OMG. So I was home for less than 48 hours which I tried to rejigger myself back to east coast time and took Edda with Jeremy to the dermatologist to look at moles and crusty ears on Edda.
Then I took a bus to NYC for two nights. My running coach (and German professor at Ohio State), Paul, translated Karl Marx’s book Capital. And it took him only 5 years or so. He would love it if you bought a copy, but no pressure! I went to NYC to attend his book event, which at the time I said I would go months ago, seemed like a great idea and in retrospect, was a wonderful and satisfying trip, but I would have liked a little more down time.
I went to the opera on Thursday night. Rigoletto by Verdi. Dave, my grad school friend and present-day coworker, is a huge opera fan and tried to coach me through the opera the day before, the most important advice was to read the plot before you go so you know what to expect even though they are singing in Italian. He did warn me that everyone dies and it’s true, everyone dies – but not before they can sing about 5 minutes of a song that says – forgive me! forgive him, etc., etc. I went because I’d never been to the Met and look at this gorgeousness. It was a packed house on Thursday night, lots of older folks, but also lots of younger folks. I sat next to a chic young couple – I think b.k. (before kids) with sparkle shoes and fancy handbag and such things. You better believe that I spent some time looking up on the internets, best value ticket – so I bought front row of the highest level which was great. Well worth the ticket price.
The next day, I spent the morning with Lael, eating brunch and chatting – beautiful day in Brooklyn. I’m usually in NYC to visit Lael, so often, I book a hotel near her and never use the subway, but this time, I booked a hotel in Murray Hill – far-ish away from both the bookstore and Lael (I thought the book event was at another branch of the bookstore, I think? I actually can’t quite remember why I booked the hotel in such a weird spot). Anyways, I took the subway so many times – you gotta keep up these skills, finding your way around. God, at least it’s still in english! Just confusing. The signage is both great and unclear. Lots of signs, maybe too many signs. I also paid with no app, no card. I paid for the subway trips on a credit card on my watch.
After brunch with Lael, I went to the Morgan Library which was interesting and I got to see a Gutenberg bible – a thrill. I toured this using their free audio app, which was good. Then I went back to the hotel and took a nap.
Then I headed to the financial district where the bookstore was. Saw the new world trade center subway station with its white fishbone structure.
And the new Perlman Performing Arts center.
And then I met up with Paul and Alan – we got to chat for a bit before the event. Alan amused himself by looking at the Greek in some of the footnotes in the book – apparently it’s very easy to make typos in the Greek, but no typos in this particular section.
Here’s Paul (center) and his co-editor – also Paul and apparently this very famous moderator person. I do not know who this very famous person is, but she moderated just fine. Paul, Alan and I had dinner together which was very nice.
My bus on Sat was not until 11 am, so I tucked a Central Park run in in the morning.
And then had a bacon egg and cheese bagel at a bagel place – look at all these crazy cream cheeses.
So while I was gone, Edda had an art exhibit which I was sad to miss. Every year, Megan, her teacher has the class make a canvas painting and now we have five of them, and I submitted them to the Main Street art exhibit. It was accepted and the opening reception was Friday night. Luckily, Megan was able to go and celebrate with Edda.
Now I’m back at home and planning on not leaving for months! I’m really, really tired and there is lots of work to do at home. xoxo