Forgive the extended absence, all. The post cruise fogginess (that no one warned me about, by the by) took a while to clear and then, just as things began to clear, I was struck down (and laid prone) by an incredibly bout of sciatica. I will not regale with with the details and descriptions of the pain and agony there in. If you never experience it, consider yourself among the lucky people of the earth. If you have experienced it, oh honey - I feel your pain.

But enough about me and my excuses - It’s Spring in New York! What’s happening around town this week and weekend?

There is a new Koons exhibit on the Roof Garden at the Met (one of the lovliest views in New York no matter WHAT is being exhibited there).  This is one of the two things I really MUST see this season at the Met. The other is the new Costume Institute show (opens 5/7)  - Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

Either one of these might be a nice outing for Mother’s Day. What’s that? You forgot that was right around the corner? Well, it is. Everyone else is preparing for Mother’s Day. Well, not all of us perhaps but I better or my own mother will be in New York faster than you can say, “Grand Central - and step on it!” Mother and I have spoke lately of taking a cruise. Not around Mother’s Day (too soon) but perhaps booking it by then. It all depends on her schedule of course. Busy woman, my mother. And hard to buy for. After all, if she wants something, she buys it herself. If I come up with any brilliant NYCentric Mom’s Day ideas, I’ll be sure and let you know. Apart from the usual “let’s take mom out for Sunday lunch” idea which is classic, cliche and smacks of lack of planning. At least in my family.

Things I missed while floored (sometimes literally) by the evils of back pain:

• The Pope has come and gone. He blessed high. He blessed low. He flexed his linguistic skills and generally created traffic chaos where ever he went. That last of course is not unique to His Holiness (or any Holiness who has visited the Big Apple) but does seem to be an ongoing visiting dignitary issue. I still maintain that sticking them in a cab (or if you must - a bullet proof car painted and disguised as a cab) and sent them on their way, you wouldn’t need to shut down as many streets and you could dispense with the accompanying motorcade. I mean, what’s one more cab in a city of thousands. It would be like a giant automotive shell game.
• There’s a lot of articles about on the “greening of New York” - many inevitably (and not very originally) illustrated with a Granny Smith apple. I would love to see real changes made to the way New York functions - not just for environmental reasons but for functional ones as well. If they are “green” - all the better. We start ahead of many places in that we are a heavily mass transit kind of area. We should be more so - yes, I’m looking at you drivers who claim you MUST have your car with you at all times. We should have newer train and subway cars that run better, cleaner and are more comfortable. We should applaud the progress made in cleaner running buses and strive to achieve even more in that realm. We should — well, we should do a lot of things and these things will take not only a massive shift in the public conscience but a massive infusion of $$$$$.
• Apart from hypnotism and guilt, I don’t know how to evoke a massive shift in the public conscience but a a massive infusion of $$$$$ is easy. Higher tolls and a congestion charge. Do I sound like a broken record? Good. Maybe one of these times, it will sink in. Stop with the “it’s an unfair burden on the poor and working class.” How? We aren’t barring them from going anywhere they want. We’re just making it less than attractive to bring their car with them. Why is taking mass transit an option for these “burdened” people? How is driving into the city every day and paying - what is it now, almost $4 a gallon - for all that gas a BENEFIT for the poor and working class? Anyone?

Ah! It is good to be back friends. And I promise I won’t be gone that long ever again.