From Wikipedia:

Acrophobia (from Greek akros, meaning "summit") is an extreme or irrational fear of heights.

Acrophobia can be dangerous, as sufferers can experience a panic attack in a high place and become too agitated to get themselves down safely. Some acrophobics also suffer from urges to throw themselves off high places, despite not being suicidal. [emphasis mine]

I didn't realize that was a typical acrophobic reaction. Good to know that I'm documented. The Wikipedia section on "Urge to Jump" is quite fascinating. I have often thought that hang-gliding would be a very good way to indulge that longing to step off the abyss without actually splatting at the end. I can definitely understand that mental paralysis that comes from the terror of falling fighting with the longing to fly.

Sometimes when I fly, I sit in my window seat and resist the compulsion to try to push myself through the fuselage. The clouds are right there and they're so temptingly solid when viewed from a distance. This may also explain my long-held hope to one day fly in space - or at least on the Vomit Comet.

I have learned something today!

I spent part of today on this website: http://www.listsofbests.com/lists/home/books and the rest of the day either on my way to, or at Leid's party in the Bronx.
I have now hung out in all five boroughs. A good milestone to make in my last year in NYC. (I've lived in New York for a little over 6 years, plus almost a year in Paoli, PA. Hard to believe it's been that long here. Wow. That's more time in NYC than I spent in college. Hey, for me that's perspective.)

Leid's apartment is gorgeous, but it's on the 22nd floor, overlooking Yankee Stadium. I had a few twinges of terror on her terrace. Alliterative phobias, joy. There was much good food and interesting company, although much of the talk was of nursing as several folks there went to Michelle's school and knew one another through their work. I was able to talk to Donna as well, so it was a super day all around.

We were well entertained by many illegal fireworks, plus excellent long-distance views of some big shows in New Jersey and Westchester. I am hoping that one or two of my attempts at photography will come out.

Now it is time for me to sleep, so that I can go to work (yay!) in the morning.