Day 93: Hollywood Scandal #1 – The Fatty Trial

originally published April 2, 2012 Long before the Tragic Fat-Guy stories of John Belushi, Chris Farley, and (almost) Artie Lange, Hollywood had one that could top them all. This was a man whose talent arguably eclipsed all three of those guys, and whose tragic fall was uglier and more heartbreaking. I’m talking about Roscoe Arbuckle, […]

Day 89: My Rum Runneth Over – The Unsung Heroics of Bill McCoy

originally published March 29, 2012 Thanks to two friends who have abandoned the notion of a dining room table in exchange for a home-made tiki bar, I have learned a lot about rum recently. For example, I learned that, when consumed in significant quantities and mixed with a veritable reef of colorful flavors, rum can […]

Day 85: A Post St. Patrick’s Day Drunken Crime Spree

originally published March 25, 2012 It’s Sunday morning. St. Patrick’s Day was just over a week ago. You got drunk, sure, maybe to the point where you vomited, maybe even upon someone’s lap. But you didn’t really take advantage of the spirit of the holiday. You didn’t get arrested. You didn’t really commit an affray. […]

Day 77: The Criminal Mind of Dutch Schultz

originally published March 17, 2012 Dutch Schultz. The name just oozes gangsteriness. So did the man. Born in 1902 with the decidedly less menacing name of Arthur Flegenheimer, Schultz was traumatized by his father’s departure when he was fourteen. He left school to find work, hooking up with Schultz Trucking in the Bronx. At the […]

Day 61: Send Me Your Money! (and other internet lies)

originally published March 1, 2012 Looking to make some extra money? Do I have a deal for you. Welcome to the 419. No, I’m not referring to the area code for Toledo, Ohio (but great guess!), I’m talking about that rocket-road to regretless riches, the 419 scam. You’ve seen these before, and even if somehow […]

Day 23: The Fingerprint Man

originally published January 23, 2012 Every so often a hero goes unnoticed. Azizul Haque is one of these heroes. He lived and died before I was born, but his effect upon my life has been truly significant – he’s the guy whose life’s work made me remember to wear gloves when I beat that anonymous […]