Last Sunday night were the MTV Video Music Awards. The VMAs are very popular and millions tuned in.
Disappointingly, this year's awards had no shocking moments. In previous years, we have been graced with shockers, such as interrupted acceptance speeches. Even Lady Gaga disappointed this year. Usually we can count on her sporting aridiculous-- I mean, “artsy” outfits. This year Ms. Gaga came to the show as a man. She opened the show as a character, Jo Calderone, and stayed in character for the remainder of the night.
One highlight of the night was when Ms. Gaga was dancing on a piano and she took a tumble. MTV did a good job with their camera work and hid the fall well, but it didn’t get past my eagle eyes.
Lil Wayne closed the show with a fantastic performance, and it almost made up for the rest of the show being mediocre.
Despite slight disappointments with this year's show, it was a fun time.
Jimmy Chapman
Friday, September 2, 2011
The Truth about Creatine Monohydrate
Simply speaking, creatine monohydrate is used by your body, specifically muscles, to create a chemical called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), which is used as energy. The more creatine in your system, the more energy you have, especially in times of increased stress ,such as weightlifting.
What a lot of skeptics of creatine don’t know is that it is actually a naturally occurring chemical, you already have it in your body, and not taking creatine is simply limiting your body from reaching its full potential.
I would like to expose some of the stereotypical lies that are often stated by ignorant creatine skeptics.
First: Creatine is a pro-hormonal steroid, which is an absolutely absurd statement. There are no pro hormonal substances found naturally in the body.
Next: Creatine causes excessive water retention. There has been no study to support this theory in recent history. In fact, recent tests have shown that the only gains in weight while supplementing on creatine is muscle-mass.
The final preposterous myth stated by some is that creatine harms the kidney and liver. This so-called danger comes from a study done by the University of Oregon in which one test subject suffered serious liver damage after weeks of creatine use. However, that particular test subject had a previous liver condition. For those without pre-existing conditions there is no evidence to support this theory.
Anyone who bashes creatine supplements on the basis of these myths is proving that they know nothing about creatine, and are speaking out of their ignorance. Creatine monohydrate has gotten the bad reputation in recent years of being a dangerous supplement, when in fact it is one of the best training supplements out there for athletes and should be treated as such.
By Dylan Scully
Pena Kept off Waivers
Finally, after several days of discussion, the Cubs have officially obtained Carlos Pena off waivers.
While the Yankees claimed him after the Cubs placed him on waivers, neither club seemed as if they had any intention of carrying out their intentions.
This, however, does not mean that Pena will be wearing Cubbie blue next season, since there is some speculation that Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are some prospects for the job this offseason.
Granted, the Cubs have enough money to support one of their contracts. Still, for as much money as the Cubs would have to spend to obtain one of these superstars, one has to ask the question, “Is it really worth it?" The Cubs have had their share of monster contracts hanging over their heads over the past few years that did not pan out.
In addition, the Cubs have some promising minor league prospects showing potential as big time performers at the big league level. In the end, it will be interesting to see where Carlos Pena will be spending his 2012 season.
By Kevin Elder
While the Yankees claimed him after the Cubs placed him on waivers, neither club seemed as if they had any intention of carrying out their intentions.
This, however, does not mean that Pena will be wearing Cubbie blue next season, since there is some speculation that Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are some prospects for the job this offseason.
Granted, the Cubs have enough money to support one of their contracts. Still, for as much money as the Cubs would have to spend to obtain one of these superstars, one has to ask the question, “Is it really worth it?" The Cubs have had their share of monster contracts hanging over their heads over the past few years that did not pan out.
In addition, the Cubs have some promising minor league prospects showing potential as big time performers at the big league level. In the end, it will be interesting to see where Carlos Pena will be spending his 2012 season.
By Kevin Elder
Facebook Frenzy
With over 750 million viewers, Facebook has become an extremely popular website.
One might wonder why it has become such a well-liked site. Here is my answer: most people that use Facebook are curious.
Let’s admit it-- at least half of the website's population are Facebook stalkers. Most of the friends that we have on Facebook are people we would never even think of calling or chatting with. Yet, we are okay with looking through their pictures and videos and scanning through their profile.
Now that’s not to say that people don’t put their pictures and videos out there for others to look at, because they do. However, the whole reason we read through all the updates and wall posts are because we are curious.
Don’t get me wrong; I know that a lot of people have Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family and I understand completely. However, we all get that happy feeling when our friend count goes up or when we see our crush just broke up with their boyfriend or girlfriend.
The website is a great invention and I enjoy it just as much as everyone else, but maybe it’s time for everyone to stop and think about why they have a Facebook and what they’re really using it for.
One might wonder why it has become such a well-liked site. Here is my answer: most people that use Facebook are curious.
Let’s admit it-- at least half of the website's population are Facebook stalkers. Most of the friends that we have on Facebook are people we would never even think of calling or chatting with. Yet, we are okay with looking through their pictures and videos and scanning through their profile.
Now that’s not to say that people don’t put their pictures and videos out there for others to look at, because they do. However, the whole reason we read through all the updates and wall posts are because we are curious.
Don’t get me wrong; I know that a lot of people have Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family and I understand completely. However, we all get that happy feeling when our friend count goes up or when we see our crush just broke up with their boyfriend or girlfriend.
The website is a great invention and I enjoy it just as much as everyone else, but maybe it’s time for everyone to stop and think about why they have a Facebook and what they’re really using it for.
By: Rachel Fugiel
Zooey Deschanel Steals the Spotlight
Zooey Deschanel is a very busy woman. The alleged Katy Perry look-alike, known for her big blue eyes and angelic voice, has made several exciting career moves in recent months.
You probably remember her best for her roles in "Elf," "Yes Man," and "(500) Days of Summer." However, the talented actress, model, singer-songwriter, musician, and wife of Ben Gibbard (lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service) has new treats in store for her fans.
In May of this year, she co-founded hellogiggles.com, a fun and feminine website whose popularity continues to increase.
Deschanel joined forces with M. Ward to form the alternative band She & Him back in 2006. The duo already has two albums out but just finished recording a Christmas album that will come out later this year.
She plays a supporting role in the comedy film "Our Idiot Brother," which premiered in theaters last weekend.
In addition to all of these marvelous accomplishments is perhaps the most exciting news of all. Zooey makes her television series debut with "New Girl," a highly anticipated comedy set to air Sept. 20 on Fox. The show is about a dorky and fun young woman who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three guys.
If all the hype about the show is any indication, Zooey may just steal the spotlight from her sister Emily Deschanel, the star of the television series "Bones" on Fox. For her fans that can never get enough of Zooey, this is all fantastic news. The young woman undoubtedly has even bigger and better career plans in her future.
By Alexis Brenner
You probably remember her best for her roles in "Elf," "Yes Man," and "(500) Days of Summer." However, the talented actress, model, singer-songwriter, musician, and wife of Ben Gibbard (lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service) has new treats in store for her fans.
In May of this year, she co-founded hellogiggles.com, a fun and feminine website whose popularity continues to increase.
Deschanel joined forces with M. Ward to form the alternative band She & Him back in 2006. The duo already has two albums out but just finished recording a Christmas album that will come out later this year.
She plays a supporting role in the comedy film "Our Idiot Brother," which premiered in theaters last weekend.
In addition to all of these marvelous accomplishments is perhaps the most exciting news of all. Zooey makes her television series debut with "New Girl," a highly anticipated comedy set to air Sept. 20 on Fox. The show is about a dorky and fun young woman who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three guys.
If all the hype about the show is any indication, Zooey may just steal the spotlight from her sister Emily Deschanel, the star of the television series "Bones" on Fox. For her fans that can never get enough of Zooey, this is all fantastic news. The young woman undoubtedly has even bigger and better career plans in her future.
By Alexis Brenner
TOMS: A Growing Mission
The TOMS mission began with Blake Mycoskie in 2006. Mycoskie first noticed the inconceivable number of children lacking shoes while in Argentina. Thus, his inspiration began.
However, Mycoskie never intended his shoe mission to become an international for-profit organization; he began his charity work with less fortunate inner city children in Los Angeles. It was named "Shoes for Tomorrow Project," where the name "TOMS" originally derived from.
He quickly developed TOMS into a business instead of a charity because he had an entrepreneur background and not a clue as to how to organize a charity. He also discovered that if it were a profitable business, billions of pairs of shoes could be donated based on a one-for-one policy: for every pair of shoes bought, one pair is given to someone without a single pair.
Over the past five years, as TOMS popularity has grown, so has the business. A more recent idea is based on sunglasses. For every pair of sunglasses bought, someone in need can have an eye operation to restore their sight, and/or help multiple people get prescription glasses.
By Alison Howey
However, Mycoskie never intended his shoe mission to become an international for-profit organization; he began his charity work with less fortunate inner city children in Los Angeles. It was named "Shoes for Tomorrow Project," where the name "TOMS" originally derived from.
He quickly developed TOMS into a business instead of a charity because he had an entrepreneur background and not a clue as to how to organize a charity. He also discovered that if it were a profitable business, billions of pairs of shoes could be donated based on a one-for-one policy: for every pair of shoes bought, one pair is given to someone without a single pair.
Over the past five years, as TOMS popularity has grown, so has the business. A more recent idea is based on sunglasses. For every pair of sunglasses bought, someone in need can have an eye operation to restore their sight, and/or help multiple people get prescription glasses.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
American League still has tight races
Recently in the American League, things are really getting tight, especially in the American League West.
Currently in first place by half a game are the Boston Red Sox, but hot on their tail are the New York Yankees, who are lighting up the game. It looks like first place is between those two teams because Tampa Bay is behind by 9 games.
The Red Sox have the talent to go on and win the franchise's eighth World Series. Behind a very talented left-handed specialist, Jon Lester, the Red Sox are as good as any team that is thrown in front of them. Also, they have a pitching rotation that consists of Josh Beckett, John Lacket, Andrew Miller, and Erik Berdard, players who can carry the Red Sox to victory.
No matter who is on the mound, the Red Sox are balanced and focused hitters like Kevin Youkolis, David Ortiz, Adrian Gonzalez, and Dustin Pedrioa can easily change the pase of the game. Also, the fielding that the Red Sox have by Dustin Pedrioa and Jacoby Ellsbury is tremendous
On the other side of the equation, the New York Yankees have proved that they want it by hitting 3 grandslams against the Oakland A's last Thursday in a 22 to 9 victory. They are on a three-game winning streak and are playing the first place Red Sox.
When compared to the Red Sox, they are equal. They have people who can make big plays on the field, hit towering homers, and throw like there is no tommorow. C.C. Sabathia is a big left hander that has the Yankees rolling, and they also have right hander Phil Hughes and rookie Ivan Nova.
Derek Jeter has been a Yank ever since he made his debut and he has made a bang throughout his career, including a clutch homerun to win the Yankees a World Series, hit 3,000 hits, and many more.
As a franchise the New York Yankees have won a total of 27 World Series trophies. With Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, Alex Rodreguez, Mark Texiera and Russell Martin, the Yankees are looking to take the AL West with suprise.
Who will prevail?
By Andrew Ryan
Currently in first place by half a game are the Boston Red Sox, but hot on their tail are the New York Yankees, who are lighting up the game. It looks like first place is between those two teams because Tampa Bay is behind by 9 games.
The Red Sox have the talent to go on and win the franchise's eighth World Series. Behind a very talented left-handed specialist, Jon Lester, the Red Sox are as good as any team that is thrown in front of them. Also, they have a pitching rotation that consists of Josh Beckett, John Lacket, Andrew Miller, and Erik Berdard, players who can carry the Red Sox to victory.
No matter who is on the mound, the Red Sox are balanced and focused hitters like Kevin Youkolis, David Ortiz, Adrian Gonzalez, and Dustin Pedrioa can easily change the pase of the game. Also, the fielding that the Red Sox have by Dustin Pedrioa and Jacoby Ellsbury is tremendous
On the other side of the equation, the New York Yankees have proved that they want it by hitting 3 grandslams against the Oakland A's last Thursday in a 22 to 9 victory. They are on a three-game winning streak and are playing the first place Red Sox.
When compared to the Red Sox, they are equal. They have people who can make big plays on the field, hit towering homers, and throw like there is no tommorow. C.C. Sabathia is a big left hander that has the Yankees rolling, and they also have right hander Phil Hughes and rookie Ivan Nova.
Derek Jeter has been a Yank ever since he made his debut and he has made a bang throughout his career, including a clutch homerun to win the Yankees a World Series, hit 3,000 hits, and many more.
As a franchise the New York Yankees have won a total of 27 World Series trophies. With Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, Alex Rodreguez, Mark Texiera and Russell Martin, the Yankees are looking to take the AL West with suprise.
Who will prevail?
By Andrew Ryan
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