Anyone knowing my calendar could expect another blog about a show; it needs to wait.  Bumped by a proud parent moment.  Midweek, just after noon, our talent daughter texted her mom and dad: “I just won the AJC 2026 Champion of Innovation Award.  

Everyone lies.Sometimes it’s serious. Other times, it’s simply saying, “I’m five minutes away,” while still getting dressed.We lie to avoid trouble, protect feelings, or convince ourselves that buying something on sale is technically saving money. But the dark side is you have to remember your lies or create follow-up lies. Now you’re maintaining a fictional universe with more characters than a television drama.The truth may be uncomfortable, but at least it’s easier to remember.And honestly, that’s no lie.

Dreams are stories, images and feelings that the mind creates during sleep.  We dream about 2 hours each night, mostly in REM sleep.  We all have them.   In my dreams, I dream mostly about negative things, eg, crawling through a claustrophobic tunnel, and I do remember them.  

I rarely answer the phone if it’s a number that I don’t recognize. Caller ID, Spam Risk notifications and my Favorites all help in screening my calls. I was reminded recently when, expecting a call from a doctor’s office, I answered a call from an unfamiliar number to someone offering me a “better” phone and internet service.And our vigilance is being put to an ever-greater test.

As of this post, my birthday was yesterday and the years keep going by ever faster. So much has happened over the last 12 months. The two largest events were my end of a 25-year run at Xerox. I made a good life for my family and self, and it enabled me to move to Florida sooner than expected. The other major event was my five-disk cervical neck surgery. It ended many years of discomfort but did leave me with less dexterity and other limitations I will need to live with (including a finger tremor and sore neck and shoulder muscles).

This “thing” has been living in my brain.  Why do I own exactly one good pair of scissors, and why does it vanish just when I need to open a package?My observation is not just about that pair of scissors.  It is about that persistent scavenger hunt for objects I definitely own but can never locate. Chargers. Tupperware lids. That one earring.

I called an adversary on a case last Monday on her cell phone. We had previously agreed to speak on Monday. When I called, she advised me that she was out in Montauk for the day as she decided, Monday morning, to take the day off. I laughed, wished her a great day and we agreed to speak later in the week. 

Though a cherished song by Chicago who were not on the bill last night (Saturday, July 25), the title just fit as we enjoyed four bands at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Nassau County’s Eisenhower Park.  Weather-wise, it turned into a lovely, cool, dry eve.  Good music, my wife and official concert partner-daughter, a few good friends, dinner we brought in. Fun conversations before the show and between acts.  What could be better?  Mark and Amy arrived first and “secured” our spot.