Gotham held its first post pandemic, in person, holiday party at Arno Restaurant in New York City on Wednesday night.We turned out in good numbers (over 70) and festive moods.  The room was nice and the food (not so good) and drink (open bar) was ample and conducive.

It was raining and I noticed the worm in the shallow puddle formed on the pavement.I wondered about the worm as it moved through the water.

Its become official, an announcement had been made. The 2 governing bodies of the game of golf have agreed that it is time to "Roll back" the golf ball for the pros. They say this should take place of the next year or two. I think its time. The pros have taken the game to point where the golf courses are over powered by the players. 350 yard drives are now the average. Par 5s are now considered a "Free" Birdie opportunity. The club and golf ball technology have advanced to a point where the game at the professional level is not much of a challenge for the Pro golfers on tour.

It is holiday season which for many translates to gifting season.  This is an unofficial poll question.    Do you prefer to have input into a gift or is the surprise part of the gift for you?  I know that many take hard positions on either side of this debate. For me, I’m caught in the middle.  

How much credibility do you give to online reviews?  If I am going to a restaurant or hotel for the first time I will, generally, look through the online reviews.  

As I posted last year at this time and for several before that, holidays-themed music takes hold after Thanksgiving; sometimes even during and before.

Every year, I try to buy just the right amount of firewood for the winter. I go to my vendor's websites, see what's available, and at what price. This year prices are down. Maybe it's a result of more trees having been felled and/or less people are buying.    I take this into account as well as anticipate the expected severity of the winter. The result is that, this year, I've bought from two different vendors (I like to spread the love:) and now have a full face cord.    

One of my favorite mantras is "Up is down and down is up".  You know, what was once bad for you is now "the cure" and so on and so on...Well, my granddaughter Maggie has taken the concept to a wonderful creative and positive extreme.