As a young boy my father constantly told me "You can't get ahead laying in bed with the covers over your head!" Later, Woody Allen said "80 percent of success is showing up."I have led my whole life adhering to these precepts. I suggest that others follow this advice...
Last Monday evening. We were at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts for the traditional July 4th James Taylor concert (actually July 3rd and 4th).I’m not sure how many James Taylor concerts at Tanglewood we’ve been to over the years, but this was not the first. Many years ago the rumors began that that concert would be his last. And I promised that …
I had a completely different blog set to go for today and then I realized my blog day landed on my wife and I’s 16th Anniversary. It got me thinking about anniversaries and milestones. Besides our anniversary on the 5th, July is filled with occasions. On this same day is my brother’s wife's birthday. My Stepson Anthony’s birthday is on the 7th. My …
My youngest daughter is getting married in October in Rockland County. Next Sunday we have to travel up to the bakery to taste the different choices for her wedding cake. Then, after we all taste the assorted cakes, frostings and filling, we, along with my daughter and her fiancée and his parents, have to choose the type of cake, filling, and frost …
Received an interesting email on Friday. Sort of a Save The Date for The 43rd Annual John Lennon Tribute from Theatre Within, Saturday, December 2, 2023. Shelly and I often attend. So do other members of this tribe that hosts this and six other daily commentaries. When we both are able to attend we meet up before shows with Vincent and Susan Ru …
Not sure if this will catch on, but I sat down to eat lunch at a diner of sorts. In order to get food or drink I had to use the QR code in front of me to place the order, which isn't unusual. However, before any server spoke with me or had any staff interaction I had to pay for my meal AND leave a tip! Is this the new paradigm? BTW, I looked …
Recently, I organized a reunion of fellow contemporary graduates of my Syracuse University alma mater. It was held at the University's mid town New York City "Embassy", Lubin House, a beautiful, circa 1876, brown stone building. The inspiration for the reunion came from my granddaughter Maggie, a recent SU grad who works at Lubin House as Assista …
I was at the movies with my grandson. It was one of those upscale theaters with reclining seats and food brought to you.And a bowl of popcorn appeared and was placed on the little table in front of me.As I reached for the popcorn, the voice resonated in my ear: “I bet you can’t eat just one!”A challenge of self control. And I lost.Thinking about it …
I won’t let June end without writing about “Pride Month” especially as we move towards Celebrating the 4th of July. “Pride Month” is about celebrating the refusal to be marginalized, diminished and denied equity. It’s about celebrating the choice – not always an easy, safe or prudent one – to walk through the world authentically. And it is abou …
I very much appreciate technology. These days I can carry around – and find – any document I have ever created. OK, maybe that is an exaggeration, but you get my point. The convenience, completeness and efficiency is second to none. But, when it comes to actually studying a document – often the cornerstone of my workday – I prefer a hard cop …
I always find that, for me, work slows down just a bit in the summer. Many people in my profession tend to take Fridays off and/or leave the office earlier during the week in the summer. I like the slower pace in the summer. I tend to get a lot of my “busy” work done then. And for a few weeks things at work seem, to be, just a little less stressf …
The title is a Grateful Dead song. It fits because the first of two shows last week was a Citi Field extravaganza by Dead and Co. Marisa and I attended. She remarked that almost 20 years ago, her uncle took her to see the earlier alt version of the Dead, The Other Ones, at Madison Square Garden. There was an interesting highlight that tied the …
I'll be lucky if I make it to 93, although I do know someone who has—my Mom. Today is her 93rd birthday. We are having a family celebration this morning at the Sunrise Assisted Living Center where she has called home for over 8 years. Although she can't remember much, she has experienced a lifetime of memories that my sister and I now seem to hav …
I was brought up to believe in the necessity for and value of insurance and over the years have paid far far more in premiums than the rare settlement payments I have received. This year the premiums have gone up still again and, despite efforts to understand the increases or "shop" my coverage, I am at a total loss. I have a friend who years …
The quotation, attributed to Winston Churchill, was tacked on the wall behind the desk.“However Beautiful the Strategy, you should Occasionally look at the Results.”As I gazed upon those words, other familiar words came to me and I considered… do the “Ends justify the Means”?
