November 2009 « Vichy Water

January 20, 2012

ER (a real one). I Still Hate the NCAA (Rutgers vs. St John’s Revisited) How to Fix the Economy by December. No Wire Hangers and No More Winter (Snow Fooling?) Linda Chorney Out West. January 20, 2011

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: brunswick, by, east, nj, tennis — earthood @ 12:25 pm

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

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January 6, 2012

Dumplings With Tuna Salad Filler. Flexitarianism. Fossil Fuels. New Year(S). College Sports Fixation. Rutgers. No Mention of Living to 150. January 6, 2012

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: crabtree, dumplings, little, miss, rascals — earthood @ 1:18 pm

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!!!!!

Comments (0)

December 26, 2011

Christmas: I Was Santa Claus for a Day. Linda Chorney (Grammy Nominee for ‘Best Americana Album) Recent Running Around and Living to 150: Past Life Regression in Asbury Park (Should I Get Hypnotized on TV?), a 9-11 Lecture at Monmouth University, Cloudforce NYC, ‘Nothing for Christmas’ Movie Premiere in Red Bank. How to Make a Nasty Virus? December 26, 2011

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: a, Joel, Meyerowitz, santa, the — earthood @ 5:43 pm

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

Comments (0)

December 19, 2011

Linda Chorney: A Latter Day Hero and Grammy Nominee. Good Solid Journalism. A Week Before Christmas. Dec 19, 2011

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: a, claus, mother, Powered, the — earthood @ 2:45 pm

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

Comments (1)

December 1, 2011

LINDA CHORNEY: My Exclusive Afternoon Interview with an Amazing Grammy Nominated Singer from Monmouth County NJ USA Dec 11, 2011 (Interview from October 2011)

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: Article, by, Dashboard, philosophy, Powered — earthood @ 2:02 pm

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,

Just wanted to tell you that you are my hero! ! Congratulations!

I am an artist, over 50 and born on March 31!

I met you a while back in Fromagerie , I think, and followed your journey through your newsletter.

Just wanted to tell you that it is empowering to know that it can be done and it truly never is too late to be what you might have been!

Rock on!

I am so excited for you and for the rest of us here along theJerseyshore plugging away at their dream!

So what are you wearing to the awards? haha

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

Comments (4)

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Vichy Water – Author's Blog Just another WordPress weblog

January 20, 2012

ER (a real one). I Still Hate the NCAA (Rutgers vs. St John’s Revisited) How to Fix the Economy by December. No Wire Hangers and No More Winter (Snow Fooling?) Linda Chorney Out West. January 20, 2011

January 6, 2012

Dumplings With Tuna Salad Filler. Flexitarianism. Fossil Fuels. New Year(S). College Sports Fixation. Rutgers. No Mention of Living to 150. January 6, 2012

December 26, 2011

December 19, 2011

Linda Chorney: A Latter Day Hero and Grammy Nominee. Good Solid Journalism. A Week Before Christmas. Dec 19, 2011

December 1, 2011

LINDA CHORNEY: My Exclusive Afternoon Interview with an Amazing Grammy Nominated Singer from Monmouth County NJ USA Dec 11, 2011 (Interview from October 2011)