Looks like our education system will need to step it up a notch in an effort to stem tide of tech-related cheating. A Guardian investigation revealed that these cases have risen 42%. As an example, a British law student was caught red-handed using a James Bond style gadget to cheat in a university exam. The woman was found with 24 pages of note …
At my apogee, I was a tall 5'9 3/4" and could even leap to touch the basketball rim. Well, I just took my annual physical and, presently, I just managed to stand 5'7" small. Clearly, I'm shrinking and I have learned the shrinkage has something to do with my posture, gravitational pull on my spinal discs and the deterioration of the intervening …
Last weekend, we went to Washington to visit our children, Jeremy (and Stephanie) and Mea (and Charles), who live in the nation's capital. We like Washington and having family to visit makes the trips their even more special. But this trip was very special. We drove down to D.C. with a very special passenger. When she heard that we were drivin …
On this day in 1937, Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer prize for her first, and only, novel: Gone with the Wind. She wrote the book while recovering from an ankle injury and only showed it to a publisher's talent scout after initially saying she didn't have anything worth showing him. Second thoughts can be valuable. Being born and raised primaril …
At some point late in any afternoon, a 20 minute nap is restorative. It is a break and adds a little recharge to be ready to attack the rest of the day. On a quiet weekend day, napping plays a different role. It fits neatly with other types of relaxation like reading a book, watching a movie. It's not about that extra boost of energy. I propose …
I happened to turn onto a rerun of “Cheers” the other evening. It caused me to think about whether I have a place where “everybody knows your name.” And I realized that my husband and I do. We have a favorite small restaurant that we often go to where they know us by name, have excellent and bountiful Italian food, and will often make sure they h …
I enjoy teamwork. From playing basketball many a time, I see one or more players complaining about the sides we make. We really endeavor to balance things. I look beyond the sum of individual talents and the try to weigh the chemistry of the team; how they work together, find open players, make the right pass, set that monster pick, roll to t …
Another funny and true story comes to us from Michigan this week. A Michigan village clerk, Julie Glenn, sent a couple their water bill addressed to the woman "and the [expletive] who lives here too." (see below) Ms Glenn ended up sending a letter of apology to Annette Tolis and Kevin Barthel after they noticed the profane insult in the wate …
My son David and I have played on the Gotham Batmen softball team for many years. I am the Batmen pitcher and David plays alongside me at third base. Last week the umpire asked me my age and after telling him I then pointed out that my son was also on the team. At the end of the next inning the ump called David and me over and, surprisingly, put …
Last Sunday, I attended the annual Commemoration of the Holocaust at Temple Emanu-El in New York. I watched, as I have for so many years, my Mother light a memorial candle with other survivors. We remembered. During the ceremony, survivors were honored and as I listened to their stories, a theme resonated. The majority recounted how they fled and …
Gotham meetings are like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're going to get. But it is ALWAYS going to be interesting. At Gotham MAD yesterday, among all the wonderful people who attended, was Lucas Hunt, Auctioneer (guest of the Battle of the Bands judge, David Mack). Fred, being Fred and always wanting a new experience, asked him to a …
I have a particular taste in wine. Most who know anything about wine at all, (mostly) politely chuckle when I order. My standing question to a server or a bartender is – “What is the sweetest white wine you have on your menu?” Ideally, the answer is a sweet Riesling or even better a Moscato. [I did learn about Ice Wine not that long ago bu …
On Friday morning I started, what will be, a long custody trial. As most lawyers will tell you, trial work can be emotionally and physically exhausting as well as mentally challenging. You really have to be “on” 100% of the time throughout the entire proceeding. Custody trials, by their nature, can be emotionally draining not only on the litigants …
Next Sunday, one day following the First 100 days of the current administration, Gotham hosts its annual Battle of the Bands. Discussions about politics tend towards controversy and division. Music tends to bring people of different persuasions together. Friday I posted the text of my presentation last Wednesday eve hosted by the Gotham Exec …
In honor of Earth day today, I thought I might share some interesting facts: • First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is now is observed in over 190 countries. • In 1969, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to be celebrated on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphe …
