Author Archives: paul

Gustavo Cerati: Fuerza Natural

A couple of months ago in this space, I reviewed Gustavo Cerati’s “Deja Vu” as a teaser of sorts to his new album, Fuerza Natural. At the time, I included the disclaimer that it’s pretty difficult to extrapolate the sound of an … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Books In Brief

Luis Alfredo Garcia-Roza: Alone in the Crowd. Garcia-Roza’s Espinosa mysteries, of which this is the seventh, need not necessarily be read in sequence. This is a good thing, since that makes this book as good a place to start as … Continue reading

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Barnes and Noble’s new Nook Considered (From a Distance)

 I don’t think I’ve ever been, nor do I think I’ll ever really be, what hardcore tech types and marketing gurus like to call an “early adopter.” I tend to adopt late, if I bother to adopt at all. Let … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Business, Gear | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Puerto Rico Diary 4: Caveat Emptor

 In which we come to the final part of the journey, the part where you scour your vacation destination in search of unique swag to bring back for family and friends. If you’ve ever been to Times Square or the … Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Puerto Rico Diary 3: Seeing the Sights

 The State Department frequently issues travel advisories for various corners of the globe. Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, though, you won’t generally see much by way of advisories. This is a bit of a shame, … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Puerto Rico Diary 2: Dining Out

 My wife and I once spent the better part of a day trying to find a restaurant in New Jersey that served authentic Puerto Rican food. It didn’t turn out to be the easiest thing. I could think of one … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Puerto Rico Diary 1: Puerto Rico Para Gringos*

 So we’ve just returned from Puerto Rico. Armed with the knowledge of a week in the Commonwealth, I feel fully qualified to offer this travel guide for your time on the Island of Enchantment.   We’d been warned 1,277 times (conservative … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Food, Humor, Travel | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Morro Castle, Part 3: Aftermath

In “Fritz Lang: The Nature of the Beast,” author Patrick McGilligan states that one of the director’s first projects upon coming to America was “Hell Afloat,” a story based on the 1934 Morro Castle fire. It was to have been … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Morro Castle, Part 2: Rescue At Sea

A short time after 3 in the morning on September 8, 1934, hysteria seemed to have gripped the Morro Castle as surely as the flames that were consuming the ships’s superstructure. Deck B, where the fire had originated in the … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Morro Castle, Part 1: Fire at Sea

Captain Robert Wilmott could recite her vital statistics from memory, and often did as he gave passengers a tour of the T.E.L. Morro Castle’s bridge. 11,520 gross tons. 508 feet from stem to stern. 70 foot beam. Turboelectric motors capable … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments