Live for the Moment...

Sometimes, life passes us by so quickly that we forget to enjoy everything that we’ve been blessed with. If you really think about it, life is so incredibly short! Why not live for the moment? Why waste precious time being scared to take chances, or throw away days being pissed off at the world about something that is so trivial? In the end, it really isn’t going to be worth it. And with the recent tragedies that we, as Americans, have had to deal with, I have come to realize that we have to make the best of any situation that is thrown at us. We have to live life to the fullest and take advantage of all the opportunities that we are given and as my father always tells me, “Don’t sweat the small shit.”

In my lifetime I have experienced numerous national and even personal tragedies, but there are specific instances that I can remember like it was yesterday. On April 20, 1999, one teacher and fourteen students were brutally killed at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. As I walked into my home after a “tough” day as a sixth grader at Visitation B.V.M, I was instantly struck with live gruesome images on television. With my eyes glued to the television set, it was like time had completely stopped and all of my junior high issues were out the window. What also was out the large, perfectly white, living room window was a cold and dreary day. Even though I knew no one that went to Columbine, I remember feeling like this was a catastrophe that I would remember forever. The sky was dark and dull, the room was dim, and there I sat watching students, just like myself, jump from windows while covered in blood and looking for another chance at life. It’s like, why did this have to happen to them, when it could have been absolutely any high school in America? You can try to figure it out, but there is no answer to that question. But just reflecting upon that thought, allows us to realize that at any single moment our life could be over, and for no apparent reason at all.

Parents shouldn’t have to worry if their child is going to be safe when they are at school. The school environment is supposed to be a place for children to learn and better themselves, it is not a warzone. And after the Columbine shooting, it felt like that safety net and security of the school atmosphere was no longer in place. I went to Norristown Area High School, which is located in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia and needless to say, does not have the best reputation. Although the actual school building was nice, the student population didn’t match up. There were a lot of troubled students who really did not care for an education, so being at school was a tough task for them. I suppose this is the case in most high schools, but here things were a bit different. Every day I was sure to witness a fight whether it was during lunch, or even in class. Okay, well I guess fights are going to happen when hormones are running wild and there are two-thousand students closely interacting, but what I witnessed my senior year was scary. Like actual, life-threatening, we might be the next Columbine scary.

I don’t know if our reactions were because of all of the hype about school shootings in the media, or if we genuinely thought we were in danger, but either way I can still remember it. It was fourth period where I sat in Spanish class, goofing around as usual, when all of a sudden our superintendant’s voice came over the loud speaker. We were all a little confused because announcements were never made during the middle of the day, and the tone in her voice was unusual. She was notifying us that we would remain in “lock down mode” until the situation was settled, and that we would be dismissing from school early. We all looked at each other dying for details. What was happening? Students were pulling their cell phones out of their pockets, calling parents and whoever else might have some sort of outside information. Not knowing exactly what was going on, we all panicked. After the lock down was over, and we were dismissed from the building, we came to find the parking lot covered in police cars. Eventually, we found out that the night before, a student had threatened to bring a gun to school and in fact did. A fight, or what we called a battle, had broken out between two large groups and a gun was involved. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but this was terrifying for us as students. Just knowing that our lives were in danger, and knowing that in an instant any of us could’ve been killed was shocking. I’m sure we weren’t the first high school students to feel this way after what happened on April 20, 1999.

The Columbine tragedy was just the beginning of what I believe to be a repulsive trend. Years following, students across America began to copy what they saw on April 20th. It seems as though every time I turn on the television, another student is caught plotting to shoot up their school “Columbine style.” What on God’s earth would provoke these children to want to do something like this? Is it the media attention and lifelong reputation that the killers receive after committing such a repulsive act? Well, about several attempts and eight years later on April 16, 2007, one student got his wish and will remain embedded in our minds and history books forever. The Virginia Tech massacre is the deadliest school shooting, and the deadliest shooting of a single gunman in all of United States’ history. What the shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, did impacted people across America. It didn’t just make us realize that we are fragile beings that are vulnerable to outside harm, but it allowed us to take a step back and analyze the society that we live in today. This incident sparked international criticism of the United States’ laws and culture, saying that change was needed with our gun laws and the way that we handle certain situations. President George W. Bush passed the first major federal fun control measure in more than thirteen years on January 5, 2008. This incident also prompted the passage of other laws as well. In response to the Virginia Tech massacre, Texas Governor Rick Perry proposed that licensed gun owners be allowed to carry their weapons anywhere in Texas, which would even include schools. This law could have a positive effect in the future because it provides a sense of protection, but I just think it stinks that we have to make laws like this. We shouldn’t feel threatened everywhere we go, but in this day and age many of us do.

The media attention that is given to national tragedies affects the way that we lead our everyday lives. For example, school shootings may not only make students think twice when walking to class, but now certain people are being stereotyped due to the media’s criticism and in the end, that impacts how we treat others. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the two boys behind the Columbine shooting, were said to be members of “The Trenchcoat Mafia.” Now, I’m not sure what you think of when you hear that term, but I envision two gothic boys with black hair, eyeliner and a long black trenchcoat. You know what type of person I’m talking about. Either way, I have to admit that I have felt unsafe when I have encountered “those kids.” I can remember sitting in class during high school, and just staring at this gothic looking boy for minutes. So many thoughts ran through my mind, but I just kept thinking, this boy is definitely going to bring a gun to school one day. Maybe he was just depressed, because like Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, he was probably bullied around at school because of what he wore and who he hung out with. He was actually a really sweet kid, but because of the way the media decided to spin the Columbine killers as outcasts and freaks, I noticed other students treating this kid like he had a highly contagious disease. It really is like one big vicious cycle, but we have to learn to think for ourselves despite the stereotypes that are placed upon certain groups. Yes, it does seem that most students who get caught plotting massacres and bringing guns to school are the same students who get picked on, but that does not mean that we should shun them even more. Treating them like freaks of nature is not going to help the situation, it only makes it worse, which is why I feel that we should treat everyone as we would like to be treated. I know that sounds so cliché, but really, there is no need to be mean to others for no reason because nothing good will come out of it.

My outlook on life has definitely changed as I got older and wiser. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m happy with the way that I have matured. Even though I was not directly involved with or connected to these tragedies, they have really affected me and the way I lead my life. September 11th was another life-altering event for me that allowed me to realize that we cannot take life for granted. Obviously, absolutely no one in America could have ever predicted what was going to happen that day; otherwise something would have been done to prevent it. I am deeply sorry for the families and friends of those whose lives were taken on 9/11, because like the other victims in the tragedies I have mentioned, they did not deserve this. It just goes to show you that at any point in time our lives can be in danger. We are in danger when we are driving in a car or walking down the street, and obviously even when we are at work or school. This is why we cannot be scared to take chances and live life to the fullest, because we never know when this beautiful ride is going to end. I’ve learned that we must have this kind of attitude towards life not only from the national tragedies that we have endured in America, but from personal situations that I have had to deal with. We are all faced with obstacles that sometimes seem impossible to surpass, but time does not stop for anyone. We have to remember that life goes on, and most likely soon there will be another completely new obstacle that we must tackle.

Even if it is something that will never go away, the only option is to make the best of the situation that life throws at us and cancer is a prime example. According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people worldwide died from cancer in 2007. Finding out that you have cancer, and knowing that there is no cure must be the worst feeling in the world. I took care of my Aunt Joanne from the time she was diagnosed with cancer and up until she passed away. This was one of the most inspirational times of my life. The whole time, she remained so positive and optimistic, even though the brain tumor had left her with only eight months to live. I don’t know how I would react if I was faced with this dilemma, but what else can you really do? I don’t think she realized it, but she had a huge impact on my life. Now, if I have a bad day or make an error during a softball game, I know things could be a lot worse and that I should just be thankful for having the gift of life.

It’s been twenty-one very fast years, but I have learned so much in what has seemed like such a short amount of time. Now as a junior at Ursinus College, I have experienced times where I thought nothing else could go wrong, but the bottom line is that shit happens and there is nothing you can do but learn from the past. Life’s rewards wouldn’t be so sweet if we never had to work for them. Overall, I can say that I because of the tragedies I have seen, and experiences I have faced I’m a better person and I’m extremely grateful for that. I would like to leave you with a quote from the move Blow that helps me to get through those days when I think I won’t make it. “It'll work out, it always does. This is the way it goes, sometimes you're flush and sometimes you're bust, and when you're up, its never as good as it seems, and when you're down, you think you're never gonna be up again. But life goes on, remember that.”

Written By: Kristina Moore

"...Sing Me A Song, You're The Piano Man"

It was a Monday.

It was the week from hell filled with massive amounts of work and tests and meetings and car trouble and family issues and life. Everywhere I turned there was something that needed to be done; I was beginning to understand what it meant to be at my wits end. So anyway, back to the story- I was in the midst of finishing a paper, when all of a sudden, my computer crashed. Black. Nothing. Scream.

Are you kidding me?

This
Is
Not
Happening.

This
Can’t
Be
Happening.

Okay Kaylyn, think. (My power cord is plugged in. The room still has power. I didn’t do or touch any unusual buttons. Breathe. Deep breaths. Don’t panic. What is going on?)

I’m panicking!

After shuffling recklessly and pacing about the room, I decided to take my computer to Tech services, on the third floor of the library. The Diagnosis: My hard drive crashed. My body collapsed into the chair, as I struggled to catch my breath. I looked at the man behind the desk like he had four heads; like it was his fault. I think he may have feared for his safety. Hard drive crashed. The man behind the counter tells me that they cannot retrieve anything, nothing, it’s all gone. He’s sorry, but everything is gone. Gone. Then, it happened. That feeling. You know, that sudden rush of adrenaline that paralyzes every limb in your body and your ability to think rationally. That rush that causes you to feel that the entire world hates you, and everyone is laughing while the sky and ground swallow you whole. That feeling that leaves you reaching for your inhaler (you don’t even have asthma), but somehow, your breath has escaped you. Sound familiar? Yes, that one.

I immediately ran through in my mind all of the documents that were due this week and saved on my computer. Gone. Aside from the fact that one of the papers was due the very next day, I had tons of other important things on my computer; papers, games homework, pictures, music. MUSIC. Now, I am panicking like never before. I ran up to, no sprinted all of the 30 inches that separated me from the counter, and I looked directly into the eyes of the man who helped me and said, “Music.” “Please, I don’t care if I lose anything else. Is there any way you can save my music?” I’m sure he thought that I was nuts. My computer just crashed taking with it my hopes and dreams of successfully completing freshman year, and all I cared about was my music! Yes, that was all I cared about at that point. My music…the music…

Please, don’t stop the music.



Ever since I was an infant, music has been a major part of my life. I believe that my love for music started and grew with each Sunday church service that I attended. My mom would come in early Sunday morning and wake me up in order to get ready. I would moan and protest, but secretly I was excited; I wanted to hear the choir. Aside from hearing the choirs during church, my mother along with her five sisters, started a gospel group and sang anytime they were together. Every family function ended with a concert; my mom and aunts, and then the grandchildren. Laughter and excitement ricocheted off of the walls, as sounds of “Sing this one!” and “Oh yea, remember that one song that you sang that one time? Yea, that one. Sing that!!” were launched into the air. The absolute joy that consumed the room could make Scrooge himself jump up in exaltation.

In a family full of eccentric members and chaotic times, music is the relative that always puts everyone and everything back in their respective places.

Growing up, my four siblings and I listened intently as my father would play his trumpet daily in the family room. The happiness that it brought him was apparent; his eyes would widen whenever he noticed an audience. I tried to play it occasionally, but always left frustrated because the little breath that my body housed was unable to produce even a single note, no matter how hard I tried. So, I decided to take up something that did not require me holding my breath for long periods of time in order to produce a tone; the piano. I took piano lessons for quite some time, and then decided that I was bored with it. I then decided to play the clarinet and joined the school band. Yes, I was in the band. I did it. Not much longer, I wanted to learn how to play the saxophone. So, I did. I began playing the alto saxophone, and it quickly became my favorite musical instrument. I played everyday for hours at a time; my favorite song to play was Bill Wither’s “Lean on Me.” I don’t think anyone in my family can listen to that song with a straight face. As of recently, I have had the sudden desire to learn the violin. So that’s what I am going to do.



“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness” –Maya Angelou

At an early age, the power of music became clear to me as I watched and listened while others told their stories through the lyrics. Often times, especially during a sad song or during sad moments, the singers didn’t need to physically cry; the music did that itself. The music had a language of its own- one that everyone understood.

As I grew up, I developed a talent for all types of music; many of which that were quite different from those that my family members enjoyed. Currently, I love all types of music. After browsing through my iTunes, one would find rap, R&B, classical, choral, gospel, pop, and even the occasional country song. As Whoopi Goldberg simply put it in “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” “My music taste is eclectic.” I enjoy a plethora of music.

After my experience in the chorus during my junior and senior years of high school, I now have a different love for choral and a cappella music. I usually spend hours on YouTube looking for different choruses and a cappella groups from different colleges and universities. Yes, this occurs while I am supposed to be doing work. I also enjoy Broadway musicals; my favorites being the Lion King and The Color Purple. I strongly believe that some of the best singers and performers are on Broadway and are involved in theater. I also enjoy movie musicals, such as The Five Heartbeats, and The Jackson Five: An American Dream. I also thoroughly enjoyed Dreamgirls (yes, I was that girl in the front row of the theater that stood up and applauded after Jennifer Hudson’s vibrating rendition of “And I am Telling You.”)



Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote; “Music is the universal language of mankind.” What an incredible thing to witness someone who can’t speak the English language, yet sing verbatim an American song from beginning to end and understand the song’s content in its entirety. Music acts as a bridge; among races, genders, ages, and nationalities.

I think that we would all agree that music and movies and television go hand and hand. A scene’s significance may be increased due to the particular music which accompanies it. There have been numerous occasions where I only remember a particular moment in a play, movie, or TV show because of the music. Needless to say, my dream job would be just that; to be the person who chooses which songs play, and at which point. How extraordinary. Knowing which song to pick, and which lyric at a specific point, seems easier said that done. An example of such a scene would be in American Gangster. Denzel Washington portrays drug kingpin Frank Lucas. (Sorry to ruin the ending for those who haven’t seen it yet, but Lucas gets busted.) Lucas exits church on Sunday morning to the surprise of police officers surrounding him. At this point, a rendition of Amazing Grace is playing (oh, the irony). The music adds an extra element to this particular scene that would not have existed without the addition of the song. Music helps to emphasize certain aspects of different things.

After writing for sometime now (1, 402 words, to be exact) about my love for music, I will go on to share some of the music that I enjoy. So, at the risk of creating another boring list that no one cares to read, I will attempt to show a few of my favorite artists and songs.

Rap:
Some of my favorite rap artists are; Jay-Z, MC Lyte, Slick Rick, Eminem, Eve, Notorious BIG, and many others.



R&B:
My favorite artists include; Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Robin Thicke, Boys II Men, and many others.

Country:
Well, I don’t really have many favorite country artists, but maybe one day.

Classical:
Of course Ludwig van Beethoven, Mozart, Pachelbel, and some other composers which aren’t as popular as these three.

Pop:
Obviously, Britney Spears’s earlier years- the ones filled with less humiliation and public criticism. In case you all may have forgotten, although she may or may not have a better voice than let’s say, Christina Aguilera, Ms. Spears did have several number one hits. I’ve had my boy band phase as well, favoring those five N’Sync-ers over those other Floridians known as the Backstreet Boys. Some may consider Chris Brown to be a pop artist instead of an R&B artist, so I will place him under the title of “pop.”

Opera:
A few of the musical talents that I like under this genre include Kathleen Battle and Beverly Sills. Robert Benchley wrote; “Opera is where a guy gets stabbed in the back, and instead of dying, he sings.” To me, opera singers are able to release certain emotions through their songs that not many singers are able to do.



Gospel:
Some of my favorite gospel artists are Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary and BeBe and CeCe Winans. Other favorites that I have cannot be found on the music charts or on the TV, they can only be found in my grandmother’s church, located in the wonderful state of Delaware.



Now, although I can not possibly include all of the artists and songs that I enjoy (we’d be here for days), I wouldn’t dream of leaving out two of my all-time favorites (and maybe even yours, although you may be ashamed to admit it); Ms. Whitney Houston and Mr. Michael Jackson. Yes, I know. They’ve both had their fair share of drama and negative media coverage, but that doesn’t change the fact that they can sing. And I do mean sing! Their talent far exceeds many of the artists that are out today; in fact, some of the artists wouldn’t have dreamed of becoming entertainers had it not been for these two figures.






“Music expresses feeling and thought, without language; it was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words.”- Robert G. Ingersoll

My love, or passion, continues to grow daily. I can’t remember the last time I’ve experienced a day without it. At the risk of sounding too cheesy or maybe even cliché, music is a part of me. I love everything about it; the harmonies, solos, duets. I love the stories that it tells; the lessons, the mistakes, the regrets. I love the moments that it gets you through; the births, deaths, break-ups, and make-ups. Simply put, I am a fan of music. I appreciate it; the mood it can bring you out of, or the one that it puts you in.

Charlie Chaplin once said; “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” I will have to disagree;

A day without music is far more detrimental to one’s health and well-being.



-kaylyn turner

Notorious B.I.G aint the only thing R.I.P'in

By: Gabe VanArman

In 1997 Paula Cole asked the world, “Where have all the cowboys gone,” in hope of finding a decent man to marry. I stand here today posing a similar question …. “Where have all the gangsters gone,” in hope of one day becoming an enthusiastic rap fan again. Where have the modern day Biggie’s gone? When is an album going to come out and take us all by storm?

Today’s rap game resembles a sequin covered vest; all flash no substance. The 90’s were the heyday of the rap game, and is now sliding down the charts and will soon be gone forever.
Growing up I was a white kid in an urban setting, and rap music was where it was at. Jay-Z was putting out platinum records like Yale pumps out crummy politicians. In the 90’s everything seemed to be going well, rappers will still going platinum and topping the charts. They also stood in society as pop culture icons.

Things were good. At this time Richard Nickels , rap manager said in a TIME article, "Hip-hop seemed dangerous; it seemed angry. Kurt Cobain killed himself, and rock seemed weak. But then you had these black guys who came out and had guns. It was exciting to white kids.” This edge is what attracted people, young and old, white and black, near and far to this new genre. This edge was profitable. Between 1992 and 1998, one record company, Death Row Records, churned out 11 multiplatinum albums, despite the death of the highest selling rapper of all time. Tupac has sold over 75 million both dead and alive. Even with his death, Tupac has grown into Elvis status. Everyone knows who Elvis was, and people still debate whether or not he is really dead. The same goes for Tupac.

At the time of successful rap: -Biggie and Tupac were still alive -Sean Combs went as Puff Daddy and didn’t have a TV show -People threw up the Wu Tang sign like they were an actual member -People actually knew who Public Enemy was.


Rappers used to make statements with their raps, they used to tell stories or struggles or how things were. Public enemy was one of the best to make these statements, but today rappers and politics go together like motor oil and ice cream. Granted, Paul Wall spoke of some politics in his song “Grillz” with Nelly when he addresses a democratic presidential candidate in the following classy, comical, and creative passage about his tooth coverings:
“On da top in da bottom; Gotta bill in my mouth like I’m Hillary Rodham”

Click here for the whole Nelly Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7p0YLQLMN8

There are many ways to show that one has money, but buying shiny tooth coverings seems to be a little over the top. If they want something shiny in their mouth, how about they brush their teeth like the rest of us, and flash those pearly whites. Their mother’s would be proud.
Songs today don’t mimic the classic rap ideals such as being “Notorious,” having or making “Changes” or wanting to “Fight the Power.” But instead they reward people for talking about buying women drinks, saying “yeaaaaah” like they have no sense at all, and attempting to spell soldier as “soulja.”


Silly dances such as those presented to us by Soulja Boy are taking front stage as actual music that may have any meaning or quality gets overlooked.

For an expert opinion on this matter, I turn to my best friend and rap connoisseur Robert Byrnes. He is a Norristown native, and a straight up G. If there is a rap album coming up, he already has it and has formed an opinion on it. He feels, “I think rappers back in the day rapped more about life’s problems and real life situations....things that actually troubled them or struggles they went through. Whereas today it’s all about partying, drinking, f*$@#in bitches, and doing drugs...Except for 50, he did get shot 9 times.”

The whole idea of partying, getting women, and having a good time is a topic that has been exhausted. Not just by the rap genre, but by all genres. Yes, these are things that are relatable, and being relatable is something that yields success, but there is only so many times you need to hear about a party where you met a girl and did the lights-out version of the “hokey pokey.”
There just isn’t anything new to rap about, and its just the same old rubbish being recycled, and with more technological beats and flare.

Rap used to thrive on badass’s doing gangster and sensationalistic acts. Tupac shot at the police, Snoop’s been brought in for drug and gun charges, and Biggie sold crack. Now rappers are marketed on their “branding ability.” All that seems to matter is how well can they move products, or how many products can I get my face on?

I am not the only one who has noticed this. Nas has realizes that the rap game is dead. There is only so much bling, flash, and profanity one society can take. After a while, it gets old like any DMX song. He exposes rap's lack of originality on his album Hip Hops Dead. Here is a quick passage from the album titled single:
"Everybody sound the same, commercialize the game / Reminiscin' when it wasn't all business / They forgot where it started / So we all gather here for the dearly departed.


To him, the game is already dead, and he is providing a eulogy in rap form. That is original, and today it is the double truth.

Nickels also said in the same article that “It's collapsing (now) because they can no longer fool the white kids. There's only so much redundancy anyone can take." This is apparent when you look at the numbers. The last record in the “rap” genre to go platinum was someone who doesn’t fit into this “redundancy” pattern. It comes from someone who still holds true to the “exciting,” and “angry” edge rap was known for in the 90’s. The last album to go platinum under the rap genre was indeed Mr. Slim Shady with his 2004 album Encore. Encore sold 711,000 copies in its opening week and still claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200. On December 17th of that year the album was certified four times platinum. It only took that album one month to reach that point.


Webster defines "sell out" as "to betray one's cause or associates especially for personal gain." I define sell out as 50 Cent. Yes he did get shot in the face, and that's pretty gangster, but then he turns around to do crap like this and advertises Vitamin Water. It's not even for a product that can remotely be considered rap related. It's water for crying out loud!


You would have never seen Biggie, Tupac, or Big Pun sell out in the middle of their career.

Let's take a look at another "sell out." Here is one major or ex- player in the rap game, Suge Knight. He is the co-founder and CEO of Death Row Records. After years of successes for artists including Tupac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound, Death Row Records hit a brick wall and crashed after Knight's incarceration on parole violation charges in September 1997. This can also be pinned as the point where the lack of dough in the pockets became an issue. Knight is now a bankrupt ex-con, who is $137 million in debt and facing a civil trial in which the family of murdered rap star the Notorious B.I.G. The family claims that Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace was gunned down in 1997 by hit men hired by Death Row as part of an East Coast-West Coast rap feud. When this rivalry died, so did the rap game. Things just went downhill from there.

Suge is also planning to withdraw the entire Death Row back catalogue and bleep out each and every instance of the word "nigger" in its songs. "To me, it's never too late to change," he told The Washington Post in an article this April.

THAT IS NOT GANGSTER. You cannot censor artists who shaped the entire game. Without them, there would be no game. That would be similar to going back and changing the words of the Star Spangled Banner. If change is such a big thing in his life, how about changing your way of life before you got thrown in jail? Maybe he should call Vitamin Water or get a show on VH1?
On that note, VH1 and MTV has slowly poisoned America and the rap world with their visual cyanide pills, aka reality shows.

Flavor Flave, Salt n Peppa, and Da Brat have all had appearances on reality shows, and have made utter fools of themselves showing their desperation to get back into the spotlight. They were all respected members of the rap game at one point.

Not everyone gets the point though. Just like eggs, rappers do have a shelf life. No one can stay in the game forever, unless you are immortalized by epic East/West coast rivalry shootings.
Once their careers are over, I have no problem with them dabbling into other business ventures. Only few people can pull that off and still be successful. One of my favorite rappers, and one of the first rappers, Rev. Run has done this in a tasteful way. Once his career was over, and music wasn’t bringing him the success he wanted, he stepped aside. Popularity did not keep him in the dark though. MTV is actually responsible for doing some good here with a reality show. The show "Run's House" is in its fourth season, and acts as an example on how rappers can make the transition from rapper to a real life productive member of society.

Sometimes rappers stay in the game too long and that is when bloggers write: "Rappers…when you turn 30 you really need to go sit your azz down somewhere; dress like a grown man; pull your pants up; lose the ball caps, hoodies, fake bling, ring tones, sneakers and learn how to speak in complete coherent sentences.”
Growing up and evolving seems to be something the rap culture and people in the culture are having a hard time dealing with. And as I recall my classes about Darwin my freshman year, those who cannot evolve will not remain to exist.

In the same TIME article, Tom Vickers, a former talent spotter for Capitol/Mercury records sounded off. He thinks "Rap has gradually degenerated from an art form into a ring tone. That's why we're seeing this backlash. There's only so much bling the public can take." With all that, he believes its time for a massive evolution of the genre and a burying of the past.

To officially join Nas, Vickers, and Nickels in burying the rap game, I would like to say a couple words before we bury this old friend of mine. If the game wasn’t dead now, I believe I have officially killed it here.

I title it

“Rap ain’t no better than a cheap grandma sweater”
Rap ain’t no better than a cheap grandma sweater

It’s all become the same

With posers like Akon and T Pain playing in the game
With sell outs like 50, Suge, and Da Brat

Country and Pop music is now where its at
Garth and Kenny, and a little Tobi Keith

Rappers alike all got beef
Things have died off like Biggie and Pac

Their departure has left the rap game in shock
It never really caught up

It isn’t the same stuff that I was used to being brought up
So this is how it goes for all them pimps and hoes

This is all you gots to know
This is a final word to Big Bird

Ya rapping clowns ain’t being heard
The game is dead

So let’s all go to bed
Because we all know better,

That rap ain’t better than a grandma sweater.

-Gabe VanArman

The Beautiful Game

Everyone has at least one person that they would do almost anything in the world to meet. One person that they idolize, worship, dream about being, so on so forth. Meeting this person could have potentially life-long implications on your future. However, not everyone gets a chance to meet his or her role model. For some, this may be a bigger deal than for others. I was lucky enough to have the chance to meet my high school role model. Brace yourself, because if you can’t take what I’m about to say you’re not going to be able to get through this blog. In the summer of 2002 I traveled to Chicago, Illinois to see my favorite (at the time) soccer player in the world. David Beckham, and his team Manchester United toured across the United States playing “friendlies” against other European clubs and some of America’s finest.

Before I get into my encounter with David Beckham, I’d like to give a little background on my interest in the man and the sport. I began playing soccer when I was age six. I was not good then, but that didn’t matter to me. At that age the only thing I was concerned about was playing the game and having fun. Showing up to the Rec. fields of Ballston Spa, New York on a Saturday morning for soccer became a ritual for both my parents and me. Any time I missed a game, for any reason, I was utterly devastated. It was almost as if without the game I was missing a part of my life. As the years went by and I got older my interest in soccer changed from just wanting to play to wanting to be the best. I suppose that change in interest is probably shared with many children growing up playing their respective sports. But by the time I entered high school I had been attending two or three soccer camps a year, playing the sport year ‘round, and my dreams of becoming a professional soccer player seemed to become more realistic. So as a freshman in high school I tried out for the Varsity team, the only freshman in my school to do so. My older brother Adam, a junior at the time was also trying out for Varsity. I couldn’t help but think about how cool it would to be on the same team as my brother. That however, would all change over the next two years of playing Varsity soccer. Early in my first year on the team my brother suffered a torn ACL and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. As a result I filled in his place and quickly elevated my level of play. When pre-season came around the following year, I would be a sophomore and my brother a senior, I made the Varsity again…this time with a little more ease than the previous year. However, due to my brother’s knee injury he was not as in-form as he had a year before. As a result, my coach awarded me with the same starting position I held the previous year, which had been my brother’s. He made the team, but rarely saw playing time, and was constantly criticized about his performance by the coach. I did not like being in the position I was in and tried many times to convince the coach to let my brother play and I could play elsewhere but throughout the season he wouldn’t have it. It was probably the most miserable I’ve been playing soccer…I can say that it was also my brother’s most miserable too. The following season, no surprise, I made the team again – third year running – but this is where my passion for soccer began to lessen. I had a terrible relationship with my coach, our team was young and we weren’t very good, and by the season’s end I was ready to throw in the towel. I had had enough soccer.

During the Spring and into Summer my coach had been fired and a new coach was hired. He had heard about me and didn’t want me to stop playing soccer. But my mind was almost set. My parents however, were doing everything they could to keep me playing. They knew just how much it meant to me. So during the summer my father purchased tickets for a Manchester United soccer game and the two of us went. The soccer game itself was disappointing, none of the players that I knew were actually playing, my favorite player included. But after the game, we hung around the stands for a while and up came David Beckham for autographs. As he was signing my jersey he was talking with everyone around about his passion for the game, and why people in America should take more interest in the sport. I don’t know if you know this or not, but many Americans think soccer to be boring, and not a sport for men. I never held that belief because I’ve endured the pains that go into training for soccer. But I can say at that precise moment I did a complete 180 from quitting to playing. I firmly believe that hearing Beckham say what he did has stayed with me, and will be something that I will pass along to my children in the future. So my final year in high school rolled around and I made the Varsity team for one last hoorah, and as a team we finished fifth out of eight teams in my conference…not really a good season. But I had probably my best season statistically yet. I attribute everything that I accomplished that year to having shaken hands with “the man” and taking in everything that he said. Now I haven’t played soccer competitively in over four years, but my passion for the game has not diminished at all. Over the last several months, the UEFA Champions League has been airing games on ESPN2 during the day. I haven’t had a chance to catch most of the games, but the times I could watch them I took full advantage. The games aired during the afternoon, usually a 2:45 pm start, in live time (there is a six hour difference between us here in the States and Europe where the games are played). The cool thing is that the games are live and not pre-recorded, but I still have a problem with the timing of the games. Almost nobody has a chance to watch these games, save those who have nothing better to do in the middle of the week in the middle of the afternoon. I can concede that if the games were shown later the novelty of watching a live soccer match would be wasted. But for the children growing up and idolizing these players, and for us older fans a later telecast of the game could draw a bigger American fan-base. However, along the lines of the novelty of watching a live game – in this day in age – if a game were telecast later in the day people would be able to find out who won which game before it aired because of websites dedicated to the sport like ESPN’s soccernet. I’m not saying that soccernet is a bad tool for fans, it is actually a very useful tool. On the webpage fans can follow all of the leagues around the world, as well as international soccer news and results. Fans have instant access to players, teams, and many other useful forms of media.

The availability of information about soccer is so vast that I question why so many people jump to the quick conclusion that soccer is a boring and non-manly sport. I mean, I’ve been there, I’ve watched and played in many of those 0-0 and 1-0 drawn out soccer games, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting to watch than a 9-3 American football game. The only difference is there are rules. While American football can be, at times, barbaric and downright brutal, soccer can be beautiful: just picture 7, 8, 9 passes strung together perfectly resulting in a goal off a striker’s head just out of the goalie’s reach. The fact of the matter is that soccer requires a great deal of skill. I’m not going to try to say that it’s more than the skills required of athletes in other sports, they’re just different…and that’s what needs to be appreciated. To see some of the World’s greatest doing what they do best click here.

Aside from the skills that some players possess, there is one attribute of soccer players all over the world that stands out the most to me…their fitness levels. Compared to other sports, soccer is one a few where play rarely stops (others that I can think of are lacrosse, ice hockey, and basketball…but there are timeouts and times where play is blown dead). The point I’m trying to stress here is that the amount of running and effort soccer players put into their sport is hard to overlook. Yet sooo many people do and even say that soccer players aren’t tough. During the Champion’s League games aired on television when substitutes come on for players they show the distance covered by the man being substituted out. On average the distance covered is roughly 8,000 meters or 8 kilometers. That’s over 5 miles, which is more than most athletes can say they’ve run in a competition (except maybe for a marathon runner). The other staggering concept to think about is that soccer is played competitively year ‘round. So for soccer players, they are training year ‘round and pushing their bodies to their limits more than any other athletes in any other sport. Again, I just want to stress that I’m not saying other athletes aren’t tough, or don’t train hard, I’m really just sick of hearing soccer players referred to as “pansies”. If anything really I just want you to know that soccer players train just as hard – if not harder – than athletes in other sports…and as a result of their training and dedication to soccer they deserve our respect, and in a sense our admiration.

Soccer, for me, has been my life-force since I was a young boy. To this day, I frequent the internet to read about trades and results, to listen to interviews done by my favorite players – and in some cases my least favorite players, to see highlight videos and pictures, and when I can’t see the games on television I can follow them play by play online. I encourage others to do the same as me. Many people forget that we have a league right here in the States, MLS. Most big cities have a team, and yes, Philadelphia is set to join the ranks of Major League Soccer in the next couple of years. Construction on a stadium located in Chester Pennsylvania is set to begin soon…paving the way for the introduction of professional soccer right in our back yard.

A single soccer game may not draw a crowd like the Superbowl or the World Series, but there is not one other sport in the world that is played throughout like soccer is. Every four years we are blessed, that’s right blessed, with the opportunity to watch countries from all over the World vie for the title of the World’s best. No other sport can honestly claim that. Yes the New York Giants consider themselves world champions of football and the Boston Red Sox are world champions of baseball…but sit back and think about that for a minute. The NFL consists of teams only from the United States, and the only team outside the United States that plays Major League Baseball is the Toronto Blue Jays. The 2006 World cup hosted 32 teams from all over the world, and when I say all over I mean it; every continent was represented. Aside from the Olympics, the World Cup is the only competition that brings together countries from all over the world to decide the World’s best. Perhaps the most significant thing to consider about this is that some of these countries may even have bitter feelings towards others, but those feelings are cast aside when the competition begins. Soccer is truly a sport that is loved worldwide, and has the potential to bring unfriendly nations together. I urge all those who have never considered soccer a sport to forget that thought for a minute and realize the impact soccer can have on their lives...just as it does for so many others.

Earth Day and the Pennsylvania Primaries... a Coincidence???

28 years ago, US politician from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, started what we know as Earth day. Originally he called for an environmental teach-in to be held on April 22, 1970. That year over 20 million people participated, and Earth Day was born.

Why he chose the 22nd of April is not completely sure. Some speculators on Wikipedia suspect that the date was picked to honor actor Eddie Albert., and his works with the environment and select environmental groups. Other people argue that the 22nd should not be celebrated because it is Vladimir Lenin 100th birthday. The day is also the birthday of Julius Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, another environmental holiday started in 1872.

One aspect that cannot be disputed is the significance of what else Earth Day carried with it this year. Coincidentally the Pennsylvania primary election and Earth Day fell on the same day. With the environment always an issue on platforms, let’s see where each candidate stands on the environment. First up: Barack Obama.

Obama seems to be a candidate who plans to tackle America’s dependence on oil. On one trip to the Detroit car factories, he exclaimed, “When I am president, there will be no more excuses — we will help them retool their factories, but they will have to make cars that use less oil.”

On Obama's website, he also aims to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050, invest 150 billion dollars over the next ten years for clean energy, and possibly invest in a skilled clean technologies workforce which will invest in job training and transition programs to help workers and industries adapt to clean technology development and production.

Finally his most impressive notion on his issues page is the idea to make biofuels accessible and produced nationally by 2022. With a candidate so green, his name should be Barack McObama.

How does Hillary feel about this? Well, Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton understands the fact that how she treats environmental issues will greatly effect voters’ decisions. Clinton, who believes that the drastic climate change and other environmental issues, are due largely in part to human actions, has said from the beginning that she wishes to limit the amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. She has proposed the idea that once in office, she will create a new national energy council, in which she will spend billions of dollars in order to develop new clean energy technologies. Some environmental issues that are important to her include cleaning the air, finding and providing sources of clean water, cleaning up toxic wastes, and conserving energy. Energy conservation, she believes, is one of the most important issues, as she feels that a “strong, balanced national energy policy is a key to strong economic and environmental policies as well.”

Click here for more on Sen. Clinton's environmental proposals.

Senator John McCain has always been committed to a clean air and water supply system. He is also a key leader on the issue of global warming, calling others around him to join in on the fight against this major issue. McCain believes that attacking environmental issues will only benefit us, as well as our children and future generations. He has pledged to ensure clean air, healthy water, sustainable land use, and the management and care of our natural treasures, such as our National Park System. Like Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama, Sen. McCain believes that we as a whole need to better maintain and cut the amounts of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the air. He will not run from these issues, and he constantly addresses these environmental issues responsibly and with great care, promising to provide results for a better environment.

28 years ago, US politician from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, started what we know as Earth day. Originally he called for an environmental teach-in to be held on April 22, 1970. That year over 20 million people participated, and Earth Day was born.

Although each presidential candidate may have different proposals for these environmental issues, Gaylord Nelson would be proud to know that these issues are being discussed whole heartedly on such a great platform. It is pleasing to know that the environment is a major concern for the next President, and that he or she will have the citizens’ best interest at heart. Each candidate has a set plan and ways that they want to make the world a more suitable place to live in.

"Well, when I was your age....."

This is a phrase that many of us have probably heard when learning valuable life lessons, or what they believe to be valuable life lessons, from those of older generations. I actually just heard that exact reply when I asked my forty-nine year old mother what being a young voter was like in the 70’s. With the Pennsylvania Democratic primary currently in progress, and the Presidential Election quickly approaching, candidates are doing everything they can do to reach out to those crucial undecided voters. Thanks to the surreal technology of our generation, this is an easy task for presidential candidates, and websites such as “Facebook” and “YouTube” are making history. Could the web be the new battle ground for candidates?

Chances are, if you haven’t lived in a cave for the past four years, you are familiar with the name "Facebook.” If you are one of those unfortunate few, let me educate you quickly. Facebook is an online social networking site that connects people with friends and others that live, work, and study around them. It was created in February of 2004 by two Harvard students, Mark Zuckerberg and Chris Hughes. Most of the sites users are college students around the world and now has over fifty-six million members worldwide. To all of you college students reading this, act like you aren’t a compulsive Facebook stalker because we all know the truth! Okay, so Facebook does have educational value other than studying up on your crush? Over the past four years, the creators of the site have been adding outside applications that allow users to do the unthinkable. When the web begins to take up all of one’s free time, it is difficult for anyone else to get through to them. So why not get onto the web and get their attention on a more personal level?

There is a "Facebook Primary”application? Yes, the League of Young Voters and MoveOn.org launched their “Facebook Primary” the same day as the Iowa caucus. Students and users of the site can add the primary application to their profiles and choose their favorite candidate. You may have seen this application while on a friend’s page, but had no idea what it meant. It allows users to not only pick a candidate, but to state reasons for their vote, and also pick any of eleven issues to express whatever their greatest concern is. Results are visible by any Facebook network: region, school, work, etc. The fun part is that people can look into their networks and see how candidates are doing, which gives users an incentive to get more involved in the current election process. Ursinus College junior Courtney Fox admits that, “this is the easiest and most simple way for young voters to find out more information on the Presidential race and their particular candidate.”

Another obsessive college student craze is the video sharing website "YouTube,” which was created in 2005. You can find bizarre and hilarious video clips here, that you most likely then see posted in your friend’s AIM away messages just minutes after they have discovered it. I’m pretty sure most of you know what I’m talking about. The raw and uncut characteristics of YouTube would rarely be partnered up with the 2008 Presidential Election, right? Well, not only can voters post videos supporting their presidential candidates, but they can access their many of candidate’s statements and campaign advertisements. The biggest surprise came when CNN aired a debate in which candidates fielded questions selected from a pool submitted by users of YouTube. Because of the use of technology to get questions from a wide range of constituents, the forum has been referred to as the most democratic Presidential Debate ever.

Whether we realize it or not, we as young voters are constantly being targeted, but we should look at it as a positive thing. My mother told me that when she was “my age,” the main influence to “rock the vote” was her mother. Her mother would tell her that, “as a woman she should be more involved, because at one time they couldn’t vote.” Today, we have the ability to seek out any information we may need on candidates and their issues, if it isn’t already being thrown in front of our face. So, be grateful for what you have when your elders tell you what it was like when they were your age, and be sure to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to us.

Don't Forget PA

It has been a long, arduous primary season filled with emotional speeches and controversial claims made by each of the candidates. The Democratic Party has had a rough go of it with two candidates – Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama – brutally battling it out for the Democratic nomination and the chance to take on Senator McCain in the Presidential election. Obama leads Clinton in both the delegate count – 1,608 to1,504 – and the popular vote. However, Senator Clinton has led and still leads Senator Obama in Pennsylvania.

Today is voting day for Pennsylvanians, and for the last several weeks Pennsylvania has been the host to all the major news agencies: CNN, MSNBC, Fox News; as well as the local news stations. Traditionally Pennsylvania has been labeled one of the most important states for Democratic candidates to win because it has the most delegates up for grabs among the remaining primary states. In conjunction with that it has served as the final primary for Democrats because usually by this point in the primary season a candidate has won the nomination. However, neither Senators Clinton nor Obama will secure the nomination with a win in Pennsylvania. So one begs the question, is the Pennsylvania Primary still important? The question is hard to answer definitively because media outlets all over are discussing the importance of Pennsylvania’s primary.

Knowing that the state’s votes won’t immediately determine a Democratic nominee some people might say that the primary isn’t as significant as it has been in the past. But don’t say that to a Pennsylvanian. For this primary there are 3 million more registered voters than the 2004 Presidential election. The last several weeks have seen Pennsylvanians registering in record numbers. If the primary isn’t important then why are all these people turning out to vote? Perhaps the reason is because the Democratic race is between an African-American man, and a White woman. This primary election has deeper implications than any other primary election has had. Democrats all over the country are unsure of what to do during this election. Many people have interests in one candidate and none what-so-ever in the other. And these conflicting interests are forcing people to vote for their candidate.

I took to the streets of Philly to experience the ever present Brotherly Love. To ask John Everyman what his views and opinions about today’s primary I met and spoke with several individuals and one couple at Geno’s Steaks in Philly. I figured you couldn’t find a truer Pennsylvanian than one who frequents Philly’s best cheesesteaks. Three of the four individuals whom I spoke with said that they would be voting for Clinton in today’s primary. The fourth was still unsure of who they are going to vote for. The most resounding reason for Senator Clinton was her experience. Sam, who lives in an apartment on Springarden Street said “Clinton has a lot more experience” and if he wasn’t running for President she “wouldn’t even know who Obama was.” Mary in Northeast Philly said she was voting for Clinton because “she’s a woman, and only a woman can get things done for women”. Mary’s view may seem a bit extremist, but many women across the nation share her opinion. The couple I interviewed lives in Center City Philadelphia and were the only two people I spoke with that are going to vote for Obama. Linda, a researcher at Temple, “truly believes that Obama is earnest and will fulfill his promises.” “He’s also more of a ‘peoples’ man’ than Clinton is,” added her boyfriend Dominic. Clearly both of the candidates have different appeals among the people.

With all things being said, I think it’s safe to say that the Pennsylvania primary is important. Just because today’s primary won’t immediately decide who is going to win the Democratic nomination doesn’t mean that it’s not important. Stephen Colbert, host of the Colbert Report, set up camp at the University of Pennsylvania for 4 shows last week dedicated to the Pennsylvania primary. Late-night television programming that has some of the highest ratings dedicated a week of its programming to the Pennsylvania primary. Everywhere a you go there are reminders for voting up, take a walk along any of the many paths at Ursinus College and you will see written in chalk on the pavement “VOTE”. There are tons of factors that exemplify why the Pennsylvania primary is important. The most important is that every Pennsylvanian will have a chance to have their vote matter.

Prolific Pennsylvania

Donkeys are running wild in our great Commonwealth, and rightfully so.

The Pennsylvania Primary was this Tuesday the 22nd, and it was make or break time for the candidate’s. Both have fought hard all the way from the Iowa caucuses to all across the country.

Pennsylvania is the sixth largest democratic delegate holding state with 179, only surpassed by Schwarzenegger’s Cah-li-for-ni-yah with 439, Clinton’s New York with 287, The Lone Star State (Texas) with 232, Florida with 210, and Obama’s Illinois with 187. With all of these states results already taken care of, Pa stands alone. Click here for previous elections and results.

Pennsylvania is the largest state (delegates wise) left to have their primary, and both candidates are doing whatever it takes to get those 179 delegate votes. The next largest state in line is North Carolina with 108 delegates on May 6th.

The last 10 primaries/caucuses have seemingly been dominated by Obama winning seven out of the last ten, yet he has only won two out of the last five. These last eight states are up for grabs and whoever can pluck the primary peach tree in Pennsylvania could possibly run away with the nomination.

There are 816 Democratic delegate votes up for grabs in the last eight states, and this years Pennsylvania primary is prolific. With these high stakes, are college students seizing the day and making their vote matter? Or are they staying true to form and remaining apathetic?
The price of gas is a hot topic in this upcoming election, and it may in fact affect the primaries. Amanda Bowers, [www.wcupa.edu/ West Chester University] senior and registered democrat in Pennsylvania is realizing the seriousness of gas prices. Bowers claims, “Gas is a factor! To be honest I can not afford to drive home that much even though it’s not that far.” In this election, it may be possible for candidates to be missing out on votes because students can’t afford to drive home to their polling stations.

While others attempt to go the extra mile to go home and vote like Amanda, others still hold true to the apathetic student voter and remain unregistered such as Andy Knerr, Lehigh University junior believe, “ It is only one vote … My vote will not change the results of the primary.” Some things will never change…

But not all students think their vote does not matter. Michael Johnston, West Chester University senior has voted in every election since he was 18 and votes because he likes to, “ Assume I have a say. Regardless, I would like to think the “dems” are gonna take it in the end. It’s time for a little bit of a change…a BIG change.”

UC Junior Nicole Christian feels Mike’s need for a change. She voted on primary day for many reasons, one being, “ I am not a Bush supporter and I’m tired of republicans like him being in office giving tax breaks to the rich and sending our troops to die in a pointless war just so we can flex our ever decreasing muscles of power.”

According to AOLNews.com both candidate’s need 2025 to win the nomination and the current standings put both Obama and Clinton 139 votes apart with Obama leading with 1643 votes collected. There are 563 Democratic delegate votes up for grabs in the last eight states.
For example the highly popular Colbert Report made its first remote location shoot to the University of Pennsylvania campus on 37th and Walnut and shot there during the week of April 14th.

Stephen Colbert brought special guests in the show such as Governor Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, first lady hopeful Michelle Obama, and even the infamous Ben Franklin impersonator. Governor Rendell has already publicly endorsed Clinton, and did so on The Colbert Report.
The remaining eight states in order are: Pennsylvania on April 22nd, Indiana and North Carolina on May 6th, West Virginia on May 13th, Kentucky and Oregon on May 20th, and finally Montana and the home of Mount Rushmore, South Dakota on June 3rd. It may be too late to vote in Pennsylvania, but there is always the presidential election in November. If one has questions about registering, or other new voter questions, click here for a PDA put out by the Department of State of Pennsylvania.

The remaining eight states in order are: Pennsylvania on April 22nd, Indiana and North Carolina on May 6th, West Virginia on May 13th, Kentucky and Oregon on May 20th, and finally Montana and the home of Mount Rushmore, South Dakota on June 3rd. It may be too late to vote in Pennsylvania, but there is always the presidential election in November. If one has questions about how they can register, or other new voter questions, click here for a PDA put out by the Department of State of Pennsylvania.

For full results of the Pa Primary, click here and get informed.