Open Sesame

Monday, December 18, 2017
The New York Times delivered a wonderful holiday gift this weekend, an entire section full of puzzles, involving words, numbers, logic, pictures and trivia.  However, it is available in print only; no digital version exists.  So, I suggest that you rummage around in the trash and go after this collection of puzzles.  At least, they will distract you from the unfathomable mess that has replaced responsible national leadership for us.
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I was happy to stay exactly where I was when I retired in January 2016, and so I plan to remain.  In case you wish to explore alternatives though, here is a handy comparative chart, addressing many of the key variables for your Golden Years, or Descent Into Decrepitude.  https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/1-great-chart-for-comparing-the-best-and-worst-cities-for-your-retirement/

It's up to you to decide whether cost of living is/isn't more important than public transportation.  However, before you choose to apply these ratings uncritically, you will have to explain how Phoenix's weather is rated Average, when the average high temperature for June, July, August and September is 100 degrees or more.  Come on.
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I'm sorry.  I'm weak.  I can't resist giving you another top 10 list.  This one seems to be a bit narrowly focused, but it actually presents a very high quality collection: 10 Best Jewish Films of 2017.    http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/251638/here-they-are-the-10-best-jewish-films-of-2017?utm_source=tabletmagazinelist&utm_campaign=ec298d716d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_12_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c308bf8edb-ec298d716d-207618957

Besides the obvious points of origin -- Hollywood, Israel and Brooklyn -- Finland and Hungary also contribute works.  Topping them off even is a hero lifted from the comic books, Wonder Woman, adeptly portrayed by Gal Gadot, a former Miss Israel. 
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Speaking of movies, my top 10 list of 1942, or of World War II, or of the 20th century would include Casablanca.  As an aside, I also consider it a Jewish movie, because of theme, characters (but not actors) and most of the major behind-the-camera personnel.  In any case, my brother directed me to this intriguing story about the movie, how it was shown in Germany after the war.  https://www.npr.org/2017/12/17/565777766/whats-casablanca-without-nazis-after-wwii-german-audiences-found-out  

The studio surgically extracted Nazis from the film; it even seemed to have extracted World War II from the film.  Quite an accomplishment. 

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I was fortunate to have lunch today with Jeffrey Heller, distinguished fighter for human rights.  It was easy to respect Jeffrey's vegetarianism at La Salle Dumpling Room, 25 West End Avenue, located a few short blocks between us.  We shared cold sesame noodles ($7.95), scallion pancake ($7.95), and steamed vegetable dumplings ($8.50), with an extra potsch of the hot and sweet sauce they usually serve with chicken dumplings.  I suspect that Jeffrey was sufficiently satisfied that he has no reason to start eating meat.  

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Rangers are on a tear now, after starting the season in miserable fashion.  I have had the luck of attending games recently where they have really shone.  Tonight, accompanied by Genial Jerry Saltzman, I witnessed another victory on ice.  And, in what is becoming a tradition, we ate dinner first at Ben's Kosher Delicatessen, 209 West 38th Street.  All good.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

My elevated mood is destined to come to an end today as I stow our Hanukkah menorah for another year.  The last few days of holiday events and general busyness produced an unplanned abstention from watching MSNBC, interrupting my compulsive wallowing in pessimism and outrage, the leading products of the current administration.  I expect to return to abnormality today.

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I had lunch at Oaxaca Taqueria, 424 Amsterdam Avenue, on that stretch between West 81st Street and West 82nd Street containing half a dozen small, but worthwhile joints.  Oaxaca also operates in more than a dozen locations.  I don’t know about the other sites, but this one is narrow, with 3 rough-hewn tables each seating 6 very close friends or four normal adults, and four stools at the counter where you place your order.  

 

In common with many fancy, schmancy French restaurants and the humblest Chinese dive, Oaxaca has a very good lunchtime special.  Two tacos, rellenos or enchiladas plus a small salad or an order of rice and beans for $8.95.  I chose the soft tacos, one filled with “Barbacoa,” braised beef tenderloin cooked with pasilla chili, the other filled with “Pollo Guisado,” shredded chicken thighs cooked with guajillo peppers.  Both were topped with pickled red onions, salsa roja, avocado lime salsa, cotija cheese and cilantro.  Along with rice and beans, it made for a very good lunch, where you could almost taste each of the many flavors.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

I have been looking, but I can’t find a Hallmark card to send Viviane T. for getting arrested in the gallery of the House of Representatives for calling Paul Ryan a liar out loud.

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I buckled again and got taken in by another top something list.  This time it is the 100 worst passwords.  You can read about in summary, or download and scrutinize the whole list. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/worst-passwords.html?_r=0

https://www.teamsid.com/worst-passwords-2017-full-list/
 

While it is no surprise that “12345” and “password” are disfavored, I am disappointed that “trustno1” can’t be trusted. 

Friday, December 22, 2017

“Passing those tax cuts was as easy as taking health care from a baby.”