Took a much-needed day off from work today. First I renewed my driver's license at "License X-Press," which actually was "X-Press": I was out in a half hour. Imagine a line at a deli counter where you take a number, only this time it's for reading an eye chart and having your picture taken. I decided to ignore the fact that the guy administering the eye test wasn't even paying attention to see if the letters were read correctly - he just scribbled stuff on the applications and didn't look up. The way people drive in this city, it makes total sense.

Then I decided to head over to the The Morgan Library and Museum. I checked out the Rembrandt etchings and the Dutch drawings. I love Dutch winter landscapes, and I really like Hendrick Avercamp. I have a framed postcard of "Winter Scene on a Canal" on my desk at work.

They've preserved ole' Pierpont's study, which smells like somebody died in there. Apparently the stench is from the wood ceiling. It's big and dark and musty with red velvety wallpaper and overstuffed furniture and giant portraits of him and his son looming over everything. In other words, very Scooby Doo.

They have some really amazing stuff in there: I saw a score in Beethoven's own hand, and manuscripts in the hand of Jane Austen, Galilei, Thoreau, and Oscar Wilde. This totally reinforced my love for the written word and the printed page.

Then it was down to Rickshaw for some lunch. I've found myself in here three times this week. I love the chicken and thai basil dumplings. This is definitely my go-to place when I need a cheap snack. Much better than a big slab of greasy pizza, which is what I normally end up getting if I need a bite while out and about.

A little shopping, then home. I poked around Filene's Basement, and was amused to see everything pretty much neat and in order, except for the Prada rack which was a complete mess, totally picked-through with hangers sticking up all over the place.

Thesis hell all weekend. Glad it's going to be kinda crummy out. Makes it easier to stay in and torture myself.