I need to learn the fiddle...
Tip o' the hat to the reader who sent that song my way.
Stay classy, not UMassy
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday Night Jam
It's almost 10, but the night it still young! Turn up the tunes and throw a few back, we only have a few weekends left in at the good old U of NH. Warm weather today and I'm feeling folk! Pick it!
Friday, April 29, 2011
One more for the weekend: I need a Dollar
I need a dollar. Buy me a drink at The Knot tonight. 9:30 for some good live tunes.
Thoughts on Huddleston
I just want to start this off by apologizing for my light posting as of late. These past two weeks have probably been my busiest time at UNH and it sucks because there has been some juicy stuff on campus recently, and I'm not talking about the dude I just saw dressed up in a full Ghost Buster costume.
As most of you have probably heard by now the AAUP held a "No confidence" vote on President Huddleston. 202 out of the 420 faculty members who were eligible to vote casted their ballots. There were 129 votes of "no confidence" and 72 votes of "confidence." I am really split over this entire thing. Part of me says, look UNH is about to lose a heck of a lot of money from the little state funding we get, the entire business school fundraiser was a complete and miserable fiasco and this school has absolutely terrible spending habits... all under the watch of President Marky Mark, who was hired with the intentions that he is great at raising money. Usually I tend to side with the faculty, I have has some unbelievably great professors here who changed my life. Others kind of sucked, but on the whole UNH has some great professors.
So, then I look at what the AAUP was complaining about in President Huddleston's speech to the New Hampshire state finance committee.
He said:
"We still too frequently convey information in 50-minute lectures delivered by a ‘sage on the stage' to largely passive recipients in the audience three times a week for 15 weeks a term — as if that schedule were Biblically decreed and as if that were the way that ‘digital natives' actually learn today. Worse, we remain wedded to a credentialing regimen of courses and majors and degrees that mainly reflect ‘seat time,' rather than what students actually learn or need to learn."
I'm not gonna lie, I agree with Huddleston on this. Sure, it probably could have been said better, and it doesn't reflect UNH in the best light, but the he has a pretty decent point. Although, it should be included that because of the moneymaking scheme UNH calls "J-Term" the spring semester is a week shorter.
However, I think the majority of the administration is to blame on for this, which probably includes Huddleston.
"Largely passive recipients in the audience."
(Read: Lazy students who don't give a shit).
Ha! You can say that again, maybe if our classes, professors and yes, even the administration were more interactive and allowing for more personal freedoms and choices within the registration process students would take more interest in their classes. I don't know about you, but I don't see how I'm ever going to need to be able to name which Beethoven symphony I'm listening to after just 15 seconds. Sorry, but Music 401 was probably the biggest waste of time and money in the history of my short life and student career. But put me in a class where we're discussing the causes and effects of the problems in Libya and I'll be completely tuned in. Others may not be, but I will, because I want to be there. There are classes that I go to everyday that I look forward to them because they are in my field of interest, bullshit gen eds will put anyone to sleep and changing those requirements is the first step in improving student interest.
I mean, I appreciate that I got an "A" and a GPA boost from taking Germs 101, but I already knew that washing your hands or wearing a condom is a good idea. GPA boosters are nice and all, but we aren't learning anything useful, which translates to a waste of time and money. I have a lot more to say on this issue of Huddleston and how it ties to a lot more that is wrong with UNH and the college system as a whole, so I think it might save it and spend some time putting it together for my next TNH column.
Have a nice weekend, party on out there and enjoy the weather!
PS: Friend of the blog "John That" has his new EP streaming here. Check it out! He'll also be at The Knot tonight at 9:30 and I'm planning on being in the crowd. Stop by for some good tunes andI'll buy you a drink buy me a beer.
So, then I look at what the AAUP was complaining about in President Huddleston's speech to the New Hampshire state finance committee.
He said:
"We still too frequently convey information in 50-minute lectures delivered by a ‘sage on the stage' to largely passive recipients in the audience three times a week for 15 weeks a term — as if that schedule were Biblically decreed and as if that were the way that ‘digital natives' actually learn today. Worse, we remain wedded to a credentialing regimen of courses and majors and degrees that mainly reflect ‘seat time,' rather than what students actually learn or need to learn."
I'm not gonna lie, I agree with Huddleston on this. Sure, it probably could have been said better, and it doesn't reflect UNH in the best light, but the he has a pretty decent point. Although, it should be included that because of the moneymaking scheme UNH calls "J-Term" the spring semester is a week shorter.
However, I think the majority of the administration is to blame on for this, which probably includes Huddleston.
"Largely passive recipients in the audience."
(Read: Lazy students who don't give a shit).
Ha! You can say that again, maybe if our classes, professors and yes, even the administration were more interactive and allowing for more personal freedoms and choices within the registration process students would take more interest in their classes. I don't know about you, but I don't see how I'm ever going to need to be able to name which Beethoven symphony I'm listening to after just 15 seconds. Sorry, but Music 401 was probably the biggest waste of time and money in the history of my short life and student career. But put me in a class where we're discussing the causes and effects of the problems in Libya and I'll be completely tuned in. Others may not be, but I will, because I want to be there. There are classes that I go to everyday that I look forward to them because they are in my field of interest, bullshit gen eds will put anyone to sleep and changing those requirements is the first step in improving student interest.
I mean, I appreciate that I got an "A" and a GPA boost from taking Germs 101, but I already knew that washing your hands or wearing a condom is a good idea. GPA boosters are nice and all, but we aren't learning anything useful, which translates to a waste of time and money. I have a lot more to say on this issue of Huddleston and how it ties to a lot more that is wrong with UNH and the college system as a whole, so I think it might save it and spend some time putting it together for my next TNH column.
Have a nice weekend, party on out there and enjoy the weather!
PS: Friend of the blog "John That" has his new EP streaming here. Check it out! He'll also be at The Knot tonight at 9:30 and I'm planning on being in the crowd. Stop by for some good tunes and
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
UNH's Evin Baird Trio Releases EP
So UNH music has been coming out of the woodwork recently, but one band has been around campus for three years now. They are known as The Evin Baird Trio and chances are you've heard of them or seen them around campus. The Trio has just released a new EP and they emailed me asking for a small review or shout out. Seeing that Evin, who plays guitar and sings, was once my RA and he never busted me or my buddies I figured they deserved a shout out for that reason alone. Evin's band mates are also UNH students, drummer Dave Leblanc and bassist Nick Wisse who may be better known as "Valhalla" or the kid that made "Party at UNH."
Their EP shows some variety ranging from poppy acoustic ballads to electric jams. In the email they explained that they recorded a lot of it in small living rooms and often had drunk kids wandering into their apartment during practice sessions. Be sure to check them out if your into some easy listening music and looking to support some kids who clearly put the time into finding their musical style. This isn't just some kid with a basic garage band beat and a terrible rap flow, they're an actual band playing their instruments with soul and that alone is nice to see coming from a college band.
Their facebook profile reads as:
Evin Baird Trio was formed in the spring of 2009. After playing in a band together in highschool, Evin and Dave migrated to UNH where they met bass player Nick Wisse. Evin and Nick were in the same freshman English class and shared a few open mic stages before becoming a power trio with Dave. EBT has performed around the seacoast area for the last 3 years and just released their debut EP.
They live together in the most piece of shit, overpriced apartment in Durham, where they love playing loud music, hosting underground jello wrestling tournaments, and doing pretty much whatever the the fuck else they feel like doing. They like to play music because they're convinced it makes them better-looking and because they are deep, sensitive, individuals who need to express themselves.
You can check out the album and name your own price on their Band Camp page, or on Itunes, or at the very least check out their facebook page. They have a few videos up on Youtube as well. They will be playing at the Battle of the Bands Friday night and at the May Day carnival on Saturday.
In other UNH music news, friend of the blog John That will be playing at the Knot Friday night at 9:30. I'll most likely be there and you should to.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Beating Stress like a Pro
It is a stressful time at UNH right now. As a university, we are facing huge budget cuts that could deeply affect the future of this institution and its contributions to this state. The professors and faculty members have to fear for their jobs and the thought that they could be exchanged for less experienced, less talented, less qualified and less engaging replacements. Most importantly, because this is a university where education is the primary goal, it is that time of the year students begin to stress over finals, grades, internships, and graduation. In just a few weeks, the class of 2011 will have graduated and be off into the real world. Which, on a personal note, deeply terrifies me because that means I will officially be a senior. (Edit: And now President Mark Huddleston is stressing over the fact that his faculty may not have any confidence in him. It's okay Pres, I have the perfect stress relief medication for you...)
Over the weekend, I was asked a handful of times about what I am planning on doing after I graduate. There may be nothing more I despise than hearing that question. Let me just focus on my schoolwork for now, or at least until my senior year is underway. Who knows? I really like it here. Maybe I'll just have to become a career student. Although, due to the rising tuition costs, delaying my eventual graduation would not be economically feasible or sustainable for very long.
Anyways, back to the main idea of this column: stress. Registration, final exams, projects, and term papers. Fun fun fun fun. For a college student there are two things that are the devil: stress and procrastination. Well, those and STDs, but that is not what I am here to write about.
If you are able to avoid stress and procrastination, this time of the year should be nothing to worry about. It is important to stay on top of your work, but it is also important to avoid overdoing it. Getting proper sleep and knowing when to call it quits on a cram session can be equally beneficial for doing well on exams and other class work.
I have a few ways to beat that stress and avoiding the evilness of procrastination that have worked well for me over the past three years. Although, maybe I am not the best person to be giving advice since, after all, I am writing this late Sunday night, now Monday morning, and I have an 8 a.m. exam rapidly approaching, but I am not too worried about it. Other than getting enough sleep, setting small goals and rewarding yourself are great ways to beat the duo of stress and procrastination. If you have a couple hours of work to do, break it up over the afternoon with small activities to rest your mind in between study sessions.
I also recommend finding the perfect place on campus to get your work done and to relax. Personally, I enjoy finding an armchair in Dimond and dragging it to a secluded corner. All I need is a cup of coffee and my chair and I am all set for an afternoon of cramming. And who says cramming is bad? I have had professor after professor who claims that cramming will never work. Well, tell that to my GPA. Other great places include your department's study lounge or library if you are lucky enough to have one.
As for relaxing, College Woods has become a personal favorite of mine. I am a big outdoors person and taking a stroll through there with a few friends can be mentally refreshing this time of the year.
Use the weekends and the few nights off you may have left to reward yourself a little and that might actually help the motivation factor. If, you know, getting good grades is not enough motivation for you already. Tell yourself, "if I get this done know, I can go out Friday night." Most of you probably know that I am all about partying and having a good time, but this is the time of year to know when you turn it back a little, or turn it up to 11 if you have done well. If that is the case, congratulations. But just remember, there is absolutely nothing worse than trying to study with a killer hangover.
Then again, the weather is once again starting to get nice out and with that comes another reason to continue partying and living the college lifestyle. I guess the end of the year can mean two things. It is either your last chance to increase your GPA or your last chance to party before your summer job starts up. Either way, best of luck to you.
Stay classy, not UMassy
Over the weekend, I was asked a handful of times about what I am planning on doing after I graduate. There may be nothing more I despise than hearing that question. Let me just focus on my schoolwork for now, or at least until my senior year is underway. Who knows? I really like it here. Maybe I'll just have to become a career student. Although, due to the rising tuition costs, delaying my eventual graduation would not be economically feasible or sustainable for very long.
Anyways, back to the main idea of this column: stress. Registration, final exams, projects, and term papers. Fun fun fun fun. For a college student there are two things that are the devil: stress and procrastination. Well, those and STDs, but that is not what I am here to write about.
If you are able to avoid stress and procrastination, this time of the year should be nothing to worry about. It is important to stay on top of your work, but it is also important to avoid overdoing it. Getting proper sleep and knowing when to call it quits on a cram session can be equally beneficial for doing well on exams and other class work.
I have a few ways to beat that stress and avoiding the evilness of procrastination that have worked well for me over the past three years. Although, maybe I am not the best person to be giving advice since, after all, I am writing this late Sunday night, now Monday morning, and I have an 8 a.m. exam rapidly approaching, but I am not too worried about it. Other than getting enough sleep, setting small goals and rewarding yourself are great ways to beat the duo of stress and procrastination. If you have a couple hours of work to do, break it up over the afternoon with small activities to rest your mind in between study sessions.
I also recommend finding the perfect place on campus to get your work done and to relax. Personally, I enjoy finding an armchair in Dimond and dragging it to a secluded corner. All I need is a cup of coffee and my chair and I am all set for an afternoon of cramming. And who says cramming is bad? I have had professor after professor who claims that cramming will never work. Well, tell that to my GPA. Other great places include your department's study lounge or library if you are lucky enough to have one.
As for relaxing, College Woods has become a personal favorite of mine. I am a big outdoors person and taking a stroll through there with a few friends can be mentally refreshing this time of the year.
Use the weekends and the few nights off you may have left to reward yourself a little and that might actually help the motivation factor. If, you know, getting good grades is not enough motivation for you already. Tell yourself, "if I get this done know, I can go out Friday night." Most of you probably know that I am all about partying and having a good time, but this is the time of year to know when you turn it back a little, or turn it up to 11 if you have done well. If that is the case, congratulations. But just remember, there is absolutely nothing worse than trying to study with a killer hangover.
Then again, the weather is once again starting to get nice out and with that comes another reason to continue partying and living the college lifestyle. I guess the end of the year can mean two things. It is either your last chance to increase your GPA or your last chance to party before your summer job starts up. Either way, best of luck to you.
Stay classy, not UMassy
Monday, April 25, 2011
Motivated Monday and Caption Contest
Today might be the most productive Monday in the history of my college career. I woke up at 7 AM and took an exam at 8 AM. That alone actually qualifies as the most productive Monday in my life, but wait, there is more. I got back to my apartment just after 9 and finished my TNH column for tomorrow's paper (when I say finish I mean adding about 100 words, a final read over and brief re-write of a few sections.) Then I finished a case study essay, which I would have finished last week, but a book I ordered for it didn't come in until after I left for Easter break. After finding a few necessary quotes from the book I wrapped up the conclusion and hit print. Yeah, I'm still going. Next up I bang out a two page discussion paper on a chapter from a textbook for another class. All of this is done by 11:15 AM. Then I'm off to the dining hall for a quick lunch and hit up my back-to-back classes. Still not done. Then I get back to my apartment and decide that I need to make a run to the liquor store. So The Cabinet Kid and I headed over to Lee, grabbed a few essentials and also hit up Market Basket for key mixers and now I'm back here writing this. Let me tell you it has been a mind melting, adventurous day and all without one cup of coffee. On the average day I would have had three or four cups by now. I seriously don't even know how I am awake right now.
Oh, and I'm still not done. I even plan on outlining a term paper this evening. I'm just a man on a mission trying to stay ahead of my work so I can still have fun these last few weekends of the year. That being said, UNH desperately needs some warm, sunny weather. Days like today make me just want to stay in bed all day.
Here is an old picture I found on my phone. Yes, that is a line of motorcycle cops outside a Dunkin' Donuts. Make your own assumptions and or caption it!
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Oh, and I'm still not done. I even plan on outlining a term paper this evening. I'm just a man on a mission trying to stay ahead of my work so I can still have fun these last few weekends of the year. That being said, UNH desperately needs some warm, sunny weather. Days like today make me just want to stay in bed all day.
Here is an old picture I found on my phone. Yes, that is a line of motorcycle cops outside a Dunkin' Donuts. Make your own assumptions and or caption it!
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Weekend Music Pick
I heard this song from my brothers while I was home this weekend and I think I've listened to it 10 times since I've been back at school already. Not your normal college music, but I'm digging it:
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday Thoughts
Last night I discovered something. Being 21 at college is like being in an elite club in the real world. Think about it, you stroll into a bar late at night on campus, flash your ID and they let you in. You know that everyone in there is at least 21 (except those with fakes and there are some really good fakes around campus right now). It is like the "high class" society of a college campus, but by high class I mean kids drinking as many Old Crow Whiskey and Cokes until the special runs out, grabbing pizza at DHOP and then puking in the ally behind DHOP. (Note: I have never puked in public at UNH or anywhere... although I did puke in a Diner's restroom when I went to New York City last fall. I guess that counts as public.)
In one of my classes last week we were talking about double standards that women faced before and during their campaign to gain voting rights. There are still double standards that exist today. For example: When you see a girl dressed up (or dressed down) walking across campus early in the morning, generally on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, what do you think? Walk of Shame. But when you see a guy in the same situation? Walk of Winning. It's 2011 people, time to move on past these types of issues.
And I'll close out this week with the video for the new Beastie Boys song "Make Some Noise." Say what you want, but they are still great. "License to Ill" remains one of my favorite albums to this day and I always slip a few Beastie Boys classics into my party mix.
In one of my classes last week we were talking about double standards that women faced before and during their campaign to gain voting rights. There are still double standards that exist today. For example: When you see a girl dressed up (or dressed down) walking across campus early in the morning, generally on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, what do you think? Walk of Shame. But when you see a guy in the same situation? Walk of Winning. It's 2011 people, time to move on past these types of issues.
And I'll close out this week with the video for the new Beastie Boys song "Make Some Noise." Say what you want, but they are still great. "License to Ill" remains one of my favorite albums to this day and I always slip a few Beastie Boys classics into my party mix.
Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise - Free Music Videos - Top Songs
Stay classy, not UMassy (and have a nice weekend if you're heading home).
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Happy Thursday
So, I just got back from Beat the Clock at Ballards and I am only blogging because I promised earlier that I would when I got back. Therefore, if any of this makes sense, than I am much better off than I expected/thank God for spell/grammar check. A few thoughts that arose: You are not a man until you like whiskey (cough Cabinet Kid cough) and you are not a real man until you enjoy scotch (cough twitter follower). Let me get you caught up on today. This morning one of my roommates got up early to take the GRE's in Portsmouth. Another one got up to find out that he almost peed on the stereo last night. Guess which one I hung out with... actually kind of neither... let's say I was in between those two... I'll tell ya'... Wednesdays.. oh man. But now it is Thursday and I got to go, this is the danger of running a blog and being a college student. New Hampshirite out.
Here's a picture that I may or may not take down tomorrow.
Stay classy, not UMassy
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Song of the Day: Illegal Smile
You tell 'em, John Prine! He beat throat cancer and he's still rocking!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Two Quick Plugs
Tomorrow is April 20th and we all know what that means... It's time for UNH NORML's Second Annual 420 Extravaganza! From noon to sundown different events, raffles, contests and live music will take place on the Great Lawn (if it rains it will be held in Hubbard's lounge on the first floor.) It is sure to be a fun time for all you peace loving (cough pot smoking) dirty hippies out there. Check out their Facebook event page for more information.
In other news, I recently began to contribute some pieces for The Sumo Skinny, an online magazine and blog written for and by college students. They just opened up their New Hampshire page today and a few of my old pieces were added to give the page some depth. Over time I'll have a more new posts appearing up there (but nothing will change with this blog and anything I write for them will end up here as well.) Check it out because it is a cool blog that is still expanding.
Stay classy, not UMassy
In other news, I recently began to contribute some pieces for The Sumo Skinny, an online magazine and blog written for and by college students. They just opened up their New Hampshire page today and a few of my old pieces were added to give the page some depth. Over time I'll have a more new posts appearing up there (but nothing will change with this blog and anything I write for them will end up here as well.) Check it out because it is a cool blog that is still expanding.
Stay classy, not UMassy
Student Activism and Participation
Last week UNH held the annual student body president and representative elections. I was pretty sad to see that there were only three different pairs of president and vice president candidates on the ballot when it came time to vote.
During my time in Durham, I have noticed that UNH seems to be a very inactive campus. As a history major I often read about the student rallies and strikes that took place in the 1960s and 70s over Vietnam, Civil Rights and other issues.
Nowadays it seems as though the old fashioned student protest is completely absent from college campuses, particularly UNH. Even back when college protests were common, UNH only had one major strike. It was in 1970 following the Kent State shooting and the Chicago Three's rally at Lundholm Gymnasium. Despite the last two weeks of classes being turned into voluntary workshops and finals being cancelled, UNH still denies that there was ever a strike.
Even with many student organizations that deal with common strike-able issues, most of those topics slip between the cracks of daily conversations. Outside of those organizations it seems as though nobody truly cares what is going on in the news nationally, worldwide, and even right here on campus.
In those student elections I mentioned earlier, the one with only three presidential candidates and a representative running unopposed, only 2,098 students voted. That is roughly 16 percent of the undergraduate population.
Those numbers tell me a few things.
The first is that the vast majority of students did not vote. But let's look at that a little bit further. Why wouldn't students vote in their own election? The simplest and probably the lamest excuse is that they did not know about it. We all got emails, we had two days to vote and there was a voting reminder and link displayed right on the blackboard homepage.
The second reason might be that students do not care about who our president and student representatives are. This makes a little more sense, but much like I tell people who do not vote in the state and national elections, if you don't vote, I don't want to hear you complain about anything. You had an opportunity to make your voice heard and you blew it out of pure laziness and carelessness. While it might seem like a lack of voting is due to a poor choice of candidates, maybe it actually shows how students view our administration.
I have been here for three years, and between writing this column and my blog I have been a pretty active student when it comes to keeping up on UNH news and events. I'm probably up there with the editors of this paper for students who follow and read about all of UNH's activities.
Over those three years I can't name a single thing the student senate has done apart from medical amnesty, which is still in its test phase and it was only allowed by the administration after it was stripped down so close to nothing that it is practically worthless. I do not mean that against any of the students who worked tirelessly on that project: I tip my hat to them and I thank them. I mean that against the administration.
Our administration has such a tight and firm grip over the student body and senate and they have such a determined agenda that there is no way the student senate and president could actually get anything passed that would actually benefit the student body in ways that the majority of modern college students would actually care about. When I enter most of my classes, I don't hear students talking about what the student senate is working on or the three wars that we're in or human rights violations. I hear them talking about the awesome party they went to or how drunk they got at Libby's on Thursday night.
If our student electives really had any power, UNH probably would not have a zero tolerance policy, which of all the policies at UNH right now, might be the most ludicrous. This also reflects New Hampshire's internal possession law. Following the concert two weekends ago there were 48 arrests on campus. The same concert tour was at Rhode Island the night before and there were only two arrests.
I don't think that the voting turnout was low because of bad candidates or that students don't care. It was low because it doesn't matter who is running since, deep down, we all know that student senate is run by the UNH administration.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
During my time in Durham, I have noticed that UNH seems to be a very inactive campus. As a history major I often read about the student rallies and strikes that took place in the 1960s and 70s over Vietnam, Civil Rights and other issues.
Nowadays it seems as though the old fashioned student protest is completely absent from college campuses, particularly UNH. Even back when college protests were common, UNH only had one major strike. It was in 1970 following the Kent State shooting and the Chicago Three's rally at Lundholm Gymnasium. Despite the last two weeks of classes being turned into voluntary workshops and finals being cancelled, UNH still denies that there was ever a strike.
Even with many student organizations that deal with common strike-able issues, most of those topics slip between the cracks of daily conversations. Outside of those organizations it seems as though nobody truly cares what is going on in the news nationally, worldwide, and even right here on campus.
In those student elections I mentioned earlier, the one with only three presidential candidates and a representative running unopposed, only 2,098 students voted. That is roughly 16 percent of the undergraduate population.
Those numbers tell me a few things.
The first is that the vast majority of students did not vote. But let's look at that a little bit further. Why wouldn't students vote in their own election? The simplest and probably the lamest excuse is that they did not know about it. We all got emails, we had two days to vote and there was a voting reminder and link displayed right on the blackboard homepage.
The second reason might be that students do not care about who our president and student representatives are. This makes a little more sense, but much like I tell people who do not vote in the state and national elections, if you don't vote, I don't want to hear you complain about anything. You had an opportunity to make your voice heard and you blew it out of pure laziness and carelessness. While it might seem like a lack of voting is due to a poor choice of candidates, maybe it actually shows how students view our administration.
I have been here for three years, and between writing this column and my blog I have been a pretty active student when it comes to keeping up on UNH news and events. I'm probably up there with the editors of this paper for students who follow and read about all of UNH's activities.
Over those three years I can't name a single thing the student senate has done apart from medical amnesty, which is still in its test phase and it was only allowed by the administration after it was stripped down so close to nothing that it is practically worthless. I do not mean that against any of the students who worked tirelessly on that project: I tip my hat to them and I thank them. I mean that against the administration.
Our administration has such a tight and firm grip over the student body and senate and they have such a determined agenda that there is no way the student senate and president could actually get anything passed that would actually benefit the student body in ways that the majority of modern college students would actually care about. When I enter most of my classes, I don't hear students talking about what the student senate is working on or the three wars that we're in or human rights violations. I hear them talking about the awesome party they went to or how drunk they got at Libby's on Thursday night.
If our student electives really had any power, UNH probably would not have a zero tolerance policy, which of all the policies at UNH right now, might be the most ludicrous. This also reflects New Hampshire's internal possession law. Following the concert two weekends ago there were 48 arrests on campus. The same concert tour was at Rhode Island the night before and there were only two arrests.
I don't think that the voting turnout was low because of bad candidates or that students don't care. It was low because it doesn't matter who is running since, deep down, we all know that student senate is run by the UNH administration.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Look into the New Hampshirite's Family
I realize that I have been writing this blog for over two years now and while I have always kept UNH as my main focus it definitely has a personal twist to it. While I admit to my immature, sensationalist and bias viewpoints, I really haven't said much about my personal life. Here's the basics. I have have three older brothers, two of whom are UNH graduates, one teaches high school english and the other works for EBSCO. If you've ever down research with the library databases you should know all about them. My third brother (the one closest to me in age) studied cinematography in San Francisco, where he lives, and recently got a contract for a movie script. I very recently became an uncle and my parents are great, the first time my dad read the blog, his only remark was over "Stay classy, not UMassy." He went to UMass-Stockbridge (on the Amherst campus). They check this out once in a while and sometimes will send a comment along. Here's the latest gem from Momma New Hampshirite that came at the bottom of an email about getting together for Easter next weekend:
PS Read a little of your blog with dad and noticed the "f" word a little more than I'd like...dad said it's my fault--I taught you it. My bad!
I'm glad to know that it is my cursing that bothers my mom and not, well you know, the constant posts about binge drinking, tips for avoiding arrests and other questionable content. Well mom, I know you asked me to never write about you, but if you're reading this, I will try to cut back on my blog cursing. A little. Sometimes it's necessary for emphasis.
It reminds me of that scene in Angels in the Outfield (90s movie reference!) where Danny Glover screams at the team to "keep the profanity down." Speaking of that movie, have you ever scene Angels in the Endzone? Totally unrealistic garbage. Doesn't live up to the greatness of the original.
Anyways, here is the back story of how she taught me the "F" word. It was the morning that we were taking a family road trip to Toronto over summer vacation. I was 11 at the time (and very well aware of the "F" word at that point in my life, but still)... anyways, my mom is cleaning like crazy and while she's vacuuming she knock over a pair of boots, which in turn knocked over the entire shoe rack in the kitchen closet. My mom then, very loudly and unaware of my presence proclaims "Fuckin' boots!" Needless to say I jokingly brought it up about an hour into the trip and she apologized. It's not our best family car trip story, that one involves one of my brothers (accidentally) drinking my pee out of a 10-K bottle (90s product placement!)
Stay classy, not UMassy.
PS Read a little of your blog with dad and noticed the "f" word a little more than I'd like...dad said it's my fault--I taught you it. My bad!
I'm glad to know that it is my cursing that bothers my mom and not, well you know, the constant posts about binge drinking, tips for avoiding arrests and other questionable content. Well mom, I know you asked me to never write about you, but if you're reading this, I will try to cut back on my blog cursing. A little. Sometimes it's necessary for emphasis.
It reminds me of that scene in Angels in the Outfield (90s movie reference!) where Danny Glover screams at the team to "keep the profanity down." Speaking of that movie, have you ever scene Angels in the Endzone? Totally unrealistic garbage. Doesn't live up to the greatness of the original.
Anyways, here is the back story of how she taught me the "F" word. It was the morning that we were taking a family road trip to Toronto over summer vacation. I was 11 at the time (and very well aware of the "F" word at that point in my life, but still)... anyways, my mom is cleaning like crazy and while she's vacuuming she knock over a pair of boots, which in turn knocked over the entire shoe rack in the kitchen closet. My mom then, very loudly and unaware of my presence proclaims "Fuckin' boots!" Needless to say I jokingly brought it up about an hour into the trip and she apologized. It's not our best family car trip story, that one involves one of my brothers (accidentally) drinking my pee out of a 10-K bottle (90s product placement!)
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Friday, April 15, 2011
It's that time of year again...
So I'm pretty much had my luckiest/epicsauce start to a day ever. Get this. I go to class at 12 and then decided to grab a beer with my roommate at Ballards. After the beer (which promptly turned into a beer and a pitcher) we went to grab food at Stillings. We walked in at 1:55, not realizing that they close at 2. Great timing. Then on our way back to the Gables we timed the bus perfectly at the Whit. When we got back to the apartment two roommates had just woken up. One called us champions and said he was proud to be our roommate. I just realized that I live a pretty sad life if going to the bar at 1, eating at a dining hall and catching a bus makes a great day. But hey, like the movie Zombieland, you got to enjoy the little things. The bar, dining hall food and the bus are my Twinkies.
The message I'm saying is that we all need to enjoy and appreciate the little things. It's getting to that stressful time of the year so don't forget to reward yourselves once and a while or you're gonna freak. Kick back and have fun. Have a great weekend.
It's starting to get warm out; you know what that means! Cue the drunken singalongs to "Wagon Wheel."
The message I'm saying is that we all need to enjoy and appreciate the little things. It's getting to that stressful time of the year so don't forget to reward yourselves once and a while or you're gonna freak. Kick back and have fun. Have a great weekend.
It's starting to get warm out; you know what that means! Cue the drunken singalongs to "Wagon Wheel."
Caught a trucker outta Philly...
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The SBP results are in...
The Student Body President and Student Board Representatives results are in... drum roll please...
With 931 votes the ticket of Andrew Coukos and Jessica Fruchtman took the election. They beat out Rob Wilson and Kehan Connors, who had 841 votes, and Kaitlin Scheerhorn and Timothy Mitsopoulos who finished with 242 votes, respectively. (Now I just need to figure out which team has connections to, and/or paid off UNH Dining to release those statements about me. Dirty politics make me sick.)
As for me, I finished with 10 votes for President and another five for Student Board Representative. Considering I announced my candidacy about four hours before polls closed, I'll gladly take the votes. Thanks to anyone who voted for me, but since I didn't win I won't buy you beer. I'm a true politician, already breaking my first campaign promises.
My fellow candidates ran a clean and competitive campaign and I would like to congratulate them all, especially the winners Andrew Coukos and Jessica Fruchtman. Hopefully they prove me wrong and really do make a difference on campus.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
With 931 votes the ticket of Andrew Coukos and Jessica Fruchtman took the election. They beat out Rob Wilson and Kehan Connors, who had 841 votes, and Kaitlin Scheerhorn and Timothy Mitsopoulos who finished with 242 votes, respectively. (Now I just need to figure out which team has connections to, and/or paid off UNH Dining to release those statements about me. Dirty politics make me sick.)
As for me, I finished with 10 votes for President and another five for Student Board Representative. Considering I announced my candidacy about four hours before polls closed, I'll gladly take the votes. Thanks to anyone who voted for me, but since I didn't win I won't buy you beer. I'm a true politician, already breaking my first campaign promises.
My fellow candidates ran a clean and competitive campaign and I would like to congratulate them all, especially the winners Andrew Coukos and Jessica Fruchtman. Hopefully they prove me wrong and really do make a difference on campus.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Dining Starts Smear Campaign
With just a few hours left before the Student Body Presidential polls close, dining has started a smear campaign. Despite only beginning my run a few hours earlier, they obviously feared my campaign promise to protest for lower meal plan prices. I sent them a friendly tweet first and they fired back. See for yourself:
We are now less than two hours from the polls closing. UNH, make your vote count by actually voting! Ask not what this school can do for you, but what you can do for this school! We will bring the Black Bears to justice; or we will bring justice to the Black Bears. Either way, fuck Maine! We have nothing to fear, but fear itself... well that and mono. The other candidates are the reason the hockey team always loses in the playoffs! Vote New Hampshirite!
Stay classy, not UMassy!
Then a few of my followers took my side:
Updated with more support:
Update part II: Even more!
Update III: This could go all night!
Part IV- Last one of the night, for good measure:
Stay classy, not UMassy!
Vote Or Die!
Hey UNH students, don't forget to vote in the student elections via Blackboard. The voting ends at midnight. I was planning on doing a brief write up on the different candidates like last year, but I didn't have the time or the knowledge like I did of last year's candidates to make a fair statement. I'm not Fox News. That being said, during my time here I've started to notice something. Every year the candidates basically say the say thing and then I never really hear about much getting done. Maybe it is because it tends to go uncovered (partially my fault?) but it can be difficult to follow what the student senate is really up too...
Or maybe, just maybe, it is because the UNH administration and hierarchy has such a firm grasp and set agenda that it doesn't matter who is our student president. The student senate can pass whatever they want, but they still need approval of the higher ups. Don't believe me? Then think about the things that a student senate could get done without the administration stepping in. No 8 AM classes, all Fridays are off, fire Dick Umile! (Oops, did I say that out loud?) The point I'm getting at here, (and I know I'll probably piss a lot of people off with this) is that anything the student senate or president gets passed is going to be trivial and probably won't affect us, or at least in the time we have left here. Maybe I'm being ignorant and sour, but there are so many issues that were completely ignored by the candidates in their TNH blurbs that I really am not interested in the election this year.
But New Hampshirite, we got Medical Amnesty! Something you supported early on last year!
Yeah, but it is still not fully approved and only after the administration stripped it down so much that it is basically worthless. Again, I'm sorry, I know a lot of people worked hard on it. I'm currently reading a bunch of documents on the student movements of the 60s and everything going right now at UNH just seems so trivial compared to bigger problems in the world.
In short, I don't care who you vote for in the UNH student election. You might at well write in President Huddleston or any other administrator.
Fuck it.
I declare my nomination as a student president candidate. That's right, with less than five hours until the polls close. Write in "The New Hampshirite" if you really want change at UNH! I'll do whatever you want! Zero tolerance policy? I'll slash it! Lower tuition? You got it! Cheaper meal plans? I will protest on John Plodzik's front yard! More wireless on campus? I'll personally install it!
I believe in a better UNH. I believe in You. I believe in us. Take my hand and trust me, there are brighter days ahead of us.
Vote New Hampshirite and I'll buy you beer!
Stay classy, not UMassy.
PS: Do not interpret those promises as factual statements, I'm only making a point.
PPS: Seriously though, I dare you to write me in if you haven't voted yet. Free beer.
Or maybe, just maybe, it is because the UNH administration and hierarchy has such a firm grasp and set agenda that it doesn't matter who is our student president. The student senate can pass whatever they want, but they still need approval of the higher ups. Don't believe me? Then think about the things that a student senate could get done without the administration stepping in. No 8 AM classes, all Fridays are off, fire Dick Umile! (Oops, did I say that out loud?) The point I'm getting at here, (and I know I'll probably piss a lot of people off with this) is that anything the student senate or president gets passed is going to be trivial and probably won't affect us, or at least in the time we have left here. Maybe I'm being ignorant and sour, but there are so many issues that were completely ignored by the candidates in their TNH blurbs that I really am not interested in the election this year.
But New Hampshirite, we got Medical Amnesty! Something you supported early on last year!
Yeah, but it is still not fully approved and only after the administration stripped it down so much that it is basically worthless. Again, I'm sorry, I know a lot of people worked hard on it. I'm currently reading a bunch of documents on the student movements of the 60s and everything going right now at UNH just seems so trivial compared to bigger problems in the world.
In short, I don't care who you vote for in the UNH student election. You might at well write in President Huddleston or any other administrator.
Fuck it.
I declare my nomination as a student president candidate. That's right, with less than five hours until the polls close. Write in "The New Hampshirite" if you really want change at UNH! I'll do whatever you want! Zero tolerance policy? I'll slash it! Lower tuition? You got it! Cheaper meal plans? I will protest on John Plodzik's front yard! More wireless on campus? I'll personally install it!
I believe in a better UNH. I believe in You. I believe in us. Take my hand and trust me, there are brighter days ahead of us.
Vote New Hampshirite and I'll buy you beer!
Stay classy, not UMassy.
PS: Do not interpret those promises as factual statements, I'm only making a point.
PPS: Seriously though, I dare you to write me in if you haven't voted yet. Free beer.
Romney Video Hits Home
The other day Mitt Romney spoke with UNH students and later made a video on campus in which he announced his run for presidency. I must admit, even though I am more liberal the video really hit home for me and proved something I've been saying for the past few years. Take a look:
Did you see it? Did you see what I saw? It's so obvious that there is a subliminal message behind this video.
Look!
Notice how the video is taken from the top of Cowell Stadium with the football field as the backdrop? This is clearly subliminal propaganda release by UNH saying that we need a new football stadium. They're hiding that ugly thing and keeping it out of view. If we were proud of the stadium, Romney would have been featured walking towards the camera as it slowly zoomed out with the stadium appearing as the backdrop. Nice try Huddleston, but I'm on to you, you clearly allowed this video and visit for one sole purpose. The message here isn't that Romney is running for president (I mean come on, we all know that Donald Trump is going to get the Republican nomination with his main campaign slogan "Obama isn't American!") but the real message here is that UNH needs a new football stadium. Think about it! It is so obvious!
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wishful Renovations
As we all know, UNH is lacking funds right now. New Hampshire is ranked 50th in state funding of higher education, and we are not even close to 49th. On top of that, the state legislature recently passed a new budget that will cut funding to the University System of New Hampshire, and specifically cut funding to UNH by 45 percent. That 45 percent translates to roughly $40 million (edit: should read about $30 million) in cuts for our university. Let's face it, that type of budget cut will not be good for UNH, especially at this time when so many of our buildings are deteriorating and the only sizeable donations are for a business school we probably don't even need.
Thinking about the budget cuts and the absurdity of past projects (such as the traffic circle) here at UNH got me thinking about some other renovations or campus additions that could benefit us as well. Aside from the obvious academic buildings such as Hamilton Smith and Nesmith (and every other academic building on campus that predates World War II), I came up with a few wishful (but highly unrealistic) renovations. This is a college, who needs nice classrooms?
While these ideas are not in any particular order, I think the top of my list would be Cowell Stadium. President Huddleston has mentioned it before and if you know anything about football you'll know that our stadium is among the worst in the FCS (Division IAA). A nice new stadium, one that does not even have to be much bigger, would attract more fans and even help with recruiting. If you're a player deciding between two similar schools, a nice fan base is a definite bonus. UNH hockey players often say that they love the environment of the Whitt; I'd love to see our football team say similar things.
I think one of the biggest disappointments of our campus is that huge concrete deck hanging off the back of the MUB. One thing UNH lacks is a nice outdoor studying or eating area. I'm not really sure what to call that area, but it seems like it had so much potential and it just fell flat. Even when the weather is nice I rarely see students out there. You know what, maybe we could even have a campus bar out there. Some larger schools such as the University of Wisconsin have bars right in their student centers, but wait, that would be fun. UNH doesn't approve of fun (unless you count President Huddleston tweeting his fake counterpart - pure gold). While a bar might be a bit of a stretch, one semi-feasible option would be have an outdoor area at one of the dining halls. Knock down the back window-wall at Philbrook, put up a little fence and add a few picnic tables and students would have a great shaded area to eat during the nicer months of the year.
Those of you who live in The Gables will definitely be able to relate to these next few. A small dining hall in the Gables area would be amazing. You have no idea how annoying it is to walk all the way to HoCo on the weekends. You know what? Just throw up a McDonald's right in the courtyard and we'll call it even. American stereotypes are fun! Lazy. A more serious option for the Gables area would be to clear out the wooded area between the buildings and create a nice quad area like the grass in front of the Mills. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the trees and being green, but a nice field of grass for sports and sunbathing would be perfect for that area.
Lastly, and this is probably my most serious one, let's just demolish Stoke. Let's just blow it up and pretend that building never happened. It would provide instant beautification of our campus and also cut down on 95 percent of the false fire alarms. I think the Durham Fire Department would appreciate it very much.
When it comes to making necessary renovations and campus projects, it is extremely important to make priorities, especially when funds are low. The UNH campus is deteriorating faster than we can raise money, which is causing higher tuition. Alumni funds are lacking and the outlook is not good. Now excuse me, I need to go protect myself from all the hate business students are about to send my way.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Thinking about the budget cuts and the absurdity of past projects (such as the traffic circle) here at UNH got me thinking about some other renovations or campus additions that could benefit us as well. Aside from the obvious academic buildings such as Hamilton Smith and Nesmith (and every other academic building on campus that predates World War II), I came up with a few wishful (but highly unrealistic) renovations. This is a college, who needs nice classrooms?
While these ideas are not in any particular order, I think the top of my list would be Cowell Stadium. President Huddleston has mentioned it before and if you know anything about football you'll know that our stadium is among the worst in the FCS (Division IAA). A nice new stadium, one that does not even have to be much bigger, would attract more fans and even help with recruiting. If you're a player deciding between two similar schools, a nice fan base is a definite bonus. UNH hockey players often say that they love the environment of the Whitt; I'd love to see our football team say similar things.
I think one of the biggest disappointments of our campus is that huge concrete deck hanging off the back of the MUB. One thing UNH lacks is a nice outdoor studying or eating area. I'm not really sure what to call that area, but it seems like it had so much potential and it just fell flat. Even when the weather is nice I rarely see students out there. You know what, maybe we could even have a campus bar out there. Some larger schools such as the University of Wisconsin have bars right in their student centers, but wait, that would be fun. UNH doesn't approve of fun (unless you count President Huddleston tweeting his fake counterpart - pure gold). While a bar might be a bit of a stretch, one semi-feasible option would be have an outdoor area at one of the dining halls. Knock down the back window-wall at Philbrook, put up a little fence and add a few picnic tables and students would have a great shaded area to eat during the nicer months of the year.
Those of you who live in The Gables will definitely be able to relate to these next few. A small dining hall in the Gables area would be amazing. You have no idea how annoying it is to walk all the way to HoCo on the weekends. You know what? Just throw up a McDonald's right in the courtyard and we'll call it even. American stereotypes are fun! Lazy. A more serious option for the Gables area would be to clear out the wooded area between the buildings and create a nice quad area like the grass in front of the Mills. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the trees and being green, but a nice field of grass for sports and sunbathing would be perfect for that area.
Lastly, and this is probably my most serious one, let's just demolish Stoke. Let's just blow it up and pretend that building never happened. It would provide instant beautification of our campus and also cut down on 95 percent of the false fire alarms. I think the Durham Fire Department would appreciate it very much.
When it comes to making necessary renovations and campus projects, it is extremely important to make priorities, especially when funds are low. The UNH campus is deteriorating faster than we can raise money, which is causing higher tuition. Alumni funds are lacking and the outlook is not good. Now excuse me, I need to go protect myself from all the hate business students are about to send my way.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Monday, April 11, 2011
CommUNHiveristy on Suspension, UNH's Best Dance Crew Cancelled
It's all one big damn conspiracy! That's what this is!
It's hard to guess why a student org dedicated to promoting a better UNH community would be on suspension, but stuff happens I guess. This is really too bad, it is a great event for a great cause. I don't know what happened and I don't think I really care what happened, this just sounds like the UNH hierarchy is preventing a fantastic event and a charitable donation. Seriously UNH, way to be awesome.
The following message was sent out to those who were attending the event via the Facebook event page:
Hello,
I am sorry to inform you that UNH's Best Dance Crew has been canceled. It is of no fault of you, the Johnson Theater or the MUB Ticket Office. This is a matter between CU and the Office of Conduct and Mediation. CU has been placed on interim suspension, where we have been for the last week, and we found out today, at about 5 p.m. that they were not going to lift the suspension. I know we have let you down, the fans coming out to see us again, and the new ones who were excited to see the greatest show to grace this school. We feel horrible for the potential charity that will no longer receive $600, and the Johnson Theater who has been great with helping us out. What stings for me is the effort I know dance crews have poured into this event. The ones who have been practicing for weeks and in some cases months, I am so sorry. The UNH Dance Team, I am sorry. We wanted to have this so bad, it was the highlight of my year last year and it was something I have counted down for the last 363 days. We are not allowed to go into detail about why we are on suspension, and because it is an ongoing matter we can't meet as an org, or have events. We offered to give the event to another org or club, even move it back a week with our involvement dissolved to nothing, but our backup wish was not granted. I know there is nothing I can say that will allow instant forgiveness nor do I want it, I am mad at me and you have every right to be as well. If you bought a ticket, we are going to the MUB ticket office tomorrow, and you should be able to get a full refund. I know one more time will not help, but I and the rest of CommUNHiversity are so sorry. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you for your time, and I am sorry we wasted yours.
Greg
UPDATE: Word is that TNH is trying to step up to host the event. It was originally scheduled for this Wednesday, but it might be moved back until next Wednesday. Props to TNH for trying keep it alive. Hopefully they will pull it off. CommUNHiversity will not be involved.
"The V-Card"
The guys from Newd Films (White and Ghetto) are back with a short film appropriately entitled "The V-Card." Let's just say I'm sure a few of you might be able to relate or at least appreciate the humor in this:
Wiz Reactions
Well, well, well... Another Scope concert and another overflow of negative (and a few positive) remarks thrown every which way... "it wasn't organized" "Scope sucks" "Scope blew it" "It wasn't Scope's fault, it was all the wasted kids" "what was the point of the wrist bands" blah blah blah... you complaints truly make a difference. (Not).
I did not go to the concert, but I talked to a fair amount of people who did. There was one pretty overlying response I got. (Well technically two). For the majority (but not on the whole) underclassmen tended to blame Scope while upperclassmen tended to blame overly drunk students. One email sent to me said "...people were wicked shitty, stoned/drunk/who the fuck knows. It was an overall a piss-poor ability from the student population to handle themselves when under the influence of whatever..." And it continued "We were both fairly intoxicated, but we know better. Plus we weren't puking in the bathrooms at the Whit like half the female population seemed to be. You paid money to go to a show, and you're so drunk you are puking and probably won't remember any of it. Yup, that's intelligent right there."
There is a common trend between all the complaints: Maturity. When I was younger I probably would have been all over Scope, but understanding what they have to deal with makes a big difference. Scope can't override what the Fire Chief says. I wouldn't want to have to deal with all that shitty shit, would you? Don't get me wrong, things can always be handled better, but I think that is it important to remember that Scope members are regular students like you and me. They are not professionals so it is not fair to assume that everything will go over smoothly. I think the bigger problem is with UNH and the local police. I heard a lot of cops being over physical and aggressive with the crowd, which is highly inappropriate. Most cops here aren't too bad, but there are a select few who abuse their powers.
Via Twitter I learned that by 10PM 14 people were already in protective custody at Strafford County. On the whole night 48 people were arrested (including Mac Miller's DJ). An undercover cop came "uncomfortably" close to arresting Wiz. 48 fucking people in one night! I set the over/under at 50! It's things like this that give UNH a bad name (see: Daily Beast ranking UNH the worst drug school, which was based off arrests). In comparison, the same concert tour went to Rhode Island the night before and there were only 2 arrests.
College students drink. Underage college students drink. Zero tolerance policies do not work and only make things appear worse. It has become apparent that changes need to be made, but the current policy obviously isn't working. I'm not saying that law breakers shouldn't be punished, but there are other ways to go about this problem. Students need to learn to take responsibility for their actions and mistakes, but so does our administration and the police.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
I did not go to the concert, but I talked to a fair amount of people who did. There was one pretty overlying response I got. (Well technically two). For the majority (but not on the whole) underclassmen tended to blame Scope while upperclassmen tended to blame overly drunk students. One email sent to me said "...people were wicked shitty, stoned/drunk/who the fuck knows. It was an overall a piss-poor ability from the student population to handle themselves when under the influence of whatever..." And it continued "We were both fairly intoxicated, but we know better. Plus we weren't puking in the bathrooms at the Whit like half the female population seemed to be. You paid money to go to a show, and you're so drunk you are puking and probably won't remember any of it. Yup, that's intelligent right there."
There is a common trend between all the complaints: Maturity. When I was younger I probably would have been all over Scope, but understanding what they have to deal with makes a big difference. Scope can't override what the Fire Chief says. I wouldn't want to have to deal with all that shitty shit, would you? Don't get me wrong, things can always be handled better, but I think that is it important to remember that Scope members are regular students like you and me. They are not professionals so it is not fair to assume that everything will go over smoothly. I think the bigger problem is with UNH and the local police. I heard a lot of cops being over physical and aggressive with the crowd, which is highly inappropriate. Most cops here aren't too bad, but there are a select few who abuse their powers.
Via Twitter I learned that by 10PM 14 people were already in protective custody at Strafford County. On the whole night 48 people were arrested (including Mac Miller's DJ). An undercover cop came "uncomfortably" close to arresting Wiz. 48 fucking people in one night! I set the over/under at 50! It's things like this that give UNH a bad name (see: Daily Beast ranking UNH the worst drug school, which was based off arrests). In comparison, the same concert tour went to Rhode Island the night before and there were only 2 arrests.
College students drink. Underage college students drink. Zero tolerance policies do not work and only make things appear worse. It has become apparent that changes need to be made, but the current policy obviously isn't working. I'm not saying that law breakers shouldn't be punished, but there are other ways to go about this problem. Students need to learn to take responsibility for their actions and mistakes, but so does our administration and the police.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Saturday Music Pick
I stumbled across this song "These Walls Don't Lie" by Promoe a few weeks ago and I haven't stopped bumping it. Very catchy and I guess the guy is Swedish.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Beastie Boys are back!
My brother emailed this video to me this morning. Their new song "Make some Noise" is awesome. I had to post this because they're style of hip-shop is by far my favorite. Mixing real instruments and great lyrics. Here's the promo for their new album:
If this post didn't explain itself: No, I will not be attending Wiz tonight.
Partying, parting, YEAH!
Hello Nonsensical Nation, sorry for not posting yesterday. I had a pretty hectic morning with homework (by that I mean laundry and emptying the dishwasher) and classes and then, well, it was Thursday evening, let's see if I can work my way through that...
5PM: I am out of class and meet friends at Stillings
5:35: Start two page discussion paper on reading I hadn't read
5:37: Decide to go to Beat the Clock at Ballards at 7
6:25: Halfway done... "Fuck this paper, I'll finish it in the morning." We'll do it live!
6:30: Shower (calm down ladies.)
6:45: Two shots of whiskey
6:50: Screwdriver with two shots
6:55: Shotgun a Bud Light
7:15 Arrive at Ballards
7:20 to 8:30 (ish?) Two rum and cokes. Five whiskey cokes... Beat the Clock = Old Crow whiskey (like the bottom of bottom shelf). Finally get to sit outside at Ballards (a little chilly, but not bad) something I've looked forward to since freshman year. We saw a kid get pulled over and arrested for drunk driving... on a scooter. I don't think he even made it out of the parking lot.
9: Friends apartment. Several screwdrivers
11ish? Get to Libby's. Stay until they closed and then DHOP for a while.
2:30AM: Bed.
7:45: Woken up because my friend needed her car to be pushed and she was gonna be late to an appointment. (Sidebar: one of my roommates and another friend helped too.)
8:45: back to bed
8:47: dry heaving in bathroom. Drink water.
9: Back to bed.
10: Alarm goes off. 30 more minutes.
10:30: Finally get up.
10:45: Resume the paper
11:05: Finish paper (super speed bullshitting required)
11:10: Shower (seriously ladies, control yourselves)
11:30 Eat.
11:45 Decide to hand in my paper to my professors mailbox (that class is at 1PM)
12:00: Make it to my first class.
12:15: Professor wants to show a movie, doesn't work. Dismisses us at 12:25.
12:26: Winning. Wildcat blood. Weekend time.
12:45: ATM... Let's do it again!
Stay classy, not UMassy.
PS: Sorry for that title, I just showed one of my roommates that song, he had never heard it before. So bad. So terribly bad, but I love how bad it is.
5PM: I am out of class and meet friends at Stillings
5:35: Start two page discussion paper on reading I hadn't read
5:37: Decide to go to Beat the Clock at Ballards at 7
6:25: Halfway done... "Fuck this paper, I'll finish it in the morning." We'll do it live!
6:30: Shower (calm down ladies.)
6:45: Two shots of whiskey
6:50: Screwdriver with two shots
6:55: Shotgun a Bud Light
7:15 Arrive at Ballards
7:20 to 8:30 (ish?) Two rum and cokes. Five whiskey cokes... Beat the Clock = Old Crow whiskey (like the bottom of bottom shelf). Finally get to sit outside at Ballards (a little chilly, but not bad) something I've looked forward to since freshman year. We saw a kid get pulled over and arrested for drunk driving... on a scooter. I don't think he even made it out of the parking lot.
9: Friends apartment. Several screwdrivers
11ish? Get to Libby's. Stay until they closed and then DHOP for a while.
2:30AM: Bed.
7:45: Woken up because my friend needed her car to be pushed and she was gonna be late to an appointment. (Sidebar: one of my roommates and another friend helped too.)
8:45: back to bed
8:47: dry heaving in bathroom. Drink water.
9: Back to bed.
10: Alarm goes off. 30 more minutes.
10:30: Finally get up.
10:45: Resume the paper
11:05: Finish paper (super speed bullshitting required)
11:10: Shower (seriously ladies, control yourselves)
11:30 Eat.
11:45 Decide to hand in my paper to my professors mailbox (that class is at 1PM)
12:00: Make it to my first class.
12:15: Professor wants to show a movie, doesn't work. Dismisses us at 12:25.
12:26: Winning. Wildcat blood. Weekend time.
12:45: ATM... Let's do it again!
Stay classy, not UMassy.
PS: Sorry for that title, I just showed one of my roommates that song, he had never heard it before. So bad. So terribly bad, but I love how bad it is.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Black Betty is not Racist
For many seasons up until 2006 the UNH men's hockey team used to skate onto this ice during the playing of Ram Jam's version of the classic song "Black Betty." But during that year the NCAA banned the song, ruling that it was "theoretically racist" since it was originally a traditional African-American work song and therefore unfit for a college sports environment.
You decide: Is this song too inappropriate to play at college areas?
You decide: Is this song too inappropriate to play at college areas?
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Black betty had a child (bam-A-lam)
The damn thing gone wild (bam-A-lam)
She said it weren't in er mind (bam-A-lam)
The damn thing gone blind (bam-A-lam)
Said whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
She really gets me high (bam-A-lam)
You know that's no lie (bam-A-lam)
She's so rock steady (bam-A-lam)
And she's always ready (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
She's from birmingham (bam-A-lam)
Way down in alabam' (bam-A-la)
Well she's shakin' that thing (bam-A-lam)
Boy she makes me think (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-A-lam)
For a little while UNH would play an instrumental version of the song, but it was later scratched completely. Now we get Dave Matthews' "Two Step." I mean what type of hockey team (or any sports team for that matter) uses Dave Matthews as entrance song?
Black Betty has been recorded by dozens of artist dating back to the 1930s. Some students have called that UNH losing Black Betty has cursed our hockey team. Combined that with the possible new curse of the Maine Lobster and I'm not too sure about our teams future. The song was banned in 2006 and UNH has not reached the Frozen Four since 2003. But for now, I stand by my claim: Black Betty is not racist.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
PS: Check out this new music blog started by a few blog readers. They read my blog so I figured I'd link them up.
Black Betty has been recorded by dozens of artist dating back to the 1930s. Some students have called that UNH losing Black Betty has cursed our hockey team. Combined that with the possible new curse of the Maine Lobster and I'm not too sure about our teams future. The song was banned in 2006 and UNH has not reached the Frozen Four since 2003. But for now, I stand by my claim: Black Betty is not racist.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
PS: Check out this new music blog started by a few blog readers. They read my blog so I figured I'd link them up.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
17 Years...
Kurt Cobain died when I was barely four years old, but he is still one of my all-time favorite musicians. I often wonder how his music would have evolved if he was still with us.
Winning back that Party School Rep
Disclaimer: This column is only meant for the eyes of those who are 21 years of age or older. If you are not 21, please stop reading immediately. If you are 21, sit back and enjoy.
More serious disclaimer: Seriously, stop reading. Okay, now that you have agreed to the terms of condition, that you are indeed 21, we may continue. Although, I must add, please note that this column is for entertainment purposes only. I (and TNH editorial staff would probably like that I include them too) do not hold any responsibility for any of your actions that may result from what you read below. I just wanted to clarify that so Health Services does not report me to the conduct office for encouraging excessive alcohol intake like UNH Dining did last year for "encouraging" students to steal.
Now, let us begin.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a challenge that was basically the idea of "pay it forward." It is important for humans to act kindly towards one another, but I do not want to forget about one of my earliest mission statements. While it is nice to have more serious and intellectual columns and discussions, I like to stay true to my roots that developed way back as a freshman in good old Williamson. That mission statement was to help UNH regain its position toward the top of the best party school list.
I have developed and modified a few old and new drinking challenges for the individuals of UNH to help us regain our past status. Such as with anything that happens out in the real world, the best progress is usually made in large cohesive groups, but like I said a few weeks ago, one person can make a difference simply by setting an example.
For starters, we have all probably heard of shower beers. A nice cold beer (or two or three) during a hot shower is a terrific way to start off a night (*cough* or late morning *cough*) of drinking. I have created an even better challenge; I call it the shower growler. Growlers are half-gallon glass jars that consist of about four beers. I highly doubt that you can get a growler of Keystone Light, so you will probably have to make your way over to Red Hook to stalk up.
Another well-known drinking challenge is "beat the clock," which takes place at certain bars. The idea is to drink as much as you can while bars have cheap drink specials. It is a fun and cheap way to get drunk with a few friends. But what happens if you find yourself bogged down in homework and you cannot make it out? I have created my own version. It is very simple; all you have to do is casually drink while doing homework, preferably something simple like reading. The idea of the game is to read as many pages as possible before feeling the affects of the alcohol. It is a win-win situation because you either get all your work done, or you end up buzzed and ready to go out.
This next one is a little risky and I cannot say that I have actually done it (at least I have not done it yet). You will need some hard alcohol, a flask to keep said alcohol in and a meal plan. I think you can figure out where I'm going with this, but if you need it spelled out, sneak the flask into a dining hall and pour it into your drink of choice. It can be a nice way to sample mixers before buying more at a store. If you don't have a flask, nips will probably work just as well, if not better. But you did not hear this from me. (Dining, I'm not serious, remember my disclaimer!)
Those are just a few simple ways that you as an individual can help UNH regain our past reputation. My roommates and I have one rule in our apartment: No one drinks alone. We call it the domino effect because if one person grabs a drink at least one other must follow. Set the example and be the change. These simple challenges will also help you improve your tolerance, which will then improve your party stamina. If we take it one drink at a time, one party at a time, UNH will return to glory.
Stay classy, not UMassy,
More serious disclaimer: Seriously, stop reading. Okay, now that you have agreed to the terms of condition, that you are indeed 21, we may continue. Although, I must add, please note that this column is for entertainment purposes only. I (and TNH editorial staff would probably like that I include them too) do not hold any responsibility for any of your actions that may result from what you read below. I just wanted to clarify that so Health Services does not report me to the conduct office for encouraging excessive alcohol intake like UNH Dining did last year for "encouraging" students to steal.
Now, let us begin.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a challenge that was basically the idea of "pay it forward." It is important for humans to act kindly towards one another, but I do not want to forget about one of my earliest mission statements. While it is nice to have more serious and intellectual columns and discussions, I like to stay true to my roots that developed way back as a freshman in good old Williamson. That mission statement was to help UNH regain its position toward the top of the best party school list.
I have developed and modified a few old and new drinking challenges for the individuals of UNH to help us regain our past status. Such as with anything that happens out in the real world, the best progress is usually made in large cohesive groups, but like I said a few weeks ago, one person can make a difference simply by setting an example.
For starters, we have all probably heard of shower beers. A nice cold beer (or two or three) during a hot shower is a terrific way to start off a night (*cough* or late morning *cough*) of drinking. I have created an even better challenge; I call it the shower growler. Growlers are half-gallon glass jars that consist of about four beers. I highly doubt that you can get a growler of Keystone Light, so you will probably have to make your way over to Red Hook to stalk up.
Another well-known drinking challenge is "beat the clock," which takes place at certain bars. The idea is to drink as much as you can while bars have cheap drink specials. It is a fun and cheap way to get drunk with a few friends. But what happens if you find yourself bogged down in homework and you cannot make it out? I have created my own version. It is very simple; all you have to do is casually drink while doing homework, preferably something simple like reading. The idea of the game is to read as many pages as possible before feeling the affects of the alcohol. It is a win-win situation because you either get all your work done, or you end up buzzed and ready to go out.
This next one is a little risky and I cannot say that I have actually done it (at least I have not done it yet). You will need some hard alcohol, a flask to keep said alcohol in and a meal plan. I think you can figure out where I'm going with this, but if you need it spelled out, sneak the flask into a dining hall and pour it into your drink of choice. It can be a nice way to sample mixers before buying more at a store. If you don't have a flask, nips will probably work just as well, if not better. But you did not hear this from me. (Dining, I'm not serious, remember my disclaimer!)
Those are just a few simple ways that you as an individual can help UNH regain our past reputation. My roommates and I have one rule in our apartment: No one drinks alone. We call it the domino effect because if one person grabs a drink at least one other must follow. Set the example and be the change. These simple challenges will also help you improve your tolerance, which will then improve your party stamina. If we take it one drink at a time, one party at a time, UNH will return to glory.
Stay classy, not UMassy,
Monday, April 4, 2011
That's no ordinary rabbit!
Okay, seriously. What is up with all these spray paint tags popping up all over campus? This rabbit is on the second floor door at Dimond Library. I've seen Charlie Sheen, Abe Lincoln, and gorillas among others. What does it meeeeaaaan? Is it a protest? Is it symbolic? Is it gonna nibble your bum or is it just a harmless little bunny? Or is it simply some kids with nothing better to do. Needless to say, UNH is gonna be pissed and I'm interested to see if this tagging is really apart of something bigger.
In other news, VP Joe Bidden visited UNH today. I saw a few snipers chilling on the roof of the MUB. You know... normal UNH shit.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
Update:
PS: It could also be a squirrel... but I couldn't reference Monty Python with a squirrel.
Update 2:
PPS: Upon further review, I'm really starting to think it is probably a squirrel. I swear to drunk I'm not God.
Meh?
This is a rabbit. This is a squirrel.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Gogol Bordello Broke the Spell
Warning: Non UNH post. This is basically a concert review that I just want to share for any other members of the Gogol community who might stumble across this.
Last night Gogol Bordello set the Boston House of Blues on fire with an unreal performance that lasted about two hours. Forro in the Dark got the night started with about 45 minutes of their Brazilian reggae sound, but when Eugene Hutz of Gogol took the stage to singalong with Forro's "Nonsensical" (the song that gave me the title idea for this blog) you knew that the night would be all about Hutz and his captivating stage presence.
Different concert obviously, but a similar performance:
Gogol took the stage right at 8 p.m. ripping of hits new and old beginning with "Tribal Connection," "Not a Crime" and "Wanderlust King" before the band transitioned into their latest album playing "My Companjera," "Raise the Knowledge," "Last One Goes the Hope,"Pala Tute," "Immigraniada," "Break the Spell," "Sun is on my Side" and perhaps the best performance of the night with "When Universes Collide." The band also played "Mishto," "American Wedding" (while a fan proposed to his girlfriend on stage) and an almost hip-hop esq version of "Start Wearing Purple" that had the entire house jumping and screaming. (Well, actually the entire house did that all night.) The band took a quick break before performing an encore of "Think Locally, Fuck Globally" and an extended version of "Sacred Darling." The band then stood across the stage and took their bows. Hutz gathered his band of immigrants and gypsies around him for a quick chat before saying to the audience "we got an early start tonight, so we're gonna do a few more." The crowd went nuts and Hutz introduced their next song saying, "we just just got back from Ireland and we were there for St. Patrick's Day so we'd like to take that spirit back with us" and they performed and awesome version of the Dubliners "Dirty Old Town" (made famous by the Pogues) and they finally ended their set with a great version of their old hit "Alcohol." When the concert finally ended my brother turned to me and said something along the lines of "No one else in Boston had as much fun as the people at that concert" (including the members of the band). - I may have missed a few songs, I'm writing this off memory.
This is from a different concert, but it is the same final two songs as last night:
Last night Gogol Bordello set the Boston House of Blues on fire with an unreal performance that lasted about two hours. Forro in the Dark got the night started with about 45 minutes of their Brazilian reggae sound, but when Eugene Hutz of Gogol took the stage to singalong with Forro's "Nonsensical" (the song that gave me the title idea for this blog) you knew that the night would be all about Hutz and his captivating stage presence.
Different concert obviously, but a similar performance:
Gogol took the stage right at 8 p.m. ripping of hits new and old beginning with "Tribal Connection," "Not a Crime" and "Wanderlust King" before the band transitioned into their latest album playing "My Companjera," "Raise the Knowledge," "Last One Goes the Hope,"Pala Tute," "Immigraniada," "Break the Spell," "Sun is on my Side" and perhaps the best performance of the night with "When Universes Collide." The band also played "Mishto," "American Wedding" (while a fan proposed to his girlfriend on stage) and an almost hip-hop esq version of "Start Wearing Purple" that had the entire house jumping and screaming. (Well, actually the entire house did that all night.) The band took a quick break before performing an encore of "Think Locally, Fuck Globally" and an extended version of "Sacred Darling." The band then stood across the stage and took their bows. Hutz gathered his band of immigrants and gypsies around him for a quick chat before saying to the audience "we got an early start tonight, so we're gonna do a few more." The crowd went nuts and Hutz introduced their next song saying, "we just just got back from Ireland and we were there for St. Patrick's Day so we'd like to take that spirit back with us" and they performed and awesome version of the Dubliners "Dirty Old Town" (made famous by the Pogues) and they finally ended their set with a great version of their old hit "Alcohol." When the concert finally ended my brother turned to me and said something along the lines of "No one else in Boston had as much fun as the people at that concert" (including the members of the band). - I may have missed a few songs, I'm writing this off memory.
This is from a different concert, but it is the same final two songs as last night:
In short, Gogol Bordello may be the best live band around. Adjectives like "energetic" and "charismatic" don't even begin to describe their performances. I've seen them 8 times since my senior year of high school and I wouldn't have done that if it wasn't worth it (including twice in Philly - a 7 hour drive- and twice more in NYC). If you consider yourself a fan of live music in general then do yourself a favor and see Gogol the next time they roll by your town. You won't regret it.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day drinking in Boston!
Going down to Boston for some day drinking and then seeing Gogol Bordello. Best live band ever... and I think I'm still drunk from last night. Yay college.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Snow Day!
So all week I had been brainstorming different joke posts for today. Last year Corey and I wrote a couple each and we had planned on it again, but it's just been to crazy lately I never got around to it. Then TNH beat me to it this morning (let's just say I was at the bar when we got the UNH text alert last night and it quickly turned from casual drinking to a rager into the wee hours of the morning.) TNH did a great job with their stories, they are definitely have a deeper meaning behind the jokes. Yesterday I had settled on the idea that I was going to post that classes had been cancelled and the text alert system was down, especially once the storm came... but then classes really did get cancelled. Fail.
So, now I'm just sitting in my living room and it is too late now to pull a good blog joke so I'm going to go in the opposite direction and open up a little here. Now that I am 21 I feel more comfortable writing about certain things. I've always wished to have my name out there. Being anonymous only hurts my credibility. So here goes nothing... I am a junior, I live in the Gables, my favorite color is green, my favorite beer is Newcastle Brown Ale (PBR when I'm poor), whiskey is my favorite hard alcohol although I do love Tenure Polish Vodka and Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum, baseball is my favorite sport (I played all through high school) and I also love skateboarding and skiing. My name is Pete Zorbrist. Don't believe me? Try facebook.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
So, now I'm just sitting in my living room and it is too late now to pull a good blog joke so I'm going to go in the opposite direction and open up a little here. Now that I am 21 I feel more comfortable writing about certain things. I've always wished to have my name out there. Being anonymous only hurts my credibility. So here goes nothing... I am a junior, I live in the Gables, my favorite color is green, my favorite beer is Newcastle Brown Ale (PBR when I'm poor), whiskey is my favorite hard alcohol although I do love Tenure Polish Vodka and Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum, baseball is my favorite sport (I played all through high school) and I also love skateboarding and skiing. My name is Pete Zorbrist. Don't believe me? Try facebook.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
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