Once upon a time we scored back stage passes for a Rolling Stones concert. As we wandered about in the promised land we came upon Keith Richards and I seized the moment and asked him to stop and pose for a picture with me. He was readily willing, but said he was about to go on stage. I hurriedly handed the camera to Joanne who was not familiar wi …
There must be dozens of books written about the psychology of being a sports fan. I’m not sure what takes over ….. either it’s transference or something else. I surprised myself the other night as I watched the football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. I follow the Seahawks - a slight tip of the hat to my daughter …
It’s better to give than receive, but when it comes to receiving, how well do you accept your gifts? Accepting a gift of someone’s time, resource, trust, loyalty, or even a small box with a bow on top is difficult for some. To look another person in the eye and graciously accept the gift can be just as important for the relationship as giving. The …
I have seen the MASH finale so many times. We’re big fans in our house. Watching it today, on Veteran’s Day, brought a more focused perspective. Sure, it was moving to watch the poignant scenes as each of the characters figured out how to say goodbye to each other (even Trapper). That long embrace between Hawkeye and Major Houlihan is classic. …
This week I have been thinking a lot about, and discussing, trust and forgiveness. My good friend’s significant other, whom she has been with for a very long time, did something that violated her trust (no he did not cheat on her). Since then he has shown genuine remorse and significant introspection about the nature of his actions and why they w …
Last week I needed to prefile my blog. Simple reason. A flight from Edinburgh, Scotland to JFK. One might call it a classical trip. It involved an awful lot of rock. My daughter and I landed a week ago Monday and promptly visited two castles, Hampton Court and Windsor. Tuesday involved the musical variety: a classic rock/ Beatles tour (See pic …
Winter is upon us. The leaves have turned and are falling off. The cold is invading and I'm cleaning out my fireplace today to start the burn. Until yesteday, I had forgotten how the cold knifes through your clothes and brings a chill. For those in warmer parts of the planet, you probably don't miss that. However, it is a sign and although it m …
Last weekend we went for lunch in Huntington and when the check came the server explain that the Internet was down and asked me to write my phone number and credit card info on the check. I did so and in all the unusual hurly-burly I forgot to take back my credit card. This is one of the most annoying things I do. It is a failure of concentration w …
“Vote early and often”….a joke that I heard many years ago. Beginning this year, New York allows early voting. Last week we voted early. It was convenient, quick and gave us flexibility. Early voting was open over several days. We weren't restricted to making time on Election Day. I am pleased that early voting has come to New York and wonder …
Microsoft recently tried an experiment. This past summer at its campus in Japan, the workweek was cut from five to four days. Not four extended days – four regular workdays. Along with the cut in days came a new focus on time management. Meetings were restricted to 30 minutes and standard attendance at those meeting was cut. Other strategies …
Sleep was the topic of discussion this morning in my Weight Watchers meeting. I was surprised to learn about the importance of sleep with respect to weight loss. But the discussion went way beyond that. We discussed the importance of a good night’s sleep for stress relief as well as basic productivity. I was hardly the only one in the meeti …
As you read this, you may be voting in less than 48 hours – unless you voted already. Yup early voting in New York started last weekend. So maybe you did. It may prove convenient and most certainly expect it to help juice voter participation. In past years, early voting here involved absentee balloting by permanent absentees and those who apply f …
What would you do to get an internship... Gursimran Singh, who studies computer science at Georgia Tech, used sticky notes to spell out "HIRE ME" on a window in his apartment that faces the headquarters of the tech company NCR. The next morning the folks at NCR responded with their own sticky note: "EMAIL?" Singh said "I never expected them to …
28,333 days into my life span I have been experiencing some turbulence. I suppose it’s my silver hair, eg, suddenly people regularly offer me their subway seats. Then last week I was walking to my car after a Gotham breakfast meeting and I saw two gardners making a deafening racket with leaf blowers. As I got closer, I thought someone had cried ou …
The line for the "by invitation members-only” preview of the reopening of the renovated Museum of Modern Art was around the block as we found our way to its. As we took our place in line, the woman ahead of us was complaining to a MOMA representative that she was canceling her membership because waiting on such a line was no way to be treated as a …
