hey diddle diddle

Autumn in New York is one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced! People coming and going, carrying large shopping bags filled with pressies for the holidays. The general sense of Christmas floating in the air.

At least in Central Park. I should just move into a tent here.

I'm looking into taking my class to see the New York Philharmonic. I was hoping I could do some sort of interactive thing with them, like lessions from the conductor or something. If you were an eight-year-old orchestra student, would you like spending a day with the conductor of an acclaimed orchestra? Because I would, but maybe these kids aren't as nerdy as I am.

So, I had a drug dealer for a neighbour. That's what the banging was. The police finally got him out of here.

As bad as drug dealing is, I'm so glad he wasn't a serial rapist or something. As soon as I heard about it, I actually said, "Oh drugs, thank god". Is that weird?

I heard loud banging on my neighbor's door last night. I don't know what was going on, but there were lots of police cars parked outside our building. And the banging continued. I guess my neighbor wasn't home... maybe he knew the police would come for him?

I hope he's not convicted of murder or anything. Now I'm afraid to leave my flat.

I didn't know it could be so hot in New York. Live and learn, I guess. I should not have packed so many sweaters when I moved here.

School's out for summer and I have no idea what to do with myself apart from roller blading through Central Park and playing my violin.

What do New Yorkers do in the summer? I asked one of the other teachers and she said, "Go somewhere else". Really?

School gets out for summer in less than a month now. I won't know what to do with myself.

I'm thinking of applying to work the summer at Radio City, but I'm not sure yet. I think it would be fun, if nothing else.

I named my new cat Paddington, only to discover that she is in fact a girl. Should I change her name to "Patty" or just leave it? Paddington is such a cute name but I don't want to confuse anyone.

A cat followed me home last evening. He's black and white, like a cow. And he has three legs.

Are any of you missing a cat? I've put up posters, but so far there's no word.

Is it too cliche to plan a Spring "field trip" to the Metropolitan Museum of Art? I know I'm an orchestra teacher, but I consider myself an art enthusiast. Plus, concerts and Broadway shows are so bloody - but deservedly so - expensive! Which show would I pick, anyway?

Advice from seasoned New Yorkers?

Happy birthday, Theodore Geisel!

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

I just lost half of a concerto in the wind in Central Park. I can't recall such a blustery winter as this one. And I do feel so bad for littering, but I could not catch the pages. Maybe some pigeon is learning Beethoven somewhere, though. On the bright side.