When we are on vacation we go to a bike friendly place that is flat and has bike lanes. We have been going there for 17 years and have never had a car. Biking is our main transportation, morning, noon and night. We have mid century "cruisers" without gears and pedal reversal brakes.To be honest, biking is always a vacation high light. It is both in …
I have never tired of "After The Gold Rush" and have always been a fan of the great Neil Young. Most recently, I was fascinated by his book "Waging Heavy Peace" and his professed love for his long time wife and collaborator Pegi. But then he divorces the love of his life for a Mermaid. Love can break whose heart?
On Tuesday night October 21, 18 Gothamites who are also members of the Friars Club will meet for drinks in the Club's Lucille Ball Bar to discuss important issues of the day. On the agenda is expanding Friars Club membership in the Tribe. At present, the following Gothamites are fellow Friars: Bruce Swicker, Daniel Hochler, Danny Mizrahi, David Ste …
In addition to this weekly creative outlet I also utilize Facebook daily. Last week I posted the above photo along with the words "Until one has loved an animal part of their soul remains unawakened".Truth be told, they are not my words, but the tag line of our Pet Insurance company. Whatever their origin, these words muster up and describe an inne …
The age old question is: If you could have one thing would it be money, fame or power? What would it be for you and for what reasons?I know what it is for me and will chime in at the end of the day. Weigh in please!
Someone once said there are 3 stages in life: youth, middle age and "you look good". Funny, but so true. My next birthday will be my 73rd and I'm pleased to say I'm comfortably in the third stage and plan to continue until I'm 100. I work very very hard in my daily battle with Father Time. Not many people would be willing to pay that price. Hard wo …
When I was young I had no direction and wondered aimlessly and accomplished little. I can't pinpoint the moment in time when my self hatred overwhelmed my sloth, but there was a metamorphosis as I got into sports and athletics. I learned about training and getting into shape as a competitive necessity. Then the running boom arrived and I became a r …
I started writing this blog on Labor Day, the official start of the end of Summer blues and the unofficial end of Summer. Are my moody blues darker due to having experienced a once in a generation perfect Summer? I don't know for sure, but my wistful earlier blog was not entitled "Endless Summer" by accident. Yeah, Fall is nice, but I have to wond …
Rather than having coffee or lunch dates I favor the 5 o'clock drink at the Friars Club. Not only is the mood "lubricated" by alcohol, but many interesting folks wander into the Lucille Ball Bar to add to the cheer and mix. Last Thursday I met with two venerable Gotham members at the Friars and was surprised when neither ordered an alcoholic drink …
Do you remember the ground breaking surfing movie "Endless Summer"? It was memorable and beautiful. As has been this amazing Summer. At the start, when I heralded it with my classic "Summer Time, Summer Time" blog, I had no idea how wonderful and enjoyable it would be. In a word it has been historic. In all my many years there has never, ever been …
Jefferson's three examples of our unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.Happiness is the state of Felicity.It has been said that it's not how much we have but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness (Charles Spurgeon). Lincoln added most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to …
For as long as Gotham has had softball teams (Batmen and Bombers) I have pitched for one or the other. However, I was forced to retire this Winter due to chronic hip and back pain. I became the non playing Manager of the Batmen, but never scratched the itch or exorcised the dream to return to the pitching mound. Over the last few months the pain ha …
Tonight is the first Playoff game for the Gotham Batmen after a regular season record of 10-1. I am the Manager and rare pitcher for the team. I don't know about you, but I don't shy from competition. Rather, it makes my blood boil in anticipation and I thrill to yell "It's great to be young and a Batman!" when we win. Here's hoping!
Last week Thomas Berger, most famous for his novel "Little Big Man", died at the age of 89. While reading his obituary I was intrigued by another oh his books entitled "Changing The Past" (1989) In which a man gets to go back in time to the forks in his road and take the other path.Wow, what a concept!What would you do? I must admit that I am at …
Last Friday night the partners of the firm went to Rao's for some special after hours fun. Why "Where's Waldo"? Because my 4 law partners are female as is our Office Manager and my life (wife) partner. So see if you can find Waldo in the above picture of my law and life partners. For sure, the staff and patrons at Rao's regarded me as the lucky m …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend