Today Is ...

During my career (series of gigs) as a journalist from September 1982 to May 2017, I worked for two nonprofit associations.

In 1991, I was the Copy Editor of "RIMS," the official magazine of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, which is an international nonprofit association for corporate insurance buyers. My office was in New York City (Manhattan).

From February 2016 to February 2017, I was the Associate Editor (reporter, writer, editor, photographer, photo editor) for "Shop!," the official magazine of Shop!, which is an international nonprofit association for the manufacturers of components for retail store displays, including mannequins, lighting, shelving, flooring, architecture, etc. Part of my job was also to edit statistical analysis reports (white papers) and catalogs. While I was there, the association transformed itself after a recent merger. In October 2015, the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) merged with Point of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI). My office was in Hollywood, Florida.

August 17, 2025, at home

During the 1979-1980 school year, I attended Northfield Mount Hermon School on two campuses in Northern Massachusetts. I entered the senior class as a "PG" (Post-Graduate student). I had already graduated from West Islip High School on Long Island, New York, in June 1979, when I was 18 years old, so I actually have two high school diplomas.

Later, I would receive a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in the French language from Villanova University (December 1984) and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri (May 1988).

August 17, 2025, at home

Pineapples contain the enzyme Bromelain. I used to eat pineapple slices and chunks, drink pineapple juice, and chew Bromelain tablets to help my sinus problems (and my lung issues). I also used oral and topical steroids (nasal spray). I eventually lost my sinus battle, so several years ago, I had to have surgery to remove eight polyps within my sinuses and nasal cavity, plus I had all eight of my sinuses cleaned out and expanded. The surgery took several hours. Personal Trivia: Ever since my surgery, every time I cough very hard, I start sneezing.

Pineapple juice is also used to tenderize beef when marinated because the Bromelain enzyme breaks down the muscle fibers.

August 17, 2025, at home

Due to diabetes, I have been struggling with my feet for many years. This includes diabetic ulcers (which required my podiatrist to carve both of my feet with a scalpel every two weeks for several years); Cellulitis (many skin infections within my feet and legs which required intravenous antibiotics every day for six weeks, one time causing both of my kidneys to fail, requiring me to endure six weeks of dialysis, four hours per day, seven day a week for six weeks, with a needle in a vein in my neck. Luckily, my kidneys regained functionality.); Osteomyelitis (bone infections); and peripheral neuropathy (numbness and pain in both of my feet). In recent years, I have had four surgeries on my left foot to remove decayed bone and bone fragments, and scar tissue. I even tried hyperbaric therapy many times which required me to lie down in a sealed chamber that was pumped full of high-pressure oxygen for several hours each session (twice per week for several months).

August 17, 2025, at home