Andy Chase

Tourist
I should stop feeling like a tool for taking photos; people who live here must be used to it, and fellow tourists don't care. I took a few photos of the Washington Square arch. This was on my way to the...

Phantom Krispy Kreme
While searching for a different place to try for breakfast, I came across several references to a Krispy Kreme store on 8th street, within easy walking distance. It's been at least two years since I had a Krispy Kreme donut, and they are a thing not to be missed if within walking distance. However, after walking back and forth along 8th street for several blocks on either side of where The Internet said it would be, I concluded that it must have closed recently enough that it still shows up in some directories.

So I wound up with an excellent cup of coffee and an unremarkable muffin from Oren's Daily Roast on Waverly Place between Green and University.

New York Dogs
One thing that has struck me is how happy the dogs I see are. I mean dogs out for walks on leashes - I can't say I've seen any strays here in the village when people are out and about.

Every single one has a big grin on, and just seems perfectly content and happy to be out and about in the big city with their people. Furthermore, quite a few establishments I've walked by are dog-friendly.

I think it probably has to do with the fact that if you're going to have a dog in a place like New York City, you're going to be spending a lot of time in close quarters with it, and you're getting it to be a friend and companion... unlike rural areas where a lot of people seem to think of dogs as something more like possessions, to be kept out in the yard at night and ignored at will.

Anyway, I miss my own dogs, and it's been nice to vicariously enjoy the companionship of all the critters I see out with their people.

The End in Sight
This morning it was just the middle of the trip, but this evening suddenly it's my second-to-last night here. Time to start thinking about heading home, in other words; both work-wise (which loose ends need to be tied up tomorrow) and tourist-wise (one night left... what am I going to do with it?) It's amazing how quickly time passes when you're in a situation that demands that you keep track of it.

Moondance Diner
I cross-referenced my yellow pages search for nearby diners with Google image search to try to locate a real, classic diner. The nearest one was the Moondance Diner on Sixth Avenue at Canal street.

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either - I'm finding that to be the case with most lower-end places I've been eating at here. The decor was disappointing; much of the original detail seems to have been layered over with paint, and while nobody could mistake it for anything but a diner, it has that nobody-cares-about-me-anymore feeling found in so many coffee shops in Los Angeles I think I need to head up to midtown if I want the definitive glass and chrome experience.

Poor Old Banjo
I've been missing my banjo as the week goes on - evenings would be the perfect time to practice. The longing is particularly acute tonight, as somebody in a neighboring room is practicing The Seeker over and over and over again on electric guitar. Great song, but I am reminded of why I became disenchanted with playing electric guitar; playing without a band sucks. Banjo is perfect for solitary picking, and I'm looking forward to being able to sit and play on my porch again.

Ice Cream
I scoped out the Ben and Jerry's store on the next block over on my way home tonight - open until midnight every night, and until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays! Far be it from me to ignore a late night craving with such a resource available, so after posting Day 3 I went and paid way too much (even by Ben and Jerry's standards. Damn, New York is expensive) for a waffle cone sundae. I think Herrell's Ice Cream in Northampton has me spoiled, because although the B&J's was was good, I don't know that it was $5.50 good. Herrell's costs an arm and a leg too, but it generally feels worth it.