Saturday, August 8, 2026
“A picture is worth a thousand words” seemed so very true until computerized tools and especially A.I. came along. Now, something will have to happen right in front of your eyes to be trusted. Even when there is no question of veracity though, words may still be needed to clarify what you are seeing.
This chart ties travel experiences to nationality; who travels more.
The rankings are clear, but is that all that is needed to be said? Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany, whose citizens are most traveled, have good roads and highways, modern transportation systems, friendly neighbors and relatively prosperous populations in contrast to India, Indonesia and Nigeria, at the other end of the scale.
But, here is where words make things more interesting. Consider Australia, apparently well-traveled. While it is prosperous and its mostly urban population has good roads and transportation systems, it abuts nothing but water. Yet, Australians travel a lot. One reason that I can think of is vacation policy. Employed Australians are guaranteed at least four weeks annually of paid vacation, accrued from the first day of work.
Since the full-time adult average weekly total earnings of Australians is near or at the top ten worldwide, travel benefits.
. . .
Whether it was late lunch or early dinner, Madam and I decided to go out to eat. Bengal Tiger, 234 West 56th Street, has moved from its dark, crowded second floor location down the block to a bright, airy ground floor site, done in taupe and cream. It was only around 15% full at four o’clock, resulting in quick and attentive service.
We went right to main courses, she - vegetable korma, mildly spiced curry with vegetables simmered in coconut milk ($21); me - lamb biryani, cubed lamb, basmati rice and spices slow-cooked in a sealed pot ($24). Portions were large; neither of us joined the Clean Plate Club. The quality was consistently high.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
I have opinions and I seem to have little reluctance to share them. In many areas, my point of view is just that of an ordinary person and I expect to be regarded that way. But, in some matters, I am deeply grounded and offer my opinion with sincere concern for your good and welfare.
Which brings me to whitefish salad. I have long held that Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish, 273 Columbus Avenue and other local locations, offers the best in town. While that may still remain true, they have taken a step backwards based on today’s purchase. It was merely good, not excellent. Previously, there used to be just enough mayonnaise to bind the fish, now it was a distinct ingredient. It is aiming towards the ordinary. Proceed accordingly.
Monday, August 10, 2026
It was another Double Doctor Day, neurologist and orthopedist, with a physical therapy session thrown in as well, all that before dinner.
At 7 PM, we went to the Westside JCC to see Ethan Bloom, a movie about a young teenager who wants to join the Catholic Church rather than get Bar Mitzvahed. The screenwriter was present for Q&A, herself a convert to Judaism from Catholicism. It was a better film about adolescence than about religion and, on the whole, I would suggest seeing it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Vive la France!
“France Bans Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls”
. . .
While driving back from a shopping trip to New Jersey for a new kitchen light fixture among other things, my lovely wife read me part of a Talmudic debate among ancient rabbis. The situation was so arcane that describing it as one in a million would be a gross overstatement of its probability. My reaction was that these guys had too much time on their hands. Maybe the ratio of rabbis to Hebrews back then was skewed, not enough Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, funerals and the like to keep them all busy. So, they filled the idle time splitting hairs. If those guys (no female rabbis until the 20th century) were like me, there were tasks left undone while they ruminated.
- Did you fix the tent?
- Did you feed the sheep?
- Did you get my sandals back?
- Did you finish digging the new latrine?
- Did you walk the camel?
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Among the results of yesterday’s primaries, the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial race surprised many people. Francesca Hong, the Democratic Socialist, held a big lead in almost all pre-election polls, but lost by a narrow margin. My own research uncovered the reason. Ms. Hong had previously made the controversial suggestion that Thanksgiving be abolished. However, the rush of electoral support from turkeys failed to materialize, because most were found ineligible to vote.
. . .
I had the pleasure of Terrific Tom’s company at lunch today at Kung Fu Kitchen, 610 Eighth Avenue. It’s relatively new, narrow, neat and clean, in an area that’s less tidy overall. The menu features dumplings, dim sum and noodles, priced fairly for the portion size.
We shared soup dumplings (6 for $11.95), Taiwanese popcorn chicken ($12.95) and scallion pancake with braised beef ($10.95). Each dish was very good and went well with Diet Coke ($2.50). Even though it was matinee day and we were just beyond the edge of the theater district, service handled the full house efficiently. We expect to return to this place often.
. . .
In 2024, the New York Times announced that it was stopping endorsements in New York congressional and Senate races and the city’s mayoral elections.
Are voters now taking the time to study the qualifications and policies of contesting candidates without the guidance of the New York Times? Of course, if voters are doing their own biomedical research, as advocated by our MAHA friends, they may not have time to dig into politics.
But fear not. The New York Times is still taking a firm stand where it counts: “The Best Ice Cream Shops in New York City Right Now.”
18 establishments, some with multiple locations, are identified. I am sorry to say that Salt & Straw, 360 Amsterdam Avenue and 540 Hudson Street locally, and Ample Hills Creamery, 526 Amsterdam Avenue and 3 locations in Brooklyn and Queens, two of Grandpa Alan’s favorites are omitted. However, that doesn’t necessarily disqualify those included.
On the other hand, The Infatuation, a professional group of food writers and critics
offers “The 19 Best Ice Cream Spots In NYC.” https://www.
Surprisingly/Unsurprisingly there is very little duplication and Salt & Straw is included. For a broader view, Time Out offers "The best ice cream shops in America."
One place tops two lists and appears in the other unranked list and I haven't been there yet!
Thursday, August 17, 2026
What do the Strait of Hormuz and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts have in common?
They were both open before Donald Trump became President of the United States.
Can you do a "Best Sit-down Coffee Shops" without Starbucks
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