activities
ALL HALLOWS EVE & BROOKLYN & BIKES
Halloween is almost upon us in the city, and spirit (and decorations) abound. I took the F train to the land of Brooklyn a couple of days ago, just so I could wear my hipster apparel and use my trendy messenger bag, and when I stepped out at the Carrol Gardens stop, the world had changed. In place of Manhattan’s impressive buildings, wide bustling streets and frenetic horn-honking-people scurrying-cars swerving vibe, a human sized environment had emerged: narrow shady streets with families out for walks, couples with their hands in each-others pockets, dog walkers and stroller pushers galore. If I ever needed a family vibe to set me right, I should come here. Most of the brownstones (2-3 story connected houses built out of brown sandstone) had tons of decorations. No. I mean TONS. I couldn’t even see facade of one entire house it was so loaded with skulls and fake spiderwebs and scythes and pumpkins and plastic tombstones and whew, I could go on. This happens to be a post of run on sentences, but it fits my vibe right now, so hang tight.
I kept wandering and found these things:
Forty-three carved pumpkins, numerous spider webs (hard to count for obvious reasons), 2 children who decided to dress up early (1 michael jackson and 1 sesame street bigbird, related?), 20 cozy coffee cafes, many hipsters, 1 Trader Joes, 1 3rd floor balcony with a giant ladder leading to the ground (break-in? bored tenants? fire!?) and 40 people on bikes.
Thousands of golden orange leaves dotted the asphalt, with most trees in that lazy stage of half-dress, where thousands of the leaves are gone but many still remain. So many people whizzed by on bicycles that I though I might be back in Colorado or even the NW. Here, though, people do the craziest things on bikes. They shoot through intersections, don’t wear helmets, wear helmets from the 1960’s (did they even have helmets back then?), and lock their bikes with the thickest chains I’ve ever seen. Crazy stuff. At least they ride their bikes and the subway, though. One of the ads on the F train states that NYC residents use 75% less energy than the majority of Americans, simply because they use public transportation. It’s one of the things only things I hate about Colorado- public transportation sucks. To get into the mountains takes more gas than I care to admit and though CC’s ski union does offer a ski-bus, it only goes to a couple resorts and fills up fast. That said, if you have a friend with a car, you’re set for 4 years of POWDDEEERRRR and great company. Long story short, I wish Amtrak was as reliable and widespread in the West as it is here in the Eastern Corridor.
To conclude this conglomeration of random thoughts, I shall orate on the celebration of this coming weekend. NYC has, no not the world’s largest ball of twine (1,475 miles long, Cawker City, Kansas), not the world’s largest rocking chair (Cuba, MO), nope, not even the world’s largest yogic circle (unknowable because yogis don’t care about such things). NYC does have the biggest baddest Halloween parade, fo sho. It’s in the west village, near where I live and it’s been an institution for 36 years. Needless to say:
I AM STOKED for this weekend.
More Halloween NYC news at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-peyronnin/eek–its-halloween_b_338233.html
POST SCRIPT: If you don’t read the HUFFINGTON POST, you should. While it sounds like a bad dream from the 241th Harry Potter movie, the Huff is actually a very well respected news organization, second (in my book) only to the behemoth of the New York Times. The great thing about the former company, is that it is strictly online- and free. (Question of the day: how are newspapers like the NYTimes staying afloat?)
PEACE
-Claire
Movin’ on Up
The old studio at KRCC - it had it's charm!
We are now in the seventh week of The SOCC (The Sound of Colorado College) broadcasting from an entirely new location… Loomis Hall. For anyone who doesn’t know, The SOCC is Colorado College’s new student-run radio station. We began making noise in the spring of 2008, when our studio was located in the basement of KRCC’s Weber studios. You may ask what the difference between KRCC and The SOCC is. KRCC is Colorado College’s radio station and has been for the past 60 years or so. A few decades ago, KRCC began its transformation from a purely student-run college radio station into a professionally operated NPR affiliate. Today, KRCC’s licensee is still held by the college, but little student participation took place until a few years ago. In 2008, KRCC finished the purchase and upgrade to three HD channels on the regular 91.5 FM signal. HD radio, simply digital radio, is still terrestrial radio – no subscription is required. All you need is a new HD radio. To bring back extensive student involvement, KRCC gave HD3 to the students at Colorado College to do with it as they saw fit.
Today, The SOCC (KRCC-HD3) now broadcasts on the HD3 broadcast as well as over the internet at WWW.THESOCC.ORG. Run by three student staff members, The SOCC has around 50 volunteer DJs who man the station from Noon-2AM, seven days of the week. Some highlights of the 2009-2010 school year include an enormous crop of new DJs, the CC Debate Team Hour, and the continuation of some popular shows run by DJs who have been with the station since its inception.
Our new studio just after countertops and shelving were installed
As mentioned at the outset, The SOCC recently moved studios. We started in the dark, somewhat smelly basement of KRCC. This summer I worked with multiple folks on campus and at KRCC to initiate a move that had been discussed last semester while I was in China. Things came together, and now we are succesfully broadcasting from a small room off the Loomis Hall lobby.
The move has done wonders for The SOCC’s exposure to the campus and community. Before, people would often be surprised when told that we have a new student station. I think I can confidently say that most students, faculty, and staff have at least heard of The SOCC by now. It has been a personal pleasure working to bring something like this to the forefront of the CC community. Community radio is alive and well, even in this age where television and the internet seem to rule the communication stage. My goal is to make The SOCC as much a part of a Colorado College students daily routine as visiting Worner Center to check a mail box. As we grow and build upon our previous experience, I have no doubt that The SOCC will make a name for itself. Our move to this new central location is a great start. While it is sad leaving the folks who have nutured us through our infancy, it is time for us to try and walk on our own. KRCC will continue to keep us afloat through our struggles, but I am excited to see what we can do on our own a bit.
Check out our website to get more info and see a program schedule. Also, listen in over the Internet by clicking on the “listen now” links on the top left of our web page. Click the logo below to visit our site….
The first car load of equipment installed this summer in the new space
Vinyl, decorations, and little bit of character begin to fill in the new studio!
“Ça Va?”–History of the City of Paris
The Seine River
Casablanca. Gigi. Sabrina. Amelie. Before Sunrise and Before Sunset (my two personal favorites).
Media has romanticized our imagination of the city of Paris. The examined and lived, however, brings this city to a whole new level. As I sit writing this, I am reliving Paris in my imagination. I was able to examine and experience the city of Paris.
Want to see the Seine River? It’s only a twenty minute walk. The Louvre? Cross the Pont d’Artes and you’re there. Want to see Notre Dame? Eiffel Tower? Pompidou Center? Done. Done. And Done.
From front left: Katherine, Brenna, Kelly, Alissa, Me, and Connie
However, what does the everyday person know about the layering of history within this beautiful city? To tell you the truth, I knew nothing. Susan Ashley (Dean of the College) and Tip Ragan (Chair of the History Department) co-taught this course. I’ve never been so challenged by any professor as I have with these two. Susan focused on teaching the intellectual history of Paris, while Tip focused more on the social history. Together, they were masterful in teaching the thirteen of us how Paris developed and progressed in the middle ages, the Age of Absolutism, and Modern Paris.
The class was amazing and probably one of the best courses I have ever had in my entire life. The workload wasn’t too much or overwhelming, but I was challenged by the class discussions. Susan and Tip would steer discussion by asking a single question, and the class would try to find answers or more questions within the 2.5 hours. My brain literally hurt after each class, because I had never imagined Paris to be so brilliant.
Oscar Wilde is buried in Paris. Look at all the kisses!
There are no words to describe how I feel about this class–it’s a true “unique, intellectual adventure.” Consider taking this summer block when it’s offered. I promise you, it will be mind-blowing.
View from the Eiffel Tower!
“I need to be bold / Need to jump in the cold water”
(From top left) Bridgett, Anh, Alana, Susie, Me, and Krystle
Yesterday evening, after a very busy day, I went with a group of friends to go see Joshua Radin. My first concert in Colorado Springs! It was amazing, and the venue reminded me of a venue I went to in Oklahoma. The two opening acts, Jesse Harris and Meiko, were the best opening acts I have EVER heard in my entire life. No lie!
Jesse Harris
Jesse Harris was the first opening act. I loved his voice a lot; it was so soothing and calm. He actually wrote Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why”, which is a phenomenal song.
Meiko
The next opening act was Meiko. She was quirky, cute, and a wonderful music artist. In my opinion, she resembled Rachel Yamagata. It was also Meiko’s 24th birthday, in which she sang to us (and not the other way around)!
Finally, Joshua Radin. His most recent fame was singing the Sesame Street theme song on an episode of the televsion show Scrubs. His voice was calm, melodic, and mesmerizing. I actually had not heard of him until a week ago, but I really like him. Perhaps you might know “I’d Rather Be With You”, which is his most recent hit.
Joshua Radin
Overall, it was one of the best concerts I’ve attended. While I thoroughly enjoyed Joshua Radin, I loved both the opening acts, which is rare. A musical and calming evening to end a busy day!
Signing off,
Melissa
Block Six!
Hello, hello, hello!
I can’t get over the fact that I am less than three blocks away from finishing my first year here at CC. This school year has gone by too quickly. Sure, getting acclimated to the school, community and altitude was difficult; however, I’ve loved every moment of it. The good and the bad.
This block I am taking something completely out of my comfort zone. I am in Topics in Feminist and Gender Studies: Women and Violence with Eileen Breshnahan. I Love it! I know what you’re thinking, “she loves a class about women and violence?” It’s true-I really do enjoy this class. Let me quote a course objective from my class syllabus, “to develop an understanding of the socially constructed nature of gender and gender relations and of how these relate to the social construction of gender-based violence. “ I’m seeing our society in a different light-a socially constructed system of patriarchy. After not even finishing my first week of the class, I am finally admitting to myself that I am a feminist.
On a lighter note, tomorrow I am going to do ED: 100 after my Feminist and Gender Studies class. It’s been a week since I’ve seen the students! I hope they remember me. Then, I’m heading over to finish the last of my training for one of the local nonprofits I’m working with this year! Wish me luck.
Until then,
-Melissa