First an apology to all those that I didn't inform of my visit to New York. I was only there for a few days (to get my visa, which I got) and I just laid low because last time, I got everyone all excited that I was coming and then I burned out after a day and a half. I didn't party as much as usual (I think I'm going through the change, the one where the misery of a morning spent hanging over is unattractive enough to destroy the utopian joy of a night of drinking). But I had a fabulous time. There were many highlights, watching John Kerry kick ass in the debate (shown at a reasonable hour) and then being able to get all angry at the Republican pundits who actually used the argument "Well, nobody expected Bush to be as smart as Kerry, so the fact that he didn't make a huge factual error was actually a victory" to spin their candidate's victory. Seriously. And although I was already going to vote for Kerry, his performance really solidified my support. He is a smart man.

Speaking of smart men, went to see a reading of a new play called Guernica by friend Kris Diaz (read by Sara and Burl, among others--well, one other, Carolyn) and it was brilliant! Simply brilliant. I wish I could recreate the discussion we had at Molly's Pub afterward, which helped me to articulate what struck me about the work, but I'm afraid I would need a Guinness.

And a final highlight, and this is one that needs no explanation, it only requires a command. On Thursday afternoon, reeling from the joy of having received the go ahead for another year in France, I slipped into the Sunshine when it started to rain just in time to catch Napoleon Dynamite. I had wanted to see it in June when I was in New York, but my partying and temper-tantrum throwing got in the way. But this time, I made it happen. And it was worth it! If Zoolander was my comedic obsession from 2001-2003, 2004 ushers in the Dynamite Dynasty. It was by far one of the most ridiculously wonderful 90 minutes I've had in a while. I almost wanted to stay and watch it again, but I had a dinner date that I couldn't miss. Many of you have probably already seen it, to which I say, sweet. Go play at the official site. For those of you who haven't, here is the command. Go see the trailer, then go see the movie. It's still playing in NYC at Cinema Village (I think) and should be playing elsewhere. It rocks. Here's a sweet glamour shot of me, Napoleon and Kip.