On Tuesday evening, I had the special opportunity to go a Ludovico Einaudi concert. You’re probably ask yourself “Who the heck is Ludovico Einaudi?” He’s a wonderful pianist on tour in the United States and Canada. He was born and lives in northern Italy.

I stumbled upon Einaudi after viewing The Mountain, a time lapse video that features his music as the soundtrack. From that day forward, I have really become a fan. I’ve purchased three of his CDs, made my ringtone a clip of Nuvole Bianche, and now have had the pleasure of seeing him live.

It’s funny, as a 25 year old, that I never expected to enjoy piano music as much as I do. In fact, during my younger years as a valet, I remember saying to myself that I’d never like that kind of music. You’d understand how I felt if you had to listen to the radio of a pompous ass who just tipped you 50 cents for parking his Jaguar. Still, Einaudi’s compositions are unlike most of the other music of the same genre. I don’t know what that “thing” is that makes Mozart or Beethoven so incredible, but Einaudi is on their level to me.

I met up with one of my best friends, Rich Pezzillo, in Metro Center and we took the train over to the Kennedy Center. It was the first time I’d ever been there. The theater we were in seated about 150-200 people and surprisingly was only about 75% full.

Einaudi played for 90 minutes, mixing in songs from new and old albums. As Rich put it, “you were able to close your eyes and feel the music.”

I even stayed after the concert for a meet-and-greet and autograph. As he was signing my CD, I asked “Posso prendere una foto con te?” (Can I take a picture with you?). He said very nicely that if he takes one with me, he has to get one with everyone. I did what anyone would do and waited until the very end of the line and got this picture.

I encourage everyone to check out Ludovico Einaudi on youtube or iTunes.

Before I tell you why the countdown is on, let me first say I can’t stand this show. The people on the show ridiculous stereotypes of Italian-Americans. The guys are all muscleheads and the girls all have big boobs. They have no regard for anyone but themselves.

I’ve been to Italy twice, I’ve never once seen a person there act like these buffoons do. People don’t have orange skin. People don’t drink til they puke or fight every other person. The “Italian culture” you claim to be so proud of is nothing more than a made up fantasy world you live in.

Numerous groups have called for a boycott of the show and of its advertisers. The voices are getting so loud that Domino’s Pizza has dropped its sponsorship of the show earlier today. New York Post critic Lisa Stansi correctly states, “Would that programming ever have been allowed if the group were African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Jewish people?”

All this being said, I saw what could be described as one of the funniest things on TV. This is why the countdown has begun. On what could be called a season recap, I stumbled upon this little nugget of goodness. I can’t wait until the full episode airs so I can Tivo it forever.

I want to preface this by saying I never condone domestic violence. What Chris Brown did to Rihanna is horrible and disgusting. This isn’t domestic violence. This is a girl learning that she needs to keep her mouth shut and not talk sh!t to the wrong people, because there are guys that will hit you.

ENJOY!

Buona notte puttana!

Smoking Gun reports:

According to an arrest affidavit, Shlomi met Sasha Harris, 26, at a Miama Beach nightclub on February 7 and subsequently retired with her to his $750 room at the lavish Setai hotel. Shlomi told cops he paid Harris about $1000 in cash after she “propositioned him for straight sex.” Shlomi said that when he kissed Harris, she suddenly “bit his tongue and would not let go.” Shlomi then punched Harris several times until she released his tongue.

Apparently Vince went to Miami and was away from all his groupies. I guess he did what any other washed-up infomercial star would do… he hired a hooker.

It seems like a pretty open and shut case until you look at the mugshot.

If you punch a hooker four times for biting your tongue, why do you have injuries that look like you fought Kimbo Slice?

Bail was set at $19.95… but wait!

Shocking Update: A certain nurse friend of mine has brought it to my attention that the ‘shirt’ Vince is wearing is actually a hospital gown. The print is called snowflakes. Geeze, this story keeps getting better by the second. Nothing like getting hospitalized from getting your ass kicked by a hooker.