I rarely get to write a blog on a holiday since very few holidays fall on a Saturday. However, today is one of those special days.   HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!Our nation celebrates with red, white and blue paraphenalia, fireworks, sales at stores and, of course, barbeques.   There is a deeper meaning beyond all this consumerism....patriotism. What causes you to feel patriotic?  

The New York Knicks are owned by the Dolan family (owners of Cablevision and Long Island's Newsday).  The family is not very popular for many reasons-not the least of which was the Knicks horrid 17 win past season.  I have been a season ticket holder since far better times in the 70's and am partnering with Gothamite Phil Smallman on my 4 (good) seats for this coming season. 

A scene in a play that I saw last week really bothered me. In the scene, an elderly man was fired from his job in a garment district factory. Protesting his firing, the man told the young owner that he had worked for the owner’s father and uncle for 43 years. As the play moved on, I was distracted by my thoughts of loyalty. It took a few minutes before I realized why the scene had had such an impact on me.

I moved to New York City in 1975, subway fare was 35 cents, I thought a studio apartment in Greenwich Village for $180 a month was too much money and New Year's Eve in Times Square was a lot of fun.  

Gotham offers tremendous resources to members who seize the opportunities.  It fascinates this observer who in our tribe uses the “devices” and how.   I also enjoy using – and sharing information through these means. I welcome the feedback I invariably receive.

Rene Descartes developed a philosophy known as the Method of Cartesian Doubt.  More or less that means do not accept anything as true if there is the slightest possibility that is isn't.  This applies to calling a plumber, I learned yesterday.  

The beavers in Oregon really mean business. Another true but unbelievable story from human life here on planet Earth.   A couple of hikers had climbed onto a beaver dam when the resident beaver came out knocking one of the hikers into the river and trapping the other in a tangle of submerged logs.   The hikers have been hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries and are expected to recover. There's no word on the status of the beaver.   I heard the authorities are considering installing signs warning hikers of the beavers :)