How Facebook Changed Our Lives

     This past weekend I ran in the Dirty Dash, a six-mile obstacle course race that I did with some brothers and friends that involved a lot of mud.

     A month before the race, disaster struck. I was out for a run one evening and twisted my ankle. It ballooned up and gushed blood down from my knee. I was devastated and worried how I could possibly be in shape for a race that was only four weeks away with a busted ankle.

     After countless days of ice, a short stint on crutches, and doctor medicated steroids, I found myself ready to start training again. The only problem was that the race was only a week away.

     I realized my lack of training wasn't that big of a problem the instant the race began. I was surrounded by runners dressed in all kinds of costumes, and none of them seemed to be taking the race too seriously. The course began up a steep soggy and muddy hill. As my friends and I charged up, a lot of runners stopped to throw mud at each other.

     The race ended up being a blast and I'm glad I did it, but as we drove away from Soldier Hollow that Friday afternoon, I couldn't help but think most people did that race not for the thrill of racing, but for the photo ops.

     I don't mean to disparage the five ladies who wore wedding dresses or the Mario and Luigi who all trudged through the mud, but what did the Dirty Dash mean to them? Was it not just a Festival of Colors with only one color? Was is not a chance to get a sweet new profile pic and generate discussion about the cool weekend they had?

     Social media has dramatically altered the way we live our lives. In the 90s, a lot less people would be willing to run for 6 miles through the mud in costume because there wasn't any way to publicly display it. So many people live their lives not to live them, but for others to see online. You really think that tool didn't give it much thought before he posted a video of him shirtless playing "Wonderwall" on the guitar 12 seconds after making his status a Bible verse? Facebook is filled with opportunities to say "get over yourself" to the cocky or passive aggressive status updates or the weekly photo albums of things as trite as trips to Wal-Mart and filling up the gas tank.

     But for all the eye roll inducing Facebook causes, it's also changed our lives for the better. If it wasn't for Facebook, Betty White wouldn't have hosted SNL and students upset about BYUSA misusing student tuition dollars would have never come together to voice their opinion online.

     The Internet took the whole communications process and the news cycle, and put it on (doctor medicated) steroids, but sites like Facebook made it personal. Remember how it used to be OK to not use your real name online? My first e-mail address was aztrackstarrunner or something. Sites like Facebook made you use your real name, it made you put your picture online. It made the Internet a personal experience.

     Today, "The Social Network" hits theaters. It is predicted by some critics to be the movie of our generation, a romanticized semi-accurate account of the creation of an online empire that has changed the way we live and drastically dropped the GPA's of people across the world.

     Although there is a chance Facebook could last and change to meet the needs of the future, the social networking site could one day be a relic of a forgotten age, viewed by people the same way we view MySpace today. Regardless of what happens to the site, social media is here to stay. For good or ill, our lives have been changed.

John Stewart Reacts to Reactions of Colbert Congressional Testimony

     Daily Show host John Stewart tackled the topic of Stephen Colbert's Congressional testimony this week,  criticizing Fox News and those who believed Colbert's five minute comments "ruined Congress".  Check the video below.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Rally to Restore Sanity

If Mark Zuckerberg Directed "The Social Network"...

     Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg wasn't supportive of the creation of a quasi-non-fictional movie based on the social networking site's founding.  "The Social Network" hits theaters tomorrow, but until then, check out what it might have been if Zuckerberg directed it himself.

The Top 7 Best Britney Spears Covers of All Time

     The second most awful show on television is airing an episode dedicated to the legendary Miss Britney Spears tonight, and it will include several uninspired covers of the pop star's catalog (with one exception, an acoustic take on "Toxic"). Instead of listening to those cheap knock offs, spin these covers of classic Britney tunes after the jump.

Oh No She Didn't: Woman Picks Her Nose During Newscast...Then Eats It

It's one thing if it's in the car and the person next to you sees it. It's another thing if you do it on television and it ends up all over the internet.

Jimmy Eat World "My Best Theory"

     Jimmy Eat World's Invented is finally out. Here is the music video for "My Best Theory". It's not your typical Jimmy Eat World video. It's pretty creepy and is highly reminiscent of an Intimacy era Bloc Party video. This isn't your big brother's J.E.W.

Sarah Palin Has Nice Legs

This video is ridiculous. It features Bristol Palin walking around with her child, not speaking to the cameras, while in LA for Dancing With the Stars. It also shows hot mom Sarah Palin walking around in running shorts, which is apparently a really big deal. The Palin's have become well-known celebrities and paparazzi targets.

I took a poll. It may or may not be representative of the entire nation.

9 in 10 people asked could identify both Bristol and Sarah Palin.

From the same 10, 7 could identify the Obama girls, but only 5 knew their names.

And just 2 people could identify our current Vice President, Joe Biden.

Why are we obsessed with the Palin's?

Stephen Colbert Testifies Before Congress

     Comedian Stephen Colbert testified before Congress today on the conditions faced by migrant farm workers.

     Invited to speak at the request of Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif, Colbert cited his "vast experience spending one day as a migrant farm worker," and said that he was, "happy to use my celebrity to draw attention to this important complicated issue."

      The comedian was one of 16 individuals who volunteered to participate in the United Farm Worker's "Take Our Jobs" program where people spend a day doing the work commonly done by immigrant workers on a farm.

     "I'll admit I started my work day with preconceived notions of migrant labor, but after working with these men and women...side by side in the unforgiving sun I have to say - and I do mean this sincerely - please don't make me do this again. It is really, really hard."

     Colbert, who testified in character familiar to fans of his Comedy Central show "The Colbert Report", was commended by Lofgren for attending, but others saw his attendance as a distraction.  Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich, asked Colbert to submit his remarks and refrain from testifying, but the comedian stayed and stood up proudly for"truthiness".

     Watch the video below.  And remember, "USA, number one."

Complete Guide to Turning Blue

     People are always looking for the "secret" to health and wellness; some magic cure-all that can fix everything from a cold to cancer. Countless companies and multi-level marketing organizations exist for this very reason, and they stand to make very good profits. Consumers need to be vigilant and remember that if something is too good to be true, it probably is.

     One such "cure-all" is colloidal silver.  Made of small pieces of silver, yes the same silver used in jewelry and some silverware, suspended in liquid, the antidote comes in digestible form or as a spray.  Touted on one manufacturer's website as capable of healing an incision after surgery, boosting children's immune systems ("It was fun to watch the baby open his mouth, eager to get his spray!"), and healing burns, they claim it's harmless and effective.

     Others disagree, including Brent A. Bauer, M.D.

     "Colloidal silver isn't considered safe or effective for any of the health claims manufacturers make. Nor is it an essential mineral, as some sellers of silver products claim," Bauer said on Mayoclinic.com.  "It's not clear how much colloidal silver may be harmful, but it can build up in your body's tissues over months or years. Most commonly, this results in argyria, a blue-gray discoloration of your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails and gums."

     Bauer points out that although turning blue isn't a serious health problem, the condition is irreversible.

     Perhaps the most famous case of a person's skin turning blue-gray is Paul Karason of California. Karason, a firm believer of the health benefits of consuming silver, has been interviewed on local news and Oprah for his condition.

Rihanna Teams Up With Doritos for 'First Ever Interactive Music Video'

     Rihanna's "Only Girl (In The World)" continues its domination on iTunes' digital charts and is expected to make quiet the splash on the Hot 100 in the coming weeks.  The good girl gone bad has yet to release a music video for the track, so it was puzzling when a music video for a song entitled "Who's That Chick?" leaked last Friday.

     Rihanna's record label, SRP records, then tweeted, "Its a leak,defjam is pulling it down as fast as possible. This song is not a single-4 the clubs only."

     Now it seems that the video was a piece of the "first ever interactive music video" in "Late Night: A Global Music Event Starring Rihanna".  Doritos has put the whole mysterious event together, which means it's going to be life changing.  Doritos has always been known for putting together interesting ad campaigns that get the attention of young people used to zipping through Tevoed TV shows.

     Check the promo video below.

The Return of Modern Family

Who's excited for Modern Family?!

The new season starts this Wednesday, September 22 at 9/8 central. This week's episode will follow Mitchell and Cam as they attempt to build a Princess Castle for Lilly. See a sneak peek here!

If you didn't watch last season, here are some highlights that will convince you to tune in this Wednesday. And if you did watch- just enjoy!

Cheryl Cole "Promise This"

     What separated British girl group Girls Aloud from predecessors like the Spice Girls wasn't only the fact that they were celebrated by critics and actually made good music, but that they realized that they were stronger together than they were apart. The group recorded five albums in as many years, and not once did it seem like any of them had any thoughts of going solo.

     Maybe that's why it seemed more natural for singer Cheryl Cole to go solo when the group went on hiatus in 2009. There was no public animosity within the Aloud and Cheryl seemed to be doing it only because making music was what she loved and not to feed a massive ego. 

     With Cole's second album only months away, and fellow bandmate Nadine Coyle's solo project nearing completion, any hopes of Girls Aloud getting back together seem dim.  With music as inventive and interesting as "Promise This" though, it doesn't seem so bad.

      "Promise this: If I die before I wake...take the time to say your grace," Cole sings in the song's very 90's music video.  Another instant classic for Miss Cole.

Kele Live

     Had it been a Bloc Party concert, the Summit Music Hall in Denver probably wouldn't have been large enough to accomodate the crowd.  Instead, it was just the band's lead singer, Kele Okereke.  For a rock star used to playing at massive European festivals, he sure seemed at home in this smaller, more intimate venue.

     Still, Kele's set was essentially a Bloc Party show.  His debut solo album, The Boxer, is a natural successor to the band's 2008 Intimacy, continuing the evolution from guitar heavy syncopated indie post-punk to electro-clash rock.  And the show was a natural successor to the band's last tour.  Rather than sing on themes of love, loss, and pain, the theme of the show was self empowerment and finding strength.

     "You are stronger than you feel," he sang during "Rise".  "Raise those arms that once were broken."

     With hands raised, the energetic crowd sang along, often with the same British accent Kele sings with.  At one point, a voice in the crowd yelled, "Take your shirt off!"

      "This isn't an Usher concert!" Kele said back.  Within five minutes however, he lobbed his Notre Dame jersey into the crowd.

      The majority of the show consisted of solo material, although he did perform a Bloc Party medley of a pumped up "Blue Light", "The Prayer", and "One More Chance" (The finale also consisted of a even more synthed up than usual "Flux").  The majority of the show was also up tempo, and allowed for much moshing.

     "You were made for greatness," he sang to the crowd during "Tenderoni", one of the show's highlights.  The crowd seemed to agree.

     Kele Okereke is the voice of our generation, yet he is the type of musician who is uncomfortable with media and spotlight.  He loves his music and he loves his fans.  The passion is palpable.  During a slow number, "All The Things I Could Never Say", he had the crowd quiet down before beginning.  You could feel the pain as he sang, "Where did you stay last night?  You didn't come home."

     But the entire set was passionate.  From the slowest saddest songs to the most hyped up and euphoric.  In a short hour-long show, Kele proved he is one of the elite musicians of our era, and the voice of our generation.

Willow Smith Defines Decade with "Whip My Hair"

     As a generation wanders aimlessly, trying hopelessly to find something to grasp onto, something to define their struggle, and something to give voice to their feelings of alienation and angst, an unlikely figure comes to fill that void.  Her name is Willow Smith.  The 9-year-old daughter of Will Smith is making waves with her debut single, "Whip My Hair". 

     It's profound, empowering, timely, and timeless.  "Don't matter if it's long, short, do it, do it, whip your hair."

With Host Chelsea Handler, VMAs Earn Best Ratings Since 2002

Chelsea Handler has taken a bit of a beating today for her host performance at last night's Video Music Awards.

The New York Times called it "among the worst in the show's history." And a TV Guide poll shows most people felt "she was bad."

However, with her as host, the VMA's earned their best ratings since 2002.

But whatever. These people obviously don't have a sense of humor. Chelsea was funny.

Other memorable moments include:

• Every time Gaga spoke. Most especially when she made good on a promise to fans by revealing the title of her next album, due in 2011: Born This Way. Gaga then sang "I'm beautiful in my way, because God makes no mistakes, I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way."
• When Gaga said, "I never thought I'd be asking Cher to hold my meat purse."
• Kanye toasting the douchebags, assholes, scumbags and jerk-off's.
• Cher, just in general.
• Ursher's DJ Got Us Falling in Love/OMG Medley.
• Eminem and Rihanna's emotional and amazing "Not Afraid" and "Love the Way You Lie" perfomance. Not so much Rihanna's tutu, red wig and weird boots. But still, amazing songs.

Fashion Hits and Misses:

That's how Sue C's it.

Hit: Ashley Greene looks smokin'

Jason Derulo stays on trend with black on black.

Katy Perry should have worn a shirt.

Ke$ha wore a straight up trash bag. But, she didn't even look that bad.

No, this is ridiculous.

Ay yi yi, Sofia Vergara! We want Modern Family!

BFF's Ursher and J. Bieb

Lady Lamanite. I mean, Gaga.

The 5 Most Annoying Things About Roommates

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

We all have been there, but what is it about roommates that we just can’t stand?

5.  Eating your food.  The reason it has become necessary to carry around a sharpie at all times.  How many times have you been at school all day long, wanting nothing than to enjoy that delicious (insert your favorite food/snack here) only to discover it gone when you arrive home?  Too many times.

4.  The door is locked even when they’re home.  Okay, I realize that in most cities in the United States this totally makes sense.  However, I find it odd that in broad daylight here in Provo, Utah they would find necessary to lock the doors at all times.

3.  They are ridiculously loud at all hours.  While we all love to have fun, why do you find it necessary to listen to music/have people over until 4 in the morning?  Please, find somewhere else to party and not on the other side of my bedroom wall.

2.  Leaving their mess all over the apartment.  Is it really so difficult to stick a dish in the dish washer?  No, I submit that it is not.  Please, I am not your mother so clean up after yourself.

1.  Finding your possessions have suddenly disappeared.  I have lost count of how many movies of mine have suddenly disappeared.  Where on Earth is my copy of John Tucker Must Die?  Nobody seems to know.

Republican Boehner, Trustworthy Speaker?

 Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

As the November elections draw closer, Democrats in the House are aware that Republicans may very well take control. With this in mind, minority leader John Boehner is taking full advantage of the malcontent towards Democrats within the inner circles of lobbyists and big corporations.

Boehner, who is in the running to replace Nancy Pelosi as the House Speaker, is known to be in cahoots with big names in the tobacco industry as well as Google, Goldman Sachs and Miller-Coors. In return for $37,800 checks, Boehner has given the big names and lobbyists ample room to push their agendas within the legislature.

An article in the New York Times said, "The members of this inner circle said their association with Mr. Boehner translates to open access to him and his staff," which essentially means that his financiers openly and conveniently share their demands with Boehner.

The same Times article exposed Boehner's spending on travel and "popular golf spots". The expenses are paid through Boehner's his political action committee, the Freedom Project. "In the last 18 months, it has spent $67,000 at the Ritz-Carlton Naples in Florida, at least $20,000 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., and at least $29,000 at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio," for fund-raising events.

While Boehner exceed in fund-raising, the public should be asking "How is Boehner helping legislature pass laws that help the general public?" Instead, we're asking, "Why is Boehner's support so easily purchased?" I can't take him on a fancy golf trip, but I can give him a piece of my mind. Why should we support a politician who can be so easily persuaded?

20 Worst Status Updates Ever

I may be guilty of a number of these, so I am passing no judgment on any of my facebook friends. But really:


1. "Friday can't come fast enough!" "Can't wait for the weekend" "Longest week everrrr.\

2. Solicitations for money for charities.

3. Health updates- TMI! For your immediate family that are concerned for you, CALL THEM or at least send a private message.

4. Politics.

5. SUPER long status updates- please no longer than 2 lines. We get bored.

6. "Just got back from the gym!" "LOVES spin class" "Went to the gym for the 28th day in a row!"

7. "Bored at work- someone come visit me"

8. Children's sleeping habits.

9. Wedding planning updates, or "48 days until the big day!"

10. Counting down to some event that no one else is going to. Especially when you don't say what it is. "7 days until the best day ever!"

11. Spoiling a TV show. Some of us watch it on hulu later. Try to remember that.

12. Depression. "Just can't do it another day" (Disclaimer: If you really are clinically depressed, please get some help! We care!)

13. Nonsensical quotes.

14. Passive-aggressive statuses meant to make your ex feel bad.

15. "So tired from my trip to Spain" "So tired from working and homework and class. ugh" "SO TIRED!"

16. Alcoholic's complaints about yet another hangover.

17. Overuse of obscure song lyrics.

18. Pleas for fb friends to come to your show.

19. Repeated statuses about love.

20. "is in class" Well, that's nice that you want the world to know how much you AREN'T paying attention.

Shaq vs.

Now that Shaq is a Celtic, I guess I have to learn to like him. His "hit" show Shaq vs. features the top athletes in a variety of sports competing against him. While obviously a gifted athlete, O'Neal is typically nowhere near as good at any sport on Shaq vs. as his competition. But now, against J. Bieb, Shaq really showed his stuff! Boy can dance!

A Creepy Reason to Keep Your Apartment Clean

With Fall just around the corner, be prepared to not only bring out the sweaters, but also keep a look-out for some 8-legged friends. According to a recent article on KSL, we're right at the beginning or spider breading season, and they're on the prowl. Ryan Davis, from the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab Insect Diagnostician, said in the article, "Between the end of August and early October, hobo spiders especially are a common one that can be found migrating into homes."

To protect yourself from risk of a bite, experts suggest that you move your bed a few inches away from the wall (hobo spiders can't climb walls) as well as get rid of your bedskirt (they can climb up fabrics). As spiders prefer to hide in cool, dry places keeping clothes off the ground will also will help keep spiders from hanging around the apartment.

From personal experience, don't believe when you've killed one you've killed them all.

10 Dumb Things You Don't Want to Do Your 1st Week at School

1. Get in a car accident. Not only did you just spend a couple thousand dollars on your tuition, books, and rent, you probably don't want to be paying for repairs on your car. Getting in a car accident is horrible for you and the 1/2 mile traffic jam you just created. Be smart and pay attention to where you are going.

Bikestravaganza in Provo

 Joe Biel of Portland, Or.

Tuesday night, two bicycle enthusiasts traveled to Provo as part of a month long tour across the western United States. Bikestravaganza, hosted by the Provo Bike Committee, was a hit that attracted more than 30 Provo residents.

The event was a held to celebrate the addition of over 60 miles of new, bike-friendly lanes. The plan, which has been in the making for the last three years, was finally passed by the Provo Municipal Council in early August.

Zac Whitmore, the Chairman of the Provo Bike Committee said that some of the roads that will be effected are 9th East, 5th West, Freedom Boulevard, Bulldog Avenue and University Avenue.

Joe Biel and Elly Blue, the two people in charge of Bikestravaganza, presented the room with clips, information, and videos on the effectiveness of the Portland bike lanes. They also discussed the struggles that a community experiences as they grow to become bike-friendly. While a community may struggle, new communities are formed.

"I think there's a common thread in life that everyone needs a community around them," Biel said. "Biking is like a makeshift family."

For further Provo bike news, visit BikeProvo.org and ProvoBC.com.

UVU Renames Event Center

Orem -- Utah Valley University's Mckay Event Center has been renamed following a donation from Utah Community Credit Union. The facility, one of the largest in Utah Valley seating 8,500, hosts sporting events, concerts, as well as dances not only for the UVU community but for all residents of Utah County. The event center will now be known as the UCCU Center.

The name change came about when the Credit Union paid 2.5 million dollars, dispersed over the next 10 years, for naming rights. Previously the rights were held by the Mckay family since 1995, who decided it was time that someone else supported the university.

Val Hale, UVU’s vice president for institutional advancement, said “This was an unselfish gesture by the McKay family. We probably would not have moved forward [with renaming the building] without the McKay family."

Spokesmen from the university said the funds donated to the school will be used for student
scholarships, the athletics program as well as other educational priorities. The donation comes at an important time for the university as the school is experiencing more enrollment as well as less state funding than in the past.

"I couldn't be more delighted with this announcement," UVU President Matthew Holland said. "I envision it to be a long and very productive association for these 10 years."