New Job!

On Wednesday afternoon, I received a job offer which I eagerly accepted. I begin the new position on July 12 out of the company's 5th Avenue office here in Manhattan.

This is the right move at the right time and I am overjoyed. My new employer is just a baby of a company itself, only operating since the beginning of this year. But it is well-capitalized, debt-free, and operating in the black. That is amazing and I am excited. It offers better working conditions, better management, better compensation, and a location that is at least 15 minutes closer to home.

Prayers do get answered!

Oy vey, y'all

More often than not, I read AMNewYork while riding the subway train to work in the mornings. Today was no different. As I read through the paper, I came to the "listings" for things happening each evening of the week.

Tonight: a celebration of bluegrass and banjo music.
Where: Eldridge Street Synagogue.

Does it strike anyone else as odd that this venue, home to religious practices going back thousands of years, is hosting a celebration of music born in Kentucky less than 100-years ago?

Even though I am Kentuckian through-and-through, and I love Bluegrass, it almost feels sacrilege to enjoy "pickin' and grinnin'" at a religious site.

Ode to Childhood Memories

Okay, so I ain't no poet. Get over it.

I WANT TO GO TO A COUNTY FAIR.
I WANT TO RIDE THE RIDES THAT GO ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUND
I WANT TO EAT COTTON CANDY AND FUNNEL CAKES
I WANT TO HEAR THE MIDWAY SOUNDS

COUNTY FAIR SEASON IS COMING SOON
TIME TO ENJOY THE FUN UNDER THE SUMMER MOON
THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE AND SO MUCH TO DO
FROM HANDMADE QUILTS TO HOME-MADE FOOD

THE DEMOLITION DERBY AIN’T REALLY MY THING
BUT I LOVE THE RODEO AND THE PETTING ZOO
HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THOUGH ‘CAUSE SOME
OF THE ANIMALS SMELL LIKE POO!

SOON I’LL BE BACK TO A COUNTY FAIR
I’LL BE THERE FOR SURE BUT I DON’T KNOW WHERE
MAYBE NEW YORK MAYBE KENTUCKY
LOOK FOR ME IF YOU’LL ALSO BE THERE

What Do You Think?

Having been a resident of Middle Tennessee for better than a decade, I'm not sure what to think about this news from Nashville.

What do you think about the dominant grocery chain and its issue with a gay newspaper?

I'd love to see your comments!

Ode to the Chicken-killing Dog

My nephew Jake had a fiddle performance on Friday night. Aside from a few selections of traditional bluegrass, the performers were invited to play a song of their own composition.

Jake's self-penned song is "Ode to the Chicken-killing Dog."

Why is he saluting the dog who kills chickens? What about the poor, dead birds? Why no ode to them?

He has promised to get back to me on that.

Gee--time flies!

I'm another year older. So Happy Birthday to me!

In order to perpetuate the illusion of youth, I declare that I shall now be known as "Mikey." Just has a younger ring to it, doesn't it?

Dangerous Flirtation

The end of Sunday marked the end of the largest convention for my industry, which happened here in New York City at Javits Center. Aside from being more than a week of tremendous work, it is also a chance to see old friends and to meet new people. One visitor from Ohio stands out.

During a somewhat slow period in activity, this young gentleman approached me in our booth at the trade show. He was friendly enough but his suggestive smile belied any interest he truly had in our products. It was a textbook example of coyness. He flirted and he smiled. He smiled and he flirted. Being an incurable flirt myself, I reveled in the attention and returned it.

As we talked about things in general, he very specifically told me that he would soon be moving to Philadelphia.

ME: No kidding! What will be bringing you to Philadelphia?
HIM: I'm going to Penn.
ME: Graduate school?
HIM: No, I just graduated high school...
ME: Ahem.

Yes, he was a handsome young man and I was flattered by his attention. But the age difference really poured cold water on my flirtations. I'm likely (almost) twice his age. All for the best, I suppose.