Articles
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Planet Palin
“Sarah Palin’s Alaska” takes off
By Johannes Harkins
An Alaskan sidewalk is filled to the edge with polar bears. Every time a car drives by honking, the bears erupt in a cheer, brandishing their painted signs. These aren’t exactly the kind of bears people take their kids to see in zoos, nor are they the kind that steal picnic baskets. They are “Polar Bears Against Palin,” a group protesting Sarah Palin’s fight against endangered species status for Polar Bears, and they’re not the first group to question Sarah Palin’s anti-nature attitude.
Published May 21, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
Who’s That?
One of the UK’s most popular shows remains anonymous in the US
By Johannes Harkins
In the United States, the default answer for “which superhero would you most like to be?” is “Superman.” To be fair, it’s pretty hard to argue for any other response. Superman is a relatively complete package; invincibility, unworldly speed, X-ray vision, flight, super strength. But what if there was a superhero who could go back in time and alter Superman’s life inexorably, a superhero who could even prevent him from being born. Meet Dr. Who, British icon and cult legend.
Published May 21, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
Quest For the Best: Way to Abuse Wealth
By Johannes Harkins
Everyone is raised to save money. Parents teach their children the value of a dollar with a dime a week allowance until it grows into a savings account. But now the economy is in tip top shape and money practically grows on trees. So now one of the major problems of the day is finding what to do with all the money burning a hole in everyone’s pockets. Never fear, these solutions will have your bank account empty in the most fantastic way possible.
Published April 30, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
The Bachelor
A review of Usher's first album as a re-eligible man
By Johannes Harkins
The last time I heard an Usher song, it was full of lines about devotion, and he was all the way into his marriage, and how great of a man it made him. His marriage was really his whole album. In Usher’s new album, “Raymond vs. Raymond,” his marriage is again the topic of his R&B crooning, but this time it is cast in a much different light.
Published April 30, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
Golden Soldier
Pat Tillman’s unfortunate journey
By Johannes Harkins
Krakauer’s novel, “Where Men Win Glory”, tells Tillman’s story, and beyond that, characterizes him as a person, gives him substance beyond the image of a martyr.
Published April 16, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
Crap of the Titans
Hollywood proves that remaking bad movies doesn’t always work out well
By Johannes Harkins
Hollywood is notorious for wringing every last cent out of every project. Whether it be absurd merchandise, like an Avatar baby mobile or a Die Hard line of grills, or ridiculous extras like the director’s wife’s cut, the movie industry just can’t let some things die. But I was naïve enough to assume that they would have some sense about when to let certain things die.
Published April 16, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
Christmas for Jerks
How to make the most out of your April Fool’s Day
By Johannes Harkins
April Fool’s day is one of the easiest holidays, to remember, falling on the first of the month, which means that no one forgets to prank someone else. For some, there’s no better way to begin the month than by watching some poor sucker get horseradish instead of ketchup., fFor others, it’s a day spent in a constant state of alertness, with a concealed weapon. It’s generally best to identify the latter type of person early on and avoid pranking them. However, if you know someone who needs a good pranking, but won’t reciprocate with multiple stab wounds, here are some ideas to get you started.
Published March 26, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
Page Turners
Great magazines that don't have centerfolds
By Johannes Harkins
In the age of the dying newspaper and the 3D movie, a magazine can still hold a readership in even the oddest of subjects. “Farmer’s Digest”, and “Yarn Enthusiast” aside, there are some magazines that garner a consistent base of subscribers that make the magazines hard to ignore. If yarn isn’t your thing, you might consider checking out some of these popular magazines.
Published March 26, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
Hamburgled
Head to these fine establishments Seattle’s finest burgers.
By Johannes Harkins
Seattle, although one of the most vegetarian friendly cities in America, is not without the odd hamburger haven. Although any McDonalds in the world could give you a “hamburger,” there is a world beyond the golden arches.
Published March 12, 2010 - Arts & Entertainment
The Next Episode
The 206 becomes the 213 for one fateful evening
By Johannes Harkins
The tension in the air was palpable. The doors opened at 7, the time was now midnight, and still, no Snoop. The opening acts were particularly disappointing, and did little to quell the visibly unsettled crowd. My friends and I had already been in and out of the fray several times because we thought it was wiser to rest our legs than keep our places. But finally, the lights went out, and the wait was immediately worth it.
