As Hanukah is upon us, I wanted to let you know about my spin on a holiday tradition.   I never connected to the religious prayers when lighting candles and wanted to do something that was more meanignful. So i started a new tradition when my children were young. Each night when we lit a candle, we dedicated it to an important person in our lives that had passed. We talked about them, told stories, laughed and cried.   I told some friends and they have adopted this new tradition. Have you done something different over the years during the holidays?

I don't know how long it has been going on (I suspect many used spears were passed around by forward thinking Neanderthals), but I think reGifting is a great practice and venerable tradition. Everyone drives a "Previously owned" car and lauds recycling as a "Save The World" necessity, but for some incomprehensible reason their first cousin is frowned upon.Well, it is time for this down-low practice to come out of the cold and into the light. No more shame and sneaking.

Tuesday morning, I posted to Gotham politics a blurb and link from Crains that “Theater cancels premiere of controversial film” with a comments aimed a Gotham bloggers that I see a great blog here. Anyone familiar with that Gotham mantra, you say it you own it?

At times, people can forget the real reason they love someone.  They may not forget that they love someone, but the real reason other than obligation may not always be at the forefront.  Luckily I am never allowed to experience such slippage.    

Do you watch? I do. Actually, my whole house watches. Since an episode airs just about every thirty minutes, we watch a lot.

There are many things in my office that aggravate me.  Mostly it is the piles of paper that never seem to go away -- like an annoying child.  They just get moved around or replaced by another pile.  Our carpeting has to be replaced, and there is a piece of metal that was sticking out on my desk that scratched my brand new chair.  Working can be a bitch.  

December 13 and we're in the throws of the Holiday season. Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza to name three. Advertisers are in full swing and we are looking for deals. Have you already shopped or, like me, you're a last minute shopper?