michaelaba.com
The signs were all there, as they usually are. I knew this year’s transition back to Martha’s Vineyard was not going to be easy. For one, I’d agreed to stay here in NYC far longer than usual because of all the Knicks and World Cup hoopla. So even at it’s best, I was only going to get about two months worth of sun and fun this season anyway.
Small victories are often considered the best kind… And actually… I’m wondering if the above truism is really true or simply one I made up just now on the spot… In any case, we should never disregard these little victories whenever they miraculously fall into our laps. So let me tell you about my latest one…
On July 16, 2025, Steve Colbert was informed that his beloved “Late Show” on CBS was to be canceled. This was only days after he had used the phrase “big fat bribe” in describing the settlement the parent company Paramount had reached with the Trump Administration
Surprises, as long as they’re happy ones, are always fun to come across. No guarantees can be given about a weekly or even monthly occurrence, but they do see to arrive in bunches.
I happened to come across the blog written exactly one year ago today, which was also - obviously! - a last-second effort to produce something before the monthly deadline was over.
Sometimes it’s hard to see where you’re going. Many times this is literally true. After working a 14-hour shift this past Sunday, the local train dropped me off at 86th Street, and as soon as I turned the Amsterdam corner to head towards my apartment on W87th a prolonged gust of wind threw what seemed like unceasing pellets of snow against my face, forcing my eyes shut
These are cold days indeed… I just returned from an after-dinner walk tonight here on the Upper West Side, glad to discover my Vermont upbringing still makes an appearance when forced. The neon sign at the Apple Bank on 72nd street reflected a temperature of 11 degrees, although a quick look at my iPhone now claims the temperature is actually only five.
As has become my end-of-year custom, I just now read through the blogs of these preceding twelve months. And the process wasn’t nearly as painful as I might have feared!
He doesn’t HAVE to do this anymore… So why does he?…
I was tempted to follow an example I’d set up once or twice before, when my monthly email would be replicated in its entirety for the accompanying blog. Perhaps for no other reason than to present the wonderful Halloween photos I took right here on West 87th Street!
Perhaps there is still a reason or two to believe a better path to our future may in fact be possible?…
I promise - I’m going to get off of this topic - but one of the surprising details of the new Billy Joel documentary was how directly autobiographical most of his songs were. I’ve always regarded his lyrics as mostly fictional, as a novelist might compose, or as I seem to. But no… “Big Shot” is actually him taking shots
At the beginning of 2024, Billy Joel mused - in his first release of over 17 years! - “Did I wait too long to turn the lights back on?”
Things have a way of going full circle, I’ve noticed time and time again over the years. And sometimes those circles contain other seemingly non-related circles circling around at the same time.
I’ll admit - until about one week ago, I have been 100% successful at avoiding anything to do with ChatGPT and all the other AI options out there.
It’s nice to have a change of perspective from time to time. I’ve now been in Manhattan for over 30 years, which still feels amazing for a person with firm roots in Burlington, Vermont. I’ve experienced this big town
The timing for this monthly blog is now officially last-second. While we all likely experience intervals where the mind seems blank,
I’d been in the midst of recording a huge new collection of songs when this revised version of michaelaba.com went online back on June 3rd,
We’ve now had a new-yet-former President for the past 10 days and I’m still not quite ready to talk about politics. But that’s sure to
I certainly didn’t need to reread the past twelve months worth of monthly blogs to come to the conclusion that 2024 was a crazy year.