New York City

Amber and I went to Rockville, MD, over the week–end to watch the Henderson–Las Vegas Findlay Pilots play for the National High School Basketball Invitational Championship. The Pilots (assistant coached by Central Michigan University and Fowler, Mich., native Todd Simon) ended up beating the heralded Oak Hill team and being declared National Champions. It was nothing like any high school basketball game ... most of the players a Division I prospects, many already signed. These guys are flying up and down the court, dunking the ball, and playing to win. (Literally, Nothing But Net!)

Our plane tickets were reasonable, but after the team left for Las Vegas on Monday morning, we still had a day before our plane headed out of Baltimore, so we took a short trip (long, when you consider all of the traffic!)

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We visited New York City on Monday. Fun stuff for me: I walked down 5th Avenue and then walked along Billy Joel's 52nd Street. Walking the street that was the inspiration for the first LP I ever owned (52nd Street) rocked!

New York City is a busy place ... Lots of action. I imagine there is too much to do, if you can figure it all out! Times Square is colorful and full of action and people.

I stood by a building as we arrived and walked around. I looked around, people watched. The air was filled with rain drops, and it was chilly.

I said, "Amber, imagine this. You're just arriving for work one morning in 2001 and suddenly two buildings in the city — on this island — have been hit by airplanes. The city is filled with dust and debris from the buildings as they have crashed down. Remember, we just drove into the city in the Lincoln Tunnel. What are you thinking?"

Her eyes got really big and she said, "I never thought about it like that."