This post appeared in a previous blog and is here for posterity’s sake.

Yes: there was some strange smell in Manhattan today.
But no, the City did not blow up; the appropriate authorities have no idea what is was/is.
And yes, I’m OK; and thank you for your concern. It must have been a slow news day, because everyone was emailing me about it. I was glad to hear from you, and write to you about it.
Although, I wish it was the Maple Syrup smell, this time.