Learn from my Failures: Temporary Hair Dye

The other day my friend and I walked into Hot Topic and thought we’d try something different and put some temporary color in our hair. We saw the Color Fiend Comb-in Temporary Hair Dye and thought it was a great idea. Comb it in and it washes out in one wash, lots of different colors, and vegan friendly! Woot! However, if you’re thinking about getting this product, I would suggest using a kindergartener’s paint because it’s pretty much the same thing. The “dye” is a goopy, paint-like liquid that you comb into your hair and don’t rinse out. It gets absolutely everywhere and doesn’t look like dyed hair. It looks exactly like it is: paint. If you don’t wear gloves while using the product, it gets all over your hands and is really hard to wash off. Luckily, it was much easier to wash out of our hair. At the end of the hair-dying extravaganza, we decided it was better to just wash it out right away because it just made our hair look greasy and painted. If you’re going to temporarily dye your hair, spend a few extra dollars and get something that you rinse out and is not paint. 

The Feminist's Guide to Disney Princesses

 I absolutely adore Disney movies. But as I got older and was introduced to feminist ideas, certain characters started to change for me. Suddenly Aurora seemed like a secondary character who doesn't do anything for herself. This made me wonder how a these Disney princesses might be perceived in today's society.

As previously mentioned, Sleeping Beauty's Aurora is really a secondary character in the story. She sleeps through the majority of the movie, and what little conscious time she has is spent daydreaming and crying over her bad luck. In today's society, she would probably be the worst Disney princess because of her lack of realistic ideas, domesticity, and overly emotional character.

Snow White. Oh, Snow White. She is in close contention with Aurora for the worst Disney princess. Similarly, Snow White spends a good amount of the time sleeping and brings little to the story. She is the image of domesticity and the '50s poster wife. She cooks, she cleans, and she sleeps. She has no ambitions other than to get married. In today's society, she would be viewed as very backward and lacking substance. Also, she moved in with seven men. What's up with that? She's more of a promiscuous housekeeper than a heroine. 

Cinderella is better than Snow White but not by much. She, again, is very domestic but not by choice. The plot of Cinderella is very woman-driven (at least on a civilian perspective) and, although Cinderella spends a good deal of her time crying over her problems, she finds the courage to act against her injustices with some help from friends/family. She could be improved as a character if she had found the strength and ability to help herself as opposed to relying on others. In today's society, Cinderella would be a victim of domestic abuse and probably quite messed up throughout her life. Other than that, we don't really know that much about her and can't draw too many conclusions.

The Little Mermaid's Ariel isn't much better. This was upsetting to me because The Little Mermaid was my favorite movie growing up and viewing this movie as an adult made me reconsider my admiration for her. Sure, she's adventurous, curious and talented but what else does she have going for her as a character? Again, the majority of the time she spends arguing with her father and whining or crying about how life isn't fair. She's better than Aurora in that she takes action to achieve her goals, but she does so by getting involved in a crowd that she knows is not the best. In today's society, she would probably be an emo teenager who runs away with a group of drug addicts to escape her pain. Quite depressing.

Aladdin's Jasmine is a step in the right direction. She still has the whiny daughter aspect in that she spends a good deal of time arguing with her father and complaining about her being forced to marry. But she clearly loves her father and is fighting against the ideals of arranged marriages and takes action in finding a life of her own. In today's society, Jasmine would be a snobby rich girl who runs away from home to live a poor, but happy life as a stay-at-home mom and/or world traveler (because lets face it, other than wanting to see the world, her only ambition is to marry someone she loves).

Beauty and the Beast's Belle is a unique Disney princess in that there is a strong focus on her intelligence as opposed to her destiny to marry. She wants adventure, freedom and knowledge. She has a strong love for her father and sacrifices much save him. She has the ability to see potential in people and refuses to follow the stereotype of marrying the most attractive brute of a man. In today's society, she would be a bookworm who always does the right thing. She wouldn't necessarily think of things in terms of feminism but in terms of right and wrong. She would make you feel like a horrible person in comparison.

Pocahontas is another Disney princess that shows more substance because of a huge sacrifice she makes for someone she loves. Again, there's a clash with her father as seen in other Disney princesses but she works for the overall peace and happiness of two rivaling communities. In today's society, she would be a member of the Peace Corps and a superhero. Again, you would feel bad about yourself in comparison to her.

And then there's Mulan. Mulan is by far the feminist's superhero in the Disney world. She knows what she wants, acts out against backwards ideals, honors her family and elders, and manages to bring peace and justice after all conflicts in the story. She proves herself an equal if not superior to her male peers and makes a significant step for women's rights. In today's society, she would be a hardcore feminist who you would not want to mess with.

Escapism

There's one place in the world I always find my escape. My old hammock keeps me safe from all that consists of my life and all that I want to shut out of it. The feel of the worn ropes cradling my limp body makes me feel as if I'm home within myself. It doesn't matter whether it's snow or a summer breeze on my face, as long as I can feel myself safely swaying and look up at the endless nothing of the tree overhead. Branches stretch up directly over my head as they reach for the sky. No matter how much time passes, they'll never reach the clouds and yet that's alright. Birds come and go, leaves fall as they may, and nothing else matters. Life doesn't exist outside of my hammock. I am timeless as long as I lay here. I have no age, I have no gender, I have no worries, I have nothing to my name as long as I'm here. Nothing can phase me for these five, maybe ten perfect minutes. It's when I lay in my hammock that I am truly myself and no one at the same time.

Something to Cure a Case of the Mondays

In case you need a break from this most dreaded of weekdays, here's some of the best Friends moments ever! (Some are bloopers, but still fantastic)
Season One:

Season Two:

Season Three:

Season Four:

Season Five:

Season Six:

Season Seven:

Season Eight:

Season Nine:

Season Ten:

"Killing Me Softly" Review

Killing Me Softly is a passionate story about a woman, Alice, who leaves her safe, somewhat boring boyfriend for a mysterious, sexy mountain climber. They hastily get married after only a short time of dating and Alice soon realizes how little she knows about her new husband. It is a love story/murder mystery combination that comes with a crazy twist ending. A great deal of focus is put on the passionate sex between the couple and the submissive role Alice plays in comparison to her husband Adam.

I enjoy watching Joseph Fiennes, and this was a great performance from him. He nails the role of a strong, threateningly mysterious man while simultaneously portraying a man who's hopelessly in love. Heather Graham always seems to play the role of the somewhat-naive woman who somehow manages to be half-naked during the film. I found her character frustrating throughout the film because she seems to harp on the same bit of evidence that doesn't end up having much relevance. While the film focuses on the strong separation between Alice's role as a "flatlander" and Adam's role as a heroic mountain climber, this separation seems to be compensated for by their intense sex life and inexplicable connection. Adam is very concerned whether or not Alice trusts him, while she sneaks behind his back reading his private letters and arranging meetings with people from his past.

I was on board with the movie until it got towards the end. The more Alice snoops in Adam's past, the more she convinces herself that he is a murderer and possible rapist. She lets herself become frightened by him so much that she runs away from him even though he openly told her he had nothing to hide, would tell her anything she wanted to know, and would stop in the middle of sex if she asked him. The framing story served well to strike a bit of fear and anxiety in the viewer, but I only became increasingly frustrated with Alice because she continues her meddling and suspicion after authorities ease her mind and she sees Adam sick with worry about her well-being. After the framing story came full circle, I quickly got frustrated with Alice's character to the point where I didn't care about her well-being, even though she was the protagonist. I found myself hoping there would be some kind of twist ending that would make the movie worth watching, and I was relieved to find myself actually surprised at the unpredictable ending to the murder mystery. However, while I was satisfied with the murder mystery in Killing Me Softly, I was left wanting more with the love story. Adam and Alice were built up as having an inexplicable connection brought on by a combination of incredible sex and love at first sight. But after an extremely traumatic event that leaves the two of them scarred but alive, their relationship part of the film seems to be dropped. What was emphasized as so critical to the film ended up seeming like a phase in Alice's life that came, left its impact, and left just like any other relationship. I found this very disappointing and felt unsatisfied with the lack of continuity and conclusion in their relationship.

Campus Bars

When I tell most people that my campus has a bar, they either respond with "Are you serious? Your campus has a bar? Wow, they have their priorities straight..." or "Duuude! You have a bar on campus!? Sweeet!" I doubt either response is what the university president had in mind. However, there are a lot of benefits to an on-campus bar. First of all, there are safety benefits. Instead of walking out alone in the cold or, worse, getting into a car to go get drunk, college students have a place close by where they can go with their friends and enjoy themselves without having to worry about who's stuck with being the designated driver or who's going to walk home with whom. And while the exclusivity of on-campus bars may seem detrimental to one's social life, it also prevents sketchy or rowdy characters from ruining everyone's night. The exclusivity also promotes college students really getting to know each other and meeting more people nearby. However, there will always be an appeal to town bars because, when you're stuck on campus all week to go to class and see the same people every day, it's good to get a break from it. But, from my experience, college bars are still far more appealing for the drink prices alone. Most drinks from a campus bar are at least a dollar cheaper than town bars and have multiple deals every night. Plus, the chances of you finding a friend willing to buy you a drink is much higher on campus. But the best thing about a campus bar is the history you find there. This may not be the same for all campus bars, but the bar on my campus is noticeably full of alumni memories. There are pictures of students everywhere from current students to some of the first. Championship plaques and school pennants are displayed and the tables are covered in alumni graffiti. It's one of the few places I've found where scratching your name in a chair is almost encouraged. Alumni have actually threatened to stop supporting the college if they shut down this bar just because of all the history invested in it. We're reminded of all the people who went to this school before us and how many have moved on to bigger things when we go to this bar. When you go to a bar, you only expect a few drinks, music and some company. But when you go to a campus bar, you get all that and more. You get an opportunity to see and become a part of a little piece of history.

Savants

People who say that developmentally disabled children will never amount to anything clearly haven't heard of these guys:

Derek Paravacini 

 

You never know where you'll find life's greatest gifts.

The Best Way to Die

After reading through uncyclopedia.wiki.com's list of 100 best ways to die, I've come to the conclusion that the best way to die is not currently on the list.

The best way to die is by jumping off an airplane filled with puppies and kittens with a banner of some noble cause following the plane (might as well do something altruistic before kicking it). But to make this even better, the thrill of the fall would be heightened by watching The Princess Bride or The Godfather on an iPhone or other portable movie-viewing device (this post is in no way supporting or supported by any technological/company anything), with a huge crowd of cheering people below chanting the person's name. Now I realize that no one wants to have their epic death tainted by a group of horrified people at impact. That is why a very deep, concealed pool that would explode with whipped cream, confetti and fireworks after landing in it. That way, everyone gets a good show (minus the shock of a dead person) and the last thing tasted is delicious whipped cream. On a side note, the best way to skydive is the same with the exception of an parachute or a much much deeper pool equipped with a trampoline.

*This peculiar and dark topic was brought to you courtesy of my housemate*

Learn from my Failures: Snow

Snow is Mother Nature's way of saying she hates us. Sure, snow is beautiful when you're sitting inside your cozy home, snuggled up by the fire. But when you spend an hour shoveling your driveway or digging out your car only to play a game of will-my-car-stop-when-I-tell-it-to, "winter wonderland" is that last thing that comes to mind. Some things to keep in mind when you have to dig through your driveway: lift from the knees and stay well-covered. When driving, never, under any circumstances, drive as you would if it were summer. Take. it. slow. Tap the breaks as you approach the stop to check how much your car will slide. When turning, tap the breaks and gently turn the wheel. Expect to fishtail so don't panic when you do. Stay calm and don't press on the breaks. Tapping the breaks is ok but maintain control of the car by steering. The most important thing anyone can tell you about swirving on a snowy road is stay calm and don't stomp on the breaks. Driving in snow is one of the most miserable things one can do in winter, but if you play it smart you can save yourself a trip to the ditch.

20 Original Nintendo Games that Should Never be Forgotten

1. Super Mario Bros 3
2. Super Mario Bros 2
  3. Super Mario Bros
4. Yoshi
5. Pacman
6. Frogger
7. Donkey Kong
8. Donkey Kong Jr.
9. Popeye
10. Tetris
11. Burger Time
12. Paperboy
13. Duck Hunt
14. Baseball Stars
15. Tecmo Superbowl Football
16. R.C. Pro-am
17. Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers
18. The Legend of Zelda
19. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
20. Adventure of Link, Legend of Zelda II

Something for the Twihards

Twilight is a cultural phenomenon that has taken America by storm over the past few years. The books are best sellers and the movies are in high demand. However, how many people have actually read all the books as well as seen the movies? The craze over the movies has become more of a teenage love fest over Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. The books are great as supplementary work to the movies, but there is a reason why some people roll their eyes when they hear about Twilight. Stephanie Meyer did a good job with the movies and adding plenty of detail to the stories, but when reading the books, one can only be reminded of a cheesy high school romance novel...without the sex. This can be viewed as a positive or negative thing depending on what you look for in a book. It makes the books quick reads and challenging to put down at times. Some feel that the abundance of sexual tension was nostalgic of high school, while others feel that it's not necessarily worth all the hype they're receiving. The original concept of the story is interesting, although it seems that several vampire enthusiasts were upset by some of the original spins on the vampires (such as sparkling in the sunlight). This could have been remedied by a more elaborate look into the history of the vampire legends and arriving at a less controversial excuse for the Cullens' ability to live amongst average people. The ends of the books leave the reader wanting, but not in the way other sequential books do. They're a bit open ended and seem to provide a conclusion, but don't develop or follow this conclusion up very well. As previously stated, Meyer does a good job with details, but there were points when this attention to detail could have functioned in the conclusions more.

In terms of the movies, they should really be watched after reading the books. There's a lot that you don't get from the movies that is laid out in the books and there is a lot about the characters and editing in the films that makes sense after reading the books. Of course the movies are cheesy and there are far too many dramatic closeups of eyes, but these things make sense to the viewer if they've read the books and understand the characters and what they're thinking. The movies and books are still very much a high schooler's PG romance novel, but they come across as much more legitimate and worthwhile when taken as supplementary works.

Learn from my Failures: Hamsters

Having a pet is an absolutely fantastic idea. Petting any kind of animal has been shown to be beneficial by decreasing blood pressure, increasing life satisfaction and lowering stress. Pet therapy is a form of intervention used for a variety of psychological disorders ranging from schizophrenia to depression. It has also been used for children and the elderly in hospital, school and hospice scenarios. During a very hard time in my life about two years ago, I found that my friend's pet rat helped me feel a little better even for just a few minutes. So I decided to get a hamster. I did a lot of research on hamsters and a good deal of what I found online suggested that people get more than one hamster since they're social animals. Believing this bit of advice was the biggest mistake I could have made in buying a hamster. After being warned by several people, I checked several times with the store and based on online criteria that I had two male hamsters. The store (a well-known, well-credited one at that) assured me that they only sold male hamsters. I bought two hamsters and got pretty attached over the following few months. One day I went to get the pair out from their cage and realized that one of the boys was way bigger and firmer than the other one. Sure enough, the boy hamster was a pregnant girl hamster. Two days later, I had my two "boy" hamsters and seven tiny baby hamsters. I kept in contact with the "hamster expert" at the pet store who told me that the dad could be kept in the cage because they couldn't breed again for another month after the first litter. Mistake #2 was listening to this bit of expert advice. Another few weeks after the first litter was born, I found myself with a total of two adult hamsters and fourteen baby hamsters. This is stressful and annoying (although adorable) for anyone, but when a sophomore in a small college dorm has sixteen hamsters, the cons outweighed the pros of owning hamsters. Luckily, lots of college students were interested in taking a hamster or two off my hands. Hamsters are great pets for many reasons: they're adorable, low maintenance, friendly and playful. But if you're thinking about getting a hamster, I would highly suggest only getting one. Two years after my hamster mishaps, I'm down to one hamster who seems just as content to be alone as he was to be with a bunch of other hamsters. In fact, there's a good chance that if you get multiple hamsters, they will fight loudly and a lot. Hamsters are so tiny that it is near impossible to identify their gender. Play it safe and get one. If you end up in the same position I was in, at least remove the dad as soon as possible so they can't breed again after the first litter is born. After accidentally becoming a hamster breeder, I can guarantee that one hamster is much better than sixteen. Either play it safe or have a large group of people who are willing to take hamsters off your hands.

Getting Older

I recently turned 22 and it really hit me just how differently people think about birthdays. A lot of this variability has to do with increasing age (no child hates their birthday), but it's mainly dependent on the person's attitude towards getting older. Admittedly, I find getting older to be a really stressful thing and I'm starting to dread birthdays more and more. I feel like Peter Pan in the sense that getting older feels too much like "growing up" and losing your childhood joy. Everything younger people look forward to when growing up is pretty much achieved by their 21st birthday- teenager, driver's license, r-rated movies, alcohol. But after that, you ask yourself what you have to look forward to. I caught myself doing this and yet I knew it was ridiculous since I'm only 22. I have my whole life ahead of me and plenty to look forward to. I'm about to start out my life with a new apartment, job, the works. But these things worried me instead of excited me. The key to getting excited about getting older and facing new challenges and opportunities is to view each struggle as an adventure. Moving out and finding a full-time job can be absolutely terrifying, but if you can bring yourself to see it as the exciting adventure of your life as opposed to the dark unknown, getting older and facing grown-up responsibilities will a much more positive experience. Even future responsibilities of owning a home and supporting your family can be a lot less stressful if you try to think of it as playing house. We've all been children who have idealized adult responsibilities, and so in many ways we're all still children at heart playing out our fantasies. There's a reason why children play house and get excited about birthdays. Of course part of the birthday excitement is due to the cake and presents, but I think a good part of it is that they can still see the appeal of adult life. Taking ourselves too seriously and letting the negative sides of life get to us will start to take that childlike excitement away. Taking a step back to put your life into perspective makes life a lot less stressful and a lot more fun.

A Note on Keeping Busy

No one likes to be bored, but keeping busy can have more benefits that merely avoiding boredom. Constantly giving yourself new things to work on and improve is a good practice to keep. For the many people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other psychological challenges, keeping busy can work as an excellent distraction. It would be especially beneficial for those who struggle with addiction. One of the most common reasons for turning to drugs is to avoid painful aspects of reality. However, by keeping yourself busy, time goes by much faster and you aren't as focused on things that you try to avoid via drugs. Certain projects to keep busy and distracted could be getting in shape, teaching yourself an instrument, or taking up art. Constantly improving yourself and finding things to do will work wonders for improving your attitude towards stressors and increasing self esteem.

35 Things to do on St. Patrick's Day Before you Die

1. Dress head-to-toe in green
2. Watch Darby O'Gill & the Little People
3. Say the Irish blessing
4. Listen to Flogging Molly
5. Speak with an Irish accent
6. Drink Guinness and/or green beer
7. Party it up all night long in Argentina
8. Give someone you love a Claddagh ring
9. Go to Birmingham to see the longest St. Patrick's Day parade in Britain
10. Wear a "Kiss me, I'm Irish" pin
11. Learn to play the fiddle
12. Kiss the Blarney stone
13. Go to Manchester for the two-day St. Patrick's Day festival
14. Make some Celtic knot jewelry
15. Go to an Irish pub with a band
16. Plant peas
17. Wear the Celtic cross
18. Learn how to jig

19. Eat corned beef and cabbage
20. Set a leprechaun trap (I suggest using Werther's candy or fool's gold as bait)
21. Check out the parade in New York City
22. Go to Dublin!
23. Watch America play rugby against Ireland for the St. Patrick's Day Test
24. Drink some high quality Irish whiskey
25. Watch a documentary on banshees
26. Wear a kilt
27. Learn a few key Gaeilge phrases
28. Find a four-leaf clover
29. Run as fast as you can towards the end of a rainbow
30. Have "Top o' the mornin' to ya!" be the first thing you say that day
31. Pinch someone not wearing green
32. Check out the Chicago river dyed green just for the occasion
33. Be extraordinarily superstitious
34. Eat Lucky Charms
35. Learn something new about the man that started it all, St. Patrick!

Johnny Depp: The Eternal, Nonchalant Heart-throb

The following is an article I wrote in response to a prompt on helium.com:

As Johnny Depp gets closer to the dreaded 50-year milestone, people begin to debate whether his irresistible charm will stay with him as he ages. There are many things to take into account when considering the maintenance of this heart-throb status. I won't bother to address the obvious factor of physical beauty because that seems to be one point that few people worry about when it comes to Johnny Depp. But after considering his obviously attractive physical features, one can simply look at his movie roles to see his continued attractiveness. He never wanted to be the constantly adored pop idol and after 21 Jump Street, he noticeably chose unusual roles of personal importance to him. He's internationally recognized as an amazing actor and yet hasn't received too many awards because he remains true to himself in his movie choices, even if they aren't the typical blockbusters that generate Oscar buzz.

This brings me to his confidence. Confidence is a main factor in appeal and the heart-throb status. Johnny Depp's nonchalant, carefree attitude makes him both mysterious and admirable. He's a man who seems extremely secure in who he is and yet is extraordinarily humble. I think that is the main thing about Johnny Depp that keeps us wanting more. He has reportedly seen very few of his movies and feels that it's none of his business what they do with the film after he's done his job. I've personally never seen this attitude in another actor, which singles him out as an actor worth watching. His attitude towards his fans is also something worth noting. In the past he has been recognized as the most attentive actor to his fans. He always takes him to sign autographs or even just to wave at fans on set. In combination with his confidence and humbleness, the fact that Johnny Depp is so down-to-earth makes him even more attractive.

However, the key to understanding Johnny Depp's long term appeal is that he simply doesn't care whether or not he maintains his status as a heart-throb. What's most attractive about him is that he doesn't care enough about status to wonder whether or not he'll remain a heart-throb as he starts to age. In fact, he would probably find this article topic laughable. Knowing who he is and yet refusing to take himself too seriously makes Johnny Depp continuously attractive and will keep his fans watching and adoring him.

One final note that should be made on this topic is how similar actors compare when it comes to their heart-throb status. When looking over George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or Marlon Brando's careers, you'll find that this continued status often depends more on the audience than the actor. Clearly there are certain aspects of an actor that make him more attractive over time, but as the actor gets older so do his fans, and a new wave of heart-throbs enter Hollywood. The newest Hollywood heart-throbs such as Robert Pattinson, Channing Tatum, and Zac Efron have a whole different range of fans than Johnny Depp. While these actors may be pushing Johnny Depp out of the group of current heart-throbs, Johnny Depp will always be irresistible to his innumerable fans.

The Thing About Glee

Glee has, without a doubt, become quite a television phenomenon over the past two years. After Golden Globes and Emmy wins, countless fans, soundtracks and other merchandise, it seems that this phenomenon is around to stay. It has been praised for it's uniqueness and representation of high school outcasts, and for good reason. The concept of a musical comedy-drama television show is original and exciting for audiences and the use of mentally challenged, handicapped, and overweight cast members/characters is definitely a positive one. For these and other reasons, Glee is a groundbreaking show that deserves its applause. However, there is a reason why most college-aged people say Glee is their guilty pleasure. There is something about the show that makes people embarrassed to say that they watch it. Being labeled a "gleek" is, by no stretch of the imagination, a badge of honor for some. But why is this if it is a such a well-recognized, successful show? There are several things wrong with Glee that audiences overlook after being dazzled with their favorite songs or novel characters.

First of all, there is a logistical problem with the show that surprisingly hasn't been addressed in the media. This show takes place in high school, a four year program. What happens when the main characters graduate? Seasons of Glee follow the glee club through the school year to regionals. Most high school television shows gain longevity either by stretching about the school year over several seasons or by following the same characters through college. The way Glee is showing now, we shouldn't expect more than four seasons if they intend to run each season through the school year. Following the main characters through college doesn't maintain the point of Glee in the first place- to follow a high school glee club. New characters could be introduced and audiences could follow their four years in high school, but it's doubtful that audiences would build much empathy with new sets of main characters constantly being brought to the show.

When looking at the show from a purely talent-based point of view, the cast is impressive and the overall scope of the show is original and admittedly, addictive. However, when listening to the soundtrack not knowing what it is, it sounds like a Kidz Bop album. When watching the show, the performances are impressive and moving because of the core emotion the actors emit, not to mention the cinematography and editing. But without these aspects, the music alone leaves the listener wanting. The recent use of original songs is a wise move, but it's questionable how far original songs can go with the show. One of the main reasons to watch the show is to see a new rendition of your favorite songs performed, and without this the show will lose a lot. Along the same lines, episodes can get repetitive because the audience can predict who will have solos and what kind of songs the soloists will be singing. This kind of predictability gives the viewer no reason to keep watching the show week after week.

The makers of Glee make up for this predictability through their plot. One of the main reasons why Glee is so addictive is because there is always some big twist in each episode. Unfortunately, the cost of these twists is consistency. There have been several plot inconsistencies in terms of forgetting about supposedly important characters or simply dropping important parts of the plot for several episodes at a time. A few weeks ago, Yahoo released a list of inconsistencies within the show relating to "important" supporting characters, plot lines, etc. These inconsistencies are more noticeable when watching the show episode after episode online than on a weekly basis. But a great show should be one where you can buy the seasons and watch episode after episode with some kind of flow. The makers of Glee seem to be desperately fighting for their ratings and addictive, exciting appeal by adding any kind of character twist with little or no logic behind it based on character qualities. Each week, we find out that someone is breaking up or cheating or still in love with their ex. What happened to supporting diverse, overlooked populations? How much of the plot is meant to support abused populations and how much of it is for shock value? The first season was much more in keeping with this ideal for the show, but the struggle to maintain ratings seems to have taken over. More attention should be paid to the individual struggles of the students we sympathize with and less attention should be paid to the same recycled teen relationships.

Post Graduate Plans

As I get closer to graduation day, the dreaded question presents itself from every direction: "What are you going to do when you graduate?" Very few people enjoy being asked this question, even when they have a set plan for their future. The unknown of "the real world" and the future sets most students on edge, which is only made worse by the lack of a plan. Based on popular example, we're programmed to believe that in order to succeed we must go to high school, followed by college, then graduate school, then a steady job. But between the tests and work shifts, when are we supposed to really live? Are we really expected to wait until our children are in college or when we retire? Something that should be kept in mind during this stressful time is that we aren't being put on a timer. Sure, it would be great to get a steady job and have a good income by the time those student loans kick in, but it's ok to breathe between graduation day and then. This is why when someone asks me the dreaded question, I respond with, "I'm going to travel after I graduate. After that, I guess I'll find out." Don't get me wrong, I'm very conscious of my future and have been brought up to think about my career. I've always had at least one job since I was fourteen and have been going to my college career center since freshman year. I know what my interests are and I know what I want to pursue, but that doesn't mean I need to have my lifetime career set just yet. I want to have options and the ability to pursue those options if I'd like to. After I graduate, I'm taking a year off to travel, volunteer, and pursue my options. I want to go to the UK and meet new people, learn how others live, and go on adventures. I want to have the time for internships and volunteering so that I can really, truly know what I want to do before I fully commit to it. I'm excited about finding my calling and committing to it, but I also acknowledge that I could be happy with multiple options right now. If you know what you want to do, then great. But for someone like me who has a few things in mind, I suggest taking time to really think them over. Granted, I'm still an undergraduate with a few part-time jobs, but I would like to think that a confident 23-year-old with a fixed goal in mind is more employable than an unsure 22-year-old who feels pressure to move on to the next step in life.