As Dan began packing, his resolution began to fade. So he reached for a different drink, one that would help give him the courage he needed to forge ahead with his plans. As he drank from a bottle of whiskey, questions began to swirl in his head.

  It was a rainy Sunday morning  in October and the sky was grey and dark and thick with clouds.   The thunder startled Dan who was always on edge and made him spill his coffee on his couch and all over the framed picture of his younger brother Todd who he had not seen ever since he was lost at sea exactly a year ago.  

Got up, got out of bed and dragged a comb across my head. Before going downstairs to have a cup I stopped short in front of the mirror. I was staring in total disbelief and thought "who is this guy?" His beard is "frosted" and he looks much older than I thought. I eventually realized that the image in the mirror was me but I was expecting to see someone a bit younger.   I feel about 39...maybe 42 if I'm tired. If someone asked you how old do you feel, what would you say?

If you've gone to recent Gotham meetings this question may be "old", however, for those that have not it is topical.Simply put, what is your favorite all-time vacation?Mine, because of this Winter's polar vortex, was our extended stay in Key West during which many suffered through at least three horrible storms. Our frigid Winter is the subject of Ester Horowitz's most recent Gotham City Gazette which I urge you to experience elsewhere on this site under Gotham Speaks.

It was a few hours before Passover and we were on our way to the family Seder. One of our many traditions is to call relatives who we will not be seeing and wishing them a “Sweet Passover”.

I have commented on recent blogs about old friends.  There is smething unique though about friends from upstate or outside the area.  A different quality to the caliber of people.  As much as I enjoy being close to the center of the universe (NYC) there is absolutely a difference in the type of people who live outside of the metropolitan area.  I suppose you need to take the good with the bad.  Anyone else have the desire/courage to chime in?

There is something special about the friends that know you from back when. Last weekend, we had dinner with friends I have had since just after I started practicing law. (You know who you are!) For perspective, I am coming up on thirty years.