Recently, as a consequence of an orgy of photographing and Facebook posting, my iPhone battery ran out of power and I was DISCONNECTED! For better or worse, I instantly realized I'd become addicted and dependent upon that small (yet so big) window into the world. To say I suffered withdrawal is an understatement. There was real anxiety too. It j …
What is it that men and women have about hair?Men can't seem to have enough and women can't abide with having it anywhere other than on their head (that's a blog for Nancy or Rona). When I was young I hated my "crab grass" hair. Now that I've reached a certain age and retained it, albeit silver, I get lots of positive comments, eg, "you've got your …
On the morning after our December 3rd Holiday Party (where we named the recipient of our hallowed "Red Bandana" Award, named two new Networkers of the Year and our Foundation handed out four $5000 grants to worthy and appreciative recipients) it came to me that, more than anything else, the characteristic which distinguishes Gotham from other group …
Inasmuch Wednesday would have been Elvis's 79th birthday. Following is a poem that I wrote in his memory. THE KING! I saw the Great Elvis today encapsulated on film written off and explained away and I tried to cry, cry for him or cry for me or was there something else? Or what is gone, or never happened, or will never be again and is lost …
Today is my Father's birthday and 18 years after his passing I am just starting to miss him. Why am I just starting to miss him? He was a "Damon Runyon" ("Guys and Dolls") character, emphasis on character, to the outside world. Although he was a tough SOB and especially hard on his first born son he is finally starting to get through to me. In th …
When I was a young lawyer I suffered badly from holiday blues. As I've matured such year end blues have ebbed. I cannot explain why I had them or how and why they have eroded. What I do know is that 2013 was a challenging, successful and happy year and that 2014 portends as well.I want to wish all of my readers (and my numerous loyal commenters) an …
I'm sure you know O'Henry's story of The gift of the Magi wherein a husband-and-wife sacrifice for each other to buy then unusable holiday presents for each other. The closest that I have come to such a scenario occurred when i was very young on a long ago Christmas Day. As I remember it these many years later, on Christmas morning Santa brought …
During the course of the year I write down qoutes which are inspirational, right on or educational. Here is my latest list: Winners don't always win because they're better than everybody else, but frequently because they outlast everybody, there are a fewer competitors down the road. (Bob Lefsetz – my Oracle) I've always thought it was …
Tuesday night we bestowed our treasured "Red Bandana" Award upon Paul Napolitano, Co Chair of our East End Group. The Award is in memory of Welles Remy Crowther, son of Jefferson Crowther, Co Chair of our Open House Group. Welles was an annonymous hero on 9/11 who perished after saving 18 souls while wearing a red bandana to protect his breathing …
On this second day of the Thanksgiving weekend I would like to give thanks to all things Gotham. In the true spirit of our "It's better to give than receive, but what goes around comes around" mantra, our Tribe has enjoyed a bountiful year.In this our "Sweet 16" year we have grown geometrically to over 50 groups (stretching from Boston to South Flo …
I am a pre "Baby Boomer" and as such have witnessed Seismic change. Examples are:1) "No Smoking" in restaurants, bars, trains and planes2) People picking up dog poop 3) Medical marijuana4) Legalized gambling5) Legalized abortion6) Same sex marriage7) Fitness training-gym rats8) Running for exercise9) White wine10) People carrying their telephones …
Since I started walking our puppy on the early shift before 6:00 I have discovered a new and favorite time of day. After Charcoal does her business I get back in bed and loll in a warm semi conscious state. In that state of grace, like when in the shower, many interesting and creative thoughts drift by and, possibly since I am semi conscious, I …
Last week My wife Joanne went away for a long weekend to a Woman's Film Festival and I was left home alone with our puppy Charcoal and my thoughts. Being a social animal I do not fare well in solitude. Thank goodness for the puppy and her walks where we could interact with other dogs and their owners. You might call this Old School Social Netwo …
Upon the passing of Lou Reed this week I mentioned that I knew him and he had played my fraternity party in Roslyn on New Year's Eve December 31, 1962. This inspired Cayce Crown to nickname me Zelig. She references Woody Allen's Leonard Zelig a nondescript enigma who pops up everywhere. I don't know if I can live up to Zelig's ubiquity, but I …
When I was young and in high school and college I always sat in the back of the room. When I was in law school and they had the Socratic method I was always in dire fear of being called on and having to present. This was not only because I was sometimes unprepared. Needless to say, as in the case of many, I was in dire fear of public speaking. …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend