Although I came of age in the Glory Days of Gearheads, I wasn’t one, myself. To those guys, a car represented freedom, power, and style. To me, it was internal-combustion-powered servitude. First, you had to buy it. You had only two choices: One was a Real Junker; the other was a Pseudo ...

I’m lucky that I was never cursed with ambition. OK, maybe “never” is too strong a word. I can recall a time early in seventh grade when I had a drive and ambition or two, but luckily by the time eighth grade rolled around, they were naught but vague and distant memories. After that, ...

Last Sunday found me at Cavu Cafe, the finest breakfast joint north of Saratoga’s Triangle Diner (which I consider the finest b’fast joint south of Cavu). I was with three of my favorite people — Chuck Jessie and Clark Cummings. We have some interesting semi-connections. I say ...

My pal Peter Crowley, former ADE editor, had a midlife career change and became a teacher — an English teacher, no less. What compelled him to do it? I’ve no idea. Certainly, it wasn’t due to incessant prodding on my behalf — or any prodding of mine, for that matter. The boy wants ...

I’ve never been one to follow conventional rules or advice. Or more exactly, I’ve never followed them blindly. Early on I learned that while we need rules for the greater good, we don’t need all the rules we have. While a lot of them are enforced diligently, if not maniacally, the fact ...

By the time I was a pre-teen, it seemed all my peers were an accomplished lot. Some played musical instruments like they were ready to either turn pro or join the London Philharmonic. Others were skilled woodworkers, mechanics, cooks and seamstresses. There were singers, athletes, and ...