Labor Day weekend, which is the traditional signal for the end of the vacation season. Thankfully it is not the end of summer.

But let's be honest here. School is starting up, most people have to get back to their jobs, and if you had vacation time you've likely used it up on the rare nice day, a quick get-away vacation, or yet another friend's wedding.

So if this is it, why not enjoy it, why not make an adventure of this weekend?

Get out the grill, stockpile the summer beers (I saw Gritty's Halloween Ale already...) get a pile of meat and just find a way to get outside.

Over the summer I've raised the question of what makes a good summer time bar? Well, summer's almost officially over, so whatever criteria you use, you'd be smart to follow it this weekend.

So far the only good indicators I've gotten from people are decks, drink specials and live music. In that spirit, this weekend may be a good one to hit the "Deck Circuit" around Portland and Southern Maine.

It's another Friday, which means I get to kick back for a bit and let the readers do the work.
Though it's been a slow week, commenter AC came through in the end, largely due to her love of "Teen Wolf." And who among us would not wear a "Wolf Buddy" T-shirt?

Behold, AC, your Commenter of the Week, and she has a plan to make Portland just a little better...

It's the day before Friday - just think of the hangover before going to happy hour tonight. It's also means its time for The Scanner: Where shame is the only currency.

In most people's lives a moment will come along where you realize who your good friends are and why your life is better off with them in it.

For most of us this time comes when you need help moving or getting over a vicious break-up.

It's Tuesday, which means all sorts of delicious new DVDs and CDs on the shelves. It also means it's time to wake up our resident film geek Mr. Videoport Jones, and talk about the new releases.

No, I am not teaching a Poli Sci course - which is good for all of us.

If you'll recall a few weeks back there was a minor dust-up between Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic Congressman Tom Allen, who is hoping to take her spot in the Senate next year.

I chased a group of young filmmakers just for your reading pleasure.

It's been a pretty busy week here at NXT. We chatted with our buddy and resident film aficionado (don't call him a snob) Videoport Jones, had a lively discussion about the widening generation gap, and talked about the future of music.

Which thankfully brings us to the weekend. It's one of the few summer weekends left - spend it wisely.

I think we might be onto something with this Commenter of the Week thing. In the second week we've now attracted more comments, more votes, and overall created a bigger community here at NXT. In short, it means you don't have to listen to me prattle on constantly.

It was a close contest, with the Canadian (Jonathan) nearly getting the title for the second week, but Alex pulled out the victory and is you Commenter of the Week.

Read his words and know the end of college is nigh...

Thursdays mean The Scanner - Twenty-five cent wings and cheap sarcasm until 10 p.m.

A lot of things go on at college campuses in preparation for the incoming hordes of freshman and other new students.

Dorms have to be hosed down, meat patties have to be ordered, merchandise has to be marked up and textbooks have to be tossed in the garbage to make way for new editions.

If it's Tuesday that means it's new DVD release day. And here at NXT, that means Videoport Jones, Videoport's biggest fan/stalker, is chomping at the bit to talk about some of the fresh meat on the shelves at your local video store or retailer.

Though sheer coincidence, both today's column and iHerald are focused on the world of music. But really, the bigger theme seems to be the future of music and the industry that has built itself around it.

So looking back, what have we learned this week? Don't force underclassmen to drink and leak your own incriminating photos? Politicians can get picky if you stick a camera in their face? Even the biggest party girls have to settle down at some point?

It's a big day here at NXT as our first Commenter of the Week gets to cut loose. Jonathan batted consistently this week and got on base most of the time. He's Canadian, so he may not get that reference.

If it's Thursday then it must mean time for The Scanner - it's like an intervention, only more fun.

Tuesdays – not just the day after Monday anymore. For music and movie addicts, Tuesday's are an important day – it's new release day.

When you come across a good local story about something you’re into, it’s hard not to get a little excited. When I first heard about Small Victory Studios my first reaction was "how sweet is that, a local company that does original T-shirts!"

Does it scare anyone else that we're almost at Labor Day? Where did my summer go? What happen to the times out on the deck at Amigos, or the meat-sweat inducing grill-offs? What about the car chases?

It's Thursday, which means it's time for The Scanner - All the Internet, now with 20 percent less spam.

In the spirit of shaking things up, I wanted to pose a few questions to you, the audience at home (or work, or on your mobile phone or PDA. Why are you reading this on your phone? What if your boss/wife notices?)

In case you did not hear, Apple is making yet another stab at global domination, or at least cornering the coveted "Back-to-School!" market. They have released the newest iMac. It is sleek, cold and exhilarating ... according to all the news coverage and geek lust.

I wanted to backtrack real quick on a few things for yesterday, mostly, MORE INTERNET!

As some of you may have noticed, I popped up over to the iHerald section today talking about some of my favorite Web sites. I do so love the Internets.

Yeah, you read that right. Girls Gone Wild, as in "reliably-sketchy-
always-getting-sued-for-not-getting-girls'-permission
-to-air-their-drunken-exploits" "Girls Gone Wild."

It’s not that kids are allergic or afraid of sunlight, it’s just that some don’t see the need for it. Why go outside when the Internet can bring you the real world, and your Xbox 360 can bring you a fake one...with explosions and car chases?