College OTR

2008 Soccer Freestyle Champion - Sean Garnier

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:32:58 EDT

Have you ever juggled a soccer ball, hit it with your foot a couple times, then thought, "I wonder what I could do if I spent all my free time juggling this ball? Well, some people actually have, and they can do a ton of ridiculously crazy shit. As seen on ESPN's Top Ten Plays, the 2008 Freestyle Soccer Championship was last Tuesday, with you're winner and new champion: Arnaud "Sean" Garnier. It was a close championship match that gave Sean the victory, so watch all the moves for yourself in the video above.

Pic of the Day: The "Stone Throne"

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:28:27 EDT

UC Berkeley Dept. of Engineering at its best!

Wesleyan's MGMT Boys Pre-Fame Interview

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:26:14 EDT

Ben Goldwasser '05 and Andrew VanWyngarden '05 of the musical band MGMT were interviewed by Wesleyan's school newspaper, The Argus before they hit it big. Now world famous, the band members reflect on their aspirations, accomplishments and desires while still students at Wesleyan.

The article was first published in the April 13th, 2004 issue.

Were you guys an instant hit?

[Both laugh and say no]
AV: One of our first shows was in the Westco cafe, and we dressed up in orange jumpsuits and got incredibly stoned. And it ended with me lying on the floor with the microphone telling everyone to leave. And then I opened my eyes and they were all gone. Except for Carolyn. [laughs]

JL: What distinguishes The Management from other bands?

BEN GOLDWASSER: We steal ideas from other bands and use them. We were trying to be ironic. Were we (to Andrew)? At some point we were trying to be ironic, and then we just kind of lost it. [laughs]

Is there anything that you hate about being rock stars?

AV: I don't think we're rock stars.
BG: I don't hate being a rock star. [both laugh]

JL: Do you get a lot of groupies?

AV: No.
BG: No. Never.

JL: Well that's a shame. What do you like most about playing music together?

BG: Companionship. [both laugh]
AV: Beno's my partner. [both laugh]
BG: He beats me. [laughs]

JL: How has playing together changed your friendship?

BG: We've been getting in more fights because of being in The Management.
AV: Yeah, when we try to write songs together and record stuff we just get really pissy.
BG: Whenever we have to play a show, one of us doesn't want to play the show and the other one does. So we argue about that.

Read the full interview.

Notre Dame Students Kicked Out of Homes

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:19:12 EDT

The Observer reported today several Notre Dame students are breaking the law [dun dun DAAA], but not for doing anything crazy or cool (obviously). Some students living off-campus have entered into housing contracts that put them in violation of a South Bend and St. Joseph County ordinance which prevents more than 2 non-related residents. The ordinance supports single family zoning areas to separate them from student housing zones.

While most legitimate college housing companies are in compliance with the zoning codes, those in violation are paying fines up to $1000 a day and will have to find a new place to live. Looks like it's back to the dorms for those unfortunate seniors. Ouch. But wait! A loophole!

According to the county Assistant Zoning Administrator Mark Lyons: If you have two students in a single family home, that's the maximum you can have, because they're two unrelated people. People can be legally related by blood, marriage or adoption. Students who have cut themselves to become blood brothers may have an opportunity for appeal, not sure though. Otherwise, students can obtain same sex marriages in other states, then adopt their their other roommates to avoid relocating.

Living in the dorms senior year is the single worst punishment to inflict on college senior. Seriously, these seniors are threatened with a serious decrease in their fun levels next semester. I wouldn't count out homeless seniors from participating in some extreme measures in order to continue living off campus in their final year.

MN Rep. Michelle Bachmann Vows To Fight Impending Socialism

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:08:25 EDT

Methinks Republican Rep. MIchelle Bachmann misses the carefree days of McCarthyist politics. Everything was so much simpler then, when a paranoid reactionary senator could scream the word "Communist" at anyone they disagreed with and curry favor from the frightened masses... Ah, those truly were the days.

Bachmann appeared on Fox News recently to reassure everyone that even though Barack Obama won the presidency and the Democrats have the majority in the House and Senate, she and her Republican pals will not allow them to carry out their devious plans and "enact socialism".

"What we have to do is give our positive alternatives to socialism,” said Bachmann in the interview. “Now that we will have a Democrat in the White House and, of course, running both branches of government, our job will be to make the very positive, distinct difference. Not necessarily to help the Democrats enact socialism, in fact to fight it,"

According to Bachmann, a lot of Americans didn't realize the power the Democrats would have: "I think the American people at the end of the day will say, whoa, wait a minute. I didn’t vote for socialism, did I?” Now that the red menace lives in our government, it is up to the ragtag crew of the Republican minority to help combat this awful threat that looms over America.

Frankly, I'm surprised this woman got elected again, considering her ridiculous rant on Obama's "anti-American views", lovin' on Dubya, or that she believes that God Himself called her to Congress. The self-proclaimed "fool for Christ" was just re-elected and already she is talking about fighting those conniving socialists... Have District 6 voters not been keeping up with this woman?

Ithaca College Airs Laguna Beach-Esque Show Starring Cornell

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:35:59 EDT

On Monday, Ithaca College’s student-produced reality series, Ivy, debuted on the ICTV network, and the reception amongst Cornellians, whom the series is loosely based upon, was mixed.

According to the co-producers of the series, Rachel Hastings and Ed Pietzak, Ivy is a dry comedy, faux-reality show—not unlike MTV’s Laguna Beach—that closely follows the misadventures of a handful of fictitious Cornell students.

However, while some Cornellians appreciated the tongue-in-cheek portrayal of life on their campus, others were less enthused by the show’s reliance on superficial stereotypes.

Zack Mast of the Cornell Daily Sun writes:

For the most part, the caricatures are fair, but some of the jokes — especially Amanda’s stubborn reverence of Ugg boots and North Face jackets — feel, at times, a little too convenient. Yes, sororo-sluts do exist, but Ivy almost directly compares the vapid, image-obsessed life of The Hills to life on the Hill.

That is, at least in the premiere, it presents a vain, shallow social niche that really only exists on Cornell’s surface. There isn’t any mention of Cornell’s finer, more subtle stereotypes — no hockey madness, no hipsters, no hopeless engineers struggling to worm their way through a booze-soaked Friday night in Collegetown. Instead, the girls constantly appraise their social standing as the guys play squash and attempt to get laid. Does no one study at this school? Also, who wears Cornell gear after freshman year?

Just sayin’.

My, my – several weeks ago, I reported on the Cornell-centric Office episode that painted the University in a poor light, and I was inundated with comments assuring me that Cornellians had funny bones.

However, as Mast has proven, they do not.

Ah, it feels so good to be vindicated.

Miley Cyrus Causes a Random Dance Party To Break Out

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:31:09 EDT

She was dancing to Miley Cyrus...need I say more?

The Top 10 (Well, 20, Really) Hottest Twins

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:19:12 EDT

One hot girls is always good, but two is even better. In that spirit, collegeOTR presents the completely authoritative, super ultimate, ultra definitive list of the Top 10 Hottest Twins. You can thanks us later.

10. Brie and Nikki Bella (professional wrestling tag team)

9. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (actors, fashion designers, moguls)

8. Shane and Sia Barbi (pin-up models)

7. Ruth and Ryan Quinn (winners of the Palms Model Search)

6. Rosie and Renee Tenison (models)

5. Natalie and Jennifer Campbell (University of Northern Colorado students and Playboy models)

4. Kristina and Karissa Shannon (Hugh Hefner’s new girlfriends)

3. Sara and Bruna Gontijo (winners of the “Body Doubles” contest)

2. Rikki and Vikki (upcoming reality TV stars)

1. Bia and Branca Feres (synchronized swimmers)

UMD Senior Day: Free Rides to Class, Fridge Happy Hour, Bar Crawl

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:39:48 EDT

Today is Senior Day at the University of Maryland (that's educational class standing, not citizenship). What does this mean for you Mr. or Ms. Senior? It means you can hop on a golf cart around campus and hitch a free ride to class from a Senior Council member, then hit up the Alumni Center between 5pm and 7pm to meet Coach Friedgen for happy hour. After that the party moves down to Route One for a good ol' fashioned bar crawl. Bentley's kicks off the event from 9pm to 10pm where the first 150 seniors will recieve wrist bands for free cover at all remaining bars - Cornerstone (10pm-11pm), Thirsty Turtle (11pm-12am), and finishing at Santa Fe (12am-1am). GO TERPS!

Columbia's Endowment Falls, Joins Dartmouth and Penn at Rock Bottom

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:31:36 EDT

Columbia University joined Dartmouth and Penn yesterday as one of the few Ivy League universities to report a financial loss during the last fiscal year.

According to the school’s annual financial report, the University’s endowment fell from $7.24 billion to $7.04 billion, a whopping two percent drop.

OK, maybe that’s not statistically “whopping,” but for the crème de la crème, this is a serious blow to Columbia’s overall prestige.

The Spectator reports:

All Ivy League schools reported endowment performance significantly less than the double-digit gains that they have been accustomed to in recent years, though only two other schools, University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth, reported a loss. According to the Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn’s student newspaper, the school’s endowment fell by nearly 4 percent over the last fiscal year to $6.3 billion, while Dartmouth’s endowment fell by $100 million due to institution spending, student newspaper The Dartmouth reported. Harvard, Yale, and Princeton each reported modest single-digit growth, although their returns were far below those of recent years.

Unsurprisingly, the Elite Three of the Ancient Eight—Harvard, Yale and Princeton—escaped unscathed from the economic downturn.

Still, what is surprising about the Spectator report is the absence of Cornell and Brown.

Do they not want to release their financial reports? What do they have to hide?

Please Give Us Your Money! Starting With the $20,000 it Will Cost to get Back

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:25:49 EDT

Only the obvious can be said about this idiotic way of going about asking the public for their money. The argument from the companies has been that it's for their safety and it's corporate policy. If only their were actual award shows for lamest excuse ever.

First of all, I don't know about you, but I would sooner recognize the starting first baseman for the Buffalo Bison than I would some schmuck CEO from GM, nor would I feel the need to jump them if I knew who they were. Actually, if I saw one of them on a plane now with us simple folk after the whole "using a corporate jet to ask for public funds" thing, I would probably want to beat the crap out of them with the wads of cash they're so desperately seeking.

Second, I understand it's corporate policy to fly on their corporate jets, but it is NOT corporate policy to go bankrupt, so I think the rules have changed a bit.

Now the auto execs are claiming that this whole debacle is just creating a distraction from the far greater problem of American jobs being lost. Need I remind them that this is a distraction that they created by taking the corporate jet? Did a madman point a gun to their head and say "Yeah, yeah! That's right, get in the corporate jet and everything will be okay!"

Personally, I think their fighting this only makes them look worse and they should probably just admit the mistake and try to move on. Bottom line, after this unfavorable PR hit - ranking up their with Ted Haggard's PR hit after it was discovered he had something else coming out of his mouth other than bullshit - the Big Three CEOs better be hitchhiking their way back. I hope they've read the book of the road (see below for explanation).

Overheard at Penn: Because Monks are Hotter than Secret Agents

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:13:12 EDT

Overheard in the Arch Building...

Professor with a German accent, about the movie “The Name of the Rose”: Sean Connery dressed as a monk…sexy, I say!

(Many things simultaneously so wrong and so right about that statement. Plus, it invites amazing opportunities for celebrity jeopardy on SNL).

How drunk do you have to be?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:13:01 EDT

To have this done to you...That sucks.

Tim Tebow Wears Jean Shorts!

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:48:25 EDT

Jhorts and mandals (man sandals) are a killer fashion faux pas. If only the FSU-UF game was based on fashion, we would totally dominate!

Student Paper Appoints New 2009 Editor In Chief

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:25:37 EDT

"Congratulations to Mikel Livingston, our editor-in-chief for 2009. about 4 hours ago from web"

The news advisor of the Exponent just posted on his Twitter that the new EIC of the paper, succeeding senior Andrea Thomas, will be junior Mikel Livingston. More on this later today.

Girl Takes First Shot for Birthday!!!

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:46:40 EDT

She better not spill one drop of it...

NYU Band Wins an MTVU Woodie Award

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:42:55 EDT

Last Wednesday, at the MTVU Woodie Awards held in New York City, Queens-based and NYU-educated band The Bride Wore Black won an award for the Best Music on Campus. Sean, Sam, Mike, and Devin, who make up that band, are 100% Pop-Punk and, hey, if thats what you want to do, go for it! So when they describe themselves on their Myspace:

The Bride Wore Black is a New York City based pop/rock band formed in fall of 2006. Since the release of the debut EP “¡PWNED!”, that was recorded with Ryan Sellick (Armor for Sleep, Bedlight for Blue Eyes), in July ’07, the band has built a strong and loyal fan base through constant touring. The Bride Wore Black has been seen on dates with such bands as Metro Station, We the Kings, Forever the Sickest Kids, Valencia and many more, as well as the Long Island date of the 2007 Vans Warped Tour. “We will be touring as much as possible from here on out and we look forward to meeting each and everyone of you! Writing music and playing shows is what we love more than anything, so please come have fun with us when we come to your town!” Love, TBWB

I kind of have to refute their own categorization of themselves. But whatever. Its so great to see kids doing what they want and getting somewhere with it because we all know thats hard to accomplish. Feel free to give them a listen via their Myspace where they also have about a zillion tour dates listed as well as footage available of their win. The award was presented by Moby and someone I dont recognized (maybe someone can take a look and clarify as to who that gentleman is) and the boys are pretty funny and charming in their reception. Enjoy!

Want to learn new crafts and how to sell your work?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:50:53 EDT

The second meeting of the Providence Craft Mafia is tomorrow at 12:30 at Seven Stars Bakery at 342 Broadway on the West Side of Providence. Whether you are new to arts and crafts or you are an old hand looking to share your knowledge and expand your own abilities, this group is for you. This meeting is to discuss each member's hopes and goals for the group, to learn about each member's abilities, and hopefully, to share work that everyone has created. If you can't make this meeting, the first craft extravaganza is on January 10th at 11 AM. Details to follow.

In other news, it looks like RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority) has finalized authorized a $2 Million budget cut that will cut service on 45 bus lines. This, my friends, is a damn shame, as Rhode Island has had, until now, the best bus service I've ever encountered in my widespread travels via public transportation. It's quite disappointing that the service is going to be cut, especially since fares went up in July. We as a state should be looking for ways to increase public transportation options and decrease the number of cars on the road. This is going to seriously impact a lot of Rhode Islanders, making many lives more difficult, and it's really a bummer.

I'm sure the Dose has something to say about it.

Catching Some Air

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:16:06 EDT

Nice way to take a break from graduate studies!

Fashion Enthusiasts Clutch their Hems over the Fate of "Project Runway"

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:40:17 EDT

Currently in its 5th season of success Project Runway may be on the brink of collapse. It is always drama, drama, drama in the fashion world and the show that has demonstrated how creativity can do it all, including bringing fashion to the masses, is being sued for 200 million with the main question of its continuing on for season 6 circling in boutiques across the nation.

Currently it is unclear. Earlier this year the rights were sold to Lifetime by the producers, Weinstein Company, and NBC Universal, the Parent of Bravo, has bring the lawsuit. The hope that it would be quickly settled is lost as the case has been appealed to the federal courts and will probably not be resolved until the Spring.

Meanwhile Bravo just finished casting calls for a new show possibly called "The Fashion Show" (dreadfully creative) .Competition, perhaps? With the uncertainty of the rights to and the continual life of Project Runway it's not surprise Bravo is moving onto other endeavors.

But still, what will we do without the talents of the Jefferys or Christians. What will Heidi do? Oh please don't make me settle for "Make Me a Supermodel."

Chicago Rocks the Field

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:26:24 EDT

Woman's soccer has made it to the second round of the DIII NCAA tournament, the furthest they've made it in the past three years. GOOD LUCK!

I Knew Superman Was the Best Superhero

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:35:01 EDT

He looks so happy. I love the power of a beer bong.

Celebrating the Holiday Season: College Style

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:08:44 EDT

College students don’t need any help figuring out how to celebrate Halloween. But other upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah etc. are seen as more family-centered holidays. Well, it’s time we take back the season.

Since most people go back home to celebrate with their families, the trick is to do it early before everyone evacuates Gainesville en masse. To celebrate Thanksgiving, gather all your friends and have a pot-luck dinner the weekend before the real Thanksgiving. Unless you’re a big fan of cooking, you might want to be ready to call “not it” on making the turkey. It beats a boring awkward dinner with your parents and your drunk uncle.

Christmas is even more fun to celebrate. Gather your roommates and spread a little bit of cheer around your apartment by getting a tree and some stockings. Then spend the rest of the month leaving each other fun and inappropriate stocking stuffers. If you’re a big fan of the holiday season, you can put your laziness to good use and ensure that your apartment is full of cheer until at least March.

You can have even more fun if you share a dorm or apartment with someone who celebrates a holiday different than your own. Then you can make it your mission to out-decorate the other religion. Spoiler alert: Christmas wins.

Everybody Likes Cheerleaders

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:59:35 EDT

Hey come on! Who doesn't like Cheerleaders!

WashU goes broke??

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:34:16 EDT

This morning, Chancellor Wrighton sent out a letter to the WU community. It started out innocuous - about the Thanksgiving holiday and the importance of sharing if you are able.

Then he suckerpunched us in the back of the head.

Some highlights:

* Since July 1, the value of the endowment has declined approximately 25%.

* What the University has to balance: the decline in the value of our endowment, coupled with leveling of research support, constraint on the rate of tuition growth, uncertain prospects for philanthropic support, pressures on healthcare costs, and the prospect of increased needs for
financial aid

* For all faculty and staff, in the 2010 fiscal year the University will not be able to sustain past levels of salary increases, and is are planning lower increases in compensation this year.

* Chancellor Wrighton will implement a reduction of his own salary by 5% effective January 1, 2009 and another 5% reduction effective July 1, 2009. School Deans and Vice Chancellors have volunteered to have no increase in their compensation in the year ahead.

* New staff additions in the administration will be very limited and require considerable additional justification.

* "It is also important for us to scale back, eliminate, or delay capital projects. For example, planned renovation and expansion of Mallinckrodt Center at a cost of over $20 million will be delayed indefinitely. The redevelopment of the South 40 will be slowed."

[Guess that means the Gargoyle won't have to move their shows!!]

In true Mark Wrighton style, he ended the "Honey - we're broke..." e-mail on a positive note:

"As uncertain as these days are, I remind everyone of the great year we are having: we welcomed a world-class group of students this fall; a tremendous group of new faculty joined us this year; we rejoice in the successes of our continuing faculty like Mary Jo Bang, Professor of English, who won the 2008 National Book Critics Circle Award in poetry; we launched the Institute for Public Health; we dedicated Harry and Susan Seigle Hall; we opened the Danforth University Center; we hosted the Vice Presidential Debate; faculty, students and staff contributed to establishing that water exists on the surface of Mars; and faculty, students, and research staff in the School of Medicine have reported path-breaking research to understand, through genome sequencing, the origins of cancer. Let us work together to continue to enjoy national and world leadership in education, research, and service as one of America's finest research university communities."

This comes as a shock to many students. It is, however, a good (albeit unfortunate) reminder that even the "WashU Bubble" is not safe or immune to issues plaguing the rest of the country. Hopefully students won't be very affected (besides longer construction time) and hopfully the University won't lose any good faculty or staff if they have to do more paycuts. Also, implementing more thrifty financial habits now may last into the future, increasing the University's money (and stopping the decrease of tuition)!!

We can only dream...

Bob Loblaw Asks: How Tech Savvy is Tufts?

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:25:04 EDT

Welcome to the new series "Bob Loblaw Asks..." In this series, I ask for your comments on an issue. Be sure to reply! This is the first edition.

So after seeing a video online at HackCollege where host Kelly Sutton asked 101 college students if they knew what Twitter was, I started to ponder whether or not Tufts students are that involved in the online community.

It may be hard to keep up with the advances in the latest technology for networking and social interaction, but there are a few things that most everybody (who uses the Internet on a regular basis) should know. Please answer the following questions and put your answers in the comments below:

Do you know what Twitter is? (If yes, do you have an account?)

What is the domain of your main email address? (Excluding your Tufts address)

Do you know what "RSS" is? (If yes, what are your favorite feeds?)

Have you ever used Skype?

Do you know what a woot-off is?

Do you follow any Internet memes? (If yes, which?)

Do you write a blog or private online journal?

What are some tasks that you used to complete by hand that you now do online? (i.e. calendar, task management, address books, etc.)

Thanks all. Really interested in seeing your replies... and remember, if you want to blog for TuftsOTR, we are still looking for more contributors...

40-Year-Old Physics Student Just Wants To Be Heard

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:05:34 EDT

It seems that once or twice a week (even during the slow summer months), the dedication "Mike Sloothaak, Purdue Staff" proceeds a letter to the editor in the Exponent. With the considerable number of letters that people send in to the paper each day (believe you me, I worked there for almost 2 years) that's not a particularly easy achievement. But who is this Mike Sloothaak character and why does he involve himself in so many arguments through newsprint?

Revealed through a Google search: Sloothaak (shown above) is a graduate student and employee in the Physics department who works in some lab room. One topic which he is most passionate about is diversity, particularly queer acceptance, and he certainly spends lots of his time writing about it. In November 2004, Sloothaak was suspended without pay for opposing Purdue's United Way campaign because the charity supports anti-gay organizations such as the Boy Scouts. In 2005, he posted on the Purdue ACLU message boards supporting the Indiana Civil Liberties Union against Planned Parenthood.

All of this is backed up by his Facebook account in which his declared political beliefs is Libertarian. Then again, the 40-year-old's religion of choice is "Satanism" so who knows. Sloothaak has a solid 4 friends listed in his friends box, two of whom he friended on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9, respectively. To be fair, he didn't join Facebook until August 21.

Guidettes: Far Too Cool To Smile

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:29:28 EDT

Big hair & big kissie faces.

Party Like a Rockstar

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:03:42 EDT

When you party so hard at the tailgate that you pass out before the game, you either gotta up your game, or cut back on the liquor. Sorry, buddy.

Sports Figures Atop Maggies Bar

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:57:50 EDT

Did anyone else notice these poster-sized men looming over the bar?

Norovirus Cases Are Up to 40 at Virginia Tech!

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:33:21 EDT

There is a new flu this season, and it's called the Norovirus. It causes diarrhea and vomiting and lasts for one to three days. But what makes this bugger worst than a regular flu is that once infected, the person is able to transmit the virus for up to two weeks because the virus can live outside your body...and you could be contaminated.

According to Schiffert Health Center, there have been 40 cases of the norovirus this fall semester alone and 20 more cases through Montgomery Regional Hospital.

Like other colds and viruses, the Norovirus is spread through human contact and public surfaces such as doorknobs and keyboards. And you may feel the runs within just 10 hours of catching it.

So if you've been having diarrhea or vomits at least twice in one day...maybe it wasn't because you ate bad meat at D2 Dining Hall. You might be infected with the virus and you should go check that out right away. And while there may not be antibiotics for viruses, treatment include over-the-counter pain relief and anti-nausea medication as well as drinking lots and lots of water.

JMU Sorority Girls or Gang Members??

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:04:22 EDT

You decide.

Dartmouth Toga Party in Full Effect

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:41:15 EDT

Partying like a Greek is easily the best part of Dartmouth College.

Every Guy's Fantasy: Daily Blowjob

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:18:12 EDT

A typical guy's ideal night.

Check out www.youtube.com/baloneycomedy for more!

Lions, Tigers and...Edward Cullen? The Twilight Movie

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:44:23 EDT

Screaming fans, midnight showings…vampires?

How do these all relate? The Twilight movie! The movie, opening nationwide November 21, is causing mass chaos among the over 17 million fans who can’t wait to see Edward Cullen on screen. The midnight showing of this movie is Thursday night, and it promises to be quite an event.

No matter how you feel about this series by Stephenie Meyer, you have to admit that it has garnered a good deal of media attention. You know at least one person who has read this series and swears by it. In fact, in my limited experience, I haven’t met anyone who has read the books and been dissatisfied.

The first book in the saga is Twilight, upon which the movie is based. It begins with Bella Swan, a seventeen-year-old self-proclaimed “old soul” who has just moved with her father to Forks, Washington. It is there, at her new school, that Bella meets the Cullen family.

More importantly, Edward Cullen.

Edward is a vampire, but don’t let that throw you. He also happens to be one of the most attractive book-heroes ever. He is over-protective, sweet, and caring.

Oh, yeah. And he looks like a model.

It turns out, Edward is having a rough go of it because he really wants Bella’s blood. But he’s been a vampire for 80 years, so he has learned some self-control. Enough for them to start dating and him to start doing all sorts of adorable things.

I don’t want to ruin the book for those of you who haven’t yet read it (and I do say “yet-” give in already people!) but pretty much here’s the gist: Edward Cullen leaves girls everywhere ruined for all eternity because of the impossible ideal that they now hold all men to.

But he’s so worth it.

The movie is out tomorrow night, everyone! Get ready for some crazy girl-screaming to happen.

Harvard Hooligans Smack Talk Yale Fans, Others Encourage Yalie Adoption

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:36:27 EDT

This Saturday, the Harvard Crimson will take on the Yale Bulldogs in one of the most anticipated Ivy League matches of the season.

Naturally, the lead up to the Harvard-Yale grudge match has been rife with smack talk, including this angry tirade from the Harvard Hooligans.

Of course, the Hooligans are a comedy troupe, and so, the video is very tongue-in-cheek. But, it does capture the general sentiment amongst the outspoken Crimsonholics—to say the least.

Still, if smack talk doesn’t tickle your fancy, you could consider sponsoring a Yalie this weekend instead through the Harvard-Yale Aid program:

Either option will suffice.

Now This Is BS!

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:28:32 EDT

A student stands next to a crap encrusted bench, Monday, waiting for his bus. The University is still trying to relocate flocks of crows that have been roosting on campus and, obviously, making a mess.

UC Davis Students Love Piercings

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:19:24 EDT

Septum Piercings initially don't hurt, but don't be fooled after a few days you'll be crying like a baby every time you have to sneeze.

10 Major Websites and Their Evil Twins

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:07:27 EDT

Generation Y has also been called the Net Generation for our widespread use of web-based technologies. Not only do 97% of us own computers, 75% of college students use Facebook. As such, the internet has been flooded with many similar websites, but some are more evil than others. Here we present CollegeOTR's Top 10 Websites and Their Evil Counterparts.

eHarmony vs. AshleyMadison
AshleyMadison is like eHarmony— for a completely base, cynical, and married clientele. While both are matchmaking sites with matching guarantees, AshleyMadison specifically matches married people who wish to have affairs, its tagline reading, “Life is Short. Have an affair.” This year AshleyMadison will be advertised during the SuperBowl, which is sure to add a bunch more grimy dudes to a website comprised of 2.7 million members, most of whom are probably already grimy dudes.

People.com vs. Perez Hilton
Sure both websites have broken gossip stories about celebrities and wannabe celebrities, but undoubtedly there is only one website which would Photoshop cum stains on people’s faces, on which the term LezLo was coined, and on which coverage of Cristiano Ronaldo would say, “His lips look like he spent the night rimming Clay Aiken.” It’s too obvious that Perez takes the cake when it comes to evil celeb gossip. After all, his old website was called PageSixSixSix.

Facebook vs. MySpace
If you want to argue over which networking site is more evil, just look to who owns each website. Facebook: Innocuous Harvard dork Mark Zuckerberg. MySpace: Rupert Murdoch. Enough said.

Huffington Post vs. Drudge Report
In October 2006, ABC News reported that Drudge Report founder Matt Drudge estimated that 20% of his reporting is incorrect and this year the website reported that 20-year-old Ashley Todd has been attacked and mutilated for being a McCain supporter, which was later proved a hoax. Therefore, no matter how opinionated some HuffPo pundits get or how many times a given HuffPo contributor stabbed her ex- partner, it can’t really get much worse than the Drudge Report.

iTunes vs. PirateBay
What do pirates do? Plunder booty. What do you do on PirateBay? Plunder electronic booty. Then there’s iTunes, where you actually pay for the stuff you use.

RxList.com vs. Erowid.com
RxList is one of those websites that nervous types can check out to make sure that if they take an aspirin with a dose of Amoxicillin that it won’t cause heart palpatations. Erowid is one of those websites that burnout types can check out to make sure that if they take acid and Vicodin they’ll get really wasted beyond belief.

YouTube vs. YouPorn
Have you ever heard those nature vs. nurture arguments which use the example of twins divided at birth and raised by different families? Well, YouTube would be the twin raised by the kind of kooky but loveable middle America family, while YouPorn would be the twin raised by the sexual deviants on the wrong side of the tracks with only sex toys for amusement as a teenager.

Monster.com vs. Craigslist
If websites were people, Monster.com would be that family friend who tries to help you find a job and CraigsList would be a pimp with a really far-reaching network and free bedbug-ridden mattresses available if you can arrange transportation for the items.

WebMD.com vs. AfraidToAsk.com
On WebMD, healthnuts can get information about a variety of ailments, ranging from the common cold to breast cancer. On AfraidToAsk.com promiscuous people can get information to figure out whether the red pimply things on their crotch are genital warts. With real STD photos posted, one should avoid eating cottage cheese while searching AfraidToAsk.

Digg vs. Reddit
Both websites lend a helping hand to other websites through the democratic process, but while the equivalent of Reddit in politics is an Alaskan governor, the equivalent of Digg is the President-Elect.

UNC's Tyler Zeller Fractures Wrist, Out For Season

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:33:51 EDT

X-Rays revealed that the wrist injury Tyler Zeller suffered Tuesday night in a game against against Kentucky is multiple fractures. Zeller will most likely be out for the season.

Although Zeller started the first two games of Carolina's season, he was not expected to start once Tyler Hansbrough returned from his own injury, a stress reaction in his leg. This may seem like a slight relief to Tar Heel fans, but even though Zeller would no longer have been counted on to play such an important role on the team, the game experience that he will lose this season will be sure to affect the Tar Heels next season when many of Carolina's best players graduate and/or move onto the NBA.

Hansbrough, meanwhile, went through a "limited practice" on Monday and will hopefully return soon now that Zeller is out.