When I was young the ice cream choices were pretty much limited to chocolate or vanilla with yucky strawberry bringing up the rear.   For whatever the reason, I always chose chocolate.  To be honest, I didn't even consider vanilla to be a flavor.  It was something neutral to spice up with chocolate sprinkles or sauce (Bosco).   I never allowed myself to savor the delicious vanilla bean flavor.  I never rolled it on my tongue and enjoyed the more subtle taste sensation. 

Welcome August. I love the month of August. It's my birth month (which I proudly share, both month and day, with fellow Gothamite, Lisa Waterman).

"Your Turn," that is the name of the 10 min film you are encouraged to watch if you are chosen to be in the Jury select pool in New York State. It promotes the idea that you are doing a great service and the trials will be "fascinating." I'll leave it up to our litigating Gothamites to answer that one.

  That’s what my son did last week.    

Last Wednesday night I attended the Gotham Long Island Quad meeting at The Westbury Manor. As I pulled up to the venue and gave the valet my car, I remembered that I forgotten to put cash in my wallet that morning. Thus, I had no money to tip the valet driver later in the evening. Knowing that my long time friend, Nancy Schess would be attending the event, I knew it would not be an issue.  I knew Nancy would lend me the $2.00 as soon as I told her the story.  

Folks know my enjoyment of basketball.   I still play two times weekly, most often one eve and one weekend morning.   I talk basketball with my friends, mostly the pro game.

This week is not about anything but sharing a smile and a laugh. I found this selection of parent tweets and hope you have the same reaction as I did. Enjoy!   No one is full of more false hope than a parent with a new chore chart.— Simon Holland (@simoncholland)  

When I was young, being a Yankee fan, I was obsessed with Mickey Mantle.  Mantle was the Yankee Key Man (last 3 letters of first name and first 3 of second).  The Mick, despite his frequent injuries and leg problems carried me through the thrilling 50s and much of the 60s. His career ending was sad and he once said if he knew he was going to live as long as he did he would have taken better care of himself (his dad died at 39 and Mick liked the sauce and night life).