It is fiercely cold and fiercely beautiful outside this morning.  The news today is all about the storm that’s coming.  I have set up notifications and stuff because I hope to fly home late this evening.  The last time I was here, I sat at LaGuardia for over 6 hours. Me thinks the same fate awaits me this evening.

I worked close to 12 hours yesterday–intense, sometimes illuminating, daunting, as well. And I have figured this out about New York:  It is an incredibly seductive place to visit.  I feel sort-of like Mowgli when Kaa the python is doing her hypnotic thing in the Disney movie Jungle Book.  Both days, I have had breakfast at a place called Le Pain Quotidien which is on the same block as my hotel.  It feels like coming home to walk into that space with a long communal table, amazing irish oatmeal, and warmth and friendly service.  Of course, this being New York, it’s mine for a price–breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, $15.00.

I had just a bit of time yesterday morning to go to Grand Central Station, right next to my hotel, and there too, there was the sense of rightness.  One thing I can say about this place is, along with being a city with obscenely rich people who create enclaves of privilege that leave me horribly uneasy, it also has incredibly beautiful public spaces that are available to everyone.  I mean, really, to get to complain about a train schedule by going up to this window?

I’m glad I’ve been here.  And now, I hope I get home before the storm.