I had the poignant experience of attending Gotham member Jack Friedman's funeral last Sunday. It was so well attended that the room was overflowing with humanity. My impression of the man was confirmed by the eulogies of his friends, relatives, wife and children. He was a very decent, friendly, nice, giving, collegial and potent man. Driving home, …
Cameras are ubiquitous and the pictures and videos taken by them are playing an ever-increasing part in our lives. I recently heard a legal analyst refer to videos as the new DNA of criminal prosecutions. Call me “old fashioned”, but I am not one who immediately thinks of taking out my cell phone and taking pictures, let alone a video. (Flo and I …
If you've ever served on a board, a co-op board or an association board or a not-for-profit board you know it's not easy to get things done. Things just seem to go around in circles and never get anywhere. Well, there's one place where that's not true, one place where they hear you, listen to you and you can write your own ticket with other like-mi …
I met a lovely young law student today who told me that she knew she wanted to be a lawyer from the time she was in third grade. She is clearly a very focused person with her eye on her desired end game. I don’t remember being that directed until sometime in college. If you asked me before my decision to go to law school, I would have said …
When Passover ends, my thoughts every year turn to the same two items, pizza and bagels. I love a thick slice of pizza loaded with extra cheese and as many vegetables as will fit on the slice. Similarly, I am not a plain bagel person. I cannot resist an everything bagel, bursting with seeds. In writing this blog, I feel the same about ice …
Finally, a day that feels like Spring. That means a day on the bike, the first ride of the season. It also means a day of a neck ache, saddle sores, and tired legs. And that means a good nap is also coming. All in all it is nothing to complain about. Being out of breath climbing out of the saddle on a steep hill with green legs means I can bre …
You have about an hour to live. Never thought I here someone say that to me. That type of line was only for TV shows and movies. But here I was in the emergency room with severe abdominal pain and a surgeon I did not know telling me this. I'm happy to say after two surgeries I'm on the "road to recovery." The details of the whole ordeal are very …
Do you remember the classic 1939 Judy Garland movie where they were off to see the Wizard on the yellow brick road and when they eventually found him he was a very ordinary little old man behind the screen? Very disappointing to say the least. Are you a Wizard of Oz?
There was an eerie sense as I opened my eyes the other morning. Something wasn't right. As my eyes focused, I realized that none of the usual lights were on. No digital numbers on the clock radio, no telltale glows from the chargers plugged into the wall and no ambient light from the street. No power. I went to the window and confirmed the trou …
I read recently that Jeb Bush inadvertently checked the Hispanic box in his voter registration form in 2009. His response was, “My mistake! Don’t think I’ve fooled anyone." It reminded me of a the silly mistakes I make and how foolish it is to get angry about them. How many times have I frantically searched for my glasses only to find them on the t …
I am sure I have written this blog before. In fact, probably two years ago when my phone contract was last up for renewal. It is time for an upgrade and I would genuinely appreciate your opinions. I Phone 6 or 6S Plus? (I have the 5, it’s just too small) Galaxy 5? Note? Wait for the Galaxy 6? OK, I am listening.
I had a text message “conversation” with one of my college roommates last week that went something like this: Stacy: Ro, Merrimack’s daughter grad [law school] in May. Would you talk to her? Thinking this was a favor just for my roommate my response was, “Sure.” Stacy: Thanks so much, Merrill [a friend of hers whom I have k …
My favorite holidays are Passoover and Thanksgiving. The first is the start of Spring. And the other is often my birthday. Most important is that both holidays revolve around eating. Most of the day is spent thinking about food. They have consequences though. Today, especially with our two year old granddaughter sleeping over, Eve has been …
Those who know me most know the thing I HATE (emphasis added) most probably involves asking others for money, to donate, to contribute, to take a journal ad. When I first started out, Tony Menna, who I met in Mario Cuomo's campaign for Mayor, who induced me to joined my first and second political clubs and later became my local political leader, s …
I've had three knee operations at my neighborhood Glen Cove Hospital on Long Island. My wife and son have also had procedures there. We are all satisfied patients.I was turned on to Glen Cove Hospital by my good friend Dr. David Berger who is head of anesthesiology there.This great local hospital was founded before World War II to serve a blend of …
