July 5th begins summer’s great trench. Nothing but sweltering discomfort punctured by periods of merciful relief.
There is a New Yorker magazine cover which aptly suits these dog days. On it a grinning rubicund sun wipes sweat off his brow while beneath him broiling on the way to burning beachgoers merry themselves towards heatstroke.
The best part of this season for me? Beer. Beer is colder these days than during winter. Continue reading The Wonder Bar
My next door neighbor will be moving out soon. He and his rambunctious visitors won’t be missed.
A foreign exchange student, he likely pursued some technical degree. Others residing at this address welcomed him. Not me.
Mind, nothing personal, but he must’ve found me intimidating. Purposely. Clearly intentionally.
Admittedly, I did absolutely nothing to invite him. I reserved my friendliness. Why? The noise. His and his friends’ lack of consideration. Despite his alien culture, he should’ve arrived equipped with a modicum of deference. At least until he understood the parameters of his new abode. Were the shoe on the other foot, that’s what I would’ve done.
Had he just done that little bit, I, in turn, would’ve been more than cordial towards him.
Bedlam aside, along with his general disregard of comportment, other residents who share this place more than made up for my estrangement.
Of course they would. He and his friends were probably the first Muslim Arabs they ever met. Continue reading Left Behind with the Magyar