such a beautifully written post, and made me smile so much. =) two of my friends were in nyc this past weekend, and spent one morning trying to give away sunflowers to passersby. my friend said it was actually very difficult, and i was baffled - 'who would turn down sunshine flowers?!' 'it was 7.30 on a sunday morning,' he explained wryly. 'people were grouchy.' i'm still convinced, though, that people are beautiful, and i loved your description of those who are magnanimous in spirit, 'even' those in new york! =) highfive, ny rockstars!