On July 22nd, my mom breathed her last breath. Sure, I am a little sad even if I am only the middle child. I will miss our weekly calls where she spoke and I listened. Truth be told, it was getting more and more difficult to have a meaningful two-way conversation with her due to… Continue reading Eulogy for Mom
Category: My Musings
Fame and Glory are ours
Fame and Glory is ours. Last night Susan and I won our neighborhood’s Seinfeld trivia contest – which was temporarily renamed “Del Boca Vista” for the festivities. We entered our team’s name as “Crazy Joe Davola and Miss Rhode Island”. I was Crazy Joe. To win, we would have to beat the odds-on favorites, a… Continue reading Fame and Glory are ours
The Berardi’s go to Rome
Picture yourself as a popular performer during ancient Roman times: Celenus Dionys, Eltonicus John, or perhaps Mr. Buddy Hatticus, and your agent booked you at the Roman Coliseum after paying your dues in Ephesian dives and resort clubs in Casearia. Your dressing room would certainly include a private vomitorium (especially if you were Celenus Dionys)… Continue reading The Berardi’s go to Rome
Andrew gets a massage in Thessaloniki
By the time our ship docked into the Greek port city of Thessaloniki, I was unable to move. I could blink, but not without effort. After ten days of touring and nearly 70 miles of surveying ancient ruins and navigating crooked cobblestones, my back and legs said “uncle” and went on strike. Susan suggested I… Continue reading Andrew gets a massage in Thessaloniki
The Berardi’s go to Israel
When the plane landed in Tel Aviv, like in the early days of aviation, the cabin erupted in applause and the pilot, sounding like Seinfeld’s Uncle Leo, proclaimed “was that some beautiful landing !” And thus, our month- long journey began. We paid $250 for the “VIP airport treatment” which meant Hannie, a cute and… Continue reading The Berardi’s go to Israel
Born In the USA: A Review
After learning that no Bruce Springsteen records made it to my top 10 non-Beatles, non-Stones album list, I received a request from my cousin to review my favorite Bruce Springsteen record. Make no mistake, I do enjoy the Boss’ music and have been a fan since the Born to Run album. At one time, I… Continue reading Born In the USA: A Review
The John and Mable Ringling Museum
Did you know there was beaucoup bucks in the travelling circus of olden days? Well, there was, and there’s no better evidence than the John and Mabel Ringling industrial complex situated strategically along the Sarasota Bay. The residence itself is only slightly smaller than the Pelosi Mansion and just a touch less ostentatious than Ivana… Continue reading The John and Mable Ringling Museum
The Berardi’s Visit Sarasota
Florida very much fits the famous line from one of the Seinfeld episodes, “If you don’t want to be part of society, jerry, why don’t you get into your car and move to the east side” In the Berardi’s latest installment of exploring our new home state of Florida, Susan and I, once again, headed… Continue reading The Berardi’s Visit Sarasota
Top 10 non-Beatles or non-Rolling Stones Albums
Several of my facebook friends have undertaken the arduous task of identifying the soundtrack to their lives via the “top ten” route. I enjoyed reading these so much that I thought I would, myself, jump into the top ten frenzy….with a minor twist. My self-imposed rule is NO Rolling Stone or Beatles albums as these… Continue reading Top 10 non-Beatles or non-Rolling Stones Albums
#1 Jesus Christ Superstar – released in the UK 1970
Dubbed a “rock opera”, the double album chronicles the last week of Jesus’ life, starting with his arrival into Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion (and you thought you had a rough week). This was not your grandfather’s Opera and certainly not your grandmother’s Jesus. This Jesus didn’t sit at the right hand of the… Continue reading #1 Jesus Christ Superstar – released in the UK 1970