Since I am writing on Monday evening, I am reflecting on the phrase of our day -- “thank you for your sacrifice.” Today we remembered those who gave their lives for our country and served to protect us all. Today we express gratitude for acts of courage of so many over so many years that resulted in the loss of their lives. We hear so many stories from those who served. My father-in-law was the pharmacist’s mate on a navy destroyer, the USS Beatty, that sank in the Medit...

With Memorial Day upon us both me, and my fellow bloggers, are all thinking about bar-b-que. So my queries on this Memorial Day are simple, hotdog or hamburger? And mustard or ketchup?   Personally, I am a hotdog person. Most often with ketchup (sacrilege?) but sometimes with mustard and sauerkraut. Happy Memorial Day Gotham!!...

The week that passed includes a few challenges and this commentator still needs to handle some matters; this includes setting up my deck for seasonal enjoyment.  With help via Gotham the biggest concerns became much less stressful.  We took in a show at My Father's Place as the work week ended.  Shelly posted a pic on Instagram calling it "Corey's Place."  It was a band I followed nearly 50 years but never got to see them; guess stuff happens.  Savoy Brown delivered a great s...

Although I never stop barbequeing (I'm an official year rounder), this weekend is traditionally the kick off for most. I have previously posted my BBQ duck recipe that I cook for Thanksgiving so I thought I would let you know how I smoke ribs.   Start with a good butcher and buy a couple of racks of baby back ribs. Costco and those big box stores don't sell a good quality rib IMHO.   I use a dry rub to smoke the ribs then a wet one just before serving. My dry rub contains the...

Every year we go to a Yankee/Met game and we still have a limited number of tickets available for the above  game at the Mets Citi Field. Before I go on, a continuing expression of appreciation is sent out to Corey Bearak for making all the ticketing and seating arrangements for our Tribe!I am a life long Yankee fan, but in all the prosperous years (27 World Series Titles) I have never experienced a year like this!At this writing, my Yankees are in First Place despite injurie...

Do you need a bathtub? The question was raised by an exhibit at a design show in which students from Pratt Institute, sponsored by American Standard (manufacturer of bathroom appliances), displayed futuristic alternatives to the bathtub. The exhibit presented statistics regarding the bathtub: People’s preferences for showers (90%) and the water-conservation benefits of showers - with a not surprising suggestion of shorter showers.   The exhibit featured a prototype of a sho...

Every decade provides a new opportunity. Looking back, I recall my 20’s being about the gym, teaching aerobics, body fat percentage, climbing the instructor popularity ladder at NYSC with my “groupies” and going out to the hottest clubs. My intensity and thirst for knowledge began to grow, as I unleashed my inner geek. Nothing seemed more important than achieving these great heights. In my 30’s it was all about climbing the corporate ladder and proving I could be at the to...

  About what I do. Yes, my job. I had coffee today with a networking contact. I hope you all meet her someday. She was talking about how sometimes after years of doing the same thing, people get bored and lose interest in what had once brought them joy and excitement. She made me think. When I started practicing years ago, quite honestly, I did not have a specific path in the law. My direction in employment law was accidental – but things happen for a reason. I have alway...

  I generally keep my political views off of social media. I never quite understood the use of social media to express individual political views. I always felt it was better to express one’s politics in more conventional ways, voting, rallying, and financial contributions.     If you’re my friend on Facebook, you know that I did post a political position this week. I am not going to debate the political issue here. I will only say that I felt it necessary to voice my op...

Today's special anniversary I recalled not.  Shame on me.  Avid Poco Fan who writes this weekly commentary.  It took a fellow John Fogerty/Creedence Clearwater Revival fan, from Finland at that, who reminded me after sending him birthday wishes last week. So here's to Pickin' Up The Pieces, Poco's iconic debut album released this day in 1969. We celebrated the event last night.  Musically of course. Poco co-founder, Richie Furay performed at SOPAC (South Orange Performing Ar...

Ben Speller and a friend from the U.K. traveling to Amsterdam for a soccer match booked a “clean home in Amsterdam with a private bathroom” using AirBnB. It was available for their last minute decision and only $128 for one night. When they arrived, you could say it was a bit of a surprise that the “clean home” they had secured was a large metal box standing on the side of the road. When they opened the door, they found three mattresses covered in flimsy bedding and a port...

I belong to an all male book group.  It is headed by my muse, Jay Gould.   Inasmuch as it was originated by a bunch of Sea Cliff and neighboring guys I have dubbed it the North of 25A Book Group.  It is a highly eclectic group and it’s amazing how far afield we can wander when we get together periodically to discuss the chosen book.  I wonder if the experience is similar in Female Book Groups?Let’s just agree that what’s said at Book Group stays at Book Group!  Right Skip?Any...

Like Nancy - see her blog this past Tuesday - I value tradition. And so it was that Flo and I had dinner the other evening at LeCoucou to celebrate our anniversary. In addition to a phenomenal meal in a relaxed causal, albeit upscale place, we reminisced about how, a few years ago, we shut our phones to enjoy our dinner. When we turned the phones back on, a plethora of text messages greeted us with the news that a grandchild had been born while we dined. We rushed out t...

Is it me? I often inquire with my colleagues and compare stories or case scenarios. I'm curious to know if they too, have adventures daily or do I actually take extra risk? Typically, when I see a family, business or institution that has a clear need for financial managment, I put on my cape and run to the rescue. Mind reading and Extra Sensory Perception are the two super powers I rely on most. Yesterday, while supporting a new prospect at a golf outing, I came across the "b...

Based on my apparent blog themes, I think I must be missing my children. So, here is today’s story and it goes back to Passover. In my house we have had a Passover tradition for over 15 years. When we get to the part in the Seder where we talk about frogs, we sing a frog song from nursery school (yes, nursery school)– and then we pelt Eric with little plastic green frogs that each guest has been given. Actually, the frogs sit right on top of the Haggadah at each place sett...