More than a Clown Nose

      Once upon a time there was a spider, a frog, a boy or a girl or a princess of cinder, a family, a somebody-bodies or something(s) or other...
     Some days just seem to take the form of a once upon a time tale or odyssey. They start with a protagonist (you) facing a challenge (major or minor), embarking on a quest in which you encounter many strange and interesting beings while traveling to near and faraway lands. Unknown. Familiar. Either way, today it's all new.
     I ended 2009 by setting out on a quest early in the morning "In Search of Clown Nose," two to be exact, to wear at the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run. From our windows high above all looked clear. Just a few clouds cast shadows on the red, gray and tan brick homes below, while a pocket-full of flakes skirted down slowly, dressing the naked branches of the trees in a white veil.
The Challenge

     Drop off winter coats, get Armour to wear under, face gear, clown noses and harlequin hat, visit mother and return to the tower by 4PM to rest before the run. Simple, yes? Of course things didn't go that way. What reward would there have been? Lesson to be learned, opportunity for one's growing inside then out if the quest were easy?

(Above)  Great Classic Car! Not mine, unfortunate/fortunately. Like the other townsfolk I waited 40+ minutes for a NYCT coach to the train. Fingertips tingling. Thank God I still felt them and for my Doc's. At least my feet were dry. 

The Journey

     It's all about perspective, macro or micro (view from above or up close). More snow had built up than observed from the tower's windows. I was not prepared. The gate closed behind me. There was no turning back now 'til the quest was done.
     Armed with a small hot coffee I boarded the train for clown stop number 2-Bryant Park. It is almost noon. But it is almost noon on New Year's Eve so the streets are full with party people looking for hats, blowers and noise makers while scoping places to continue the partying after the ball drops. I walk around the Pond looking for the drop off box for the coats. "No, nothing here or here, or there." "Where are the security, information  people when you need them?" Brrr it's cold, but the snow. There is just something about the snow falling and blanketing everything in white that makes everything feel alright. A few people are walking in and out of the Holiday shops, eating at Celsius and skating. "Might as well take a few pics while I'm here."

No one is sitting on the porch or keeping the lonely, little snowman company. 

Quelle dommage. What a pitty.

Statue of Gertrude Stein (1874 - 1946), a great American writer, 
patron and lover of the arts.

Shops in the Park. "Whose says dogs and cats can't tell time?"

Drop off coats, finally, at box near Rockefeller Center. Check one done. Three to go. The snow stops!

(Top left to right) Snow-capped pines near the Rock. The Paramount Building, C.W and George L. Rapp, architects (1926-27).  (Bottom) The art of haggling in New York City on display (left). Crews setting up for the big event (right).

     The clocks crowning The Paramount Building tick out reminders that it's time for this or that. Everyone's reminder is different. For me it's time to make up the hour I lost in the morning. No more playing tourist. Get back on quest mode and head down to New York Costumes. But maneuvering the crowds with NYC zigzagging-flash is hard. The crowd's too thick. If I'm lucky I can get 5 minutes back. Done!

     The train pulls in. "Victory is mine!" Not. I miss the transfer point. Surprise. Surprise. No time to make a U-turn I speed down Waverly Place. Clown stop number 3. And a few scenes snapped at and about Washington Square Park. 
     Plan B in play, return to the tower by six. Like a clown pulling assorted favors and tricks from a sack, you always have to have a back up plan or two or three...

Washington Arch (left). Peeking at a lion through the curl of an iron gate (right).

     Eastside, Westside all around the town New York City has a wonderful mix of architecture from different periods and influences to treat the eyes of the weariest traveler. And it's time for this one to take a break.

Grace Church, style Gothic, 1846, James Renwick, Jr., Architect 

New York Costumes. Darby and the creepy clown welcome all.

     A block later I arrive at the entrance to the wonderful land of costumes. I am not alone. Others are brought in by their own quests for fun New Year's Eve wear. Besides my own folk, there were many who traveled from faraway lands. France, Germany and Spain are in the house when I arrive, trying to figure out what they should buy. I am captivated by the wonderful displays. "How about a Stewie mask instead?" "Or a fancy masquerade one?" "Hmm... scary clown?" Cool hats. Cool glasses... Cool... Plan C. Be home by seven. 
     After wandering about for a bit a fork pokes my side. It's time to move on. Still two more checks to go, though the major key of the quest was at hand. There are many clown noses to choose from, from the pro types to the red or black foam and plastic squeaking honkers. "Two squeaking honkers, please!" If anything our cats will get a blast when we squeak-squeak them at them. Harlequin topper. Runners Store at Grand Central for Amour and face gear. Dinner with the Momma. Check, check and checks. I make it back to the tower by seven. A new quest begins.

Jeopardy Answer: Who is Patch Adams? 

Dr. Patch Adams brings out a smile from a sick child in Guatemala.

      We were too cold to put our squeaking honkers on at the run. The snow and cold took center stage off and on throughout the day, transforming Central  Park to a snowy, icy paradise. So we just settled on wearing crazy toppers. But I'm sure we will find other opportunities to don them this year maybe with a a cool pair of Mary Jane's like these instead of our sneakers and Dr. Martens.

     In laying out this blog I thought it would be nice to get a clown nose photo or illustration and did some browsing. I stumbled upon some interesting blogs and web pages, but none were as moving as those with comments, articles, videos and more on Dr. Patch Adams. If a picture is worth a thousand words, his were more than a million, spreading smiles and laughter and goodwill around the world. He has inspired many.

     In Guatemala a group of friends joined together with the goal of bringing laughter and a sense of optimism to sick children and seniors in hospitals and their efforts blossomed to the formation of a legal organization called "Fabrica de Sonrisas" (Smile Factory). After a 5 month training period in the art of balloon-twisting and other smile inducing treatments the volunteers graduate and make weekly patient visits.

     In Italy, Clown One Italia, formed by Ginevra Sanguigno, actress and clown with the support of Dr. Adams' engages in social and healthcare support activities. Its humanitarian efforts spanning the globe as well as those of others. HEALING THROUGH HUMOR!  SMILE!!

 Links of Interest

Bryant Park

http://www.bryantpark.org/

Times Square
(For a map of the area click on District Map under the Facts and Figures tab)

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/

New York Architecture
(Get more information on The Paramount Building, Grace Church and other structures throughout the city)

http://www.nyc-architecture.com

New York Costumes

http://www.newyorkcostumes.com/

Dr. Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Institute

http://www.patchadams.org/

Fabrica de Sonrisas

http://www.fabricadesonrisas.org/

Clown One Italia

http://www.clowns.it/english/history.html