I need a break from my writing routine. It’s got me feeling a bit bored and restless. I need to bring the joy back.

1. And that’s why the blog is being put on hiatus for a few weeks (or even a few months).
2. As many of you know I’m spending 3 months in Europe next year, in 6 countries, massive DIY itinerary in the works. Bottom line, I’m jazzed about planning this upcoming trip and feel a strong urge to get away from the blog schedule.
3. That said, I’m excited to close out the year with today’s Wrap-Up documenting 2022’s travels, friendships, and memorable events.
4. The #1 highlight of the year for me was making it to Venice for the Biennale (on the temporary passport visa I had received) and then getting word from USCIS, while I was still in Venice, that my Green Card Renewal had been approved!! I was ECSTATIC!
5. Other memorable moments include this year’s birthday celebration at Corner Bar; the Green-Wood Cemetery Moonlight Walk with accordion players, and Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman; Lila Downs in concert. I consider her one of the best live performers working in the music industry today. She connects with her audiences on such a deep level – I’ve never seen anything like it. And finally, in March, my first time back on a plane. I was filled with trepidation but all went smoothly on the way to Austin. The flight back was a disaster. Described in the media as an “apocalypse” of delays, some said the worst flight delays in the history of aviation. It made for a memorable experience!
6. Also major shout-out to Brad. He had a phenomenal year with 2 museum shows, a one-man show in Chelsea, and an extraordinary art residency in Italy at Civitella Ranieri. Next year is shaping up to be equally exciting for him.

And with that please scroll down for the year in pics!

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• 10,000 people a day are turning 65 in America. Of course, not everyone retires at 65, but I do think it is important to start planning for that chapter in your life well in advance.
• I did my first “retirement spreadsheet” when I was 50. Finances were a big part of it, but equally important was having a plan for how those days would play out in the absence of a work routine. (See #1 below)
• Retirement entered my life with a BANG with the 2009 Great Recession. I was 60 at the time and had planned to work for another decade. The economic downturn had other plans for me, however, and I was forced to reassess everything about my future. I closed the office, laid off the entire staff, and set up a home office.
• For the next 5-6 years, I was (luckily) able to generate income from projects I could handle solo, e.g., creating custom trend blogs, doing expert interviews, etc. With no office, no staff, and no overhead, I was in a weird kind of liminal space, still happily working but no longer in “growth mode.”
• That should have made the transition to retirement easier but it didn’t. I had created a business that I absolutely loved. It was completely aligned with my interests, and it was exciting, fun, and enormously satisfying. I loved the work and I loved the clients. There was nothing about retirement that seemed more fun or fulfilling than my business. But as you’ll see below, I got through it and am now in the happiest period of my life.
• Everyone’s situation is different, but if you are getting close to your retirement years, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you watch Dr. Riley Moynes’ video below on the various phases of retirement so you can be more prepared than I was (#2).

Scroll down for more …..

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Good Morning & Hello Friday!

Arrived in AZ on Wednesday. Staying at the Hotel Valley Ho which I love! What I can’t get over is how ridiculously hot it is (heatstroke weather for me). And how much traffic there is on the roads. It’s also my first time renting a car and driving myself places in over two years – thank God for muscle memory – yikes!!

But I did want to check in with you because I love the Friday morning exchanges I have with so many of you (always gets my day off to such a great start). And I wanted to remind you to keep an eye out for ZandlSlant next Tuesday when I’ll be covering my AZ discoveries/must-sees, e.g., all the new downtown Phoenix restaurants and bars, the boom in luxury retail (so many stores at Scottsdale Fashion Square have adopted a velvet rope entry strategy), the coffee shop car scene, and much more. My itinerary is a mile long. Ultimately, I’ll be sharing my overall impressions of AZ and how it’s changed to become one of the four fastest-growing states in the country.

PS: Pics above are with Brad at his show in Tucson (which is spectacular) and from the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix (where I almost got heatstroke on Wednesday afternoon but was so obsessed to see it all, I headed back early the next day to visit in a more doable 70 degrees).

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Good Morning & Happy Friday

• Big shoutout this week to my friends, Dave K. and David M. Both crushing it on the entertainment front! Thrilled for you both (#1, 2 and 3 below).
• Also discovered Benoit. Can’t believe I’ve never been to this fabulous restaurant. Absolutely stellar (#5).
• Remote Work. I have an update on new apartment complexes now being built with amenities specifically for permanent WFH (#7).

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Hello Friday + Bye Bye 2021

When I think about the BEST of 2021, three things immediately come to mind:

• Community, and that includes my friends, my neighbors, my hospitality peeps (#2, 3, 4 below).
• Magical moments, e.g., birthday dinner at Peasant and Holiday Party at Ludlow House. Those nights were special because we were all together and the hospitality pros went above and beyond to create the magic. I’ll remember those nights forever.
• My passion for New York City. I talk about it on the video and how today’s post is a love letter to the city that I adore – and that I feel, loves me back.(#5)

When it comes to the WORST of 2021, I’m like a broken record: crime, homelessness, etc., etc., etc.

And finally, even if you do nothing else on this blog, make sure you scroll down to THE WRAP and check out the Year In Review Video. It’s fun. I’m not entirely sure who it came from – I think it was Apple. Their algorithms placed some of you in it – and it’s very nicely done!

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Good Morning and hello Friday.

Still sweltering in NYC which has kept me close to home. But not a problem. Living in my groovy neighborhood, all I have to do to see “what’s new and happening” is poke my head out the window.

Which brings me to today’s video (#1 below). It’s filled with details on the new Fortnite launch and kind of MAJOR – especially, if you’re into sports and online gaming.

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Good Morning and Happy Friday!

I’m feeling a bit betwixt and between at the moment.

Thrilled that the city is so vibrant and people are happy to be out and about but stressed about what I see as an impending crime wave over the summer.

Hopefully, I’m wrong about the latter – talking it out (with myself) on this week’s What’s Up video (#1 below).

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Good Morning and Happy Friday.

This week’s Top 10 is based on observations primarily from my neck of the woods but similar situations are popping up around the country.

And just a heads up, today’s ZandlSlant is a little more testy than you might generally expect from me. But that is the vibe I’m picking up right now.

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