As promised, more of my articles from the Buffalo News...because I know all four of my blog readers were so anticipating it(or not):
Saddam is gone; war drags on
By CARLENE MILLER
NeXt Correspondent
1/10/2007
On Saturday, Dec. 30, the world witnessed the execution of one of the cruelest dictators of the past 50 years.
Waking up Sunday morning and glimpsing "SADDAM EXECUTED!" in bold print on every newspaper brought waves of disbelief, relief and painful memories.
One memory came from nearly four years ago, not long after the initial bombings of Iraq began in March 2003. At this time, we all still thought we would be out of Iraq in a matter of weeks.
I was driving to school one morning, listening to the radio. The disc jockey said that it was believed that a bomb had successfully targeted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The station then played the familiar tune from "The Wizard of Oz," only instead with munchkins cheerily singing: "Ding, Dong, Saddam Hussein is dead!
At my young age, I remember laughing and thinking, "Great! Now this dumb war can be OVER!" In my mind, with the dictator defeated, we had won! Easy as that.
But the dancing in the streets would have to wait. It was a false call. The Wicked Witch was still flying high.
It wasn't until Dec. 13, 2003, that U.S. forces pulled Saddam from his underground bunker.
We all know what happened next. Three years of standing trial, hunger strikes, and a scandal over humiliating photographs.
On Nov. 5, 2006, Saddam was found guilty of murdering 148 Shiite Muslims, including children, in Dujail, Iraq, in 1982 after an assassination attempt. A month later, Saddam, shown smiling, scowling and taunting onlookers in footage now infiltrating the Web, was hung at approximately 6:05 a.m. Saturday and buried in his hometown of Tikrit the following day.
Certainly, now came the dancing in the streets?
Shiite Muslims, victims of Saddam's genocidal tyranny for more than three decades, celebrated by beating drums, cheering and, dancing in the streets.
Saddam's legions of Sunni supporters took to the streets as well, waving flags and vowing revenge for their fallen leader.
A Sunni rebellion has so far seemingly been avoided. The Iraqi death toll the next day was not far off the daily average; 92. Eighty car bomb deaths and 12 mangled torture victims. Crisis averted!
Almost simultaneously, it was reported that the 3,000th American troop was killed in this four-year long struggle in Iraq.
As children, we were taught through fairy tales and storybooks that once the wicked witch or evil queen that terrorized the land was heroically defeated, everyone lived happily ever after.
Where's the happily ever after?
As we have been taught, one quick fall should usher in peace, prosperity, and happiness.
But one thing we have learned during these past few years is that life is not a fairy tale, and no yellow brick road or ruby slippers will lead us out of war.
Carlene Miller is a freshman at Alden.
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Case of Coat Girl
CASE 178892:
COAT GIRL
I must warn you that this case is one of the odd and weird. Some of you might not believe the strange case of coat girl.
The case begins as thus:
It all started innocently enough. I was going to learn how to ski this winter and my mother found my present winter coat insufficient; so she bought me a new one. It was a very nice coat, I do admit. It's mainly crimson red with a beige and heather grey/navy lines running down the side and sleeves. It was quite warm, being down feather and puffy. Your average winter coat, produced with that material that makes that whoosy sound when you move your arm.A very nice coat.
But it wasn't til school started up again after Christmas Break that the case truly began. It all started, I do believe walking into school from the buses that first week back. On the way to my locker, I followed behind a girl who, I soon noticed with dismay, had the same coat as me. I pointed this out to my friends who were dutifully waiting for me by my locker (it's what I pay them for, after all). They didn't seem to care. I didn't think or care too much about it then. It's only a coat and I'm not spoiled or vain enough to be upset with having the same coat as someone else (it could be worse, I could shop at Ambercrombie and look like every other drone in my school).Besides, as we did just walk in from the outside, it made perfect sense for her to be wearing a coat (I was).
But that is not where this case ends. A few days later, either on or someday around my birthday, I saw the girl again. Let me take this time to describe "Coat Girl". I have yet to learn her name, but she has long, straight brown hair and is what appears to be thin (it is, after all, hard to see her figure, due to the...)I would guess her to be a sophomore or perhaps a junior. Now, back to the story. I was walking down the hall and I saw her in the coat. At the time, I just figured she must have had an early dismissal and had put on her coat on the way to the office.
Then one day, I started to become suspicious. I was standing in the cafeteria next to the microwave, innocently nuking my Easy Mac, when I saw her. In the cafeteria... in the lunch line... with a tray...in the coat. I do admit, the cafeteria can be quite cold with the glass side wall. But everyone else suffices with a sweatshirt...why a coat?
And that was not the end to it. I saw her in the halls on the way to the gym. By lockers. And today, it was the library. Just standing in line with friends with a big, bulky, winter coat on.
Now, I admit I have no authority on what people should or should not wear. I am a huge believer in personal freedoms and you should be able to wear whatever you want. And who am I to judge this girl? Perhaps she has some physical condition htat does not allow blood to flow properly and causes this girl not to create her own body warmth (I think I have this as well). If so, then WEAR SOME SWEATERS!!! It's called layering, cami, thermal, t-shirt, sweater, blazer/jacket. Actually, very in style.
Another theory is just that the school is very cold. This is quite true, as everywhere you go there seems to be huge windows sucking in the winter air. In September. I'm always freezing. Everyone is. But everyone then wears a sweatshirt. As my lovely friend Hannah points out, her sister, a very pretty, talented and smart senior, wore her coat in school one or two days. I have no problem with this, after all, it is one day, perhaps with no sweater available, and her coat is tiny and adorable. She does not wear it everyday in EVERY SINGLE CLASS! Plus, she will wear it zipped down. "Coat girl" wears hers zipped up ALL THE WAY TO HER NECK!!
There is also the theory that perhaps situations in her life have previously not allowed her to have a winter coat and now she is overcompensating. If so, I have nothing but sympathy and respect for her situation in life and that now she has perhaps caught a break, but is it that necessary?
I really don't mean to be mean or catty or indifferent. But, besides the fact that I believe wearing outer clothing like a coat is against the rules in schools, just as you may not wear a hat because it is not professional and disrespectful, I just want to know...HOW DOES SHE FUNCTION?
I couldn't imagine going through everyday with that big bulky thing. Every time you move, to grab a pencil, shift in your chair, you make that whooshy sound! What about when you raise your hand to ask or answer a question? You have that big bloated, heavy arm in the air! What about just sitting and writing an essay, your arm sitting three inches above the desk due to the down feather stuffing! It would be like having to function all day like Ralphie's brother in "A Christmas Story".
And what happens when she goes to get a job? Or has to go to, god forbid, a funeral? Or a wedding? Will she continue to wear a coat.
So, I don't mean to be mean or judgemental. But if this happens to be your friend, try to get her to just wear a sweater. I'm worried about her well being and that her progress in school is being compromised.
And I'm this close to buying her a sweater.
Thus ends the case....
For now.
COAT GIRL
I must warn you that this case is one of the odd and weird. Some of you might not believe the strange case of coat girl.
The case begins as thus:
It all started innocently enough. I was going to learn how to ski this winter and my mother found my present winter coat insufficient; so she bought me a new one. It was a very nice coat, I do admit. It's mainly crimson red with a beige and heather grey/navy lines running down the side and sleeves. It was quite warm, being down feather and puffy. Your average winter coat, produced with that material that makes that whoosy sound when you move your arm.A very nice coat.
But it wasn't til school started up again after Christmas Break that the case truly began. It all started, I do believe walking into school from the buses that first week back. On the way to my locker, I followed behind a girl who, I soon noticed with dismay, had the same coat as me. I pointed this out to my friends who were dutifully waiting for me by my locker (it's what I pay them for, after all). They didn't seem to care. I didn't think or care too much about it then. It's only a coat and I'm not spoiled or vain enough to be upset with having the same coat as someone else (it could be worse, I could shop at Ambercrombie and look like every other drone in my school).Besides, as we did just walk in from the outside, it made perfect sense for her to be wearing a coat (I was).
But that is not where this case ends. A few days later, either on or someday around my birthday, I saw the girl again. Let me take this time to describe "Coat Girl". I have yet to learn her name, but she has long, straight brown hair and is what appears to be thin (it is, after all, hard to see her figure, due to the...)I would guess her to be a sophomore or perhaps a junior. Now, back to the story. I was walking down the hall and I saw her in the coat. At the time, I just figured she must have had an early dismissal and had put on her coat on the way to the office.
Then one day, I started to become suspicious. I was standing in the cafeteria next to the microwave, innocently nuking my Easy Mac, when I saw her. In the cafeteria... in the lunch line... with a tray...in the coat. I do admit, the cafeteria can be quite cold with the glass side wall. But everyone else suffices with a sweatshirt...why a coat?
And that was not the end to it. I saw her in the halls on the way to the gym. By lockers. And today, it was the library. Just standing in line with friends with a big, bulky, winter coat on.
Now, I admit I have no authority on what people should or should not wear. I am a huge believer in personal freedoms and you should be able to wear whatever you want. And who am I to judge this girl? Perhaps she has some physical condition htat does not allow blood to flow properly and causes this girl not to create her own body warmth (I think I have this as well). If so, then WEAR SOME SWEATERS!!! It's called layering, cami, thermal, t-shirt, sweater, blazer/jacket. Actually, very in style.
Another theory is just that the school is very cold. This is quite true, as everywhere you go there seems to be huge windows sucking in the winter air. In September. I'm always freezing. Everyone is. But everyone then wears a sweatshirt. As my lovely friend Hannah points out, her sister, a very pretty, talented and smart senior, wore her coat in school one or two days. I have no problem with this, after all, it is one day, perhaps with no sweater available, and her coat is tiny and adorable. She does not wear it everyday in EVERY SINGLE CLASS! Plus, she will wear it zipped down. "Coat girl" wears hers zipped up ALL THE WAY TO HER NECK!!
There is also the theory that perhaps situations in her life have previously not allowed her to have a winter coat and now she is overcompensating. If so, I have nothing but sympathy and respect for her situation in life and that now she has perhaps caught a break, but is it that necessary?
I really don't mean to be mean or catty or indifferent. But, besides the fact that I believe wearing outer clothing like a coat is against the rules in schools, just as you may not wear a hat because it is not professional and disrespectful, I just want to know...HOW DOES SHE FUNCTION?
I couldn't imagine going through everyday with that big bulky thing. Every time you move, to grab a pencil, shift in your chair, you make that whooshy sound! What about when you raise your hand to ask or answer a question? You have that big bloated, heavy arm in the air! What about just sitting and writing an essay, your arm sitting three inches above the desk due to the down feather stuffing! It would be like having to function all day like Ralphie's brother in "A Christmas Story".
And what happens when she goes to get a job? Or has to go to, god forbid, a funeral? Or a wedding? Will she continue to wear a coat.
So, I don't mean to be mean or judgemental. But if this happens to be your friend, try to get her to just wear a sweater. I'm worried about her well being and that her progress in school is being compromised.
And I'm this close to buying her a sweater.
Thus ends the case....
For now.
Monday, January 1, 2007
A Year of Questions, Year in '06 continued
2006, I decided, was a year of questions for me.
It started out with questions for applying for my People to People trip (Mother's job, contact info, etc., etc.) and answering the endless questions in my Study Guide.
(How do YOU define leadership; and how is it important, give 3 examples)
On the trip, I questioned ambassadors at the Saudi Arabian embassy. (Becky, my group leader, said I asked great questions). I would have asked the former Washingto state Republican House Representative, but if you sat listen to a Republican talk and talk for two answering the SAME questions over and over for two hours, you'd shut up right quick too. I was full of questions that trip. (Didn't Disney lie and Pocahontas actually died of small pox?). That Jamestown guide wasn't expecting that!
Then, eighth grade in New York means tests,tests,tests...because our state doesn't actually want us to learn, just know enough to answer some questions. English, Math, Social, and Science state tests...grrr.
There was also the movie I made for my bestest friend Eileen for her B-Day. I questioned (nearly) all her friends about what they thought of her and so forth. The biggest question ended up being, and still is, how do I get her a copy, stupid computer.
Then I joined NeXt. Questioning Yan Fang. Interviewing Ashley Pagano, her mom, and Bethany. Interviewing Melvin Bell, III , I was starstruck as he played my favorite character Angel in the touring production of RENT. Even just questioning my ediotr on things like, HOW long should my article be??? And ending this year by preparing for my interview wiht New York Times Bestselling author Ann Brashares.
I looked to myself wiht many questions as well, and got only a few answers.
And OF COURSE there was my new obsession wiht Yahoo! Answers, asking and answering questions (I'm currently on Level 2 of 6, I believe)
So if 2006 was a year of questions, will 2007 be a year of answers?
It started out with questions for applying for my People to People trip (Mother's job, contact info, etc., etc.) and answering the endless questions in my Study Guide.
(How do YOU define leadership; and how is it important, give 3 examples)
On the trip, I questioned ambassadors at the Saudi Arabian embassy. (Becky, my group leader, said I asked great questions). I would have asked the former Washingto state Republican House Representative, but if you sat listen to a Republican talk and talk for two answering the SAME questions over and over for two hours, you'd shut up right quick too. I was full of questions that trip. (Didn't Disney lie and Pocahontas actually died of small pox?). That Jamestown guide wasn't expecting that!
Then, eighth grade in New York means tests,tests,tests...because our state doesn't actually want us to learn, just know enough to answer some questions. English, Math, Social, and Science state tests...grrr.
There was also the movie I made for my bestest friend Eileen for her B-Day. I questioned (nearly) all her friends about what they thought of her and so forth. The biggest question ended up being, and still is, how do I get her a copy, stupid computer.
Then I joined NeXt. Questioning Yan Fang. Interviewing Ashley Pagano, her mom, and Bethany. Interviewing Melvin Bell, III , I was starstruck as he played my favorite character Angel in the touring production of RENT. Even just questioning my ediotr on things like, HOW long should my article be??? And ending this year by preparing for my interview wiht New York Times Bestselling author Ann Brashares.
I looked to myself wiht many questions as well, and got only a few answers.
And OF COURSE there was my new obsession wiht Yahoo! Answers, asking and answering questions (I'm currently on Level 2 of 6, I believe)
So if 2006 was a year of questions, will 2007 be a year of answers?
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Why I Love My Life!
Now, I'm usually not one to gloat. I much more prefer to complain. But over the past few months...I LOVE MY LIFE!!!! Now, my life is not perfect not in the least and there's plenty of times that I am super moody and emo and crabby and a horrible person to be around. God, that was me this morning in Block 2!
But a lot of times, like now, I LOVE MY LIFE!!!
It's NeXt. It runs my life! The NeXt dictates whether my life is good or bad. My story is not in for four weeks. Bad. I get something in the mail, like today...AWESOME. MY LIFE IS AWESOME.
I probably shouldn't be telling this to people. Hopefully, my editor won' ever see this, because I could be in a little trouble for disclosing information or something (and if my editor does see this...I love ya, Jean!)
The newest reason why I love my life started off when I got home from school on Monday and checked my email. I had been thinking that day what my new article would be. And there in my inbox was in email from my wonderful, awesome, stupendous editor Jean. She asked if I was a fan of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. (BACK STORY:I LOVE these books. I've been reading them for probably the past three years. I always wanted to meet the author. Also note that the fourth and final book is coming out JANUARY 9TH, 2007). So, she asked if I wanted to do a phone interview with her.
I SCREAMED!!! This is like one of my dreams. I was gonna be able to talk with one of my favorite authors!!
So, right now were in the process of figuring out a date for the interview. It'll probably be during the first week of the new year. Then the next year my editor sent me the email between her and who I guess is the publisher.She asked the publisher to send me the copy of the last book, what I guessed she meant by the third so I could be current with the story line(I already had the book, but I didn't make a fuss).
So today I get home today from school and my mom tells me I got a package in the mail today from Random House Publishing. What was it you ask? The third book?
How about "Forever in Blue, The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood"? The book I had been waitng for and thousands of other girls are waiting til January 9th to get, I got today...December 21st!!!
I LOVE MY LIFE!
I don't know, does this make me a huge nerd?
NeXt also makes me happy when I get TWO awesome pirate books in the mail, one before it was out in stores, for a review I did.
Or when I was on the cover, not fully dressed, clad in Wonder Woman garb. And Hillary Clinton was in town that day!! My idol! She could have picked up a paper and saw me on the upper left hand corner! Shameful! But pretty awesome.
And then there was that time my editor told me I was going to be interviewing Melvin Bell III who plays Angel in the touring production of RENT! I nearly died.
I Love my life I love my life.
And I got a press pass to openign night of RENT at Shays, that was cool. Too bad I couldn'tgo.
So that is why I LOVE my life.
Oh yeah, I have great friends and loving parents. And People to People.
But mostly the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood.
But a lot of times, like now, I LOVE MY LIFE!!!
It's NeXt. It runs my life! The NeXt dictates whether my life is good or bad. My story is not in for four weeks. Bad. I get something in the mail, like today...AWESOME. MY LIFE IS AWESOME.
I probably shouldn't be telling this to people. Hopefully, my editor won' ever see this, because I could be in a little trouble for disclosing information or something (and if my editor does see this...I love ya, Jean!)
The newest reason why I love my life started off when I got home from school on Monday and checked my email. I had been thinking that day what my new article would be. And there in my inbox was in email from my wonderful, awesome, stupendous editor Jean. She asked if I was a fan of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. (BACK STORY:I LOVE these books. I've been reading them for probably the past three years. I always wanted to meet the author. Also note that the fourth and final book is coming out JANUARY 9TH, 2007). So, she asked if I wanted to do a phone interview with her.
I SCREAMED!!! This is like one of my dreams. I was gonna be able to talk with one of my favorite authors!!
So, right now were in the process of figuring out a date for the interview. It'll probably be during the first week of the new year. Then the next year my editor sent me the email between her and who I guess is the publisher.She asked the publisher to send me the copy of the last book, what I guessed she meant by the third so I could be current with the story line(I already had the book, but I didn't make a fuss).
So today I get home today from school and my mom tells me I got a package in the mail today from Random House Publishing. What was it you ask? The third book?
How about "Forever in Blue, The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood"? The book I had been waitng for and thousands of other girls are waiting til January 9th to get, I got today...December 21st!!!
I LOVE MY LIFE!
I don't know, does this make me a huge nerd?
NeXt also makes me happy when I get TWO awesome pirate books in the mail, one before it was out in stores, for a review I did.
Or when I was on the cover, not fully dressed, clad in Wonder Woman garb. And Hillary Clinton was in town that day!! My idol! She could have picked up a paper and saw me on the upper left hand corner! Shameful! But pretty awesome.
And then there was that time my editor told me I was going to be interviewing Melvin Bell III who plays Angel in the touring production of RENT! I nearly died.
I Love my life I love my life.
And I got a press pass to openign night of RENT at Shays, that was cool. Too bad I couldn'tgo.
So that is why I LOVE my life.
Oh yeah, I have great friends and loving parents. And People to People.
But mostly the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood.
Year in '06
Speaking of New Years, what is my resolution going to be? What should I say I going to do this year that I will never accomplish this year?
What a year it's been. As my favorite (some of my favorite) fictional characters in the world say "How do you measure the year in the life of a woman or a man?". (So, so, sorry, hang on one second...BAD flashbacks.)
But really. I've been thinking a lot lately about this year, 2006. Think how much happened for those fictional characters and how their lives changed. And I'm real! I should have way more things happening in my life. Way to make me feel pathetic, Jonathan Larson! Truthfully, a lot has happened this year. Ive changed a lot. And oh how things change. Think how different our world or your life might be in just one year. What will I be obsessing about by the end of 2007? Will we still be in Iraq? Will we come to some agreement on the immigration problems? Will we figure out some way to save what little ice bergs we have left before this inconvienent truth turns this year into "The Day After Tomorrow"?
So much of my life has changed, even if they're little things, in this past year.
So I'm making up a list. I'll probably keep adding to it over the next few days, so if you're really interested, or really sad and need to know everything in my life to have purpose in your, keep checking back. How have you measured the year in your life?
In 2006:
-Saw RENT the movie, became obsessed, saw it at Shayes, my first real Musical
-Fell in love with Wicked
-And the Producers
-And Phantom of the Opera
-And Avenue Q
(Why is my life defined by musicals...WHY!!!)
-Became better friends with my now bestest friends Allyssa and Mary
-People to People Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., the best week of my life, huge effect on my leadership and confidence (Have YOU questioned an ambassador at the Saudi Arabian Embassy or a former Congressman from the House of Representatives)
AND I saw the back of Cheney's head
-Valedictorian of my Eight grade class
-Graduated from eight grade
-Started High School
(What usually happens after you graduate from 8th grade)
-Became a NeXt Correspondent
-Was on the cover of the Buffalo News
-Was published in the Buffalo News 6 Times
-Interviewed Melvin Bell
-Helped Ashley Pagano on her road to stardom (Which I WILL hold over her head forever)
Shows:
-Aladdin
-Annie, Jr.
-The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
-The Not So True Tale of Robin Hood
-A Christmas Carol
-Made Eileen a kick*** movie about...her. Too bad I can't figure out how to tranfer it to her computer...
-NYSSAMA solo, more German
-found out I'm related to Hitler(You don't want to know)
-Got the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood on December 21st, before the January 9th release date
-Told I was interviewing Ann Brashares
In the news:
-Iraq. Still. So surprizing.
-Bucky Phillips. BURN HIM!!!!
-October "Surprise" Storm (horrible name, I had no power for six days. Not a good time)
-Bike Path Rapist returns
What a year it's been. As my favorite (some of my favorite) fictional characters in the world say "How do you measure the year in the life of a woman or a man?". (So, so, sorry, hang on one second...BAD flashbacks.)
But really. I've been thinking a lot lately about this year, 2006. Think how much happened for those fictional characters and how their lives changed. And I'm real! I should have way more things happening in my life. Way to make me feel pathetic, Jonathan Larson! Truthfully, a lot has happened this year. Ive changed a lot. And oh how things change. Think how different our world or your life might be in just one year. What will I be obsessing about by the end of 2007? Will we still be in Iraq? Will we come to some agreement on the immigration problems? Will we figure out some way to save what little ice bergs we have left before this inconvienent truth turns this year into "The Day After Tomorrow"?
So much of my life has changed, even if they're little things, in this past year.
So I'm making up a list. I'll probably keep adding to it over the next few days, so if you're really interested, or really sad and need to know everything in my life to have purpose in your, keep checking back. How have you measured the year in your life?
In 2006:
-Saw RENT the movie, became obsessed, saw it at Shayes, my first real Musical
-Fell in love with Wicked
-And the Producers
-And Phantom of the Opera
-And Avenue Q
(Why is my life defined by musicals...WHY!!!)
-Became better friends with my now bestest friends Allyssa and Mary
-People to People Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., the best week of my life, huge effect on my leadership and confidence (Have YOU questioned an ambassador at the Saudi Arabian Embassy or a former Congressman from the House of Representatives)
AND I saw the back of Cheney's head
-Valedictorian of my Eight grade class
-Graduated from eight grade
-Started High School
(What usually happens after you graduate from 8th grade)
-Became a NeXt Correspondent
-Was on the cover of the Buffalo News
-Was published in the Buffalo News 6 Times
-Interviewed Melvin Bell
-Helped Ashley Pagano on her road to stardom (Which I WILL hold over her head forever)
Shows:
-Aladdin
-Annie, Jr.
-The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
-The Not So True Tale of Robin Hood
-A Christmas Carol
-Made Eileen a kick*** movie about...her. Too bad I can't figure out how to tranfer it to her computer...
-NYSSAMA solo, more German
-found out I'm related to Hitler(You don't want to know)
-Got the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood on December 21st, before the January 9th release date
-Told I was interviewing Ann Brashares
In the news:
-Iraq. Still. So surprizing.
-Bucky Phillips. BURN HIM!!!!
-October "Surprise" Storm (horrible name, I had no power for six days. Not a good time)
-Bike Path Rapist returns
Clause Effectin' and Such
I'm trying. I really am. But why is it that the week I decide to be nice to everyone, even people I usually really don't like, all my friends decide to take my side and realize that these people I don't like really are really mean! But, you know, I'm going to keep on being persistent. It might even last through New Year's!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
RENT REVIEW
And now time to talk about my favorite subject...ME(Please note, talking myself is NOT my favorite topic, talking about the attrocities of the Bush Administration and their role of oil in the Iraq War is...and Buffy)
Anyway, one of the most important things in my life is writing. In June, I applied to be a NeXt Correspondent for the Buffalo News (www.buffalonews.com). I sent in a writing sample, a memoir of my memories from the day of September 11th, and a letter of why I wanted to write for NeXt. I thought I had no chance of getting in. Then in August I got a letter from the Buffalo News. I figured it was a "We appreciate your effort, but we do not need your help..." or something to the sort. But I got in! So I've been writing for them since August but it was not until October 17th that I got my first article published. I had the main story and my picture was on the cover page. Since then I've gotten six stories in. The artilce below is my latest. What do you think? To be extra annoying, I'll proably post all my newest articles. Enjoy!
A high-energy, wonderful 'Rent'
By CARLENE...
NeXt Correspondent
12/13/2006
Four steel tables. A few folding chairs. Love and loss. One remarkable musical phenomenon. From Dec. 5 through Sunday, Shea's Performing Arts Center was transformed into New York City's gritty East Village in the touring production of "Rent."
A musical? If the mere thought brings fear and disgust of kick lines and 76 trombones to your mind, then you have not experienced "Rent."
A modern take on Puccini's opera "La Boheme," "Rent" follows a year in the lives of eight friends (and sometimes foes) in New York City in the late '80s, battling eviction, the AIDS epidemic, drug addiction and each other. But through loss, they join together and learn to celebrate life.
With house lights still on and the audience shifting in their seats or discussing the weather, the cast runs out and begins, surprising everyone and immediately drawing you into the story. Act One introduced the characters and the plot to the audience through rock ballads and the thrilling high-energy songs "Rent" has become famous for.
Act Two brought waves of emotion - and tears - with the death of one of the friends.
With an abstract set design of debris and metal, the stage is often a fury of activity as it may be four different settings at once - not to mention the live band onstage, which added to the reality of the show.
Powerful vocals were maintained throughout the show, even while actors were jumping on tables, dancing on a rickety railing, or getting into a fight. Commanding songs, such as "Rent" and "La Vie Boheme", were sung with such vigor they filled the entire theater, the cast easily shifting into beautiful, heart-wrenching ballads like "Another Day" and "Life Support."
Those who have seen the 2005 movie may have been disappointed that it was not a carbon copy. But with more songs and the emotion of a live performance, this production offered so much more.
Applause should really go to the casting directors, as many in this cast sound remarkably like the original Broadway cast, to the audience's glee. Mark Cohen ( Harley Jay) had the same sarcastic repertee, Tom Collins (Warren G. Nolan, Jr.) maintained his deep, soulful voice, and Maureen Johnson (Tracy McDowell) sounded like Idina Menzel's (from the original cast) twin.
For some, it may have been disconcerting and odd to hear Roger (Declan Bennet) with a British accent, but was quickly forgotten when you heard his strong rock vocals.
"Rent" is in its 11th season and support for the show is still going strong. Fan support was evident at Shea's when the theater exploded with applause before the entrance of fan favorites, like Angel (Melvin Bell III) in "Today 4 U" and Mimi's (Krystal Brown) "Out Tonight." Diehard fans easily found themselves singing along , as I saw more than one person guilty of.
All these years later, "Rent" still rings true to its message of love and acceptance; a message that the people of Western New York have shown through their attitude toward the show that they accept too. Viva La Vie Boheme!
Carlene ... is a freshman at Alden.
Anyway, one of the most important things in my life is writing. In June, I applied to be a NeXt Correspondent for the Buffalo News (www.buffalonews.com). I sent in a writing sample, a memoir of my memories from the day of September 11th, and a letter of why I wanted to write for NeXt. I thought I had no chance of getting in. Then in August I got a letter from the Buffalo News. I figured it was a "We appreciate your effort, but we do not need your help..." or something to the sort. But I got in! So I've been writing for them since August but it was not until October 17th that I got my first article published. I had the main story and my picture was on the cover page. Since then I've gotten six stories in. The artilce below is my latest. What do you think? To be extra annoying, I'll proably post all my newest articles. Enjoy!
A high-energy, wonderful 'Rent'
By CARLENE...
NeXt Correspondent
12/13/2006
Four steel tables. A few folding chairs. Love and loss. One remarkable musical phenomenon. From Dec. 5 through Sunday, Shea's Performing Arts Center was transformed into New York City's gritty East Village in the touring production of "Rent."
A musical? If the mere thought brings fear and disgust of kick lines and 76 trombones to your mind, then you have not experienced "Rent."
A modern take on Puccini's opera "La Boheme," "Rent" follows a year in the lives of eight friends (and sometimes foes) in New York City in the late '80s, battling eviction, the AIDS epidemic, drug addiction and each other. But through loss, they join together and learn to celebrate life.
With house lights still on and the audience shifting in their seats or discussing the weather, the cast runs out and begins, surprising everyone and immediately drawing you into the story. Act One introduced the characters and the plot to the audience through rock ballads and the thrilling high-energy songs "Rent" has become famous for.
Act Two brought waves of emotion - and tears - with the death of one of the friends.
With an abstract set design of debris and metal, the stage is often a fury of activity as it may be four different settings at once - not to mention the live band onstage, which added to the reality of the show.
Powerful vocals were maintained throughout the show, even while actors were jumping on tables, dancing on a rickety railing, or getting into a fight. Commanding songs, such as "Rent" and "La Vie Boheme", were sung with such vigor they filled the entire theater, the cast easily shifting into beautiful, heart-wrenching ballads like "Another Day" and "Life Support."
Those who have seen the 2005 movie may have been disappointed that it was not a carbon copy. But with more songs and the emotion of a live performance, this production offered so much more.
Applause should really go to the casting directors, as many in this cast sound remarkably like the original Broadway cast, to the audience's glee. Mark Cohen ( Harley Jay) had the same sarcastic repertee, Tom Collins (Warren G. Nolan, Jr.) maintained his deep, soulful voice, and Maureen Johnson (Tracy McDowell) sounded like Idina Menzel's (from the original cast) twin.
For some, it may have been disconcerting and odd to hear Roger (Declan Bennet) with a British accent, but was quickly forgotten when you heard his strong rock vocals.
"Rent" is in its 11th season and support for the show is still going strong. Fan support was evident at Shea's when the theater exploded with applause before the entrance of fan favorites, like Angel (Melvin Bell III) in "Today 4 U" and Mimi's (Krystal Brown) "Out Tonight." Diehard fans easily found themselves singing along , as I saw more than one person guilty of.
All these years later, "Rent" still rings true to its message of love and acceptance; a message that the people of Western New York have shown through their attitude toward the show that they accept too. Viva La Vie Boheme!
Carlene ... is a freshman at Alden.
The Clause Effect
Do you ever feel that you are just not in the Christmas spirit? This year I just could not get excited about Christmas. I didn't know what to do. I tried watching Christmas movies, but I everything portrayed felt so fake and corny. Not real. I tried listening to Christmas music. But you try listening to a few hours of Jessica Simpson singing "Santa Baby" and see how cheery you'll be!(If I hear one more version of "Sleigh Ride", I'll strangle that stupid Farmer Gray...even if it is his birthday!) I counted on my part in the play "A Christmas Carol" to get me in the spirit. It still didn't feel like Christmas. I went to the mall to go Christmas shopping and with the annoying Christmas music(once again see "Jessica Simpson") they try to force some false feeling upon you. And all the things to buy were really bad. But on Saturday, things began to turn around. My dad and I went to cut down our Christmas tree and that day we put it up and decorated the house . It started to really feel like Christmas.
Sunday, the clause effect dawned on me. I was reading the Sunday comics (Sally Forth) and Ted and Sally's daughter Hillary was so excited for Christmas. And I thought to myself, why are younger kids so excited about Christmas and I am not? OF course, the presents have something to do with it. But I get spoiled just as much as younger kids. Why don't I have the same excited. I suppose that kids do get more excited about things then teens. But then it dawned on me. The Clause Effect.
Why kids are so happy and joyous before Christmas. It doesn't have to do with presents (well it does). The days leading up to Christmas, kids are on their best behavior because they know that Santa is watching. They're extra nice to everyone.
I thought further about it. After all, Christmas isn't about presents. It's about Jesus and following his example, being good to your fellow man, the golden rule, yada yada yada. I had been looking for outside sources to bring the Christmas spirit to me, when all this time I could have looked inside my self. SO for this next before the big day, I am going to try my best to be the nicest and kindest I can be to everyone, no matter our past relationships or whatever. And it's working. By just being kinder, or trying to at least, I've gotten into the Christmas spirit.
Peace towards men.
Sunday, the clause effect dawned on me. I was reading the Sunday comics (Sally Forth) and Ted and Sally's daughter Hillary was so excited for Christmas. And I thought to myself, why are younger kids so excited about Christmas and I am not? OF course, the presents have something to do with it. But I get spoiled just as much as younger kids. Why don't I have the same excited. I suppose that kids do get more excited about things then teens. But then it dawned on me. The Clause Effect.
Why kids are so happy and joyous before Christmas. It doesn't have to do with presents (well it does). The days leading up to Christmas, kids are on their best behavior because they know that Santa is watching. They're extra nice to everyone.
I thought further about it. After all, Christmas isn't about presents. It's about Jesus and following his example, being good to your fellow man, the golden rule, yada yada yada. I had been looking for outside sources to bring the Christmas spirit to me, when all this time I could have looked inside my self. SO for this next before the big day, I am going to try my best to be the nicest and kindest I can be to everyone, no matter our past relationships or whatever. And it's working. By just being kinder, or trying to at least, I've gotten into the Christmas spirit.
Peace towards men.
Monday, December 18, 2006
My First Blog
This is my first blog, or "web log" as those crazy kids call it(like me....?). This is a proud moment. I think I'm gonna cry. We had to did this bog-y thing for my Keyboarding and Computer Applications class. I'm super excited. So, I have a few ideas for my blog. Not sure if I'm gonna do any of them yet. Please comment me and visit my site. I'm very nice! Also, to find out more about me, read my info or find my site on my50.uk.com. Make an account (it's really fun!) and search for me, Carly Marsters. Toodles!Talk to you all soon.
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