About Me

Born and raised Westerly, RI to a large Italian (Calabrese-Sicilian) family, so you can already feel the tension. My parents were both hardworking decent human beings who died young. My father introduced me to music and the arts. My mother gave me her fairness and compassion and sensitivity. My Godfather and uncle George introduced me to the NY Yankees and football. Attended LaSalle Academy in Providence, RI where the Christian Brothers inculcated that famous discipline of theirs. At least I absorbed good study habits. I graduated first in my class, but since I was not a model of Christian youth, I was not selected to give the valedictorian speech, thank Jesus.
My father convinced my to go to a good engineering Institute so I wound up at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , much to my dismay. Differential equations and advanced thermodynamics appealed to me as much as hardcore fundamentalism. Through friends, I became interested in Carl Jung, that being the decade that brought great doses of "self-realization" and drugs. I got out of the 'Tute by the skin of my teeth and decided I'd like to work with and for people. I met my spouse just before I graduated. She brought a black twisted sense of humor into my life. Little did I know that it was to become a life saver in the years ahead. We have been together for 35+ years. It was 13 years later that I left the Albany County Dept. of Social Services. By the 3rd year, I didn't want to hear anyone's problems ever again. We moved to the country at about this time and got a bloodhound named Sybil. She will always be close to my heart, as are the departed felines, Millie and Minkie. We lived the country life until 1980 whereupon we moved into the dead stultified suburbs of Albany. A few years later, I went to work for the State of NY where the only people that you had to work for and with were blind bureaucrats. I bounced around the hapless State Dept. of Social Services Dept for some 30 odd years. From digital mapping to employment to adult homes to a pension. We did some traveling from 1985-1994. Our favorite island is and always will be, Sicily. It was our first destination. We didn't go because my father was born there. I think it was a siren call. We have returned a few times, never tiring of its majestic mystery and pasta and pastry. Another island favorite is Guadeloupe. Great hot food combined with hot zouk music. My interest in African music took off when I began to explore the music of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Haiti. Classic Cuban also figured highly in the mix. My interest in cuisines from all over the planet was matched now with music from many parts of the world.
I've worked part time in a couple of wine shops since retirement and have come to appreciate red wine much more so than in the past. I'm particularly fond of vast quantities of quality Spanish reds from just about any region. La Rioja, Ribera Del Duero, Jumilla, Valdepenas and Toro are just a few that I enjoy. I like eating and cooking food that's made with care and soul. I'm more than a little put off by dinner-as-theatre. I'm also sick of Food TV. I enjoy food that's spiced with some assertive character. If I don't have an essential ingredient I won't make a dish. I'll break bread with anyone that really enjoys to eat and drink wine.