Failing Up

It's a given that I have many issues that can keep a therapist occupied for eternity, and one of them is my aversion to the dreaded  Pot Luck dinner or event.  To be clear this disinclination does not apply to events involving family, or friends  holiday parties or celebrations.  What  I am talking about is that large community event where your "luck" is placed in the unwashed hands of strangers. ...

Art began as an accidental theme in my life back in high school when chose it as a major.  Little did I know the important role it would play in my life, through college and into my professional career. I was fortunate to have leadership roles at Syracuse University at the College of Visual and Performing Arts and Alumni Office that involved the arts.  I was in a similar role at Cornell University at the College of Archit...

Almost every city or town, urban or rural has a Farmers Market.  I have been to them from New York, all the way to Santa Monica California. I will include its cousin the Flea Market as well, which I have been to from the Big Apple to Santa Fe New Mexico.  These are places where people go to without an agenda, no rush and interact.  There is no AI at the farmers market, no push button service, you interact with those ...

In June 5th 1968 Robert Francis Kennedy was shot in the kitchen at the Ambassadors Hotel in Los Angles after winning the California primary.  He was my first hero who was not a relative, he was the torch JFK mentioned in his inauguration. He was the new generation, and in a year of turmoil, violence, division and extreme change, he was also the change agent steering into a horizon of hope.  That all ended 25 hours later a...

I took a vacation recently to relax and regroup.  My attempt to escape from the chaotic events of the world.  What a great unexpected day!  First I took bottles and cans to the recycle place and made some new friends as they sorted through my $34.00 of returns.  I got a hug and bottle of water before I left.  Then, I loaded up my vehicle and was off to the dump.  I have not been to a dump in over 30 ye...

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer. That means hotdogs!  I was recently a the cardiologist for testing, because that is what you do at this age.  I told him that from Memorial Day until Labor Day I eat hotdogs! My test results were perfect and he almost seemed disgusted with me.  The Hotdog is summer!  It is America, whether at the hotdog stand in the city, the ballpark, Fair, or on the gri...

If seeing is believing is true, all attorneys would be mimes.  When faced with the reality of events right in front of their eyes, followers will hang onto words over events. The carefully crafted words that discredit the truth no matter what form it comes through.  These false truths bring false hope, and a sense of belonging.  Just like the mother reading to here children in the movie Titanic.  Telling them al...

It goes without saying that I am not an authority on hair, but having acknowledged this I just don't get the "Man Bun."  I really thought this would just be a passing fad, but it is still going strong.  Why is it event called a Man Bun, I don't hear anyone saying "Woman Bun."  Why do guys have to identify the bun on their head with a gender. Does Man Bun say, I am a real man with a bun, or is intended make it clear t...

With all that is going on in our country, and hearing constantly that The First Amendment  of the Constitution is under attack, I thought I better brush up and take a look at it.  What hit me in the face is that the freedoms I've taken for granted my entire life: 1. Are the foundation of who we are. 2. I've taken for granted. 3. Are under attack.  I don't care if you are right, left, up down, red, blue or purple we a...

When I was a young boy I listened to top 40 radio for hours.  There was something comforting in listening to the local DJ spin records, have call in games and take requests, they were there all night, in the morning, on the school bus and in the car.  With most of broadcast/cable television having screaming mannequins spew noise and make lots of money doing so, I find comfort in my old friend. I can still change stations,...

There is nothing like the aroma of fresh cut grass to let you know all is alright.  That comforting smell of growth and hope seems like a switch was flipped from black and white to a color screen.  It does not matter if it is in a city park, small patch of grass in a yard or acres and acres that magical whiff of springs takes us through the times of our lives and reassures that all is well.  I recall the noise of the...

When a little boy I use to love to watch the television program Let's Make a Deal with my grandfather. It was fun to see the contestants struggle to get the best deal.  When I was at Cornell University one of my responsibilities was to co-manage the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate Advisory Board.  This Board was made up some of the most  influential and successful individuals in the industry.  They were sma...

This was the common question shouted from the wayback in the station wagon when on a trip.  The reply was always vague in an attempt to keep all children in the car calm and unaware of the actual circumstance.  Dad are we almost there? Dad replies: "yes few more miles, about an hour."  Mom, I have to go the bathroom, she replies: " hang on, the next stop is close."

When will the war end? Reply: "in two to three w...

The first American to be Pope; Pope Leo the XIV finds himself under attack from the current administration for praying for peace, and calling for leaders to stop the violence and find a diplomatic solution to end war.  These are not the words of a weak person, in contrast these are the words of a very strong person, there is no weakness in faith. He stated that Jesus does not recognize prayers for war and destruction.  Th...

After just watching the Artemis II go around the darkside of the moon and viewing the crescent earth, I was in awe and how small our planet is in a vast universe.  As they sent back a photo of the full earth in the darkness of space, just like the one taken in 1972, I was struck by beauty of earth.  This fragile planet that we al share and have found ways to destroy eachother and it.   John Lennon had it right: "Imag...

During a  time of great division, losing faith, trust in our leaders, unjust actions, fear and a unpopular undefined war, the moon launch of Atremis 2 has brought us together during the spacecraft's brief 8 minute  accent into space.  As WE marvel at the dedication, courage, and technology of so many. No red, no blue, just us.  This reminds me of the 1968 Apollo 8 Christmas Eve  orbit around the moon ending...