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?