Start Spreading the News ...

No doubt from the title above, a certain song is setting itself as an ear worm right now.

I have to add my voice to the chorus and say I love the place and find it quite friendly. So imagine my surprise to read this recent (obviously nonscientific) poll which rated New York as the Rudest City in America (country of the world's rudest people).

"What ev's" as the kids today like to say. My wife and I were just there last weekend (to see the Daily Show courtesy of the always thoughtful and amazing Cody Ruxton [yes, Cody, I'm about to ask you for a favor]) and we're going back up tomorrow, right into the maw of a ferocious winter storm (4-inches of snow!!!). We are taking our three kids Nam, Rachel, and Lydia (plus Nam's fiance Lisa) to the City for a day of street food and a Broadway show. It's all a belated Christmas present. (The only negative query we've gotten is from Lydia saying "Can we go to New York sometime when it's warm?" This'll be her fourth trip, all others in December).

But during the trips, if the weather's been cold, the people haven't. For example, on this last trip I poked my head into a small bike shop W. 24th (Zen Bikes), just to browse while Deb did the same at an antique store up the block (both promising not to buy ANYTHING). I politely asked a couple of questions about some frame models and fixed-gear set-ups, figuring that as soon as they knew I wasn't buying ANYTHING, they'd give me a load of attitude until I left. Instead, they couldn't have been nicer, and, upon learning I was from outta town and on the board of a bike nonprofit in Virginia, engaged me in pleasant conversation for 20 minutes before they loaded me up with free water bottles and stickers from the store.

In most trips I can find recall a similar encounter. My faith in the Big Apple's humanity has never wavered. I can't wait to get back.

... I want to be a part of it in ... Well, you how it goes.