7th Day Surprise - COLOR

Over the top!

There's nothing that perks me up 

more than the idea of decorating.

Here's some charming inspiration from our past.

Wonder if there's any of this actually left.

I certainly have removed quite a bit of wallpaper in my time...

Have a lovely Sunday!

Think PINK

Girl Crazy
While some may find it odd given my
preferred partner orientation,  I do love
the ladies. Without women in my life,
I wouldn't be the man that I am. As
I've lived life, my best friends, bosses,
mentors, motivators, and confidents
have been women. Whoever coined
the term "weaker sex" must have been
a male fool at best. If I've got a problem,
I run to women for wisdom and advice.

Battle Cry
October is Breast Cancer Awareness
month. It's a time for all to learn
about and support the fight against
this horrific disease. As important,
it's a nationwide reminder of the
impact breast cancer has on us all.
Not a day goes by that I don't think
about those lost, the many who
have won, and those who are now
fighting for their lives.

The "C" Word
While I've never personally had cancer,
I know many who have. I'm not going
to name names, but you know who you
are. Battling cancer often brings out our
best. Somehow it puts everything into
perspective. Suddenly things that were
important are no longer even viable.
Slowly "victims" become "victors".
While being ill may not the best way
to level set one's priorities, I've been
blessed to watch struggling friends
grow, blossom, and thrive post their
battles with Breast Cancer.

What's next?
Sadly many do not survive. Their
legacy requires that we do all that
is possible to prevent this disease
from killing our daughters, their
daughters, and future generations.
There is no quick cure or fast fix.
Beyond cash, the best investment
may be helping someone work
through their isolation during
treatment. Go along, hold hands!

Love heels
The only way we're going to find
a cure is to all fight Breast Cancer
together. Every one can make a
difference. What could be better
than a little shoe therapy that also
supports a greater cause? Shop
any Nine West store or our web
site October 15-22nd and we will
donate $25 to Fashion Targets
Breast Cancer for every $125 or
more purchase. You'll also get a
fabulous canvas tote that will
show everyone that you care!

Signs of the times

Enough is enough
It's time we all acknowledged that things are out of control. I don't know whether the planets are out of alignment or what. Somehow our world seems crazier than ever before! We're consumed with Freudian excuses that place the blame on anybody but ourselves. While some may find comfort in assigning guilt to their mother, father, or a higher power, the fact is it's time that we take responsibility for our own actions. STEP UP!

Closed minds
OK, the first thing I have to comment
on are the shenanigans in Washington.
The grand standing, arrogance, and
vitriolic bitterness are truly astounding.
When will our politicians remember
that they work for the "US" in U.S?!
Frankly it's time for our leaders to act
like grownups and stop being bitter
sore losers. Come on... sit down like
adults and start to get your collective
act together. Most important, stop
pontificating. In other words, shut up
and DO SOMETHING!

Indecent behavior
Who would have imagined that we would live in a world where Sinead O'Connor would lecture Miley Cyrus on proper demeanor? Last week I had the privilege of meeting with a panel of "millennial" women. Beyond brilliant, poised, articulate, and smart, they were proof that there still is hope for our younger generation. And that our young celebrities need to GROW UP!

Apply within
Many seem to have lost any sense of pride. Throughout my day I am constantly confronted by individuals who frankly don't give a damn. They're going through the motions, doing whatever is minimally required and nothing more. Heads up - there are many others ready to take your spot. So, if  you want to keep your job, TRY HARDER!

Dead end
My pet peeve is the plethora of tourists in Manhattan. This city is fabulous so why not be fabulous while visiting? It took some effort to get here, so why not make an effort to look like you belong here? When lost, step aside. When strolling, let others pass. If you can't act properly, then just GO HOME!

Fast forward 
Somewhere along the way we
lost our way. Our collective
revolt against discipline has
created a world where nobody
has the guts or desire to lead.
Instead most of us sit back and
wait for others to take action,
act responsibly, and assume risk.
In the process nothing of any
value ever occurs. Rather than
continue living in lethargic status
quo it's time we took back control.
JUST DO IT!

Seems like old times...

1913
One hundred years ago the Revenue Act is signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. Thus the start of a Federal Income Tax. Theory is that eliminating foreign tariffs and initiating a low income tax will cause the economy to boom.  Hmm... sounds familiar.

1923
History proves it's often better when we're not involved. Post World War One, allied powers occupy Turkey. Quickly a war for independence ensues. Late 1922, occupying armies are expelled. Shortly thereafter the new Republic Of Turkey abolishes the Sultanate ending 623 years of Ottoman rule and elects Kemal Atuturk (right) President. Ninety years later, the Republic Of Turkey continues to thrive. Who needs us?

1933
Early January, Hitler beomes Chancellor. Late February civil liberties are outlawed. April, Jewish owned businesses are legally boycotted. That May, opposing party assets are seized. Late July, all opposing parties are abolished. By October, the press is under government control and Germany exits the League of Nations after their request to expand defensive armaments is denied. How quickly things can change.

1943
As of January millions of Jews have been exterminated by the Nazis. Heinrich Himmler demands acceleration of the "Final Solution".  In March, American Jews stage a "We Will Never Die" rally in Madison Square Garden. By May the Nazis declare Berlin cleansed of Jews. At years end, Jews from Greece, Poland, and Rome are moved to extermination camps. And yet... some still deny this happened. 

1953
Television is sweeping America. Over two hundred new television stations start broadcasting. Milton Berle (a Jew) is named the most popular male television star. Sixty eight percent of all televisions are tuned in to watch Little Ricky's birth on I Love Lucy. Finally all electronic color broadcasting is perfected. Stay tuned!

1963
Fifty years ago, President Kennedy issues a statement that details plans for a "1,000 man withdrawal" from Vietnam. It is tempered with the proviso that states that the South Vietnamese must be "able to defend themselves against communist aggression". Over 211,000 U.S. soldiers will be killed or wounded by the war's end in 1975. If JFK had lived, would he have ended the war much earlier?

1973
October's top five songs are:
1. Angie by The Rolling Stones
2. Half Breed by Cher
3. Ramblin' Man
    by The Allman Brothers
4. Higher Ground
    by Stevie Wonder
5. Midnight Train To Georgia
    by Gladys Knigh & The Pips
Forty years later, they're still hot!

1983
A life changing event happens in October. Ameritech (now Cingular) launches the first national cellular network. Motorola introduces the first personal cellular phone, the DynaTAC 8000X, yours for only $3,995! A few years later my business partner and I purchase one for our agency and it is cumbersome at best. Thirty years later, 6 billion people have access to cellular phones whereas only 4.5 billion worldwide have access to working toilets. Sorry, wrong number!

1993
For two days in October, we fight the Battle of Mogadischu or Black Hawk Down. Sadly eighteen U.S. soldiers are killed while another eighty are wounded. In addition approximately 1,500 to 3,000 Somalians are also killed. Twenty years later the Somali Civil War continues to tear it's country apart. Did our good intentions matter?

2003
The most visited and successful show in Las Vegas ends abruptly when an exotic white tiger named Montecore attacks Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy fame. Critically injured, his partner Siegfried closes their show causing The Mirage Resort to lose approximately fifty million in annual ticket sales. In 2009 the duo return to perform with Montecore (the beast who had wounded Roy). All three will retire in 2010. Turn the other cheek?

2013
One hundred years later it's doubtful that we've gained any wisdom from our mistakes. Our elected officials have bickered our country into a shut down. Across the U.S. government offices are closed, federal employees now sent home. However this seems
to have no impact on our lives.
Hmm... will we ever learn?

Another night out?!

R.S.V.P.
Now that fall has arrived,
so has the social season.
With that comes a plethora
of galas that are anything
but gay. Rubber chicken
extravaganzas can consume
most mid-week evenings.
If you are looking for a free
meal, it's easy to find a seat
at a ten thousand dollar table.

Repeat performance
Somehow they're all the same.
These events consist of endless diatribes and tributes with no consideration for audience attention spans. Such disregard shows that our hosts care about little more than the cash they collect. Meanwhile we snooze.

When men were men
It used to be easy for us guys. On
the appointed day, you went to work,
came home early, threw on a monkey
suit, hopped into a cab, and partied!
Now the call is for "cocktail attire"
which means either a dark suit or
some other odd concoction. Sadly
in today's casual world, a tuxedo
seems to be just a bit too much.
Why does it have to be so hard?!

If the ?? fits wear it
Like so many men of my orientation,
I want to look my best. That usually
means that before any of these events,
I run around town like a maniac trying
to find the perfect ensemble. Maybe
it's me but everything seems to be cut
quite a bit tighter. Fashionable options
are now sized in the male equivalent
of Juniors. Yesterday I gave up and
rushed over to Rochester Big & Tall
to try on some fuller evening frocks.
I donned on a $300 velvet jacket and
THANK GOD IT DID NOT FIT!

I'll squeeze you in
Miraculously even their smallest size
was too big! For now that means I'm
stuck in a sort of fashion purgatory.
Somewhere between heaven (Cucinelli)
and hell (Tallia). Fortunately I've found
one secret weapon that I call MANX.
The male equivalent of a girdle, these
"compression garments" help reign in
my errant flesh. Guess I'm stuck with
them, fabulous shoes, and commodious
cashmere knits until I can dump these
extra pounds. Or even better, I have an
idea... I'll just stay at home!

Just what the doctor ordered...

Intensive care
Given recent "Obamacare"furor,
I find myself dreaming of days
gone by. While not ancient, I
grew up in a kinder, gentler era.
Physicians were members of our
extended family. Trusted advisors
who sat at our bedside whenever
we were sick. Somewhere along
the way we lost our way and now
the patient is in critical condition.

Medical emergency
Politics aside, without medical insurance you're dead. In the early nineties I tried to pay obscene medical bills due to poor insurance. Finally I gave up and filed for bankruptcy!

Pre existing condition
If it can happen to me, what
about those in much more
dire straights? Is health care
an innate right or an earned
privilege? Many argue for the
later but is that fair? In the old
days, your doctor knew you
and adjusted his fees accordingly.
Today's system is too large and
too strong to allow anomalies.
If you don't fit in, you're out.
Now many are afraid to get sick.
Has it always been that way?

The doctor is in
In the late 1960s while spending
the summer in New England, my
mother fell ill. A friend referred
her to a doctor in Tamworth,
New Hampshire. A country doc
more reminiscent of a Rockwell
cover painting than Dr. Kildaire,
Dr. Edwin Crafts Remick was a
seasoned professional who later
became a beloved family friend.

House call
A second generation physician,
Dr. Remick practiced out of his
circa 1808 farmstead. His office
was filled with equipment used
daily by he and his father for
over 100 years. Within minutes
this country doctor diagnosed
Ethel's ills plus a few others
missed by Park Avenue's best.

Second Opinion
For years after, my parents
made an annual pilgrimage to
Dr. Remick for their physicals.
Year round "Doc" was just a
phone call away for comfort,
advice, and unofficial diagnosis.
Never retiring, he died at age 89
shortly after taking a patient call.

Home remedy
Until her death Ethel lamented the loss of Dr. Remick and other "old fashioned doctors". While writing this blog I googled him. To my surprise his home is now a museum - find out more. My discovery brought me to tears!

A shot in the arm
In the final years of his practice,
Dr. Remick charged $17.50 for
an office visit or house call. In
today's economy that's $28.32.
Equal to many co-pays, that's
well under the 2011 average of
$104 per fifteen minute visit
(source: American Medical
Association). While I'm not
very optimistic about anything
that comes out of Washington,
there has to be a better way.
Otherwise the patient is at risk.