In Epic Finals Canada Hockey Beats Team USA 3-2 Taking Gold

The Finals of Olympic Hockey took place today. The game was absolutely epic as Canada got ahead 2-0 early on, but little would the Canadian hockey team realize that Team USA would come back to tie it up scoring their second goal in the final 25 seconds of play in the third period. This lead to overtime in which Sydney Crosby of the Canadian team scored the winning goal despite Miller's outstanding saves that had taken place earlier. As a result, Canada took the gold medal in hockey whereas USA took silver.

Boston College Residential Life v. Students of Boston College

Early during the 2009-2010 academic school year, a few senior residents of Boston College decided to custom-design their common room. At Boston College all of the senior living arrangements have common rooms, and many students decide to spruce it up with posters or flags to make it visually appealing. However, these students decided to have the artist amongst them paint the four teenage mutant ninja turtles on the wall - images that are reminiscent of their childhood. Not surprisingly, Residential Life was unhappy with the walls being drawn on when they did their health and safety inspections of the college dorms.

Despite the name of the housing sweep, it is clear that the painting does not represent a safety, health or fire hazard. Instead, Residential Life is concerned that the paintings deface campus property, which is an entirely legitimate concern. However, in this case, no furniture has been damaged and the wall is fully functional. Not to mention these paintings of the teenage mutant turtles are beyond impressive and not even the strictest staff member of Residential Life can ignore that. Unfortunately, this is a hard-to-win battle despite the heavy disapproval from the senior class of Boston College who are unhappy with ResLife's decision to immediately paint over the turtles and impose a fine on the residents. It is important to note that these paintings are neither profane nor destructive but rather a work of art. While I understand why ResLife policy can be harsh at times, I think BC ResLife needs to make an exception for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If Residential Life is intent on wanting plain looking, unblemished walls for future students, Residential Life could simply allow the residents to keep the turtle paintings for the remainder of the semester while requiring the students to paint over the entire wall in white before they leave. I think such a measure would still capture the goals of ResLife without facing opposition from the student body - especially considering the students are paying for housing for a year.

Furthermore, I believe that if BC students were to know in advance of a room painted with these turtles, such a dorm room would be one of the first to go in the lottery system. I can believe students would find it very neat to be the ones with the "turtle room." However, if BC is going to turn the blind eye to artwork, in which many homeowners have paid hundreds of dollars on similar wall paintings, they can at least take some form of middle ground that allows the students to maintain the turtles for the rest of the semester. If Boston College honestly finds the need to fine and paint over the turtles, would it not make sense to wait to do that anyways? I fail to see how the turtles on the wall pose any health or safety concern. Furthermore, there is certainly no immediate need to paint over the wall, which is why I find Boston College ResLife unjustified in wanting to paint over the turtles while the residents are still living in the dorm.


(reproduced with permission of resident)

A Coupon for a Coupon?

This past Sunday I went on a grocery run, at the local Shaws. Often times after I make a purchase I tend to get coupons to save money on my next visit; however, this time I received something a little bit different. I got a "Coupon" to "Receive a Coupon to save up to $3.50 when you buy General Mills." The right of this offer states that if I buy three Betty Crocker (Betty Crocker is owned by General Mills) Fruit Flavored Snacks I will receive a $1.50 coupon, 4 for a 2.50 coupon and 5+ for 3.50. I apologize that the image quality above is not the greatest, but mark my words: I just received a coupon for a coupon. What is this world coming to?

Apology to the Boston College Hockey Team

Two nights ago (technically morning) at 3:00AM I was still up doing some studying for class. At around that time I was interrupted by boisterous screams of "Beanpot!" Of course I was quite frustrated and agitated. Even worse I got knocks on the door and chimes of the doorbell...four of my roomates were already asleep and I was virtually certain they would wake up from the noise. I went over to the door to say please leave before I call the school police. For some reason that message did not quite sink. While they left the door they decided to pioneer towards the back glass door continuing to scream "Beanpot!" and they showed this massive trophy. I was not exactly sure what this trophy meant but I did not care, I had work to do and the noise was not helping so I kindly told them, "Please leave, I have a lot of work to do," fortunately after I said that much they left.

It was not until I left that the three or five guys rudely interrupting at 3AM were members of the Boston College Hockey Team who had won the beanpot that night, the second most important college hockey feat for hockey players in the Northeast (second only to winning the national championship). I found out later from a friend that the hockey players visited all of the Modular houses who had their lights still on (signifying someone was still up) and my place was the only one that did not let the hockey players in. This statistic surprises me and I think even college athletes do not have the right to barge into anywhere they like even if they have had the best day of the entire year. Nonetheless, four of my roomates are intense hockey fans and gave me a frown when I told them what happened and passed up the opportunity to meet and congratulate the hockey team as opposed to kick them out. I even passed up the opportunity to drink from or hold the beanpot. Boston College winning the beanpot is was a huge deal on campus and rightfully earned them the top spot on ESPN Sportscenter's top plays. While I think it is perfectly appropriate not to let in who had to be the most excited athletes in the nation on that particular night, I definitely apologize for kicking them out the way I did instead of at least congratulating the hockey team. It is funny that as I am writing this I turn left and view my roomate's flag on our room's wall that says Boston College Hockey Beanpot Champions (and lists the years in which Boston College has won the beanpot). It looks like he is going to have to get a new flag that includes 2010.

I apologize BC Hockey team and congratulations on such an excellent achievement!

How about them ads?

Before and after every Superbowl there is some type of discussion of commercials and how good of a job advertisers do. In my opinion, the last two Superbowls have been busts in terms of advertising in that I felt there was a dearth of good and humorous commercials. This year, there were several excellent advertisements. My favorite ad is one of the Doritos commercials that has got to be one of the best commercials I have seen in my life.

Here it is:

No Longer the Ain'ts...Who Dat?

The New Orleans Saints beat the the Indianapolis Colts in Superbowl XLIV. The Colts were favored by 3 with the odds from InLine, however, few could refute that the Saints and the Colts were the two top teams going into the playoffs. This Superbowl was sure to be interesting and the Saints certainly delivered New Orleans a night to remember. The New Orleans Saints franchise had been one of the worst franchises over the years such that they used to be referred to as the Aints in the 80s and 90s. Prior to today the Saints had never gone to the Superbowl. Tonight the Saints could rightfully call themselves the best team in the NFL after beating the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 31 to 17.