The FIVE: Best Things about Summer in the City

I'm convinced that I'm solar-powered. If it's cloudy out, I'm in a bad mood. If it's sunny out, I feel like I could run a marathon, do a 4-hour stand-up comedy show for a crowd of thousands, and write a novel. And wail at guitar. All at once. So it's a good thing summer is here, because a few more weeks of bad weather and I probably would have alienated my friends and family for good. But that's just one of . . .

THE FIVE REASONS SUMMER IN NEW YORK CITY IS SO GREAT!

1. The weather. ‘Nuff said I think.
2. The sunsets. Alright, so it's a little mushy, maybe, but picture this: you're playing Frisbee in the park. Your parents are cooking up some food on the grill, and that mouth-watering smoky smell is kinda hanging in the air. The sun is going down, and just as it's getting too dark to play, your parents call you over for tasty chow. You sit back on the grass, fresh burger in hand, and watch the sky turn purple and orange. Isn't that the definition of summer bliss?
3. The concerts. I don't know if you've seen the lineup of FREE summer concerts in New York, but it includes such favorites of yours and mine as Green Day, The Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Black Eyed Peas, All-American Rejects, Natasha Bedingfield, et al. What other city can boast that? I love my hometown of Chicago to death, but we never had anything like the free shows that Today and Good Morning America put on. Of course, you've gotta convince your parents to get up around 5 AM to see them . . . or you could always watch the concerts on TV if you can't make it to the live show in New York!
4. The fashion. Now I gotta admit — I'm no fashion connoisseur. I wore nothing but sweatpants until I was 12, still own (and wear!) t-shirts I had when I was in 8^th grade, and wear white flip-flops, much to the dismay of pretty much everyone I know. (I think they look cool . . .) But living in New York has definitely made me step up my fashion game. Just by being around all these amazingly well-dressed people, their classiness and taste tends to rub off on you. If you feel stumped about wardrobe assembly, take a trip to NYC in the summer — when people dont have to hide their outfits in bulky overcoats — and take some notes.
5. The mood. Maybe I'm not the only one who's solar-powered, ‘cause it seems like everyone is happier between May and September. New York is notoriously grumpy, but in the summer everyone walks around with . . . well, not a smile on their faces, but something close to that. There's just less stress, less worry. It's like everyone wakes up in the morning and thinks, "Relax, baby! It's the summer!" Chicago is definitely like that too, though, and so is D.C. Hmm . . .

OK, so maybe it's not the best things about summer in NYC — maybe it's just the best things about summer, period! Whatever, who cares. I'm gonna hit the park! Later, Splotters!

— Jack, STACKS Staffer

Comments

[Comment #1]

I'm not a New Yorker. I've visited, though in the winter, and I love it. I also watch What Not To Wear, set in NYC, so I know it's a fashion capitol. NYC is AWESOME!

[Comment #2]

like i said b4 u rock jack!!i think im solar-powered too!!! i am also stoked about the upcoming book festival in DC!!!rick riordan's gonna be there and tons of other great authors!!!!!!!