Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity?
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
Been down, isn't it a pity?
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head"
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head"
You know the song, or you should know the song. I am musing about summer in NYC and it makes me happy. I noticed today that I was walking down the street with a big grin on my face. That needs to be discussed.
I have frequently said, to anyone who will listen, that I love summer in NY. BitchFaceLandlord (she from the first apartment, ThePowderBlue Palace) once asked me, "Will you go to The Hamptons for the summer?" You can guess my response and it was not without swear words.
Discounting the tourist hoards and the steamy subway stations, I love June to September.
First and foremost, there are tons and tons of FREE events everywhere. The concerts, movies, yoga classes, juggling lessons, Broadway events, museum days, street closures, kayaking on The Hudson, parades, outdoor cafes...the list goes on and THERE IS MUSIC EVERYWHERE.
The theater madness of the Tonys is over and there are lots of new shows to see and off Broadway plays to go to. Walking home from them at night is fun because the sidewalks cool off, and I can ensure to log-in my 6 to 7 miles a day. That's important, because I do go to The Big Gay Ice Cream Store on 7th Street more frequently in the summer. I also eat outside a lot: Shake Shack Chicago Hot Dogs are more fun sitting on the grass, watching people taking pictures of The Flatiron Building in Madison Sq Park.
Next, of course, there is the physical side of summer. Sandals are an everyday item and tank tops come out of the back of the closet (if I had a closet). By the end of September I will have zebra feet from the suntan on my tootsies, and I will have seen far too many naked body parts of my fellow New Yorkers. I refer to the tattoos which all those tank tops and short shorts reveal. Some are gorgeous. Well, the pretty bodies usually have pretty ink. Then there are the soft flabby bodies which are a bit harder on the eyes and can sometimes cause retching. "People, some of you need to not be so brazen in your flaunting of arms, legs, bellies and butts! I know it's hot out there, but COME ON HAVE SOME DIGNITY!"
I never have to pay for a Spa Sauna in NYC. I just spend quality time on the Subway Platform and sweat to death. True, the trains are air conditioned perfectly, but sometimes you have to wait up to half an hour in DeathValleylike heat (factor in 98% humidity) for one to come along. Breathing becomes an issue. OH, NEVER BREATHE THROUGH YOUR NOSE IN THE SUBWAY. That is a given, for the entire year.
Also, walking & stair climbing is wonderful exercise anytime, but during the summer there is the added joy of music and movies; tons of free movies in parks, vacant lots (still some in Brooklyn), beaches and rooftops. The colorful humanity of TheCity gathers to relax and laugh, cry, scream or swoon. Folks are friendly and sometimes share in the picnic goodies. I can have a nice conversation with almost anyone while waiting for a film to start. I'll even bring something to nosh.
The music venues are found everywhere, too. Office buildings open up their atriums. LincolnCenter and CentralPark have free operas and performances. You are only limited by the creativity of your computer's e-mail listings in locating things. I could manage none of this without my computer! That's a fact!
I will mention 2 unpleasant summer factors: tourists walking 4 abreast and bums sleeping on my street in their underwear, but if I say if quickly, perhaps it will leave my brain without doing any damage. (nope, didn't work)
So, forget all you have ever heard about NYC in the summer. Come and visit. June isn't even over yet. There is still time. It might rain, true, but that will be a blessing, as I always walk around in the rain and cool off.
Now, the most important part of today's blog.....
PS: Last week, my son wrote in an email to his wife and also said to me out loud, "I miss New York."
My work here is done.
