Pick of the Month

I generally don't widely recommend books. Maybe because I never want to loan them out. Or maybe because - while I like seeing what employees at the local store recommend - I was once highly entertained by a comedian who mocked the fact that people take literary suggestions from someone making $5.75 an hour. But I just finished a great book called Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides. It's a book I avoided for a few years because I had the wrong impression of it. Like many people apparently, I really wasn't interested in reading a book about a hermaphrodite. But it's an epic novel about so much more. It's about the narrator's grandparents who flee The Turkish burning of Smyrna in 1922, the immigrant experience in the United States, and white flight from decaying American cities. It's also about adolescence generally and serves as a little bit of a love letter to Detroit (where, some of you may know, I recently wandered about for a few hours while searching of a clerkship - the experience provided a small amount of recognition of the geography). It's almost three novels in one, with an enchanting short story about the narrator's present life weaved in between.

Anyway, Employee Kolzman places his recommendation card in front of a large stack of paperbacks. Do as you like.

Amazin' Office Break

I meant to write about this a few days ago but was just reminded by the Met's rally last night against the Cards. The streets below my office provide numerous "only in New York" experiences. For example, one day last summer it was difficult to leave the building because the Daytime Emmy's Red Carpet ran in front of the entrance. More recently, the cars for those of us working late had to pick up at a different location because they were filming the new 30 Rock show in the neighborhood and trailers were everywhere.

Just a few days ago, before the post-season began, eruptions of cheering could be heard in my office. Officemate Benjamin and I figured out that it was a rally for the Mets and decided to take a rare break from work to check it out. I was impressed with the crowd; it was a random weekday and most of the spectator weren't people like Benjamin and I - they came with their Mets gear to show their support. Which is more than I could say for the players. I guess they had to be at practice over in Queens, since as far as I could tell they only appeared on the big screen set up on Sixth Ave. But they did a friendly Q&A and definitely fired up the crowd.

Musical and Financial Icons

I've been on a bit of a Dylan binge lately. I spent a bunch of my Lexis points on a few Dylan CDs. (Quick explanation: Lexis and Westlaw actually reward law students for using their sites by giving us points that can be spent on CDs, books, and electronics. Ridiculous, I know). I also just finished reading Chronicles: Volume I (A strange but oddly enchanting read. I guess everyone should have known Dylan could write - but who knew he'd be so magnanimous...). So Wabes and I thought it might be worth checking out the new Bob Dylan exhibit at the Morgan Library.

The Library only recently reopened after an impressive expansion. The new space is somewhat similar to the MOMA, with an open atrium and lots of natural light. The Dylan exhibit was in a small room accessible via a hydraulic elevator that vaulted us up to a balcony from which we could enter the second floor.

The exhibit is small, but is somewhat the better for not trying to be too exhaustive (and for not taking its subject to seriously). Early life is illustrated with high school yearbooks (in case you're wondering, young Robert Zimmerman also wrote how it was "great getting to know you") and English papers. The Village portion of the story was more interesting, especially since I apparently lived two blocks from Dylan's old apartment. Only a few of the places where he played early in his career remain (Cafe Wha, The Bitter End), but it was interesting to see all the pictures after reading Chronicles. And once the story moves to Dylan's recording years, the exhibit provides just the right amount of interactive media. For each album discussed, visitors can stop into booths and listen to entire songs or just a snippet.

The other reason for our visit to the Morgan was also somewhat literary. Ever since reading the novel Ragtime - in which Coalhouse Walker violently invades the Morgan Library in turn-of-the-century New York - I've wanted to see the reading room that Doctorow describes. It is an impressive place; ornate and stately, with rare volumes all the way around. Even more impressive, however, is Morgan's audacious study across the hall. Above the fireplace in this two story room is a giant portrait of the man himself, peering down as people invade what appears to have been his inner sanctum.

I'm A Stranger Here Myself

As some of you know, I've moved from downtown to uptown. But not just any part of uptown; I'm smack in the middle of Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus. Though I'm no longer a student, I'm living with one. And once we had the requisite "bill or bank statement" showing that I lived with her, I suddenly had access to all the benefits of academia. Five bucks bought me reading rights at the massive Butler Library. And for a mere $177 I got membership and towel benefits at the Columbia's Dodge Fitness Center.

Yet, despite these "spouse and partner benefits" I feel like a bit of a fraud walking around campus. I have no loyalty to Columbia and actually attended law school at their cross-town rival. And since I'll likely never go to school again my outsider status is somewhat permanent. But it's nice to not have to complete forego the perks of student life...

Some New Stuff Now - But Check Back Later...

There are some updates below - in particular travel shots added to old posts. But unfortunately, since I've started work, there hasn't been much time to add to the site. But check back - I'm not sure if there are slow weeks at the Firm, but if there are I'll try to upload some more pictures and comments.