From the Center

I’m a man in the middle.

I consider myself a centrist (more on this below); and I’m certainly in middle age, ok – probably “late” middle age; I have a generation ahead and one behind; and I might add I’m a man happy to be in the middle.

About being a centrist:  Those who know me have often heard me quote my cousin Harry, one of at least two important Harrys in my life, who has been known to ask, and then answer...

Q: How do you define an extremist?

A: Anyone to the right or left of ME.

Of course by that definition we may all be centrists…and in fact we can remain centrists even as we and our positions may shift left or right, and that has certainly been known to happen. 

I feel somewhat secure in my self-definition as a centrist because many people I know think I’m a left wing lunatic, and probably just as many think I’m a right wing reactionary (I may be a centrist but I’m a passionate one) – so I must be smack in the middle, exactly where I want to be.  I’m not an extremist after all.

Anyway, why a blog? Why not? (I’m a Jewish centrist – and we have been known to answer questions with questions.)

I think about a lot of things – life is such a deep, rich adventure – and I often have strong, rational, by my own standards for sure, points of view about many subjects. I also love to communicate, and I especially love persuasion – perhaps that is why I do marketing and sales for a living.  Maybe I need an outlet; in fact it seems like I do!

In any case, I’m writing a blog – and while it’s my blog, I invite reaction and response. My wife wanted to be my partner in this blog…and she might be someday, but for now, this is my blog!

Topics will most certainly vary, but I plan to address family, religion, politics, Israel, food...and wine, culture (well pop culture) and friends. Maybe work – probably not fashion, but you never know. I hope it will be fun and funny a lot of the time, but to be honest, it’s also very likely to be serious some of the time. In other words, I expect it to be about LIFE.

For today, I’m sharing a subject that has been a topic of discussion in our home many times over the years…“things” vs. “experiences.”

Usually this comes up when we talk about whether to take a vacation, or spend stupid sums of money on an extravagant dining experience – in other words, something that will end relatively soon; or to buy something (needed or otherwise) which has a longer...in many cases much longer... “shelf life.” 

I like things – especially things like a great bottle of wine, or an amazing meal, or a beach vacation….okay I know those are experiences, and I do like some things that are not experiences, but I really LOVE experiences.

I love going to Israel and Italy – every single time!! I love being by the ocean, especially in Eastern Long Island, every single time. I love cooking with and/or for friends and family every single time.

When I think of what has brought me the greatest joy and the happiest memories, I always think about experiences, not things.

Before signing off, a musical musing or two (or a few):

I have always really loved music...many styles and genres. By way of example, I once was checking out of a record store (remember those!?) with records by these artists: Lou Reed, Dizzy Gillespie, The Spinners and Tom Tom Club. The clerk actually asked if all of those were for me – and that made me smile.  I guess I’d call my tastes eclectic, but as my friend Billy used to say, “We like ‘good’ music.”

A question I have asked many times – is there a greater difference between the good Elton and the bad Elton, or the good Stevie and the bad Stevie, referring only to their own songs, even if co-written… while happily acknowledging that both have done some great covers, including Beatles songs, e.g., Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (among others) by Elton and We Can Work it Out by Stevie.  For what it's worth, I think it's Stevie.

And if not for one song, don't you agree that The Pretender by Jackson Browne may have been a perfect album from start to finish? By the way, if you have to ask which song, you are not entitled to an opinion on this topic.

John or Paul? I'm firmly on the fence (although Lennon really has grown on me over time).

A final thought – do you remember the joy of discovering the “other side” of the album after you got sick of listening to the side that had the song you originally wanted.  Abandoned Luncheonette is one I recall, although the last song on that second side is one of the worst pieces of filler I’ve ever heard!

I invite your feedback dear reader(s), and until next time, I remain…"A Man in the Middle."