Why I Love NYC

Followers of this blog know that I have been writing extensively since December about tomorrow’s “Why We Love NYC” trivia night with Pat Kiernan at the Bell House. I’ve written about why a corporate entertainment and team building company is producing this event in the first place, as well as how each of our amazing prize partners represent “quintessential NYC experiences.” Pat himself has given interviews about the things he loves best about New York City, and I’ve been encouraging anyone who will listen to share their great NYC stories, loves, hates and of course trivia questions via our Twitter and Facebook pages.

It just dawned on me, however, that I’ve left someone out – me.

In all of the efforts to plan, promote and produce a pop culture trivia night celebrating the reasons why New Yorkers love New York, I’ve ironically neglected to share any of the reasons why I myself love our city. Call it an event planner’s myopia.

I was born in New York City, and after growing up in the Connecticut suburbs and going to college in Boston, I returned in 2001 for graduate school, and have been here ever since. During much of that time, I admit I was actually not all that happy here; motivated yet unfocused, I suffered through a series of unsatisfying, low-paying jobs, meaning that for a good chunk of the past decade, I was angry and broke (such a terrible way to spend your 20s, isn’t it?). It wasn’t until the past few years that I’ve been in a position to really enjoy all that this city has to offer, and I’ve taken full advantage of it – and am much happier as a result!

So now, the day before our event, I hope you will indulge me as I share just a few of my personal favorite things about the city we all care about most:

1. Macarons from Bouchon Bakery
2. The world’s greatest pizza and hamburgers (if you know where to go)
3. Park Slope, where I live with my gorgeous wife and adorable new baby girl
4. The Brooklyn Promenade (where I proposed)
5. Levain Bakery
6. The “whale room” of the Museum of Natural History
7. Viniero’s
8. Gracie Mansion, which I had the honor of visiting many times in my previous job
9. The Empire State Building at night
10. When the Q train emerges from underground, and you’re on the Manhattan bridge
11. Ditto for the F train, when it emerges above ground in Brooklyn from Manhattan
12. $11 hot dogs at Yankee Stadium
13. Free outdoor summer concerts
14. Walking around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
15. City Bakery hot chocolate

There’s so much more. I’ve never actually sat down and written a list of all my favorite things about NYC, and suddenly have more appreciation for those who have; however, at tomorrow’s event, I hope that we touch on a little bit of everything that you, too love about the Big Apple, and that you enjoy celebrating the world’s greatest city – and pop culture trivia – as much as I do!

If you have any questions about this event, would like additional information or even want to share a great NYC pop culture trivia question of your own, please write in the comments section below, or send me an email at david@trivworks.com – better yet, shoot us a message on Twitter @TrivWorks, using the #WeLoveNYC hashtag!