Hello... Hello again

In the lyrics of the song "Hello" by The Cars: "Hello... hello again."

I am doing another introductory blog here for yet another semester of Journalism. As I'm listening to Paramore's debut album All We Know is Falling (An Alternative Press magazine reporter said the band will release a new record, Brand New Eyes, later this month.), I'm trying to make up my mind which topic this beat blog should be strictly about. Should I strictly cover music or local issues pertaining to campus or both? (Local issues such as the economy affecting the Towson Town Center Mall and affecting happy hour for 21-year-old students.)

Other than that, I am excited for this class since I get to do one of the things I love to do most, especially with my new professor (who's my advisor as well). Well, since this is a new class with brand new people, I'll just introduce myself again.

I'm Rachel Beth Ahrens (I just go by Rachel and my middle name's Elizabeth but I shortened it). I have a wild passion for the two loves of my life: music (particularly rock and old school jazz) and writing. I read and write constantly; I did a whole lot of it over the summer. Like my father, I'm a rabid chocoholic. I cracked at Baskin Robbins a couple of days ago by devouring a delicious scoop of low fat chocolate ice cream that tasted like frozen chocolate mousse.

And I will be the very first woman in my entire family to finish college with a bachelor's degree, so I better make the next two years count.

The reason I took MCOM 258 (or Journalism and New Media II) is not only for my journalism major's requirements, I want to improve my writing even more. My writing has improved so much after taking 257 last semester. I have many, many ideas for what I want to do after college. I have a very good idea for a new music/entertainment/political magazine that I'm actually practicing with right now. The magazine would be similar to that of Spin, Rolling Stone or Alternative Press.

Other than that, I have an idea for my own radio show, since I love music so much. It would have a never ending playlist of rock tunes with breaks for music and other news (local news and political). The other career paths I might want to look into are anchoring for the news on television, writing for Spin or Alternative Press or maybe become an author since I love writing fictional stories as well. But I think I could become a college professor when I'm tired of doing all of that or if I decide to get married and have a family.

However, I really don't know where I'll go at this point. All I know right now is that I want to write more than anything. Someone in the journalism field of work said "You've got to really want it." So I'm taking all the writing classes I can to help me along the way.

One of the things I will take with me for the next two years of college and beyond is something my dad heard not long ago. He ran into a reporter from the San Fransisco Chronicle somehow and he asked him for some advice for his future journalist daughter. The reporter said: "Be aggressive, because no one's going to come to you when you need a job. Put yourself out there and don't ever stop writing. Write about anything and write all the time."

New Blog! The Little Voice has arrived

Hello all!

I have just created a brand new blog that will contain all of my opinion articles and editor's notes that are on the Baltimore Vinyl website. The first post is already up for you to see- it's a part in an opinion series called "Rachel's Rant". I tend to have some very thoughtful rants from time to time and I've finally decided to post them!

If you ever get the chance, please take a moment to visit the site and take a look. I will be posting another rant about my first year as a transfer/commuter student soon. Stay tuned!
Hope everyone has a great first week of the semester at Towson!
Later!
-Rachel

A lovely comical 'Summer'- 500 Days of Summer

Zooey Deschanel (right) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (left) stand in the elevator in the film "500 Days of Summer". AMC Theatres showed an advanced screening on July 22 before the movie was released everywhere August 7. (Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight productions)

If a comedy movie about love was made into a book, it should be placed somewhere between Tim O'Brien and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And that spot is especially reserved for this movie.

In fact, never before has a movie been taken into a form of a novel. There have been books made into movies, but there was never a movie that was made exactly like a real fiction novel that took a close look at real life. This innovative film was probably the first to create a novel theme to a comedy that examines romance and the bullshit of destiny and fate down to its core.

500 Days of Summer takes a close examination of real romantic love in great detail, showing how love can give a person very high highs ("I'm so happy I could dance and sing!") and very low lows ("So depressed I want to shoot myself."). It involves real life with the idea of a fiction book, teaching how fate and destiny are only in fairy tales and in reality, destiny and fate are only regarded as coincidences. The entire film explains that using the typical "boy meets girl" scenario.

The "boy" is Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Stop-Loss), a man working at a greeting card company, who falls in love and becomes obsessed with the "girl", Summer (Zooey Deschanel, Failure to Launch, rock group She and Him). They begin as friends at work, but eventually become more than friends. And just when Tom falls in love with her, Summer leaves him as he spends months pondering over the last 285 days of their relationship to find what went wrong.

The film goes back and forth over the course of five hundred days that Tom spends obsessing over Summer, just like a typical story that follows a pattern similar to that of a classic American author. The story starts in the middle of the plot as there are flashbacks and fast forwards to what happens later on in Tom's life.

To add to the whole classic novel experience in the theatre, the opening credits begin after the author's note and a brief prologue from the narrator. The author's note states that everything in the movie is fictional and if anything had some semblance to things in real life, it was only coincidental. Then, the narrator entered with a prologue on the two characters' backgrounds before the opening titles rolled.

Another fictional fairy tale quality of the film was the scene where a smiling Levitt is dancing around to Hall and Oates's "You Make My Dreams Come True". His character just woke up after an incredible night with Summer and started dancing with the rest of the city. A marching band passes by and there's a small interaction with a cartoon, which gives a hillarious Snow White impression.

Yet, the film also has a strong closeness to reality. As soon as Tom entered the elevator on his way to work after the hysterical fairy tale scene, the story flash forwards to day 303 where Tom is totally miserable. Suddenly, Tom's clothes are sloppy and all of the grayness settles in to the workplace when he steps out of the elevator.

Also, the dirt, sweat, messy clothes and even the circles and bags under the actors' eyes were clearly shown to add to give a more realistic effect. There are split screen moments where there is a divide between what the main character expects and what really happens. It's basically the common, real life romance tragedy, told as if a classic postmodern writer would tell it, reminding the audience that everything is fake.

Clever, captivating, bittersweet, ironic, hillarious and surreal, 500 Days of Summer is probably the most highly recommended breakup movie that everyone needs to see. You will start laughing in the first minute guaranteed. If you don't laugh anywhere in the film or get any of the messages in the story, there is something mentally and physically wrong with you.

Rating: 4 hearts

Rating guide: 1 heart- Don't even leave the house, 2 hearts- Rent it, 3 hearts- See it in digital, 4 hearts- See it twice in the theatre, 5 hearts- See it twice and buy the DVD

Rock band plays at Paws without singer

The rock band Alethia performs Friday, May 1, 2009 at the Local Scene concert in Paws. The band has been playing without a singer since they formed in October, 2007.

Alethia hangs out after a performance. From left to right: drummer Alex Falbo, guitarist Anthony Falbo and bassist Paul Steindler. (Photos by Rachel Beth Ahrens / May 1, 2009)

Alethia, an alternative experimental rock band from Glen Arm, Md., performed Friday night at the Local Scene concert in Paws, without a lead singer.

The Campus Activities Board hosted the concert, which was their last event of the year and the last on campus event for local bands. Other bands that played were Getting to Goodbye, What's the Verdict and Crash Boom Bang. Alethia had microphones on stage, but none of their members sang throughout their thirty minute slot.

Guitarist Anthony Falbo said he was trying to develop his voice, but it was a work in progress. He additionally said that the band never had a singer.

Finding a lead singer for this band isn't easy.

"We've auditioned a lot of people," drummer and junior history major Alex Falbo said. "In terms of what we were looking for, we haven't been able to find one yet. Our music is heavily instrumental, so even if they were to sing, they won't be singing a lot."

Bassist Paul Steindler said that the group was more worried about getting “somebody that isn't going to sound how we want them to sound and they're not going to be good for our type of music.”

Although the band has been playing instrumentally for the whole time, there is a reason for why they still want one. "We do have lyrics," Falbo said. "So the songs do have themes, and the names correspond with those themes."

The band has been playing and recording since roughly January of 2008, according to Falbo, and it has been successful despite not having a frontman.

"Instrumental has worked," Falbo said. "We have a strong following, we just produced a demo, we have merchandise, we've been playing and we created our own venue in Timonium. And it's hard for instrumental bands to get gigs. We've been told, 'How do you expect to sell tickets if you don't have a singer?'"

However, the band has already played at other venues and built a following. "We played at the Recher twice," his brother Anthony said. "So we bring a crowd consistently, but without the singer, you have to step it up instrumentally to fill in for that."

"You need lots more melodies," he continued. "The bass needs to be very tight with the guitar, combining melodies and progressions, sometimes switching off parts and the drums always have to hold down perfectly."

Alex Falbo has played drums since he was 4 and works intensely with his brother Anthony and Steindler. "My brother writes the songs, I structure them and Paul also writes a couple of the tunes as well," he said. "So this is a very collaborative effort and we definitely don't want to have just anybody singing for us."

Freshman psychology major and Getting to Goodbye bassist Matt Taylor was impressed with the band. "It was my first time seeing them, but I thought it was really interesting because they don't have any vocals," he said. "I thought it was a good show."

The Audition softens up on Self-Titled Album

The Audition recently released their third record on April 28, 2009, entitled Self-Titled Album, from Victory Records. (Photo courtesy of Myspace.com / May 9, 2009)

Something funny happened to The Audition when they released their latest album.

Their debut album, Controversy Loves Company, was the attention getter of many pop punk listeners. The follow-up, Champion, delivered a darker, razor sharp edge to their sound that clashed with descriptive, dream like intamacy lyrics. I was extremely impressed with the band's talent and technique on that last album. It may have been their best yet and I hoped that they'd keep getting better.

But when I found that the band recently recorded another album and bassist Joe Lussa left the band, I was in for another, yet less positive, surprise. Self-Titled Album, the third installment by the rock group, is a little bit more on the softer side of Champion. After listening to the entire record on Myspace, I was somewhat disappointed. I expected more firey guitar solos and songs with themes of angst, heartbreak and musicianship.

On the other hand, the album still rocks despite the pop fused punk style the band appeals to, the extra synthesizers and the Fruit Stripes album cover. There are still some great guitar licks and solos and the lead singer's voice has never been better. Perhaps this album is reaching out to audiences who prefer easy listening music to the sounds of screeching, chugging electric guitars.

"It's Gonna Be Hard (When I'm Gone)" is a perfect example of a song that appeals to a more easy listening audience. It begins with a gentle acoustic guitar melody before frontman Danny Stevens enters with the first verse. By the chorus, the song turns into a beautiful power ballad of heartbreak.

Stevens clearly hasn't lost his lovely, resonant voice that sometimes reminds me of The Alan Parsons Project. In fact, he has increased his vocal range on this album than ever before, which is impressive. He goes beyond listeners' expectations in "The Way That You Move" and the new single "My Temperature's Rising". It was also surprising to see that after roughly four years that the rock group has been together, Stevens finally picks up a guitar after their bassist left in January.

Some other tunes on the rest of the album are more thoughtful and clever than I thought was going to be, judging by the melodies on all ten tracks. "Over My Head" takes a stalker-user approach to the piece. The song is as electrifying and seductive as the scintillating lyrics. It would be even better if there was a more powerful guitar solo rather than repeating a chord progression during the bridge.

The Audition's new sexy single "My Temperature's Rising" sounds like a continuation of another one of their hits, "Warm Me Up", only that the tune takes a more romantic approach. The single itself has a Bon Jovi like rhythm and catchy lyrics to correspond with the warm, bright, colorful melody. However, the single isn't very original because it has the same description of how falling in love was like getting a fever or the flu, which is used in many other songs. But after seeing an online video interview and looking at the lyrics differently, it's actually more about finding out more about the person as love unfolds, like conducting surgery.

And somehow, The Audition always saves the best for last. "Sign. Steal. Deliver." is a tune that pays homage to Champion. It has a much darker tone, cutting into the heart of an ex, which the lyrics are about. The title is satirical, since it looks like it's taken from the Stevie Wonder hit, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours". But this song is just the opposite of the intended Wonder theme; it's a final note to a lover after a breakup. As for the song itself, it gives a harder, edgier rhythm and melody which is pleasing to The Audition's diehard listeners.

Although the album is catchy, biting and agreeable, Self-Titled uses too many synthesizers and not enough talent. It reminds me of the Plain White T's old sound. I'm still waiting to hear a record from them that will flat out throw me on the floor with originality and art. But from what I've heard, the band sounds like it's going to take a few steps back. If that's because the band lost their bass player, their guitarist Timothy Klepek has filled in for bass, and Danny Stevens is still learning guitar, there might be a reason for why The Audition is slowing down on their style. I'm going to give them another chance because their last record was crapshoot and I have a feeling that they're going to improve. Fall Out Boy has improved so much, especially with their record Folie A Deux, so now I'm waiting for The Audition to find their real groove that is uniquely them rather than All Time Low.

Overall, this record is well worth the money and time. After listening to the album about five times, it's just as great as their other albums. But I'll be waiting for their real, original sound.

Students find alternatives in a shaky economy

Students wait in line at Paws to order lunch. More students have taken advantage of meal plans rather than going out to eat due to the economy.

Towson University students have found inexpensive ways to use their time and get to campus since the beginning of the 2009 recession.

“The time I spend with my friends is usually not going out to places we don’t have the money to be going out once or twice a week,” senior philosophy major R.J. Wines said. “We stay connected through the Internet, talk, instant message, play games online. Or, if we do want to go out somewhere, it’s very seldom, but we just meet up at one of the friends’ houses and just hang out there.”

“We definitely take advantage of the free pool tables they have in Paws,” senior computer science major Matt Sammarco said. “That’s definitely a good time killer.”

According to Bob Campbell, the Director of Auxilary Services, sales of meal plans have increased.

“As enrollment has grown, and as more people come, we tend to sell more meal plans,” he said. “It’s hard to factor out who would have been here if Towson had not grown, and who’s here as a result of Towson growing.”

With a meal plan or dining points, the price of a meal is lower than paying cash because each meal purchased with the OneCard excludes the 6 percent sales tax. And due to recent price increases, students use their meal plans and dining points more often.

“A lot of my friends, we mainly just stay in most of the time,” sophomore vocal performance major Emma Anderson said. “I have a lot of friends that live off campus and they go to get food a lot and that’s kind of hard for me just because I’m living off of loans right now. So, I do the alternative of having them come here and just hang out in my dorm or their apartment.”

Students are also taking advantage of the shuttle system.

“I live in one of the apartment complexes that has a shuttle,” senior chemistry major Genesis Hugghis said. “So even if I didn’t have the money to fill my gas tank up, I would still be able to take the school shuttle bus that they provide for us.”

Students are even avoiding alcohol to save money.

“I just usually go to parties or I just don’t drink at all because I don’t really find the need to drink too much,” junior theatre major Stephanie Holland said. “My friends are fun enough without drinking. Usually I just save whatever alcohol I have and try to drink as little as possible to save money because alcohol is expensive.”

Photojournalism! Practice shots

Some pictures I took last Thursday or Friday, just to practice taking shots.
Outside Van Bokklen... spring hath sprung!

Different angles and shots

Some action shots... that aren't all that great.

Girls playing football? No! There are no girls in football!

Fight on, Towson Tigers, fight on black and gold, fight on Towson Tigers, blah blah blah blah blah blah, fight fight...

Wish I knew the words to the TU fight song. Even though I've only transferred from CCBC last semester and I've been at Towson for nearly a year, I still don't know it.

Metro Goldwyn Meyer Productions presents...

Tiger Eyes

Here, kitty kitty... rrrrrowl

Tiger pride!