The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is my favorite time of the year. Despite having finals during the first few weeks of December, this time of year always makes me happy. I don't understand how people can have Seasonal Affective Disorder when they look around and see bright, sparkling, colorful Christmas lights and hear beautiful, cheery Christmas music on the radio. I am Jewish, but to me, Christmas has come to symbolize an American tradition, in addition to being a religious holiday. A few times a week, I enjoy a Starbucks Gingerbread Latte or Peppermint Hot Chocolate. I listen to the Christmas Pandora radio station almost daily. My friends and I tune into the various Christmas-themed movies that ABC Family plays throughout the month of December. We make gingerbread houses and munch on Trader Joe's peppermint-flavored Oreo's. When I return home for winter break, my mother and I will continue our annual tradition of rating our neighborhood's Christmas decorations. I have always preferred rainbow lights, while my mom prefers white lights. Both of us dislike it when people mix too many different colored lights. My favorite yearly tradition with my mother is our late-night shopping ritual. During this time, the nearby stores and malls are open until midnight and have incredible sales. A few nights a week, my mom and I go on mini shopping sprees, and usually stay out until the stores close. It is not uncommon that by the time we come home, my father is already sleeping, which is a good thing since he can't ask to see our receipts!
To me, the holiday season is a time of joy, a time when Americans and people all over the world take the time to give. Each year, my family and many others in my New Jersey hometown donate toys to Toys for Tots, give money to the Santas from Salvation Army and volunteer to gift-wrap in our local mall for charity. People spend days, weeks and sometimes months putting thought into what they are going to give their friends and families for the holidays. Perhaps, my favorite part of this time of year is all of the quality time I get to spend with my family. It's a time when I finally get to see my relatives from New Hampshire and occasionally, Florida. My cousins come in from New York and we all gather around the table and eat like pigs on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve and on random days in between. We stuff our faces (sometimes with delicious home-cooked meals, but more often with Chinese or Italian take-out) reminisce and laugh, laugh and laugh.
In addition to the beautiful decorations, fun snow activities and delicious winter food and drinks, I love the holidays because I see it as a time of selflessness; a time when people give back on a personal and global scale.
So why does the holiday spirit have to come to an end? While there are plenty of people who continue to donate to charities throughout the entire year, most of the people I know rarely volunteer their time and money after January 1st comes around. All of the seasonal goodies retire for the next 12 months, as well as the amazing savings on clothes, shoes and jewelry. Not only are my favorite holidays over, but I dread the first week of January because it serves as a reminder that it is no longer acceptable for me to eat as many sweet and savory dishes as I desire. I am a subscriber to People Magazine and each year, the first week of January's issue is all about diets and losing weight as a New Year's Resolution. I suppose the next best holiday to look forward to after New Year's is Valentine's Day, but only if you have a Valentine! While I do enjoy spending time on the Jersey Shore over the summer, I would much rather prefer to be cozy by the fireplace, wearing my Snuggie, sipping hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies with friends, while the snow falls peacefully outside.
-Ricki Maybruch
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Nickelodeon TV Shows from Your Childhood
Almost every kid I know watched Nick programming as a kid, from Stick Stickley in the afternoons, to Snick and TEENick at night, or even when you stayed home sick from school and you were forced to watch ‘Face’ and shows like Gullah Gullah Island and Little Bear on Nick Jr. in the morning. As a tribute to the TV network I spent the vast majority of time watching growing up, I give you two top-ten lists of what were in my opinion the best shows, animated and non-animated.
Non-Animated and Gameshow List
1. Legends of the Hidden Temple – bar none the coolest show on TV…how bad did you want to do a Temple Run at the final round and get past the Temple Guards with the artifact?
2. All That! – Nick’s best sketch-comdey show that launched spinoffs such as The Amanda Show and Keenan and Kel
3. Guts – Great competition gameshow similar to American Gladiator. Climbing the Aggro Crag must have been bomb.
4. Double Dare – ranked in the top 30 of TV Guide’s all-time best gameshows, this show asked families trivia questions to build up a bank of money and then competed in often sloppy physical challenges
5. The Adventures of Pete And Pete – a show about the humorous and strange interactions of friends, family and enemies, it features two brothers, both named Pete Wrigley and is narrated by the elder “Big Pete”
6. Figure it Out – Fun game show with Nick celebrities trying to guess the contestant’s special talent. The seductive Summer Sanders as host may have something to do with why this show is ranked so high…
7. Salute Your Shorts – a sarcastic show about teens away at summer camp, Camp Anawanna
8. Kenan and Kel – successful spinoff from All That! Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda
9. Are You Afraid of the Dark? – This show scared the **** out of me and gave me nightmares all through my childhood….definitely deserved the TV-Y7 rating.
10. The Secret World of Alex Mack – an underrated show featuring teenage Alex Mack who was exposed to a strange chemical and could morph into a metallic blob and ‘ooze’ her way out of sticky situations
Honorable Mentions: Ahh! Real Monsters, Kablam!, As Told by Ginger,
Animated List
1. Doug – Nick’s first and best ‘Nicktoon.’ I wish Pattie Mayonaise was a real person
2. Rugrats – the most popular Nicktoon ever with over 170 episodes. Tommy Pickles is a baller
3. Hey Arnold --The show that featured the football-headed Arnold was humorous, emotional and intelligent and taught many life lessons while keeping me thoroughly entertained
4. Spongebob Squarepants – Towards the end of our generation’s childhood, but a genious idea for a show that is still wildly popular today
5. Catdog – for a few years this was my favorite show
6. Rocco’s Modern Life – an early classic, this show made subtle comments about societal problems
7. The Wild Thornberry’s – underrated show full of adventures in remote places all over the world
8. Rocket Power – Otto Rocket was hands down the coolest animated kid on TV…and then there was Squid
9. Ren and Stimpy – I wasn’t allowed to watch this when I was very young due to the very graphic nature of the animation, but my mom eventually caved to my nagging and I’m glad she did
10. The Angry Beavers – had a fleeting year or two of competitive popularity, but the show never made it over that plateau and thus it sits at the bottom of this epic list
Honorable Mentions: Wild and Crazy Kids, the Roundhouse, Land of the Lost, Clarissa Explains it All, What Would You Do? Hey Dude
Non-Animated and Gameshow List
1. Legends of the Hidden Temple – bar none the coolest show on TV…how bad did you want to do a Temple Run at the final round and get past the Temple Guards with the artifact?
2. All That! – Nick’s best sketch-comdey show that launched spinoffs such as The Amanda Show and Keenan and Kel
3. Guts – Great competition gameshow similar to American Gladiator. Climbing the Aggro Crag must have been bomb.
4. Double Dare – ranked in the top 30 of TV Guide’s all-time best gameshows, this show asked families trivia questions to build up a bank of money and then competed in often sloppy physical challenges
5. The Adventures of Pete And Pete – a show about the humorous and strange interactions of friends, family and enemies, it features two brothers, both named Pete Wrigley and is narrated by the elder “Big Pete”
6. Figure it Out – Fun game show with Nick celebrities trying to guess the contestant’s special talent. The seductive Summer Sanders as host may have something to do with why this show is ranked so high…
7. Salute Your Shorts – a sarcastic show about teens away at summer camp, Camp Anawanna
8. Kenan and Kel – successful spinoff from All That! Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda
9. Are You Afraid of the Dark? – This show scared the **** out of me and gave me nightmares all through my childhood….definitely deserved the TV-Y7 rating.
10. The Secret World of Alex Mack – an underrated show featuring teenage Alex Mack who was exposed to a strange chemical and could morph into a metallic blob and ‘ooze’ her way out of sticky situations
Honorable Mentions: Ahh! Real Monsters, Kablam!, As Told by Ginger,
Animated List
1. Doug – Nick’s first and best ‘Nicktoon.’ I wish Pattie Mayonaise was a real person
2. Rugrats – the most popular Nicktoon ever with over 170 episodes. Tommy Pickles is a baller
3. Hey Arnold --The show that featured the football-headed Arnold was humorous, emotional and intelligent and taught many life lessons while keeping me thoroughly entertained
4. Spongebob Squarepants – Towards the end of our generation’s childhood, but a genious idea for a show that is still wildly popular today
5. Catdog – for a few years this was my favorite show
6. Rocco’s Modern Life – an early classic, this show made subtle comments about societal problems
7. The Wild Thornberry’s – underrated show full of adventures in remote places all over the world
8. Rocket Power – Otto Rocket was hands down the coolest animated kid on TV…and then there was Squid
9. Ren and Stimpy – I wasn’t allowed to watch this when I was very young due to the very graphic nature of the animation, but my mom eventually caved to my nagging and I’m glad she did
10. The Angry Beavers – had a fleeting year or two of competitive popularity, but the show never made it over that plateau and thus it sits at the bottom of this epic list
Honorable Mentions: Wild and Crazy Kids, the Roundhouse, Land of the Lost, Clarissa Explains it All, What Would You Do? Hey Dude
Black Friday: Discounts You Never Knew You Needed.
It was 6:00 am and finally, after an hour and half of waiting, I had advanced towards the inner layer of Greensboro, North Carolina’s Four Season’s Mall. Unlike on regular days, where the walls to this sacred fortress of consumerism are highly fortified with non-discounted merchandise, today, on November 26th, better known to the masses as Black Friday, the powers that be let down their drawbridge, and in charged the masses of deal-seeking mercenaries. I admit, I was amongst them. Sure the idea of waking up at 4:00 am was vastly unappealing. However, the enticement of knowing that I could buy work apparel for my non-existent future job at 40% off standard retail price enticed me to wake up. As I fought an internal battle about whether to physically get out of bed or not, upon spotting an advertisement on my floor for a one-day-only special at the store Express, I simply realized that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t purchase their “Studio Stretch Columnist Pant” for it fortuitously addressed my journalistic career goals of working in a television studio, AND writing my own column. Clearly, the gods of capitalism were pulling at my heartstrings, and thus, I decided to embark on a noble shopping crusade.
While waiting to get into the mall I observed a very unique scene. Stationed outside it were at least seven thousand people. From soccer moms, to apathetic teenagers, to grandmothers who were determined to buy the most spirited Christmas sweaters department stores had to offer, the line housed people of every creed and color, all unified by their desire to go in for the shopping kill. Although I respected the initiative my fellow comrades demonstrated simply by being awake at the crack of dawn, I noticed a strange phenomenon: at least a quarter of the people in line were kids, most under the age of three. Dear parents of America, I must ask, since when has it ever been okay to leave little children waiting outside in the frigid cold for hours? Oh wait, I forgot, the rules of good parenting do not apply to profit driven, corporation created days like Black Friday. Even social workers need new iPods right?
In addition to kids, the line also housed tailgaters. Yes, stationed next to me in line were a pair of brothers who besides bringing their own collapsible captain's chairs, decided that 5:00 am was an appropriate time to start grilling hot dogs on their portable barbecue, and sip Bud Light. I am not sure whether the location of this mall in the Southern portion of the United States had anything to do with this phenomenon, but I am fairly certain that I smelled other varieties of grilled meats in the air.
Unlike in Troy where the invasion of soldiers into the heart of the city was done in a stealthy manner, the infiltration of shoppers into the mall was more like a mass stampede. People were running into stores, shoving others out of the way, just so they could get a hold of ten dollar crockpots on sale at Dillard’s. As I was perusing various retailers, and realizing that as fantastic as the discount at Macy’s was green camouflage capris are just never a good look, I noticed people flocking to purchase some very strange items simply because they were on sale. For example, why would a person ever need an industrial theatre-sized popcorn maker, or a giant cotton candy machine? Yes I am aware that starting up a carnival is an interesting business endeavor, but perhaps not the safest of all investments.
As the day progressed, and I made my way to different shopping centers I discovered other interesting sales promotions. The discount store Fred’s was having a 10 cent-off sale on all Fandango Soda (America’s favorite brand!) and Walgreen’s was having a buy one get one free deal on Purex Detergent. Perhaps the best product that I saw all day though, was found at none other than the outerwear store Eddie Bauer. Prominently displayed in front of the cash register was a box of paper cut out coffee cups that had wrapped around them perhaps the most useless invention mankind has ever seen: A down coffee sleeve. Let me ask, since when has my coffee needed goose down insulation? Can it not withstand the chilly fall breeze? I can rationalize dressing one’s pet in a little snow jacket for it keeps them warmer during cold morning walks, but I cannot justify accessorizing my Starbuck skinny vanilla latte. Yes, it provides me with a much-needed jolt of caffeine, but its steep cost of $3.85, and the whole one minute and 22 seconds it takes me to drink it, makes it unworthy of being wrapped up in expensive material like goose feathers. Heck, it’s taken me four years of living in Washington DC, plus the worst blizzard the city has seen in a century, to finally prompt me to buy a down winter coat! Seeing this impractical product was such a turn off to me that I decided to abruptly end my shopping session. As for ever going shopping again so early? I think I’ll pass…That is at least until next year’s Black Friday ads come out…
- Kimberly Wertman
While waiting to get into the mall I observed a very unique scene. Stationed outside it were at least seven thousand people. From soccer moms, to apathetic teenagers, to grandmothers who were determined to buy the most spirited Christmas sweaters department stores had to offer, the line housed people of every creed and color, all unified by their desire to go in for the shopping kill. Although I respected the initiative my fellow comrades demonstrated simply by being awake at the crack of dawn, I noticed a strange phenomenon: at least a quarter of the people in line were kids, most under the age of three. Dear parents of America, I must ask, since when has it ever been okay to leave little children waiting outside in the frigid cold for hours? Oh wait, I forgot, the rules of good parenting do not apply to profit driven, corporation created days like Black Friday. Even social workers need new iPods right?
In addition to kids, the line also housed tailgaters. Yes, stationed next to me in line were a pair of brothers who besides bringing their own collapsible captain's chairs, decided that 5:00 am was an appropriate time to start grilling hot dogs on their portable barbecue, and sip Bud Light. I am not sure whether the location of this mall in the Southern portion of the United States had anything to do with this phenomenon, but I am fairly certain that I smelled other varieties of grilled meats in the air.
Unlike in Troy where the invasion of soldiers into the heart of the city was done in a stealthy manner, the infiltration of shoppers into the mall was more like a mass stampede. People were running into stores, shoving others out of the way, just so they could get a hold of ten dollar crockpots on sale at Dillard’s. As I was perusing various retailers, and realizing that as fantastic as the discount at Macy’s was green camouflage capris are just never a good look, I noticed people flocking to purchase some very strange items simply because they were on sale. For example, why would a person ever need an industrial theatre-sized popcorn maker, or a giant cotton candy machine? Yes I am aware that starting up a carnival is an interesting business endeavor, but perhaps not the safest of all investments.
As the day progressed, and I made my way to different shopping centers I discovered other interesting sales promotions. The discount store Fred’s was having a 10 cent-off sale on all Fandango Soda (America’s favorite brand!) and Walgreen’s was having a buy one get one free deal on Purex Detergent. Perhaps the best product that I saw all day though, was found at none other than the outerwear store Eddie Bauer. Prominently displayed in front of the cash register was a box of paper cut out coffee cups that had wrapped around them perhaps the most useless invention mankind has ever seen: A down coffee sleeve. Let me ask, since when has my coffee needed goose down insulation? Can it not withstand the chilly fall breeze? I can rationalize dressing one’s pet in a little snow jacket for it keeps them warmer during cold morning walks, but I cannot justify accessorizing my Starbuck skinny vanilla latte. Yes, it provides me with a much-needed jolt of caffeine, but its steep cost of $3.85, and the whole one minute and 22 seconds it takes me to drink it, makes it unworthy of being wrapped up in expensive material like goose feathers. Heck, it’s taken me four years of living in Washington DC, plus the worst blizzard the city has seen in a century, to finally prompt me to buy a down winter coat! Seeing this impractical product was such a turn off to me that I decided to abruptly end my shopping session. As for ever going shopping again so early? I think I’ll pass…That is at least until next year’s Black Friday ads come out…
- Kimberly Wertman
Challenging Traditions and Beliefs: Discussing the Death Penalty at my Thanksgiving Table
By Claudia Powell
This was the first Thanksgiving in many, many years that my family did not follow our traditions exactly. We always have it with the same family members from my father’s side, eat at our cabin in upstate New York, bake a pie-per-person, and go around the large dining table giving personal reasons that we are thankful. This year, everything changed! Hectic schedules and my cousin’s abroad experience resulted in a totally new plan.
I was initially thrown by this change. We ate with different family members, at my house in Connecticut, had desserts of every kind, and were lucky enough to have three international students at the table. My mother, endlessly believing that she is everyone else’s mother also, invited these boys to our Thanksgiving when she visited my older brother at St. Lawrence University and found out that they were planning on staying at school over break since they couldn’t reasonably travel home for such a short time.
However, these friends of my brother actually made for a really interesting Thanksgiving, particularly because it is not a holiday that any of them had celebrated before. They provoked interesting conversation and brought a new perspective to the table, giving my usually traditional family a glimpse of their own, much different, lives. Igor, who is from Macedonia, decided to pose a question to us all, explaining that he believed a person’s answer was very telling about them.
If you could have any two people from throughout time sitting to your left and to your right for this dinner, who would they be?
The table immediately livened up as we imagined dining with everyone from Winston Churchill to Jack Kerouac. We imagined having famous enemies to each side, having it out one last time. We imagined celebrities coming back from the dead, politicians explaining themselves, and having the chance to ask our favorite authors more about some of our most cherished stories. This was a new spin on Thanksgiving, yes, but we all jovially laughed and attempted to one-up each other in our dinner guest choices.
Things really got interesting when my dad joked, “So, we know what deceased people we’d all like to have dinner with. Now it’s time to go around the table and say who we want dead!” The table erupted in laughter until Igor said flatly, “Kim Jong-il”. For a moment, our boisterous amusement turned into nervous and awkward giggles. Isn’t it politically incorrect to say you want someone dead? Overall, I’d err on the “peace keeper” side of things and try not to sustain that kind of hatred in my body. However, he’d broken the seal, and it was now an open topic of discussion.
The discussion turned to one of my (creepily) favorite topics: the death penalty. My own opinions about capital punishment waver case-to-case, especially as I learn more about inequities (i.e. racially) and bureaucratic atrocities that have, in the past, resulted in an innocent person being executed. My mother, who I inherited my peaceful disposition from, surprised me when she said that she had someone in mind.
Several years ago, a horrific and brutal murder occurred in Cheshire, CT, where my brother attended boarding school. The story was huge when it happened, especially because of the location; nothing that gruesome had occurred nationally since perhaps the Charles Manson murders, and especially not in a small suburban town. Honestly, the media coverage also stemmed from the fact that the Petits were a white, upper-class family and the three casualties were the promising women of the family, the daughters both relatively young.
The case has been in the news again recently, as a jury in the trial sentenced of one of the now-convicted perpetrators to death. For anyone as interested in crime psychology as I am, the story is worth looking up. My mother, a very diplomatic and empathetic person, said that she would sentence the Petit murderers to death if she were on that jury. The story had hit a nerve in her, and she could barely speak about what she thought Dr. William A. Petit Jr., the women’s father and husband and lone survivor of the attack, might have felt in the aftermath.
My aunt, having admittedly indulged in the copious wines on the table, said that she didn’t believe in the death penalty, nervously adding that people’s polarized views on the matter might earn her some impassioned criticism and maybe cost her a few dinner guests the following night. Of course, this was not true… we’re family! I’m not one to pass judgment and I was really interested to hear the perspectives of the fifteen people whose life experiences and ages varied from my youngest brother Jack, who is 12, and my maternal grandmother, who is 80.
As I said, my view on capital punishment changes constantly and I have never really explicitly stated whether I am for or against it and its use in modern society. Something about the justice system in general makes me feel that punishment outcomes, including prison, are both necessary and barbaric at the same time. In some ways, I believe that the application of the “eye for an eye” rule (broad in both encompassment and application) is unnecessary and immoral. On these anti-death penalty days, the whole idea seems outrageous to me and I can’t fathom concluding that a person must die versus serving a life-sentence in prison, which to me, in some ways, seems worse than execution. Human life, even that of the most evil of people, is not expendable and shouldn’t be treated as such.
At the same time, I find myself coming back to the idea that these people, these criminals, themselves treated human life as though it is not valuable. Any number of things can push a person to commit a crime and I am sure that in some instances, the defendant was driven to a violent action as an act of self-defense or perceived danger. However, the generally malicious and gruesome crimes that warrant the application of the death penalty in the legal system, such as the Petit family murders, make me think that my own empathy for the victim’s loved ones (who must live with these tragedies) could lead me to support the application of capital punishment as a juror who is familiar with the excruciating details of a particular case.
I think that overall I am predominantly against the death penalty, but I do understand why it is sought in some situations. I was initially stunned when Igor, a newcomer to the Powell family Thanksgiving and a nuanced challenger of tradition, so quickly named someone he would subject to the death penalty. However, I came to really value the heated discussion that followed and the tactful consideration of morality and humanity. Thanksgiving traditions are something I hold close to my heart, and I’d be lying if I said that a part of me didn’t miss the way we’ve done things for the past two decades. Still, one of my greatest interests as both a writer and a person is the perspective of others, whose life experiences make us extremely different and yet have brought us to the same table. This narrative reflection of my 2010 Thanksgiving dinner went much longer than I’d anticipated, but in this need to include so much I see the challenge to my perspective and re-evaluation of what I believe that I value so much.
How have your conceptions of what is “right”, “true”, or “moral” been challenged in the past? Do you, like myself, appreciate this challenge and perceive it as constructive? Do you have a strong belief system that prevents you from being influenced by such conversations? And, more specifically, how do you feel about the continued use of capital punishment?
This was the first Thanksgiving in many, many years that my family did not follow our traditions exactly. We always have it with the same family members from my father’s side, eat at our cabin in upstate New York, bake a pie-per-person, and go around the large dining table giving personal reasons that we are thankful. This year, everything changed! Hectic schedules and my cousin’s abroad experience resulted in a totally new plan.
I was initially thrown by this change. We ate with different family members, at my house in Connecticut, had desserts of every kind, and were lucky enough to have three international students at the table. My mother, endlessly believing that she is everyone else’s mother also, invited these boys to our Thanksgiving when she visited my older brother at St. Lawrence University and found out that they were planning on staying at school over break since they couldn’t reasonably travel home for such a short time.
However, these friends of my brother actually made for a really interesting Thanksgiving, particularly because it is not a holiday that any of them had celebrated before. They provoked interesting conversation and brought a new perspective to the table, giving my usually traditional family a glimpse of their own, much different, lives. Igor, who is from Macedonia, decided to pose a question to us all, explaining that he believed a person’s answer was very telling about them.
If you could have any two people from throughout time sitting to your left and to your right for this dinner, who would they be?
The table immediately livened up as we imagined dining with everyone from Winston Churchill to Jack Kerouac. We imagined having famous enemies to each side, having it out one last time. We imagined celebrities coming back from the dead, politicians explaining themselves, and having the chance to ask our favorite authors more about some of our most cherished stories. This was a new spin on Thanksgiving, yes, but we all jovially laughed and attempted to one-up each other in our dinner guest choices.
Things really got interesting when my dad joked, “So, we know what deceased people we’d all like to have dinner with. Now it’s time to go around the table and say who we want dead!” The table erupted in laughter until Igor said flatly, “Kim Jong-il”. For a moment, our boisterous amusement turned into nervous and awkward giggles. Isn’t it politically incorrect to say you want someone dead? Overall, I’d err on the “peace keeper” side of things and try not to sustain that kind of hatred in my body. However, he’d broken the seal, and it was now an open topic of discussion.
The discussion turned to one of my (creepily) favorite topics: the death penalty. My own opinions about capital punishment waver case-to-case, especially as I learn more about inequities (i.e. racially) and bureaucratic atrocities that have, in the past, resulted in an innocent person being executed. My mother, who I inherited my peaceful disposition from, surprised me when she said that she had someone in mind.
Several years ago, a horrific and brutal murder occurred in Cheshire, CT, where my brother attended boarding school. The story was huge when it happened, especially because of the location; nothing that gruesome had occurred nationally since perhaps the Charles Manson murders, and especially not in a small suburban town. Honestly, the media coverage also stemmed from the fact that the Petits were a white, upper-class family and the three casualties were the promising women of the family, the daughters both relatively young.
The case has been in the news again recently, as a jury in the trial sentenced of one of the now-convicted perpetrators to death. For anyone as interested in crime psychology as I am, the story is worth looking up. My mother, a very diplomatic and empathetic person, said that she would sentence the Petit murderers to death if she were on that jury. The story had hit a nerve in her, and she could barely speak about what she thought Dr. William A. Petit Jr., the women’s father and husband and lone survivor of the attack, might have felt in the aftermath.
My aunt, having admittedly indulged in the copious wines on the table, said that she didn’t believe in the death penalty, nervously adding that people’s polarized views on the matter might earn her some impassioned criticism and maybe cost her a few dinner guests the following night. Of course, this was not true… we’re family! I’m not one to pass judgment and I was really interested to hear the perspectives of the fifteen people whose life experiences and ages varied from my youngest brother Jack, who is 12, and my maternal grandmother, who is 80.
As I said, my view on capital punishment changes constantly and I have never really explicitly stated whether I am for or against it and its use in modern society. Something about the justice system in general makes me feel that punishment outcomes, including prison, are both necessary and barbaric at the same time. In some ways, I believe that the application of the “eye for an eye” rule (broad in both encompassment and application) is unnecessary and immoral. On these anti-death penalty days, the whole idea seems outrageous to me and I can’t fathom concluding that a person must die versus serving a life-sentence in prison, which to me, in some ways, seems worse than execution. Human life, even that of the most evil of people, is not expendable and shouldn’t be treated as such.
At the same time, I find myself coming back to the idea that these people, these criminals, themselves treated human life as though it is not valuable. Any number of things can push a person to commit a crime and I am sure that in some instances, the defendant was driven to a violent action as an act of self-defense or perceived danger. However, the generally malicious and gruesome crimes that warrant the application of the death penalty in the legal system, such as the Petit family murders, make me think that my own empathy for the victim’s loved ones (who must live with these tragedies) could lead me to support the application of capital punishment as a juror who is familiar with the excruciating details of a particular case.
I think that overall I am predominantly against the death penalty, but I do understand why it is sought in some situations. I was initially stunned when Igor, a newcomer to the Powell family Thanksgiving and a nuanced challenger of tradition, so quickly named someone he would subject to the death penalty. However, I came to really value the heated discussion that followed and the tactful consideration of morality and humanity. Thanksgiving traditions are something I hold close to my heart, and I’d be lying if I said that a part of me didn’t miss the way we’ve done things for the past two decades. Still, one of my greatest interests as both a writer and a person is the perspective of others, whose life experiences make us extremely different and yet have brought us to the same table. This narrative reflection of my 2010 Thanksgiving dinner went much longer than I’d anticipated, but in this need to include so much I see the challenge to my perspective and re-evaluation of what I believe that I value so much.
How have your conceptions of what is “right”, “true”, or “moral” been challenged in the past? Do you, like myself, appreciate this challenge and perceive it as constructive? Do you have a strong belief system that prevents you from being influenced by such conversations? And, more specifically, how do you feel about the continued use of capital punishment?
December 2, 2010 Update: For anyone interested in the Petit case or the application of capital punishment, one of the men was officially sentenced to death today by New Haven Superior Court Judge Jon Blue. Click through for the New York Times coverage.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Give the Gift of Unconventional Gifts
What’s your Christmas plan?
Are you going to sing songs, put on a sweater, stir up some hot chocolate and be all festive? I certainly hope so.
One thing I certainly hope you don’t do is get silly with the presents. By silly I mean excessive. Every year, much of the build up to Christmas is spent—well—spending. We spend money at every turn and buy things for other people and pat ourselves on the back for being so giving.
But what are we really doing?
We’re giving in to the excessive materialism that our consumer- capitalist society creates (that just made me sound like a hippie… cue the eye rolling). Sure Christmas is wonderful. I’ll be the first to tell you that. But if you really want to give a meaningful gift, don’t rush to the stores to buy things your friends and family will only moderately like.
Instead, give them the gift of your time. Give your mom or dad a coupon for help around the house. Take your grandparents on a date. Go explore an area of wilderness with your friends.
The idea of a present is to forge a more meaningful relationship with the receiver. Fight your knee- jerk impulse to just buy them something, and look outside the box for a way to truly brighten their lives.
As for receiving presents, be honest with yourself. If you catch yourself thinking “There’s not anything I’m dying to have,” then SPEAK UP! Ask for donations to your favorite charity in lieu of a book you’ll never read or a Starbucks gift card. And certainly mention that you’d prefer to spend quality time with the giver than get a few pairs of black socks.
Presents are great for kids. But if you’re old enough to read the word “lieu” then you’re too old for presents. Make a change this holiday season that will make you, and your family actually happy.
By: Brendan Barrack
Are you going to sing songs, put on a sweater, stir up some hot chocolate and be all festive? I certainly hope so.
One thing I certainly hope you don’t do is get silly with the presents. By silly I mean excessive. Every year, much of the build up to Christmas is spent—well—spending. We spend money at every turn and buy things for other people and pat ourselves on the back for being so giving.
But what are we really doing?
We’re giving in to the excessive materialism that our consumer- capitalist society creates (that just made me sound like a hippie… cue the eye rolling). Sure Christmas is wonderful. I’ll be the first to tell you that. But if you really want to give a meaningful gift, don’t rush to the stores to buy things your friends and family will only moderately like.
Instead, give them the gift of your time. Give your mom or dad a coupon for help around the house. Take your grandparents on a date. Go explore an area of wilderness with your friends.
The idea of a present is to forge a more meaningful relationship with the receiver. Fight your knee- jerk impulse to just buy them something, and look outside the box for a way to truly brighten their lives.
As for receiving presents, be honest with yourself. If you catch yourself thinking “There’s not anything I’m dying to have,” then SPEAK UP! Ask for donations to your favorite charity in lieu of a book you’ll never read or a Starbucks gift card. And certainly mention that you’d prefer to spend quality time with the giver than get a few pairs of black socks.
Presents are great for kids. But if you’re old enough to read the word “lieu” then you’re too old for presents. Make a change this holiday season that will make you, and your family actually happy.
By: Brendan Barrack
The 45- Minute Miracle
Cooking your own meals is probably the easiest way to save hundreds, or if you go to GW, thousands, of dollars over the college year. Quick meals for the quick kid. But is quick always better?
If you’re like me, you have gotten into the habit of putting the same meal together so often that you end up making a whole lot of it on Monday, putting the remaining food in a Tupperware container and then doing the dish- and- microwave thing Tuesday through Friday. And the only thing that offsets this is the occasional late- week Nooshi happy hour or a delivery pizza for the blissful NFL/ HBO/ Showtime Sunday’s. It sounds foolproof, but there’s only so much pasta a guy can eat.
By the same notion though, what’s a guy to do? I get home from a normal day and have things that I want to do before I eat. I like to answer emails, take a power nap-- if the gods permit it-- and hop in the shower before dinner. Always have. Always will.
Recently, in an attempt to impress a special someone I made a fantastic discovery. I cooked a real dinner. By that I mean something easy (after all it wasn’t an anniversary or even a weekend night) but something that wasn’t ready at the drop of a hat. Something that resembled effort. So I busted out an old family recipe and went to work. It took me 5 minutes to make and then cooked in the oven for 45 minutes, which allowed me ample time to check the boxes on my daily chores checklist. When I was ready my food was ready. It was tasty, healthy, and heartwarming.
All this is to highlight one miniscule point: Cooking a meal that takes 30- 45 minutes in the oven gives you the freedom to handle your business and the peace of mind to know that once you’re done to-doing your to-do’s, a real and constantly changing meal awaits you. So if you’re in anyway like me, give the 45 minute meal a shot. You’ll be surprised at how little it takes out of your day, and how much it adds.
PS- If you’re not like me but want to give it a go. Here’s a great recipe to get you started.
What you need:
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
Milk
Rice
Chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper
Paprika
Steps:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pour the can of mushroom soup into a baking sheet then fill the empty can with rice, and pour it in the baking sheet, then fill the can with milk and pour that in.
3. Mix the three ingredients evenly throughout the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Place 2- 3 chicken breasts on top of the mixture.
5. Sprinkle paprika over chicken.
6. Cover with aluminum foil and place in oven.
7. After 25 minutes remove foil and stir rice, adding milk if the rice is getting a little dry.
8. Allow to cook for another 20 minutes.
9. Remove and enjoy! (with cranberry sauce)
10. You’re welcome.
By: Brendan Barrack
If you’re like me, you have gotten into the habit of putting the same meal together so often that you end up making a whole lot of it on Monday, putting the remaining food in a Tupperware container and then doing the dish- and- microwave thing Tuesday through Friday. And the only thing that offsets this is the occasional late- week Nooshi happy hour or a delivery pizza for the blissful NFL/ HBO/ Showtime Sunday’s. It sounds foolproof, but there’s only so much pasta a guy can eat.
By the same notion though, what’s a guy to do? I get home from a normal day and have things that I want to do before I eat. I like to answer emails, take a power nap-- if the gods permit it-- and hop in the shower before dinner. Always have. Always will.
Recently, in an attempt to impress a special someone I made a fantastic discovery. I cooked a real dinner. By that I mean something easy (after all it wasn’t an anniversary or even a weekend night) but something that wasn’t ready at the drop of a hat. Something that resembled effort. So I busted out an old family recipe and went to work. It took me 5 minutes to make and then cooked in the oven for 45 minutes, which allowed me ample time to check the boxes on my daily chores checklist. When I was ready my food was ready. It was tasty, healthy, and heartwarming.
All this is to highlight one miniscule point: Cooking a meal that takes 30- 45 minutes in the oven gives you the freedom to handle your business and the peace of mind to know that once you’re done to-doing your to-do’s, a real and constantly changing meal awaits you. So if you’re in anyway like me, give the 45 minute meal a shot. You’ll be surprised at how little it takes out of your day, and how much it adds.
PS- If you’re not like me but want to give it a go. Here’s a great recipe to get you started.
What you need:
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
Milk
Rice
Chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper
Paprika
Steps:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pour the can of mushroom soup into a baking sheet then fill the empty can with rice, and pour it in the baking sheet, then fill the can with milk and pour that in.
3. Mix the three ingredients evenly throughout the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Place 2- 3 chicken breasts on top of the mixture.
5. Sprinkle paprika over chicken.
6. Cover with aluminum foil and place in oven.
7. After 25 minutes remove foil and stir rice, adding milk if the rice is getting a little dry.
8. Allow to cook for another 20 minutes.
9. Remove and enjoy! (with cranberry sauce)
10. You’re welcome.
By: Brendan Barrack
Favorite Holiday
This holiday weekend I went home with practically empty luggage. The reason? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; not because of my moms salivating dinner (her stuffin' muffins are to die for- perfect size which crisp edges all around), or pretending like I love sports (even though I always actually get into the games) to avoid doing dishes, or just enjoying just being with my family...IT'S THE SHOPPING.
Granted, I am not one of those crazy people camping out; no sale is big enough to get me out of bed that early. But, shopping is my fort-ay. So Friday afternoon my mom and I decided to venture into the jungle of ravaged shoppers. The mall in my town is prime shopping: department, clothing, shoes, electronics, makeup and more. However, it took us 45 minutes to find a parking space. Now, my mom is from Brooklyn (meaning she is an aggressive driver) so the fact that she couldn't weasel her way into a spot in five seconds (like usual) already put a damper on my favorite holiday.
Once we navigated ourselves into the mall, I was extremely disappointed. When I walk into a store my eyes usually start to glisten, I narrow in on the walls of hanging garments, and ignore the shoppers around me. But this time, clothing was strewn everywhere, people were definitely not in the holiday spirit anymore and I just didn't see my usual "steals of the season."
My mom and I each left empty handed and our heads low. Although I didn't go home with bags of clothing, I came back with bags filled with love (aka my mom's stuffin' muffins). I questioned whether waking up at the crack of dawn would be worth it next year...but there is always cyber mondays!!
Elyssa Nemetsky
Granted, I am not one of those crazy people camping out; no sale is big enough to get me out of bed that early. But, shopping is my fort-ay. So Friday afternoon my mom and I decided to venture into the jungle of ravaged shoppers. The mall in my town is prime shopping: department, clothing, shoes, electronics, makeup and more. However, it took us 45 minutes to find a parking space. Now, my mom is from Brooklyn (meaning she is an aggressive driver) so the fact that she couldn't weasel her way into a spot in five seconds (like usual) already put a damper on my favorite holiday.
Once we navigated ourselves into the mall, I was extremely disappointed. When I walk into a store my eyes usually start to glisten, I narrow in on the walls of hanging garments, and ignore the shoppers around me. But this time, clothing was strewn everywhere, people were definitely not in the holiday spirit anymore and I just didn't see my usual "steals of the season."
My mom and I each left empty handed and our heads low. Although I didn't go home with bags of clothing, I came back with bags filled with love (aka my mom's stuffin' muffins). I questioned whether waking up at the crack of dawn would be worth it next year...but there is always cyber mondays!!
Elyssa Nemetsky
Concert Etiquette
By Claudia Powell
To me, attending a concert is the perfect weekend activity. The combination of live music and the diverse crowd is the epitome if a good time… that is, unless the few people around you out of this wonderfully diverse crowd happen to be absolute abominations as concert-goers. Attending a concert is a personal experience, as the music is open to interpretation by each and every attendee. I accept that, and actually quite enjoy the anonymity of standing in such a crowd. However, there are certain things you just don’t do. Here are a couple suggestions for anyone who is concerned that their concert etiquette is not up to speed:
1. Get there early if you want to be in the front.
Last week, I attended a Wiz Khalifa concert at 9:30 club that sold out… twice. People were so excited about the show that they got there extremely early to line up for entry, which would directly impact where in the venue they’d be standing. You get there early, you have first pick at the front row. Get there right when the show’s starting and you’re probably out of luck if you were hoping to be close to the stage.
So, being the fan that I am, I got there early and stood outside in the freezing cold in line so that I could stand towards the front. The classic tactic worked – I was in the second row. As people filed in for the hour before the show, the venue was quickly packed... so packed that I couldn’t move my feet so much as to turn around (not to mention I’d find myself literally face-to-face with another fan). As the show began, the crowd packed in even tighter as each fan envisioned himself being chosen to jam on stage with the performer (Ok, maybe that was just me). Still, it was tight.
All of a sudden, I find that my back is being consistently pushed forwards, lurching me into the 6’5” super-fan in front of me. Several girls who had clearly arrived late were trying to push their way to the front. Not being one to initiate a fight, I simply planted my feet firmly into the ground and turned my attention back to the show. Much to my chagrin, these girls were relentless. Her intent to push in front of me didn’t confuse me in that I knew why she’d want to be in the front row, but… really? Don’t you think if I got there early enough or had found a spot in the front two rows that I might be a fan, and perhaps might like to stand where I am?
Her rude and thoughtless concert tact got her nowhere; my friend and I stayed planted, and she ended up squeezed between several other people in an uncomfortable mini “mosh pit” that I was glad not to be a part of. She learned the lesson the hard way, and will probably think twice before pushing her way to the front without paying her dues next time.
2. Concerts are a nice date idea… but show a little self-control!
Enjoying live music together is a lovely idea for a date, particularly if you’re in an awkward beginning stage and don’t have much to say to each other (though that may be a sign to GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!). My experience at several concerts I’ve attended over the past several months, though, has involved much more “advanced” couples. As in, they stand directly in front of you in the extremely packed venue and proceed to dance raunchily, kiss sloppily, and all around repulse the other attendees around them. My experience at a Ratatat concert at 9:30 club left me feeling like I was practically part of the couple standing in front of me. Their over-the-top expressions of love were distracting and, quite frankly, a little sickening. I understand that you two just looooove this band and cannnnnn’t help yourselves, but come on… a little courtesy, please. Can’t you find a secluded corner to enjoy each other’s company? Perhaps you could send each other suggestive glances and hold off on your overly-sexualized dance moves until after show time? We’re at Ratatat, guys, not Marvin Gaye.
The list of minor concert manners could truly go on and on. For now, I’ll leave you with these two suggestions to help guide your next live music experience such that you both enjoy yourself and do not impede on the experience of your fellow fans. Music provokes different things in different people, and I respect that… but if you violate these essential and oft unspoken concert rules, I can’t promise I wont “accidentally” step on your foot as I jam in my appropriately acquired front row spot.
To me, attending a concert is the perfect weekend activity. The combination of live music and the diverse crowd is the epitome if a good time… that is, unless the few people around you out of this wonderfully diverse crowd happen to be absolute abominations as concert-goers. Attending a concert is a personal experience, as the music is open to interpretation by each and every attendee. I accept that, and actually quite enjoy the anonymity of standing in such a crowd. However, there are certain things you just don’t do. Here are a couple suggestions for anyone who is concerned that their concert etiquette is not up to speed:
1. Get there early if you want to be in the front.
Last week, I attended a Wiz Khalifa concert at 9:30 club that sold out… twice. People were so excited about the show that they got there extremely early to line up for entry, which would directly impact where in the venue they’d be standing. You get there early, you have first pick at the front row. Get there right when the show’s starting and you’re probably out of luck if you were hoping to be close to the stage.
So, being the fan that I am, I got there early and stood outside in the freezing cold in line so that I could stand towards the front. The classic tactic worked – I was in the second row. As people filed in for the hour before the show, the venue was quickly packed... so packed that I couldn’t move my feet so much as to turn around (not to mention I’d find myself literally face-to-face with another fan). As the show began, the crowd packed in even tighter as each fan envisioned himself being chosen to jam on stage with the performer (Ok, maybe that was just me). Still, it was tight.
All of a sudden, I find that my back is being consistently pushed forwards, lurching me into the 6’5” super-fan in front of me. Several girls who had clearly arrived late were trying to push their way to the front. Not being one to initiate a fight, I simply planted my feet firmly into the ground and turned my attention back to the show. Much to my chagrin, these girls were relentless. Her intent to push in front of me didn’t confuse me in that I knew why she’d want to be in the front row, but… really? Don’t you think if I got there early enough or had found a spot in the front two rows that I might be a fan, and perhaps might like to stand where I am?
Her rude and thoughtless concert tact got her nowhere; my friend and I stayed planted, and she ended up squeezed between several other people in an uncomfortable mini “mosh pit” that I was glad not to be a part of. She learned the lesson the hard way, and will probably think twice before pushing her way to the front without paying her dues next time.
2. Concerts are a nice date idea… but show a little self-control!
Enjoying live music together is a lovely idea for a date, particularly if you’re in an awkward beginning stage and don’t have much to say to each other (though that may be a sign to GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!). My experience at several concerts I’ve attended over the past several months, though, has involved much more “advanced” couples. As in, they stand directly in front of you in the extremely packed venue and proceed to dance raunchily, kiss sloppily, and all around repulse the other attendees around them. My experience at a Ratatat concert at 9:30 club left me feeling like I was practically part of the couple standing in front of me. Their over-the-top expressions of love were distracting and, quite frankly, a little sickening. I understand that you two just looooove this band and cannnnnn’t help yourselves, but come on… a little courtesy, please. Can’t you find a secluded corner to enjoy each other’s company? Perhaps you could send each other suggestive glances and hold off on your overly-sexualized dance moves until after show time? We’re at Ratatat, guys, not Marvin Gaye.
The list of minor concert manners could truly go on and on. For now, I’ll leave you with these two suggestions to help guide your next live music experience such that you both enjoy yourself and do not impede on the experience of your fellow fans. Music provokes different things in different people, and I respect that… but if you violate these essential and oft unspoken concert rules, I can’t promise I wont “accidentally” step on your foot as I jam in my appropriately acquired front row spot.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Lost Code
For me, Thanksgiving break means movies. Of course, I always look forward to the food, especially since my brother and his new wife are chefs, but nothing spells Thanksgiving like a movie marathon.
For some random reason, the last film I watched was The Last Samurai. I won't go into the details of what I think about the movie (I both love and loathe it), but I will say that I have always, even as a child, had a fascination with Samurais. Their honor code, in particular, has always stood out to me. To live based on honor, now that is truly admirable.
With the movie on my mind, I prepared to return to D.C. Having done the trip numerous times before, I knew this would be a harrowing task. The Chinatown-to-Chinatown buses that travel from New York to D.C. are always quite the test to patience and personality.
I stood in the line, over an hour early to assure myself a place on the bus (even though I had previously bought my ticket online), I am a Chinatown-bus expert. And with my knowledge, I know tickets mean nothing.
Let me tell you why. As soon as the bus is in sight, people begin to push and cut the line, and hold up dollar bills in order to buy themselves a place on the sold-out bus at the cost of those who planned ahead.
It does not matter that the screaming manager pleads that everyone remain in=line, and that only people with tickets advance. On this battlefield, there are no rules of war.
Naturally, as soon as the bus pulled up, the fight began. A swarm of people forced themselves towards the small bus entrance, luggage was thrown over heads, used to push people, and into the baggage compartment.
Even a flock of pigeons joined the battle, as a woman threw her french fries onto the pavement in her scramble to get on the bus. Amidst the arguing people and frenzy of curses, a man began to rant on the unfairness of giving people with tickets priority.
Of course, all this mayhem could have been avoided if people actually stayed in-line, or at least respected the people who bought a ticket, as you are supposed to do. Apparently, however, acknowledging the fact that the multitude of people at the front of the line actually gained their place for a reason, is not a thing most people consider. Such decent rules of conduct are no longer apply.
The Bus ride wasn't much better. More of the same, people yelled and swore, and a man played his music out loud. Again, I ask, when did the simple act of respecting those around you become disregarded?
Nothing, however, prepared me for the incredible display of rudeness that I would witness at the Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stop here in D.C. As I approached the escalators, I saw a swarm of teenagers gathered around. Three, in particular, caught my attention. One was walking on the descending escalators so as to remain on the first step, talking to two others who were blocking the entry onto the escalators.
From the conversation i heard nearly a block away, these teens clearly were not ones to treat others with respect. I do not handle disrespect well.
Fortunately, someone stepped onto the escalators before me. The girls blocking the entry left her and her luggage barely enough space to get through (might I point out, that she could have easily lost her footing). Clearly, she said something, because the next thing I knew, the teen blocking the way, at least 15 years the passerby's junior, got in her face and screamed "GO," in a demanding and unbelievable rude manner.
I got through without such an incident, but as I rode the escalators down, I couldn't help but think about how culture has become so utterly transformed, that something like honor as being a central part to one's life, has been left behind. While the samurai had another more complex meaning of what I am describing here, even an incredibly simple thing like plain respect has been forgotten.
Tamara El Waylly
For some random reason, the last film I watched was The Last Samurai. I won't go into the details of what I think about the movie (I both love and loathe it), but I will say that I have always, even as a child, had a fascination with Samurais. Their honor code, in particular, has always stood out to me. To live based on honor, now that is truly admirable.
With the movie on my mind, I prepared to return to D.C. Having done the trip numerous times before, I knew this would be a harrowing task. The Chinatown-to-Chinatown buses that travel from New York to D.C. are always quite the test to patience and personality.
I stood in the line, over an hour early to assure myself a place on the bus (even though I had previously bought my ticket online), I am a Chinatown-bus expert. And with my knowledge, I know tickets mean nothing.
Let me tell you why. As soon as the bus is in sight, people begin to push and cut the line, and hold up dollar bills in order to buy themselves a place on the sold-out bus at the cost of those who planned ahead.
It does not matter that the screaming manager pleads that everyone remain in=line, and that only people with tickets advance. On this battlefield, there are no rules of war.
Naturally, as soon as the bus pulled up, the fight began. A swarm of people forced themselves towards the small bus entrance, luggage was thrown over heads, used to push people, and into the baggage compartment.
Even a flock of pigeons joined the battle, as a woman threw her french fries onto the pavement in her scramble to get on the bus. Amidst the arguing people and frenzy of curses, a man began to rant on the unfairness of giving people with tickets priority.
Of course, all this mayhem could have been avoided if people actually stayed in-line, or at least respected the people who bought a ticket, as you are supposed to do. Apparently, however, acknowledging the fact that the multitude of people at the front of the line actually gained their place for a reason, is not a thing most people consider. Such decent rules of conduct are no longer apply.
The Bus ride wasn't much better. More of the same, people yelled and swore, and a man played his music out loud. Again, I ask, when did the simple act of respecting those around you become disregarded?
Nothing, however, prepared me for the incredible display of rudeness that I would witness at the Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stop here in D.C. As I approached the escalators, I saw a swarm of teenagers gathered around. Three, in particular, caught my attention. One was walking on the descending escalators so as to remain on the first step, talking to two others who were blocking the entry onto the escalators.
From the conversation i heard nearly a block away, these teens clearly were not ones to treat others with respect. I do not handle disrespect well.
Fortunately, someone stepped onto the escalators before me. The girls blocking the entry left her and her luggage barely enough space to get through (might I point out, that she could have easily lost her footing). Clearly, she said something, because the next thing I knew, the teen blocking the way, at least 15 years the passerby's junior, got in her face and screamed "GO," in a demanding and unbelievable rude manner.
I got through without such an incident, but as I rode the escalators down, I couldn't help but think about how culture has become so utterly transformed, that something like honor as being a central part to one's life, has been left behind. While the samurai had another more complex meaning of what I am describing here, even an incredibly simple thing like plain respect has been forgotten.
Tamara El Waylly
Zombiepocalypse
My friends and I have a new Sunday night tradition: gathering around a bottle of wine and watching AMC's The Walking Dead. Though the plot line has been pretty slow, the show fulfills our every gore-seeking need (surprising, considering it's on basic cable). Zombies are a serious part of our lives. Last week, we watched The Crazies right before The Walking Dead. I followed up by having breakfast-and-a-horror-movie Monday morning with one of my friends. We made bacon, eggs, and toast, and watched Pontypool, a Canadian thriller which focuses on language as a source of disease. Certain words become infected and people can't stop repeating them, then try to eat other people out of desperation. I was so freaked out that I had to blast music in my apartment when my friend left. It took me a good 20 minutes to gather up the courage to leave my apartment to go to work. I feared streets strewn with dead bodies, and the lingering undead waiting to devour me.
What I've noticed from all of these zombie experiences are the similarities: we turn down the lights to make it creepier, snuggle under our various couch blankets, and then proceed to yell at the TV, telling off the characters for their flagrant disobedience when it comes to what I like to call "The Horror Movie Rules." Because I seriously fear that Zombiepocalypse is sure to happen within my lifetime, and because my biggest pet peeves are those morons who seem to be looking to get killed in zombie movies/TV shows, I will list below "The Horror Movie Rules," hopefully to the benefit of all.
The Horror Movie Rules
1. Stick to the group. Sometimes you need some privacy. Being someone who will avoid using public restrooms, I fully understand that. However, the last thing you want to do is get caught with your pants down (literally) when zombies decide to come out from behind that tree you've positioned yourself against. Assign yourself a bathroom buddy. Or two. Or three.
2. Don't go into dark places. Many of us have watched that lovely scene from I Am Legend where Will Smith loses his dog and decides to go after him, right into the nest of zombies. We're treated to that spectacular view of the creatures feeding on a deer, remember? It's disgusting. Go into dark places, and that deer will be you.
3. Shoot the infected. Losing a loved one is not easy, but just remember that in a few hours, your loved one will want nothing more than your brains. Do yourselves a favor and shoot them in the head. Spending time crying about it will only make the task more difficult. I've made my roommate promise me (multiple times) that, if I get bitten, he will shoot me at once. No questions asked. Also, remember the Double Tap. Zombieland taught us that you shouldn't hesitate to shoot people twice, just in case.
4. Don't trust the government. This always ends badly. If you remember The Crazies, you know that the government isn't out to help anyone but themselves. Shoot first, ask questions later.
5. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. That lovely, calm green pasture looks so quiet and peaceful, right until Farmer Bob comes back to life from his unmarked final resting place. Always have a guard on duty, and make short enough shifts that you don't risk guards dropping from exhaustion.
and last but not least...
6. Don't be a minority. Harsh but true: minorities always die first. Which is why, when Zombiepocalypse happens, I will firmly make my mark as the strong-willed, ballsy female character who isn't afraid to shoot, one of the longer-lasting Zombie movie/TV show roles. If that doesn't work out for you, the bumbling but well-intentioned white male is a pretty safe bet. Other than that, well, I can only hope you don't taste too pleasant.
-Nicole Capó
What I've noticed from all of these zombie experiences are the similarities: we turn down the lights to make it creepier, snuggle under our various couch blankets, and then proceed to yell at the TV, telling off the characters for their flagrant disobedience when it comes to what I like to call "The Horror Movie Rules." Because I seriously fear that Zombiepocalypse is sure to happen within my lifetime, and because my biggest pet peeves are those morons who seem to be looking to get killed in zombie movies/TV shows, I will list below "The Horror Movie Rules," hopefully to the benefit of all.
The Horror Movie Rules
1. Stick to the group. Sometimes you need some privacy. Being someone who will avoid using public restrooms, I fully understand that. However, the last thing you want to do is get caught with your pants down (literally) when zombies decide to come out from behind that tree you've positioned yourself against. Assign yourself a bathroom buddy. Or two. Or three.
2. Don't go into dark places. Many of us have watched that lovely scene from I Am Legend where Will Smith loses his dog and decides to go after him, right into the nest of zombies. We're treated to that spectacular view of the creatures feeding on a deer, remember? It's disgusting. Go into dark places, and that deer will be you.
3. Shoot the infected. Losing a loved one is not easy, but just remember that in a few hours, your loved one will want nothing more than your brains. Do yourselves a favor and shoot them in the head. Spending time crying about it will only make the task more difficult. I've made my roommate promise me (multiple times) that, if I get bitten, he will shoot me at once. No questions asked. Also, remember the Double Tap. Zombieland taught us that you shouldn't hesitate to shoot people twice, just in case.
4. Don't trust the government. This always ends badly. If you remember The Crazies, you know that the government isn't out to help anyone but themselves. Shoot first, ask questions later.
5. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. That lovely, calm green pasture looks so quiet and peaceful, right until Farmer Bob comes back to life from his unmarked final resting place. Always have a guard on duty, and make short enough shifts that you don't risk guards dropping from exhaustion.
and last but not least...
6. Don't be a minority. Harsh but true: minorities always die first. Which is why, when Zombiepocalypse happens, I will firmly make my mark as the strong-willed, ballsy female character who isn't afraid to shoot, one of the longer-lasting Zombie movie/TV show roles. If that doesn't work out for you, the bumbling but well-intentioned white male is a pretty safe bet. Other than that, well, I can only hope you don't taste too pleasant.
-Nicole Capó
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
What is love? Baby Don't Hurt Me...Don't Hurt Me. No More.
Marriage is...what's that word? Oh, scary. Marriage is scary. I've seen my sister get married and she's miserable. I've also seen my brother get married and betrayed. I've seen people breaking up and hurting each other. Relationships now has very low standards and it's so sad to sit and watch. In fact, the word "forever" has no meaning in relationships anymore. Do love even last anymore?
Relationships these days are hard as it is and it can be emotionally exhausting to go through, let alone marriage. As far as I know, happy marriages are kind of impossible nowadays. What's the difference between being in a committed relationship and being married? They are all the same thing to me. The only small difference between the two is that you need to sign papers to be considered legally married. To be honest, I have never fully grasp the concept of marriage and I don't think I ever will.
To me personally, a relationship is not as stressful as a marriage/divorce, but it hurts just as bad when it ends. I assume we have all be there and it sucks. There is nothing like having your lover leave you for whatever reason. I know people that have been hurt over and over and that eventually changed the meaning of love for them. It negatively changed their confidence level, their work ethnic, their behavior, their appearance and even the way they communicate with people. It's amazing to me how being in love means risking everything you have. Sometimes, people are even risking their lives. It amazes me how strongly we react to love & pain.
- M.Nguyen
Relationships these days are hard as it is and it can be emotionally exhausting to go through, let alone marriage. As far as I know, happy marriages are kind of impossible nowadays. What's the difference between being in a committed relationship and being married? They are all the same thing to me. The only small difference between the two is that you need to sign papers to be considered legally married. To be honest, I have never fully grasp the concept of marriage and I don't think I ever will.
To me personally, a relationship is not as stressful as a marriage/divorce, but it hurts just as bad when it ends. I assume we have all be there and it sucks. There is nothing like having your lover leave you for whatever reason. I know people that have been hurt over and over and that eventually changed the meaning of love for them. It negatively changed their confidence level, their work ethnic, their behavior, their appearance and even the way they communicate with people. It's amazing to me how being in love means risking everything you have. Sometimes, people are even risking their lives. It amazes me how strongly we react to love & pain.
- M.Nguyen
Monday, November 22, 2010
Turducken....it's whats for Thanksgiving
As families sit down to Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night, a turkey will probably be the centerfold for many.
As the patriarch (or matriarch) slices off layers of turkey to share, my family will be eating a turducken.
You've probably all heard of a turducken by now. The mythical meat combo has been mentioned in enough movies that people at least know it exists, but many do not know what it actually is.
Thanks to our friends a Wikipedia and my personal expertise having eaten many a turducken, I'll explain.
"A turducken is a dish consisting of a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned duck, which itself is stuffed into a de-boned turkey. The word turducken is a portmanteau of turkey, duck, and chicken or hen," the Wiki article explains.
The main cavity - called the thoracic - of the chicken or hen is stuffed with sausage or breadcrumbs and then stuffed into the duck. The remaining layers of the duck are then stuffed with more stuffing or celery and that is stuffed into the turkey. Rinse, wash, repeat.
A turducken is not bad. Honestly. My first year eating the bird(s) I was prepared to not like it. I'm not a big game fan so the duck turned me off.
The three (or four if you include the sausage) blend together. Unlike traditionally turkey, the meat isn't dry and the stuff makes a great condiment of sorts.
No wonder turducken is one of the fastest growing prepared foods this holiday season (via Wikipedia so it may not be true).
As the patriarch (or matriarch) slices off layers of turkey to share, my family will be eating a turducken.
You've probably all heard of a turducken by now. The mythical meat combo has been mentioned in enough movies that people at least know it exists, but many do not know what it actually is.
Thanks to our friends a Wikipedia and my personal expertise having eaten many a turducken, I'll explain.
"A turducken is a dish consisting of a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned duck, which itself is stuffed into a de-boned turkey. The word turducken is a portmanteau of turkey, duck, and chicken or hen," the Wiki article explains.
The main cavity - called the thoracic - of the chicken or hen is stuffed with sausage or breadcrumbs and then stuffed into the duck. The remaining layers of the duck are then stuffed with more stuffing or celery and that is stuffed into the turkey. Rinse, wash, repeat.
A turducken is not bad. Honestly. My first year eating the bird(s) I was prepared to not like it. I'm not a big game fan so the duck turned me off.
The three (or four if you include the sausage) blend together. Unlike traditionally turkey, the meat isn't dry and the stuff makes a great condiment of sorts.
No wonder turducken is one of the fastest growing prepared foods this holiday season (via Wikipedia so it may not be true).
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Deathly Hallows Didn’t Disappoint
I went to the midnight showings for every Harry Potter movie, and made no exception for the seventh, which I saw last night. My roommate and I walked to the movie theater in Chinatown at about 8p.m. We waited in line for about an hour to an hour and a half, and then were allowed inside cinema eight. The chairs were comfortable and the pre-show “entertainment” was amusing. One person tried to get a chorus of Potter Puppet Pals’, “The Mysterious Ticking Noise,” going. [If you are a Harry Potter fan and don’t know what this is, check it out, it’s amazing.] The person’s plan didn’t work great, but was fun for a few minutes. People shouted spells at random, which is a staple at all the midnight viewings I went to in previous years. The crowd was about 90% college or high school aged students, which is what I expected.
There were only two things that shocked me. First there weren’t a lot of people dressed up in robes and the like. Theaters I went to for the other movies usually had a good number of people in robes, with wands, or dressed as creatures from the books/movies, but we did have two house elves last night.
Second, the movie was amazing! Keep in mind; I went in with really low expectations. The movies usually annoy me. The first and second were good, but after that they went downhill with the sixth being the worst. Yes I kept going and kept thinking, “they can’t mess this one up any worse than the last.” Last night was the first time I was correct in thinking it. For the most part they stuck to the book’s storyline. The movie was well shot, and despite it being a dark story, they kept the humor in as well. I would go into more detail, but would rather not have the Cruciatus Curse or other horrible spells headed my direction for giving anything away. So, I will leave it at this, if you like the Harry Potter books and/or movies, then The Deathly Hallows will not disappoint you.
-- Briana Giosta
I went to the midnight showings for every Harry Potter movie, and made no exception for the seventh, which I saw last night. My roommate and I walked to the movie theater in Chinatown at about 8p.m. We waited in line for about an hour to an hour and a half, and then were allowed inside cinema eight. The chairs were comfortable and the pre-show “entertainment” was amusing. One person tried to get a chorus of Potter Puppet Pals’, “The Mysterious Ticking Noise,” going. [If you are a Harry Potter fan and don’t know what this is, check it out, it’s amazing.] The person’s plan didn’t work great, but was fun for a few minutes. People shouted spells at random, which is a staple at all the midnight viewings I went to in previous years. The crowd was about 90% college or high school aged students, which is what I expected.
There were only two things that shocked me. First there weren’t a lot of people dressed up in robes and the like. Theaters I went to for the other movies usually had a good number of people in robes, with wands, or dressed as creatures from the books/movies, but we did have two house elves last night.
Second, the movie was amazing! Keep in mind; I went in with really low expectations. The movies usually annoy me. The first and second were good, but after that they went downhill with the sixth being the worst. Yes I kept going and kept thinking, “they can’t mess this one up any worse than the last.” Last night was the first time I was correct in thinking it. For the most part they stuck to the book’s storyline. The movie was well shot, and despite it being a dark story, they kept the humor in as well. I would go into more detail, but would rather not have the Cruciatus Curse or other horrible spells headed my direction for giving anything away. So, I will leave it at this, if you like the Harry Potter books and/or movies, then The Deathly Hallows will not disappoint you.
-- Briana Giosta
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
School Spirit
This past saturday was unlike any I have ever had. I woke up at 8, geared up in layers consisting of a university sweatshirt (not GW) and headed into a mosh-pit of barbeque, blasting music, and school spirit screaming. Yes...I attended my first tailgate.
My boyfriend is an avid sports fan, much like my dad so this overwhelming knowledge and enthusiasm for sports is the norm for me, went to Syracuse University where he is obviously a fan. He is also from New Jersey; so when the opportunity arose to go to a Rutgers vs. Syracuse game this weekend (that I was conveniently, lucky me, coming home during) he begged to go.
Now, call me stuck in a rut if you would like, but I came to GW for a reason. Although I understand the fascination and love for sports, I do not hold it. Waking up at 8 am to hang out with friends the whole afternoon does sound like a lot of fun, don't get me wrong, but the thought of standing out in the cold rooting for a team just seems unbearable to me.
Well I sucked it up and gave in. We left at 8 am and I layered up in borrowed Syracuse apparel. At first I was kinda nervous, I have heard some crazy stories about different tailgates and I didn't necessarily think it would really be my type of thing. The second we got to the Rutgers campus we were meet with swarms of cars and people...let it begin.
As we walked to meet up with his friends at a specific parking lot (one of seven on the campus...wow) I was booed for wearing the rivals colors. I was automatically shocked by this behavior, since GW doesn't have any type of school spirit, I have never seen so much dedication to a school...and rudeness.
The tailgate ended up being surprisingly fun! Besides from the haters, who made themselves very clear, it became one big happy family. Everyone was sharing chips, dips and frisbee partners. It was a great example of a school coming together and creating a community. All different sororities, fraternities, social groups, and age groups were all brought together and were sharing in their love for Rutgers. I think GW could definitely take a page from these big state schools. Not that I want to do that every weekend, but i think it can 100% bring the GW student body much closer together.
This weekend I learned never to write something off before trying it. Yes, during the actual game I became bored (mainly because I don't understand football) and freezing cold, but the cheering and support of strangers around to keep up my spirits made the game a blast!
-Elyssa Nemetsky
My boyfriend is an avid sports fan, much like my dad so this overwhelming knowledge and enthusiasm for sports is the norm for me, went to Syracuse University where he is obviously a fan. He is also from New Jersey; so when the opportunity arose to go to a Rutgers vs. Syracuse game this weekend (that I was conveniently, lucky me, coming home during) he begged to go.
Now, call me stuck in a rut if you would like, but I came to GW for a reason. Although I understand the fascination and love for sports, I do not hold it. Waking up at 8 am to hang out with friends the whole afternoon does sound like a lot of fun, don't get me wrong, but the thought of standing out in the cold rooting for a team just seems unbearable to me.
Well I sucked it up and gave in. We left at 8 am and I layered up in borrowed Syracuse apparel. At first I was kinda nervous, I have heard some crazy stories about different tailgates and I didn't necessarily think it would really be my type of thing. The second we got to the Rutgers campus we were meet with swarms of cars and people...let it begin.
As we walked to meet up with his friends at a specific parking lot (one of seven on the campus...wow) I was booed for wearing the rivals colors. I was automatically shocked by this behavior, since GW doesn't have any type of school spirit, I have never seen so much dedication to a school...and rudeness.
The tailgate ended up being surprisingly fun! Besides from the haters, who made themselves very clear, it became one big happy family. Everyone was sharing chips, dips and frisbee partners. It was a great example of a school coming together and creating a community. All different sororities, fraternities, social groups, and age groups were all brought together and were sharing in their love for Rutgers. I think GW could definitely take a page from these big state schools. Not that I want to do that every weekend, but i think it can 100% bring the GW student body much closer together.
This weekend I learned never to write something off before trying it. Yes, during the actual game I became bored (mainly because I don't understand football) and freezing cold, but the cheering and support of strangers around to keep up my spirits made the game a blast!
-Elyssa Nemetsky
I Heart Taylor Swift
I love Taylor Swift. I love her music. I love her lyrics. I love her impeccably perfect curly blonde ringlets. And I love her new album "Speak Now." In fact, I haven't really stopped listening to it since it came out in early November.
My love affair with Taylor Swift (I'm not sure why I always have to use her full name, it just seems odd to call her Taylor or Swift) started this summer. I've always indulged in a little "Our Song" or "Love Story" on occasion by watching YouTube videos, but this summer I created a Taylor Swift Radio Station on Pandora. And it was wonderful. I realized that Taylor Swift has a lot more talent than people give her credit for. She's a great lyricist. She's witty, sentimental, emotional, and most importantly, she's a brilliant story teller. She may not be the greatest singer or guitar player, but it's pop music. It's not supposed to save the world. And in a day and age of pop stars-gone awry, Taylor Swift remains cool and level-headed. While Miley Cyrus misbehaves, Taylor Swift sings about feeling alone in her new apartment, putting her nightlight on, and wishing she'd never grown up. I have to admit, I resonate more with Taylor Swift.
To me, Taylor Swift is a modern day Jane Austen, which might seem like I'm overselling her writing skills. But Taylor Swift captures the modern day romance much as Austen captured the courtships and relationships of early 1800s England. I'm not saying that 200 years from now, people will be sitting in book clubs reading and analyzing her lyrics, but she does have a way of appealing to the female psyche much like Austen. Her songs are deeply personal and I always appreciate that she can be so honest with millions of listeners.
-Jayne W. Orenstein
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Going "Bro"
By Lindsay Underwood
I’ve always been a football fan by default. It’s kind of hard not to be when you come from the greatest sports town in the country. Whether it’s the Patriots, the Celtics, the Bruins, or the infamous Red Sox, our boys from Boston have always had a unique way of making the game…suspenseful.
The Patriots’ 2001 season had a storyline worthy of the silver screen. After coming off what can politely be called a “rebuilding” year in 2000, Jets linebacker Mo Lewis slammed into the Patriots’ veteran starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe in the second game of the new season. Belichick threw in sixth-round draft pick Tom Brady, who helped carry the pats to a playoff-qualifying 11-5 record.
Our dreamy new quarterback was enough to keep me interested, but the January 19, 2002 AFC Divisional Playoff game (aka “Snow Bowl”) against the Oakland Raiders turned me into the quivering, cocky, anxiety-ridden Pats fan I am today. Down 13-10 in the fourth quarter with 27 seconds on the clock, the pressure was on Pats kicker Adam Vinatieri to tie the game at the 45-yard line. We held our breath as the barely-visible football flew through the air against the driving snow, floating just above the out-stretched hands of the Raiders defense and over the yellow crossbar. From that point forward, I never missed a game. It wasn’t long before a signed photo of the “Snow Kick” joined Bobby Orr up on the walls of our family’s living room.
Being a fan of any Boston team, however, is exhausting. There’s always a lot of yelling, a lot of fidgeting, and the occasional prayer. By the time the game is over, I’m ready for a nap. My dad and my brother, on the other hand, could spend the whole day switching back and forth between different games. It was a level of enthusiasm, I decided, that could only be attributed to their gender. Boy, was I wrong.
This year, my dad and brother decided to organize a family-friendly Fantasy Football league. I picked my team’s name and color (the purple “Concord Crushers,” in honor of our town’s dangerously delicious grape juice) and waited for the results of the automatic draft. I ended up with Peyton Manning, a Steelers defense, and a bunch of people I had never heard of before. The thought of paying attention to any team but my own was a baffling proposition.
My first match-up was against my 12-year-old cousin, manager of the “Purple Panthers.” She had neglected to fix up her starting line-up and switch out her Bye-week Kicker, but she was still giving me a run for my money. I spent the day obsessively checking stats and changing stations. As I posted “smack-talk” to my pre-teen opponent I realized with horror that I had successfully transitioned from loyal Pats fan to total football freak.
After an embarrassing near-defeat, I decided to get serious. I read up on the players, checked injury reports, and weighed the stats. I’ve watched three football games so far today – not including the Patriots – and I’m now tied for second in our league, just behind my brother. I have become the very thing I fear most: a bro.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Give Hoodies a Chance!
When I was applying to college I made a deal with my father; For every school that I got accepted to he had to buy me a hoodie from that university. A fair deal, I thought. Having worked so hard in high school to get good grades, and studied my tail off for the SAT’s, wasn’t I, Kimberly Wertman, worthy of an article of clothing that would keep me warm and cozy, and display to the world in a oh-not-so-subtle manner my academic achievements? Yes, I believed I was. You see in my hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, hoodies are not viewed as being just a piece of clothing that you reserve for a morning coffee run. No, ma’am (or fine sir.) Hoodies are status symbols. If you take a stroll in our most popular shopping center wearing the newest “UNC” hoodie, you might as well have stepped off the fashion runways of Paris because the looks of awe and sheer lust that are sure to appear on the faces of passersby’s will quickly let you knew that you are looking super stylish.
Hence, you can understand why, when I rolled up to Thurston Hall my freshman year at The George Washington University, I was feeling pretty good about my wardrobe. Okay, actually that’s a lie. I was damn cocky about it. Having gotten accepted to eleven different universities my hoodie selection was fly as could be. From the University of Georgia, up to Syracuse University, and all the way out to Indiana University at Bloomington, my hoodie collection had grown domestically, and exponentially over the last few months. I laughed at the prospects of winter, and other natural elements. “Ha, you can’t touch me mother nature! I’ve got 100% heavy cotton blend sweatshirts to fight you off,” I remember thinking one day. And rain? Oh it didn’t stand a chance to me. Not when I, and my signature styled ‘bed-head’ coif were protected by my awesome hoodies. And when it came to ease and functionality, well honestly nothing could touch my favorite wardrobe staple. What could be better and more comfortable to throw on for my 8 am classes than a hoodie and pair of sweatpants? Discounting pajamas, and straight-up nudity, I could think of nothing else. With so many majestic-like qualities to offer it wearers, I had grown up under the impression that hoodies were an integral part of everyone’s wardrobe. That was until the first bit of frost arrived at GW.
As I casually strolled out of my dorm wearing my signature look on that extra- chilly day, it dawned on me how odd it was that none of the women on campus were dressed appropriately for the cold weather. In place of hoodies they were wearing…. sweaters. From cable knit, to wool woven, to cashmere draped, these strange concoctions were covering the bodies of the female studentry. “But how do their necks stay warm without excess fabric covering it? And where do they put their hands when the wind starts blowing hard if they don’t have a kangaroo pouch?” Those were the perplexing questions that I was left to ponder over.
Over the next few weeks I felt like a fish out of water. Not only were my classmates NOT wearing hoodies, but they also looked down on me for doing so. You see in the eyes of our trend-worshiping, New Jersey/Long Island based student body, hoodies are not considered (gasp) cool! Blasphemy, I know, but nonetheless, their way of thinking. From an anthropological perspective, I’ve garnered that this particular subset of the population has seemingly rejected clothing functionality in favor of what’s currently being deemed ‘popular.’ In the fashion manual that every Northern-bred, suburban raised, female was handed out in middle school, there is a clearly demarcated clause that outlaws dressing in a practical manner. For example, scoop neck tops? Ugh, according to the manual so not okay. Why on earth would someone want to keep their collarbone covered up? Deep V-necked, American Apparel baggy t-shirts though; major check! And OH MY GOSH, I almost forgot about the regulation that bans shoppers from wearing these shirts in any other color but WHITE! How else is one supposed to show off their effervescent orange-tinged fake tan? As for jeans, well that look totally died after the world learned what was between Brooke Shields and her Calvin’s. Leggings, on the other hand, are definitely the new way to go. Sure they were originally intended to be worn UNDERNEATH short articles of clothing as a means of preserving ones modesty, or used in conjunction with leotards for Jane Fonda inspired workouts, but the history of the garment is of no consequence to the GW girl. The most modern interpretation of leggings is that they serve a pants-like function without the hindrance of zippers, and encompass the comfort of an elastic waistline. Totally perfect for the freshman 15, and unplanned pregnancies... Just as the rules of keeping kosher, were listed in the Old Testament without any kind of explanation and declared to be law, so to were the statutes in the “Northern Girl’s Handbook” that hail oversized flowy cardigans, and men’s inspired shoulder-padded blazers as being sacred wardrobe pieces. Clearly, my wearing of hoodies, was an obvious violation of this groups’ holy scripture.
Although almost three years have passed since I first realized my transgressions, and I must admit, my proximity to ‘clothing-abiding’ citizens has caused me to alter my wardrobe somewhat (hello, Uggs), my relationship with hoodies is here to stay. Sure, they might make me look a bit like I have a physique on par with Santa Claus’ hot body, and perhaps my neon orange University of Miami sweater is a little bright for the non-caffeinated onlooker to be accosted with early in the morning, but frankly I don’t care. I have one more semester left in college and I intend on embracing the sleep-deprived, disheveled, I-ran-out-of-clean- laundry-and-have-no-other-wardrobe-options-look to the fullest. For the rest of my life, society has dictated that I will have to invest in, and utilize, a thing called ‘a work wardrobe.’ Failing to do so has the potential to get me fired, ala the sexy female banking officer who was canned from Citigroup this summer, or worse, prompt my co-workers to submit a secretly filmed video reel of me to the makeover show “What Not To Wear.” Now is the only time I have left to fully partake in my love affair with hoodies, and I plan on honoring our long-term relationship with the most passionate months of constant wearing, while I still am able to get use out of them. Because let’s be honest, a hoodie that says “George Washington University Alum” is just not that cool.
-Kimberly Wertman
2010 Braves: So close, yet so far
As a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves, I can’t help but feel robbed by the results of the 2010 post season. The front office made some incredible moves to ensure the team had a fighting chance in Bobby Cox’s last season, and it looked as if it was paying off. After holding onto first place in the NL East for two and a half months, the Braves had to settle for the wild card after a suddenly red-hot Phillies team retook the lead in mid August, then went 21-6 in September.
Here’s what went wrong.
When healthy, the Braves had a solid starting lineup with a deep bench, formidable rotation and one of the best bullpens in the game. But key players just couldn’t keep healthy. Starting baseman and future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones went down in August with a torn ACL. This would prove to be huge. Not only is Jones a team leader, but he is the only current player left from the 1995 World Series Champion Braves. With a knack for clutch hitting and years of post season experience, I can’t help but feel his field presence alone would have boosted the Braves’ chances in the NLDS.
The killing blow may have been the loss of second baseman Martin Prado, who had been making a case for NL MVP before his injury woes. With the regular third and second basemen down, Cox was forced to tap into his bench. Backup players like Omar Infante and Brooks Conrad who were normally used in key hitting spots were forced to start in the field, ending with disastrous results. Brooks Conrad’s poor defense single-handedly gave the Giants Game 3 of the NLDS as he tied for a record of three errors in one game.
With key pitchers like Kris Medlen, Jair Jurrjens, Takashi Saito and Eric O’Flaherty injured, both the rotation and the bullpen were missing key pieces. The injury to Billy Wagner seemed to be the nail in the coffin. With no closer, the Braves were forced to send up a variety of inexperienced post season pitchers with the hope that they could pull through, but you can’t expect rookies like Craig Kimbrel and Johnny Venters to be perfect replacements.
I’m not saying the Giants don’t have a great team. They won the World Series fair and square with great pitching and clutch hitting. But, with Jones and Prado in the lineup, there’s no way you would see the sloppy defense and slack offense that characterized this playoff campaign. While Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner make a formidable front four, if healthy, the Braves rotation would have been just as solid, with the option for at least seven different solid starters, also adding depth to the bullpen.
Bottom line, fans saw the San Francisco Giants barely hold on to beat the Braves back-ups in the tightest series of the post season. Oh well, I guess there’s always next year.
-Joey Rabinowitz
GO LEAFS...OH
“Even if your team is garbage…you should always believe they will, without a doubt, win the Championship. It’s called faith”
--God
After being the worst team in the Eastern Conference last year the Toronto Maple Leafs started off the new season 4-0. Leafs nation was in a frenzy and the fans who have been waiting since 1967 for a Stanley Cup were already making “Plan the Parade” posters. Suddenly, GM Brian Burke looked like a genius for making the controversial off-season trades he did, Coach Ron Wilson’s command style of coaching didn’t seem too harsh, and the players seemed to have chemistry, speed, and skill. All was well.
Fast forward to today. The Leafs are 5-5-2 and have quickly evoked memories of last year’s team. All the positive talk at the start of the season has disappeared and now Leaf fans are bad- mouthing their team in a way that only they really can. Brian Burke’s an idiot, Wilson is a brutal coach, and our players have the skill of a minor league team.
Well enough is enough boys and girls! I am not going to sit around, with my head in my jersey and trash talk the Buds because you know what? I’m a fan and as that quote above (from God might I add) tells us, we need to have faith. There are so many reasons to have faith, not to mention the fact that the Leafs are still at .500 and have just gotten through the toughest part of their October/ November schedule.
You know what? I’m going to call it right now so when it happens I can say “I told you so.”
ATTENTION EVERYONE: The Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup this year.
My logic is airtight on this one too:
I am a Leafs fan.
The Leafs are the best.
The best team wins the Stanley Cup.
Thus, the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup.
Do we see how faith works now? Good.
That isn't breaking news
BREAKING NEWS: Domino's Pizza to pay $31,000 for one hour of work
BREAKING NEWS:Vince Gray gets lunch invite from Obama
BREAKING NEWS:Johns Hopkins expands to Malaysia
Definition: Breaking news refers to events that are currently developing, or "breaking." Breaking news usually refers to events that are unexpected, such as a plane crash or building fire. Breaking news can also refer to news that occurs late in the day, close to a news outlet's usual deadline.
For the second time in as many election cycles, the American peacefully removed part of their government and handed some control to another ruling party. The electorate voted in a new speaker of the house and gave history book legitimacy to the tea party, and breaking news is about pizza and a lunch date?
While clearly I've cherry-picked my examples of sub-par 'breaking' news to illustrate a point, I think journos are getting a bit liberal on the definition of breaking news.
My high school journalism teacher would often tell me and my peers that journalism was a delicate "balance between what people wanted to know and what they should know." And I get it, people want to know about Sarah Palin being booed on "Dancing with the Stars," and they want to know about a $31,00/hour job at Domino's but come on; there are more important things going on than Demi Disney checking into rehab.
Is the malaise really that bad? The hit count on The Washington Post and the Pew Center will tell me yes. People don't want to read about the Fed buying $600 billion in bonds, but they really should. That decision will likely affect (cue the tear-jerking music) our children's children. For anyone worried about the state of the economy, that story will clue them in, but I would imagine it will receive half of the hits the newest YouTube scandal will.
If people don't care then journalists should. Reporters are suppose to be gatekeepers of information but it seems these days the floodgate has opened and everything gets through.
I'm not advocating for a news blackout on less-than-serious news coverage but at least don't interrupt my "regularly scheduled program" (okay that never happens anymore) or clog my Twitter feed with "Breaking News" about Tiger Woods' mother being released from the hospital. It is annoying, and frankly, a bit insulting.
I love journalism, but not because it gives me up-to-the-hour updates about which celebrity is shacking up with which co-star.I want professional journalists to let me know what is really important. That's what breaking news is, not the story will the most page views, because let's be honest, people are dumb. The story with the most pages views is often the worst story in the paper, or at least the least important one. But with a good headline and a little luck, it can out reach the rest of the quality news by miles.
So journos, give real news a chance. Reserve breakings news for news that is really important and is actually breaking. I know it may be fun to beat the pack with a Tweet or e-mail, but I know personally, I frequent sites that care less about the hits and more about the reporting.
BREAKING NEWS:Vince Gray gets lunch invite from Obama
BREAKING NEWS:Johns Hopkins expands to Malaysia
Definition: Breaking news refers to events that are currently developing, or "breaking." Breaking news usually refers to events that are unexpected, such as a plane crash or building fire. Breaking news can also refer to news that occurs late in the day, close to a news outlet's usual deadline.
For the second time in as many election cycles, the American peacefully removed part of their government and handed some control to another ruling party. The electorate voted in a new speaker of the house and gave history book legitimacy to the tea party, and breaking news is about pizza and a lunch date?
While clearly I've cherry-picked my examples of sub-par 'breaking' news to illustrate a point, I think journos are getting a bit liberal on the definition of breaking news.
My high school journalism teacher would often tell me and my peers that journalism was a delicate "balance between what people wanted to know and what they should know." And I get it, people want to know about Sarah Palin being booed on "Dancing with the Stars," and they want to know about a $31,00/hour job at Domino's but come on; there are more important things going on than Demi Disney checking into rehab.
Is the malaise really that bad? The hit count on The Washington Post and the Pew Center will tell me yes. People don't want to read about the Fed buying $600 billion in bonds, but they really should. That decision will likely affect (cue the tear-jerking music) our children's children. For anyone worried about the state of the economy, that story will clue them in, but I would imagine it will receive half of the hits the newest YouTube scandal will.
If people don't care then journalists should. Reporters are suppose to be gatekeepers of information but it seems these days the floodgate has opened and everything gets through.
I'm not advocating for a news blackout on less-than-serious news coverage but at least don't interrupt my "regularly scheduled program" (okay that never happens anymore) or clog my Twitter feed with "Breaking News" about Tiger Woods' mother being released from the hospital. It is annoying, and frankly, a bit insulting.
I love journalism, but not because it gives me up-to-the-hour updates about which celebrity is shacking up with which co-star.I want professional journalists to let me know what is really important. That's what breaking news is, not the story will the most page views, because let's be honest, people are dumb. The story with the most pages views is often the worst story in the paper, or at least the least important one. But with a good headline and a little luck, it can out reach the rest of the quality news by miles.
So journos, give real news a chance. Reserve breakings news for news that is really important and is actually breaking. I know it may be fun to beat the pack with a Tweet or e-mail, but I know personally, I frequent sites that care less about the hits and more about the reporting.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Despite critics, music industry can still send a positive message
We've all heard it before--how pop culture is negatively influencing our generation with sex and sensationalism. Critics have railed icons like Madonna or Lady Gaga for shedding light on controversial topics. Disney Channel princesses like Miley Cyrus and Hillary Duff have gotten edgier and edgier. For example, Miley Cyrus came under fire from the media for a racy photo shoot in Vanity Fair. And while there's no denying that pop culture has come a long way from the days of Leave it to Beaver, popular artists and their music can still have a positive influence on society.
Let's take a look at one of the biggest YouTube sensations right now--Willow Smith. The 9-year-old powerhouse and daughter of Will Smith has drawn over 11 million hits on her first video "Whip My Hair Back and Forth" since it hit the web October 18. Any viewer will be impressed and possibly shocked to hear about the age of the performer, who manages to portray a tenacity way beyond her years. Not to mention the fact that she sounds great. But just as important as Smith's age is the content and message of the song.
"Whip My Hair Back and Forth" is remarkable for its lack of sexuality and simple, positive message. Some vocal members of the African-American community have come out in the press lauding Smith's positive message of encouragement to young black women. Smith's video is all about the idea that, not matter what your hair (and you for that matter) may look like, to be empowered to whip it back and forth.
So the next time you criticize pop culture for being too sexual--just think about whipping your hair back and forth and remember Willow Smith.
-Matt Rist
I am a little disappointed that our commencement speaker this year is Michael Bloomberg. Sure, he has done numerous positive things for the city of New York as mayor, but I don’t quite see his relevance in Washington D.C.
Last year’s graduates had Michelle Obama deliver their commencement speech. The class of 2009 saw Rahm Emanuel speak at their graduation. Back in 2006, close friends of mine had George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, speak at their GW graduation. All of these people have significant and influential roles in this city. While it may have been difficult for the school to top the First Lady as graduation speaker, I would think with all of the school’s connections in Washington, they would be able to find a speaker with a greater relevance to the city.
With one of the highest tuitions in the nation, GW charges its students more than $50,000 each year. Therefore, affording any commencement speaker of its choice was certainly not a problem in making this year’s decision.
You probably are wondering who I would have liked to see speak at my college graduation. My number one choice would be Hillary Clinton. She is poised, intelligent, powerful and fierce. She has been a strong presence and force in Washington for my entire life. A speech from her husband would not have been too shabby either. Another attainable speaker would be Colin Powell, an alumnus of the university.
Regardless, I look forward to when the media mogul addresses the class of 2011. I’m sure he will do a fine job. I guess I will just have to close my eyes and imagine it’s Ms. Clinton’s voice I hear.
-Ricki Maybruch
Environmentalism is a Privilege
I’ve always been an environmentalist to at least some degree. I mean, my sixth birthday party was a protest to save orangutans (an endangered species) and their habitat (the jungle). As I grew up, I developed my own political views that didn’t necessarily jive with the stereotypical “tree hugger”. Though I’m fiercely liberal socially, at my core, I am conservative. It wasn’t until I worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency this summer that I really saw how the definition of “environmentalist” could (and should) morph to fit anyone’s political leanings. I actually believe that the most determining factor in this issue is socioeconomic status.
In the last decade, “green” has become not only an adjective describing color but a way of life. It’s a description of this environmental movement that has fallen into our laps. It’s a verb. The cause of “going green” has gone grassroots, allowing citizens to personally contribute to the activism. The sustainable management of our planet’s resources is affected by both public policy and individual behavior, making it particularly unique. Individuals can have a much greater impact on environmental consequences or successes than many other issues.
Someone recently asked me to “described why preservation matters to someone who doesn’t care”. Although I can now think of a million reasons, in the moment I was sort of stunned. Who doesn’t care? I am troubled by the thought that there are people who actually don’t care about our environment at all. And then I began to think about my experience this summer…
Environmentalism is a problem of privilege. Caring about the environment shouldn’t be politically stigmatized; it’s not inherently conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat. Working to conserve resources and preserve our environment is something everyone should be conscious of… and yet, this isn’t so. This summer while at EPA I really had a chance to reflect on what a privilege it was to worry about the environment at all.
As I worked in the press office, I spent a lot of time pitching stories to news organizations about “going green” for different events. Saving water, saving energy, you name it. What struck me was that more often than not, we pitched to publications catering to middle-to-upper-class women with families and some expendable income. It really made me pause to think about who has time to worry about things like energy and water from anything but an economic perspective.
Not surprisingly, some of the greatest concentrations of harmful pollutants are in large cities that have large impoverished populations. “Going green” has potential to help inhabitants of these areas possibly in a more direct way than it could for anyone else. However, in the face of adversity, I can say in all honesty that the environment would not be my primary concern. In some cases, saving money and saving energy go hand in hand. However, many “green” updates are incredibly expensive. Again, not surprisingly, these are the ones we pitched to magazines like Women’s Health and Good Housekeeping.
Ultimately, the environment is something that everyone should care about. I am not sure what it will take for this to happen – especially because I, myself, waver sometimes. If results for “green” actions were more instantly gratifying, our society might accept them more excitedly. In the short term, we ought to work on understanding environmentalism as an all-encompassing issue that will impact us all in one way or another… some day.
Claudia Powell
What Disney gets wrong
Over the weekend, another Disney Channel starlet made a leap. Not from a poppy, silly television show where she wears glitzy outfits and sings a theme song, or into some movie co-starring the Jonas Brothers. Demi Lovato followed a much more predictable route: Rehab.
According to reports, the 18-year-old performer entered an undisclosed treatment center to deal with "emotional and physical issues." Her father Patrick Lovato spoke out to the press on Sunday, stating that he felt the pressures of Hollywood are what put the young actress over the edge.
"There are a lot of pressures. That is one of the things I worried about when she signed with Disney," said Lovato. "It's just going to happen."
While I'm all for acknowledging that Disney tends to put its actresses in a purity box, making it difficult for them to break out without going to the absolute opposite side of the spectrum--ahem, Lindsey Lohan and Britney Spears-- I just don't think we can keep blaming Hollywood for these issues that are occurring all around the country, more regularly than adults and corporations seem to understand.
Yes, being in front of a thousand fans who critique you constantly is rough, but it's the same pressure that regular college students experience on a daily basis. In any given night, they're trying to finish one 10 page paper, while studying for a midterm exam, while trying to plan an event for a student organization and trying to write an article on deadline, all the while hoping to wake up at 7 a.m. to be at their internship on the Hill the next morning; by the time it comes to the weekend, it's no wonder that Nooshi happy hour is packed with students trying to drink away whatever they had to work through for the entire week.
I would never try to minimize whatever issues that Lovato is going through, but I do wish that Disney would instead use this as a learning experience for all of the kids that watch it. Now, more than ever, young people have an endless list of pressures to deal with and everyone is in the same boat. Disney needs to open up the conversation about alcohol abuse, drug use, the pressures of succeeding and the normalcy of failing in some situations-- not chastising them for being immoral, but recognizing that these are regular situations that many young people will have to deal with.
I had the opportunity to work with Miley Cyrus on her film "The Last Song" in Savannah, Georgia, last summer and was able to witness how easy it is for the public to make the normal activities of a young girl an entire controversy worthy of a magazine cover. Cyrus was one of the most normal, down-to-earth and fun girls I've ever been around and had an engaging bubbly spirit that I'll always remember. She was passionate about being a good performer, and from what it seemed, really cared about giving back to her fans.
But when the paparazzi took pictures of her kissing her boyfriend for a scene or wearing a midriff-bearing top--the media had a field day and said that she'd become too "sexy" for the image that she's known for.
While it lacks in comparison to the widespread-ness of entertainment media, Cyrus' situation reminded me of how Facebook has made cyber bullying a regular occurrence. Just as tabloids juxtaposed Cyrus' photos with captions which labled her "No long a little Disney princess," students all around the country are taking pictures from a girl's Facebook that they are jealous of and labeling her as a "slut." It's not right, but it's all too common.
They may have multi-million dollar paychecks and a clothing line at some retail giant, but these girls are going through the exact same things that students on every college campus are experiencing. I hope Lovato gets the help that she needs--just as I hope any of my peers at GW get guidance or treatment if they feel its necessary; but let's not put issues into the box of Hollywood.
The pressures that these girls are feeling are the pressures of just being young and ambitious in America, today.
-Amy Rhodin
Please Someone Read a History Book (and learn from it)!
Anti-immigration sentiment comes and goes, often with economic trends or conflicts between countries. While nationalism is important for a country’s survival, at a point it becomes more of a detriment than anything else. Blaming economic problems on an immigrant group may be good politics, but it will not solve any real problems. The U.S. is anti-immigration with regard to “Mexicans”, I put that in quotes because many Americans don’t make any distinction between people from Mexico and those that are Hispanic. Passing blame for economic problems onto Mexican immigrants is not good, nor is treating Muslims poorly because a few people who happened to be Muslim attacked us.
While illegal immigration of Mexicans, and other groups, causes economic and social problems they are not the cause, and legal immigrants certainly are not to be blamed. Why then, do politicians blame them? I think they blame them because focusing on a group of people to blame for problems is much easier than giving long winded answers to the electorate. People respond much better to “knowing” that everything in their world would be fine if they just got rid of the Mexicans or whatever ethnic group is “ruining” their country. Sure politicians could blame Wall Street, the government, or society as a whole, but blaming a minority group is much easier. Not to mention immigrants usually make up less wealthy groups in a society. Placing blame on a group that cannot easily defend themselves because of their social or economic status is much easier than blaming those that have power or money.
I am not surprised by current anti-Mexican or anti-Muslim fervor, just disappointed. Americans used to blame Irish immigrants for our economic problems. We blame the Mexican’s now. We felt so justified in blaming all Japanese-Americans for Pearl Harbor that we shoved them into internment camps. Fortunately we learned from that mistake. Well learned not to be quite as obvious with our racism against Muslim-Americans. For example, Americans aren’t talking about taking away all their rights like was done to the Japanese-Americans. Instead the anti-Muslim groups just don’t think Freedom of Religion is something Muslim-American citizens should enjoy.
I’d rather future generations read about our time in America’s history and have it bring a feeling of pride instead of shame. I know when I look back on America’s treatment of the Irish immigrants or of Japanese immigrants in the past; I do not do so with pride. If the racist few in America become the loudest or worst become a plurality then I shudder to think of the shadow that will once again be cast on America.
--Briana Giosta
Kids These Days...
I remember as a kid playing with my Easy Bake Oven, Barbie Dolls, Candy Land and my Leap Frog games. Those were the days when kids asked for new trucks and dolls and the parents would say, "No, you have enough at home", and you slowly walk with your head down wishing they would've said "yes". Those were the old days.
Nowadays, no kid I know wants the coolest bike in the shop, the biggest truck or the prettiest dolls, because what they want are iPods, iPads, Wiis and other electronics that they SHOULDN'T HAVE AT THIS AGE. My brother in law bought my 10 year old niece her own iPad, which I think is ridiculous. Why in the world would she need an iPad at age 10 ? Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I have two other nieces who are 8 and 6 years old. All three of them have their own laptops and desktops in their rooms, YouTube accounts, G-Mail accounts and Skype accounts. I wonder if they have a Facebook or a Twitter....hmmm.
All three of my nieces are still in elementary school and I don't think they should have any of that stuff. They are too young and it's also dangerous. Why are the parents letting this happen? I think it's irresponsible parenting, but I can't do nothing about it. I am their aunt and I am worried. Lately, there has been so many deaths of students across the country due to bullying, cyber-bullying, internet predators and inappropriate sites that I'm afraid my nieces will run into. I don't want my three precious nieces dealing with any of these problems and that is why they shouldn't have expensive electronics which allows them to have contact/personal accounts! & No, I am not jealous of their new "toys".
What ever happened to traditional toys? The kind made out of plastic, often colorful, makes noises, and are affordable. Remember those things ? Today, the word toys has a completely different meaning and kids want them. Everytime I pass the Apple store at Tysons Mall (Northern VA) there are always kids and their parents looking at music players, Macs, iPhones, etc. and it drives me crazy. Kids are growing way too fast these days and that makes me wonder what my kids will be like in the future. Am I going to have to buy multiples touch computers and the latest phones every Christmas? That is crazy.
My nieces are always on Skype. I wonder why they are always logged on. Who the heck are they talking to? and What are they looking at ? I asked them all the time and get the same ole answer, "Nothing". Ugh, gets me frustrated and paranoid. I mean, if they had homework and needed the internet for it, then I can understand, but they don't, which is why it worries me. They are good kids, but you can never know what is happening. I also notice changes in the way they communicate in person because their interpersonal communication sucks. Sometimes, they don't talk or respond to me, but instead respond to their friends using acronyms that I don't even know like, "C&G" or "CRAFT". which apparently means "chuckle & grin" and "can't remember a frickin' thing". One time, my oldest niece Celine had a Skype conversation with her friend talking crap about another girl saying, "omg, idk. Smh, idc bout her. She stoopid". I was shocked when I saw this because not only did she use acronyms, but her grammar and the way she spelled stupid were clearly on purpose. What blows my mind is that she's only 10. She has influence on her other two sisters when they see her saying these things. It's just not good and I don't know what to do.
Today, young people are very popular and have a massive amount of influence on the future, but that doesn't mean they have to start at such an early stage in their childhood. There is no need to learn how to use an iPad or have an e-mail account at age 10. They have time to use those things for the rest of their lives. They should enjoy their childhood being a kid, acting like a kid, and do things that kids should do. God, I sound so old.
-Maggie A. Nguyen
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