3 Things to do Instead of Going Out on New Year’s Eve

Let me just state the obvious to start off — New Year’s Eve is overrated. Everyone always gets stressed out and anxiety-ridden making plans and picking outfits for a holiday that is usually a let down anyway. With Hollywood setting up unrealistic expectations for what a New Year’s Eve kiss should really be like, we wake up on January 1st with a hangover and blurry memories of a sloppy makeout session we had with a stranger.

So why not just stay home for a cozy night in? You’ll save tons of money that would either be spent on a ridiculously expensive cover charge or an overpriced little black dress. This New Year’s Eve, I will be staying in instead of walking around the bitterly cold streets of Chicago in a mini skirt and platforms, and I could not be happier about it. There are tons of ways to stay in and still have fun on New Year’s, and here are just a few.

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Are You Ready for the MTVu Woodies?

Thanks to our biffles over at MTV, I was able to go to the MTVu’s Woodie awards. What’s a woodie? Oh, please. Don’t act like you don’t know. The Woodie Awards is only the coolest, most underrated award show ever. Blending alternative music with rap, bringing Death Cab and Rick Ross together, MTVu brings my favorite coffee shop jams and booty shaking music together and rewards them with an awkward wooden statue.

Did I mention that the entire venue was crammed with kegs, Solo cups and celebs? Imagine a frat party. With Zooey Deschanel and Mary Louise Parker. Only the music doesn’t suck. And instead of your bestie making out with the make-shift bartender? A very sloppy David Cross is macking it with Amber Tamblyn.

The show airs tonight at 10PM on MTVu. And everyone who appreciates really good music (and booze) just needs to watch. Here’s a little taste of the going-ons:

- Me and my roommate – aka my assistant/Red Bull Vodka (more on that later) runner for the night – arrive and get placed in prime seating, inches away from the celebs and, more importantly, the open bar. We are closely behind some Real World d-bag who is waving to everyone in general admission. Bro, you are not famous. Sit down. Shut up.

- Pete Wentz in all his mangs (man bangs) glory gets on stage to kick off the Woodies, red Solo cup in hand and gives a big cheers to all the names here. Cam’ron‘s here? What! Read More »


Guilt-Free Potato Chips! No, I’m Not Effing With You.

popchips2.JPGIf you’re a bit calorie-conscious like me and won’t go near any form of full-fat, greasy potato chips, here’s a great alternative to satisfy those pesky salty/crunchy/carb-loaded cravings.

I can’t believe we’ve never talked about them before on CC. Because Popchips are off. the. chain!

I had heard a lot about Popchips, but was a bit skeptical the first time I brought them home. That lasted about 2 seconds.

When I opened the bag, I could smell the deliciousness of the BBQ-flavored chips just waiting for me to devour them. And so I did. And they were awesome, down to the last finger-licking crumb. I found them to be light and airy, kind of like popcorn, but a lot more flavorful and crispy.

The best part is that they’re completely guilt-free! Since they’re not fried in oil, but rather “popped”  using heat and pressure (don’t worry, I don’t get it either) the chips have half the fat of a typical potato chip with no trans fat, no saturated fats, no cholesterol and no preservatives. Read More »


Student Debts are About to Get Deeper

24980958.jpgOur economy is crumbling, and things just got worse for Bachelors degree-hopefuls, especially those in Massachusetts. Last year, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority secured over $500 million in educational loans. This year, they’ve announced that they will not be offering loans for the upcoming academic year.

None. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. They didn’t cut their $500 million budget to, say, $250 million. They exed the loans altogether.

MEFA secures loans for 40,000 students who live in Massachusetts, or who attend school there. Unfortunately, this year, the financing authority could not secure the money. Executive director Tom Graff blames “disruptions in capital markets.” So, just like that, 40,000 students are sh*t out of luck.

MEFA is the first to make headlines, but any financing authority could also be treading on thin ice. Which means that students across the country could be forced to drop out of college, or sell their souls to finance a degree that can cost upwards of FORTY GRAND per year at top-notch schools like Carnegie Mellon, Tufts, NYU, and Notre Dame.

When I was in college, I played my cards right, and managed to get through my degree with almost no debt, and decided to pursue a Master’s, rather than join the work force right away. With our declining economy, I am currently paying dearly for that decision. Read More »


Alternative Summer Rental List

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I love books. I do. For me, reading is a passion, something I can’t imagine life without.

But sometimes, when it’s really super-summer hot, the thought of focusing your sweat-brimmed eyes enough to read a novel is just plain agonizing. Not to mention those dreadful rainy days when you are forced to stick it out indoors.

So here, for your viewing pleasure, I propose some alternative summer rentals (film = another love of my life). Some of these are weird and some are, well, weirder. But hopefully you’ll enjoy at least some of them as much as I have.

oldboy

Oldboy

Okay, don’t watch this if you don’t like to feel very, very uncomfortable. (I do want to say, however, that this is my favorite movie of all time.)

Oldboy is a Korean film (director Chan-wook Park, for whom Oldboy is part of a trilogy; Park also directed the lovely I’m a Cyborg and That’s Okay), part of the wave of innovative Korean filmmakers that was going on a few years ago. It’s the story of a man who is suddenly kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years. By the time he gets out, the only thing he cares about is finding out who imprisoned him and why–and getting revenge.

Oh yeah, and it’s based on a comic book, so it’s extremely graphic. You’ve been warned. Read More »


Weezer Finds Old Groove Just In Time For 6th Disc

weezer.jpgThere are some albums everyone should have in their collection. If you’re a fan of popular music, or at least good music in general, Weezer’s first self-titled album, now affectionately titled The Blue album, is one of those. In ten simple ditties written about things as simple as surfing and hangin’ out in the garage and as harrowing and complex as alcoholism. Weezer crashed the grunge music party and found a home in popular culture.

Since their debut on the scene in 1994, reviews of Weezer’s subsequent albums have paled in comparison. Fans, myself included, have stood by the band as Pinkerton, The Green Album, Maladroit and Make Believe saw occasional commercial success with pop-like singles but nothing lasting.

But we held out. We found and embraced the good stuff (Pinkerton’s been in my heavy rotation since high school) where snooty reviewers and the general public saw weak pet projects. And now, for Weezer and music fans alike, the long wait may be over. Read More »


Music Video of the Day: The Veronicas

The Veronicas: Hook Me Up

Today’s as good a day as any to post a cheesy video, right? Sometimes I love music like this, it puts a smile on my face. You too? Get it here!


Music Video of the Day: Emery

Emery: The Party Song

The Party Song

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From the album “I’m Only A Man”. Like it? Get it here!


Weird Eyes? Misshaped Body Parts? Become a Model!

model beautiful alternativeAre you tired of looking at tall, thin models with indistinguishable features? Apparently many people want to see more “normal looking people” in mainstream media. This is why Ugly New York has been created to represent models with a “unique look”.

Although the company has the word “ugly” in its title, models who represent Ugly New York are not unattractive, they’re just different than what one would normally expect a model to look like. Weird physical quirks are fine as long as the person has that certain style and confidence needed to be a model.

The company represents everyday people – businessmen, computer geeks, anyone who makes you turn your head and think “Wow he/she has something special about him/her”. Ugly New York gives people who never even considered the opportunity to model a chance to strut their stuff.

After viewing the talent on their site, it’s easy to tell that the company does represent some “classic” models. However, they also have their fair share of hairy bikers, aging women and quirky 20 and 30 somethings. Read More »


Music Video of the Day: Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse: Dashboard

From the album WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIP EVEN SANK Buy it here.