Cross Town Thoughts
O Night Divine. Gloriously sung in French by soprano Susanna Phillips at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Applause wafted up the aisle. Couldn’t help it. Capped off last night’s Christmas Eve service with choirs and horns and harps and a Paul Winter sax solo. And. The most haunting organ crescendo Harking the Herald of Angels. Transported. Second annual tradition with Ben.
Inclusive Episcopalian congregation. A little political. But. No kneeling!
Joyeux Noël 
Good
Theater- The Lifespan of A Fact
Daniel Radcliffe, Cherry Jones, Bobby Cannavale
World Cup Soccer
Parkland Students Rally America against guns
Dolphin jumping out of the sea in Amagansett
Bad & Ugly
Petulant Adolescent President
Kavanaugh confirmation hearing
Emojis
Toxic Misandry
Sad Art Bell
Tragic Anthony Bourdain
Balloonistas from far and wide have left the ‘hood. Bleachers still up. Banging and clanging to come for the annual return of our sidewalk. Soon. We hope. Along Central Park West. Can park on our block again. Even if the No Parking signs linger. Scissors at the ready or they’d be up until May.
A rollicking fun weekend. Delicious non-turkey feast at the Oxbow. Parades. Family visits. Post Stuffington Frittata. Respite from politics. Even if. Some wore their opinions on t-shirts for lively dinner conversations. Until next year.
Gundy v. United States, presented to the Supreme Court today by Attorney Sarah Baumgartel, Federal Defenders of New York:
Sarah argued that her petitioner’s case, “Combines criminal law-making and executive power in precisely the way that the Constitution was designed to prohibit.” Justice Neil Gorsuch agreed saying Congress gave the attorney general a “blank check.” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that Gorsuch had concisely stated Baumgartel’s argument. Sarah joked she should end her arguments right there, saying “I’ll cede my time,” drawing laughs from the crowd. – The Hill
High praise from RBG. Doesn’t get any better than that!
76th & Park. Missy’s Apartment. Father’s Day. U.S. Open. 1982.
Still just as crazy. Just not as cute.
President Barack Obama. A lovely man of honor and integrity. A mensch. A role model for young people everywhere. Global peacemaker. Gifted orator. Honest leader. Invested father. Courteous gentleman. Funny, too. As you say farewell tonight, know that we will miss you.
Hope you continue your work with “My Brother’s Keeper Foundation.” Hope you will take any calls from President Trump. He’ll need your counsel. Hope you’ll weigh in on important global and domestic issues in your spirited yet fair way. Hope you’ll succeed in redistricting efforts. Hope you’ll retain your audacity of hope.
Okay. Promise in the New Year not to wax poetic so much. About living in New York City. Again. Finally. Central Park. I get it. Enough about loving it here.
But. This beautiful Christmas Day on Oak Bridge will always be at the top of my bliss list.
Seattle Slew was a champion. So is mAdBen. Year two celebrating a birthday in the Pacific Northwest. WhereisBen.today. Ogilvy Account Director and bi-coastal bon vivant. Happy 27! It’s a very good number.
Is that a lightsaber? No. It’s this season’s hit. The selfie stick. On the porch. Kraklin’ fire. On Kristmas Eve no less. Sixty degrees. We’ll take it!
Cuzins took over Colitti Christmas this year. They devised a new tradition of giving gifts to each other and dubbed it “Secret Grandma.” Conjuring re-imagined treasures from her cellar, a new era of mirth, heart and soul. From Jamison to Jake. A legacy worthy of its creator. 
Gathering at Briarcliff Manor this year. Beautiful weather. Great to be together. Beer. Lots. Cheer. Lots. Even a dancing duo. Secret of the non-headache grape will remain so. Thanks Alison & Joe!
Side Trek . NYC 