I wear a mask

On By scottpetersenIn Abraham Heschel, Soren KierkegaardLeave a comment

[A repeat from December 29, 2021] And so do you. It is the mask of human frailty.

Each one of us wears that mask. A mask that conceals our faults, weaknesses, bad thoughts, words and deeds. We can put on a good face to others and yet with honest self-appraisal, we are acutely aware – that we are far from perfect.

Human frailty began with human existence. From Adam and Eve – through the Old Testament (Moses, Abraham, Jacob, King David), the New Testament (Peter, Thomas, Saul of Tarsus) and throughout world history – right up to the present day. We see human frailty among those in politics, business, religion. We are keenly aware of human frailty — everywhere.

Soren Kierkegaard said “Do you not know that there comes a midnight hour when everyone has to throw off his mask?” And so it will be. Yet is there anything we can do? Abraham Heschel suggested that we try to build our lives as if they are a work of art. The painting of our lives is not complete until the last drop of paint is applied to the canvas. And so it can be. Each life remains filled with amazing potential for good – in spite of individual faults and failings. Kindness should triumph over greed. Good character will shun arrogance. Kind and tender people make the world sing – and make life joyful. We need more of it. So – today is a new day. And the paint is not dry . . . . .

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

On By scottpetersenIn It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldLeave a comment

The one movie that probably best describes the state of the world today is the title of this post. But what a movie! I saw “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” in 1964 – shortly after it was released – at the old Michael Todd Theater on Dearborn Street in Chicago. I’ve watched it a couple of times since then even though the running time is more than three hours. What a production!

Stanley Kramer produced and directed this amazing comedy based on the screenplay by William and Tania Rose. The film features – are you ready? – scores of famous actors and actresses. In the credits we see Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Edie Adams, Phil Silvers, Dorothy Provine, Terry-Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Jim Backus, Joe E. Brown, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Peter Falk, Buster Keaton, Don Knotts, the Three Stooges – and so many others. What’s interesting is that another score or two of noted performers appeared without credits! These include Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, Harry Lauter, James Flavin, and on and on. . . . .

Stanley Kramer originally wanted to add a fifth “Mad” to the title but decided against it. He later regretted it. In 1964, the film was nominated for six Academy Awards. It won just one — “Best Sound Effects.” While Kramer had previously avoided comedies, “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” inspired him to direct and produce “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” which starred Spencer Tracy. Kramer’s success with the movie made him consider bringing back the former cast members for a sequel — “The Sheiks of Araby.” But it never happened.

If you’ve not seen it, you will enjoy it! Check out the 3-1/2 minute trailer. Please – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BAtxv62H6c

The Cemetery of the Books

On By scottpetersenIn Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Cemetery of the BooksLeave a comment

[A repeat from August 24, 2014] Years ago, in another life, I traveled to Spain and Portugal frequently.  I would normally come back with suitcases chock full of handwritten manuscripts. Some dating to the 1400’s. There were the Spanish garrison records for Gibraltar (from before the British occupation), a thousand page manuscript history of the Church in Santiago de Compostela (1540-1822), the Jesuit diaries in Goa (India) dating to the early 1500’s and so on. 

As we all say when time goes by – “those were the days.”  In Lisbon, during one visit, I found it.  I found the cemetery of the books.  This was a term made popular by Carlos Ruiz Zafon in his must read book The Shadow of the Wind.  The cemetery of the books in Lisbon was a 3 or 4 story warehouse on a narrow street in the Bairo Alto.   It was chock full of manuscripts, rare books and manuscript books.   It was not a museum or archive.  It was literally a cemetery of rarities.  Which one could buy for a song.  Few people knew about this place.  And somehow I had stumbled upon it.  For those who are squeamish, stop reading here. 

The books and manuscripts I would pull off the shelves were literally crawling with dust mites and lice.  All manner of insects.  Vermin scooted in the corners and along the walls.  But oh my – the things that were there.  I would load up suitcases with books and manuscripts – carefully wrapping them in plastic bags – and bring them home.  Once home, I would put the plastic bags in a large freezer for a month or two (a recommended Rx for dealing with the creepy crawlers) and later leaf through what I had found.  Create listings and sell them.  But on one sad trip to Lisbon, I arrived at the cemetery of the books and – it was no more.  It had burned to the ground a month or two before.  I still have an item or two or three left from these forays.  Regrettably the cemetery of books is no more.  If it was still there, I might still visit Lisbon every few months. . . . . 

A Charity “D”

On By scottpetersenIn Education, Miss DelpLeave a comment

[A repeat from February 10, 2021] There is a movement today for schools to drop grading systems (to reduce stress and competition among students), to eliminate the SAT (to reduce and simplify demands on students) and to drop “honors” classes (to combat academic tracking). Since some students are “not prepared” for the potential challenge of grades, some academics think it is better to eliminate the challenge. Rather than fix the problem, we simply dumb down our schools.

When it comes to math, I take off my socks and shoes to count to “20.” Math is not my strong suit. When I was a junior in high school, I was required to take a course in algebra. And I was dismal. And after a few weeks into the course – I was failing. And I continued to fail well into the semester.

My teacher – Miss Delp – approached me one day after class and asked if I wanted to fail. Obviously I did not. But understanding this stuff was very difficult for my small brain. So she made me an offer. She said that if I came in after school for tutoring – at least twice a week for the rest of the semester – she would give me a “charity D.” If by some miracle I excelled, I might even get a C minus. So I agreed.

Now for all that sank in, she might well have been teaching me in quantum physics. But I stuck to it. And thankfully, so did Miss Delp. And at the end of the semester, I was quite proud. I got a “D+” in algebra.

I believe there is merit to challenging students to excel. And to grade according to achievement and effort. When we take away incentive (to me a very important word), everyone loses. Today – I still have no clue what the product of two constants, three coefficients and a variable is (did I say that right?). But I am certainly grateful – to have been challenged mightily. And to have had the support of an extraordinary teacher who pushed me to succeed.

First Recollection

On By scottpetersenIn First memory1 Comment

My granddaughters are ever so special. Over the years, we’ve spent a fair amount of time together.  These days – I often drive them home from school and to activities. And I sometimes wonder — what will be their earliest memories of these times with Popi as they grow older?  When does recall begin to kick in? 

I have occasionally posed this question among friends when conversation stalls – “What is your very first memory when you were a child? What is the very first spark of cognizance that you remember?”  The answers are very personal.  And the question does prompt some interesting – and varied – responses.

My first 3 years were spent in the attic of a Chicago bungalow at 6036 W. Byron Street in Chicago.  I remember the place.  With clarity.  And I remember – vividly – sitting by the lone street-side window looking out. And waving at a little boy (“Georgy”) across the street.  This was in the days before “play groups” so I never saw him up close (or anyone else for that matter).  We never played together.  We would just wave.   Across the street.  I wonder if he remembers me. . . .  

What is your very first memory? What were the first memories of your parents?  Children? Grandchildren? To me, this is a truly poignant question that could make an interesting teaching tool or conversation starter. . . . 

Chocolate in the Night

On By scottpetersenIn Chocolate in the NightLeave a comment

[Speaking of “chocolate,” here’s one from October 2, 2021] I like coffee. And chocolate. But I’m not sure they like me. At night.

If I drink coffee, have a Pepsi or eat chocolate at or after dinner, the caffeine will hit my “awake” buzzer – usually around 3:00 a.m. It is a problem. And it takes a world of effort, relaxation, meditation and prayer to entice my body to succumb – once again – to sleep. We go out for dinner with friends and I see “chocolate fondant” on the menu and I begin to perspire – as I sputter to the server “I’ll have the c-c-c-carrot cake.”

A few years ago, Donna and I were talking about this . . . . “situation.” So I penned a song about my dilemma. It goes to the tune of “Strangers in the Night”. . . .

Chocolate in the night – Keeps my eyes open.

When I douse the light – I just try copin’

I will sometimes read – until the clock strikes four.

It was just a bite. Then . . . another.

I tried with all my might – Thought of my mother.

But it didn’t work – I took another piece.

Chocolate in the night – It’s an addiction.

It really is a fright – it’s not a fiction.

Everywhere I go – Rain, heat, frost or snow

I will grab a candy bar – a Hershey’s kiss or cocoa star

And . . . .

You get my drift. . . .

The Chocolate Brain

On By scottpetersenIn The chocolate brainLeave a comment

[A repeat from September 14, 2017]

(Reuters, Wilmette IL) Chicago lawyer Scott Petersen has a problem. His brain is slowly turning into chocolate.

After years of overindulging in Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, Hershey’s kisses, Hershey bars, Easter eggs, chocolate rabbits, frogs and sweets, Petersen’s brain is slowly but surely becoming a chocolate mass.  A routine physical exam turned up this unique phenomenon last Tuesday. His doctor said “Mister Petersen’s cerebral cortex has already developed a 1/4″ layer of chocolate. I believe that his cerebellum and occipital area are now crusted with a 60% cocoa.”

In a few years, Petersen’s head will be filled with a commercial grade of bittersweet chocolate.

Petersen was interviewed in a local restaurant where he was dining with his wife Donna. “I think it’s silly. I eat pizza too and you don’t hear that my brain is turning into Mozzarella cheese” he said testily. Petersen then ordered a double “Chocolate Decadence” – the menu’s signature dessert.  For his main course . . . . . 

Once Petersen’s brain has become solid chocolate, his wife is expected to put him on display at a local museum on weekends. “Hey – I might as well get something out of this too” she said.

Petersen is, however, expected to continue practicing law. A solid chocolate brain is not expected to interfere with his duties or knowledge as an attorney . . . . .

So these two guys

On By scottpetersenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

[A repeat from March 9, 2014] Two guys are in an airplane flying at 35,000 feet. Suddenly there’s a loud “BANG.” The pilot comes on the intercom “Ladies and gentlemen, we have just lost one of our four engines. We have three other engines and it is no problem to fly.  But we’ll be about one hour late getting to our destination.”

A little while later – another loud “BANG.” Captain comes on “Folks, we have lost a second of our four engines. But this plane can fly on two. But we’re going to be about two hours late getting to our destination.“

A few minutes later, there is another huge “BANG.” The captain comes on the intercom and says “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve never had this happen but we’ve lost a third of our four engines. This plane is designed to fly on one engine so we’re fine.  But we’re going to be about three hours late getting to our destination.”

So the one guy turns to the other and says “Man – if we lose that fourth engine, we’re going to be up here all day!”

Save for the soles of her feet

On By scottpetersenIn Crime, Save for the soles of her feetLeave a comment

[On the subject of crime – a repeat from July 7, 2018] Assistant States Attorneys dealt with murder cases.  With frequency. The files always included in depth police reports, crime scene and morgue photos and a litany of witnesses and grand jury or preliminary hearing testimony.  It was one thing to handle a double homicide at a local bar. Or a home invasion murder.  But the files that were hard to take were those where the victims were children.  I could only deal with these matters for short periods.  Often eyes misty.  And then I had to turn to something else.   

In one particularly horrific case, a 6 year old girl was forced to stand on all fours.  While a boyfriend of the mother would beat her.  He’d use the buckle end of the belt.  If she cried or whimpered, an avalanche of trauma rained down on the little girl.  He would stand over her.  Waiting for her to flinch.  After months of torture, trauma, beatings and horror, the little girl – her name was “April” – finally succumbed after a punch that split her sternum.  And the boyfriend – Felix F. – was charged with her murder. 

The coroner – always a staple in a murder case – took the stand and testified that the little girl’s hypothalamus had literally disappeared given the daily beatings and chronic fear that she endured.  The good doctor testified – I remember well – that there was not one square inch of her body that had not been brutally traumatized “save for the soles of her feet.”  Felix was convicted and sentenced to a long term.     

Yes. I know.  This is hard to read.  But – you tell me – what do we do with such people?

Parole

On By scottpetersenIn Parole, Streets & SanitationLeave a comment

[A repeat from March 20, 2014] On August 17, 1973, Ernie S  – an 18 year old with a lengthy rap sheet – broke into a home at 5009 South Ellis in Chicago where Susan Marie H was working as a graphic artist in a small studio in the home. Susan surprised Ernie while he was rifling through two purses in the dining room.  He picked up a large knife and stabbed her five times in the chest and stomach. She screamed and Ernie ran out. Susan’s friends in the other room came in and sat her at the kitchen table. She was doubled over and bleeding heavily. Officers who arrived on the scene realized there was no time for an ambulance. They picked her up and raced her to a hospital. Susan – age 23 – was DOA.

In 1976, I was 29 and a seasoned Assistant States Attorney in the Felony Trial Division. I’d handled a lot of murder cases and I remember details of many. But this one stands out.  It was a 2-1/2 week jury trial which I tried with my partner Chuck H.   My daughter was born in the middle of the trial. The jury deliberated for an hour, Ernie was convicted and sentenced to 100 to 300 years (see post of 10/28/12).   

About 7 years ago, I had a call out of the blue from the State’s Attorney’s Office. “Mister Petersen, do you remember a home invasion/murder involving Ernie S__?” I said “yes” and provided graphic details.  The State’s Attorney who called me said “wow – you guys really do remember.” Of course. I will never forget.  Upon his election, State’s Attorney Richard Devine began asking former State’s Attorneys to participate in parole hearings.  On the bad cases.  I just testified for the third time on Wednesday.  Asking that Ernie never be released.  It is terribly emotional.  Susan’s parents both died a few years after Susan’s death.  Eight months apart.  They were in their mid-50’s.  Two of Susan’s siblings have died.  Why?  Grief.  Susan’s sister Pat has testified “you have no idea how suffocating the grief is when something like this happens to a family.”   

Ernie?  A few years after his conviction, he escaped from a prison van taking him to a hospital.  He ran into a Joliet high school, stormed into a classroom and dragged a 14 year old girl into a stairwell.  Police were minutes behind and he was recaptured. 

Neither the death penalty nor life without parole were available in 1976 but this is one case where either would have applied.  Instead remaining family members have had to argue against his release every few years.  Reliving the pain.

[Postscript – Ernie went before the Parole Board in 2019. And they let him go. . . . .]