Had an absolutely fantastic visit with my friend Bertand on Friday. It was literally a 6 1/2 hour non-stop talk fest. I just love how easy it is to pick up with a good friend, not miss a beat, and just get back into a great feeling groove. The weather was horrible that day so we just stayed in the apartment and then went out for a late lunch at a nearby Turkish restaurant. Quite a wonderful day on Friday.
Later that evening Bob and I went to see the opening of Of Gods and Men. The story of Trappist monks in Algeria and what happens when politcal unrest threatens their existence and role in their community. It's a very moving story done in quiet, nuanced performances and scenes. Saturday was pretty much devoted to getting our taxes figured out--we quit at around 11pm after getting stumped on one entry that we just couldn't figure out what info it was they were asking for. This is the first time in 30 years we've had to submit state taxes as well as Federal taxes. We were somewhat entertained by how Yonkers played into so many of the questions on the state form. Not quite sure what it is about that place that sets it's a part for taxes. Sunday we went to the Queens Satsang for the first time. It was a really great gathering, about 50 people were there and it seemed to us that they are all regular attendees. The bhajan singing was very well done, sung with deep devotion and great enthusiasm. Many of them sung by the youth in the group. The Amma story read tonight was very moving and inspiring. People were friendly and welcoming. It's really what we've been looking for since leaving Seattle and it's not too far away like the New Jersey Satsang was. We did drive there as it's about 20 miles away but it only took us about 30 minutes without traffic. They meet monthly and we expect to attend regularly when we are in town. Next Sunday, Br. Dayamrita will be in town holding a one day retreat and we plan on going. It will be nice to know some people there this time.
I wasn't able to get any tickets to see Adele at the United Palace Theatre when they went on line with Ticketmaster...not sure what happened but looks like I amy have to scratch that plan for when Jeffrey visits.
Tomorrow I finalize my hiring paperwork with Columbia University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders.
Our social life is starting to pick up quite nicely as we make plans with new friends here, look forward to friends and family visiting over the next few months, and we have trips planned to CA in early April and to Seattle in late May. We also have a couple of weekends away planned to explore nearby environs, Cape May, New Jersey in April and Amish County in May. We also have a certificate for a cabin at one of the Finger Lakes in upstate New York that I need to schedule.
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