Touring the Valley

The Sidewalks of New York

This would have been around 1995 or 1996. Danny's soon-to-be-ex-wife was explaining why she loved New York more than she loved him. She said that one sunny day she was out walking on the street, and she saw a handsome young man on roller blades headed her way. He passed her with a big smile on his face, and she realized it was JFK Jr.

I didn't tell her about all the times in L.A. that I had encountered celebrities at the mall, at grocery stores, or in restaurants. That wasn't really the point. In her mind, New York was vibrant and exciting, full of possibilities, always surprising. She didn't understand that many people would have described Los Angeles exactly the same way. Her career was just beginning, and she didn't want to start over in a new town. In the meantime, all of Danny's career opportunities were in L.A.

So, Danny moved to California and his wife stayed in Manhattan. I think she kept their apartment. He started a new relationship with a lovely woman and kept on pursuing his career in the entertainment industry. All his possibilities ended when leukemia took his life.

The ex-wife went on to have exactly the successful career she wanted. I don't know anything else about her, but I imagine she still enjoys her walks.

Random Thoughts

Image from an alchemical manuscript by an unknown author, ca. 1725

Sadists will not protect us.

It's amazing to see how many infectious disease specialists and Constitutional scholars have suddenly become aviation experts.

I want an app like Shazam, but for faces.

We are the descendants of the survivors.

Even the Twilight Zone never had an episode when all the criminals were turned loose and all the law enforcers were fired.

If I had marched into US government offices with some buddies and taken over the computer system, my friends and I would be sitting in jail right now.

Reliable Health Information

"The Bad Doctors" (1892), James Ensor

Now that we can't trust the CDC or any other U.S. government-controlled agencies to give us reliable information, consider using websites in other countries.

Some other alternatives are private hospitals and clinics. The biggest hospital in your region probably has a good website with lots of information. Also, look into the websites of The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

"Opera Reminiscences: Desdemona and Othello" (1829), William Heath

"Love at first sight" happens, but is it effective as the basis for a long-term relationship?

The first time my grandfather saw my grandmother in the schoolyard, he said, "That's my girl!" They married a few years later, and were together for life.

I had a teacher in elementary school who married her husband the day they met. At the time she told us her story, they had been married 15 years.

I know a couple who married just two weeks after meeting. They are still happily together 30 years later.

Hubby and I felt instantly connected the night we met. That was 40 years ago.

The Cleveland Clinic is a bit skeptical.
PsychCentral isn't convinced.
The counselors at Brides recommend slowing down.
Psychology Today says it isn't real.
Love at first sight is a theme or plot point in many movies.