Heard on the news yesterday: Sharon Stone was criticized for saying something to the effect that the China earthquake may be bad karma arising from the repression of Tibet and the Dalai Lama. While nobody wants any ill will upon victims of natural calamities, I am pretty sure Stone's not the only one thinking this. In fact, I heard from one friend recently the very words 'China earthquake,' 'karma' and 'Tibet' stringed together in one sentence.

On the vacation front, I will make an admission: I am suffering from paralysis of choice in this purty, purty city. My sister responds: now you understand why I just choose to hole out at the apartment on some days. I'd rather not know what's out there.

What IS out there is a free reading by Salman Rushdie next week at the Barnes and Noble branch at Union Square.

What IS out there are lots of free Friday museum admissions up for grabs.

What IS out there is the staging of Hamlet for Summerstage.

I'd better stop at that for now.

Ah, the delirious state I'm in.