Peter Hyman—journalist, humorist and author of The Reluctant Metrosexual: Dispatches From An Almost Hip Life—will be moderating the Cutting to the Chaste: Celibacy and the New Sexuality talk that’s part of the “New York States of Mind” series at Makor. He will be joined by sex therapist and She Comes First author Dr. Ian Kerner, blogger Dawn Eden (The Thrill of the Chaste) and Grant Stoddard (Working Stiff), a former columnist at Nerve.com. Before you get too much “sex in the city” on the mind, read Peter’s recent Slate article, Stop Them Before They Joke Again, and then get his views on being a New Yorker below.

How many years, apartments and what neighborhoods have you lived in NYC?
I’ve been in New York since 1993, and I’ve lived in four apartments, prior to the one I’m in now. The first was a large 3 bedroom in the West Village. I fell into it, and it was too much, too soon. I then lived in two places in the East Village—typical bachelor paddish one bedrooms with some character but which I did not really fully utilize in terms of domestic potential. I used to get notes from Con Ed saying “are you sure somebody lives here? The gas has not been turned on in years?” That is how little I cooked. I now live in Brooklyn, in an old factory building, with my girlfriend and our dog. It’s a home. 

What’s your best (or worst) NYC taxi story?
I ride my bike a lot, and I’ve been doored and cut off by cabs more than I care to remember. But I’ve certainly also had terrific cabbies and great rides. I do not understand pedi-cabs, however. They baffle me, since I can usually walk faster than they move.

What era, day or event in New York’s history would you like to re-live?
I tend to grossly over-romanticize the Golden Era of the post-war period. You know, 1947 or so until the late 1950s. I would have liked to have been able to wear a Fedora without looking as foolish as Jared Paul Stern.

What’s your New York motto?
“If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense.” The accumulation of great and uncountable riches is why I chose to be a writer.

Describe that low, low moment when you thought you just might have to leave NYC for good.
I’ve been unemployed, broke and exceptionally heartbroken numerous times here, but I’ve never considered leaving. Thankfully, I’ve also lived within 15 feet of a bar that serves Scotch and closes late.

Who do you consider to be the greatest New Yorker of all-time?
There are too many to name just one.

What was your best dining experience in NYC?
Any meal I’ve shared with my father.

With a nod to Milton Glaser, how much do you really love New York?
It depends on the humidity that day.

Of all the movies made about or highly associated with New York, what role would you have liked to be cast in?
Probably Alvy Singer in Annie Hall. Or, you know, Snake Plissken in Escape from New York.

What happened the last time you went to L.A.?
I actually spent a month out there last year, and it was great. I was living in Venice, so there were enough freaks and random interesting strangers to make it feel like home, and I was able to walk to coffee shops. Venice is the closest one can come to NYC-style living in LA.

If you could change one thing about New York, what would it be?
The destruction of great old buildings and the construction of the majority of those that go up today.

The End of The World is finally happening. What are you going to do with your last 24 hours in NYC?
I’d spend it reading the 92nd Street Y blog, hoping to find some salvation or clues.

[Cutting to the Chaste: Celibacy and the New Sexuality: 10/18/06]

Previous 92YQs: Michelle Goldberg, Arianna Huffington, Francis Morrone and Sydney Pollack