In New York:
Walking from 8th Avenue to 12th Avenue (and back) on 42nd street in 20 degree temps, 0 degrees with wind chill = the longest four blocks I've ever walked (in recent memory).

Even worse, the cause was hardly noble: getting a visa to visit the P.R. China, walking past brave Falun Gong protestors against the Chinese government. Any cause worth braving that cold is a noble cause. Or is a cult.

I would not have stood out there like they did for true love.

I would not for Thich Nhat Hanh.

Ordinarily I wouldn't be caught dead going to China, but I've got an unplanned month with an uncle in Taiwan and if he offers to take me to China to visit some cousins (Taiwanese doing business in China), I go. What can you do?