Our oldest son Ripton (of Morgan & Ripton) is at Elon University, in North Carolina. His school posted a Q&A with me yesterday about What Else But Home. Thank you to Elon, Eric Townsend and President Leo Lambert, an awfully sharp man. to READ the Q&A....

the Your Turn show, on WTVT-FOX 13 in Tampa, hosted by Kathy Fountain, and produced by Anne-Marie Fagler, interviewed me live yesterday, 12:30 - 1 PM. Thank you, Kathy & Anne-Marie. Can I get a copy?

I came back to NY last week then left again. Now I'm in FL with my Mom & Dad, heading to Orlando for a bookstore reading at UrbanThink! Bookstore, 625 East Central Boulevard.

BUT, while I was home I walked into my new favorite coffee shop among my other favorite coffee shops in NY, Everyman Espresso, 136 E 13th Street. I was standing in line behind a 40'ish year old guy ordering an esspresso from an even younger guy behind the counter. My recollection of the conversation:
"A single espresso, please."

"Here or to go?"

"To go."

"I'll have to float that over some hot water."

"I don't want that."

[What does the coffee-master mean, float over water??]

"I can't make it otherwise. Espresso doesn't travel."

"Please just make it."

"I can't. Espresso has to be drunk within 60 seconds, or it getts bitter."

[I'm waiting for the guy in front of me to get angry, get irritated, act out... I'm getting irritated, I want to act out...]

"Okay, make it for here."

"Good decision."

I'm deciding that I love New York. I've been in Seattle, Portland, Ann Arbor, Milwaukee, Madison, Greensboro, around and around... seeing the good of every place the way Thoreau walked by farms, living in each of those cities, making lives for myself, and here I am in THIS city and it's beautiful.

Michael Jackson comes over the speakers, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways..." The people behind the counter crank up the volume. They start dancing and throwing their hands in the air. The customers in the cafe start singing and throwing their hands in the air.... "I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways..."

I was @ Boswell's in Milwaukee (Daniel Goldin was a huge support!) & @ Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor (Bill Cusumano was a huge support!) and I'm sure I'm not mentioning people I should.... Watchung Books in NJ, thank you....

and some birds were having a hard time in Milwaukee...

& I hope this one made it...

& WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio interviewed me, Mitch Teich, will post when Mitch airs the piece.... where the radio offices are....

I'm about to start with Boys & Girls Clubs, community learning in colleges and neighborhoods....