Since most everything in New York takes twice as long to do, time also seems to go twice as fast. This is what they mean by a “New York Minute.” It’s a 1985 song by Ronnie McDowell, also done by Don Henley four years later. “In a New York Minute, Everything can change, In a New York Minute. Things can get pretty strange, In a New York Minute, Everything can change, In a New York Minute.” There have been two peaceful moments so far: cocktails last night overlooking Times Square and sitting on a shady, park bench in Central Park, until the saxophonist started to squawk. This was after nearly being struck by a taxi and a skateboarder on my morning run. You have to be on your toes at all times in the big city, navigating the crowds and the unexpected obstacles, or it will be your last “New York Minute.” 

I’ve successfully completed the poor man’s “Big Apple” dining perfecta: a street vendor hot dog, black & white cookie, a McDonald’s fountain Diet Coke, and a slice of Ray’s pizza. I’m ready to go home. Like Las Vegas, I began to suffocate after a couple of days of noise pollution, large food portions, crowded rooms, and flyer pushers. My wife enjoyed last night’s work assignment, a chance to meet the current and future TV stars. She came back from the party with lots of pictures and stories, reinvigorated about some of the perks of her job, while I enjoyed the quiet of our room. We have one more show tonight, Dear Evan Hansen, and then will return to Portland for a “Broadway Series” performance Love Never Dies. That will be five shows in less than a week, a new record for me! (See Post #454).

I assume that all the sheep displays around town are regarding the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. There are stuffed sheep in our lobby and projections of grazing sheep on the elevator doors. I’m wondering if the Renaissance is an official festival hotel, because it seems so out of place here in the city? BAAAAAAAH! There is a large 15 acre grassy area in Central Park known as Sheep Meadow, known primarily as a gathering place for large-scale demonstrations and political movements. I did not see a single sheep, although the Central Park Zoo is adjacent, nor have we had “lamb” for dinner here yet. People do tend to “flock” to New York, and then walk along like zombies, staring at their phones or the bright lights. We have both slept fairly well, so there has been no need to “count sheep,” and besides “wool be home soon!”

The peace and solitude of my home office awaits, as I return to “Homebody Heaven” tomorrow. I will be anxious to share stories of my Gotham City adventures at Friday’s Leadership Meeting. Like any trip away from home, the time has passed by quickly, in this case in a “New York Minute.”