It’s All Over.
Closing Time II.
I Was A Webnewsie.

This semester, I had a chance to write about something that I love to watch every Tuesday night at ten. I think that this is ultimately why we are all here at CCSU. If we can find a job that we actually enjoy to do, then we are true sucesses.

It is finals time right now. Some of us are sick with colds. Others are really stressed about the three big papers that we waited until the last minute to do. Regardless of what we have due however, this part of our lives will be all over in less than a week. I can’t believe it.

It’s the same thing every semester though. We all realize how quick they go by and then it’s Christmas. So let’s recap the semester. I think we will all remember this one. It seems to me that the first tragedy I can remember from the beginning of the semester is how Aaliyah died in a plane crash.

It really saddened me that a 22-year-old with such prospective could be erased from the Earth in a senseless plane crash. I remember thinking that it was such a loss. That same week, I had a flight to visit a friend in Baltimore. I went and came back. I was a little scared, but trusted the fact that Aaliyah’s plane was a lot smaller than the one I would be taking.

A month later, the tragedy on September 11 happened. It was a hundred times worse. I didn’t know anyone involved in the crash, but watching the family members of the people that did on TV brought many tears these eyes. I think that a lot of us did that though. We just sat there watching the clip of The Towers exploding over and over. I was home at the time and just remember thinking, "who was the idiot that didn’t know how to fly a plane?"

I couldn’t have been anymore wrong. With time, I think that we will heal from this tragedy.

Well, after the NYC event, I think we all questioned what could happen next. Anthrax anyone? Have you had your sprinkle today? I think it was really tough this semester to not have to be subjected to things that had to do with the bombings. It’s hard to try to concentrate on graduating next semester when you think that the world as you know it is gone for ever.

Then, the worst happened. As if it couldn’t get any worse, I turned 26. I know that I am only a few years off as far as time guideline goes, but 26 sure does sound old lately. I’ve got the gray hair to prove it too.

And to top that off, the landlord called. He said he was selling the property we are currently living on and that we have until January 30 to find a new place to live. Anyone know of any cool places to live? Can things get anymore stressful?

Here’s my advice to myself: learn to adapt to life situations and just do the best you can. That’s all anyone can do. Life is forever changing and years from now, we’ll look back and see how different we all are. As long as we are happy and are around people we love and love us back then I think we will be all right.

It’s been an interesting semester. Stay real and don’t forget to watch The Real World Chicago this January 10 on MTV. Have fun!!!

Closing Time:Part One

To wrap up this semester, I have to take a look at two different aspects to bring some kind of closure. First, I have to recap The Real World New York. Secondly, I have to recap my real world.

Let’s start with RWNY. I think that we have to take a look at each of these characters and see how we learned to love or hate them. Here’s my advice and wishes for each cast member.

Coral: You’ve come a long way baby! I am impressed that we finally got to see beyond your rock hard exterior. We all remember on the second day how things to a turn for the worst for you and Mike. I thought at the time that you handled yourself completely wrong. I see now that you were truly upset by what Mike said at the restaurant. I jumped the gun, but learned how to say I was wrong and forgive someone who makes a mistake of judgement.

Mike didn’t know any better at the time, so it was unfair for him to be treated so brashly. I am happy to say that Coral pulled through. Who can forget the episode when Mike and Coral become The MIS and Cocoa Loco? Classic!

Nicole: I hope that things work out with you and Bobby. I don’t think that they will though. Anytime you allow someone to take more control of a relationship; the person with less control will always fell inferior. The key thing to remember when it comes to being with someone you love, is that it should always be 50/50. Not any other number configuration. There is someone out there that will love you the same way you love him or her. Don’t settle for less, no matter how happy you think you are at the time. You will only be disappointed later.

Mike: Keep on being you. The funny thing about being on The Real World is that you can lose track of who you really are amongst all the glitz and fame that goes along with becoming an instant celebrity for just being you. If I could have been a friend with anyone from this cast, it would have been Mike. He’s just crazy and a lot of fun to be around. Who doesn’t always want someone to laugh with and at? Stay real Mike!

Malik: The brother from another mother. I’m glad you and Kevin got so close. I think it says a lot of positive things about the relationships between the races. We are all growing up together as equals and these are types of friendships that disqualify any boundaries.

As far as you relationship with Jisela though, let that one go. You’re too nice of a guy to be with someone with such a free spirit. She will only break your heart. I think that Jisela brought life to the show that was missing. There is something about the formula the producers use to cast The Real World that was missing this season. I think the firecracker token character was missing this year. That could have been Jisela.

Rachel: So young, you’re just a baby! You still have so much life to experience before you even figure out who you are. Your mother is probably over protective and that is hindering your growth. I hope that you decide to move into a dorm and that the people you meet on the street are nice to you. They might try to make fun of you or scare you, but stay tough and show everyone just how independent you can be.

Kevin: I really don’t know you. I think that you didn’t really give us a chance to. You avoided Lori and dissed Beth for what appeared to be very self-centered reasons. We didn’t even hear you discuss much about the cancer you survived through last year. You stood up for yourself with Nicole and actually held your ground against her pointing finger. Good job!

Lori: Are you related to Catherine Zeta Jones? You have a beautiful voice. Use it. A lot of people that have been on The Real World never make it because they were on the show. Learn from their mistakes, talk to them and figure out what the problem was. With your looks you should have no problem breaking down the doors.

To the entire cast: You guys did the best you could with the time you had. You made it out just months before September 11. I don’t know what that would have been like to relive such a tragedy on a Real World that was being shot in New York at the time of the bombing. What an episode that would have made. I think Rachel’s mom would have shipped her off on the next train home without a doubt. As for the others, I hope that they would have stayed and proven that if you can survive being on The Real World, you can survive anything.

Up next: What about Alex? Where does he go from here?

Sex, Sex, Sex!

The Real World heats up for its last two episodes. Jisela, who was voted off Road Rules: The Quest this season, shows up in New York for a wrap party and is spotted in the street by Mike. She and the other girls from Road Rules spend a night in The Real World house.Jisela has more fun than others.

Malik and Jisela enter into a relationship and cause an unprecedented event on The Real World. The storyline, which used to revolve around the seven strangers has shifted. Last night, The Real World focused soley from Jisela's point of view. They aired her confessionals and interviews. They only do that for cast members of the show.

The latest episode airs sex, orgy-like make-out sessions, and same sex kisses, not to mention pole dances on subways, nudity, and strip clubs. This episode made all the stops. It is the product of Jisela's arrival in New York. Jisela has no inhibitions and is spreading that vibe throughout the house. If only she had been picked to live in the house instead of going on the road.

Sex is a natural part of life. While some may feel insecure, others have no qualms what so ever. The important thing to remember is to use protection. The ultimate safe sex is abstinence. The idea of abstinence is hard to grasp for some. This becomes especially harder to practice when alcohol is involved.

While last night's episode may have been a fun time to watch, the idea that someone who is sixteen or younger is a scary thought. Would someone want to have thier younger brother or sister watching something like the episode that aired last night? Or is this something that they have become desyntheisized to already.

The older people get, the more it takes to shock them. What kids are growing up watching today can only amplify for them in the future. Madonna is a good example of someone who keeps coming back with a more powerful punch each time. What college students see today, was nothing like they saw as children. With advancements in technology and living, what is in store for the future is an intriguing concept.

Where Does Time Go?

The past few weeks have just flown by without even noticing. A good majority are beginning to feel the pressure of student life at CCSU.

Unfortunately, some not only feel the stress of papers and tests, but also have jobs that consume a good amount free time. "It seems to be a struggle to even find time to worry. Should I be stressed about making rent, a car payment, and insurance or do I worry about the three presentations I have on Thursday?," said Melissa Clark. Clark is a senior at CCSU.

Everyone knows the feeling. Most of the students who attend CCSU have much more than classes to worry about. A dilligent individual will even try to find time for friends, family, and appropriate others.

"I know that I signed up for this, but everytime, around this year, the stress of it all begins to eat away at me," confessed Clark.

What can one do to temporary relieve the effects of stress? Breathe! It's as simple as that. One of my roomate practices yoga at WOW in West Hartford."It really relaxes me to a point where I can fall asleep," said Carolyn while on the way to her full-time job this morning.( How lucky is it that she graduated last year?)

Besides breathing and yoga, deep relaxation and exercise have been proven to increase mental wellness. "Exercise is the way to go. I'm at the gym at least five times a week. It takes away the stress," said John, another roomate I live with.

"We actually had to set up equipment in the house because we can't find time to get to the gym before it closes," said Scott, the fourth roomate who is also still in school.

Regardless of how bad it gets, there is hope. For those who are seniors this year, anticipation of graduation is running high. Time invested at CCSU will finally have some return. The highlight for most is the graduation ceremony in May. Untill then, students await the light at the end of the tunnel.

Real World Havoc!
Wow, I thought I was obsessed with Real World! I never imagined that there would actually be someone or something who surpassed me in this field, but I have found them for you. Welcome to the Liquid Generation! Just click on the MTV box and you've got a backstage pass to the Chicago season. These guys have gone above and beyond the call of duty to inform the interested public anything and everything about The Real World Chicago. The show doesn't air until January, but if you want to know all the new cast members and everything about where they live check out their site. There is live footage that you can check on the high quality button for the computers here at school. It's amazing. These guys look like cyber-geeks, but they get the job of reporting done.
As for New York, I haven't been that impressed with the season until now. Finally, after nearly half the episodes have passed, I can actually say that it is now genuinely interesting to me again. Mike's potrayal as The Mis and Coral's potrayal as Cocoa Loco has brought the first humorous edge to this season's storylines. I like the fact that everyone appears to finally be getting along. Before then, it was constantly the boys versus the girls. That was fine back in highschool, but come on! Enough is enough. I think that this week's episode coming up will be hysterical.
Nicole actually apologized to everyone in the house for her pretentious behavior and it's about time. I used to have a roomate that would complain about everything. She could walk in the front door and see a light on that might shine in her room two hours later and say the light needs to be shut off so she could fall asleep.She would walk into the kitchen and say how the trash needs to be changed, instead of actually doing it. People, like her and Nicole, need to realize life is really short. Making people who live around you miserable is not cool.They need to find something positve to say for a change. I'm glad that Nicole finnally came to that realization.
On the next Real World, the housemates are actually getting along and having fun. However, Nicole has a little too much fun in one night and she pays the consequences. See you at the ten spot.

Warning: Reality-Based TV Is Not What Its Cracked Up To Be!
So, what is it about reality-based TV that makes it so compelling? For me, I think that the big appeal is the fact that you in some sense of the term end up being "famous." The one thing that all people want in life is to be sucessful. There is not a person out there that would say they want to be a failure. I think in terms of The Real World, you have the opportunity to be yourself and be known by everyone. Just like the theme song to Cheers, "You want to go where everyone knows your name." Sure, why not? For actors, to break into the industry is one of the hardest things to do. Once you become an actor, you have to make appearances, memorize lines, and audition for one project to the next. Not with reality-based TV. You get to be youself, look natural, and show your own personality. It is something that will capture your image and likeness at the time you were filmed. The only catch is that the way you were percieved when you were on the show, is the way you will be remembered in the public eye. Then, there is fact that people you don't even know will try to pick you apart under a microscope. It really is such a double bladed sword. It makes you think if it really is worth the aggravation. Having a camera follow you around 24/7, even when you just wake up. That's a issue. Be prepared to see the way you look to other people. Some people are actually surprised with themselves.If youre no scared yet, visit this site. A recap of RWNY is scheduled for tommorow. Have fun kids.

Good morning New Britain! I hope everyone had a good weekend. Beides working Friday, a Saturday double and Sunday night, I still managed to have a life. Do you know the feeling when you get home from work and you're so wound up you can't possibly fall asleep. I think that The Half Door is an excellent pub for that reason. Its not jam packed and there's always a good crowd of people. Well, enough about my world, let's talk about RWNY, season X.
On the latest episode, we get to see a lot about the Mike and Malik's families. Nicole continues to be stubborn and Malik celebrates his 24th birthday. Now Mike, you have to appreciate him. Here you have this guy who comes from Ohio, has absolutely zero realationships with African Americans, and is put into a house with three people who are all half black. What a culture shock that must have been. Living here in Connecticut, I think we are exposed to everything because we live so close to New York. However, things we take for granted, someone from Ohio can appreciate.
Mike's parents looked the part. Coral said his mother looked like a cheerleader. His dad looked like, and I hate to use the word "white trash", but white trash. I don't know him and I shouldn't make judgement on someone I don't know, but all the tell tale signs are there. I hear him talking about how black people do drugs and aren't trust worthy. Do we live in the same country? It just goes to show you, there is a lot of ignorance in the world. Cant't we all just get along?
Well, not if you live in a Real World house. To me, your birthday is your day. It should be the most important day of your year because it celebrates your life. You can learn a lot about the people you call your friends by seeing their involvement on your birthday. If you blow me off on my birthday, don't consider me your friend. Well here it is Malik's birthday. Nicole, who clearly has issues with how Malik represents his culture, decides to not even talk to him on his birthday. I don't know, but if I lived in a house with six other people, I would hope they all would like me. Malik IS half black, Nicole. He is also half WHITE. Give the kid a break. Give yourself a break. Being a hard ass all your life is no way to live. Sure, I think things about how she has grown up have affected her tremendously. Her father was a drug addict and her mother raised all her brothers and sisters by herself. In order to move on with your life, you have to let go of the things that have bothered you in the past. Learn from it and grow. (By the way, my birthday is on the 24th this month.)
That's it for now kids. I'll see you all in two and two. Untill then....