the year 2015

In a Krispy-Kreme and Dunkin' Donut world, it's comforting to know there are still places E.B. White might have recognized during his ambulations through the streets of New York. Founded in the early 1960s, Donut Pub's steel and neon-lettered façade echoes even earlier days, when sailors might have popped in for a last sip and dip before being shipped off to war in Europe. The innards of the narrow shop have a spit-polish shine, with gleaming white tiles, mirrors, and wooden wainscoting along the length of one side, and a floor of blue and white checkered tiles below. Donut Pub's heart, though, is the wall of donuts—rings, old-fashioned, crullers, French and crumb, honey-dipped, chocolate dipped, coated in coconut and sprinkles, filled with blueberry, apple, lemon, and "creme," cinnamon buns, twists, éclairs, turnovers, and Pom Poms. These are no gourmet treats, just light and crispy, cakey and crumbly, the way they should be. Grab a stool along the long marble counter, or bar (this is a pub, after all), order up a bagel and egg sandwich, a cup of stiff coffee, and a donut on your way out. Standard deli sandwiches like tuna salad, turkey, ham and cheese, are also served, as are Hale & Hearty soups.

i was most fortunate to enjoy mr. steve winwood at the great old broadway theatre, up in kingston, new york this past saturday night. it was a fantastic intimate setting for winwood's last show on his recent "nine lives" tour. winwood played classics spanning from his beginnings with the spencer davis group, to hits from blind faith, and my personal favorite traffic. as well as the old stuff, winwood played some great tracks from his new album nine lives. check out some classic traffic performances below.

The history of the illustrious London luxury goods maker known today as Swaine Adeney Brigg goes back over 250 years. They've been supplying various items to Britain's Royal Family for 200 of them, and as those monarchs tend to be a traditional lot, the firm has basically remained unchanged in all that time.

The Brigg umbrella has become an international byword for impeccable British craftsmanship. No self-respecting gentleman should carry anything else. Just like Steed's the Whangee Umbrella is a true Gentleman's umbrella of joyously eccentric appearance.

Whangee comes from the root of a type of Bamboo, which gains its unique appearance from the constant soil erosion on a sharp gradient; exposing it to the elements. When harvested, it is sent to us where it is bleached, boiled and straightened. It is then bent into the handle attached to the unique Brigg shaft and frame.

In 1893, Thomas Brigg and Sons received its first Royal Appointment from Her Majesty Queen Victoria and became the first umbrella maker ever to be honoured with an appointment. Further Royal Appointments were also bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria and by His Majesty Edward VI. Today, there are around 850 Royal Warrant Holders. (The number changes as firms are appointed, or lose their warrants.) Royal Warrants continue to be a prestigious mark of recognition to those who are regular suppliers of goods and services to certain members of the Royal Family. Swaine Adeney is appointed as" Whip and Glovemakers" to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The company is also appointed as "Suppliers of Umbrellas" to HRH The Prince of Wales.

sure...there is a new president and everything, but we here at the year 2015 like to recognize the unsung hero. i present to you mr lloyd lindsay young, the greatest weatherman in history. those of you in new york may remember his 12 fantastic years at wwor-ny (channel 9). for those of you lucky enough to reside in bakersfield, california, mr. young currently delivers the weather at kero 23.

a little known bit of trivia...it is mr young who says "it's a trip, it's got a funky beat, and i can bug out to it" in the beastie boys song "b-boy bouillabaisse" (in the "mike on the mic" segment) from the 1989 album paul's boutique. according to author dan leroy in his book on paul's boutique, the group commissioned young to appear on the album when they became a fan of his work on wwor. the introduction to their song "hello brooklyn" may have also been influenced by young's trademark calls.

it seems to me, now that we have found ourselves back in the familar confines of the year 2015, it may be nice to sit down and catch up over a nice drink. the admiral perfers a nice scotch of course, but the selection of fine spirits at the brandy library seems endless. the sourroundings help set the mood quite nicely also i may add...

just as the wheels have come off the world in the last couple of years....so have the workings at the year 2015. fear not...although the great machine of ideas-adventures-ramblings-absurdity has been quiet as of late, it has not been dormant.

it seems the world as a whole is undergoing, or is at least on the verge of some change or metamorphosis. the admiral believes the year 2015 should have something to say about it, or at least observe it through its own lens and point of perspective.

so.....let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of...the year 2015 observer. i wish to welcome back old friends, and say hello to the new and curious. let's hope we find some interesting things together. shall we?