Life is fast paced and demands a lot from us both personally and professionally. Between tweets, and posts, emails, meetings, calls and events, I decided to slow things down and enjoy some summer vibes. We have been contemplating a new puppy for over a year and I decided to stop waitng and take some action. Many of you know my cat SLIM. I jail broke SLIM from death row at an inner city kill shelter in Philadelphia 5 years ago. He has been my bestie through thick and thin. I o...

  Coming home from dinner Saturday night, we were talking about our handheld electronics. I was reminiscing about the good old days when my blackberry was literally attached to my hip. I loved that device. I still don’t think anything replaces the old-style Blackberry for sending emails. True, it was somewhat of a one trick pony but an efficient, sleek, well laid out pony at that. I was curious about whether the company was still in business and so on my phone I went to...

  Those of us with professional licenses have something in common, registration and continuing education requirements. Attorneys are required to reregister every two years and have completed twenty-four credits of continuing education, during the two year period. My husband, a chiropractor, has to reregister every three years and complete thirty-six hours of continuing education.     I have habitually completed my continuing education in the same way, taking a 6 or 7 credi...

Independence Eve my wife and I enjoyed hanging out with some 250 of our closest friends, their spouses, (some of their) other family members, their friends and associates, and some clients. What better place to hold such a gathering than Citifield, home of my beloved (albeit underperforming in won-loss records and certain aspects of playing a game I know rather well) New York Mets. This outing represents the fifth year running these kind of outings. Each year gets better. The...

  Televised by ESPN, the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest was won once again by Joey Chestnut, 35, of San Jose, Calif. This was his 12th title consuming an unbelievable 71 hot dogs in 10 minutes, defeating 17 opponents. He finished 21 hot dogs ahead of Darron Breeden, who at only 50.   Miki Sudo, 34, of Las Vegas, won her sixth title in a row in the women's competition, consuming 31 dogs. Last year she ate 37.   Quite an accomplishment...don't you think? I wonder what ...

Have you ever noticed that two people present at the same event oft times have different memories?I had that experience last week when I had dinner with a high school friend who, unbeknownst to me, is a reader of my Friday With Fred Blog. The first word out of his mouth was Zelig.  I took the bait and said I’m like Zelig and have been witness to many interesting events. He responded that "The (1960) Patterson/Johansson fight was at the Polo Grounds, not Yankee Stadium." Rash...

As I walked away from the recycling bin in our community, I pondered the sign that had recently been placed on the nearby fence. It advised that the recycling area was under twenty-four hour camera surveillance and enumerated the permitted and prohibited disposals. I considered who put up the sign and the cameras. Who looked at the tapes? I answered myself immediately — “They”. The perennial and pervasive…. “They”. They make the rules. They impact our lives. O...

Recently I have been reading a book about Leadership by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Doris explains how she has a deep desire to understand what makes a good leader and I thought it timely for the Fourth of July. She starts with Abraham Lincoln and visits his life, struggles and rise to a leadership role. WOW! I’m crushing on him big time. Next in the line up is Theodore Roosevelt....I maintain my crush on old Abe, but impressed with his unique opportunities to shine. Each leader p...

  . . . just one piece of networking advice, what would it be? Do you ever think about that question? I do. We have all been doing this thing called networking for a while and in my opinion, its kind of personal. We all approach networking from our own perspectives and bring to the process our own special twist. But if you had to break it down to one piece of critical advice, what direction would you take? For me, I think it boils down to that question we ask at ever...

  About two years ago I became a fan of French pressed coffee. I found the coffee was smoother than in my other preferred method, a Keuring. On weekends I happily used my French Press to make myself a treat; a better cup of coffee. The only issue with my French Press was that I found that I could not drink all the coffee I made in one cup. And when I poured the second cup, as the French Press carafe was made of glass, it was not as hot as the first cup.     About a year ago...

Once a year, weather permitting friends primarily from high school gather for a BBQ in a courtyard outside a co-op in Bell Park Manor Terrace in Queens Village. Last summer, a wash out and some other circumstances made for a missed year. The year the rain threatened our gathering. A cancellation notice went out yesterday morning. Midday I receive a message about a smaller gathering inside with a later start. I enjoy catching up with everyone. Chats cover numerous topics music...

Over 100 drivers heading to the Denver International Airport said they were diverted by Google Maps last Sunday due to a crash on major road.   These drivers were led down a dirt road that soon turned muddy due to recent rains and vehicles ended up stuck with about 100 cars lined up behind them.   Google responded stating "We encourage all drivers to follow local laws, stay attentive, and use their best judgment while driving."   Use their best judgement...mmm....haven't seen...

Gotham held it’s annual Bob Formica Golf Outing this past Monday and I must say that besides the beautiful verdant rain enriched course the golf cart, not the golf, was the best part. Every year Paul Napolitano and spouse Victoria Drogin are in my foursome (we missed Hard Hitting Don Bernstein this year) and, lucky me, I'm paired with Victoria in a golf cart.  Better still, she drives!Over the years she and I have experienced numerous golf cart adventures.  Some we can report...

Sitting at a playground in New York City… Observing. A playground not unlike hundreds in the City. Something for everyone between the ages of 6 months and the teen years and older. Swings for parents to push to the glee of their riders. Climbing and sliding challenges. Maybe not today - but there is tomorrow. By the end of summer, they will be conquered. Many children. Different ages and colors. Needing to take turns. Learning to share. And there...

  What’s in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.   -William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet   Recently, I attended a networking gig in Newtown, PA with my friend Laura Queen. A small group of new acquaintances sat around a pub table and performed the art of getting to know one another. Cleverly, one of the gentlemen said “I know a quick way to get to know someone, would you like to know my secret?” I was willing to play the game and sheepis...