All that stuff I was saying before about autumn being my favorite time of year was lies, absolute lies. It is a miserable, awful time of year. Also, I hate pumpkin beer.

Sorry ... the view from the windows here at Press Herald Plaza is aggressively bleak. Gray and soaked for as far as the eye can see ... which is up to the top of Munjoy Hill ... until the fog sets in.

On a day like this there's only one thing a man can do (at least until he gets off work), and that is Yacht Rock it out.

Yeah, that happened. I'll admit it, I mix my between Kanye West with Kenny Loggins. I don't know what that says about me.

Let's get on to the weekend.

FRIDAY

• Would you believe it's Pecha Kucha night at SPACE Gallery tonight? Pencha Kucha (which, if I'm reading the right Web sites, is Japanese for the sound of conversation) is an opportunity for artists/designers/architects and creatives of all types to mingle and share their work. But the brilliant part (other than providing a space and some cocktails) is that each presenter only gets to talk about their ideas for 6:40, which breaks down to about 20 seconds per slide if you bring visuals. It starts at 7 p.m. and is only $5 to get in. Go learn something new.

• There's a Poetry Slam night at Threeways. Yes, that's right. Threeways. The same people that hosted Girls Gone Wild a few months back, want to get the poetry slam scene revived. Tonight's slam runs from 7 -10 p.m. and includes prizes for the winners. Now, I can't blame someone for trying to encourage writing and poetry, but that's quite the path to take if you want your work to get read. Let's call it "A Tree Grows in the Alley of Shame" stuff.

• Punkabiliy Bonanza at Geno's, featuring The Outsiders, Genuine Rust and The Murder Weapon, with a special appearance from Whistlebait Burlesque. It's $5 and starts at 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Over at the North Star Cafe tonight there's a fundraiser dance party for the Dyke March. If you are a lady who likes ladies who likes to dance, perhaps this is a place you would like to be tonight. Or if you'd like to throw a few buck towards helping out the annual gay pride march. That too.

• I can't say I knew what gypsy-punk would sound like until I heard some Gogol Bordello, which, I'll admit, I did to be cool and pretend to be in the know. But as I listen to a little more and more, I have to say it grows on you. But in seriousness, they're obnoxiously high-energy, completely over the top and use entirely too much accordion. Which means they're bound to be a good show. Today they're playing at Bates at 9 p.m., tickets are $10 - $12 at Bull Moose. Of course you're taking that classic gamble any music fan in Maine has run into at some point - the shakey college sound system. Doesn't matter if it's Bowdoin, Bates or Colby. Roll the dice.

• If you'd like to keep your rock dollars local, or at least spend fewer of them and save some for PBR, head over to Geno's. Thee Monkey Butlers, The Quasi-Men and Dan Frank and the True Belivers are playing starting at 9 p.m. and it's $5.

SUNDAY

• We here at NXT are sports fans, and not ashamed to admit it. And since we're fans of teams that don't originate out of the greater Boston area, we have to beg, borrow and steal to find ways to see our teams play. Today the Vikings are at the Bears, in what promises to be a grinding, monotonous, and otherwise abysmal game. It won't feature all the things the Patriots/Cowboys games will have # good quarterback play, solid defense and decisive coaching. But I'll be at Dock Fore regardless. (Hint - cheap beer and free hot dogs on Sundays.) I'll be the depressed looking guy in a viking helmet.

Finally, your online video moment of the week, which comes to us from College Humor. I will not leave it here (the bosses say it is a little too blue), but instead will link to it. (Contains a few colorful words. May want to break out the headphones.)

Are YOU looking for a new energy drink that is EXTREME, PUNK? Oh you know you are. You've had the worst... now try THE THIRST - POWERTHIRST!

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