Lincoln Heights Season Premiere

09/15/2009
Lincoln Heights, TV
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What is it with season premieres tonight? I continue to be underwhelmed. This time it’s the Lincoln Heights season premiere. Ok, so I didn’t know it was coming on tonight, so I missed the first showing and decided to stay up a bit later to watch the replay. For some reason, I feel like this show has been off for so long, I forgot what happened last season.

Quick recap (since I’m not sure how many people have seen/watch this show). Last season, the Sutton family, spearheaded by father Eddie, who’s a policeman, and mother Jenn, who works as a nurse, decided to move into the troubled Lincoln Heights neighborhood where Eddie grew up to make changes from the inside out. Lots of drama ensued as the family struggled to become a part of the community and dealt with issues like: interracial dating, marital discord, disconnect between kids and parents, family secrets, tests of faith, teenage relationships, sex, frenemies, death, violence, etc. Oh yes, lots of drama. So at the end of season three, the Sutton house caught fire during the earthquake, throwing the family into turmoil. Here’s the season four premiere preview:

Post-earthquake, the entire family (including Eddie’s newly found son, Nate) is living in a too-small apartment where patience is short and tempers are even shorter. Tay (the youngest son) feels threatened by Nate (the son Eddie didn’t know he fathered in high school). Lizzie (middle daughter) is having some trouble adjusting to her freshman year of high school. Charles (oldest daughter Cassie’s boyfriend) seems to be struggling with some demons secrets from his past, including the money he found in the Sutton’s attic and kept hidden, that threaten to strain his relationship with Cassie.  The family decides, with the (financial) support and encouragement of Jenn’s father to move out of the transitioning Lincoln Heights neighborhood to a much cleaner, quieter, suburban neighborhood. But, by the episode’s end, they realize how much they love their old neighborhood and decide to stay and continue to work in the community. They’re setting up plenty of drama for the upcoming season (as per usual), but we’ll see.

If you haven’t seen it, you might want to check it out. It’s a nice family drama, but not squeaky clean. I kind of like what ABC Family is doing with their shows. When I saw ABC Family, I expected a very unrealistic, safe, sterile view of teen (and family) life. But with this show and The Secret Life of the American Teenager (which deals with teen pregnancy, sex, peer pressure and relationships very heavily but whose season has already ended but that I also am a fan of), ABC Family is tackling some real issues in a way that you can enjoy watching, relate to, and also watch and discuss with your family; like the website says, “It’s a New Kind of Family.” And there’s something (good) to be said for that.

If you do check it out, let me know what you think.

Free Self-Defense Classes in Brooklyn

09/14/2009
Staying Safe
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The Center for Anti-Violence Education (in Brooklyn), offers FREE self-defense classes for pre-teens, teens, transpeople, and LGBTQ adults.

Registration is CURRENTLY OPEN for all classes; call (718.788.1775) or email (info@caeny.org) CAE to sign-up!

Here’s a list of the classes. Visit the CAE website for more information and to download the flyers.

PACT (Power Action Change for Teens) – For Teen Women & Transyouth
Ages 14-19
Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
This class follows the school calendar. Fall 2009 semester starts September 24.

FREE 5- Week Teen Self-Defense – For teen women & transyouth ages 14-19. Saturdays, October 17-November 14 
12:30-2:30 p.m.

FREE Pre-Teen Self-Defense – For girls ages 11-13. Call for next start dates. Fridays, October 16 & 23
4:30-6:30 p.m.

5- Week Self-Defense for Women & Transpeople Saturdays, October 17-November 14
3:00-5:30 p.m.

FREE Self-Defense Class for LGBTQ Adults Saturdays, December 5 & 12 
1:00-3:30 p.m.

Sign up and Spread the word!

The Buddy System

09/14/2009
Staying Safe
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When I was a freshman in college, we  were encouraged to use something called the buddy system. Because we were all (mostly) new to the area and were experiencing total freedom for the first time, the college wanted us to stay safe. We lived in a gated community and had on-campus security so we felt relatively safe there, but in the area surrounding our school…not so much. During orientation, they gave us all the good speeches on staying safe, had us memorize the number to the public safety office and even gave us piercingly loud whistles that we could use in case of an emergency. They also encouraged us to use the buddy system- walk in pairs or groups, never venture out alone, and always make sure that someone knows where you are going and who you are with- that included when you were going out on a date. So on any given date night, we were encouraged to walk our roommate/next door neighbor/friend to the car, meet the guy, get a name, check the license, and- get this- write down his license plate number. We all thought that was a little extra and laughed it off, but the thinking was that if he knew you had all that identifying information, he would be less inclined to “do something” (if he was at all inclined) to your friend because there was little chance he’d get away with it.

Now, just about everyone has a phone with a camera and unlimited texts. We use them for everything- recording foolishness on the subway, snapping pics with our girls, forwarding prayers, joking, sharing, gossiping, flirting, sexting…  But we should also remember that they could be our first line of safety defense. Now yes, like most people, I stan for both Law & Order and CSI so I’ve seen how a “cell phone can break a case,” but seriously, it’s better to be safe than wish you had been.

I laughed a lot of the “safety precautions” stuff off while in college, because like most people, I just didn’t think that it would happen to me. And even now, I walk around all the time and at all hours of the night listening to my ipod; without a thought that, as my mother would say,  “someone’s could knock me upside the head” and I wouldn’t hear them;  but they could. We can’t live in fear and we don’t have control over everything that happens to us, but we can make better decisions and be accountable for each other. So now, when one of my besties is dating someone new that I haven’t met, I get a full name, at least, and a picture if they’ve got it and I store it in my phone, just in case. Yeah, we laugh about it and say that it’s, “just in case I go missing, you’ll know who did it,” particularly because one of my besties, admittedly, likes to date slightly off center/moderately crazy people, but there’s definite truth behind it. Even if you are a very private person and prefer to keep your personal business private, there should be one person in your life with whom you feel comfortable sharing those things with. I’m not saying you have to give anyone the blow-by-blow or everything you do, or that this person has to be a parent- but at least make sure someone trustworthy (an aunt, cousin, mentor, friend) has your back…and that you have hers.

Protect yourselves and one another

Body of Missing Yale Student Found

09/14/2009
News
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“Police Seeking Missing Yale Student Find Body,” September 13, 2009, NYT

In case you hadn’t heard, Annie Le, a 24-year-old Yale University graduate student had been missing for about a week. Le planned to be married on Sunday and early on some speculated that she may have been a “runaway bride.” But soon, foul play was suspected. After a six-day search, “investigators found a body stuffed inside a wall of the lab building where she was last seen alive on Tuesday.” The body has been confirmed as Le and her  murder is being investigated. Because of the location of where she was found, and other facts of the case, they suspect that she knew her killer. A very sad story. And a reminder to be extra-aware of your surrounding and make sure someone always know where you are. Nothing is full-proof, but be cautious.

Young Fashion Bloggers Make Waves

09/14/2009
Fashion, News
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Are you an aspiring fashion editor? writer? stylist? Well you don’t have to wait to get started on your dream career. Just take advantage of all the (free) technology and start your own blog! It can take you places.

“Young Bloggers Have Ear of Fashion Heavyweights,” September 14, 2009, NYT

There’s an article in The Times about teen (and young) bloggers making their marks both as online journalists and in the fashion industry by circumventing the traditional model (working up the ranks for established fashion publications) and, instead, doing it on their own. According to the article, “Fashion is one of the few fields which accepts people with little formal training,” Ms. Dormoy said. “Through these blogs, these young girls show their ability to work as stylists or photographers.” So, these young bloggers are basically taking advantage of technology to get their names out there, produce content, attract readers and advertisers (including some of the big boys), and muscle their way into the fashion industry (even Fashion Week). While I’m not one to throw the “journalism” label around haphazardly, you gotta love the democratization of the Internet.

What fashion blogs do you read? Or better yet, have you started?

One Tree Hill Season Premiere

09/14/2009
One Tree Hill, TV
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I tried. Really, I did. But this is actually kind of painful to watch. I take that back. Not exactly painful, but…boring, achingly dull. I can’t even focus on the tons of nothingness that’s happening before me and we’re already 40 minutes in. This is tragic. What, pray tell, am I talking about?

Well, the One Tree Hill Season 7 Premiere, of course! Now, granted, I did briefly consider boycotting the CW for unceremoniously canceling The Game (after systematically setting the show up for failure by changing its air times, not promoting the show, etc) but, since I recently fell in love with One Tree Hill, I figured, I’d give them another shot. Well, lesson learned.

Now, I’m the first to admit, I was late to the One Tree Hill Party. I had a close friend who raved about it (“I can’t talk right now because One Tree Hill is on” style) but I had never watched an episode of the show until earlier this summer when I happened to catch a re-run on SoapNet (after Beverly Hills 90210, natch). I was intrigued so I went online to catch up. And I watched every.single.episode.of.every.single.season (ok, full disclosure- I kind of skimmed over some of season 2 and 3 b/c I wasn’t feeling the Lucas with anyone but Peyton plotlines) But I caught up. Completely. So imagine my surprise when I learned that Leyton would not be returning for the seventh season…”I felt impotent and out of control” (any Clueless fans out there?)…seriously, thought, I felt sucker punched. Just when I had grown to know them, love them, enjoyed seeing them get their happily ever after (and got put on to some very dope music)…they bounced, or were bounced.

But, I said that I would give the show a chance and just see if maybe it would still be interesting. I knew better, but I was hoping that the season premiere, “Apparently, They Were Traveling Abroad,” would pull me back in…it hasn’t. I’m typing this as I watch it (and check my email and am doing about four other things online, too) and I’m just not impressed.

Haley’s still singing. Yay! But her label is in danger of being shut down. (uh oh). She has a sister with some secrets who, for some reason, has been written into the show…not Taylor, the one who slept with Nathan, but some other one. Hmm…(Why is her family so random?) Jamie turned another year older. Yay! Is his cute little kid thing wearing off as he gets taller? (and where is Nannie Deb and why, pray tell, is Jerry Rice making a cameo?) Nathan is still playing ball, but doesn’t have a new contract. He seems as clueless (and susceptible) as ever. Really. What professional athlete takes pictures with random chicks at his son’s b-day party? Did we not cover “learn to detect a set-up” during training camp? His manager/agent guy is a newbie. Not sure what his deal is yet or why he (and his phone) are so prominent…oh wait. I know! They have to add some new characters to make up for the ones they’re missing! yeah. right. What else? Brooke’s love life seems a fluid as ever. Julian is in the picture, out of the picture, and back in again. Millicent is like Brooke 2.0. Mouth is still…Mouth and living with Skillz, who is surprisingly still on the show. I thought he got arrested for being an idiot some social security card theft scam? I’m sure he’ll disappear mid-way in, too, going the way of the other cast members…on a trip somewhere. I guess they got rid of the other randoms- Fergie and Junk. Oh, and Dan is (surprise!) still alive and giving motivational speeches?! Who let him around the children of our future? All I can say is that Leyton is missed terribly. I guess we could thank the writers for not killing Leyton (and Peyton) off in a car accident…that would be too, what’s the word? Oh yeah, predictable. Not at all like “they were traveling abroad.” See Karen, Andie, and Lily, who are also, presumably still abroad. What happened to all the sass and witty banter from seasons past? The bonds of friendship, the drama? Maybe they need time to set it up, but let’s get with it already.

Perhaps, I’m expecting too much from a season premiere, since they do have a fairly huge gap (year and missing central characters) to make up for but…I’m not impressed. At all. Did I say that already?

Will I be tuning in next week? I don’t know. Will you?

Oh, and before you ask, I do not stan for Gossip Girl. I have never watched an episode and nothing thus far has compelled me to start. So I have, effectively, changed the channel. If that decision is worth revisiting, let me know. I guess I probably should since it is set in nyc and this blog is about what? nyc chicks, but still…something about it reviles me.

anxiously awaiting Sons of Anarchy tomorrow (now THAT season premiere was hot!!!)

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

09/14/2009
Contest, Writing
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Any Ayn Rand fans out there? If so, you might want to enter the  Atlas Shrugged essay contest. But act quickly because the deadline is Thursday, September 17, 2009 (that’s three days from now). I know it’s soon, but I just found out about it myself.

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What do you do? Well, first, read the book, I would imagine. Then,  select one of the following essay topics:

1. Hank Rearden does not apply the same philosophy to his personal life that he applies to his business. In what way does this contradiction harm him psychologically and practically? What is the central error that he makes? How does correcting his error improve his life?

2. In Atlas Shrugged, the heroes want to “make” money while the villains want, on the surface at least, to “have” money. What is the difference between these two views of money? Explain your answer by reference to actual events in the novel.

3. Choose one of the following pairs, and compare and contrast each character’s approach to life and basic motivation:

a. Hank Rearden and Francisco d’Anconia

b. Dagny Taggart and Lillian Rearden

c. Eddie Willers and James Taggart

Basic Rules:

  • Open to 12th grade students or those students enrolled in college/university.
  • One entry per person.
  • Essays have to be between 800 and 1,600 words.
  • Essays must be postmarked by 11:59 Pacific Time on September 17th. (technically, that’s 2:59  a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2009 Eastern Standard Time, but don’t wait until the last minute)
  • Don’t plagiarize and yes, they will check.
  • They’ll notify winners by November 27, 2009.

Prizes:

First Prize: $10,000

3 Second Prizes: $2,000

5 Third Prizes: $1,000

20 Finalists: $100

20 Semifinalists: $50

See the website for complete rules and for submission information.

Good luck!

NYC Teen Magazines

09/14/2009
Magazines, Writing
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I asked a question in a previous post about whether or not Seventeen and Teen Vogue were the only two teen magazines left standing. Well, the answer to my own question is no, they are not. In fact, there are two magazines written by and for teens in the NYC area that I wanted to tell you about, in case you didn’t know or hadn’t heard of them. And yes, they do deserve their own post.

New Youth Connections (NYC)

NYC-MayJune 2009

NYC is a magazine written by and for teens in New York City. It’s published seven times during the school year and if you attend public school in NYC, you should be able to get a free copy at your school. If not, check with your local library. You can also go to their website to read articles from the most recent issue (May/June 2009) and back issues.

Represent

Represent Magazine--Nov/Dec 2008

Represent is NYC‘s sister publication and it’s written by and for teens in foster care. Represent is a bi-monthly magazine and you can also check out their website to read articles from the Summer 2009 issue and previous issues. (That cover is kind of sick, right?)

Also, if you are interested in writing for either one of these publications, you can! If you are between the ages of 15 and 20 and live in New York City, you are eligible. You might even be able to receive school credit, but you have to be committed to working really hard on your pieces. Check out the  FAQ page for more information.

I have a really talented writer friend who works as an editor for NYC. She loves her job and working with young people, so I would really encourage you to reach out to them if you are interested in writing for one of their publications (and are committed to seeing it through). It sounds like a really amazing opportunity. You not only get to write and have your work published, but you also get to work with professional editors and maybe even see how a magazine is put together. Hotness.

Write on, girls

Claim Your Space

09/14/2009
Self-Esteem
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Homegirls,

I think I was in college when I first heard the phrase claim your space. Looking at it now, it seems fairly self- explanatory, but I’m not sure what I thought it meant when I first heard it. So if you’re confused about what it means, trust me, you aren’t the only one.

Claim your space is one of those phrases that most people understand, but would explain or articulate differently, kind of like, “do you,”  or “man up,” or “recognize.” There is no one “right” definition for any of those phrases, but you know what it means when you hear it or when you say it.

For me,  claiming your space means establishing your place in the world and making your presence there known- kind of like putting your  own unique stamp on something, so people know that you where there, that it’s your space.  And that can happen where ever you are, in many different ways,  from running for student government in your school, to decorating your room at home, to performing at an open-mic night, or starting a new club or group. Or, for me, starting this blog.

But the thing about claiming your space that makes it difficult is that you have to own it, you have to be in control, and be willing to be noticed. And that’s one of the reasons it was so hard for me. I tend to be really shy around people that I don’t know well or in large groups. I detest public speaking or giving presentations of any kind. I was always a little annoyed when “class participation” was a high percentage of my grade, but I got over that, it just wasn’t natural for me.  So  I always thought I would write under a pseudonym (a name other than my own) or anonymously because that way, if anyone criticized what I wrote or thought I was a bad writer, I wouldn’t be put on blast for everyone to see. So that was my m.o.-  work behind the scenes, stay under the radar, and out of the spotlight. It was safer that way. And to be honest, I still am that way, to a large extent. I don’t think that that you have to talk the loudest or speak the most to be effective or to be a leader. But, I do think you have to be willing to take a stand and stick by your decision, publically.

I had a not-so-favorite professor say to my class once- “set up a blog and write under your real name,” no pseudonyms, no hiding on the Internet; take ownership for whatever you put out there and stand by it. And that stuck with me. So that’s why I blog under my real name. Because I stand by what I say here and I want you to feel like you know who you’re talking to (whenever you start commenting : )  It’s also quality control. I would never want my name associated with some crap, so blogging under my real name holds me accountable for making sure that what I put out there (in perpetuity online) is quality.

That said, I also wanted to post a picture of myself, which is also something that I do not do. I’m not one of those people on fb with 85 albums entitled “me.”  But I want this blog to be a space where we can talk and share and eventually get into some really heavy things, so I want you to feel like you know who you’re talking to and I realize that for some people, that means being able to see me.  So, in case you were wondering, here I am-

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And I encourage you, when you comment or write in (or even email if you prefer to keep it between us), to claim your space, whatever that means to you. It may not mean commenting under your full government name or posting a picture (safety first and always), but speak your mind (even if you disagree… especially if you disagree) and stand by what you say. We’re all big girls over here.

No cut cards