Has this ever happened to you?

I have a cold and I have completely lost my sense of smell. I thought something had gone wrong with my Cinnamon Buns soap when I couldn't smell it, but then I held a jar of peanut butter in front of my face, took a big whiff, and... nothing. From peanut butter!

It's so strange not to be able to smell anything. I could have been sprayed by a skunk and I'd have no idea right now.

Inflict your opinion upon me.

I love podcasts, particularly This American Life (Ira Glass, marry me!) and Radiolab. Ignore those and you're only punishing yourself. Wait! Wait! Don't tell me! is also pretty awesome.

Does anyone have any others they love and adore and can't live without? I'm looking to expand my repertoire.

Start spreadin' the news...

I'm working in Manhattan next week with a friend from work. She's been to the city before, but was reluctant to go exploring on her own, so she hasn't really seen much. I want to show her all the best sights and fun stuff to do. On the list already: a show (or several), pizza at John's, shopping in the Village/SoHo, cupcakes at Magnolia, Belvedere Castle in the Park, perhaps the Met if she's interested. We're also taking an evening to photograph cityscapes.

So, my question to you all is, what have I forgotten? What awesome, wonderful, very New York thing that we always do should I be certain to include?

Survey question: Tipping at carside pick-up

Hey all, give me your opinion (I know you're dying to). I, the Take-out Queen, sometimes order things at Applebee's and pick it up at the Carside To Go spot. If you're not familiar with it, here's how it works: You call, you order your Caesar salad and side of mashed potatoes (which you plan to mix together when you get home - yum), you tell them the make and color of your car, you pull into one of the designated parking spots, and your food is brought out to you like at a '50s diner, sans the roller skates.

So far, I have not been tipping the person who brings me my food. I figure they didn't wait on me during my meal, and they didn't use gas and time to drive to my house with the food. I don't tip the person who hands me my burger at a drive-thru or even the person who brings me my cherry limeade at a Sonic, yet I'm wondering if I am expected to tip the Carside To Go person. What do you think?