Friday

I went to New York Friday. My parents sponsor a concert by this amazing organization called Young Concert Artists. Conservatory students audition to be in YCA, which helps them get bookings and teaches them how to live as a professional musician. Impressive stuff, and an impressive list of alumni as well, including Emanuel Ax and Pinchas Zuckerman. Today it was a Russian cellist. He was great and the accompanist was maybe the best I've ever seen. Turns out she won a prestigious award as a "collaborative musician." I didn't know there was such a designation. Fascinating.

After the concert, we had an hour before our train, and the daughter wanted to go to the big Macy's and get sprayed with lots of kinds of perfumes. I decided not to partake and went to the Starbucks on the balcony. It reminded me of a favorite holiday ritual of mine, where I'd go to down to Herald Square on Christmas Eve, park myself in the Macy's balcony, and watch the goyim scramble for their last minute presents. Now I could do that and have a latte at the same time. And who says progress isn't good?

In Macy's we stumbled onto the ball that drops from the top of One Times Square this New Year's Eve. I tried to insert a picture but Blogger is malfunctioning, so you'll have to take my word for it. It was big and bright and pretty and it changes colors every few seconds. I want one.