Are you laptop obsessed?

Laptops – they are a quick means to taking notes, looking up information, and even playing a game of solitaire or IM-ing with buddies in the middle of a teacher’s lecture. Let’s face it, when students pop open their laptops in class, very few, if any, actually use their personal computers for academic’s sake.  So why are laptops allowed in the classroom?

Teachers get offended when they know students are not paying attention to their lectures. I have heard many of them become disgruntled and scold students who pull out their phones in the middle of class to text or check a voicemail, but I never see any professors give any kind of objection to seeing a laptop in class.

From what I understand, most teachers assume that the laptops are being used for educational purposes; that the students are just taking notes on their computers rather than writing them longhand, or maybe the students are getting started on a class assignment.

Seriously, has anyone ever seen an open laptop with information on the screen that actually pertained to the classroom? Interestingly, no-one seems to get caught. With as many times as I have seen students sitting in front of me with a game going on their screen, the teacher always remains oblivious to what the student is really doing. I have never seen a teacher flinch at the sight of a laptop opening in the middle of a lecture, and I have never heard of a teacher complain to a student about bringing a laptop to class.

I’ll admit that I personally do not find laptop usage a distraction because it only distracts the user. If anyone thinks otherwise, I would gladly like to hear that opinion.

Were I a student, I would be one who forces myself to listen to lectures respectfully, and watching  some other student get away with playing computer games in the middle of a lecture seems unfair. Also, it is very rude to the professor. But these students probably figure what  teachers don’t know won’t hurt them.  I am just baffled that teachers actually allow students to continue with this.

I remember seeing a student open up a newspaper in the middle of class, which obviously caused some paper ruffling sounds, as well as blocked the student’s entire visibility from the teacher. The instructor immediately called the student’s attention in front of the whole class and proclaimed her actions as rude. An open newspaper is considered bad-mannered, but an open laptop isn’t?

It would almost seem that using a laptop in class is the perfect crime for students. The teachers don’t complain, and the students can go on being rude and ignoring the lecture. But, where is the sense of being mature and respectful in the classroom?

If a student has paid for the class, shouldn’t they get their money’s worth by actually paying attention and learning from the class? And, if the teacher is trying to do his or job by helping students with the material, shouldn’t students give the teacher enough respect to listen? Perhaps this is more a matter of maturity and classroom ethics than anything else.

Is a date the same here and there?

Dating is difficult wherever you go. College students in this country seem to be giving up on it altogether in favor of “hooking up,” and I’m sad to say that after traveling around the world, no one else seems to have it figured out either. But asking about dating on my travels to England, India and Japan did reveal some fascinating differences in how guys and gals are getting together – or aren’t.

England
Over a bottle of beer in Oxford, Xander and Ben explain the mating behaviors of the British male. Xander’s girlfriend, Miranda, provides eye-witness testimony to the accuracy of their account. English men never ask women out on dates. They are convinced that if they were to directly ask a woman on a “date” that they will be turned down flat and laughed at publicly. Since the Number One priority for an English male is to save face, there is no “dating” in England at all.

Xander explains: “You go out to a pub with your friends, some of whom are girls, get too drunk one night (but not too drunk) and end up sleeping with one of them. Then, suddenly, you’re in a relationship. And since she’s already slept with you, you won’t be rejected – presumably. And it usually works out quite well since you were friends first.” Xander and Miranda didn’t follow that exact routine, but they did meet at a pub while she was studying abroad in Oxford. Pubs are one of the few places in which it is easy to meet people and strike up a conversation if you’re new in town.

Breaking up is hard, since it is very English to avoid confrontation. The breaking up ritual seems to involve the man’s shoes being chucked out the window or into the sea (whichever is closer at the time). But that could just be Xander’s bad luck.

India
While India is westernizing in many ways, dating is not yet culturally accepted. In rural areas there is no dating; in urban areas, dating is rare and almost always covert. Ani, a young man from Coimbatore, says dating is “99% without the parents’ knowledge, as parents are conservative and would get REALLY mad if you date.”  When two people do date, dates are exactly what you might find in the West: restaurants, cafes, movies. In India there is no formal asking out on dates. My friend Sheethal breaks it down into four steps:

1. Hang out.

2. Boy tells girl “I love you.”

3. You’re a couple but no one knows about it except a select few friends who won’t tell the parental units.

4. Either marriage when the parental units find out, suicide (if kids are super passionate…this doesn’t happen a lot), or breaking up to keep the family happy.

Families have a lot of influence over their children’s choices – and older generations frown on dating. Arranged marriages are still the norm, and love marriages are often met with difficulties.  When dating does happen, it is taken seriously. Akhila, in her twenties says “People who date, date with marriage in mind. Very few people date to see where it goes.”

Japan
My friend Jessi, an American Expat in Tokyo, and Toshiko, a native are my guides to Japanese dating, and they both agree on one thing: it’s hard to find a date. They aren’t the only ones to notice this problem. This generation of Japanese men are often uninterested in relationships or pursuing women. They don’t want to take on the responsibilities of girlfriends, marriage or children. In 2006, columnist Maki Fukasawa called them “Herbivorous Men,” and the term stuck. These young men in their 20’s and 30’s aren’t even interested in sex, just friendship with women – and, they’re straight.

But, not all men in Japan are “herbivorous.” Dating starts in high school, and goes like this: Much emphasis is placed on “the confession.” Instead of asking a girl out for a cup of coffee and taking it from there, the young man is expected to dramatically confess his feelings to the girl. Then, skipping over the dating part, they are in a relationship from that point onward. Since Japanese men have the same strong instinct to escape embarrassment and rejection as the English men (and all men), declaring love is obviously terrifying. It’s no wonder so many are opting for friendship.

Looking for love isn’t easy. So for those wanting help to meet people, there is “Gokon.” Gokon can be either like speed-dating in an organized group of singles, or a group of single girls meeting a group of single boys in hopes of finding romance. If that fails, parents are a little too happy to step in and help. It’s not uncommon for mothers of 30 year olds to go to matchmaking services on their children’s behalf, and then try to set up dates with the suitors they like best.

Learning a new culture and language, enjoying the foreign sights, earning some independence…studying abroad seems to be that great opportunity offered to students to get some traveling in with the excuse of making it benefit their schooling. Earning school credit while having a partial vacation is a sweet deal if you can actually manage to get into the study abroad program.

Unless you are studying a foreign language, studying abroad is not necessarily an easy semester to squeeze into one’s schedule. I would know; I tried to get into two different programs, neither of which worked.

What is problematic about a study abroad program is that it is so specific with the required units and set dates. Unless the program offers classes that meet the required units a student needs, studying abroad could be a waste of a semester. Instead of taking a full semester of courses, a student could end up just taking one class that would basically turn a regular semester into a mini semester, which is a waste of time for any student who is on a tight schedule.

The first study abroad program I tried to enter was in Bath, England. I was so excited at the prospect of living in England for a couple of months, and even enjoying school trips to see Stonehenge and London. As an English major, I figured the program would offer plenty of classes that I was required to take. But I was wrong. My plans fell through when I realized I would only be able to take 1 or 2 classes that would go towards my major for that one semester abroad. Most of the classes offered were lower level GE classes. After a couple semesters of hard work, I had already completed those classes that were being offered. Phooey! Why did I have to be so diligent during my first year of college?!

After much disappointment, I moved on to just accept that I would not be able to study abroad like I always wanted to. But then my hopes rose all over again when my final Spanish class offered a study abroad program to Barcelona! Unfortunately, this also did not apply to me in the end, for a similar reason the Bath program fell through…only this time, the classes offered were mostly in advanced Spanish, which were not geared in my own major’s direction. With only one semester left and my graduation application already underway, it appeared to be too late for any travel plans.

If a student can afford to take just one semester to have fun, then taking a study-abroad program would be the way to go. From the couple of lucky friends who have told me about their own studies abroad, I envy them more and more. Making new friends, seeing new places, and learning a new culture can be a life-changing experience.

If you are interested in studying abroad, I recommend one thing – look into the programs early in your college years! You have to plan ahead and see what program will fit your requirements.

In short, don’t put off the study abroad program. There are many things college students have to contemplate and take their time figuring out while they are in college, but studying abroad should not be one of them. It can be expensive, but if you can afford to go and have a strong interest in traveling, take the plunge! If you have to think it over for several semesters, by the time you make up your mind, it may be too late.

Does anyone else have any of their experiences or advice on study abroad programs they would like to share?

Boot camp isn't just for recruits anymore.

I know a place where fatigues never go out of fashion, where whistles are blown so regularly they sound like soothing wind chimes, and where yelling in order to achieve results remains the preferred method of motivation. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re close. Want another hint? The fitness community has been inundated with this latest workout craze.

With Jazzercise fading into the past (though I do anticipate its revival – if roller derby can make a come back, leotards can too) and the Support Our Troops ribbons continuing to make sales, aerobics instructors everywhere have combined strength and endurance training with the popularity of patriotism. The result? Fitness Boot Camp.

And let me be the first to tell you, it is awesome! Boot camps offer a total body workout. From core strengthening to muscle development to increasing endurance, boot camp encompasses all types of workout musts.

Randomization ensures your heart-rate remains up.

I know it sounds weird to emulate the army just to get a workout. But seriously, the army has it down. Here is a true story: the drum major of my high school marching band, Aldo, was incredibly popular. I think the entire school knew his name and if not, at least his smile. Aldo was built a bit like an ox. He was thick and while he wasn’t quite toned, no one would ever have described him as being “fluffy.” He finished high school, enlisted in the Marines, and spent the summer in boot camp in Camp Pendleton (on the coast of Southern California). He came back to visit the marching band at the start of the school year before he got his overseas assignment, except it took us all a solid sixty seconds to figure out who this lean, muscular man was standing in front of us. In fact, it was not until he grinned sheepishly that we recognized him at all. Boot camp had made Aldo into a panther.

Who doesn’t want to be a panther? I do. The desperate housewives of Orange County do. Even the preppy Bostonian working-moms and dads do.

Here is how it works:

You wake up super early, because boot camps almost always start before the sun has even poked its sleepy rays out from the horizon and show up at the class, which is held outdoors. This outdoor venue provides a great backdrop for warming up and core conditioning. Staring at the Milky Way while you do crunches is downright gorgeous and being able to inhale fresh air makes holding a plank position for sixty seconds tolerable. Everyone counts out loud in a militaristic fashion. Roll is called.

After core and warm ups, a variety of activities may take place. Boot camps thrive on randomization, so the participants cannot begin to guess what is going to happen. Campers bodies are constantly in a state of shock, which keeps the heart-rate up and keeps calories burning. There may be jump-roping or weight-lifting or circuit training. Perhaps there will be a really long run with bouts of lunges and leg strengthening mixed in. I would not be shocked if I were asked to scale a brick wall or parachute out of a helicopter at this point. At boot camp, anything is possible.

And the results are impressive. I’ve witnessed men and women alike drop inches and gain confidence while increasing their overall health. I went from being able to pump out 10 push-ups a day to over 200. I almost wish I was kidding – my shoulders did not need to look any bigger. If you do not have a six-pack by the end of boot camp, I would not believe you went to boot camp.

Due to their huge success and popularity, fitness boot camps are everywhere – there are private companies that host them, community centers that offer recreational classes under the boot camp title, and even college campuses like Texas State University and the University of Maine are developing physical education courses in the national defense training style.

The best part of boot camp is that you get it over with so early in the morning while you are still so tired that it usually seems like some sort of really intense dream you had rather than a workout. And because you have forgotten what it was like by the next morning, it makes it easier to get up and do it all over again . Check it out.

NCAA sanctions puts a maximum time limit of 20 hours a week to train, but if you play on a varsity college sports team you know how coaches are. Coaches will hold “optional” practices, where it’d be in your best interest to show up if you want to hold your spot on the team.

Varsity athletes in college live and breathe their game. However, it’s starting to become more of a part-time job than just a friendly competition. Student athletes have to devote all of their free time to their sport. This deprivation of down-time increases stress levels and pressure often overwhelming students enough to quit a sport they once loved.

It’s crazy how sports have changed from this pressure. Coaches hold intense practices and expect nothing less than excellence. It all boils down to the University that the coach works for. The coach will lose his or her job if the team doesn’t provide a winning record, therefore the coach will do anything in order to get the “W” and keep his or her job.

Athletes receive the pressure from their coaches and internally put more of this pressure on themselves. They don’t want to disappoint their teammates and coach.

If they disappoint their coach then they can kiss their spot good-bye, but if they disappoint their teammates they’re ostracized on and off the field.

When the pressure forces an athlete to quit, it’s likely that he or she will no longer be able to associate with the team. This could mean getting asked to leave a party or simply having your ex-teammates ignore you when they pass you walking to class. Either way it’s not a good feeling to have people on campus who obviously don’t want anything to do with you.

There isn’t a real answer to cure this overwhelming amount of pressure put on the athletes, but I do wonder where the most pressure comes from? Is it really just the athlete or the coach putting pressure on him or her, or deep down is it the University itself?

Keeping enemies closer may be toxic to your health.

We’ve all seen dramatic television shows like Gossip Girl or comical movies like Mean Girls and probably scoffed at the theatrics the fictional characters on such dramas create. Particularly in their interpersonal relationships with the people around them. Watching Blair and Jenny constantly play nice while scheming behind each other’s backs for Queen Bee status, or Kady and Regina placing three-way phone calls in order to create chaos has a certain appeal because they are such fake scenarios. Or are they?

Who doesn’t have a friend that they are not entirely fond of because she kissed the guy you like or is apt to cut you down during a round of Apples to Apples, or at least a friend who you’re concerned may not be entirely fond of you because of her aloof behavior?

These frenemies in real life may not be as vindictive and scheming as the ones we see on big and small screens, but they are certainly just as toxic. Research now suggests that this hybrid breed of acquaintance–half-friends, half-enemies–are bad for your health. Seriously.

Hanging out with friends is supposed to be one of the most relaxing things you do in a day–right up there with taking a shower or practicing yoga in your dorm room. However, hanging out with frenemies has the opposite affect. According to a study by Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, “Love-hate relationships may threaten your cardiovascular health by preventing your body from relaxing in everyday situations and by failing to provide social support during more stressful times.” Not to mention these relationships tack on additional stress not just while you are hanging out, but before and after as well.

If you are not sure whether your pal is of the frenemy flavor, watch for repeated instances of him or her verbally knocking you off your feet by delivering scathing insults masked as compliments, constantly talking down to you, and seeming to relish in your failures rather than share in your times of success. Another quick test? “You know a friend is really a frenemy if she brings out the worst in you and leaves you feeling drained,” say Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler, co-authors of Friend or Frenemy? “A sure sign you have a frenemy is when that person cancels plans with you, you’re relieved instead of disappointed.”

Want to hear stories about frenemies? Check out This American Life’s broadcast on the subject. Or share your own here!

Currently, my favorite food additive to hate is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Unfortunately, if you don’t cook, this is a rather difficult ingredient to avoid as it resides in the majority of ready-made food items available in America today. It is found in soft drinks, bread, snack goods, candy bars, and the majority of packaged foods. High-fructose corn syrup has dominated my list of ingestibles to avoid ever since the day I read it is a leading cause of the dreaded flabdomen, that fatty mush that tends to disguise your chiseled abs.

In his book the Abs Diet, David Zinczenko claims that high-fructose corn syrup is metabolized at a different rate than regular sugar (sucrose) but is more readily turned into fat. This results in that extra unwanted pudge. Unfortunately, an examination of the research available on the issue does not mirror Zinczenko’s succinct explanation of HFCS effects on the abdomen. In fact, there are numerous conflicting opinions and theories regarding the role HFCS plays in the current obesity epidemic in the United States, as well as its responsibility for unwanted tummy fat.

What is HFCS?

High-fructose corn syrup became popular in the 1970’s as yet another attempt to create cheaper, longer lasting processed foods. If you tend to be a purist about your food choices, the preservative quality of HFCS alone should raise a red flag. As Michael Pollan, in his book In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, lists his 12 commandments for serious eaters, which includes “Don’t eat anything that won’t eventually rot.”

Like many major developments in American history, the rise in popularity of HFCS was driven by a combination of complex monetary, social and political forces. Some of the factors included sugar tariffs (taxes on imported sugar) and corn subsidies (government incentives for farmers to grow corn). So the expense of sugar, combined with the surplus of corn made HFCS a great alternative for manufacturers to use in order to create cheaper products.

The creation of HFCS occurs through a complex industrial process in which pure corn syrup, which is 100% glucose, is chemically altered to form a substance that is 55% fructose and 45% glucose. The resulting, HFCS 55 is the form generally used as a sweetener in soda, sweetened beverages, and desserts. Regular table sugar is composed of 50% fructose and 50% glucose. HFCS also comes in a variety of other proportions such as HFCS 90 (90% fructose) and HFCS 42 (42% fructose).

Contradictory and Inconclusive Research on the Matter

So although a common form of HFCS contains only slightly more fructose than sugar in its natural form, some nutritionists and health experts theorize that the difference in the way the two compounds are bound chemically (as well as a whole list of complex biological factors you can read about here) cause the discrepancy in the way the two substances are metabolized by the human body. However a recent study conducted at the University of Maryland states that sufficient research to prove such a theory is not available. Incidentally, the study by the University of Maryland seems to be linked to the Corn Refiners Association; it could be a coincidence, but the frequent link between pro-HFCS research and corn producers looks a little fishy, at least to me. In fact, the Corn Refiners Association has devoted an entire website to facts about HFCS that houses a library of research that dissociates HFCS from any responsibility for a number of health problems.

This year the American Medical Association released a review of all studies conducted during 2007 and stated that a unique link between HFCS and obesity is “unlikely”. The summary acknowledged that the two substances, sucrose and HFCS were similar enough in both composition and absorption by the body, that the effects of HFCS on obesity were not deemed greater than other energy sources, such as sucrose. This review did call for more research on the health effects of HFCS and other sweeteners.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Regardless of your take on science, perhaps we can all agree that the wide spread availability of HFCS did open the door for larger portions of soft drinks. After Coke began using the substance to sweeten its product, Pepsi soon followed suit in order to compete. As more companies were able to lower prices by replacing sugar with HFCS, they adopted new tactics to compete for customers such as larger quantities, and free refills. In this way, the sheer quantity of HFCS available at low costs has played at least some role in the rise of obesity over the last two decades. (For contradictory research on this, see www.hfcsfacts.com).

Based on the current evidence available regarding the effect of HFCS on health, perhaps Micahel Pollan best summed up the issue in an article for Time Magazine. “Is HFCS any worse for you than sugar? Probably not, but by avoiding it you’ll avoid thousands of empty calories and perhaps even more important, cut out highly processed foods–the ones that contain the most sugar, fat and salt. Besides, what chef uses high-fructose corn syrup? Not one. It’s found only in the pantry of the food scientist, and that’s not who you want cooking your meals.”

So while the current research still leaves room to justify your choice to consume HFCS, I’ll take my chances spending more for less, instead of risking it with HFCS!

Through the heat waving above the cracked surface of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, a city exists for one week every fall. In this city, nothing is bought or sold, only given or traded. And the one rule is to leave no trace behind. Burning Man is part arts festival, part social experiment. It’s a mass gathering of idealists, dreamers, hippies, tech geeks, young people, and families, reaching around 43,000 participants last year. So what is this exactly, and why might you want to go?

I’ve never been to Burning Man. Honestly, as a relatively conservative person who hates dry heat, it’s intimidating. I envisioned it being a tent city of skeezy hippies high on weed, practicing free love in the dust. And that vision isn’t entirely wrong. But it is definitely not entirely right either.

The purpose of Burning Man isn’t to go out and get high in the desert; the purpose is to see what happens when people come together to give of themselves and spread ideas and inspiration. The hope is that after Burning Man, they will return to the “default world” bringing what worked in the social experiment of the Burner culture with them to make the rest of the world better. People who meet at Burning Man stay connected to each other online, sharing opportunities, job leads, creative projects, sometimes even surplus vegetables grown in their back yards.

For some, it must be said, Burning Man seems to be an excuse to run wild and naked. But the other side of it is a gathering of intensely creative, loving people who want to stretch the limits of what imagination can accomplish.

What You’ll See there:

Art Cars – Vehicles that have been painted, nailed, boarded, constructed and bent into fantastical shapes right out of Alice in Wonderland, usually playing loud music.

Theme Camps – Theme camps can be about anything. Some are substance-free camps; some offer workshops in yoga, meditation, or massage, some give away vegetarian food, falafels, chai and coffee; some specialize in fire art or wild animals. In a city of over 40,000, you can’t possibly see everything there is to see. It’s a little like Disney World in that way.

Boobs – Need no explanation.

Sculptures – From metal and fire flower exhibits by the Flaming Lotus Girls, to towering bronze trees, to giant women made of sticks basking in the sun, to the ultimate Burning Man himself – a man-shaped structure that is set alight at the end of the week – sculpture is huge both literally and figuratively here.

Performance Art – Performances happen often and everywhere at Burning Man. Impromptu parades, fire juggling/spitting/twirling/dancing (Burners tend to like their flames), people in costume, people in body-paint and little else, people dressed like fairies or Steampunk desert survivalists – just walking around can be a piece of performance art. And there is a lot of dancing.

Dancing – Dancing deserves its own space here. Dancing happens in the street, around camp sites, and in huge tents that pump trance music late into the night. Dancing happens in classes, on top of art cars, on top of busses, and on top of sculptures.

If Burning Man sounds like a good time, then take 2 gallons of water per person, per day with you. Self-reliance is a huge part of this desert festival, so you have to be able to camp in extreme conditions. The dust is caustic, so wear sandals and keep hydrated to avoid “Playa Foot,” where your heels crack and bleed. Tickets for Burning Man 2010 (August 30^th-September 6^th) are currently on sale for between $210 and $300, with low income and scholarship tickets available.

For more information, check out the Burning Man website.

What the Heck Is It?
Mortified is a half comic, half cathartic show in which “talent” (aka, people like you and me and everyone else we went to high school with) reads out loud from their journals or letters or any other written document from adolescence. To quote their own website, “Participants include a wide range of people, from professional performers (comics, celebrities, singers) to total amateurs (architects, ad execs, salesmen) all in the noble pursuit of self-degradation. Personal redemption through public humiliation. ” There is nothing like sharing your embarrassment with strangers to validate your teenage feelings.

What I Saw

There were six performers sharing stories of first relationships, sexual experimentation, and how to be cool when you grow up in a farm town (by raising your own pig, naturally!). All stories were contextualized by the author, and then the journal sharing began. Watching self-actualized adults share their secrets was amazing; as a young adult, I often feel as though I might have been alone in the world of feeling lost and not fitting in as a teenager. Those memories are still quite fresh in my mind. However, watching people who can laugh at themselves with others and who can share in the triumphs and tribulations made me feel like my thoughts and feelings from growing up are yes, mortifying, but also redeeming.

A Quick Interview with Scott Lifton!
I hit up Mortified in Berkeley, California, and even had the chance to talk to the producer of this chapter, Scott Lifton. He’s been working on Mortified for almost five years, and had a lot of insights as to the art of baring your teenage thoughts.

On Why He Loves Mortified
I figured Scott had to seriously enjoy the work he did, since he’d been on the project for half a decade, so I asked him about what he enjoys about the project. He made the point that Get Mortified is a place for the masses to share their stories. “It doesn’t matter who you were then. You’re a rock star here for being yourself, and you’re a bigger rock star for being awkward.”

He wasn’t kidding – readers were applauded when they announced that they had made it to their second day anniversary of a high school relationship, finally gotten their own pig, and biffed their first kiss by hitting the girl’s nose instead of her lips. The supportive audience was accepting of all stories, and they were definitely cheering, not sneering. A much better crowd than any high school clique, for sure.

On Those Hazy Days of High School
Another topic that came up was the idea of how teenagers frame their lives. Scott mentioned that after hearing all the Mortified stories he’s realized a few things. “In high school, everyone is depressed. We have people who were the popular kids and people who were shunned, and everyone is dark. People compare their zits to the Gulf War.”

How teenagers put their world in perspective is not only telling of their age, but amazing to compare to how college students and adults see the world. The writings of a teenager are so authentic because they aren’t always affected by what happens in the world outside their experiences. While teenagers are notorious for empathizing deeply, they also tend to have larger-than-life feelings, which aren’t bad, but wind up feeling out of place when looking back as adults.

My Two Cents
Scott and I began chatting about how Mortified likely has a lifespan, which is rather unfortunate. But as the world hurls into the Technological Era, we seem to be giving up tangible papers and pencils in favor of computer screens and blogs. As we delve away from having a real private sphere and only focusing on what is public, it stands to reason we might lose our ability to jot down private thoughts entirely. And Mortified is based on the concept of sharing things we never meant to share; in this world, it’s hard to imagine that anything might be written down without the intention of sharing.

Regardless, as long as people are writing down their deepest, darkest secrets and willing to share them out loud years later, I highly recommend a trip down nostalgia lane with them. Or get involved, and share yourself! Mortified is always looking for new talent.

The 21st Century - Photo by Andrew Nimmer

Maybe you’re packing up your dorm room and heading back to your sleepy home-town for the summer, or perhaps you’re planning to stay within your university radius during the elongated days of sunshine; either way, summer break is upon us, and if you’re not road-tripping, you’re probably looking for something delightful to do with your time locally. Well, you’re in luck, because I just discovered something amazing that happens in almost every town: free music shows. And even more amazing? Free good shows. Case in point:

I got a Facebook event invite to a free show for a Wednesday night to see The 21st Century – a friend of mine from my music camp days of junior high, Ben, is the keyboardist, and sent out invitations. Gotta love FB. I wasn’t sure about going out on a weeknight, and certainly not in a city that isn’t known for having a remarkable night-life; eventually though, I figured why not. It’s not like I have any studying to do. And thank goodness I went!

Have you ever had one of those incredible music experiences that makes you want to fall in love, lets you feel like you’re already in love, and basically reminds you that you are everywhere at once and nowhere but right here? That’s what hearing The 21st Century was like. From the second they started their harmony-driven folksy music, I felt like I was being shaken awake after being stuck in the fuzzy black and white static of a broken television. My toes tapped – literally. Not just my toes, even – the entire ball of my foot lifted in time with the relentless tambourine.

The show felt a bit like I had entered the hipster fairgrounds and was being enveloped by freedom, beautiful words, and a desire to dance so strong I was pretty sure I’d poof away if I didn’t start immediately. The 21st Century describes themselves accurately on Facebook as, “Carnivalesque and earnest with warm, lyrical harmonies, guitars, piano and backbeat tambourine, from seven friends who write and play songs that you want to sing.” It’s true. I desperately wanted to know the words so I could be “that guy” in the audience who was singing along. I also desperately wanted to be a lyrics writer because I’m pretty sure The 21st Century could make even the most emo-riffic, angsty poetry sound extraordinary.

Here’s the thing: as students we study, we work, we sleep, and then we do it again. Summer vacation is a time to experience something completely different, to explore the community you are staying in, and to see what the world has to offer with new eyes. You might find activities that bore you or that are lame; but you also might have a life-altering experience that revitalizes your passion for the pure exhilaration of being alive.

The internet is a beautiful place. Check out Facebook and MySpace events to find shows that friends of friends are putting on. Hit up your local independent newspaper to seek out underground activities. Even the parks and recreation department has interesting programs that could thrill you. The potential for something amazing is out there. Have at it!