The best way to do Andy's run was to see double, before the run not after the onin when this was a near inevitability. Every arrowless corner turned with one pouf of flour and generally quite a considerable ways on, another. Some of us are more used to the circular variety of corner or arc produced by three poofs. No matter, anything for variety, and speaking of poofs, a notable lack thereof was evident on Christopher Street. A further element of variety - these poufs generally appeared the far side of the light which led people to run on their toes more than usual, in full Marie-style, (she however was absent) and the pleasant sensation of having to actually look for the trail twice. To compensate, Andy's arrow size has now grown to maturity. A word of wisdom to the wise - this was not the trail to shortcut - the wonderful curlicues of Commerce Street and Grove did not know about the shortest distance between two points being a straight line.

And with that introduction Andy produced a great trail and high class pizza or something to that effect in the words of Jerry Nelson - that's the only reason he (Jerry) came 'cause he (Andy) does it every time. West Village trails have long been our favorite. This one meandered rapidly from Village Idiot territory to Antarctica although it was not that cold, but our hare had had to contend with rain earlier. The trail was a welcome antidote to the civilization of the previous fortnight - not a soul was around except for in the numerous familiar pubs and eating establishments - Hogs and Heifers, Ye Waverly Inn on Bank Street and the Blind Tiger. Speaking of shortcuts, anyone who was brilliant would have guessed we would cross Hudson three times, or what Andy was afraid of, that we were going south. I don't know whether passing 10 Downing Street from both the back and the front was intentional or whether our Brit was aware we had paid homage at all. I did hear on the run that his sparse figure undoubtedly meant the kind of serious runner who would set another long trail. My favorite attribute to this run were the cobblestones, plentiful at the beginning and then harbinger of the end.

The onin was usual in that it was unusual - the substantial pack divulged Friends of New Amsterdam W (o) W's: two nuclei of repeaters who appeared in the younger and elder varieties. We want all of you to continue to consider this your hash. Our Danny made a valiant effort at screaming the downdowns louder than the thirsty crowd and the business of discussions with your mouth full of sexy pizzas from east Soho began. The Monks of St. Bernards are going decidedly flat thanks to the contribution of not so young anymore Matt. What a way to welcome back your long absent friends - we're glad to have him any way.

The rest of my ink is devoted to missing until long from now Basil and babies in general. For all those who didn't get the newest little hasher e-mail, Basil and Mary had their long-awaited little girl - something Irish Emily. This hash was quite dedicated to that theme although most mightn't have noticed it. We went within one block of their house on 11th & Washington, although I heard no crying, passed the hospital (St.Vincent's) where Mary both works and had the kid, and one of Basil's favorite sites for entertaining - the restaurant mentioned earlier. More along these lines, Little John is back in town with his small fry. Which all leads me to contemplate whether it is time to start organizing hashes for milk.