Heartland Brewery was under fire last week for a slogan attached to one of its beers, which was a dark Bavarian. The theme of the beer was S & M, and the label (see photo) was a woman with a whip standing over a submissive man. Whether you like that image or not, it is supposed to be a good beer. The controversy was over the advertising of …
There are only two times during the bicycle riding season that I stop often to rest -- the first half and the second half. When the sun starts to climb higher and the snows are melting in late March or early April, I take my first ride outside. No riding on a stationary bike -- like a crew team rowing in a pool -- can fully prepare you for ridin …
I was just talking to someone who recently retired as COO of a large not for profit. I asked him how he felt and whether he missed it. Not at all, he said. In fact, that same not for profit pays him well to consult. As a consultant all he has to do is give his opinion. No decisions, no pressure, no responsibility. He tells them what he think …
A full page in the Times on Friday advertised a coming auction at Sotheby's of a Mark Rothko painting. It is called No. 21 (Red, Brown, Black and Orange). Here is a picture of it. Not being a student of modern art, I have not heard of Rothko though apparently he is one of the most famous post war American artists along with Andy Warhol, Jackso …
The thought has occurred to me over the years, that if terrorism in the U.S. became so bad and I had to move to another country, where would I go? I have no plans to do this, and just renewed my lease. But what if? The clear choice to me was always Australia. It is tucked away, the climate is similar to what we have here, they speak English, a …
Eve carries her whole life in her handbag. I am amazed when she pulls out bandaids, alcohol wipes, benedryl, eyeglass cleaner wipes, tylenol, tweezers, a thermometer, small screwdriver, Qtips, a small flashlight, toothpicks, dental floss and the list goes on. She would have done really well on Let's Make a Deal. I tease her about it and can' …
That envelope that the doctor's receptionship keeps with all the cash co-pays, and that I contribute my $30 to each visit, I wonder if the doctor just snatches that at the end of the day as he is putting on his coat and leaving the office. That's a nice little bunch of lunch money. I am going to start charging co-pays. That and my tip jar. See …
Ever year or so Eve asks me if I still have my pen. She is referring to the beautiful sleek black Cartier pen she bought me years ago that I keep in my office. Being prone to losing things, I resolved never to take that pen out of my office. Every night before I leave work I put it away (the spot will not be revealed in case any of you get any b …
I am at the age when my adult children complain about me the way I used to complain about my parents. We have some of the same types of discussions and even disagreements my parents and I had thirty years ago. It reminds me of a Abraham Lincoln story. He was in court representing a client one afternoon arguing a case. The judge asked Lincoln i …
Watching the Tour de France, I am thinking of Gino Bartali. Born one hundered years ago, in 1914 in Florence, Bartali is one of the top five bicycle racers of all time. He won the Giro d'Italia in 1936, 1937 and 1946. And won the Tour de France in 1938 and then again after the war in 1948, his most famous victory. It was the largest gap ever be …
Over the years I have become much more of an optimist. It has become much easier to see the cup as half full instead of half empty. This may be as a result of retraining my brain, or maturing, or maybe not really caring about what I used to think was important and now I realize is not. On a vacation I would sometimes worry more about the fact t …
I am not superstitious. Then again... When I board an airplane, there is a rule. Right foot first. And just before we get on board, Eve always will ask, "which foot again?" and I answer "right foot" and then I pretend I am stepping with my left foot but quickly put the right foot first. I have also began tapping the outside of the fuselage as …
Do you bank on line? I do it the old fashioned way. By check. My checkbook is a binder with three checks and stubs per page. Every year or so I take out the stubs, clip them, and put them in the bottom of a drawer. My father used to pay his bills out of his checkbook sitting in the dining room table at night after dinner. He also had a large …
After spending most of yesterday in my office arranging files for storage, I aimed back towards the garage where I had parked, taking in the mild spring-like weather. I decided to avoid the crowds and tourists on 42nd Street, and instead walked casually down 43rd St where there were few people, towards Ninth Avenue. I had a productive day, was lo …
Sitting on my office desk facing me is a Tiffany Lalique glass crystal sculpted eagle head. My parents gave it to me forty-seven years ago for my bar mitzvah. And for all of those forty-seven years, through high school, college, and law school, in St. Louis and Chicago, and back through a number of homes in New York, I have always had it with …
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