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(02/24/11 5:00am)
To say goodbye to the T&C; and to Otterbein, I'd like to share just 10 more things. Because I'm a tour guide, people ask me all the time why I came to Otterbein. Honestly, I can't even remember how I heard of it, but I'm thankful I'm here. As I look back at the last four years and compare my college experiences to those of friends at different schools, it's clear that I chose the best school. The opportunities I have been afforded here I would have never found elsewhere. I'll try and keep the cheese to a minimum. 1. My recommendations: Netbooks and Kindles, Shirley Temples, involvement in student organizations, Oscar Meyer Deli Selects (Lunchables for adults), planners, Schmitt's Sausage Haus, DVR, Grey Goose vodka, flip-flops, Elevator Bar, "Gilmore Girls" and "30 Rock," Giant Eagle. Oh, and Martinizing Dry Cleaning on the corner of Cleveland and Polaris ... 2. My anti-recommendations: Vegetables, having too many remotes, Chef Rick's Westerville Grill, beer, snow, any place on Rt. 161 (it's scary down there), the dark, crowds ... 3. Go on as many doughnut runs as possible. OK, it doesn't have to be a doughnut run, per se. But enjoy the time spent up late at night, being silly in your dorm room, eating junk and doing dumb things. Big-kid jobs don't really allow for all-nighters and cake-baking because your BFF just broke up with her boyfriend. 4. Challenge yourself and your friends to go to as many different places as possible. The Mall at Tuttle Crossing and Easton are great, too. Explore restaurants in German Village and the Short North and Gahanna, too. You'll be pleasantly surprised. I was. 5. Don't ever avoid doing something because you think you don't have time. Invest in a planner. Obviously there is a limit, but try everything. I would have never been a journalism or a public relations major if I wasn't pushed to try new things. You always have time for things you love. 6. I am so glad I did internships, particularly the ones I did. Even if it was a bad experience, I learned something about myself. Through my internships, I now know what I want in a job — a positive atmosphere and job satisfaction. 7. My Otterbein parking solution: Build a parking garage behind the football stadium. I don't care if it's above ground or underground, but something needs to be done. I won't miss stalking the poor kids coming out of class as I creep behind them as they slowly walk to their car, only to find out that they were just putting their books away. This only happens after I give up another spot to creep on this kid. 8. I'm glad I joined TEM. But I'm also glad I quit TEM. I met some wonderful girls and we shared some priceless moments, but sororities in general just weren't a good fit for me. I loved pledging but didn't love being an active. When I stopped loving it, I knew it was time to leave. Thank you to the girls who didn't hold this against me. 9. Thank you. To many people. Thank you to Hillary Warren, Michelle Bretscher, Susan Merryman, Dan Steinberg and Jessica Hein for being incredible mentors. I'm pretty sure I'd be lost in a ditch somewhere without your direction and encouragement. Thank you to my peers — my friends and my enemies, for laughing with me but for also challenging me. Oh, and thank you to my mom and my brother, too. 10. I've had highs and lows in the last four years. Between my mom's cancer, car accidents and roommate issues — but also getting jobs, celebrating holidays and traveling the country, there has always been one person to keep me sane. Thanks Andrew, for everything. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye. For now. t&c;
(02/10/11 5:00am)
1. Jersey shore – No, let's make this all trash TV, which includes anything on VH1, MTV, Oxygen, etc. I don't care if it's your guilty pleasure but I don't need to hear about who slapped whom and who slept with whom in last night's episode. Fix: keep it to yourself. 2. Drunk dialing – Look, I know that we'd all like to think we are all out having a grand ol' time but listen, I'm sleeping, I have things to do tomorrow. It's 2:30 and the bar you are at just closed. I use my phone for an alarm clock. Fix: don't call me after 11 p.m. 3. Leggings for pants – I don't care how comfortable they are or how thin you are, nobody wants to see every outline of you behind. It is unacceptable to walk around with leggings and a t-shirt. Fix: If you insist on wearing them at all, at least wear a sweater dress. 4. Smoking just outside doors – Meaning I half to walk through your disgusting exhaled smoke in order to leave the building. Fix: take two big bunny hops away from the door downwind. 5. Bragging about your smart phone – Not all of us have Angry Birds and access to our e-mail in the middle of nowhere. Some of us have crappy flip phones. Fix: stop rubbing it in. 6. Sit next to of in front of me in an empty movie theatre – Even one seat away from me is fine. If there is 80 other seats in the movie theatre why do you have to skeef my arm rest? If I have to, I'll move. Fix: Just don't do it. 7. Dress your pets – I don't care how "cute" he looks or how much he "loves" it. Your poor dog does not want to be dressed like a bumble bee for Halloween or wear a big puffy pink winter coat. He was born with fur for a reason, let him be. Fix: Go buy a doll. 8. Bad drivers – This is a catch-all for a lot of things including people who think their cars are better than everyone else's so they purposely park in three spaces. It makes me want to hit them even more. Fix: let someone else drive. 9. Bad grammar – Exspecially, axed, supposebly, I could care less. Fix: go take third grade English again. 10. Decorating your car for Christmas - Oh yeah, I'm talking about middle-aged women who deck their car with a red nose and antlers, and best of all, leaving it up until February. Fix: Decorate the inside of your house or car so the rest of us don't have to see it. t&c;
(01/27/11 5:00am)
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a lollipop? How many drops of water are in the ocean? Yep, taking it back to the third grade, Otterstyle. 1,000 – The number of locks estimated by the Otterbein Service Department. They said that there are at least three keys for each dorm room and many more for academic buildings. 1,176 – The number of computers on Otterbein's campus, including faculty and staff computers, lab computers and classroom computers. 2,500 – The number of light bulbs Otterbein uses per year according to the Otterbein Service Department. 2,970 – The number of students currently attending Otterbein University for winter quarter, according to Barbara Wharton, director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning. 3,235 – The number of classes offered at Otterbein for the 2010-2011 school year, according to the registrar's office. 59,643 – The number of days since Otterbein opened in 1847. 154,440 – The number of playing cards of every Otterbein student if they had their own deck. 4,607,955 – The number of sheets of paper Otterbein's copy center used last fiscal year. 93,155,607 – The estimated number of e-mails received by the Otterbein mail server per year, estimated by Information and Technology Services. 1,423,691,677,385 – The number of bytes needed to store everyone's home folders on the Otterbein server, according to Information and Technology Services. Try guessing how many bricks are on the Otterbein campus? Don't forget all the roads and buildings. t&c;
(01/13/11 5:00am)
"Once upon a time … " is how we'll eventually tell our children about sitting around the TV for the evening news or spending hours in the library to write a research paper because we needed the encyclopedias. Babies born in 2011 will probably never know the pure joy — or frustration — of these soon-to-be ancient ideas. Now, I'm not saying these things are already extinct, but within the next 10 years or so, they will at least be endangered species. 1. MP3s players that aren't Apple – Before Apple was the electronic powerhouse that it is today, there was a time when buying a digital song didn't automatically mean that it was from iTunes. 2. VHS tapes, cassettes, CDs – Just like our parents talk about having old 8-tracks, we'll soon be describing the idea of a Walkman and a VCR. 3. Blockbuster – Netflix and laziness have taken over the act of getting in your car, driving to the video store and walking through the aisles to search for what to watch. 4. Dial-up Internet – If I needed to use the Internet, I had to turn on the computer and leave for 10 minutes while it warmed up. 5. Evening news – We'd always sit around the TV right after dinner to watch those famous anchors who felt like friends. Sadly, I can't remember the last time I watched the evening news. I watch it in the morning and get it online. 6. Film cameras – Vacation meant bringing not only your camera but also 32 rolls of film. As a kid, I was a planner. I would use my 24 pictures so sparingly that at the end of the day, I would have used only three pictures because I tried to save them for something cool, which never happened. 7. Handwritten letters – We all tried the pen pal thing. It only ever lasted about four letters. But how freaking excited were you when you got that letter? When I was a freshman, my mom sent me handwritten letters every week. Now that I'm a senior, take a guess how many I get. If you guessed zero, you'd be right. 8. Home phones – The only reason my family still had a home phone was because my youngest brother didn't have a cell phone yet. If everyone in the family has their own phone, why do you need an extra one that isn't mobile, let alone corded to a wall? 9. Travel agents – With all the websites like Expedia, Kayak, Travelocity, etc., why would you pay for someone else to do it for you when it's so easy and fast? 10. Printed dictionaries, catalogs, phone books, encyclopedias, maps – Let's face it: Anything printed can now be found on the Internet. In other words, not just on our computers, but also our iPads, Kindles and BlackBerries. t&c;
(11/11/10 5:00am)
I understand that Cardy isn't the coolest mascot out there, but he's better than most. Here are some of the weirdest and most bizarre. 1. Texas Christian Horned Frogs: Unfortunately, they are sometimes referred to as the horny frogs. It must be hard having a mascot who is sexually frustrated. Next thing you know, someone will call themselves the University of Blue Ballers. 2. California-Santa Cruz Banana Slugs and Southern Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils: This is just gross. I don't understand why bugs are so popular for school mascots. 3. Brooklyn College Bridges: How weird would it be to be at a football game and see a running, jumping, flipping bridge? 4. Delta State Fighting Okra, Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes and North Carolina School of Arts Fighting Pickles: I could maybe understand a turkey or an ear of corn. But okra, artichokes and pickles? 5. Erskine Flying Feet: If someone told me their mascot was the Flying Feet, I would think they were about to tell me a Brothers Grimm fairy tale gone wrong. 6. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors: This is an oxymoron. Are they just a colorful military or do they actually fight against rainbows in the sky? But if they were the Double Rainbow Warriors, that'd be OK by me. 7. Idaho Vandals and Grays Harbor College Chokers: This is not a very positive reinforcement for the students if the mascot is a vandal or a choker. You might as well be encouraging them. 8. Spokane Sasquatch: This is awesome. There must be a lot of sightings here. This would be a great prank to play on freshmen. 9. Sweet Briar Vixens: I wonder if their sports teams wear lingerie. I would love to see a guy play this mascot. 10. Tennessee Volunteers and Whittier Poets: Aww, sensitive. I can understand why a school would want this as their symbol, but your mascot? Doesn't matter, Otterbein's probably got them beat as far as volunteering hours goes. We win awards for this every year. Lastly, I would like to add that I am impressed — no, stunned — by the fact that boards of trustees approved some of these choices. t&c;
(10/28/10 4:00am)
Would you visit Grandma in that costume? Or better yet, attend a church service? Now, I'm not saying that everything you wear must be appropriate for Grandpa or your creepy uncle, but if you plan on walking around campus dressed like that, you can bet that every skeazy guy, old and young, is staring at your junk. There are certain costumes that are worn every year, but in recent years, ladies have been showing off way too much skin. I expect nothing less from our girls this year. Pirate- This is done every year. And every year the girl thinks she is being so creative. A short ripped-up skirt, a bandana and tall lace-up boots do not make a Halloween costume. Superhero- A blue bra and matching underwear with an "S" painted on your chest and a cape is Superman, right? No. Superman wore a full-coverage spandex suit. You can do the same and still look sexy. SpongeBob, Elmo, Alice in Wonderland-It's sad when we transform these childhood characters into sex icons of the season. Animals- Just because you put wings or ears on lingerie doesn't mean that makes it a quality Halloween costume. Firefighter/police officer/construction worker/military- These costumes demean the uniforms of important organizations in our society. Who decided this would be cute? Nurse/French maid- It's a sad testament to the college-aged girls to scour the stores for the most revealing outfit to wear for an evening. They keep pushing the limits. I remember when girls used to just wear a short, low-cut dress. These days, we're lucky if we can get them to leave on undergarments. There is no excuse for these distasteful costumes. Referee/sports players- Now, I don't have a problem with costumes using these ideas just as long as you cover yourself. Dressing up in your older brother's football jersey and pants and sporting some cleats is cute as long as you don't tie up the jersey around your chest and wear white booty shorts instead of the pants. There's a huge difference. School girl- Girls always claim that it's the one time a year when they can get away with wearing anything. Why is looking like a little girl sexy? Lady Gaga- Some will be just downright crazy. But please, there are plenty of Gaga options — pick one with something to it. No one wants to see you in a meat outfit where we can all see the prime cut. Criminal- We've all seen the black and white striped slinky dresses with the thigh-high patent leather boots and handcuffs. Since when is it cool to be a jailbird? Bottom line, girls: Whatever you decide to wear this year, dress appropriately. Yes, guys want to see you in barely anything, but that doesn't mean you have to give it to them. And no other girl wants to walk around this weekend with a bunch of naked girls. There are plenty of ways to be cute or even sexy while wearing little more than lingerie. t&c;
(09/30/10 4:00am)
It seems as though every major organization is publishing ratings and lists of "top this" or "most popular that" these days. PayScale.com has its own ratings, but this one may be a little more relevant to us. As always, below is a list of the 10 best and worst paying undergraduate majors according to PayScale. I took the comprehensive list and translated it to majors offered at Otterbein. The ranges listed beside each major are starting through mid-career salaries. Part 1: Best-paying majors at Otterbein Engineering ($56,700 - $157,000) This range is quite large because PayScale listed each engineering major separately. Sounds like a ton of options, but keep in mind that you most likely have to go through extra years of graduate school and undergrad that will be filled with really tough math and science courses. Physics ($50,700 - $99,600) I admire anyone who is willing to commit to being a physics major. I took physics in high school and hated it. Then I took Otterbein's Energy, Science and Society course, which is basically kindergarten physics; we learned about Slinkies, 3-D glasses and bombs. It was awesome, but real physics with formulas and constants is still very intimidating. Economics/Finance/Accounting ($44,600 - $97,800) These majors seem to have tons of flexibility and job stability. Especially these days, everyone is wanting to know what's in store next and how stocks and finances are doing. Computer science/Information technology ($49,600 - $97,700) With the crazy growth of technology, this seems obvious. If you can fix your colleagues' computer disasters, you will be loved around the office. Mathematics/Statistics ($46,400 - $92,900) I think you either love it or you hate it. Some people are simply not good at math, and for others, it comes naturally. This goes along with the engineering and business majors. Regardless, it's important to have at least a basic understanding of it. Part 2: Worst-paying majors at Otterbein Sociology ($29,500 - $44,900) It's a little sad to think that the major that leads to jobs in child and family services and gender and orientation equality, among other things to help our communities, is the worst paying undergraduate major. Add that to all the extra years of almost necessary graduate school, and you can see that it takes some dedicated people to care this much. Education ($31,600 - $54,900) More specifically elementary or early education. This is interesting, too, because it seems as though quality teachers are in high demand, yet it is so difficult to get and keep a teaching job. Many education majors will eventually need to go back to school to at least get their master's. Religion ($34,700 - $51,300) Unless you plan on writing a best-seller, getting your Ph.D. and teaching or becoming the Pope, this isn't a very profitable major. Athletic training ($32,800 - $59,000) With professional sports being such a huge industry, I figured that the trainers would be doing well. Physical therapy wasn't on the list but majors like allied health were higher on the list. Pre-law/Legal studies ($35,100 - $57,200) This rating actually surprised me. I assumed that people in law had pretty fat wallets. Apparently that is only after you graduate law school. You have to make it into law school in order to make the big bucks. t&c;
(09/16/10 4:00am)
So we've all learned it the hard way, accidentally spilling out a few choice words in front of Mom and Dad is not always a good idea. What do you say these days instead of the words that used to get you a mouthful of soap? OK, we'll start with the tame ones and go from there. Shoot. I think this was the first "bad word" we were all allowed to say. When we were five, our parents told us not to say it, but eventually they gave in. Crap. Which came shortly after shoot. Pee pee/Wee wee. Time out. This is not something that we say, rather something that as far back as I can remember, moms have been calling "private parts." Where the hell did this come from? My mom also says "cheese and rice" instead of Jesus Christ. Geez … Heck/Helk/Jebus. This is when Mom reminded us that changing one or two letters didn't change the fact that you were thinking the same thing. F/A/B. This includes A-hole and D-bag. This transitioned us to high school, when saying just the first letters was the cool thing to do. But moms and teachers were quick to remind us that this wasn't going to fly either. Freak and Frick. They sound wonderfully similar if muffled when something is really not going your way, but if you are in the company of others. Fudge. Apparently we then got creative with substitutions. Personally, I think fudge is a good thing, but hey. This leads me to the next one. Balls/ballsack. Now, I realize that this isn't something most of us say in front of our parents but at times, it's better than the alternative. The funny thing is that girls say it when something negative happens, but guys say it when something positive or cool happens. It's quite a discrepancy. I'd like to dedicate this one to Ms. Jayme Detweiler, who uses it way too often. God bless America/God bless it. Now we get to the phrases. You can still say the same phrases with the same emotion and inflection, just swap out a word or two. Shut the front door. And they make less sense from here … Maybe these ones are just for comedic purposes. Son of a Biscuit. Son of a Bee Sting. What the French Toast. And finally, the infamous ... Shmer. This one was made famous by Tibby. Lauren Tibjash graduated in 2009 and her made-up word still lives on. This one can be anything. It can replace any word. It is the most versatile of them all. Shmer can mean anything you want it to. t&c;
(06/02/10 4:00am)
So I didn't pick the most popular videos of all time, but I chose my favorites. The most popular videos of all time are music videos of Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber, and that's no fun. But go see Lady Gaga's "Telephone" video because it's outrageous. Listed in order of most views on YouTube.com1. "Charlie Bit My Finger" – 2007 – 196,858,015 views This is an old one, but still a classic. The older little boy sticks his finger in the teething boy's mouth. He has a cute British accent, too.
2. "Evolution of Dance" – Judson Laipply – 2006 – 144,793,177 views This video takes us through the decades by the popular dances of that time, of course including the worm, the lawn mower and even disco.
3. "Susan Boyle – Singer – "Britain's Got Talent" – 2009 – 93,809,249 views This was her first appearance and this video is what made her famous. It proves that with today's technology, anyone's dreams can come true.NOTE: embedding for this video has been disabled by the creator. To see the video,click here.4. "The Sneezing Baby Panda" – 2006 – 65,121,169 views I wonder why so many people watch some videos. It's a 16-second clip of mostly nothing, but it's still hilarious.
5. "David After Dentist" – 2009 – 60,620,707 views So I know we've all seen this, but there is a series of parodies to it. One of them is called "David After Divorce," including the lines "Why is this happening to me?" and "Is this going to last forever?"
6. Charlie the Unicorn – 2006 – 48,137,190 views I have no idea where this came from. If you've never seen it, it's a cheery cartoon, complete with unicorns, rainbows and dinosaurs, but it doesn't end well.
7. "Powerthirst" – 2007 – 19,704,723 views It is a combination of a man screaming at you through a megaphone and crazy graphics that really have nothing to do with it, like Kenya and babies. I'd like to think that it's a commentary on energy drinks.
8. "Everyday Normal Guy" – 2007 – 16,049,514 views Jon Lajoie has a YouTube channel. His songs are hilarious. We've all heard of his "Show Me Your Genitals." This one is about how he is completely average. He's got a bad back. His parents are nice people. He likes "Grey's Anatomy." And so on. But it's a rap.
9. "Where the Hell is Matt?" – 2006 – 15,327,262 views This is a Stride® Gum commercial. There are more editions now and all are very cool. Matt goes all over the world dancing the same dance in tons of different locations like Paris and Tokyo.
10. "Stalking Cat" (aka "Stealth Cat") – 2008 – 10,476,849 views It's in Japanese, but there isn't any important sound. Just watch it. Personally, I hate cats and I think it's funny that the majority of videos on YouTube are music videos and cats.
Jessica Miller is a junior public relations and journalism major and is a business manager for the t&c.;
(05/13/10 4:00am)
1. Peanut butter and jelly- I get it, it's fast. But I suggest at least investing in squeezable jelly so you don't have to dirty any silverware. Although I do suggest buying plastic silverware anyway, because who wants to wash dishes in the same sink you brush your teeth in?2. Ramen Noodles- Yikes, 1,960 mg of sodium according to www.ramenlicious.com. And they don't even taste that good. Personally, I don't do slimy food.3. Easy Mac- Sadly, Easy Mac is too easy. I wasn't thinking one time and I just took off the top wrapper and shoved it into the microwave. I almost burnt the place down because without water, the raw noodles just burn. I then bought myself a glass Pyrex® dish and made other kinds of pasta which required more thought so I didn't torch the place. Easy Mac is worth the dollar in a hurry, though.4. Pop-Tarts®- You don't even have to go off campus to get a hold of these. They sell them at the Otterbean Café and the Roost Express.5. Hot Pockets®- Any food that makes you feel that bad after eating should be banned. I know they are convenient and all but it's not worth it afterward.6. Chunky soup- It's comfort food and hey, it's not that unhealthy either. And plus, with that Pyrex® dish you are going to buy, it's super easy.7. Granola bars- With our crazy schedules, it's easy to forget to leave time for meals. Keep a granola bar around just in case.8. Juice boxes- I know it sounds childish, but they are so handy. It's like having a can of pop instead of a 2-liter bottle and a glass.9. Fruit snacks- I always feel better when I'm eating fruit snacks instead of a stack of cookies or something. For some reason, tricking myself that way works. "Fruit Roll-Ups: see, it even has fruit in the name."10. Chef Boyardee®- One word: gross. I have no idea why, but I can remember loving this as a kid. I used to beg my mom to let me buy just one can, and I would save it and eat it for two separate meals in one day. Now, I don't think you could pay me to eat a whole can of Chef. Let's branch out a bit, guys. Think of your favorite food that your parents made at home. Now think of a way to make it in the dorm kitchen with no stove top. You could even do a potluck night with the students in your hallway. It's always nice to escape the Cardinal's Nest every once in a while. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A JUNIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND JOURNALISM MAJOR AND IS A BUSINESS MANAGER FOR THE t&c.;
(04/29/10 4:00am)
We all have our favorite places in Westerville. Be it the parks or the great food, it seems like there are endless options for fun things to do, even though we all complain about being bored sometimes. Here's a list of a few of my favorites, in no order at all. Most are within walking distance, too.1. Serendipity Ice Cream and Coffee: The ice cream shop uptown on College Avenue. It's super cheap, especially with the Otterbein discount. I got a bowl of mint chocolate chip last night for $2. It's just a chill place to hang out. And free Wi-Fi is always great.2. Blue Turtle Tea and Spice Company: It's uptown on State Street. I've been here a couple of times. The food was classic with a funky twist, but always great. They also have loads of tea and herbs, hence the name.3. Frank Art Museum: On Vine Street on the other side of State Street. It looks like an old church, but they feature different themes of local artists. It's something different to do instead of driving downtown to COSI and the other museums. Check it out on Otterbein's website.4. Alum Creek Lake: Take Africa Road north. When you get to Big Walnut or Lewis Center Road, make a left and the park is on your right. Best park ever. I thought everyone knew about this place, but apparently not. I go on a regular basis just to hang out. Lots of people go to run the huge stairs, and there is a playground and picnic tables, too. It's fun to go up to the top and look down at the lake to watch boaters, fishers and ducks.5. Rita's: Neighboring Little Caesar's, another favorite, Rita's has custard and flavored ice and pretty much anything but ice cream. They even combine custard and ice to create what they call Misto® shakes. It's something different from the typical Graeter's, Dairy Queen and Cold Stone.6. Heavenly Cup: On the corner of Main and State streets, the very tiny space feels intimate as you order your coffee. And way cheaper than Starbucks. They even have daily specials. Check out their Facebook page.7. That's So Sweet: Right by the new Thai Grille on College Avenue. It has all of the old-fashioned candy you had as a kid. If you ever have a craving for something you can't buy at the gas station counter anymore, you should stop by.8. Westerville Community Center: On the corner of County Line Road and Cleveland Avenue. There's a pool with water slides and a lazy river. Enough said. Oh, and a rock climbing wall, pool tables and everything else you'd typically expect at a recreation center.9. Alum Creek Park: The one on the way to the Art and Communication Building. It's great for sledding in the winter as well as all the fun stuff when the weather is nice. There is a basketball court, sand volleyball court, baseball field, soccer field, a huge playground and an outdoor amphitheatre.10. Everal Barn and Homestead: There is a park between the BP and the Westerville Fire Department. There is a lake and a barn. It's pretty neat. Some people have weddings or graduation parties there. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A JOURNALISM AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND IS A BUSINESS MANAGER FOR THE t&c.;
(04/22/10 4:00am)
How do you feel when you lose or forget your phone or when it drops a call? Or when your e-mail or Internet is down? How about when your Cardinal Card won't swipe you into your dorm? Let's take it a step further. What about when the power goes out? No hair dryers, no cell phone chargers, no TV or coffee pots. You feel helpless and lost. You feel like your whole day is on pause until you get those luxuries back. Don't worry, I'm not about to lecture you on how our generation is too reliant on those things. Rather, this is a simple observation of how much these things deeply affect our lives. We've all been sitting there, on a roll, working on that paper that is due tomorrow and all of a sudden your computer shuts off and of course the last time you saved was two hours ago when you started it. Great. Another example was when the Otterbein Webmail was down at the beginning of last week. For almost 24 hours, and what felt like weeks, we did not have access to that e-mail account. Now I'm sure that we all have alternative e-mail accounts, but, at least for me, that was useless because everything I needed — homework, papers, things for my job — was all stored in that e-mail account. Even though we complain about the technology on campus, we have to give the Information and Technology Services (ITS) a break. They work really hard to make sure that we have everything we need in working condition. Don't get me wrong. I am still going to complain about technology itself, but a giant thank you goes out to ITS for keeping up with everything and dealing with the wrath of our complaints. But everything for our careers will depend on a computer and a phone. It is scary to me that we stumble when we're told we have to do without. Find a thesaurus instead of right-clicking in Word. Get a pen and paper instead of that calculator. Last week, a friend needed to find a scrapbooking store, so the obvious solution was to go on Google Maps to see where the closest one was. Two out of the first three nearest stores listed on Google Maps were out of business, and had been for a while apparently. So Google, of all Web sites, doesn't even update their stuff? I'm genuinely surprised. I find it interesting that we rely on technology when I find myself questioning the accuracy and quality of it to begin with. It amazes me how we rely on it so much that when it fails us we have no idea how to recover. Cross your fingers that the overhead projector in class doesn't turn on this afternoon. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A JUNIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND JOURNALISM MAJOR AND IS A BUSINESS MANAGER FOR THE t&c.;
(04/15/10 4:00am)
1. Barack Hussein Obama- Isn't it a little weird that his middle name closely resembles the ethnicity of the country we are fighting with? Just an interesting coincidence. I wonder if this affected the election at all ... 2. George Walker Bush- According to www.namestatistics.com, George is the current 16th most popular name, while Walker is pretty much the opposite, coming in at 997th. 3. William Jefferson Clinton- First of all, it's weird hearing William instead of Bill like he is commonly referred to. Secondly, Jefferson? Really? It must be an unspoken law that you must have a weird middle name to be president. Damn, my middle name is Lynne. Guess I can't be president. 4. George Herbert Walker Bush- I'm confused as to why people commonly refer to this George's son as George Junior, because technically he isn't a junior. Juniors must have the same full name as the father and old George has an extra middle name. 5. Ronald Wilson Reagan- I'm seeing a trend. Last names of past presidents make good middle names for future presidents. I think I'm going to name my future son Washington Adams (insert last name). Maybe it'll catch on. 6. James Earl Carter, Jr.- I can only think of two things. First, that stupid TV show called "My Name is Earl." Reruns come on right after "Lopez Tonight" on TBS, and by that time I am almost asleep and don't have the energy to find my remote to change it. And second, Jimmy was a peanut farmer. I'm pretty sure that is the only thing they teach about him in elementary and junior high school. 7. Gerald Rudolph Ford- Sing it with me, "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose … " 8. Richard Milhous Nixon- It's obviously obscure but it seems fitting. If you've ever seen "Frost/Nixon," I can almost hear Frank Langella say it. 9. Lyndon Baines Johnson- For having the second most popular last name according to www.namestatistics.com, Lyndon (No. 1,020) and Baines are hilariously uncommon. 10. John Fitzgerald Kennedy- Maybe I shouldn't poke fun because he was assassinated … Nah, he has a funny middle name too. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A JUNIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND IS A BUSINESS MANAGER FOR THE t&c.;
(03/04/10 5:00am)
Chef Fredrick Stevens' little "hole in the wall" operation is easy to pass up if you remember The Dog Joint. But don't let the country buffet style fool you. Like the signatures from past presidents and politicians say, Chef Rick can cook. On the walls he displays signed photographs of Gov. Ted Strickland, Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and OSU Football Coach Jim Tressel. Chef Rick is a Certified Master Chef, which he said is the equivalent of a Ph.D. in other occupations. As well as being at the top of his industry, Chef Rick combines a chill environment with tasty classic food. My turkey Reuben was superb. The turkey was cut fresh literally minutes before it was served, locking in the moisture of the meat. Add top quality marble rye bread and you can imagine how surprised I was when I realized the sandwich only cost $6. The restaurant is small, housing about 20-30 people at capacity. And with quality food comes preparation time, so you will wait a bit for your food. All in all, Chef Rick's Westerville Grill offers great, low-price food in a relaxing atmosphere. You can also order take-out for anything on the menu, even breakfast items. Also look for more late-night hours on Friday and Saturday for those who like an omelette after a stiff drink. t&c;
(01/14/10 5:00am)
Before reading the mad lib, fill in each blank with the indicated word. For extra mad lib fun, have your friends pick out the words, and then read the story together. And most importantly, be creative in your word choice!A review for the grammatically challenged:NOUN: person, place or thing, i.e. flamingo, spatula, freshmanADJECTIVE: describes a noun, i.e. large, sweet, greenVERB: action word, i.e. jump, dive, blowADVERB: describes a verb, i.e. quickly, excitedly, hungrilyTrip to the storeIt was _______ (holiday) in _______ (season) and my _______ (adjective) _______ (family member) had to run to the _______ (gas station) to buy _______ (number) _______ (measurement) of _______ (noun) because we ran out. Once he/she got there, he/she realized that he/she forgot his/her _______ (container) which held all of his/her money. The clerk was very _______ (adjective) and told him/her that he/she could pay in _______ (plural body parts). He/she was _______ (emotion) when he/she found this out. He/she was reluctant but paid for the _______ (first noun) and _______ (past tense verb) home to share his/her news with the rest of us only after realizing that he/she forgot the _______ (first noun). Oh no!*Send your mad lib into tanandcardinal@yahoo.com and our favorite will receive an iTunes gift card!
(11/05/09 5:00am)
The procession of World Trade Center Steel marched through Westerville on Friday Sept. 11 in rememberance of 9-11.
(06/04/08 4:00am)
It's funny how history repeats itself. We talk about our past constantly, whether it be in our lovely Western Civilization class or yesterday's gossip.We all know the basic history of past wars, but it is interesting to look at how they are similar to the war in Iraq.Look at the propaganda used now. "Support our troops," "Real patriots drive hybrids," "Go solar, not ballistic," are just a few. Compare them to some from the 1940s, for instance, "Buy Victory Bonds and bring them home faster," "Return when empty and you'll help win the war," in reference to glass milk bottles. Because we are going through the same type of crisis, they have the same underlying message. Citizens can show patriotism by supporting the troops and conserving energy.The economy is heading toward a recession, and it's partly because of the war. The government wants everything they are doing to be swept under the rug, and the citizens have no choice but to follow orders and continue to fight this war. We have no choice but to give up our brothers and friends because our government says that we must stay in Iraq.We are disconnected from our nation's history, like it is just an old story we hear from our grandparents. But it's real, it's recent, and it relates to everything that is happening now. If we were to compare the situation in Iraq to the Vietnam War, the choices that the U.S. government made were similar. For one, the government coaxed the nation into participating in both wars. The government told the people that it was the right thing for our country to do. Furthermore, after fighting a losing war, the government continues to stay involved. In Vietnam, everyone knew that we were losing, but the government would not pull out, to avoid losing in general. The same holds true now. New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman, said in one of his columns, "There are only two reasons now for the U.S. to remain in Iraq: because it thinks that staying will make things better or that leaving will make things drastically worse. Alas, it is increasingly hard to see how our presence is making things better."The government keeps the nation in the war, long after defeat is obvious and no good is being done.Our economy is failing. Myth has it that war helps the economy, but not in this case. If we aren't in Iraq to get oil, and gas prices are still rocketing, then being involved in this war obviously isn't benefiting our national budget.According to PollingReport.com, approximately 70 percent of Americans are unsatisfied with the way things were and are being handled concerning the war. The majority of citizens are not happy, yet we are still over there. It's scary how even though most Americans disapprove, our government can do whatever it pleases.We all dread that Western Civilization class but it helps us understand the atmosphere and the environments of these times of war and economic hardships. It helps us see for ourselves the similarities between the stories of the past and our present situation. We can, and should, learn from past mistakes, rather than repeat them, and make a different, and better, world for our generation and the next. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A FRESHMAN ORG. COMM. AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.;
(05/08/08 4:00am)
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly-traded oil company, has almost doubled their profits since 2004, reported abc.com. They are currently raking in $9.9 billion this quarter in profit and Royal Dutch Shell isn't far behind with $9.03 billion profit.For ExxonMobil this past quarter was the second most profitable in its history, according to the New York Times, and it still managed to be a disappointment for its investors.Ridiculous? I'll say. We've all complained about the rising gas prices, but this evidence solidifies the fact that drivers in the U.S. are getting scammed. The price of gas in Columbus has reached $3.79 per gallon. A meal at McDonald's costs less than that. What do you do with your $5, buy little more than a gallon of gas or eat? It is sad to think that these corporations have this much power over what Americans do with their money.Companies like ExxonMobil and BP use every excuse available to jack up the prices. For example, the price of crude oil went up after Hurricane Katrina, and go figure, so did the price of gas.Shortly after announcing the profit made, BP also announced that they would be laying off up to 5,000 employees in order to make the company more efficient.If the consumer is paying this much for a gallon of gas, and the company lays off the consumer, where is this money going?These oil companies are gaining so much in profits that it's no wonder people can't make their house payments and the economy is poor.Presidential candidates have been devising plans to counteract this evil. Senators Hillary Clinton and John McCain want to cut the Federal Gas Tax over the summer, while Senator Barack Obama disagrees, and says that it isn't enough.As college students, it's sickening to think that what little money we have has to be put in our gas tank.ExxonMobil, the largest publicly-traded oil company, has almost doubled their profits since 2004, reported abc.com. They are currently raking in $9.9 billion this quarter in profit. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A FRESHMAN ORG. COMM. AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.;
(04/23/08 4:00am)
Day after day, there has been something in the news mentioning the housing market. But why is it so important and how does it affect us as college students?If you haven't heard, the U.S. housing market has dramatically declined. The good news is that the cost to buy a house is now far below the actual value. If you can get financing, now is a great time to buy your first home. However, the subprime lending crisis has made it more difficult for first-time homebuyers to get a loan.Here's what has happened with adjustable rate mortgages: 1.) Banks want you to buy a house; it's more money for them. So, they offer you a loan with really low rates...for now. 2.) You buy the house and start making minimum payments. 3.) Then, the easy lending strategies come into play when your rates increase. You can no longer afford the house or mortgage payment.What happens next? Your house is foreclosed and you are left with nothing. The companies that bought your payment in stock are also down and out. This affects other countries' economies, as well as our own in the U.S.In the top 10 metropolitan cities the market is down 10 percent in the last year, according to MSNBC.com, Currently the Senate is struggling to make a plan for this mess; all they have done so far is make things worse. Many of the bills they have passed, or are trying to pass, have yet to produce results. Both the Senate and House have attempted tax breaks for real-estate-related companies. They have handed out stimulus checks to individuals and couples, ranging from $300 to $1,200, depending on annual income, dependence status and whether or not the individual has paid income. The stimulus checks are meant for to be spent freely and, according to MSNBC.com, will put nearly $150 billion back into the economy. In actuality, most families will be using it to pay off a credit card or make a mortgage payment, reports MSNBC.com. Although the federal government has stepped in to protect consumers, we're a long ways off from recovery. Something needs to be done about the recession we are headed toward, before we have another decline similar to the Great Depression. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A FRESHMAN ORG. COMM. AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.; ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY ALEXA LIBERT, JUNIOR JOURNALISM MAJOR AND OPINION EDITOR FOR THE t&c.;
(04/10/08 4:00am)
Recently, nine third-graders were suspended for plotting to assault their teacher. Of the nine suspended, three of them are being charged with conspiracy, among other charges. The children delegated who was bringing the tools of assault, which included a steak knife, a roll of duct tape, handcuffs, ribbon and a heavy crystal paperweight. The children had even planned the details of who was doing what job, such as clean up and door watch, reported MSNBC.com.The plot was only foiled because an uninvolved student in the class found out about it and leaked it to the authorities. What outside influence inspires third-grade students to conspire in such a heinous activity? It certainly wasn't conceptualized over a good old-fashioned game of jacks and marbles. No, it is the media that is supplying the poison and putting these ideas in children's minds."Before, you would see these types of behavior in high school. Now, we've skipped the middle school and gone right to the third grade," licensed mental health counselor, Audrey Dearborn, said. It's sad to think that these eight and 10-year-olds think that this is the acceptable way to handle a situation. "They have distorted views about how to handle problems in their society, they respond the way the cartoon characters do--they fight with aggression," Dearborn continued.Some of you might have gone to the ice skating event put on by the Campus Programming Board at the Easton Chiller last quarter.Shortly upon arrival, we noticed that we were surrounded by elementary- and middle-school-aged children. After taking a closer look at these students, however, we observed that kids as young as eight and nine had the classy, high-end cell phones and iPods. Young girls were wearing make-up, and way too much of it.I personally felt uncomfortable in that situation. Compared to what I was like at their age, these children seemed much more grown-up. Media such as television, movies, video games and toys are influencing the way our society's children think and behave.A good example would be the Bratz dolls; thin, half-naked dolls that young, third-grade girls idolize. Other examples include violent movies and television shows such as the James Bond movies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which also contribute to the desensitization of children to violence.Video games also glorify and reward these acts of aggression; Halo and Grand Theft Auto illustrate it perfectly. As an older sister to a 10-year-old brother, I can see the effects that these media outlets have on him. He is an avid video game player and watches too much TV; most of which includes wrestling and MTV.It's sad to hear him sing the popular songs, watch him surf the Web and MySpace and to hear him killing and injuring the characters in his games, but that's what is happening.This is real, and if we don't start pro-actively being involved in children's lives, it can only get worse. t&c;JESSICA MILLER IS A FRESHMAN ORG. COMM. AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.;