I just witnessed the most disgusting example of sensational television ever. EVER. I was shocked that I had heard nothing about it, although friends confirmed the show’s existence (no, it wasn’t some freak incident—it has regular show times) through commercials they had seen. It was bad. No, but seriously, it was so bad. How did NBC, of all networks, even agree to broadcast this? No, it wasn’t a President Bush speech; no, it wasn’t another version of Celebrity Circus. It was much, much worse: Baby Borrowers.

On the show’s website, a

In a creative writing class, I mentioned once how I'd been commuting since I was about nine years old. My school was forty-five minutes away from my house and at first I rode the bus, then I quietly rode the train, for this time period there and back every day. Sometimes I brought a music player, but often I didn't; I was happy looking out the window, watching the scenery going by and being alone with my thoughts. My professor declared that this had had a dramatic effect in shaping my personality, and it could be seen in my fiction.

I'm not sure how dramatic the effect of being a long-time solitary traveler has been on me, but I can't deny that it has had an effect. In addition to my school commute, which isn

I don’t know if any of you out there have seen the movie Pay it Forward, but it’s worth the watch. Haley Joel Osment plays a pre-pubescent middle school kid who gets a homework assignment to “change the world”—and sets out to complete it, no hold bars. His plan is something he calls “Paying it Forward”, a system that’s supposed to create a water-fall effect of good will across all strata of society. It starts with one person who commits an act of profound kindness towards three different people in order to improve their lives. Each of those three people then help three other people, who then help three other people, and et cetera, et cetera until kindness

Getting off the I-40 East Stewart's Ferry exit and heading down Bell Road during some odd hour of a starlit night has proven to be a tradition of mine. I often go out of my way to take that direction home after a long night of hanging out. There's just something about driving in the black of night and be able to see each and every star with no other cars in the seeable distance. Set the car in cruise control, turn on some Explosions in the Sky, take the parking break off your mind, and let your train of thought take control and lead you to the one thing you've seemed to stifle all day. There are only a few things that can bring about that feeling of freedom and openness within me, but that's not up for discussion

 

What does it mean when a restaurant's door dons a Zagat decal? All it means is that the place has been rated by a Zagat food critic. Any savvy New Yorker--financial situation notwithstanding-- who happens to walk down the street and is hungry would be inclined to walk in a restaurant with a Zagat decal on its door than some mom-and-pop joint that serves God knows what. You won't actually know how good or bad the food is until you try or, if you trust the critics' tastes, read your handy guidebook.

I find it appalling that restaurants that serve culinary abortions can put up the Zagat name on their doors. This not only undermines the restaurant enthusiast's right to be selective, but it also compromises

Dear (Hiring Manager/Friend of Dad's),

            I would be extremely interested in obtaining the (analyst/entry-level/only available) position in your (New York/Boston/anywhere but Chicago) office.  Ever since I first saw my father perform an open-heart surgery as a child, I have been fascinated by the (healthcare/illegal organ) market.  My natural interest in helping (people/steal some organs) is a natural fit with the industry, and I believe my analytical skills, honed through my degree in (math problems/emotional problems), would only become stronger (at your company/after I finish this drink). 

        

We continue the critique of this book, with a look at chapters 6-11, begining with one of the major themes of the piece, "the permanent campagin culture," and McClellan's view of how it poisned the posibilites of the Bush Presidency and ultimatley diminished his and his administration's standing at home and abroad.

 

In McClellan's view, the ideal government should always include an open and honest dialouge with the people who are being governed and the press apparatus which is supposed to act as the watchdog of said government (in this case the Bush administration's executive opperations), except concerning issues of national security where absolute secrecy is required. And consequently herein lies the rub, and subsequently where I believe McClellan probably has a good point,

It hasn't been pretty for Team USA in international play the past few years. Yet, this year's group seems to be re-invigorated and more focused than ever on bringing the gold back to America. The roster is a collection of our country's finest, with some specific players brought in for their unique skill sets that will help in international play. Let's take a closer look at who will be representing the Red, White, and Blue in Beijing this summer.

The Point Guards:

Jason Kidd - The seasoned veteran provides valuable on-court leadership and has experienced winning a gold medal. He may not have the quickness he once did, and he still struggles with his jump shot but his ability to run an

One of the hardest balances to strike in a relationship involves the image you and your boyfriend or girlfriend project as a couple.  You want to be lovey dovey and affectionate enough to show how you're feeling, but you don't want to be that obnoxious PDA couple.  You want to integrate with one another's groups of friends but you don't want to lose identity or overwhelm anyone or overstep any boundaries.  You want to have your alone - together time (especially early in the relationship), but you don't want to be the crazy hermit couple.  Whatever you do in your relationship and whatever image you want to give off, there are a few couple labels you probably don't want attached to the two of you