Just in time for the start of the new school year, Apple has once again released an updated version of their iPod Touch, Nano and Shuffle.

Here at UVN, we will give you a comprehensive review of these new devices, from new features, looks and innovations.

iPod Touch: The Definitive iPod

Remember when the new iPod Touches came out, when the original iPod line existed and the new iPhones just came out? At the point, the iPod touch did not have a fit, it seemed more gimmicky and not as functional as either an iPod or the iPhone.

But not anymore! The new iPod Touch is now the ultimate multimedia device. It is impossibly thin, a few millimeters wider than a standard headphone jack. It is also capable of HD video recording and FaceTime!

However the new iPod still leaves a few qualities to be desired. The camera is a little weaker than an iPhone, limited possibly due to its thinness. Also, it is limited to only wi-fi connectivity, no 3g plans are offered. This means without being near a wi-fi source, all the handy apps on the iPod Touch are now useless.

However, for a multimedia device not attached to a phone, the iPod touch as become the best option.

8gb – $229
32gb – $299
64gb – $399

iPod Nano: Great MP3 Player

The new iPod Nano is a great music player to take with you anywhere. Physically, the Nano is ultra light, and is primarily made up of a screen and 3 button. The ultra portability of such a small device does not compromise the easy, intuitive touchscreen. Although the screen is only 1.54 inches, the access of music and apps are very responsive. The battery has also been upgraded, capable of going many days without recharging.

The sleek screen design is fast and all of the functions are accessible with only one finger. Perfect for sports such as biking, running and hiking. However, the applications are not very customizable, but perhaps in the future, Apple will add these features.

8gb – $149
16gb – $179

Back to School by Elizabeth Hernandez

Summer is officially over and the school year has finally started. What does this mean? The days of mom’s cooking, employee meals and family dinners have come to a halt. I must say this summer I wasn’t really worried about eating healthy or financial expenses. I worked at a restaurant 40 hours a week and was able to have free employee meals. When I wasn’t working my house was food heaven. My mom would make all of my favorite meals and the pantry was always fully stocked. This made heading back to college tough. But over the summer I researched amazing recipes, healthy eating habits, and clever food techniques and look forward to sharing with everyone just what I discovered.
Best investment this summer: a slow-cooker. It was so easy putting something in a pot, letting it sit there all day and BAM, I had a meal without having to stand over top of the stove risking disaster.
Believe it or not there are some recipes that only involve using 3 ingredients and let’s face it. We are in college so the less we have to spend the better.
This recipe was easy and didn’t take that much time. The only thing I had to do was stir occasionally.

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs











Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. precooked frozen meatballs
• 1 cup grape jelly
• 2 cups cocktail sauce
Preparation:
Heat meatballs in oven as directed on package. Place in 3-4 quart crockpot. Mix jelly and cocktail sauce thoroughly, pour over meatballs, stir well, cover crockpot, and heat on high 1-2 hours until sauce is hot. Turn heat to low until ready to serve, stirring occasionally. Serves 8-10
Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken
The next recipe that I attempted was more of a main dish and my favorite.
This simple crockpot chicken recipe is full of flavor and nutrition.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours, 10 minutes
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 18 oz. bottle sweet and sour sauce
• 16 oz. pkg. frozen broccoli and carrots, thawed and drained
• 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
Preparation:
Cut chicken thighs into 1-1/2″ pieces. Mix with simmer sauce in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 8-10 hours or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Twenty minutes before serving stir in vegetables, thyme, and pepper. Cover, increase heat to HIGH and cook for 20-30 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Serves 6-8
Compliments of Linda Larsen
For more 3 ingredient recipes visit http://busycooks.about.com/cs/crockpotrecipes/a/3ingredcrock.htm

The Good, The Great, and the Strange by Natalie Bograd

This week in culture was bad news for us cynics. By that I mean I actually struggled to find anything ridiculous or disturbing to write about. There were a few things that struck me as odd, things that made me go hmm, but nothing that made me want to pack up my things and go live in a cave. So you’ll have to forgive me for unabashedly gushing about all the things that I love. I promise I’ll throw in some snark wherever I can.

The Great:
The first TV spot for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows debuted this week. Watch it here:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2139556121/
Highlights: the pure spookiness of Voldemort’s hissing,“I have seen your heart and it is mine…” makes you want to curl up under the covers and think about puppies and rainbows! That being said, Ralph Fiennes is a genius. The only other pieces of new imagery are Dumbeldore’s ghost and Harry and Hagrid riding a motorbike. I must say, I applaud director David Yates and the rest of the HP crew for not shying away from making a dark movie based on a dark book. I grew up with Harry Potter, and as his world became increasingly complex and turbulent, so did mine. Let’s not insult the young by removing the sense of pervading fear and hopelessness that dominated the seventh book—it only made the ending that much more rewarding. The Harry Potter films have been a mixed bag, but Deathly Hallows looks to top the list (along with Alfonso Cauron’s whimisical and elegantly photographed Prisoner of Azkaban, and Mike Newell’s Goblet of Fire, a white-knuckle thriller with a shot of teen romance). +1 for the light side of the Force.

Tim Gunn on the Daily Show:
I always had a suspicion that I loved Tim Gunn. After 8 seasons of Project Runway, (as bitchy designers arrive, whine, and leave) Tim remains a constant nurturing presence, looking out from behind his librarian glasses and speaking the truth in a voice that sounds like he’s got a mouthful of marbles. What I didn’t know was that Tim Gunn is awesome. Seriously. He’s down to earth, bitchy in a gentle and charming way (yes it’s possible), and aware of the inherent absurdity of the fashion industry. It was double awesome to see him in the same room as John Stewart, my ultimate older man crush (after Anderson Cooper but sadly the silver fox doesn’t play for my team). Stewart, who equals Gunn in deflating the absurdly pompous, was particularly impressed by one anecdote from Gunn’s new book Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making it Work. The story involves Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. During Fashion Week, Gunn witnessed several assistants carry Ms. Wintour down the stairs. God forbid she…what do you call it? Oh. Walk. In her defense, says Gunn, she was wearing a pair of Manolo Blahnik stilettos and had to get to the next fashion show double quick. Gunn also admits that he probably wouldn’t have included the story in his book had Wintour’s people not caught wind of the story and demanded an apology. “The only apology I can come up with is implying that she doesn’t know how to work a Manolo.” Tim Gunn, we salute you! +1 Obi-Wan-Kenobi of fashion!

The Good:
Helen Mirren to star as “Prospera” in Julie Taymor’s Tempest with a Twist. Julie Taymor ruined the Beatles for me. Yes, I freely admit that I think Across the Universe is one the worst movie musicals ever made, and a heretical slap in the face to the music it was designed around. However, the film seems to be a slip for the arguably talented Ms. Taymor. The Lion King is the only Disney musical that actually enhanced the original story, and we know she knows her Shakespeare. Titus, her take on Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus is violent and bloody (as is the play itself) but infused with a hint of darkest humor. The Tempest, with its mix of powerful storms, magical apparitions, and exotic imagery, is one of Shakespeare’s most cinematic works. Casting Helen Mirren in the traditionally male role of Prospero could very well be a stroke of genius, adding depth to the parent-child relationship between Prospero and Miranda and creating a commentary on female power. At the least, people will go see it just to see what the heck Taymor did this time. +1 for queen turned sorceress! (Source: E! News)

The Strange:
Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal to star in Spanish Language comedy with Will Ferrell.
Casa de Mi Padre, a Spanish language comedy playing on the melodramatic telenovela style, might be the strangest thing since chocolate bacon cupcakes (I do not get why one would want meat atop a cupcake. Call me crazy). The equally gorgeous childhood friends are no strangers to mainstream American Cinema. The two actors originally displayed their talent in a little film called Y Tu Mama Tambien (spoiler alert: they make out). Bernal cemented his career portraying a young Che Guevara in Motorcycle Diaries (one of my top ten favorite films). Since then Luna has appeared in Dirty Dancing Havana Nights, which I would hate on if he weren’t so darn attractive. He also had a small role in Steven Spielberg’s The Terminal, and played Sean Penn’s tragic lover in Milk. Bernal has also had an interesting mix of roles in The Science of Sleep, Babel, and Pedro Almodóvar’s Bad Education. However, the last time the two teamed up was in a forgettable film directed by Alfonso Cuaron’s (Children of Men, Y tu Mama Tambien) younger brother. Rudo y Cursi features Luna and Bernal as brothers and rival soccer players. The two compete, drink, gamble, whine about their circumstances, and then whine some more. Meanwhile Luna’s character has a wife and kids that he refuses to support, and Bernal chases a career as pop music singer. The only word I can say about the movie is boring. Luna and Bernal are both talented actors who need a great script to work from. Matching the two with Will Ferrell’s freewheeling brand of comedy could either be genius or simply embarrassing. Granted, Ferrell always makes me laugh. Even in Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. I’ll reserve judgment on this for now. 0 points. (Source: E! News)

Put away your Myan calendars folks, the apocalypse hasn’t arrived. At least not this week.

Mad Men: What is the deal? by Natalie Bograd

The Suitcase

So two weeks ago I wrote a scathing review of one of the show’s most disappointing episodes (Waldorf Stories). Then last week, they roll out what was possibly one of the best episodes in Mad Men history. And this week…well frankly, I’m confused. As a film major, I tend to view things in complete units. A movie is a movie and once the credits roll that’s all folks, you’re done. One of the fascinating things about television is the ability to track characters over multiple episodes. Building a season is more important than each individual episode. Some writers understand this perfectly. Some start off with a perfect symphony and over time start hitting sour notes (see the last season of Lost, Grey’s Anatomy after season 3, and the recent season finale of True Blood). In the past 3 episodes, it seems that we’ve seen the entire emotional range of Don Draper including but not limited to: drunk bastard, sentimental dad, grieving friend, and (my personal favorite) writer of diary entries that sound more like film-noir voiceover than honest confessions. But I digress. Since I have two episodes to write about, I’ll spare the detailed summary of each episode and dwell instead on some of the highlights, lowlights, and WTF moments.
First, last week’s episode. The Suitcase was probably the best episode since the season one finale The Wheel. Why? Don and Peggy. Let me say it again so the writers can hear me: DON AND PEGGY. These two characters make the show live and breathe. Sure, we need Roger, Joan, Pete, Betty (wait, can’t we just push her off a cliff?) and the rest of the SCDP crew, but the relationship between Don and Peggy is what makes the show captivating. Their strange doppleganger/father-daughter/mentor-mentee relationship has led to some of the best Mad Men moments: Don visiting Peggy in the hospital, Peggy covering up Don’s drunken car accident with Bobbie Barrett. Don admitted last season that he’s so hard on her “because I see you as an extension of myself.” Nothing narcissistic about that! Still, there’s a tenderness between these two that we’ve only seen glimpses of so far. The Suitcase reveals the depth of their connection, moving both characters forward and reminding some of us viewers why we cared about them in the first place. The highlights:
• Mrs. Blankenship, Don’s constantly inappropriate secretary: “If I wanted to see two Negroes fight, I’d throw a dollar bill out the window.” Minus one for blatant racism, plus one to Joan for picking a secretary that will never, ever, distract Don in a sexual manner.
• Don and Peggy’s knock-down, drag out fight (underscored by the boxing theme that pervades the episode). Best lines: “I don’t say thank you, that’s what the money is for!” “You should be thanking me and Jesus for giving you another day!”
• Duck attempts to take a shit in Roger’s office. Okay, he thought it was Don’s office. And okay, he was drunk. Really, really drunk. Drunk enough to think that such a move would woo Peggy away from the office into his bed. Honestly, I hope this is the last we see of Duck—he’s so last season. But I doubt it.
• Related to the last point—Don punches Duck for calling Peggy a whore. He may be drunk, but at least he’s honorable.
• Don Draper’s humanity. He eats in diners. He spends a night with a woman without actually sleeping with her. He gets vomit on his perfectly ironed white shirt. The sweetness of Don and Peggy’s “date” especially with his knowledge of Anna’s death, was undiluted perfection. Their friend-date ended with the almost unbearable beauty of her letting him fall asleep in her lap. I applaud the writers for keeping their relationship platonic. It’s much more important that Don sees Peggy as an actual human being and vice-versa. My eyes first misted up when Don tells her that the only person that actually knew him was gone, and she replies “that’s not true.”
• Don Draper cries. John Hamm, we are not worthy. The breakdown of the unassailable Draper façade brilliantly reminds us of the show’s overarching theme: identity is just a projection, the past is easy to hide, and it’s impossible to know another person completely.
• When Don grabs Peggy’s hand at the end of the episode, it’s an important moment of acknowledgement. In the past, Don might have pretended the evening never happened and rebuffed her with an offhand insult. Instead, he recognizes that something has permanently changed between them. “Take a shower and get back to work” isn’t an order. It’s an expression of gratitude.

Oh yeah, and it ended with Bleeker Street by Simon and Garfunkel. As if it wasn’t orgasmically good enough already.

The Summer Man

What to say about this week’s episode? “The Summer Man,” as one of my friends put it, was “more interesting than it was good.” Don is apparently trying to turn his life around by swimming laps and writing in a journal. Joey, the temp guy that no one cares about anyway, is on a sexist rampage against our Joan. Joan in all of her fiery glory appears to have lost some of the delicious bitchiness that left lesser secretaries shaking in their pumps. She’s actually one of the sadder characters on the show—drooled over by everyone and understood by few. Here’s a woman whose husband raped her and is now has to deal with a kid that tells her that she’s “walking around looking like she’s trying to get raped.” She silences the water-cooler crowd by letting them know that they’re all going to end up as ash in some battlefield in Vietnam. Joey’s gotta go, and in a twist of the office’s female power structure, Peggy is the one to fire him. I was disappointed that Joan lashed out at Peggy instead of expressing gratitude. Whatever happened to the sisterhood? But Joan’s not the type of girl who wants anyone to think she can’t take care of herself.
Don’s voiceover wasn’t obnoxious but it was an odd change in the show’s style. All of a sudden he’s this guy who keeps a journal that sounds an awful lot like The Great Gatsby. I’m glad he’s bored by blonde Bethany, despite the fact that she goes down on him in a taxicab. . Oh yeah and he runs into Betty on his date. So awkward. So not over him. Between her hysterical antics and the complete lack of chemistry her and Henry, we can only hope that she won’t be sneaking back into Don’s life. He’s finally realized that he needs a relationship with an actual adult woman. His date with Faye goes better, and I loved that he was the one to say no to first-date sex
The best part of the episode was when Don crosses into enemy territory to attend his two-year-old son’s birthday party. Gene, the “baby” has mostly been unmentioned and unseen until this episode, and he serves as a symbol of the last halcyon days of Don and Betty’s marriage. Don with all his faults has always cared about his kids, and I was happy to see that he and Betty finally realized that it’s not all about them. It’s about their children. Sally, Bobby, and Gene—the only good thing that the two of them created together. So they can stand in the same room and Betty can introduce Don to their son as “Daddy,” and everyone can have a moment of peace. Following up an episode as stellar as “The Suitcase” is a daunting task, but I hope that we don’t have to listen to more of Don’s inner monologue. “She wants me to know her, but I already do.” Thank you Mr. Film Noir Voiceover Guy. When it comes to Don Draper, the mystery has always made the man, and I’d like it to stay that way.

Signs of the Apocalypse vs. Signs of Things Potentially Not Totally Sucking by Natalie Bograd

• Kate Goiesslin’s Emmy appearance made her think about getting into acting. Starring in a Lifetime Movie about the Octomom perhaps? Or perhaps she can revert to her pre-divorce haircut and play a skunk on Animal Planet. +1 for the Apocalypse. (source: EW).
• John Cusack has been cast as in a new movie. He’ll be playing literary giant Edgar Allen Poe: Quoth the Raven: “What the hell were they thinking?” Another point for the Apocalypse.(source: EW).
• Jon Hamm to reprise his role on 30 Rock. (source: EW) Finally! Thanks pop culture, I was starting to get worried. Hamm has proven his versatility and comedic talent on “Saturday Night Live” and in previous episodes of “30 Rock.” Perhaps Hamm and Tina Fey can get 30 Rock out of its monotonous slump and take the sting off the remake of Casablanca starring Jon Cusack and Kate Goislin (“We’ll always have Dancing With the Stars”) or whatever they come up with next. 1 point for things potentially not totally sucking.

THIS WEEK’S WINNER: THE APOCALYPSE. Let’s hope for brighter days ahead.

My Mother Wants Don Draper to Get Hit by a Bus by Natalie Bograd

I love Mad Men. My entire family loves Mad Men. And, as we found out this week, the Emmy Awards love Mad Men. Which is why I was disappointed this week by one of the most self-indulgent and carelessly structured episodes in the show’s history. As Matthew Weiner and his team accepted their third consecutive Emmy Award for the show’s (usually) brilliant writing, Don Draper is also preparing to snag a golden statue: a CLIO award in the “best cleansers, waxes and polishers category.”

“Waldorf Stories” drops us back into the liquor-soaked world of SCDP, which seems bland compared to last week’s detour into masturbation, psychotherapy, the power of Betty Draper’s backhand, and really, really bad haircuts. Everyone is playing to type: Don is arrogant, Peggy’s whining, and please don’t get Pete started on Kenny. As the episode opens, Don and Peggy are eviscerating Danny, the latest oddball to seek a job at SCDP. Danny is there due to nepotism: he’s Rodger’s wife’s cousin. This could have been a nice moment of Don/Peggy bonding, but Don has awards on the brain and Peggy is pissed about not being invited to the ceremony (What can we say, Joan looks better in a dress). She’s also butting heads with the new art director.

Wait. What new art director? Apparently he exists and his name is Stan. There he is wowing the ladies with his controversial ad from the LBJ campaign. Nothing says romance like the KKK, right? So far we know Stan’s a nudist and uses words like “speechitize.” He spends most of his time insulting Peggy’s buttoned-up appearance and throwing pencils at the ceiling.

Back on the Jersey Shore (oops, I meant the CLIOS) there are appearances by Don’s new archenemy Ted Chaough and Duck Philips, the Ghost of Seasons Past. Then Rodger, Joan, and Don clasp hands in anticipation as the nominees are announced. Don gives Joan the most inappropriate awards show kiss since Adrien Brody and Halle Berry at the 2002 Oscars. But wait: no time for more than five or six drinks. There are clients back at the office.

Even though Don’s can be a conceited SOB, he’s good at what he does. That’s why we keep watching. But Don’s drunk, the clients are drunk, and no one’s in the mood for a campaign built on nostalgia and subtle irony. Don further embarrasses himself by slurring a badly paraphrased version of one of his best speeches (the pitch for Kodak slide projectors at the end of the first season). Don accidentally sells them “The Cure for the Common Breakfast,” a slogan taken right from portfolio of young Danny Nepotism. Eager to get back to the after party, Don ignores a disapproving Peggy except to order her into a hotel room with Nudist Stan until they come up with a campaign for Vic’s Chemical. Peggy’s disappointment at Don’s fall from grace isn’t a mirror he feels like looking into right now.

The rest of the episode is a clumsy downward spiral. Stan flips through Playboy and intermittently accuses Peggy of being ashamed of her body. Peggy proceeds to strip down (three cheers for female liberation! Amen, Sistah!) and get down—to work, that is. Now it’s Stan that can’t focus, his erection a symbol of Peggy’s triumph over the man—though have we noticed she’s fairly desperate for the attention of male authority figures? Hello, she slept with Duck!

At the after party, Don flirts with Blonde Doctor Faye who coolly rejects him. She’ll be back though: Don likes ‘em fiery. Now begins Don Draper’s Night of Shame. He goes to bed with a brunette whose oral skills (what? she hums the Star Spangled Banner!) are not up to par and wakes up with a waitress named Doris who refers to him as Dick. Ah the irony! Now, I understand that Don is going to have to hit rock bottom because rising from the gutter is what Don does. This is emphasized in a series of flashbacks that give the origin story of the Draper/Sterling brotherhood of AM drinking. Jon Hamm’s acting talent usually makes us care about Don, even though he’s an arrogant man-whore. But for how much longer? How long can we watch Don act like an overdressed fraternity brother before we lose faith in him? Unlike the eager Don Draper seen in the episode’s flashbacks, this self-pitying Don is not the cure for the common ad-man. He doesn’t care about his work, his kids, or even his women. And that is why my mom secretly hopes that Don Draper gets hit by a bus.

Signs of The Apocalypse: Of Silver Bells and Marcel The Shell by Natalie Bograd

Starting a blog is a nerve-wracking endeavor for me. First of all, I think most people who write blogs are self-indulgent and naïve in thinking that anyone really cares what they have to say. Secondly, what would I blog about? And third, who am I to say anything about anything? As lauded philosopher James Taylor put it, “I don’t know nothin’ about nothin.” To answer the second question, the question of subject matter, I decided to take another famous writer’s advice and write what I know. What do I know? Pop culture. And like any good pop culture follower, I’ve noticed certain disturbing trends in that possibly indicate the decline of American society and culture.
My generation is, more than any generation in history, inundated with information, media, and the constant glare of the television, laptop, or smartphone screen. Between Twitter, Facebook, and the Stumble Button it’s easy to pick up on what’s good and what’s bad out there. From Lady Gaga to the KFC Double Down sandwich, contemporary society is locked in a constant struggle between the bad-bad (Crocs, anything to do with Jon or Kate Gossilen), the bad-good (VHI reality shows, songs by Ke$ha) and the good-good (Jon Hamm in a suit, Betty White doing just about anything).
And to answer the last question, the who am I question? I’m a twenty-something film major from a midsized city somewhere between Hollywood and Madison Avenue. I’m writing this blog because I’m getting a degree in analyzing shit, taking it apart, and putting it back together again. I have a lot of opinions, and am using the web as an outlet so I don’t annoy my friends by rhapsodizing about what supernatural creature will replace vampires (vampires replaced pirates, pirates replaced witches, etc. etc.) or the guilt associated with actually owning a Snuggie. I’m writing because I’m a nice girl—I hold doors, I thank bus drivers, I don’t like to complain even if my neighbors’ sweet electronica blasts through my walls at 3 AM. But inside that nice girl is an opinionated bitch, and inside that opinionated bitch is a nice girl who’s worried you readers will think I’m an opinionated bitch. As another great philosopher once said, “Ogres are like onions. We have layers.” Oh, yeah, it was Shrek. I’m like an onion. Still with me? Good. Anyhow, I hope you take this blog the way I intend you too: with at least a few grains of salt, and never too seriously.
Now readers, I have a question, nay, a challenge. What do you think are the biggest signs of the (pop-culture) apocalypse? Snooki’s boyfriend proposing on the cover of a magazine? Cosmetic foot surgery? Sex and the City 2? I’m dying to know.

LINK:
(http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/07/stupid_trends_c.php)

In the meantime, here’s a pretty adorable short by director Dean Fleischer Camp voiced by SNL’S Jenny Slate. This should lift your spirits and remind you that it’s not all bad out there.
VIDEO:
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/08/watch_snls_jenny_slate_in_marc.html

Starting Out and Going Onward by Alex Jefferson

Being a first generation college student, only living with my mother, it can be safe to say that I was completely clueless to what college would be like. I was expecting something a bit more dissonant. People would be more stubborn and uptight or oppositely, extremely nihilistic and were only there to party. Needless to say, the 3 hour ride up was definitely a curious and tense one (even though it was at five in the morning).

But, thankfully, the outcome was very positive. Turns out a lot people are actually on your side and want to make sure all is well in your situation. My mother kept thinking we’d show up with someone holding a bill for all the money we owed or we won’t get in and that we need our shot records to get into the dorms. But reality set in and at about noon, I was having lunch with my new dorm mate and his parents at the food court. Life was good. Life still is good after the first week of classes. The environment is uplifting, and one of success, especially for the school I attend, Colorado University at Boulder. Everywhere you go you see the mountains to the west, the “bro’s” in Farrand field throwing around the discs and playing soccer, while all the cute girls in their indie attire and sandals roam around constantly.

Even with all these delightful senses of “new” and “energetic” characteristics, you can’t help but see people who still seem distant, socially awkward, and too quiet to really get an idea of what college is. And for a little bit of time, I used to be like that, kind of. But recently, yesterday actually, I went to lunch and sat down with complete strangers who actually turned out to be seniors. Needless to say, it was a growing experience, and that’s exactly what college is. To help you grow and gain more experience, to get you ready for the even bigger world. Because even though there are a few stubborn chaps and party boys who really shouldn’t be part of the campus life, don’t let that distract you from the countless teachers, students, and upperclassmen who really do want you to succeed. Really.

Bieber, Twilight, Favre???? by Ben Draper

Oh yes number 4, I went there.You fit right in with the things i cant stand hearing about.

After the third go around of Farve’s summer rendition of hamlet, seeing his name in my news feed is like hearing that kid in your math class remind the teacher to assign homework. I mean, how selfish can you be number 4? Granted you had 33 touchdowns and 4202 passing yards last season but make up your mind already! Okay maybe i’m getting a little emotional…Lets calm down and try to figure out what could be motivating one of the grittiest, entertaining quarterbacks of all time to return to the NFL…again.

So, why come back? Could it be a chance for one last run at the Lombardi trophy? Could it be the potential 28 million that he could pocket this year? I don’t think so. So why then? Why keep beating the dead horse number 4? PRIDE I say, PRIDE.

Favre’s story book ending in Minnesota wasn’t so story book after all, he ended his season in the worst way possible, tossing a pick on the game sealing drive on the way to a super bowl title. As you can imagine this didn’t sit well with old Mr. Favre, so hes back for another round to finish off that fairytale ending, to engrave himself in NFL history. That’s right folks, don’t let his country bumpkin facade steer you into believing hes back for the love of the game, this man has an agenda and wont rest till he wins back the respect and love of every human being on earth.

But as usual, the NFL welcomes back ole Favre with open arms, after all, he did give them the largest cable audience in history when he played against his old team and not to mention he is a fantastic marketing tool.

So Mr. Favre, where do you go from here? I may be sick of you but one things for sure, America isnt. Will you finally be able to go out on top? (much like a former bronco quarterback) or will you falter once again and end the season with the all too familiar question mark?

Im sure we will hear about it all season long.

Get Low Review by Meagan Flannery

So, I was going to see Eat Pray Love this past weekend, but I decided to see Get Low instead. I don’t know, I guess I was feeling I need some Robert Duvall in my life. I thoroughly enjoyed its folk-roots (it was slightly based on a “true” story/folk tale) and I felt that the folk style was portrayed very well on screen. There was suspense only in the hushed whispers of the people in town, telling stories about the old man. In fact, I was on edge to find out what kind of things Felix Bush did, rather than who is actually was. And really, does it matter what the truth is, if the entire town believes something else? This movie explores how folklore can make or break a person. And it makes you wonder the nature of other folk heroes (or villains).

I love Duvall. He was amazing in this film. Really, only he could portray the kind of multi-dimensional nature that a true hermit calls for. The other actors were great too, because you could see their character changes on screen as Felix comes into their lives. Bill Murray’s character, Frank Quinn, will do anything to keep his funeral business afloat, including giving a funeral to a living man. And I honestly thought that Buddy (Frank Quinn) was going to be someone against Felix. In fact, these two characters were more loyal, more compassionate, and more honest than all of Felix’s real friends.

Which brings me to my next point: the ending. Don’t worry, no spoilers here! But I thought it was interesting that Felix’s funeral was portrayed more like an execution, with Frank as one of the executioners and Buddy as a witness. I don’t want to say too much about it, but I felt there was something in the symbolism of friendship, execution, and the public. I guess you can decide if you watch the film.

All in all, this was a great film. It is, however, a little sad, though I would not consider it a tearjerker. I would recommend this film to anyone looking for something anti-blockbuster, and something meaningful.

Online Watching by Meagan Flannery

Hey, everyone!

So, I was going to write a review about Inception, but I never got around to seeing the movie (busy busy busy with work). Besides, everyone is saying to just go out and see it without reading anything about it because it’ll ruin the movie for you apparently. So go see it if you haven’t. I surely am this weekend. Then maybe we can talk.

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about the different ways in which people watch their movies and TV shows. Five years ago, I always went and saw the new movies that came out in the theatre, and if I really liked them, bought them when they came out on video. I watched TV shows on the television, when the episode aired (or at least a re-run in the summer). However, the past few years I watch almost everything on my computer. Two years ago I stopped being able to afford cable, then my TV broke and I never replaced it. So I just watch everything on my computer. Most of my favorite shows are available to watch online, so I do it there. I also have a Netflix account, so there’s another way I watch TV and movies (both online and on DVD). I have even grown fond of watching amateur shorts on YouTube! I recently got a brand-spanking new 27-inch iMac so I’ve been blessed with seeing things in HD.

Going to the theatre is expensive [for my boyfriend] so I only go to see movies I REALLY want to see.

But is this a good thing? I feel like I’m losing the experience of only having the chance to see something once – and getting excited about that. Everything right now is available to me at my own convenience. I’ve become spoiled and lazy. Except that right now as I’m writing, none of my online video streamers are working so I can’t watch anything. And I’m angry about it. Why didn’t I just watch my show last night when it aired? (oh yeah… commercials…)

If any of you have an opinion, let me know. Do you miss the old days and rushing to see your favorite show/movie? Or do you wish you could back all the Friday nights you stayed in just to see your favorite guilty pleasure?

Net Neutrality: What Could Happen to Our Internet Access by Jack Lu

The Basic Idea:

The internet, these days, has become just as open with opportunities as the real world. If you have a product, you can advertise it, if you have an opinion, you can make it known to others. However, just as the internet can be so open, the internet is just as secretive. Who really controls the internet? Can it be shut off? Which individual has the most power to affect the internet?

Right now, these questions are very hard to answer, however, we know that above all else, the internet is equal, that is does not discriminate. Every race, class and age has a right to access the internet and right now, it cannot be taken away.

This is where Net Neutrality comes in. Net Neutrality advocates for the freedom of access to all users on the internet, just as the first amendment protected freedom of speech. However, since Net Neutrality is relatively new, the fundamental laws protecting the users of the internet have not yet been faced. This could change following the proposed idea of not having Net Neutrality.

But why would that affect me, you ask? Well imagine the internet where companies like Microsoft and Apple load many times faster than mom-and-pop internet stores or third-party developers. Where you pay a basic fee to have access to Google and Hotmail, but you cannot access Netflix, Facebook, or Hulu without paying a premium price.

History has taught us that Neutrality is a gigantic issue in all forms of our media. We can see how conglomerates such as ABC, NBC, and FOX all supply their own airtime with subjects that either generates interest or profits, and how their programming will usually go along their particular political agenda. Little do people know that before the 1990’s, networks could not own their own programming which, arguably, created a television program that centered on quality and interest of the viewers. Nowadays, it is nigh impossible for independent producers to get airtime without the respective networks a part of their program.

The case for Net Neutrality is as fundamental as the case for Free Speech. Imagine without Net Neutrality, Super-Corporations will be able to control the flow of information available to different races, ages and class. No longer will the poor be able to access the same information as the rich and telecommunications such as Comcast, Verizon etc. will have the same power and influence as ABC, NBC, and FOX.

The internet was developed to benefit public interests, to allow unrestricted access so that users may pick and choose the content they want to see. If Net Neutrality is lost, we lose an important engine of connection and innovation. Even though this issue is a very gray area in terms of law, losing Net Neutrality would be like losing the first amendment.

The Nanny Diaries by Anne Wrobetz

Whew! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. Between markdowns at TJ Maxx, fossils at the museum, and a never-ending plague of summer weeds, I hardly have time to take care of my hamster, Fat Tony. Honestly, I’m feeling a bit trapped. The routine, though initially new and satisfying, has become ponderous. But at this point, quitting and taking an impromptu trip to Italy is out of the question. So in an effort to liven up my life, I have to create some new fun in my old jobs!
I really do love spending time with kids. When I work at the museum, I attempt to engage the children in conversations. some of the kids become repeat visitors, which is great for two reasons. Not only does it increase the profit of the program and the likelihood the workshops will continue next year, but I also develop really strong relationships with amazing kids. Also, when I’m keeping house, I play with the kids. Sometimes this is actually helpful–one little girl loves following me around with a broom of her own. (Thanks–I knew I missed a spot somewhere!) The bus has also turned into somewhat of a spa for me. I can snag a seat and spread out books, puzzles, my lunch and just relax. This is especially great on the hour-long bus ride to Denver. I love not having to pay for insurance or gas–all the money I earned working would go toward transportation to and from work!
At TJ Maxx, I have a great time interacting with customers. A lot of them are fascinating people, and it takes very little to get them talking. A mere inquiry about her day can get an elderly woman started on a tangent about her dogs. It’s like I’m getting paid to people-watch!
Putting a positive spin on things will make any job a lot more fun. Just focus on what you like about your job–spending time outdoors, interacting with people, getting some exercise, not having to exercise, whatever–and soon you’ll look forward to going. If nothing makes your job seem more interesting, remember that it is likely not forever. The jobs we have right now are just a chance to earn some work experience and extra cash; they usually do not develop into careers.

Starcraft II by Tim Gao

The sequel to one of the world’s most anticipated PC game has finally been released. Starcraft II was officially launched on July 27th and fans from around the world gathered outside of electronic stores to pick up a copy. For those who were lucky enough to attend one Blizzard’s launch party for the game were greeted by some of the staffs who worked on the game.

The original Starcraft, believed by some, was to be the most influential PC strategy game of all time. The first Starcraft was released 12 years ago and at that one was considered a master piece and sold millions of copies. Popularity for the game grew as time passed and spawned countless spin-offs, other forms of entertainment, and even a whole gaming culture.

Considered to be the most balanced RTS strategy game ever made, Starcraft became “the” competitive game in Korea. The game was taken so serious that pro Starcraft players were treated as celebrities. Top players would competitive in open arenas with displays for the audience to witness alien on alien action.

Anyway, Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, in the first 24 hour of release has already sold more than 1.8 million copies (excluding South Korea). That number is astonishing and yet expected at the same time. Fans have been waiting for this game for a full decade now, and with its release we’re sure to see a long and active Starcraft II community. Don’t forget all the wonderful custom maps generated user!!

I Hate your Cell Phone by Meagan Flannery

You know what is more annoying than those stupid commercials in a movie theatre? People’s cell phones. During the movie. The entire time. You guys think that you are being subtle with the texting. But I will let you know something right now: dark theatre + bright tiny light + clicking = really annoying, and completely noticeable.

This could be a time when I could lament about the good old days – how way back when no one used to ever disrupt the movie. Everyone used to just sit and watch the movie happily, gratefully, and quietly.

However, I would be lying if I believed any of that. The truth is, with the invention of the theatre, came the invention of annoying moviegoers. There have always been, and always will be the people that talk through the movie, loudly. There was also the problem of hats. Women wore big hats during the movie that disrupted everyone’s view during the early 1900s. And also, theaters of the olden days were not set up like they are now. You would pay your money, and then you got a newsreel, and at least two movies and maybe even a short cartoon! Sounds great huh? Except that people could walk in and out of the theatre as they pleased – and they DID walk in and out as they pleased, while talking. It wasn’t a big deal to get to the movie on time or even to stay the entire time.

But even though the theatre has a long history of rude people, does this mean that you should continue to text during the movie? Absolutely not! It is REALLY irritating, and the worst part is that you think no one notices or isn’t bothered by it because you are texting instead of talking. But it does! Can we please change history and stop with the rudeness during a movie? Listen to the silly ads in the beginning: turn off your cell phone!

Oasis in the Sea of Unemployment by Anne Wrobetz

Employment! Like the shimmering island that mocks somebody lost at sea, it has eluded me all summer. But at long last, I have reached the banks of that island, climbing ashore and bowing to the benevolent gods who sent me there. Of course, all this kissing of the sand has left me with a rather gritty mouth. My schedule now has as many entries as the Pacific Ocean has shells.
The housekeeping affair has blossomed. Apparently if you do a good job cleaning somebody’s house, they have a strange urge to recommend you to other people who want clean houses. Housekeeping and babysitting seem to go hand-in-hand, as well. I’m starting to feel like a housewife!
Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I love being so busy, and always having a different job to go to. I’m getting some downtime in as well, though I do have to make more of an effort to plan it out. When riding the bus to TJ Maxx, I manage to squeeze in a decent amount of reading. I’m lucky, too, that a lot of my jobs are self-scheduled, such as housekeeping. I can go in whenever I want. Typically, I’ll go in the mornings so that I have the entire afternoon to myself. Another aspect of many of my jobs is that I can listen to music while working—definitely something to consider when you ask yourself if a career is right for you. I feel like my deserted island of employment is a tropical oasis when the Beach Boys come on and set the luau theme.
So I am still in the middle of the ocean of summer vacation, asking hermit crabs for directions. But I’ve come to a nice little island well-populated with palm trees that keep dropping coconuts on my head. Am I getting too metaphorical for your taste? I’ve found steady employment and more jobs keep popping up. I guess all I can do now is lean against a palm tree, crack open a coconut, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Here’s to work!

Issues with Conference Realignment by Spencer Thomas

Conference realignment in major college football is in full swing. For some schools like the University of Colorado, the issue has become how to balance the budget with the further travel distances and exit fees. The following is a synopsis of the schools situation to give you an idea what goes on behind the scenes.
Since the University of Colorado has to pay an exit fee in accordance to Big 12 bylaws, the following possible courses of action are possible. The first will be to pay the penalty with the revenue generated from the upcoming Pac-10 TV deal and move on from the Big 12 conference once and for all. Other ways to cover up for this penalty would be to cut any unnecessary athletic expense. Perhaps there are full-time or part-time jobs that can be replaced with non-paying internships, or perhaps there are more efficient ways to operate the athletic program (print less paper, cut unnecessary travel, less benefits, for example). There are benefits for CU in joining the Pac-10, but those benefits are met with some trouble and people should be willing to accept some changes. The other option we feel CU should consider would be to work out a deal with the remaining Big 12 members. As an original member of the Big 8, CU has a strong bond with many of the remaining schools and has worked hand-in-hand with creating the power conference that the Big 12 was and will continue to be. In doing so, CU has a good report with these schools and may be able to waive the exit fee or work out a lesser penalty. It is farfetched to believe that the remaining Big 12 members feel sold out by CU as the university bolted for the Pac-10; they understand that they were looking out for their own good, just as they would do. While the Big 12 doesn’t have a revenue sharing model, each remaining school will take a larger cut TV revenue generated from the upcoming TV deals. If the conference can work out a similar/larger TV contract to what it had before, the remaining members will receive more revenue thanks to CU. Finally, CU has seen a recent boost in donations from alumni in the western states, so some of those funds could be allocated to a Big 12 evacuation penalty.
Since CU will be playing a different athletic schedule, their travel expenses will be a measure of scrutiny. However the assumption that the Big 12 was a good geographic fit for the university was a misnomer. The average travel distance to an in-conference opponent in the Big 12 was 657 miles (note: these distances are driving distances) with the closest location (Lincoln, Nebraska) clocking in at 501 miles. The Pac-10 average travel distance from Boulder checks in at 1,075 miles with the University of Utah (Salt Lake City) claiming the closest location at 499 miles. An increased average travel distance of 418 miles surely should jack up travel costs, but the Pac-10 has a friendly geographic feature. Each university is paired with another university: two schools each in Arizona, L.A., the Bay Area, Oregon, Washington and the Rocky Mountains. These pairings could allow travelling teams to play two road games in succession at a pair, thus eliminating there-and-back transportation costs. This theory mainly applies to the non-revenue sports (basketball non-withstanding) who may travel with their pair team on a road trip. For example, Colorado and Utah may travel to Oregon for a weekend basketball road trip. Colorado would play Oregon while Utah plays Oregon State on a Thursday game then swap opponents for the Saturday game. This would eliminate the need to travel back and forth between their home opponents location. Undoubtedly, the original Pac-10 teams have an economical travel scenario they already abide by, so CU would just fit right in. It may turn out, in fact, that the Pac-10 presents a cheaper travel option for CU than the Big 12 did, even with greater distances to be traveled.

And Now, A Commercial Break… by Meagan Flannery

I’m going to take a slight detour away from the big screen and move to the slightly smaller screen: the TV. I will argue passionately that TV rots your brain and shows these days seem to be getting worse and worse. It’s no wonder today’s youth is floundering!

OK, I might be exaggerating. The truth is, I have an aggressive hobby of watching crime dramas. Yes, I’m one of those people. I never miss an episode of Lie to Me and I squeal with excitement when I get to watch a new episode of Criminal Minds. It doesn’t stop there though. No, I will pretty much watch any crime drama that’s on TV if one of my favorites isn’t on, and I’m bored. This is actually how I got into watching Bones. At first, it was just a casual thing, something to fill the time before dinner. Now I queue all new episodes on my Hulu account!

My obsession over crime dramas leaked into my personal life. At one point, I thought I wanted to be a detective, until I realized seeing dead bodies totally freaked me out. Also, I realized it was much harder trying to figure out the bad guy in real life than it was on TV (however, I’m very good at anticipating plots!). I was recently called to serve jury duty and I became completely nervous about the whole thing. When I was interviewed, I had pretty much condemned the guy, using my impeccable TV detective wits, and was voted off the island.

In all seriousness, I hate TV. It is my personal downfall, and the reason I can’t hold a steady conversation with my boyfriend on the phone (or in person). I am much more inclined to watch a TV show than a full-length movie because lately I just don’t have a lot of time (or maybe I like commercials). But I much prefer movies – and I can’t wait for the day when they will release a new, totally fantastic, crime drama!

Third Job’s the Charm by Anne Wrobetz

In the employment world, all does not go necessarily as planned. In fact, it rarely does. One of the keys to being employed, as well as to being a college student, is to remain flexible. Take, for example, the three jobs I recently landed.

Three jobs does, in name alone, sound excessive. However, none of these jobs is particularly time-consuming. I’m fairly ecstatic about my current situation! I’m getting a regular income, lots of knowledge, and plenty of work experience to put on my resume.

The first is a housekeeping job. For six hours a week, I help a couple around the house and yard. The best thing about this job is that I don’t need any special training–I already do all of this around my own place. I feel like I’m getting a weekly allowance all over again! I found this one by searching through my campus’ website. On most college websites, there is a page dedicated to job listings, both on- and off-campus–very useful for the working (or gainfully unemployed) student.

I found the second job through the same website, though this one is on campus. I’m working in the campus museum, helping run a summer program for kids. This is probably the most rewarding of my jobs and, once again, requires no additional training. Thank you, years of babysitting! My childhood comes rushing back every time I open the art supplies cabinet and am greeted with stacks of construction paper.

As you can probably tell, these two jobs do not take up much of my time. What’s a traditional working student to do? Land a traditional summer job. After about 70 applications and many interviews, I seem to finally have had some success. Surprising though it may be halfway through the summer, I was able to get a part-time job at TJ Maxx. This job will require commuting, but with a trusty book in tow I am set for any bus ride!

So, if you’re not having luck getting that 40-hour-a-week internship, consider working a lot of small jobs. The pay really adds up, and the variety keeps any one of the jobs from becoming overwhelming. Also consider commuting, especially if your school offers a bus pass program. The best thing about working three jobs? I can use it as an excuse to watch Saturday morning cartoons in my pajamas, knowing I’ve taken care of three very different, valuable tasks. The dishes can wait.

What’s The Point Of A Magic Wand If You Use It As Firewood? by Angus Bohanon

When Apple first released the iPad, they called it a “magical and revolutionary device”. Some scoffed, some marveled, and some were indifferent, but holy Steve Jobs did they sell. America’s favorite tech company shifted three million in three months, and apps for it started springing up even before the first one rolled off the assembly line. It has a touchscreen, a staggeringly fast processor, and enormous potential to revolutionize the way that people browse.

But it can only do that if allowed to. Now don’t get me wrong, some developers have taken advantage of the iPad’s interface in marvelous ways, but the ones who have gotten the most out of the iPad (e.g. Google, E.A.) are the kind of people who didn’t need help to begin with. The area in which the iPad’s talents are being wasted most egregiously is that of magazines.

Unless you’ve been living on a bench for the last few years, you’ll have heard that print media is on the decline. People aren’t buying newspapers or magazines as much as they used to, and do you know why? Because the Internet is better in almost every way. It’s current, interactive, shareable, and comes in every kind of media for your personal reading/listening/viewing pleasure. The only disadvantage of the Internet is that it’s not portable, but the iPad solves that problem. You would think, then, that print magazine publishers would step up to make the experience of their magazines just as exciting as the experience of, say, their websites (easily found on the iPad’s browser). But they have failed entirely.

The novelty of turning pages over with your finger on the touchscreen is over quickly, and it is sadly the only novelty. Commenting, the staple of every website from YouTube videos to news sites, is impossible. Sharing, whether via Facebook, Twitter, or email, is not an option. Articles do not link between each other, nor do they contain the embedded video that one can find on the same magazine’s website. And each issue of the digital version costs more than an entire year of the print version.

The world of technology moves fast, and consumers have no qualms about dropping something for newer and better. If the titans of news aren’t careful, they’ll be lining birdcages and bonking disobedient puppies in no time.

Partying by Erik Kemp

Partying, it happens. While as an active college student myself, it would be hypocritical for me to say I have not partied or if I encouraged you as the reader not to go out and party. But I will say this, drinking does not have to be a part of your college experience if you don’t want it to be. People often times feel so forced into drinking and partying from pressures stemming from society, friends, and even oneself. Though, many make the choice not to drink and have a great time at college doing various other things. Some suggestions would be to join a club, do an intramural sport, attend a fundraiser, just keep yourself busy. Do not get wrapped up with the “party life”. It’s not worth struggling or even failing out of college to do so. I was actually on the brink of failing out and not being asked to come back which happens more than one would think. I got caught up my freshman year with partying and I’m still paying the price (extra semesters of tuition) for it. So maybe you choose that you are going to make partying a part of your college experience. If you do choose to go party and drink, I do encourage you to just be safe and smart. The biggest thing is have a plan! Go out with friends and make sure everybody, including yourself, gets home safe. Do not be afraid to get in trouble if one of your friends drank too much and their life is in danger. Not all drinks are created equal! Beer, liquor and wine all have different percentages of alcohol. Just because that one cup didn’t make your buddy drunk, doesn’t mean that you won’t get drunk off of it. Limit your partying, school comes first! Don’t go party on a Wednesday just because all your friends are going out. There will be plenty of other opportunities to go out. And remember you might have a test or a quiz the day after. You never know those professors and TA’s can get pretty tricky. Puking and rallying is not cool! Obviously, if your body is making you throw up it’s trying to tell you, “No more alcohol!” There is no point in having an ego measuring contest with your buddy to see who can drink the most. It comes off as pathetic and attention hungry. My Final Words: Nobody can pressure you to party and drink. You always have the choice to make or not make partying part of your college experience.

Being Fit and Staying Healthy Is Not as Hard as You Think by Chris Wicus

You’re way too busy to work out, I get it. You have to balance school and a part time job. You have a jam-packed course load this semester. You are trying so desperately to flirt with the cute girl that lives down the hall. These are all valuable and worthy expenditures of your time, so how are you going to fit in your workouts?

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 20-30 minutes of moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise 3-5 times a week. Additionally, the ACSM suggests two resistance training sessions per week. These are the minimum suggested levels of activity to stay healthy and prevent chronic disease. When considered beside all of your other weekly obligations, this may seem a daunting task. These minimal recommendations will keep your heart healthy, your brain functioning well, and most importantly it will help you de-stress and feel great.

Here are some tips that might help you out.

Split it up into short bouts. Exercise can be accumulated throughout the day in 10 minute bouts. A quick bike to class or a jog with the dog before work. There is no rule requiring you to workout in hour long blocks.

Keep things fresh. Use different intensities and modes of exercise to keep yourself interested and keep your body guessing. Try swimming or biking instead of running for a few weeks. By requiring different movement patterns from your body, you will avoid boredom and see greater long term results.

Make a plan. By scheduling your exercise, it becomes a part of your lifestyle. Integrating exercise into your routine will help you stay consistent.

You don’t need a gym. You don’t want to lug yourself over to the gym? Throw some shoes on, crank up your iPod and run up and down your dorm staircase for 20 minutes. You’ll feel much better afterward. I promise.

The Last Airbender Review by Meagan Flannery

Last night I saw The Last Airbender, not because I’m a big “Avatar” fan, but because I’m a big M. Night Shyamalan fan. If asked, I will not openly admit this to my fellow filmmakers, but I thoroughly enjoy watching his films. The worse they get, the more I like them. I find it refreshing that Shyamalan has a sense of humor, and I love that no one gets it. He’s like the guy at a party that laughs at inside jokes he only has with himself. I was surprised that he chose to this particular kind of film, knowing his prior “work.”

I have never seen the TV show “Avatar,” so I had fresh eyes to look at the film. Even though it did seem more like a film geared towards a younger “kid” audience, I really enjoyed it (although I must warn you, it IS a kids’ movie!). As I am writing this review I am also reading reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and if you do the same you will find a completely different perception on this film. The reviews are terrible, and I guess I understand why people thought the film was bad, but I still disagree. It reminded me of a wuxia-style kung fu movie (martial arts film focusing on mysticism – my favorite!) mixed with real-life anime characters. I judged the dialogue and character style from an anime point of view, which in my opinion looks “clunky” with human actors.

It’s probably just a personal preference, but I love movies that have the battle between the “civil” or industrial world versus the natural or spiritual world. It never gets old, because it always has been (and probably always will be) a problem in real life.

The final verdict: don’t go see this film if you’re expecting a huge blockbuster wonder. See it if you already like these kinds of film or are a Shyamalan fan – or, if you’re interesting in seeing an “anti-blockbuster blockbuster.” The acting is OK, the special effects are FINE and the plot doesn’t have too many holes. Will any of this stop me from seeing any sequels that possibly might come along? Probably not. I love bad movies.

From My Netflix: Ed Wood by Meagan Flannery

I love films that make fun of Hollywood. It is especially satisfying when a Hollywood studio makes them, and I don’t know why. Tim Burton’s Ed Wood (1994) takes the point of view of the writer/director/producer Edward D. Wood, Jr. (played by the lovely Johnny Depp) and his struggle to make his own films in the Hollywood setting. It is very clear early on that he’s completely incompetent, clueless as to how to make a good film, but his heart is in all the right places.

I loved how there was a subtle focus on the power of marketing in this movie. As Wood goes in to try and win his first studio directing job (a biopic about Christine Jorgensen), he asks, “Is there a script?” – “No. But there’s a poster!”

This film is incredibly funny – it pokes fun of all the different aspects of Hollywood and draws a caricature (or maybe a realistic?) picture of all the players. A Baptist Church funds his last picture in the film and their censorship makes his struggle even more comical. However, there are some underlying issues in this film, the major one being gender and sex. Ed Wood (even in real life) was an honest-to-God cross-dressing, angora sweater-obsessing director. He would don women’s clothing on and off screen, and referenced transvestites (and angora!) in most of his movies. In the film, women would ask “so, you don’t like having sex with women?” Keep in mind, this is the 1950s, a decade in which gender roles were incredibly strict. This aspect of the film, for me, gave it realism and at the same time surrealism. It made the film interesting and the characters even more interesting. If nothing else, please watch this film to see Bill Murray as a stunning homosexual socialite.

I ended up loving this film, and I regret that I never watched in sooner. As a film artist myself, I have intense anxiety around my work being accepted or not (Will people like it? Will they even see it?). Ed Wood chased his dream, much like I do now. Maybe I’ll have a huge following after I’m dead!

I highly recommend this film, if you haven’t already seen it. It has great acting, and one of Burton’s best films. I’ll leave you with these wise words of Orson Welles (played by Vincent D’Onofrio): “Visions are worth fighting for – why spend your life making someone else’s dreams.”

Budgeting by Anne Wrobetz

So the Game Stop job didn’t work out. Oh well, as they say, whenever opportunity closes a door it opens a window. And a window has indeed been open–it looks like I’ve landed a job as a housekeeper! It’s not much, but it will be enough to get me through the summer.

However, being a working student, my salary is far being six-figures. It probably won’t even hit that five-digit mark until after college. As a result, I’ve recently begun to take a look at my finances. Obviously the largest regular expense is the rent check. There’s not much you can do about that aside from moving back home (and even then, you might be charged rent). However, there are smaller costs that tend to add up throughout a month. These include laundry, food and entertainment. I have some tricks to share for each.

First off, you have to wear clean clothes. Going into an interview smelling like aged cheese simply is not an option. Many apartment complexes have on-site laundromats, which are convenient but expensive. To economize, I forego the drier and instead hang my wet clothing around my room to dry. Also, I buy detergent in bulk when possible.

A college student has to eat…a lot. When on a budget, eating out at every meal is not possible. Prepare meals at home whenever possible. As far as groceries go, check the ads that come in the mail every week or so. And stock up! A surprising variety of foods freeze really well– meat, tofu, cooked beans, vegetables, fruit, and prepared dishes are all great options. Also consider doing more prep work yourself–you can save hundreds of dollars by cutting your own veggies and cooking your own beans.

The college life isn’t all about studying and working. Entertainment is vital! But it can also empty your wallet faster than a pickpocket on a crowded subway. So consider doing more things close to home. Instead of going to a movie, rent one and have your friends over for movie night. Go to a park and play frisbee. Even grocery shopping can be a fun time to catch up with friends! Just be creative and your bank account will look a lot more pleasant at the end of the month.

Recently independent college students should always keep a budget in mind when thinking of the essentials. Hopefully these tips will help you become a little more frugal!

Finally Festivals! by Stephani Freitag

Warm weather is finally here which can only mean one thing to music lovers: let the festivities begin! The music festival season is upon us and in full swing. Some have already taken place, but there is so much more to come with a little something for everybody.

A wide-range of genres allows music festivals to appeal to all audiences. Every different type of music, all the way from marching band to metal, has some sort of festival celebration in the coming months. A number of festivals focus on just one type of music, like Rock the Bellsthat features rap and hip-hop artists. Others give a variety of sounds so festival-goers can pick and choose the groups they want to see, such as the Mile High Music Festivalthat includes such groups as Jack Johnson, Cypress Hill and Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band.

And they don’t just vary with genre either. Festivals can be found of all shapes and sizes, all over the world. Some involve on-site camping while others consist of just one day loaded with music. To easily search for a festival that’s right for you, check out Festival Finder.

This weekend alone has an impressive festival line-up. In combination with the summer solstice, musical magic will be occurring no matter which you choose. The 37^th Telluride Bluegrass Festival will be taking place in Telluride CO, providing a laid-back atmosphere with the best bluegrass you’ve ever heard.Clearwater Festival is a hybrid music/environmental festival that takes place in New York and is centered on honoring the Hudson River. Dexfest in Dandridge, Tennessee focuses on instrumental/electronica music and attending will support the Tennessee economy that is struggling due to the massive flooding.

Some festivals do even more than that. In the wake of gigantic tragedies like the Tennessee floods and the Haitian earthquake, festivals new and old have been contributing to relief funds. The Hangout Festival in Alabama took place last month and donated all profits to regional coastal cleanup and preservation to fight back against the giant BP oil well ravaging the Gulf Coast. Keep an eye out for future festivals like this so you can give back while you’re getting down! To find more information, jump on MusicFestivalJunkies.com.

When My Daughter Went Off to College by Jill Nagel

I am a mother of three, and have successfully sent off my first to college. What I was expecting this experience to be and what turned out to be the reality were surprisingly different. I realized that – prior to my daughter leaving for her freshman year of college – I carried much angst. I took on all of her anxiety and worried FOR her, or along side her, about whether she would like her school, her dorm, her roommate, her classes, teachers, food, you name it. But what was really upsetting me was the not knowing how I would handle the emotional tug of letting her go…. I couldn’t imagine not hearing her voice in the house, dealing with her dirty dishes left in the sink, and having those spontaneous girl talks in the kitchen late at night when she was all alight and chatty and having her second wind, and me, bleary eyed and hoping the kitchen counter, my crutch, can hold my weight, I am so tired, but also thrilled to be there at the right time and the right place, to hear what’s going on in my daughter’s life.

I think it was the fear of the unknown, questioning how this volatile and precious relationship would withstand becoming a long distance one. It was the week before we were leaving to take her up to school, and I was driving in my car. I remember feeling such overwhelming sadness and loss building up in me. I was letting my first baby go! This unfamiliar transitional stage we were entering, I had no idea what that picture was going to look like. I cried my eyes out while driving god knows where!

After bringing her to school where we made many, many, too many trips to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Marshall’s, Target, etc. – and several spats over what she thought she needed and what she really needed – the hugs and kisses goodbye, we returned home and settled back into our routine, though perhaps a quieter one. What really surprised me was that “it” didn’t change overnight like I guess I had been expecting. Initially, we spoke on the phone several times a day. And as her life began to take form, as she settled into her classes and made friends, slowly we both began to wean off of each other. Suddenly I became aware that I didn’t need to cook as much food or grocery shop as often, and I didn’t miss the dirty dishes in the sink. But mostly, the “falling off the cliff” emotions of sadness that I was expecting never happened. Perhaps the worst of it was all the anticipation of what might happen once our child left the nest.

My daughter will be a junior soon, and after much reflecting, I realize that when they leave for school, they are not leaving you, they are simply moving on to their next adventure. We still call each other often and share a great deal. She knows from the bottom of her heart, that I am there for her no matter what. Gradually, as my daughter became more and more independent, our relationship shifted. As she needed me less it gave me the space to move on, too, to think about what my new adventures may be.

Understanding Facebook’s New Privacy Policy: by Jack Lu

Undeniably the Internets’ biggest social networking site, Facebook has been undergoing many changes to its interface, direction, and most recently, their privacy policy. At Facebook’s f8 conference earlier this month, they announced many privacy policy changes that will have a huge effect on how users, pages and third party developers interact. Although many of these changes will not directly harm the user, there are a few privacy issues that are raised.

Check out a few of the changes to how Facebook will use your information and how you can keep this info safe:

“Instant Personalization”

Among many of the announcements, Facebook presented an “Instant Personalization Option”. With the default Facebook privacy settings, Instant Personalization will allow other Facebook partner sites such as Pandora to pull automatically pull the user’s public Facebook Information such as your name, gender, artists liked and other public information whenever you visit their website. Although this may not seem like such a bad thing, remember that Facebook is basically sharing your personal information, birthdays, address etc. with other website that have no need for this information. Who knows which sites in the future will have immediate access to your personal information.

To change this setting:
Go to: Account Settings>>Privacy Settings>>Applications and Websites>>Instant
Personalization>>Edit Settings>>Uncheck

“Friends Sharing”

Not only can your public information be unknowingly shared by visiting other websites, now your friends can also leak your information. Facebook’s new changes now also allow your friends to “share” your public information whenever they use a Facebook pp or program that affects friends. So now when your friends sends you a greeting card or invites your to play Farmville, the app is allowed to then access your public information in order to pull out various pieces of information in order to make the sharing experience more personalized.

But considering an average user’s number of friends, who knows how many friends have given out your information to the numerous apps and games Facebook offers.

To change this setting:
Go to: Account Settings>>Privacy Settings>>Applications and Websites>>What Your Friends Can Share About You>> Edit Settings

“More Tips”

1. On Facebook, “liking” a celebrity, company, show, or artist is a very common thing for users, but because of the new privacy changes, it may be smart to audit your likes. If you would not want the public knowing particular things you like, go to: Account>>Edit Friends>>Pages and check off various “likes” you wouldn’t want to make public.

2. Another tip users might take to protect their privacy would be to audit some of their third-party applications.

Access the personalization settings and uncheck some of the third-party applications such as Pandora, Docs, and Yelp that you would not like accessing your public information.

The Next Step by Jess Pitts

I know that right now all your energy is focused on just getting through the next couple years of college. But there is more to a college education than the diploma you get to hang on your wall, and you don’t want to be that person thinking “So now what?” after you graduate. It is never too soon to think about what you want to do after college, and just a little bit of planning ahead can really help you make the most out of your degree.
So now it’s time to ask yourself the tough question: “What am I going to do after graduation?” If your answer is “I have no clue” then there are a couple of options to think about. Can you make a career out of your major? Think realistically about the job market for people with a Bachelor’s in your major. Let’s face it – a Philosophy major is probably not going to find a career in Philosophy out of college.

Majors that actually yield a career with a Bachelor’s degree are few and far between, so if you love your major and want a career in that field, you are probably looking at continuing your education after graduation. It is worth researching what requirements or standards there are for being a professional in your field. For example, some states require a Masters in Psychology to be able to be a practicing therapist while others require a Ph.D or Psy.D. What qualifications do you need to be hired in your field?
Other than pursing Masters and Doctoral degrees in your field, you could continue your education through Medical School or Law School. Many Med Schools require a specific undergraduate major such as Pre-Med or Human Physiology. Law Schools will accept applicants with any undergraduate major, and look only at difficulty of course of study as well as how well rounded your undergraduate education was.

Another option is to consider teaching. Adding a certification or licensure in Education is often not difficult, and education is a huge job market. Or if you want to up your pay grade a little, you can spend the time to get a Masters in Education.

If you are not necessarily looking for a career in your field of study, then there are plenty of options opened up simply by having a degree. You just have to be open to working a job that does not require academic specialization, such as sales.

It is not as easy for our generation to start a career out of college as our parents’ generation, but it is not impossible to find the perfect career with a little foresight. Then, once you land a perfect job you get to start paying off all that debt from college!

Little Side Jobs by Anne Wrobetz

Every muscle in my body aches this morning, but at least it’s Friday. I spent the entirety of Thursday moving furniture to my apartment via U-Haul. When you’re suffering the financial strains of a college student, you typically don’t waste money to hire movers and not risk your life (and those of your friends) rolling a giant couch down three flights of stairs. The U-Haul was the most cost-intensive part of the day, and I miraculously got my mom to pay for that. Score one for the unemployed!

Now for the real challenge of the week—my interview at Game Stop. I’ve been diligently researching such recent hits as Dante’s Inferno and Super Mario Galaxy 2 as well as the old standbys of World of Warcraft and Half Life. I’ve also been plugging away at my favorite old classics for the original Playstation, Harvest Moon and MediEvil. My brain is abundant with knowledge of MMORPG’s, first-person shooters, and when to plant turnips in the virtual world. I feel ready for this interview and am definitely keeping my fingers crossed!

Should this job not work out, however, I do have a backup plan that doesn’t involve moving in with my mother. Yesterday, I walked my neighbor’s dogs for a couple hours and tonight I am going to babysit. I’ve realized that a job is not necessarily dictated by direct deposit—lots of small, odd jobs can add up to a big lump of cash. That cash means the difference between living in my newly furnished apartment or my mom’s freshly de-couched townhouse. Even if I do end up with a part-time job this summer (I’m going to keep trying until it happens!), I can continue to work the small jobs on the side. So now in addition to handing in applications at every restaurant and retail store I pass by, I’m handing out my name to neighbors and family friends. The key for a working student really is perseverance—you can’t let rejection get you down. Somebody somewhere is always looking for help, and that help may as well be provided by you. So everyone, don your interview attire, grab a stack of resumes, and begin canvassing your names around town. After all, you can’t find work if nobody knows you’re looking.

iPhone 4 by Tim Gao

Last weekend, Apple announced their next big innovation: with the iPhone 4, to be set for release on June 24th at $199 with their new feature called “Face Time Video Chat.” The iPhone 4 has been redesigned to with a smaller frame, 2 cameras, and better display screen. If you look closely around the phone you’ll notice a stainless steel band wrapped around it, which is the antenna for the iPhone 4. The new product will now support 2 cameras; the front one and a rear one with built-in LED flash. The upgraded camera is now 5 megapixels, with 5x digital zoom with a “backside illustrated sensor,” which supports video recording in HD at 720p and 30 fps. The new high resolution display supports double the amount of pixels in each direction for a whopping total of 4 times the pixels compared to previous models. The iPhone 4 is powered by the same processer that powers the iPad, the A4 processer. Despite being a much smaller (25% smaller) counterpart to the iPhone 3G, the battery life of the phone has been increased. According to Apple, 3G talk time is rated at 7 hours, 6 hours of Wi-Fi (802.11n) browsing, 10 hours of video, 10 hours of 3G browsing, and 40 hours of music.

The new iPhone 4 sports a brand new operating system, the iOS 4. The new OS will enable the iPhone 4 to have motion control compatibility. Gamers all over will rejoice over this feature, as there are many games that can be imported with motion control. iOS 4 will automatically have high resolution text and button support. Current software developers for the iPhone can easily manipulate their software to be compatible with the new display. Last but not least, the introduction of the latest application called “Face Time.” This application is used exclusively for iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 users, and is currently only available via Wi-Fi. This feature does not require any setup and the camera view can be altered between front and rear.

The iPhone 4 will retail at $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model. AT&T will be the sole provider and will allow up to 6 months for grace upgrade timing. Pre-order starts in a week! Personally I won’t be getting it, simply because I do not like Apple products in general and their business model.

Extreme Makeover: College Football Edition by Spencer Thomas

The landscape of major college football is changing, and changing fast. With TV negotiations pending, conferences hope to boost their standing in order to grab their share of the massive revenues available from the major TV networks. So let the shuffles begin. Already Nebraska and Colorado have jumped ship from the Big 12 to the Big Ten and the Pac-10 respectively. The official mergers will take place in 2011 for Nebraska and 2012 for Colorado. The Big Ten has created huge revenues for its schools by creating its own television network to broadcast games and other programming. By adding Nebraska to their collection of schools, the conference hopes to further those revenues by adding a 12th team (the Big Ten previously had 11 teams, not 10 like the name suggests). Additionally, adding a 12th team to the conference will enable the Big Ten to hold a championship game after the regular season is complete. Out west, Colorado made a splash by being the first team to join the Pac-10 since the 70s. While it was previously rumored that Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were also going to join the Pac-10, these schools have since renewed their commitment to the Big 12. It is possible that the Pac-10 expands more in the near future, but at this moment, the conference is situated with 11 teams.

So here’s my take on all this. As currently constructed the Pac-10 has 11 teams, the Big 12 has 10 teams and the Big Ten has 12 teams. It seems like these places of higher education need to work on their counting skills. I would compare the shuffle to a Chinese fire drill. All the schools jumped out of the car and had to get back in before the light turned green; or in this case before the new TV contracts are negotiated. As a student at The University of Colorado, this bodes big things for the future. The Pac-10 is a renowned baseball conference, yet CU has no baseball team. Perhaps the additional money generated from the new pacific power conference will enable CU to add a baseball team to the athletic department (the addition of a baseball team would also yield a necessity for a softball team for the university to remain compliant with Title IX). The ramifications of conference realignment will not be realized for a number of years, but it is certainly worth talking about.

Kids These Days by Angus Bohanon

I wish I could tell you that this photograph is fake, but I can’t. This is a picture of a boy in Indonesia named Aldi. He is two years old and tips the scales at 44 pounds, twice what a toddler his age should weigh. And as you can see, he’s a smoker.

By now I hope you’re incredulous. I hope you’re saddened. Come to think of it, I hope you’re angry. How, you wonder, and why? Allow me to explain.

According to his mother, Diana—many Indonesians only go by one name—Aldi has always loved smoke. “I don’t remember when,” she told CNN, “but we went to the market and then suddenly he had a cigarette in his hand. Even when he was a baby and he would smell smoke he would be happy.”

Seto Mulyadi, chairman of Indonesia’s National Commission for Child Protection, blames the cultural stigma of smoking, or rather lack thereof, for Aldi’s habit. In Indonesia, apparently, there is almost no public knowledge of the toxicity of the smoke that so many residents willingly suck down. Aldi’s mother smoked all the way through her pregnancy, only quitting when she gave birth, and it is a common sight to see a parent with a baby in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

In fact, the main reason that Diana wants Aldi to quit smoking has nothing to do with his health—Diana simply doesn’t know how fragile his health is or how devastating the tobacco is for him—she just doesn’t want to pay for it anymore. Aldi smokes 40 cigarettes a day at a cost of almost four dollars, a crippling expense in a country whose average per capita income hovers around $2000.

But what’s to be done? The simple answer, I suppose, is simply not to let the chubby little chimney smoke, but Aldi is prone to tantrums that pose a serious threat to his own safety when he’s kept from his precious cigarettes. In hindsight, his mother should have just yanked his first cigarette out of his hand and stomped it into the dirt, but it’s far too late for that now. The only glimmer of hope is that, as belligerent as he may be, Aldi’s two. Just take them away. And if he doesn’t like it, well . . . tough. It’s for his own good.

Meals for college students by Elizabeth Hernandez

Growing up my mom and dad always prepared healthy home cooked meals; marinated chicken, homemade macaroni, applesauce and fresh green beans making sure to cover each food group.

But when I journeyed off to college the significance of the food groups was not top on my priority list. I mean let’s be honest, not every teenager knows how to cook lasagna let alone a four course meal. We are in college. We have little money. We have little time. We college students rely solely on what is microwavable, instant and most of all affordable. Things like “Just Add Water” and “Instant” excite us.

While these are easy ways to keep ourselves fed it is not really practical. One of my biggest fears was gaining the “freshman 15,” the notorious weight gain experienced by new college students.

So ultimately I want to prepare my meals faster, purchase groceries at cheaper prices, and eat healthier meals. Some may find the thought of attempting to eat healthier to be an act performed by the rare college student and no one would participate in the idea. In the collegiate culinary world, the diet of the average college student consists solely of Top Ramen, coffee and fast food but some students like me don’t want to be another statistic.

This sounds like a clever tactic, find inexpensive ways to keep off the extra pounds, but am I really going to have the motivation to cook healthy whole hearted meals? Waiting over 30 minutes for chicken to bake, when I could just pop bagel bites in the toaster oven? Probably not. But I am going to give it my best effort. I am going to look for other options rather than using the foreign appliance in my kitchen, the stove because when you live in a dorm you are limited.

So this is my attempt to create a place where college students can come discover new recipes, share their experiences, both good and bad because when it comes to cooking like mom it usually results in disaster. This is a chance for a college student like me, not to sugar coat the truth behind the world in which we stay nourished. What happens when we leave home and there is no one to cook for us?

College Curfew by Erik Kemp

In college, there is no curfew – none. Whether you did or did not have a curfew under your parents’ supervision, having no curfew is going to be different. Sure, there are quiet hours and visiting hours but nobody’s giving you a specific time or a punishment to go back to your room and sleep. You’re going to want to stay up with your friends for movie marathons, late night junk food runs, and who knows what else. Soon, it all adds up and it turns out that you’re hanging out every night and not studying or doing any homework. Solution: Hang out with your friends and meet new people, but every day find some time to sit down and study for at least an hour or more. Trust me, that prank war with the north side third floor will still be going on whether you’re studying or not and you can join right back in once you’re done getting your business taken care of. The biggest problem isn’t just the studying though – it’s sleeping. As a freshman, you’re most likely not going to get a schedule tailored to waking up at noon every day and sauntering off to your one o’ clock class. It’s going to be the “8 AM’s” and the “9 AM’s” that will put a toll on your body, if you’re staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning hanging out. The final straw will inevitably be the joke you have with your friends when you all say, “Sleeping is getting in the way of having fun.” And when that happens you might want to rethink how much time you spend with them. If you’re still not convinced, think of it this way; sleep is like oxygen, food and water. They are all essential to living and should not be ignored. My Final Words: Lay off the energy drinks and get some freaking sleep people! There’s always tomorrow to look forward to.

Time to Exercise by Chris Wicus

The lifestyle of a college student is full of responsibility and stress. Many of us juggle attending classes, working to pay for our education, and studying to keep our grades up. When you factor in social aspects like partying, dating and hanging out with friends, finding time to exercise becomes difficult.

I encountered this problem when I moved away to college. With no real schedule outside of classes, I was not managing my time effectively. I found my academic responsibilities took priority over physical activity. Throughout middle school and high school, the structure of clubs and sports had legislated my use of free time. I soon found that I had taken this structure for granted and I was headed down a path full of poor fitness choices.

Little did I realize that once the active portion of my lifestyle was removed from the equation I would start to gain weight and become unhealthy. Like so many newly liberated college students, I ate snacks and candy with no regard for my health. My body was taking in more energy than it was expending. This increase in calories and lack of exercise made me another victim of the dreaded “freshman 15”. Through my studies I learned the necessary steps for getting fit and staying healthy.

Using what I have learned from my own mistakes as well as the knowledge I am currently gaining becoming an exercise physiologist, I hope to provide some guidance for current and prospective college students in the realm of fitness as a lifestyle choice. Using limited exercise time efficiently and effectively is an invaluable skill for college students interested in keeping their bodies and minds healthy. I look forward to posting advice and tips to this blog to help you all realize and attain your fitness goals while in school.