Waiting to Get There. Usually on the A/C/E in Chelsea, New York City.

  Things started out about as well as can be expected when you get up about two hours earlier than usual and decide to not have coffee before heading out because there's a Starbucks right across the street from the colonoscopy joint and how long could it take to drop off Tom and head over there? Bad call on my part. I escorted Tom into the colonoscopy center and then went back out to the car. I put the key in the ignition and noticed someone had sent me an email which I decided to reply to. Did it take 5 minutes? idk but by the time I turned the key in the ignition, the battery was dead.  I called Triple A. While the Triple A guy was on his way over, I decided to pop the hood and you know, take a look at the engine. Maybe I'd even be able to find the battery. I go to yank on the pop-the-hood latch under the dashboard and... it's busted. It's hanging there very limply.  I pace around in the parking lot until the Triple A guy comes. His name is Duane. I say Duane, my hood

 We just got back from Austin. We went there for two reasons: To see what all the fuss was about It's middle ground, ie in the middle of the country, ie we were meeting Darcey and Kent who moved to Oregon five years ago I don't know what I expected really. Well, I sort of know what I expected because I was in Austin maybe ten years ago for a client meeting. I vaguely recall feeling like I was on an interstate highway... but somehow also in the middle of Austin.  Turns out I have a good memory. And so, my entire time in Austin was essentially three days to reflect on how much I love New York City. I love subways. I love walking places. I love swiveling 360 degrees and there's city in every direction as far as the eye can see. I am spoiled rotten... if the museum or the theater or the restaurant isn't the best in the world I'm like... hmmm, might as well have just stayed home. I know! This is why you just say "new york city" and half the country's heads