishtar. Amazingly enough, Dustin Hoffman comes across as the sane one.

Today’s update is powered by Haitian-born musician, rapper and producer Wyclef Jean:

• Extra musical power for this update provided by Teddy Pendergrass, who died yesterday from colon cancer at the age of 59.

• Goose Gossage wants the Hall to be steroids-free:

“I definitely think that they cheated,” Gossage said on Tuesday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “And what does the Hall of Fame consist of? Integrity. Cheating is not part of integrity.”

. . . “The integrity of the Hall of Fame and the numbers and the history are all in jeopardy,” said Gossage, inducted two years ago. “I don’t think they should be recognized. Here’s a guy Aaron, we’re talking about the greatest record of all records. And he did it on a level playing field. He did it with God-given talent. And the same with Maris, absolutely. These are sacred records and they’ve been shattered by cheaters.”

(more…)

We deliberately avoid blogging about politcs and religion in this space but it is virtually impossible for me to think about much else this morning than what is happening in Haiti. And that has nothing to do with either. Mr. OK Toyko Jazz passed along this website in case you are interesting in making a donation.  

I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate the devasting situation in Haiti and to all of our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

Death has been on my mind this week–today is the third anniversary of my father’s death, tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of Todd Drew’s passing, Diane’s father would have been 82. Art Rust Jr passed away yesterday and so did the legendary soul singer Teddy Pendergrass.

A moment of silence is in order followed by the overwhelming gratitude I have  for life, family, and love.