There's been something on my mind recently.  As the last millenium drew to a close, irony and satire had taken their thrones as king and queen of conversational discourse.  But I have begun to wonder if they haven't obscured the rise of mendacity and duplicity as the powers behind the throne.

Before we look at the lighter side of things, I must make note of the passing of my one and only sibling, Mario Anthony Vitale, Jr.  Four years younger than me, he lost his life in a split second on the afternoon of Sunday, February 11.  You can read more about him on the linked page.

The picture you see here was taken while Bryan was visiting his family at the end of the month.  And yes, that is a real buffalo head he is holding up.

Also, Bryan's father has long been the CEO of the premier civil engineering firm in the state of Wyoming, Inberg-Miller Engineering.  Last Christmas, he sent Bryan and I matching jackets from the firm which has its own web site.

Church Publishing:  Frank Tedeschi and Marilyn Haskel just spent a week recording members of the choir of St. Luke in the Field's performing selections from the Psalter of the Book of Common Prayer.  They sang at St. Mary the Virgin near Times Square because of the acoustics and the fabulous organ.  Look for Refuge and Strength in the future.

Good food, good eats:  This month we remember La Paella on 9th Street between Second and Third Avenues.  Great tapas and great sangria.  But get there on the off hours if you expect to get a table!

Also, Bryan and I have returned to Little Korea for lunch now that the weather has gotten better.  Our favorite place is still the New York Kom Tang Kalbi House at 32 West 32nd Street (between Broadway and Fifth Avenue).  In the February 2000 diary, I wrote:

This is a real Korean restaurant for real (and well off) Koreans.  Absolutely beautiful … and cheap, cheap, cheap for lunch.  We have bul go ki and beef bim bop that comes with so many accompaniments that it’s a full course meal (plus perfect Coca-Cola) all for seven bucks apiece.  With the sodas and tip, it’s still under $20 for the both of us.

Music:  There is a 'new' Leonard Cohen album in the stores as of February 20.  Field Commander Cohen is a live album, recorded in England in 1979.  Now, I have every Cohen album and I'm sure I'll eventually get this one.  But when I went to Virgin Records last week, they had it on sale for $19.  I'm sorry, but a live album that's been sitting in the can for twenty years ... well, again, the sisters of no mercy have got me but I do think I'll wait awhile.

When you have done all that is commanded you, say,
“We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.”