A big metal flying thing took us to the isle of Manhattan where they clear out an old See's Candy Box, install a bed and the world's slowest wi-fi, charge $300 a night and call it a room for two. By the way, JetBlue has real good, comfy metal flying things.
This is my first time in New York — a city I used to visit once or twice a year — since '08. Why the gap? Well, as I think I mentioned, there came a point in her life when my mother got real, real nervous when her only son and local relative was not in the same state…and then after she passed, Carolyn's cancer was causing her to fear when I was too far outta town. So apart from a few unavoidable short biz trips, I kept pretty much to my own state.
Also, I had fewer reasons to come here. I used to come and visit DC Comics (they're now in Burbank) and the offices of MAD Magazine. They'll be there soon. I used to visit the Marvel offices but for a time (now past-tense) I didn't feel welcome there. I used to go visit friends at David Letterman's show and to visit folks like Joe Simon, as well as other publishers who are no longer with us. And now there's no Carnegie Deli…
We walked around Times Square last night. So much was the same but so much has changed. Most of what's changed is the increase in brand names — a lot of independent pizzerias replaced by Pizza Hut and other chains. But it's still New York. I'm going to go out and be in it today — and around 4 PM New York time, I'm supposed to be on John Fugelsang's show on Sirius XM radio. I'll report back later.