The first woman president of a major university, history professor Hanna Holborn Gray took the reins of the University of Chicago on October 6, 1978. Imagine all of the twists and turns that made that moment possible.

Which begs the question, to what unexpected place might you be headed?

"I think it is important to remember that every choice made will open up totally unanticipated options and opportunities. I have concluded this truth will remain permanently hidden to youth, however hard one tries to convey it. One needs to experience its reality in order to learn that every decision or step one takes when starting out is not necessarily, indeed is not likely, our final destination." - Hanna Holborn Gray

R-O-L-A-N-D G-A-R-R-O-S. It just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? As I practiced my French before heading to Paris for the first time, this was the phrase I earnestly recited.

This hallowed cathedral of tennis was what initially drew me to the City of Lights, where my childhood hero swatted away challenger after challenger with her two-handed backhand. Gracious in victory and gracious in defeat, Chrissie Evert showed me what mental toughness was all about.

"Ninety percent of my game is mental. It's my concentration that has gotten me this far." - Chrissie Evert

As the first month of "Bytes" draws to a close, I am reminded how powerful words can be. 

I am grateful for the connections this space has created, particularly during this time of separation and social distancing. In the words of our 39th president, our diversity is our strength.

“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” 

― Jimmy Carter

My Dad's first car was a black Model T. The engine was gravity fueled, which meant he had to drive backwards up all the hills so the gasoline would continue to flow toward the engine. Some days I feel as if I'm doing the same......

Today marks the 112th anniversary of the launch of the Model T. So in honor of my Dad, this morning's quote is from Henry Ford, creator of the Model T and of the Ford Motor Company.

"You can have it in any color you want, as long as it is black." - Henry Ford

After a post-Presidential debate night filled with a restless tossing and turning, this was the quote that bubbled up from my unconscious this morning........

"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind." - Henry James (1843-1916)

With so much clamoring for our attention these days, including tonight's presidential debate, I make note of September 29th for one reason and one reason only. It's my wedding anniversary.

Today I am reminded that marriage is an act of love, devotion, and will. How very fortunate I am to have found someone worth fighting for.......

“A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year.” - Paul Sweeney

Many years ago, while trying to decide where to go on vacation, I randomly suggested to my wife that we take out our Rand McNally map book and drive to wherever the staple was that bound the pages together. Although a bit unconventional, she agreed.

When I opened the page that displayed the U.S. map, I peered closely to see what was underneath the staple. It was Little Rock, Arkansas. We promptly nicknamed the vacation "The Great Staple Tour," and began to plan our visit, including a stop at Central High School.

In 1957, on September 24, nine students crossed the threshold of CHS, flanked by members of the National Guard. Integration had become the law of the land but those nine students shouldered the burden.

"What is happening at Little Rock transcends segregation and integration, this is a question of right against wrong." - Daisy Bates

The word "forgive" is worth 14 points in the game of Scrabble, 16 points if playing Words with Friends.

Somehow that just doesn't seem enough, does it?

“People have to forgive. We don't have to like them, we don't have to be friends with them, we don't have to send them hearts in text messages, but we have to forgive them, to overlook, to forget. Because if we don't we are tying rocks to our own feet, too much for our wings to carry.”

― C. JoyBell C.

I was a reluctant convert. But my friends insisted I keep watching. And now I see why.

In honor of this week's Emmy awards, a "byte" of admiration from one devoted father to his beloved son. The first father-son team to ever win television's top prize.

“I also want to thank once again this young man who took our fish-out-of-water story about the Rose family and transformed it into a celebration of inclusivity, a castigation of homophobia, and a declaration of the power of love." - Eugene Levy

A few years ago, when I was visiting D.C., I got up crazy early so I would be in the front of the line of visitors potentially allowed to sit in on a session of the Supreme Court. My punctuality paid off and I was one of a handful of folks seated in the back row of the court.

As the clock struck 10:00 a.m. the justices began to emerge from behind the curtin.

Elena. Sonia. And then finally my hero ..... Ruth. I remember thinking, I am breathing the same air as Ruth Bader Ginsburg! I don't think I took another breath for the rest of the hour.

Ruth was a warrior. Oh how I will miss her.

"Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped make my dreams come true." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

From the person I consider to be the most talented photographer of my generation.

For my fellow introverts, this one's for you......

“As a young person, and I know it’s hard to believe that I was shy, but you could take your camera, and it would take you to places: it was like having a friend, like having someone to go out with and look at the world. I would do things with a camera I wouldn’t do normally if I was just by myself.”

— Annie Leibovitz

A Hall of Fame pitcher (inducted at age 36, the youngest ever) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Koufax was known for both his wizardry on the mound and his devotion to his faith. He famously sat out game one of a World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur. Sandy "walked the walk" as they say.

His quote (below) reminds us that sometimes the answer we're looking for is counterintuitive. Keep your eyes open to discovering the unexpected solution.........

"I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it." - Sandy Koufax

The lyrics to my favorite song by two of my favorite troubadours.

"Time it was and what a time it was. It was a time, a time of innocence, a time of consequences. Long ago, it must be. I have a photograph. Preserve your memories. They're all that's left you."

- Simon and Garfunkel

I first came to know Roxanne Gay after reading her 2017 memoir Hunger. Even the most delicate and complicated topics can be dissected and rewoven by a talented writer......

“Salvation is certainly among the reasons I read. Reading and writing have always pulled me out of the darkest experiences in my life. Stories have given me a place in which to lose myself. They have allowed me to remember. They have allowed me to forget. They have allowed me to imagine different endings and better possible worlds.”– Roxane Gay

When we were kids, our nickname for my mother was Mario Andretti (not for her spaghetti-making prowess but for her driving proclivities).

Today's quote is inspired by her "pedal to the metal" attitude about work and about life.

"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough" - Mario Andretti

Born in Newark and educated at Columbia, Allen Ginsberg spent much of his life rambling the streets of NYC's East Village.

His "Beat Generation," wrote eloquently, piercingly, and critically of the culture of their day. But in the end, he was always open to the notion that his was not the only opinion.

“Our heads are round so thought can change direction.” - Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997)

At the end of this week, those in the Jewish community will celebrate Rosh Hashanah. As a preamble, this week will feature the words of Jewish scholars, musicians, poets, etc.

Our leadoff batter is Nobel Peace Prize winner (1986), Elie Wiesel.

"We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."

8:46 a.m. EST. The moment the first plane struck the North Tower in New York City.

I remember that day quite distinctly. A beautiful fall day in Boston, the sky a blinding blue. And then......

"My generation is now the door to memory. That is why I am remembering." - Joy Harjo

This morning's quote is a reminder you have far more agency and power than you might imagine.

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."