For John Roberts so loved the world that he gave his only vote, that whoever possesses a pre-exisiting condition shall not perish but have affordable health care for life.
-my friend, Todd Stevens
Monthly Archives: June 2012
Let them eat froyo!
Before New York, I had never seen men so excited about frozen yogurt.
I should clarify this statement. Last week, I was walking home from a friend’s place when I saw a group of men lined up at Tasti D-Lite, a common frozen yogurt franchise in New York. These guys were in great shape, with some even looking like that had come straight from the gym. Something about the sight took me by surprise. Perhaps it’s because I’m the type of exerciser who directly equates how much I work out with how many sweet potato fries I can have. More likely, however, I was surprised because of this:
Back in high school and into college, I remember male friends giving me a hard time for choosing sorbet over ice cream, wheat over white, skim over whole. It was all in good fun and meant to discourage me from being overly conscious about my body image. Still, whenever I would defend my dessert choices, arguing, “It’s lower in fat!” in defense of frozen yogurt, they would scoff and return to their full-fat, full-flavor preferences. When I asked why they did this, I was most often told ice cream tasted better, a fair point. Sometimes, though, I would get the puzzling retort, “Because we’re men!”
You are invited to share your story
During my junior and senior years at UW-Madison, I worked as the media advocate for an amazing student organization called PAVE (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment). Together volunteers and staff worked to end sexual assault, dating violence and stalking on campus through education and activism. What we were able to and what the group continues to accomplish is nothing short of remarkable, and I’d recommend getting involved to anyone in Madison.
One of our allies, University Health Services’ EVOC (End Violence on Campus), is putting together an exciting video first-year and transfer students will view to make them more aware of these realities on campus and where victims can go for help and support. Part of the program is intended to share victim’s stories anonymously, a practice both indicated by prevention research as well as UW-Madison student feedback as pivotal in conveying the seriousness of these crimes. As such, those willing and comfortable are invited to share their stories. Here is the deal:
University Health Services and the Division of Student Life are working in conjunction with student organizations like PAVE to create an online sexual assault and dating violence prevention program for first year students. The use of survivor stories is demonstrated to be an effective strategy to heighten the empathy of students, and UW-Madison student feedback indicates that students strongly react to the experiences of sexual assault and dating violence victims. If you are interested in anonymously sharing your story for this program, please follow this link to find out more information.
A Chicago Cubs fan in New York City
Everywhere I go, I find myself having to defend my love of the Chicago Cubs. New York has not proven itself an exception. A few weeks into my new job, I’ve had to explain to a slew of Yankees, Mets and Red Sox fans why they “just don’t get it.” (You’d think the Red Sox contingent might get it, but Boston fans are not known as the worst, most obnoxious group of sports fanatics in the country because of their understanding or reason.)
With the Mets in Chicago this week, I figured now was a fitting time to whip out an article on my unwavering Cubbie loyalty I wrote for The Daily Cardinal earlier this spring. Enjoy!
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“Do they still play the blues in Chicago / When baseball season rolls around? / When the snow melts away / Do the Cubbies still play / In their ivy-covered burial ground? / When I was a boy they were my pride and joy / But now they only bring fatigue / To the home of the brave / The land of the free / And the doormat of the National League.”
—“A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request,” Steve Goodman
I have a lot to look forward to next week. Obviously, it is spring break, so myself and three of the most beautiful Cardinal ladies the world has ever seen will be piling into my Honda CRV and road tripping through the South. Additionally, I get to spend Easter Sunday with my family and a minimum of seven chocolate bunnies—no complaints there. Still, neither of these events are what have me beaming from ear to ear. What does have me beaming is Thursday, April 5: the date of the Chicago Cubs’ home opener. (Please save all heckling and tomato throwing until the end of this column. Thank you).
Yes, I am one of the cursed, destined to root for a team that—and it pains me to say this—probably will not win next year. Regardless, I love my Cubbies more than words can say, but this is a column, after all, so I will give it whirl.
Purchases of a poor (not yet) New Yorker
I have no money. This makes me the least unique recent college graduate ever.
Because of my sorry bank account, my parents reminded me to not “shop too much” as they left me to fend for myself in the big city. Here’s the thing: Telling me not to shop in New York is like telling a four-year-old boy not to whip out his junk in the middle of pre-school. You know it’s a bad idea. You tell him it’s a bad idea. But at the end of the day, that boy is going to be reprimanded for whipping out his junk in the middle of pre-school.
Much like the four-year-old, I am in need of a scolding. But before we get to that, let’s look at all the fun things I’ve bought instead of groceries, shall we?
Williamsburg Flea Finds
There is no such thing as too much jewelry. Yesterday afternoon, I put that belief into action and bought myself an adorable gold necklace while browsing the Williamsburg Flea Market. Only $16, the piece was handmade by RagTrader Vintage and features a gold charm with two silhouettes. Around them reads “Going Steady,” because, obviously, the year is 1957 and I’m looking for a boy to give me his pin.
Besides my adorable new trinket, the booth also carried rings made from typewriter keys, something my inner journalist appreciated. My thriftiness got the best of me, so I only purchased the first item, but next time I wander over to that side of the East River, I may have to cave and get myself a new ring.
Also found at the Williamsburg Flea and soon to arrive in the mailbox of my beautiful friend and former co-editor, Becca, this postcard was just too perfect to pass up. And only $1, so what more can you want?
