Getting to Know You Holiday Edition

​Each of us is unique. Yet, we also share many of the same values, likes, and dislikes. For example, in many ways I am not that hard to figure out. You can draw logical and reasonable conclusions from the simple information that you already possess about my passions and values, and this information can be useful for multiple diverse charitable, professional, or social partnerships and opportunities.

For example: if you ask for my vote, you should understand my views and values; if you need a recommendation, you should know what characteristics a good leader must possess; and, if you just want to give a good gift, you should know what experiences and material items I enjoy most – or least.

For example: The more Democrats stressed ‘you know Joe Biden’ the more painfully obvious it was that Democrats and Joe Biden didn’t know me. Clearly, Democrats didn’t do their homework – or didn’t care.

When have I ever agreed to vote for a mediocre, entitled white man who has done nothing to earn the Black vote in all of his years in government? The Joe Bidens of the world are the reason that Black people have not advanced or seen justice and redress in America; you aren’t entitled to a title, position, or status if you have not done the work. Yet, white men hold this as a sacred truth while telling their sons, daughters, and wives that they earned it.

Further, your record, resume, and experience must speak for itself. You cannot just stroll in with a ‘hey, you know me – Joe’ attitude, and believe you can just tinker about and stumble around until you get it right after you get the job. The entitlement mentality axiomatic of white American men has made America less competitive, less safe, and less democratic: non-white people understand that they must prove themselves to get the job, while white men believe that showing up is the job.

This election cost the Democratic party my support for a lifetime. I didn’t overlook the nomination and appointment of a wholly unqualified candidate when the Republicans did it, and the Democrats were flat-earth wrong to think I would jump on board when they tried it. The tragic appointment of Joe Biden aside, we have merriment to get to. Forward we march.
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Here are some things (and people) I am mildly obsessed with this season, which – others have guessed or made a reasonable assumption about based on the information that they already knew about me: 

The New Wonder Woman film
Gal Gadot
Michelle Obama
Stacey Abrams
Viola Davis
Governor Andrew Cuomo
Robert Mueller
Robinhood
Stash (but lacks good customer service)
Cats (obviously not the film)
Dancing
Running
Coding
My neighbors (a Jewish family turned out to be the best neighbors I have ever had!)
________________
Here are some of the initiatives and causes that I support, and which were easily guessed by others:
Animal Rights
Civil Rights
Human Rights
Women’s Rights
Protection for Children
Pro Life Causes
Reparations
Equitable Hiring
Equitable and Organized Immigration
______________
Here are some of the things guessed by others of which I am not a supporter and am critical of:
Bad neighbors 
Pardons and Commutations
The Democratic Party
The Republican Party
Chris Cuomo
Betsy Devos
Privileged individuals with illegitimate gripes: non-sensical, silver-spooned complainers and whiners
The Current (and incoming) President/Vice President (and their families)
Charitable Donations as Gifts
U.S. Charities
Solicitations from Churches and Charities
The United States Legal and Justice systems
Influencers – as a Profession
Conspiracy Theorists
New York Law School, and its entire network of hooligans in suits
Advancing those who’ve cheated on academic and professional exams
Non-disclosure Agreements paired with Legal or Financial Settlements of Legal Matters
Those who seek and receive recognition, accolades, and compensation for merely giving lip or pen service to a cause, while ignoring the necessary work: e.g., Hashtag and marketing activists. This definitely describes YOU, and all others who solely talk about or collect money for causes without doing any real work
Also – It’s never acceptable to ask someone to ‘pick-up’ their own gift (this is so rude! Etiquette, please.)
______________
Some of the things not commonly known which I have never done that are obvious to those around me:
I’ve never had a Netflix account
Never watched ‘The Crown’
I don’t swim in the Hudson River
____________
Lastly, my holiday and celebratory ‘must-haves’ list guessed by others:
(appropriate and thoughtful) Cards for every holiday – including ‘thank-you’ cards for gift givers
A Plan
A Celebratory Run
Thoughtful Gifts
Special attire
Festive music
Happiness
Cheer
Truth
(And of course)
YOU

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Theresa Giovanna