The line for the "by invitation members-only” preview of the reopening of the renovated Museum of Modern Art was around the block as we found our way to its. As we took our place in line, the woman ahead of us was complaining to a MOMA representative that she was canceling her membership because waiting on such a line was no way to be treated as a …
It’s been an ongoing dialogue with my good friend Gil about the National League rivalry between the Washington Nationals and the Mets. Gil lives in D.C. Several years ago, when the Mets prevailed and made it into the playoffs, I made sure that Gil was suited in Mets regalia so he could properly cheer his adopted team - even if only for the playof …
To complain or not to complain..... I had organized a trip that included a lunch for about 35 people. It was a nice place with a water view. The buffet was set up with an array of choices. Things seemed fine. A day or two later I received an email from my contact at the place asking how things had gone. Before I sent my usual “fine” and thanks, …
We’re lucky to live where we can enjoy the colors of autumn.Last weekend, we enjoyed the fall foliage in the Berkshires. During the drive north, we saw the gradual differentiation in the colors of the leaves and wondered what colors awaited us at our destination.It’s still shy of peak.Another weekend and a little further north. The colors await.
What goes around comes around — whether you know it or not. A few years ago I assisted a client of mine in resolving and terminating a long-standing business relationship. The attorney on the other side was a bit more aggressive than may have beennecessary under the circumstances — a point that was not lost on my client. A few weeks ago that sa …
As I was driving home from the office the other day, I glanced over at the car to my right and noticed the CNN logo on the car’s multi-media screen. He must also be listening to CNN. I listen to the news during my commute — when I’m not on the phone. I listen - and watch - the news far too much. I’m beginning to believe that it’s not good for m …
I blogged last week about that awkward moment when someone you don’t recognize greets you by name. Amparo and I continue to wonder how to handle that situation. Here is another situation spawned at a social event: I was introduced to a man at a wedding recently. He was from a small city and I mentioned the name of a friend of mine from there. …
It’s that awkward moment. “Hello Ben” she says as she smiles and extends her hand. I have no idea who she is. Several ideas quickly go through my head as I smile and extend my hand to hers. Do I pretend to know her without mentioning a name? Do I apologize and ask her who she is and how she knows me? All the while, I wonder when my puzzled …
This weekend we will be celebrating my mother’s ninetieth birthday at a small gathering of family and her friends. As the day approaches, I contemplate what few words I might say in her honor and I realize that the words of others would add immeasurably to the predictable words of a biased son. Many of you in the Gotham family have met Esther. …
Do you use straws? Do you like them? Do you care what they are made of? I ask these questions because I have been encountering a growing opposition to straws. We have actually converted to reusable hard plastic straws. The "last straw" was when I recently saw a restaurant’s admonition that “we only serve straws upon request”. But, somehow, it …
We were in Falmouth for the 47th running of the prestigious Falmouth Road Race — a 7.1 mile run from the drawbridge in Woods Hole to the British Beer Company tavern in Falmouth Heights. Our Inn was right on the path of the race about a tenth of a mile from the finish. The porch gave us a perfect view. Watching the runners was inspirational and a …
You’ve got to discard (recycle) things from time to time. Advice I've heard is that if you haven’t used it in a year or two, it’s time to clean it out. I have followed that advice as best I can...usually without regret. This year we’ll be in Falmouth Massachusetts on the weekend of the famous Falmouth Road Race. I’ve been to Falmouth many times …
It is a small theater in the Berkshires and we settled into our seats looking forward to the show. Soon after we were seated, a patron came in and sat behind us. The gentleman carried a portable oxygen concentrator that was providing air flow to the tubes leading to his nose. As he sat and the lights dimmed the noise - a whirring sound - comin …
It's summer and that means t-shirts and hats. I have too many t-shirts and too many hats. Many reminders of places visited. Something about probably being meaningful when I got them. Last weekend we were in the Berkshires and I donned a t-shirt from Tobay - the South Shore beach of the Town of Oyster Bay on Long Island --- and my baseball cap b …
How do you get to work? I’m thinking about this as I ride the Long Island Railroad for a day of meetings in the City. Over the years I have “commuted” for untold hours in almost every imaginable mode of transportation. I have read, sometimes with amazement, sometimes with admiration, about commuters who retire and celebrate forty years of conti …
