These are a few of my favorite things 🎵

Even Kramer would approve!

Jerry Seinfeld is one of America’s most interesting people (along with Aaron Rodgers, Bill Maher, and Jonah Goldberg). He’s iconoclastic, unpredictable, and doesn’t really care what you think, as long as he has captured the quintessence of the thing, as he reveals in the 14 minutes he recorded for the men’s fashion magazine GQ.

That philosophy derives from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, which is one of the favorite things Mr. Seinfeld (is he really 70 years old?) lists in the video. Another of which is a yellow legal pad, on which (with a Bic pen) he co-wrote the scripts for his landmark TV show. Now, this is a guy who collects Porsche automobiles (an estimated 43) like Blaska collects navel lint.

Got me to thinking (which takes some doing). What are Blaska’s go-to’s? Came up with these:

1. Seinfeld, the TV series. Catching up on all the episodes we managed to miss first time around. Laugh-out loud even at repeated viewings. No wonder the star is speaking out against Woke touchy feely. The series was 30 years ahead of its time. No lessons learned where the cast laughs about its misfortunes as the credits rolled. Kramer played a man everyone took for cognitively disabled. Jerry would rather do “The voice” — Hel-LOWWW!” than enter into a committed relationship. Couldn’t remember the name of one of his girlfriends! Chronic malingerer George Costanza pretends to be pals with a black workman only to impress his boss.

”It’s not a lie if you believe it”

2. Yes to the yellow legal pad; no to Bic pens. Hate them. Lose the cap every time. Do not fasten to shirt pocket. Gimme a number #2 lead pencil, well sharpened, for note taking. For signing treaties and hush money checks, a black ink Pilot G02 pen with a .07 mm point. Lays down a nice bead of continuous ink. Also a Sharpie fine-point Highlighter to underline pithy passages.

3. Polo/rugby shirt: Collar, three-button (or snap) placket. Just pull it on, no need to button front or sleeves. But must have pocket for glasses, pens! (Hard to find.)

3. Mid-ankle motorcycle boots with mini-lug, Commando-style treads. Got to put a thick layer of rubber on the road whether riding or walking. 

4. Nonni’s individually wrapped biscottis. Perfect for dunking in that first cuppa joe in the morning. No time-consuming toasting and buttering necessary. 

5. Ford Ranger pick-up truck. Turbocharged, 270-hp four banger has plenty of get up and go and still delivers 22 all-purpose mpg. Four-wheel drive and high clearance in the snow. Six-foot long bed holds a gardening season’s worth of marsh hay bales. Tailgate folds down for work bench since garage workbench has become a catch-all shelf.

6. Post hole digger. Planted two swamp white oaks, four Japanese/Korean maples, innumerable bushes, and posts for a side-yard privacy fence. And loppers; something always needs pruning at the Experimental Work Farm.

7. TV Guide Film & Video Companion a go-to for any movie filmed before 2002, its publication date. Pithy reviews capture what is unique about each of the 3,500 movies listed. “To Be or Not To Be was a perfect and brash finale to to [Carole] Lombard’s great comic genius.  … Was there ever as playful a spirit on a movie set?” 

Sorry, it’s not Marcus Aurelius! 

8. Cap with brim. Cannot go outside without one. Have nearly two dozen waiting for me at the three exits to Stately Blaska Manor. Pride of place is a MAGA red “Make America Horny Again” model signed “To David” by none other than special guest-witness Stormy Daniels! 

Can anyone explain why humans have evolved without developing a brim to shield their eyes?

9. Wall Street Journal, especially their editorials. Columnists Peggy Noonan, Jason Riley, Kimberly Strassel, and Gerard Baker are essentials. Also their book reviews and arts coverage. 

10. Apple/Google Map apps. How did we ever get from point A to point B without it?

Blaska’s Bottom Line: Numbers #11, #12, and #13 would be Good Health, Family & Friends and all that other stuff. Just don’t tell Seinfeld!

What are YOUR favorite things?