I was a fledgling 27 year old when I started with my firm.  I had just left the National Labor Relations Board on a Friday and reported to work the following Monday. My boss was Martin C. Seham a larger than life Harvard Law School graduate who plucked me from obscurity and set me on an amazing miraculous career path. One of the first things he urged me to do was grow a mustache so I would look more seasoned. He was a role model and inspiration who opened the door for me and ...

I was happy to learn that major hotels chains, including Hyatt, Intercontinental, Hilton and Marriott, are eliminating those little travel size shampoos, conditioners and bath gels within the next few years. I’ve always wondered about these little amenities. They are convenient, yet wasteful, but no longer tolerable. Another pet peeve lurks nearby on the hotel bathroom counter — those little bars of soap. For years, I have traveled with a small soap dish and use it to a...

Exciting activities abound! Yesterday I was the Master of Ceremonies for West Chester University’s Women Entrepreneurship Conference and boy what a treat. I’m still digging through all of the invites and sifting through the opportunity to help my fellow sorority sisters. The ideas abound. Inspiration was the name of the game. It felt like a giant cheerleader competition and we were all on the same squad, cheering for the same team. Women helping women... Words like, MOXIE a...

  I always wear a watch. Putting on my watch in the morning is sort of like putting on my shoes. I couldn’t leave the house without either. It doesn’t matter whether I’m going to run errands, head out to work or to dinner with friends. My watch is a staple part of my wardrobe. I read a study recently about people who won't wear a watch socially. On a Saturday night when work is not top of mind and errands are long completed, they say, wearing a watch takes away some o...

  Fred has an expression that he often uses that I love, “Let your freak flag fly.” To me, it means that we should freely embrace our individuality.       I have mentioned, in prior blogs, that I enjoy science fiction. Recently, I was in Disney and was able to go The Star Wars exhibit, The Galaxy’s Edge. We were also lucky enough to get on the premier ride, The Millennium Falcon. That morning, I “piloted” a space ship trying to save precious cargo for the Resistance, roamed ...

This month continued a run of some really nice concerts.  Last weekend I closed up shop; that means no more outside office.  If I were not away and returning (See Rock and more rock) the weekend before, I probably would have achieved closure that weekend. After completing that “work,” I treated Shelly and me to a show at My Father’s Place. Originally we had plans to meet friends “upstate” but when those plans changed I looked over the shows and selected Robert Gordon with Chr...

Sign stealing is almost as old as baseball itself, and has been part of the sport for a long time. It appears that the Astros might have taken things a bit too far.   A report from Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich at The Athletic details rampant sign stealing by the Astros at Minute Maid Park in 2017, the year they won the World Series said the Astros used a camera positioned in the outfield to relay opposing catcher signs to the home dugout. They had a screen in the dugout an...

Once upon a time we scored back stage passes for a Rolling Stones concert. As we wandered about in the promised land we came upon Keith Richards and I seized the moment and asked him to stop and pose for a picture with me.  He was readily willing, but said he was about to go on stage.  I hurriedly handed the camera to Joanne who was not familiar with it and faltered. My instant state of alarm was immediately soothed as he smiled at Jo and, as if he had all day, sweetly said “...

There must be dozens of books written about the psychology of being a sports fan. I’m not sure what takes over ….. either it’s transference or something else. I surprised myself the other night as I watched the football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. I follow the Seahawks - a slight tip of the hat to my daughter and son-in-law who lived in Seattle. It was an exciting and memorable game. What surprised me was how invested I became in the...

It’s better to give than receive, but when it comes to receiving, how well do you accept your gifts? Accepting a gift of someone’s time, resource, trust, loyalty, or even a small box with a bow on top is difficult for some. To look another person in the eye and graciously accept the gift can be just as important for the relationship as giving. The act of giving and receiving is the basis, or an essential for building a relationship. Communication is a give and take. If one p...

  I have seen the MASH finale so many times. We’re big fans in our house. Watching it today, on Veteran’s Day, brought a more focused perspective. Sure, it was moving to watch the poignant scenes as each of the characters figured out how to say goodbye to each other (even Trapper). That long embrace between Hawkeye and Major Houlihan is classic. But the most poignant take away for me was a story Gary Burghoff told in connection with tonight’s broadcast. Burghoff played ...

  This week I have been thinking a lot about, and discussing, trust and forgiveness. My good friend’s significant other, whom she has been with for a very long time, did something that violated her trust (no he did not cheat on her). Since then he has shown genuine remorse and significant introspection about the nature of his actions and why they were wrong.     Now he is looking to my friend to forgive him. And that’s why the interplay of trust and forgiveness have dominat...

Last week I needed to prefile my blog. Simple reason. A flight from Edinburgh, Scotland to JFK. One might call it a classical trip. It involved an awful lot of rock.   My daughter and I landed a week ago Monday and promptly visited two castles, Hampton Court and Windsor.   Tuesday involved the musical variety: a classic rock/ Beatles tour (See pic at left) and a Squeeze concert at the most beautiful venue I ever took in a show, Royal Albert Hall.  Of course on way way to the...

Winter is upon us. The leaves have turned and are falling off. The cold is invading and I'm cleaning out my fireplace today to start the burn.   Until yesteday, I had forgotten how the cold knifes through your clothes and brings a chill. For those in warmer parts of the planet, you probably don't miss that.   However, it is a sign and although it may be unpleasant for a bit, I welcome it. I love the changing seasons. I know that my favorite holiday is right around the corner ...

Last weekend we went for lunch in Huntington and when the check came the server explain that the Internet was down and asked me to write my phone number and credit card info on the check. I did so and in all the unusual hurly-burly I forgot to take back my credit card. This is one of the most annoying things I do. It is a failure of concentration which plagues me about once a year.  I hate it!On the way home we stopped in nearby Cold Spring Harbor for fancy coffee and a delis...