Archive

  • By Month

October 2008

Leisure

Costumes are for kids

I'm turning into my mother. This is happening to pretty much all the girls I know, and the change is manifesting itself in a variety of ways, but my fashion sense has been hit particularly hard, as I realized when I found myself less than thrilled at the prospect of dressing up for Halloween this year.

By October 30, 2008

Leisure

Pompeii: beauty in tragedy

As a Classics Major who takes a sort of masochistic comfort in translating ancient texts and laughs at the oftentimes ridiculous customs of ancient Rome (one emperor was known to... Read more

By October 30, 2008

Leisure

The Changeling saddens with style

Despite being as depressing as Clint Eastwood's Mystic River (2003), the complex plot lines, realistic acting, and excellent aesthetics make the director's new movie, The Changeling, an impressive work.

By the October 30, 2008

Leisure

We’re brunching out

Rarely on Saturday and Sunday mornings do I venture to what's now known as ‘Leo's Down Under.' Partly because the thought of the cafeteria's nether regions makes me slightly nauseated, but also because a weekend brunch diet of tater tots and breakfast burritos gets old faster than the Nazi at the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. If you choose to take a post-midterm break for a nice weekend brunch, you will have chosen wisely. And although mornings are not my strong suit, when I'm enjoying a delightful brunch, time doesn't matter.

By October 30, 2008

Leisure

Critical Voices: Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, “Cardinology”

This restless energy is responsible both for the good and the bad in Adams' output. Considering the sheer amount of music he releases, he has a pretty good track record: almost everything is listenable, some is great. But this freneticness, this desire to do everything all at once means that many of his albums end up feeling like ideas rather than work. Each new album is a different version of Ryan Adams, both musically and in a broader stylistic way, like a shelf of thematic Barbies. There's Heartbroken Southern Ryan, Rock and Roll Deconstructionist Ryan, Sad Junkie Ryan, and Roots Rocker Ryan. All are enjoyable enough, in their own way, but all ultimately feel like poses, playing with the idea of an album and songs rather than really committing to one.

By October 30, 2008

Leisure

Critical Voices: Mount Eerie, “Lost Wisdom”

This album will put you too sleep, honestly. Not in the way that the atypical boring, formulated efforts of a below average pop song would. Rather, Lost Wisdom is a record of understanding and warmth. The voices resonating in your headphones will cause a moment of clarity and the heartfelt lyricism will pacify the worst case of stress.

By October 30, 2008

Leisure

Critical Voices: Q-Tip, “The Renaissance”

n 2002, Q-Tip completed Kamaal the Abstract, a genre-bending album with hints of funk, rock, and hip-hop. While it shared the laid-back feel he showcased as head of A Tribe Called Quest, the album was much more ambitious-and arguably, less marketable-than anything he'd done before, and Arista refused to release it. It's taken Q-Tip six years to rebound, but The Renaissance is every bit as good as his first solo joint, 1999's Amplified. While it's got nothing on his best work with the Tribe, it's worth a listen-a little Q-Tip is always good for the soul.

By October 30, 2008

Editorials

Head over to Yates for your flu shot

The University of Minnesota has thrown down the gauntlet.  Yesterday, the U of M Boynton Health Service set the world record for number of flu shots administered in a single... Read more

By the October 30, 2008

Editorials

The day Georgetown’s fall concert died

Last year, Georgetown’s fall concert was an unequivocal disaster. Barely a quarter of the tickets were sold, the lead singer of the band, Fountains of Wayne, was so sick he... Read more

By the October 30, 2008

Editorials

Bring transparency to SAC’s spending

Ever wonder how that annoying $50 student activities fee is being spent? We do, too—and with good reason. Unfortunately, the Student Activities Commission, the group charged with distributing thousands of... Read more

By the October 30, 2008