My Soap Opera Madness

Reason #901 Why I'm Not Badass: After a 10 year absence and with the assistance of Youtube, I've once again been sucked into a soap opera.

My Thursday Glee Reaction (9.24.09)

And we haven't got to the Beyonce-dancin' football kicker yet.

My New York City Transit Museum

With a Sunday afternoon slowly wasting away, Wendy and I decided to make an impromptu visit to the New York Transit Museum. I haven't been there since I won a drawing contest in junior high school (don't laugh), and have always wanted to go back to ride some old subway trains and buses.

Thank goodness they got rid of the wicker seats. I hate wicker.

If Wendy's that terrified of driving a bus, wait til she sees the faces of the pedestrians.

This car reminds me of jail.

Missing a stationed train.

I prefer this price for a train ride.

Also, this ad in one of the train cars definitely got its point across.

My Upcoming Stage Plays

In an obvious move to corner more of that teeny-bopper audience, a stage musical version of 'Bring It On' in now in the works. It makes sense since there's already tons of dancing it in already. Ten bucks says Jerry Mitchell is jealous he didn't think of it first. (Playbill)

Onto something with a little more artistic value, 'Next Fall' will make the transfer from Off-Broadway to Broadway in the upcoming spring. I'm super, uber-excited about this transfer and hopes it translates well. For a second there, I thought it was going to be another one of those topical plays I'll never get the chance to see. (Playbill)

My Racist Baby

Probably.

My TIFF Experience

I don't know why I don't attend these things more often, but I seem like enjoy most of the film festivals I have attended in my life. Perhaps it's because I know that I'm in the company of fellow film enthusiasts who are just as excited to see what the top filmmakers of the world have to offer. Whatever the reason is, the result is the same- people are just giddy to be there.

I had the chance to travel up north to Toronto a couple of the weekends ago to check out a few flicks with longtime buddy Eric and short time buddy Jordan. It wasn't until then that I realized how great of a town Toronto really is. It's clean, people are friendly and everything is easily accessible.

So what exactly did I see? The studio release of 'The Informant!' with Matt Damon and 'Fish Tank', a BBC funded grit drama. And even if the genre of the two films couldn't be anymore different, the mere experience of watching them in a great environment resulted in the same bliss.

How's that for an ambiguous film review?

My Miss New York 2009

In another sign that most of the Asian community just doesn't care about western pop culture, how is it possible the news Tracey Chang, the first foreign born Miss New York, not even make a blurb in the papers? Anyway, Chang went on to lose in the Miss USA contest earlier this year. Maybe it's just me, but I'm still haven't a tough time separating beauty pageant contestants and Stepford wives. I think it's the smile... how either of them never stop smiling. It creeps me out.

My Serena Meltdown

Oh Serena, what happened? What happened to the poise you've always shown on court even though we all know you were a firecracker inside? Were you just frustrated from the two sets earlier and everything just built up to that inexcusable outburst? Not that I was ever a fan of yours, but US Tennis is already in disarray- we certainly don't need you to drag it down even more. (ESPN)

My Thursday Glee Reaction

I love cutaways. I love laughing at desperate people. This clip from last night's AMAZING episode of 'Glee' gave me both.

My Derek Jeter Hit Parade

Well, he's only one away. One hit away from having the most hits in New York Yankee history. If you think about the history that comes along with this organization, it's pretty remarkable how current Yankee fans have the opportunity to witness such a moment. When Derek Jeter undoubtedly get that next hit, the Yankee captain will be showered with praise and jubilation. I don't think it a Yankee more deserving.

My iPod Nano

Great. Another toy from the folks by Apple I don't need but want. What is otherwise a lackluster presentation by Steve Jobs, the hottest product to emerge form yesterday's speech is that the new iPod Nano that contains but video recording (much like the new iPhone 3GS) and a FM tuner. Pricing at $149 (and $179 for the 16gb) , it definitely gives me an alternative to upgrading to the 3GS.

My Glee

Much like I did last season with 'Mad Men', I'll be doing weekly reactions to 'Glee' episodes all year long. It's been nearly four months since the sneak peek premiere and a new episode FINALLY airs tonight. I so cannot stinkin' wait.

My Mad Men Season Three Update

I'm still uneasy about this current season of 'Mad Men'. While dramatic things are definitely happening, I'm still waiting that switch to turn off much like seasons one and two where all the stories kick it up a notch. One thing is for certain though, Matt Weiner and company are definitely giving Peggy Olsen some fun and silly stuff to do.

My Gay Clooney Fan

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Not sure what I loved more about this video. The reporter's full throttle attempt to embarrass himself by professing his "love" or Clooney's quick witted reaction.

My Night at the US Open

Granted, the matches themselves were a bit of a bore, but when Novak Djokovic summoned John McEnroe to the court and the two played two points, it was a uproarious. Along with buddies Mark and Cheryl, we enjoyed the cool breeze of the unofficial end of summer.

The gang had more fun eating waffle fries than watching the second match.

A new exhibit letting attendees tryout their tennis skills.

8 dollar cheeseburgers and the before mentioned waffle fries.

Oh... I served a disappointing 77 mph.

My Free Ice-Cream Sandwich

While at my local Toys-R-Us here at Caesar's Bay with a few friends to pick up an underrated boardgame known as Dicecapades, we were told we got free sandwiches for every $20 we spend there. It's a bit of an odd promotion but I ended up walking out of the giant toy store with an delicious ice cream sandwich bar. Just a heads up for my fellow Brooklynites looking to score a deal for frozen treats.

My Top Shop

After getting bargain deals shopping at Top Shop yesterday, I'm still having mixed feelings about the British import. All my female friends who went there were not impressed with the women's selection and the price of the clothes, but the same cannot be said about the guys' department. Some things were as cheap as they are in Walmart. I bought a pair of jeans and 2 new t-shirts for $10 each. That's kinda insane considering Top Shop is located in SoHo. You'd think I'd fall head over heels for this place but the main turnoff? This sign saying how they have fashion consultants (or 'Style Advisors') on premise to tell you what not to buy. I overheard an employee telling a guy "to put those flare jeans back because he doesn't have the package to fill out the front." No joke.

My Hilarious Gruesome Murder

Because there's nothing funnier than a man charged with chopping up his wife.

My iPhone Dilemma

Please don't make me upgrade... please.

My Dinara Safina Complex

I guess I'm just hating on the ladies today. Dinara Safina, the current number one ranked female tennis player in the world, struggled through another grand slam match. Under immense scrutiny for her top ranked status without winning a single career grand slam, the pressure definitely showed. I haven't been impressed by any of her matches since she arrived on the WTA tour. She never looks comfortable, always nervous and about to break down and cry at any given moment. Not to mention every victory she pulls out, it seems as if it's relief more than joy she displays. So just how is she #1? Is the rest of the women's tour doing that bad?

My Horrible Pop Song

I've never truly acquainted myself with the controversial and tween idol Miley Cyrus mainly because I don't care to. But man, when my car radio decides to invade my ears with her latest "hit", 'Party In The USA', I felt like someone was raping my ears. I couldn't believe that one, this was an actual song and two, that it is a hit. I was never fan of pop culture references in my music and this namedrops like there's no tomorrow.

My Awful Facebook Fail

It doesn't get anymore embarrassing than letting your friends know about your sex life via Facebook. People's inability to use technology is always good for a laugh. FAIL.

My Santa Rosalia

Taking a note from Brian over at BK Southie, I went to this year's Santa Rosalia fair in the neighborhood for the first time in years with a few friends. Though there seems to be plenty to do, the main themes are food, games and very loud music.

Street festivities are a lost art.

The Greeks came out to celebrate as well.

No, I didn't bet my rent money.

A rotating meat grill. Intense.

We lost skeeball race derby... to a five year old girl.

Trying my first deep fried Oreo cookie... I spit it out right after.

My Ten Straight Thumbs Up Movies

It's a rarity I don't complain about the films I watch. Either I've become numb and dull to films nowadays or I'm just liking everything I've been seeing- it's hard to tell. It wasn't until this past weekend when a reader mentioned to me how I liked the last ten films I've watched that I realized I haven't seen a bad film this summer. Granted, I opted out of the obvious missteps of 'G.I. Joe', 'Transformers 2' and 'Year One', but still... it's quite a feat. Here are my one-sentence reactions to those ten films:

1. Taking Woodstock- Signature detached emotions from Ang Lee with Woodstock nation as its backdrop.

2. Inglourious Basterds- My new favorite QT film is also the easiest of his films to be adapted to a stage play.

3. The Time Traveller's Wife- Just like 'The Notebook', cheesy, over the top but somehow still got me.

4. (500) Days of Summer- Best romantic comedy in years.

5. District 9- A better version of 'Cloverfield'.

6. The Hurt Locker- Will easily occupy the independent film slot at this year's Oscars and deservedly so.

7. Julie and Julia- I'm not sure who was more fun to watch- Streep over the top as Childs or Adams as a mopey wannabe.

8. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince- Full Review Here

9. The Hangover- Easiest laugh I've had all summer.

10. Up- Pixar predictably scores again.