From Feelings to Battle Cries

                  What kind of difference can you make? You’re just one person. You’re just one incapable person. What kind of impact can you have? What is the use of trying? You’re just … Fill in the blank, we’ve all heard this before numerous times. You can’t really do anything. You can’t, because you don’t believe you can. What if Martin Luther King Jr. had thought he was only one person? What could he do? What if Abraham Lincoln thought he was incapable? What if David Archuleta had never tried out for American Idol :(? What if he had given up on singing because he had vocal paralysis? Forest fires start off with just a spark and waterfalls start with just a drop of water.

              We, in America, have so much to be thankful for. We have cable TV, there are McDonalds everywhere and Starbucks around every corner. I just want to give you a taste of how far our money can go in Africa. $7 can SUSTAIN a life of 1 person living with AIDS, it can PROVIDE 7 people with clean water for a whole YEAR and it can SAVE the life of 1 person with malaria. $7 is just two cups of coffee. Just think what you could do by giving up two cups of coffee a month for a whole year. Just think of what you can do - what you can change. You have the power to change the world. Forest fires start off with just a spark and waterfalls start with just a drop of water. 

Info obtained from the MOCHA CLUB.

Simple feelings can turn into battle cries:

What are you doing to change the world? Comment below on everyday things you do to help make a difference. :)

- Megan A. Way

Take a look at this commercial.  But be warned that it isn’t very clean.

Look familiar?  It was aired during Super Bowl XLV.

What did you think?

In my opinion, disgusting.  I’m not quite sure what these people are thinking about when they shot this stuff, but it is outrageous.  So yes, there are people like the boy in the commercial who watch the Super Bowl, but how about the rest of the crowd who has to suffer through it.

How about the kids?

If I had a child I would definitely be concerned about today’s advertisements.  Just watch normal TV and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

I’m a little worried about the upcoming years for advertisement.  I don’t watch TV that often, but the times that I do I see a lot of garbage, and it seems to be getting worse, especially the Super Bowl.

Now I like advertising, and as a matter of fact my brother is in the industry, but there are certain boundaries that should not be crossed when it comes to what’s being posted on television or on buses or billboards.

Putting a couple of skinny women in bikinis is not the right way to draw the audience, even though most of us agree that that is what draws in them.  It’s just for the sake of the rest of society that doesn’t want to look at it.  And unfortunately we are forced to look at it, on our way to work, school, the gym, hey, even church for that matter.

Let me know what you think about the shift in advertising.

Video: youtube.com

-Kyle Rudnick

Sharpen Your Pencils!



http://www.towson.edu/english/

So if you haven’t seen the posters, flyers or posts on the JTCC website, you might not know that the Literary Festival is going on right now! This annual festival of literacy is a great time to meet published, experienced writers that can help you cultivate your creative skills. This year Kirk Nesset, a poet and flash fiction author, has agreed to impart some of his literary genius in the form of a writing workshop on March 1^st in room A102 from 1 – 2:30pm. He will also have a reading, reception and book signing at 6pm that same day. So if you’re interested in sharpening your writing pencil, make sure not to miss this great opportunity!

- Megan Way
- Kyle Rudnick

Alt+Ctrl+Delete

Alt+Ctrl+Delete, Alt+Ctrl+Delete, Alt+Ctrl+Delete, Alt+Ctrl+Delete, Alt+Ctrl+Delete, Alt+Ctrl+Delete…

I don’t know how many times I have to hit these three buttons each day.  I am so sick of these stupid computers.  Don’t get me wrong, they have a lot of benefits.  As a matter of fact I wouldn’t even be sitting here right now writing this column if it were for computers.  I like what they can do and the ability that they have, but they, for some reason, have a difficult time performing properly for me.

I’m pretty good with computers, and I have all the new gadgets and gismos, but they are just uncooperative with me.  They are ungodly slow, they always seem to freeze, and every time they appear to be doing well, they shut down.  I have had so many computer problems that I’ve lost count.  I really don’t understand why computers don’t like me.

And the internet!  Don’t even get me started with the internet.  You know I spend about 1/3 of my life waiting and back talking at the internet.  It takes forever to load a screen.  And I don’t even use DSL. I live in the city and am a Comcast customer, so you would probably think that I get pretty fast internet, but I don’t.

Fios, please, that’s like two seconds better than Comcast.

Aside from the internet, how about games?  Long ago when I actually played computer games, I spent hundreds of dollars on ram, graphics cards, and a couple of new mother boards just for the systems to run properly.  Now look, I don’t mind the cost, but it sure as heck better work for the money that I paid.  I mean literally, thousands of dollars in computers, phones, Blueray players, printers, TVs, gaming systems, even alarm clocks, and they all pose a problem.

If I’m paying all this good money, why isn’t it working?

Is this just me, or are there people out there who have the same difficulty that I have?

If any of you have profound luck with computers or any gadget, please tell me your secret.

Picture: pctechnotes.com/hard-drive-failure-signs/

-Kyle Rudnick

Tyler Notebook

An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence againby Matsuo Basho

As most of you probably know, this is a haiku.  If you’re someone who likes short, terse, poetic pieces, haikus are for you.  There are also ABC, lyrical, free verse, and couplet poems.

If you’re not a poetry kind of person, then perhaps short stories or response essays.  There’s nothing like reading a short essay while enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee.  At least it excites me.

Personally I am always interested in reading what others write, especially when it’s ambiguous or controversial. 

Anyway, the point is last week I realized that John Tyler had what’s called, “The Tyler Notebook.”  It’s this site where writers from the school get together and post material that they’ve worked on.  I believe it’s the writer’s club that sponsors the site.

I took some time to read a couple of pieces that they did and I’ve really been enjoying the work so far.  As I am still flipping through their works, I would, if you’re into literature, take a look at the site.

Even if you don’t like reading, they have a lot of short stories and poems that are easy reads and quite entertaining.

Below is the hyper link to the site, so check it out:

http://cwcblog.weebly.com/index.html

Poem Site:http://www.poemofquotes.com/famoushaiku/basho.php

-Point of view-Kyle Rudnick
-Megan Way

Claim It and Frame It



ipkitten.blogspot.com

In Claiming an Education, author Adrienne Rich says that students need to claim ("to take as the rightful owner; to assert in the face of possible contradiction") an education. Not only claim an education, but the very rights to their lives. That people need to stand up and say, "this is what I want to do," "these are my ideas" and "this is the way I want to go." She says to make this happen there needs to be a mutual respect at colleges between faculty and students. When students actively participate in their education they have the right to be taken seriously by their professors and for their ideas and beliefs to not be shot down, but respected. Faculty must see a student's mind as a valuable thing, but students must put in a dedicated effort to cultivate their minds. She says if this happens we will be quickening the coming of a world in which our minds "will no longer be wasted, raveled-away, paralyzed or denied."

What do you think? Do we (students) owe a college anything except money? Do we owe our professors respect, time or even effort? What do our professors owe us? Respect, time and effort as well? Do they need to see us as valuable or just another marble to polish and send off to a university or job?
-Megan Way

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

Picture this: its mid-February, snow is pouring down, filling every lawn and street.  The temperature is in the single digits and you’re outside shoveling snow or building a snowman, whatever you prefer.  You look down your street and all you see is white masking the buildings and houses afar.  You’re enjoying this right? 

Well guess what it’s not real, because you are probably in Richmond sweating to death thinking, there should be snow on the ground and cold air whipping through the trees, considering it’s the middle of winter and all.

50, 60 degree weather, what is this - summer?  Where’s the cold weather?  Why is it that every city in America is getting brisk cool air and snow, except Richmond?  It seems as though every time Richmond has a chance for snow we always seem to get the southern or northern tip, or the storm just splits in half and completely misses the city.

Is that a good thing?  Should we be concerned about this lack of winter temperatures precipitations or is it simply Richmond?  What do you think?  Should we hope for colder weather or just not worry weather or not we get it?

-Megan Way

-Kyle Rudnick

Super Bowl XLV

As hopefully all of you know, Sunday is the big day.  Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas.This year’s competitors are the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.  Both are legendary teams who have a couple of Super Bowls under their belt.

The Steelers have been in the Super Bowl seven times, making 2011 the eighth time, winning six of those seven.  Super Bowl IX, X, XIII, XVI, XL, and XLIII.  The Steelers lead the NFL in the most Super Bowl wins.  They have only lost one Super Bowl so far, Super Bowl XXX, losing to the Dallas Cowboys.  Pittsburgh’s last Super Bowl win was on February 1, 2009.

The Packers have been in the Super Bowl four times, making 2011 the fifth time, winning three of the four times.  Super Bowl I, II, and XXI.  The Packers won the first two NFL Super Bowls in 1967 and 1968.  The Packers lost one Super Bowl to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII.  Green Bay’s last Super Bowl win was back on January 26, 1997.

So personally, I’m a huge New York Jets fan and I was pissed off when Pittsburgh beat us.  We lost the second Championship in a row.  Last year I cheered for the New Orleans Saints because I don’t like the Indianapolis Colts.  So this year, I’m again cheering for an NFC team.  I’ve always hated the Steelers and I don’t have a problem with the Packers, so I’ll be wearing green and yellow on Sunday.

So even though I’m cheering for the Packers, I have my doubts about this game, but I’m going to take a risk and say that it will be Green Bay over Pittsburgh 24-21.

What do you think the score will be?

And I must say that, I’m happy to see that the New England Patriots aren’t in the Super Bowl again.

Pic. 1 & 2: http://www.chrissniderdesign.com/NFLlogos.html
Pic. 3: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2010/02/04/north-texas-super-bowl-xlv-logo-revealed/

-Kyle Rudnick

And, Scene

I’m not exactly sure if any of you guys are “theatre goers” or at least go to the theatre occasionally.  When I say theatre by the way, I actually mean a real theatre, not a movie theater.  Anyway, if you have absolutely no interest in the theatre, give it another chance, or give it a chance if you’ve never gone.  If you’ve gone to a show and it wasn’t for you, perhaps you saw a badly written show, or the acting sucked.  Whatever the case is, try it again, or just try it.

Now for those who enjoy the theatre, don’t quit reading because this next bit goes for you too.  I’ve prepared a bundle of shows in the Richmond area for you guys to check out. 

So I’ll start in Richmond and work my way out:

1. Name of Show: “The Big Friendly Giant” 

1. Theatre Location: Theatre IV, Empire Theatre, 114 West Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220
2. Price: $14-$18
3. Dates: February 18-March 6
4. Phone Number: 804.282.2620
5. Comment: I personally love Theatre IV.  They do great shows.  This theatre is very children friendly.

2. Name of Show: “Legacy of Light”

1. Theatre Location: Barksdale at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Dr. Richmond, VA 23230
2. Price: $40 general admission, $37 seniors, $19 18 and younger
3. Dates: Now-March 13
4. Phone Number: 804.282.2620
5. Comment: Atmosphere is very nice, and they do really good shows here.

3. “Richmond Symphony: Altria Masterworks Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1”

1. Centerstage at the Carpenter Theatre, 600 East Grace St. Richmond, VA 23219
2. $15-$80
3. February 5-February 6
4. 800.745.3000
5. Dress nice; it’s an amazing performance.

4. “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead”

1. Firehouse Theatre Projects, 1609 West Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220
2. $26 adults, $23 seniors, $12 students
3. Now-February 26
4. 804.355.2001
5. I go hear all the time.  It’s a small theatre, and shows are normally not for children, but I like this place a lot.

5. “Last Days of Judas Iscariot”

1. Henley Street Theatre, 1300 Altamont Ave. Richmond, VA 23230
2. $15-$25
3. February 24-March 19
4. 804.340.0115

6. “The Fiddler’s House”

1. Chamberlayne Actors Theatre, 319 North Wilkinson Rd. Richmond, VA 23221
2. $18 adults, $16 students
3. Now-February 6
4. 804.262.9760
5. I watched a really good show here last time.  The place doesn’t really look like a theatre, but it puts on a good show.

7. “Nunsense”

1. Barksdale at the Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd. Hanover, VA
2. $38 adult, $35 senior, $19 student
3. Now-February 27
4. 804.282.2620

8. “Once on This Island”

1. Swift Creek Mill Playhouse, 17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Colonial Heights, VA 23134-5300
2. $37.50 for just the theatre, $52 for theatre and dinner
3. Now-March 5
4. 804.748.5203
5. I love this theatre.  I come here a lot.  The shows are fantastic and they serve really good food.  Great date spot.

9. “Jitney”

1. Sycamore Rough, 21 West Old St. Petersburg, VA 23803-3221
2. $18-$22
3. February 25-March 12
4. 804.957.5707
5. Another great date spot.  This is more of a dinner theatre place, lounge style.

10. “And the Winner is…”

1. Play On Theatre, 983 Second St. Charlottesville, VA 22901
2. $12
3. Now-February 13
4. 434.872.0184
5. Had a good time hear.

11. “The Giver”

1. Live Arts, 123 East Water St. Charlottesville, VA 22901
2. February 11-February 27
3. 434.977.4177
4. Nice theatre and environment.  I couldn’t find a price, but it’s normally reasonable.

12. “The Last 5 Years”

1. Virginia Stage Company, 254 Granby St. Norfolk, VA 23510
2. $40-$60
3. Now-March
4. 757.627.1234

13. “Oklahoma!”

1. Sandler Center for Performing Arts, 201 Market St. Virginia Beach, VA 23462
2. $40-$60
3. February 11-February 13
4. 757.385.2787
5. This is a really nice place.  It’s a little pricey, but it’s worth every penny.

14. “The Weir”

1. Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. Northwest Washington, DC 20036
2. $30-$35
3. February 12-March 13
4. 703.892.0202
5. I’ve been here a few times and it’s really nice.  Great restaurants around and the theatre is very cozy.

15. “What My Husband Doesn’t Know”

1. Warner Theatre, 13^th and E St. Northwest Washington, DC 20004-2405
2. $30-$60
3. March 1-March 6
4. 202.783.4000
5. This is a Broadway theatre except it’s Washington.  Wonderful place.

 So as you can see, there are quite a lot of theatres in the area.  If you didn’t notice, I even threw in some shows that aren’t in Richmond, just in case you are out and about.  I hope that this will give you something to do over the next few weekends.

-Kyle Rudnick

Feed Your Soul



“And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul? Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.” Oh Plato, that might be so, but there are tastier ways to feed our souls.



blogs.centrictv.com



On February 16th, at the Midlothian campus in room C109, you will have a chance to get a taste of true soul food at the Celebration of Soul Food Festival.  That day from 12pm to 2pm the John Tyler Community College will be offering 300 people the chance to get a plate of this southern, heart-warming food.

 To reserve yourself a FREE ticket to get a plate of heaven, you can contact the Student Activities Office from now until February 15^th, but you better hurry and reserve your ticket now! Don’t let there be a chance for your soul to go hungry!  And to keep with Plato’s suggestion, you can always feed your soul with knowledge in the College’s library. The librarians there would be more than happy to help you find the perfect “food” to satisfy you.

Super cool food quotes:

“Training is everything.  The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.”  - Mark Twain

“When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.” -  Desiderius Erasmus

 “I like vending machines, because snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at the store, oftentimes I will drop it so that is achieves its maximum flavor potential.”- Mitch Hedberg

“If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.”- Thomas Jefferson

-Megan Way