Vichy Water – Author's Blog

I like to jump in right away to things near, dear and relevant like today’s mentioning Rutgers University but before delving, here’s a bit of a blog subject explanation.

Recently I became a contributing writer for Only Good News/ Hoopla Ha, an amazing website now in beta test, and launching next week. Here’s their mantra:  “Think…Relate…Smile…That’s what we’re all about. Visit us daily for an instant dose of happy, feel good inspiration. Make every day… a Hoopla Ha Day!” Here’s the link to the beta test: http://beta.hooplaha.com/.  And thanks to Hoopla Ha for allowing me to post my article on my blog; they paid for it.

Marx Brothers. soup or something like that.

From Meatballs. It just doesn't matter. A nice mantra.

As my world continues to evolve into more journalistic pursuits with NJ Discover TV and with Hoopla Ha, I still need to inject my blog at vichywater.net with effusive and topical material; this article is perfect. Blog wise, I was torn between this article and drifting into the world of football, college and super and taking it into my streams of consciousness, depositing it in a fictional country similar to what the Marx Brothers elaborated. So maybe next week; I’ve even got a name already for the University where academics battle athletics in the fields of dreams with cannons and bow and arrows and recriminations. I have reliably computed that in the past two weeks, 67% of all local programming in New York and New Jersey has concentrated on the Super Bowl not a possible war in April in the Mid-East. I suppose leave the stock market alone at a three year high.  I want to scream if I hear about one more Super Bowl recipe for slider hamburgers with toppings from an obscure town near the Arctic Circle. “It just doesn’t matter,” I want to yell as Bill Murray did in Meatballs. I don’t eat red meat; you should all know that by now. America has an obesity epidemic. This 67%  is mostly about food intake.  So I’ll close now with a loud resounding cheer, “Go New Jersey Giants, Beat New England and Go Rutgers, with a top 25 recruiting class coming in September.”  Now my article:

Father and son at Rutgers football stadium pre game warm up

Muhammad Ali knocks out Sonny Liston in 1964. I was 3 minutes late and missed it.

Fatherhood: A Journey to ‘The Apprentice’

Since fatherhood caught up to me when I turned 40, a few abstract thoughts came to mind like being forever young, living to 150 years; basically notions of finding ways to keep up with my son as he gets older (maybe I won’t). When he was ten years old (16 years ago), I took him to his first college football game at Rutgers to do some father-son bonding. The following year we got season tickets for all the major sports at Rutgers and we’re still going strong. Of course there is more to the institution of fatherhood for me. I’ve been working hard at it for reasons like the essence of this article.

college beer pong. i have long arms. helps my play.

a keg stand. that's me in mid air. another college thing to do.

Six years ago my son was a college sophomore; living in the dorm and had just become a member of a fraternity (the same one I joined a few weeks after Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston to win boxing’s Heavyweight Championship in 1964).  One Wednesday, my son called and asked what I was doing Saturday night and if I wasn’t busy, I should come down to the fraternity  house and hang with him and the guys. There was no hesitation. “What time? Should I come straight to the frat house?” I instantaneously knew what my son’s invitation meant to me and our relationship since the day he was born. I also thought about meeting real life movie ‘Animal House’ characters and I did. Third floor beer pong was going on when I arrived. My son and I teamed-up but I managed not to drink beer; visions of my making the cover of Time or Newsweek danced in my head as being a father who endorsed under-age college drinking; there’s something positive about partial conservatism and vibrant visuals.

Randall Pinkett who won The Apprentice (an undergrad at Rutgers) and Mr. Trump(do I have to call him that if I didn't get picked?)

Cut to a few months later. Rutgers University, Donald Trump (‘The Apprentice’) Randall Pinkett, who actually won ‘The Apprentice’ and was an undergraduate at Rutgers, endorsed a program reaching out to the Rutgers community to get them involved in the audition process for an upcoming season of ‘The Apprentice.’ Normally laborious long lines of waiting to audition were waived for a select group of Rutgers people. Without hesitation, even at 60 years old and far removed from only 20 and 30 somethings, I became one of the 125 people who auditioned on Rutgers College Avenue campus student center. Prior to sitting with Randall Pinkett and telling him why I’d make a great contestant (I could probably beat every one of the contestants in singles tennis or around the world basketball), I filled out forms and wrote five essays. One essay asked “What is Your Most Impressive Work or School Achievement.” Without hesitation, I wrote about my son calling and asking me to come down to the frat house and hang out. This was my most impressive achievement. In a public discourse like I’m doing right now, I’d venture to say no one from the world of ‘The Apprentice’ had any idea what I was talking about.

But I know that I’ve prioritized life, put my son and our relationship where it should be, ahead of any class of business pursuit; so when he grows up to be a young beer pong playing fraternity guy, he’d be comfortable and secure enough with me and our relationship to want me to hang out with him and his frat brothers; indeed my most impressive accomplishment and achievement. I figured that no one at ‘The Apprentice’ would understand or appreciate the depth of my essay answer and it would probably wind-up on the cutting room floor.

As they say on Broadway, I’m still waiting for the call back. Funny thing; I had a connection that could’ve placed my application and essays on Donald’s desk. However, this particular edition of ‘The Apprentice’ was shot in Los Angles for the summer (taking me away from my beloved New Jersey) and if you lost that week’s segment, the on screen television punishment was sleeping in a tent. I did that once my freshman year and woke up with a frog in my sleeping bag. I resolved no more tents in my life so I declined to have my application appear on Donald Trump’s desk. I hope that didn’t show my age.

******************************

One Important note. Here’s a wonderful music video to listen/watch on You Tube featuring Linda Chorney, right from here in New Jersey, Grammy nominated for Best Americana Album.

Linda Chorney music video

Also a great article about Linda Chorney from her blog:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/thanks-n-j-discover-a-blog-of-blogs-and-some-babbling/

Linda Chorney

Also a very worthwhile cause to read up on:

Butterfly Circle of Friends.    http://www.butterflycircleoffriends.org/

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

Email: earthood@gmail.com

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

Vichy Water book trailer 65 seconds long 

IMPORTANT LINKS

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com  

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

LINKS TO VIDEOS.  Please Watch.

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

zombie walk

2.  VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

Veterans Day at NJ Vietnam War Memorial

3.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & VICTOR JONES JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

Linda Chorney’s Album

With Linda Chorney during a NJ Discover TV shoot.

Before we talk about the paucity of Jersey winter snow, here are a few words about Linda. Life is a bowl of cherries as my friend, Linda Chorney sings on her Grammy nominated album “Emotional Jukebox.” I said goodbye to her the other day as she headed west to warmer climate and proximity to Los Angeles for the February 12^th Grammy show. Being a tease sometimes, I did mention that the temperature in New Jersey from the day she left hit 85 degrees. I tongue and cheek the institution of global warming, which is real and might make me a millionaire one day. The millionaire deal; if I live well inland, and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean rise because of melting glaciers and ice formations, then one day, but only for a short period of time, according to the Army Corp of Engineers, whom I play scrabble with on line, I’ll have beach front property. One of the corpsmen told me the beach front property deal might only last one season and to sell quickly then run to Western Pennsylvania.

from the movie 'Mommie Dearest' Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford is yelling "no more wire hangers"

speaking of wire hangers. i took this pix 2 weeks ago in downtown Brooklyn USA

Because a few Facebook groups are concerned with meteorology (many of the groupies are known in some parlances as snow weenies; those folks who live for blizzards and paralyzing snows and read a plethora of futuristic computer reports and charts like North Atlantic oscillation) I’ve decided that New Jersey will not have any snow this winter so I don’t have to buy a snow blower (my source of snow removal moved into his own NYC apartment last June). Passing mid-January the other day, and no sign of significant snow well into February (the weenies are depressed and are already looking at long range forecasts for next December. Well some of them. Others have just given up and are hanging out in Reddit) I’ve been gloating on my decision not to buy a snow blower. My next door neighbor, Charlie Brown, agrees with my wisdom.

Joan Crawford. She doesn't look like she hated wire hangers. Go figure.

Yesterday, ceremoniously I ran around the house in shorts and a red Rutgers tee-shirt yelling, “No wire hangers and no more winter snow.” My tolerant wife of many moons thought I was crazy after all these years. I call it unbridled enthusiasm. Oh the ‘no wire hangers;’ it comes from the movie ‘Mommie Dearest’ when actress and Pepsi stockholder Joan Crawford, a very bad lady, yells those words constantly to her abused little daughter, Christina, who later wrote the mother of all tell-all books about her mother.

So I never watched ER the TV show. Actually I never really watch much television; a lot of underlying reasons for such behavior. Give me liberty, some news, biography, discovery, college sports, history and old movies and I’m OK you’re OK.

J. R. Ewing. Can you believe I bought a hat like that in suburban Jersey

Years ago CBS  TV produced ‘Dallas’ starring Larry Hagman, glamourizing oil rich Texans. One season the story line went off a tangent and CBS resolved that by coming back and scripting the whole year as a dream; an easy way to get out of a bad original script, except viewers like me, who actually wore a J. R. Ewing cowboy hat around the streets of suburban Jersey, wasted a viewing year. No wire hangers and no more insipid television. My wife watched ER.

a generic ER pix

they say hospital food is a turn off.

So this wife comes home from work last week with a sore throat and high fever. A higher fever the following morning means emergency room. I love the word triage; makes me think of ménage. I’ve got 6 years of pharmacy studies under my skin so I know things.  We’ve got vitals and a pulse off the chart and with an abnormally high fever and sore throat, probably a strep throat; an untoward bug for a lady adult to have. I would’ve rushed blood tests to make sure it was strep and get her on IV antibiotics, start cardiac drugs to slow the heart (pulse), throw in a blood thinner(anti-pyretic for the fever) because atrial fibrillation. But hours go by, nothing happens and ineptitude is in the air ducts and heating system. And that poor downtrodden weary patient rep in a suit too short, exposing faded argyle socks; he avoided additional contact with this husband who had all kinds of acquaintances and threats to run to yet another suburban hospital for appropriate care.

On the other side of midnight and a curtain separating ER beds is an aged European lady, barely able to speak English. She’s alone and rang for the nurse for an hour, calling out for help in broken guttural sounds but no help comes because life is for the living and she has no one to be an advocate; there’s neglect, uncaring and microbes all over this sad excuse for an ER. The old woman even called in desperation to a custodian with mop. Then it hit me. She was Father Damien Karras’s mother from the movie ‘The Exorcist.’ A cold wind blew on my face; chills ran up and down my extremities. I could hear her calling for ‘Dimmy,’ a term of endearment for her son.  Out of gripping fear of Mrs. Karras, and being possessed, I started walking to the nurse station to help her when finally a nurse approached with an extra blanket; the poor woman was cold; it’s the winter of my discontent with Emergency Room care in suburban New Jersey. One of my favorite movies was ‘The Hospital’ starring George C. Scott. Had I slipped through that wormhole, time stuck in celluloid? For three days I drifted into medieval times of plagues and famine. They sucked her blood three times a day for every kind of test; I later learned some of those tests were wasted days and nights; just good for the paper chase of reporting to the insurance company to pump a bill up and secure profits for the hospital. I know that.  What a business for someone to check and cross check hospital tests with what’s billed and what’s actually done or the best yet, needed.  I surmise major crimes of deceit. It’s all in the game as Tommy Edwards sang. Get thee to a nunnery but stay the hell away from suburban Jersey ER rooms.

You Tube Tommy Edwards “It’s All in the Game”

the joy of honest college sports as Rutgers fans rush court after upsetting #10 Florida. No cheating refs)

(the sports cover of the NY Post the day after refs fixed the St John’s game)

If you are so moved or curious, you can go back and look at my blogs from March 11^th 2011 and April 23^rd 2011 when I began hating the NCAA (watchdog of college sports). It all began last March when Rutgers Men’s basketball team played St. John’s in Madison Square Garden’s Big East Tournament. All the big money wanted St. John’s to win and play Syracuse the next day. Near the end of the game, Rutgers (a huge underdog) was about to upset St. John’s and cause a lot of bettors to lose ( I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those losers was the head of the Big East Conference.) So the three referees (under the eyes of the NCAA) did everything they could to help St. John’s by not calling five egregious fouls on them which would’ve put Rutgers on the foul line and then in front of the world and the announcers (and me) walked off the court with nearly two seconds left which was enough time for Rutgers to make a three point shot and win.

(more college sports joy; with the Pinstripe Bowl trophy before Rutgers wins it the next day)

Unheard of in college sports but imagine the pay day these referees got for fixing the game and all the money gamblers made. The NCAA loosely comments on the game and moves the three crooked referees out of Madison Square Garden for the remainder of the tournament. Personally, I hate the NCAA because no one oversees them; a neat monopoly. Some of NCAA executives make $300,000 a year plus for more than 30 years. They spit in the eye and there’s still silence across the land. I bring this up because one of the referees from the St. John’s game (Jim Burr) officiated at Rutgers versus West Virginia last week. Rutgers somehow got seven fouls called against them early in the game and West Virginia had none against them. I listened to the announcers when a West Virginia player threw a vicious elbow at a Rutgers player, enough for a flagrant foul, but nothing was called against West Virginia and Jim Burr was there and the NCAA is a vile crooked organization. Now I need a bowl of oatmeal sprinkled with raisins from sunny California.

I champion the absurdities of life. The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses and we all donate to them. I’m also a bit of cynic. The hype is beginning for the end of the world next December. I expect the hype to pick up and become intense by summer, somehow coordinated with the political landscape. Enough people start to buy into the hype, become fatalists and start living for each day by spending large amounts of money on seven-layer cakes, new zoot suits, a weekend in Dubai, a new car, a few packs of cigarettes and six month subscriptions to periodicals.

(the 3 complicit refs and head of big east who obviously ‘adjusted game outcome’ and NCAA looks the other way)

The effect becomes measurable across the land.  Consumer spending increases and factory orders are up and unemployment drops. Economy is booming by the time kids knock on your door and ask for ‘Trick or Treat.” A lady on the street where I grew up in Newark preferred to give us a trick with a deck of cards. She had a heavy Fidel Castro accent and disappeared one day and not until now, being a fully matured cynic, do I wonder what happened to her. And I’m suddenly inspired to close off this blog by saying what Walter Cronkite used to say and he was the most trusted man in America, “And that’s the way it is”  How’s that for a blog ending?

Walter Cronkite

(Seven layer cake sales to soar staring in summer?)

Two friends get published and go to basketball games.

One Important note. Here’s a wonderful music video to listen/watch on You Tube featuring Linda Chorney, right from here in New Jersey, Grammy nominated for Best Americana Album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F3XLPk_9juo

Also a great article about Linda Chorney in Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120120/us-music-grammywatch-chorney/

Also a very worthwhile cause to read up on:

Butterfly Circle of Friends.    http://www.butterflycircleoffriends.org/

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

Email: earthood@gmail.com

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com   

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

LINKS TO VIDEOS.  Please Watch.

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2.  VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embedded

Linda Chorney’s Album

Before I jump into my Rutgers sweatshirt and hat, as I need to get in the mood for blogging on this cold, partly cloudy Friday morning, I found ‘Dangling Conversation’ by Simon and Garfunkel on You Tube. Here’s the link. Go listen.

Dangling Conversation You Tube

About the time Jimmy Hendrix (Rolling Stone just wrote that he is the number one guitarist of all time) changed his name to Jimi back in September 1966, I heard ‘Dangling’ for the first time. It was a bit haunting; I thought they were singing about me. I had a girlfriend and our relationship was disintegrating and I was taking a strange course in college. I kept looking in the mirror.

“Yes, we speak of things that matter,

With words that must be said,

Can analysis be worthwhile?

Is the theater really dead?”

Jimi Hendrix

Pharmaceutical Analysis at Rutgers Pharmacy School was the hardest course I ever took; the labs were five hours long; we saw day drift to darkness in every lab. And the lyrics speak about “can analysis be worthwhile?”  Of course they were singing about the kind of analysis (not Pharmaceutical Analysis) you do while inclined on a sofa with a metronome spitting out your $100/ hour charge. I never did sofa analysis and flunked the course but aced the lab so I just had to take the lecture portion over again. Perhaps when you all finish this blog installment, some might support the notion of my investigating some form of analysis. Well, I’m not inclined to do so. But the song transports me back to studying chemical pursuits in my battleship grey small bedroom in Maplewood, New Jersey, cigarette smoke wafting from an overflowing ashtray( I had the notion that nicotine kept you awake and I was studying Pharmacy/Pharmacology) and hearing nightly TV sounds of Vietnam War casualties drifting upstairs from the den. So this is the mood as my fingers now depress keys and birth these words.

tuna? dumplings. i wish

Miss Crabtree. My favorite never had teacher from Little Rascals

And the blog title; ‘Dumplings with Tuna Salad Filler.’ Well it’s nothing more than streams of consciousness bordering on my favorite pastime; dwelling on absurdities of modern life. I used to eat tuna salad four times a week; now a couple of times per month. I hate mercury sloshing around my colon and getting absorbed. By the way zinc and calcium (600mg) supplements are good for the old colon (24% reduction in colon cancer? Perhaps). Atlantic Blue Fin tuna are almost extinct. Japan loves raw tuna for sushi so they keep over fishing. On New Year’s Eve my gang ordered dumplings in the small neighborhood Chinese restaurant we frequent. I passed on the doughy confection; it’s stuffed with meat and I stopped eating red meat in 1975. Truth is told; my stopping red meat back then was because of a six foot tall (I’m 6’ 5 ½”) blonde blue-eyed girl from Short Hills. Two dates and I moved on to less imposing un-chilly granite statues but stayed true to all the tenets of not eating red meat. However, guess what. I’ve been a flexitarian all these years. Flexitarianism means that you are an omnivore who predominantly eats a plant based diet but also eats animal meat occasionally. That’s me, Miss Crabtree. I do eat some chicken and turkey just no red meat.

President Calvin Coolidge. Was I really named after him? But I'm not silent

walking uptown to Yankee Stadium on Dec 30th It's crowded.

The entire world is fossil fuels driven. I look at the Republican presidential campaign and lackluster candidates; one calling the other an outright liar liar; one having affairs and leaving a wife  because she was sick; one trying to do away with contraception. Where is Calvin Coolidge II when you need him? (They say history is treating my namesake, Calvin Coolidge in a much better light. Maybe he wasn’t that silent after all)  Back when I was studying Pharmaceutical Analysis, an acquaintance got his girlfriend pregnant and he had to get her one of those back alley illegal abortions and she almost died. I love all the promises, promises to change America and the world as part of the political ‘both sides of the aisle’ rhetoric. No one is changing the accelerating world; it’s just not going to happen; makes me want to go to Louis’ in the Bronx for the best veal in the city. But I don’t eat veal. What am I to do? Maybe go to Sarajevo for a long weekend. I know this great deli there; yes, they make this neat tuna fish salad with chopped up jalapenos and red peppers.

See if you can guess what I am now?

Now remember I’m just firing away here. A scene comes to mind from ‘Animal House’ when John Belushi (Bluto) stuffs his face with a hardboiled egg and dark green jello and asks Faber college cafeteria table sitters, “See if you can guess what I am now.” Get it? The climate is so messed up. Global warning warming is so real. I wonder when people board an airplane and sense something but never get off the plane because there’s nothing you can do about it. Fossil fuels are a great earth epitaph; so is its merchandising corporate world. Politicians know there is nothing you can do anymore. So they all jump in bed with the big guys, get elected, make a few speeches and juggle a few congressional cosmetic bills. Make the patient comfortable in hospice or assisted living. I wonder who wrote the book of love and if all prisoners in our over-crowded jails are going to be released as a humanitarian gesture a few weeks before Thanksgiving. I call the world’s inability to agree on the Kyoto Protocol the new ‘Tower of Babble.’ Ah fossil fuels. Canada walked away from the Kyoto Protocol because of all their oil which is stuck in tar sands. You need a lot of resources, water and pipe lines to work it right. Canada may have more oil than Saudi Arabia (I’m whispering by the way).

And I loved the movie ‘Gasland.’ 3,500,000 gallons of water are used/wasted for each well. And the people around the wells are getting sick just like in the movie ‘Erin Brockovich.’ Speaking of water; I have another acquaintance who said that a friend of his, who used to be a chief executive of a major oil company, told him not to worry about oil; there’s plenty of it, but worry about water instead. China’s largest freshwater lake has shrunk to its smallest size in years due to drought, state media and officials said just yesterday, endangering the ecology in the area and fishermen’s livelihoods.

with a tips bag of all things

Pennsylvania has come under fire lately as pollution from drilling in the Marcellus Shale threatens water resources across the state. But instead of ratcheting up oversight, Gov. Tom Corbett wants to hand authority over some of the state’s most critical environmental decisions to C. Alan Walker, a Pennsylvania energy executive with his own track record of running up against the state’s environmental regulations; more big business and fossil fuels again writing our epitaph. Nobody really cares. It’s the greatest addiction; fossil fuels. But the world seems more concerned about Kim Kardashian’s wedding and whether it was a fake. It was the top question asked in 2011 at Ask.com. It’s all accelerating. Moore’s Law describes how computer chips double in performance every 18 months. That’s accelerating too. We’re running out of time and space; perhaps they might have to get to the atomic level (electrons) to continue accelerating chips but electrons are too unreliable just like tuna salad with unwashed jalapenos.

in front of Macy's window on 34th street December 30th

son and me under final time clock

At 3AM Thursday morning, I heard from a Facebook friend that I should consider going to Montevideo, Uruguay.  He lives in Iowa. I’ll think about it in syncopated time which is accelerating. I apologized to my almost 26 year old son for the last time a few months ago. I can’t stop eating chocolate and we can’t stop environmental degradation and hatred. Darfur is what I think about subliminally in my blogs. Go back in time and look. Back last May, my psychic friend Ruth from Seattle called and warned me about New Jersey feeling an earthquake. Of course I laughed and responded with what my generation x y z son has been saying to me all these years, “Yeah, right.” So on my birthday, August 23^rd 2011, the earth moved here in New Jersey and I still hate corporations peddling fossil fuels and allied products. All earth bound politicians have given up the good fight. I think it’s time for me to watch ‘Casablanca’ tonight. Over Christmas, I watched ‘A Christmas Carol’ three times. There’s nothing quite like Scrooge (Alastair Sim) waking up Christmas morning reborn and overjoyed on how he can help Tiny Tim and his family. Finally, I’ve found the age old answer to “blood is thicker than water.” It isn’t. And next Christmas Eve, I know where I’ll be. And a final thanks to Hugh Everett and his 1954 Princeton PhD dissertation on parallel universes.

a character with tips bag. you know who it is.

ah. planet tralfamadore. no i-phones there?

I love college sports. I remember the old Ballantine Beer commercial logo, “purity, body, and flavor.”  I’ve (umbilical) attached to my alma mater, Rutgers University and their sports programs. So living the loco life, I find myself on campus 70 times between September and May for all gender’s sports (sounds like more than two genders available. Perhaps on Planet Tralfamadore there are more than two. I was told yesterday by another Facebook friend there are no I-Phones on that planet. I wonder why.) In Steve Jobs bio, I read about developing powers of intuition. Jobs haunts me for a lot of reasons; for one, with billions of dollars in his piggy bank, he still couldn’t buy more time or health.

Bill Raftery from ESPN interviewing Rutgers coach Mike Rice with high scorer Eli Carter looking on after Florida win in double overtime.

And what will corporations or rich relatives or the objects of Occupy do in future time?  Back to college sports; on December 29^th Rutgers Men’s Basketball team played #10 ranked Florida here in New Jersey. I was there, four rows up from the floor when Rutgers defeated Florida in double overtime. I waited until the students rushed the court to celebrate first, then I ran out; perhaps the rushing is a better blood thinner than Plavix or aspirin.

me with relaxed Rutgers assistant coach David Cox

i rushed the court after the upset win by Rutgers. a blood thinner?

The next day, I was in Manhattan for the Pinstripe Bowl (Rutgers versus Iowa State) at Yankee Stadium. I walked from 33^rd Street where several thousand Rutgers loyalists gathered at Legends bar for tailgating (me too); then slowly uptown, absorbing New York City on Christmas week. It was bumper to bumper people and quintessentially magically electric. I was on 34^th Street, where a movie miracle occurred with little Natalie Wood (they’ve re-opened her death inquiry. How strange) standing in front of Macy’s holiday window. That’s worth a pinch on the left arm. A few blocks away, I saw Sponge Bob, Pooh and the Grinch, live and in colorful costume posing for pictures, each with a bag for tips. A women with child from out of town asked “who are they posing for?” I said, “This is New York City. It’s for themselves.” She laughed. I made an out-of-towner laugh. Rutgers easily defeated Iowa State, who was the only team to defeat Oklahoma State, who probably will finish #2 in the country.  So what happens to Rutgers rankings?

Rutgers tailgate at Legends before Pinstripe Bowl

Pre-game coin toss at Pinstripe Bowl

On the subway down to Grand Central Station after the game, I was packed tightly next to a couple from Iowa. It was their first trip ever to New York City and it was delightful talking to them. I love that bridging of New York subways of Madison Avenue county stuff. Finally, I described New York City to them my way. If the world pooled all the concrete, steel and glass together, found an island somewhere warmer and higher up from the coast and decided to build a bigger and better duplicate of New York, they couldn’t. Simply, there is nothing like this city anywhere in the universe and non-duplicitous. They agreed and were wonderfully congenial and warm. I thought to myself, welcome to mid-America ideals and values. They loved St. Patrick’s Cathedral. So do I. We shook hands as the subway doors opened and wished each other a happy healthy New Year. I whispered the plural, New Years. And that’s what I’m wishing you all right now. Plural.

a personalized New Years Greeting card. Remember my quest to live to 150 years

One Important note. Here’s a wonderful music video to listen/watch on You Tube featuring Linda Chorney, right from here in New Jersey, Grammy nominated for Best Americana Album.

Linda Chorney music video “Cherries”

(Linda Chorney and me with the largest collection of R magnets in central jersey during a NJ Discover TV shoot)

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net/

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

Email: earthood@gmail.com

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

Vichy Water book trailer 65 seconds long

IMPORTANT LINKS

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com    

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

 http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

LINKS TO VIDEOS.  Please Watch.

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

zombie walk

2.  VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

Veterans Day at NJ Vietnam War Memorial

3.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

Linda Chorney’s Album has been nominated for Best Americana Album Grammy!!!!!

A Christmas tree a few blocks from Asbury Park NJ

Once again without dwelling much, I apologize for the gaps in  blog timeliness. I needed to give Linda Chorney(Grammy Nominee for Best Americana Album) interview/BLOG exposure time because of her exceptional achievement.  I met Linda this summer as a by-product of Facebook and social networking.  Love her music and spirit. Fierce loyalty is a wonderful rarified quality. So I express myself. I even tried sending my words of Linda Chorney introspection off to Los Angeles and a media institution but alas, they’re more interested in inane and banal and guest celebrities who fight on airplanes.

Oh by the way a wonderful music video to watch starring Linda Chorney:

Linda Chorney video

Linda Chorney and me in between NJ Discover TV shoot. behind on frig door is perhaps largest collection of R Rutgers magnets in central jersey

Sometimes I feel like(when I deal with people who rise to the ranks of senior editor and whose cerebral centers of imagination and intellect has shriveled up to resemble an indigenous California prune) like on old man on the Caspian Sea, in a leaky old wooden row boat. I dig the Caspian Sea, the largest enclosed body of water on earth.  I suppose if this senior editor would’ve given me a shot, because my words matter, I might have vacationed this summer on the Caspian, fished for old bottles with messages inside, perhaps one from my friend Linda Chorney.

salt kills

scrooge and ghost of Christmas present.

So it’s a day after Christmas and all through my house not a creature is stirring. A cooking show is on in the den. Prodigal son went to visit best friend, passing by the place that makes chicken nuggets in packages of five, and does not use ground up frog legs as filler and does not flavor fries with a meat stock. But I don’t approve of advertising sea salt. Salt is salt and it kills. Meanwhile there are 46 million Americans on food stamps and many Port Authority (Lincoln Tunnel) cops who work overtime make over $200,000 a year.  I know when I find that inviting worm hole and slip through and get a chance to do it all over again with a few tweaks, of course I’ll come back as a Port Authority cop and never give up being away at college, living in an apartment with a bunch of guys, partying and growing, in order that someone close might have that same chance. Blood is thicker than water. No it isn’t. It’s a fixed roulette game in Atlantic City. Forest Gump’s mom said, “Life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you’re going to get.” The words work for familial confections as well.

(Blood pressure machine helps you live to 150)

So what’s the deal with this dude, virologist Dr. Ron Fouchier of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, who wants to publish a paper describing how he can make a virus that can kill millions?  The paper he’s written — along with another one on H5N1, with comparable results, by a team led by virologist Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the University of Tokyo — is currently under review by the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, which could recommend it not be published, but has no authority to block it. And I want to be an old man on the Caspian Sea and some readers of my blog might think I’m not all there.

I’ve been a weekly blogger and my readership has grown exponentially. But almost on a daily basis, I’m evolving into a variety of journalistic pursuits and I’m being pulled in wonderful directions so my blog has been bounced. But I’m back blogging, like the ghosts inside the television on Poltergeist which, by the way, has me contemplating busts of homer and movie projects. I love cryptic on the day after Christmas. Cryptic is nice; so is rice. This is fun stuff Mrs. Miniver. Here we go. A not so bumpy ride into streams of consciousness over the past few weeks; some folks call it whitewater rafting which I do every summer now with a gang from Rutgers.

I’ve been reading Steve Job’s bio and of course am haunted by something (oh wow. Last words?). Hard to explain but he was an awesome presence on this earth. Yes, I wish I went to high school with him in California.  Sad to see Christopher Hitchens, Vaclav Havel, Anne McCaffrey, Andy Rooney, Gil Scott-Heron,  Arthur Laurents, Dwayne McDuffie; all people of words and ideas who passed in 2011.

Now to my being Santa Claus; Some 20 years ago, a few weeks before Christmas, while I was in the throes of my optical eyeglass salesman career, I got a phone call from Jersey’s largest independent optical chain store’s buyer. She started off the conversation by asking me what I was doing on the following Tuesday night. I’ve learned those phone words uttered by family, friends or business associates usually mean major imposition, perhaps picking someone up at the airport or attending some drone’s honorarium dinner. I replied back without a moment’s hesitation as Pavlov has been a hero of mine for decades, “Oh next Tuesday I’m leaving for the Soviet Union on business. But what did you have in mind?” I was curious. “Well Calvin, we had an executive meeting to plan our corporate Christmas party and we tried to figure out who could be our company Santa Claus and everybody screamed your name.” I was intrigued how a tall lanky brown haired eyeglass salesman could be imaged as a Santa by corporate executives. In a few moments, I announced the cancellation of my Russian trip and my willingness to be Santa to 200 employees provided they suit me up the right way, with a strapless white beard and stomach enhancement. And so a few days before Christmas, at least a hundred optical employees sat on my lap while I carefully interrogated each one to determine whether they were good or bad and if bad, then how so and then I presented each with their company holiday wrapped gift, an all-purpose monogrammed umbrella; a functional protective utilitarian gift. I was in communicative heaven, basking in the joys of versatility and holiday spirit. No one saw anyone kissing Santa that night; my enthusiasm was unbridled and it felt uplifting wishing everyone, “A Merry Happy Healthy (which I’m doing right now). I was invited back the following year with no planned Russia trip. Bottom line; I was a good Santa.

Tides Hotel in Asbury Park. scene of past life regression lecture

Tides Hotel lobby. magical 1955

A few weeks ago, I journeyed to Asbury Park’s Tides Hotel where Lorraine Valente gave a lecture on past life regression. The hotel was curiously transporting me back to 1955. I heard the Everly Brothers singing, ‘Bye Bye Love.’ A fireplace warmed and bar invited; a sumptuous crab cake sampling was offered to guests. Who does this anymore? In the fifties, they washed windows and checked oil and tire pressure. The Tides really had me back to 1955. Lorraine Valente carried me to old America before Columbus. Between her and my friend Ruth from Seattle, an accomplished psychic and the longings and strange feelings I’ve had for a long time that seem to emanate from Sedona, Arizona, I need to further explore my Native-American past. Here’s the deal, since I’m a reporter/journalist for NJ Discover TV. Down the road a bit, I’ll have Lorraine or James Guinta hypnotize me on camera and we’ll all go exploring. I’ll keep you posted.

(Speakers for 9-11 Lecture(incl Gov Kean) coming down steps at Monmouth University in Wilson Hall. Same steps from movie Annie.)

(Award winning photographer Joel Meyerowitz commissioned photo from 9-11 on display at 9-11 lecture.)

A few weeks ago, I was at Monmouth University at a “9-11-A Ten Year Perspective” Lecture. Former NJ Governor Tom Kean spoke eloquently about his time as Chair of the 9-11 Commission. It occurred to me while I was absorbing Kean, that perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to a politician is to be thinking “I can’t tell what political party affiliation he was.” Of course it simply means that his words and deeds translate to what’s good for the people. I love Tom Kean (never realized until now what an amazing caring public servant). He said the commission made 41 recommendations and 10 years later nothing has been acted upon. Surprise surprise. A heckler stood up during the question/answer period and said he was a former cop and had heard that the dust from the WTC had traces of explosives. Kean calmly reminded about all the conspiracy theories. Finally, after fifty long years, I got to talk to Governor Kean as I interviewed him on NJ Discover TV. Then I made an informal presentation which was quite emotional for him. I’ve been carrying around, holding securely, a picture of Kean’s father, Congressman Robert Kean and me standing next in the Capitol rotunda from 1957, as part of a Boy’s Club of Newark trip. He was rather touched as I was.

Mark Benioff speaking at Cloudforce

crowds heading to breakout sessions at cloudforce

On November 30th I was at Cloudforce 2011 at Javits, New York City along with 5000 other followers of Salesforce.com and Mark Benioff learning about cloud computing so that once again my cerebral outposts are enhanced. This constant running around absorbing is part of what I’ve been blogging about for two years; living to 150 years. You need to expand and grow if you’re going to be around; it’s that simple. What did I come away with?  Mobile, cloud computing and social networking is the future. No more bricks and mortar or wire hangers.

scene from cloudforce. dueling software? banjos?

scene penn station nyc on way to cloudforce

Red Bank, NJ. December 1st. Clearview Theatre. I took a TV cameraman and interviewed the director/writer Sean Guess and actors and Danny White who performed a song for the movie, ‘Nothing for Christmas;’ which had its world premiere that night. It was a stirring, emotional and surprisingly well-acted movie along the lines of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’ I pinched myself. Look where I was, mixing it up with writers, directors, singers, actors.

This living to 150 gig is working; it pushes, motivates and drives me, mostly because I’m not even close to mid-life age as we speak, as long as I’m subscribing to going for the top rung. “You got to believe,” was the 1973 NY Mets battle hymn. It’s Monday afternoon. My wife is calling from the den, “Calvin, I haven’t seen you in weeks with your running every day. You promised a nice dinner after Christmas.” She’s right. I keep running, dreaming, writing and reporting so I’m blogging down for the day. Sugar plum fairies dancing around, stockings drying out in the nearby laundry room from recent indoor tennis, a story heard earlier about some new breed of dog that chases creatures not stirring, even a mouse. Pavarotti is now singing ‘Adeste Fideles’ on YouTube. Did I ever blog about watching Pavarotti for three straight hours singing ‘Adeste Fideles’ from Montreal in 1978? Well here’s the link.

And yes I have obsessive-compulsive tendencies.  But that’s alright. It’s Christmas and Holidays. So a Merry Happy Healthy Holiday and all good things (Kennedy used to sign off like this) I’m excited. I get to watch Alastair Sim in ‘A Christmas Carol’ several times this week. In my annotated book, the only Scrooge there ever was in this or any old town. I think the scene with Alastair Sim on Christmas morning as he came to his senses after a night with the ghosts and when he stands on his head as an expression of sheer joy and rebirth is as poignant a scene as Hollywood ever created in this or any old movie. When the Today Show comes a calling, I’d like to recreate that scene. Of course someone has to hold me up. What shall I have for dinner? I see lots of crisp lettuce and a Happy New (full) Year in the future.

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net/

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

IMPORTANT LINKS

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com    

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

 http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

LINKS TO VIDEOS.  Please Watch.

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

zombie walk

2.  VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

Veterans Day at NJ Vietnam War Memorial

3.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

Linda Chorney. Two weeks ago my blog (December 1st) was a copy of my October interview with an amazingly voiced singer, Linda Chorney, who was just beginning the process of submitting her album ‘Emotional Jukebox’ for Grammy nomination consideration. And yes, once again I have not blogged for two weeks allowing extra exposure for my Linda Chorney interview which I consider my finest hour and journalistic achievement since this whole ‘Woodward and Bernstein’(remember them?) shtick began on  July 30, 2011; my first day as a journalist when I covered Old Freehold Day and heard this vibrant feisty singer (of course Linda) do a set before a crowd of people more intent of getting free rides on a hay tractor, back and forth to a suburban New Jersey parking lot. As Humphrey Bogart (Rick) said to Claude Rains (Louis) in ‘Casablanca’ it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

I’ve observed the process as Indie (no major record label) Linda Chorney has suited up with determination, drive, depth and spirit and presented herself to the establishment called Grammy Awards. I’m a visual literary guy: I see Joan of Arc, Althea Gibson (one of my life’s heroes. Go Google if you don’t know her), Annie Oakley, Susan B. Anthony, Marian Anderson, Molly Pitcher (Revolutionary War heroine. There’s a hotel near Linda in Red Bank named after her). You see, I like rugged individualists like Linda Chorney. She went out and used the extant tools to bring her musical message to the Grammy voters.

She’s an Indie. I look at her fellow nominees for Best Americana Album, most of them loaded with Grammy awards already. Linda has now been called the darling of the Grammy awards by many reporters and observers because of the fire of determination to bring awareness to her music far from the maddening crowd of big record labels and money. There’s always a Benedict Arnold, a Dathan (played by Edward G. Robinson in ‘Ten Commandments’) or just another political party on the other side of midnight or an aisle. So I smile sardonically and read the words of some ‘Bob’ or ‘Baker’ guy who are upset because they don’t know her music and don’t think she belongs where she is. Then I look at the United Nations and its inability to reach agreement in ‘Kyoto Protocol’ and I know since the time the Cro Magnons’ played a rendition of soccer right here in Jersey across the street from me, that there will always be towers of babble, ignorance and jealousy as some ‘Bob’ or ‘Baker’ non-entities recently demonstrated and restored my faith in the old adage, “some folks never get it.” As I see it, as objectively as I can be, Linda’s music is wonderful, moving and passionate and deserves to be right in front of all of us with Grammy recognition. I do believe George Washington would’ve loved it too, especially her song from ‘Emotional Jukebox’ called ‘Cherries.’ George did chop down the cherry tree and was honest about it. That’s what I like about Linda Chorney.

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net/

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS:

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com

 ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

LINKS TO VIDEOS

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2.  VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embedded

Before I share this interview which was done at the very end of October when we knew that Linda Chorney was under “consideration” for Grammy nominations, I’d like to say few words. I met Linda and Scott on my first day as a journalist back in early August when she was singing at Old Freehold Day. I was mesmerized(and I use this word rarely) Her voice and passion gripped. I knew there was something totally uniquely special. A few days later we shared  two cups of green tea overlooking a pristine Jersey water view. Such unbridled energy, enthusiasm and zest for life was Linda who spiritually, synchronistically launched my journalism career.  We shared blogging experiences and shook hands to link to each other’s blog. Normally excessively verbose, I’m at a loss for words to express my total thrill, excitement and nirvana for Linda at a such a wonderful time.  I was asked to get a quote and this is what Linda said and it’s worth repeating:

“I am so honored, and touched by this nomination.  And I am still in shock.  To be in the same category that has included 2 of my heros, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant.  But what was as touching is waking up this morning to find this letter…”

LINDA CHORNEY: My Exclusive Afternoon Interview with an Amazing Grammy Nominated Singer from Monmouth County NJ

 By Calvin Barry Schwartz

On the cover of her latest double album, “Emotional Jukebox,” which has just been Grammy nominated for Americana Album of Year, Linda Chorney is pictured holding several one-word signs, describing herself as “cocky, feisty, silly, fearless, elated” and “anxious” to name a few. She is all of the above, as discovered on a recent rainy late October 2011 afternoon with bagels and cups of green tea adorning her kitchen table.

Emotional Jukebox album cover

Thoughts and emotions swirl around Linda Chorney; songs alone can’t suffice, so she has a blog. Chorney enthusiastically describes her blog video featuring astrophysicist Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson, head of the Hayden Planetarium and the “killer” of planet Pluto. “We met at a party and I decided to interview him on a more human level with a different angle,” she recalls.  Her blogs, like her music, speak a rugged, unbridled Massachusetts-bred individuality. Fascination with science stems from her MIT- PhD father. “If I wasn’t so into music growing up, I might’ve become a scientist,” she muses, adding that her parents supported her music.

Making “Emotional Jukebox” was unlike any past album she made (she made six). “Recording in a studio is like being in taxi looking at the meter. But for this album, I had the biggest budget I ever had.”  Thanks to a chance meeting. Back in 2003 when she was doing a show in Aspen, an eccentric man approached her, asking if he could send something through the mail. “I gave him a PO Box because I didn’t know what was up.” A few weeks later a wireless guitar and vocal mic arrived.  Turned out that the man was Dr. Jonathan Schneider, aka “The Rock Doc,” who became a life-long friend, supporter, backer and Chorney’s “long lost goofy brother.” In 2010, Dr. Schneider, who minors in music, told the Jersey Shore song writer:  “I want you to make the album you’ve never been able to make before.” She asserts, “He was instrumental in overseeing this passion project and is one of the most generous kindest people I’ve ever met.”

Chorney’s impressive cast on Emotional Jukebox includes Will Lee (Letterman’s CBS orchestra), Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live), Leon Pendarvis (Saturday Night Live music director), Jeff Pevar, and Lisa Fischer (back up vocalist with Rolling Stones since 1987) to name a few.

 ”I’ve done six albums and this was the first time I actually did some cover songs from my heroes –  Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Crosby Stills Nash and the Stones.” Her face explodes in animation. “And I had Lisa from the Stones sing on ‘Mothers Little Helper!’  Mick Jagger sang that when he was 25. To have it come from the woman who actually is feeling that drag of getting old (me) brings a whole new perspective.”

Chorney also wanted to showcase favorite Jersey musicians on the album; not only is Lisa Fischer local but also Andy Burton, Hernan Romero, Ralph Notaro, Arlan Feiles, Gladys Bryant, Tony Pallagrosi, Mary McCrink, and Richie Blackwell (of the original E Street Band). Local photographer Danny Sanchez shot the cover.

Linda Chorney is in complete control of every aspect of her music. She did everything for the album — spending a whopping 2000 hours editing with 100 tracks of different instruments; 10 to 20 takes for most tracks of every song, sometimes more. She also fulfilled a long-held dream by writing her first symphony “Mother Nature Symphony” with acclaim from classical Grammy members.  ”You’re about to ask me what I listen to,” she jumps immediately, “Classic Rock and Classical.” She exaggerates the last syllable.

On “Emotional Jukebox,” her song “Cherries” is a favorite of many. “When you listen, you take a personal journey through your own life,” she offers.  ”When I see people cry from that song I think it’s cool! It’s better than a record deal when people say my music has changed their lives.”  It is “Cherries” that is competing for song of the year. After pensive moments and an empty tea cup, she says, “If you’re not with a major label, you can only get so many Grammy votes and I know it’s a long shot.” She sits up in her chair and talks about how “Indies” support each other: “We have our own ‘Indie’ mob to compete with Nashville, LAand NY.” Linda Chorney wants just one Grammy on her mantle.

Linda Chorney's mosaic art work

During the interview it is hard not to notice yet another unique artistic element surrounding the kitchen. Linda designs and makes her own mosaics for backsplashes and anywhere in the home “by appointment.”  Discover the emotional multi-talented jukebox that is Linda Chorney by picking up a copy of her album, getting a mosaic or reading her electrifying blog. Three remaining bagels went home with this interviewer.

Read Linda Chorney blog at:  lindachorney.wordpress.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net/

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS:

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com

 ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

LINKS TO VIDEOS

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2.  VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embedded

Before I get a chance to talk about this new Bruce Springsteen book, it’s time for some old fashioned drifting back to the future.  Tuesday night before Thanksgiving: 11:23 pm; 42 years ago at this exact moment in time I was having a disagreement with my first wife to be. We were getting married Wednesday, that next night before Thanksgiving (it’s a cheap catering night). I didn’t take her to lunch earlier but hung with a few friends in a lame attempt at a bachelor party. So we disagreed about the principle behind such presumed negligence and then, after a brief stint in the small bathroom off my mother’s kitchen, she ran out of the house crying, slamming every door in her way. I stood frozen and stolid like I am now writing this blog. I would’ve been married 42 years if. That’s a significant number; eight years away from celebrating a 50th anniversary, picking out a place for final resting together and an assisted living home with video games in the day room and an old copy of ‘Peyton Place’ in the library.

laurel and hardy. how they made me laugh all through youth and on thanksgiving mornings

But that first marriage was incredibly statistically accurate; we almost made it to the obligatory first marriage duration of four years which set me up perfectly for the rest of my life. So at pre-Thanksgiving every year since she ran into the small bathroom and then bolted, I especially give thanks to the universe for all my blessings like the fortunate lessons learned from the bolting (she was not meant to be in my life). This is a magical time of year. Back then, my parents were around (living). So was an aunt who once found me in a partially compromised state of being clothed a week before Thanksgiving in a vacant apartment in her apartment house she inherited from my uncle who got tired of life. And I’ve been thinking about that uncle, the reach of genetics, and why people get tired of life. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been championing the cause of living to 150 years; there’s still so much to do and new careers to prepare for; like journalism, TV reporting and programming. I’m deliriously happy.

 When I was five years old, I started watching ‘The March of the Wooden Soldiers’ usually on New York’s Channel 11 (WPIX). I do believe, I’ve never missed a Thanksgiving. I see an outline of a fiddler on my neighbor’s roof, yelling at me, “Tradition.” When my son was five, I introduced him to Laurel and Hardy, Toyland and the March. Up to two years ago, I guilt-tripped him into watching with me. But alas it is a wonderful holiday. The more gratitude you throw into the universe, the more you’ll have to be grateful for. The average amount of calories consumed in the complete  Thanksgiving meal borders on 4500 calories. For my purposes, that’s five hours on the exercise bike. This just in: Newark Airport, forty minutes from my keyboard, has just been ranked as the second worst airport in America. I’m grateful for the streams of consciousness which flow and ebb just enough every week to keep this blog replete.

newark airport. the 2nd WORST in America

John Dean lecturing at Rutgers on Douglas campus

Last week on Wednesday November 16, I attended the Eagleton Institute of Politics lecture with John Dean, ‘Ethics, Law, and Government; Drawing the Right Lessons from Watergate.’  Here’s what’s rather synchronistic with respect to the first part of this blog. In the waning days of my first marriage, I spent weeks watching one of my heroes, John Dean, testifying at the Watergate hearings. He was a hero for a lot of reasons; doing the right thing despite President Nixon, a loyal and devoted wife Maureen (to whom he is still married to) sitting staunchly, supporting him through the testimony, possession of cerebral facilities to remember minute details and bravely accepting punishment. I was so engrossed with John Dean for all that time that I didn’t spend enough time trying to save a marriage; perhaps the night before my wedding pre-disastered it anyway.

me and John Dean

Randall Haywood and me on NJ Discover TV

me and Ben Bradlee former editor of Washington Post

Another hero emerged from those days; Ben Bradlee, editor of the Washington Post, who bravely dispatched Woodward and Bernstein to unravel one of the greatest political scandals. Now a funny thing; I’ve always thought about meeting both of these men, engaging and relaying their hero status. Mission accomplished last Wednesday with Dean. I met Ben Bradlee a few years ago, delivering one of my famous gentle hugs. I told John Dean that he was responsible for the break-up of my first marriage. He laughed and asked if I re-married. I said, “Happily for the last 34 years.” Then we shook hands and I said, “You’re still a hero.” He’s researching another book on Watergate as the 40th anniversary of the break-in is in June, 2012.

More important than hugs and photo-ops were the words of John Dean, talking to a packed Rutgers audience. Dean thought the kind of investigative journalism which caused Nixon to ultimately resign in August 1974 is lost to our times of economic distress. The ‘Presidential Records Act’ which took possession of Nixon’s papers was diluted by George Bush. Dean said those first days after the break-in at Watergate “cast the dye” in how little Nixon was told. During those days, the White House pondered breaking up the media and now 40 years later, the wish comes true with Fox news heading to the right, etc. On a lighter note, Dean is convinced that Nixon never caused that famous 18 1/2 minute gap in his tape, citing “He wasn’t mechanical enough. He couldn’t even open up medicine bottles.” Finally, as I visualized Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman from the movie, ‘All the President’s Men,’ Dean said it was not great reality theater, that they (Woodward and Bernstein) did not crack the story.

 I suppose a bit Thanksgiving theme to realize I’ve now met both of my idols from those bygone days of youth, called Watergate. And why does Forrest Gump come to mind all of a sudden? Why do I feel like running to Arizona now? If only I could’ve met President Kennedy. I was so taken with my first President as a young man nearing voting age; I used to practice imitating him with that distinct Boston accent. Actually I was pretty proficient; even went on stage and delivered my version of his inaugural address. “And Caroline, the uh, rubber duck is mine.”

Changing times and directions: Last Saturday night inAsbury Park, I had the honor of being involved in covering for NJ Discover TV an amazing jazz concert at Chico’s House of Jazz. Talk about giving thanks; I had the opportunity to interview on TV, Randall Haywood (trumpet), Victor Jones (world pre-eminent jazz drummer), Jay Rodriguez (saxaphone), Andy McKee(Bass) and Tom McEvoy (piano). Haywood, who has an uncle who played with Jimi Hendrix, recently played with rapper Ludacris and has been on Letterman and Leno and teaches music in a local school system.  We met the previous week for several hours and on camera for nearly a half-hour. I take this quite seriously.

The NJ Discover TV Interview and Concert Highlights: A MUST WATCH

Interview & concert highlights of house of jazz in asbury park

Andy McKee(Bass) Jay Rodriguez(sax) during a fire drill at house of jazz

Randall is nothing short of a musical treasure and success story; pre-ordained destiny took him from Jacksonville to all over the world performing.  The concert was mesmerizing.  Actually it was so hot we all had to run outside for a fire drill. They mixed old and new that Haywood recently wrote. And Victor Jones on the drums: I told him I’d come to Newark’s  Skippers Lounge to continue watching him. Four weeks ago this kind of journalistic activity was more remote than a distant galaxy and now with red forearms from excessive pinching, I find myself doing TV interviewing and exploring worlds of music. It is a wonderful life and instead of Forrest, I do feel like George Bailey. Everything is spinning as if in a centrifuge. There’s some out of body thankfulness that I’m no where near mid-age if I’m living to 150 years, fulfilling more dreams.

Clarence and Bruce courtesy ©theLightinDarkness.com

A month ago I was contacted by Lawrence Kirsch, author and publisher of boutique books, especially about Bruce Springsteen. Would I like to review ‘The Light In Darkness,’ his latest work, about Bruce Springsteen’s 1978 ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’ album and the tour as vividly articulated by Bruce Springsteen fans? Of course, being one of those fans, I said how fast can I get the book and how high do I jump. My jumping was not high enough; this was a perfect pictorial and word journey that took me soulfully back to 1978-1979. The pictures magically carpeted me into that world of Bruce Springsteen touring, making me feel as if I was slipping through that elusive Freehold rabbit hole through a looking glass.

Cover of 'Light In Darkness' credit ©theLightinDarkness.com

inside front cover 'The Light in Darkness' credit ©theLightinDarkness.com Bruce Springsteen

It was a perfect journey back to the future. Kirsch did amazing work analyzing themes of the album; timing is everything as Springsteen just announced his 2012 tour. I’m not in the habit of tiptoeing through endorsements; however if you’ve got any proclivities and affinities for Bruce and dreams and memories or verbal historic incisions, then you should order this limited edition book which is only available on line at http://www.thelightindarkness.com/home/

And this makes a special holiday gift!! Funny; every day I manage to look at the pictures in the book.  And a confession proudly conceived. Just as I always hoped to bump into Ben Bradlee and John Dean; well the same goes for Bruce Springsteen. The book is a taste. Someday over a Freehold, New Jersey rainbow, maybe Springsteen.

Soon I’ll be watching ‘March of the Wooden Soldiers’ and almost simultaneously, the Macy’s parade; it’s called flicking to avoid commercials. My son moved out in June, so no matter what, it’s a solo watch. My little boy all grown up called me the other day, upset about the world and protesting and Occupy and Mayor Bloomberg kicking protestors out of Zuccotti Park near Wall Street. He tripped me back to the sixties, when I knew about protesting everything.

occupy protestors clash

I’ll always regret (maybe one of my top ten life’s regrets) not having marched on Washington with Dr. King on August 28, 1963. Then he tells me almost sheepishly that Occupy is all hot air; that’s it’s a shamble and almost a caste system. He was disillusioned which reminded me of the chimpanzee Lucius from ‘Planet of the Apes’ that Charlton Heston had to give a pep talk to about ‘adults.’  I asked him to explain disdain. “Dad the rich people in Occupy who were camped out had an espresso machine hooked up to a bike. There was no middle class. And they didn’t share with the poor.” And suddenly I was overcome with the futility of explaining human nature, the tower of babble and that nothing has changed about human nature since our cousins, the Cro-Magnons from aNorth Jerseysuburb were fumbling around with something that resembled the first wheel. What we have here is a failure to communicate, I thought. How would I explain the espresso machine deal to my son? Then I said to him, “Mom is calling. We’ll talk later.” And we didn’t. Over my desk is a small picture of an ostrich.

Finally on the health front and living to 150 years; there have been some disturbing studies on BPA (bisphenol A) that shows the urine of people who consume canned soup  contain surprisingly high levels of BPA, a hormone-disrupting compound linked to health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

soup cans contain BPA. beware!

People who consumed one serving of canned soup a day for five days had a more than 1,000 percent increase in urinary BPA over people who consumed fresh soup for five days. Drinking beverages that have been stored in certain hard plastics can increase the amount of BPA in your body. BPA is used in the linings of metal food and beverage cans as well as in certain plastic bottles and dental sealants. And I wonder how many white doves have to blow in the wind before they take it out of the lining. It’s about money.

Memories of Thanksgivings and gatherings of family and friends is such a powerful force within the neuronal pathways of my composition. There’s a longing to find a waiting worm hole for me to slip through. I want back. I want my mother to send me off to the grocer for an extra apple cider gallon. I want my older sister to hug and thank me for being a good big brother. I took her to a first Broadway play before Thanksgiving. ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ Tradition. What happens to traditions and sisters? I love Thanksgivings when all the leaves that were green turn to brown and vacate their places of attachment to branches and the sky is steel gray, ominous and cold. I’ll plunge into my journalism journeys in the New Year. There are miles to go before I sleep or weep. I can almost see Ollie and Stannie reassuring Mother Widow Peep who lived in a shoe that everything would be alright. Thanksgiving is magic. I think by next year I’ll have so much more to be thankful for. I think next September I’ll start dreaming about the holiday earlier than ever before. Maybe I’ll cheat and watch the VHS ‘March of the Wooden Soldiers’ a few months early too. Maybe ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ will be back on Broadway.

Tara Jean (co host) and me outside House of Jazz in Asbury

Interviewing Victor Jones for NJ Discover in House of Jazz Asbury Park

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net/

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS:

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

August 2011. Guest on Alicia Cramer Show (podcast) “Thin Healthy Happy” :

http://wausauhypnotherapy.podbean.com/2011/08/02/calvin-barry-schwartz-interview-on-living-life/

LINKS TO VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dbtCJifzpQ

2.   9-11 lecture atMonmouthUniversitywith Govenor Tom Kean

Nov 3, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3.  VETERANS DAY NJVIETNAMMEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embedded

4.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

I’m so moved by the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial. But first: For the first time in nearly two years, I’ve let my deadline of writing blog entries every week slip into a second week. There was a song, “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes.   YouTube:

The Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love”

I love writing my blog; a magic carpet ride of introspection, heightened awareness and personal growth. I’ve evolved into a better writer, a better citizen of this old town or any old town. Good old Ebeneezer Scrooge: in another five weeks I’ll find my VHS copy of ‘A Christmas Carol’ starring Alastair Sim(the only film Scrooge there ever was) and slip into the joyous world of holidays.

sleigh to Grandmother's House

Ebeneezer Scrooge(Alastair Sim) and the Ghost (present)

All year long, I think about Scrooge and how he fought change and spiritual enhancement. Then on Christmas morning we witness his rebirth and commitment to taking care of Tiny Tim by symbolically standing on his head in a showing of complete joyous spiritual arrival. How often I’ve dreamt about conditional change forcing me to stand on my head. I dreamed of NBC morning programming. I’ll need a couple of stage hands to hold me up on a worn easy chair or sofa. I’ve got it all figured out; the scene is part of my arrival at journey’s end. Arrival is not a bad thing; just a time to exhale and give thanks. And I love Thanksgiving, a most perfect holiday of family, friends, food for thought, and a sleigh ride to Grandmother’s house. But there are no Grandmothers left, very little family and earthquakes happening all over the world with increasing frequency and intensity.

If you haven’t guessed, I’m firing away on all cylinders, dusting off my parched streams of consciousness that I haven’t used in two weeks. I can still give thanks on Thanksgiving; every day I find a way to thank the universe for my blessings; I just don’t and never will have much of a family. All those scattered cousins everywhere and not a drop to drink with, except precious poignant Cousin Stuart. Where did all the flowers go; same place of obscurity where my cousins sit at the diner of lost dreams on Wednesday 3AM. Is there a good geneticist in the house? Am I the product of bad cousin genes?  I’m even down to one sister left; more gene splicing?

dorothy's shoes. i tried to get them to fit on me once in florida

Paul Newman in 'Somebody Up There Likes Me'

I see Dorothy clicking her red ruby heels; there is no place like home and extended family. I’ll never know. Is it purist simple gifts of life? I must be on to or just on something (broccoli?). I’ve been listening to the song and instrumental ‘Simple Gifts’ for years. Then during President Obama’s Inauguration ceremony, ‘Simple Gifts’ was one of two songs played at the Lincoln Memorial.

rare pix of Marilyn Monroe

‘Somebody Up There Likes Me.’ A wonderful movie starring Paul Newman. Last week it hit me again. How can Paul Newman be gone? And Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Sammy Davis.

I asked my mother the other day; how can it be that I only have one sister left. Things we take for granted; the warmth and caring relationships of the blood is thicker than water. What if water becomes blood? There’s Yul Brynner holding up the staff but the river Nile still turns red. Well, I accept the law of diminishing family. I see a thousand Conestoga wagons heading into Kansas during a land rush. My father decides to pitch camp at the first overflowing stream and within two weeks our cabin is built, a fence surrounds the property. An asteroid came within 200,000 miles of earth the other day; awful close astronomically; scares the hell out of me.  I wonder why we didn’t experiment and send a rocket to see how effective we can be in destroying menacing asteroids; ‘just in case’ kind of deal. Or with our luck, we divert it right down here to central Jersey. I need Thanksgiving; a cold, cloudy day with fresh cranberry sauce. I asked a friend on the tennis court recently if he remembered the cranberry scare of 1959. He said no. “What about Thalidomide?” That he knew; the sedative drug that causes malformation of fetuses and was withdrawn from the market in 1961.

Sammy Davis. Jr.

Yul Brynner. Pharaoh

Enough with dodge ball. I apologize for being tardy. But the good news for all my blog readers is that my words are reaching a larger audience than I ever dreamt. Back in July, I started writing a monthly column for OUR TOWN newspaper. The following month it went to two columns. And in October it hit three columns a month. It is work and commitment but I love words and writing. Then three weeks ago in the blowing winds of synchronicity, I became ‘involved’ with a Jersey TV Production company, as a reporter, writer, and program/talent developer. And I do all this as you know because I’m not quite at mid-life yet as long as I subscribe to the notion of living to 150 years which I always blog about. I hear my mother calling to me from upstairs to budget my time. I love this blog and thanks for your support and dropping by.  Enough said. Maybe take four minutes and watch my first gig as a reporter during Zombie Walk on the Asbury Park boardwalk two weeks ago. The YouTube link:

Calvin reporter at Zombie Walk Asbury Park

Calvin interviewing zombie on Asbury Park Boardwalk

I LOVE Conestoga wagons

A few years ago, on a cold, bleak, windy February Friday afternoon (enough adjectives?); I was heading homeward southbound on the Garden State Parkway. It was 2 PM, two hours from descending darkness. Something grabbed my soul and told me to go visit the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel. Something is one of my favorite amorphous spiritual conceptual words; much too involved and complicated for a dissertation now. But I always listen to something because it is wise, warming, steering and magical. Something made me write my first novel a few years ago.

at New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony

at New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony The Tree losing leaves.

Something made me climb mountains barefoot in Sedona or walk on a decaying old wooden dock in Key Largo or gets me up at 3 AM to stare blankly at computer screen savers. I’ve never been to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial not being a veteran of that war during my twenties. Of course with the extreme weather conditions, I was the only person visiting. There are 360 panels, each representing a day of the year including leap year. Each panel contains the names of those men and women who died on that day. I decided to stare at each name, shivering from the brutal 10 degree wind chill cold and then consume random names and commit to my eternal memory. Arthur John Abramoff and Albert Potter became part of my senses. Forty minutes passed until I made the circuitous journey around the memorial, promising to keep committing names to my senses. I might fill up several pages to rip words from the intestinal lining of emotions when seeing names of all those special wonderful young people taken away with so much of life’s promise.

at New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony

at New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony Cameraman and Me

Six months ago, I knew on this special Veterans Day of 11-11-11, 11:11 AM that I’d be there. But I never dreamt I’d be going as a TV reporter and journalist. Life is something. Once again, it was so cold and windy. One lone tree in the middle of the memorial grounds kept losing leaves that were once green, now brown.  One fallen leaf skirted my cheek. I kept looking around at the faces of these amazing veterans. A strange welling in my chest; should I have been with them back then? Five hundred proud Vietnam Veterans gathered. I got to interview on camera Clark Martin, Chairman of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation and Joseph Formola, (“Hero’s don’t wear capes; they wear dog tags.”), Chaplain New Jersey State Council Vietnam Veterans of America and Chester, a proud eloquent Vietnam veteran.

at New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony

Everyone said the same thing; how hard it was coming back from Vietnam because of the way they were treated; there was no respect for their sacrifices and patriotism. Chester said it best, “People come up to us now, thank us for serving. That really didn’t happen years ago. Didn’t happen. But it is happening now and that’s beautiful.” I thanked him three times and got all choked up. My video cameraman knew to stop shooting. I need to keep going there. I’ve added John Richard McDonough from South Orange to my senses. It’s hard excavating intestinal linings and emotions. Here’s the link to the video coverage of Veterans Day in New Jersey. (2 minutes):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=youtu.be

Yes, I dig living to 150 years. The other day I encountered a menu from a fast food place soon opening here in Jersey. I whispered to myself, “Fried Snickers?” Picture attached and I think I’ll take the terse road which may be the high road not the back road to Perdition. One other note on living to 150 years: A glass of pomegranate juice a day could keep the wrinkles away, according to a new study that reveals it slows down the aging process of DNA.

Fried Snickers???

Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate has previously been linked to the prevention of heart disease and stress relief but now researchers from the Probelte Bio Lab in Spain have found that the fruit juice also slows down the natural oxidation (‘wear and tear’) of DNA. During the study, scientists used a potent new type of pomegranate extract including the skin, pith and seeds of the fruit. The 60 participants were asked to take the extract for 30 days in the form of a pill. The results found a significant decrease in a marker associated with cell damage that disrupts brain, muscle, liver and kidney functions, as well as causing aging.

Finally Penn State: There are few words I can excavate now. Enough will be said for years to come. I became friendly with a former pretty good Penn State quarterback from the mid 70′s when I actually used to root for them before I began my love affair to remember with Rutgers. He always talked spirited about Joe Paterno and actually became an assistant strength coach after graduation. One morning in the early 90′s, I had my wheat flakes with sprinkled raisins and felt pretty good as far as throwing a football was concerned. Later that day I was at John’s house in eastern Pennsylvania, sitting in the den when I spotted a football and suggested we go out into his endless backyard and start tossing the football around.

Scarlett O'Hara. Tomorrow is another day??

Who knows, if John never got hurt in senior year, he’s playing on Sunday. So we’re throwing the ball around. I keep backing up knowing I’ve got a pretty good arm. The further back we go, it seems the more effortlessly he’s throwing the ball to me. Then Cher slapped my face and told me to snap out of it. And I did back then. I could never be a quarterback like John. Thing is, I wish upon a fading star of Paterno and Penn State that this was all a nightmare and Cher could slap my face, tell me to snap out just one more time and then Scarlett O’Hara could come along just about now as I finish this blog and say “Tomorrow is another day” But it isn’t.

Cher slaps nick cage You tube (5 seconds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net/Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS:

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

August 2011. Guest on Alicia Cramer Show (podcast) “Thin Healthy Happy” :

http://wausauhypnotherapy.podbean.com/2011/08/02/calvin-barry-schwartz-interview-on-living-life/

from the video. calvin interviews a zombie on asbury park boardwalk

Before Singularity and reading this fascinating blog, take 3:55 and please watch this YouTube video of your blog writer doing his first television reporting gig(and thanks):

my 1st tv reporter gig on YouTube video an absolute must watch!

INDEED PLEASE WATCH 4 minute video. comments welcomed/needed. I never held a microphone before.

Last week’s blog dealt mainly with the Singularity Summit in NYC; a meeting of 600 global scientists, technologists, business people, some boutique media and me, probably the only journalist from New Jersey covering this annual event that looks at the advancement of artificial intelligence and technology and how it will affect current 2011 denizens in the lurking future.

Jason Silva at Singularity Summit

After several epiphanies and a great talk with Jason Silva from Current TV etc, I found a place for myself in the world of Singularity; a reason to believe; purposeful involvement; communication to bring the message of Singularity to high school and college kids and perhaps a few senior citizens. Getting to know me through my blog, you probably can sense my exuberance to share information that I believe in. I do believe. I do believe in Singularity. I don’t want a smart aleck computer in 15 years to clone itself into a smarter computer that passes us humans by. I certainly don’t want to spend my golden years in a mind matrix of field of dreams or on a self-imposed prune subsistence diet. I want to wait on line at a broccoli and cauliflower buffet and talk to real people about real sex and the NY or Jersey? Jets or Giants. I hate being confused in a world of total recall. Is it live or memorex? Does anyone remember that commercial?

On the day after the Summit, I took my unbridled enthusiasm, got on my horse that I rode through the Lincoln Tunnel on, and galloped into Monmouth County where I met with three honor high school students at a television studio. They were taping a segment on their amazing community service project. When I cornered two of them in a glass window room off camera, I introduced myself, told them I still play beer pong (a bonding commonality technique) and asked enthusiastically, “Did any of you ever hear about Singularity?” Of course the response was negative.

Hyman Roth with Michael Corleone in Havana. nearby is a gold dial telephone

Three nights later, I was on a tennis court, with my regular doubles game. The other three players: a cardiologist, a dentist and an organic chemist who owns a lab( supplied dispersants to BP in the Gulf oil spill and as Hyman Roth said to Michael Corleone, “Your father and me. We made a fortune.”) and graduated with honors from Yale. Jennifer Cavalleri would’ve described him as, “A Yalie.”  I’m a hopeless movie romantic as well. In between tennis sets, I asked the triumvirate if they ever heard of Singularity. More negative responses. Undaunted, I stopped strange men and women on the street near where I live and asked the same question. No one ever heard. Hey, I was batting 1000%.

Beach Sweep Registrar

Belmar Fishing Club. members only

Last Saturday I journeyed to Belmar, New Jersey to participate in Beach Sweeps; a New Jersey coastal environmental project, sponsored by Clean Ocean Action, where up to 8000 Jersey citizens gather at 70 sites to rid the beaches of unsightly and harmful debris. Fishes, whales, birds and other animals mistake litter for food. Even cigarette filters mimic fish and have been found in the stomachs of birds and larger fish, blocking and affecting digestion. Plastic litter takes hundreds of years to break down, so it threatens wildlife for decades. So why do I run to the beach to pick up litter? Well, if I’m living to 150 years which as you know, I always blog about (part of Singularity future) then I’m not even close to mid-life and therefore a ‘young’ thing to do. Of course, a significant amount of literary license and Sunday morning light-headedness, but is there relevance and intrinsic mystical quality to doing supposedly young things? Maybe teasing a few neo-cortex neuronal connections. Enough said. I was excited about being part of the sweep and I picked First Avenue Beach in Belmar because it’s a few hundred feet away from my spiritual jetty at the Shark River, where I’ve been communing and meditating since I was 10 years old and first heard the Everly Brothers sing ‘Bye Bye Love.’

YouTube Bye Bye Love:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFoIdxLBm_A

At the registration, Brian, a college student, gave me a white plastic bag for litter, a black bag for recyclables and a reporting form for documenting everything I recovered. “Brian, before I venture on the beach, quick question for you. Did you ever hear of Singularity?” “Excuse me, sir,” he was puzzled. “Never mind.”  As I slipped under the boardwalk of the members only ‘Belmar Fishing Club,’ I found my first plastic straw next to a plastic bottle cap. I mattered; this clean up was now relevant. Observations 14 minutes into clean up: There was no one close to my age present.  Groups of young kids, ostensibly organized by schools, were there to feel environmentalism. Of course I was heartened; I remember the first Earth Day in May 1970: I’ve never stopped caring and being aware. Slyly, I let the sand formations of a recent tractor incursion lead me to a group of five students from East Brunswick High School.

East Brunswick High School students and me at Beach Sweep

Comrade Kruschchev with shoe at the UN. I asked my mother why he did that

I explained my novelist and journalistic background, gave them a business card, asked for a photo op and finally after thanking them, “Oh one more thing, has anyone ever heard of Singularity?” Heads were in synchronistic lateral movement like precision dance swimmers in the Olympics with of course smiling blank stares in front of perfectly situated teeth; one girl still had braces. “Well let me quickly tell you. It’s your world to inherit. Singularity contemplates a computer birthing another computer that’s finally smarter than us. Think of all the scenarios.” Then I was gone with the cool autumn wind under unrealistic blue sky which even looked adulterated blue. Still batting 1000%.  A pair of dark blue men’s socks (no designer logo visible) were tied together, half buried in the sand.  A plastic fork got socks into the bag. Could it be, the last time I held a collection bag of any sort, I was asking geographical neighbors (they’re almost never friends), back in Newark while Eisenhower was president “Anything for Halloween?”

Students from Biotech High School at Beach Sweep

Aimlessly I wandered, still finding plastic straws, hoping to meet at least one senior citizen comrade. I remember comrade Nikita Kruschchev banging his shoe at the UN. Another group was near so I drifted to the left and introduced myself; a group from Biotechnology High School in Freehold. Same routine; no one knew Singularity and didn’t seem to worry about working for a computer in 20 years.  Still at 1000%.  My white bag was filling but no recyclables; maybe the species was learning. Off to the right was another group of kids, also from Biotechnology High, with two teachers. I slid over. Remarks were addressed to the teachers, kids listening. I hoped teachers would know about Singularity. Still 1000%. “It’s your future too. Here’s my card. Friend me on Facebook. A lot of information to share; it’s a brave new world.” Of course no friending or follow up. Still 1000%.

the seven layer cake bakery in belmar site of complicity

Frankly my dear (blog readers) it was time to leave the beach. On the boardwalk, near my car, a group of four Rider University students had just finished Beach Sweep. My son went to Rider. I asked about Singularity; no one knew but laughed when I said, “And I still play beer pong.” Still 1000%. Seven days and seven nights asking people about the future and no one knew. On Main Street Belmar there’s an old fashioned bakery; I thought about the long week past and teaching (promulgating) the Singularity awareness journey ahead. I don’t do windows, bottles of wine or beer, red meat or chemical aids when frustration blows in the wind. But I do voluminous chocolate and especially seven layer cakes. And I finished a  substantial helping(which had been protectively sealed) by the last traffic light close to my house.

Rider University students at Beach Sweep in Belmar. ocean backdrop

Much too long to delve into now, but I’ve been drifting into the world of journalism, writing for  OUR TOWN newspaper and then through the magic of social networking became involved with a television production company looking into New Jersey programming. Who would’ve ever thought?  Hours after my Beach Sweep, I’m back at the Jersey shore, in Asbury Park for the Annual Zombie Walk. Imagine 5000 zombies, incredibly made-up, preparing to walk downtown Asbury in front of 15,000 spectators. Deep inhalation: it was great to be alive (therefore I wore no costume), absorbing, witnessing, immersing myself in pure ecstatic joy at being there; soon the television crews arrived, gave me a microphone and I’d love to say at this juncture, the rest is history. You can judge for yourselves; my first reporting experience (4 fun-filled minutes):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc

zombie walk.. does he look like johnny depp??

Prediction about Zombie Walk: Maybe 40,000 people next year. Hyped media coverage (including little ole me) will bring many people for the first time. In my own micro-cosmic world, I’ve received enough comments about how most just didn’t know these events went on. And Asbury Park, you keep going and growing, on the merry-go-round of an amazing renaissance. I love this town.

more zombie walk

Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. I love this Sinatra song too:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRDBvKGc1fE

So I think on Monday, Earth’s population will hit exactly seven billion people. A few weeks back, I questioned a scientist on population, food, water, monopoly game boards, and the fact that French schools have banned American Heinz ketchup; Too much sugar, salt, and imports? Perhaps we’ll go to nine billion next time we count, he said and when I grimaced about poor mom earth supporting all that, he patted my shoulder, “Don’t worry. By the time the water tables dwindle, we’ll lose that extra two billion again.” Then I had strange vibes on my mind. “How about social change?” “You mean that in 1950, 33% of the adult population was single and now the figure is 50%.” Marriage today is an option not a necessity and we’ve got economic gender parity.

even more zombie walk. truly fun stuff.

Then I looked at my own pre-disastered first marriage back in 1969. The night before the wedding, fiancé and me had a disagreement(a nicer word); she ran out of my house crying and mother appeared out of a saffron lit dining room; an almost vaporous figure with tears racing down each cheek. “Don’t marry this girl tomorrow. Mother’s know. Call up everybody right now and cancel. Give the gifts back. She’s all wrong for you.”

Psychology Today magazine taught me well. “Mah, my generation is getting divorced all over the place. So I want to get on with my life. It doesn’t make a difference who I marry tomorrow. It won’t last. So let me get the first over with as quickly as possible so I can get on with my life. Now do you understand?” “No, Calvin.”

banned in French schools like books in Boston????

my seven layer cake. was this pix necessary???

The other day I asked my son (about the same age as I was back then), “Did you call that girl from last week?” “No Dad, I’m not looking to get married for a long time, so I didn’t call. No rush. Do you understand?” I thought about my mother back in 1969 and had to say, “No.” But I really do. I really do a lot of things. I love writing this blog and looking to find ways to eliminate the 1000% Singularity shaking of the heads sideways. A few hours ago I talked with amazingly progressive Mayor Jonathan Hornik of Marlboro,N,J. about finding ways to teach the youth of the town and beyond about Singularity and their future world.  ”Just have to wait until after Election Day,” he said. I was back on the beach running around, glad to be alive, head swimming with ideas. I’m on the way to fulfillment and dreamy stuff. What a purist high to resolve a mission. And it absolutely even did not bother me to seven layer cake thoughts again when the mayor originally said, “What’s Singularity?” And I thought, still 1000%  but………………..

Singularity Summit auditorium. I'm 3rd from left.

CONTACT INFORMATION

website:  http://vichywater.net/

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS:

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

August 2011. Guest on Alicia Cramer Show (podcast) “Thin Healthy Happy” :

http://wausauhypnotherapy.podbean.com/2011/08/02/calvin-barry-schwartz-interview-on-living-life/