How to Survive a Heatwave

It is so, so hot in NYC.  I feel like I'm melting into a Lemony-gooey pool of coconut water and gummy bears.  It sounds like it could be cute,...but it's not cute at all.  My barista looked at me like I was crazy this morning when I insisted on a hot americano.  Then I felt dizzy after I downed the steaming beverage and stepped into the sun...I walked two blocks and ducked into a corner store to buy and gulp a whole bottle of Smart Water.  

I don't have air-conditioning in my bedroom, so I hope my roommates don't mind that I've set up my new bedroom in the living room.  I also hope they don't mind that my new favorite spot to sit in my new bedroom is the cozy chair directly in front of the air-conditioner.  I'm from Nebraska, which can get as equally hot and steamy, (but without the smelly factor of NYC.), and I know there are only two ways to escape heat like this: the pool and air-conditioning.

There were some pre-teen summers in Nebraska where I would spend almost every single day at the pool.  I would go to swim-team practice in the morning, come home, eat some sort sort of microwave lunch and watch MTV.  Then at 1pm, I would get on my neon green ten-speed bike and head back to the pool for free swim all afternoon.  For weeks, this was the routine.  Once in awhile, I would get bored of the pool or there would be a threat of storms and lighting and the pool would close and without much else to do, I would head over to Danika or Chris's house.  We would go to the video store and rent movies and sit on their parent's bed and watch movies in air-conditioning, escaping the summer heat.  We would watch one right after another until dinner time.   I remember sometimes just watching the same movie over again.  Doesn't that sound nice?  

Today it is supposed to be 110 degrees in NYC, and these days I don't spend hardly any time at a pool.  I don't even know where I can find a pool in NYC.  (Does anyone have any suggestions?  I love to swim!!)  I also rarely spend whole days just watching movies.  And, even though I love summer and I do try to spend as much of free time enjoying sunny weather in Central Park, running at Riverside Park, and sitting in outdoor cafes as I can...This week the heat is just too intense to be doing outdoor activities.  Plus, it's hard to move when your normally solid, strong body has turned into a gooey mess. 

So, with a few free afternoons of no auditions, I have been on an air-conditioned, movie watching kick.  Like most actors, I have a constant and ever-growing list of movies to watch and plays I want to see and read just to feel up-to-speed and educated in my chosen profession!  Movie theatres are basically the coldest, most over-airconditioned places I can think of, so what better way to escape an NYC heat wave and get a little actor-work/research done, than spending your day on a double feature?  Also, did you know if you go before noon, you can see movies for six dollars at the AMC theatres in NYC??  So cheap!!  

I watched Midnight in Paris and Beginners in the movie theatre yesterday. (Both excellent!!)  Then, at home with the AC cranked and a fan blowing in my face, I watched French Connection.  Next, on my list are Manhattan, Days of Heaven, and Junebug.  The only problem is the more I watch, the more I research other movies and actors and now my To-Watch list is getting longer and longer...But then again, it doesn't look like the heat is going to subside until sometime next week...Good thing I nabbed this chair in front of the air conditioner!!!  Teeheehee!!  

Are you bummed cause you're an actor with no auditions, work,  or vacation plans outside of steamy NYC this week?  All  you need to survive is this: Iced coffee, a bag of gummy bears, and movies....you'll be inspired before you know it!!  And make sure you've claimed that cozy spot right in front of that good 'ole AC.

--  Emily Kinney

 

Comments

[Justine]

Yes, there are pools in NYC. Check out this link:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/pools

I never seem to get around to it myself but I had a neighbor who loved swimming in the NYC public pools. What I tend to do is go to the Brooklyn beaches and walk and put my feet in the water, although not even trying the beach this weekend since it's so darn hot!

Can't wait 'til this intense heat wave ends!

[Justine]

P.S. I forgot to add: I've been enjoying The Big C episodes! Great to see you there. Sorry that Adam was so rude to Emily though. :)

[Tom]

Now that you've seen "French Connection," watch the sequel. It makes the first one look like a Tim Burton movie, with Hackman giving an amazing performance. It is much, much darker.

[Prudence]

Good luck surviving these hot, summer days! And movies are always the best way to relax; the films you're seeing sound great!