• by Kelly Samardak , August 24, 2009

Beating The Heat, New York
The Week of August 24, 2009

Big ol jet airliner/Dont carry me too far away! Substitute "jet airliner" for "greyhound bus" and you've got my life in a nutshell this summer. Constant go-go-go from NYC to other locations around the Eastern seaboard. And if I'm not leaving, people are coming. This past weekend I was back in Columbia, Md., or as people from Columbia say -- "Baltimore" -- for a fun-smooshed time. This week, which I've declared Happy Week based on my horrible attitude last week, I'm back in action and hoping to fill you up with good vibes and some good party action.

I was inspired this weekend by the Columbia Iron Girl Triathlon (or Aflac Iron Girl, depending on how brand-aware you are). Women of all shapes and sizes split through the seaweed in Centennial Park for 0.62 miles, transitioned waterlogged to their bikes for a sun soaked 17.5 miles, and then hopped off for a 3.4 mile run. I just threw up from exhaustion writing that. Many women cried either form relief, pride, or emotional exhaustion (some ran for charities honoring families and friends) as they crossed the finish line while I stood there with my camera, sweating in the sun -- standing still, of course.

The dedication to train for ANY race is impressive, and watching a 79-year-old woman come in ahead of some of the 19-year-olds knocked my brain around a little. I mean, seriously, how many more hours can I waste in front of the television watching "Trixie Needs a Tan" when I could be doing something for myself and others in tandem. I'd like to give a big fat round of fat pizza- fingered applauses to Jessica Landin, Caitlin Yardeny, Adrienne Coats, and Kim Mitzel, who impressed me with their smiles and laughs when I would have been weeping in pain. 

Oh yeah, and I also had the surreal experience of sitting on a tour bus drinking beer with members of the Steve Miller Band -- and then dining with the band while Steve Miller talked about his experiences with Les Paul as the most ridiculous lightning storm raged on the building crowd at the Calvert Marine Museum. There is something about a band taking the stage after you've shared stories about the Erie County Fair and air conditioning that makes you appreciate it more. It was like watching close friends that probably won't remember you the next day.

So this week, now that we're back to reality, there is A LOT going on. Tomorrow night I'm excited to cover the METRO redesign party at 230 Fifth. I always said that I wanted to write about New York City for New York City, and METRO (the newspaper) is sometimes the first thing some of your eyeballs focus on in your hectic morning commutes. Should be fun -- and the weather will make a welcome +1, no doubt. On Thursday Aug. 27 is Digital DUMBO drinks #8. I know - 8! Already! It will be at the Galapagos Art Space, which is really nifty, and they're going back to a really creative way to present the professional stuff. I agreed to submit a video with some thoughts, but I never got around to it. Yeah, lame. But I'm confident others submitted, so I look forward to seeing how much more awesome they are than me.

And really folks, let's hear it for the lower humidity. Personally, I feel more sane without waking drenched in a moisture blanket and pushing through solid air on my way to work. When the weather is as soothing as it was this morning, I find myself cooking breakfast rather than picking up a heavy bagel on the way to the office. I even picked up some flowers from the Union Square Green Market to perk up my desk. I'm officially declaring this week Happy Week -- and I invite you to join me. Also, maybe you can help me research potential triathlon training. I mean -- what's a weak swimmer to do in NYC?

Send invitations to kelly@mediapost.com for fun in the sun (setting sun counts)

See lifesize photos here!