The Most Overrated Holiday Of The Year

AKA- New Year's Eve!!

It's a night in which everyone in New York City pays an exhorbitant amount of money to go to a bar with 300 other people that they don't know in order to have a great time. Chances are that you won't have a good time and it'll be a gaggle of bridge and tunnel weirdos ruining your night.



I like to consider New Year's "amateur night." People who don't normally go out tend to consider themselves badasses on New Year's, which makes it hard for people who actually want to enjoy themselves when there are idiots running around the city.

Why can't I just go to a party at someones house and hang out with friends? Why is it now the norm for everyone to pay $150 for a ticket to a bar you could get into for free on any other night of the year?

This year, in protest of stupidity, I will be having a frill-free New Year's Eve. I'm going to attend a house party and I will wear jeans. I might even wear a sweatshirt. Take that, slutty-girls from Long Island!

Spring Awakening

Anyone who knows me understands that I have a bit of a thing when it comes to Broadway shows. By "thing," I mean slight obsession. I like to stay current with the new shows and it's always been a dream of mine to be a part of the Broadway community. So I regularly see new and interesting shows.

This past Tuesday, I saw "Spring Awakening," a new musical based on the controversial German play with music by Duncan Sheik. I was skeptical going in, unsure on whether or not Duncan Sheik could be trusted with musical theatre. Just look at what happened to Paul Simon's "The Capeman." Oh, you didn't see that one? That's ok, because I think that me and my father might have been the only ones who did see it.

To say that I enjoyed the show would be an understatement. I only wish that I was a teenager when this came out, as it would have changed my life. The play itself is based upon the 1891 play by Frank Wedekind- it was racy then and its racy now. The story is about teenagers going through life, and mainly puberty, without really understanding what is happening to themselves. When they ask their parents they don't get any answers, leaving them to figure it out on their own.



I haven't felt this strongly about a musical since I saw "Rent" over ten years ago. The story will touch anyone who was 16 and clueless which, basically, was everyone you know at one point or another. And the music? Well, let's just say that Duncan Sheik did not disappoint. I was rocking out in my chair...and I don't usually do such things in public. At least not until I've had a few drinks.

So go see "Spring Awakening" as soon as you can. I can't recommend it enough.

The OC And Why You Should Be Watching It Right Now

Last season on The OC, things ended with a bang. What was the bang, you ask? Well, the worst part of the entire show, Mischa Barton, was killed off in a ridiculously dramatic, overdone sequence that could only be done on The OC. I loved it. But I guess I just lost my faith this summer. Rumors abounded about how the new season was going to be lackluster and I believed them. In fact, I hadn't watched a new episode until this evening.



What always got me about this show was the Chrismukkah episodes. Something about Seth Cohen making up a holiday and enforcing rules on everyone really got me going. Also, I have a not-so-secret crush on Mr. Cohen...sue me. Anyway, Chrismukkah rocks.

So when I realized that tonight was the Chrismukkah episode, I knew I had to tune in. I mean, there are Chrismukkah miracles happening everyday, so who was I to say that the miracle wasn't converting me back to this fabulous show? Needless to say, that WAS the miracle tonight! Hooray!!

Ryan, all broody and angry over Marissa's death, has started hooking up with Taylor- a surprise enjoyment from last season. If that isn't a great pairing, I don't know what is. Oh, wait, Seth and Summer are the best....Sethummer forever.

Ok, so back to my point. I had a point? Right...it's that I actually think The OC might be pretty good this season. The underdog that everyone was counting out seems to fighting back. And it's fighting pretty viciously, if I may say so. So I recommend that you start watching it again. Remember, there's no regrets in The OC. Actually, there probably are regrets, but just watch the show. You'll thank me in May, bitch.

Vice Stevens

Ok, so for the past few months I have been working with/helping out a local NYC band. The bands name is Vice Stevens and they rock out. The thing is, I wouldn't have stuck with them if I didn't believe in their music and what they are trying to do. It's important to get to know new, unsigned, original bands and that's what I'm trying to do with Vice. So allow me to introduce to you, Vice Stevens:

A year after their formation, and fresh off their 2006 tour of Europe, Vice Stevens is taking to the streets in your city, with all the zest and unhinged potential energy of a diesel freight train. Fueled by their unique brand of New York indie-- rocking stylings of pop, punk, reggae and new wave, they have just completed their first wave of singles and are looking to spread this new sound from coast to coast-- from the mountains to the country side.

Vice Stevens is constantly pushing the limits and concepts of musical marketing and promotion utilizing a self-contained design branding and street team approach. Sensing the changing landscape of the music industry, Vice has decided to release their music single-by-single shying away from textbook album generation. This gives bits and morsels of their sound which are echoed through intense and one of a kind live performances.

With influences and inspirations running the gamut from Orange County, CA’s Sublime to The Police, Rancid, Radiohead, TV on the Radio, The Beatles and Red Hot Chili Peppers there is a lot to work from and songwriting seems to rise to these standards. Vice Stevens is Andrew Tepper (vocals), Jon Klekman (bass/vocals), Bennett Kolasinski (guitars, synth, vocals) and Carvel Jones (drums, percussion). They formed in late 2005 releasing their first single in early 2006, to much success and wide circulation on the Internet. “Such a Fool” is a reggae punk influenced anthem which talks about rebellion and love.


Check out their newest singles at www.vicestevens.com

Perez Shmerez

Why is this man cool? Sure, he has a ridiculously popular website, but still...he's an assclown. He's pretty scary to look at and he's a huge ass-kisser. In the words of Sandy, "you're a fake and a phony and I wish I never laid eyes on you!"



Perezhilton.com was cool at one point because he wasn't afraid to talk about celebrities and how crazy they are. And then he started to get semi-famous and all shreds of credibility he might have once had were gone. All of a sudden, he's hanging out with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan instead of making fun of them as he should be doing. What the frak!?!

His big claim to fame now is that he "outs" any gay celebrities. What a kind soul, no? Who would't love this big ball of nice?

My cause for outrage this evening was really the final straw for me. Tonight I saw him on VH1's Big in '06 awards. He was presenting the award for Biggest Outlaw, which went to Paris Hilton, and he introduced her by calling her his friend. Ok, Perez, we get it. You're "famous" now. You can hang out with Paris because you've stopped talking shit about her on your website. If the night went according to my own plans, Paris would have sucker-punched him in the face as she accepted the award from him. I guess a girl can always keep dreaming.