Among the exhibits, (which I wasn't supposed to take pictures of, but whatever; that's what walls shielding the ushers are for):

New York in the 70s:

• Photographs by Allan Tannenbaum, a former shutterbug for the SoHo News, that highlight politics, showbiz, nightlife and the last days of John Lennon. If you haven't eaten yet, here's a Tannenbaum pic of Lennon and Yoko Ono making love. Now that's what I call "doing the nasty."

You can view the entire collection online, including some classic pics of Bruce Springsteen in the Music section and at least one decent blowjob shot in the Nightlife section. Hey man, it's art.

• Life-size sculptures by John Dowd, who works primarily in hydrocal and resin — some serious stuff right there, I guess; I'm more of a paint-by-numbers guy — including the pictured Andy Warhol pieces and "Last Call," a full-size replica of a typical NYC bar at five minutes to 4 a.m. That scene was spectacular, really. In fact, there was only one attractive chick left in the joint, just like in real life.

• Village people memorabilia lent to the museum by Randy Jones, who was the Cowboy when he wasn't winning the 1976 Cy Young Award with the Padres.

Remember:

• David Niles' 15-minute "cinematic postcard" for people to experience the "power creativity, humanity and resilience of this remarkable city" was awesome. I was immediately floored by the the high-definition video compilation of New York life, from aerial views of Central Park to ordinary folks just doing their thing.

There's a loose tie-in to 9/11 and, while no actual footage from the day is shown, panicked FDNY radio calls are aired, and the screen goes black before we hear a huge crescendo of rumbling, followed by the physical shaking of my seat for many seconds. I'm not sure my heart needed that, but to each his own trying to do right in regards to Sept. 11.

And in Conclusion:

Here are my photos from the day, which include some other random shots from Lower Manhattan, including Sammy's Romanian steakhouse, where I had a kick-ass garlic tenderloin steak (and did not touch the chicken fat), and a compilation of signs commemorating Yankees parades up the Canyon of Heroes.

I also started a Miscellaneous NYC Photos - Album 2, just another dumping ground for a here-and-there pics when I don't have enough to make a new album. Check out the Photoshop "posterize" filter I used on the first two shots. I think they look pretty cool.