Things that have happened recently:

The Jussie Smollett story is crazy, but it doesn’t change the fact that the number of hate crimes rose 17 percent from 2016 to 2017 (gee, I wonder why).

It’s almost Mueller time.

My recent trip to Mexico City just further proved that the border wall is ridiculous. “Whether or not the wall gets built, it is America’s new symbol. It stands for a nation that still thinks “freedom” means freedom from restraint but no longer pretends that everyone can be free, and it enforces that reality through cruelty, domination and racism.”

Things to do in New York this weekend:

For Black History Month, the Urban Park Rangers are hosting a discussion about Seneca Village, a community of predominantly African-American property owners, who once lived in what is now Central Park, on Saturday from 1-2:30 pm.

CatVideoFest, “a charitable nonprofit dedicated to bringing the joy of cat videos to the masses and raising money for cats in need” is playing Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn.

Sunday is the last day to see the 17th annual holiday train show at the Transit Museum store in Grand Central Terminal.

Things I’ve discovered recently:

I started reading this book on the plane and I’m really loving it.

In case you missed my announcement yesterday, I’ve started a new job as a Community Editor at Roadtrippers and it still seems too good to be true (I will, however miss those free books from Penguin Random House).

On my flight back from Mexico, I watched Generation Wealth and it was an equally fascinating and depressing look at the global quest for wealth and fame (by the same woman who made the also excellent documentaries Thin and The Queen of Versailles).

I had a very lovely time in Mexico City, but I’m always happy to be home, sleeping in my own bed (in between Mozart howling at me, of course). I dove right into my new job yesterday and first days are always overwhelming but I still can’t really believe that I get to think about road trips now for a living (dreams do come true!). Working from my tiny apartment will have its challenges, but hopefully Mozart will be happy that I’m home more often (I’m also taking recommendations for nice sweatpants :). I have plans this weekend to do a bit of light trespassing and hopefully at least one diner breakfast, so I have no complaints. I hope your weekend is happy!

Happy Friday!