Most here know I care deeply about a lot of things. That includes sports. I contribute frequently to the “Sportstalk” listserve provided here as a service by Gotham City Networking, Inc.®. While Gotham and Fred boast of its Bombers and Batmen softball teams, year-round my Pythian Lodge sponsors full-court basketball that I enjoy with some of the nicest bunch of men.  

I didn't know what to expect from the Gala. It was in a new place, new food and a bunch of new people.   It was a great experience.   It's unfortunate we could not have the entire Gotham family in attendance but nonetheless there were many exciting happy faces, conversations and cards exchanged. I imagined a lot of business took place.   The Harmonie Club is fabulous. Beautiful place, comfortable and I heard the dumplings were the big hit.   It was Gotham's 20th year and Fred's birthday.  

Recently I met a young artist (photo above) at an Art Opening and while making conversation I bragged about a one mile open water swim I had just accomplished.  Her response was that she had swum around the island.  Taken aback, I asked her how long her swim was and she said 12 miles.  Nearly speechless, I came back with "That's nearly as far as the English Channel".  That's when she completely bowled me over, saying "I did that last year".

Its March 30th and I would be remiss to not take this opportunity to wish Fred a very happy birthday. So, Fred, my friend, my best wishes for a Happy Birthday. I still have that early memory--perhaps one of the first times we met -- of you running over the hill of the cross-country course in back of Schreiber High School. It was quite a while ago and yet "we all still look the same". There have been many uphills and downhills since then and the run has been great....and there are many, many miles to go.

That is really hard to believe.   Twenty years ago, Fred and I put ten people around a table having no idea what would happen. We knew that we wanted to bring people to our table who wanted to help others but we really didn’t have a plan to make that happen.   Gotham is the epitome of the “no plan plan”.  

Another Gotham member and I had a long discussion this week about a former colleague.  Several years ago, our former colleague had made a series of bad and, arguably, exceedingly unethical business decisions. As a result, she lost her job and paid a civil fine. To my knowledge, that was the extent of her “punishment.” I remember, at the time, being shocked at the intensity of the allegations levied against her.    

32.   Someone asked yesterday what I planned to blog on today. That person encouraged a blog about politics. I considered it and I might shared something on that when it muses me.