Review and Recommend: Best Disney Movie

I could write a glowing recommendation for all of the Disney movies. I could tell you how appealing and gorgeous the colors are in Pocahontas or I could explain the graphics necessary to make someone fly like in Tarzan. Or I could mention the wonderful lessons Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, or Lady and the Tramp teaches young children. But the best Disney film incompaces this and so much more. Mulan was released in 1998 and tells the story of young princess Mulan who impersonates a man so she can join the Chinese army to protect her injured father when the Huns attack the Great Wall of China. In the end Mulan prevails, gets the respect that she so greatly deserves, and finds her "prince". But what's important isn't what Mulan earns in the ends its what she learns along the way. She is strong, beautiful, and a princess. Mulan is smashed with wonderful songs including  but not limited to; "A Girl Worth Fighting For", "I'll Make A Man Out Of You", and "Reflection". Mulan was also one of the first Disney films to use exstensive computer graphics. In one scene they make 25 Hun soldiers coming down a snow covered mountain look more like 25,000. Mulan is my favorite Disney movie and I'm sure after another viewing it will be yours too.

Missives and Musing: Being Young

Why is it that young people are treated like second class citizens in this society. I have many examples of how older people treat young "naive" people

Last week my sister and I went on spring break vacation in Florida. We stayed at our grandparents condo run by Wyndham resorts. Since we were in Orlando we had to make an appearance at the Disney Theme Parks and our resort offered a shuttle to the parks for $11 per person and it was a round trip. The first day we arrived at the front of our resort at 8:15 for the 8:30 shuttle. The shuttle did not arrive until 8:45. That evening we were the first to be picked up and the last to be dropped off which in total was a two hour long drive. The following morning we were at the front waiting for our shuttle at 8:20 and at around 9:00 when the shuttle still had not arrived I went in the the lobby and asked that the front desk call and ask what was taking so long. They did and found out that the shuttle had apparently come and gone and that they would send a cab for the same fair as the shuttle. When the cab arrived the driver implied that we were late and had missed the shuttle. He continued to make jokes that we were two young girls and hadn't made it on time because we took too long to get ready, or that we didn't know that the time was different here than it was in Iowa, etc. When we arrived at the Disney property we were told that we needed to pay $15 to enter the park in the cab. The driver than laughed and said "he figured we knew that" In the end we payed double for the cab than we would've payed had the shuttle came on time.

This past year I have been living in Towerview Apartments here in Maryville and have had many many problems with my landlord whether it be things breaking and not being fixed or things not ever working but my main issue with him, and pretty much all landlords, is that he speaks to me like I'm a dumb kid who doesn't know what she's doing. I don't know if this is because I'm young or because I'm a girl. When I ask my landlord a question I expect a straight forward answer not for him to laugh at me and give me a condescending answer. On top of that when people "promise" that something will get accomplished I actually expect that it will get done. But I feel like they think I forget they promised something. I didn't forget.

Finally. I will be moving from Maryville to Kansas City this summer and going to school there. Last month my roommate and I went to visit a town house in Gladstone, MO. Now for the record we did our research we looked at the website of this complex many times and had called around to multiple places. When we arrived we were quite disappointed with the location and the inside. The women who was showing the apartment treated myself and my roommate like we were naive and stupid and had not done our homework. Basically talked to us as if we were little kids.

Basically I don't understand how old I need to get to be treated with respect.

Read and Respond: Juno

1. I see two girls, one pregnant, both are sitting inside some sort of window or case. I feel like they are in a school because behind them is a red and yellow banner with the word high school which is partially covered. There is lots of food and soda cups all around them. The pregnant girl is wearing a grey t-shirt with a graphic on it and a red zip up hoodie. The other girl is wearing tights, a short plaid skirt and a white button up. The props are arranged that way to show all the food because she is pregnant it is also supposed to be obvious that they are in a high school. The colors are very vibrant and the light looks like an over head bulb.

2. I know that these girls are in high school by the clothes they are wearing and where they are sitting. It seems like the pregnant girl is angry or maybe yelling at the other girl.

3. I can tell by the colors and the food that it is a humorous film

4. To be funny?

Missives and Musing: Maryville

I have slowly built up a hatred for the town of Maryville. I don't know one thing alone that has made me hate this place but I honestly can't understand how anyone has been able to live here for more than two years. My parents attended Northwest in the 80's and after they graduated and bounced around the work force for a few years they came back to the University and worked for the next 20 years. My sister and I were born in Maryville and until the ripe old age of seven I lived in Maryville. Then my mom got a job at Iowa State University and we were moved to Ames, IA. At the time I thought my world was ending, and so did my sister. We didn't know what we would do without our school, friends, and town. Looking back on it I can't tell my parents how grateful I am that they moved us out of this town. I don't know if it's the size --- actually yes I do. Who wants to live somewhere where all you can do is go to Wal Mart, eat crappy food and get drunk at frat houses? I sure don't. Another reason may be that the campus is sworming with Greek Life. Which if I haven't made clear I can't stand. It makes me feel like I'm right back in highschool where your surrounded by clicks and girls in highheels and flower headbands. Thankfully I am transferring to a Graphic Design school in Kansas City, MO where there is not only shopping, but shows and musicals. I. Can't. Wait.

Review and Recommend: The Neverending Fear Project

I don't know about you but I love to see local or unknown bands and promote them to young college students like yourself. This past weekend I attended a concert at The Power&Light: Bar and Grill. Three local performers got on stage and showed us what they had to offer. The first to go on was a young rapper who calls himself Dubul Aye. Now for those of you who don't know how to say that it is pronounced as "Double A" like the battery. The next to go on was another young rapper who goes by Khan X. Both of these artists attend Northwest Missouri State University. The Headlining band goes by "The Never Ending Fear Project" with Gary Still on guitar, Sam Derry on drums, Phillip Patterson on Base and Kenny Tanner on lead vocals. The Neverending Fear Project has the perfect blend of music. Each member of the band can definitely hold their own but it sounds incredible all together. They have been together for the last four years and just released their EP with four of their favorite songs. For those of you who are 21 years old you can see NFP at The Riot Room in Kansas City, MO this Saturday.

Check out "The Neverending Fear Project" on Facebook or Reverb Nation

Read and Respnd: The Folly of Multitasking

Basically what this author is saying is that we were not meant to multitask. That when we try bad things happen; we get into car accidents, we fall down, or we get frustrated. I have a hard time agreeing with him. I don't think it's that we can't multitask I think it's that we need to choose when to multitask. When your driving down the highway in the winter checking your phone may not be the best idea. As a kid growing up I could not do my homework withoout having the radio blasting or the TV on. My mom would come home, turn off whatever electronic item I had going, and told me to do my homework. What she didn't know was that I worked better with noice! Either way some people can multitask and some cant.

Review and Recommend: It's Kind of a Funny Story

Craig is 16 years old and incredibly stressed out with pressures from his dad, who works too much, and his mom, who is too clingy. His school, his application to summer school, his friends, and of course, girls. He goes to the emergency room one Sunday morning at 5 AM begging for help, not realizing that he was committing himself for the next five days. Which would stay with him for much longer than that. It's Kind of a Funny story stars Zach Galifianakis, Lauren Graham, and Emma Roberts and is absolutely hilarious with all the eccentric characters ranging from Solemon, the acid head with sonic hearing. Bobby, the middle aged man who attempted suicide six times. And Muktoka, the Indian man who has never left his room. You become attached to all the characters the longer you watch it. You cry with them, laugh with them, and celebrate with them. Although it is quite funny they manage to mix a few serious moments. When Bobby blows his interview to the group home and has a breakdown in the living room we all felt his pain and anger. The acting is wonderful, new comer Keir Gilchrist, who plays Craig, is the highlight of a great film. When he comes on the screen you can't help but think of Craig and not Keir Gilchrist. I feel like we relate too much to actors and not enough to the characters they play. We go to the movies to see Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Brad Pitt. I sincerely hope that Keir is in another film soon. The graphics are incredibly well done, as a graphic design major that is the first thing I notice in a movie. They choose to use the main characters art as a way to create an interesting back drop for the film. With hand drawn cities supposed to represent New York. If you want a well made, well acted, funny, and interesting film you need to check out It's Kind of a Funny Story. You can get this film at Movie Magic it has not hit Red Box yet.

Missives and Musings: Living in the Midwest

I have lived in the mid west for my entire life. I lived in Maryville, Missouri until I was seven years old then, when I was about to start the 1st grade, my family moved to Ames, Iowa and that's where I stayed until I was almost nineteen and starting college at Northwest Missouri State University. I never realized how much I disliked the mid west until I came to college. I don't know if that's because Maryville is an incredibly small and quiet town or if it's because I'm bored here. Either way I am itching to get out and experience the "real" world. This past weekend I ventured to Kansas City and it made me feel as if I was no longer in the mid west. I went with a good friend of mine for a free concert promoted by the alternative 96.5 The Buzz. The concert included three signed but still unknown bands, "The Limousines", "Awolnation", and "Fitz and the Tantrums". The concert was spectacular. It was at the Midland Theater in downtown KC which is a beautiful venue with high ceilings. The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying Kansas City. We spent hours at the Plaza spending far too much money, went out to Westport, a neighboring shopping area, and went to Cargo Largo in Independence which is a store with wonderful deals on anything you'd want. As we were on the highway back to school I became really sad because I missed the city already. Although I am itching to get out I am grateful for being so close to such a cool city.

Read and Respond: Opinion Pieces

Reviews of Reviews: Books

When I first read the title; The Panic Virus: A True Story of Medicine, Science, and Fear. I thought, Oh God. I have to read a paper about this? But Seth Mnookin made this boring title into a wonderful review. Based around the fear that parents have about vaccines. Claiming that they can cause autism and other developmental disorders, based completely on falsified research. When Mnookin says; "The like- minded find each other and form communities online, reinforcing their biases and their certitude." it reminds me so much of bloggers. Even if you said "slavery should still be legal in the United States" you would be able to find someone in the blog world you agrees with you and who will go on crusades with you. The review was well researched and cited without being annoying. Mnookin has an elegance when it comes to siting his research. It was also written very 'to the point' Mnookin did not beat around the bush when he stated his opinions. 

Smokers: Now banned everywhere

The fact that I live in a country that is about to take the right away to smoke a cigarette, after the age of 18, makes me sick to my stomach. Yes. It's gross and it smells bad. I know all of this but to ban it is unnecessary.  It is a choice to smoke, I fully support the need to ban it in certain areas like bars, restaurants, and the office, But definitely not banning it. And the firing of employees who wont quit smoking is ridiculous. And I'm not even a smoker. I have never smoked a day in my life. The review of this book feels generally the same way about these incidences. The review is primarily an opinion piece with few sources. Although I loved the review with the many sources I enjoyed this one just the same. I enjoyed getting a sense of how this author felt. And didn't hurt that he agreed with me!

Review and Recommend: The Lovely Bones

My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. This is the opener to Alice Sebold's top selling novel, The Lovely Bones. The novel begins when fourteen year old Susie Salmon is murdered by her next door neighbor, Mr. Harvey. Trust me I'm not spoiling anything by telling you that. You are taken on an adventure with the Salmon family, Susie's murderer, and the police men trying to solve her case. As you read this you feel as if you know Susie and you experienced her death with her family. Sebold has a way with words to say the least. You feel more and more connected to these characters the more you read. I read this in four days flat. You may already know that this book was adapted into a film last year starring Mark Wahlberg and Susan Sarandon. Some people who have read the book and then seen the movie have said that the movie was awful. I have to disagree with that. I always go into the theater with an open mind especially when its an adapted novel. The Lovely Bones is 465 pages and set over a ten year time span obviously a movie could never dream of including all of the events of a four hundred page book unless you want to watch a seven hour movie. I feel like Peter Jackson and his crew did a great job in adapting this novel. After reading The Lovely Bones I immediately read Sebold's other books; Lucky and The Almost Moon which are also wonderful.

Missives and Musings: Disney World - Epcot

I will freely admit that as a child I was spoiled rotten and had the pleasure of traveling all over the country. I have been to Florida three times, New York five times, California twice, Colorado, Chicago, Ohio, Washington DC and Baltimore. My sister and I decided that this year for Spring Break we would go to Orlando. This is the first time that we have traveled alone together so everyone cross their fingers that we don't kill each other in the process. Since I have been so blessed to have been to Florida so many times we decided that when we go to the Disney Parks that we spend a full day at Epcot. Now for those of you who haven't been to Disney since you were young please keep an open mind about Epcot. Like you, as a kid, I hated Epcot, no fast rides, "weird" food, and far too many shops that my mother dragged us to. But then when I was fourteen we went back and I discovered how amazing Epcot really is. They have this thing called The World Showcase which features ten different countries.

United Kingdom, Morocco, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, China, Mexico, Norway, and Italy.

In Morocco we love to get beautiful henna tattoos and shop. In Norway we ride the viking ride which is slow and relaxing. In Japan and China we love to stock up on Hello Kitty merchandise. We often eat lunch in Italy and dinner in Mexico. The great thing about the World Showcase is you feel as if your not even in a theme park anymore. They have sit down restaurants in all the countries. In the UK my parents insist on hitting up the local brew pub to have a pint of beer, if you visit in March be sure to be there on St. Patty's day so you can enjoy a green beer. We also swing by the square in the UK where a Beatles cover band goes on every fifteen minutes and performs the bands top hits. In Germany and Canada there is, of course, great food and shops. And in France you must go to one of the bakeries and have a delicious pastry and espresso.

Epcot's world showcase is great for young adults and parents desperate for a break from the theme parks. Epcot also includes one of the best rides in all of the parks, Soarin' over California, which is a soothing ride that electronically takes you through sights of California including wonderful smells. If you get there early I suggest that you go straight for Soarin' because it get busy fast. And don't be afraid to ride it twice!

Review and Recommend: Can't Hardley Wait

So I don't know about you but I love 90's movies! Anything from Drive Me Crazy to Whatever It Takes. Or Can't Hardly Wait starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Seth Green, Lauren Ambrose, and Jamie Pressley. This movie takes place at a graduation party where the whole class gathers for one last night of fun. Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Amanda Beckitt, the most popular girl in school who is officially on the market because she was just dumped by her football player boyfriend, Mike Dexter and is trying to see herself as anything but "Mike's Girlfriend". Than there's Preston and Denise who are the loaners of high school. Preston has been obsessed with Amanda every since the first day of Freshman year. He is determined to find her and tell her how he feels. Denise, on the other hand wants nothing to do with high school, this party, or anyone there.

She somehow ends up locked in the bathroom with her best friend from 4th grade turned wigger, Kenny. Kenny, played by Seth Green, is determined to loose his virginity at the party and thinks wearing pants six sizes too big and yellow eye goggles is just the way to accomplish this goal. There are many other hilarious characters including a foreign exchange student, a nerd turned rebel, a lost stripper dressed as an angle and a garage band fighting on stage. The movie is chalk full of hilarious moments that would only ever happen in the movies but are quite entertaining. The movie ends when the night ends and everyone, well almost everyone, has changed for the better. If you want a funny blast from the past trust me you can't go wrong with Can't Hardly Wait.

Read and Respond: Fight Club

1. What is Ebert's opinion of Fight Club? Where do you first know this opinion?


Ebert's opinion of Fight Club is that it is far too violent and had the potential of being smart and interesting but failed. This is made clear on page 449, "It's at about this point that the movie stops being smart and savage and witty, and turns to some of the most brutal, unremitting, nonstop violence ever filmed." Ebert focuses mainly on the violence constantly stating how the characters "beat each other to a pulp"

2. Identify the positive and negetive qualities Ebert writes about in his review.

Some of the positive points of Ebert's review of Fight Club include; this film was a very well made and has a great first act. His negatives definitely out number the positives. Some include his distaste for the amount of violence constantly rehashing what he stated many times before. Ebert also poked fun at the "macho-ness" of the main characters.

6. What are the points on which Ebert disagrees with Maslin? Who do you think makes a more convincing case?

Maslin seemed to really enjoy this film, at least that's what I got from her review and Ebert didn't seem to enjoy it. They both agree that it is well made and has too much violence.

Read and Respond: Fight Club

As a reader of Janet Maslin's review of Fight Club and never actually seeing the movie Fight Club I was deeply confused. I feel like it should be the reviewers responsibility to inform the reader of the premise of the movie and explain why they did or did not enjoy it. Because isn't that what a movie review is? So people who have not seen the movie could get a sense whether or not they will enjoy it. Maslin chose a different route for her review of Fight Club She chose to confuse the readers by constantly referring to actors as their names and their character names. Referring to Brad Pitt as both Mr. Pitt and Mr. Durden. which is quite confusing for someone who has never seen the movie. She also chose to use unnecessarily large words such as audacious and antiseptic. Maslin also brought other movies up far too many times. She mentioned American Beauty, Seven, The Game, The Six Sense, and Dogma. Which begs the question how hard is it to write a two page review of a movie and talk only about that movie? As I mentioned this review was only two pages long but, for me, was incredibly difficult to even finish, I caught myself skimming by the second page. But I do want to thank Ms. Maslin her review has left me so confused that I now need to see Fight Club starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton.

1. What Contextual and background information does Maslin include in her review? What would you like more of? Less? Why?

The only background that Maslin includes is that Norton has insomnia and goes to 12 step meetings where he meets his love interest, he ends up on a plane and meets Brad Pitt's character, Pitt's character shows Norton's character how to fight, they create a secret fighting club. I wish Maslin would have included a little more information without throwing in six things that the reader does not need to know. I feel like she confused people and I'm not sure why her review was even published.

Review and Recommend: Valentine's Day

I don't know about you but I treat Valentine's Day just like any other day. This year a few of my girlfriends and I decided to be each others Valentine's. We decided to get each other little cute gifts. I got each one a cute "love" movie. I chose; "Remember Me", "Made of Honor", and "Love Happens". We had never seen the last one "Love Happens" it stars Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart and is about a young man, Burke Ryan, who lost his wife in a car accident three years ago and is the top selling author of "A Okay" and self help book that has turned into a self help seminar and television show. Well  Burke eventually falls for a florist in town and solves all his past issues in the following two hours. To be completely honest I learned the majority of this movie from the back of the box. I actually fell asleep multiple times, not for long but non the less I still fell asleep. Now I don't know if this was because the movie was bad or because I was tired running on very little sleep. Probably a little of both. The movie was chalk full of
 depressing moments that made everyone tear up and wonder how they could classify this as a love movie. The movie was also quite predictable. Personally I was a little annoyed that I watched this movie so I could indulge in a good chick flick and ended up indulging in a depressing movie. So if your looking for a good cry by all means please rent "Love Happens" but I do NOT recommend you watch it on Valentine's Day!!

Missives and Musings: Movie Magic

As fellow college students living in Maryville I'm sure you get stir crazy living in this tiny town. I know I do! Well at the beginning of the year I discovered a small video store called Movie Magic. But Movie Magic is much more than a video store. They carry incense, incense holders, DVDs, CDs, game cards, comic books, video games, and candy. I've always been the type of person who enjoys going to a store to pick out my movies, I've never been a Red Box fan. But when you walk into Movie Magic you don't feel like your in a Blockbuster, which in my opinion, is a good thing! There are only five people working there and two of them are owners. The minute you walk in you feel at home and with a delicious aroma who wouldn't be happy? So next time your bored go check out Movie Magic you will not be disappointed!

Movie Magic is located at 216 W. Third Street in Maryville, MO.

Read and Respond: Searching for Truth

So I know the assignment is to read and respond on "Searching for Truth". Unfortunately I have no idea what this man is talking about. When I first read it I thought it was a reporter who wrote this article, and honestly, I was mad. I didn't understand why a newspaper would publish this let alone hire this person to write. But when I realized it was a letter to the editor I felt a little better. I feel like this man wrote this with a thesaurus next to him so he could sound smarter than he is but, Mr. Hopkins, IT BACKFIRED! Not only did your letter make absolutely NO sense but rather than sounding smart you sounded really stupid. I'm sure he was mad about something and that's why he wrote this letter. But as a reader I couldn't tell you what this is about. I almost feel like the editor read this letter, laughed, and then published it.

Review and Recommend: Going The Distance

Guy meets girl. Guy and girl fall in love. Girl moves half way across the country and attempt a long distance relationship. Sounds like a carbon copy of the same romantic comedy that we've all seen a million times right? Wrong. Going the Distance break the romantic comedy barriers. Justin Long and Drew Barrymore come together in this film to play an on screen couple (this was filmed while the two were an off screen couple as well, but I promise you this is not another Gigli fiasco.) The film is filled with laughs, gut busting laughs actually, but it does allow you to get to know the characters and as my roommate said "I wish I could marry Justin Long's character, not Justin Long necessarily, but his character for sure." Charlie Day, Christina Appleagate and Jim Gaffigan make up the rest of the spectacular cast. Every character is loveable. But like every other romantic comedy this one is not completely predictable. I first saw this in the theater and then when it came out on DVD I watched it with a few friends. They kept guessing the typical things like "Oh he's going to cheat on her or vise versa." but each time they guessed something it was wrong. Nobody wants to watch a movie that they could've written. Go grab a bag of popcorn and ENJOY! If you don't like it I will personally give you a refund :)

Missives and Musings: High School or College?

Are we in college? Or are we in a more expensive version of high school? Sometimes I feel like we really are still in high school. When I walk into a classroom a few minutes late and get scolded I feel like I'm in high school. When a teacher takes my phone away I feel like I'm in high school. Or when I miss three or more classes and get dropped a full letter grade I feel like I'm in high school. Now don't get me wrong I get that we are here for a reason and we pay a good deal to be here so shouldn't WE choose how to use this experience? I feel like paying $500 for a class gives me the right to sleep in every once and a while and miss that dreaded 8 a.m. class without being "punished". Now college is much easier than high school. I'm not forced to be in the same building all day, which is nice, but at times I still feel like a confused freshman on my first day of school.

Missives and Musings: Fashion in the winter

Okay so anyone who has grown up in the mid west knows that it get really C O L D here from November to March. So girls, I know you are all pretty sick of wearing the same old jeans or sweat pants with the cleanest hoodie you can find. I know I was this time last year. Now I'm sure we've all noticed the girls around campus wearing leggings or tights as pants and you may be thinking they're crazy well I'm here to say that I am one of those leggings wearing girls. You may be saying, "How in the world do you stay warm" well it is surprisingly warm to walk through campus wearing leggings and a sweater dress. I feel like wearing leggings is a way to look cute in the winter. However I have noticed that many girls wear their leggings inappropriately. So here are a few leggings do's and dont's

DON'TS

1. PLEASE for the love of God wear a LONG shirts or go and invest in a long tank top because there is nothing less attractive then seeing a girls butts with skin tight leggings allowing for a lot of jiggling

2. Please, Please, Please, don't wear leggings in between your calf and your ankle. YOU LOOK STUPID! Especially if you don't look like a barbie. It makes every flaw you have in your lower legs that much more obvious.

3. Please try to refrain from wearing polyester or animal printed leggings. I don't think I need to explain myself on that one.

DO'S

1. Don't be afraid to experiment with stalkings. It makes a simple black top much classier. You could wear these plain or on top of white or black leggings.

2. Try out multiple colors of leggings. I personally have black, grey, white, and purple. Granted I wear the black ones most often but those purples ones do come in handy :)

3. Don't limit yourself. You don't always have to wear a dress with leggings. You can wear a sweatshirt, a long tank top, a sweater, or even a t-shirt.

Review and Recommend: Satellite - "Ring The Bells"

"There is no substitute for honesty in music. Every once in a while a song speaks to you; reminds you of how you really feel” – Steven McMorran; Lead Singer of Satellite. Satellite is a four-man band made up of Steven McMorran, Mitch Allen, Josh Dunahoo, and Justin Glasco. Satellite has an EP record called “Ring The Bells” which includes six tracks.

Say The Words, the first track of the album has lyrics like “Plastic Eyes Surrounded By Your Suicidal Urge, To Loose Control.” which haunts you for much longer than 4:21 minutes. The EP Record is filled with similar chilling lyrics. ”Yeah, There's A War In My Heart, Gravity Pulls Apart If We Carry On So Let Me See Those Blood Shot Crying Eyes” from the fifth track “Turning On My Own” which McMorran has said was written about him and his wife. Every song is better than the last, which makes you incredibly sad when you get to the sixth track.

Steven McMorran’s voice is absolutely incredible in every single song however, I have seen McMorran perform live at the Northwest Campus and his voice is just better live and acoustic the bands version tends to drown out McMorran’s voice with drums. I feel like McMorran is such a talented singer and that Satellite isn’t using his talent. However after saying that I realize that I’m not being fair, Satellite is an amazing and well deserved band and I can’t wait until they become famous they just need to cool it with the drums.

Overall if I were to rate the EP Record out of 10 stars I would give them an 8. You can purchase this EP at http://www.satellite-music.com/ for $5

Read and Respond: Two years of college wasted

This article basically describes how college students, in their first two years, tend to make very little improvements on their learning ability. I tend to agree with this article. I feel like the classes that are required for freshmen are very similar to high school classes. As a high school student I did not care about my studies and slacked off A LOT! I graduated with a 2.5 GPA. When I came to Northwest taking 12 credits a semester I made a 3.07 in my first semester. I'm not sure if that's what the story was trying to get at but I feel like if coming from high school with a bad GPA and overnight improving that by a considerable amount might indicate that the classes are too simple for 19 and 20 year olds.

Missives and Musings: College

So lately I've been contemplating changing schools or changing my major. I honestly can't figure out what to do and make myself happy. I am a graphic design major here at Northwest but I have since discovered that the program here, to be honest, kind of sucks. In order to graduate from Northwest with a BFA I would have to take Sculpture, Fibers, Drawing, Life Drawing, etc. and that's before I even get to any of my DESIGN classes. I've been here for two years and taken TWO graphic arts classes. TWO! Does that make sense to anyone else? Well some of you are probably saying transfer! Or change your major! Well that is where the dilemma comes in. Since I've been here at Northwest I have made some pretty amazing friends. Aquila and Kristin if your reading this I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. On top of that I have a pretty amazing job on campus and a really cute apartment and I really don't want to leave any of these things behind! I also can't imagine myself going into any other field aside from graphic design. My parents desperately want me to go into journalism but that's just not where my heart is. If I leave Northwest I would be going back home to a community college called DMACC. It's 25 minutes away from my hometown but has an AMAZING graphic design program but I really don't want to leave a four year college for a two year one. I've also looked into some schools in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Colorado but all have been shot down do to tuition cost. SO any suggestion???

Review and Recommend: 13 Reasons Why

Why do people commit suicide? I wish we could ask someone who has done it. In Jay Asher’s 13 Reasons Why Hannah Baker answers that question. She has 13 reasons to be exact. Hannah has been contemplating suicide for some time now. One day she went home from a party, defeated and upset, she decided to make a list of all the people who have wronged her in her life. She then went through to see how many of those people connected to each other like a domino affect. Those 13 people received a set of tapes two days after Hannah swallowed a handful of pills. The first person must listen to all the tapes and then send them to the next person on the list. If they do not send them to the next person a second set of tapes will be released to the public along with all their dirty secrets. Asher writes this novel with two narrators telling Hannah Baker’s story. Hannah Baker telling her story on 13 cassette tapes. And Clay Jensen, the ninth receiver of the tapes. Asher has a way of relating his novel to both men and women, girls and boys. He has said in an interview that before he wrote this novel he asked his wife and a few female friends to tell him about their high school experiences. The good, bad, and the stuff they wish never happened. He also took some of his own high school experiences to make up this 300 page novel. I would recommend this book to anyone. If you have ever thought of suicide, known someone who has, lost someone to suicide or none of the above. You will automatically relate to the main characters and feel their pain. Jay Asher’s 13 Reason’s Why.