tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79420183886587036412024-03-14T02:46:18.964-05:00Three Girls, a Guy, and a BlogFour people. One blog. Can these blog-mates survive, writing blog entries and having them posted before the nightly 10:00 PM deadline?Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12981712470256474060noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-12695265148704866832011-06-22T02:25:00.004-05:002011-06-22T03:10:13.450-05:00Roommate Of The Year<a href="http://www.studentloansprogram.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Tuition-Costs-With-a-Low-Interest-College-Student-Loan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 360px;" src="http://www.studentloansprogram.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Tuition-Costs-With-a-Low-Interest-College-Student-Loan.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="http://www.studentloansprogram.net/tuition-costs-with-a-low-interest-college-student-loans.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">img credit</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">]</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Is there a limit to what a desperate college student will do for some money to pay off all those loans?<div><br /><div><div>In my personal experiments to test this question, I recently tried rapping. OK, so I'm no <a href="http://theurbandaily.com/files/2011/03/50-cent-12.jpg">50 cent</a> but did put in more than just my two cents in <a href="http://www.apartments.com/">apartments.com</a>'s <a href="http://www.roommateoftheyear.com/videos/37/it's-never-gloomy-when-i'm-your-roomie">Roommate Of The Year contest</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been chosen for round two of the competition where the finalists will be narrowed down determined in part by America's vote.</div><div><br /></div><div>I stand up for acts of roommate greatness everywhere and even encourage them from <b>your</b> roommate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I'm seeking your help;</div><div><br /></div><div>STEP ONE: click to check out <a href="http://www.roommateoftheyear.com/videos/37/it's-never-gloomy-when-i'm-your-roomie">my entry in the roommate of the year contest</a> held by <a href="http://www.apartments.com/">apartments.com</a> and hit "vote now" to support. You can vote once per day per computer until the end of july.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.apartments.com/"></a>STEP TWO: If you share it with your roommate (it doesn't matter who you live with-- mothers still count and are nothing to be embarrassed about!) and maybe they'll learn some things about roommate greatness that will work in your favor!</div></div></div>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-50327050630506045802011-01-25T17:09:00.002-06:002011-01-25T17:11:55.561-06:00ANOTHER New Blog!<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="580" height="356" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ab3AMEReeJU" frameborder="0"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Check out my new blog, <a href="http://debacledebate.blogspot.com">The Debacle Debate</a>!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-71512201887403603272011-01-25T15:36:00.003-06:002011-01-25T15:46:21.810-06:00CheerioIt's been fun here at Three Girls, a Guy and a Blog, but I've set sail to a new location. For some British banter, jump on board and join me at <a href="http://slight-figure-of-speech.blogspot.com/">Recreationally Royal</a>.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"></span></div><div>---</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8RhSxJHYeso3YcS-qbPu6WlNeD_6OtSTUy6i2YVCm8IF-kJe9eE_n-4M1gmoLHZd_WMSba43AcdcSzT43SJGvhXRse0jeFsc5Cwbkf3voFiFmreIw1djy5XieuAxXsFLdJjU404xqVs/s200/CIMG0674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566219800300805938" /><div>Amy Harvey is a freshman at Austin College. She appreciates quality chocolate, orders fish and chips without the fish, and is not immune to the charm of a British accent. Follow her on twitter @ahymeh3.</div>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-5858143781054197672011-01-25T13:56:00.003-06:002011-01-25T14:07:51.761-06:00NEW BLOG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's time to blow this popsicle stand. It was fun while it lasted.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ilovemysnes.blogspot.com/">I can now be found here</a>.</div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12981712470256474060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-37488447493914143512011-01-24T20:26:00.003-06:002011-01-24T20:35:52.031-06:00New Blog: Come Right Out and Say It!<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="292" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vqLdOBjNiDA" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br />Hey guys, check out my new blog <a href="http://comerightoutandsayitnow.blogspot.com/">Come Right Out and Say It</a>!Megan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02120100311861186830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-46725376760307718362011-01-23T16:21:00.001-06:002011-01-23T16:21:46.530-06:00Skate Away From Friday Night Boredom<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zHaYtVfq01M?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></span>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-8762968937179888102011-01-21T17:31:00.009-06:002011-01-24T11:12:28.806-06:00Special Feature: Snow Creature Competition Winners!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The death of the snow brings with it </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">VICTORY</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> for those who had the tenacity to don their winter attire and childish spirits!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">FIRST PLACE</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> goes to: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A SHERMAN-ITE!!! Austin College students were in every way out-done by this Sherman resident's Mexican snowman (complete with sombrero and rooster statue).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 512px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mjNqXkNQhmyQaIF1TrOPwiHrchfu8_mZm0XZJNv5GLQ5QAoJi05iBrXoUxcqsH-GHeJs0QRoyqKc4pLSZ6mijw-xxg=s512" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gMTj2Zs-Nk_EfG-6V0NsIcyBn8E4HAwfs0d0aR591OjuTGjVWEs0h1JhKV6-5R4MLaZHJxbP0x68YBLvJB7Hf8iZaQ=s512" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 512px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The jury was especially impressed by the creativity of the sombrero, and the use of bottles for buttons. Fact: this snow-Mexican towers high over every snow creature sighted this season. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">----------</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">SECOND PLACE:</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kelby Wilson, Sarah JF, Madeline Smith et al. with a snow-Kirby!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/WpWoQlIwAvl2HJviauylSsLYzdPH3N2ww5UO0pwUMYM__-7jbz5ZgBnorHqxna-6KVx1ZXjERcufxPpSNsPBQ9zqrA=s512" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 384px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Red Fanta was used to color the feet, and pink lemonade for the body. Sweet action!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">----------</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And finally, in THIRD PLACE:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gloria Jones with an adorable momma and baby kangaroo!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/01AcY5UWP7Q1Z2xUmG_99d30FGbk8iGWBDv4gzASpAD8g882DPOnb-ZZbXQwdTbTMsDpB4LkYMSP6hPqtkOqGqJhXQ=s512" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 512px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">It even has a tail!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CF3V7WHAqDavHF80uV8SpgBFYaX-XAQmtuQNs4eghXOsxA0voianQlg8G5ygGdG9iY9OL-FNFMMtiBs0zOaWpXOpgw=s512" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 390px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Props for the school spirit, Gloria.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">----------</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Special note goes to the top two snow-creatures from last year's snow:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Kim Cook et al.'s snow-honey-bear:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/phhKi3YL1IqPHqOi4ToV8-0Z1F6uIQ3e34sa3ALPaLtQVkbbUXPCY7V38QII1d2miRsfOT5TSPiLXseOJxBCtgqyBA=s512" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 384px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div>And a snow-softball-player by Samantha Matulis: </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0CBWy0ehCVTiyTAd3jqq7QSFkujBlfAFQVZoMAW2W1xfXTh-bX4BoxLjWjlINTE4GCajQ3oQq7D-ZNXhyTu9WoO2vA=s512" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 590px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As well as the two internet-pirated submissions from Nic Low and Warren Clark: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioebfi6I5-b0IR6JUtik83XmWpIX2ZhwAaauIWmh6dSSVyjDMrisqh8yFw-RsjEmi90Xlpgv32ZsgABrxcBbY_0VpZNAwC_4G3SOaLIPElvF3l7rkaB4lt2icvChxUoI1uYZxZKEQ1LrJM/s320/Snow_Creature_for_Aly-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564857923048103794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 590px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXCvFXpUGWOhz8wubkLXMZW2RonTfF5nzGCfLSR_PAjDiufmQfMJtjG5eRI1ZD5TSLKd-8qoVoUq5x379nD42MRx-08Pzb_7Ppxt1YLmsi4ANOsvNFYnl37YD6fUYC7jFq7zFmOJInKr9/s320/snowman-14%255B1%255D-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564858691303416354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 512px; height: 384px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">A HUGE thank you to all those who participated in this years Snow Creature Competition! Your snow creatures may be melted, but now they shall LIVE FOREVER in the depths of the internet!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-36408032906473988882011-01-21T10:57:00.004-06:002011-01-21T17:22:54.410-06:00The Tragic Outcasting of Marty the Grapefruit is Only the Beginning...Tune in next time for Episode TWO of Mauritania's Revenge!<div><br /></div><div><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XmFkgxoIKZw" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">-----</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRZzNHJxm8SV3SXXa4gMHAbRuGLg-AHKNJQrLPeiE0CUYNMHiIMJ8hqxyRDuobmT8EP8ixTk0YFcRyx58r2MulnXRquYCRyFtLXQiRqLQ6DeRgQGtKUrzRo7QKyb2xMAhl-3jTr62JeGM/s200/bio_eek.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564418244124576162" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px; " /></span></span></p><div><br /></div><div>Aly is a junior at Austin College. She's into photography, environmental and social issues, adventure travel, indie music and art films. Contact her <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/alytharp">@alytharp</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-87315212152281575352011-01-20T21:34:00.001-06:002011-01-21T00:28:09.858-06:00To The London Eye<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); white-space: pre; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QveuNmxUJwo?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QveuNmxUJwo?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-39279541645263373132011-01-20T20:26:00.002-06:002011-01-20T22:46:30.135-06:00Photo Gallery: A Trip Around Austin College<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s7zYvIHNd90" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Megan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02120100311861186830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-69298198670657907132011-01-20T15:43:00.005-06:002011-01-20T15:57:29.134-06:00Is It Time To Pull the Plug On American Idol?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R1ygLtdNoSBCRdkdL1hjfKs5RxjessbSG7gxOPfMOH-ej9RlPKRT6BgjyLxVcTlA7fZlx4nkYrRqP45t8icMRfFCx9YBVCxe-247iA8JN_j_XL0YqxhRBrz5qwnyJTXq8C412F2cD5W2/s1600/american+idol.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R1ygLtdNoSBCRdkdL1hjfKs5RxjessbSG7gxOPfMOH-ej9RlPKRT6BgjyLxVcTlA7fZlx4nkYrRqP45t8icMRfFCx9YBVCxe-247iA8JN_j_XL0YqxhRBrz5qwnyJTXq8C412F2cD5W2/s320/american+idol.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564387549406827890" /></a><br />Last night, America watched as the once glorious hit show <em><a href="http://tv.msn.com/reality-tv/american-idol-returns/story/feature/">American Idol Season 10</a></em> premiered…or at least some of America watched. Ratings this season <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2011/01/20/2011-01-20_american_idol_2011_premiere_ratings_down_13_percent_from_last_year_lowest_draw_s.html">dropped by a considerable 13%</a> from last year. What do they expect? With Paula gone, Simon kept the show hanging on by a thread. Now, he has moved on to greener pastures (working on <em>The X-Factor</em>, also on Fox).<br /><br />Now, we have our <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2011/01/20/2011-01-20_american_idol_judges_steven_tyler_and_jennifer_lopez_shy_away_from_bad_news_sing.html?obref=obinsite">“amazing” new judges</a>, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, entertaining us with their classic empathetic and frozen deer-in-the-headlights looks. What more could America want? No real forms of constructive criticism, just not knowing what to do. I was excited about this season, thinking they have an opportunity to recreate this show, make it better, but everything just seems same old, same old.<br /><br />Yes, American Idol possessed the top ratings with 27% of the televisions in the metropolitan area tuned in. By milking this show, they are depriving viewers of possible new shows that have more potential. They’ve filled Glee’s spot for now, and I know I have been so focused on this premiere that I’m not really sure what else is out there right now. So the question remains, is it right not to keep <em>American Idol</em> alive just because America once loved it, or is it time to pull the plug?<br /><br />------<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuHoKHr1Vgzt01TEL0v6Hc0v3D7gHqKO2xSWv8plmQTTk251SLCI8Mi_8dC0jbEwA-PpvagpXmXqc6GuRylhiE9_ccAZ9FRVUj4SmEftjGgvGP5YIZvdlXhZb7D1UxfWuHUlh1F57RAct/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 95px; height: px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuHoKHr1Vgzt01TEL0v6Hc0v3D7gHqKO2xSWv8plmQTTk251SLCI8Mi_8dC0jbEwA-PpvagpXmXqc6GuRylhiE9_ccAZ9FRVUj4SmEftjGgvGP5YIZvdlXhZb7D1UxfWuHUlh1F57RAct/s200/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564388184141841122" /></a><br />Megan is a student at Austin College. She loves music and watching movies. You can contact her at mjones10@austincollege.edu or follow her on twitter, megelizabeth10.Megan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02120100311861186830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-13422787567559157482011-01-20T15:37:00.002-06:002011-01-20T15:40:48.348-06:00Video Game Addiction: If You're Having Too Much Fun, There's Something Wrong With You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mondo-pixel.com/wp-content/uploads/nintendoreahab01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://www.mondo-pixel.com/wp-content/uploads/nintendoreahab01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mondo-pixel.com/2007/02/13/tesorito-del-mes-camiseta-nintendo-rehabilitation-clinic/">Image courtesy Mondo-Pixel</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>New study performed in Singapore has determined that 1 in 10 children are video game addicts. <b>Addicts</b>. As in, these children invest so much time into video games that it's negatively affecting their lives. 3,000 children from 3rd, 4t, and 7th grade were given questionnaires by their teachers. The questionnaires featured such questions as "Do you play video games instead of doing your homework or chores?" I still do that. I probably will never stop doing that. Someone else can take out the trash or do the dishes. I'm at the end boss of Chrono Trigger. Destroying Lavos is way more important than doing that paper tonight. Save all of mankind or finish an assignment not-at-the-last-minute? Decisions.<br />
<br />
The study was done over a two year period, with reported symptoms of video game addiction being: Increases in anxiety and depression, drops in grades, increased impulsive behavior. Also, "addicted" children had bad social skills. Wait a minute. Impulsive? Bad social skills? Procrastination and an unwillingness to do chores? That sounds like my childhood. Growing up with A.D.D., video games were my bread and butter. Still are, except my social skills are better (I hope). These children don't have these problems because they play video games, they more likely <b>play video games because they have these problems</b>. If that. Correlation does not equal causation. I'm not the only one who's having a problem with this. Mark Griffiths, director of the International Gaming Research Unit has voiced his concerns, too. "<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70G15J20110117?pageNumber=1">Video games have displaced television</a>"<br />
<br />
This is just another tirade done by closed-minded people like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_%28activist%29">Jack Thompson</a>. The study has already been called into question for its viability, and it's unlikely that it will have any long term effects. Video games are still working to becoming a fully accepted media form, and I'm thankful that we live in a time where things like this don't result in the sort of overreactions experienced in the 80's and 90's. Even though these sorts of things aren't too threatening, that doesn't mean we should just take them laying down. We should speak out against bullshit like this, and make sure that things like this don't go without rebuttal.</div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12981712470256474060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-49493822057951916102011-01-20T15:25:00.014-06:002011-01-21T02:20:58.290-06:00Don't Make Study Abroad An Invitation For Stereotyping<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 389px;" src="http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/5720666/koreanculturalexcf3cffcb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div>Twelve children from South Korea were <a href="http://www.heralddemocrat.com/hd/1-13-11-South-Korean-students-tour-Sherman-schools">in awe while visiting a Sherman school</a>. They gawked at the locks on the lockers and strange musical instruments during a vacation that expanded their view of the world. I used to live in England and I have had personal experience that shows other cultures look down upon Americans. According to the rest of the world, Americans are obnoxious, loud, have bad diets (they’re fat), little respect, the girls are easy, the guys are schmucks, those kinds of things. But then again according to Americans, the Brits are posh, prude, drink tea and biscuits every morning, have awful teeth, and say cheerio to one another.</div><div><br /></div><div>Different countries and cultures for some reason or another don’t normally get along as you can see by these mangled sterotypes. I don’t really know where this kind of negative ethnocentricity comes from but theres no denying it definitely comes. Each country is a spectacle in the eyes of the rest and by saying that I'm not trying to say that I'm bothered by Korean children judging us or something like that but just curious as to why different cultures invite judgement. Is the British view of America that I know consistent with what the rest of the world thinks? Or is the view different from cultures like that of South Korea.</div><div><br />I once met a foreign exchange student from Germany whose parents sent him to America just so he could realize how good he had it back home. Study abroad opportunities are a chance to abate all the false pretenses that visitors often come along with. But it is possible that we as Americans earn t</div><div>hese labels? I sure hope not but the Southern Korean children did mention the unhealthy salt and meat heavy diets common in America and said they were craving vegetables for the duration of the trip. They also did point out that you don’t see that many fat people in Korea and there is a reason for it. So there is concrete evidence that the fat stereotype did come from somewhere, what about the rest?</div><div><br /></div><div>---</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 95px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU98j2Ca851oijSJzDlqLQss6puIvL-T2Zn8qxajLzdDyQB5Ok_1es40wpEJ8YR-rOqkYJgMGMWskQbWkt-4hBO1VOdj1urUpR5pPYB3bI-VqBlIGBL5TcznVMxfixvWZkZk2VKR2qut7/s200/snow%2526morp09-10+431.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564548483799286658" /></div><div>Amy Harvey is a freshman at Austin College. She likes eating chocolate, cuddling puppies, and wearing onesie pajamas. You can email her at ahymeh@gmail.com or follow her on twitter @ahymeh3.</div>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-36169805256903671272011-01-20T15:17:00.009-06:002011-01-21T22:25:03.771-06:00Fear of Carbon Emission Regulations is Stunting Growth for the United States<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.global-changes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Australia-Global-Warming.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 227px;" src="http://www.global-changes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Australia-Global-Warming.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Incoming Republican House representatives are <a href="http://www.climatesciencewatch.org/2011/01/10/house-republicans-prepare-to-attack-epa-greenhouse-gas-rules/">scheming to cut funding and stringently oversee the EPA</a>, specifically to prevent them from regulating carbon emissions. Desperate to do <i>something </i>about climate change<i>,</i> the EPA recently declared carbon dioxide a danger to human health and thus within their jurisdiction to regulate under the Clean Air Act of 1970. In contrast, Congress spent the past two years trying to work out a national cap-and-trade policy... and failed. </p><p class="MsoNormal">What Representative Issa of California and his colleagues are trying to do is abusive, bullshit politicking, and it only serves to further ostracize the United States from the rest of the world. Developed countries are expected to take action. While we continue to step backwards, the European Union now has a <i>mandatory </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_Emissions_Trading_Scheme">carbon</a><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_Emissions_Trading_Scheme"> </a></i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_Emissions_Trading_Scheme">emissions cap-and-trade policy</a>, based off a pilot program in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Emissions_Trading_Scheme">UK</a>, that will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of Europe. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Regulating the emissions of fossil-fuel based power plants and petroleum refineries-- whether through a carbon emission cap-and-trade market or a bureaucratic mess-- is a necessary step forward for the United States. A step that will boost both our international credibility and our holding in the market for cleaner and more efficient energy technologies. </p><p class="MsoNormal">-----</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRZzNHJxm8SV3SXXa4gMHAbRuGLg-AHKNJQrLPeiE0CUYNMHiIMJ8hqxyRDuobmT8EP8ixTk0YFcRyx58r2MulnXRquYCRyFtLXQiRqLQ6DeRgQGtKUrzRo7QKyb2xMAhl-3jTr62JeGM/s200/bio_eek.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564418244124576162" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px; " /></span></span></p><div><br /></div><div>Aly is a junior at Austin College. She's into photography, environmental and social issues, adventure travel, indie music and art films. Contact her <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/alytharp">@alytharp</a>.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-6778016331838218322011-01-20T12:50:00.003-06:002011-01-20T14:50:21.436-06:00Let's Play Darius Twin<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="486" height="395" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NUlt7fyta0k" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12981712470256474060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-24425409382216362702011-01-19T23:51:00.002-06:002011-01-24T13:45:35.806-06:00Where's Waldo This Week?Starting now, we will have weekly sightings of Wheres Waldo, an old friend who I havn't seen in quite a while. Here's Werner Herzog with an intro...<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EvWh6PMi9Ek?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></span></div>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-64389650062258469322011-01-19T21:41:00.003-06:002011-01-19T22:08:56.923-06:00The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I hope you enjoy this video I made today: If not for the </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Has-Good-Home-Final-Fantasy/dp/B0009NEYJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295495695&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">song</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> by Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy), then for the graffiti </span></span><a href="http://jointhestudio.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">art</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZRjiOXRiVzk?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-79937736788843132482011-01-19T19:48:00.003-06:002011-01-19T22:08:43.961-06:00I Most Definitely Have a "Solar Powered Life"<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZlRfmfC_2dQ" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Megan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02120100311861186830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-59675696002989183172011-01-19T14:32:00.005-06:002011-01-19T14:50:45.711-06:00Jennifer Lopez: A Copy Cat?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFHmduamqHUSAL7iOzid7QPWKRq_yBNLA8-scchKLieRzUY30J06mdJpyTnyvF8O3pmXn1eOdKUwwlR2YgnpNGs2DpbRCJc7P6D6VoCGtzbDCxOtDoVYXvfGgEFNeMt_ukDHBbcsVO_8N/s1600/jlo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFHmduamqHUSAL7iOzid7QPWKRq_yBNLA8-scchKLieRzUY30J06mdJpyTnyvF8O3pmXn1eOdKUwwlR2YgnpNGs2DpbRCJc7P6D6VoCGtzbDCxOtDoVYXvfGgEFNeMt_ukDHBbcsVO_8N/s320/jlo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564002256769768226" /></a><br />This week, the world's newest beloved <span style="font-style:italic;">American Idol</span> judge, Jennifer Lopez, graced us with her <a href="http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=623488&affid=100055">"amazing" new single</a> on the air of Ryan Seacrest's radio show. Too bad this catchy tune "On the Floor" sounds an awful lot like Kat DeLuna's track "Party O'Clock." Both tracks were produced by music mogul RedOne, sounding similar in both melody and harmony. And go figure, the lyrics sound similar as well, making this song seem like an easy quick hit. While Kat DeLuna gushes about how much she loves Jennifer Lopez and claims flattery in the fact that "it's cool when artists like J.Lo are inspired by her musical sound and style," how can we trust Jennifer to give this season's <span style="font-style:italic;">American Idol</span> contestants proper critiquing when she clearly isn't producing anything even close to her own?Megan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02120100311861186830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-35296542035901499442011-01-19T14:30:00.005-06:002011-01-19T16:48:02.365-06:00Could You Please Be Badass On Somebody Else's Mailbox?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>There stands with pride a concrete canvas below a busy overpass layered with competing stories as telling as the wrinkles and frown lines on an old mans face. Mistakes and successes we may never really understand. Some people use graffiti to make a statement others just to say "hey, I'm badass." Hey you may be badass but could you please be badass on somebody else's mailbox? I would personally prefer not to pass by some depiction of a penis while taking my little sister to the park. But, just because we don't enjoy the content we cant ignore it's artistic value...<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 266px;" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs235.ash2/50494_93058133108_729705_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br /><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">wow... thats deep...</div><br /></div>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-23394570170285515862011-01-19T14:23:00.003-06:002011-01-19T14:48:07.431-06:00Nintendo Abolishes Multi-Friend Code Headache<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/no.friend.code-490px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/no.friend.code-490px.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/rumor-major-online-wii-game-ditching-friend-codes/">Image from Joystiq</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gone are the days of having to find <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/3ds-features-only-one-friend-code/">different friend codes for every fucking Nintendo game you own</a>. At least for the upcoming 3DS, anyway. Nintendo did what they should have done <b>years ago</b>, announcing that the 3DS will have one universal friend code, with the bonus of not having to use codes if the systems are sharing the same Wi-Fi. This is the step that will finally make Nintendo at least somewhat of an equal in the online multiplayer field. It's about time that they fixed this, but apparently, they're only doing it for the 3DS, I guess we'll have to wait for Nintendo's next home console to be on par with the 360 and PS3. I guess we shouldn't be to hard on Nintendo, after all, <b>it only took them 5 years</b> to figure out that they had a bad online setup.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12981712470256474060noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-78048024279879875922011-01-19T13:55:00.000-06:002011-01-19T13:55:30.546-06:00LOOK AT ALL THESE BLOGS AROUND!Hey, we're not the only ones who are blogging around here. Check out these other blogs!<br />
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<a href="http://mungoestate.blogspot.com/">Mungo Estate</a><br />
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<a href="http://mungoestate.blogspot.com/2011/01/5-must-have-dubstep-albums.html">5 Must Have Dubstep Albums</a><br />
<a href="http://mungoestate.blogspot.com/2011/01/ever-wanted-to-drive-tank.html">Ever Wanted To Drive A Tank?</a><br />
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<a href="http://whileyouexist.blogspot.com/">While We Exist</a><br />
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<a href="http://text-appeal.blogspot.com/2011/01/top-5-songs-to-releasing-your-inner-gay.html">Top 5 Songs To Releasing Your Inner Gay</a><br />
<a href="http://text-appeal.blogspot.com/2011/01/fear.html">Nicholas Cage Screams About Bees. I Whine About Horror Movies.</a><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://text-appeal.blogspot.com/">Text Appeal</a><br />
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<a href="http://whileyouexist.blogspot.com/2011/01/youre-probably-wrong-about-church-of.html">Minister Of Modification: The Flesh And Blood Spirituality Of David Hahn</a><br />
<a href="http://whileyouexist.blogspot.com/2011/01/josh-groban-what-who-cares.html">Josh Groban What? Who Cares?</a><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://ourmoderngush.blogspot.com/">Our Modern Gush</a><br />
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<a href="http://ourmoderngush.blogspot.com/2011/01/picture-via-picture-via-picture-via.html">That Master Is Dead, But Did Colored Folks Pick Up The Whip?</a><br />
<a href="http://ourmoderngush.blogspot.com/2011/01/picture-via-picture-via-picture-via.html">Top 5 Prematurely Cancelled Shows</a>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12981712470256474060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-55086709737511663782011-01-17T19:55:00.009-06:002011-01-17T23:09:15.919-06:00Vegan Chef Matty Kime Tells it Like it is<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeWcrjuEBsFNAkVeHPRU0bGwW27yoUKJu6FfQpsGjOIQYpDXj4hR_7idL2jCfUagvYASm9bwhThifZis8IYazpusfy5O3PRiyNq0b_rzJ662wcmcp3lP2juPNoZN6munXuH-hF7Rl2ROv/s320/25827_392151988912_791318912_3584030_8167388_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563376927256001010" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>"I have this dream that I could be an Emergency Food Fixer</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><i> Guy (that's the official title). Imagine </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><i>me in a lab coat or trench coat full of spices. If someone's cooking a nice meal for a date or something and it's too spicy or salty or just doesn't seem right, for a low, flat rate of -- you know, whatever-- I could come over and fix their food and save the day.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">"</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Matty Kime, vegan chef and emergency food fixer guy, is a resident of Memphis, Tennessee. He dreams of someday winning <i>Survivor</i>, bikes regularly, and consumes more garlic and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha">kombucha</a> than you do. For this feature, he graciously agreed to answer some questions I had about veganism: from his own personal experience and reasoning to whether veganism is a healthy or affordable diet.</span></p><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Q: So where did you learn to be a vegan chef?</i></span></b></div><span style=" ;font-size:12pt;"></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>A:</b> I went to <a href="http://www.naturalcookery.com/">The School of Natural Cookery</a> in Boulder, Colorado. I took a 4 month course specializing in how to make Vegan food. The program was a little different in that it geared me towards becoming a personal chef: it focused on teaching you how to match various flavors and spices to cook with rather than focusing on recipes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Q: Why did you decide to go there?</i></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>A:</b> I was thinking about going to culinary school after high school. I looked into the <a href="http://www.ciachef.edu/">Culinary Institute of America</a> and <a href="http://www.jwu.edu/college.aspx?id=19510#fbid=nhXIZk8nHU1">Johnson and Wales</a>, however I decided I wanted to take some time off. I became vegan in the meantime and figured that I should follow that in my kind of schooling.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Q: Do you feel like what you learned at the School of Natural Cookery positively influenced any other aspects of your life?</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>A:</b> Well, I’ve always been interested in cooking. I’m glad I went. Being vegan made me cook whole meals more often and more creatively. My school</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"> experience helped me get my foot in the door, and I guess you could say it helped build the foundation for how I cook now and gave me a certain level of confidence. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Q: So how long were you a vegan, and how much of that time would you say ate unhealthily?</i></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>A:</b> I was a vegan for 9 years; I would say that I ate unhealthily for the first year and maybe the last year of that. And I guess I eat kind of unhealthily now. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">For a long time I kept a really balanced diet. I didn’t drink caffeine or eat any junk food at all. I cut out some other things as well. I didn’t start being a vegan for health reasons, but my reasoning shifted that way over time. Over time I started losing sight of my first reasons, such as the environment, or meat industry – the reasons that are bigger than me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i> Q: So why do you think you’re not a vegan now?</i></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>A:</b> Pretty much out of laziness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The first meat I had in nine years was at a farm where I was living for an internship—one of our </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">objectives was to only eat food that grew within 100 miles of us. One day, we caught some ducks from the edge of the property and prepared them for dinner that night. I decided that I wanted to take a full part of the experience, including eating the meat.</span></p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9-eNLQdxNS2irJC1edbay2_YoHtR3jtyj6ra8xfdN-X0DR0oL57NsjsIS8yQh_BNcTxMiba1nFkIZHUgVD3FvoD6u5fE6fSdUvjtluoJfkgcnAXpdM1HrywT_1LF6-viIknCv64iNwL3/s320/38880_418591616098_508131098_4911825_2558632_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563379286003469218" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px; " /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But when a friend told me that certain Doritos are vegan, that was the true source of my downfall. I started getting a lot more lax after that. I’m currently re-evaluating what’s healthy for me, and hopefully choosing a diet that’s less harmful to me and more conscious of the infrastructures and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">industries involved. Between chickens sometimes eating other chickens and the amount of methane being released into the atmosphere because things are done on such a large scale, there’s nothing good or healthy or positive about the meat industry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Q: So what do you think about genetic modification as the next step in the industrialization of food? Like how they’re trying to </i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/business/26salmon.html"><i>genetically modify salmon</i></a><i> to speed up their growth, or create genetically modified but otherwise organic food (according to a January 2011 Popular Science article)?</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>A:</b> When people talk about how it’s needed to feed the masses, it’s just an excuse really. It’s all about making it more available for cheaper; trying to turn a profit, and picking systemic solutions over sustainable practices.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But that’s been going on for a while. Like how green peppers are just red peppers picked early-- that’s why they’re usually a bit cheaper. It makes for more immediate food and money.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Did you know that <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1390088.stm">square watermelons</a> are really popular in Japan? They’re genetically modified to adjust to the space they’re in and grown in glass boxes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Q: And do you think that being a vegan is affordable? Especially to do so healthily</i>?</span></b></p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnp8IcLnudTnWLNHDN0ccTlsHhshM2DtKukrOruCFBCXU-8fBiJVFR0nqXdPseRvs2nAgOvonLE9x_LkIwDVdFScRjrduKVoV8hD8kVNv9TmpOhYnAYMTQIk_lpVQIldsS8tXaQb-wzJj/s320/156780_478971381098_508131098_6016947_3482641_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563379938127740146" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>A:</b> You know, some people think you can’t get enough protein as a vegan. I think that some meat </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">has pretty poor proteins (for example, pork). The most important protein combination </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I </span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">know of is legume (such as beans or lentils) and grain; they compliment each other very well. And that’s very cheap! The problem is a lot of vegetarians and vegans don’t know how to be healthy and end up eating mostly chips and fries.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">My ideal super-food meal is <a href="http://www.nutritiousfeast.com/2009/03/quinoa-super-food_20.html">quinoa</a>, garbanzo beans or lentils, and seaweed or some kind of green that’s high in nutrients like kale or broccoli; maybe with other vegetables and garlic.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(cheap trick: if you buy bulk and mark your quinoa as millet when you buy it at Whole Foods, it’s a lot cheaper and they probably won’t notice)</span></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Q: Hey thanks a lot, Matty. Is there anything else you’d like to say while you’re still on your soap box?</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">A: If you eat fresh garlic and ginger every day, you’ll never get sick. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(But your friends might tell you that you smell bad.)</span></span> </i></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-75518100223569731092011-01-17T11:08:00.001-06:002011-01-17T11:10:02.578-06:00Player Profile: Interview With Nathan Barnatt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1-GIQOh5Mr4/TTR342W6Y6I/AAAAAAAAADI/N3_9exTLorg/s1600/keith-apicary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1-GIQOh5Mr4/TTR342W6Y6I/AAAAAAAAADI/N3_9exTLorg/s320/keith-apicary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"They call me the wreaker the wr-wr-wr-wreaker cuz I wreak so much havoc with my l-l-leg sweeper." - Keith Apicary, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJFbmzWN7NQ">Classic Gaming Wiz</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Nathan Barnatt, better known in the gaming community as Keith Apicary, is a force to be reckoned with. A gamer actor hybrid, similar to James Rolfe (The Angry Video Nerd), Keith plays on all of our nostalgia for gaming days gone by. Keith Apicary is a 28 year old man who lives with his mother and sister. According to Nathan, Keith is a man "who probably stopped growing mentally at the age of 14 when he was having the most fun, playing Genesis." Every week, through his documentary Talking Classics, Keith gives us a glimpse into what it's like to be astoundingly good at video games, unless he's at a convention, then all hell breaks loose. Nathan's brand of nerdcore humor in combination with his pratfalling abilities have made a strong fanbase and caught the attention of networks, a Keith Apicary pilot has been made, and hopefully will be picked up by a network soon.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I recently had the opportunity to have an interview via Skype with Nathan. I don't have the time or effort to transcribe the entire <b>hour and a half</b> interview, however here are some highlights.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Maxon Foster: What are you playing right now? What's on your now playing list?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Nathan Barnatt: Starwars: The Force Unleashed, Just Cause 2, I really like Geometry Wars, Trials HD, Uncharted 1 and 2. Those are the current gen games that I'm playing a lot these days.</span><br />
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MF: When Keith is at E3, the VGA awards, or Comic-Con, he sometimes has sort of a negative reaction towards the people he meets. He <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTXG5Y1NPlM">treated some people disdainfully at the VGA</a>'s, but it was sort of warranted. He made a good point with the idea of "If you're not here for video games, then what are you here for." Was that done for comedic effect, or was Keith trying to make a point? A little of both?<br />
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NB: A little of both. Normally when I go to conventions I'm in a good mood... but when I went to [the VGA's] I was in a bit of a bad mood, and I got irritated because there were all these phoney-baloney people dressed up, and I was like "This is video games, they're for playing on the couch." ... Video games should be more low-key... I looked out at all these people and I thought "You don't know video games. I bet I could ask you some really basic questions, and you wouldn't get them." ...Why do the people on the red carpet have barely anything to do with video games?... It's unrelatable. I asked them questions about video games, and if they didn't know, I didn't want to talk to them anymore. I felt bad afterwards for being kind of mean, but people were kind of into it because it was just for me to do that.<br />
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MF: Your fans know that the genesis was your first console. When did you first get it? What was gaming like for you as a kid?<br />
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NB: We got our Genesis for Christmas, the summer after it came out. Before I had one, I thought it was something for rich people. I remembered going to my friend's house, and they had a Genesis and an electric stove. I didn't have those things so I was like, wow, these people are rich. When we got the Genesis, my mom had an egg timer and she would set it to 15 minutes, and every time it went off either me or my brothers had to pass the controller off. Our Genesis came with Sonic, and we bought a game called Road Rash. We played Road Rash the most.<br />
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MF: There are a lot of very specific references that Keith makes to some parts of gaming that some people might not pick up on. How do you feel about your viewers not always getting the jokes that you make?<br />
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NB: There's a lot of nostalgia in Keith's character, and a lot of the jokes come from playing games with my brothers. There are some viewers who might not get the jokes, but hopefully they'll look the references up. I know that when I watch James Rolfe's show that there are some things like glitches I don't get, and I have to look them up. It makes it all the more rewarding.<br />
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MF: You do a lot of pratfalling and physical comedy as Keith. When did you first start doing that? Were you classically trained, or is it a hobby?<br />
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NB: I've never been classically trained, I'm just good at it. Maybe I'm not good at it, but I like doing it and I keep doing it. I've always been physical. My dad build us a tree fort, so we were always playing around. I'm a skateboarder, and when I was 13 I taught myself to do backflips. ... I didn't really start utilizing my physical abilities until I was around 21. It's really been paying off. Cirque Du Solei has actually hired me to be the clown in their upcoming Michael Jackson show.<br />
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The full interview will soon be available on YouTube.<br />
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Nathan Barnatt's Talking Classics can be found on his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/nathanjbarnatt">youtube channel</a>.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12981712470256474060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7942018388658703641.post-55512286515744853622011-01-17T08:26:00.021-06:002011-01-17T15:12:58.050-06:00Interview With Lucas Henry; What Can We Learn From A High School Teacher<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.milburnschools.org/uploads/images/article_headers/RMA.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 650px; height: 190px;" src="http://www.milburnschools.org/uploads/images/article_headers/RMA.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><div><br /></div><div>Lucas Henry, a High School social studies teacher, has taught at schools on either sides of the railroad tracks and, interested in his perspective, I talked to him about the different approaches required in each of the two scenarios. I witnessed a very different world to the upper-middle class high school which I attended.</div><div><br /></div><div>He once broke up a fight between two girls in the parking lot across the street. One of them got her shirt and bra torn off, so she was naked. "She was in my 5th period geography class and I saw her naked; embarrassing!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Also after breaking up a fight between two girls one time he got injured in the process. Once the police came and tried to scare the girls about jail Henry said "no offense, but these are the girls that make jail a scary place, not the girls that are scared to be there."</div><div><br /></div><div>Lucas Henry now teaches at McKinney High School; your average middle class suburban public High School but once taught at <a href="http://www.milburnschools.org/articles/richard_milburn_academy">Richard Milburn Academy</a> a school that helps kids when other schools tell them it can't be done. It is a charter school, not public not private, where most of the students that chose to enroll were at the margins of the public school system; they were either behind in a credit, over age 18, had kids of their own (an estimated 20% of students had kids), or had some circumstances that prevented them from attending a "regular" public school. Most had been told they were not welcome at the public school they should be in so there were quite a few kids with severe discipline problems, drug problems, and really bad home lives. No one questioned that this was a school for kids that didn't quite fit in elsewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because classes were small, less than 20 usually, Lucas Henry said he concentrated on giving them life skills in addition to content. Most of them were <i>never </i>going to need to know most of the social studies curriculum so he focused on teaching them how to be polite, responsible, good parents, good citizens, etc. He teaches some of that now; for example he greets each student at the door with a handshake every morning, but most of his time is now spent on content.</div><div><br /></div><div>When asked if he had a different relationship with the kids at The classes were much more intimate and there was a definite family feel to it. "I loved those kids; It broke my heart when they would make bad decisions, but the successes were just that much more rewarding."</div><div><br /></div><div>For example; two of his students who most likely wouldn't have graduated from High School anywhere else went on to college to become teachers. There was one student who couldn't pass any <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Assessment_of_Knowledge_and_Skills">TAKS test</a> but after working so hard together, he finally passed. Though this is not a big accomplishment for most, it was big for him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another of Lucas' Students was really bad; he had a drug problem and stole lots of stuff to support it, he was terrible in school and never tried. One day he got arrested in class and was taken to <a href="http://www.tyc.state.tx.us/">TYC</a> for about 4 months. When he returned he was a completely different person. He cut off all of his long hair and donated it to <a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/">Locks of Love</a>, and he showed up on time ready to learn everyday. His problem, according to Henry, was that no one ever told him what to do before jail. He didn't know people were supposed to get up and have a routine everyday. When he came back to school they helped him graduate on time and he joined the army.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Though the turnover rate was high, more kids graduated that not and graduation day was always special because you knew you were looking at a bunch of kids that wouldn't be there without you, "at MHS, most of the students would be fine without me."</div><div><br /></div><div>It does seem like quite a different feel to the High School many of us experience; their prom queen was eight months pregnant and lots of kids wore ankle bracelets because they were on probation so prom dresses looked silly. But yet I can only imagine how much more rewarding and essential a school like Richard Milburn is.</div></div></div>Amy Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13956997090531483692noreply@blogger.com0