That was my first New York earthquake. It was my first earthquake ever, actually, which I’m ashamed to say, especially since I used to live on the West Coast, earthquake central. People would always be like, hey did you feel that earthquake last night? And I’d be like, no. I didn’t.

Unfortunately I was right in the middle of urinating and so it wasn’t as much fun for me as it was for you. At first I was like, why is the train rumbling so loudly? Then I realized there is no train in this part of Brooklyn. But still it was pretty cool thinking about what was happening underneath the floor I stood on, deep in the earth’s molten core.

Now I want to be a professional earthquake wrestler. That was a baby earthquake but what about a big one? How cool would that be, if I traveled the world waiting for the next big earthquake. I’d be like the Bear Grylls of earthquakes.

But at least I was part of the Great American Earthquake. It’s been a long time since the East Coast has had an earthquake. And it will probably be a long time till the next one. At least I can say I remember when.

A couple of weeks ago I traversed to the Williamsburg Waterfront for an outdoor concert. I was on my way to see Death Cab for Cutie, a favorite of mine that I hadn’t seen in concert in 6 years. I had never been to the Waterfront. In fact, I had never been to that area of Brooklyn, so taking the L train to Bedford Ave was a new experience for me.

The Waterfront is just a short walk away from the subway, located in the East River Park. Upon arrival I realized the beautiful view we had of Manhattan. It was still day light, but across the water was this epic landscape that made me realize just how big the isle of Manhattan really is. I don’t notice it much when I’m in it, but seeing it from across the way gave me a whole new perspective.

The Waterfront is set up for shows with the stage facing the city and with merchandise  booths lined up on one side and food and drinks on the other. To get alcohol, you need a wrist band  and then to pass through the turnstile to a special area. You couldn’t carry drinks back out to the crowd and that was just fine. It prevented that dreaded general admission experience of a group of people getting into the music and then spilling beer all over your shoes.

The show was awesome, as Death Cab for Cutie always puts on a good live experience. But when it was over and I realized it was now dark out, I looked out at that view again. Wow. The experience of a beautiful venue, enjoying the outdoors and a good band made the Waterfront a place I’d love to go see a show again.

Whenever you say that so-and-so scene is dead it tends to come roaring back to life. Well, let’s hope that’s true because as of now original boundary pushing Brooklyn music is dead. The days of Liars, TV On The Radio and Yeah Yeah Yeahs running the roost are long gone, even if their contemporaries in Gang Gang Dance and Oneida still call Bill’burg home. Animal Collective have collectively jumped ship to work with each other remotely from homes in sea castles or France or something.

The last great musical export from Brooklyn might be Oneohtrix Point Never, a dramatic atmospheric electronic act that would barely register for your average fan of proper rock or even poppier electronic music. Sure his new record as part of Ford & Lopitan is a pop corrective, but it has not connected in a way that has broken him open. Possibly the most relevant on the cusp of exploding music on the New York landscape is being made by Das Racist, a rap group that has blossomed from a novelty into an unlikely meme creating dynamic musical act. They’re from QUEENS THOUGH!

There is of course no magic bullet to save the Brooklyn music scene and skyrockitting rents are not making things any easier. Instead the new trend in Brooklyn music is to shit on everyone. I feel I have done my part.

Located in hipsterville central, aka Williamsburg, you can find yourself in geek heaven at Barcade. Barcade is neither a bar nor an arcade, discuss! Wait no! Yes it is! And it’s not just some cheap bar either serving $2 Bud Lights or offering $1 Millers for ladies on Wednesday. Barcade actually has real beer, or craft beer as us beer geeks would call it. Just to give you a sample taste, yesterday’s tap included Brooklyn Pennant Pale Ale, Founders Dirty Bastard Ale, Smuttynose Star Island Single, and Wandering Star Raindrop Pale Ale (which also happens to be cask). Yeah how’s that for your typical bar tap?

But what makes this bar even more awesome than the drinks themselves is the classic arcade games. Yes you can expect Pac Man, well Ms. Pac Man to be precise. But you can also try your geeky skillz at Asteroids, Punch-Out, Gauntlet, Donkey Kong (hooray!), Paperboy, and about a dozen more. Oh happy day. Naturally you’ll find hipsters chilling in the corner because you are on their turf, but it’s a diverse crowd –video game geeks included.

With a chill atmosphere, delicious beer on tap, and plenty of games to keep your hands busy, Barcade makes for one hell of a Saturday night. Next to karaoke, this is probably the second best way to spend your weekend in Brooklyn.

First Round Fridays Happens the last Friday of every month at The Cove in Williamsburg.

Back in the 80′s there was a comedy club on every block. These days comedy is not so wide spread. Still if you look around cool Brooklyn neighborhoods like Park Slope and Williamsburg there are lots of hilarious comedy shows popping up many are as low as $5 and some are completely free. It’s bad for the folks slugging it out on stage but great for you the entertainment starved Brooklynite not looking to drop $40 at a midtown comedy club.

You might think that the bench of talent on these shows would be lacking but you’d be wrong, dead wrong. The Cove an appropriately “cove like” bar on North 6th in Williamsburg plays host to some of the UCB’s brightest improvisers and New York’s best up and coming stand ups regularly at free shows with cheap beer specials. Recent guests have included Sean Patton, Michael Lawrence, SNL writer Colin Jost, Mark Normand and former Chelsea Lately stalwart Arden Myrin.

Myrin herself hosts, along with Lisa deLarios, a monthly show called The Party Machine at Park Slope’s excellent venue Union Hall. True to form the show hosts a mix of up and comers (Erik Bergstrom, John F. O’Donnell, Kate Berlant) and established comedy stars(Jason Sudeikis, Eugene Mirman, Todd Barry).

So if you’re looking to sniff out some funny stuff don’t go to Manhattan, stay in your own neck of the woods. You’ll likely find yourself laughing harder and cheaper.