The Day I Won the Lottery — Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. — World News Trust May 19, 2021 In my neighborhood (and perhaps all across the Land of Opportunity™), playing the lottery is not just state-sponsored gambling and a cleverly disguised tax o ...

Wanna lose your mind? The sea squirts have it all figured out — Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. — World News Trust May 17, 2021 “These big brains are more burden than bargain.” (Kurt Vonnegut) In your life, you may face no greater nemesis than your own mind. The tradeoffs for these la ...

Ranting about lockdown casualties, participation trophies, and more — Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. — World News Trust May 13, 2021 While walking home from Astoria Park the other day, I passed Riccardo’s By the Bridge. (FYI: Nobody in Astoria ever called it anything other than “Riccardo’s ...

From BLM to Gun Control: What Do You Believe (and why)? — Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. — World News Trust May 10, 2021 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” (Proverbs 14:15) Have you ever wondered why you believe what you believe? We are ...

Birds vs. Tweets: Which Sounds Are You Tuned Into? — Mickey Z.

European Starlings (Photo: Rachel Wood/Great Backyard Bird Count) Mickey Z. — World News Trust May 3, 2021 While walking in my neighborhood the other day, I heard a beautiful and astonishingly comple ...

That Time I Almost Accidentally Joined the NYPD — Mickey Z.

(Mickey Z.) Mickey Z. — World News Trust April 29, 2021 In my youth, it was very common for the guys I hung around with to seek out city jobs: police, fire department, sanitation, etc. Steady pay, go ...

“Dudes Do Not Keep Diaries” — Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. — World News Trust April 19, 2021 Once upon a time, I decided to keep a diary. I was 14 and the irresistible pull towards writing was already strong. Also, my friends and I were having an a ...

Saks, Lies, and the Folly of Street Activism — Mickey Z.

(Mickey Z.) Mickey Z. — World News Trust April 8, 2021 We begin this long and winding ode on August 7, 2012 — a classic hot-and-humid Big Apple summer day. I was taking part in a demonstration called ...

Like Tyson in Tokyo (a street story) — Mickey Z.

Mike Tyson after being knocked out by James “Buster” Douglas on February 11, 1990, in Tokyo (credit unknown) Mickey Z. — World News Trust April 1, 2021 It was a crisp evening in 2002, with a taste of ...

That’s Why It’s Called “Programming” — Mickey Z.

Alleged Bansky mural (credit unknown) Mickey Z. — World News Trust March 29, 2021 “Some poor, phone-less fool is probably sitting next to a waterfall somewhere totally unaware of how angry and scared ...

Which “Self” Are You? — Mickey Z.

(Mickey Z.) Mickey Z. — World News Trust March 20, 2021 “You have to be somebody before you can share yourself.” (Jaron Lanier) If you only know me from reading my articles and/or Facebook posts, you ...