Texans sure know how to have fun! Colonoscopy parties are the latest party trend to hit the Lone Star State. Oncology nurse Audrey Thompson has organized a few such parties for her friends to promote good health. "I hate to say this, but we have so much fun," she said. "We meet at the facility that morning and we're all there for each other."

Certainly the NYC party scene will pick up this trend and run with it. I can see an entire UES industry devoted to the invitations, catering, party favors, etc. Why didn't Katie think of this? (Via Mark)

One of my favorite bands, Great Big Sea, is playing a sold-out show at Irving on Friday night. Anyone have a ticket or two they'd like to sell me?

Check out GBS's new album, Something Beautiful.

The Times has installed Sam Tanenhaus as editor of The New York Times Book Review. I first heard of Mr. Tanenhaus when he wrote the definitive article on the national scandal at my alma mater, Hillsdale College.

I've had the chance to meet him once, when we talked at length about the scandal. He's a very personable and down-to-Earth man and I'm looking forward to actually opening the Book Review section now that he's in charge.

I've been here now for three years. Before moving, I assumed certain things happened to New Yorkers on a frequent basis. Only in the past week have the following things happened to me for the first time:

1. Stepped in dog doo-doo on the street.
2. Witnessed a fist fight while waiting for the subway.

And my favorite...

3. Was propositioned by a trannie hooker in front of my apartment.

There's something to be said about the subtle differences between the way Stephen Glass and Jayson Blair have handled their respective downfalls.

Glass successfully worked his way through Georgetown Law, a difficult accomplishment, and then wrote a fictional book. Sure, the book was loosely based on his story, but in writing a book of fiction, he doesn't place the burden of belief on his readers.

After being fired from the Times, Blair instantly sought a lucrative book deal and wrote a non-fictional account of his downfall. Can we expect every word of the 288 pages volume to truthful?

In every interview I've seen, Glass seemed meek, humbled and shamed. Blair, however, came across like a nervous child trying to think through the previous lies he's told so he doesn't contradict himself with his next lie. In this interview, "he often sat nervously in a chair, tucking a hand under his leg as he fidgeted slightly."

Both liars didn't deserve lucrative book deals, but as far as rehabilitation goes, Glass seems to be on the right path. Jayson has a way to go.

"The time between the light turning green and the guy behind you honking." — Defined by New York Traffic Commissioner T.T. Wiley in 1950 and reported by William Safire

Last January, I stopped by the Hermes gallery to see Bruce Davidson's Subway exhibit, photos of the NYC subway system from the 1980s. The NYT tracks down a subject of one of the photos, Barbara Meyer, and finds her still living in the same house, still riding the M Line into work. In side-by-side comparisons from then and now (above) it's fascinating to see how little has changed in that neighborhood. Thankfully, the subways have improved vastly.