Column by Stephanie Kocer
New York City is a pretty glorious place for many reasons. As you read this, I am currently touring the Big Apple with some of the other magazine majors for the annual magazine trip to New York.
I’ve been to NYC before and am thrilled to go back. It’s kind of the dream place for any magazine major. Here are the top things I’m excited to go back and see.
Magazines
Let’s start off with the reason I’m really going back in the first place. NYC is a hub for big name publications from Entertainment Weekly to Rolling Stone. It’s a place where any magazine lover can feel right at home. The city has resources everywhere for stories ,and the atmosphere is what any magazine major dreams of.
Brooklyn
Believe it or not, Brooklyn is just as cool if not more than Manhattan. It’s where a lot of young people live because it’s more affordable, and Jay-Z is from there.
People Watching
People do crazy things all the time. People do crazier things in New York City. Whether it’s watching a fancy business man walking (half-running) to work or staring in awe at a woman running while pushing a baby stroller, New York offers plenty of alternative sightseeing.
Walking
When you’re in the Big Apple, you have to act like you belong. It’s very easy to pick out the tourist in a crowd. This means you have to walk like you belong, too. You have to walk like you’re Dustin Hoffman in “Midnight Cowboy.” Stoplights mean nothing. You walk when you want to walk.
Times Square
Times Square is actually a lot smaller than you would think. It doesn’t have a lot going on other than flashy screens and Naked Cowboys, but it’s fun to stand there and know you are in New York City.
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is a fabulous place for several reasons. It’s the most famous arena in the world, and a lot of good things happen under that roof. From huge concerts to mega sporting events, the Garden is a New York staple.
Central Park
Central Park is a giant park in the middle of a concrete jungle. It’s huge. It even has a zoo. What is better?
“Friends”
The perfect life is that of the cast of “Friends.” They have the stereotypical New York life. Their friends are their family, and they drink coffee from the same place every day. That is the life! It also helps remind me that real life in NYC is nothing like that. If I live there someday, I probably won’t have a Joey. I’ll just be a Chandler living paycheck to paycheck and drinking Starbucks.
30 Rock
Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with late-night comedy TV. I am an avid fan of “Saturday Night Live.” I think I’ve written about it a few times here in The Times-Delphic. I’m actually going to try to get in line Saturday morning to get stand-by tickets to see Seth Rogen on SNL this weekend. If I succeed, look for a column about that!
Cheesecake
Everyone loves cheesecake. It’s the perfect desert. Cheesecake in New York is a billion times better. It’s from a different world, and you can get it pretty much anywhere. Is it weird if I walk from magazine to magazine this week while eating cheesecake?
Kocer is a junior magazines and English double major and can be reached at stephanie.kocer@drake.edu
Hey Stephanie — I came across your article when working on some news monitoring for my PR job, which sits at the heart of New York City. Just wanted to let you know it was refreshing to read the viewpoints of someone visiting my hometown/place of residence! Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, one can forget the highlights of experiencing the Big Apple, so it was great to read your take of the city. Best of luck with your magazine endeavors. And hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!