When a Man Likes a Woman*

*With apologies to Percy Sledge.

I was scheduled to meet my pal, Jane, at an Irish/Manhattan after-work watering hole. I've known her for many, many years and we like to drink. She almost married a friend of mine. Personally, I think she dodged a bullet. We hang out as often as we can. I cannot tell you how liberating it is to go out drinking with a girl and have absolutely no sexual tension in the room to distract and muck things up. We've never had any sparks between us and because of that or, perhaps, despite it, we've become the bestest of pals. It's a very satisfying friendship. She's got her husband. I've got Mrs. Wife. No problems! It's great! Hombres, if you can pull it off, I highly recommend it. You can say stuff to a girl you're not trying to seduce that you can't say to your guy friends or to a girl who you would like to seduce.

She's a news editor at one of the major networks and is often sent to far-off, sometimes exotic, locals. It's almost always in relation to some kind of disaster, so she's got great stories to tell, although she complains about the constant travel. My work is so boring compared to hers.

The nature of her work often results in last-minute cancellations because she needs to chase a story. It happened a few nights ago. Since I was granted the night off and it was such a pretty evening, instead of rushing back to New Jersey, I went down to the World Financial Center at the southern tip of Manhattan to hear some music. During the summer months, there are dozens of outdoor free concerts littered all over New York. I saw blues musician Angelo M and his trio. It was very satisfying. I love watching an accomplished guitarist play up close. I like to see his fingers dance on the fretboard.

Here are some random shots I took of the World Financial Center. Just to compare/contrast, here's what the big glass Atrium looked like immediately after 9/11. What a mess!

I'm happy to report that it's been restored to its original grandeur. I hope you're looking at these through a nice, big, bright monitor.

The construction project peeking out in the center is the new Freedom Tower. Christ, I hate that name. It's too jingoistic for my tastes. It reminds me too much of Freedom Fries. But it's an architectural home run. Wait 'till you see it.

Bonus pic with lovely contrasting angles.

While listening to the music, I bought a couple of tacos and a bottle of beer. Delicioso! I ate them at a little table under a tree, Hudson River to my back, blues solos in front of me. They gave me one of those little packets with a cloth wipe inside for clean-up. I flipped it over and was shocked to see this:

Directions?! Is there someone out there who doesn't realize you need to open the packet and remove the moist towelette? Are they rubbing the packet on their hands wondering why they're not getting any cleaner? I'll bet this wrapper edict was a mandate handed down by some desk monkey in Compliance.

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Ad from last week's Sunday New York Times Book Review:

Two HOT Summer Reads!

Contracts in the Real World (Stories of Popular Contracts and Why They Matter)

and

The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America

My God. I think they're serious.

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Can anyone tell me why my dog likes to roll in feces? What abhorrent behavior! It sickens me a little bit. I keep telling you...cats, cats, cats is the way to go.