Is NYC Hot???

Oh, you thought I wouldn’t run this little gimmick again??? Ha! You thought wrong!!!! It is (almost) May and New York City is HOT!!!!

Temperatures aside, I write to you red cheeked after spending an entire afternoon picnicking on a glorious, sunny day on Sheeps Meadow with breaking news from the frontlines of Hotness. After a Dense, Over-Thinking Goblin Girlie 2023, Hotness seems to be coming back with a vengeance in 2024.

Last weekend, a trusty source sent an anonymous tip after a ruck through Manhattan to say that he has never seen the city looking so ready to rumble. Yesterday, I put on my picnic best and went out to investigate. My dearest friends, forget pandemic era athleisure: the people are dressed and looking their best. The sun was shining, the Central Park speedo troupes were out in full regalia, there were no less than 15 spike-ball set-ups, and someone in my group was accused of being John Lennon. Are we in for a Hot Girl Summer this year?? The stars might be aligning in that direction.

To understand what’s going on, I’d point us two places: cinema and universities. First, while 2023 was, as a dear friend pointed out, an existential slump of a year in the form of Barbenheimer (great films, though decidedly not Hot), this year we’re kicking off summer blockbuster season with Challengers, which, if you haven’t seen it already… well, let’s just say that you should be prepared to take a little walk around the block after you do. And then, more importantly, students across college lawns are standing up for freedom, outing their universities for being glorified investment banks with side businesses teaching classes. It’s inspiring.

Will this be the summer of Tennis? Filthy British men? Divestment? River cruises? Toothlessness? Being tipsy on a Sunday? Something else entirely? Who knows, but I’m ready to find out.

xx