So Now Then.

Folks, we are in the middle of one hell of a heat wave in NYC. I can barely take two steps without having to wipe the pouring sweat off my brow. Which got me thinking about summertime, and how it always reminds me of running outside, barefoot on the scorching sidewalks, to chase down the Ice Cream Man. If he drove by my office today, I would surely run out and order everything he had. What's your favorite Popsicle® flavor? Mine is Cherry.

Thank God for Air-Conditioning. It's the only thing keeping me sane at this point. That, and Cut Copy's Ghost Colours, officially the album of the summer.

It's hot outside but it's cool at the movies. Here are five to see, and why:

Speed Racer: Fun, visually sumptuous and loud.

Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr. is inspired.

Reprise: Youthful, energetic, passionate and moving. (Pictured above)

The Visitor: Simple story. Simply told. Good.

Sex And The City: Overlong, well-acted, surprisingly dark.

Remember the scene in "The Royal Tenenbaums" where Luke Wilson's character stands in front of a mirror, shaves all of his hair off and then takes the knife to his arm? Yeah, that scene! It was scored to one of my favorite Elliott Smith songs, "Needle in the Hay," and now - strangely - Kermit the Frog reenacts the scene. Why? Who only knows.

The lesson we can gleam from this amusing bit of pop candy? Even Kermit the Frog can be sad, kids - and don't you forget it.

That's a clip from last night's Conan O'Brien of She & Him, my favorite group of the moment. They're seen here getting a little background help from friends Yo La Tengo.

Last night's She & Him show at Webster Hall, their first major performance, was amazing. Zooey Deschanel had lost her voice the previous night, so there was no between-song chitchat sadly, but it was made up in spades by her winning smile and her outward enthusiasm to be on stage in front of a packed house of very ardent admirers. I think I heard everyone around me comment on how cute she was.

2 more days till Europe! It was a great way to get me in the mood.

M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel of She & Him

1. TELEVISION: Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown

For some reason the Travel Channel is missing in my cable package at home, but I'm getting my fix on this great show at the gym in my office during lunchtime. I run on the treadmill while I travel with plucky tour guide Samantha Brown to places like Lisbon, Rome and Seville. My own European Adventure is on the horizon, so I'm a tiny bit obsessed with learning as much as I can about European cities. What I love most about Samantha, who I wish was a friend, is her insatiable curiosity for the off-beaten path, for her sheer enthusiasm over something simple as a cup of coffee and for her humor (warm with just a dash of sarcasm). She makes my ridiculous case of wanderlust seem that much more reasonable - and for that, I'm grateful.

2. MUSIC: She & Him, Vol. One

"What can you do with a sentimental heart?" That's the question that indie-actress-turned-torch-singer Zooey Deschanel (pictured above) poses right from the start of her charming, wonderful new collaboration with indie troubadour M. Ward. And what do you do with one? You start the Spring season by listening to this album. It's a throw-back to a bygone era when vocals take the center stage and production fussiness is at a minimum. Fun Fact: As I learned from a recent interview with Ward in Rolling Stone, many of the songs on the album were recorded in just one take. How's that for natural talent? Don't expect perfection, though. The real quality of the record emerges when Deschanel makes no apologies for her unpolished, unforced delivery.

3. ONLINE FUN: The Jeannie Tate Show

Comedian Liz Cackowski's alter-ego Jeannie Tate, a hyper soccer mom, interviews celebrities in her mini-van while taking her kids to after-school activities. It's funny in the "Strangers with Candy" tradition, so expect sly, subtle humor that's slightly cracked-out with wide-eyed mania. Note to the casting office at SNL: Get this girl on-board! Start with this episode, where Jeannie picks up Rashida Jones from "The Office" and immediately nicknames her "Sheeda." For which reasons I can't explain, is the funniest part of the whole thing.

4. MUSIC VIDEO: Jens Lekman's "Sipping On Sweet Nectar"

I just saw Jens at Webster Hall last weekend and when his backing band (comprised almost entirely of beautiful women) started up "Sipping on Sweet Nectar," I immediately hoped he would bring some of the lovely whimsy he brought to his music video of the same name. I wasn't disappointed. Towards the end of the song, the band put down their instruments, flung out their arms and pretended to fly around the stage.

5. SHOES: Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Ultimate 81^TM shoes

Aren't these puppies beautiful? I want them on my feet while I walk up and down the street. As my boss says, "Every day is a Runway." Not exactly my motto, but damn if these shoes won't make me feel like a million bucks. Update: I still have not purchased them. Probably won't.