I'm Gretchen Rubin and this is a little happier.

A long, long time ago, when I was living in New York City

for the very first time, one summer during college,

I saw a public service poster on the number six subway

here, and I have never forgotten it,

even though I saw this poster just that one time.

It was a black and white photograph

of a container of Chinese food sitting

on two of those white opaque cases of movies rented

from Blockbuster, back when people used those tapes.

So there was the Chinese food container,

the two tapes, and underneath in big letters,

the poster said, if this is how you spend your time,

why are you living in New York City?

I think about that question often.

I'm hunted by it.

It reminds me how much I want to push myself to experience

the treasures of my city and the world,

not to just sit home, even though that can be a lot of fun.

I am where I am.

I want to experience for myself.

If I'm watching TV and eating takeout,

...