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(04/26/06 12:00pm)
As they would say on "Project Runway," he has a "point of view." Dr. Robert Cole's style truly does stand alone, and he sticks to the classics: khaki pants, blue collared shirt, red suspenders (only to be replaced occasionally by a reserve black pair), white sneakers and a pocket watch worn as a necklace. I supposed his signature beard could be considered an essential accessory to the ensemble.
It may surprise you, but Dr. Cole isn't merely a campus fashion icon. He is a master storyteller, and the embodiment of what great journalism used to be. I can just picture him in a large brimmed hat, with a white "PRESS" card tucked in the side.
Since graduating from the College, I have surely not forgotten any of Cole's words of wisdom, even after leaving the field of journalism behind for government work. I often find myself repeating many of his "Coleisms" in my career and graduate work, like "you know, e-mail is killing good journalism" or attacking my co-workers about the use of serial commas. And when I catch myself, I just sit back and chuckle, "Oh, that silly Dr. Cole."
Dr. Cole is an unconventional professor, to say the least. I'm certain that Dr. Cole was the only professor who taught his students to avoid bad writing by stabbing your leg with a pencil, especially whenever you catch yourself using clich?s. And I definitely don't remember hearing of other professors threatening death or permanent mutilation to anyone considering a job reporting for the Trentonian. (Even though some of us did and feared to tell him.)
I will close with one of my favorite Cole memories. One day in my sophomore year, he called me from his home to tell me that the recommendation letters he prepared for me were finished, but he left them locked in his office. Not to worry, because Dr. Cole had made up a covert operation for us - this included bribing the secretary and basically breaking into his office to get the letters.
The tragic flaw in the plan was, if you know what Dr. Cole's office looks like, it was no easy task to find anything in that office - through the 5-foot piles of old Trenton State letterhead and Signal issues from decades long past. But needless to say, I did get those recommendation letters, and they included possibly the nicest things any one, not just a professor, has ever written about me. I actually feared the scholarship judges would think I made it all up to make myself sound better.
I worry about the College journalism students to come, and what their experience will be without Dr. Cole. I can only be unbelievably grateful I was able to experience his teachings and wisdom while I could. Thank you, Dr. Cole. I know you are leaving some big white sneakers to fill.
(10/14/03 12:00pm)
I knew that Arnold Schwarzenegger was going to be governor of California the minute he announced he was going to run on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." So that was the day that I made my peace with the idea of the actor, who once portrayed a pregnant man, would be a high ranking public official.
Sure, name recognition is a big factor, and we all know that most Californians would be able to recognize not only that they recognized Schwarzenegger's name, but also the names of three movies he has starred in. I have a positive outlook that voters saw a little more in Schwarzenegger than just a movie star, and judged him beyond his Tinsel Town resume. Or maybe I am being too optimistic.
Maybe the best way to understand how someone like Schwarzenegger can be elected to a position in politics like governor is to understand the changing image of the ideal politician. Voters are becoming more and more sick of the conventional candidate, who is old and white and telling you things you cannot relate to. There has been a serious move to the more unconventional and alternative candidate, one that can relate easier to the common guy and gal. Sonny Bono was elected because of this movement, as was Jesse Ventura. And now Schwarzenegger.
So is it that politicians need to be more like movie stars and pop icons, or that movie stars and pop icons need to start being more interested and involved in politics?
Maybe a little of both. I am sure there are movie stars out there with real political potential, but probably only the bad movie stars. Ronald Reagan might have known how to deal with the Cold War, but his movies sucked. Perhaps Schwarzenegger will turn out to be a good politician since lately his films have been bombing out of the theatres.
Another thing to take in account is the political situation California is in at the moment. The budget over there is in a deeper pile of you-know-what than New Jersey is. Imagine a worse financial situation than what we have here in New Jersey, multiply the dissatisfaction with Gov. McGreevey by five and throw in the ability to actually recall the government leaders. Honestly, if we could recall McGreevey right now and Bruce Springsteen ran for office, he would probably win with about 90 percent of the votes. All he would have to do is promise free concerts and he would rally more support than someone on the sidewalk handing out free beer.
My only real problem with Schwarzenegger is that he is vaguer than some career politicians. He never actually says anything, and even when he lays out plans, they are so open-ended and broad he could change them at any moment anyway. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out for the rest of the country. Will we see more Schwarzenegger-like megastars becoming politicians? Who knows? All I know is I am glad we will never see a President Schwarzenegger.
Thank you, U.S. Constitution.
(09/23/03 12:00pm)
Tuesday night is always a very exciting night at my house. Not because we don't have class on Wednesday (because we all do), but because the best show on television is on.
Normally, I watch very little TV, ranging from CNN in the morning to my strange obsession with VH1 shows. Oh, yeah, and "Sex in the City," of course.
It all changed when Bravo Network introduced "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."
Now, I am not advocating every show on Bravo, because I believe that "Boy Meets Boy" was a total disaster and extremely harmful to the gay community.
But I do believe that "Queer Eye" is on the positive side of the spectrum.
For those of you who do not know the premise of the show, (and have been living under a rock for the past few weeks), it all starts with a straight guy who needs a makeover.
The hetero enlists the help of the "Fab Five" to aid him in turning over a new leaf and changing his look.
What makes the show so amazing are the guys who make up the "Fab Five." Each guy brings something different to the table.
My friend James and I are literally scouring the New York City area's clubs to see if we can meet these guys. (We have lives, really.)
I have never wanted to be someone's friend so badly after I watched a show and saw Carson, the ringleader and fashion guru of the group.
Never will you hear the word "couture" out of someone's mouth so much.
Next is the total bitch of the crew, Thom, the interior design master. What is so great about Thom is that he might be super mean and a total dick, but he's funny and so awesome at what he does best.
Jai is the event coordinator of the group. Usually the straight guys go on the show because they have a big night planned and need the "Fab Five" to help coordinate it.
Jai's dancing talents have been catching on in the clubs - I witnessed a signature dance move just this week at a club in New Hope.
The show wouldn't be as satisfying without hair expert Kyan. Kyan might be the hottest man alive. I am not joking.
I have always thought of men discussing emulsifying hair products as a total turn on.
Lastly, there is Ted, the personal favorite in my house. At first glance, Ted appears to be the dork of the crew, but he is the most hilarious.
Plus, Ted is the food and drink expert. (The best part is the food and liquor, don't you think?)
After reading several reviews about this show, I came to the conclusion that "Queer Eye" is not a negative impact on the gay community.
I can see why critics would complain that the show might enforce stereotypes, but after watching a show, it's very obvious that all of the "Fab Five" are just being themselves.
Stereotypes are being reinforced in every other show as well.
On any given night, you can see stereotypes of white suburban families, African Americans, teenagers and pretty much any other group you can think of. There is no escaping it.
"Queer Eye" has been everywhere: in newspapers, magazines, daytime and late night shows and even network television. This is a major hit, not just in television, but in pop culture.
The gay community is spreading like wild fire, and this could mean a step towards something bigger.
I always believed that one of the major reasons people did not support gay rights is because they did not understand gays and lesbians or were afraid of them.
Well, they can begin to understand things better when the gay community is better integrated into society.
The straight guys on the show set an amazing example of how accepting straight men can be. These guys ask to be on the show, and are usually so touched by the changes the "Fab Five" have given them, they are nearly in tears.
I think that if this show does anything, it breaks down the stereotypes of what most people assume straight men to be.
It is very reassuring to know that there are enough straight men out there that can be comfortable with themselves. And I thought they were an endangered species.
(09/23/03 12:00pm)
There is something attractive about movies that are about "good" guys who do "bad" things. Brad Pitt won us over as a psycho-second personality in "Fight Club," George Clooney stole our hearts and a lot of money in "Ocean's Eleven" and the drug-dealing coke-addict portrayed by Johnny Depp in "Blow" made us wonder why he had to go to jail. "Matchstick Men," a caper conman story with a big heart, definitely belongs in this category.
The film introduces us to the two main characters, the sly conmen, right off the bat. Roy, played by Nicolas Cage ("Gone in 60 Seconds," "Leaving Las Vegas,") is a chain-smoking veteran con with a multitude of mental illnesses, such as a serious case of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and agoraphobia. Roy's partner and prot?g?, Frank, is played by Sam Rockwell ("Charlie's Angels," "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind").
These small-time crooks usually make their money selling bogus water-filtration systems, while claiming to be antique dealers. Frank complements Roy perfectly in the film, their relationship resembling a twisted "Odd Couple." Their partnership also teaches us never to rub an OCD patient's phone on one's butt.
The plot never ceases to unfold, even right up to the last minute. After Frank sends Roy to Dr. Klein (Bruce Altman) to get some medication, Roy is forced to deal with the pain of a 15-year divorce and the possibility of raising a 14-year-old child he's never met.
Angela, played by Alison Lohman ("White Oleander,") decides she wants to meet her father and ends up invading Roy's perfectly planned life. Incredibly, Roy turns out to be an amazing dad, even though he does mess up every so often.
Angela soon discovers Roy isn't really an antique dealer and convinces him to teach her a scam. She takes to it like a duck to water - and so begins the father-daughter bonding.
Meanwhile, Roy and Frank are planning their biggest scam yet, one that could mean the end of conning for Roy. When a last minute change of plans occurs, Angela ends up having to help the pair with their heist.
The film skillfully combines action, comedy and drama. Cage has the ability to portray a fatherly love that probably wouldn't be possible after only knowing his daughter for a month. It brings a tear to your eye. Rockwell is a likeable jerk, pulling most of the laughs. Lohman plays that "too cute" high school girl that you wish you would have been back in the day.
"Matchstick Men," based on Eric Garcia's novel, is about deceit, trust and figuring out the difference between the two.
My only suggestion to director Ridley Scott would be more Rockwell with a little less clothing. I'll let it slide, but only because it was such a great flick.
(09/16/03 12:00pm)
Would heterosexuals go to a mostly gay high school? This hetero would, and I will tell you why.
When I first heard about the creation of an all-gay high school, I wasn't entirely sure it would be a good idea. The obvious reason was, how can we fully integrate the homosexual community into the mainstream if we separate it out in the education system?
But after reading about this school, I learned that separation and segregation is not what this school is about, and it will have a positive effect on society.
The Harvey Milk School, named after San Francisco's first openly gay city supervisor, who was assassinated in 1978, is being managed by a well-established organization called the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI). This institute and its educational program have been helping young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals overcome constant harassment since 1984. HMI also helps LGBTQ students avoid dropping out of high school. Only now, in 2003, is the program receiving city funding and its own building in Manhattan's East Village.
Is the school exclusive to only gay students? Not at all. When you go to the HMI Web site, hmi.org, you can view the application for admission and it is no different than applying to enter any private or parochial school. The applicants must be residents of New York City, and, if they are under 18, their parents have to accompany them to the interviews.
Currently, the school is only able to admit 100 students. Acceptance isn't easy, but the application never asks if the applying student is gay.
Can heterosexuals apply and enter the Harvey Milk School? Absolutely. The Web site says that the school is to provide a "safe and supportive learning environment for young people, including LGBTQ youth." If I felt threatened at my high school because I was being harassed (and if I lived in New York City), no matter my sexual preference, I could apply to and attend Harvey Milk.
This school isn't meant to create an entirely separate school system just for gays, but rather its purpose is to create an alternative for those who are made to feel so uncomfortable they cannot attend their assigned public school.
Not everyone has accepted this as a great opportunity for high school students, but this isn't surprising. No matter where you go, people will always manage to be more close-minded than you expect.
According to CNN.com, when Harvey Milk opened its doors on Sept. 8, there were protesters demonstrating against it. The best part is there were only 10 protesters in a sea of 200 supporters. I guess the anti-gay movement isn't as motivated as it used to be.
A state senator and conservative legal group recently filed a lawsuit claiming that the school violates segregation laws, but I don't see it going anywhere. The school, which does not discriminate acceptance to any individual, has the support of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
There is a reason why I often choose to go to gay bars and clubs over straight ones, even though I am not gay. And it's the same reason I would go to a gay high school as a heterosexual. Overall, the gay community is much more accepting and open-minded, and you are really allowed to have a good time. Plus, drag queens really know how to party.
(08/25/03 12:00pm)
Politically, you could say it was a very eventful summer. Well, it was for me anyway. I thought I would steal the Sports Editors idea and do a little recap of the summers' political events (the only difference between those Sporty ones and me is I actually paid a bit of attention).
I wrote a letter to the President a few weeks ago, because of all the idiotic things that man can do, he openly condemned gay marriages.
Now, I understand that the average conservative would agree that gay marriages shouldn't be legal, however, Bush (or should I say Bush's people) should know better than to alienate one of the fastest growing communities in America.
For those of you who missed it, our lovely President said, "I am mindful that we're all sinners, and I caution those who may try to take the speck out of the neighbor's eye when they got a log in their own."
So much for separation of church and state, he's quoting the Bible!
Bush also said, "I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think we ought to codify that one way or the other." On the other hand, asking Americans to "welcome those with good hearts, to be a welcoming country."
I coined the word "bushocrite," meaning one who is a hypocrite, but can get away with it because one is president.
Moving away from Washington, although it can be hard sometimes, I had the pleasure of experiencing the New Jersey State Legislature at its most embarrassing moment: the budget.
Ah yes, you really haven't experienced state politics without staying up all night in a suit for 36 hours straight, doing nothing but waiting for legislators to do something ... anything.
It amazes me how adults can say how young people always procrastinate, but then simply watch procrastination at its best in our State House.
I don't think there is any other job in the state where you can actually stop the clocks because you didn't finish your work on time (and yes, the clocks in the State House did actually stop at 11:59 p.m. so they can say they finished before June 1).
Though this may not be entirely political, it irked me to see that the blackout across the eastern seaboard was still headline news once the power was back on for two days.
I wouldn't be surprised if anti-blackout groups come out of the woodwork on this one.
And finally, I have only one word to say on this last topic, because it will have to be an entire article in itself to be discussed: Arnold.
Sure, there is so much more that happen, but the summer is basically over now and it is time to focus on the year ahead.
State elections are fast approaching and if you don't know what lame duck means, you should find out because it will be very important come November.
(04/29/03 12:00pm)
I almost forgot how great winning feels, but what I actually forgot was how great it is to be a part of a team.
The only sport I had ever done in my life was gymnastics. For about 12 years, I was a part of a team of really talented gymnasts, both on my club and high school teams. Winning was the best feeling, and knowing that I was a part of it felt even better.
Still, I came to the College convinced that I would never be involved in another team sport again, and for two years, I ignored the urge to compete.
But then I met the Women's Rugby Club, and that all changed. I found a group of girls that were probably the craziest girls I have met in college, and the most accepting. I had encountered different groups of girls, and the dynamic was pretty much the same: very exclusive. Not these chicks, if you could hold your own, you were O.K. in their book.
I decided to try to play because once I saw how these girls played together, I just really wanted to be a part of it. (Plus, what other sport includes a social life in the schedule?)
So here I am, at the end of my first full year of playing, and I can honestly say that I can't even compare it to anything else. Club sports, especially rugby, really do make the college experience better. I have made some amazing friends and been witness to a team achieving some incredible things.
Now I am not going to brag (ahem, Division 3 East Coast Champions, ahem) but I have to admit that being a part of a team is great, but seriously, being a part of a winning team is just the icing on the cake.
Teammates have said that everyone plays with a lot of "heart," and it couldn't be any more true.
I think the biggest thing to remember about rugby, or any other club sport, is that since it is not varsity, everyone that is involved plays because they just want to.
Not one player is getting a scholarship for being the star hooker or wing, no one is getting credits for their ability to scrum and everybody is there with a smile on their face.
I still miss gymnastics every once and a while, and it is hard to watch it on T.V. without welling up. But never once after a gymnastics meet did the judge join the teams in a big party and tap the keg for the girls. (Damn, those rugby refs can be cool when they want to be.) I never got to tackle anyone in gymnastics either.
It doesn't really matter what sport I am talking about. If you have ever been a part of a team, you know what I am talking about. The urge to be a part of a team never goes away, and if you can do it, go back and do it again.
Basically, there are a lot of things I have been proud of this year, (and maybe not so proud of too), and being a part of rugby is a big one. I love you crazy rugby women and I can't wait until next year to do it all over again.
(04/22/03 12:00pm)
The Kurds have recently reclaimed the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, the claimed "Kurdish Jerusalem," and are now ousting hundreds of Iraqi Arabs from the area. This places the U.S. in a very sticky situation, or maybe better stated in between a rock and a hard place.
The rock is the Kurds, an ethnic group with their own language inhabiting the mostly mountainous area where the borders of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria converge. There are approximately 25 million Kurds in that area and they have been promised their own state since the World War I. But since last week, when the Kurds took control of Kirkuk, they have been evacuating Iraqis. Now, thousands of displaced Kurds from refugee camps from all over could return to northern Iraq.
The hard place is the other countries that have a stake in the Kurds having their own state, namely Turkey. The Turks have already promised to invade an Iraqi Kurdistan if one comes to exist and there is no question on how strongly the Turkish government feels about sharing a border with an autonomous Kurdish state.
The problem is that Turkey has not been much of a help through the war in Iraq, especially to the U.S. And the Kurds have been the only indigenous Iraqi force fighting on the U.S.'s side in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
So, there are two ways of approaching this problem. Either allow the Kurds to stay, and tell the Turks the U.S. is going back on its word to not allow the Kurds to control Kirkuk and screw an important NATO ally, or tell the Kurds to leave and seriously sell them out by denying them the only reward they ever wanted.
Punishing Turkey for being such stubborn bastards and not helping the U.S. isn't such a bad idea, and it wouldn't be the first time American foreign policy screwed someone over. However, the Kurds could enjoy a Saddam Hussein-free Iraq and still reap the benefits of the oil-rich city Kirkuk without exclusively occupying it.
The U.S. needs to get its priorities straight, and it needs to do it quickly. If they want to give the Kurds what they have so desperately been fighting for, their own state, there needs to be a plan of action on how to deal with Turkey's reaction. I assume it won't be pretty.
On the other hand, if the U.S. decides it will not allow the Kurds to keep control of Kirkuk, the Kurds need reassuring that the new Iraqi government will not prove to be more oppressive than what Hussein did to the minority group.
Consistency will be the key when this war is over.
(04/08/03 12:00pm)
Not that I needed another reason to think that Geraldo Rivera is ridiculous, but he has gone and embarrassed the field of journalism once again.
If you haven't heard, the Pentagon asked Rivera to leave Iraq after drawing pictures in the sand of U.S. troops movements in Iraq - all of this occurring in a live broadcast on FOX News Network.
The best part is that he claimed that he wasn't kicked out of Iraq, and that it was all rumors spread by "some rats" at NBC. Then, even better, he publicly apologized from Kuwait on Sunday night about the mistake he made.
Rivera, in my opinion, is quite possibly the biggest joke in journalism history. I think that Conan put it nicely when he said that Saddam has gone back to being the most hated man in Iraq, now that Rivera is gone.
What Rivera did poses an even bigger controversy for the media and the field of journalism, especially in a time of war. I don't think that journalists should be bigger than the news they are supposed to be reporting.
If reporters do become the news, it should be for something seriously newsworthy, for example, the recent death of longtime correspondent David Bloom.
Bloom's death was sudden to many of the people following the coverage of the war, and his passing was worth noting.
Plus, should just any person who calls him or herself a journalist be able to travel with a division of the armed services in a time of war? Hell, I have written articles and consider myself something of a journalist. Move over Rivera, I'm coming to take your place in Iraq. At least I think I would know not to draw sand pictures for the enemy to know where to find us.
Rivera was more of a celebrity in Iraq than an embedded reporter. Did anyone else notice how clean and groomed he was, even though he complained of not showering?
I wouldn't be surprised if he had an assistant and an agent on assignment with him.
Rivera was also one of the very few embedded reporters that actually carried a firearm while in Iraq. While networks like NBC, CNN and CBS are open about not allowing their reporters to carry arms, FOX didn't seem to have a problem with it.
I guess you just can't feel safe enough surrounded by an entire division equipped with missiles and guns. I mean, its not like he should have expected danger being in the middle of a war.
I honestly don't care about Rivera's journalistic past. To be a credible reporter, you need to keep your reputation in tact in order to expect any kind of respect.
My advice to Geraldo: go back to talk shows and commercials on daytime television.
I am sure even Saddam was happy to see you leave.
(04/01/03 12:00pm)
Ahh, the mid-90s. A time for most of us that meant neon was cool, as were birthday parties at roller rinks and bowling alleys, slouch socks were worn over your stretch pants (or easily substituted with acid wash jeans) and all your friends told you if you ate Pop Rocks with a Coke, your stomach would explode.
That's I what I associate with my youth, but even more than that, I remember the music.
It doesn't happen often that one great album is released, but in the time span from 1994 to 1996, so many amazing albums were released for our youthful listening pleasure.
These were the songs that we listened to on our Walkman, on the bus ride to school and on the radio in our parent's car, begging them to turn it up because we knew all the words - even if we didn't know what masturbation was, or why it had lost its fun.
I am going to break it all down to the top five albums of my youth. I know some of you may not have owned these albums. Perhaps you are older, or maybe too young, or just didn't purchase CDs, but you all should know and recognize these amazing albums.
5. A tie between Bush's Sixteen Stone and Pearl Jam's Vitalogy.
I chose these two albums, as a tie for fifth, because I honestly couldn't decide which one was actually more worthy to be on the list.
They both came out in late 1994, and everyone really did have these CDs.
All the girls were arguing over who was hotter, Gavin Rossdale or Eddie Vedder. I personally couldn't decide. (Until recently. I mean, have you seen how hot Gavin Rossdale still is? And what ever happened to Eddie Vedder?)
4. TLC's CrazySexyCool.
This group really was the benchmark of allowing a lot of different kinds of people starting to listen to R&B.
People ran out and bought this CD because the smooth sound and the infectious beat of this trio were too good to pass up. Their songs from this CD were played at sixth grade dances everywhere.
This huge hit, released the same time as the above two albums in late 1994, not only released really great songs, but spoke controversial messages.
3. Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill.
Yay, angry ex-girlfriend music! In the time of 1995, where sappy love songs were at their height, Alanis Morissette let loose with her angry girl rock.
She turned from a Canadian pop star to an American rocker, seemingly overnight. I think I knew, and still know, every word to every track on this album. You know you sang every word to "Isn't it ironic?," too.
2. Sublime and their self-titled hit of mid-1996.
Very few of my friends do not own this album one way or another. Lost or kept, scratched or cracked, this CD went everywhere that summer. To the beach, the mall, friend's parties and anywhere else.
This music was a serious success, and it really is a shame that the lead singer was such a drug addict, because there won't be another band that can do what Sublime did with ska music on the mainstream level.
This skater-stoner blend may have started out with the pot-smokers of America, but it reached way farther than that. This CD, which came out about seven years ago, is still played over and over. You just aren't at a party if they don't play Sublime.
1. And now, finally, the moment you have all been waiting for, the Number One album: Green Day's Dookie.
I remember when this album came out, because it turned all my friends who hated listening to my favorite punk and ska bands, like NOFX and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, into little punk fans.
People from the suburbs were actually dying their hair blue and green to match the going color of what Green Day's leading man.
This CD, all 14 tracks and even the secret song after the last track (that wasn't so secret because everyone knew about it), were classic. My dad has actually stolen my "Dookie" CD and won't give it back.
I know that I am missing a lot of bands, and it was hard for me to eliminate bands like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, Weezer (I especially apologize to Heather on that one), Stone Temple Pilots, The Presidents of the United States of America and Lauryn Hill. But I think that these top five were definitely the most influential of them all.
(04/01/03 12:00pm)
Oh, boo-hoo, the logo is gone. Can you believe it? I mean, they actually took the beloved clock tower from us? (OK, can you actually smell the sarcasm dripping from the page?)
Seriously, never have I witnessed such a ridiculous forum for debate as I have seen on this campus over the past week. Is this really what students at the College care about? See, that scares me. Let me outline a few of the silliest things I have heard about the new "graphic design."
Students are actually signing petitions to get back the old clock tower for a school logo. I received several e-mails and AOL Instant Messages about this link that had been set up to allow petitioning against the new design. The letter would go directly to President Gitenstein. Can you believe that when I looked at the online petition around noon that day, there was about 165 signatures? But even more frightening was that just a few hours later there were over a thousand.
And why send the president a letter? Why not actually read the information behind the design and actually question those directly behind the production? I had the pleasure of speaking with President Gitenstein recently with a few fellow editors, and after discussing the problems this school is going to have as the administration deals with budget problems, the design is probably the last thing on her mind.
And you know what? Good. I would rather have her worry about my tuition than a stupid clock tower.
It is a little disheartening to know that with all the things that are wrong with the state, nation and world, people are petitioning a logo change that we could all see coming eventually. It's no secret that the College is trying to improve its image. So why was it a big surprise to everyone that there has been yet another change to the school? Have you looked around and seen all the construction lately? The College will look nothing like it looks today if you have kids that come here. It probably won't even be the College.
Another upsetting fact I learned recently was that there was going to be a rally against the new design. A rally? Did the new shield bomb a defenseless city? Or, perhaps the clock tower was destroyed by the new shield design? I heard there were even going to be T-shirts. I'm sorry, but that's lame.
I'm not saying that I love the new design. I really am pretty indifferent about it. But, never once in the three years I have been at this school have I heard a word spoken about how great the clock tower design was until it was gone. That leads me to believe that no one actually cared about what the design of the school was until one week ago.
My advice: get over it. The clock tower is gone, and the shield is in. I am sure you will live your lives some how, some way. I know I can sleep better at night now that I have learned to accept it.
(03/18/03 12:00pm)
An actress, comedienne and reality show star shares her career story...
KB: Why do you perform at colleges so often?
KG: I love doing colleges. I pretty much do them every time I get called. At colleges, I can really say whatever I want.
KB: What are your upcoming projects, besides your stand-up?
KG: Well, I have a pilot for my own show on NBC. It will be for the upcoming fall.The problem with pilots is that it might not get picked up, but I'm excited about it.
KB: How did you get started in comedy?
KG: I started as an actress when I was 18-years-old, and didn't really start with standup comedy until I was 30. I started in "The Groundlings," where all those SNL comedians start.
I actually met up with Lisa Kudrow there, and she told me about another comedian who based her sets on life stories, and that person was Janeane Garofalo. Janeane and I got together and pretty much performed anywhere, but a comedy club, like coffee houses and anywhere else that would take us.
KB: What are your biggest accomplishments as a comedienne?
KG: Well, I got lucky with the half-hour "HBO Comedy Special," and did some NBC guest spots. Then I landed the job on "Suddenly Susan" and then an hour HBO special. But I really have to thank God for stand-up, I always fall back on that.
KB: What is the weirdest job you ever had before you got into show business?
KG: I sold baby furniture full time. This was really ironic, because I hated kids. People would come in with their kids dripping snot, saying, and "Isn't she precious?" It was horrible.
KB: Where do you live when you are not working?
KG: I live in L.A., in Hollywood Hills.
KB: Who have been your influences in comedy?
KG: I really have been influenced by the contemporary comedians of today, really great female comedians like Janeane Garofalo, Margaret Cho and Laura Kightlinger.
KB: What was Erik Von Detten like on "Celebrity Mole Hawaii?"
KG: Well, for the first few days, he was basically just high and drugged. Once I got into the coalition with him, he just kept saying to me, "You're the mole, man, and you are just fucking with my head." I would have to remind him daily that we were in a coalition and that I was not the mole.
KB: What are you going to do with the money you won from "Celebrity Mole: Hawaii?"
KG: Oh, I'm keeping the money, every penny.
KB: Do you really know Anna Nicole-Smith?
KG: Well, I kind of know her. She's pretty fucked up. I have been to her home a few times and I would be safe to bet that she has no idea who I am.
KB: You have signature red hair - do you prefer it curly or straight?
KG: Well, I like it a lot straight, but I have no idea how to do my own hair, so I just wear it however anyone does it for me.
(03/18/03 12:00pm)
Comedienne and actress Kathy Griffin cracked up the crowd once again, but this time it wasn't at an awards show or in a music video. This time it was in Kendall Hall and there wasn't a person in the auditorium that wasn't laughing after her celebrity-bashing set.
College Union Board (CUB) brought Griffin to the school and although it wasn't a sold-out show, all those who attended laughed their pants off. Griffin was preceded by up-and-coming comedian Kevin Seccia. Seccia came to the College from his residence in California, but is actually from Princeton.
Seccia opened with jokes about the "reserved seating" that CUB set aside, mostly because the seats were totally empty the entire show. He also joked about sending Civil War re-enactors to war if the U.S. attacks Iraq. "This is what they have been waiting for, isn't it?" Seccia said.
Along with other topics, like suspicious mail alerts, tattoos and even embarrassing someone when her cell phone rang, Seccia also introduced the main event, Kathy Griffin.
Griffin entered the stage dancing to Eminem, who later became a topic in her star-studded routine. "He has an ass of a 13-year-old girl," Griffin said about the rapper, who apparently repeatedly mooned her throughout the shooting of his music video, in which she made a cameo as a nurse.
Griffin brought it close to home by joking about the pronunciation of Loser Hall. "It's loser, deal with it," she said.
Griffin focused on talking about reality television, which she was not only a part of, but also a huge fan. Making fun of people involved with various shows like "American Idol," "Joe Millionaire" and "The Bachelorette," Griffin really didn't hold anything back.
The highlight of the show was when Griffin talked about her appearance on "Hollywood Squares." Between Little Richard fighting with Triumph the Comic Insult Dog from "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," and just simply viewing Anna Nicole-Smith interact with different celebrities, it was hard to imagine how Griffin kept a straight face through it. "I don't think anyone ever had ignored Chaka Khan before, I don't think Chaka knew how to deal," Griffin said about Nicole-Smith.
Griffin gave funny facts about the celebrities who are often in the news. "Whitney and Mariah hate each other . Gillian Anderson is a bitch . Snoop-Dogg made me a part of the 'Dogg Pound.'"
The appeal of Griffin is that she tells stories much like the average person would, and what makes it funny is that they're usually about celebrities. Not everyone gets to tell Christina Aguilera, "It's just a bus, honey," or dish about getting the "church giggles" with Rosie O'Donnell at an AIDS charity event.
It probably helps that Griffin has someone like fellow comedienne and good friend Janeane Garofalo to dish with about how ridiculous Hollywood can be. Griffin said that Garofalo was a close friend, and a lot of her own comedy is based on what they talk about.
In past shows, Griffin has told a story about trying to get a male prostitute, and then backing out at the last second. "That was just Janeane and I on the phone, trying to think of ways to get guys." Griffin said.
(02/25/03 12:00pm)
I know most of you have found yourself humming a song by Sting at one time or another. You know you have sung, "Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light ... Roxanne," or "Goo goo goo, a da da da, is all I want to say to you." I have to admit that I probably do so a little more than the average person.
OK, I am publicly admitting that I am a huge Sting fan. I love that damn sexy Brit.
Sting is too underrated in the music business that he has been an active part of for over 25 years.
Not too many rock stars were able to survive the '80s, (besides the other classic rockers like Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones and others) but Sting was able to do it differently.
The Police was what made him famous at first, breaking through with a new sound and different kind of rock in 1977, which was a time of punk and rebellion.
But Sting was able to transcend his success with the band and survive the break up in 1984, by stepping into what the music business sees as almost certain career suicide, going solo. I mean, we have all seen what has happened to Justin Timberlake.
Sting's trademark high-pitched, raspy voice and blonde hair has made him one of the most recognizable rock stars out there.
Sting has more than proved his worth as a solo singer and incredible songwriter, winning 10 solo Grammy awards, including winning the most Grammys for Best Male Vocal Performance (a total of four wins in 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2001).
OK, so arguing that Sting is a great rock star and a huge part of music history isn't that difficult. But there is so much more to Sting than the average person knows.
Sting has been in movies. Yes, real movies. So, maybe I haven't seen them all, and they all aren't exactly Oscar performances, but if anyone has seen "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," you know that Sting is really cool.
Sting actually introduced that director Guy Ritchie to Madonna, and they are now married. Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, are actually godparents to one of their kids.
How cool would it be to have a mom that is Madonna and a godfather you could call Uncle Sting?
Who else has the balls to be called a singular name like Sting? This, opposed to his real name, Gordon Matthew Sumner, which is slightly less cool, actually came from a nickname he gained from the black and gold rugby shirts he used to wear that made him look like a bee or something. (Yeah, he played rugby, too, that makes his awesome automatically.)
It's different than Madonna or Cher. Those are actually their names or variations of the real thing. Even Dana Carvey saw this as exceptionally interesting. "He called himself a verb, present tense. He's not Stung. He's not Stinging. He's Sting."
Heard the rumor that Sting can have sex for over seven hours? Well, its true. Sting is really into a strict yoga regimen and has been open about his practice in tantra and tantric sex. He may be 50, but he could probably put any 20-year-old to shame in the sack.
But, above all the rumors and various talents, Sting is music. He blends rock, jazz and pop all in an amazing listening experience. "Music . has the power to communicate without being understood or intellectually taken in." True, Sting, true.