Art School Scum

Latest Kvetch: Real Girls Eat by Anthea Paul

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:28:00 +0000

More Ways to Give Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Recently Jessica has posted some Volunteer Opportunities that you guys may be interested in experiencing. Another program that could be kept in mind is The Fresh Air fund where kids from New York are hosted by families living in the mid west where they get a first hand experience with nature and not the hustle and bustle of city life. Not only would this be a good experience for the child being hosted, but the host family can meet someone new from an entirely different setting. For more information on hosting a child and donating visit Freshair.org.

Give back!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Lee-Anne) — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:08:00 +0000

Are you tired of spending your summers by the pool side doing the same thing every day? Feel like you need a break from school next semester but don't know how to spend it? Why not volunteer for a summer or a semester?!

I've put together a couple of sites/programs that might strike your fancy whether or not you're looking for an exotic adventure or something more close to home.

1. Sloth Rehab center in Costa Rica

-Overview: "When the 1991 earthquake shook their home to the ground, Judy and Luis Arroyo rebuilt it as a bed and breakfast. They offered tours of their jungle and island, showcasing over 300 bird species. Their destiny changed when three neighbouring girls brought them a wee surprise - an orphaned three-toed sloth. They named her "Buttercup". Finding scant literature on sloths, they learned from experience. Then another sloth arrived, and another! Before long the Arroyos became known as authorities on sloth rescue and rearing - and sloths kept coming. Buttercup became the most loved and photographed sloth in the world! In 1998 the Arroyos gave in to the sloths. They had their island designated as a National Preserve, and opened the Aviarios Sloth Rescue Center. In addition to rehabilitating and caring for sloths, they have successfully reintroduced two hand-reared orphans into the rain forest. Dozens of sloths that arrived at the center as adults have been rehabilitated and returned to the forest canopy as well. In 2004 they completed a new education center, and a year later a new clinic, nursery and housing pavilion."

-Cost: Starting at £800
-Dates/Length: Leave anytime of the year for 28-84 day trip

Visit the website for more information.

2. Teach English at Buddhist monasteries in Nepal

-Overview: "For those looking for cultural immersion, take a unique opportunity to teach English in Nepal to Buddhist monks in the serene surroundings of a monastery. The students range in age from 5 to 25 years old, so there may be plenty of opportunities to bring variety to your teaching. As well as working on their English, you may also be leading games and activities. All male volunteers are welcome, however, out of respect for the monks' way of life, we request that female volunteers are at least 21 years of age. Some schools are affected by exam periods and holidays. This could be your ideal time to fit in some trekking before returning back to the school. Please call and check about dates with your nearest office"

-Cost: About £695
- Dates/Length: Anytime of the year for 14-84 days.

Visit the website for more information.

3. AmeriCorps NCCC

-Overview: "AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. Members live on one of five campuses, located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, MS; and Vinton, Iowa.

The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. In partnership with nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, and faith-based and other community organizations, members complete service projects throughout the region they are assigned.

Drawn from the successful models of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and the U.S. military, AmeriCorps NCCC is built on the belief that civic responsibility is an inherent duty of all citizens and that national service programs work effectively with local communities to address pressing needs"

-Cost: NOTHING! They pay you.
- Dates/Length: Two different cycles, fall and winter. Each lasting 10 months.

Check out the website!

4. Orphanage, teaching, sports and more in Ghana!

-Overview: "International Volunteer HQ's partner NGO in Ghana requires volunteers NOW! IVHQ has a wide range of volunteering opportunities available in orphanage work, teaching and sports teaching in the coastal city of Accra and rural villages in the Ghanaian countryside."

-Cost: Start at $220

-Dates/Length: Leave first and 15th of every month. Program can last anywhere from 1 week to 6 months.

Visit the website here for more info.

Here are some links to other volunteer searches!
AmeriCorps
iExplore
Volunteer Abroad
Volunteering in America
Network for Good

Feel free to contact me, Jess, at Jmeyer2@iwu.edu for more information on volunteering or studying abroad or in the US!

The Vegetarian Date

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Lee-Anne) — Sun, 03 May 2009 04:43:00 +0000

I know I'm not alone when I say sometimes I think up dates I'd really like to go on. This one I thought up is the Vegetarian Cooking Date. It's great for many reasons such as: you don't have to spend a lot of money, you have time to talk and get to know each other while cooking, and you get to eat all the yummy food! Now the hard part is finding the date...

Salad: Orange-Romaine
-4 cups torn romaine lettuce leaves
-1 medium navel orange, peeled, thinly sliced
-1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced (SKIP...because I think they are gross)
-1/2 medium onion, diced or slivered
-1/2 green bell pepper, diced or slivered
-1/2 cup canola oil
-1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1. Combine lettuce, orange, cucumber, onion and bell pepper in large bowl. Combine oil, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in small bowl.
2. Pour vinegar mixture over lettuce mix and toss!

Main Dish: Spinach and Noodles
-2 cups whole wheat noodles
-1 (10 oz.) package frozen cut leaf spinach, thawed
-3 beaten eggs
-1 1/2 cups light plain soy milk
-1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
-2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese

1. Preheat over to 375.
2. Prepare noddles according to package and drain.
3. Squeeze spinach between paper towels to remove all moisture. Spread in sprayed 7 x 11-inch baking dish. Cover spinach with noodles.
4. Combine remaining ingredients in medium bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix thoroughly and pour over noodles.
5. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Dessert: Carrot-Gingerbread Cake
-1 (14 oz.) box gingerbread cake mix
-1/2 cup egg substitute
-3/4 cups lightly packed shredded carrots
-1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel
-1/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine gingerbread mix, 1 1/4 cups water, eggs, carrots and orange peel in bowl. Stir vigorously for about 2 minutes.
3. Spoon into sprayed 9 x 9-inch baking pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.
4. Use sifter of wire strainer to sprinkle powdered sugar eventy on cooled cake.

Links We Love: Celebs, Dinosaurs, and Feminists named Jezebel

noreply@blogger.com (Wunderstruck) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:36:00 +0000

Lindsay Lohan. Because its not like we're tired of her, or anything.

So one of the jobs I hold happens to involve a computer sitting in front of me and copious amounts of boredom. Due to this convenient combination, I have gotten into the habit of reading an embarrassing amount of celebrity gossip (and a couple other blogs that are just 100% pure fun and warming of the heart). Because I have a strong conviction that karma is a real thing and is watching my every action like a hawk, I would like to share these sites with you (sharing = good karma and good karma = me more likely to succeed with my vision board involving the meeting of Jason Segel and capturing his adorable heart with my charms and tallness).

Without any further ado, I present to you the websites taking up 3-4 hours of my time every day:

CELEBS!!!!

In addition to the eponymous Perez Hilton as well as the Superficial, I kind of love:
http://www.wwtdd.com/.

Much like the Superficial, it's crude and malicious and I can't help but stifle my cackling at each and every horrible post.

For serious celeb gossip overload, there's Oh No They Didn't.

Be prepared to slog through page after page of people you couldn't give a five-buck fuck about, but there are some definite picture/article GEMS in there.

For celeb gossip in addition to smart feminist commentary, please please please check out jezebel.com

Okay, so it's not really lots of celeb gossip but I love Jezebel so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant (ten points to whoever knows that reference!).

And if you're head over Jesus-sandal-clad heels for Twitter, there's always twitter.com/defamer

And just for funsies (as well as for the logical, intelligent, sensible folks not yet brainwashed by a frenzied need to constantly be up-to-date with celebrity news), check out these sites!

For a comic involving dialogue between sassy dinosaurs there is: qwantz.com
For information about things you never knew that you absolutely NEEDED to know theres boingboing.net.

And for the most charming and wonderful blog about a Discoverist going on the adventure of a lifetime: professorisland.com.

Bon appetit!

Trends: The Jesus Sandals of All Sandals!

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:32:00 +0000

I've heard all the classifications: the "Jesus Sandal," "The Strappy Bible Boots," and my personal fave the "Spartan Ass-Kickers." This summer, these sandals are returning and are ready to kick some spartan ass!

Here are some budget friendly options you can look at:
1. Via Target.com
2. Via Walmart.com
3. Via Spring Shoes

Thank you, Betty Brown.

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Lee-Anne) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:44:00 +0000

The topics of my articles tend to sway toward serious human rights violations we need to take an active stand against. When debating on what groups of people were exploited this week, I was brought to the attention of an interesting issue by my good friend Tim.

Although human rights and civil liberties are important issues we should constantly be keeping an eye on, for human rights activists such as myself it’s nice to take a moment and have a good hard laugh at the absurd world we live in.

Last week, Texas State Representative Betty Brown proposed that Asian-Americans should change their names because “they’re too hard to pronounce.”

“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?” Brown said.

This is horribly offensive to anyone and everyone, not just Asian-Americans. But instead of causing uproar about it, I think the more productive thing to do is laugh.

She was actually dumbfounded when a representative of the Organization of Chinese Americans couldn’t quite understand how the hell she could say something like that.
Brown said, “Can’t you see that this is something that would make it a lot easier for you and the people who are poll workers if you could adopt a name just for identification purposes that’s easier for Americans to deal with?”

Just laugh your little heart out. At all the devastation and disappointment we deal with in the world, I thank Betty Brown for giving me my daily dose of humor. It allows me to bite the bullet when people deny the problems in China or Troy Davis continues to be wrongfully accused. The Betty Browns of the world keep me going during times of despair. Hopefully someday the biggest problem I have to tackle in human rights and civil liberties will be another Betty Brown acting equally as mad.

IPOD DIPPING: Week I. GENERAL LIST

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Music is often hard to come by, and sometimes the best music is recommended to you by someone else. Thus, we have created a weekly (and sometimes themed) IPod dip for you guys to enjoy and listen to.

CONNIE'S LIST
1. Flume - Bon Iver
2. Mimizan - Beiruit
3. Ben Folds - Adelaide
4. Vanished - Crystal Castles
5. Love Story - Taylor Swift
6. Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors (feat. David Byrne)
7. Train Song - Feist (feat. Ben Gibbard)
8. Deep Blue Sea - Grizzly Bear
9. Fake Empire - The National
10. With a Girl Like You - David Sitek
11. Glory Box - Portishead
12. Kissing a Fool - Michael Buble

AISTE'S LIST
1. Easy/Lucky/Free - Bright Eyes
2. Don't Go Easy - Jill Barber
3. Astronaut - Wintersleep
4. Mariel's Brazen Overture - Margot & the Nuclear So and So's
5. Details in the Fabric- Jason Mraz (feat. James Morrison)
6. The Tape - annuals
7. Girl in the War - Josh Ritter
8. Factory - Martha Wainwright
9. Fireflies - Rhett Miller (feat. Rachael Yamagata)
10. Hold on, Hold on - Neko Case
11. Sweet and Low - Augustana
12. Be Mine - Robyn

SAM'S LIST

1. Summer Skin- Death Cab for Cutie
2. Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse- Minus the Bear
3. The World at Large- Modest Mouse
4. Gives You Hell- All-American Rejects
5. Ever So Sweet- The Early November
6. Go Go Gadget Flow- Lupe Fiasco
7. If I Ever Leave This World Alive- Flogging Molly
8. Everlong- Foo Fighters
9. Bassment Party- The Cool Kids
10. What Up Man- The Cool Kids
11. Leave- Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
12. Girl- The Beatles

JESSICA'S PLAYLIST
1. Long Haired Child- Devendra Banhart
2. Y Control- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3. To Go Home- M. Ward
4. At Least That's What You Said- Wilco
5. Mama, You've Been On My Mind - Bob Dylan and Joan Baez
6. Something - Beatles
7. She Moves Me- Muddy Waters
8. Bring it On Home- The Animals
9. I Want You (She's So Heavy)- Beatles
10. Objects of my Affection- Peter, Bjorn, and John
11. Rock Lobster- B52s
12. Alice- Tom Waits

ALAINA'S PLAYLIST
1. Skinny Love- Bon Iver
2. From the Hips- Cursive
3. Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
4. Halo - Anathallo
5. 84' Sheepdog - As Cities Burn
6. Dance, Dance, Dance - Lykke Li
7. 15 Step - Radiohead
8. Sleeping Sickness- City and Colour
9. Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
10. Ocean Breathes Salty - Modest Mouse
11. Caravan - Van Morrison
12. Moving Mountains - Thrice

KADY'S LIST
1.my girls- animal collective
2.names- cat power
3. john wayne gacy, jr.- sufjan stevens
4. stay golden- au revoir simone
5. she's the one- caribou
6. skinny love- Bon Iver
7. neva dinova- did you disappoint your god?
8. service bell- feist & grizzly bear
9. tiny vessels- death cab for cutie
10. she loves everybody- chester french
11.the beat- tilly and the wall
12. hit the switch- bright eyes

$2 Off Snuggle Creme

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:49:00 +0000

College kids need some money off of what ever they can get--especially if they smell the way that they do. Snuggle Creme has offered our readers a $2 off coupon on their new exotic fabric softener scents. Snuggle leaves your clothes feeling smooth, soft, and delightfully fresh to wear. So go ahead, treat yourself and your clothes.

Snuggle Creme is available in two indulgent scents - Sweet Almond and Jojoba Essence - rich, creamy textures and delicate fragrance designed to leave your clothes feeling smooth.

For your $2 off Coupon, click here.

Quit it! College Gals & The New Tax Hike on Ciggarettes

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:56:00 +0000

Printer's Row- Chicago, IL Image courtesy of M e l t.

If you are a smoker, then a new federal tax hike may be another reason to quit smoking. Infact, when paying up for another Lucky Pack O' Smokes, you may be entitled to pay an extra 62 cents. This is obviously a cause of vexation to most since the price has been up 40 percent higher since early March. Recently, Tobacco companies have already been preparing for this new increase by anticipating the change and raising their costs. No matter what you smoke-- be it tobacco, snuff, or cigars, the federal hike will be issued. Since college students already shell out a lot of cash for their clothing, tuition, food, and general entertainment needs, it is apparent that the add-on will cause a stir in the minds of many a student. I know that even a few of my own friends love to take frequent casual smoke breaks when the weather calls for it. Since its Spring, the weather definitely calls for it. Who knows, perhaps this can be more motivation to get on the patch and live your life actively as a non-smoker (even though the nicotine hurts so good!).

What is your take on the matter? How do you feel about the federal tax hike on Tobacco? As a smoker or non-smoker, do you think it will have a huge impact on your health and spending habits? Discuss brethren!

Women & Culture: Harrowing Laws On Rape In Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Lee-Anne) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:34:00 +0000

Afghan woman with her fiancee. Married Afghan women seldom continue their schooling. More Information & Image Courtesy of BHowdy.

We like to think there are some things that are universal no-nos. You don’t necessarily have to believe there are “universal human rights” because of cultural variations (even though you should!), but it seems certain acts are deemed outrageous no matter what society you live in. Rape is considered one of those. Even in aboriginal cultures, rape has only negative connotations, an act usually reserved for the worst of war crimes. However, “the times they are a-changin” in the most horrifying of ways.

The Independent newspaper published an article this week on the “legalization of rape” in Afghanistan. The law requires “women to obey their husband's sexual demands and stipulates that a man can expect to have sex with his wife at least ‘once every four nights’ when travelling, unless they are ill. The law also gives men preferential inheritance rights, easier access to divorce, and priority in court.” It allows husbands to rape their wives without any consequence.
Many criticize President Hamid Karzai’s rush to get the bill passed by Parliament saying he is trying to appease fundamentalists before elections in August.

Any rational, intelligent human being would read this bill and feel sick. There is no way allowing rape of women is “preserving traditional” culture. Why in the world would Afghanistan want to legally strip women of their rights? There is one reason I’ve been grasping at to see if there is any way to justify these actions.

It‘s the norm for Middle Eastern countries to band together with a common enemy: the West, specifically the United States. I don’t necessarily blame them. We tried to impose our culture and morals on their societies and when they didn’t want it, we invaded them. We tried to let them give up their access to oil to us without a fight but when they said they would defend their country from our capitalist motive, we bombed them. We aren’t exactly the poster country for foreign policy. Middle Eastern countries like Afghanistan may be stripping their cultures of western influences and emphasizing fundamental traditions that are unlike ours. Women’s rights are a western movement that the Middle East is trying to prevent from spreading. It seems allowing women to be legally raped is the absolute final way of combating women’s rights and taking women’s power away from them for generations to come?

I put a question mark because I just couldn’t keep trying to justify it. I wrote this article for my school's newspaper and left out swearing but I'll leave it in for here: HOLY FUCK THIS IS CRAZY!!!!!!!! President Karzai should be arrested for passing this sickening bill just to win a few votes.

What the Tweet?: Making Sense of Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:03:00 +0000

So, what exactly is a Twitter? In reality a "tweet" is the utterance of a bird to another, in which they exchange a "twitter." But in the the intarweb, what exactly does it mean to "Tweet," and why has it become the next best thing? After all, celebrities are immersing themselves in it completely. Ellen devoted a long monologue to it after she found out that Martha Stewart and Ludacris were using it. Ashton Kutcher, who hasn't been seen since his Punk'd days, linked a sexy picture of his wife in a bikini steaming his suit. All I can say is: Dump him fast, Demi.

Well, to first clear up any confusion, Twitter is a way to stay communicated with friends, family, and co-workers through the exchange of simple answers and questions. The effect is a timely entry that could inform a big group of people that you may not be able to make it to class on time, that you're having a big party, or that you just saw James Franco sleeping in your lecture hall. Think of it as a mass-text messaging system. The whole idea may remind you of Facebook's status entries where you tell everyone what is going through your mind in a simple and short sentence.

In order for your twitter to be out there, you need to "follow" in hopes of being "followed." The idea sounds somewhat stalker-ish, but that is because it kind of is. On Facebook, you can choose who you want to be friend and they can either accept your request or deny it. On twitter, there is no justification: you can follow them regardless if they agree to it or not. However, you do not necessarily have to follow them back. It is kind of an Internet narcissism, respectfully.

TWITTER LEXICON:
@: At reply. By typing @username in your tweets, you can single out one person specifically. Like if you were to send a message to us, it would be @artschoolscum.

DM: Direct Message. A private message that appears in your Twitter inbox. You can only direct message people who follow you.

RT: Retweet. A tweet that you enjoy so much you want to let all your followers know about it.

Nudge: A way of letting letting someone know you want them to tweet more. This feature can only be used if the person twittered via mobile phone.

Apple Has Done it Again!

noreply@blogger.com (AisAisBaby) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Yes, you guessed it! Apple has once again reinvented one of their older products. I would like to start off by saying that I do not condone the Mac vs PC battle that so many people seem to be very passionate about. Instead, I choose the product that appeals to me and is also a reasonable price. With that said, Apple has come out with a new model of the iPod Shuffle. Not only do you get an iPod Shuffle but you also get an authentication chip inside the iPod that does not allow you to reverse engineer the headphone case. The chip is quite important as this new Shuffle does not have any buttons on it. To use this iPod you would need to buy the headphones compatible with it - whether they are Apple or a different brand. However, this forces companies that want to manufacture compatible headphones to pay Apple the authorization fee. This feat is by no means new when it comes to Apple. They have done this with many, many of their products. Still, this is another way Apple is making money.

As we all know, there are big markets that surround Apple products and accessories for them so we will see plenty of companies - including Apple with the licensing fee - cashing in for this product. Not only that, but Apple has made the new Shuffle so inconvenient for everyday use that they will have to come out with its own line of accessories. The problem with this model, once again, is that it has no buttons on it. Therefore, connecting it to a regular stereo or a car jack is impossible because there would be no way to control it. This shows how far Apple is willing to go to make money.

Even with that, I think few people will really care and will continue to buy these overpriced products for the brand name. Personally, I think a lot of Apple products are overrated because of its sleek design and popularity. I myself own an iPod Touch and I am extremely happy with it, but it does have its faults and I wouldn't mind trying out different brands, if I had money that is... but the economy is an entirely different issue.

Free Stuff! Sign up with VS Pink Nation and get a free gift!

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:59:00 +0000

For a limited time only, VS Pink Nation is providing a special gift for anyone who signs up at their website. After you sign up, there is a redeemable voucher for you to receive your free gift at a local VS Pink store. The new "secret" club will provide its members some exclusive offers and free gifts! The club will also offer latest news about the Pink brand in case inquiring minds wanted to know. Apparently, you also get a $10 off a $35 purchase if you sign up right now. So get off your hiney and do it! It's free!

Fashion Blogs: Girls That Will Help You Scope Out Your Inner Fashionzilla!

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Image courtesy: Jane Alderidge of Seaofshoes.com

There have been times where I would rummage through my closet and never know what to wear. As a result of said rummaging, I end up with a number of clothes on the floor. Piles and piles of skirts, heaps of tanks, and random shoes that have lost their counterparts decorate my floor like a Jackson Pollock painting. Trying to be innovative, I also tend to pair the wrong things together. I found a few fashion blogs that could help girls like me put together outfits they may find in their closet, their mother's closet, or at a vintage shop. Never again do girls like us need to go out looking like pinatas...and thank god for that.

1.Sea of Shoes
Jane Alderidge (pictured above) of Seaofshoes.com blogs with photos of her unique fashion ensembles. Some of the clothes she wears are a bit on the pricey end, but her style has a very edgy, vintage, and youthful elegance. Jane is currently featured in this month's Vogue Girl Korea with nine other fashion bloggers. Jane is only 17 and she suggests not taking fashion too seriously--she tries not to follow trends too closely, either. She advocates matching by color.
Other notable fashion bloggettes: PrettyLegit, Childhood Flames, Fashion Squad, Professionally Trendy, Le Blog De Betty, Bunny Bisous, Lisa Place, Style Rookie, Carla's Closet, Style Bytes, and Fashion Toast.

2.Chictopia
I love Chictopia.com because you can search for images based on any body type imaginable. Generally, girls post photos of themselves in their creatively put together fashion mix-and-matches. I like to see which girls have been viewed the most each week and month to stay current on what looks are in. If you like something that a person is wearing, the brands are sometimes listed on the side for you.

3.Lookbook.nu
Much like Chictopia, Lookbook.nu is a collection of photos from fashionably conscious youngins like you! The site provides good fashion ideas for both men and women. This is good because not only will you drool over a great pair of heels, but you'll drool over the well-dressed guys. Well played, Lookbook, well played.

Unisex sites like this: The Sartorialist, Style Sightings, and Street Peeper.

I hope that all those sites are just gateways to other sites you guys can bookmark as well. Fashion can be more than just a drag, it could be an illuminating form of self expression. Why not walk around and express yo self, girl!? Ok, shoot me before I pull a Tyra on all of you guys.

Stay classy, Lassies!

Puck FETA

noreply@blogger.com (sam) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +0000

People, people, people...when will young people stop supporting the fascist regime that is PETA? I am far from immune to crying every time I see a movie on their clusterfuck of a website, I must admit. And I respect those who are vegan/vegetarian. However, nothing pisses me off more than a bunch of self-righteous , PETA loving, vegans/vegetarians flooding facebook with photos of bloody, sad-looking, animals, propaganda, and angry messages to the murderous meat-eaters they for some reason haven't deleted from their friends lists. I literally have nothing to say to people like that. Why? They're usually too dumb and closed-minded to understand an intelligent argument. If you're one of those people, STOP. Stop spewing your bullshit PETA propaganda, stop spreading their lies, and stop giving people who actually give a damn about animals a bad name. If you're truly passionate about animal welfare (note: NOT animal rights, what the fuck would a sea cucumber do with rights, honestly?) there are plenty of deserving animal welfare groups out there if you're really concerned about the issue.

If you want the short and dirty list of why PETA is bullshit, read on:

PETA KILLS ANIMALS: No, seriously, it's true. How can an organization that truly cares about animals allow something like this to happen? Even if they DIDN'T know about it, PETA has yet to come out with a legitimate statement or apology for the incident.
THEY HAVE NO SHAME: PETA has a portion of it's website dovoted to "educating" young children about the horrific crimes mommy and daddy are committing to their beloved farm-dwelling friends. Who in their right mind would turn a small child against their family with propaganda like that? Following the ranks of guerilla armies in war-torn countries, oh yeah, and Hitler, PETA loves telling children just exactly how they should feel about "animal rights," with fun activities like "Which Skelanimal Are You?" and "Create Your Own Sea Kitten" (you heard right, sea kitten is the "fun" new term PETA decided to give fish to make them too cute to eat.)
THEIR MISSION IS TOTAL ANIMAL LIBERATION: You heard right, sports fans, TOTAL animal liberation. Not only do they want to see an end to all circuses, animal testing regardless of its purpose (cancer, HIV/AIDS studies, etc.) but also, therapy dogs, zoos, shelters, even pets. That's right, all you PETA supporters with pets are already breaking one of PETA's cardinal rules. Way to go, asshole.
THEY SUPPORT DOMESTIC TERRORISM: As stated in RFDAmerica.com, "PETA’s IRS 990 forms show that PETA donated to the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front, the largest domestic terrorist groups in the U.S, which has confessed of committing over $10,000,000 worth of damage to buildings, defacing property, even mailing death threats, to spread its political agenda. PETA’s donations are as following: $1,500 to the North American Earth Liberation Front in 2001, $45,200 to Rodney Coronado, who was convicted of burning down a research lab. Another $25,000 in an un-returnable loan went to his father the previous year, $2,000 to David Wilson convicted of firebombing a bird co-op, $5,000 to Josh Harper, convicted of assaulting police, a firing at a fishing boat, and $ 1,500 to Fran Trutt convicted of attempting murder of a medical Doctor. Yes, attempted murder."
THEY EXPLOIT WOMEN: Using ad campaigns that include female nudity is nothing new, but PETA takes things to to a higher, much sleazier level, I'm talking Axe Body Spray-sleazy. Along with their more well known "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign, PETA has taken to having pairs of women, wearing nothing but bikinis, making out, and brandishing signs that say "Vegetarians make better lovers." Seriously, WHAT THE FUCK?!

I will always do my best to support the fight for animal welfare, but PETA is not the best thing for that fight. I strongly believe that neither people NOR animals should be exploited. Most of what I have to say beyond these points can be found at PETAKillsAnimals.com. The next time a PETA supporter wants to make you feel bad about your "poor lifestyle choices" you've got a little facts to back you up, if you think they'll listen.

Economy? WTF IS THAT?!

noreply@blogger.com (alaina.africano) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:38:00 +0000

The word “economy” has just been thrown around so much these past few months, that I am beginning to think people don’t know what the hell it means.

Okay, so before I start pretending like I know what I am talking about I will straight up say I have never taken an economy class in my life, not because I don’t want to but I never really thought about the importance of such fiscal knowledge until this “crisis.” With the reoccurring “DOW down 600pts today” or the use of “stabilizing and reviving” I honestly feel that I NEED to start learning more about the fundamentals of economics. I have begun my quest of self-learning and continuous visits to recovery.gov (which I think is one of those puzzle things from the DaVinci Code). Let me just say, I would love to know the number of Americans who actually 100% fully understand and can coherently read recovery.gov.

I feel like this is a reoccurring problem for many Americans. We don’t care unless it is affecting us. I think a mandatory economics class is just as important as the mandatory government class in high school. I think we should be teaching early on and more of environmentally friendly ways of life too. And of course implementing the theory of life long learners and teaching yourself!

It just seems we, as Americans, you could say are—procrastinators. Until we have the threat of polar bear attacks on us because of the rapid melting of their environments pushing them into southern civilized regions…that’s when we will think about carbon footprint awareness. Until our economy has completely been flushed down the shitter and total anarchy erupts because of the conspiracy that Obama is the ant-Christ…then maybe we will start saving our pennies instead of spending on products such as the fucking Snuggie.

Or maybe, just maybe, one day the youth will sit down and pick up a book. No, not Harry Potter, but maybe one like the fuckin' dictionary or their Sociology textbooks to learn some useful information instead of downloading the fart application on their iPhones.

Photo by DavidDMuir.

Fuck My Life.

noreply@blogger.com (alaina.africano) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:16:00 +0000

"Today, I called the florist and ordered a flower arrangement for my grandma, who I was told was sick. I said I didn't know what to get her, so just to send her something nice. I got a call from my mom calling me an inconsiderate bastard. They sent my grandma forget-me-nots. She has Alzheimers." --FML

We all say it on a regular basis...well, I do at least.

A new phenomenon is sweeping the procrastination hours of individuals across the nation. Let me introduce something I'd like to call fmylife.com.

This website reminds me of a giant clusterfuck of complaints in a twitter. It is a blog dedicated to the horrible, embarrassing, belittling things that happen to everyday individuals. They even have categories on the right hand side of the page that will speedily take you to all the FML responses about kids, or the workplace.

I would be lying if I said this site doesn't reside on my bookmark toolbar and that I don't check it a few times a day. But let me just say, if you feel you are having a bad day...trust me, people have bigger issues. I often think about the lacking validity or these posts, like are they even true, but my thoughts are immediately clouded with a "who gives a shit" cause my situation seems trivial and could be a lot worse than these fake or maybe real responses.

So I guess the point of this is to tell you about a sweet new website to indulge in and waste your time.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Homework Neverdone

Heads Up! Chinese Prime Minister Jiabao gets shoe flung at face.

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Lee-Anne) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:51:00 +0000

Earlier in the week, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao was making a speech at Cambridge University in England when a protester stood up in the auditorium and threw his shoe at Jiabao. The protester then asked why Cambridge would allow business with this “dictator,” according to the BBC News.

It seems overall, witnesses were ashamed of this protester and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the incident despicable. But was it really that uncalled for?

Jiabao was there to sign trade agreements with the UK. Brown realizes that China’s rising success is something that the UK should partner up on. In this poor economical state it makes sense you’d do what you could to make sure your nation prospers, but… China?

China’s record for human rights violation is long. Too long. According to Amnesty International, some of the major violations include torture, excessive use of the death penalty, unlawful arrests for freedom of speech, violence and oppression of women, oppression of religion, banning websites and editing news content, and murder and oppression of neighboring countries like Tibet.

When the Olympics were in the news China lightened up on banning websites to give us human rights activists a bone to chew on. As soon as things died down, China once again restricted many human rights, pro-democracy, and common news websites. They even edited the translation of President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech.

Now I know China has a booming economy that everyone wants to get their hands on, but to what cost? As far as I’m concerned, the UK is now partners with a nation that does not abide by international law.

Most people would say who cares about China? That’s the way their country is and we shouldn’t have to be bothered by it. Think about it: if this is okay for China and the US starts to become closer with them, then what’s to stop it from being okay for the US? The US’s human rights record is far from spotless. What if all of a sudden you couldn’t watch CNN or take a philosophy class? I’m sure back in the day Chinese citizens didn’t expect it.

I’m glad that protester stood up against that oppressive criminal. Throwing a shoe may have been a little overboard, but it is time people stop thinking about what’s best for the economy and start thinking about what’s best for people.

After all, Ronald Reagan once said, “A government can’t control the economy without controlling the people.” I sure as heck don’t want to be “controlled,” and I hope you wouldn’t stand for it either.

Valentine's Day for the Neutral

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Image courtesy of HungKT's Blog

The one thing I ever really liked about Valentine's day was all of the chocolate and the fact that everything came in a heart shape. As an eight-year-old girl, Valentines Day meant to stock up on heart shaped erasers, pencils, and various heart-toting stuffed animals. Now, as an adult, I do not love Valentine's day because it's the time of year for my boyfriend (or lack thereof) to spend ridiculous amounts of money on flowers, candy, and other really expensive gifts. Now, as an adult, I love Valentine's day because I can readily find heart shaped bowls, cute underthings, and the seasonal Little Betty Be My Valentine cakes. I cannot find these things at all during Halloween, and just the thought of that is simply frowned upon!

Okay, so my point. I'm getting to it.

Theres a center of a really vast continuum where girls like me have a tendency to stand. We are not girls who who cry over not having anybody to make out with on Valentine's Day. We are not girls who embrace the holiday completely and have sex with anyone in sight, especially if they give us chocolate (although, now that I think of it...the idea may not be so bad...yeah no.) We are also not girls that completely hate the holiday within itself. Sure, some say its a "fabricated Hallmark Holiday," but I say fabricated shmabricated! We are "the neutral," and for us, the fake puke inducing holiday can stay...as long as there's a cute set of underwear in it for us.

Target seems to be getting the idea for selling to the "Neutral Valentine-er Crowd..." Cute, girly, dormy, and affordable!

Yep. I was wrong.

noreply@blogger.com (alaina.africano) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Transfer (v.) - to move (someone or something) from one place to another

It’s not you it’s me.

That’s the one phrase we say to take the blame and guilt when a relationship goes sour. I’d like to think of attending college as a serious relationship; it consumes most of my time, energy, attention, and money.

As seniors in high school, we embark on a collegiate adventure to find a college that best suits us and our intended areas of study. But what if the person you were a year or two ago is different then the person that stands before you today? Is transferring just a big hassle? Is a degree a degree no matter where it’s from?

Well, that is where this dilemma is proposed. I recently have been thinking long and hard about my education, which has led to my contemplation of transferring. The hardest part is getting over the shame and insincerity of a 20,000-dollar decision, and to finally say, “Yep. I was wrong.”

Maybe I didn’t look at enough colleges or maybe it is just as simple as I’ve changed. Change is inevitable. So am I to look for a college that can mature, adapt, and adjust to my needs? Does that exist?

I feel if I am experiencing all these unanswered questions then it is time to address them properly. More importantly, I think if anyone else is experiencing this predicament that it is important to know that there are always options. Looking into other schools won’t hurt anyone—except the person that wishes they made a different decision.

Sincerely,
Uneasy Stomach

Trends: Spring/Summer 2009 Color-riffic nails!

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:07:00 +0000

As a beauty-savvy eight year old, I made sure that I owned every color of bon-bons nail polish imaginable. As I grew up and went to middle school, I chucked the tiny bottles away and saved up for a jet-black. Then there was high school where I managed to somehow bring red back into style. Last summer, I was amazed at all the colored nails the fashion-forward celebs would don. Rihanna's nails would be a canary yellow or a lime, and Lauren Conrad would somehow wear any color that has ever existed and still manage to look like a classy lady. It took me a year to be brave and actually get a color that I haven't worn since I was an avid Spice girl fan. Every time I went to an Ulta, I would gawk at the bright colors and question whether or not I should risk spending a good $9.00 on yellow nail polish if I was only going to wear it once. Thus, I resulted in buying NYC nail polishes. NYC is very inexpensive and will cost you probably nothing more than a dollar per nail polish. Sinful Colors can be found at Walgreen's and are also inexpensive ranging about 2 bucks per bottle. Be careful though, cheaper nail polish may need a few more coats than usual to look right. LA Girl's FLARE collection can be found at Urban Outfitters and Forever 21, and usually don't cost more than 5 bucks per bottle. My flare polish was a bit thick so I took a dropper and dropped a few drips of acetone in it to loosen up the paint. That is a perfect trick to use on old nail polish that has clumped up, as well!

So, in conclusion, be brave girls. Be brave! You may think that a crazy color on your nails may be too exhibitionist of you, but actually...it's pretty stylish and trendy. You may even get a few positive comments. Your nails can never get too gaudy unless you decide to get really long false ones...then I suggest you get a nail clipper...stat.

The "Best" Book Ever Published!

noreply@blogger.com (AisAisBaby) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:18:00 +0000

I'm sure everyone is well aware of the huge craze that is Twilight. I have read the first two books and half of the third one. I have also watched the movie and I find the series to be a huge disappointment. I would also like to mention that, in my opinion, the series is simply a trend. Still, I did not want to write about how much of a fad it has become or even how much I disliked the writing itself. What frustrates me the most is the characters that Stephanie Meyer has created and the message that I feel this book is sending.

So, I'll just begin with a brief summary of the characters and the plot. Bella, the main character who moves from Arizona, receives a warm welcome from the new high school she is attending in Forks, Washington. She's quite reluctant about making new friends but everyone is drawn towards her for obvious superficial reasons, etc. The guys compete for Bella's attention while the girls are clearly jealous. Bella rejects all of them because of her uncontrollable attraction to Edward Cullen, the unattainable vampire. As it is described in the book, Edward and the rest of the Cullen's are physically perfect with flawless skin and beauty that cannot be matched. They fall in love with each other for no apparent reason other than pure physical attraction and because Bella smells good and Edward is repulsed by her to begin with. I'm pretty sure she was intrigued by that.

Whatever, I may be a psych nerd but I already have a huge problem with this. I'm a big believer in self-esteem and healthy relationships and this plot completely destroys any sense of self worth that someone could possibly have. Yes, physical attraction is fantastic and I do think it's important but it's very limiting and it is often disguised as "love" and it sure as hell isn't. It confuses me that girls are crazy over Edward because he's actually just psychotic and creepy. It is not normal to watch someone sleep every day for months.

This is an actual conversation:
"He watches her as she sleeps!"
"So? It's cute!"
"What?! Would you like it if [insert current boyfriend's name] watched you sleep?"
"No, ew, that's different."
"It isn't. Point made."

Edward watches her every day. He follows her around and they spend all of their time together. She refuses to make friends with the rest of the kids at her school. This is not a healthy relationship. To put it bluntly, it is immature and it is reminiscent of a teenage relationship where everything is based on sex/sexual attraction because real values have not been defined yet. Her relationship with Jacob Black was much more realistic - for those who have read the books.

More importantly, because Edward has a difficult time resisting Bella's blood, they cannot be sexually intimate. The obvious underlying message here is abstinence. This is a whole 'nother issue, but I don't see sex as some kind of an immoral problem, so my opinion is probably very different to some people. With that said, I do find it ridiculous to preach abstinence because it's quite unrealistic. Don't get me wrong, I don't think sex should be taken lightly, but no one's gonna strike you down if you indulge before marriage.

I wanted to write a paragraph on what real love actually is and what we should be teaching to the next generation but I honestly have no clue. I don't think love is objective and I certainly don't believe it has any rules - I can't understand my own attraction sometimes. I do, however, think that we should be moving towards equality in relationships and towards establishing a sense of self that so many of us lose when we enter into relationships with a false premise or "experience" of the other individual. I could probably write hours about how we "experience" others and how we sort of create people in our heads but I will leave it at that.

On a final note, I do find that people who think real love is being demonstrated in novels like Twilight are quite mislead. Also, if you genuinely enjoy the books don't hate on me, but I would appreciate criticisms on any of the aforementioned views anyways.

Return to the Island! : The secret confessions of a LOST fan.

noreply@blogger.com (Connie O.) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:12:00 +0000

It is not uncommon to find me and my family members huddled by the television set on Wednesday nights. My parents, who are just about as foreign as foreign can get, never really cared if they'd miss an episode or two of their favorite TV shows. Honestly, it was all about hunting and gathering where they were from. In fact, I'm not quite sure they had "Green Acres" televised in their villages, or if they ever even owned a TV set in general. However, when I watched the last four seasons of LOST over the summer, my parents suspiciously wondered what was going on with me and why their precious little girl wasn't going to the pool or taking a nice walk outside. Of course, my parents were under the suspicion was that I was on some sort of mind altering drug and that by locking myself up in my room, I was trying to hide from their wrath. Though that wasn't necessarily the case, I slowly came to realize that what my parents thought was ironic. My mind was definitely altered and I was definitely addicted; but not to drugs. The funny part was that they were addicted, too. My parents, who commonly fall under the category of primitive folk, put aside their non-English TV shows for the best show in the world. If my parents love it, chances are its a good show.

After getting caught up with all the episodes, following theories, and forming some special theories of my own, the main reasons why LOST is considered such a good show to some and such a crappy one to others became much more apparent. LOST is a mind game, the show calls for the audience to pay attention to details and to make a commitment to the show by watching it chronologically. In other words the audience must think, devote their time to the show, and logically piece the puzzle together since time flashes back to the past and into the future. The audience must also be prepared to lose their favorite character at any moment. Its a crazy mind game.

The most important question that both LOST lovers and haters keep asking is "When will all the questions be answered?"

The answer is to simply trust what the writers and producers are doing. The producers of the show signed on for only six seasons and know exactly what they need to discuss and what exactly will happen in the end. The audience must have faith that it will end well. Another answer may also be that you are not thinking deep enough. Some of the answers you are looking for have already been answered with subtle hints. The trick is to think.

This season also has me all riled up with the surprise appearance made my Dr. Hallowax, Daniel's uncanny physicist ability to be unstuck in time, and the great possibility that the old oracle lady could possibly be Daniel's mom. Possibly. Its becoming a crappy setback for those on the island since they have no idea where they are in time. For those off of the island, they must deal with the law and Charles Widmore-- is it possible for all six to get back to the island? Even Locke? Can Desmond be a good enough constant for Daniel in order to fix the time travel problem? Will he meet up with him at Oxford? Will Jin return?

We'll never know unless we watch.

LOST can be seen every Wednesday night at 9/8 c on ABC.

Gitmo is Closing: A Human Rights Victory!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Lee-Anne) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:07:00 +0000

They tortured him. They poured cold water over his head, shocked him, and hung him upside for hours on end. They beat him, starved him, unleashed dogs on him, and kept him in a 6.5 by 8 feet cell. He is 19 year old Murat Kurnaz, a German citizen, who had been traveling to Pakistan in 2001 to study Islam. They are the U.S. military officials at Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo for short) detention center in Cuba.

Many U.S. citizens have no idea what Guantanamo Bay is and what happens there. Usually their only information comes from pop culture movies like Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo. But the truth is not funny and it is real.

According to human rights activist organization Amnesty International’s website www.amnesty.org, Former President George W. Bush’s administration chose Guantanamo Bay to send detainees “to a place where they believed neither U.S. nor international law applied.” Hundreds of political prisoners have been arrested and falsely accused for terrorist crimes they have nothing to do with. They are detained illegally, usually being sold from Middle Eastern countries to the U.S. with a bounty price. These prisoners are held without charge and almost no hope of a fair trial or release. It is something that has been going on for years and continues to this day.

According to an article from www.defenselink.mil, as of March 14, 2008, 280 people were in custody at Guantanamo, the youngest being 13 years old when he was transferred to Guantanamo in 2002. Only 8% of detainees have any affiliation with Al Qaeda, according to a study done by Seton Hall University. This means that about 258 of that 280 prisoners are being held for no reason at all.

Between the torture , illegal detaining, and all out affront to human rights, citizens of the U.S. and all over the world have fought hard to close Guantanamo Bay by writing letters to senators, signing petitions, and educating the people of the U.S. about this horrific crime happening right under our noses. Our wishes have been granted.

President Barack Obama has officially signed an executive order to close down Gitmo. This is an amazing victory not just for human rights but for United States citizens. We are finally showing the world that torture will not be accepted under any terms in on our Earth.