We don't talk about our mentors enough.Some people don't have any mentors.Some people are afraid to become mentors.I've been fortunate enough to have many amazing mentors in all walks of life.Queenie was my 1st mentor in Gotham and she taught me the importance of showing up on time (I used to be habitually late).  It was a painful, but important lesson.

Last time the US Open came to Shinnecock HIlls was 2018. Winner was Brooks Koepka. It came with some contriversy as the USGA decided that the course became so difficult and so "Unplayable" they watered the greens in the middle of the round on Saturday helping some players while those who already played did not get any benefit. The US Open tournament is suppossed to be the most difficult playing conditions of the year and the USGA always lives up to that. Lets see how the tournament progresses this week. Ill be there in Friday!

At a group meeting last week, I ordered my usual salad.  I really enjoy that salad as I've tweaked it over time so that it has just the right balance of the tastes and textures I like.Last week, a new texture was bestowed upon my lunch.I was more than half way through and dug for my next forkful.  With the lettuce, cucumbers and apples that gathered on my fork, I noticed something dark.  It seemed out of place.As I looked more closely, I confirmed just how out of place it was since it very clearly used to be something alive.

I am going to follow up on a blog I wrote two weeks ago concerning news stories that unite us. This is also a follow up to Corey’s blog from yesterday about the Knicks win. As I know that Corey is a longtime Knicks fan, I was happy that he was the first Gotham blogger to write about their tremendous win. As a person who is not really a sports fan, I am happy to be the second blogger to do so. 

I took a risk of sorts.  Perhaps I just believed.  I wanted to blog about a Knicks win.  It meant waiting.  Obviously I did wait…a bit. Congratulations New York Knicks.  They delivered!  Big time!  A big joy to experience. 

I recently asked a group of people I was giving a workshop to (on AI, no less:) whether AI is making us smarter or just helping us avoid thinking. Then, of course, I considered asking AI for the answer. 

Gotham's 10th annual Battle of the Bands was held last Sunday at Gotham member and lead sponsor (in memory of his brother Michael Skody) William Skody's Club Groove, located in the heart of Greenwich Village on Mulberry Street in New York City.Starting at 3:00, 5 bands competed energetically andJudges Mike Steger, Larry Bassen and Lawrence Ballereau chose "Visual Cliff" as the winner, while "Mercury Maid" finished second and "Leo Sawikin" third.  First Place prize was $2000 (plus a Showcase at iconic Cafe Wha?), second $1000 and third$500.

You walk into a department store and, within a few minutes, a well-meaning salesperson asks if you need assistance.You politely decline and are answered with a gentle suggestion that they are available should you change your mind.A few minutes later, the encounter repeats itself, albeit with a different salesperson.When you finally ask for assistance, a salesperson asks whether anyone has been helping you.You wonder whether anyone has “helped”  and you’re uncomfortable because you realize that your answer determines who gets credit for any sale.