College OTR

Eight Colleges to Get a Degree in Video Game Design

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:58:13 EDT

The thought certainly crossed my mind a number of times throughout college that I should just drop out and re-enroll somewhere else to become a video game designer. I liked art, I liked games, ergo facto, that would be a great job. Unfortunately I never did it, but that doesn't mean it isn't too later for you. Check out these eight places that could fast track you to be the next Peter Molyneux. Just pretend that's a good thing.

DArTT – the Digital Arts Technology Training Institute

Location: Online

Website: link

DArTT may have an exceptionally annoying acronym to type, but it might be a good training choice for potential game designers who shun social interaction to the point where an all-online class schedule would be the way to go. Or just because it’s convenient.

They have programs in 3D character animation, graphic design and video game art & illustration, the last of which I don’t think is offered to many other places.

Westwood College

Location: Online…or in Denver

Website: link

You can earn a degree online here as well, and honestly the site seems a bit more legit and user friendly than DArTT. The degree is very specific, and you’ll graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science in Game Art & Design. Pretty cool.

They have courses like Color Theory, 3-D Modeling and Animation, and Cinematography and they emphasize critical thinking, logic, communication and problem solving, which all are probably good traits for video game design. Or just life in general.

USC – University of Southern California

Location: Los Angeles

Website: link

This is really cool. I had no idea USC had an entire program dedicated to game design, and better yet, it’s doing it in conjunction with Electronic Arts. They have an entire EA Game Innovation Lab which is a research space where new concepts in game design, gameplay and usability are developmend.

The program is under the umbrella of USC’s School of Cinema-Television. It’s really cool to see such a prominent university as USC embrace the rising popularity of game and game design. I highly recommend heading to the website to check it out more in depth.

UAT – The University of Advancing Technology

Location: Tempe, Arizona

Website: link

Kind of an intriguing name, and they were smart enough to buy the domain name “gamedegree.com.” UAT has actual class rooms and actual teachers, and they take students from the story boards to the final stages of a polished project.

Degrees are Bachelor’s in either Game Programming, Game Design or Game Art and Animation, or you can even earn a Master of Science in Game Production and Management. I don’t think there are too many of these places that offer Masters.

AiP – The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Location: Pittsburgh…duh, and online

Website: link

You can do AiP’s Bachelor of Science program completely online if you so choose. The degree claims to be able to land you jobs as a gameplay tester, 2D conceptual artist, 3D character builder, 3D object modeler, interactivity designer or a background artist.
This one seems to be pretty heavy on evaluating games in addition to designing them, so if you just want to play video games for a living, this might appeal to you.

Collins College

Location: Tempe, Arizona…or Phoenix

Website: link

Really, is Tempe like the video game design capital of the world or something? That’ two schools in one list. Impressive. The Collins College program is not online, so you’ll have to truck it out to “beautiful Arizona” to get your degree.

They have a billion types of video game related degrees they offer, too many to list here, so just go to the website to see them all. It’s very…pink.

DMAC – Digital Media Arts College

Location: Boca Raton, Florida

Website: link

The only site with a hot digital chick on the front page. I’m there! It looks like it would be all online, but it’s not, and it’s in Florida, which is sweet, and they claim they have labs available 24/7 and their instructors are from Sega, Disney, Sony and Imageworks.

You can either get a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Animation or Graphic Design or a Master of Fine Arts I special effects animation or Graphic Design. This may be more broadly related to computer graphics than games specifically, but I’m sure they’re very tightly intertwined.

Brown College

Location: Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Website: link

No you’re thinking of Brown University, so sorry, no ivy league video game degree here. And in case the heat of Arizona or Florida was too much for you, how about Minnesota for a change?

Career oppoprtunities for grads include animator, concept artist, modeler, programmer, texture artist and a bunch more. And because they wanted to inspire you to apply, here’s a bit of a boost from the staff:

“When you’re exploring the frontier of technology, you need to take a lot of imagination and skill.”
- Justin Spoelstra, Department Chair, Game Design & Development

Indeed Justin, indeed.

Campus Cutie: Amber from Texas

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:40:21 EDT

Name: Amber

School: University of Texas

Year: 2012

Sorority: GDI

Our first non-midwesterner AND our first non-sorority girl! But I think she's the best one yet. In addition to having killer eyelashes Amber loves dances, working out and country. Well, that last one wasn't a stretch considering the location. Also, she's in a group about how annoying Crocs are. Perfect.

Hot Pic of the Day: Why Can't All Kegs Be Attached to Boobs?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:14:52 EDT

Now presenting... the keg tap of the future! Remember when pumping a keg used to be a hassle?

Ann Coulter Still Talking, But Are People Listening?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:28:09 EDT

The answer would seem to simply be no.

On January 6th, Coulter's new book Guilty: Liberal "Victims" and Their Assault on America was released, seemingly known only to her base, which seems to consist only of people willing to label any problem in the world as a result of liberalism. She apparently likes to use the word liberal, too. This seems to be her fourth book with the word liberal in the title, this time accusing them of assaulting America. A year and a half ago it was Godless, now they're assaulting. Keep that in mind, liberals. When asked if you've done anything wrong, it's assaulting America, you're looking for, not Godlessness anymore.

The once famous hot right-winger, who at one point called for the forced conversion of Muslims to Christianity (because Christianity has the most peaceful history), has now felt the need to tackle the important issues, like... Michelle Obama's attire? That's right! She has attacked the soon-to-be first lady for trying too hard to imitate former first lady, Jackie Kennedy. She would go on to praise Cindy McCain for not waking up each and every morning, thinking of which first lady she'd try to imitate. If you're thinking... Who Cares?... then you're most assuredly not alone!

The facts? Hah! I don't need facts! media woman goes on in her book to voice her dissatisfaction over the media apparently wanting to have sex with President-Elect Obama. Yeah, because Fox News was in the bag for Obama, which is what her base would watch anyway. She should look into that whole media-Obama monage e twa, though, because if it turned out to be true, she could nail him for trying to imitate President Kennedy, too.

I shall now leave you with an article of alleged falsehoods within Miss Coulter's new book. Take it for what it's worth. I'm sure some out there will see that it's from Media Matters and simply scream "liberal! liberal!" and hide under your desk like an old fashion nuclear attack drill.

Below is one of my favorite Coulter moments. It doesn't show so much the crazy of Coulter, but it definitely gives the essence of her journalistic style.

Twas the Night Before the BCS Championship

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:38:51 EDT

‘Twas the night before gameday when all through the ‘ville,
Not a creature was sober, not even a lil.

The poles on the Avenue were all greased with care,
Knowing that drunk people would soon try to climb there.

The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of winning danced in their heads.

And I, like everyone else in the Gator Nation,
Was prepping myself for complete annihilation.

Because if we win it’ll be the best night, I swear,
And if we lose, we’ll simply be too drunk to care.

We were out at the bar having a pitcher,
Hoping that soon, we’d be another title richer.

When out by the Swamp there arose such a clatter,
We looked up from our beer to see what’s the matter.

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But a bunch of loud students in the middle of a cheer.

Because though the game might not be ‘til much later,
These fans know it’s always great to be a Florida Gator.

And tomorrow in the locker room will stand Urban Meyer,
With unwavering resolve, his voice getting higher:

“Now, Tebow! Now, Harvin! Now, Cooper and Spikes!
On, Ingram! On, Murphy! On Moody and Wright!

Get in the red zone. Be thorough and quick,
More importantly, make sure you block that kick!”

And just like he always does, number 15 will fly,
Under the bright orange sun and the clear blue sky.

We won against ‘Bama, so we can win this.
We can beat anyone, except for Ole Miss.

Now your nerves are all frayed and your hands are all clammy,
As we go head to head with the Sooners in Miami.

But fret not, Gator fans, for the future is bright,
Many touchdowns to all, and to all a good night.

Embarrassing Pic: Ski Lift Strips Man of Pants and Dignity

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:56:02 EDT

Suspended Naked Dude: "I did not see that coming."

Capable Ski Friend: "Wow, you're just full of surprises."

Suspended Naked Dude: "Just remembered what I forgot to pack... a belt. So ummm, how much longer 'til we reach the top?"

Capable Ski Friend: "4 minutes. Which from this angle, will be much tougher on me."

Suspended Naked Dude: "My taint hurts."

Capable Ski Friend: "So, I'm just gonna pass on the second date now."

Suspended Naked Dude: "Yea, I saw that coming."

10 Celebrities Who Would Make Excellent Frat Brothers

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:16:04 EDT

You can take the frat boy out of the frat, but you can never take the frat out of the frat boy. Here are the 10 celebrities who would make great frat brothers:

Will Ferrel: As he proved in Old School, Ferrell is the ultimate frat brother. On his frat resume he can also list that he was a member of Delta Tau Delta at USC
John Belushi: Belushi's role in Animal House proved that he the life of any frat party.
Sean William Scott: Even though Stifler's kind of a jerk, you know you can see him in a frat.
James Franco: In Pineapple Express Franco showed that he can party just as well as anyone else. In real life, Franco's working hard at UCLA. He would probably be in "the smart frat."
Steven Colbert: See: Frat President
Brody Jenner: If you host a show called Bromance, chances are you would love frat life.
Seth Rogan: I don't know if they have frats in Canada...
Michael Cera: The quintessential corruptible freshman pledge.
Paul Rudd: Cool enough to hang out with Rogan, plus he was a member of Sigma Nu at the University of Kansas.
Ben Affleck: His roles are a bit on the serious side, but Affleck could easily hang with some frat brothers.
Matt Damon: If we're letting Affleck in, we have to let in Damon too.

Photos of Obama from College Go Public; Prove Our President-Elect is Most Awesome

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:33:47 EDT

When President-Elect Barack Obama was in college, he was a pretty cool guys. He played basketball. He had his friends call him 'Barry.' It appears he also had a bit of a modeling career, The Star Tribune Reports.

Photos that appeared in last month's Time for their "Person of the Year" article have now been put online. They were taken by Lisa Jack, a woman that attended Occidental College with the future-President. As a photography student in her freshman year, Jack had the courage to approach Obama and ask if he could pose for her portfolio.

The man who would later rule the free world said "Yes."

Years later, she mentioned to a friend that she had photographed Obama in 1980 when she was a freshman. The friend scoffed, and dared her to find the pictures. Fortunately, she did:

Jack said she dug up the photos in early 2008 after she mentioned to friends that she knew Obama in college. "If I hadn't been dared, I probably wouldn't have gone to look for them," she said.

Obama was brought to Jack's attention back then, she recalls, by a friend of a friend who thought she'd like to use him as a subject. The photos were taken at her apartment. She said he was somewhat uneasy at first, but he loosened up by the time she was done taking 36 shots.

The pictures show Obama posing in various parts of Jack's apartment (a thrill, Jack recalls, as he was one of the "hot guys"), as well as smoking a cigarette. They are undeniably cool. Jack says she released them in hopes of showing a different side of Obama:

"And now that 'Barry' is the president-elect, I offer them up so that others may see a side to him I have yet to observe captured in the current maelstrom of contemporary media. I believe the images reflect his spirit of fun and thoughtfulness that I hope he hasn't lost on his road to the White House. For the record, there wasn't a nicer, more sincere guy in college."

Very cool, and I'm excited to see that this guy is going to be our President.

Maybe You Two Can Talk This Out Together

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:51:15 EDT

Overheard in Cabo...

Four-year-old boy angry at his parents: I don't have time for this!

Flustered 40-something woman nearby: Me either!

(You didn't think that my nosiness would go on hold just because I was on vacation, did you?)

its time.

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:49:43 EDT

Happy 2009! i hope everyone had a very safe and enjoyable new years and holiday season.

i know i did.

but what i was slightly disappointed when I returned from vacation yesterday. I happened to go on JuicyCampus.com and saw that some one posed as me and made a post. Impersonation is wrong, but at the same time i am a little flattered. But for the future, please do not make any comments or statements on JuicyCampus pretending to be me. I would greatly appreciate it.

Anyway, I have alot of work to do!

you know you love it.

xoxo

gossipgirl

Top 10 Ways To End Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Peacefully

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:56:36 EDT

10. Arm Wrestle

9. Find a partner, grab their legs and have a wheelbarrow race!

8. Followed by a potato sack race.

7. Paintball... You all seem to like fighting so much, at least this way no one dies.

6. Have a debate with an unbiased panel. If debates can help decide elections, why not this? Just don't refer to your opponent as "that one."

5. Think of the 23413255345235236236234523463462452345243562342 better things to do than war.

4. Make a Paul Greengrass-esque docudrama about your people's plight. Whomever wins the academy award for best foreign language film wins it all!

3. Go to Deep South America and see who's discriminated against the most. Winner take all!

2. Why don't you two settle this on the runway? Walk off

1. Stay at home an pray to God/Allah asking who's side he/she is on, and stay at home praying until he/she is willing to give their answer on Meet The Press and not just inside your head.

ClarkandMichael.com - If You Like Superbad and Arrested Development - This Video Blog Is For You

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:29:20 EDT

Michael Cera, the scrawny, awkward, but funny kid from 'Superbad' and 'Arrested Development' teamed up with some equally nerdy, but oddly humorous kid to create a video blog, ClarkandMichael.com. Even though Michael Cera is incapable of playing a different role, his awkward teenager character filmed in 'The Office' mockumentary style creates some pretty good laughs. The episodes actually have some production value and they're free, so it's definitely worth checking out.

New Years Resolutions You're Not Going to Keep

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:01:51 EDT

Any of them.

Movie Review: Revolutionary Road

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:12:34 EDT

If you’re looking for a feel good movie this break, just stop looking now. This season’s box office includes some serious downers—dying dogs, a man aging backwards, Nazis, need I say more? It’s as if every movie I’ve ventured to see this month exists with the sole purpose of doubling the society’s suicide rate. Revolutionary Road, even with Oscar worthy performances by Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet, is no different—especially if you ever had the intentions of getting married, moving out to the suburbs and raising a family—you know, the good old American Dream.

I went in there glowing with nostalgia for the glorious reunion of Jack, Rose, and even the Unsinkable Molly Brown (Kathy Bates). Though, by the end of the film, I kind of wished they would have just left Jack frozen at the bottom of the Atlantic.

Adapted from Richard Yate’s 1961 novel, Revolutionary Road is the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a married couple who relocate from New York City to the suburbs of Connecticut in the 1950s. The entire movie depicts the dimensions of their relationship and the death of their dreams, essentially leaving the viewer with a hopeless sense of life. It’s certainly not a movie we are meant to enjoy—more so one that tells it like it is, shattering the glorified illusion that surrounds the 1950s middle class, and perhaps even the institution of family as we know it.

Also the director of American Beauty (1999), Sam Mendes takes that same cynical “ordinary” life vibe and sets it back about 50 years. It is easy to make connections between the two films, and not in a hackneyed kind of way.

The onscreen chemistry that Dicaprio and Winslet shared back on the Titanic in 1997 hasn’t faltered a bit, only enhancing their individual performances.

Bottom line: Go see this movie, if only for the Oscar buzz and Leo’s sexy scenes of rage. Just be prepared to come away with a bit more morbid outlook on life than when you went in.

My Dream Party

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:24:43 EDT

There was a massive bean out a few weeks ago and kyle and his brother rented out a house. There was this awesome babe and she was like modelling a bit, so posed for some pictures. She said she was working mainly as a waitress but had considered doing some stripping and what did we think yada yada. She then said shed made some videoas which we didn't believe. She showed us this site youstrip with loads of european babes and one from florida, which she said was a friend. She was awesome and we all partied but no one got near to getting base. I am still hot from the way she was and gotta find some babe on campus that has her attitude!! What an awesome fox!!

Nicks Headed to 2009 NFL Draft

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:38:43 EDT

UNC wide receiver Hakeem Nicks declared for the 2009 NFL draft today.

In his three years at Chapel Hill, Nicks set 14 school records, including single season receptions (74), career receptions (181), and career touchdowns (21). He is also the only player in UNC history with over 1,000 single season receiving yards.

Nicks became UNC's go-to receiver after senior wide receiver Brandon Tate ended his season early with a torn ACL and MCL. With Nicks and Tate both leaving for the NFL, it will be up to a new generation of receivers to carry the Tar Heels next season.

Good luck to Nicks and Tate in the draft and their NFL careers, they will represent the Tar Heels well in the NFL.

UCLA Warms Up In Their Undies

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:13:38 EDT

Again, UCLA students show me that they are classy, sophisticated people. With good bodies. It's a shame those boys' faces get in the way of a perfectly nice picture though...

Win a Flip Camcorder From OTR-MTV's "What the Flip?" Giveaway

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:48:30 EDT

The holiday season may be officially over, but MTV and OTR have one final gift to give: a brand-spanking new Flip camcorder.

For the uninitiated, MTV gave away 100 Flip camcorders, a pocket-sized camera with an easy-to-use USB output, to 100 students as part of a grandiose online television experience titled “What the Flip?”

Armed only with these sleek, new Flip cams and their creative spark, students went out and recorded one-minute videos based on themes mandated by MTV [Example: If I Could Change One Thing About The World].

The result? Genius in its purest, rawest form.

Soon, one of you will join their ranks, and all it will take is one little e-mail and a bit of luck.

To enter our giveaway: e-mail us at tips@collegeotr.com with the subject line “What the Flip? Giveaway” and a brief explanation why you deserve to win included in the body. Be sure to give your full name as well.

After that, just sit and wait until we announce a winner. Done!

In the meantime, get inspired by MTV and your peers by heading over to What The Flip’s homepage and checking out what other students have come up with over the past couple of weeks.

The Best and Brightest From MTV’s “What The Flip?”

Ben Roberts – This Just Happened

Charles Pieper – Bridges, Rhinos and Chandeliers

Max Vernon – Last Dream I Remember

Jonathan Elkaim – Share a Secret

Willow Nero – If I Could Change One Thing About the World

The 5 Most Predictable New Years Resolutions

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:14:07 EDT

As 2009 lumbers off to a start, the first thing that everyone assumes they must do to start the year afresh is to come up with a list of usually unkeepable resolutions. Though I do admire the theoretic dedication and perseverance that stands behind one’s resolve to make a billion dollars and lose 10 pounds a week for all of 2009, sometimes these wishes are a bit unlikely to come true.

Even worse, they are so clichéd. Come on, people, can’t we come up with anything better than money and looks? Here are five of the most typical – and hardest to keep – new years resolutions.

1.) Losing Weight
Certainly the most common resolution of all, losing weight is a great goal if you want to improve your health. But, truly, it’s easier said than done, and many people don’t actually want to work that hard. Unfortunately, standing on a treadmill with a doughnut in hand will not make you trimmer via osmosis.

2.) Improving Your Love Life
Good luck trying to find a significant other in the college world of random hook-ups and drunken rendezvous. According to many of the, uh, encouraging articles my mother likes to email me, dating no longer exists for the 18-25 age group. Huh.

3.) Making Moolah
Another timeless resolution, of course. But with our current economy, I’m not feeling like this is a realistic year to make your first million. Let’s all focus on not losing any more money first.

4.) Being Successful in Work or School
Again, this is probably not a promising time to make your way up any professional ladders. But, hey, improving your success in school is always a positive resolution – although it can be difficult to make the library-or-watching-30-Rock decision on a Thursday night.

5.) Learning a New Skill
As much as I would love to become a five star chef, or a rock climber, or a Grandma-caliber knitter, or a sick guitarist, somehow I don’t think I’ll have time to make my way to any mountains (or kitchens, for that matter) this year. Although all of those things sound pretty awesome…maybe I’m getting sucked into the whole resolution thing after all. Watch out – here come the home-knit scarves.

Isreal to World: "Peace? Hah! Peace THIS!"

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:02:16 EDT

Okay, okay! We get it! You have a bad-ass military, but give it a rest, will ya?

The Israeli assault on Gaza continues despite world leaders pleading for a cease-fire in order to give peace a chance. When will it be okay for them to stop the assault? Apparently as soon as they secure all rocket launching sites used by Hamas. Great, in the meantime let's go solve world hunger and poverty and see if this nut has been cracked by the time we're done.

With the death toll now reaching around 500 (100 being civilians), Israel sure is doing everything to milk out all the sympathy they used to have for years of persecution and the Holocaust. The ones that used to get pushed around at recess are now the ones pushing and shoving every Palestinian in sight, without regard to whether or not they're civilians. Want a heart breaking quote? Here's one from the New York Times.

New York Times 1/5/2009

Masouda Al-Samouni, 20, said she had been preparing food for her 10-month-old son when the missile struck. “He died hungry,” she said in an interview.

Israel better start thinking of a new strategy before they become the ones looked down upon and maybe consider a cease-fire and start talking to Hamas. In the meantime, Palestinians need to locate as many militants as possible, smack them around a bit and say "Dude! You are NOT helping our cause."

Overall, though, I think the responsibility to find a way to peace lies mostly with Israel. They were given that land by the UN while every Arab country voted it down, so obviously the Palestinians are going to be a bit perturbed. But little by little, Palestinians are willing to accept that Israel isn't going anywhere -have you seen that military? It's definitely here to stay- and people don't like being invaded or having rockets launched at them, so now is the time for a cease-fire and working out some peace.

Come on, Israel. If you weren't willing to listen to the pleas of Tony Blair and Nicholas Sarkozy, then how about an OTR blog writer?

Making the Perfect Class Schedule

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:06:28 EDT

It’s back to school time. If you’re looking to have a relaxing semester, take advantage of drop/add week and create a schedule that will make you feel like you don't even go to school. The key to the perfect schedule involves two important things:

Online classes. Any class that’s online, is a good class, even if it’s hard as hell. Because a hard class is going to suck regardless, so it might as well suck while you’re in your PJ’s eating ice cream at home.
Classes that are held once a week. Some people really don’t like the three hour blocks, and those people are wrong. Before you got to college, you had class 8 continuous hours a day every single day for your entire life. You’re telling me you can’t sit through less than half of that one day a week in exchange for a 5 day weekend? Be rational.

Now that you know what you’re looking for, the trick is to add all the online classes you can get and then try to work in the rest of your real classes into one or two days a week, preferably consecutive days.

If you like to sleep in, aim for those later classes and if you like to get school out of the way and have the rest of your day ahead of you, then have fun waking up at the crack of dawn to take notes for three hours.

The only downside to this is that no other semester will ever be as perfect.

Soulja Boy Robbed at Gunpoint in Own Home

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:29:55 EDT

According to BallerStatus.com...

"Teen rapper Soulja Boy may have been robbed at gunpoint earlier this week at his home in Atlanta. However, reports are still unconfirmed.

"Thanking God for my life," Soulja Boy's Twitter message read. "Six n****z kicked in my door and tried to kill me. Glad we alive, they had AKs and pistols and tried to kidnap my boy Jbar," another message read later that afternoon.

Ever since the shocking messages, the rumor has popped up on several gossip sites. Then on New Year's Eve, two masked men posted a viral video (via Bossip), claiming responsibility for the crime. However, the men claimed that they were the only two robbers and not six, as Soulja Boy originally said. They also said that only one pistol was used, and not AK-47s.

In the video, the two men boast of monitoring the young rapper's movements, attending his album release party, and then following him by to his home. While the video was first met with skepticism by online fans, a rep for Soulja Boy confirmed to AllHipHop that an incident did take place."

TMZ.com confirmed a similar story.

And that's why I don't pretend to be a gangsta...although being raised in the suburbs probably has something to do with it too.

80's Dance Party

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:14:39 EDT

We danced all night to DJ ernie spinning the retro beats.

A Taste Of Greek Life At University of Florida

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:14:28 EDT

"Dad's Money"... you KNOW they didn't put that on their own car.

Obamania sweeps through University of Florida

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:14:15 EDT

A photo essay of sorts taking you into the heart of Gators for Obama related events from the rallies seeing Michelle Obama speak to the cacophonous post election celebrations.

This week's Music scene at University of Florida = Free Minus the Bear show vs. Not-So-Free Panic! at the Disco with Dashboard and Plain White T's

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:14:08 EDT

Not since the *amazing* Flaming Lips show has the Rietz Union Board brought us as good of a free concert as Minus the Bear who played last weekend in the Rion Ballroom to a very enthusiastic crowd of students and FESTers (www.thefestfl.com) Two days before the election, the set was not complete with out the very politically charged and well accepted im-the-lead-singer-of-a-band-lets-bash-the-government speech, it was also the drummer's birthday so celebrations all around. The music was very good and the acoustic version of Pachuca Sunrise gets me everytime xD. Later that week the O'Connell center filled up with countless scenesters and UF students alike to see Panic! at the DIcso, Dashboard Confessional, Plain white T's and the CAB. The Show was very flashy and had "commercials" between each set selling us the new Rockband video game and even bringing up students to play the videogame on stage. The Plain White T's mollified the crowd with a heartfelt rendition of Delilah that had everyone waving their cellphones. P!ATD's set was peppered with songs from their good old fever you can sweat out which made me happy. They ended with a bang by getting everyone off their feet for the Isley Brothers' SHOUT! "a little bit louder now" was not a joke, I left the stadium wondering if id ever hear those frequencies stop buzzing in my ear.

Hip for the cause

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:13:48 EDT

Wether its eating a karma-free krishna lunch in the plaza, riding our bikes in critical mass mobs for "awareness and safety", or painting "TOMS" shoes to help a child in need; these hipsters can be scene all over campus always hip for the cause. ;)

The Oude Interview

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:42:49 EDT

This is Oude. She is an amazing French Woman. We met her friend Alexia, who spoke very good Spanish, and she invited us back to the Brassirie on monday. We then met Oude who spoke very good english and told us that the Eiffel Tower wasn't that big of a deal.

Irene and Lisa Join the Gang

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:39:50 EDT

As we enjoy our delicious French dinner, Lisa and Irene Introduce themselves to the vlog. We were very loud in there. Turns out French people don't like to be very loud when they eat.

The Dorms!

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:04:25 EDT

This is what the dorms look like. We have a killer window!

2008 Darwin Awards

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:01:44 EDT

"Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it."

With the conclusion of 2008 it's time to honor this year's most ridiculous deaths. Based on the submissions from DarwinAwards.com, here are this year's finalists.

Runner-up: July 16, 2008, Italy) Ivece Plattner, 68, was queued at a traffic light in his Porsche Cayenne sportscar. Before one reaches the light, there is a railroad crossing. As you might imagine, given Murphy's law, a train was coming.

The man did not let the queue progress forward far enough before he crossed the railroad. The safety bars came down, leaving the Porsche trapped on the rails. It took the driver awhile to realize he was stuck, according to witnesses. Finally, he jumped from the car and started to run -- toward the oncoming train, waving his arms in an attempt to save his car!

The attempt was successful. The car received less damage than its owner. He was pushed hard enough to land 30 meters away, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

WINNER: In homage to Larry's Chair Larry's aerial adventure, a Catholic priest recently ascended towards heaven on a host of helium party balloons. Adelir Antonio de Carli, 41, was attempting to set the world record for clustered balloon flight to publicize his plan to build a spiritual rest stop for truckers*.

The priest took numerous safety precautions, including wearing a survival suit, selecting a buoyant chair, and packing a satellite phone and a GPS. However, the late Adelir Antonio made a fatal mistake. He did not know how to use the GPS.

The winds changed, as winds do, and he was blown inexorably toward open sea. He could have parachuted to safety while over land, but chose not to. When the voyager was perilously lost at sea, he prudently phoned for help. But rescuers were unable to reach him since he could not use his GPS! He struggled with the control panel as the charge on the satellite phone dwindled.

Instead of a GPS, the priest let God be his guide, and God guided him straight to heaven. Bits of balloons began appearing on mountains and beaches. Ultimately the priest's body surfaced, confirming that he, like Elvis, had left the building.

*Also known as a strip club

My All-Time Favorite (1998, Buenos Aires): During a heated marital dispute, a 25-year-old man picked up his 20-year-old wife and threw her off their eighth-floor apartment balcony.

To his dismay, she became tangled in the power lines below. He immediately leapt from the balcony and fell towards his wife. We can only speculate as to his reasons. Was he angrily trying to finish the job, or was he remorsefully hoping to rescue her? He did not accomplish either goal. He missed the power lines completely, and plunged to his death.

The woman managed to swing over to a nearby balcony and was saved.

Way to the Vincentian House

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:08:53 EDT

We all meet up after our flights and make our way to the vincentian house. Our driver, Michelle (A man) drives us to our Paris Paradise.

I make it to France!

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:06:31 EDT

I finally make it to Paris, France. More importantly, I make it to one of my hetero-lifemates. I finally reunite with my film professor, Barry Sherman.

A Quick Stay in Amsterdam

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:04:17 EDT

Here is a vlog while I had my two hour lay-over in Amsterdam. Everything sign and advertisement was in English which I found weird.

A Surprise Guest!!!

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:08:56 EDT

This is my plane ride with my good friend Sven from Amsterdam! He has a lot of information about things I know nothing about. Enjoy!

The Morning After

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:06:46 EDT

So we forgot to do a drunken vlog because we were,,,drunk! We did however retell all the events of the party. Keep tuning in!

French Travel Vlog!

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:05:09 EDT

I took a distance learning trip to Paris, France! I am taking a French Media Class. I also decided to video tape my encounters and show the world my adventure. Please enjoy!

Classy Dancing, Classy New Year

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:40:40 EDT

What better way to ring in the new year than with fancy moves?

New Year Resolutions Heard Round The World

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:32:16 EDT

The new year is upon us, and as college students haphazardly stumble into 2009, the rest of the world is also jumping on the bandwagon with a few resolutions themselves. Here are just a couple resolutions that will probably go unfulfilled.

Britney Spears’ Worrisome Nail-biting - "Next year, I have to learn to stop biting my nails! I would like to stop worrying so much, because I worry all the time. And to learn how to be happier, just in general. I have to learn to take things not so seriously,” she said.

The fallen pop star has seen some of the world’s most tumultuous times but step by step, Britney’s getting her groove back, one resolution at a time. Hopefully Brit-Brit can stick to her guns and get her life back on track.

Mayor Bloomberg’s Earth-Shattering Resolutions – “I always have the same three New Year's resolutions which typically last a day: improve my golf swing, improve my Spanish, reduce my waist line."

Really glad to see that bettering the economy, fighting crime and improving the NYC education system is on his list; just kidding!

So while the rest of us are trying to trim a few inches off the waist line, frequent the gym or drink less, the high and mighty are keeping busy with promises to stop nail-biting, improve their foreign language skills and take control of their anxiety. Oh the toils and troubles of the rich and famous!

Vote UNC's Nicks' Catch as Greatest Play

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:29:34 EDT

Hakeem Nicks' (INCREDIBLE) behind the back catch at the Meineke Car Care bowl against West Virginia has been nominated for "DIRECTV Greatest of the Month."

The other two nominees for this honor are SUNY Geneseo's game-winning shot against SUNY Oswego and Cleveland State's buzzer beater over Syracuse.

Vote here.