My Frugal Traveler

Ever since I've decided to go to Europe for vacation earlier this summer, I've been gathering tips from various Europeans I know and looking over "must do" attractions from different places. The one thing I've following closely is Matt, the Frugal Europe Traveler over at New York Times. The guy manages to spend under $125 a day, and that's including lodging! My personal favorite so far is his Rome entry. Not only does he grant the little things to do for cheap there, he also manages to navigate you to those places from main attractions such as the Coliseum. 

As August 1st, my take-off date, approaches, I'll be sure to get reading more on what Matt is upto over there in Europe and see if he'll hit anymore spots I know I'd be going once I get there. (NYT)

My 'Hood

It's weird when little Bensonhurst gets showcased for the audience of TimeOut. It's simply not their demographic's scene. I suppose people do like to hang out next to cemeteries, eclectic mixes of non-English speaking stores and restaurants, the lack of transportation to get around, garbage on the side of streets, rawdy teenagers.....

Okay, I lie. It's my pitiful attempt to push away a new crowd of twenty-somethings from moving in on my neighborhood. Things are still cheap and affordable here, down to the 50 cent per pound laundry service. I love all those things, except for those rawdy teenagers- they make me feel old. (TimeOut)

My Patrick Wilson Criticism

Being a huge fan of Patrick Wilson, I can't help but admit how ridiculous he looks in the upcoming Zack Snyder film, "The Watchmen". I hope the undoubted success of this film won't cause Wilson to steer too far away from his roots and go the Gerard Butler route. (EW)

My West Side Story

Since 'Gypsy' was such a big hit,  the 90-year-old Arthur Laurents decided to go ahead with a new production of 'West Side Story'. The catch? It's going to be bilingual! Am I worried? Of course I am. Unlike film, theatre doesn't lend itself to subtitles. If I remember 'West Side Story' correctly, the parts where the Sharks are suppose to speak Spanish are plentiful. I can't help but wonder if this production got greenlit due to the mega-success of 'In The Heights', this year's Tony Award winner for Best Musical. 

For the sake of not alienating the dominant theater audience, I'm sure Laurents and his many, many years of experience will alter the book into something marketable without bending the original vision he had over 50 years ago when 'West Side Story' first set on stage. (NYT)

My 'Uggly' Errors

C'mon. The pun practically writes itself. Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla had a rough tenth inning during Tuesday's All-Star. Not only did he ground into an inning-ending double with the winning run at third, he proceeded to commit two fielding errors during the bottom half of the inning. 

I know it's a little late, but it just dawned on me how much it reminded me of Chuck Knoblauch back in his error-prone Yankee days at the same location. (AP)

My Initial Emmy Nominations Reaction

I don't know why they keep doing this. Even with the constant rule changes to prevent something like this, it always seem to happen with these Emmy folks. Why do shows like 'Boston Legal' keep getting noticed while shows like 'The Wire', 'Brothers and Sisters', 'Friday Night Lights' and even 'Desperate Housewives', which had a great rebound year, get snubbed? I mean, 'Boston Legal', with the picture above is nominated for best DRAMA series! Anyway, here are a few other things I have an opinion about from this morning's announcement....

LOVED:

- Amy Poehler's groundbreaking nomination in the supporting actress category.

- 'Flight of the Conchords's writing nomination.

- Despite doubts, 'Mad Men' came up big.

- 'Grey's Anatomy' is not nominated for best drama.

- Ashley Jensen's nomination for her better role in 'Extras' oppose to 'Ugly Betty'.

HATED:

- Movie stars winning the popularity contest. Glenn Close, Sally Field, Kevin Spacey, Ralph Fiennes, Holly Hunter, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Dianne Wiest, Eileen Atkins, Angelica Huston, Bob Balaban and Robin Williams.... yes, I'm looking at you.

- The supporting actress nominees in the drama category all bother me. Even Rachel Griffiths. 

- 'Friday Night Light' mustered only one nomination, for outstanding casting.

- Ryan Seacrest's first nomination. This is going to go straight to his head.

- James Spader is going to win again, isn't he? 

Click here to catch all the nominees and see what all the middle aged white men nominated besides 'Two and a Half Men'. 

My Jon McLaughlin Experience

Many months ago, I've declared my appreciation for one Jon McLaughlin. So this past Monday, my friends Justin, Larissa and I went to the Bowery Ballroom to his latest concert. Despite playing some of his "bigger" hits from his debut album, Jon played many samples of his sophomore disc, titled "OK Now". To my surprise, most of the newer songs were inspired by 80s pop. 

On our way out of the small venue, I passed Jon and got the chance to meet the guy. The encounter was brief, but he does seem to be a genuinely nice guy and let me take a picture with him. The other thing I got from meeting him? He's like 5'6. Short fella. 

My Four-Month Absence

For the few of you who've actually logged in occasionally prior to my extended, unannounced absence, I do apologize. I really should've said something.... 

If you were wondering what I've been upto in the past few months, I got caught up on one of the best sets ever shooting an independent film pending a 2009 release. Besides that, just little things here and there which I'm sure to blog about. I've really missed the constant typing my thoughts here. I know, excuses... excuses... I'm gonna try harder, I promise.