February 5, 2026, at home
Throwback Thursday: Here I am enjoying a clove cigarette in 1993 (age 32) outside of my cousins' house in Babylon, Long Island, New York. At the time, I was a reporter, writer, editor, and soon-to-be researcher for "Chemical Marketing Reporter" ("CMR"), a New York City-based international weekly magazine on the financial and technical aspects of the chemical industry. The magazine was first published in 1871.
With my long, dark-blue peacoat, I would humorously pretend to be one of those cool, hot-shot reporters in the "Big City," when, in reality, I was just a nerdy journalist working for a trade publication. While that job was absolutely terrific, and I was certainly elated to have it, I have never been one to take my professional status seriously.
After all, during my four-year stint (1992-1996), I wrote about chemicals and everything related to chemicals: oils, fats, and waxes; flavors and fragrances; heavy and agricultural chemicals; petrochemicals; plastics and coatings; pharmaceuticals; and more.
My life at that time wasn't exactly glamorous, except that I was working in the Financial District of "The City." I absolutely loved that job. It was always interesting, and, as I (still) half jokingly say: It made me appear smarter than I actually was.
I have been interested in chemicals since I was a kid with my chemistry set in the 1960s. I studied chemistry in high school and at university. I remember being extremely excited when I got this gig, and that excitement strengthened throughout my four years there. As you can determine, I still get excited about chemistry.
I am in the midst of writing an autobiographical novel based on this time of my life.
Ranking as my second-favorite gig: American Media Inc. from 2002 to 2011 as a copy editor and page designer with Star, Globe, National Examiner, and National Enquirer magazines ... but that a story for another time.
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