NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 2005 — First we went for breakfast in a bistro on 57. Called Rue 57. I had granola and fruit and yogurt. We read the paper, I worked the puzzle, we talked to people sitting next to us...who were there for The Gates. Wow...don't tell me NYC didn't get the tourist bucks out of this.

Our next stop was MOMA. We were prepared to pay $20 a piece but not prepared for the lines. Maybe because it's President's Day. Another time. We go across the street to the American Design Museum. They have a special exhibit of ceramic artist Ruth Duckworth. We happen to fall into a docent-led tour. It's good. Interesting artist. Outside FFP poses in front of a prototype for a larger work.

After this, I convince FFP that a walk up Central Park West with forays to take The Gates pictures and to see shops and such on the west side.

Snow in the park really does make a difference. The Columbus Circle entrance beckons but we stick to the walk along the edge of the park. We are rewarded with lots of interesting views. When we need coffee and a bathroom break we head over to Columbus and find a place. It's a Starbucks, sadly. Only time we succumbed this trip, I think. When we decide to have some lunch we find a restaurant serving Italian just as FFP visualizes Italian. Assaggio (yes, two 's's and two 'g's). He has chicken alla parmigiana and I have the similar eggplant. With a Caesar salad to start. And a glass of red wine a piece. The food is good and the Russian waitress is sweet.

We walk even further, going into the nineties, looking at park views. Then we take a cab back. Notice a movie theater showing Being Julia. I'd like to see that because Annette Bening is nominated. We go back to the hotel and rest and warm up. Then we go to the Time Warner center and wander around. We check out the jazz place there and determine to try to see something there 'next time.' We go to the movie and then back to sleep.