stuck in nyc

I lost my clutch on Friday night driving into NYC with Adam. Right there at 23rd and Lexington. Lots and lots of honking as I pushed and Adam steered the car to the curb. Thank God there was an open parking space (in Manhattan no less!)

So the repair shop told me it'd be fixed on Saturday. Then they said Monday. Now they're saying today at 3. And I'm sitting at my girlfriend's computer typing this and checking emails from work frustrated that I can't have my freaking car back so that I can go home.

Holiday #1: MLK day

I drove to the Berkshire Museum this afternoon for their MLK commemoration. I have to say I was surprised this weekend at how difficult it was to find MLK events in this area. The closest was the Museum (1 hour away). I'm sure there was more, but it was poorly publicized.

So. I got to the Museum late and missed a youth dance show as well as readings from King's speeches. All that was left was a "soul food tasting" from 2pm to 4pm. This did not appeal to me, so I explored the Museum.

I viewed dozens of lovely paintings by white 19th century Europeans of 19th century Europeans. So I thought that was a good way to celebrate Dr. King.

Or not.

I left and went to Barnes & Noble and read a book of King's speeches. I made sure to hold the book kind of high as I read so people would realize how intelligent and racially sensitive I am.

New Year's Resolution explation

My new year's resolution for 2006 was this: I will acknowledge the holidays listed below by celebrating spiritual rituals, reading text, partaking in artistic/cultural events, and/or learning something about each day's meaning (beyond simple celebration).

Holidays to explore:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 1/16
• Presidents' Day 2/20
• Ash Wednesday 3/1
• Purim 3/14
• Easter 4/16
• Memorial Day 5/29
• Independence Day 7/4
• Labor Day 9/4
• first day of Ramadan 9/24
• Yom Kippur 10/2
• Columbus Day 10/9
• Dia de los Muertos 11/2
• Veterans' Day 11/11
• Thanksgiving 11/23
• first day of Hanukkah 12/16
• Christmas 12/25
• first day of Kwanzaa 12/26
• New Year's Day 2007 1/1

This came from my realization that the holiday I really celebrate the true meaning of is New Year's Day (10, 9, 8, 7, etc...) But Memorial Day is for barbecues, Christmas for Santa and gifts, Independence Day for fireworks, and Yom Kippur for overwhelming indifference. I feel like I should try to at least learn something this year about these days that we've set aside as important to some set of people.

So... there you go. There's that.