Columnist Fawn Caveney

My children brought home their October 2009 newsletter from school and as I perused through the pages I found an article that I really appreciated; “Keep your child’s schedule in balance for school success”.  Thrilled to see in print what I have so often shared with other parents and told myself-We All Need Down Time.

The source of the article came from Kenneth R. Ginsburg and the Committee on Communications and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, via the American Academy of Pediatrics.  The article in brief shares how we tend to rush our children from school to soccer, to music practice, etc…. There is such a thing as too much of a “good thing”.  Kids need “down time” play is a central part of childhood and development.

I realize that this opinion piece I am writing is going out to college students, Professors, Administrators, etc…, so why am I wasting your time with such an article?  Well you may be “all grown up”, but your mind, body and spirit still craves and needs down time to maintain a healthy balance.

It is always a juggling act for this full time college student, mom and employee to niche out the “down time” for herself and with her family.  However, I can clearly tell when I am not succeeding in this for myself and when my children are in desperate need for some “hang time”.  It becomes clear when it is time to pull out the games, paints, movies, or clear the floor to dance.

The article points out how important free play is to children. It states, “This unstructured time is when she exercises her body and her imagination.” For all of us it is what helps us to remember why we are doing what we are doing. It also helps us to remember how to laugh and engage with one another.

Another point made in the article is, “Make family time a priority.  If you feel like you only see your child while you’re in the car, rethink your schedule.”  It saddens me when I watch families who are so driven that they miss the true grace of just being with one another.  My favorite memories of time with my family growing up and with my children today is the laid back hang time.  It is truly the simple things in life that touch our hearts, minds and souls.

I love it when I see on my son’s homework “What is one of your favorite things to do?  Play games with my mom”, or my daughter’s, “On vacation we got sick, but we had fun watching movies and playing games”.  While the big things in life are powerful and memorable, the awe comes from the simple pure sweet connection with the people we love.

We all know the impacts of stress on our health, so why do we do it?  Why do we accept the rush here, rush there mentality?  Remember to take your DOWN TIME, not just for your health, but also for the joy it can fill you with.  It may be hard to “make that time” however it is very important to “take that time”.

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Held at the Art Source Gallery downtown, the Bra Project hosted more than 50 men and women who came to view and bid on uniquely created bras and bra-related artwork in honor of breast cancer awareness month. All proceeds from the sixth annual silent and live auction will provide mammograms for uninsured and low-income women in the community through St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI).

According to Lindsey Matson, Women’s Center program assistant, the Bra Project began as a response to the lack of community events supporting breast cancer awareness. In September, the Women’s Center called on faculty, staff, students and the public to produce original bras to be auctioned at the event. The final 46 pieces were designed by local artists and non-artists with a variety of inspirations.

While folk musician Rochelle serenaded the crowd, guests enjoyed catering by Smoky Mountain Pizza and perused the silent auction items. Lyndsey Evans and Katherine Mills, inspired by the flower power 60s era, constructed Groovy for your Boobie, a plain white bra accented with brightly colored hearts and flowers.

ZACH GANSCHOW/THE ARBITER

Artist Amanda Pena used her sweet tooth to create her Better than Chocolate while Chris Zahn fashioned wine corks into a bra entitled Corks for a Cure. Sarah Crawford’s painting, Boise State Broncos, featured an orange bra with the Bronco logo. Adriane Bang, interim director of the Women’s Center, crafted a shadowbox filled with trinkets and a mini paper bra. Bang’s mother inspired the project, which she named Grow.

“She has never experienced breast cancer, but I think anytime we talk about issues that impact women, and we hear artists’ stories about how their mothers, sisters, friends, aunts and lovers have been impacted, we naturally think about the women in our lives,” Bang said.

The live auction kicked off at 7 p.m., hosted by Johnson, owner of Hannah’s and lead singer for The Rocci Johnson Band and Leslie Webb, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. Members of the sororities Alpha Chi Omega and Alpha Xi Delta modeled the bras.

Monique Johns, grant writer for the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council, fashioned a bra out of pink fabric, ribbon, a white flower and the word “Home.”

“I’m not an artist so it was really practical,” she said.

Her idea developed from the memory of the first time a boy touched her bra.

“I put together a story that actually happened when I was 10-years-old,” she said.

Artist Amber Grubb’s two photographic representation pieces Cage Free and Free Range began the auction.

“I thought it would be a little bit different than creating a bra,” Grubb said. “I decided pictures would be more appropriate.”

Her artwork featured women in motion, their breasts covered by ivy leaves and red feathers. Bras with themes ranging from sock monkeys, camouflage, flamingos, owls, baseball and the 1968 erotic science fiction film Barberella colored the live auction.

ZACH GANSCHOW/ THE ARBITER

Johnson and Webb humored the crowd with anecdotes, jokes and stories behind the auctioned bras.

“No, it’s not gonna be a dinner bell,” Johnson told Jamie Lange, Women’s Center social services coordinator, when she joked about the metal construction of the Heavy Duty Bra.

Owner of the Art Source Galley, Zella Bardsley, created the Heavy Duty Bra, the hit of the evening, which sold for $225. Bardsley uses her occupation to support of the event’s cause.

“I can contribute through my art,” she said.

Some artists used their designs to promote ideas. Emily Ryan’s Radica and Doodica used the idea of conjoined sock monkey twins to express radical and liberal feminism.

“They both agree that sisterhood is powerful; both agree patriarchy has to end,” model Emily Kudo, a freshman human resource major, said.

Boise resident Debbie Love of Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council came in support of Johns and artists Paige Weber.

“I see it (the Bra Project) bringing women and men together,” she said.

Bang admires the passion of the artists.

“It’s such an honor to witness the stories of amazing women and how breast cancer has personally impacted their lives,” she said.

St Luke’s MSTI Patient Navigator, Jill Winschel, expressed her gratefulness to the crowd.

“You’re paying things forward,” she said.

More than 190,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, according to the National Cancer Institute. Last year, MSTI provided 300 women with mammograms. According to costhelper.com, mammograms range from $80 – $200. One member of the site claims she paid $704 for a mammogram in Idaho in March 2009. An informational table at the event provided details on breast cancer self exams and pamphlets on MSTI and its services.

“Detecting breast cancer is the key piece of the cure puzzle,” Bang told guests.

Janet Summers, Women’s Center administrative assistant, purchased Radica and Doodica and Brandi Benson’s Innocence, made in honor of her daughter who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

“There’s real heart and a lot of emotion behind a lot of the bras that are submitted,” Summers said.

Last year, Summer attended the event with Roxanne Gunner, a former professor in the College of Applied Technology. Gunner died of breast cancer in May 2009. Gunner’s friend Julie Gerrard created a hand sewn black and lace bra, It’s Not All Black and White, in her memory.

“It’s the people that are touched by tragedy that reach out to other people,” Summers said.

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1.Library of Congress Non-Book Collection
What is it: Digital media section for films and music.
Where: Albertsons Library 2nd floor, North side
Forget the Redbox with its crappy selection of seasonal flops and freshen your movie experience by revisiting some of the classics. This library hideaway hosts the Criterion Collection, a film series dedicated to ‘continuation the collection of important classics and contemporary films.’ But if black and white isn’t your style, ‘Non-Book’ also hosts modern greats from Pulp Fiction to The Lord of the Rings. In addition, a large variety of musical discographies are also available to rent. Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix each have their entire collection in boxed sets.

2.Campus School Art display
What is it: Downright worth your time.
Where: Public Affairs and Arts building
The ILC gets all the glory for being shiny, metallic and capable of making a great burrito. But don’t let that glass monolith overshadow the true gem that is the PAA.This throwback school building takes you right back to fifth grade with linoleum floors and lockers spanning the entire hallway. Home of illustrators, painters and printmakers, the PAA has a striking collection of student work that frequently changes as new assignments are given, and old ones returned. Think of this as your ‘alternative lunch hour.’

3.’Preserved Animal Museum’
What is it: A hallway lined with animal ‘still life.’
Where: Second Floor of Science and Nursing Building
Perhaps you’re really curious what a Swan looks like from 2’’ away. Or maybe you’re interested in the size ratio between a specific breed of bird. The interior of this floor is a museum of taxidermy birds and reptiles, set safely behind glass. This could make for an exciting date, or one that will ruin that relationship forever. Rumor has it the Biology department has a reward out for the live capture of the Chilali Stalker. If you Google that one, you’re in for a whole other surprise!

4.Lincoln Parking Garage, Sunsets.
What is it: It is beautiful.
Where: Corner of Lincoln and University, 5th floor.
Prime piece of real-estate here folks. Once the haze of motor cars clear, the parking garage can be quite the quaint and pleasant place. The view pans from the Stueckle Sky Club, set in front of the bronze foothills, to the forested bench of Boise, complete with white steeple. And no ‘long walk on the beach’ scenario to reach this place, for it’s just a brief stair ascent or elevator ride away. And perhaps a better date location than the bird cemetery.

5.Visual Arts Center
What is it: An art gallery space dedicated to student and visiting artist work.
Where: 1st floor of the Liberal Arts and Hemmingway Center buildings.
Are you curious about what our BSU art students are creating? This space hosts the work of BSU’s talent, from various monthly exhibitions to senior shows. The space is open reaching from the 1st floor until the 2nd floor ceiling, allowing viewers to peer down inside. While a show is currently being prepared, check out the SUB gallery this Thursday, September 3rd for a show from two undergrads, Jean You and Allison Corona, titled “Living within Two Cultures.”

6.Morrison Center Music Lab
What it is: A workshop of digital keyboards.
Where: Room 115 in the Morrison Center
This laboratory offers the opportunity of public piano, with the comfort of only yourself hearing the performance; each station is equipped with headphones. Step inside to have your choice of 17 digital pianos, each with musical-writing software, internet and free printing. However, take notice on the door for hours, this is a classroom.

7.Mt. ‘EDUcrest‘

What is it: The highest academic building elevation on campus.
Where: 7th floor of the Education building
If you want to see what its like to ‘make it big,’ check out the offices of the College of Social Work and Education. These high-rise suites have a stunning panoramic of Downtown, the Boise River and Foothills.

8.Modern Languages Resource Center
What is it: A Foreign Film video library.
Where: West side of Albertsons Library, entrance marked ‘Modern Languages and Literatures’
Films from around the world stand side by side on the shelves of this office. This video library holds content from many Asian, Arabic and European countries. And there are no favoring of genres here; from documentaries to classical renditions of famous stories to box office blockbusters, they have quite the variety. Adjacent is a television lab where you can watch the films, with translation being your choice. Rentals are for one day.

9.Liberal Arts Hallway display cabinets
What is it: A variety of boxes, cabinets and cases displaying a plethora of goods.
Where: 1st floor of the LA building
It can show you the world, shining, shimmering splendor! Intricate pop-up books, Idaho clay tablets, and bold student creations are the grace behind the glass to these display units. he usual clients include the work of Art Metals students, sculptural crafts (ceramics and carvings) and an annual art show from the 3D Foundations art class. Great stop to beat the heat on your walk across the quad.

10. Outer space in the MP
What is it: The closest you’ll come to understanding a nebula outside of going there, or to Physics 105.
Where: 3rd & 4th floors of the Multi-Purpose building
Take an epic journey gazing deep into the outer limits, conveniently printed on a colorful gloss poster. These spreads are informative and majestic, providing sweet diagrams and explanations of our universe, and beyond. Also included are some high-res pictures spanning the Treasure Valley, and a cabinet full of intriguing metallic equipment.

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Lily Fonseca, Junior, Nursing, American Falls
Riding a: Magna Great Divide “I’ve had it for a little over a year.”
How far do you ride: I ride from the Towers (on campus)
Why do you ride?: “It’s a lot quicker to get to class. You get the convenience of having that extra time, plus the (benefit of) exercise, too.”
What’s in your iPod/cassette walkman/record player: “I listen to a little bit of everything, The Fray, some Michael Jackson, Adventura…”
Do you do any sweet tricks?: “Not really, I’m a beginner. I like that whole spinny thing” (bar spin.)
Advice for non-bikers: “Watch out for bikers. Be aware that we are … I would really recommend getting a bike. They’re not expensive and they last you a while.”

Bronwyn Leslie, Junior, Mass  Communications, Boise
Riding a: Nishiki single speed, road bike
How far do you ride?: About 7 blocks.
Why do you ride?: It’s a good work out. I get to be outdoors instead of in a box.
What’s in your iPod/cassette walkman/record player: Stefan Stevens (“It’s hyper and happy and fun to listen to”) and White Rabbit
Do you do any sweet tricks?: I try, but no. (laughs)
Advice for non-bikers: “Get a bike! And make it your own.”

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In a game that was supposed to be heavily in favor of the Ducks, the Broncos surged forward for three quarters of football that will go down in the history of Boise State football as one of the most exciting encounters in program history. Despite a late Oregon surge, BSU won 37-32. In the same game freshman quarterback Kellen Moore proved himself to the nation that he was the future of BSU football.

2 Bronco fans rush court after huge upset win against Utah State

The chant of, “overrated” by Boise State fans in Taco Bell Arena could be heard all the way in the parking lot. The reason for the overjoyed outburst? The BSU men’s basketball team beat No.21 Utah State 66-56 Feb. 14 much to the surprise of the entire college basketball world. The Broncos snapped the Aggies’ 19-game winning streak, which at the time was the longest streak in the nation.

3 Boise State wrestling pins Pac 10

Led by Pac 10 Coach of the Year Greg Randall, Boise State was able to take home its sixth championship and repeat the conference championship. They were undefeated in conference match-ups and 17-3 on the season.

4 National track and field champ

Senior Eleni Kafourou was crowned the National Champion for jumping 21-5.25 in the long jump at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. A native of Greece, Kafourou was the first woman to win a national champion for Boise State. The mark was also a Boise State record.

5 Bronco gymnasts win WAC, finish third at NCAA Championships

Winning WAC Championships is nothing new for the gymnastics team. This was their second consecutive victory and it could not have been a better way to go into the NCAA Championships. In the NCAA Championship the No.19 Broncos finished third and posted their highest NCAA Regional Championship score in school history.

6 Boise State’s football team finished the 2008 regular season perfect

The Broncos finished their perfect season with a 61-10 victory against Fresno State. It was their third perfect season out of the last five. Leading only 13-10 at halftime, the Broncos came out in the second half possessed. After scoring 48 unanswered points in the second half, rushing the field and holding up the seventh WAC Championship trophy was the only thing left to do.

7 Softball goes undefeated at State of Idaho Tournament

Going undefeated in a tournament is always an accomplishment, regardless of the circumstances, but when you can do it against teams all within the same state it makes it that much sweeter. Northwest Nazarene, College of Idaho and Idaho State were all victims of superior Bronco pitching. It was the first season of competition for the Boise State softball team who ended the regular reason 21-18 (4-16 WAC).

8 Johnson breaks WAC touchdown record

Ian Johnson ran for touchdown number 58 in San Diego at the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, Calif. This happened in front of former TCU phenom LaDainian Tomlinson, where former leader Marshall Faulk once played and in front of a local crowd near Johnson’s stomping grounds.

9 Men win indoor track and field title

By edging out Utah State by half of a point in the final WAC Indoor Championship standings, the Broncos were able to claim their fourth Indoor title. Five Broncos won individual titles and five others took second in their events. Ryan Grinnel did his part by winning the long jump and triple jump and finishing second in the high jump.

10 James Meredith defeats No.12 Michael Shabaz

In a tennis match that was strategically placed, Meredith downed Shabaz of the No.1 University of Virginia team by the score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 from the No.3 position. Also this season, senior Clancy Sheilds was named the WAC Tennis Player of the Year.

COMPILED BY ARBITER STAFF

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2. A year in review
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5

Patrick Dempsey – Oh, Dr. McDreamy, who would’ve known you started your career as Ronald Miller in the 1987 hit, “Can’t Buy me Love.” Patrick didn’t completely disappear from the public eye between his 80s hit and his super sexy role on “Grey’s Anatomy,” but he was no where near the A-list star he is today. Patrick played Reece Witherspoon’s fiance in “Sweet Home Alabama” and Eric McCormack’s boyfriend on “Will & Grace.” Talk about range. Patrick also hit the big screen again recently, with “Made of Honor” and “Enchanted.” Thank God Patrick and his hair are back to make

girls swoon.

4

Drew Barrymore – Time off for rehab has always been cool, but Ms. Barrymore made it an art by sobering up from cocaine addiction at 13. She attempted suicide at 14, wrote her autobiography at 15 and started her own production company at 20. Wow. Drew, who is still in her mid-30s, has since produced, written, directed and starred in a number of box-office hits. Not to mention that she looks gorgeous and has dated a number of Hollywood hotties. We don’t condone cocaine use, but Barrymore certainly rebounded with class.

3

Demi Moore – One word, people: abs. Will we ever forget the scene in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” when Demi rose from the waves? Those abs, those thighs, that butt. It was love at first sight . or second sight. Demi got her start on “General Hospital” in the early 80s, eventually making her way to “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “Ghost.” But a series of crippling flops in the mid-90s (*cough* “G.I. Jane” *cough*) effectively ended Moore’s box-office bankability. Sure, her body is hot for someone her age, but what’s the true sign of comeback? She’s screwing Ashton

f-ing Kutcher!

2

Robert Downey, Jr. – Affectionately called “RDJ” by the PopRocks! Girls, this Hollywood A-lister spent much of the 90s in one rehab clinic after another. Not that he had a great start: He reported first using drugs at age 8. RDJ started as satellite member of the Brat Pack in the 1980s, but his drug addiction cost him. From 1996 to 2001, RDJ was arrested at least five times for drug-related crimes. Some say his comeback came when he got clean in the early 2000s, but the PopRocks! Girls sat up and took notice when he donned that black tank (aka “wife beater”) in some steamy “Iron Man” scenes. To quote Brittany Murphy in “Clueless:” “Break me off a piece of that.”

1

Your Mom.

BY LAURA ROGERS AND CHARLOTTE TAYLOR
Arbiter Staff

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This ecological celebration was held at the Idaho Botanical Gardens April 18 from noon – 9 p.m. and provided the community with environmental education, events and activities.

Traveling up the path toward the Idaho Botanical Gardens entrance, bikers, walkers and skateboarders passed small colorful signs welcoming them to reduce, reuse and live sustainably. Those arriving in a vehicle had to pay a $5 entrance fee, while those who didn’t use petroleum got in free of charge.

Boise’s environmentalists began supporting this eco-event in 1990 to promote awareness in maintaining, preserving and bettering the environment, as well as the entire world.

This year’s lush garden venue provided a natural, family-oriented atmosphere surrounded by blooming flowers and budding trees.

A maze with more than 41 white and blue tents sheltered a variety of non-profit organizations, corporations and state and local agencies. Sweet, greasy smells of fresh french fries came from vendors and concession stands were required to use recyclable paper and utensil products. Large yellow recycle bins were placed around every corner encouraging people to think about what they were throwing away. Signs posted on small, hard to find trash cans read, “Is It Really Trash?”

The Green Remodeling Company set up a booth to inform people on sustainable home designs that incorporate solar heating, low-flow plumbing fixtures and recycled wood products.

“We’re just a little more liberal than the average remodeling company,” Jon King of the Green Remodeling Company said. “We believe in the environment and we want to support it.”

A member of Idaho Rivers United meandered through crowds of people dressed in a green and red sockeye salmon suit. This “fish out of water” informed children on the importance of protecting wild salmon populations. Planting demonstrations outside the Rose Garden also taught children how to start their own garden and sent everyone home with new seed starters.

The Snake River Birds of Prey organization demonstrated the importance of our wild habitat.

“We’re trying to show people the importance of conservation of the birds of prey,” Barb Forderhase of the Snake River Birds of Prey said. Environmental speaker Jesse Timberlake of Defenders of Wildlife explained the myths and misconceptions about wolf populations and the significance of protecting Idaho’s wolves.

Resting at the top of the hill, giant metal art fixtures spread across the field spelling out “recycle.” Children climbed up on six-foot high wire boxes that had been formed into letters then filled with aluminum cans donated from environmental enthusiasts. The cans glistened around people hula hooping, dancing and hackie sacking in the sunlight as they enjoyed the music and festivities.

Harmonicas, banjos and Reggae beats flowed off two solar powered stages as people enjoyed the grassy field with blankets, lawn chairs and bare feet. This year’s festival had more than 17 bands including: Polyphonic Pomegranate, Farm Dog, Equaleyes and others playing throughout the festival.

EarthFest promotes sustainable living alternatives and encourages environmental stewardship by offering local green resources to those interested in bettering the natural world. This enthusiastic Earth Day celebration encouraged people to reduce their impact with a dedication to conservation, preservation and sustainability in everyday activities.

KC DRISCOLL AND MAT LA RUE
Arbiter Staff

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“It’s awesome because last year we were second to Utah State, and they came in to our house and took the trophy home,” head coach Mike Maynard said. “Nobody around here really liked that at all and I know the guys were very motivated to come home with a championship.” Maynard was named WAC Coach of the Year after the meet.

The men’s team took first with a score of 150, Utah State came in with 145.5 and Idaho rounded out the top three with 121.5.

“It was a team effort,” senior Ryan Grinnell said. “Everyone played hard and did whatever they could to help the team. I’m just really in awe because this was such an up and down rollercoaster of a meet, it’s unbelievable.”

On the women’s side, the top three was only decided by a few points with Boise State in third at 112, Idaho at second with 114 and Louisiana Tech took first at 120.

“This is our absolute best performance ever by our women’s team at a conference championship,” Maynard said. “These ladies will win a championship, mostly I’m so excited about the legacy that this ladies’ team has built because there were times when there was turmoil in the team and they’ve become a sisterhood and are so strong.”

Grinnell continues dominance

Grinnell retained his throne as king of the jumping events, winning 28 out of a possible 30 points for the Broncos. Grinnell took home gold in the long jump and triple jump, and silver in the high jump.

“I don’t think I’d be where I’m at without my team cheering me on at every meet,” he said. “It definitely helps jumpers, with the clap going and getting that rhythm, I don’t think I’d really be able to jump far,” Grinnell said after the big wins.

Grinnell continually dominated throughout the season receiving NCAA provisional marks, and jumps that have qualified him for the National Indoor Track Championships.

“He’s one of the best performers not only in Boise State history but you could argue in WAC history,” Maynard said of Grinnell. “He’s just exceptional.”

Next up for Grinnell is nationals and the outdoor track competition.

Women’s team shows their mettle

The Bronco ladies finished the indoor track season in a tough battle for the championship coming within eight points of first place.

“Everybody notices champions when they carry off a trophy but there are other champions out there, my women’s team is a whole team of champions,” Maynard said. “In my heart it’s actually the biggest story.”

Senior Eleni Kafourou won the WAC Championship in the long jump at 6.06m and triple jump with a 13.28m mark.

Kafourou was also named the Co-Outstanding Field Performer. Outside the field events, Kafourou took second place in the 60-meter dash.

Another impressive first place performance was Kayleen McDowell running the 800 meter in 2:12.07 minutes.

On the pole vault, junior Annelise Bertleson and sophomore BreAnna Craig finish thirded and fourth respectively, both adding points for the Broncos.

On the track, senior Megan Olivetti broke a Boise State school record, clocking a personal record in the 60-meter hurdles, despite coming in fourth.

“I wanted to end the season with a PR and breaking my school record was good, but it was a little bittersweet wanting to win the team championship and we were really close,” Olivetti said.

BRITTNEY JOHNSON
Arbiter Journalist

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“Have a Nice Day” allows me to rant and rave all I want, letting my sarcastic self roam without restraints while literally still directing my behavior in an appropriate way. How could anybody complain about someone offering the entire world a wish to have a nice day? ˇIn essence, angry chanters of this song are pretty thoughtful in their choice of such a song for their musical mediation exercise.

Although it may seem as if “we’re living in a broken home of hopes and dreams” be brave as the song advises and take control of your life and the frustrations that plague the moment. Face the unpleasant aspects of your life and attack them, with a vengeance. Show the world that you’re stronger than the circumstances that have hampered your recent daily life. Then remember your manners and “say have a nice day."

KAYLA CHRISTOPHERSON-HOLMAN
Culture Coordinator

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I made my less-than ideal opinions about the adorable (she is, you can’t deny it, I’ve tried) country youngster’s single when it hit airwaves months ago. It seemed several versions of the song were playing alternately on every one of my pre-set radio channels, so I never missed it.

I thought the ladies of the world had given up on ye olden thyme love story and Swift’s affair with her own personal 21st century Romeo just didn’t seem realistic – it was almost patronizing. The song was cutsie sweet, even for teenage Swift. It was like taking a big bite of cotton candy to find it so sweet it makes your teeth ache. Do that much longer and you’ll get a cavity, which is precisely why I made a personal commitment to abstain from listening to the song ever again. As usual, life had different plans for me, and existence would soon lead me to a head-on collision with the power of music.

Soon thereafter, I spent an afternoon working with a friend, let’s call her Mary. Mary and I were both immersed in our tasks at hand but aware of each other’s presence, when out of the studious silence came the ultimate note of annoyance, as I heard Swift’s sugar-coated lyrics buzz out of my dear friend’s earbuds.

Now I’ve known Mary for a while – we’re good buddies and joke around from time to time, but not to the point where I could give her the lowdown on my thoughts about that song, let alone her taste in music. Instead I shook my head and tried to drown out the three minutes and 55 seconds just for my friend to hit the repeat button. She would hit the repeat button several times before the message was driven home for me that day.

I was wrong. Some young ladies today have held on tight and true to the dream of young love and the prospects of one day running into their prince. To my dismay, Miss Swift’s case does apply to love stories of today.

The song depicts every girl’s favorite trait in a man: indecisive commitment. Romeo was noncommittal, coming in and out of Swift’s life depending on his mood and whether he could find a better offer.

I know Mary’s enjoyment of the song comes from the place deep in her heart where she looks forward to the wonderful and sometimes stressful times when “love is difficult but it’s real,” she will spend with a special someone one day.

I just hope when he kneels down, pulls out a ring and whispers “I love you and that’s all I really know,” she questions him on his goals and insurance plan before she falls deliriously happy into his arms. That’s all I ask.

So girls, keep fighting the good fight with faith intact and one day your prince will come. Chances are he will be a little rough around the edges, but that’s how he will steal your heart. I promise he will be worth the wait.

KAYLA CHRISTOPHERSON-HOLMAN
Culture Coordinator

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