Tired after flying from Los Angeles to New York, I finally made it to my hotel. As is my habit, I crossed the room and dragged open the curtains. I stood overlooking Times Square and the mass of humanity below. I couldn’t spy the Naked Cowboy or the painted women with huge breasts trying to take pictures with tourists for a quick buck. But the visceral excitement of the city floated up through the floors.

As I debated between getting something to eat, taking a shower or simply crawling into bed, movement in the window caught my eye. Since the last time I’d stayed at that place, a new hotel had risen right across the street, and from my vantage point, I had a good view into many of its rooms. That’s New York City for you. Lights shone through many semi-closed blinds, but other rooms were dark. Here and... Read More