So last week I had the pleasure of traveling to NY to attend the Gotham Holiday Party as well as my work holiday gathering and seeing a few close friends for dinner. Of course, I also got to visit several customers and prospects, since the bills aren’t disappearing by themselves.

We are headed towards those few weeks a year when the world actually does slow down.  This year, we have vowed to really take advantage of at least a few days.   

I shared one of my favorite Gotham experiences at a Gotham meeting this past week. Fred urged me to share it in a blog.  And, after some thought, I agreed.   Several years ago, I was hired to represent a woman in a divorce action who owned a second home in a secluded county in North Carolina. She wanted to buy out her husband’s interest in the home. To do so, we had to find a certified appraiser to provide a neutral valuation of the home.  

Most folk know this commentator’s affinity for live music.  I enjoy attending concerts – immensely.  I was viewing a YouTube video and I saw a few links to top 10 live albums.  Both I checked out involved vinyl.  I had a few on each list.  While I like such lists, I never thought to list a top ten of my live LPs.

The Gotham Holiday party this past week was incredible. Apart from actually seeing more than just squares on a screen, we were able to mingle, talk, laugh, cry, and enjoy each other in person.   This is a similar feeling I had when I met my class for the first time last Monday. It can be a bit awkward at first, but being in someone's presence is so fulfilling. Each of us has an energy—good or bad—and body language that can tell you everything about that person. These subtle cues, often lost in virtual interactions, bring a deeper connection to our conversations.

If you have found me to be pushy (excessively or unpleasantly self assertive or ambitious) lately, I apologize.  Blame it on my ambition.

Inspired by true events…,I recently attended a business meeting.

For years I have been part of a study group that explores ancients texts. It serves as a religious exercise, a connection to our history, and for me it serves as an exercise in self-exploration. At times we have spent an hour focused on the meaning of one word and how it might apply to modern life.