By Andrea Avalos (CAS '11)

Still reading?

Good.

…

I lied.

Still Reading?

….

……………

……………………..

…

Darn.

Hi mom. I knew you’d still be here.

Clearly, I don’t have GoDaddy.com’s touch, but they’ve done it again. They taken the seemingly boring world of web domain hosting and made it relevant and sexy with the NASCAR bombshell Danica Patrick.

Patrick was not the only popular spokesperson to make a reappearance this year.

This baby was too old to make the cut

The annoying, albeit cute, E*Trade baby was back. Nothing makes me want to take my personal finances on the internet more than a weird, man-voice baby.

Actually, all three babies that made appearances during this spot were brand new—mostly because the original is now too old to fit the part.

However, not everyone came back to the Superbowl party this year.

Missing among the ranks of Superbowl super stars included most notably the absent Pepsi.

Pepsi notably absent in the Super Bowl ad line-up

Pepsi essentially made the same statement that Lady Gaga would make if she donned a sensible cardigan and a pair of Levi’s during any moment of her public life.

Rather than indulging in the glitz of P. Diddy or the glam of Brittney Spears as it has in the past, Pepsi vowed to spend its advertising budget on the “Refresh Project” that gives millions of dollars away each month for a specific cause.

During a recession, cause-related marketing spikes like beer sales , and it is much easier to justify large ad spending when it’s for a good cause.

Pepsi is not the only one to take a stand.

In a very controversial move, CBS accepted the placement of the Tim Tebow ad featuring the Heisman winner and his mother for the Focus on the Family website.

While the ad never officially uses the word “abortion,” the appearance of a clear pro-life organization has certainly caused people to talk.

Beyond the controversy of the organizations that did and didn’t make a clear statement, there were some clear winners during this 44^th Super Bowl.

The Winners

A Superbowl 44 winner

Budweiser: How did the chicken cross the road? The jury is still out.

How did the Budweiser truck cross the ravine? Fifty some people link themselves in a sacrificial human bridge of sorts to get the truck over the perilous cliff.

Good, funny, and completely accurate.

The Late Show with David Letterman: As the great equalizer, Oprah makes a very funny and very timely appearance sitting on a couch between a distraught Letterman and Leno.

Google: This Parisian love story does not actually show any other image than the typing in a search box on google.com. The story starts with a male student who is clearly studying abroad in Paris, falls in love and by the end of the ad, he searches “how to build a crib.”

While Google never actually shows any people in this ad, just reading the search items moved the approximately 80% female population with whom I watched the Superbowl.

After aww-ing, I tried to hide my one tear.

Yes, an ad for a search engine made me tear up.

Yes, I am judging myself.

The no pants trend: YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! I don’t really care what you think…these were funny. In a probably strategic back-to-back move, Dockers and Career Builder features pants-less people.

Bud Light: One word: auto-tune. I would like to see the sales spikes of the auto-tuner iPhone app. While I don’t necessarily want to drink any more or less Bud Light, I definitely now believe that auto-tuning makes anyone really really cool.

The Misses

Doritos: For me, there is just something about funerals that doesn’t lend itself to humor. The concept of a person faking his death within a casket full of Doritos just doesn’t appeal to me. Bad.

Godaddy.com: This year, Ms. Patrick received a massage from another attractive, young female who removed one shirt to reveal a skimpier tank top. This scene quickly cuts to a black screen with the Godaddy.com URL and logo visibly apparent to lead to an inevitable and probably not sustainable spike in site traffic.

Note: Everyone I watched the Superbowl wanted me to write that this ad “sucked.”

The one with the dead, talking flowers: I don’t even remember the company, which should show how ineffective this commercial was. I also might have been refilling my plate with wings at this time.

Overall

Good year.

Beer dominated—once again proving that beer is recession-proof.

Cars made their point despite—or even in spite of—the current controversy with Toyota, the government and GM.

In the end, the Saints defeated the Colts 31-17, but to me the clear winners were the ads.

—

Lindsey Frick would like to note that this is purely the opinion of her and the 14 other people at her gracious friend’s Superbowl party. She would also like to thank her friends for making fudge and cupcakes acceptable at a Superbowl party since they were delicious.

—

http://adage.com/agencynews/article?article_id=141854

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/cat/2010

No related posts.

We all know the feeling. It’s dark and cold outside, but it’s late and you’re hungry. You don’t feel like going very far, so you opt for the old standbys: the GSU, Raising Cane’s, Uburger, Panera, Qdoba. Don’t get us wrong; that stuff is good. But there are some places that are better, right here on campus.

Busy Bee Restaurant

Photo By Nicole D'Alessandro

Soft hues from the Coca Cola sign glimmer over the scenic posters of Greece and Elvis Presley, foreshadowing an unparalleled dining experience greeting those who enter Brookline’s Busy Bee Diner, located at 1046 Beacon St just past Johnny’s Freshmarket.  Don’t be discouraged by the sophisticated décor of bright teal booths with a baby pink trim along the walls; the Busy Bee is an ideal place to catch an entire meal for under $10.  One glance at their coffee stained menus, and you’ll see that the Busy Bee has the classic diner food covered. Offering a selection of omelets, pancakes, and homemade muffins, breakfast at the diner is incomplete without a side of their perfectly greased home fries.  As for lunch/dinner, any of their burgers, salads, club sandwiches or daily specials do the trick. Be wary that this diner is closed on Sundays but confident that any trip during their business hours will leave you with your stomach full and your paycheck in tact.  Why this neighborhood greasy spoon has yet to become BU’s frugal food fix of choice is beyond me.

Crispy Crepe’s Cafe

A reward for those in search of a palatable escape from BU’s dining halls, Crispy Crêpes Café is just a hop, skip, and a jump into South Campus (512 Park Dr, next to 7-11 and their jointly owned counterpart, Falafel & Couscous).  Sweet or savory, you can’t go wrong with the cafe’s specialty crepes. Once you’ve had their fresh strawberry and Nutella crepe, you’ll snub your nose at even BU’s finest Rhett-printed waffles.  Should there be a poor soul among you who lacks the refined palate to appreciate the orgasm-in-food-form that is a crepe, the omelets and paninis will not disappoint. However, I would advise against their somewhat watery and less-than-satisfying pastas. Regardless of what you choose, expect to pay about $10 for a meal. Without a doubt, Crispy Crêpes Café is a surprisingly unknown treat in South Campus and a perfect place to treat the taste buds.

Falafel & Couscous, Boston

This tiny take-away restaurant, located at 512 Park Dr, next to the 7-11 and Crispy Crepe’s Cafe in South Campus, features delicious Mediterranean food. Typical finds includes hummus, shawarma, baklava, kabob, and, of course, falafel and couscous. I recommend the sandwiches: you get a large wrap filled with the edibles of your choice, all for about six to eight dollars. Of these, my favorite is the Zaalok: a huge wrap filled with a spiced eggplant mixture, tomato and lettuce. The dinner menus are a bit more expensive, at $14 a plate, or come at noon for the lunch portion for $11. The people are friendly, and they make your sandwich right in front of you.

Ankara Cafe

Photo by Nicole D’Alessandro

Located at 472 Commonwealth Ave in Kenmore Square, Ankara’s menu includes an extensive list of different types of pizzas, sandwiches, salads and wraps. Their specialty pizzas include creative options like Super Hawaiian (bacon, ham and pineapple) and the Ankara Special (goat cheese, roasted peppers, eggplant and carmelized onion), and will set you back $15 for a large and $11 for a medium. But their most coveted menu item is dessert: frozen yogurt. Start with vanilla or chocolate frozen yogurt and select from over 65 mix-ins. These include traditional choices like Reese’s Cups and Oreo to more radical pumpkin, cracklin’ oat bran, and kiwi. A two-topping frozen yogurt (keep in mind that the serving is huge) will set you back $5 and some change.

Campus Trolley

Photo by Heather Vandenengel

Campus Trolley, sandwiched between CAS and Sargent, is the best kind of train: the stationary kind that serves cheap and delicious Lebanese food all day long. Though it has been a fixture on campus for 21 years, it still remains undiscovered to many. What they (and probably you) are missing out on are $4.50 vegetarian roll-ups stuffed with goodies like with tabooli, hommus and falafel and $5.00 chicken and steak roll-ups (try Greek chicken or steak fajita). They also serve kafta, a traditional Lebanese roll-up, which consists of ground beef, onion, parsley and spices. For $7.00 or $8.00 you can get a whole platter: the Mosaic includes tabooli, hummus, grape leaves, falafel, lentils and rice. The service is always friendly, the meat is grilled in front of you and the vegetables are fresh. As a bonus, they also serve Coke products, which is a rarity on this Pepsi-dominated campus.

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But while Americans have been educated on preventing pregnancy and the contraction of sexually transmitted infections, there are multiple maladies you can contract by engaging in the wrong position, doing it too many times, or stopping before reaching orgasm. Boston University sexologist Teri Aronowitz addresses some major problems, and how to prevent and fix them.

• Urinary tract infections. Also called UTIs, this infection of the urethra is more common in women than men. Since the urinary tract is internal in women, it lies close to both the anus and vagina, and is located much closer to the anus than in men. Because of this, women are more susceptible to bacteria entering and infecting their bladder during sex. “The urethra is pretty much caught between a rock and a hard place,” Aronowitz explains. Symptoms of  UTI include painful/burning urinating, bloody or cloudy urine, and painful cramps in the stomach and back. She suggests urinating after sex to prevent contracting a UTI, which will help bacteria leave the body.
• Blue balls. Contrary to popular belief, guys aren’t the only unfortunate recipients of blue balls. Aronowitz related stories of women coming in to see her, complaining of vaginal discomfort. Instead of checking for infection, Aronowitz suggests a newfangled cure: masturbating. “When the clitoris is stimulated, the labia engorges it,” Aronowitz explained at a public function at the Women’s Resource Center. “If climax is not reached, the labia can continue to be swollen for days, which can pull on the clitoris and rub together as you walk.” This can cause the discomfort many of her patients feel. She suggests preventing this by making sure both you and your partner have reached climax during sex.
• The wrong position. Anyone who sees Very Bad Things will be sexually scarred for life: Jeremy Piven’s character takes a prostitute into his hotel bathroom, engages in aggressive sexual intercourse, and slams her into the wall in a fit of passion. Unfortunately, the wall he chooses has a nail pointing out of it, punctures the prostitute’s skull, and dramatically kills her. While this scene is very rare, it certainly discourages one from having sex against walls. Aronowitz suggests avoiding scenes like this by being open and reading your partner’s body language to see if they like aggressive sex. She says agreeing upon a “safe word” at the beginning of the session will also help open communication during sex.
• Dirty dildos. For couples who use adult toys as a special addition in their bedroom, passing them back and forth without cleaning them in between can lead to infection. Aronowitz suggests either introducing two toys – one for each person – or simply cleaning the one in use with soap and warm water before using it on your partner. She also suggests employing this cleaning method after each time the toy is used to prevent infections during future use.
• Chafing. It is pretty tough to get too much of this good thing — but unfortunately, multiple bouts of sexual intercourse can cause discomfort in both parties, and can even lead to chafing. “It’s important that both parties are aware of each other, and making sure there is enough lubrication,” Aronowitz suggests. Bleeding after intercourse in women is also common. “It’s a natural response,” Aronowitz said. So before you decide to try for the 6^th or 7^th time in one day, reach for the lube!
• Shaving. Chafing and discomfort in the nether regions could be a result of the “new sexual shaving,” according to Aronowitz. Since Americans now embrace shaving their downstairs for aesthetic, the fine bristles of hair – if not shaved closed enough – rub up against your partner, irritating his or her skin. Aronowitz also suggests that there has been an increase in HPV and other STIs due to this new trend: since the bristles rub abrasively, they can break the skin and easily transmit infections. People should either shave closely every day, or let their hair grow out to prevent this from happening, said Aronowitz.
• Vaginismus. Vaginismus is defined as “the instantaneous, involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles in anticipation of vaginal penetration,” according to www.womenstc.com. “This muscle is pretty darn strong, and it has got a mind of its own,” Aronowitz said. If this muscle has been torn in the past, the muscle might seize up at the beginning of intercourse, resulting in discomfort and even pain in both partners. Aronowitz suggests having your partner practice a special technique to open the labia up: with two fingers, gently press down inside the vagina on the rectal area, following a half-moon shape while doing so. She also suggests going through mental therapy if the problem continues to persist.

There you have it. Be careful with the toys, shave completely clean (or not at all) and make sure to use plenty of lube! With all of these things in mind, you’re fully prepared to have crazy special sex while keeping yourself – and your partner – safe.

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A frosty Brattle Theater welcomes the weary moviegoer. Photo by Monica Castillo.

It used to be that going out to the movies was a nice, inexpensive way for you and your friends to hang out or an affordable getaway with that special someone. But thanks to soaring prices and ho-hum movie options, you’re more likely to have fun just staying home with a well chosen Netfilx option. Fear not, for the Boston movie scene has more to offer than just what’s playing down the block: and for a student-friendly price. I have done a bit of searching around the area, and have found a few resorts of affordable movies. Give the places a chance and find a whole new movie going experience far greater than staying in the dorm room.

Coolidge Corner: Easily accessible by T, at first glance the theater looks like nothing more than a poor old nickelodeon with an antique neon sign to boot. But once you’re inside, you almost feel like you’re stepping into a bygone era. From the old fashioned concession stand, vintage posters, and art deco touches, almost everything seems different from the regular movie theaters you’ve seen before. If you’re fortunate enough to see a movie in screen one, the main theater, you’ll get a movie-going experience from the heyday of Hollywood. Once inside screen one, you know you’re not in your hometown Cineplex. The seats are plushy cushions in the old-fashioned theater rows. At the front of the theater, the big screen is grounded by a stage, used by the occasional performers or lecturers that may accompany your picture. Just try not to stare at the gorgeous proscenium arch with art deco gold figures framing the scene. However, don’t be disheartened if you’re not in the main theater, all the screens are good and the seats are equally comfy. This theater gets my vote for best overall experience. I also highly recommend their special midnight series of cult films and themed sing-a-longs hosted in the main theater.  Look up the listing the week of; the theater has been known to make last minute changes and additions.  In order to save a bit for popcorn and drinks, try the student pricing available on Thursday screenings. Find out more about the theater here.

The Brattle Theater-If there’s one word that describes the Brattle, it’s” local.” Along with Coolidge, this Cambridge theater holds its own film festivals and supports local talent quite fervently. To find the unassuming 1 Brattle St. door, go down the staircase and past the optician’s office and follow the smell of fresh popcorn. Hooray for year-round student discount! Once you past the concession stand, climb a staircase covered in posters up to the theater. There are plenty of seats and even a balcony with stadium seating.  This theater has a stage as well, and is used by the director of programming to introduce the film or for the occasional celebrity question and answer segment. The management loves to plan extensive reparatory series and complete works of a director or actor. Check their schedule online or their handy printed guide for upcoming shows and series.  Be sure to look out for their film education series held once a month, as these screenings are completely free. To find out about the history of The Brattle, click here .

Harvard Film Archive- No food, no drink, no talking, no late entrances, and no use of recording devices: This is a purely academic theater. You are here to watch the movie you paid for and hopefully, a speaker involved with the film. More often than not, the Archive screens the original theatrical releases on film and feature a speaker that worked on the film. Being an academic theater gives the HFA one of the biggest selections of obscure and out of print movies. It’s a great way to experience the works of acclaimed directors like John Ford or Peter Bogdanovich and find new works of foreign directors that have yet to gain international fame.  Though they don’t announce it, look at the calendar on their website to find not only the big features and speakers, but also for some free screening of cinematic classics like “Battleship Potemkin” and recent short films. Alex Suarez of Berklee College of Music remembers his trip to the Archive to see Gordon Willis talk about his work on the movie “Manhattan”: “It was fascinating to hear Gordon Willis’ perspective on cinematography and how surprisingly concise he was in describing why he chose certain shots that he is famous for.” This is possibly one of the few theaters in Boston where you can meet and greet your movie heroes. I also recommend mapping this gem out before you go, since it can be hard to find if you are not familiar with Harvard’s Campus.

MIT Lecture Series Committee- Strange name aside, this is the “theater” I attend the most. Nestled in the labyrinth of Building 26 in Classroom 100, the MIT LSC is one of MIT’s best kept secrets. The MIT LSC is usually held in a plain classroom with old fashioned wooden desks and chairs and a very formidable looking projection room. As much as it doesn’t look like a theater, it makes up quite nicely with prices on tickets and concessions. Some showings are sponsored and free, but most regular showings cost $4. At the front of the class/screen, there is a table set up with all sorts of candy for $2 or less and fresh popcorn and sodas for a dollar or two a piece. The selection of films range from popular picks like “The Blues Brothers,” and classic Hollywood like Billy Wilder’s “One, Two, Three” to current Hollywood flicks like “The Hurt Locker.” LSC adds new foreign and independent titles to their schedule even before they hit mainstream audiences. However, it is not just the cheap prices and good movie options that have students coming back week after week. According to MIT junior and avid LSC advocate Michael Lin, it is the camaraderie of his fellow movie goers that adds to the environment.

“I love that the LSC lets you experience movies in a communal setting without all of the tension and unwritten rules of being around complete strangers as in a formal movie theater. My best memory of LSC was at the Sci-Fi Marathon two years ago. We were at the halfway point of the marathon, and they were showing all sorts of trailers from other science fiction films in between two films – I think “Galaxy Quest” and “Sunshine.” Anyway, what looks like another trailers comes up, complete with deep-voiced narration over a starry background. Suddenly, the stars rearrange, and the voice changes – it turns out to be a guy’s wedding proposal to his girlfriend. She said yes, if memory serves. Runner-up goes to the showing of “Mamma Mia!,” which was a special version that had subtitles so that the entire theater could sing along. A perfect example of the sense of movies as a shared experience that LSC allows for and encourages – as far as I’m concerned, that’s the best way to watch a movie, with other people.”

Check their website for new and updated listings.

Want to suggest a movie venue I missed? Please do so! I am always looking for new places to watch a good movie with company.

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As Valentine’s Day approaches, an old cliché comes to mind: Love is in the air. Yet what is seldom appreciated is that love is always in our genes, our chemistry, our evolutionary past, our very nature. This is true of many animal species, who appear to partake in some rather romantic engagements. Below are a few such cases, and the beautiful tactics employed to successfully seduce and sustain a partnership.

Take the Vogelkop Bowerbird (Amblyornis inornata) for instance, who is both a brilliant vocalist and architect. He lures a female to his impressively constructed bower with a ballad of imitated sounds that range from a cockatoo squawk to a whip crack. A bower is a large twig structure, perfected over the bird’s lifetime, that serves as a stage, display case, and, if successful, the nuptial bed. Typically, his bower is woven intricately, carpeted with moss, and then adorned with collected items that he hopes the female will fancy, such as colorful flowers, beetle shells, pebbles, seashells, bottle caps, and any other rare treasures he encounters. Additionally, these objects are color coordinated, then meticulously arranged for optimal visibility to the female. There is great pressure for creativity, as the males are highly competitive and often build within yards of each other. As the female tours each male’s area, he will continue to sing and dance until exhaustion. If she is pleased, she will enter his bower and they will mate– yet she flies off to nest and lay elsewhere (Diamond, 1986).

Unlike most reptilian species, the Shingleback blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua rugosa) is monogamous for life, forming loyal pairs for up to twenty years. The sweetest part about a male and female’s relationship is not so much how he initially woos her, but his consistent dedication and protection of her once they are pair bonded. During the breeding season, males pursue females by following chemical cues called pheromones, and then select her based on physical appearance. An inseparable courtship stage ensues for 6-8 weeks, followed by a 10 day mating window. Once mated, the female will gestate their young and raise them on her own, but across breeding seasons both will always reclaim one another (Bull et al., 1998). A male becomes very territorial and vigilant over his partner during this breeding season, readily fighting other males and predators that attempt to approach her (Bull and Pamela, 1998), and when beset by death, males are commonly found faithfully besides his dead mate for days, never leaving her side.

Every morning at dawn the male sea horse (genus Hippocampus) awaits its female companion amidst a forest of seagrass. When the female approaches, both individuals rush towards each other while morphing from a dull gray color to yellow or white.  Once they encounter each other, they swim side by side until wrapping both of their tails around a piece of grass and twirling around it.  Then both release the grass, slowly swim parallel along the sea floor, and grasp another piece of grass to spin around.  This action may be repeated multiple times until one sea horse dulls its coloration, ending the greeting.  Sea horses are monogamous for their entire lives, ignoring displays from other individuals, and repeating this romantic greeting with their partner each day of the mating season.  In addition, the male is even kind enough to take care of the eggs during their twenty-one days of development (Vincent and Sadler, 1995).  Yes, that in fact means that he becomes pregnant after the female transfers her eggs to his brooding pouch.  Now that’s dedication.

Two blue-footed boobies inspect each other's feet.

Finally, if you need some last-minute tips on how to dance yourself into your partner’s heart, check out how the blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii) do it.  Males present their bright blue/green feet to females, swaying back and forth to alternate which foot is exhibited.  Then they change position into an outstanding display, whistling and showing off their wings, feet, tail, and head. A female must choose a mate carefully, because it is his fitness and capability of giving parental care that will determine the eventual fate of her offspring.  Fortunately, the nutritional condition of the males is reflected by the color of his feet, so if a female has a sharp eye (which she does, for sky-dive fishing) she can accurately select herself a healthy partner (Velando et al. 2006).  Couples will remain together for at least one breeding season (Nelson 2005).

When is monogamy beneficial?  If parental care is necessary for offspring to survive, both parents must act together to care for their young.  When partners are scarce, it is beneficial to make life-long commitments, rather than one fleeting copulation that doesn’t guarantee another chance at reproductive success (Wittenberger, 1980).  Monogamy can possibly be explained scientifically, but how can we go about explaining what makes the skink sits by the side of its road-killed partner?  ”Love,” its forms and practices have eluded science for years, and the rationale behind this strong emotion is still not fully understood. Several theories attempt to account for the subjective experience of love and its stages, and certainly many chemicals play a role– from sex hormones to neurochemicals like vassopressin, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine (Heindrichs and Dome, 2008). Moreover, activation of the brain’s reward circuitry (Aron et al, 2005) and stress system are involved as well, among others. Still, what is offered remains inadequate to fulfill love’s complexity, or to define what it really entails across species. So celebrate monogamy in our species while it lasts this Valentine’s Day.

Video credit: Liz Herdter, BU Tropical Ecology Program, Spring 2009.

Aron, A., Fisher, H., Mashek, D.J., Strong, G.,Li, H., and Brown, L.L. 2005. Reward, Motivation, and Emotion Systems Associated With Early-Stage Intense Romantic Love. J Neurophysiol 94: 327-337.

Bull, C.M., and Pamula, Y. 1998. Enhanced vigilance in monogamous pairs of the lizard, Tiliqua rugosa. Behavioural Ecology 9: 452–455.

Bull, C.M., Cooper S.J.B, and Baghurst, B.C. 1998. Social monogamy and extra-pair fertilization in an Australian lizard, Tiliqua rugosa. J. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 44: 63-72.

Diamond, J. 1986. Animal art: Variation in bower decorating style among male bowerbirds, Amblyornis inornatus. PNAS 83: 3042-3046.

Heinrichs, M. and Dome, G. 2008. Neuropeptides and social behavior: effects of oxytocin and vasopressin in humans. Progress in Brain Research 170: 337-350.

Nelson, JB. 2005. Pelicans, Cormorants, and their Relatives: the Pelicaniformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Velando, A, R Beamont-Barrientos, and R Torres. 2006. Pigment-based skin colour in the blue-footed booby: an honest signal of current condition used by females to adjust reproductive investment. Oecologia 149: 535-542.

Vincent, AC and LA Sadler. 1995. Faithful pair bonds in wild sea horses, Hippocampus whitei. Animal Behavior 50:1557-1569.

Wittenberger, J.F. and Tilson, R.L. 1980. The Evolution of Monogamy: Hypotheses and Evidence. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 11: 197-232

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Photo by Flickr user gj_theWhite

On the contrary, both professors consider an education in literature as one of the most useful resources a student can acquire in college.

“In terms of operating in any kind of context where you have to deal with people on a day-to-day basis, or any situation in which clear, concise communication is essential, I can’t think of a better choice of a major than English,” says Professor Rzepka.

The English degree does not entrap the student within the world of academics, although teaching and graduate school are both common choices for English majors after college. Students with an English degree have the opportunity to pursue a career in a field in which they can apply the skills that the study of literature has given them. These fields include publishing, public relations, journalism, law, and even some administrative positions. Professor Carroll refers to the skills acquired in the English degree as “a certain kind of textual knowledge; [in the English major] you learn how to read the world…There’s a way of reading any kind of text—visual, written or oral—that you learn to do through the type of close reading analysis that we do in all of our courses.”

It might seem self-serving for these two distinguished English professors to praise their field of expertise. However, neither of them exalts the English major as the most appropriate or the most rewarding for everyone, and they are not afraid to admit that an English degree doesn’t often buy you a private jet. Still, they do acknowledge that an English major develops certain abilities indispensable to many professions.  According to Professor Carroll, a student of literature acquires “skills that maybe don’t lead you to the million-dollar job, but they are skills that transcend very specific kinds of tracks, and that are useful across all disciplines.” This is not to say that one can major in English and decide to practice as a computer technician upon graduation, but the degree certainly instills a foundation of analysis and interpretation that affords the student with a certain amount of flexibility when it comes to choosing a career.

Professor Carroll should know. When the now-professor applied to law school not too many years ago, the University of Chicago was more than eager to admit him for the skills he had acquired as an English major. Ultimately, though, he decided to settle for commercial flights and pursue his passion for literature in graduate school. Nevertheless, the professor’s experience demonstrates that an English degree is regarded as an asset in fields even outside the realm of academics and literature.

The law is a profession that is very much tied with the foundation of an English major, as Professor Rzepka notes: “a lot of law schools don’t want pre-law students…They need students who know how to interpret prose and who are aware of the fact that sentences can be construed and understood in more than one way.” This is the knowledge that an education in English instills in the student, and which therefore prepares him to be an effective and insightful lawyer.

Through their own experiences, as well as through the successes of their many former students, Professor Carroll and Professor Rzepka have demonstrated that the English major is not only fulfilling, but also a practical base to have in the professional world. However, even if it weren’t as functional and applicable a career as it is, there would probably still be many students who would choose to pursue the English degree simply because literature provides them with a kind of enjoyment and insight that not many other fields can offer. “There’s the fact that we read for pleasure, and pleasure is not trivial…there’s something satisfying in the literary experience that is different from other kinds of professional experiences, and if you can combine them, you have the best of both worlds,” says Professor Carroll.

Thus, Ted Mosby’s analogy between the development of intimacy in a relationship and the acquisition of an English degree is actually quite insightful. As Professor Rzepka notes, “The most important reason to be an English major is because you’re doing something that you like.” So although Ted is wrong about an English degree being useless (and also about relationships, but that’s a different story), he is right to compare the study of literature with the process of understanding someone you care about. Both of these experiences provide insight into how to interact within your environment, whether it be with your partner or with the challenges of the outside world.

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Whatever happened to Lucas and Peyton, anyway?

The verdict is in. Don’t be embarrassed, I won’t tell anyone, just be honest. How much television do you watch per week? I’ve tallied my votes and yes, this is my final answer: I have a whopping 15 hours of TV that I must watch every week, not counting the hours upon hours of just random shows I have on while I’m doing my homework, eating my breakfast, and so on. But as I was watching my “favorite” TV shows last week, a thought occurred to me: why on earth am I watching this? Do I really enjoy the show, or am I simply suffering from an unquenchable desire to see how the show will eventually and inevitably crash and burn? After six never-ending seasons of “One Tree Hill,” I can’t deny that, at this point, any ending to come in the next ten episodes would be a happy one.

Like all top TV shows, “One Tree Hill” started off with a bang. It was a fun show with a unique and attractive cast, with a following of 3.5 million its first season, according to the ABC Medianet website. The ratings went up from there into the successful 2^nd-4^th seasons, and then… kerplunk! Now in its 7^th season, ABC Medianet reports 2.53 million viewers, making it one of the CW’s lowest ranked shows. I myself, an avid viewer since Lucas and Peyton’s first intense gaze into each other’s eyes from afar, have to force myself to turn it on every week: yet, without fail, I still do. It’s the same with “The Hills” and “90210.” Are these shows all going down the drain, or are there still surprises left for us? Can any of the shows redeem themselves before it’s too late?

After Lauren Conrad (better known as LC) left “The Hills,” Kristin Cavallari took over in a big way. This girl knows how to put on a show, and after just one season, she has brought the already unbelievable show to its breaking point. Who seriously moves to L.A. for no apparent reason and immediately moves in on the ex-boyfriend of a potential friend? And who in their right mind would choose Justin-Bobby over Brody Jenner? No one, that’s who.

Come Back, LC!

I can’t stand any of the characters on the show, yet I enthusiastically tune in every Monday at 10 PM. Why is that? Am I really that bored? I can think of a hundred other things I could be doing during that half hour: homework, exercising, cleaning my room, sleeping, spying on people from my giant window in Stuvi2. Or is it because there’s just something deeply satisfying about watching people who are much richer and more than me crash and burn? Honestly, what could be more satisfying? These people have everything: fortune, beauty, and fame – just from living their lives. They go about their daily routines and millions of people worship them for it. Hey, MTV, come film me! I have way more drama in my life than they do! Let me in on some of that fame and fortune!

No matter how fun it is to watch pretty people fail, eventually people get bored. After watching Brooke fail at 4 serious relationships with 4 seriously hot guys on “One Tree Hill,” I don’t think I’m up for a 5^th, even if the guy is British. I don’t even care if Kristin dumps Justin-Bobby and runs off with her girlfriend Stacy on “The Hills.” And most of all, I don’t care if Adrianna on “90210” overdoses for the gazillionth time or if Liam keeps another secret from Naomi.

But then, crash-and-burn television, you pull a fast one:

Jasper flirts with Annie without letting on that he knows her secret

The entire last season of “90210” got worse and worse as it progressed, and I almost gave up on it several times. After all, it’s only a couple seasons in, so I’m not fully committed yet. But, boy, am I glad I stuck around for that final episode. I thought they had completely abandoned the only story-line that I cared about, but then, that last 30 seconds blew my mind. When Jasper told Annie he knew about her hit-and-run accident, I jumped out of my chair like a gazelle and threw both fists in the air. Yes! Finally!! A real surprise! None of that mysterious hocus pocus from “Lost” or the silly OMG moments of “Gossip Girl.” They really hit the spot, bringing back a case we thought was closed, and then BAM, credits. I wasn’t that absorbed with “90210” before, but now I’m chomping at the bit for the new season to start.

So what’s the point of all this? Hope. Yes folks, there’s still hope out there in TV land. Some writers still know how to thrill and torture us when we least expect it. I’m not saying “90210” will be the next best thing since sliced bread – I still fully expect this show to crash and burn. But now I know that even though my favorite shows are kicking the can, I have a reason to keep tuning in every Monday night, just so I don’t miss the big moment that lets me sigh with relief. Is this good or bad? Who knows? Maybe it will all just be a big waste of time, but at least now I can hope it won’t be.

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On the Window of Espresso Royale Caffe at 736 Commonwealth Ave.

The task is simple: Use a continuous line to draw a complete stranger.  Draw anything about that stranger: his or her face, hands, entire body.  Draw anywhere: on toilet paper, on post-its, on windows or chalk boards.  From that one line, a shape is created, then a face, and at last an entire drawing and performance project on BU’s campus: Portraits of Strangers [PoS].

“If I could think and dream as big as I wanted to, I would get a grant and take people around the world…and just go outside and do this in public places,” said Natalie Turturro, a CFA Theater Design and Production senior and the creative force behind PoS.

As a project designed to encourage consistent drawing in everyday life, PoS consists of volunteer participants joining in to draw unfamiliar people.

“The purpose of PoS is to see if I can get everyone drawing on their way to work, in the elevator, on the train…everyone can draw, and everyone should draw, because it is a basic skill like math, reading, or writing. Drawing is learning how to see shapes within shapes created by lines intersecting or parallel to other lines,” wrote Turturro on PoS’s website.  In Turturro’s view, drawing teaches people to concentrate and develop cognitive and social skills.

Turturro said she has been drawing since she was a baby, and apparently hasn’t stopped since.  From the paper feet, teeth, and eyes attached to the shag rug clawing at the floor to the neon colored shopping list on the refrigerator to the countless array of sketchbooks scattered about her StuVi2 apartment, nothing has escaped Turturro’s aesthetic attentions.

Turturro said she began to focus on sketching strangers specifically during her commute to and from internships in London and New York City.  Though she has been developing PoS since summer 2008, Turturro turned PoS into a full scale project through her Site-Specific art class last semester.

“It’s all about bringing art to the people and making it accessible to people who usually don’t have art around them,” Turturro said.  “I just want to do it naturally and what’s fun is when there’s nothing required of me to do it.”

Taylor Ashbrook works on a portrait for Portraits of Strangers in Espresso Royale Caffe

“Art is put on a pedestal a lot of the time…[people] get this impression that you have to have a lifetime of experience to make anything aesthetically pleasing,” said Taylor Ashbrook, a collaborator of PoS.

But the reality that PoS tries to bring is that “anybody can do it if you just sit down and do it,” according to Katy Whistler, another PoS collaborator.

Both Ashbrook and Whistler met Turturro when the three started at BU as costume design majors.  Though they have all branched out to separate CFA fields, they have remained a source of creative inspiration for each other.  In addition to helping organize PoS, they all share ideas including Ashbrook’s maps for aliens, discuss projects like Whistler’s sustainability efforts on campus, or just chit-chat about the latest “Jersey Shore” episode.

“They’re my favorite friends,” Turturro said.

“Luckily, we can draw,” laughed Whistler.

Since the creation of PoS, Turturro has hosted two events, both last December, and advertised through the PoS website and facebook group.

PoS’s first performance was held at BU Central on December 5, Turturro said.  Taking over the chalk board outside of BU Central, Turturro, Ashbrook, Whistler, and a few of their acquaintances were the only ones to attend specifically for PoS.  Together, they invited anyone and everyone to join in and managed to attracted an estimated 100-plus participants during the night.  Most often, the people who contributed were the subjects of drawings and consequently decided to join in.

“I think Portraits of Strangers brings people together because you’re trying to interact, you’re trying to be here now and what that the project is about,” Turturro said.

PoS’s second event occurred the following day at the Espresso Royale Cafe on Commonwealth Avenue.  Once again starting with Turturro, Ashbrook, Whistler and a few other PoS fans, the small start was able to draw in most of the Cafe’s customers to contribute to the project, Turturro said.  Using neon markers, the expanded group drew customers sitting inside on the store front windows.  Most portraits were drawn on cards of recycled paper and given to subjects, but some were drawn on post-it notes and pasted over an entire bench.

“The important thing to me is not the actual drawing, it’s just doing the drawing,” said Turturro.

For the time being, Turturro said she has no future plans for PoS events on campus.  However, current plans are set to display Turturro’s PoS collection in Espresso Royale Cafe sometime this month.

For more information about PoS, go to portraitsofstrangers.wordpress.com or check out their Facebook group “Portraits of Strangers”.

Boston University Central Collaborative Drawing 12/05/09

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