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Colson Whitehead writes in The Colossus of New York that "I am here because I was born here and thus ruined for anywhere else."  Well, I am here because I grew up in Vermont and ruined for any other rural area.  I sought out the antithesis of my childhood experience and found New York City.

New York is a city known for certain things, but it is especially known for Broadway theatre. Talented people from all over the country come to New York in hopes of becoming part of the magic.  Few are lucky enough to actually make it.  

This past weekend my roommate Stephanie Valle went back to Hamilton to compete in an annual public speaking contest. Before she left, she commissioned our three other roommates and myself to be judges of the final version of her speech, which detailed the life of an intern in the White House.  Last semester the two of us had participated in Hamilton's Semester in Washington D.C. Program. Together we had decided to come to New York City for the spring semester. 

I have never done karaoke before, but I felt that New York City is a good place to start. Anything goes here and embarrassment is never a factor.

Russell Simmons, political activist, founder and ceo of Def Jam records and of Phat Farm clothing, will present a lecture, “Hip-Hop’s Influence on Politics, Economics and Popular Culture,” on Thursday, March 11, at 8 p.m. in Wellin Hall at Hamilton College. The lecture is presented by the C. Christine Johnson Voices of Color Lecture Series. It is free and open to the public.

Novelist, playwright and director Susan Sontag will give the Tolles Lecture at Hamilton College on Saturday, April 3, at 8 p.m. in the Chapel. The lecture, titled “Politics and the Arts,” is free and open to the public.

This week the weather was mild and gave us a chance to do more walking around the city. Rob and I attended a New York Rangers game and had a blast. Madison Square Garden was packed despite the dismal efforts of the Rangers this season. We enjoyed great seats and had a chance to meet up with a few friends from the city.

I often wonder about the lives of the people I pass on the streets, in stores, on subways, or in restaurants.  In New York, however, it is hard to keep everybody straight and distinguish between one darkly dressed person and the next.

Colson Whitehead's description of Broadway in Colossus of New York is an accurate depiction of New York's true identity.  People give NYC its glamour and reputation; the skyline is just the cover of our fairytale.  New Yorkers give the city economic prosperity and provide a diverse form of entertainment. 

This year’s Kirkland Project Conference, “Student Cultures: 'Let's Talk About Sex at Hamilton,” brought together Hamilton students and faculty, along with participants from other local colleges and universities on March 6. The day-long conference consisted of lectures by students and faculty, as well as faculty/student panels and roundtable discussions.