It's Up To You

My Ode to New York City

The very best of America is here in New York City. People from everywhere, all walks of life, from all over the world, squeezed together in one city that’s really one big town.

I remember the moment when I was a kid that I realized I wanted to live here in New York City. I was in the city with my dad during the day on a work week. I was amazed by all the different people just out on the street, hustling and bustling around town. I just knew I had to be in that sea of humans one day pursuing my dreams.

And you can never feel alone in this city, but you can be left alone whenever you want. You can tap in and tap out of every vibe and culture at any time. And there’s always some place that’s open.

Growing up I went to countless plays and museums with my family here. I was here in the 1990s at Columbia and then at my first jobs in book publishing, I was here for 9/11, the Blackout, Hurricane Sandy, 2020 when he lost and we partied, and I was here alone during the pandemic too.

I’ve taught for 24 years at the same NYC public high school. And I can’t even count how many times I have run through these streets, laughed on these streets, cried on a street corner, and just walked around with music on my headphones at one with this city.

And in a sea of people in the West Village when the Knicks won on Saturday night, I got emotional realizing just how lucky I am to be alive at this time in the greatest city in the whole world.

We’ve seen tragedy here. We’ve seen triumph here too.

And there was an energy unleashed last night that I hope transfers to the rest of the country.

I truly believe that the Knicks winning on Saturday night flipped a switch. We’ve entered a new portal. We are back on the correct timeline. Also, this might’ve even solved the male loneliness epidemic. Men are coming up to women and just talking. They are crying in public with each other.

People were reminded of what’s it’s like to be outside in community.

It’s happening here in NYC & you know how trends tend to spread from her to the rest of the country.

Also, check out my friend Ben Von Klemperer’s post. He was out on the streets Saturday night documenting New York City and his photographs and impressions of the evening are beautiful:

In Five