Arriving in NY

(transcribed from paper journal)

Last night I went to B.'s. We had an excellent dinner ... I had grilled shrimp over citrus risotto and capers, a side of grilled asparagus, and a spinach/arugula salad with goat cheese, strawberries, and pecans.

This morning we parted ways, and I killed time at Morning Call, Scriptura, Earthsavers, the mall, and Borders, and I finished the absolutely wonderful Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. (Thank you again, Melissa.)

I then went to the airport, where my flight was delayed for two hours and I saw Terry Bradshaw. I amused myself by reading the latest Vanity Fair and the Sarah Vowell book I got at Borders, Assassination Vacation. Love. Brilliant. So glad that B. played part of The Partly Cloudy Patriot for me and I was able to realize that Sarah Vowell is My People. I almost finished it on the plane ride up here, which went smoothly after the delay o' pain.

I hopped in the cab at LGA and told the driver Shelley's address and he asked me which way I wanted him to go. "...? Uh, the fastest way?" About 20 minutes and $35 later, he dropped me off at her corner. I was frightened by the giant mounds of snow on the sidewalk but relieved to discover that it felt like 60 degrees outside.

We had a joyful reunion, and I told her about my feeling emotional at the sight of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building and that I want to go balls-out tourist and do things here I've never done.

We ordered Thai take-out ... it got delivered, and she accidentally ordered an eggplant dish, and she famously hates eggplant. She drew maps for me and even fixed me a little welcome table of snacks and tulips. And her studio is to die for. And I love it. And she might be the nicest and funniest person ever to live.

I made lunch plans with Annegrrl, said goodnight to B., and have settled in for the night. I can't wait to walk to SoHo in the morning and just really enjoy spring in the city. I really wanted to go to the East Village Tenement Museum in the morning or the Jewish Museum, but apparently they don't open until the afternoon. And I am sort of fantasizing about taking the ferry to Ellis Island after hearing this amazing story about its "dark side," but I don't see that happening ... maybe next trip.

Goodnight, NY!