What I will miss least:

Goddam video/photo crews disturbing my life wherever I go. Walking down West 13th Street, already late for my free Bumble and bumble cut, this douchebag has the audacity to tell me that I can’t walk down that street. Sorry, buddy I HAVE A GODDAM HAIR APPOINTMENT THAT YOU’RE MAKING ME EVEN LATER TO! and I walk with utmost importance. On the way out they think it’s cool to stop foot traffic so we can all watch Jeremy Sisto run up and down the street with a cell phone and then start climbing up a fire escape. Looks like a crapass B movie to me.

I don’t expect Paris to be much different with the entertainment production bullshit but at least nobody wants to shoot movies in Vienna. Yay! Streets to myself!

This man is boldly venturing indeed on Queens’ Northern Boulevard.

Closer look:

Walking back to work after lunch today, my co-workers and I were surprised to see two NYPD vans with loudspeakers mounted to the top, urging New Yorkers to conserve energy to avoid electricity outages.

This is the twenty-first century, right?

Anybody else seen/heard these vans in their neighborhoods?

[And seriously, screw the free iced coffee from Starbucks. Why are people pissing their pants over $2?]

from bluesage’s flickr photostream

While many people have their beef with the Coop, and the foodie blogosphere is playing host to some kind of Gourmand Deathmatch now that the Fairway has opened in Red Hook, I’ve always been rather happy about being a member.

If you don’t like it, think it’s dumb, etc. that’s fine–just don’t complain to me about it because I don’t want to hear it. I think the Coop is a nice place to shop and work, most of the members are chill and interesting. One of the squad leaders is positively one of the coolest people I’ve ever met (I mean, when was the last time you were engaged in a discussion on the politics of private property after your coop shift while eating freshly made guacamole with chips?)

And the cheese, the cheese is a delicious bargain.

Even though I was mistaken for a boy during my shift on Monday (albeit by an old man who didn’t seem to have all his senses in order, he said “Thanks, son!”) I still love the place. And even though I’ll be happy to get my $100 investment back (more cash for the move!), I’ll also be happy to reinvest it when I return to this fair city.

Least: after the jump

LEAST: Goddam m’f'ing HEAT

NYC has the worst hot humid summers of any place I’ve lived. In the last few days, my usually brisk walk has slowed down to annoying-old-person tempo as I wade through the molasses that we call the air around us right now. I recently began believing in God, just so I could praise someone for letting me live in an apartment with CENTRAL AIRCONDITIONING. (You read it, folks. Central A/C. I’m the only one I know with this fancy pants amenity in NYC. Then again, I don’t know any rich people.) I’ve extended invitations to friends sans AC to sleep on my futon to foreclose on the possibility of them dying of heat exhaustion during the night.

While there is also a heat wave in most of Europe, I look forward to swimming in the sweet ass public pools in Vienna and reading more about ridiculous propriety bullshit like women getting ticketed for taking off their tops at Paris-Plages.

Until it gets bearable, enjoy the following picture of Coney Island during a 1950s heatwave.

Yesterday I got a call from a high school friend whom I hadn’t seen in years. I had a feeling he was going to tell me he was in town. And he did. He’s a roadie for Of Montreal and promised me VIP access if I came out to McCarren Park’s Pool Parties. Being unable to resist VIP access, I placed my skinny butt on my bike and road the hell up to WBurg.

It was lovely to see my friend and run into some other kids from the past couple years. The slip and slide looked way fun but I couldn’t bring myself to stand in the huge line.

These parties are every Sunday for free and the lineup for the rest of the summer looks amazing. Especially August 13 being DJ’ed by ?uestlove and September 3 being DJ’ed by The Rub. Dance party, pool party, everything.

More pictures here.

We all know Thursday is the best night to go out in NYC so there’s no excuse for staying home.

Come out and support your favorite NYC feminists, HollaBackNYC and RightRides, at this month’s MIXTAPE party at Galapagos Art Space starting at 10PM. Barnacle Bill performing and Party Machine spinning.

Yes, it’s a FREE benefit. So drink up. ; )

The informal theme? More Sex. Less Street Harassment.

There’ll be free condoms, lube, and other goodies, plus some t-shirt giveaways!

Hope to see you there!

Nevertheless, thinking about these blackouts as well as ConEd’s terrible new posters in the subway led me to google “coned ny.” And this is what came up, no joke. Read closely.

That’s the sexy band that will probably play again.

Aux armes citoyen! Go drink some pastis and celebrate Bastille Day with French expats in Brooklyn.

When?

July 16th (Sun), 11-7pm

Annual Bastille Day Party and Petanque Tournament on Smith Street (btwn Atlantic Ave & Bergen St)

Here’s what went down last year (when I wasn’t such a lazy blogger.)

Once out in the rain, under the “cover” of my pink umbrella, I notice the puddles and the wind tearing the rain this and that direction. I briefly stop to fold up my jeans and then start walking, leaning into the stormy weather. Sandals immediately soaked, my feet slip around. The air briefly picks up my shirt and exposes my stomach. I revel in the immediacy of the moment as I feel drops grasping my skin and clothes, getting wet and heavy. Some dudes are seeking refuge in my doorway. We exchange a few friendly, rain-soaked words.

Who wants to be anywhere else right now?

A man passing by turns and says “Oh Yes They Do! Oh Yes They Do.”