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 …
It’s nice to receive reinforcing confirmation.I was speaking to a colleague who works for a multinational not for profit headquartered in London. She was in London and not sure exactly what she was going there.On prior trips from the U.S., she always had a specific project or event in London. This trip was filled with various meetings with her over …
...come in many forms. I would like to offer a new opportunity to our wonderful Gothamites. A new Long Island Dinner Group is set to kick off on April 29th! Come one come all, ride the circuit. Join old friends, make new friends and explore all that is the best about Gotham. Help Shawn Bernabeu. Carly Hariton and I, along with Nancy Schess and …
I have to admit, the cold has me thinking about traveling. In truth, I don’t really mind the cold weather as long as it is in moderation. Extended stretches are not my favorite thing. These days my travel has been more often visiting my children than planning an exotic visit somewhere. And to set the tone, I have no regrets. Both of my childr …
For the past two years, I have been struggling with hearing loss. I knew I had some hearing loss but I was too vain to admit it. I developed the habit of just smiling and nodding when I was unable to hear what someone said. Generally, I was too embarrassed to ask someone to repeat themselves. Finally, when I had to repeatedly ask a judge to repea …
While bitter cold weather might predominate many current discussions, some other kind of polar entity captures much of my attention of late. A polar bear, of the sports variety, namely the one my team needs to re-sign, but cannot figure out how to achieve what needs to be done. Yes, I want the Mets to re-sign Pete Alonso: indeed, I am not the own …
I read this quote the other day: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl. It sparked some reflection, especially since life often presents challenges we can’t control. One powerful approach I’ve read that helps me is to reframe these challenges as opportunities to adapt and learn. …
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 …
We sent our four-year-old granddaughter a little Lego set for her birthday.A few days later, we received a picture of her proudly showing the completed project.We called (actually it was a video call) to congratulate her and asked whether it was hard to assemble.“It was hard,… but I did it!” she proudly responded.A lesson for a lifetime from a four …
To start off my first blog with GCN, I’d like to say that I am thrilled to join a group of respected, expressive individuals that share their thoughts, opinions, and stories in a medium that encourages continuous collaboration. On that note, I think it is fitting for this first blog to discuss the importance of “posting” and how useful it can be …
My grandmother’s name was Jennie Levine. She came to the United States in the late 1800s, most likely to the Lower East Side of Manhattan where she learned to be a seamstress. This past weekend, we spent some time enjoying Manhattan and paid a visit to the Tenement Museum. We visited the apartment of – coincidentally – Jennie Levine and her fam …
I visited the Queens group last week. As an aside, it’s a great group and everyone should stop by. Before the meeting started, everyone was chatting. Two members of the group were discussing their affinity for running. Trying to join their conversation, I mentioned that I enjoy walking on the treadmill. Being among people I did not know very well …
Tomorrow is a special day. I point out that if it were not this year, it would still be a special day as we celebrate Martin Luther King. In thinking about tomorrow and the change(s) to then occur, as well the traditional Martin Luther King Day observances, I looked at my playlists and offer these for your consideration: Songs to Inspire a …
Childhood was a magical time filled with endless possibilities, imaginative wonder, and a bunch of innocent misconceptions. For instance, I thought that all the smokestacks I noticed were cloud makers (maybe they are:) Another one involved traffic. I believed that all traffic jams were caused by one person driving really slowly in front and I alw …
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 …
