Taking note of a good day.

Today's low point was having to restart my computer to get it to recognize my MP3 player. It's pretty old as electronics go, but except for the occasional problem of not being recognized when first plugged into the USB port, it does its job of playing music. So it'll be with me a little while longer.

I didn't make it to the gym, either, though I walked about five miles so I'm not too concerned about it. I'd voluntarily left the majority of my responsibilities behind for a few hours to enjoy moving through the city, mostly on foot and partly on the subway. It was one of those remarkably nice early summer days New York City gets, just before heat and humidity set in: light air, solid blue sky, all the leaves fresh and shining. This is a city with so much genuinely unpleasant weather - cold that gnaws at your fingers or humidity that crawls across your scalp - the days when it's nice and enjoyable are held in high enough esteem to make the rest of the year seem worth it to wait for them.

My brother and I walked through Washington Square Park, past five different jazz ensembles, and some pigeons flew into my hands to eat the birdseed there. I got sprinkles and some groceries, bought a couple of James Thurber books, and stocked up on tea.

So now it's clearly time for a Popsicle.