This was to the best my accounts (for now anyway) the 34th run. It was memorable in that the start was in such an egregious location - the average this year so far being 8th street. It turned out to be much more memorable - going into the park twice - which some of us were lucky to skirt successfully opting instead for the trashy light, Harlem complex route.

However, most of the pack led by our venerable Keith or rather our venerable Keith's venerable cowbell did better than that, they skirted the whole (quarter?) part of the trail north of Columbia's gates and, HERE's THE FUN PART - the apple cider cum rum on the Church steps opposite Grant's tomb. (Realizing this, I had seconds).

We were lucky to have with us on the run a young lady who after her fourth appearance decided we were pretty enough to photograph - I won't release this writeup until I can share with you the result of her labours. The hares put a check right outside Norman's house, which - I checked later - he never noticed. And, I was told, there was a wall to climb behind Grant's tomb. I had the great pleasure - by now you all know - of going to see a very dubious opera at the Manhattan School of Music on 120 street with Mary because Basil won free tickets (during a hash no less), and I can assure you that looking out during intermission right onto Grant's Tomb, I felt greatly relieved to know just exactly where I was. You see hashing can come in handy when you least expect it in ways you wouldn't believe.

Seriously, the architecture up in that part, OK, college Gothic, is extremely interesting and this is what specifically made up the pleasure of the run. Of course I had Beth with me cause she was late (neither she nor Andy knew each other was coming), and then I had Danny and Michael with me also from the shot stop only 10 people were counted as having made it less lonely (cold?) for Michael on those dark little steps. Couldn't you guys be more considerate. I confess - I thought it was going out 116th down Broadway too, but at least I can read marks. Oh, and Crofty and Ewa didn't cheat either.

My compliments to Elaine who was ready even when she wasn't ready "expecting everybody to stay at the beercheck for another half hour" and to the mismanagement in general for letting half the hash feel like they got away with something. It remains for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and we'll see you all back in the New Year. HO HO HO (on on in Russian backwards.)