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It was a week of high frivolity, as the city gave itself over to ogling frocks (and the preternaturally beautiful models who wore them), erecting enormous artworks, and arguing about porn.

By week’s end, New Yorkers were more than willing to heed the sage’s advice to those consumed by regret: Do all you can to mitigate the harm caused by your behavior, and resolve not to be so foolish again.

Although the iniquitous were mostly out of town New York was hit by blows of fire and ice that felt like divine retribution.

Epic suffering elsewhere in the world made the misfortunes of New Yorkers seem merely farcical by contrast, but they were real enough to those who experienced them.

While the rest of the nation gave itself over to other preoccupations, the city insouciantly carried on with the ordinary business of life.

Having somehow endured another Christmas, New York entered the cheerful but slightly crapulous run-up to New Year’s Eve determined not to let the hard mask of amusement slip.

As the holiday season officially commenced, New York noticed with some consternation that it had already gained five pounds.

The city’s nerve endings were a-tingle as it entered the mad whirl of gaiety that commences with Thanksgiving and ends in the wee hours of New Year’s Day.

A TV celebrity was married, a great museum reopened, and a giant electronic snowflake was installed over midtown.

New York ceased its vain lamentations over the election and returned to the important business of being the nation’s cultural capital.