Eruptin.com

Why Is Voting On Tuesday?

2012-02-23T15:43:00.001-05:00

By: Katy Irwin (@Katy_Irwin)

Ah, the smell of the election year. If it seems like the GOP's have had a new front runner every week, it's because the GOP's have had a new front runner every week.

But as the campaigning kicks into high gear by both parties, we have to ask. Why is voting done on Tuesdays?

Jacob Soboroff is determined to ask. As the executive director of the organization, Why Tuesday? he hopes to bring awareness to the fact that voting on Tuesday translates to one of the lower voter-turnout rates compared to most democratic societies.

Through the campaign, he hopes to ultimately move voting to...the weekend, where the turnout would, in theory be much higher.

Would you be more inclined to vote if the day was Saturday? Let us know on Twitter @Eruptin!

Chris Brown And Rihanna: Too Soon?

2012-02-23T11:11:00.001-05:00

By: Liza Dawson (@lizadawson)

“Our society is full of rappers (which I listen to) who have sold drugs (poisoning), .... But yet we glorify them and imitate everything they do. Then right before the worlds eyes a man shows how he can make a Big mistake and learn from it, but still has to deal with day to day hatred! You guys love to hate!!! But guess what???" HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY. Now! That's the ultimate F*&*OFF." –The always unpredictable, Chris Brown.

Chris Brown performed twice at the Grammys. Marked by blatant lip-synching and an unimpressive moonwalking pyramid dance, I was momentarily intrigued when he won an award and began to thank the Grammys for having him on to perform (again, why TWICE?!?!!?!?) and thought he maybe would use the platform to highlight how he’s changed and raise awareness about domestic violence issues. Nope. It ended there.

He also proceeded to tweet the above response to all his haters. Notice how he calls out illegal activity and then condones it in the same breath.

Also note how by his inherently flippant remarks he contradicts himself.

Concisely put: “He is not acting like a changed person. He is acting like a bitch.” There were COUNTLESS other, more talented artists who the Grammys could have chosen to perform; artists who don’t lip synch, and whose songs actually have meaning and serve as inspiration and consolation to thousands of lost children and teenagers, many of whom have been the victims of violence and hatred. Oh, say someone like GAGA? Come on Grammys, GET IT TOGETHER. She pulls way more viewers than Chris Brown ever will. But this is not about the Recording Academy’s obvious ignorance of Gaga.

It’s about “ a little bitch with a stank tude.”

Anyone remember the feud from when he stormed, shirtless, out of GMA last year after breaking a window?

While it is important to forgive, in this case, it is not important to forget. Don’t agree with me? Read the police report, or google Princess Riri’s disfigured face and you’ll remember the horror a mere 3 years ago.

Get him off the airwaves, off our screens, and absolutely DO NOT give him any endorsement deals.

The kid is talented, no doubt. It’s a waste of talent and a shame. But until he proves that he is a changed person who can acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and act like a GROWN man, I will have nothing but hate in my tweets for his sorry self.

'Celebrity Apprentice' Is Back! Episode 1 Recap

2012-02-21T20:46:00.002-05:00

Oh my god, how I've missed the Celebrity Apprentice.

This season, we've got a reality TV alumn trainwreck on our hands and can only pray we'll see NJ Housewife Teresa trying to flip a table. Clay Aiken complained he's tired of being known as the American Idol Runner-Up, and he wants to start being known as the "Celebrity Apprentice". But, uh, Clay, I think we can name more American Idol runner-ups than Celebrity Apprentices. Oh, and that's not what we first think of when we hear your name. Fly on the wall, anyone?

The contestants, like usual were split in two teams between the men and women, with the exception being Clay Aiken on the men's team.

Aubrey O'Day was offended she wasn't selected by her teammates as the 'most recognizable' because she 'has the most Twitter followers.'

The author of this post fell asleep after :14 minutes into the episode.

Maya Rudolph Kills It In 'SNL'

2012-02-20T16:13:00.001-05:00

By: Brittany Breen (@MTVBrittany)

SNL alumn Maya Rudolph took to the stage to host the latest episode of Saturday Night Live, and I think it was the best episode of the season. She played a hilarious Beyonce (see below), and an incredible First Lady. Take a look below.

My favorite part of the clip was Nasim Pedrad as Nicki Minaj!

Giants Victory: A Celebration of Victory and Depravity

2012-02-10T14:05:00.001-05:00

By: Porter Stanton

There were nearly a million Giant fans from all over the tri-state area expected to witness the much maligned Eli Manning come through the Canyon of Heros, atop a massive float, raising the Lombardi trophy above his head. An army of his supplicants out to whoop it up in the labyrinth of buildings that constitutes the cities financial center, as he passes triumphantly like a weird hybrid of Alexander The Great and Forrest Gump. That down home look of southern content that is consistently misinterpreted as a lack of intelligence or passion in places north of Louisville. The feature of his personality that has driven Giant fans crazy for the better part of a decade.

The general consensus is that Eli must lack intensity or the core human ability to ‘get angry’, the emotions most prized by the rabid fan. These are the emotions that feed their delusions, that they could do it better. The emotions that would make it impossible for the rabid fan to function with any efficiency in a critical situation, or, to come back from some devastating event on the field. If Eli Manning played with half of the emotion that these fans brought to the Meadowlands on an average Sunday he’d probably drop back for a pass, and immediately go into the fetal position and shake like a mental patient. The game simply cannot be played that way, a fundamental part of the game that the average fan cannot seem to grasp.

On the train I’d overheard a group of fans taking loudly about where the best vantage point would be. One of the men had been at the parade in 2007, and said that although the view would be best along Broadway, the scene at City Hall was going to get pretty wild. They agreed that this would be the place to go, and the distance the parade would have to travel would allow them plenty of time to get drunk before their heros arrived. This aspect seemed to be essential and by the time they were finished talking, I too was convinced that this was the way to go.

It took almost a half hour to fight through the crowd to the area that the NYPD had designated for viewing, which stretched for several blocks in front of Police Plaza. The cops had come out in a well orchestrated show of force, sealing off the area around City Hall to everyone who didn’t have a ticket to the event, or a press pass. The one flaw seemed to be a massive lack of police presence down on the side walk, were the vast majority of fans had gathered. There was only one officer that I could see and he was put in charge of making sure that no one stood on the tables in the outdoor common area, a business he took very seriously. The area is typically used by high-priced lawyers eating seven dollar grilled cheese sandwiches from the stand in the park, feverishly discussing their plans for the weekend until they rush off to witness another indictment. The officer seemed to have a pretty good grasp on the situation, every now and then he’d have to grab a kid off a table, or help a perpetually drunk coed to the grassy area to rest. “This is a hell of a lot easier than dealing with that mess in Zucchotti Park” he explained to me. “My partner and I opened up one of the tents down there- this is when we evicted the bastards- and the smell was so foul the poor guy just started puking all over the inside of the tent. A God damn mess if I ever saw one.”

Six weeks ago this scene would have been the farthest thing from the minds of most Giant fans- and pretty much anyone who pays any attention to the NFL, which according to ratings is a sizable chunk of the American public. The tumultuous relationship between Giant fans and the team- specifically Eli and the often ‘hot-seated’ coach Tom Coughlin- had reached a fevered pitch after a second loss to division rival, and consistent underachiever, Washington Redskins. Once again the Post and Newsday were calling for Coughlins job- a coach who has already won a Super Bowl in New York and, earlier in his career, took a Jacksonville team to the brink of another. If nothing else the team was consistent, losing again to what was commonly considered a lesser opponent.

Unlike the coach, the star Quarterback’s issues started immediately when he drew unwanted attention stemming from comments he made on a New York radio talk show. The typically reserved team captain commented on his stature in the game as being “Elite”, a claim that was met with a fair amount of criticism as soon as it left his mouth. The specter of this comment would be hanging just over his shoulder all season. The tag of Elite confirmed or denied with every touchdown and interception thrown. The whole thing seemed to make Eli play at level we’d never seen, though. Like a man on the run from law, a fast and loose improvisational style that- even if just for one season- made the Giants slew of injuries and inconsistency seem inconsequential. As long as Eli had the ball and two minutes on the clock, magical things were possible.

Eventually Eli’s personality became that of the whole Giants team. A sense that if you shook off mistakes and put your head down and went to work, that the game would somehow come to you. This Giants teamed proved, once again, that the single most important thing entering the playoffs is: the hottest team has the best chance. Regardless of regular season records. This certainly is a dangerous way to work. The environment this type of play creates may explain the rabid nature of the fans as well, for two months a team constantly on the brink of elimination would exhaust anyone’s patience.

There was a dull roar coming from down Broadway, and the alcohol fueled buzz in the crowd had become intensified. There was defiantly a sense that the intoxication level of the crowd was climbing as the vehicles in the parade approached. Even with all the booze and energy, the potential for trouble seemed low, spirits were high and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The whole place had filled in and was now standing room only, but even with the alcohol and all the excitement there was little more than a dull, claustrophobic frenzy like an audience just before a concert.

My cop friend had confiscated several unopened cans of Budweiser and had them sitting on the tables, when he was distracted with over zealous fans, I managed to fill my jacket pockets. With a beer in me, I was beginning to enjoy the spectacle and decided to make my way over as close to the gate as possible, to get a look at the trophy when it came by. Ticker tape began to fly from the office windows of dozens of buildings, raining down and whipping the massive crowd into a frenzy. The food vendors quickly began to close up shop, sensing things were about to get too rough to do any real business.

There was an ambulance pulling into the street where I had made my way to the gate. A man who was with a large group told me that a delivery boy had gotten in to an argument with the police when they wouldn’t let him cross the barricade to an office located on the other side of Broadway. When they finally opened the gate for him to cross, a fat woman with wild sideburns pushed through as well and allegedly made a Beeline toward a float carrying the first group of players. According to the man, a large Irish cop grabbed her, but she spun away from his grip only to have a female cop lay a savage shoulder right into the woman’s chest. “She hit the ground like a cinder block” the man claimed. “She was wild, screaming in Spanish. Screaming ‘Eli, Eli!’ IT’s like they unlocked Rikers Island!”

I decided I had heard enough and began making my move through the crowd toward Police Plaza and to the street. I’d made it about twenty yards before the deafening roar, and was picked up by a terrible surge forward. The people next to me were climbing on top of the coffee and sandwich stand and up into the trees. By the time I was able to turn around the car was right in front of me. From the top waving the big silver trophy was Eli, and that face like a dumb puppy smiling down on the surging crowd, like a jester who had some how become king.

Shoving my way like a dog through a group of wild Puerto Ricans, I finally made it to the back of the crowd. I took one last look at the madness, catching a glimpse of my cop friend flailing wildly at people, still desperately trying to keep them off of the picnic tables. They made a strong surge forward, and with a look of fear and surrender, he was swallowed by the chaos of stomping feet.

Outside the gates, I felt like I’d escaped. I stopped to get a beer and try not to think, knowing it would be impossible to get a cab, and the subways would be jammed with all manner of drunken degenerate, heading off in every direction, to long forgotten corners of the city.

In typical New York fashion, massive numbers turned out to celebrate the achievements of their once inadequate quarterback with the dumb puppy face. A dumb puppy packing a Howitzer and a heart that pumps ice water through the veins of one of the NFL’s most polarizing figures.

The next day several papers featured the Giants chances to repeat next year, in typical New York fashion, just a few short months away from warming up hot-seats and asking: What have you done for me lately?

Porter is a freelance journalist who has contributed to numerous national and international publications. A native of Savannah, Georgia, he began writing while at Vanderbilt University before leaving early to freelance in South America. Most of his work is in the form of political and participatory journalism. He considers himself one of the last true Southern Gentlemen.

2012 Seeds of Peace Annual Peace Market Set To Take NYC

2012-01-24T19:44:00.002-05:00

In 1993, Journalist John Wallach realized their wasn't enough being done to bring conflict in the Middle East. That's when he started an organization dedicated to empowering young people from places of conflict to give them skills to advance reconciliation and coexistence.

From 46 Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian teenagers in 1993, the organization has now expanded and now encompasses over 4,300 young people from around the world.

Every year, Seeds of Peace puts on a summer camp in Maine that brings people together from all over the world who open dialogue, encouraging participants to develop lasting empathy, respect, and confidence to other cultures.

The organization's biggest fundraiser of the year is their annual Peace Market.

Peace Market is an event unlike any other in New York City, drawing over 1,200 influential young professionals, an impressive line-up of celebrities and notable dignitaries, and a significant media presence.

The organization's biggest fundraiser of the year is their annual Peace Market.

This year's event will feature live celebrity musical entertainment and the hottest DJs, a VIP reception, and a live auction.

The Metropolitan Pavilion is transformed for one night as guests are immersed in the tastes, sights, sounds, and smells of a Middle Eastern and South Asian marketplace. Tickets include:

Open Bar all night
Middle Eastern and South Asian Cuisine
3rd Annual Hummus Taste-Off with celebrity judges
Live and silent auction
Celebrity guests and LIVE musical performances. Past celebrity guests include John Legend, Macy Gray, Bar Refaeli, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Natalie Portman

Pre-sale tickets are available at www.seedsofpeace.org/peacemarket2012/tickets. Pre-sale pricing will only be available through Wednesday, February 1st, or until the first 300 are sold.

All proceeds go to supporting the crucial work of Seeds of Peace.

About seeds of peace and YLC:  

Seeds of Peace is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower the next generation of young people with the leadership skills and cross-border friendships to promote lasting peace in some of the world's most tumultuous regions of conflict. Since its inception in 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated nearly 5,000 young people, called "Seeds", at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine, and supported them with year-round regional programming to help them pursue a life of coexistence and peace.    To support the work of

Seeds of Peace and the young leaders who represent the organization, Peace Market 2012 will take place on March 1st at the Metropolitan Pavilion, New York City. Peace Market is one of New York's premier fundraising events hosted by the Young Leadership Committee, a dynamic group of socially conscious young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who are emerging as leaders in their respective fields, have an interest in international affairs, and are committed to supporting the work of Seeds of Peace.

Couples Only: The Hotel Booking

2012-01-17T12:00:00.004-05:00

By: Kim R.

Over the Christmas holiday one of my best friends, Sarah got engaged to her longtime boyfriend Chris (and when I say longtime, I mean longgggggtime- 8 years…way to get on it Chris!)

Sarah and Chris are two of my favorite people so I was overjoyed with this news. In over 15 years of friendship, Sarah and I have been through a lot. Between boyfriends (about 50 of them combined), driving past boy’s houses we liked (yes, stalking), working at the Hallmark store in New Jersey where our boss was not only a slave driver but made me cry on a daily basis, driving by those same boy’s houses again, and crashing her car into a snow bank, we’ve done it all!

I should also mention that at the age of 14, Sarah gave me my first alcoholic beverage: a Malibu Bay Breeze. Yes, Sarah is that kind of friend.

The other day Sarah sent me an e-mail saying they picked the date and location for the wedding.

The date: April 20, 2013

The place: Antigua

My first thought? Where the hell is Antigua and how the hell do you pronounce it? (It’s a small island in the West Indies and pronounced an-TEE-gwa. The national bird is the Frigatebird. Thanks, Internet!)

My second thought? A destination wedding- Sweet! Who doesn’t want to go to the Caribbean, or get a tan, or drink frozen drinks with a little umbrella?

Even though the wedding's well more than a year away, the resort was having a one-day sale for 50% off the booking price.

And that’s when things got complicated.

First, let me tell you a few things about myself (in addition to having worked at the Hallmark Store). I am 28, live in New York City, have a great job, tons of friends...life is pretty good. You’re probably wondering why I left out the part about my “tall, handsome, successful, wonderful, amazing boyfriend with brown hair and blue eyes”.

That's because he does't exist (yet).

But hey, that’s ok! I’m totally content with the fact that the most stable relationship in my life recently is with my cleaning lady (Hi Alba!). Plus…. I work like 58 hours a week so who has time for a boyfriend right?!!? … #SingleGirlExcuses.

So, I went on the resort website, excited to book my all-inclusive trip to An-TEE-gwa. And have I failed to mention that World Travel Awards named the resort “World’s Most Romantic Resort” for the past 14 years in a row? Quite an honor.

As I’m typing my name into the website, I realize it automatically assumes you're coming as a “couple” and charges you for two people. Wait, what? How can they do that? How am I supposed to know what my relationship status will be 65 weeks and four days from now? You can’t charge me for someone who doesn't exist! And this isn’t even a single girl’s problem. Who knows who will be with whom in 65 weeks from now!

But it did.

They wouldn’t even let me book the trip unless I gave them the name of my guest and I couldn’t pass on hundreds of dollars of savings.

I panicked. OMG Who’s name should I give? One of my friend’s? My dog? An ex-boyfriend? Ryan Gosling?

I chose my Mom.

She's my emergency contact and the beneficiary of my life insurance policy, so it only seemed like the logical choice.

And then as I hit submit, I realized that the resort website was laughing at me. Chanting in Antiguan accent, “YOU ARE ALONEEEEEE KIM HAHAHAHAHAH! LOSER”.

I also imagined a voice saying, "JUST BECOME A CAT LADY AND DIE ALREADY KIM!!”.

Ok maybe I'm being dramatic with that last quote but they totally probably said that.

Believe me, I am used to the “why don’t you have a boyfriend?” question or the more subtle “sooo are you seeing anyone special?” comment, but it took booking a room on a website for a romantic resort to realize, “maybe, I should make this more of a priority in my life?"

I’d even recently taken pride in the fact that I don’t need a man to validate me or make me happy...and then here was this damn hotel trying to tell me that I was WRONGGGGGGGG.

It turns out I'm able to change the name of the second person on my reservation.

Sorry Mom, I love you and all but I'd much rather spend the weekend at the “World’s Most Romantic Resort” with Ryan Gosling (or at least someone who looks like him).

And I have 458 days to find him.

But, regardless if I do or not, I can’t wait to share a Malibu Bay Breeze with my best friend on her wedding day!

Follow Kim on her journey before Antigua as she writes updates on Eruptin.com!

Kim was born and raised in New Jersey. She currently resides in New York City where she works in the television industry. She enjoys morning news talk shows, peanut m&m’s and Friday Night Lights.

SNL Bashes GenY In 'You Can Do Anything' Skit

2012-01-15T11:47:00.017-05:00

By: Brittany Breen (@MTVBrittany)

Don't take it personally, but in this weekend's episode of Saturday Night Live, the show played fun at "the incredible high self-esteem of today's YouTube generation," who pretty much think they can do anything, without having ever done it before.

The skit consisted of a local show hosted by a Photo Blogger and Independent Film Maker. As guests came out on the set, they'd inadvertently blurt out nuggets of revealing truth.

Some of my favorite quotes from the skit:

"You're so self-promotional, and I love it"

"I'm full of unearned confidence"

"I'm Twitter-famous, meaning, not famous"

"Nobody has ever been honest with me about how mediocre I am"

"The world needs more singer/song writers and less doctors and engineers"

"If you think you're talented, then you are"

Check out the clip below!

Eruptin's Best Movies Of 2011

2011-12-29T19:22:00.033-05:00

7. Life In A Day

The film was a collaborative effort with hundreds of people uploading their YouTube videos from around the world. - Katy

6. X-Men First Class

First Class was the best film in the franchise thus far, leaving us wanting more. - Dustin

5. Drive

This movie was incredible and the soundtrack was amazing. - Aaron

4. Hugo

It's true about what they said, this movie lets you believe in the power of cinema again. - Katy

3. Moneyball

This movie was intelligent and captivating, and not just for the sports fan. - Aaron

2. Bridesmaids

A hilarious comedy that appealed to everyone, let's hope for a sequel! - Brittany

1. 50/50

The best movie of the year goes to 50/50 for its authenticity and ability to captivate the audience in a brilliantly written screenplay. - Aaron

A Shift In The Way We Think

2011-12-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

By: Anthony Chiaravallo

In our age, information has become the most valuable resource there is, and social media has exponentially multiplied our ability to share this information quickly and easily. As social entrepreneurs, we recognize the value of information and how it can be translated into wealth that benefits people, profit and planet. It is the current mentality of profit over everything, however, that is responsible for our myriad of global problems.

So despite all our globe’s various economic and political woes, the one true predicament we face is ultimately a crisis of consciousness. There is a deep rift in our thinking which says everything is worth sacrificing in the name of the bottom line. That is suicidal thinking, and our world will change for the better is a shift in our minds towards benefiting people, profit and planet. To address our world’s problems, it is important that we first start with this simple shift in our own consciousness.

The global crisis is actually good in that it presents an unparalleled opportunity to innovate, grow and evolve beyond our present paradigm. Our global reality is merely a macrocosm of our own individual selves, and their evolutions are intricately tied. The greatest spiritual texts of all time talk about our purpose in life as self-realization, knowing that societal evolution will follow. Our task is to awaken to an evolutionary impulse within ourselves in order to develop our gifts to their full potential and enact meaningful change in the world.

Social media has created a new globally connected subjective reality, and for the first time in history, a space for us to collectively envision a new world. This allows us to completely bypass traditional corporate controlled mainstream media and participate in the global conversation. Listen to your passions and make use of the new media tools to create a sphere of influence and do something you love that brings benefit to the world.

The advent of the information age has broken down the boundaries between the psychic and physical worlds, and our thoughts are manifesting as reality faster than ever. Use this to your advantage, as a global convergence of growth is now upon us. It is the duty of every entrepreneur to go through this process of growth in order to fulfill his or her own dreams, and in turn, the true potential of our civilization.

This was written for Eruptin.com and is the final piece in a four-part series.

Anthony Chiaravallo is a social entrepreneur, philosopher, musician and soul surfer. He is Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Conscious Connection digital magazine for 21^st century cultural creatives and has been published in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Washington Post discussing topics ranging from Global Sustainability to Music Education. By day, he works as a Marketing Consultant for some of the world’s largest and most well recognized brands and is also a featured contributor for several business marketing blogs. He can be reached at AChiaravallo@gmail.com.

Tapping the Social Media Revolution

2011-12-15T07:00:00.003-05:00

By: Anthony Chiaravallo

With the arrival of social media, we have seen extraordinary changes to every aspect of life. Revolutions that topple governments are literally springing up overnight on Twitter. Occupy Wall Street people connecting on Facebook are responsible for a global protest on a massive scale. The true potential of social media is just beginning to show us what it’s capable of.

So with our generation raised on social media as a part of life, it is crucial that we learn to utilize it to the fullest potential possible. For instance, I remember thinking Facebook was a great tool for self-promotion, but after reading Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends & Influence People in the Digital Age, I have since learned it is a far more powerful medium when used primarily for social engagement.

The best way to engage people through social media is by committing to posting a minimum of five times a day in which you ask others questions or their opinions. Rather than the usual nonsense, share motivational quotes and articles on your pages that inspire people. Better yet, share an article that you wrote!

Also look into starting a blog to network with people who share your interests. Create and take part in a community online by offering unique content of value that benefits a niche audience. Build a following and use these new connections to network and attend conferences that interest you. Reach out to famous people or business leaders who inspire you and begin to follow and like their pages too. Begin building your life around an industry or movement you’re passionate about, and you’ll find that new opportunities will pop up which you may have never known even existed.

This piece was written for Eruptin.com and is the third-part in a four-part series.

So What Is My Life Purpose?

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

By: Anthony Chiaravallo

This is a question not posed often enough by people of our generation. If you are seeking answers, first start with the right question. We have been told our whole lives to go to school, attend college and get a good job. Money becomes the sole object of obsession and with it everything that can make us happy will be ours. This is true to an extent, but we must not sacrifice quality of life for the chance to simply earn the highest profit possible. Chasing only the money has left many millennials burnt out, unfulfilled and downright depressed!

So while money is an important component of wealth, it is not the full essence of what it means to be wealthy. Things like health, happiness, fulfillment and the opportunity to be creative all play a role in experiencing true happiness in our lives. To move forward, we must abandon this notion of “it’s just a job” and realize that it is our life!

According to social entrepreneur and Forbes contributor, Naveen Jain, success is not measured by how much money we have in the bank, but rather how many people’s lives we have impacted through it. Success is experienced when we do things which have never been done before, and an entrepreneur is not necessarily a person who starts a company, but someone who solves a problem. Given what the current job climate is like for millennials, its entrepreneurship or bust at this point.

The future of our world also depends on our ability to be socially conscious entrepreneurs that earn a living doing something we believe in and love, which also contributes to the greater good. The first step to accomplishing this in your own life is to simply start with that vision and goal in mind. The next step is to use the tools of the new millennium, like social media, to begin creating that which we seek.

This is the second part in a four-part series.

Awakening the Social Entrepreneur Within

2011-12-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

By: Anthony Chiaravallo

We are the most fortunate generation in history, but you would never know it.

Faced with a global crisis of unprecedented proportions, it’s easy to forget that our population has the highest standard of living to date. At the same time, as post-college kids in America, we have the entire world at our fingertips and the opportunity to pursue whatever we want – and yet, herein lies the problem. So many options have left a generation of Millennials lost, confused and unsure of what to do with their lives.

We find ourselves living in a newly globalized world facing total economic, environmental and cultural collapse the likes of which our civilization has never seen. We are inheriting a broken system that is plagued with seemingly insurmountable challenges. But is this really any different than what the countless generations have faced before us?

Much like the people that preceded us, we've been conditioned by society to believe in an agreed upon cultural story and corresponding set of values. Among them is the concept that we are to look outside of ourselves for answers – particularly on what to do with our lives. Our parents and teachers tell us to do one thing; society tells us to do another. Perhaps we are not getting the answers we seek because we are not asking the right people.

Rather, we must begin to ask ourselves what it is that inspires us. What is it that we are passionate about? Whatever it may be, our purpose becomes to find others who share in our dreams, and create a life around that vision. The most overlooked component to this seemingly simple task is to take the time to actually identify our dreams in the first place!

This piece was written for Eruptin.com and is part-one in a four-part series.

Anthony Chiaravallo is a social entrepreneur, philosopher, musician and soul surfer. He is Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Conscious Connection digital magazine for 21^st century cultural creatives and has been published in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Washington Post discussing topics ranging from Global Sustainability to Music Education. By day, he works as a Marketing Consultant for some of the world’s largest and most well recognized brands and is also a featured contributor for several business marketing blogs. He can be reached at AChiaravallo@gmail.com.

2011 Eruptin People Of The Year

2011-12-12T06:30:00.001-05:00

By: Eruptin.com Contributors

10. Anderson Cooper

A nightly show on CNN and a daytime talk show only scratch the surface of his to-do list this year. From covering Hurricane Irene to the Election primaries in Las Vegas, it's hard to believe he doesn't have a clone. -Katy

9. Lady Gaga

Of course her musical career spoke for itself this year, but the 25-year old has truly ignited success with her additional influences such as Santa's Workshop design in Barneys. -Randi

8. Rebecca Black

Love her or hate her, the overnight YouTube sensation has created the melody of America's official office head bop as the weekend approaches. -Brittany

7. Erin Burnett

After leaving CNBC to head over to CNN, Erin Burnett has put herself as a front runner in the well-liked, respected journalistic arena. - Jordan

6. Anna Kendrick

After her performance in Up in the Air and 50/50, we'll let it go that she was in Twilight. She has a long list of upcoming projects too. - Katy

5. Savannah Guthrie

The Today Show saw a major departure when Meredith left, and out of left-field came a pretty, personable, and highly intelligent rising star. - Brittany

4. Kanye West

This is my favorite album of the year. Kanye shows what hard-work and commitment to the game, can really do for someone's career. - Jordan

3. Kristen Wiig

When she's wasn't playing a hilarious character on SNL, and killing it in almost every scene she did, our favorite comedy actor wrote and starred in the amazing Bridesmaids this year. -Katy

2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Last year, he showed us his range going from 500 Days of Summer to Inception and now the actor starred in one of our favorite movies of the year, 50/50, all the while taking part in his other cool projects and continuing to develop his website, hitrecord.org. - Aaron

1. Brian Williams

At last, the man who has made news fun again. Brian has become a personality amongst NBC and the news reporting landscape. Not only has he pulled off hosting Today while not lowering his journalistic credibility but he also ventured into the news magazine arena with Rock Center. - Katy

The Big Apple Gets Biggest Apple Store In The World

2011-12-09T10:25:00.002-05:00

By: Katy Irwin

The largest Apple Store in the world has opened up this morning at 10am in Grand Central.

Check out our coverage below!

We're So Connected: Now What?

2011-12-08T21:20:00.001-05:00

'The Descendants' Descends Time

2011-12-05T22:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's true what they say when you hear 'The Descendants' feels very real. But how often do we go to the movies to see reality?

In reality, (pun intended) we usually go to the movies to escape reality, to get taken into another world and experience a new major dramatic question.

So, while The Descendants does a magnificent job of feeling very authentic, there's a reason it opened in 10th place last weekend in the Box Office.

George Clooney does a superb job as usual in this role. He does almost so well, that you don't really find yourself asking why he's still getting roles that have him playing the father of an 8-year old daughter, and you certainly don't spend the entire movie wondering how they got away with this, without making it tie into a necessarily part of the plot.

The movie feels quite slow and dragged on at various stages, yet it's the very minor moments that present the best parts of the movie. And that's exactly what the movie is. A mash-up of small, life moments that make up ones life.

It's a film that supports the notion that life isn't necessarily made up of the big highs, and our low-points, but rather, perhaps the everyday little parts about us that effect who we are despite never quite realizing or understanding why.

In the same vein of Clooney's Up In The Air character feeling bogged down by personal relationships, he holds similar characteristics in this film. Clooney just seems to fit that role. Except, of course, in this movie it's a lot easier to see why he feels that way.

Herman Cain Out Of The Race - Debate

2011-12-04T22:34:00.002-05:00

With Herman Cain out of the race, Eruptin Contributors debate where the direction of the Republican Presidential Race is now headed

'Drive' Is Aaron's Movie Of The Year

2011-12-03T08:17:00.000-05:00

By: Aaron Field

A car revs in the back alley parking lot of some abandoned warehouse as the collective heart of the movie theater audience pulsates with anticipation. As the wide angled lens opens to the driver’s seat, we the viewer, gain our first glimpse of this decade’s James Dean; an actor so cool the water in my cup froze when he came into view. As Ryan Gosling looks ahead in jarring concentration we don’t really care who comes out of the warehouse. All we care about is that Ryan Gosling gets the f*ck out of the hot zone before the cops arrive. His ice cold stare gives way to a chase seen more akin to the poetic styling’s of Pablo Neruda than the bone crushing exhilaration of “The French Connection.” As he slithers under overpasses, pauses for what seem like hours and jets across bridges, we can’t help but think; this is not going to be Fast and The Furious 15.

Boy meets girl, girl longs for boy, only to be interrupted by prison man, only to befriend boy in the way only a former prisoner can do. It’s a story as old as time. Not really….but somehow it works. We get lured in and even when a man’s head is pummeled 15 times and a fork punctures a man’s eye and a nail is used for something other than wood (well you get the point), we continue to feel and see the anguish painted on this young man’s face, (even if we can only see it through the gaps of our fingers which serve the essential role of face cover). The loss of innocence theme is there, and so is the whole “becoming a man.” As the Driver (as he is called) sheds his former static shell, he becomes an imperfect human. With love comes sorrow, with feeling comes doubt. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand the archetypal motifs surrounding this movie, but you do need to have a heart. Life becomes whole for the Driver, and in the process makes the audience a bystander no longer.

Aaron Field

Lifestyle Contributor

Aaron is a dynamic attorney who lives in New York City. He grew up in West Hartford, CT and graduated from the University of Connecticut in May 2009. Aaron writes about a variety of issues from his childhood ambitions of becoming a pro-basketball player to his first trip to the Jersey Shore. He can be reached at afield34@gmail.com.

Is OWS The Only Opportunity Left For Young Americans To 'Change The World'?

2011-12-01T22:06:00.005-05:00

The Occupy Wall Street protesters lost their grounds recently in Zuccotti Park, but eviction might be the best thing they could have unknowingly asked for in hopes of any lasting impact. Suddenly, the movement’s image of a hippie wrapped in a sleeping bag on concrete is replaced by a broader, wider array of faces. Say, for instance, ones that take showers. Daytime protests will still continue and along with them, a message--or cluster of messages--might have greater mass appeal to more college students. You know, the ones determined to change the world.

But in my three years since graduating from college, I can say one thing.

I’m so over changing the world.

Not the act of doing so as much as the expression of ‘changing the world.’ Although, the act does seems increasingly exhausting, too. Mostly, because I have no idea what it actually is specifically supposed to mean. I know it’s admired by society and what I’m supposed to strive for.

Mark Zuckerberg once turned down an $800 million offer to sell Facebook; He wanted to change the world.

At my 2008 college graduation, the business school dean said he chose our institution because it bred students who would change the world.

The only reason I first joined Twitter was because it seemed like a really efficient opportunity to change the world.

I recently went to an event by my university’s business college for visiting current students and area alumni at a New York City hotel. Unlike my own trip during my senior year in the grand ballroom of the hotel, it was in a narrow banquet hall. This made it especially hard to spread out from eager students handing out their business cards that read “Follow Me @MichaelT214” in the space usually reserved for “Analyst.”

The night began with a panel consisting of a bank executive, a real estate firm partner, and a media company CEO. They told encouraging stories about finding themselves and their path to success after spending four years at one of the nation’s most expensive universities.

In just a few years I had evolved away from optimistic, at times naïve, fresh-out-of-college and ready to engage in world changing. Yet the transition didn’t put me nestled in between college student and CEO-in-training, one-day-sitting-behind-the-panelist-table. But rather a skeptical reflection of a recent college graduate derailed by a weak economy and unintentionally tempted to disclaim the expert advice.

And I consider myself lucky amongst my friends.

In my three years since the peak of my ready-to-change-the-world days, I was laid-off from a major consulting firm where I had been recruited on campus. Then spent a year as a temp in multiple skyscrapers, before finally transitioning into a long-term freelance position. The uncertainty of having enough work had become nothing less than a cheap thrill. The varying gigs had grown into a comfort level equated to avoiding commitment. ‘I do this for you this week, you pay me, but I could do something else for someone next week, and you can’t be mad at me.’ It’s sort of like being in an open relationship.

 Back at the event, the real estate partner proclaimed to the crowd, “But I can guarantee you, if you love what you do you’ll be successful.”

I nearly stood up and shouted before 300 students and alumni, “Liar!”

Not because I haven’t been doing what I love or believe his words are actually a lie, but the promise of such a lofty claim is increasing bleak for most recent grads today. Doing what you love can take a back seat, in a market with nearly 50% underemployed youth, to doing something that pays.

Toward the end of the panel one student raised his hand and asked, “How and when did you know you would be able to live your dream?”

I nearly spit out the gulp of my free Heineken, and I whispered to my friend, “Unbelievable, he just asked that.”

While the question has certainly been asked before, namely by me during my New York trip, in that moment, I wondered: Who actually believes in that stuff anymore?

A week later at a free young alumni event (are you noticing a theme, here?) I met a recent econ major graduate named Connor. He had neither a title nor a twitter handle under his name on his business card, but didn’t seem to mind being jobless. He said him and his business partner are working on an iPad app that’s supposed to change the world.

The event included entry to the rooftop of Rockefeller Center. As a New York native, Connor immediately began identifying every major skyscraper as if we were on the same team in an alumni game with engraved bottle openers as the prize, “There’s Bank Of America. That’s Chrysler. Down there, that’s the new World Trade Tower. It’s going to be like 1400 feet, but only a little taller than the old one.”

“Really?” I asked, still trying to figure out which building it was.

“The Empire State Building was built 80 years ago and is still the 19^th largest in the world. I just think they wimped out of this new World Trade tower,” he said. “They should have built the tallest in the world.”

His words sprung memories of a trip I had taken last year, “I went to the tallest in the world last year, the Burg Khalfia in Dubai.”

“That must have been incredible to be up that high.”

“Yeah, I guess it was.” I thought. “But the view was nothing like this.”

“How is that even possible? It’s the tallest building in the world!” Connor protested.

“Sure, but most of the land around the building is flat, with no skyscrapers, no Central Park or Hudson River, or Times Square, and it’s definitely not in the center of a narrow island like this.”

“I just know if I was designing the new World Trade tower, I would make sure it was the tallest on the planet,” he said while taking a picture on his iPhone. “This city sets the bar for the rest of the world.”

“You know Connor, New York City is just a place full of misfits with something to prove … this country in general, actually … going to the moon, for example, perhaps a tad bit unnecessary, but we needed to do it.”

He became uneasy. “We needed to do it because we knew we could do it. It’s what made America. Even with globalization, other countries think they’re catching up, but they’ll still never have the foundation we already have, or even, the idealism,” he paused. “Like you even said, this view is better when there’s something to be seen.”

“I agree. But will there always be more to see? How come the people behind the new tower didn’t think about changing the world?”

“Yeah, I know,” he nodded. “If they didn’t even attempt to do it, then we’d just become average. We’d become too comfortable at the top.”

I looked toward the Empire State Building. “What if we already have?” I said while taking a picture on my Blackberry. “The new building will still be cool.”

“Yeah,” he paused. “It’ll still be really cool.”

Happy Holidays From Eruptin.com

2011-11-30T08:20:00.002-05:00

'Relatively Speaking' Is Hilariously Smart

2011-11-18T19:48:00.000-05:00

There's nothing relative about the hilariousness in Broadway's latest comedy composed of three one-act plays, "Relatively Speaking." Ethan Coen, Elaine May, and Woody Allen join forces to create a variety of interesting and memorable plays. Mark Linn-Baker and Steve Guttenberg are amongst the acclaimed cast.

While I tend to enjoy musicals more, I was willing to come in with an open mind knowing Woody Allen has a way with words that's easy to trust. As I arrived at the theater skepticism only grew when we saw mostly the back's of gray-haired head's, and seeming to be the youngest in the audience by a couple of decades.

The hesitations were completely unwarranted though. At times, I found myself laughing amidst silence, and other times I was the one looking to my left during a sea of roaring laughs. It didn't matter as the show was good for different reasons and resonates with a mass audience.

Ethan Coen's Talking Cure explores the patient-shrink relationship, and then goes into the depths of the parent's influence on one's life year's later. It was my least favorite of the three plays.

By far the most memorable was George is Dead by Elaine May. The play was fresh, original, full of brilliant dialogue. It's ending leaves you both wanting more and juggling the ambitious themes it sought to take on, yet does so nearly seamlessly.

Finally, Woody Allen's Honeymoon Motel was engaging and mostly hilarious. Woody Allen didn't fail in sticking to his common thread of family incest. The story provided many laughs, multiple jewish references, and a fairly contrived and manufactured ending.

Overall, the show is great, providing a breath of fresh, intellectual air on Broadway that expands beyond the glitz, expensive wardrobe changes and elaborate set designs we've come to know.

Desi Shack Spices Up Murray Hill

2011-11-09T19:25:00.000-05:00

By: Katy Irwin @Katy_Irwin

There's good news for those of us who love Indian food but don't have time for sit-down restaurants.

Murray's Hill latest edition at 39th & Lexington offers delicious, fresh, and tasty Indian food in a Chipotle-style format. When visitors arrive, they'll have the choice of getting their food in a roll or a rice platter. Everything is customized, so you can choose just about anything that goes into your dish.

I tried the Chicken Tikka Rice dish and a Samosa appetizer. The food was refreshingly tasty and fresh as if I was at a nice sit-down in the Curry district. The atmosphere of the restaurant is modern and fresh. Desi Shack has big potential to expand throughout the city as it fulfills a need of a quick and easy, quick and nutritious, restaurant for New Yorkers on the go.

Check out their website and menu: Desi Shack

Katy Irwin, Arts & Entertainment Contributor

From reviewing the latest Broadway show to covering the One Republic outdoor concert in Rockfeller Center, Katy covers events in and around New York. She also enjoys writing about pursuing a passion after college. Katy is a New York based actor who relocated to the city following studying theater at the University of Nevada. She has performed in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair in the past and currently works for Chicago The Musical. She can be reached at katy85@me.com.

Where In The York Is Katy Irwin?

2011-11-09T08:34:00.006-05:00

Each day, I will be in a different part around New York City and with a little clue you'll guess where I am!

Monday's clue: Tourists galore!

Tweet us your guesses @eruptin for which you neighborhood you think I am for today!

Tuesday's clue: This neighborhood is an ideal location for getting anywhere in Manhattan and a trendy alternative to those who don't feel like living in Murray Hill.

Wednesday's clue: This neighborhood only boasts one or two doormen buildings, but what it lacks in high-rises, certainly makes up for in celebrity sightings.

Thursday's Clue: This neighborhood has certainly risen the RENT but lost little of it's bohemian charm.

Katy Irwin, Contributor
From reviewing the latest Broadway show to covering the One Republic outdoor concert in Rockfeller Center, Katy covers events in and around New York. She also enjoys writing about pursuing a passion after college. Katy is a New York based actor who relocated to the city following studying theater at the University of Nevada. She has performed in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair in the past and currently works for Chicago The Musical. She can be reached at katy85@me.com.

New York City Marathon Breaks Record

2011-11-07T20:56:00.000-05:00

By: Katy Irwin

Not even beating the New York City Marathon record by two and a half minutes was enough to keep winner Geoffrey Mutai from smiling as he passed the finish line. I went to Brooklyn to cheer the runners on and dance for them as part of a fun dance group. Hearing the thuds of hundreds of people in the middle of a 26-mile run was truly inspiring. Check out my video recap below.