I'm too young to die ("The Lovely Bones" Review)

“My murderer began to feel safe…but there was one thing he didn’t understand…how much a father could love his daughter," Susie Salmon said. She was 13 when she was murdered Dec. 6, 1973 by her deceiving neighbor. Back then little girls did not go missing, nor were brutally killed.

“The Lovely Bones” is based on the novel by Alice Sebold and directed by Peter Jackson ("Lord of the Rings"). The movie is dramatically narrated by Susie (Saoirse Ronan) as we travel through parts of her brief past, rush through her present, and then slowly watch her family’s and murderer’s future unfold.

Susie confesses that she wants her murderer (Stanley Tucci) “cold and dead” because of what he did to her. Her father Jack (Mark Walberg) and sister Lindsey (Rose Mclver) become unhealthily obsessed with finding the killer, however her mother Abigail (Rachel Weisz) withdraws from the household after she yells at her husband, “Can’t you just leave it alone!” Of all of them, Susie’s brother Buckley (Christian Thomas Ashdale) is calmed by the understanding that “Susie is in the inbetween”, watching over them.

While stuck in the “inbetween” Susie is torn between her craving for vengeance and her desire to move on to heaven. However, it is the haunting that pushes her to side with vengeance. As Susie watches in the blue horizon, she sees her father and sister piece together clues that could lead them to her murder.

While sitting in the theater or at home, "The Lovely Bones" will make your heart race (even though you know what's going to happen). The light background music or normal noises set the scenes for anticipated suspense and quiet contemplation of relationships and the afterlife.

The acting is satisfactory overall, but particular actors stand out as above average. Saorise Ronan (Suzie) of course does an excellent job of playing the dead girl. Her far away, yet passionate voice guides the plot along. Mark Walberg (Suzie's father) is exceptional with displaying a variety of dramatic emotions, such as the grief and anger he feels. Finally, Stanley Tucci (the murderous neighbor) is fantastic. How he can be so creepy and insane yet appear completely normal in different circumstances is quite the achievement in the acting department.

The movie plot is similar to the novel plot, however some details were more craftily hinted at and not immediately obvious. In the summary from Wikipedia, it states that Suzi was not only murdered, but raped as well. Later in the movie, it shows that Suzie can't quite move on until she makes one last connection with the boy she liked. The movie barely implies this, but like in the novel, they end up making love, which enables Suzie to finally move on.

Unlike the novel, the movie also doesn't develop some of the more interesting relationships Suzie has in the book (like with her best friend, they boy she likes, or the "lonely creepy" girl that can connect with the dead. Having read about these relationships, I'm disappointed the movie couldn't weave those in. On the bright side of the tragedy, the movie does an excellent job of portraying the strain a death in the family causes on the family unit itself, as well as friends of members of the family.

While “The Lovely Bones” is not as action packed as "Lord of the Rings", it is a thrilling  film that is full of strong emotions. The ending is at least satisfactory, while the plot is spattered with instances that will make your heart jump or break.This movie gets four stars out of five.

Movie Details (At a Glance):

• Rated PG-13
• Length: 2 hr 15 min
• Genre: Alternative Thriller
  
• Showing in Corvallis and Albany
  

Published Article: Up in the Air Review

 Two thumbs "Up in the Air"
Alx George
The Commuter

Jason Reitman (director of “Juno”) has us laughing again with his newest release, “Up in the Air.” The film is a gender-neutral, light-hearted, only slightly romantic comedy, and its creative plot glides through the turbulence that Ryan (George Clooney) and Natalie (Anna Kendrick) experience on the job as downsizing experts. To complement thought-provoking insights, Reitman incorporates well-placed comic scenes and subtle recurring jokes.
The movie lifts off by introducing us to Ryan, head of a downsizing corporation, who almost immediately meets Alex (Vera Farminga), an attractive frequent flyer like himself. After discovering how much they have in common, the two catch different planes and Ryan meets Natalie (his not-so-lovely coworker), who has the nerve and ambition to revamp the corporation by “letting people go” via webcam. Ryan feels it’s his duty to help Natalie see “the light”: there are some things that just shouldn’t be done over a phone or a computer. While Ryan metaphorically beats Natalie’s head against a computer screen, Natalie protests Ryan’s chosen isolated lifestyle and Alex attempts to seduce Ryan from the sidelines.
This movie was definitely worth watching - if not in theaters, then at least on DVD. There are some interesting twists, quite a few laughs, not to mention plenty of I-told-you-so moments.

First feature story: Epic fail

Epic Fail

Most of us have heard this phrase (epic fail), but do we know what it really means? Briana Conrad, a student here at LBCC, sums it up pretty accurately as a “major set-back."

So what constitutes as an epic fail? You'll notice in the blurps below that there are two common factors: embarrassment and more problems. Let's look at those stories that have happened to LBCC students...

Wrong side of the bed

You’ve had “one of those mornings” right? Jaerod Case is having one of them now. He is supposed to carpool with Ivan Watts. Of course Watts is unreachable.

Case has now arrived tardy to school, hence the hurried grabbing of textbooks. Case comes to find (in class) that they are the wrong books.

Now, in class, Case has discovered that he has an assignment due. This assignment is not complete. Case quietly exits the class to go do his assignment.

 You might want to check your alarm and your time management skills Case.

Run Forrest, Run!

Every term Devin Winters makes an effort to memorize his schedule. Today, he remembers what his classes are, however the times are a little mixed up in his brain

He is now standing in the Athletic Center, realizing that he actually has a speech class in North Santiam, happening right now.

“I quite literally run to my class”, Winters confides. On one of these unfortunate days, his overburdened back pack suddenly breaks at both straps.

Winters, it's time you got a new backpack.

Oh $%!&

It is fall term of 2009. Bryce Kuenzi is sitting in his 3D Design class and has just instructed them to do an assignment involving form and function (“or whatever”-Kuenzi).

Now that the instructor is out of sight, Kuenzi feels it is appropriate to colorfully voice his displeasure about the assignment and the instructor.

The entire class is witness, as well the instructor herself (who is crouched down fixing a computer).

What will Kuenzi do? “Deny, deny, deny!” (Kuenzi). However, Kuenzi is feeling a little guilty. He is going to apologize to the instructor and fess up.

The truth shall set you free Kuenzi.

Dude, where’s my class?

Corey Breitbach has successfully obtained permission to take Illustration II even though he hasn’t taken Illustration I. Unfortunately, he can’t find the classroom.

He asks a friendly lady in North Santiam to direct him. He takes a seat, and begins to absorb the new, unfamiliar material to him.

This goes on for about two weeks when one day the instructor approaches him and asks “Did I sign a waitlist slip for you? I don’t have you on my roster”.

At this moment, Breitbach is suspicious that he is attending the wrong class. “Now I have to take as much as I can of Multimedia II, however, I will receive an incomplete”, Breitbach laughs.

Apparently Breitbach missed the memo (aka the syllabus).

Based on these incidents, it's understandable that an epic fail is hard to define. However, now we can recognize one when we witness it

At a glance:

If you liked these stories, you'll like this website
If you liked Urban Dictionary's definition, check out what Wikipedia has to say

Published submitted article: Ancient traditions for the future

 Ancient traditions for the future
Alx George
The Commuter

New Year’s resolutions are nothing new. The tradition of making goals for self-improvement started around Babylonian times (as far as we can tell) to bring about favor from the gods. During the time of Julius Caesar, the Romans would give each other gifts of sacred branches that would bring them good fortune. And like the Babylonians, they would also make promises of good conduct to their gods.
   
Today, Americans make similar promises of improved behavior to themselves, their friends and family, and even God. Albrecht Powell of About.com provides us with a compiled list of the Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions (if your resolution is one or several of these, some classes/activities that would help are listed):

1. Spend more time with family and friends
    Social and Individual Health Determinants (HE 225)
   
2. Get fit
    Body Conditioning (PE 185G)

3.Lose weight
    Jogging (PE 185P)

4. Quit smoking
    Lifetime Health and Fitness (PE 231)

5. Enjoy life more
    Turning Point Transitions (9.983A)

6. Quit drinking
    Lifetime Health and Fitness (PE 231)

7. Get out of debt
    Financial Future (0.667)

8. Learn something new
    Any class you’ve never taken before

9. Help others
    Pick up trash around campus

10. Get organized
        Get Organized (0.446A)

While these goals are great, very few people actually achieve them. With this in mind, professor Cindy Falk includes a section on making and obtaining achievable goals in course HE225, Social & Individual Determinants of Health. The following suggestions will help you be more successful carrying out your New Year’s Resolutions:

1.  Keep a diary of what you are doing and the progress you are making

2. Choose a buddy you can “report to”

3. Make a plan with achievable little goals that will help you accomplish the “big one”

4. Reward yourself at significant intervals (i.e., after conquering a little goal)

5. Make constant, continual, and conscious effort

Final Photo Essay: People Behind the Register

Tis the season of shopping, eating, giving thanks, and spending time with loved ones. Personally, I want to give a special thank you to those who ring up my items, make my coffee, and take my lunch orders. Thank you everyone, and best wishes.

In order of appearance:

The top photo is of Nate Otto, cashier at the local Bi Mart on Philomath Blvd. When I told Nate about the project I was doing, he enthusiastically smiled as he posed for me after finishing ringing up some customers.

The second one from the top is Elsa Nunez Parmelee. She co-owns the La Rocita in Philomath on Main St. She mostly does cashiering because she speaks both English and Spanish.

The third photo is of Andrew Bowder, who is a business student at LBCC and is the current manager of the Hot Shot Coffee Cart (also at LBCC). While Bowder is the manager, he also does some cashiering for the coffee cart.

The fourth picture was taken at Thriftway in Philomath (also on Main St.). Shoni Esquiro is making change for a customer (not shown in the photo).

The final photo is of Diana Woodhouse, one of the cashiers at Quiznos on Philomath Blvd (in the same shopping plaza as Bi Mart. Diana was great about being totally natural when I took her photo as she handed the customer the receipt. The man behind her is Adam Lindsley, a resident of Corvallis.

Final Article

To Work, Study, or do Both
Alx George
The Commuter

What you probably didn't know about work study: it's flexible, it's a great work experience and applying is easy as one two three. Beverly Gering, director of Financial Aid and Veteren's Affairs (at LBCC), took a break from the books to explain the mystery of how work study works.

To cut it down to size, work study is a program available to students who apply via their FAFA. All you have to do is check the box indicating that you're interested in doing work study. After that, the FAFSA will indicate to financial aid whether or not you would qualify for the program. Gering strongly encourages all students to "fill out their FAFSA early (asap)".

Once you've applied and then (hopefully) been accepted, you need to do a few more easy steps (listed in the How to Completely Apply box) before you can actually start working. Once those are completed and you're situated in your new job, you're all set to go for a term (or several). So where does the flexiblity come in? As you may have seen (in the box) you get to set up when you work and for how long (term wise). Gering explained that the managers (of wherever you work) are happy to work things out with you. After all, "school comes first".

Here's another thing Gering wants students to know about work study: "...it's a great learning experience". Considering you're working like you would at practically any other job, work study provides students with the opportunity to gain  work experience and job skills that they will be able to take with them wherever they go. You will have to perform the duties required of your position as well as exercise skills of being on time (though you probably already do that for your classes), working on a team (with your coworkers)...skills like that which are very valuable.

There's work study in a nutshell: it's a great flexible program that provides a good learning experience and applying is much easier than you probably thought. With the click of a button, you could be on your way to having some of your financial and time management problems solved. Why not give it a shot?

How to Completely Apply:

• click interested box on FAFSA
• wait for an email notification from LBCC
• turn in required documents (W-4, etc)
• wait to be awarded (six to eight weeks)
• check out your award on your SIS account
• go to the Career Center and pick a place to work
• set up your schedule with your manager
• get to work!

Important Websites:

• FAFSA: www.FAFSA.ed.gov
• LBCC: www.linnbenton.edu
• LBCC Financial Aid: www.linnbenton.edu/go/financial-aid

Possible Work Places:

• Courtyard Cafe
• Hot Shot Coffee Cart
• Library
• Student Union
• Learning Center
• Go to the Career Center and check out more

For more info, please either go to www.linnbenton.edu/go/financial-aid or go to the Financail Aid office in Takena Hall on the Albany Campus

Neighborhood Photo Essay

Chris Cochran (left), a sophomore at Philomath High School, looks busy with the register at the Philomath Dairy Queen. Brian Jones (center), plays around on his bike while at the Philomath Skate park. Thomas Garrettson (lower right) age 5, bounces a basketball during a Philomath High School boy's basketball practice.