It may still be blistering hot out, but being back at school is a painful reminder that Fall is right around the corner. Fall means homework, it means cold weather, and it means no more staying up until 4 Am trying to kill a bottle of Jack Daniels. Well, maybe that last one still applies, but you get the point. Anyway, even though Fall is no Summer, there is going to be plenty of stuff going on in 2011, and if you’re not excited right now, we’re here to help. The heat may be coming to an end, but here’s 10 things going down in Fall 2011 that will undoubtedly soothe the pain.
The US Open (8/29/2011 – 9/11/2011)
How many Tennis fans I got out there? Nobody? I’ll tell you what I tell anybody I’ve ever spoken to about Tennis: give yourself one US Open and you will be hooked. Why 2011? Crazy things have been happening this year. The stronghold that has ruled over Tennis for the last half a decade has finally started to shift. Rafael Nadal (you may have heard of him) is injury prone and not what he used to be and Roger Federer (you also may have heard of him) may never make a legitimate title run again. Guys like Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray who have played 3rd and 4th fiddle for years are finally starting to take a stand and pot is beginning to stir. Think of it like the Red Sox winning the World Series in 2004 and the Rays going the distance in 2008. In short, this is the year to witness Tennis history, and the beginning of a new age.
The Blitz and Beatz Tour (9/1/2011 – 11/19/2011)
The 2nd annual Blitz and Beatz tour, the only tour that visits 12 different University campuses on homecoming weekend, is back for Round 2. I’ve been sitting in the Campus Socialite Office, listening to this thing being planned for months, and from a semi-outsider’s perspective, it’s going to be frickin huge. Featured artists Napalm and Afrobeta have been working with us all the way through to make sure this tour hits your school like a hurricane and leaves nothing but Solo Cups and disaster. Check out the full schedule here and find out where and when the storm approaches.
The End (Finally) of Entourage (9/11/2011)
Let’s get something straight: I am in no way, shape or form hating on Entourage. I’ve been watching Vinny Chase and the gang bang girls, party hard, and live the high life for years and it’s been a frickin ride. But what goes up must come down, and Entourage came down somewhere in-between Vince playing Nick Carraway and getting punched out by Eminem. The show has taken a major turn for the worse, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just time for some closure. So far this season has been just ok, but I have faith that everything will shoot sky high for the Finale. I’m hearing something about a movie too but i’ll believe it when I see it.
September 11th Ten Year Anniversary (9/11/2011)
Time to get serious for a second. This year marks the 10th anniversary of one of the saddest days our country has ever had to face. As a lifelong New Yorker, and someone who knows many people who lost loved ones, that day was especially hard on me. Ok, maybe 9/11/2011 isn’t something to look forward to, but I have a feeling there will be just as much celebration of our country as there will be mourning of the fallen. Those terrorists thought they were going to take down the entire establishment, but look: a job at Mcdonalds may require a college degree, our politicians might not be able to agree on what color the sky is, and we may have the same credit rating as Nicholas Cage, but we persevered. Oh and by the way, Osama Bin Laden got shot by American troops just a few months ago. Fuck Yeah!
The Return of the Puffy Jacket (Mid-October On)
Remember a few years back when you could be stylish and warm at the same time. The big North Face jackets of the early 200os fell quickly out of fashion, replaced by sleeker Pea Coats and Corduroys. Maybe not such a bad thing, but I happened to be walking past some NYC shops the other day and couldn’t help but notice that puffy is making a come back. The newer versions are cleaner and slimmer looking and come in all your favorite hipster colors, but on the warmness scale they have to at least be close to the North Faces of old, right? There are very few times throughout history where fashion and practicality merge together and we appear to be entering one of them. Enjoy it while you can.
The World Series (Late October)
A lot of people stuff on Baseball, but whether you love it or hate it, the sport and especially the World Series is a part of our culture. Every year is an interesting year for baseball. Last year it was the year of the pitcher and maybe the least-likely World Series matchup in the history of the sport. The year before that it was the Yankees winning their first World Series since 2000 in a brand new stadium. This year, well, it’s really just one big rat race. Currently there are 6 teams above a .550 win ratio. The Phillies are dominating the National League, while the Yankees and Red Sox are going shot for shot in the American League. It’s anyone’s race this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if two sleepers went toe to toe in the World Series again this year. Did I mention Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit? What about Jim Thome’s 600th Home Run? In a sport full of history and excitement, this is the year to hop on board.
Allen Gregory (10/30/2011)
Nobody does adult cartoons like FOX. The Simpsons, Family Guy, Futurama, need I say more. This Fall, Fox is throwing another horse into the race with Allen Gregory. The character Allen Gregory is voiced by Jonah Hill. He’s a 7 year old who’s already a road scholar and now has to attend elementary school. It looks a little on the weird side, but if you read Top Tweets earlier this week, you know staff-writer Guy Endore-Kaiser is frickin hysterical, and as much as Jonah Hill is prone to a flop, he’s also prone to a win. I’d give it a shot.
Anonymous Takes Down Facebook (11/5/2011)
Anybody who saw V For Vendetta knows that November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day: The anniversary of a man named Guy Fawkes attempting to suicide bomb the British Parliament building. I’m not sure if this is the reason Anonymous picked that day as the day they would destroy Facebook, or even what the connection could be, but either way, it’s apparently happening. Anonymous is a group of “Hacktivists” who hack websites of companies and groups who they feel have committed some kind of wrong. According to them, enough is enough with Facebook’s shady privacy controls and the selling of your data to the highest bidder. Anonymous intends to finish the job that the Winkelvoss Twins couldn’t: Get Zuck. Personally, I love Facebook and I would hate to see it go down in flames. Still though, i’m very interested to see what happens….if anything.
11/11/11 (11/11/11)
This one is kinda lame, i’ll admit, but there is something kinda cool about a triple number date. Think about it: after 12/12/12 we wont get another shot at this for another century. It may be stupid, but for some reason, people care. It’s a Saturday so expect some sick parties and maybe even a wedding. Yes, people fight for dates like these for weddings. They’re worried you will forget. It’s also my girlfriend’s birthday if that helps.
The Muppets Movie (11/23/2011)
If you’re currently in your 20s, chances are you grew up during some era of Muppet History. Whether it be Muppet Babies, The Muppet Show or the awful movies of the late 90’s, The Muppets were a part of our childhood and a part of Americana. Well, Jason Segal wasn’t about to watch the tradition die, so he’s bringing them back for 20111, in a movie he wrote, directed and stars in. Segal’s last writing project, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, was awesome so no reason to think this one wont be equally as great. Plus it’s the Muppets trying to steal back their studio from an evil oil tycoon. Jason Segal, Amy Adams, The Muppets and social relevancy. Socialite Approved.
