Ben Franklin's Philling

Wordpress SWITCH

2009-10-20T17:49:00.003-04:00

Hi,

Although the site is currently under construction, it's being moved to wordpress..soon!

Swine Hits Temple

2009-10-13T18:31:00.001-04:00

That's right: swine flu has hit Temple.

You've heard that it has been spreading in church, and that even other local Philly colleges have had reported cases for more than a month, like LaSalle U, West Chester, and Villanova.

Now, Temple has been put into the doctor's waiting room due to recent outbreaks of swine.

Unfortunately for college students, the most severe cases of H1N1 flu are happening to relatively young, healthy adults.

But fortunately for PA, the state received some of the first doses of a vaccination!

We are reminding all students to take precautions to help avoid H1N1.

H1N1, an influenza virus believed to have come from pigs, first appeared in Americans in April 2009, and later became classified as potential pandemic June 2000 by the World Health Organization.

Symptoms include

Fever

Cough

sore throat

runny or stuffy nose

body aches

headache

chills and fatigue

Severe illnesses and even death

To avoid the spread:

Sneeze and cough into fabric, such as the arm of a sleeve

Wash your hands and do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth

Isolate yourself if you have a fever and do not go to class

Get vaccinated for the flu , which can be done at Health Services later next month

A new Voice of Campus Media

2009-09-08T00:27:00.002-04:00

Although Temple’s newest student newspaper has not yet met the presses, “The New Voice, New Letter,” is throwing color onto the typical black-and white palette of traditional newspapers by emphasizing African-American issues in Temple’s community.

According to its mission statement, the newspaper is “dedicated to acknowledging the achievements, talents, and creativity of African-Americans in the Temple University community,” as well as proliferating black issues that might otherwise be ignored by other campus media. Brittany Lewis, the newspaper’s founder, hopes to “make the paper last,” by making black issues its primary focus, as well as expanding coverage of news from other ethnicities and topics that concern the general public.

“It's more than an African-American paper. It'll grow bigger,” said the sophomore Broadcast

Telecommunications and Mass Media (BTTM) and African-American studies double major. She also minors in English. “A black newspaper on campus will let a group of students relate to a lot more issues.”

During this past summer while reading Jet Magazine, Lewis realized that black issues often remain disregarded around campus, and that Temple’s campus needed a publication to encompass the concerns that minorities often face.

“I’ve always read a lot of ebony magazines that targeted to African-Americans, because there are a lot of issues that we can relate to more than other types of media,” she said.

As of now, Lewis is the only journalism major in her staff of nearly thirty, but she anticipates that a hodgepodge of writers will contribute to her paper's success.

“College students know how to write, and we want the mix,” she said, and added that she is also recruiting writers from the Temple Association of Black Journalists (TUBJ).

Senior sports and recreation management and marketing double major Nadia Bosket, one of two Vice- Presidents for The New Voice, said that both Drexel and Rutgers have been running black-oriented newspaper for years, and Temple’s time for a similar news outlet is long overdue.

“It will help students be more aware about issues in the black community. Not everyone knows what’s always going on with us, and it will be a great way to inform the community,” she said.

The planned 8-10 page newspaper will be published every other month, beginning in late October, Lewis plans, and will launch a Web site after the paper is officially recognized. In addition, the paper will cover a slew of black topics such as health, politics, upcoming events, trends, local and national black news, and more.

Although the newspaper won’t be officially recognized as a Temple organization until October 2nd, Lewis has acquired nearly everything that is necessary to become official, including various sponsors, an executive board of nine, and is pending the copyright of a logo.

Many campus organizations and faculty also have her support, including Temple’s Journalism Department Chairman Andrew Mendelson, the TABJ, and George Miller III, a writer for Philadelphia Weekly and the professor of an entrepreneurial journalism class.

“There are plenty of opportunities for students to have a voice, and they recognized an opportunity to have a voice.” Miller said of The New Voice. “It’s fantastic, as long as it doesn’t become something of a dividing line, it’s great.”

But some students disagree with the idea of a black newspaper, and feel that isolating an ethnicity as the foundation of a media outlet will only perpetuate a more fierce segregation of race within the Temple community and beyond.

“As a tour guide, I have experience working with people from all over and I really know that we are a really diverse school, but I don't see the need for a paper like that. It’s not that it's a bad thing, but I don't think that it should be geared just to a specific race,” said Caucasian junior Strategic and Organizational Communication major Andrew Agren. “I just think that if we had a purely white newspaper, people, and minorities especially, would complain.”

But others argue that the paper isn’t a negative backlash towards whites, but instead a step forward for blacks. Black junior journalism major Kimberley Richards, president of the TABJ, refuted that the paper will be an addition to what makes Temple a unique institution.
“We are definitely excited about the newspaper and definitely want to work with them. It would be a great way to provide culture to the school, which is a lot of what Temple is about,” she said.

Others seem to be on the fence about a newspaper that emphasizes predominately-black issues.

"I don’t feel too strong about an African-American themed newspaper, I suppose. But a paper like that would give those people a huge voice,” said Caucasian senior Religion major Katie Ryan.

Still, the general atmosphere around campus seems in support of ‘a new voice’ on campus.

“I think Temple is a very diversified school and I don't see many problems with that. It would be a very good thing to students,” said Yuqi Gi, an Asian second year PhD. Finance Major.

“There's black, white, brown, every kind of person from around the country, around the world here. It's definitely diverse and kind of overwhelming at first,” said Portia Lewis, a black freshman BFA major, “but I came to this school for the diversity. A newspaper like that would be great for everybody.”

“Sometimes I feel like the Asians are like ruling the campus, honestly, probably because there aren’t that many Latino students so I get mistaken for being Asian all the time. I wouldn’t be surprised if Asians ran their own newspaper. A black newspaper seems cool, too, I guess,” said Latin senior engineering major Fredy Barrera.

More than anything, Lewis aspires to contextualize news targeted towards the black community, but that will attract everyone.

“I always get, ‘Why a black newspaper?’ and you know most things are written about Caucasians. We’ll include things that anyone can pick-up and read and relate to.”

Matt Petrillo can be reached at MattP @temple.edu.

You Fire Me, I'll Sue You

2009-08-26T16:22:00.006-04:00

Danny Brant, a 25-year-old gay man who

prefers to wear women's clothing, is suing

his previous job because he believes he was

discriminated against.

Days before Daniel Brant’s employment at the Chop Shop had been terminated in early August 2008, the 25-year-old hair stylist filed a federal discrimination suit against the salon, alleging that its

owner, Kathy Thomas, enforced “discriminatory employment practices.”

Brant, who worked at the Chop Shop on Temple’s campus, described himself as nothing more than a feminine gay male who expresses who he is through his fashion, and often dons in women’s attire, which he feels more comfortable in.

“I’m not a drag queen. I’m not trying to be portrayed as a girl. But I like to wear what I think I look good in,” he said.

After his hours were slashed from five days a week to one and his skills restricted to service only female clients, Brant felt that a manager had been treating him unfairly because of his “flamboyant mannerisms” and unusual style of clothing. His lawyer, Susan Wexler, described his complaint as a gender stereotype due to currently no federal legislation that protects sexual orientation in the work place.

"They said the Temple students didn't want to come to me. The fact that she was using that more or less as a scapegoat, to me, if I was a Temple student, I would be really offended."

Thomas opened a Chop Shop on Temple’s campus in 2002 for its students during the fall and spring semesters. It closes during the summer, however, so Thomas said that she spreads her Temple employees out to her two other salons on South Street and in Manyunk.

“During the summer, our hours are always cut. Everyone knows it, because it happens every summer," she said.

She hired Brant in late February 2008 and reduced his shifts from five days a week to one in May that same year due to the summer schedule and because “he was the last to be hired, so he worked the least amount of days.”

But Brant felt victimized, and credits reduced hours had been to his gender and “his failure to conform to stereotypes regarding how males should appear and behave,” according to the suit.

“If I had gone to work in a pair of men's cargo shorts that were maybe baggy and hanging off my butt, that would have been fine...but the fact that I wore clothing typically by a woman, it was a problem."

Although Thomas said that she was told that Brant often dressed inappropriately, she insists that his termination had little to do with his style, sexuality or gender.

"I hired him knowing him knowing he was a cross-dresser, knowing he was a gay fellow dressing as a woman," she said.

She added that it’s difficult to find a good stylus and that Brant did his job well, but after a manager at her South Street location heard Brant referring a client to another salon, Thomas felt that firing him was necessary.

“That I won't stand for. I'm running a small business. I had to fire him."

Brant rebutted the confrontation, however, and said he referred a client to another salon because the Chop Shop South Street location did not offer waxing, a service that a client requested. He said that he did work another salon while at the Chop Shop, but only to supplement his income after having his shifts diminished. He added Both salons had been aware about his employment with each other, which resulted in no conflict of interest, he said.

Thomas said that his legal actions are not only illegitimate, but are “undermining gay rights.”

Brant argues, however, that his allegations have nothing to do with gay rights but fully about self expression.

“If there is anything that the cosmetology industry tries to promote, it's personal freedom of expression,” he said. “This is about personal rights."

Ismoke

2009-08-13T14:51:00.001-04:00

does anyone else find this painful to watch??

You Can Put the Blame on Me

2009-08-07T00:25:00.019-04:00

Temple is celebrating its 125th birthday, but the city’s largest university can’t afford a party. In fact, some students are debating whether to go back next semester after a likely 45 percent increase in tuition.

Notorious Indian-giver State representative and Temple Law alum John Taylor (R-Phila.) warned his alma mater’s Health System not to close its Northeastern Hospital, or else: He would respond by chopping $175 million in state funding for TU, potentially resulting in a $5,000 increase in yearly tuition per student.

But the hospital lost more than $6 million last fiscal year, could lose more than double that figure this coming year, and decided to close the hopsital, despite political threats.

"Now their day of reckoning has arrived. If they want to act like an arrogant private institution, then they're going to be treated by this Commonwealth like an arrogant private institution," says Taylor.

As a result, Temple students might now face a spike in tuition, and feel that Taylor had no right to punish the them, because they were not apart of the decision to close Northeastern.

To spread awareness, they created a twitter, blog, and Facebook Group to promote a rally at Temple's Student Center at 2PM yesterday that protested the unfair tuition increase.

Although the group gained more than 300 members by the time of the rally, less than a dozen students showed up, excluding the groups own creator. The Cherry And What? described the event as such:

Once again the youth proves to be completely unreliable when it comes to political activity.

Still, the media arrived on the scene, and proved that they'll let just about anyone can be on TV.

Even me...the awkward guy with the schoolbag in the beginning! But they didn't include a lot things I said, for instance, that for being a Temple Alum, Taylor is a douche-bag. His illegitimate reason to withdraw necessary funds from Temple is an outright abuse of power that is destroying PA's educational institutions and punishing the wrong people: its students.

I'm going to be a Resident Assistant beginning this coming fall semester, where my lovely days will be spent by helping freshman students transition into the real word, and make sure they do it without killing themselves. But on top of a hectic schedule, towering homework, and other responsiblities, these kids now encountered yet another burden: their thinning piggy-banks.

After four years of school, an extra $5,000 a year equates to (no, duh) $20,000--which is more than the current amount of tuition (an average of $12,000 for in-state students). That means that compared to last year's graduating seniors, incoming freshman will pay for 5-years worth of education, but only receive four. Taylor uses the closing of the hospital as an excuse to victimize a school because it's an easy target because of its location; and no one will really take a school like Temple seriously if it remains drastically underfunded in the heart of the city's ghetto.

Taylor's actions are not saving our state the $175 million that he hopes to take away from us, but are instead taking advantage of students and misplacing our educational welfare. This will, in turn, cause destructive social implications that will ripple and cause further economic chaos. According to its 125 facts, Temple University's annual spending accounts for 30,000 jobs in the Delaware Valley, generates $2.7 billion for the Delaware Valley each year, and is the third largest private employer in the city of Philadelphia. As if our city isn't crumbling enough during the economy, there is no doubt that the entire city will feel Taylor's selfish and immature decision if not alloted its annual appropriation.

But that doesn't mean Temple is not to blame. An adjunct briefly attended the rally, insisted that he remained anonymous, and commented that Temple's department heads are paid six-digit figures, while the university is still negotiating contracts for the adjuncts. Administrators need to step up and represent the Temple community as it has for the past 125 years: with a commitment of quality education as its foremost concern to its students.

Just as the students demanded at the protest, Temple and Taylor should cooperate with each other and raise their voices, and not our debt.

2009-07-31T22:27:00.000-04:00

[audio http://www.supload.com/sound_confirm.php?get=744485311.wma]

Starving for Work

2009-07-31T12:26:00.004-04:00

Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 9:10 am

posted by Matt Petrillo

categories News, State Politicians Screwing Philly, State Politics, The Budget,The End of Days, The Mayor, the budget crisis

Photo | Matt Petrillo

Controller candidate Al Schmidt objects to
Nutter's position, and came out to tell
people so.

Mayor Nutter led a rally in the City Hall courtyard calling on state legislators to approve two measures — allowing the city to raise its sales tax temporarily by one percent, and allowing it to reform its pension payments — that would enable Philadelphia to meet its budget goals without draconian cuts.

Dozens of city workers, protesters and (not thatmany) other supporters gathered before the 2 p.m. meeting, to which Nutter arrived a fashionable 20 minutes late. "Philadelphia is about to get in a lot of trouble," commented one woman as he approached the mic. The entire audience then began to chant, "No more budget cuts! No more budget cuts ... " to which the mayor replied, "I agree with you!"

He began his speech by noting the social, political and economic significance of Philadelphia: "This is the birth place of freedom, liberty and democracy!" He then got down to business, saying that he is not asking for a penny from the state, but instead, for it to approve the two provisions to his budget plan. "We cannot run a government solely on hope," he said. "We need money!"

A Nutter Tax Increase?

Al Schmidt, a candidate for city controller, disagrees with Nutter and believes that the mayor has betrayed the public's trust. "Philadelphia has the highest taxes and the highest debt [of] any other city in the nation. [Nutter] is borrowing more and more money, and still saying we don't have enough. It's bologna," Schmidt said, while supporters at his side held signs for his campaign.

Nutter said that without his plan, the city will face dire consequences, including reducing trash pick-up from once a

week to twice a month (eliminating 350 street worker positions); a reduction of 972 police officers; the closing of fire stations (eliminating nearly 200 positions), two Health Centers (resulting in a loss of 112 positions); all branch and regional libraries (eliminating 490 positions); recreation centers, parks and numerous department agencies. This would have an accumulated total of approximately 3,000 eliminated positions.

"This doesn't have to happen," he reassured the public. "I'm not asking for a handout. I'm asking for a hand."

The audience clapped for the mayor after he finished his speech, but people seemed baffled by the situation. "We need the schools! We need to help our children! What is going on with this city?" a woman declared after the applause.

"Believe it or not," a man replied, "it's really up to the governor."

2009-07-27T19:04:00.001-04:00

Gnome Watch 2009: Cheesesteak wars and a bite-size virtual tour

Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

posted by Matt Petrillo

categories Philaphemera, Things We See

gnome, wit' whiz

Before Sunday, I thought the historic Battle of the Cheesesteak between Philly’s most iconic South Philly eateries would forever split the city.

And then that Roaming Gnomecame to town. Surely if he were spotted visiting the Philadelphia Zoo, Art Museum, Boat House Row, Reading Terminal and many other tourist spots around the city during his stay, then he would a) have to gobble down a cheesesteak and b) choose between Pat’s or Geno's.

But he didn’t. I mean, he ate a South Philly cheesesteak — two, in fact. But not from Pat’s or Geno’s.

Instead, the Gnome ate at Cosmi’s Deli (Eighth and Dickinson streets), which had been recommended to him while he visited South Street’s Magic Gardens. While most places know beforehand that the Gnome and his entourage of two are coming for a visit, the folks at Cosmi’s had no idea. Luckily, owner Michael Seccia happened to be in the shop to welcome the lawn embellishment. He gave the Gnome and his posse some brief history about Philly, snapped some pictures, and even admitted, “I feel like I’m in greatness more so than with the President of the United States.

Seccia believes that his cheesesteaks won over Pat’s and Geno’s because “everything is fresh, on the spot. You know, we don’t have things pre-cooked or waiting for you. Everything is made to order for you.”

His customers agree. Logan Britt, 20, was visiting Philly with a group of friends from Greenville, N.C., and saw the Gnome stuffing his face outside Cosmi's. Ecstatic, she ran toward him, camera in hand. “ Y’all picked the right place for a cheesesteak!” she told the Gnome and his crew. “I’ve been here for two days and I can really tell why Philly won — I wish the Gnome would come to Greeneville!”

Aside from Cosmi's, the Gnome's favorite place may well have been the Art Museum. After running up the steps like Rocky, he shouted, “I love this city!” Us, too.

Now, watch an audio slideshow showcasing all the places the Gnome has roamed (also on the list: Eastern State Penitentiary, McGillin's Old Ale House and the National Constitution Center):

Show her you love her... with Burger King

2009-07-20T22:32:00.002-04:00

Inexpensive dates are always extra impressive when it’s a do-it-yourself thing, like cooking dinner for your sweetheart. Unfortunately, I’m no cook at all.

But I do know how to order from fast food!

Erik Trinindad’s instructional blog, Fancy Fast Food, shows how to easily cook an attractive and fancy-looking meal for the price of fast food. Literally.

What might be an awesome Top Chef episode (which premieres August 26th, by the way), he manipulate the looks of regular fast food meals with a 5 star appeal, giving it an “extreme makeover” of deliciousness. But don’t be fooled that it’s any better for you however, as his tagline admits, “Yeah, it’s still bad for you, but see how good it can look!”

In these economic times, who wouldn’t be impressed with steak & potatoes? Just don’t tell anyone it’s from McDonald’s.

Tubing down Broadstreet

2009-07-16T17:12:00.002-04:00

If there is one thing Philly should consider in their budget, it's to have a giant water slide down Broad Street!

Who's with me?!?

Do me, Sotomayor !

2009-07-16T12:06:00.005-04:00

Judge Sonia Sotomayor will, no doubt, be the sexiest Supreme Court Justice since its birth, and senators cannot get enough of her. During her continuing confirmation hearings, the men (and even some women) try sweet-talking the hot Latina with cheesy pick-up lines. Our own Arlen Specter told her that she shows, "intellect humor, charm, pride, and modesty."

You sly-dog, you!

And that's what happens when a lady steps in a room full of old wrinkly male testosterone.

In other political news,

Governor Rendell has finally figured out a scheme to pay for the budget and even give loans up to $15,000 with no interest to Pennsylvanians who qualify: selling official statues of....

himself!This is how big my penis is!

In a time when we thought nothing could get worse with the closing of pools and libraries, enormous job losses, and a proposed increase in personal income taxes, Ed's fat new ego glorifies himself as our economic savior:

"Most of those state workers -- I've arranged for them to get a $15,000 loan with no interest, so if they're paying off $6,000 worth of credit debt at 14 percent, they should put a statue of me up on their mantel place," he told WTAETV.

He later defended that he was only “kidding” about the self-statue statement. But as much as I want this video to convince me that he was serious, I at least realize that it’s not the right time to joke about how people should appreciate him more during budget cuts and tax increases. And it was a bad joke, anyway.

Happy Cow Appreciation Day!

2009-07-09T15:11:00.002-04:00

Stop by any Chik-fil-A tomorrow, July 10, look like a cow, and get a free meal.

I If you don’t have a cow costume (I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t!) Chik-fil-A has provided a starter kit that the pro-cow can download, print, and cut to make your own costume!

And if your costume is really nifty, send in your picture and you just might win free chicken for a year!

GET OUTTAA THE WAAAYYYYY!!

2009-07-09T11:44:00.003-04:00

You better buckle up when driving in Philly

Allstate is rewarding America’s most improved driving city with free gas, and Philadelphia doesn’t even come close.

Yesterday, the insurance company released its fifth annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report,” which ranks the car collision frequency of our nation’s 200 largest cities.

And Philadelphia placed nearly dead last.

The City of Brotherly Love holds the title as the city with the sixth highest accident-frequency among residents, and more than doubles that of Phoenix, Houston, and even New York in collision likelihood.

Damn.

Smokin

2009-07-09T11:38:00.000-04:00

Medical Marijuana Stories, PLUS Rally for HB 1393 This Saturday

Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 11:10 am

posted by Matt Petrillo

categories News, State Politics, protest

Irvin Rosenfeld smokes marijuana ten times a day, but he doesn’t get high.

The Virginia stockbroker suffers from a rare condition that causes bone tumors to grow sporadically, often into the muscle and veins, which could potentially kill him. But it hasn’t — in fact, he has’t had a tumor for 33 years — and Rosenfeld credits medical marijuana, supplied directly by the National Institutes of Health. He’s America’s longest-surviving federal cannabis patient.

“Smoking is the only way to really get the medicine. The cannabis is the best thing that worked for me,” he says.

Every 25 days, he picks up a tin of 300 pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes. The “marijuanettes” are grown under NIH contract by the University of Mississippi. Scientists believe he doesn’t get high because his cannabinoid receptors, which include millions of tiny fibers spread throughout humans’ bodies that allow us to ‘get high,’ are deformed.

Rosenfeld fights for the legalization of medical cannabis for patients not as fortunate as himself. “When you have a disorder, it sucks,” he says. “I was lucky enough that I was able to discover the right medicine for me. I just can’t sit back and not try to help others.”

Others are joining him. A candlelight vigil for patients who have died waiting for medical marijuana will be held this Saturday, July 11 at the Independence Mall visitor center. The vigil will also serve as a rally for HB1393, a bill that would create Pennsylvania’s first legalized medical marijuana program. It will be from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Introduced by State Representative Mark B. Cohen (D-Philadelphia) and endorsed by the National Lawyers Guild Philadelphia Chapter, the bill has been referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee with public hearings expected this summer.

Rep. Cohen believes that, aside from helping suffering patients, legalizing medical marijuana could increase the state’s revenue by at least $25 million in taxes. If the bill passes, PA could become the 14th state to allow medical marijuana.

Under HB 1393, Pennsylvanians would not only be permitted to be prescribed medical cannabis, but also grow it. This would be of particular interest to Bradley D. Walter, a Scranton native and HIV patient. Walter, who now lives in Florida, uses marijuana to ease the side effects of his antiviral medication, which are, on some days “debilitating,” he says. He takes it in the form of Marinol, a synthetic THC pill.

“The pills are the only medication I found that allows me to live a normal life,” he says, “and removes most of my side effects,” which include intense stomach pains, extreme hunger and nausea.

But at $60 a pill, Marinol costs him an astronomical $1,297 a month. He suggests that for a few bucks, he could grow marijuana in his basement and eliminate a lot of his costs.

He continues to fight for access to the whole-plant cannabis, and will fly in from Florida to testify at Pennsylvania’s public hearings this summer.

I've been following

2009-07-02T17:09:00.002-04:00

news about North Korea since 9th grade. Their nuclear missiles program was the first term paper I've written. Today, it continues to make headline news:

The debate whether Korea has had enriched uranium to produce their nukes had been going on for years, but has since been confirmed after the country test-fired missiles last spring, on May 25. Despite U.N. sanctions for May’s incident, however, N. Korea again test-fired four short-range missiles today.

The United States says that it will crackdown on companies that are helping to supply N. Korea, meanwhile, the U.N. is expected to act even stronger than it has last May.

As much as I would like to describe the next nail-biting decision of the U.N through detailed facts, in-depth statistics and official quotes, I cannot describe the its moves as accurately and predictable as the video below.

Speaking of Obama

2009-06-30T15:30:00.001-04:00

Where's all the change??

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

MSNBC's fammous dyke of her own show, Rachel Madddow, had an outed gay militant who might be kicked out of the army for being gay and revealing his identity.

NO CHANGE + OBMAMA

NOBAMA

What the DUCK?

2009-06-30T10:35:00.002-04:00

We've all been told to turn our phones either on off or silent during class, at the movies, and at church.
And other places you are expected to keep it off without anyone telling you. But that doesn't always happen.

Yesterday, a journalist's phone went off and interrupted a speech being given by President Obama's for LGBTQ rights. He laughed it off, but the worst part about it was her ringtone: the quacking of a duck.

Coming Clean

2009-06-25T20:14:00.004-04:00

I will *cut* you if this isn't passed.

The Dems are dying to scrap up the 218 votes required for the Clean Energy and Security Act, which will be decided tomorrow. The bill would be a huge step in the green direction to help avoid the harsher effects of global warming. The good news is that it would force alternative energy and restrict green house gases.

But that fancy Nancy is concerned about getting enough votes.

PA has been riding the tree-hugging bandwagon for some time now.

Pennsylvania has been creating a renewable energy economy. For four years, the state has been meeting its clean energy goals, and now the legislature is considering to increase the amount of solar power in the state in the new HB 80.

The bill would increase PA's renewable energy target from 8% by 2020 to 20% by 2026, and increase the portion made up of solar from 0.5% in 2020 to 3% by 2026. It would push for stronger initiatives for the development of wind, solar and other clean energy resources to make cleaner energy for PA, according to The Vote Solar Initiative.

Let's hope people can agree on cleaner air.

Classy Trash

2009-06-11T11:15:00.001-04:00

Forget about Philthadelphia. There's a new big thing in town: Big Bellies.

The Wall-e-like trashcans, which weigh about 300 pounds, have been appearing recently all over Center City, installed as part of Mayor Nutter’s “Greenworks” project. They feature separate trash and recycling bins, and have the ability to compact and make room for five times more garbage than a typical trashcan of the same size.

There’s more. Powered by the sun, the Big Bellies can send a signal when they’re full and need to be emptied. This a) helps prevent overflowing trash cans, and b) saves the city money, because trash collectors won’t have to make unnecessary trips to empty trash cans that aren’t full. In fact, the city cut staff after installing the Big Bellies, because instead of collecting trash 2-3 times daily from the previous 700 traditional trashcans, the new trendy tech-trashcans only need to be collected a maximum of once per day.

The way the canisters open, keeps smelly odors trapped inside, says Deputy Street Commissioner Carlton Williams, however, makes it nearly impossible for people to trash-pick. Williams says that the Big Bellies “weren’t designed to affect the homeless.” But if trash-picking is a reliable source of food for many homeless, panhandling may increase.

Classy trash does not come cheap. A state recycling grant entirely covered the $2.2 million cost of the garbage-eating machines.

Dr. george Tiller

2009-06-03T13:00:00.002-04:00

I made my first video for City Paper!!

It is about the memorial service held at Love Park, which was a part of a national service, which people gave their respects to Dr. Tiller.

Although I do not agree with their viewpoints, I thought it made a good video!

Broadstreet Beatdowns

2009-05-28T11:03:00.003-04:00

City Paper published my first short news-story!

A friend received punches to his stomach, arms and even face while trying to go home early Sunday morning.

Continue reading Flash Mobbed

Journalism and Angels

2009-05-23T01:51:00.002-04:00

It's important in J-world to report with fairness, even is a sponsor has different views. For instance, today, KYW Newsradio 1060 announced that a priest is getting 3-6 years from embezzling money from the high school that he headed as principal.

Directly after the story, they said with seriousness, "And now sports, brought to you by the Catholic Charities Appeal" or something like that..
Yea.

Speaking of Catholicism, I saw ANGELS AND DEMONS tonight, and it was reallllly awesome: it's a fast-paced movie with action, Italian art, and a story more mysterious than Sherlock!

P.S. why are the movies so much anymore??

The story that never ends. Ever.

2009-05-20T11:57:00.003-04:00

I don't know if it's a virus or people are really just amused at Fox's new High School Musical spin-off, Glee, but everyone's Facebook status is "Glee :)"

For starters, Disney is, yet again, whipping up another HSM!! According from our trusted sources over at Wikipedia.com, HSM4 is about

"The cross-town rivalry of the East High Wildcats and the West High Knights...with a new love story."

New love story as in, it's not starring Zac Efron?!?! Well then how can that be HSM!?!

If you include Camp Rock, this is the FIFTH HSM production on screen alone, as well as 3 foreign versions and the translations of a slew of other languages.

Instead of making all those movies, Fox decided they would make bank of a Musical-theatre-comedy TV-series.

Glee embodies the plot of HSM (In Glee, the star football player must choose fball or Glee Club. He chooses both) and mixes it with the unorigniality of steryotype characters from Mean Girls.

In my high school, the cheerleaders, were for the most part, not the pretty, popular fashioniable skinny bitches in high school.

Trust Me

2009-05-07T11:13:00.002-04:00

Of course, when writing any article, one must opt to leave out information. Sometimes, it's stuff you really want to include but doesn't quite fit in the story.

Regarding my recent article about Freshman Expectations, one person would like to tell freshman:

"NEVER trust anyone who works for temple university. Get EVERYTHING in writing. Ask at least THREE people what to do if you're not sure...because no one person knows enough. fight everything you can because the university takes no student concerns seriously."

It's true.

Lady Gaga is Dirty Poor

2009-05-02T12:43:00.003-04:00

Lady Gaga invaded Philadelphia during a sold-out one-night-only performance yesterday at the Electric Factory.

Her tour, "The Fame Ball Tour," comprises of a lot more than just dancing: it used the ideas of Andy Warhol as her theme, sprinkling it with pop music, fashion, technology, and even short video clips in between costume changes.

"I’ve got no money because I spend every dollar I make on my show. And in Philly, I feel beautifully dirty rich!” she said.

Things that stood out:
Awesome outfits
Sang a new song, Future Lover, not on her present album or available on Itunes
Played the piano live

What was most astonishing about her performance, however, is that the "dumb blond in a bubble," as she called herself, sang while she danced, and sounded incredible; something her predecessor, Britney Spears could never pull off.

MONEY IN THE BANK: Gay for Pay

2009-04-29T16:05:00.004-04:00

Straight men work in gay bars and in gay porn because they believe that they can make nearly 20x more cash doing it.
They say it's just sex, that there is no attachment, but how civilized is our society? How much better are we really if every little thing in our lives is materialized and stamped with a price?

After seeing this, porn will never turn me on again. I might as well watch wrestling!

I.H. Final

2009-04-27T14:46:00.001-04:00

I madea wil' movie about me and you and you and even you!

Yes, about the evil of those HOMOSEXUALS!!

This was my final for I.H. (intellectual heritage).

Horowitz Compares Temple To Iran

2009-04-21T11:26:00.003-04:00

David Horowitz visited Temple last week to tell college-students that their school is not teaching them, but indoctrinating them:

“Temple’s administration and faculty is intimidated to say this, but their race department is racist and an idiotic ideology," he said.

To continue reading, click here

OR
to listen to a podcast of the event that was heard on WHIP Radio, click the 'video' below

When asked if has he ever spoken to teachers he wrote about in his book or if he attended any of Temple’s classes, he replied with honesty.

“No, I haven’t,” he said, “but I haven’t been to Iran, either, to know that it’s a horrible and oppressive place.”

WERE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

2009-04-14T18:46:00.002-04:00

as you probably know but probrably missed it because you were with family,
Zac hosted SNL last Saturday.

I dont really get his hand gestures, but it was a funny monologue.

Oh, and to all you bitches saying that you don't like HSM or Vanessa Hudgens or anything, no one else either. So Chut Up, you!! Because I happen to love HSM.

Who are you stalking?

2009-04-12T01:24:00.003-04:00

In Association with WHIP Newsradio,

the dangers of facebook are examined:

HEY GUYS, I found my Niche

2009-04-08T01:48:00.002-04:00

Next semester, I am serving as an RA.

And I am going to blog all about my adventures, beginning next week. Stay tuned!!

So what does an RA do?

well as this 38 second video explains, they get the job done.

Resident Assistant In Action - Watch more Funny Videos

Im so desperate

2009-04-07T21:58:00.000-04:00

Corny title, I know,

But i loove desperate housewives..

EATSER AND DESPERATE WHAT MORE CAN A KID ASK FOR???

SEX and the city

2009-03-29T11:55:00.002-04:00

Yes, the rumors are true, and the wait is over
You no longer will have to abuse barbiturates to cope with the anxiety
A MOSAIC OF DREAMS IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

The new highly anticipated film by esteemed director Matt Petrillo continues to delve into the realm of dreams.

SPOILER!!! DO NOT READ UNLESS AFTER YOU WATCHED IT:
Perhaps this is the kind of movie that you have to watch twice to get it. Well, then do it (only 3 min long!)
But in case you didn't understand:
Every week, my IH professor makes us write a
blog post (on blakboard). In the dream, I am being chased by a
nightmare--which is the anxiety of having to keep up with those blog posts.

Everyone Knows her as a Superstar

2009-03-24T12:51:00.000-04:00

But on April 10th,

she will reveal much more

I HOPE i'm not the only one excited for this movie!!

2009-03-20T22:43:00.000-04:00

The recession isn't that bad!

Put your money where your mouth is

2009-03-20T01:48:00.004-04:00

Temple fans began hooting for their basketball team at the onset of the season, and now they’re being tested to put their money where their mouths are.

Cherry and white fever escalated to a new high when a bus full of 30 rowdy Temple students each dished out $200 on a bus ticket to Miami to cheer on their Owls as they make their way through March Madness.
READ MORE HERE

For up-to-date happenings on the bus and what the die-hard fans are doing, go to
http://templetomiami.blogspot.com/

Since I've been gone

2009-03-16T14:57:00.000-04:00

And it's been a while...since I've posted!

"I'm white. I don't tan. I'm still sexy.

Deal with it."

-- Melissa

WHATS LOVE GOTTA DO WIT IT?

Jonathon saying, "I love you" for the first time to his new bf:
Not in a text!! Even if it's that real,
fly through the stars,
over the moon,
fireworks, rainbows,
butterflies in the stomach love.....
But I love you.

IN TV NEWS,
since when was degrassi on MTV???? They've finally caught on after all these years..

This is a convo between my friend and a guy he added who he doesn't know. The name have been changed.

Douce-bag Highschool Prick
Today at 1:17am
Report Message
Might I ask, why, you added me, and, then removed me as your friend, without even first getting to know me? Seems a little unfair don't you think? I would really love a response.

~DBHSP~

My Friend:
Today at 1:19am
you don't know me either.
so why did you add me?

Douce-bag Highschool Prick
Today at 1:26am
Report Message
Normally, I add people to get to know them, and, make new friends. I've always thought that was the point of Facebook. To connect with new people, and, get to know them, so that you could become friends. But you didn't just ignore my request. You actually added me, and then, removed me as a friend. Which is the the reason for asking you the question. I'm curious, what made you add me, and, then choose to remove me instead of just ignoring the request? You had ample time to look over my profile before you did. So what made you decide I wasn't friend worthy? Because I'm almost positive you add people you don't know. Other wise you wouldn't have added me before you removed me. I know, "Curiosity killed the cat." But I can't help wonder. So I might as well ask.

~DBHSP.

MyFriend!
Today at 1:36am
dude i'm drunk.
if its that big of a deal. ill talk to you about it tomorrow

Douce-bag Highschool Prick
Today at 1:44am
Report Message
Hmm.... Drunk. I never heard that one before. Honestly..(In a non-sarcastic way. No one has really ever told me that was the reason). Well then. Its not that big of a deal, but, I would still like to know. So, I guess, I will talk to you tomorrow. Or later today, at any rate. My name is Michael, by the way... This way you don't have to call me "dude"(Which doesn't sit well with me.). Anyway, I guess, I'll be chatting with you later. I hope everything works out for you... Being drunk, and, all. Apparently hang-overs suck. Lets hope that you skip over that part(I don't think you will have much problem with that though.) Goodnigh, and, take care. Talk to you later.

~DBHSP~

In other facebook news, the site TOOK BACK ITS terms of agreement after many users were outraged that they owned the rights too all of their content, even after they deleted their profiles.
They no longer can do that.

PHILLY MOURNS ANOTHER LOSS!! WTF

2009-02-23T13:26:00.002-05:00

MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN SPORTS,
the inquirer and daily news, as well as Philly.com's owning company, Philadelphia Newspapers L.L.C.
FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY.

I feel like unless your a journalist you dont really care what happens in journalism-world. As if every other occupation is important to cover except our own.

But this is another reason why I like those weekly alternatives, like Philadelphia Weekly, Citypaper, and even the 5-day-daily Metro, who are free and don't rely on 75 cents to keep afloat.

Dag.

PHILLY MOURNS A WEEKEND OF LOSSES

2009-02-22T16:26:00.001-05:00

IN SPORTS:

IT WAS A SAD WEEKEND FOR PHILADELPHIA SPORTS FANS EVERYWHERE, AFTER BEING BURNED FROM THE HEAT IN YESTERDAY'S BALL GAME AND BEING LET DOWN DURING SATURDAY'S FLYER'S GAME.

DURING LAST SUNDAY’S GAME, DWAYNE WADE FROM THE MIAMI HEAT DEFEATED THE 76ERS 97-91, THE SIXERS THIRD CONSECUTIVE LOSS. THE HEAT SHOT 62.5 % IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, DOMINATING THE COURT AND WINNING THE GAME. WHILE THE HEAT IS NOW FIFTH IN THE EASTERN-CONFERENCE, THE SIXERS DROPPED TO SEVENTH.

FLYER'S FANS FED UP

PITTSBURG PENGUINS STAR SDNEY CROSBEY HAD BEEN DERVEDLY BOOOED BY FLYERS’S FANS DURING SATURDAY NIGHT’S GAME, BUT IT DIDN’T HELP MUCH.

AFTER SCORING THE GAME WINNING GOAL WITH ONLY 2 MINTUES AND 45 SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME, LET UP BY FLYERS GOALIE MARTY BIRON, THE PENQUINS CONTINUED THEIR LATE-SEASON PLAYOFF PUSH WITH A 5-4 WIN.

Well, I'm never writing that again!

A facebook Convo

2009-02-20T13:30:00.004-05:00

WHATS LOVE GOTTA DO WIT IT?

Jonathon saying, "I love you" for the first time to his new bf:
Not in a text!! Even if it's that real,
fly through the stars,
over the moon,
fireworks, rainbows,
butterflies in the stomach love.....
But I love you.

IN TV NEWS,
since when was degrassi on MTV???? They've finally caught on after all these years..

This is a convo between my friend and a guy he added who he doesn't know. The name have been changed.

Douce-bag Highschool Prick
Today at 1:17am
Report Message
Might I ask, why, you added me, and, then removed me as your friend, without even first getting to know me? Seems a little unfair don't you think? I would really love a response.

~DBHSP~

My Friend:
Today at 1:19am
you don't know me either.
so why did you add me?

Douce-bag Highschool Prick
Today at 1:26am
Report Message
Normally, I add people to get to know them, and, make new friends. I've always thought that was the point of Facebook. To connect with new people, and, get to know them, so that you could become friends. But you didn't just ignore my request. You actually added me, and then, removed me as a friend. Which is the the reason for asking you the question. I'm curious, what made you add me, and, then choose to remove me instead of just ignoring the request? You had ample time to look over my profile before you did. So what made you decide I wasn't friend worthy? Because I'm almost positive you add people you don't know. Other wise you wouldn't have added me before you removed me. I know, "Curiosity killed the cat." But I can't help wonder. So I might as well ask.

~DBHSP.

MyFriend!
Today at 1:36am
dude i'm drunk.
if its that big of a deal. ill talk to you about it tomorrow

Douce-bag Highschool Prick
Today at 1:44am
Report Message
Hmm.... Drunk. I never heard that one before. Honestly..(In a non-sarcastic way. No one has really ever told me that was the reason). Well then. Its not that big of a deal, but, I would still like to know. So, I guess, I will talk to you tomorrow. Or later today, at any rate. My name is Michael, by the way... This way you don't have to call me "dude"(Which doesn't sit well with me.). Anyway, I guess, I'll be chatting with you later. I hope everything works out for you... Being drunk, and, all. Apparently hang-overs suck. Lets hope that you skip over that part(I don't think you will have much problem with that though.) Goodnigh, and, take care. Talk to you later.

~DBHSP~

In other facebook news, the site TOOK BACK ITS terms of agreement after many users were outraged that they owned the rights too all of their content, even after they deleted their profiles.
They no longer can do that.

Introducing MatTalk News-Radio

2009-02-19T13:40:00.004-05:00

MatTalk News-Radio is the Matthewdelphia Media's newest addition to giving you your news from your speakers to your ears and into your minds (slash the recordings from WHIP Radio (temple.edu/whip).

Money Buys Happieness, MatTalk News-Radio

Johnson & Hardwick Senate is taking Cupid’s wings and trying to spread some love with a date auction Feb. 25 at 8:30 p.m.

Though Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, some Temple students are not feeling love in the air.
“A guy broke up with me because I wasn’t interesting enough to talk to,” freshman marketing major Jonathan Heberlig said.

“A guy broke up with me and told me he was gay,” said freshman journalism major Theresa Regan.

Rejection for freshman finance major Alexander Jones came in written form.

“I asked a girl on a date, and she had just written a note her friend to give to me to tell me that ‘I just don’t think this is what you’re looking for,’” Jones said.

Hoping to open women’s hearts and, more importantly, their wallets, Philip Schorr said he volunteered to be a date in the auction to inform women at Temple that he is available.

“I’m basically participating to help J&H raise money,” the undeclared freshman said, “but also to help the women who are too shy to come up to me and give them an opportunity to go on a date with me.”
J&H Senate, which is hosting the event, bridges the gap between the two buildings by planning activities, working on community service projects and holding talent shows and movie nights. The Senate also raises money to send residents on trips into the city.

The idea of a date auction was suggested by a current resident during a general meeting. The meetings are held in the building’s basement every Monday at 8:30 p.m.

“At Senate meetings, we basically discuss and plan fun events for J&H residents,” said Zenas Walelo, treasurer of the J&H Senate and a freshman civil engineering major.

After the auction, there will be food and live entertainment for students to meet and plan outings with their dates. Auction attendees can also meet other single students.

J&H residents can volunteer to auction themselves off. In addition to helping out their residential community, volunteers will each receive a gift certificate to Saxbys Coffee.

If you are still apprehensive about attending the event, proceeds will benefit breast cancer research.

HTC

2009-01-25T16:43:00.002-05:00

In today's top reports,

for watev reason TTN didnt post this :(

In other news,
JUICY CAMPUS IS CLOSED because of allegedly a foundering economy... SUURE!

it's only a matter of time before a sister-site appears.

What gets people higher than HTC?

How about HTF?!?

yep, HappY Tree Friends!!

Sand in My Azz!!

2009-01-25T14:32:00.002-05:00

Holla back, Matthewdelphia, and Prepare
for some more desperate!

The Next Desperate Housewives, which won't air for two more weeks! (feb. 8th) isn't shot on the typical set; it's at a park

The vibe kind of feels weird to me, but I still cannot wait!!

It's comcastic!!

2009-01-23T15:33:00.005-05:00

It's that time agian! Girl Scout Cookies Season!! Yum

It's Comcastic!!
I never knew what that meant. Comcastic... What are they trying to do? Like make up their own words-- as if they don't control our lives already!
Although we PAY for unlimited bandwidth, it's not what we're getting.
If youve recently used Limewire or any other file sharing software, and it didn't work, it might be bcause Comcast is ripping you off and blocking your data usage, and ultiamtley your internet.

The Wing Bowl is an exciting time for everyone. Morbidly Obese men, literally tons of wings, and skimpy Wingettes!
Who's in?

Mattbook Scammers, Diversity means Majority, and a Music Performance

2009-01-20T21:26:00.007-05:00

There are telemarketers who endlessly call your home and spam e-mails that constantly clog your inbox. Now, advertisers have flooded in through Facebook.
Continue Reading

In a musical performs EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE MATTHEWDELPHIA MEDIA, singer Ryan Schoening belts out Never Never Land

In an effort to raise more attention about abortion, Temple University Newman Center is busing approximately 20 students to Washington, D.C., for the 36th annual “March for Life,” a anti-abortion protest that assembles people from all over the country every Jan. 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court Case Roe v. Wade.
Continue Reading

Say I love you with an Otter

2009-01-18T09:37:00.001-05:00

Desperate for Drama
Happy 100th to Desperate Housewives!! Matthewdelphia Media Exclusive:

The stories reveal how Gabrielle started being so selfish; e the seeds of Bree's business career were planted; when Lynette gave up a full-time career; and more.

I've followed since season 2 (same w/ Project Runway) and have been addicted since. Watch it tonight, 9PM on ABC ! Oh, and GO EAGLES!

Otters make great Clothes with their fur.

But that's not why southern designer Josh Harrel Started his clothing Line, "Otter Fashions."

"My boyfriend calls me Otter," he said.

My fav item,

If you're Like me, and I know you must be
if you're reading this, you are not a fan of nipples.

I Love Lilly Allen, BUTT... she has 3 !

12 new Songs, a new wig and a new Miley Cyrus.

Cyrus stars in her 2nd movie,

no NOT a porno-- she's already got that covered.

Her first featured film includes Tyra banks !! along with some sexy southern boy but idk who it is..

In Me news, I was looking at my PHOTOBUCKET that i began my freshman year of highschool, and found a picture of me and one of my celebrity friends, Bam.

16 yr old me at Matt-of-Prussia Mall

Chicks dig the wheel-chair!

Mattsecrets

2009-01-16T17:40:00.003-05:00

(postsecret.com)
Happens all too often.

In the future, everything will be Chrome
the color, that is-- I'm no so sure about Google's Matthewnet Browser, though.
I don't like it OR the reviews that I read. One said, Chrome has a remarkably minimalist interface.
But it's too simple. Compared to Internet Explorer (which I really hate) Chrome is really ugly looking. It's supposed to be really fast, but that's about it. The tabs are

The home page / start page is basically a history of your most popular pages you visit as well as new bookmarks and searches, which is not so family friendly when you're a child.

Google Groups doesn't support Chrome yet. To edit pages and such you must use FF or IE. :-)

To break it down, over 74% of Matthewdelphians unfortunately use Internet Explorer. Just 24% use my favorite, FireFox, and 2% use Safari. Sorry, Chrome!

in SPORTS

(yes, my first sports post)

The Eagles are a game away from the Uber-Matthewbowl!

In other news,

President-elect Barack Obama and his family will stop at 30th Street Station on Saturday at 10:05 a.m. Invite only, however.

You have your die-hard Jesus believers
Die-hard Matthewdelphians

And of course, those pesky die-hard Apple-Product fans

Yes, they are indeed a cult. But why? The closest Apple Store at KOP mall serves probrably all of PA!

Until now, that is. 1619 Walnut Street is the new location of their first philly store!
Personally, I'll stick to my HP :)

2009-01-13T11:58:00.002-05:00

begins at :026

Girls tackling each other on ice

Sprint Kills the M-Phone; Bush Helps out Homo's

2009-01-08T11:19:00.005-05:00

In politics,
Current President Bush is no as homophobic as some may believe. He recently signed a bill into law that requires businesses to transfer retirement benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees in case of an employee’s death, like the procedure that is utilized for heterosexual married couples.

THE I-Phone finally has a REAL competitor. And it will blow away anything else that stands in its way.
I has a Palm Centro before and LOVED it.

Now, the new, Palm Pre

Likes: the touch isnt as hypersensative as the iphone but u dont have to press it like a button like u do with other touch screens like the LG VU or Samsung Eternity. Plus, it has a real keyboard, a flash 3.0 megapixel camera, features real internet (not the watered-down version) and multi-tasking.

Hating: they keyboard is small, and although people can get used to it, the slider is too close to the top portion of the phone making it difficult to type the first layer of keys. Also, haptic feedback isnt avaliable.

Overall, its a really awesome phone from Palm that easily syncs with your computer and manages tasks. If only I had Sprint.

Look fine in oh NINE!

2009-01-06T13:50:00.006-05:00

Come fly with me
In attempts to keep profitable, airplanes have been doing all sort of ridiculous things…no pillows, blankets, now hangers!!

Thursday, President Bush makes his last stop to Matthewdelphia, in Northern Liberties.

Good Looking News:
--Don't doctor up drinks with shit like splenda
--substitute soda, which contains tons of calories and unhealthy sugar, with water or juice
--Get motivated to exercise. Find a workout Buddy!! ( leah :) )
-- Eat ONE portion per meal. Restaurants typically serve meals that are 2 or even 3 portions.

Spectacular News!
Perhaps copying Disney's high school musical with a sprinkle of Degrassi drama, Nick finally came up with it's own Teen singing Movie, Spectacular!

In Gossip,
Have you driven on the Skullkill (or however you spell it) and saw a billboard, "Trust the Bowtie?"

They're referring to Glenn "hurricane" schwarts, NBC10's famous meteorologist. Inside sources (my friend who works at their cafeteria) told the Matthewdelphia Media that he is the biggest bitch of all the reporters and complains about everything.

On top of that,

there is a bride in his forecast because he just proposed to his girlfriend, whom he met on match.com earlier this year (Ms. Anders, maybe?!).

Even hotter, he proposed a three-way with his other girlfriend, whom he met on sexadelphia.com (copy-cating-bitches).

New facebook, Newer Spamming Scheme: Transitioning to the New Facebook was difficult for just about everyone last semester, but avoiding the trap of potential advertisers is going to be much more challenging to overcome. They were recently plagued by spammers, where fbook was forced to delete more than 500 groups! Read The Temple News the first day of classes for more!

word.

We ARE DAYS AWAY from the first bi-racial president to be sworn into office. His decision to fill the nation's top intelligence jobs with two men short on direct experience in intelligence gathering is worrying many, What's his deal?

Helga Pataki almost perfectly exemplifies limerence and basically made the show an iconic animated show through her obsession with Arnold.

What is limerence?? Awkward blogger Erin Hicks describes it as,
"that thing you feel for another person that isn’t quite love (because you
don’t really know this person), and it’s not really like (because the feeling
is so strong, sometimes it consumes you)."

Fav. part starts at 6:38 end 7:03Speaking of Nick, the show, As told By Ginger is a lot deeper than I realized from when I watched it as a youth.

WELCOME to the year 2009!

2009-01-02T00:07:00.003-05:00

The Year of the Homo

1999 brought in the millennium and American president Clinton proclaimed June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month"

1989 birthed ME!!

1979 introduced the White Night Riots occurred that was needed to get a conviction of voluntary manslaughter instead of murder in the assination of Harvey Milk

1969 triggered the Stonewall Riots.

50 years after the birth of the Gay Rights Movement, in 2009, Lifetime will premier, "Prayers for Bobby," on January 24.

It looks so sad! What a great way to spend a Saturday night at college!!

Don't Live in Matthewdelphia? I'm not that into you

2008-12-30T19:16:00.006-05:00

The nervousness of sitting on the bed of a guy you really like, hoping he'd sit next to you. Both making small talk until one makes the first move-all because you don't know if he's in to you.

So tear down the lights and throw away the tree, because the next holiday, Valentine's Day, is on its way!!

And what better way to celebrate that to see the movie,

He's just not that into you

I read the book a while back when I was with my first boyfriend,
and it was really funny.

I don't see movies often but this looks super good !!

Matthewdelphia

2008-12-27T19:04:00.013-05:00

Good day, MATTHEWDELPHIANS!!

New research shows that men think of it 8 times a hour, and women 13!

I'm talking about

THE MATTHEWDELPHIA MEDIA!!

As everything comes to an end, however, WE ARE NOT!! I mean, kind of.

As my first semester ends, as well as 2008, I'm not updating every week anymore.. Words nor emoticons can express my sadness about this decision :-(

So here are the stats as of today:

According to Google Statistics, I had a total of 3,792 visitors since the birth of my blog in late September,

ALTHOUGH sitetracker says I had only 2,393 total visitors.

Still, that's roughly 55 visitors a day!

The average Matthewdelphian spent 1 minute and 33 seconds per visit, and visitors cam from all over the world, including from San Benito, Texas; Hanover, Germany; Florence, Italy and more!

In other news, the entertainment site, bollywoodsargam.com,
featured my Women's Condom video!!

So good luck in the New Year, a new semester, and don't forget about the life changes you made these past three months with the help of TMM!

Matels Newest Line of Gay Dolls Boosts Economy

2008-12-17T00:00:00.007-05:00

Jonathan heberlig (12/15/08, 4:33 pm): Omg! I went to log onto facebook
and almost typed mattbook!
: Feed into the addiction :

THE MATTHEWDELPHIA MEDIA
wishes everyone does great on their finals!

In today's top reports,

Christmas means one thing: Toys!

Which are my favorite?

They're skanky. They're fun to play with!

And they've been decreasing Barbie sales since June 2001.

However, Bratz dolls are being pulled off the shelves after the holidays,

and NOT because Barbie is more 'wholesome.'

After being sued by Matel and a four year court battle, however,
Bratz Dolls will no longer be on shelves after February, because they stole the idea of whore-dolls from Matel.

Speaking of naughty toys,

The Dora Dildo!

I mean the "The Aqua Pet"

Wouldn't it be cool if your prom could be HSM themed?!?

Well, now, it can be-- or any party for that sake. Don't forget,
if you're under 13, check with a parent before going online!

Gay Marriage could boost the economy

Author Jennifer Gerard Brown... recently estimated that if same-sex couples currently living together would marry, they would spend $16.8 billion in the first several years following legalization.

Economists Brad Sears and Lee Badgett have estimated that same-sex marriage would “boost California state and local government revenues by over $63.8 million.” That CA, ALONE!

Prop 8, the musical

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... by Jack Black

In your local me-news,

Band Aid Girl

I was standing in line outside of the Caf with a few people.
Jon (our recent condom correspondent) was sharing
a story that was indeed very shocking.

One of my nuances is that I typically react to shock by simulatenously opening my eyes really wide, smiling really big as I open my mouth, and for some reason that I don't know, I look to my right.
Well, to my right, a girl was looking at us (probably ease dropping to Jon's inappropriate story which he spoke of loudly with no shame).

On the girl's forehead was a cross of 2 regular-sized band aids.

Upon hearing the ghastly Jon-story,
I looked at the girl, and her band aid-- with nothing less of genuine shock!

My head turned to my right, towards her, mouth dropped, and my widened eyes beamed right into hers.

She looked at me with complete awe that I made such an expression seemingly to her bruised forehead.

"I hit my head, OK?!?" She yelled at me, as she took herself out of line.
"What? No, I wasn't looking at your band-aid! My friend was telling me--"
"Your friend is an ass!"

And she went outside.

I looked at Jon, agian, with a flabbergasted shock.

Happy Holidays!

P.S.
My bday is THE 26TH!!

"If You Can Dodge a Wrench..."

2008-12-14T18:30:00.008-05:00

While at a press conference today, U.S. President George W. Bush was attacked by, but successfully dodged, two shoes that were chucked at him by an Iraqi journalist, sources say.

He has some pretty snappy reflexes for a man of his age, which saved him from humiliation and what would have been some serious bruising.

Youtube gets an 'F' for New Rules, So does Obama's Biggest Slut

2008-12-13T00:33:00.005-05:00

Happy Saturday!!

Obama News: He made it. But how far would you go to get him into the White House? Maybe you would attend a rally in support for him,
perhaps hand out flyers,
or even trade sex for his vote.
That's what one user did on craigslist.com. She offered oral sex for undecided voters to vote for Obama. With over 100 responses, she could "Count 3 of NY's votes for Obama as my doing. :) ," she said.

Your tech report: Forget Verizon Fio s Internt when it comes to linking to the Web outside of a major city, or an inhabited planet, for that matter.
NASA has successfully tested the first deep space Internet
using Interplanetary Internet.

Youtube.com might want to think of a pick-up line instead of their ancient,
"Broadcast yourself," slogan, after
NOT letting people do just that. With their new guidelines,
according to their official blog post,
YouTube announced that it is to
"help ensure that you're viewing content that's relevant to you, and not inadvertently
coming across content that isn't." and is going to block 'bad' content.
Hopefully not things like female condoms.

In your Local me-news,

Textually Active:
Texting. We all do it. And we all, at some point, have sent a text message to the wrong person.
For once, awkwardness didn't happen to me.

A text sent to me from friend in need of advice:

Omg so I've been talking and hanging out with this guy jotie alot
who just happens to be james and lantz's best friend (who my friend got with)
but anyways,
i was texting him yesterday
and i got this one that i didn't
know how to interpret
so i went to forward it to my friend kris and i added
"i got that from jotie.
How should i respond? I wanna be semi-flirty but not over-bearing"
AND THEN I SENT IT TO JOTIE INSTEAD OF KRIS!!

Oh, Casey! <3 style="font-weight: bold;">My Christmas List

The holidays are a-coming!
First Hanukkah!
Then, Christmas!!
Then My birthday!
And starting on my bday, Kwanza!

What I want for Xmas (but won't be getting):

Cell phone charms. They anywhere range from $2.00
to $60.00 and up, like the one pictured, for It's designer!!
'designer' cell phone ch arms

those cool ibm thinkpad matt-tops so I can doodle

my own internet browser: Matthewnet Explorer
an earring (and ear piercing...)
world peace.

A real thing that I asked for Christmas, however, was the DVD, Wall-e.

SO I was shopping with Dad, and had a small pile of items with my at the register. I tried hiding the movie so he wouldn't see it.
There's something about G-rated animated Disney movies that I don't think he would think that I need.
I slipped it on the register-belt at the check out, under some stuff.
The lady scans it, and he looks at it.
"Wall-e? What's this, whats that about?"
I looked at him, then the lady ringing us up, thinking how to
describe Wall-e. It was funny. It was adorable, and
"A romantic comedy about two robots falling in love,"
I told him, trying to remain serious.
He looked at me, not surprised but still seemingly disappointed.

Happy Holidays

from the Matthewdelphia Media

Safety First!! "A Garbage Bag for the Vagina"

2008-12-07T13:20:00.001-05:00

The Female Condom

According to Wikipedia,

"a female condom is a device that is used during sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections"

As Alexander explores, however, there's much more to it than described.

Recycling Causes Cancer

2008-12-05T16:27:00.007-05:00

Yet again, the Secretary of State is a woman!

"I won, and you didn't! NA NA NA NA NA NA!"

"Barrack, STFU."

Everybody is saying that this is a great move by President-elect B. Hussein Obama. Even Republican broadcaster Rush Limbaugh agrees.
However,
Would Clinton have a made a better VP than Sec. of State?? I still feel that Bill should have been a great 1st Lady!

And another question,

since when has there been an Office of the President Elect?

Technically, Obama will not even become the president-elect until the
Electoral College convenes after the second Wednesday in December and elects
him based on the results of the Nov. 4 general election, as stated in the Constitution.

In Health News, recycling is a good for the environment, which is good for people-- otherwise, we probably wouldn't care. However, about 70 percent of the 40 million tons of electronic waste (cell phones, computer monitors, etc.) produced annually worldwide is sent off to China, India, and Nigeria. Up to 150,000 people are exposed to serious health risks in each town.

In your local me-news,

Which Bathroom Do You Use?

We're told not to assume. "It makes an ASS out of U and ME," I was told as a child.
However, as people, it's what we do.

The first time we meet someone, or even see people walk by, the first thing people typically assume is their gender.

Waiters make their tips by kissing ass and fulfilling their tasks promptly and accurately. I used to work at the fancy, William Penn Inn Restaurant, and did really well.
Once, however, I wasn't so lucky.
A person with very short curly hair sat down. "Hi how are you doing? Can I get you a drink?"
"I'll have a skjadjs." "sorry, what, sir?"

"I'll have a coke. And I'm a woman."

I looked aghast, and took a step backward, telling her sorry.
I promised myself I would never fall victim to assuming one's sex again.

Until I forgot, at school.

I was outside of a bathroom at the SAC, waiting for my friend, texting. While I was looking down at my phone, someone asked me in a faint voice, "Hi, do you know where the restrooms are?" In the corner of my eye I saw pink.

light voice + pink = woman's bathroom, I thought.

"The men's is in front of me...I'm not sure where the woman's is...it may be around the corner."

My new friend wore glasses, had a round face, and the same, very short curly hair as before.
I was looked at with a weird look. The person walked slowly past the men's bathroom, and stopped. He looked at the sign, "Women," and turned around, and went into the men's bathroom.

I dropped my mouth, and felt really bad about myself...

Snowboarding Group Buries Campus

2008-12-03T14:55:00.007-05:00

With it nearing the end of the semester, making a trip to the slopes could be difficult with an increasing workload.
Because they couldn't go up north to the snow, they brought the snow to them.
Temple's Snowboarding Club had their first "Rail Jam" today, where they literally dumped snow in the middle of the Bell Tower.

Local Director uses Matthewdelphia to 'Predict the Future' in his Film

2008-12-01T01:36:00.010-05:00

Its official we're in a recession!!

If you haven't checked it out, awkwardisawesome.com put my video as a permanent definition of awkward is.

In MORE entertainment news, Matthewdelphia was used as the set of local director, Matt Huber, in his latest film, Tarot.

"A man's Tarot reading, performed by a Gypsy, comes to fruition in his life."

To find out more about Huber, stalk him on Mattbook!

More importantly, the movie debuted my own starring role!!
Including nudity, mystery, and violence...
Do I die? Interpret it, yourself!

Exclusive behind-the-scene pictures!!

I'm about to make a fall down the steps

I was super cold, so I bundled up!!

A fire exploded !!

Stardom!!

Ahh! Me running from the devil!

Love knows no distance with war, Harry Potter doesn't wear Skinny Pants, and your Local Me-news!

2008-11-29T12:42:00.005-05:00

Haro, Matthewdelphia, and Happy Thanksgiving weekend!!

In entertainment news,

Who's hotter??

Would you rather be a Wildcat at East High or go to school at Hogwartz? I think it comes down to who's hotter-- Harry (dan r.) or Troy (zac e.)??

Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe comes to Inside the Actor's Studio

This Monday at 8, only on Bravo.

His last H.P. movie came out in the summer of 2007. His next, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, won't release until July 17, 2009-- almost two years later...What gives?!?! It typically takes them only 13 months to make them..

A Special MM Sneak Peak of the newest Potter Flick

In Fashion News,

Hipsters. They are apart of NYC and Philly's culture (there's an actual section in NYC where there are entirely hipster kids). But now, just like one blog points out, it's getting to the point that just about everyone is wearing their iconic skinny pants
And it's becoming to much of a fad rather than a style... only true hipsters should wear them.

Business: You may want to invest in TIVo. Yes, invest. One economist argues that this is because of the miracle of the “30-second skip” button, which means that people can skip advertisements. If a person watches 6 hours of television, but now only takes four hours to watch, and if time is money, which it is to many, Tivo can give back thousands a year.

Politics: America's news president-elect, Obama, plans to pull troops out of Iraq like the people wanted. However, he's sending 10,000 troops to Afghanistan where he believes are the real terrorists, instead of bringing them home. Why does America's government

love to be in war??

In your local me-news,

Going home was a lot of fun last weekend, because of

GRANDMA!! Gotta love her. She is sweet, cooks delicious food, and I look up to her in many ways.

I was especially glad to see her during Thanksgiving break! You see, she lives with us.

In fact, it is because of her I now sleep in the basement—she took my bedroom.

It is because of her that I have a permanent scar on my knee after scraping it on a chair that brings her up the stairs so she doesn’t have to walk them.

And it is because of ME that she almost left our house.

While I was helping Dad clean out the garage, he had told me to put all our old shoes in a pile and to throw away the ones I no longer wear.

However, I took the liberty of throwing away a few pairs that weren’t mine. They were so old and dirty that I figured that neither my brother nor sister would ever wear them. So tiny, I thought that we all had grown out of them. So ancient that I couldn’t even believe any of us would ever had even owned them.

And that’s because we didn’t.

I forgot about Mommom.

My dad went out somewhere, and Sophia, my sister, and I were the only ones in the house.

Suddenly, we heard her storm in through the garage door, crying, “I’m MOVING OUT!!” My sister and I looked at each other, stunned, than back at her.

I can’t possibly be a reason..why, and where is she going??

“Your Dad doesn’t want me here anymore—He threw away my shoes!”
Oh. My. Goodness…it could be worse?

“And I can’t reach to get them in the trashcan! I’m moving out!! I’m leaving!!”

My sister reassured my grandmother that we want her to stay, while I retrieved her shoes.

“Who threw away my shoes?” Although I didn’t confess, I reminded her, “Dad was cleaning the garage…It was probably a mistake?”

I was really sorry. I never said it was me, but…

she’s still here!!

The Person Behind the Monitor

2008-11-25T13:30:00.007-05:00

Too often, people read things, and cannot relate to it. Not because what they're reading does not pertain to them, but because they cannot familiarize themselves with the author-- they believe that a company or machine is writing huge loads of information, and forget that it's actually people.

No, I am not going to bore you with sad, stupid, or ridiculous happenings in my life--only the awkward ones.

This blog is for news, followed by a story that happened to me.

However, whether or not you know me, I decided to let you know!

I'm kinda tall

I'm trying to be a journalist

I have a twin sister (she has my face), and an older brother

News is Theater. Damn.

2008-11-24T21:18:00.004-05:00

More than four years ago during 2004's election, Jon Stewart told the hosts of crossfire that they're show is not news, but instead "theater," in that is it staged for 'knee-jerk' reactions.

On her show on Fox, Laura Ingraham talks about Affirmative Action, and of course, has 2 black men on her show: one who is for the other agianst it.

She is young, fresh, and sarcastically witty.

Although journalism is supposed to provide a public forum, she tells her guest to stop talking at least twice.

"You can't win because you have to make a logical argument to be on this show," she told her guest.
hahahaha every single time I watch that, I laugh harder and harder.
She is really really funny,
I love watching her program and the guests who fall victim to her sarcasm,
but it's not news.
It's not the lack of money compared to other fields, the scarcity of jobs, or work I have to do to get there that will stop me.

It's the way news is fabricated or the how it is portrayed purely for entertainment value that would influence my decision to leave my studies in journalism.

But how can I consider this, after my blog just added Fresh FM Radio, playing all my favorite songs?!

Britney's Back: An EXCLUSIVE Interview (video)

2008-11-23T03:48:00.004-05:00

Introducing Matthewdelphia FM!! to the right

A year ago, everyone was hating. Today, however, people cannot get enough of the beloved pop star who made a 360 degree turn-around.

Or did she?

Music-correspondent RJ reports

Britney mega-fan, R.J. discuses Spear's new CD Release.

How long do YOU think Britney is back for ?

Freddie Mac and Cheese sounds yummy! But too Much cheese would Attract Mice

2008-11-22T14:10:00.007-05:00

The Matthewnet

Most of our readers are from Philly. However,

we've grown to Tennessee, Canada,

AND WORLD WIDE with readers from the U.K., Romania, Indonesia, Sweden, and more!

In today's top reports,

DID YOU KNOW that the average American adult is officially classified as overweight, and 30 percent of Americans are classified as obese?? What? Average? what does that mean-- how are they "average" yet OVERweight.. would overweight be the new average??

In other news,

More than not, people check the, "organ donor" box after receiving their licenses. But what if the America allowed people to sell their organs?

A new market would open, slightly boost the economy, and more people might be living. Of course, some believe that this is morally wrong...Freddie Mac and cheese might have a whole new meaning!

BIKES:
I want a bike for Christmas but don't get their gears... So I got it broken down for me:

Gear 1 - Sissy Gear
Gear 2 - Less Sissy Gear
Gear 3 - Least Sissy Gear
Gear 4 - Boy Gear
Gear 5 - Pre-teen Boy Gear
Gear 6 - Manly Gear
Gear 7 - Big Muscles Gear

Which gear are you??

Let's Party.

I was at a party,

And there was this cute guy... I really wanted to talk to,

I went over to him. Before I could introduce myself, 2 of my friends stopped to tell me news about whatever.

The guy was looking at me, and I wanted to walk over to talk to him. But I would have looked rude bc my friends were clearly talking to me...

My friends went to smoke so I went outside to continue our conversation. After a minute I wanted to go back inside to meet my new friend... only, I felt like I stepped in... something...it felt more like some kind of huge artificial wad of gum.

Or something--

I felt very uncomfortable.

I walked in in the house, my foot feeling the weird sensation of something as i continued to step on whatever is was.

I was in the middle of the living room, with an extremely weird hump on the bottom of my shoe!

I tried wiping whatever was on it. After doing so, looked down to see what it was: ANNNND!!!

didn't see anything, so I walked into the kitchen to get a drink.

I then---

"Ewa! MOUSE!!"

I looked behind me in terror! Oh no!

EWA! AHH! GROSS!, people cried.

A girl glared and pointed a mean finger at me, and spat, "YOU!" I looked around me, hoping there was someone else.

All with this guy watching.

Please, God, nooo! Don't be me!

She stampeded over to me, pointed her mean looking finger back to the dead ball of fur, and demanded that I clean it.

Yea, right.

1) That's gross.

2) I don't know how to clean a mouse up!

3) I didn't know where anything was to even clean it up with!!!

So I stood there, baffled, literally mumbling, "uh.. iiii..uhh," trying not to make eye-contact.

She grabbed paper towels, gobbled the thing in her hands, and chucked it outside.

As she walked past me, I told her I was sorry, and handed her $5. She took it, smiling whorishly.

I looked for the guy. Smiled...

He took a sip of his cup as he peeked at me,

and then

he looked away.

The Capital to Montana is NOT Hannah

2008-11-17T23:22:00.006-05:00

OMG SOMEONE HACKD INTO MY ACCOUNT AND WROTE THAT!!!

Actually, no. Sorry to disappoint!

That never happened... was me...after a stupid plea to get media attention SIMILARLY

to international pop-sensation Miley Cyrus.

Although she allegedly claims that someone hacked into her youtube

account and wrote that she had died after being hit from a drunk driver, I love her, BUTT it was probably nothing more than a pathetic media ploy to get more people to

look at her youtube videos.

I can do that too, Alexis Texas!

Consequently, the Matthewdelphia Media refuses to post

the link to them, and discourages users to look for it.

IF you realllly want to youtube something, click our channel!

An Awkward thought:

Dear readers,

If ya'll haven't noticed, my format typically is every week,

I post 2 or 3 short news clips from the week followed by

and truly real and truly awkward story.

But what does that mean? What is awkward? Check out

the video I made for awkwardisawesome.com !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pmDhNyupCs

Spread Happiness

2008-11-15T16:15:00.006-05:00

I've watched Countdown since like 5th grade, and I've always like the humorous tabloid-like top 5 news reports, gave by Keith Olberman.

Today, I loves him tons more. His message: "to spread happiness."

PS awkwardisawesome.com

features anything and everything

awkward-- and made me a content writer!

Also, I have an interview with the renown Philly blog, Philebrity on Thursday !!

The Key to my...Room

2008-11-11T12:47:00.011-05:00

The much anticipated Boscov-6abc Thanksgiving Day parade is no longer happening this year after Boscov filed bankruptcy in August. :( Instead, it's now the IKEA-6abc Thanksgiving Day Parade! :-)

Philadelphia is in such a budget crunch that its own mayor, Nutter, said that he'd reduce his own salary by 10%. What couldn't be worse timing, winning the World Series cost the city over a million dollars.

Economics: Everyday I see the same people walk into class with their Starbucks. Some are so stuck up with their white-green cups, other times they just need the caffeine to wake up. Nonetheless, Starbucks' profits fell 97%

Your Local-Me News:

Peeing. We all do it.

The worst is when you're sleeping and are awoken by your bladder. This very thing happened to me the other day. I was having a lovely dream when I was forced to wake up and go to the bathroom before certain consequences that I only hope does not happen in college.

I grab the key to my room and make my way down the hallway. Upon opening the door to a stall, I lay my key down on top of the toilet paper dispenser, unzip, and piss. And it feels great.

However, the dispenser was lop-sided.

And sloped downward.

My key fell down to the ground, rolled off my shoe, and landed on the floor-- in the stall next to me. Luckily, I was the only person in the restroom.

I finished my bidness, and quickly assembled my pants to retrieve my key-- until someone came in, and of course, went into the stall before I could make my way out of mine. And it gets worse.

He sat down.

Loudly exhaled. And began to shat, with my key at his feet.

I just stared at the door not knowing what to do.

To waste time, I thoroughly washed my hands. I then laid them under the dryer, twice. I'd go back to my room to wait, except that I didn't have my key!

Finally I held my breath and went over to the stall. "Uhm hey, I think I dropped my key in your stall."

Without saying a word, it was slid under the door to my feet. I washed it off, washed my hands again, and left.

Grown-up Gum

2008-11-09T13:38:00.003-05:00

In the week's top reports,
A University of Delaware freshman died from alcohol poisoning on friday, right before the holidays.

The beloved Kim-Jong il is rumored to be paralyzed on his left side. Still, N. Korea's government run media is trying to make him look healthy and strong. Time will tell, Jong.

Obama is wasting no time to reform policies in goverment. One of which, is that he is going to try to "make Math and Science Education a National Priority," which is different than our current priority of Math and English. I like neither math nor science...

No Gum For YOU!

Last week I attened my brother's hockey game with my mother. Sitting next to us was a small boy and his mother. In an attempt to quit smoking, she recently has been chewing on nicotine-gum. She likes it, and it has actually been working, she said.
After overhearing, "gum," the boy anxiously asked his own mother for a piece. She didn't have any, so she told him to ask my mother.

"Excuse me, can I have a piece of gum, please."
My mom looked at him, and quietly laughed, "No, I'm sorry. I don't have any gum for you."
His mother heard my mom, "Oh, well he just wanted a piece, if it's ok."

"It's grownup gum..." "Grownup gum? What? Can he just have a piece?"

"It's nicotine gum to help me quit smoking and I'm sure he doesn't smoke!" my mother joked.

The other mother understood and told her son

"Sorry, honey." "WHY?! she has a ton of it!"

My mother and I just looked at each other, laughing.

Why? Why Why Why Why WHY!?!

2008-11-04T20:48:00.011-05:00

Although it is too close to say who won the polls in Matthewdelphia, I have to ask,

Who did you vote for, and why?

Hear what students had to say!

"It's who he is [being black]; not what he stands for."

"I like Obama's tax-plan"

"I was tired about hearing Obama all around campus."

"I want change."

Student Reactions to

2008 Election

Finding Stairs

2008-10-31T02:38:00.004-04:00

In today's top reports, A first accomplishment of the Matthewdelphia Media: the video from the World Series I made was given honors as the #97th most viewed video on October 30th from Youtube in the "Blog" category.

In other news,

I do not read it, I don't think I've ever even heard of it and I will probably never hear of it again, but the Christian Science Monitor is moving from print to the web, entirely-- the first major newspaper to do so. Though it cuts a lot of costs, News-sites only make up about 8% of a newspaper's revenue-- So are they also cutting profits??

In Music news,

Is it just me of does the SWING in the song, "let me see ya hips SWING" sound super similiar to High School Musical 2's, I Don't Dance: "Hey batta batta hey batta batta SWING!" If you don't have either, get them because both songs are ipod musts.

In technology news, Forget about the waste of memory, the annoying pop-ups, and everything else that came with Vista. Microsoft is introducing Windows 7, which will be faster and need less memory to run than its predecessor. Microsoft plans to release it in early 2009.

Apple just released a new design of their Macbook Pro,

which looks extremely similar to my own HP notebook.

Your local me-news:

5 below

For some, taking the elevator is necessary.

It's common knowledge that people who live in buildings on levels 4 and below-- maybe even the 5th floor -- should avoid the elevator, but most especially those who live on the second floor.

I live in Hardwick, which is connected to Johnson through the main level. Today I went to visit a friend at Johnson with Leah.

On Hardwick the stairs are around a corner and almost in front of the elevator, however, in Johnson they are not. In fact, after searching for the stairs, both leah and I failed to find them. So we opted to take the elevator. On Floor up.

We were the only ones waiting for it, at first, but soon a person also came waiting. then a small group, and another person...by the time the elevator made its way to the 1st floor, the crowd snugly fit in the elevator.

After walking in, I quickly pressed "2" hoping no one would see me. Because we were the first people to enter, were pressed against the back of the elevator.

The elevator doors close and seconds later opens at the second floor. I remain still. Moments guy by, and I'm hoping that someone else has to get out, as well. I look at leah, frozen in her place smiling, looking at me. I knew I had no choice. I hate being the guy

I looked at the opened doors. I could hear them thinking, "what a-hole went up one floor?!" Before they could close I finally said, "Excuse me," to the crowd as I tried to make my way through. Seemingly at once, they all turned their heads toward me. I just smiled.

I knew they were all staring at me in disgust. I only looked ahead of me but could feel the pissed of expressions of the residents. When both of us were out of the elevator, we heard the friendly goodbyes of our new neighbors. "Lazy!" "Fatasses!" "Go take the stairs!" "Are you for real?" "People are unbelievable!!"

Yes. People are unbelievable.

But we found the stairs to go down!

Phillies Win it al!

2008-10-30T01:13:00.002-04:00

As ironic as it sounds, I had my mind up. I was going to go to the University of Tampa. I was accepted there last October, and sent in my housing and everything. In fact, I applied to all Florida schools EXCEPT Temple.

But I switched to Temple in April last minute

and I'm so glad I didn't waste my time there!!

I made this video kinda quickly.. its my first ever in fact

There were no murders that night in Philadelphia. For a moment, race, age, political affiliation, religion, or anything didn’t seem to matter.

Whether or not they were Phillies’ fans, just about all of Temple seemed to be celebrating on Broad Street. Christmas came early for Philadelphia, and the city rejoiced together as a community, mimicking the concept of Matthewdelphia.

Go Team!!

Less than 2 months before Christmas!! (and my birthday)

HSM and texting on the Computer

2008-10-25T12:28:00.000-04:00

Have you ever anticipated something so mucho that you counted down the weeks days hours til it happened? You included all your friends because you wanted them to experience the same thing... and then when it happened.. what was supposed to be an amazing part of your life that you would never forget and would tell your children and grandchildren and everyone you know happened... and was disappointed!!that's not how today was.

I laughed, I cried, and i even sang. I normally don't go to the theater to see movies bc nothing is too different anymore or just impresses me, but HSM3 did.

It's sad bc they 'graduated' so they are prob not going to make another with the same cast..

and anybody could relate to it: being in high school, slutty sophomore bitches, or having a relationship end because 2 people going to different schools a thousand miles apart...

ANYWAY

In the weekend's top reports,

I was home for a day yesterday and my sister was telling me her experiences at St. Johns.

She is in class on her laptop, obviously not paying attention. Instead she gives her attention to Facebook and AIM, quietly giggling about the convos going on in the screen in front of her.

The teacher walks by, and says to her,

"Sophia, I know that you're text messaging on the computer! PLease pay attention--" except Sophia couldn't hold it in and just laughed at her!

I wouldn't have laughed at my teacher, but I love old people trying to figure out technology. We (as young bulls) learned in 7th grades with things like our Xanagas about HTML and computer stuff that people go to school for. But it's prob gonna suck when we're old people's ages.

Oil, Politics, and Old Friends

2008-10-24T11:34:00.000-04:00

So for now on out, my future posts will consist of a sprinkle of world news followed by me-news. Enjoy!

Before I could put my headphones into my laptop,

not even the first two seconds of the Chris Crocker video, "Leave Britney Alone," played before my roomy joked, "I know where that's from!" Al

though he wasn't joking bc he finished the rest of the quote. Chris Crocker made himself a brand. His formula: pull away from youtube (after they apparently took him off the most watched list), make a whole new site featuring a blog with new videos, and like any good actor, make a single! (which can be BOUGHT from itunes. Yes, you are now paying for Crocker.)

In the NEWS at the hour,

Get it while it's cheap!

The price of oil has been slashed by half since July ’08 . America’s bff’s, Venezuela (Pres Chavez teamed up with Cuba and hates us), Iran (thinks we use them for their oil??...hates (and gauges) us), Russia (feels the U.S.A. abuses their power by acting as a world police, and hates us), and Saudi Arabia (the only country of the four that seemingly does not hate the U.S.A) has been cutting oil prices because America has been buying much less because of the crippling economy...however, OPEC called for an emergency meeting, soexpect gas prices to rise soon.

In Politics,

Obama feels so confident that he is going to win the election that he is taking 4 campaign-days off to visit his mama in Hawaii. Though the polls show he has a huge lead, they are only polls, and may be unreliable.

With less than 2 wks before the election, this is a really cocky move. It's almost as arrogant when they made the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie before the second was even released in theaters because they "knew it would be a success."

However, McCain is saying the same rhetoric. Unless he does something to surprise us closer to the election, Obama could easily be the new President.

Gaydar at its Best

Assuming makes you an ass

Around 2 AM at 7-11 last Saturday, I was waiting in line to purchase a delicious and tasty Boston cream donut. In front of me stood a girl with a familiar face, but I did not immediately recognize her, so continued to wait in line, munching.

UNTIL, she turned around, looked at me with blood-shot eyes and spoke with a mouth that seemed to limp with every word, "HEY! You're.. Don't I know you?"

I knew that this girl was no stranger...but I had no idea who she was.. We both stood there for a good minute, asking each other where we lived, if we knew any random mutual people, had a class together.. we knew each other from somewhere, but neither of us could pinpoint the birth of our now aborted friendship.
She bought her items, said bye, "Even though I don't remember I know I love you!" and left.

And that's when it hit me!

I knew her. I knew exactly who she was.

I do not have the best gay-dar when it comes to guys, and girls is seemingly worse...

We knew each other from when I mistook her for a lesbian at our placement testing!

Last March, during a TU testing day, I was soo nervous, p

robably like every other kid there. The test started at 10 AM, however, it was 10:20 and a mob of angry students wanting to begin their tests stood outside the classroom.

And that's when I saw her. She was laughing with someone who seemed older. As we all processed into the room to test, they hugged, kissed on the cheek, and said, "I love you."

Lesbians!

Excited that someone else was gay, I began talking to her. I then asked where her girlfriend went.

"Girlfriend?" "Yeah.. the girl that you were with earlier."

"Huh? Oh...my sister?"

And I just looked at her. An awkward smile glued to my face.

I didn't speak to her the rest of the 6 hour testing period.

Journalistic Treason and some Variety

2008-10-18T13:03:00.001-04:00

This is more of a George Miller kind of post but I thought, why not

Apparently, the Chicago Tribune and LA Times are endorsing Obama.

Unless a newspaper actually declares themselves as a more liberal or conservative paper, and gears most of their stories towards their beliefs, for a newspaper to actually support a political candidate is journalistic treason.

And stupid.

Even if I was liberal, not to say I'm conservative, I would want to read a paper that emphasizes a bipartisan outlook so I can look at candidates equally and make the decision for myself about who to vote for.

Am I the only one who thinks this is not right?

Or since Obama has a significant lead on McCain, according to the polls, should the country should jump on the blue-bandwagon and it be ok?

In other news,

Has there ever been a word that, for some reason, you simply cannot pronounce correctly? You say the word but it never comes out how it should be pronounced?

Have you ever done it while you were interviewing someone?

My dream is to be on KYW news radio ...THUS I should learn not to mumble, and to speak correctly.

However, for some reason I cannot say variety.

The other day, i was interviewing someone for The Temple News, and we were talking about the variety of classes.

Except, I struggle to correctly say variety...for whatever reason, unless someone catches me, I pronounce it, Ver-are-id-ee instead of Ver-I-et-ee.

idk why but it just comes out like that. So I began the interview: "Some students don't like the variety of classes. How does this benefit students?"

She looked confused at me, "Uhm..

sorry I didn't get what you said."

I was calm, have a smile that kinda said sorry. And again asked, "What is the purpose of the variety of classes?"

She again was baffled on what I was talking about. "I'm sorry, what?"

I made another shot at it...I felt like something was wrong but I didn't realize that I was saying the word incorrectly until I explained the story to my friend! "Why have a variety of classes for students to choose?"

"A what of classes?" "Variety.. like different classes..a big mix of classes or a slew," if I was with friends I would have jokingly screeched that last line, but remained calm and smiling.

'Oh, VARIETY, sorry I couldn't understand you.."

We laughed it off and the rest of the interview went well.

Anyway, read TTN this week, especially the living section for my actual article about the VARIETY of classes students can choose to take!

i-touch i-tocha i-toucha i-toucha me

2008-10-17T11:26:00.001-04:00

Creature of the Night

In tonight's top reports...

Halloween is coming! And that means Rocky Horror Picture Show! EXCEPT the library doesn't have the movie-- ONLY THE BOOK version.

oh. of course.

In other news,

Speaking of Touch,

For extra credit in my journalism class, I went to this forum where a speaker talked about beginning his newspaper, which was really interesting and I learned a few things from it. And after he finished, people asked the dumbest questions like, "I know advertising has a lot to do with it, but how is your newspaper for free?" "Advertisements mostly, like you said."

So i was on my m-touch on the internet towards the end of it... facebook, checking mail, facebook,

and then I go to the library to write up the extra credit, listening to music on the same awesome portable machine that i was cruising the internet with moments ago.

I set my phone and touch to lock after every hour, because I try to be secure with my belongings...

After I finish my extra credit, unlock my phone bc it was more than an hour. And then i-reach for my touch.

And it's not in my pocket.

It's not in my school bag.

On the desk...

On the floor...
behind the monitor...

under my chair..

NO WHERE!

However, my philosophy is not to freak on things like this, because of one of my motto's, "It Happens."

I am completely calm, hide my torment with an awkward smile, and go to the front desk: "Is there a lost-and found in here?" "yea, in our drawer... what'd you lose?" "erhh.. an.. i-touch."

She looked at me like I'm an idiot.

back of my i-touch

"What? How'd you lose a--shoot...Let me look, child."

She doesn't have it and directs me to an office. Who says the same, "How'd you lose that?" I go to another and she says the same thing. I go to one more place, and think if they ask me one more time how I lost it I'm gonna

...blog about them

And she does.

Well I'm thinking now that this totally sucks but things get lost sometimes...

It had speakers and every night I put it under my pillow as it softly sang.

That night I don't know exactly what happened, but around 6AM I accidently rolled right off my bed..

It kinda hurt, honestly, but woke me which sucked! My schoolbag just happened to be next to my bed, and kinda of parachuted my fall so I didn't smack the floor as hard. But when I got up, i saw the light!

There was a light from my school bag. Curiously, I reached for it... it was the light from my ipod in the lock screen, "Slide here.."

I FOUND IT!

You Are Gay

2008-10-16T01:26:00.001-04:00

The Society of Professional Journalists is a great group for aspiring newsy people.

They primarily focus on speakers who are in the field who talk to us and give are gateways to networking. The very first speaker presented himself the other day. He was attractive, confident, and looked excited to begin.

The projector displayed whatever he had on his laptop, which, at first was a screen saver.

Then the unthinkable. He wiggles the mouse to wake the computer, and projected on the screen is spam.

But not your usual "Select this screen-saver" spam

It has a title that was flashing, "You Are Gay!" and a 2 second repeat video of sexually explicit homosexuals! real hardcore stuff....

everybody either gasps or laughs, and the speaker is just standing there.... staring at it then back at us, "Oh, wow..what is that there? Did you set me up," he jokes, but makes not attempt to take it down!

Finally someone shouts to exit out of it, and he does.

Can't wait for next week !

People's manners diminish with age

2008-10-11T17:42:00.000-04:00

Can you hold the (slams in face) ...door?

Yesterday Leah and I went to go to the caf to eat a second lunch. As we were about to walk in, I saw a girl walking out with her hands full of fruit, so I politely opened the door for her. I was on the her right side of the door and she had to lean down and go under my arm to go through the door.

She smiled a "thank you," as she was walking through.

"Your welcome." But so she wouldnt have to awkwardly duck beneath my arm, I pushed the door open to let her kinda walk quickly out -- if it sounds confusing I was doing a nice gesture.

However, I pushed it too hard...

and it forcefully swung back and smacked her in her hip! She dropped all of her fruit, almost fell herself, and was kinda hurt.

"I'm so sorry! Sorry I meant to swing it open for you... I'm sorry!"

She ignored me, though, gathered her fruit,

and ran off.

It was completely an accident...

Move Bitch, Get Out da Way

This was too. But it was really rude!

I'm at the computer lab, working my butt off. My school bag is leaning against my chair, and I am completely focused on my 6 page paper about Sharpay Evans from High School Musical. Suddenly, this broad and her hooves gallop past me (by gallop I mean walk heavily; by hooves I mean her ginormous girl feet) and (accidently) KICK my school bag!

But it happens. I mean people make accidents.

What did not happen, though, was this BROAD acknowledging it with an apology. She walked away like nothing happened and didn't even look back let alone apologize.

When I worked at Gertrude Chocolate, many of our usuals were no more than 10.. speaking of HSM, once What Time is It was playing from my ipod and this 6 yr old girl asked her mom after singing it, "Why is this song playing here?" and then looked at me... "Uh...it's a company song (you twit!)"

Anyway many of our usuals are under 10 and would almost always say, please and thank you and smiled and were so nice! Even the ones who thought they were gangsta would ask, "Can I have some of them jawns, please?" and now i feel like people are so ignorant. People's manners seem to decay with age. I know my own etiquette isn't perfect but I wish people were not so rude.

Am I overreacting or do people need to be act with better manners or at least nicer?

SO im editing this... i JUST found out that Oprah reads my blog!

Well no she doesn't but she did a show today about manners! ...That's old news to those who read the Matthewdelphia Media!

Matthewdelphia Idol

2008-10-06T13:36:00.000-04:00

I was home for a bit last weekend. One of the things that I miss most about living back at home is being able to sing in the shower...you really just can't sing in a hallway bathroom!

I was actually looking forward to do it, finally, after really not belting out a song for a while, since I also do not drive down in the city, so i couldnt while driving either.

While I was home, my brother, too, was going to come back to introduce his girlfriend to me, along with my Dad.

In preparation to their arrival, I decided to shower!

As I step in, I knew it was time.

I began with Whitney, then some of The Sounds, followed by Michael Buble, "And I can't believe, that I'm your man! And I get to kiss you, baby, just because I --" "MATTHEW!" my brother shouted.

I was happy he was home, but I was busy. I haven't sung..like really belted, since before school.

"What?" I asked, kinda pissed.

"j dkslss c'' ? I had no idea what he said. "What?"

"fjdiosvhj k"

With the shower running and having a door between us I couldnt hear him. Plus I was in the middle of singing.

"Whatever comes our way!!" i sang, "we'll see it through!"

"Matthew, Shut up!"

"What?" what's his deal, i thought. I always sing. In fact, he once told me if Im not smiling I'm singing. He's such an ass!

SO,

I continued. Even when I stepped out of the shower, dried myself, and unlocked the doorknob, I kept on singing.

I forgot to mention room is right next to the shower, by the way, and he can hear every word, or song, rather, that I sing.

And just before I was to step out I remembered his girlfriend was to be there! OMG! crap I made an idiot of myself before we even met!

I opened the bathroom door. His door was open, too. I stepped in to peek if she was there with him.

My brother was there. She wasn't, thankfully. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Until i saw, however, three of my brothers really hot friends in his room, playing PS2, laughing.

I dropped my mouth, then smiled awkwardly. Really awkwardly.

The one told me I have a good voice. My brother interrupted and said, "I told you to shut up, Matthew."

I said, hey, to them, and went shamefully back to my room.

Dirty Laundry: Revealed

2008-09-30T00:46:00.000-04:00

After my laundry was overflowing out of its basket and I ran out of socks, I finally decided to do my laundry. In that process, I figured to make a party of it. I called a friend to join, and off we went to the laundry room!

There and there just happen to be two washers for us. So we put in our laundry and hang in our room. As we leave, she almost slips because the floor is wet and gross, but she caught her balance.

After a half hour of washing we come back to find only one dryer available. She insists that i can use it first and she'll wait for the next one to be open.
we go eat. After the hour passes, I go back to get my fresh dry clothes.
So I'm collecting my clothes into a bag and a sock and a pair of my obnoxiously bright pink manties (guy-panties that are like spandex, which hug one's ass and looks good) falls out of the dryer onto the wet floor!
I JUSt finished! Damn it! Half of it is dry and warm and the other of it is wet and soiled from the gross floor and I'm def not going to put them in my dirty laundry after I cleaned them.
I see someone's laundry in an on washer.
I was upset and not thinking,
It was just gonna be for a min!
and I figure, Why not.
In i toss them into a strangers laundry.
My friend laughs at me as she puts hers in the dryer. She has to go to class, and I wait about a minute for my undies to wash. A girl then walks in the room, and im kind of guarding a washer with a full load of strangers clothes plus a pair of my undies. I am so nervous that she's going to say excuse me,
but instead goes to a dryer, collects her clothes and leaves.
I immediately retrieve my clothing. They're wet, but (seemingly) clean.
It was a good thing that my friend had her dryer going. So In they go. She's in class anyway, I thought, and I have about 50 minutes to get it back anyway.
I left to go and do homework to occupy my time for the next 50 minutes. Except facebook is so damn addicting that i was on that for quite a while until I had to meet my friend to the tech center to work on a project.
Afterwards we go to eat, and a crowd from my floor are all eating. So we have a family dinner, and not once do I remember that I have to get my manly lingerie.
My floor all leaves together. We cram the elevator, and decide to all hang in the suite room, which is the biggest room on the floor and directly across from my room.
We walk out of the elevator, down the hallway, and someone starts laughing for almost no reason.
Almost.
Then more people laugh and are looking at my door.
I move past the crowd to find, duct taped to my door, is my bright pink underwear!! Stuffed inside the crotch is my sock, so it looks like a bulge!
They already saw me nude, now they have to see what undies I wear??
Everyone is laughing hysterically! I tear it down and throw them in my room, completely embarrassed, but am laughing too.
I knew, deep down inside, every guy there wanted my underwear. Probably every girl too. I especially wanted to put them on because they were soo warm!

And it was so worth cleaning them for free

People, Places, and Printers

2008-09-19T16:05:00.000-04:00

Procrastination. It's something most college students do.

HOWEVER I have everything that I need to do in my palm, , and always have a schedule and try to stay on time for things.

After eating lunch, last week, at around 2:30, I went to my room to finish a paper due for my next class, at 4:40.

First I was messing around on facebook, responding to emails, reading the news, and bascially wasting time, something I normally do not do.

Finally, at 3, I began my work.. it wasn't a lot, and I figured that I could finish by 3:20, to get to my class by 3:40.

3:10 rolls around, is am finishing my conclusion and pretending to site various quotes and paragraphs. Five minutes pass. And another.. 3:20. I save it to my flash-drive, realizing I have to print it.

So I'm basically rushing to the Tech Center to print, knowing I'm going to be a little late.. I'm never late for important things like class and am kinda of freaking out.

On the way is the library, so I figure they must have a printer. I stop there, and after frantially looking for an open computer for a minute, I go to print.
But, of course, the machine that accepts Diamond Dollars to print wasn't working! I'm totally freaking out, it's 3:33 now, and the printer isn't working!
So i I run to the tech center, find a computer...
AND IT PRINTS!! at 3:40.

And I'm late.

I rush out of the building, down the block, scurry into my building's class, catch the elevator that conveniently opens and to shoot to the 11th floor.

By now, it's 3:50, and ten minutes late is not too bad.

With my paper in hand, I rush out of the elevator, down the hall, and in the classroom I see unfamiliar faces...

In fact, I don't recognize anybody! Who are these people? I asked myself?

So I think that, perhaps, I have the wrong room. So I search for my room number throughout the floor, thinking maybe there's two of them...

And there's not!

I look back at the room that does have my class, and the same alien faces are still there!

I am so confused at this point, and don't know what to do. Until.. I look at my schedule on my phone.

4:40: English, 1106 Anderson

Yea, it sucked,

but at least I wasn't late !

What Not to Wear!

2008-09-18T21:11:00.000-04:00

Today, I am a journalist. Well not a real journalist with a real job or real degree...

But I sent in my first article to The Temple News today!

I will post it after it's published but I really like it...

In other news, it finally happened. I knew, living in a communal dorm, that it was bound to happen eventually.. but not with someone's parents watching me.

A new girl moved in on my floor this evening, and I met her with open arms!

I was in my dorm, getting ready to go down the hallway to the communal shower. I undressed, wrapped a towel around me, slipped on my sandals, and grabbed my shower caddy. With one hand holding my caddy, the other supporting my towel, I began walking down the hallway.

The new girl was moving in with her parents were outside of her room, about to go in. With me walking with only a towel was a little awkward. Down the hallway comes one of my friends, and she pleasantly waves, "Hey, Matt!" to me. 2 words. so simple!

I did the same, only I let go of my towel! As it dropped to the floor, I stood there, naked in the hallway. I immediately backed my bare ass up against the wall while trying to screen my meat and berries,

fumbled for the caddy

and attempted to scramble back my towel-- all with my friend, new floormate, and her parents all staring at me, not knowing what to do, where to look, or even speak.

I apologized and went into the shower-room. I showered and waited there for about a half hour to make sure her parents had left because I figured that they had seen enough

Reenactment of Event

Oops!

Welcome !

2008-09-05T00:17:00.000-04:00

I am currently a freshman at TU and created this blog to document my life here as it happens with a tidbit of news!