#47

I get asked what my favorite season is a lot. Especially on those stupid Myspace surveys that I give in to constantly. My favorite time of the year has to be, as a rule, summer-into-fall. It's warm, it's beautiful, people are happy, and you can just begin to get away with wearing a light scarf. Just don't wear a fringed black and white scarf or, like Rachel Ray and Dunkin Donuts, you'll end up on the Conservatives' DO NOT RESUSCITATE list.

But I seriously love that time of year. In New York, though, summer has to be the very best season. Yes, it's hot. yes, it smells something like urine on crack. Yes, it's rainy and, yes, 2 fans are not enough.

But do you understand how amazing summer in NYC is regardless of these things? First of all, something like 1/3 of the population of residents either goes on vacation or to summer camp. Secondly, the tourists find better places to go for extended periods of time. They mostly visit NYC when the Brazillian tour groups visit Disney. Yes, it rains, but it's that perfect warm thunderstorm rain, perfect for puddle-jumping, fishball, and making out--all in the middle of the street. It's colorful. Anyone who does or does not give a shit (everyone) manages to wear color (compared to all-black-all-the-time-down-winter-coats, this is heaven). Everyone is somewhat care free. One night stands are certainly on a rise in the summer, as are bar-hopping, park-sleeping, and street fairs. Speaking of street fairs: FREE STUFF.

Holy Crap. Free stuff is the key to a good NYC summer. Check out the event schedules on Bryantpark.org and rivertorivernyc.com and Central Park's website...you can reculture yourself after 17 years of hibernation by simply attending one or two events per week, which is my goal for the summer.

Right now, I'm heading down to lower Manhattan for the second night in a row. On my way to see Wire (for those of you who don't know, Wire is a British punk rock band...probably one of the most influential over the past 30 years. They're awesome. And they're playing the seaport. For FREE.)