Dear, sweet, darling readers. I know that you’re loyal, and you read this column religiously. One day, I may create a quiz to see who really knows me best. Oh sure, there are parts of my life you don’t know, and you will never know. First and foremost, my identity. Then there are other things: where I’m from, what I look like (amazing, of course), and so much more.

One thing you do know for sure is that I spent many years as a managing broker. In fact, I was a managing broker longer than some of you have even been in this business. So listen to me closely. The best way to recruit the top talent is to…read the cover story. You think they didn’t consult the experts when writing this issue? They did, so leave that stuff to the cover story and sit back and enjoy the gossip.

Due to the cold weather (what happened to that whole global warming thing?), I’m writing this column under a blanket. That means I’ve been slightly out of the gossip game. If I’m not out in the world, the gossip has to come to me. So please, don’t forget to send me all the news that isn’t fit to print so that we can share it here.

I did find out that Rafael Murillo of @properties was seen flying his drone around the Gold Coast. Isn’t the whole point of a drone to not be spotted? Try again, Rafi.

Tommy Choi took video of the CAR volunteers at their gardening project recently. Little did they know that snow would arrive in early November, so most of the volunteers can be seen shivering and stomping around without boots. I mean, the forecast said snow, but it didn’t say SNOW.

Despite my desire to stay under the blanket from November until the day I board my private jet and head to my island getaway, I emerged from my cocoon a few times to attend some events. Liquor is a great way to warm the soul, isn’t it? First, on Nov. 2, I headed over to the Apogee Lounge for the NAR happy hour co-hosted by Guaranteed Rate and Chicago Agent magazine, and I made sure to get really happy during that hour (or two).

November 3 to 6 was the NAR conference, and luckily, it was right here in Chicago this year. It was nice to avoid travel and host some agents from around the country in our freezing cold nook of a city.

Then, on Nov. 6, Related Realty launched sales of its new luxury condo community, Harbour Beach Cancun, at Blvd in the West Loop. Truly brilliant to launch sales of a condo community in warm, sunny Cancun at the end of a blustery fall. I’ll take two, please.

With Christmas decorations busting into the stores the day after Halloween, people seem to be forgetting one of my favorite holidays: Thanksgiving. How about some turkey-inspired birthday wishes for all you late November folks: Paul “Pumpkin Pie” Lazarre celebrates on Nov. 20, while Jennifer “Autumn” Ames, Eric “Roast” Richards and Noel “Cranberries” Christopher share a Nov. 26 birthday. Rosie “Sweet Potato” Bartolotta has a Nov. 29 birthday, while Maria “Mayflower” Davies gets to party on the first day of December. Then on Dec. 2, be sure to wish Terrie “Wishbone” Whittaker a happy birthday.