Left the midwest in an astonishing downpour–the kind where it rains so hard it sounds like rocks are hitting your car.  Also a damp spirit as I heard from a friend that ADAM LAMBERT was on the Today Show this morning and I’d miss him by just a few hours.

 New York is drier, but overcast and foggy.  I walked down to the Empire State Building (which is right across the street from where the Lammy Awards Ceremony will be tomorrow night) and couldn’t see anywhere near the top.

I had a bagel with Nova lox for breakfast in Grand Central Station, so I feel like I’ve arrived.   Then I went straight to the New York Public Library, where I’d never been before.  They have many treasures, including a Declaration of Independence in Jefferson’s handwriting, and a  great collection of 20th century dime novels and comic books.  On the third floor, in the hall outside the great reading room, was a great timeline display of the gay rights movement, particularly focusing on Stonewall and the Liberation of Christopher Street.  Reading the weeklies, the fliers, and the letters from folks fighting the good fight in 1969 and 1970 was quite moving, especially in light of the horrible Supreme Court decision in California yesterday.   Topped the visit off with a visit to the Children’s Reading Room, where the original toys that inspired A. A. Milne to write Winnie the Pooh are housed.  That was a lovely surprise for me!

I also walked by the Episcopal Center, home base of the national church offices and checked out their little bookstore. 

Ate at Don Giovanni’s–great home-cooked Italian food, huge portions, relatively cheap.  It’s on 44th near 9th–one restaurant I always visit whenever I’m in NYC.

Walked up Broadway and down 5th in the evening–including time in the brand new Times Square pedestrian mall.  The city has put lawn chairs in the middle of the former street.  It’s a blast to sit an watch people and signs and traffic and everything.

Tomorrow will be fun!