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There comes a time in the life of every serious Sex and the City tour guide when she’s forced to contemplate her field’s most insurmountable theoretical quandary: What is your favorite episode? My answer is as complicated as anyone’s, but when I’m in a pressure situation I’ve always relied on one response: “Hot Child in… Read more »

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My first coffin was metal. It measured six feet long, three feet wide, and three feet deep. It rested on a wood base that lifted its height up by one foot. It sat in near darkness at the rear of the parlor. Everyone paid their respects. Upon close examination, you saw it bled sweat and… Read more »

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Last Thursday night, my husband and I went to a party that Esquire Magazine* hosted at a 23.5 million dollar apartment.  The apartment, known as the ClockTower Penthouse, is a triplex in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and is the most expensive piece of real estate in the borough.  The main floor features four enormous working glass clock… Read more »

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Nearing the 1964 Christmas break during my fifth grade, thirteen inches of snow blanketed my street late on a Thursday evening. Losing a school day to the elements was a beautiful thing. Friday morning, my friends and I mushed over to Central Park towing our sleds through the middle of the street. Milking the day… Read more »

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Good grief, how did we ever survive planes without cell phones, smart phones, tablets, and laptops? People need to learn to disconnect when they step on board. In case you missed it, today’s big brouhaha is over did whether or not actor Alec Baldwin turned his phone off soon enough to meet with the flight attendant’s… Read more »

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Why am I awake? This question poses itself as my body lays in a comfortable position on the first available secluded space I found on the Oranjestad portion of Aruba’s west coast. The sand beneath me contours to nestle, hold and support my body.  The warmth of my billions-grain fine quartz mattress speckled with broken… Read more »

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There are some plays that, no matter how many different versions I’ve seen over the years, I will continue to seek out simply because the writing is so extraordinary.  A Streetcar Named Desire comes to mind.  Then there are plays that, although they are very good—masterpieces even—I feel no pressing need to ever see again. … Read more »

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  6:43 PM, Thanksgiving Day Carrie’s cell phone rings.  It’s Miranda.  Carrie picks up.   Carrie: Is this the annual I’m-in-hell call? Miranda: I’m in hell.  Are you in hell?  Please tell me you’re in hell. Carrie: Well…. Miranda: Carrie, Steve is leading my entire family in a Piano Man sing-along.  Please don’t let me… Read more »

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. This is the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day in 1961. It takes place in Yorkville, Manhattan. The action picks up where my last column’s action left off. Around one, we got back to my father’s family’s apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. Dad’s Mom, and Step-Dad, John Rode, Nan and Pop Cuckoo to me, always cooked our bird. Mom’s… Read more »