etc.

By the time I left, my to-do list for New York was about 12 activities-strong and I got to three of them. The International Center of Photography was enlightening in the sort of way most photography galleries and museums make me feel inadequate and inspired at the same time. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I spent more time at NYPL on this trip than ever before mostly because NYPL feels like the grand-old dame of public libraries, which always makes me wish I had a New York address just so I can sign up for a library card. I’m not remorseful for not getting to the other 9 things on my hitlist — thanks again to everyone for suggestions — not only because plans are in the hopper to be there again in February, but also because infinite possibilities can be discovered by way of aimlessness. Some highlights:

· Rineke Dijkstra’s portraits.
· The View. Seriously. Completely unplanned, we went to a taping and it was eye-opening. In many ways. More on this later.
· Smiling Pumpkin Ale @ Heartland Brewery. Golden sap of pure harvest joy.
· comfy work/play clogs for unbelievable-cheap.
· Bluestockings. This was on the hitlist but I ended up writing it off based on location. Then we fell right over it. A good place to spark or reignite the radical activist fire within you.
· a market/street festival that spanned at least 15 blocks on Sunday morning.