Today Is ...

April 9, 2024, at home

I would like to take this opportunity to honor my great-uncles Rocky and Phil, both of which were prisoners of war in World War II. They both were captured by the Nazis.

April 9, 2024, at home

When I was a reporter, writer, editor, photographer, and page designer for the Newburgh Evening News in Newburgh, New York, in 1989 into 1990, I would sometimes play chess with this eccentric, gray-haired gentleman in his antique store in Washingtonville, New York, when I should have been scouting for stories and photos for the newspaper.

April 9, 2024, at home

I thought about changing my name to:

1. Guntram Hans Mathies: first names of two of my favorite Austrian cousins, plus the maiden name of my paternal grandmother

2. Dhanteras Dasa: the name of the third day (main day) of the Hindu holiday Diwali (five-day-long "Festival of Lights"), plus "Dasa," which means "servant of God"

I have used the name Bhakta Bill Dasa, which is my representative name to show that I have a strong interest in my religion (Gaudiya Vaishnavism/Hare Krishna/Sanatana Dharma/Hindu) without actually becoming a monk, which would require myself to legally change my name, which I don't want to do.

April 9, 2024, at home

I don't think that I have ever eaten a Chinese almond cookie.