I was not sure this morning if I wanted to write about my beach umbrella, or Thomas Jefferson. As it is July 4th weekend, let's go with Jefferson.   I have never been a huge Jefferson fan.  It started when I went to Benjamin Franklin Junior High. The town's othe junior high school, and our rival, was Thomas Jefferson. So being anti-Jefferson was in my upbringing.  

I rarely get to write a blog on a holiday since very few holidays fall on a Saturday. However, today is one of those special days.   HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!Our nation celebrates with red, white and blue paraphenalia, fireworks, sales at stores and, of course, barbeques.   There is a deeper meaning beyond all this consumerism....patriotism. What causes you to feel patriotic?  

The New York Knicks are owned by the Dolan family (owners of Cablevision and Long Island's Newsday).  The family is not very popular for many reasons-not the least of which was the Knicks horrid 17 win past season.  I have been a season ticket holder since far better times in the 70's and am partnering with Gothamite Phil Smallman on my 4 (good) seats for this coming season. 

A scene in a play that I saw last week really bothered me. In the scene, an elderly man was fired from his job in a garment district factory. Protesting his firing, the man told the young owner that he had worked for the owner’s father and uncle for 43 years. As the play moved on, I was distracted by my thoughts of loyalty. It took a few minutes before I realized why the scene had had such an impact on me.

I moved to New York City in 1975, subway fare was 35 cents, I thought a studio apartment in Greenwich Village for $180 a month was too much money and New Year's Eve in Times Square was a lot of fun.  

Gotham offers tremendous resources to members who seize the opportunities.  It fascinates this observer who in our tribe uses the “devices” and how.   I also enjoy using – and sharing information through these means. I welcome the feedback I invariably receive.