(3:59)
...What about these new Tuesdays?

(4:01)
It's silly.

(4:05)
What is?

(4:06)
Knowing that there's a cup of coffee waiting for me almost makes me forget that I kind of hate Tuesdays. That's silly.

(4:09)
Almost?

(4:11)
Well, there are problems that even coffee can't solve.
(4:13)
But coffee - coffee is a hug in a cup and a hug is always a good place to start, don't you think?

(4:15)
Wait. Isn't tea supposed to be a hug in a cup?

(4:20)
Tea is for when you're sick.

(4:23)
And sick people don't need hugs?

(4:24)
Different kind of hugs.

(4:26)
So, coffee is...?

(4:29)
Coffee is everything that's good in this world.

(4:30)
Wow. You really do love your coffee.

(4:33)
You think?

******

Wednesday 17 Dec (5:23pm)
It's time.

(5:45)
For?

(5:47)
Museum of Natural History. Any day you want, but preferably this week. Otherwise you'd mess up my schedule.

(5:47)
Schedule.
(5:48)
We have a schedule now?

(5:50)
Yes. This is serious business.

(5:51)
My treats are serious business.

(5:51)
Correct.

(5:59)
What's so special about the AMNH?
(6:00)
Well, apart from the obvious.

(6:04)
Blaine, please.
(6:06)
Your ticket will be at the museum's box office; they know you're coming. You'll get directions from there.

(6:08)
Kurt.
(6:10)
Seriously, Kurt. Do you have friends everywhere or do you just know how to pull strings?

(6:11)
My methods shall remain secret.

(6:13)
Of course.
(6:18)
How long is this gonna take? The treat, I mean.

(6:20)
Depends. I guess you could stay there for 5 minutes or the entire day. It's your choice.
(6:21)
Although I do have a little task for you.

(6:25)
A task? But this is supposed to be a treat.

(6:27)
And it is. Doesn't mean you won't have to work for it.

(6:28)
That's new.

(6:30)
This is where we go back to you trusting me. You'll enjoy it, I'm sure.

(6:31)
Okay.
(6:45)
What's my task?

(6:48)
Details when you get there.

(6:48)
That's what I thought.

******

Thurs 18 Dec (2:05pm)
This is my last boring Thursday class.

(2:06)
For the year?

(2:06)
Yes. And it's going to be even more boring now that I've already passed it. What's the point?

(2:07)
Why don't you skip it, then?

(2:08)
Blaine. When I first told you about this back in October, you said I should pay attention. Now you're telling me to leave? I'm shocked. It's like I don't even know you anymore.

(2:09)
Maybe you're having a bad influence on me. Or maybe it really doesn't matter, because you've already passed.

(2:10)
Both.
(2:10)
I can't just leave now.

(2:11)
Did the class already start?

(2:11)
No, but I'm already seated.

(2:11)
And what about the teacher?

(2:12)
Hasn't arrived yet.

(2:12)
Get out of there. Quick!

(2:13)
Blaine!

(2:13)
Do it!

(2:14)
And then what?

(2:14)
And then you go do something nice, something you like.
(2:15)
I bet finals are just as exhausting for you as they are for me.

(2:16)
You're to blame if something goes wrong.

(2:16)
Don't be ridiculous. What could go wrong?

(2:17)
Okay. Okay, I'm doing it.

(2:19)
Yes! :)

(2:20)
You're acting like you're the one who just managed to get the afternoon off.

(2:23)
I'm living through you.
(2:25)
Actually, could you go grab a burger and describe the experience to me? Thanks.

(2:26)
Instant regret.

(2:28)
Pizza?

(2:29)
No.

(2:30)
Fries?

(2:33)
You're gross.
(2:41)
Wait. That's your idea of doing something nice?

(2:44)
Would that be so wrong? Food, Kurt. Delicious food.

(2:46)
You sound just like my brother.

(2:49)
Oh, there's a brother?

(2:50)
Yes. And, believe me, you do not want to sound like him.
(2:55)
You're just making puppy eyes right now, aren't you?

(2:56)
No?
(2:58)
How did you know?

(2:59)
I'm on to you.

(3:01)
And I'm not impressed. Now go get that burger.

(3:04)
Sometimes I wish I knew your last name, because in moments like these, you really don't deserve to be called by your first one.

(3:06)
Less texting, more burgers.

(3:09)
Goodbye, B! I cannot talk to you anymore in fear of brain damage. (B either stands for bastard, bossy, brat, basket case, or baffoon. Or Bush. As in George W. You choose.)

(3:11)
I love it when you get creative.
(3:13)
But I actually think B stands for baby. I'm 100% sure.

(3:15)
Yes, because you're 5.

(3:17)
Please. 5 1/2.

~

(5:34)
What did you end up doing?

(5:45)
I went to get coffee.

(5:47)
Ha! See! Everything that's good in this world.

******

Sat 20 Dec (12:01pm)
There's a line.

(12:05)
What?

(12:06)
At the museum. There's a line.

(12:06)
I'm sorry?
(12:07)
Wait. Are you live-texting this?

(12:08)
I might be.

(12:10)
That's a first.

(12:11)
Maybe I'm doing it because this is the first time I've had to wait.

(12:11)
And the suspense is killing you.

(12:12)
Actually, yes.

(12:13)
This is exciting!

(12:13)
We'll see. Going in now.
(12:18)
Is this gonna be a scavenger hunt?

(12:20)
Not really, you're just taking one tiny detour.

(12:21)
Is that your handwriting?

(12:23)
Of course it is.

(12:23)
Huh.

(12:24)
What?

(12:27)
Don't laugh, but that kind of makes you more real.

(12:28)
I'm quite real, Blaine.

(12:30)
I know.
(12:31)
Okay. First stop: North American Mammals. Why?

(12:34)
What does the note say?

(12:36)
It says I should go there to visit my friends.
(12:45)
...the squirrels, Kurt?! How very morbid of you.

(12:48)
What? Why?!

(12:50)
They're dead.

(12:51)
But they'll always be there. That makes them eternal.

(12:55)
Okay, I guess that's not the worst way to end up for a squirrel. I'll ask Watson about this tomorrow.
(1:11)
Second stop: Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, because “it's one of my favorite places to be in New York.” Really?

(1:13)
Yes.
(1:14)
I dare you to sit down or even better, lie down and look up.

(1:17)
They let you do that?

(1:20)
Sure. The kids do it all the time.

(1:22)
And you?

(1:23)
And me.
(1:24)
No really, do it.

(1:27)
Okay.
(1:30)
This is nice. I can see the appeal.
(1:33)
It's calming.
(1:45)
Wow, okay, I could stay here all day.
(1:54)
When do they close again?

(1:59)
This does make me quite happy, but you've still got a third and final stop.

(2:03)
Mhhhhhh. Just a little longer.

(2:05)
Are you mocking me now?

(2:09)
No!! I swear, this feels like therapy.
(2:13)
How come I didn't know about this?

(2:15)
I guess you're welcome?

(2:16)
Thank you.

(2:33)
Are you still there?

(2:35)
...yes?

(2:36)
And you're actually lying down?

(2:36)
Yes.

(2:37)
All this time?

(2:38)
Yes.

(2:38)
They do close before 6pm, you know.

(2:40)
I know.
(2:42)
Remember when I said I was staring at my ceiling?

(2:44)
Yes?

(2:47)
This is that, only SO much better.
(2:52)
Okay. Moving on. I can do this.
(2:54)
Grand Gallery, here I come.

(2:59)
This is the Christmas part of the treat.

(2:59)
I... I can see that.
(3:01)
Damn.
(3:03)
How do you come up with these things, Kurt?

(3:05)
I didn't build the tree.

(3:06)
Still.
(3:09)
Can I open the second note now?

(3:10)
Yes, go ahead.

(3:12)
I just laughed out loud. People are staring.
(3:13)
I'm not sure I know how to do that.

(3:15)
There are people there to help you.

(3:18)
But it's mostly kids doing it!

(3:19)
And you're 5. You can do this.
(3:19)
Sorry, 5 1/2.

(3:22)
Does it have to be something specific?

(3:25)
Whatever you want. Just remember to send me a picture!

(3:33)
These kids are so much better than me, holy shit.
(3:38)
There's this amazingly talented girl next to me. I could steal hers and pretend it's mine.
(3:42)
She's side-eyeing me now, though.
(3:43)
Damn, my plan is flawed.

(3:45)
Come on.

(3:46)
This is my 4th try...
(3:50)
5th.
(3:55)
6th.
(4:03)
YES!
(4:07)
Okay, I admit that I had help. But I'm proud of this. Don't mock me.

(4:09)
I would never mock this! I'm impressed.

(4:11)
It could be Bradshaw. After he's eaten too much.

(4:12)
Or after he's rolled around in the grass instead of snow.

(4:14)
Grass doesn't do it for him.
(4:21)
Kurt?

(4:22)
Yes?

(4:24)
This has been my favorite.

(4:27)
Your favorite treat?

(4:28)
Yes.

(4:30)
I'm glad.
(4:30)
But I do hope that there's still room for a little more.

(4:33)
Always. Bring it on!

(4:35)
You bet. :)

~~~~~~

Milstein Hall of Ocean Life

Origami Holiday Tree / Grand Gallery