WHO'S IN TOWN ?(Terra)

I have never been so happy to see the green Jeep as I was at 6am outside the
JFK terminal! thanks Joe. Well, let's see, New York. First of all seeing Joe
in the midst of his life there was really inspiring because it was seeing a
man put his dream into action. I've heard Joe talk about moving to NYC since
I first met him--like a lot of people talk about stuff they want to do. But
Joe, you actually did it...and I think you've helped me keep my own fire
going, for the things I want.

Anyway, Joe's house when I first see it is FILLED with boxes, and running
all around is a sweet little dog named Yum Yum, and Yum Yum obviously adores
Joe. I mean adores. He follows Joe everywhere, licks his toes, bites his
socks. And I think the feeling is mutual. I also get to meet Joe's 2 roomies
who are "traveling" for the summer (traveling down the street to their new
apartment that is) and they are so cool and nice that they don't mind when
even more humans come and crash on the only available space not covered with
boxes, the couch. When they move out, and the apartment is completely empty,
Joe looks really sad. I think he's going to need some Yum Yum visitation
rights.

Joe gives me and my friend Jeff a tour of Brooklyn at night: we dance to 80s
music, Joe gets scouted for a modeling gig (hmmm, or else these girls have
figured out that with only a Polaroid camera and a Sharpie they can meet
guys and get their phone numbers), Jeff sees his first crack smoked in a
bathroom.

NYC is warm and lovely while I'm there, and through Joe I get to experience
some of the things that drew him here--including a jazz show at the
legendary Blue Note, and an incredible experimental theater performance of 3
Greek plays that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Well, I'll remember
the 2 we stayed for anyway--that was a friggin' marathon! Joe teaches me how
to use the subway, how not to turn right on red, and what Dumbo means. He
shows me sweeping views of Manhattan, rows of brownstones, the Trump Towers,
a graveyard as big and green and peaceful as a park, the kids who play in
the street all night long on his block.

I think Joe seems happy here, open and curious--and I see him growing
already. He's still himself, you'll recognize him...and he's still 100%
Cali. This man drives his car into Manhattan like it's nothing! Mere mortals
quake, let me tell you. But he is stretching his fingers out to see what he
can touch here, to see what he can learn from this place, at this time. It's
going to be an interesting story.