Ollies reunited!

Last week I had the honor of having a guest. Molly came to visit and we ran amok in NYC. Well, actually it was too cold to really run amok, but we did the best we could. I showed her some sights, she showed herself some sights while I was at work, we ushered at Blue Man Group, attempted (and failed) to win tickets to Wicked and had our first taste of Ethiopian food, on recommendation of Molly's husband Matt who used to live in New York. Fun times!

Other than that, not much going on here, except I'm experiencing for the first time the world of corporate holiday parties. My goodness, there are so many! These things get expensive! Tonight is the last of three.

Oh, also I saw I am Legend, the movie we saw being filmed near Grand Central Station last spring ("You are able to hear gunshots. Do you not be alarmed – they are NOT REAL…"). I usually don't do scary movies but since I had vested interest in this one, I went with Erika, who promised she'd let me grab her arm during the scary part. The movie itself was ok, scary parts aside and plot holes aside, but the main appeal was the eerie scenes of almost every street imaginable in New York City deserted and overgrown. Creepy. It was also fun see our "our" scene, which was pretty pivotal. It was fun see the tipped taxi from another perspective and decipher Will Smith's shouting.

This is an interesting article about the blurring of government and non-profits. NYC has been using non-profits and private dollars a lot lately, to fund pilot programs like the Conditional Cash Transfer program. The pertinent question, I think, has occurred to me as I am learning more about how city government operates:

Government already contracts with charities to perform work formerly done by government, such as managing social service programs, making charities more like government. Now, as it turns to private donors for voluntary contributions, government is becoming more like charity.

Leaders argue nonprofit funds allow the city to spend money on neglected or experimental programs, but others question whether giving to the government is the most effective charitable cause.

It seems like the oftentimes confusing path of funds from private to public and back to private hands can't be terribly efficient, as there is a cost to each transaction - making the funds like a glass full of water that spills a little over the side every time someone passes it along. Nonetheless, it seems to be a trend, especially under Bloomberg's administration. It makes for some interesting partnerships. Anyway, just thought you might find that interesting.

Going home on Saturday for Christmas! Happy holidays to all.