In an effort to sum up my experience in New York City this summer, I am instituting the first (and only) annual Chrome Milkshake Awards. The Chromies are a celebration of the best and worst of my experience at the Columbia Publishing Course.

Best Food: Tom’s Restaurant. Their Broadway milkshakes are the inspiration for this award’s title. Impecably fast, deliciously diner-y, incredibly cheap, wonderfully familiar service. Open very late. Unfortunately, Tom’s isn’t healthy. But I ate it anyway.

Kindest Act By A Stranger: John Hiler’s loan of a 15″ monitor. This kind hearted blog reader responded to my call for a loaner, and came through with impeccable trust and kindness.

Best Purchase: My new glasses. I only got into shopping for clothes once, but my glasses were a truly satisfying consumer experience. I love them.

Best Mishearing: Shiuan’s Hummous

Greatest New Yorker I Never Met: Dori.

Best Fictional Magazine Article Title: BACKSTREET BOY AJ LEARNS HOW TO LIVE AGAIN

Worst Night: The Tunnel (there’s so much about it that I didn’t write–if you’re that curious, email).

Situation Most Like An Eagles Song: Squatting in Furnald Hall, because “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”

Best Encounter With A Publishing Industry Professional: A tie between Ed Victor and his letcherousness, and Sam Lipsyte’s email (emailS, I should say. Our dialogue continues).