Randolph Mase&#8217;s Weblog

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Posted in About New York City | 1 Comment »

Are You a Roller Coaster Fan?

June 13, 2017

I like a good roller coaster ride, and I prefer the newer steel type (such as the SooperDooperLooper in Hersheypark). I find rides on many of the wooden coasters are very bumpy and give me headaches. If you do enjoy roller coasters, here’s your chance to take a ride (virtually, of course) on two of New York City’s famous roller coasters, the Cyclone (old) and the Thunderbolt (new), both located on Brooklyn’s Coney Island! Go to http://www.nycgo.com/articles/cyclone-vs.-thunderbolt-coney-island-roller-coaster-showdown/%20?cid=email_tinyc_20170503; you won’t regret it!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Cheap New York City

June 6, 2017

Do you want to save some money in New York City? If so, budgettravel.com offers a list of 16 Secret Bargains in the city based on interviews with locals, celebrities, editors, and readers, and some of them may surprise you. Go to https://www.budgettravel.com/article/budget-travel-tips-best-kept-secrets-of-nyc-from-citys-savviest-celebs-insiders_52869; you won’t regret it! Thanks, Jack.

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Posted in Things To Do In New York City | Leave a Comment »

It’s Memorial Day – A Time to Remember Our Veterans

May 29, 2017

Most of us think of Memorial Day as another Monday holiday, another day off from work, and baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie. But the real purpose, as the name implies, is in memory of our men and women who died while in the military service.

On this day, I remember two friends who were killed in the Vietnam War. The first is Jonathan C. Shine, who was in my company at West Point and graduated 2 years before me. The second was Michael J. Callahan, a friend and neighbor when I was growing up in New City, New York. Both are memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, and which you can visit virtually at http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/. Please remember those who have given their lives for our country.

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Posted in Observations on the Strange and Unexpected and on Life Itself | Leave a Comment »

Look Who’s Five!

May 22, 2017

Unlike our experience with the birth of our first grandson Evan, five years ago today, my wife and I were ready this time for the birth of our second grandson Noah. And the experience was just as exciting and emotional as the first time; we had a second healthy grandson!

Fast forward to today, and our little man is now an active 5-year-old with a great sense of humor and a love of family. I just love this picture from his baseball game this past weekend. Happy birthday, Noah, and many more swings to come…

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Posted in Observations on the Strange and Unexpected and on Life Itself | 1 Comment »

Old-World New York City

May 13, 2017

Do you long for, or would you like to learn about, the old days of New York City? If so, visit afar.com to enjoy a history lesson of New York landmarks including Grand Central, the New York Public Library, and Fraunces Tavern. Go to https://www.afar.com/travel-tips/where-to-find-old-world-new-york-city; you’ll enjoy it! Thanks, Jack.

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo!

May 5, 2017

I think we’ve all heard of Cinco de Mayo, and probably associate it with Margaritas and dinner specials at Don Pablo, and that it means “5^th of May.” But you may not know the origin of the holiday (which, by the way, is apparently a minor holiday in Mexico, but celebrated widely in the U.S.), so I did some research.

The day actually commemorates the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. France had sent troops to Mexico over a defaulted loan, and the two armies clashed at Puebla, with the French finally retreating after the day-long battle. Although it was more of a symbolic than strategic victory for Mexico, it did bolster the resistance, resulting in France’s departure 6 years later.

So enjoy your Margaritas, but remember the origin of the holiday…

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Posted in Observations on the Strange and Unexpected and on Life Itself | Leave a Comment »

Celebrating May Day

May 1, 2017

When I was growing up, I never thought there was anything special about May 1, other than we had less than 2 months until summer vacation. But in many cultures, particularly those in the Northern Hemisphere, do in fact celebrate it, and the day is a declared holiday in many of those cultures. Many pre-Christian cultures regarded February 1 as the beginning of Spring, and May 1 then became the beginning of Summer, with cause to celebrate. In other cultures, it was regarded as the end of the unfarmable winter season, another cause for celebration.

What it seems to have become now is a celebration of culture. Here in the United States, it’s known as Lei Day in Hawaii, where it is now a celebration of the island culture and Spring.

Whether it’s a holiday or not where you are, enjoy Spring!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Posted in Observations on the Strange and Unexpected and on Life Itself | Leave a Comment »

Questions to How Well Do You Know Broadway?

April 23, 2017

Here are the questions to the Jeopardy! answers in the category “Broadway Musicals” I posted a couple of weeks ago:

Other characters in this smash Broadway show include Lafayette and Peggy Schuyler. – What is “Hamilton?”
In 2016 Leona Lewis earned her whiskers playing Grizabella in the revival of this musical. – What is “Cats?”
This Superhero spun his magic on Broadway in a musical subtitled “Turn Off The Dark.” – Who is Spiderman?
From Trey Parker and Matt Stone, it’s described as “hilarious and irreverent.” – What is “The Book of Mormon?”
Neil Patrick Harris won a 2014 Tony for his role in this musical about a transgender punk rocker from East Berlin. – What is “Hedwig and the Angry Inch?”

I got all but one correct this time! How did you do?

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Questions to Quam te bene nosse Latin?

April 15, 2017

Here are the questions to the Jeopardy! answers in the category “Broadway Shows in Latin” I posted a couple of weeks ago:

Homo Musicus. – What is “The Music Man?”
Feles. – What is “Cats?”
Mea Domina Bella. – What is “My Fair Lady?”
Quadragesimus Secundus Vicus. – What is “42^nd Street?”
Caligae Torquentes. – What is “Kinky Boots?”

I never took Latin, but I was able to figure out a couple of them. Maybe I should study Latin. Or not. How did you do?

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale