What's the point? Or maybe that's the point . . .

This morning (Monday) in federal court, Bernie Madoff addressed the court. He is sorry, he says, and admits his wrongdoing. Promptly thereafter, the judge literally threw the book at him. For the next 150 years, Madoff will see only the inside of the walls of a prison. Well, maybe not for 150 years since he is currently 71 years old. So, wh... More >>

I have but one simple question to ask: do you leave the toilet seat up or down after you are through using the facility?

Perhaps it is impolite to even ask such a question. But I think it’s ruder to leave the seat up when exiting a bathroom.

While this question would seem to be addressed solely to men (whom, I am presuming, actually raise the seat while using the toilet), it has come to... More >>

In the last two weeks two more went down. Nevada Senator who-cares-what-his-name-is, and the Governor of South Carolina. Both Republicans. Personally, it means nothing to me if Mark Sanford has a girlfriend in Argentina. If you are going to have a secret girlfriend, why not there, I hear the steaks and wines are delicious.

What goes on between the Governor and another woman is between the... More >>

Michael Jackson died Thursday and the press are calling it a tragic death. I'm not really sure I agree with that. His life was certainly tragic. The money and fame he achieved allowed him to create a perpetual childhood. One he never had and never dealt with. He was accused of some very serious crimes and many people still believe he is a pedophile.

I happen to love MJ's music. It was, dare I s... More >>

I read with great interest the Op Ed piece in last Friday's NY Times by David Brooks about the potential regime change in Iran.

So many of his observations as to the probable cause of the seemingly spontaneous acts by simple everyday citizens which served as accelerants to the gathering inferno seemed to resonate to me as core social networking verities.

Thus, Brooks observed that "The fa... More >>

Disclaimer: This is a true story that happened to a dear family member. However, to protect the innocent, I am not mentioning names. I am writing in the first person as if it happened to me.

Late last week, I am on an airplane out of LaGuardia for the flight to Chicago. You may recall the bad weather. Suffice it to say that it was a rocky takeoff to cruising altitude. As soon as we we... More >>

Last week, we flew to Western North Carolina for a conference and it was green. It was the greenest state I’d ever flown over - with millions of trees and not that many buildings. The Smoky Mountains were beautiful and more often than not, veiled in foggy clouds (hence the smoky name). We stayed in Asheville, a mecca for Southern tourism, and a lovely small city filled with art galleries, bou... More >>

That first day with my blackberry feels like yesterday. Bill and I had tickets to a show and during intermission, while he went to the men's room, I gave in to the urge to check my email. It was kind of like a nasty, nagging itch that called for immediate scratching. I checked, but only when Bill wasn't looking -- and then only admitted my indiscretion when he gave me "that look". That first ... More >>

During his last weekend before sleep-away camp, my 10 year-old son played in his last hockey tournament of the spring season. While the road trips to Philly are growing tiresome, the game never does. Nor does watching your kid compete in a sport that is both beautiful (finesse skating and stick handling) and somewhat violent (now that they are old enough to check!).

Some teams play dirty, oth... More >>

One of my closest friends called two weeks ago and told me of his father's sudden and unexpected death. I was very fond of his father and had known him since 1974.

I got on a plane and few to Chicago, arriving the night before the funeral. My friend Bob, his wife, and I sat up in his kitchen until past midnight. Walking around his house I noticed a set of about five nearly identical photog... More >>

By far the best job (although it's really not a job) is being a Dad. I loved walking my kids to school when they were young then driving them when they were older. People ask me what the best age was and my response is every year is the best. Being a part of your children's growth is one of the gifts that life has to offer. Going to every track meet, every concert, every parent/teach meeting, gra... More >>

This blog is in the spirit and in recognition of Father's Day!

Last week I started my blog about meeting Senator Gillibrand with my oft repeated words "My father once counseled me....." and Lydia Fernandez, the venerable and classy receptionist at the Friars Club, who knew my Damon Runyon character father all too well, remarked after reading those words (my blog gets wide distribution) that she... More >>

A week ago an 88 year old man walked into the Holocaust Museum in Washington and shot and killed a security guard before being shot and disarmed. No doubt his intention was to kill many others. When faced with similar incidents in the past, I found myself attributing the atrocity to a very sick mind. As discomforting as that might be, it usually sufficed to allow me to accept and move on. But this... More >>

The world of small electronics grows daily and I am getting caught up in its net. I think it all started with a sophisticated television remote that made watching TV a little more stressful because I couldn’t turn the TV on and off without help. Now I have an ipod to listen to music wherever I go, and a cell phone so my children can and do reach me anywhere I go. I have a digital camera that t... More >>

Have you noticed the media frenzy over the last few days around Sarah Palin and David Letterman?

If you are not yet familiar with the story, here is the set up. Palin visited Yankee Stadium last week with her family (and Rudy Giuliani). That evening, during Letterman's monologue, he joked "One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game: during the seventh inning her daughter was knoc... More >>

Let me preface this blog by saying that I do not have road rage, have read about it, seen a little here and there -- BUT -- I think it’s either in you or not, like genetics.

I might feel that way because after having children, I found I would do anything to soothe a crying baby in the back seat -- even while driving, I might reach back to stroke a leg, hand a bottle, sippy cup, book, ANYTHI... More >>

If all goes according to plan, then as you are reading this today I will be riding my bike for about seven hours starting at 7:30 this morning in my first attempt at a century. Today is the North Fork Century Ride -- 100 miles (that is not metric miles, it is 100 All American made in the USA miles, Mr. Klein).

The ride starts and ends in Greenpoint, goes past David Henry's house, and will we... More >>

Okay, so I leave yesterday afternoon to enjoy a weekend. I open my email up this morning and the email count is 376. Less than 12 hours and it's pouring in.

Some of it is spam and some of it is not. I'd say about 65/35 real mail vs spam. I do get a lot of email but that seems like an inordinate amount. I'm wondering if anybody else has gotten a sudden increase over the last week.

This has b... More >>

My father once counseled me that "face to face" is the best and only way to communicate and get to know someone for so many reasons. Well, on Monday morning I had a "face to face" (aka "Face Time") with New York's Junior Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and, the way I think (I'm accused of suffering from "It's all about me" delusions-you be the judge), her life will never be the same.

How did thi... More >>

I am on a determined “power” walk. There is a bug on my shirt – going for the ride. I think of myself as a bus or delivery truck driving up Sixth Avenue with a bicycle delivery rider latched on to my side. I think of Fred running a stride behind me in the marathon, in the beneficial draft of my running.
I wonder about the interesting relationships. Are these parasites or ar... More >>

Great teachers are in the news – are they worth the money if they have extraordinary qualifications? I just got back from a workshop lead by a great teacher. He asked questions, opened lines of thought, addressed the needs of each individual, and shared his considerable knowledge generously. I have also been privileged, this spring, to study Photoshop with an amazing teacher who, through unus... More >>

Opening disclaimer. No politics on Gotham's website. I get that (in fact, I think I even helped to come up with that rule). So, being the rule follower that I was raised to be, no deviations here.

But today (which when you read this will be yesterday) I had breakfast with New York's Junior Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand and I feel the need to make one observation. Of course, I was not alone. Ther... More >>

Say that three times fast! All kidding aside, the French Open Men’s Final took place yesterday and it started out as a pleasant, if non-eventful match. With Nadal out of the picture, Federer was confidently dominating his opponent, Robin Soderling, with graceful force and precision play.

During the second set, a spectator leaped over a row of photographers and jumped onto the court causin... More >>

Science is harrowing this week.

First and most upsetting is the Air France crash. I would like to think in the recesses of my fantasy that they have not found the wreckage because the jet flew through a cloud of space/time continuim and the passangers are all in the future somewhere and will return. It is painful to accept the truth: that a jet could break up 35,000 feet in the sky.

Eve li... More >>

The 50/50 raffle at the golf outing sparked some interesting discussions and thoughts.

I have been at several outings where there was such a raffle and each time there has been controversy and at the minimum, a difference of opinion. There are some who believe that the recipient should always give it back and there are others who believe that it's a contest and you should keep it. If you belie... More >>

As you may know, Monday was Gotham's 8th Annual Golf Outing and, if you can keep a secret, it was the very best by what I hear and surely in my opinion. Why so?

Passing on the beautiful weather (Why does Norm Spizz get to take credit for the weather?), magnificent golf course, great caddy and ample delicious food, it was because I started out the day by talking to Bob Formica on my cell phone... More >>

A legal issue involving Israel recently came up with another attorney in my office. He asked around whether anyone had any experience in this particular area. Whenever Israel comes up, I usually think of my father. He was an avid supporter of Israel and was very active and well-known in that community. I remember going to the Israeli Consulate with my father -- he was a frequent visitor and by-pa... More >>

Guys, do you wear guyliner? Do you outline your eyes in black like a rockstar? Foundation? A little lip gloss? Women – what can’t you go out without? Mascara? A little blush? Lipstick? The whole shebang?

The Egyptians did it. So did the Greeks and Romans. Cosmetics have been used throughout history (although sometimes just by prostitutes). In our society, I find it interesting th... More >>

When it comes to golf outings, I think we have mastered the day. Yesterday was Gotham’s 8th Annual Golf Outing.

Over the course of the years, we have developed a sort of rhythm for this event which includes a format where both golfers and non-golfers alike (this latter category I am convinced was developed for me) can enjoy a beautiful day replete with good food, good friends and your own... More >>

I am not kidding; go out and buy it, take it out of the library, borrow my copy -- whatever it takes.

Our next Gotham Book Club event will feature author Cynthia Kaplan’s most recent book, “Leave The Building Quickly.”

While it’s my role to publicize and promote our book selections, this time it’s not out of a sense of duty or obligation. “Leave The Building Quickly” is one... More >>