Popular tourist destinations in Downtown Manhattan include the 911 Memorial, City Hall and Wall Street. 
Even though many tourists stand in front of Federal Hall National Memorial, and take pictures of the statue of Washington on the steps, only a few actually go inside the historic site.T
his is odd because it’s not only free, but also quite warm.
There’s interesting things to learn. 
And best of all – no guns are allowed.
February 2015 has been reported as the coldest month in 35 years for Manhattan. 
The East River isn’t frozen yet. 
But it’s getting there. (Click here or the images below for video.)
Built in 1921, the Cunard Building stands at 25 Broadway, above Bowling Green, at the foot of Manhattan. 
Best known for housing the Cunard Shipping Lines, which built famed ships, including The Lusitania, Mauritania, Queen Mary & Queen Elizabeth. 
The building is also cited by Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby: There’s a bird on the lawn that must be a nightingale come over on the Cunard or White Star Lines.
Perhaps Mrs. Buchanan, if she were here today, would have even visited the Cunard Building for an afternoon meal.
Few are braving the cold and ice in Manhattan’s Financial District this February. 
Excepting of course the tourists… 
The TV show camera crews…
And the delivery guys. 
After all, the show must go on.
New York City’s PATH Transit Hub, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is starting to look like something. 
The so-called Oculus, to be completed for an estimated $4 billion, is supposed to open December 17, 2015. In the meantime, the sparks continue to fly.
Click on the full two-minute video here, to see all the sparks:
“Could I get another?”
“Sorry, the bar is closed.”
“Oh, the bar’s closed?” I repeated it quickly to make it go away.
“Sorry, sir.”
“What about last call?” 
“I made the announcement 15 minutes ago.”
“No, you didn’t.” My voice sounded outside of me.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“I must have been in the bathroom.”
He started to take my glass.
“Just a pint. I’ll finish it in 5 minutes.” The ringing in my ears was worse; I had to see a doctor.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s still 6 minutes to, right?” Could he even hear what I said? “I’ll be finished by the time you close.”
He took my glass.
“You’re not serious.”
And walked away.
“What the fuck…?”
The woman beside looked half around and pulled her purse closer in.
I slid the stool abruptly back. “I’m Jason B., man! What do you think I want with that?”
The bartender returned. “Sir, do we have a problem here?”
“I just asked for another beer, all right?”
“Do we have a problem?”
I blinked back, open and closed, like a mechanical doll. “No, we don’t.”
It was warm outside, still, and the streets were quiet. 
I just needed one more.
Bogdan Dico’s icon looked at me like an ATM machine, the bald head gleaming.
I was lucky and won a big hand. Everybody was surprised by that, except Bogdan. He knew that I would make a wrong move. I rested on my laurels and got distracted by drink and then the people walking past. 
And then I saw that Bogdan had taken two players out. There were only two of us left. I had an Ace-Eight, and the River produced a matching Ace. Bogdan beat me on that hand. He eliminated the other player and had 80% of the chips.
And then I took Bogdan Dico down. I had the cards, and he never believed it. It ended with a straight. We were both stunned by that. I stared at that glorious little Nine of Clubs until the screen changed for the next game. 
I just need this drink to be content. 
Just that, the refreshment, the alcohol in my blood at the right percentage. 
Ah, yes…there! I am content, genuinely and truly so.
It’s nice to feel like this, to have everything set, the holidays approaching, the weather cool and crisp, all emails answered, assignments managed, my work going fine. 
My Bad Side will be published one day, The Ark is finally coming together, and the first draft of Glenayr is almost there. Friends and family are healthy – Micaela happy and More Art prospering – and the Leafs are actually winning.
Yes, everything is all right…although, now that I think about it, the Leafs could be more consistent, especially in the defensive end.
And, well, my brother won’t talk to me, and More Art could use more grant money. Glenayr lacks a clear antagonist, and, to be honest, The Ark will be impossible to finish. 
An email from Fedex? Claim rejected? Damn it, I forgot to call my doctor, and I have to set up the website for next week. Yeah, and it’s going to snow.
What? And the bar is closed? 
No, that’s not good.
I hear what you’re saying. I do. I honestly understand. But here’s the thing. You need to listen to me. Just listen. And don’t say anything back. Okay? Are you listening? Good. 
The first thing is that I appreciate you trying to reach out, but you need to respect my personal space. And spare me the guise of thanking me for making the effort. It just doesn’t ring true. I am not interested in a phony relationship without attempting to solve our real problems. 
It is my belief that you and I can’t solve our issues alone. It isn’t a matter of perception; it’s just straight-forward reasoning. It’s too painful to interact with you in a deep way. You cause me nothing but pain.
You said it yourself. You don’t trust me and therefore cannot open up. And so, by your own admission, your suggestion is doomed to failure, right? 
And if you don’t like what I have to say, don’t ever call or email me again! Don’t worry, I won’t contact you first.
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