Things that have happened recently:

A gay couple was forced to move seats so a straight couple could sit together on a plane recently. The two men refused, left the plane and Alaska Airlines has vowed to make it up to them. Meanwhile Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III has announced a "religious liberty task force," conservatives are using plastic straws to "own the libs," and everything is fine.

Three people tried to kidnap a shark—Miss Helen!—from the San Antonio Aquarium by sneaking it out in a baby stroller. Apparently sharks are the "it" accessory now for rich people and I can't possibly see how that could go wrong.

After 30 years of living in the Montauk Lighthouse, Margaret A. Winski is retiring. They've already found her replacement, but if the Little Red Lighthouse ever needs a resident, I'm available.

Things to do in New York this weekend:

Tonight is a Mystery After Dark candlelight tour of Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island. I've been to Richmond Town once, during the day, but I love spooky nighttime tours.

Murray's Cheese will be serving cheese ice cream (sounds delicious tbh, unlike mayo ice cream) at all of their New York locations until Sunday.

Saturday is the first of three Summer Streets days in August. Between 7am and 1pm, nearly seven miles from 72nd Street to City Hall are free of cars and open to pedestrians and bikers. Here are my photos from last year.

Things that I've discovered recently:

I love (and want) all of these Polish movie posters, especially this poodle one.

This new bridge in Vietnam looks like something straight out of my strange dreams.

My uncle and I have finally solidified our Egypt plans and so far I've read this book, purchased my first nice set of noise-cancelling headphones (it's a 10-hour flight, yikes), and I'm stocking up on memory cards. I still feel as if I have a million little things to do before we leave (in just two months!) but mostly I'm just looking forward to this view.

I have today off and for some reason I scheduled a dentist appointment at 9 am (😩). I'm also going to brave the DMV to renew my license, so maybe I'm actually doing this summer Friday thing all wrong (or very right?). Tomorrow three friends and I are going to take a tour of the Bartow-Pell Mansion in the Bronx, followed by a day spent exploring the delights of City Island. I've been to both before (mansion photos here, Pelham Cemetery and City Island in 2014, 2015, 2016) but I love revisiting places and seeing how they change (or stay the same). I'm sad they replaced the cute bridge, but I'm mostly interested in what became of this charming welcome sign (I'll report back). The weather looks a little iffy, but hopefully the rain holds off. I hope you have a great weekend!

Happy Friday!