About
About 2.0
This is a second version of About. About the blog. About me.
The original version of About was brief (two sentences) and didn’t include very much. I thought that the writing in the blog would speak for itself, and readers could read about me between or in the lines of the posts.
Yes, but…I myself almost immediately go to the About section of other blogs. Why would I expect my readers to be any less curious?
So I’ve replaced the previously minimal About with a longer one. Maybe too long, maybe more than you want to know. But easy to skim or skip.
About the blog
This blog stays true to the concept of a weblog. It is a journal, about everything and anything that comes to mind. It doesn’t have a singular focus, but it does have tendencies, leanings and favorite topics. Just like me.
About me
Geography. Born and raised in the Bronx, which is my geographical foundation, no matter how many other states, cities and towns I’ve lived in and loved (many). When I return to New York, which isn’t often enough, I’m home. My second spiritual home, wherever I am, is Mississippi, about as far from the Bronx as you can get. As ZZ Top sings, I’m shuffling through (wherever), but my head’s in Mississippi.
Family. My early years were spent in a three bedroom, three-generation apartment. Many kids probably don’t think that growing up in tight quarters with grandparents, parents and siblings is ideal. But I didn’t know any different and anyway didn’t have a choice. It may not have been perfect, but not one day do I wish it was any different. Today I enjoy the love, company and tolerance of a beautiful and brilliant wife and a handsome and brilliant son.
Education. My formal education began at PS 77 in the Bronx. High school in New Jersey. University in Philadelphia, with a degree in psychology. Law school in Seattle, with a degree in, well, law. My informal education? Everything else.
Profession. Aside from meeting my wife, maybe the most significant moment of my life was when the owner of a small chain of bookstores asked me, a fresh college graduate, whether I would like to manage his newest store that was then under construction. He knew almost nothing about me and didn’t even ask for a resume. It may be clichéd advice, but always remember that when someone who can hire you likes you and asks whether you can do something, the answer is YES.
So I became a bookseller, and did in fact meet my wife in that very store. And then became a lawyer, a marketing executive and consultant, a publishing executive and consultant, and most importantly, as far as this blog is concerned, a writer and editor.
Copyright 2015 by Bob M. Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Bob Schwartz 
Hello. I came upon your website by accident, partly because I’m interested in tai chi, the tao etc… But I stopped and continued to read your posts because I’m a Ukrainian living in the East Village, NYC. Anyhow some friends just forwarded a movie on Youtube titled Eternal Memory. Its a documentary about Ukraine in the Stalinist era. The sadness of it hits you in the first 2 minutes. Someone called Dean Temple made it and its narrated by Meryl Streep. Anyhow, I thought I’d share it with you. Here is a link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OU_koXMPWIw
Thank you so very much for sharing this. In a time when everybody has an opinion, even though they are not well informed enough, everybody should try to be a better history student. If someone thinks that this sounds like work, well, it is, if you think that learning is work. But this ignored piece of our history (remembering that Stalin was once our “ally”) is necessary for having the best perspective on current events, most obviously in Ukraine. Thanks again.
You have a great sense of humor! And you offer up interesting and informed posts! We need more of that!
You’re very kind. Keep reading and I’ll keep posting.
Very much enjoy your blog. Came across it doing research on Mad Men, found your post on Tikkun Olam, and bookmarked your blog directly after. Happy New Year!
Thanks for reading and for your comment. I am interested in hearing about your research on Mad Men, my favorite TV of the decade. Happy New Year to you.
I’m glad to have found your blog, Bob. I’m still a lawyer — not that it interests me one little bit. Perhaps one day I’ll escape the torpor and follow my (as yet undisclosed) calling. PS. I came to your blog based on your piece on ee cummings — always the beautiful question. Happy days. Blessings, Julian
Thanks for your comment and for your reading. That E.E. Cummings post has been one of the most consistently popular week after week. So glad you are enjoying.