Tag: Inside the mind of a psychiatrist

West Coast Philly-Cheesesteaks? Huh? by Art Smukler, MD, Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in MY NOVELS, Penn State, Psychiatry, Self Examination, Writing

I hope diehard Geno’s Steak aficionados don’t attack me too much, but I’ve developed a taste for cheesesteaks right here in Los Angeles. For those of you who aren’t from Philly, Geno’s is a South Philly restaurant credited with inventing the cheesesteak in 1933. 

I was so enamored with the greasy cuisine, that I had Joe Belmont, my main character in Little Italy, a psychological suspense novel, enjoy one just the way I like it. Geno’s is also on the cover.

Now, after decades of living in sunny California, I’ve completely turned the page (bad pun) and won’t streak to Gino’s when I visit Philly. 

Also, I have to admit, I’m whispering this, very softly, I care more for the Rams than the Eagles. Okay. Okay. I’m still a good person. Fly Eagles Fly!

On the other hand, Penn State football is still my Saturday obsession. It’s untreatable. Even Lexapro won’t work. Hail to the Lions! Since UCLA and USC are now in the Big Ten they’ll be out here playing and I can sit in the stands, wear my Nittany lions cap, and eat my LA cheesesteak from Jersey Mike’s. 

Who cares, right?

I do. 

Sometimes it’s just the simple things that bring us joy. 

Have a great day. Art

#Pennstatefootball, #Bigten, #Nittanylions, #Littleitaly, #Phillycheesesteaks, #Gino’s, #Collegefootball

The Good Old Days? True or False, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Writing

This morning as I sat in Starbucks reading the world news on my iPhone, checking basketball scores, texting my daughter about getting together, ordering tickets for an upcoming comedy show, and getting a text confirming an afternoon visit from a repairman, I thought back to when I went to college and med school in the sixties and seventies. 

NONE of the above would have been possible without going home and using my landline, standing in a phone booth, or buying a morning paper. And coffee? There were restaurants scattered here and there, but who ever went for just a coffee? And for me, Starbucks and Peet’s brew excellent Java. Plus they have great little tables, decent jazz playing, and a chance to sit and think and write. 

Well, there’s one thing that the Sixties and Seventies has over now. The name Trump wasn’t plastered and projected everywhere. He was just a young man being trained to lie and cheat by his father. Sorry, I couldn’t help it. The man’s influence on our world horrifies me. 

Oh well, nothing in life is perfect. Maybe I’ll get a refill of Verona blend.

Check out my mystery novels and have a fun read.

Art

#Sixties, #Seventies, #GOODOLDDAYSÂ