I : ) NEW YORK

They say that New York is the city that never sleeps. I say it’s the city that never stops laughing. New York has an incredible sense of comedy; its not surprising why so many sitcoms and comedy films take place here. We love to laugh, want to laugh, and we’ll do anything and look everywhere for it. And like New York itself, its sense of humor is marinated in all types of forms.

Its ironic : Before I moved to New York, I dreamed about owning a huge penthouse with a library and an exercise room. Today, I do have a library; it’s a couple of Playboys and a TV guide. And my exercise room: a couple of Playboys and a TV guide. It’s a damn studio.

Its absurd : I see these old rich Upper East Side women walking around with their dogs in their purses. Is this really necessary? I get the feeling that those dog are laughing at me because they know they have a larger trust fund than I do.

Its social political : I hop on the A train, and sitting directly across from me is a Hassidic Jew, a Muslim, and a Sikh. I thought, what is this a joke?! Only in New York are you gonna find these historically warring people sitting in peace. Sure, their not talking to each other, but at least they’re sitting in peace.

Its visual : On Park Avenue and 23rd street, I saw a preoccupied mother on a cell phone with two children on a leash. Approaching them was a blind man with a stick, leading the arm of another blind man. They crash and clichés were shattered.

Its observational : If you walk down 8th Avenue and 42nd street, Indians are owning and running porn shops. I think as a culture, we’ve finally arrived. If Indians are running the pornshops, we’ve got America by the you-know-where.

Its smart : I asked my boss for a raise. I said all my friends make more than me; they have nice condos, go on exotic vacations, and buy cool stuff. My boss said no. Now, I keep friends that make less than me. Problem solved.

These are just a few types of New York humor. But with the experiences of personal comedy comes personal pain. The two go hand in hand. There are days when the city chews you up and spits you out. But I’ll never trade New York for anything. Its those days when I smile and think at least I don’t live in Kalamazoo.

Rahul Siddharth is a Creative Director for an Omnicom company and moonlights as standup comic. Visit his website at www.rahulsiddharth.com for showdates and video clips.