Shawn Lankton Online

On Wednesday I was invited by my friend Naomi to a very fancy party to commence the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. This party was held at the MoMA in Manhattan. We arrived (dressed to the 9’s and looking sharp) to a very long line of attendees waiting to get in. Of course being celebrities ourselves we were spotted by ushers and allowed right in. (Ok, it was because Naomi is hooked up with the Clinton Foundation… but it still felt cool). The place was packed with politicians, NGO leaders, philanthropists, leaders in business, social workers, and tourists like me!

The food was laid out, the wine was free, the conversation was stimulating, albeit outside my area of expertise. After meeting some big-shots we went to look at the artwork. Because the party was at the MoMA guests could observe the galleries as a break to schmoosing. Let me just say that some of the stuff that passes as modern art is total crap pretty interesting. One of my favorites was a room in which the lights blink. (5 seconds on, 5 seconds off) Just next to that was a fish tank half full of water with three floating basketballs. Comments guessing at the social statement/significance are welcome!

During the course of the party I only managed to see one really famous person. Mr. Bill Clinton, the undisputed awesomest celebrity in politics. In fact, I almost walked right into him. I saw the crowd part and started long-legging it into the opening. I realized that the crowd had parted to make room for Bill to move. So I had entered his clearing! Oops. All in all it was a very exciting night.