After Ashley and I got some sleep, we got up, talked to Lydia [?](who's really, really nice), and she called Theo to come take us for dinner and a short Brooklyn tour. Theo works with Jessica [?] and Kenny [?] here at the New York office. Ashley and I had both met him before at conferences. He's a nice guy, mid-twenties, from North Carolina originally. Turns out he's also a friend of Betsey's family and went to school with Lydia. He took us for pizza and ices (pretty much sorbet, but way better, with awesome falvors) and on a walk down some of Brooklyn's main thoroughfares. Seems were just a block or so away from some really cool stuff-- good places to eat, bookstores, all the important things. Then we went to Prospect Park, which is huge and gorgeous. Ashley was in awe and even I begrudgingly acknowledged the possibility that maybe, just maybe, other cities might have parks that are almost as good as Chicago's.

Then Ashley and I took Erin, whom I have mentally christened the Oldest Dog in the World, for a walk. Honestly, Lydia was right when she told us that this dog looks like she might tip over if you pet her too hard. She's blatantly arthritic, a little blind and rather hard of hearing, and so needless to say, our walk was a little slow-going. She's totally lovable, though, and children kept shouting "Hi, Erin!" from their porches (Erin was oblivious-- she's pretty deaf; I stood next to her a while ago and yelled something up the stairs and she didn't seem to know I was there-- but that didn't deter the kids, of course).

Now we're just relaxing. Tomorrow we're meeting Jessica at eleven for more touring.

I knew that New York was a very literate city, but honest to God, I don't think I've ever seen so many books in a house in my life. The little room next to mine and Ashley's has a very comfortable couchish/beddish hybrid and bursting bookshelves, and has been a very comfortable place to sit and make to-do lists and read and, I anticipate, write.

Have a good evening, all.