Two weeks ago I posted my "No Thanks Given" blog (listing my reaction to irksome conduct of others) on the day after Thanksgiving and received a healthy 19 comments. The comment which motivates and foretold this blog came from Dinner Group member Ted Lanzaro who wrote: All of these are "princess problems".  Being truly grateful means being thankful for the good things in life despite petty nuisances. Today, probably in your neighborhood:Someone is terminally illSomeone has lost a childSomeone has lost a parent

It was to be expected. The other evening we were caught in one of the many protests in New York City after the non-indictment in the death of Eric Garner. We were in our car, leaving the City and traffic came to a halt. Protesters, accompanied by police, blocked the road, walked past our stopped car in the opposite direction and were gone.

This week the New York Rangers held a Press Conference announcing one of their best free agent signings yet.  A young kid out of New Jersey named Chris Falcone.    

Over the years, I have heard more than a snicker or two as I ordered a glass of wine. I am not shy about my order. I ask for my sweet white wine loudly and clearly. Seriously, at Passover I look forward to the Heavy Malaga Concord Grape Manischewitz. That should give you an idea about how sweet is sweet in my world.

You cannot turn on the television, radio, or even your computer without hearing that another woman has come forward to claim that she was assaulted by Bill Cosby. When I see the photographs of a seventy-seven year old Mr. Cosby, I almost feel sorry for him. Then, however, I listen to the story of the alleged victims and my sympathy for him dissipates and is replaced by sorrow for his alleged victims.

Heartland Brewery was under fire last week for a slogan attached to one of its beers, which was a dark Bavarian.  The theme of the beer was S & M, and the label (see photo) was a woman with a whip standing over a submissive man.  Whether you like that image or not, it is supposed to be a good beer.  

Every time, I think or hear that name I feel a sense of greatness. What a strong name, befitting of the person he was born to be and the person he was at the time of his death.  

The Gotham Foundation gave four Summer of Giving grants of $5500 each at our annual Holiday Party this Tuesday. The grants are one of the best things we do and personify our "It's better to give than receive, but what goes around comes around" mantra in so many ways. As you know, the money was collected at meetings over our extended Summer in small cash denominations and by credit card donations (thanks again to Marc Halpert for donating back all fees and Ester Horowitz for being one of the initiators of the program) and matched by Raj Goel and Michael Farrell.