I Love NY

So living in NYC has a lot of challenges, so when you find an "I love NY" day, you have to celebrate it. In this case, it was actually two days.

Friday, we had a gorgeous snow day. It wasn't so bad that I could justify staying home from work, which is fine, because a snow day in the office is fun, too. Madison Square Park looked beautiful as the snow fell. Certainly, snowy NY isn't so pretty a day or two after a storm. But while it's happening and right after, it's totally beautiful. I'm very fortunate to have an office with such a great view of a park.

The storm and closeness to Christmas meant the clients had really evacuated already and I could just get things done without interruption.

I had to walk home from the train station to the house on Friday night (about 1.25 miles) as I didn't want Kathryn out on the roads. But the neighborhoods were so quiet and festive with lights that it was kind of fun.

Then on Saturday morning, I left the house around 5:30 a.m. to do the first session at the Manhattan temple. One of the blessings of NYC is having our intimate little temple. And at that time of the morning, it's not very busy --especially after the storm. So you feel like it's your own private temple. The first session is Spanish, so I have to wear headphones, but that's OK.

I bumped into the temple president afterward, who greeted me by name. That's always nice. I worked with him exactly a year ago in helping a disabled member attend the temple for the first time, and somehow he remembers my name and face. Can't imagine a temple president in a Utah temple making a point of greeting me personally.

Then, I wanted to head to my office to get all the left-over toy samples to distribute to families in the ward. So I exited the garage on 66th Street and drove across Central Park. Again, freshly fallen snow in the park looks beautiful.

I decided to drive down 5th Avenue to reach my office. I thought it might be crowded with tourists o'plenty, but it was early enough, and NYers don't awake from their slumber til mid morning. So I drove down an empty 5th Avenue, and went past the decked-out Plaza Hotel and FAO Scwartz. Then, under the big star hanging above the street. Then all the very decorated department stores and their windows that make 5th Avenue famous. Went by St. Patricks, and even got a glimpse of the Rockefeller Tree. It was so fun that I actually think I should take the kids for a drive along 5th Ave. early morning as part of a new family tradition.

Passed the main library....for some reason, no wreaths around the lion's necks this year.

Coming up to the Empire State Building, you almost miss it. You would think the tallest building in the city would dominate the road, but it's kind of hidden and you have to make a point of looking for it or you'll miss it. I ended down by the Flat Iron building at 23rd street, which is my favorite 'hidden treasure" of the city.

Then I escaped into my office, loaded up the van with Star Wars toys and headed home. Later that day, Kathryn took the older two kids into Grand Central and a Nutcracker performance (not THE famous performance but a nice one all the same).

With all the challenges of NY, you have to recognize the good and the fun that makes living here so great. Quite honestly, I'm happy to put up with the tough things because the good moments are so awesome. I love NY!!!

Print Edition on its Way!

Hi all:

Well, I had to let the online version lapse a bit while I got my feet underneath me on that bishop calling thing -- and I had to focus my attention to creating the annual print edition of the newsletter. But it's written, printed, and the first wave is out the door. The final copies should be in the mail by the morning.

Surprisingly, several of you have stated in your Christmas letter to us: "Hey, what's the deal? Where's the newsletter?" I'm happy to see that it's been noticed that I'm running a bit late. It also helps reinforce whose list we are because they like us and who just sends us a return card out of guilt because they got our card first.

Let me warn you that -- in keeping with the cutbacks and layoffs -- the newsletter is perhaps 60 percent less funny than previous years. No, this is more than just me trying to be like a campaign manager who manages expectations before his candidate debate. I just didn't have the time or the creative energy to keep it to previous year standards. The clock was ticking too loudly. It's still got a funny note or two, but don't un-subscribe after one weak season.

If you want to be part of a marketing focus group related to this year's letter, feel free to post comments here as to what you like in this year's letter or what you'd like improved in next year's version. I'll try next year to follow the politicians and make a product that appeals to all and offends to none. After all Christmas newsletters by committee is where it's at! :)

Yours in holiday cheer,

Mark