Are you feeling it, New York

Later today I'll post some pictures of our lightning trip to NYC this past Friday & Saturday. Kami took them all, nary a time did I press the button on the camera, but I'll post a few of my favorites of the one's she took.

New York City was wild. I realize that's like saying "Santa Claus is fat!" But it is. All these places you've heard about your whole life actually exist and for the most part in one place. I finally understand why people from the City come upstate - because Cooperstown is bizarro New York City. It's quiet. There are trees. There are actual houses. The streets are a decent size.

But what struck me - us, really - was the number of people walking their dogs. It's almost like New Yorkers are surrounded by 8 million people, but have no interpersonal connection. The number of iPods per person on the subway was almost 1:1 (it might have been more, because I did see a guy with two iPods, which is just showing off). So people have dogs to replace the companionship they simply don't have with other people.

Because clearly, if you talk to someone on the Subway or on the street, then you're (a) crazy, or (b)...well, there is no B. You just don't really talk to people.

Two highlights: 1. I saw the Pope. 2. I was hit up for a contribution from the Democratic Party. A girl said to me in Greenwich Village "Do you have time for the Democratic Party?" And I thought, you know I'm just open-minded enough to say yes, even if someone asked if I had time for the Bull Moose Party. So I said "Sure." And she explains that they're looking for contributions. "And all we need today is your contribution of $170..."

I know. That's where I started laughing, too. I'm wearing jeans and an Otis Redding shirt. I said "I'm wearing jeans and an Otis Redding shirt. I don't have $170 to give you." And I walked off. Highlight #2b. Homeless man twenty feet away tells me as I walk past "Yeah! F*** that red-headed democrat! I'm only asking for a contribution of $5!" I gave it to him.