I sometimes wonder what I would take if I could only take what I could pack in one suitcase. I’m not talking about packing for a vacation. I am imagining taking and not returning. Perhaps it is the turmoil and catastrophic events that pervade the news… but that’s my imagination.And as I wonder about the contents of that suitcase, I always find myse …
I’ve always felt that the happiness of people who live (or vacation or snowbird) in warmer climate, is inversely proportional to the weather in colder climates (from where many seek refuge).So, it was no surprise that we received a text on Sunday (while I was shoveling snow) from our friend who left New York on Saturday morning (before the snow) fo …
I thought I was “brushed”.“Brushing”, I quickly learned, is a scam connected to identity theft.This all unfolded was when I returned home to find four packages from Amazon had been delivered. Not having ordered anything, I was curious and opened the packages hoping to find some indication of where they came from. The contents were assorted items: c …
It’s nice to receive reinforcing confirmation.I was speaking to a colleague who works for a multinational not for profit headquartered in London. She was in London and not sure exactly what she was going there.On prior trips from the U.S., she always had a specific project or event in London. This trip was filled with various meetings with her over …
We sent our four-year-old granddaughter a little Lego set for her birthday.A few days later, we received a picture of her proudly showing the completed project.We called (actually it was a video call) to congratulate her and asked whether it was hard to assemble.“It was hard,… but I did it!” she proudly responded.A lesson for a lifetime from a four …
The other evening, I was beginning to compose my blog for this week. About the football playoffs and choosing teams to root for even though they were not my usual hometown teams. The added enjoyment and excitement of rooting for a team — even if just for one game.And then I received a phone call that one of my dear friends has just died.It puts thi …
In a recent telephone conversation, the attorney on the other side of the dispute offered to draft the document reflecting our agreement to resolve the matter.“I’ll put pencil to paper.” He said.I haven’t heard that phrase in a while and it got me thinking about the creative process.I wondered whether he would actually put “pencil to paper” or whet …
At a recent Gotham in person meeting a guest circulated a flyer promoting an upcoming holiday charity event. Only one flyer to go around. And so the phone cameras came out and the image of the flyer was preserved.A few days later, i was checking in to a hotel and valet parked my car. While handing me the ticket the attendant suggested that I take a …
Inspired by true events…,I recently attended a business meeting. The nine of us were seated around a very large conference table.All but one - a woman- in suits and ties.As I looked around the room, it was a familiar, albeit, very outdated image. Suits and ties. Only one woman in the room.I struggled with whether I was comfortable or uncomfortable. …
It always amazes me when a hat I’mwearing triggers a conversation.Last Sunday, I was wearing my Baltimore Ravens hat, given to me by a dear friend who is a Ravens fan and believes that my wearing the hat has a positive impact on the team’s performance.We were in Brooklyn at a burger joint. The Ravens were on TV and the hat was on my head. Unfortuna …
This came from a colleague of mine. I think it is worth sharing. Just a quick story and lesson. We recently pitched a client on a new engagement. Client was interviewing another law firm in addition to us. The client selected us and we have been retained. I casually asked the client why they selected us … and the client responded that part o …
While cleaning, I am faced with a dilemma. In going through my “stuff” I find boxes, bags, and piles of greeting cards. Birthday, anniversary, Father’s Day, all represented. Some exhibit the improving penmanship of my children — and grandchildren.They all reflect appropriate sentiments locked in perpetuity.But what is to be done with them?I remembe …
I am in the waiting room of the doctor’s office on Election Day. An elderly man sits nearby and asks me “Who do you think will win?” “I don’t know.” “Well, take a guess.” Then a women who was with him interrupted and scolded him that he shouldn’t be asking such questions. “I can ask whatever I want. It’s a free country,” he …
It’s a small sheet of thin aged paper. The faded typed words are in Polish. The notation on the upper right is “Krakow, dnia 9.VII.1945”. The words acknowledge my grandmother’s ownership of property in Krakow, Poland.The paper was among papers that I found in my mother’s files when I was cleaning out her apartment. It was among papers that I kept — …
What do you do with a line from a play that stays with you?You share it.We saw “Magnificent Bird” and “Book of Travelers” — written and performed by Gabriel Kahane — at Playwrights Horizons.“Envy is the opposite of gratitude.”A line that resonated for me when I first heard it and has periodically surfaced for consideration and pondering since then. …
