College OTR

Chinese Women are Relatively Less Slutty But Clueless About HIV

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:47:28 EDT

A recent study conducted by San Leng Trieu at Ohlone College reveals that though college-aged Chinese women don’t get it on as much as their counterparts in other ethnic groups, when it comes to HIV knowledge they’re hurtin’.

According to AsianWeek:

About 63 percent the Chinese American group had only one partner during the past year, compared to a 2005 Durex study showing that non-Asian Americans averaged more than 10 partners during the past year.

The study, of Chinese and Chinese American women ages 18 to 24 in Northern California, also revealed that these women are fairly committed: 60 percent were in a fairly committed relationship, and 40 percent has been with a partner for more than a year…
However, the group displayed a lower-than-average knowledge of HIV. Those in the study were graded at 83.4 percent.

“This is about a B- average, which is much lower than expected, given that we live in San Francisco,” Trieu said. A 2004 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that the average national knowledge on HIV was particularly high, with numbers varying from 91 to 99 percent.

Furthermore, only 30 percent of this population had a history of HIV testing, which is lower than other groups. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that, among young adults ages 18 to 29, 57 percent had a history of testing.

In honor of sex ed, a rap on wrapping it up:

“Gaining access to your box might be exclusive shit
But if you don’t know the stats on HIV
Then ladies you still ain’t legit.
Wrap, wrap, wrap it up.
Wrap, wrap, wrap it up.”

190 High | Student Groups Building

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:16:49 EDT

The Student Groups Building at 190 High Street has been home to several student groups over the years including: Hermes Magazine, the year book committee, Trans/Gender Group, and Spectrum (Queer People of Color at Wesleyan). Long Lane Farm began holding meetings in the space at the end of last semester and it appears that the group hopes to continue using the space this semester. Wesleyan's student-organized ESL program has also used the building to store materials and hold meetings and classes. The first floor of the building has several meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a large meeting room with an anti-oppression, radical library. In the basement, students can use paint and banner-sized paper to make large posters to hang in campus center to advertise their events and causes. 190 High Street could prove to be a great alternative meeting space to the new, and roundly disliked, campus center, Usdan. It will be exciting to see student groups take root in the space in the coming year.

Food Not Bombs! Wesleyan/Middletown Chapter

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:28:01 EDT

For the last nine years, the Wesleyan/Middletown chapter of FNB has been a meeting ground for campus activists, students from neighboring towns, and community members. The volunteers who organize FNB each week are concerned with redistributing the wealth of food that would go to waste (particularly at Wesleyan) to people who live in downtown Middletown. Giving away free food and having a community picnic on the block every week is also a lot of fun and gives students and residents a chance to meet and talk. As a sustained project, FNB helps create community, trust, and friendliness among Wesleyan students and Middletown residents.

Food Not Bombs meets at a location on Wesleyan’s campus—usually a student house—every Sunday between 11 and 11:30 AM. FNB currently meets every Sunday at 11:30 AM at 202 Washington Street to cook food. FNB serves food to between 15 and 35 people each week in front of St. Vincent DePaul’s Place (the soup kitchen) at around 12:45 PM. The meeting time and place may change with the new semester and the influx of new members to the group, so look out for flyers and announcements later this month.

FNB receives donations from students, left-overs from catered student and faculty events, and donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses in downtown Middletown. FNB also collects extra boxes of fruits and vegetables from Wesleyan’s student-run Fruit and Veggie Co-op each week. FNB stores donated and salvaged food at 202 Washington Street. The food FNB redistributes comes from many sources and whenever the group collects too much, it takes it over to St. Vincent DePaul's Place to donate it.

Think about joining Food Not Bombs this semester. It may be hard to get up before noon on Sundays, but as someone who went regularly over the last few years, I can tell you that it's worth it to get your arse out of bed at 10:30 am and walk over for some good cookin' and great company.

UNC-CH: This Weekend In Sports

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:59:10 EDT

Labor Day weekend usually means most of UNC-CH's campus is heading out to the beach or back home to do laundry, but for those staying in Chapel Hill, here are the sporting events going on this weekend. Did I mention that Saturday officially kicks off football season?

Friday

Men's Soccer vs. Florida International University, 7:30 p.m., Fetzer Field

Carolina Men's soccer will kick off their season this Friday against Florida International University. The game is part of the annual Carolina Nike Classic. The Heels are ranked No. 24.

Saturday

Football vs. McNeese State, 6 p.m., Kenan Stadium (duh)

Sure, football at UNC isn't quite what basketball season is, but we're quickly emerging from our string of losing seasons. Even though we may not necessarily be "good" until this next season, at least this year we won't be "bad." No matter what though, football games are fun.

Sunday

Men's Soccer vs. VCU, 4:30 p.m., Fetzer Field

Carolina's other game of the Carolina Nike Classic will be against Virginia Commonwealth University.

*Italicized events are Carolina Fever Events

Military Plays Games While People Die

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:11:29 EDT

Why does the military get money for billion-dollar toys when poor people starve?

Okay, I know government money is an important part of our society. I know budgets can be tough. And I know military budget is important. Without our army protecting us, there wouldn't be any educational or social programs to protect.

Yet it has recently come to my attention that the military has spent millions on toys it doesn't need. Millions on pay bonuses it doesn't have to give. Millions on perks it shouldn't have to hand out. And with all the poor people out there needing homes and food, with all the orphans out there needing better care, with all the help our hospitals and schools and roads could use, it annoys me when we let people suffer and starve so our military guys and gals can have toys. TOYS.

The toys in question are similar to laser-tag technology. At the end of a long weekend of grueling training, soldiers are rewarded by a game of War. You wear a helmet and vest that is hooked up to the play guns of your enemies. One side hides in the bushes and the other creeps along the road. Suddenly, one side attacks! Guns go off, fake explosions are heard, there is screaming and dying---all pretend, of course. Everytime your gun laser hits the vest of an enemy, it registers. They have to lay down and play dead. The last team standing wins. Great fun is had by all.

I have to ask, why is this necessary? Why do we have teachers struggling with two jobs to pay bills, college kids going into debt to take out loans, and local kitchens crying out for more donations, so our military can play grown-up games? In Brooklyn the government can't afford to inspect houses so babies are eaten alive by rats while toddlers fall to their deathsdown broken elevator shafts--due to lack of funding. In Kansas City kids go to school in delapitaded buildings with moldy pipes and no computers--due to lack of funding. On the West coast teachers teach from behind bullet-proof glass. Immigrants rot in jail without proper representaion. Drug addicts can't find quality care and stay trapped in a cycle of addiction. Diseased people groan in pain, homeless beg on corners, prostitutes go without STD testing, babies lack health care, and new moms can't feed their kids. Then why do we spend millions on expensive toys?

Armies have trained without laser-tag games for milenia. Trained and won. Then why?

Because no one knew about it. Now you do. Write a legislator. Make a Facebook group. Start a petition. Do something.

No laser tag games til our poor are fed and our homeless clothed. Is that too much to ask?

Not the Alcohol Police? Go ahead and buy.

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:39:13 EDT

At a recent party I hosted, I was annoyed and appalled by Wamart's stupd rules about alcohol consumption. I went to the evil store against my will (see earlier post, Walmart=Devil? for details) when no one else was open.

I got sveral 6 packs for my party. They wouldn't let me buy it. They said they had to see my ID AND my friend Liz's id. "Why?" I asked. "I'm 24. She's 20. I'm buying it. She's not." "Sorry," she said. No go. This ticked me off. So I sent Liz out to the car, re-entered the store, and tried to buy it from a different cashier.

Busted. I guess he'd seen me. "I'm still going to need your friend's id," the guy said. WHY? She wasn't even THERE. But he'd seen her, so I couldn't get alcohol.

I stormed out and went to brown derby. I was now late for my own party and people were sitting outside my porch in the dark. I was fuming. How it different to WalMart if I buy booze with Liz sitting at home and THEN give it to her? What are the going to do? Refuse to sell alchol to anyone with any friends under the age of 21? The rule is ridiculous. I engage in no more illegal activty having Liz wait at home than go with me to buy it. They just make the drive there more boring.

When I finally got my purchases to the counter, I couldn't find my id. In my rage, I had left it at the soul-sucking superstore.

The lady a Brown Derby gave it to me anyway. Even though I look 17, she took pity on me. "I can tell you're not the alcohol polce," she said kindly. "Go ahead and buy."

Moral of this story?

1. Stupid rules annoy us, but do not stop underage drinking.

2. Don't shop Wal-Mart.

Fug Alert: Underground "Art"

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:27:50 EDT

A lot of people are up in arms about potential fare hikes for subways and buses, but as long as MTA continues to sponsor such inspirational and high-quality art, I have no problem with it. I know it made my night when I got on the A train after having a few too many margaritas at Tortilla Flats, and it'll still be way cheaper than going to the Met!

SNL's newest Cast membet

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:51:34 EDT

SNL is coming back September 13! With Host Michael Phelps and musical guest L'il Wayne, Saturday Night Live will also be featuring new writing and performing talent. NYC improvisational comedian Bobby Moynihan will be the newest addition to the cast.

He was scouted at Amy Poehlers improvisational comedy theater called The Upright Citizens Brigade theater. He performs there every Friday with his team the Stepfathers, one of the best improv troupes in the art.

Rumor has it that he was signed on two years ago, but due to the writers strike they did not have the budget for another cast member.

Coming from a person who sees him perform every week, Bobby Moynihan is an amazing performer and comedian. I urge everybody to tune in September 13 at 11:30 and see the beginning of a talent that arguably rivals Chris Farley.

Fantasy draft of the gods

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:23:32 EDT

Fantasy football is good and all, but how about something new?

Enter Holy Taco's fantasy draft of the gods. Could Allah beat Vishnu? Could a dark void of nothingness beat Jesus in a fight? Holy Taco breaks down the pros and cons of the major gods (they left out Zeus, but we forgive them).

Electronic Exoskeleton Could Replace Wheelchairs

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:43:54 EDT

An Israeli man has developed an electronic exoskeleton that could potentially make it possible for those paralyzed from the waist down to walk again.

The exoskeleton can be set to walk, stand, sit, descend, or climb and uses body sensors to guide its robotic legs.

Unfortunately, Amit Goffer, who invented the exoskeleton and is also paralyzed, is not eligible to use it because he does not have fully functioning arms. Hopefully as technology progresses however, a newer, model will be accessible for Goffer, and others like him, to use.

The electronic exoskeleton should hit commercial markets by 2012 and will sell for about the same price as a high-end wheelchair.

U-Dub Researchers Create Vocal Joystick

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:37:40 EDT

Soon having bad hand-eye coordination may not be enough of an excuse to give your frat brothers for losing at Madden NFL 09. Researchers at the University of Washington have begun creating a joystick controlled by one’s voice.

According to CNET:

For many Iraq war veterans who have returned home with debilitating injuries that, for example, make it impossible to use their hands, doing anything on a computer is a hopeless task.

But a research project under way in the University of Washington's electrical engineering, linguistics and computer science departments could be the latest tool at such veterans' disposal, as well as for anyone who lacks the full use of their hands.

The project, known as the Vocal Joystick, is designed to allow someone to control a computer cursor using nothing more than their voice.

University of Washington graduate student Jon Malkin, who spoke at the Gnomedex conference here Saturday, described it is an extension of speech recognition technology.

It works by having a user train the Vocal Joystick software with his or her voice.

"We can do a lot with that," Malkin said. "Speech is a very complex signal."

This technology is impressive— as long as you aren’t a pubescent boy.

Shopping on a Budget: I <3 Ikea

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:37:26 EDT

Back-to-school time reminds most people of sweater weather, seeing old friends and making new ones, and the start of classes. In contrast, back-to-school reminds me of the devastating loss of $40,000+ for ever-increasing Columbia tuition and inspires me to be frugal. My quest for inexpensive floor lamps and cookware led me to Ikea, a massive paradise of cheap but quality goods and $1 lingonberry sodas.

What could be better than finding everything I need in one place for a price that doesn’t make me cringe when I hand over my credit card? Rather than having to take the subway, Ikea offers a free water taxi from the South Street Seaport directly to the store (read: really fun boat ride past the Statue of Liberty and Olafur Eliason waterfalls that would ordinarily cost $20). Even if you don’t need anything at Ikea, it’s definitely worth taking the boat there, having a picnic at one of the two dozen tables near the dock, and heading back.

Be Prepared for Anything

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:32:03 EDT

In the dorm, you never know what you might come across.

Medical Marijuana Being Tightened in CA: Good or Bad?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:10:49 EDT

Today MSNBC reported that Police Chief Michael Bratton thoroughly approves of the California Attorney General's tightened laws on Marijuana, saying that he brought "sanity to a situation that was total insanity".

With controls to help ensure that medical marijuana dispensaries aren't simply "fronts" for other, more illegal operations, as well as limiting the number of plants that dispensaries can grow, the state hopes to clear up an already muddled situation.

In a nutshell, California Law states that medical marijuana is legal as long as it is prescribed to a patient with compelling medical need (intense pain, glaucoma, etc.) Federal law, however, has marijuana completely illegal under all circumstances. This is possible because, as with the way our government works, states have some limited sovereignty in their laws and beliefs. So if you were to get caught with prescription weed by some sort of California-based law enforcement, you would be fine. However, if the FBI or any other federal enforcement caught you, even if you are in the state of California and you have a prescription, it could still be considered a criminal offense.

Either way, the tightening of the system is sure to have a number of college (and older) Marijuana enthusiasts sad, as getting a prescription is not only easy, but makes their drug of choice very convenient to get. Yes, you name goes into a database, but not everyone cares.

So what say you, OTR? Should Marijuana be legalized Federally? Should it be up to the states? Is MJ Satan's drug?

The Secret Lives of RAs

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:36:30 EDT

As if agonizing weeks of apartment hunting weren’t torture enough, I spent every second of last week in Residential Advisor training. A typical day started with semi-mandatory breakfast at 8:30 (or sleeping through breakfast and starting sessions at 9 or 9:30) and ended around midnight as I fell asleep over my door tags. In addition to learning all about how to break up parties, what to do with disorderly residents, and who to contact if I have problems, I discovered a lot about my fellow RAs: Who is dating whom? Who is willing to sprint from 1020 to Hartley-Wallach to get a glimpse of Chase Crawford filming an episode of Gossip Girl? Who rocks at trivia? Which nerd was the first to finish door tags and bulletin boards, and which slacker was last? Who went to art school before coming to Columbia? During a session about sexual violence, who actually asked what to do if a sexual assault is the victim’s fault? (It took all my willpower not to punch that girl in the face.) Who got in trouble four separate times for having a banned air conditioning unit? (That might have been me.)

Ok, fine, the gossip was mostly far from riveting, but it’s hard to be scandalous when you spend your days doing role-plays about disciplining students for every possible infraction. Check out the photos for more excitement…

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 12

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:21:40 EDT

To read day 11, click here.

The last day of class. While I can’t stand having to go to class for over 3 hours, I do have to admit I’m going to miss it. Life will seem so boring after going through such a weird experience.

As I mentioned yesterday, the final presentation was a group persuasive speech so we all broke into groups and started presenting. These speeches went over much better than the individual informative speeches did.

The first group gave an emotional presentation on homelessness, with one of the girls giving her own personal experience on the matter. I’m a laid back guy who likes to find humor in everything, but even I was touched.
We were up next and I have no clue how we’re supposed to follow a presentation like that. We were also, for those who don’t remember, 8 minutes short on our only practice run. Somehow though, we only finish a minute short and ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith praises us for a job well done. One of the students even came up to me after our speech to tell me I convinced her to finally become an organ donor. I could not be more ashamed.
The third group spoke about protecting our environment. I’d make a crack about how unoriginal that is but my group spoke about organ donation so I’ll hold back. The presentation was pretty solid, except when one the members discussed “Bob Dole’s movie, 'An Inconvenient Truth.” Whoops.

When we were finished, ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith said she needed a calculator so she could add up all of the grades. Forgetting her distaste for anything technological, I offered her my cell phone to use the calculator function. She then proceeded to scream at me for the next 5 minutes. When another student finally found a calculator and offered it to her, I joked that his calculator was really a cell phone. Let’s just say, wrong move.

10 minutes later, however, our scores were added up. My group received a “B”, enough to keep my grade for the class at an “A”. With that, summer school is officially over.

So what did I learn? Educationally, absolutely nothing. But I did learn that summer school should not be feared, but embraced. You finish early enough in the day to still hit up the pool, the work is incredibly easy, and you go to class with huge characters. I never thought I’d say this, but this will not be my last time enrolled in community college for a summer course.

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 11

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:18:44 EDT

To read day 10, click here.

The final project for the course is a group persuasive speech.. That being so, we spent the entire day just working on our presentation. My group decided to appeal to the class to become organ donors, a fact that’s slightly ironic since none of us in the group are organ donors ourselves. But it’s an easy topic, so whatever.

Not much to write about, since we each worked on our own part but I will admit I got lost on the way to the library bathroom. Yes, I live on a huge campus in Maryland and yet somehow couldn’t navigate my way around community college. Oh well.

I also should note that the group presentation is supposed to be at least 20 minutes. The first time we practiced, we were 8 minutes short. Eight! Somehow, we decided not to practice again and just wing it the next day. Even more perplexing, I readily agreed to this idea. This will not end well.

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 10

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:16:48 EDT

To read day 9, click here.

Not much happened today. We had to do quick, impromptu speeches based on a picture that we selected at random. My picture was of three people surfing naked. I’m sure it was some priceless piece of art that had a lot of meaning, but I did my speech on, well, naked surfing. The class laughed, ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith was horrified. Mission accomplished.

I also want to take this time to discuss a growing concern I have with schools. Whether it’s college, high school, or even summer school apparently, it’s utterly terrifying to be a conservative. Today we spent 45 minutes talking liberal crap about how the conservatives in America have destroyed the world and I seriously was afraid to speak. This happens in college all the time. Listen, I’m not saying conservatives are perfect but come on. Liberals of the world, chill out a little bit. You’re scaring the rest of us.

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 9

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:14:28 EDT

To read day 8, click here.

Today was a big day in class. The major assignment for this course is a 5-to-7 minute informative speech. The speech could be about anything as long as it wasn’t persuasive. Obviously, we also had to include statistics, quotes, etc. There were major penalties for going too short or too long. Unofficially, I think this speech is like 95% of our grade.

For that reason, and because most people hate public speaking, the class was pretty nervous today. We talked about nothing for awhile then ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith asked for volunteers. It all pretty much went downhill from there.

The first speaker talked about his time in the military and gave some pretty cool demonstrations. Unfortunately, he got confused on how much time he had left and finished a minute short. 0/1 on speeches so far.
The second speaker not only finished a minute and a half short, she broke the projector while trying to show a visual aid. Yikes. 0/2.
The third speaker actually managed to speak for the correct amount of time, but somehow forgot to make an outline for the speech, something ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith said we would need to hand in before speaking if we wanted a good grade. 0/3.
Our fourth speaker talked about culinary school and would have been great, if not for the part where ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith actually had to cut her off when she reached the 12 minute mark. Yeah, things were not getting off to a good start.
The fifth speaker talked about a water park. Yeah, by now you’ve probably guessed she was two minutes under. Who can speak five minutes about a water park? Also, why didn’t any of these people time themselves while practicing the speech? This would seem to be a pretty important assignment.
It took five other spectacular failures first, but our sixth speaker actually managed to finish in perfect time, hand in an outline, and not break something. Sure, her topic (Taiwan) was unbelievably boring and broad, but gotta give credit where credit is due.
After a couple more failures, I got up to give my presentation. I talked about my experiences as an audience member on The Price is Right and my friend getting called up as a participant. I must say, the speech went over very well. I finished in 6 minutes, made everyone laugh, and got major compliments from ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith (though I don’t know if that’s a good thing).
I couldn’t tell you what our last speaker presented on because I was too busy eating the cupcakes she handed out. Yeah, seems unfair because she’s obviously going to get a great grade, but I’m too busy eating to complain.

Hot College Cheerleader Lilly Robbins in Maxim

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:45:26 EDT

Lilly Robbins is a hot community college student— and a cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins. The 20-year-old appears in this month’s issue of Maxim, in which readers vote for the hottest NFL cheerleader.

We like Lilly because she is cool with lying and thinks even guys want to be Dolphins cheerleaders.

When Maxim asked whether she condoned lying she said, “Yes, I think it’s OK.”

She later told the magazine:

We’ve got these two guys, and they just have every calendar and every picture we’ve ever done. I don’t care if you took a picture with me my rookie year at some random appearance, they have it. And they’ll have it laminated, so that they can pull it out and have you sign it. They carry around all the old calendars in case a former cheerleader is there. They’re harmless, but it’s almost like they want to be us.

P.S. She’s also hot.

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 8

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:55:30 EDT

To read day 7, click here.

One of the girls walked into class today with a huge cast on her hand. When we asked her about it, she casually told us she had been in a car accident the day before and lost a finger. WHAT?? First off, how do you casually just throw that out there? Secondly, this girl lost a finger and was in school the next day. I have a stomach ache and I’m ditching. Talk about a warrior.

On a lighter note, ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith told us about a time she was invited to a party, got all dressed up and was so excited, then found out it was one of those parties where the hosts just attempt to sell the people stuff. I’d sympathize if I wasn’t so busy laughing.

However, I do have to give ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith credit. She had a gem of a line today while discussing her utter inability to anything involving cardio.
“Listen, if a guy sticks a gun to my head and says run or I’ll shoot, nine times out of 10 I’m saying it’s my time to go.”

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 7

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:37:51 EDT

To read day 6, click here.

Our first test of the class. Let’s just say it was slightly harder than the quiz, with the definition of “harder” being it took more time because there were more questions. We had an hour to finish the test-I was done in 12 minutes. Eight of those minutes were spent trying to figure out how the person sitting next to me managed to put on two different shoes without noticing.

In the second half of class, ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith went on a tirade about how much cell phones are ruining the world and how nobody should use them. While we clearly should have let our unbelievably crazy teacher just continue ranting, we knew we all had to take a stand. Of course, this just led to more ranting from

~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith and she completely lost her cool over society's overreliance on cell phones.

Of course, as if we were in a movie, a cell phone goes off literally two minutes later. I’ve never seen a girl look more horrified in my life and I’ve never laughed harder. ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith actually kicked her out of class. Who gets kicked out of class in summer school? What do you even do at that point?

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 6

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:33:11 EDT

To read day 5, click here.

Felt sick and had to take the day off. Yep, only 12 days of class and I still couldn’t manage to be there for all of them. Missed a quiz and a paper too. Nothing an e-mail to ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith won’t fix.

Fortunately, my new social circle filled me up on everything hilarious that I missed:

There was another group exercise and each group worked on interview techniques. Supposedly, ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith chewed me out for not being there, but my new friends apparently stuck up for me. Way to be guys, way to be.
Apparently, ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith heavily criticized one of the guys in another group and he responded by giving her the finger behind her back. What he didn’t count on was her noticing it in the reflection of a t.v. screen. Yikes. Talk about bad luck.

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 5

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:30:58 EDT

To read day 4, click here.

~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith must have had a bad weekend, because she spent most of the day ranting about how "Grand Theft Auto" promotes cop-killing and hookers (she left out hooker killing-I mean, hello, how else are you supposed to get your money back?) and how the media ruins the world. I instantly regretted telling her how much I loved majoring in Journalism.

~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith also informed us, in what I’m sure she thought was an original line, not to “try and BS her, because she’s the best at it herself, and nothing will get past her.” I’m sorry, but when are teachers going to stop saying this? It’s so wrong it’s laughable. First off, you clearly suck at BSing because nobody is buying that line. Second off, everything gets past you. And I’m not talking just about ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith. This goes to every teacher whose ever said that line. Guess what? I’ve BS’d papers in every single one of your classes, and so did every other student. Stop fooling yourselves and face reality.

Wow. Looks like ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith wasn’t the only one who needed to rant..

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 4

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:14:15 EDT

To read day 3, click here.

We had our first quiz of the class, and I’m using that term loosely. It was 10 questions long and was fill in the blank with a word bank. I mean, come on, I had harder quizzes in middle school. Yet another reason why this will not be my last foray into summer school.

The tough quiz must have taken a lot out of everyone because it was a pretty dull day. However, I did find a circle of friends to socialize with during the breaks. A quick lesson in how the social world is at community college. There are about five breaks given during the class, lasting anywhere from five to 10 minutes. If you don’t find a social group to hang out with during the breaks, you end up being that creep who goes to the bathroom every time (trust me, every class has one). So, today was a huge day for me when the black kids in the class unofficially inducted me into their social circle. I’m the whitest guy in the world, so I have no clue how this happened, but needless to say, I’m pretty stoked.

My new social status paid off immediately, when one of my new friends shared this nugget during a beak:
Me: “So, you’ve never been to St. Louis before going to Wash U. huh? What do you think of the place?
Him: “Well, the only thing I knew about St. Louis was from Nelly’s music videos. And let me tell you, the girls here are NOT like they are in those videos.”

Yeah, my new friends are pretty intelligent.

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 3

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:10:28 EDT

To read day 2, click here.

Community college is, without a doubt, the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I may just take one class this semester at Maryland and take the rest during the summer. I couldn’t be having a better time. Some highlights from day 3 of the social experiment known as “summer school.”

We’re already three days into a 12 day course but three different people tried to walk into the middle of class today saying they just registered. ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith would have none of it. None of the three made it five steps into the room. I haven’t seen a quicker three exits in my life.
~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith discussed how the ideal woman in today’s society is “thick.” I took it upon myself to stand up for all the white people in the room (all two of us) and respectfully disagreed.
~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith also told us that it took her three years to figure out there was a difference between “phat” and “fat”. It goes without saying that ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith is one of the most interesting people I have ever met.
We discussed in class how, as society progresses, we tend to make up words. I actually find this fascinating and have always thought the weirdest word around is “emcee.” Somewhere along the line, we took an abbreviation (M.C.) and turned it into a real world. How did that happen? Are we five years away from people talking about taking the Ess-Ay-Tees?
We spent, and I kid you not, 45 minutes discussing whether the correct word is “soda” or “pop”. In case you were wondering, it’s soda. What the hell is pop?
We also had our first real argument of the class. Mrs. Ms. Smith discussed how homosexuality was genetic and one of the students decided to debate her on the issue. OK, I know Mrs. Ms. Smith is not a usual teacher by any means, but what idiot gets involved with such a hot-button topic?

A Day In The Life Of A Summer School Student: Day 2

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:59:49 EDT

To read Day 1, click here.

After such a ridiculous first day, I was actually looking forward to the second day of class. I know, it’s crazy to think, but I was actually looking forward to going to school. Although, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. It’s community college, so the work was a joke, plus the teacher put every single word she said online in the form of lecture notes, so I didn’t have to do anything in class. Basically, school for me is like a 3-and-a half-hour long episode of Real World: St. Louis.

Let’s just say day 2 didn’t disappoint. ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith started things off by telling yet another ridiculous story. According to ~~Mrs.~~ Ms. Smith, St. Louis used to have a problem with nude drivers on the highway distracting other drivers. What? Since when? I’ve lived in St. Louis my entire life and have never seen anything close to a naked driver on the highway (I once saw a hillbilly on the way to Six Flags who looked like he had no shirt, but turns out there was a wifebeater that had been consumed by his fat). ~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith, however, has apparently seen a naked driver three times.

~~Mrs~~. Ms. Smith also has completely changed the way she speaks to the class. Yesterday she was prim and proper, using perfect english. Today, we’ve already had her use the phrases “tripping” and “check yourself” and it’s not even 11 yet. What middle-aged white woman uses those phrases? Better yet, who in general is using those phrases?

The highlight of the day, however, was when she broke us into groups for a class exercise. Clearly, only good could come from this. The question we were given was to describe, in detail, the last party we attended. Some of the highlights:

One of the groups had no members who had been to a recent party. I mean, we had the option of going back like 10 years and they still couldn’t come up with anything. Talk about awkward silences.
My group took the cake for the most insane answers. One girl said she recently threw a pool party and then added that she didn’t like the party because she ended up getting her hair wet. Umm, are we being serious? You threw a pool party. What the hell did you expect to happen to your hair?
The other girl in my group talked about how she went to a party last weekend and had a great time but got a little too plastered. Said girl is pregnant. Now, I’m not a doctor but I’m pretty sure that’s not OK.
Of course, the girl Boy Scout from yesterday informed us she “didn’t really go out in high school.” Really? I never would have guessed.

Needless to say, I am unbelievably excited for day 3.

Adventures in Apartment Hunting

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:05:25 EDT

Miss me? The past two weeks have been filled with sheer madness, leading me to neglect Columbia OTR’s fan base. (If I were being honest, I would say Columbia OTR’s fan, but then you would know I am only referring to one person. Fan base makes it sound much larger.)*

So what has been consuming my every waking hour and many more hours intended for sleep? My boyfriend somehow convinced me to take charge of finding him a new apartment, and I quickly discovered that dealing with the New York City real estate is possibly the worst thing ever. Feel free to learn from my mistakes:

Adventure #1: I eagerly voyaged out to my first apartment visit and discovered that Craig’s List posters are vicious liars: “three blocks from the subway” translated to about 12 blocks from the subway; a “third floor walk-up” became a fifth floor walk up; “newly renovated” did not imply that air conditioning would greet me after I rushed up five flights of stairs, and “great location” meant filled with abandoned buildings, garbage, and homeless people.

Adventure #7: I found a listing for a great apartment, and I called the owner to ask a few questions. After chatting for a few minutes, I found out that he doesn’t do leases; he prefers to manage his tenant relationships based purely on trust. And I am supposed to trust that he won’t scam me and will return my deposit. NEXT!

Adventure #15: I am addicted to Craig’s List. I sit in front of the computer and hit refresh for hours on end. I was sure I would be the first one to see an ad for an amazing apartment in Chelsea, but I called and found out that it was taken in the two seconds it took me to dial the phone.

Adventure #19: Just based on the sound of my voice, the owner of an apartment near the Brooklyn Museum asked me if I am okay living near black people. When I say “of course,” he responded “really? Are you sure? You’ll be pretty much the only white girl in the neighborhood. Can you really deal with that?” I could, but I couldn’t deal with this guy’s attitude.

Adventure #23: This is crap. I decided to suck it up and pay a broker’s fee to get an apartment the easy way. Yeah right – turns out that the only apartments in my price range managed by brokers are the size of my freshman year dorm.

Adventure #34: I realize that I know nothing about Brooklyn. While I understand that “Upper East Side” can be code for “East Harlem,” I did not realize that “South Park Slope” is code for “sketchy ghetto of Flatbush.” I actually passed the apartment building I was supposed to be visiting several times because I thought it was a project. Once inside, I couldn’t find the super because he was busy asking the mailwoman if she has his food stamps and if she can give him some sugar. When we finally connected and got in the elevator, the super greeted the two parties of a drug deal in progress as if he were just saying hi to any old tenant. I should have just gotten back on the subway as soon as I got off.

Adventure #46: After many dashed hopes and failed attempts, I finally found a great apartment and scrambled to get it before anyone else. Score. Now I just have to deal with buying furniture, packing, and moving…maybe finding the apartment isn’t the worst thing ever.

*I am aware that this line is stolen from writers far more clever than I am. Five points if you get the reference.

An Awful Idea, Yet So, So Good

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:56:16 EDT

Make way for the human catapult. This dangerous, yet oh so appealing, machine runs off of steam and can launch an average sized person 25 feet into the air.

Unfortunately, you can't buy the AirKick human catapult, but you can rent one...in Germany.

What does this mean? When studying abroad in Germany, there is now something to do after having way too many beers--you can launch your friends into a pool, down the street, into a neighbors backyard, into a tree...you get the point.

Besides Their Value as Burgers and Handbags, Cows Can Also Point North

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:41:35 EDT

According to Google Earth satellite, cattles tend to face the North-South direction of the Earth's magnetic poles. So when you're uttlerly lost in the wild without a compass or the ability to read the stars, look for a cow.

Superman Gets Dark (No, Not by Getting More Sun)

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:33:00 EDT

Angsty, tortured superheroes appear to have more depth. The more directions they're pulled in by their responsibilities and desires, the better. The recent Spiderman and Batman flicks are prime examples of good looking men in pain (and in tights) that make big bucks in the box office. Compared to these guys, the last Superman movie fared less than fabulously due to his lack of anguish (relatively speaking)...but all this is about to change, even if the directors aren't exactly sure of how to do it.

How do you make the fastest, strongest man of steel darker, anyway? Can we Bogart him into a bitter, cynical chain-smoker? Or have his parents brutally murdered by thugs in, um, Kansas? Or have his one true love die from a bullet that rebounded off of his eyeball? So many possibilities, but also the heavy responsibility of outdoing the Dark Knight, which is a tall order of near impossibility. We'll just have to see how the next Superman movie plays out, if there ever will be another.

Best Student Blogs: ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZERS NETWORK (EON)

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:29:37 EDT

One of Wesleyan's most active student groups in the last decade has been the Environmental Organizers Network (EON). The group has worked with the Administration and Facilities staff to address a variety of environmental sustainability issues at Wesleyan over the years. One of their most recent accomplishments is the creation of the Sustainability Intern position. EON also sponsors several programs and events, from Waste Not! (Wesleyan's donation and resale program) to "Do It in the Dark" (a program to reduce the energy consumed by wood frame houses) to assisting with efforts to encourage students to compost and recycle. The group's meetings are generally well attended and the group is likely to grow as it works to accomplish more of its goals this year and engage incoming students in its sustainability efforts.

Check out EON at:

http://www.wesleyan.edu/wsa/eon/

Read the EON blog at:

http://www.wesleyaneon.blogspot.com/

Curious about what kinds of efforts EON has sponsored lately?

Check out "Do It in the Dark."

The "Do it in the Dark" wood frame energy competition is a contest amongst all the senior woodframes at Wesleyan to see who can conserve the most energy. Each month two houses will receive prizes for the lowest monthly energy consumption and the lowest year-to-date consumption.

How Do I Enter?
All senior woodframes are automatically entered into the competition.

What Are the Prizes?
Each month, the two winning houses will win a NIGHT OUT at Eli Cannons or any restaurant, courtesy of Project SAVE and EON.

How Can I Conserve Energy?
There are tons of easy ways to reduce the energy consumption of your house including:

* Turning off lights when you leave the room.
* Cover pots when cooking.
* Shut down computers when you are not going to be using them for more than an hour.
* Only use CFL lightbulbs (free from Usdan computer store)
* Turn down thermometer instead of opening windows

There are many other tips to help conserve energy and they can be found in the "Tips" section of the website.

Why Target wood Frames?
Wood Frame houses use 40% of the energy used to power ALL campus buildings and produce 43% of Wesleyan's CO2 emissions.

EXPOSURE | Student Photography at Wes

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:53:22 EDT

Exposure is one of Wesleyan's newest, most ambitious publications to date. The first issue of the magazine debuted just as school was getting out last semester, but it was immediately popular and well-received by Wesleyan. Walking around campus In the last days before summer, I saw other students clutching their copies who were visibly captivated by the magazine's excellent selection of student photography, its luscious prints, and well-written articles. The magazine was surprisingly diverse in its offerings of a wide variety of photographic styles and techniques, musings on the nature and cultural ramifications of the photograph, and its inclusion of single shots and photo essays alike.

In their Editor's Note, the magazine's staff describes its goals, "When we first conceived of Exposure, we wanted to promote communication and cohesion within Wesleyan's photographic community. We felt that there were a significant number of photographers in the Wesleyan community who were doing interesting work, yet this work lacked an appropriate forum for presentation. We hope that this magazine will become a Wesleyan fixture, providing photographers in the future with a permanent space for their work and ideas."

The editors end the note with a single, stirring remark: "We hope you engage with these images."

Exposure's editors last semester were:

Sophie Finkelstein, Sam Jones, Josh Koenig, Jake Nussbaum, Brooke Olaussen, Danica Pantic, and Jason Reif

For more information about Exposure, write to:

wesleyan.exposure@gmail.com

Waste Not! Wesleyan | Donation & Resale Program

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:18:27 EDT

Waste Not! was started at Wesleyan last year by myself and Alex Provo '10 in order to provide a way for students to donate unwanted items at the end of the semester. The year before, Wesleyan's Environmental Organizers' Network (EON) sponsored a similar program, Westuff. We decided to rename and revamp the program because... c'mon who needs another Wes- anything at Wesleyan?! We also made some major changes to the way the program was coordinated and organized. We managed to secure the Student Groups Building, 190 High Street, and the former University Organizing Center, at 162 Church, to use as storage spaces over the summer.

Alex came to the Waste Not! program from EON and will act as Wesleyan brand-new Sustainability Intern this year. I was not a member of EON, but I first proposed starting a donation and resale program to the organization three years ago after seeing the incredible, unnecessary waste that occurs each year as students evacuate campus at the end of Finals Week. Working with EON was great and I appreciate all the support they gave the program and the student volunteers who helped collect and organize the donations. Lastly, it's great to see the program up and running, with its own website, volunteers, and institutional support. I encourage students to volunteer at the end of the Spring semester next year!

From the Waste Not! website:

Waste Not! is an EON-sponsored effort to reduce unnecessary waste and encourage items to be recycled from year to year.

At the end of the school year, EON collects your unwanted items. Then, in the fall, we hold a HUGE tag sale to sell those items back to the community, thereby keeping valuable items out of the landfill and in circulation. Proceeds from the sale go to Amazing Grace (St. Vincent DePaul's food pantry) and the CT River Watch Program's CT River Coastal Conservation District.

Best Student Blogs: BREAD & BUTTER PRESS

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:31:56 EDT

This one is for all the "foodies" out there. Leah Campbell '09 feels you. She loves food and her passion has taken shape in a new blog devoted to her cooking adventures. One of my favorite entries on her blog is from earlier this summer:

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Eternally yours,
These are busy times for Bread and Butter. Only quiet tables and stoop picnics cut the city heat. But I've got a little something for you. Diner Journal. Check it out. I'll be writing for their website about the meat program at their awesome restaurants. And the quarterly journal is really a treat for the intellect and the eyes. I know you'll like it. Interviews, features on oysters, a saucy centerfold, recipes - it's enough to make a over-heated, sluggish city girl jump for joy.

Check out Leah's recipes, food stories, and kitchen exploits at:

http://breadbutterpress.blogspot.com/

Check out Diner Journal at:

http://thedinerjournal.com/

Intisar Abioto '08 Photography

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:09:08 EDT

Anyone who knows Intisar Abioto knows that she is blessed with many gifts and excels in several art forms, from dance to spoken word to photography. To be honest, I find it hard to write about her because I have been so impressed by her over the years at Wesleyan that I don't know just how to convey the marvelous whirlwind that is Intisar to others. The photos highlighted on her website portfolio are rambunctious and beautiful and intriguing and delightful and... I won't blather too much because you should really take the time to enjoy and contemplate Intisar's work for yourself.

To see more of Intisar's travels and explorations:

http://intisarabioto.com

http://thepeoplecouldfly.blogspot.com

Disturbing Footage of a Colossal, Giant Squid

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:01:14 EDT

Because college students just can’t get enough of freaks of nature, Monster Madness August continues on OTR with footage of Japanese scientists capturing a giant squid, which according to Wikipedia is the size of a school bus.

No – your eyes are not deceiving you. This Kraken-sized beast has a giant eye in the middle of its “head.”

Not sure what is more disturbing – this eyeball or the fact that if this thing spotted you swimming in the water it would be able to wrap your entire body up and swallow you whole.

Actually, what would really be disturbing is if there was something even bigger than the giant squid.

Wait – there is:

Say ‘hello’ to the colossal squid.

The ocean is officially the most frightening place on the planet

Miss Sister 2008: Sexy Nuns Show Off What God Gave Them In This Exclusive Photo Gallery!

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:21:46 EDT

Many a guy has had that dirty nun fantasy. You know the one…

Well now stop dreaming and start voting.

Rev. Antonio Rungi is organizing an online beauty pageant for nuns through his blog. He wants to combat the stereotype that all nuns are old and ugly with the Miss Sister contest in which nuns can fill out a profile and include a picture -- either with the traditional veil or (gasp!) without -- to post on his site. Starting in September, visitors can vote on which nun is the ~~hottest~~ “most model like.”

College guys are used to wet T-shirt contests and pudding wrestling, but the Catholic Church is not. So while this may just be a pageant to show off good deeds and good looks, steamier stuff can't be far behind. Soon these saints will be taking a page out of the old college handbook... wearing skimpy bikinis and doing keg stands... while preaching goodness and righteousness of course.

Oh yes, things are getting scandalous up in the Vatican.

The Associated Press spoke with Rungi about the pageant:

"We are not going to parade nuns in bathing suits," Rungi said by telephone from his town of Mondragone. "But being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun. External beauty is gift from God, and we mustn't hide it."

Good for them. Why should all those regular old none-God-fearing coeds get the glory under the pretense of “college scholarships," “making a difference.”

Celibacy is hot.

Check out the photos above to see some of the sexiest stars today getting ready for the competition!

Hopefully Biden Better At VP Than Law School

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:44:09 EDT

OMG so the gr8 news has been texted and the word is out: Joe Biden is in as Obama’s veep.

But what do we know about this Biden?

Well for one thing, in the past he faced accusations of taking portions of his speeches from other politicians. So, keep an eye out for that at the Democratic National Convention this week.

We also know he graduated from Syracuse University Law School. He was probably valedictorian or something right? Hmm, well the Dallas Morning News blog Trail Blazers gives us the scoop:

Mr. Biden hardly had an auspicious career at SU. While there, he ran into plenty of trouble, including accusations of plagiarism.

In a New York Times article from 1987, one of Mr. Biden's former professors, Robert M. Anderson, recalled that his charge ''wasn't setting the law school on fire, but he was a competent student and a nice young man.''

Competent and a nice young man?

Yup, that seems sufficient to help lead our great and complex nation.

(Then again, that is more than could be said for a certain other leader of the country.)

Best Student Blogs: SOPHISTA-FUNK

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:40:39 EDT

Sophista-Funk is a project started by Jillian White and Tala Bouzarjomehri, both members of Wesleyan's (finest) Class of 2008. Their blog, sophista-funk.blogspot.com/, is a fun mix of fashion, art, and (of course) random songs, videos, and posts related to the Olympics. In other words, it's a pretty lively blog and it will be cool to see what Jill and Tala do with it in the future.

In their secret fashion lab, the two collaborators have a number of other blog-based life forms in development:

Trendology - http://trendology.wordpress.com/

HONEYCRATE - http://honeycrate.blogspot.com/

My favorite recent post on Sophista-Funk was written by Tala about graffiti in Iran:

"I love graffiti. There's just something about the rawness of street art that instantly hooks me- whether it be the artistry which beautifies unexpected places, or a unique stencil which pops up multiple times in a city, or around the world. The search for good street art and street artists is a passion of mine, a treasure hunt of sorts, which is always exciting and never seems to disappoint.That said, you might imagine my surprise when I learned about the up and coming graffiti/street art culture growing inside Iran's borders. With its rich history in the arts, specifically calligraphy, it only makes sense that this art form would make its way into Tehran's dusty and crowded streets."

Read the rest of her post at: http://sophista-funk.blogspot.com/2008/08/unexpected-surprise.html

Check out the blog at: http://sophista-funk.blogspot.com/

From the blog:

What is Sophista-funk?
Sophista-funk is for the person that dares to be different. Lover of art, music, design and fashion, the sophista-funk carves their own space in the world. They are inspired and inspiring, seeking out fun and creativity wherever they see fit- cause in the end, its all about personal style, baby.

Questions? Comments? Rants? Raves?
Feel free to email us at Sophistafunkblog@gmail.com
We'd love to hear what you're thinking and what you'd like to see featured in the blog!