Christmas in New York

Decided to "kill" a few hours before a life coaching appointment in the city. I was off to Holiday Lane in Macy's.

On my way up to the ninth floor, I stopped to look at some Lenox ornaments and struck up a conversation with a lovely saleswoman. She told me her father used to be Santa at the World Trade Center and that he always said, "When you put that suit on, magic happens."

My stroll through the themed trees in Holiday Lane was just that -- magical. My favorite was the white one hung upside down with ornaments all done in shades of pink and purple and bright blue.

On my way to my appointment, I happened to pause for a traffic light on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 36th Street. It was about 4:45 p.m., so it was dusk and the light was just so. I looked up and saw the Empire State Building lit in green and red. What a spectacular sight. I see that building every single day and am still awed by it.

I had a highly satisfying coaching session and journeyed home, feeling fabulous.

Blessings

I have recently received gifts of

music
suede
groceries

Lucky me.

The wishing tree

My Christmas tree is up.

It is whimsical, kitsch, glamorous, hopeful, vibrant, out there, sparkly, psychic.

It soothes me.

Mean hurls

I despise gratuitous meanness.
It seems to be in my DNA.

I used to dispense it frequently and at will.
I've worked hard the last few years to ease up.

Now it must stop.
It's too ugly and hurtful.

This is what I've learned this Thanksgiving weekend.
And for that I am ever grateful.

Thanks for the knowledge

As we approach Thanksgiving, I am thinking a lot about the program I saw Sunday night on The History Channel. It was called Desperate Crossing and detailed the events leading up to the pilgrims' crossing as well as the crossing itself and what happened once they were here.

What I appreciated about the show was all the nuance it highlighted. How brave and admirable to leave one's native country to practice one's own religion. To patiently plan the departure. They endured sickness and stench aboard the Mayflower. How horrific that they stole the Indians' crops and justified it in the name of religion. And, incidentally, that they kept referring to them as "savages."

But the fact that it all culminated in Thanksgiving was soothing. A good TV experience.

Toy with me

Ventured over to Toys R Us in Times Square today. Takes a special kind of mindset and I was up for the challenge. Actually enjoyed the heck out of it. Wanted to get a preview of what's out there for my niece and nephew.

What I experienced in the process was a very massive and very loud dinosaur roaring (Is that what they do?) as a backdrop. Impressive. As were the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building done in Legos, about 25 and 20 feet, respectively. And the Barbie House, in which I saw a ... drumroll, please ... Lois Lane Barbie! What a hoot.

Spent well over two hours in there. Toys definitely R them.

Sky candy

One of the good things about it getting dark earlier at this time of year is that a simple trip to the grocery store gives me a chance to see the lit-up Manhattan skyline. It's spectacular tonight. The Empire State Building is lit in red-yellow-red. I wondered about the colors and decided to look it up.

According to the ESB website, that combo is considered fall colors and will be up through November 22. It's pretty cool to see what events and causes are represented by the colors they use. For example, in November, they honored Rutgers football with red; March of Dimes premature births with pink and blue; and Veterans Day with red, white and blue.

What a beautiful landmark.

Red, white, green

How you know you're Italian:

The antipasto, turkey, stuffing, vegetables, yams, potatoes, cranbury sauce, fruit, figs stuffed with walnuts, chocolate mints, pastries, pumpkin pie, apple pie, chocolate cream pie ... not enough for a Thanksgiving menu.

The opening course? Lasagne.

It's up to you ...

Why I love New York today:

-- Walked by the filming of a scene for Law and Order, Criminal Intent and saw both stars. So fun.

-- Inspired because it was such a mild November day, grabbed a 'recession special' at Gray's Papaya -- two hot dogs with sauerkraut and mustard and a Diet Coke for $2.75 -- consumed while standing at a counter. Smooth.

-- Met some friends and heard all about their luxurious trip to India.

-- Strolled through H&M and laughed out loud as this adorable sales guy with a ton of rhythm challenged us shoppers to move to the music as we combed through sale racks. Meanwhile, he walked (or danced) his talk.

-- Navigated a bustling 34th Street by weaving around handbag knockoffs on sprawling blankets.

It's been a slice.

Unconditional thoughts

I find myself thinking a lot about giving and loving unconditionally.

About knowing the boundary between that and enabling.

Of going beyond one's comfort zone to be there for another.

Of going beyond what's convenient or easy.

That's all.

The icing

I write this blog for me. It is a form of expression, release, creativity.

So when I find out someone else gets pleasure or inspiration or clarity from it, it's like a big, whopping bonus. Or, the icing, so to speak.

Recently I have been hearing from a gentleman across the Atlantic Ocean who has become a regular reader. He came across my blog while doing a search for Florence Scovel Shinn. A small sampling of what he has shared:

As time passes by and my perception about your blog establishes, I am discovering what part of me can be reflected in you/your blog: the balance, the middle way. That is, emotional and mental balance to face the increasing noise, confusion and turmoil in this planet ... You offer a balanced communication with a balanced attitude.

In my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined my daily musings would be seen in just this way. How thrilling that it is so.

Ornamental

I had this evening what Julia Cameron calls an artist's date. Took myself on a leisurely stroll around town and took a first run at browsing Christmas ornaments for my tree. Love, love, love this. Not sure why, except that I find it to be an expression of my personality.

I'm stalking a pair of glass slippers, red and pink with polka dots. I want to see what else is out there before I commit.

Sparkle and shine. Everywhere. It's fast approaching.

Monthly message

Sent my November life coaching newsletter out today. It always feels exhilarating to hit the 'send' button on that thing. This one's about building out a "non-work" life:

http://nancola.com/pages/newsletter.html

Grace in motion

This morning, in an effort to beat the rain, I took a long walk at the waterfront. It was gray but mild and so foggy I could barely see the Manhattan skyline.

I looped around Pier A Park, a glorious square of grass and benches and community that juts out into the Hudson River. There were two games of touch football going on. As I walked along one side of the park, I was a bit transfixed when a guy caught a pass and ran like the wind for a touchdown.

It is not often these days that I miss my sports writing career or even watching sports. But every so often I am attracted to a story or a moment that brings it all back like a snapshot. This was one of those. I love the grace in football. That's why I'm watching the Giants game right now. And I was delighted almost instantly by a pretty interception.

It's art.

The unexpected

It's amazing how a sunny, gorgeous day feels so much more like a gift when it takes place in November.

Up, up and away

Got an email about some writing salons taking place in 2007. Way to whet my appetite for travel.

My wings are ready to start flapping.

Go, baby, go.

Raindrops

Uncle Dom was laid to rest today.

The sky wept all day long.

Character

I am intrigued by how some people rise to the occasion when the chips are down.

I strive to be one of those people.

Tuesday, Tuesday

In the last 24 hours I've had calls from Mario Cuomo, Mario Andretti and Al Gore.

Pure comedy.

Am I the only one who can't wait until Election Day is over?

Uncle Dom

My uncle died yesterday.

I find myself thinking of how he lived. Almost no one in my large extended family could match my affinity for urban living and my thirst for travel. Uncle Dom did. He got around. I love that.

Uncle Dom knew where to eat, how to eat, what to eat. He loved fine dining but also knew his way around a stove. He was always so proud to say, "This is my niece." He worked in lower Manhattan until his recent retirement. I ran into him down there one day and he whisked me off to lunch. He knew just the place, loved its ambience and its story.

That memory, among so many others, captures Uncle Dom for me.

God rest his soul.

Soul food

Chicken soup was my friend today.

Respite

My uncle is in a hospital bed slipping away.

Sometimes there is nothing like loving your work to distract you from your sadness. My coaching sessions this evening went swimmingly. Very inspiring clients. It felt good to focus on them.

Life, an hour at a time.