The other night, we were having dinner with friends at a restaurant and there was a call on Joanne's phone. Normally, because we were out for dinner, she would have let it go to voice mail. However, this time, for whatever the reason, she answered and handed me the phone saying it was our friend Paul. I took the phone and wise cracked "Why are yo …
Recently, a friend, a recovering alcoholic, told me she had a "high bottom", a term I was unfamiliar with. Too proud to ask, I later looked it up and learned that "high bottom" connotes an alcoholic who recognizes the problematic nature of their drinking early on and decides to pursue recovery before hitting a more severe low. Well, it was news t …
No doubt, climate change is wreaking havoc. Be it hurricanes (water) or Fire. This time, it is the horrible Santa Ana wind blown LA fires. My words can not describe the damage and tragedy they have wrought! What I can do is support a Gotham initiative spawned by Gotham Hall of Fame member Bruce Swicker (Networker of the Year 2022). Bruce, who l …
Concentrating on the bright side of a unique, complicated year my positive highlights are:1) Appreciable Gotham growth and community 2) Visiting mile marker 823) Grandson Shawn becomes an Eagle Scout4) Shawn and sister Ruby compete in Gotham Battle of the Bands5) A good friend is cancer free6) Family picture on Rao's wall7) 4 months without Drinkin …
If you have found me to be pushy (excessively or unpleasantly self assertive or ambitious) lately, I apologize. Blame it on my ambition. Ambition is a good trait, as is self assertion and, in this case, it resulted in favorable results for the Gotham community in general. Partially because of my pushing, the Gotham Foundation Season of Giving …
One of my goals in life is to continue to "be in the traffic" (and remain relevant). However, if you want to be in the traffic you need to deal with the congestion.And so it goes...
As I live my life I concentrate on not allowing my mind to enter dark rooms where depression and despair reside waiting to cloud my outlook on life. Consistent with my oft stated mantra "Up is down and down is up" I always seek to see the bright side of a situation or event. I try to spread this "cheer" to those who have been brought down and defl …
I am a member of a quarterly Gotham breakfast group (pictured). Members are Corey, Bruce Swicker, Robert Intelisano, David Oralevich, Craig Shink, Alan Kreit and David Abeshouse. At our most recent breakfast we discussed the sad news of the passing of David's beloved younger brother Adam and resolved to attend the Shiva together at David's house. …
A person who is incapable of being satisfied is considered insatiable. I'm not sure whether it is a negative or positive (or possibly both) characteristic, but, oft times, it applies to me.I admit to many insatiable hungers. For example, I can't get enough of Aaron Judge, the Yankee baseball superstar. I watch his every at bat, know all his sta …
As follow up to my recent "Taking Credit" blog, where I declared I no longer need to take credit for what has blossomed from a suggestion or idea, I need to add that, nonetheless, an important ingredient of social intercourse is feedback. Feedback is follow-up/response to one's suggestion or idea. By responding one acknowledges receipt and inform …
As I mature and my life evolves I amaze myself that I no longer have that unquenchable thirst to take credit for something I did, inspired or created. Taking credit is the action of allowing people to know that you did something that deserves praise or special attention. For a very long time that was important to me, but lately I have let it go a …
Delegation (or delegating) is the process of distributing and entrusting work to another person. To me, the process of delegating is a powerful offshoot and manifestation of networking. Thus, if one has a potent network, as we do in www.gothamnetwoking.com, we are in a position to accomplish the task at hand in the quickest and most effective mann …
"Triple Crown" is a sports sobriquet denoting the winner of significant 3 titles. My favorite is the Major League Baseball Award to the league batting leader in 3 categories: Batting Average, Runs Batted in and Home Runs. My favorite Baseball Triple Crown winner was, of course, Mickey Mantle in 1956. In Thoroughbred Horse Racing there is also a …
Yes, we are "Snowbirds" (northerners who move to a warmer southern state to escape Winter) and we have been escaping in Paradise (Key West) for four warm, fun filled, months and, truth be told, as I write this, I am sad to leave. But leave we must as Family and an alternative, full, abundant life awaits us in Springtime New York. What will I mis …
This past week has been epic for my grandson Shawn Atom. One could describe it as a "Hat Trick" as he culminated his 7 year quest to become an Eagle Scout (achieved by only 4% of all Boy Scouts), decided to attend the venerable engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and and is attempting to find a vocalist so his band can enter Got …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend