This morning on the subway

This morning on the subway there was a woman reading the New York Times and eating lemon Jell-o from an Eddie Bauer travel mug. I am baffled many times over by this. I picture her on some gelatin diet, filling her fridge with cups full of Jell-o ready to take on any occasion.

Do you want to know the most overlooked good deed you can do for someone on a rainy day? Next time you see someone holding an umbrella with one hand and struggling to open a corner mailbox and shove a package in with the other, offer up your help. Because if you’re in New York, that person will be me and I will love you forever.

Conversation while watching “Unwrapped”:

Me: Do you think Mark Summers is married?
J: No.
Me: Do you think he is sad?
J: Yes I do.
…
J: Oh look, he’s wearing a wedding band. I guess he is married.
Me: Do you still think he’s sad?
J: No.

Last night I went to a launch party for this book. What publishing lacks in fat paychecks, it always makes up for in splashy parties, expensed lunches, and free drinks. It’s difficult not to have a good time when you’re being fed mini quesadillas and white wine, I’ll tell you that much. Tomorrow night we’re heading to this Daily Show extravaganza. They haven’t actually told us what they’re going to be doing, except existing on the stage for us. It’s interesting how vague an event listing is allowed to be for non-musician/author types. You buy tickets for a show or a reading, you pretty much know what you’re getting. Buy a ticket for the appearance of a public figure, it’s all up in the air. In my head, I’m envisioning they will all just do a live Daily Show for us right then and there which would be KILLER. Dance for me, Jon, you are my monkey.

I’m always interested when things come full circle, so I will take you through this particular circle as much for my own entertainment as for yours:

January 2002: Kelly has job working for publicist of big author. Big author is appearing on Daily Show, and Kelly accompanies him. Kelly loves me and thus procures Jon Stewart’s autograph for me. Reads: “I hope she got you something better than this for your birthday! Jon Stewart”

October 2003: Liz gets job working for agent who is, coincidentally, big author’s agent.

Last night: Big author hosts launch party.

Tomorrow night: Daily Show event.

Week from tomorrow night: birthday.

Hmm. I see now that perhaps big author and I should have discussed the Daily Show, or perhaps Kelly should come with me tomorrow or something to even the whole thing out. Or I should get autograph for Kelly. It seemed better in my head. I’ll think about this.

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