Graduation and beyond
As one of four graduating seniors on the Red Skies staff, I wrote about my experience at Salem State and what's going to happen after all this is over.
Two weeks are all that separate us graduating seniors from the real world. Sure, we’ve had a taste of it, living on our own in the dorm rooms or apartments, having jobs during school and during the summer. Having narrowly avoided the real world by making it into college, I had armed myself with plans: plans for jobs, plans for grad school, plans for my own apartment. However, despite these well-laid plans, I find that I’m starting to question my real world skills. Although I can brag about having read excerpts of world literature and write a great research paper the night before it’s due, I’m not sure these are exactly marketable skills.
Any state college offers an English degree, and Salem State happened to be just far enough away from home that I didn’t feel too dependant, but I could still get some laundry done. My first semester, the balance between school and work slipped, as I spent final exams, which always seem to coincide with the insane holiday shopping season, in a state of madness that I’ve never reached again.
By my sophomore and junior years, I began to find a balance here at Salem State College. This year, I managed to wrap up my course load without much trouble-although I went over allowed credit load each semester, although I never got near the lunacy of junior year, when I held down over 20 credits. In addition to my school work and my job, which I held steadily from sophomore year ‘til the store’s unexpected closure this March, I managed to find time to partake in a few activities. Usually I’m not much one for the extra-curriculars, but I found a place for myself at Arnis, a martial art that originated in the Philippines borrowing and adapting from other martial arts, typically practiced with two sticks.
Days, semesters, courses fade together now as I look back, though a few events stand out to me. First year, after that horrible holiday season, I realized that I hadn’t stopped to take a breath from work and school since I started working at 14, so I took a summer off and reassessed my reasons for working. The summer of sophomore year, I lived off croissants and jus d’orange in Quebec City, and learned that cell phones, and cars, and rushing around are not required ingredients in a decent life. I found that plans aren’t the best way to do things; just wandering around the city led to some of my best experiences there. Junior year, I found the courage to don sweatpants and go see why all of these students were walking around with sticks.
The recent tragedy in Virginia brought home how lucky I am to have so many great classmates and professors, many of whom I’ve known for several years. I look forward to calling these professors by their first names soon.
Just like with acting, for every writer earning their bread at by actually writing, there are 99 writers who earn their bread waiting tables. I know if I get a job in publishing for the first few years, I’ll be judged by my WPM and skill at remembering coffee orders instead of any independent thinking skills I might have. I might not get to fulfill all my plans for a while, but I think that my time at Salem State has helped me on my way.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
EBMCB-Don't you wanna be cool?
The East Boston Make-out Club Band
“Heavy metal with a ukulele, acoustic guitar instead of electric, no drums or bass,” is how Davina Yannetty, one half of The East Boston Make Out club band describes their music.
The East Boston Make-Out Band is a fresh new sound on the Boston music scene, with Davina typically on ukulele, and Heather Mumford, the other half of the EBMOCB, on guitar and percussion. The girls have gone from performing at a friend’s birthday party to headlining gigs at TT the bears and performing across the state at UkaPalooza, a music festival celebrating one of the most underrated instruments.
Their singles include such gems as “Better”, “You Can’t be a Stalker Without binoculars”, and “Adolfo Never Called Me”. “Adolfo” is an upbeat sounding tune about a real life encounter with a date with a DJ from WBCN that recently prompted some On-air drama (and free publicity for the band). With an increasing fan base and repertoire, the girls rarely have downtime, but they spared some time to talk about their band with one lucky reporter.
In Heather’s drafty but charming house in Roxbury, Davina, Heather, and I all sat together and I scribbled furiously in my notebook while the band chattered and enjoyed some lentils.
Melissa: What is the East Boston Make-out club really about?
Davina: Tonsil hockey
Heather: And justice
Melissa: I know from your Myspace profile that I’m not supposed to ask, but East Boston Make-Out Club Band?
Davina: Yeah. That’s who we are.
Heather: People think about our name, and wonder why we aren’t making out.
Davina: Or why aren’t we making out with each other?
Melissa: How did you two decide to form the East Boston Make-Out Club Band?
Davina: Well, Heather writes music, and one day I decided I wanted to perform with her.
Heather: We learned that you make money sitting on the [Boston] commons pretending you’re playing music.
Melissa: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming musicians?
Heather (emotionally): Never stop believing!
Davina: My advice is…when someone offers you a gig, always ask how much you’re getting paid. Even if it’s nothing, you know its nothing.
Heather: And don’t sing songs when you have the flu. Especially if you’re getting paid nothing.
Davina: Write a song about anything you want to write a song about- even if it’s that stupid collar that your mom bought for your cat that you hate. Even if it’s not a radio hit, you’ll still feel better about that stupid collar in the end…and maybe punch your mom.
Melissa: How do you get ideas for your songs?
Davina: Generally they’re from real life experience
Heather: …And Davina’s awesome sex life
Davina: ... and Heather’s activism parties
Heather: And about inner turmoil and stuff…only funny.
Melissa: Do you have any really hardcore fans, aside from Davina’s mom, who shows up at every show bearing sampler CDS and sporting an Eastie Make Out Club Band shirt?
Heather: I don’t think we have any really crazy fans…or maybe that drunk guy!
Davina: That really drunk guy at the Bell in Hand Tavern… He told us he wanted to make out , but that never happened. It turned out he was a friend of the band playing after us…
Melissa: Where do you guys see the band going in the future? What are you hoping for?
Heather: To make trillions of dollars.
Davina: Not trillions, but enough to just be The East Boston Make-out club band. Enough money to do only this…that’d be good.
Heather: And get some bitches.
Davina: Definitely!
Heather: 1. Bitches
Davina: 2. Hot tubs
Heather: 3. Man servants.
Davina: 4. Hummers
Heather:…No, horses! Horses are more environmentally friendly!
Davina: It was a joke, [jerkface]. Maybe enough money to buy a Chevy Lumina…
After the interview, I got an impromptu sneak peak at their newest song, “The East Boston Make-Out Club Song”. A longer song than most of theirs, this upbeat tune attempts to explain the name and the draw of the band. Headlining another show at TT the Bears in Cambridge on April 9th, with a handful of gigs running through May, the Eastie make-out club definitely seems to be on their way to getting those bitches and man servants. And remember, Southie eats the bird.
To learn more about The East Boston Make-Out Club Band or to hear their music, visit their profile at http://www.myspace.com/eastiemakeoutclub .
“Heavy metal with a ukulele, acoustic guitar instead of electric, no drums or bass,” is how Davina Yannetty, one half of The East Boston Make Out club band describes their music.
The East Boston Make-Out Band is a fresh new sound on the Boston music scene, with Davina typically on ukulele, and Heather Mumford, the other half of the EBMOCB, on guitar and percussion. The girls have gone from performing at a friend’s birthday party to headlining gigs at TT the bears and performing across the state at UkaPalooza, a music festival celebrating one of the most underrated instruments.
Their singles include such gems as “Better”, “You Can’t be a Stalker Without binoculars”, and “Adolfo Never Called Me”. “Adolfo” is an upbeat sounding tune about a real life encounter with a date with a DJ from WBCN that recently prompted some On-air drama (and free publicity for the band). With an increasing fan base and repertoire, the girls rarely have downtime, but they spared some time to talk about their band with one lucky reporter.
In Heather’s drafty but charming house in Roxbury, Davina, Heather, and I all sat together and I scribbled furiously in my notebook while the band chattered and enjoyed some lentils.
Melissa: What is the East Boston Make-out club really about?
Davina: Tonsil hockey
Heather: And justice
Melissa: I know from your Myspace profile that I’m not supposed to ask, but East Boston Make-Out Club Band?
Davina: Yeah. That’s who we are.
Heather: People think about our name, and wonder why we aren’t making out.
Davina: Or why aren’t we making out with each other?
Melissa: How did you two decide to form the East Boston Make-Out Club Band?
Davina: Well, Heather writes music, and one day I decided I wanted to perform with her.
Heather: We learned that you make money sitting on the [Boston] commons pretending you’re playing music.
Melissa: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming musicians?
Heather (emotionally): Never stop believing!
Davina: My advice is…when someone offers you a gig, always ask how much you’re getting paid. Even if it’s nothing, you know its nothing.
Heather: And don’t sing songs when you have the flu. Especially if you’re getting paid nothing.
Davina: Write a song about anything you want to write a song about- even if it’s that stupid collar that your mom bought for your cat that you hate. Even if it’s not a radio hit, you’ll still feel better about that stupid collar in the end…and maybe punch your mom.
Melissa: How do you get ideas for your songs?
Davina: Generally they’re from real life experience
Heather: …And Davina’s awesome sex life
Davina: ... and Heather’s activism parties
Heather: And about inner turmoil and stuff…only funny.
Melissa: Do you have any really hardcore fans, aside from Davina’s mom, who shows up at every show bearing sampler CDS and sporting an Eastie Make Out Club Band shirt?
Heather: I don’t think we have any really crazy fans…or maybe that drunk guy!
Davina: That really drunk guy at the Bell in Hand Tavern… He told us he wanted to make out , but that never happened. It turned out he was a friend of the band playing after us…
Melissa: Where do you guys see the band going in the future? What are you hoping for?
Heather: To make trillions of dollars.
Davina: Not trillions, but enough to just be The East Boston Make-out club band. Enough money to do only this…that’d be good.
Heather: And get some bitches.
Davina: Definitely!
Heather: 1. Bitches
Davina: 2. Hot tubs
Heather: 3. Man servants.
Davina: 4. Hummers
Heather:…No, horses! Horses are more environmentally friendly!
Davina: It was a joke, [jerkface]. Maybe enough money to buy a Chevy Lumina…
After the interview, I got an impromptu sneak peak at their newest song, “The East Boston Make-Out Club Song”. A longer song than most of theirs, this upbeat tune attempts to explain the name and the draw of the band. Headlining another show at TT the Bears in Cambridge on April 9th, with a handful of gigs running through May, the Eastie make-out club definitely seems to be on their way to getting those bitches and man servants. And remember, Southie eats the bird.
To learn more about The East Boston Make-Out Club Band or to hear their music, visit their profile at http://www.myspace.com/eastiemakeoutclub .
Senior Week Activities
Senior Week Activities
by: Melissa Lanouette
Those students who are lucky enough to be graduating this semester have an opportunity to participate in some of the great senior week activities offered by the school. Whether you go to hang out with friends or to make some new ones, these events are a fun chance to have a good time before you leave Salem State College. Tickets can be purchased at a rotating variety of locations on campus, but the best bet to getting them is to go directly to the Program Council’s office.
Sunday, May 13: Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
This is an amazing opportunity to take advantage of a great price on a Red Sox game. At only $15 a ticket, this trip will likely be packed, so buy your tickets early. No transportation is provided to this or the Wednesday night Sox game, but public transportation to Boston is simple. Seniors can only purchase a maximum of 2 tickets and to only one of the games provided, but if you’ve bring a friend and your friends bring you, you get to take advantage of two great games at a low price.
Monday, May 14: Senior Cruise on the Provincetown II
This late night cruise, 10pm-1am offers seniors over the age of 21 a change to boogie down in Boston Harbor. With busses leaving from Peabody hall at 9 pm r, it is possible to have a safe good time and freely enjoy the Provincetown II’s three full-service bars without worrying about a designated driver (but, as always, drink responsibly!). The ship can accommodate over 1,000 people, so any interested senior is almost guaranteed a spot. So, whether you bring a date or a group of friends, this $20 cruise will be a great way to socialize and relax after finals week.
Tuesday, May 15: Senior Reception at Salem Beerworks
Although Beerworks will likely be crowded with seniors all week anyway, this free event looks to be a great excuse to spend more time there. Sponsered by the Alumni Association, this event offers free hor d’ouevres and a raffle for some great, as yet, undisclosed prizes. Held from 9-11pm, the reception at Beerworks is a good place to celebrate, but make sure to RSVP so they’ll save you a spot.
Wednesday, May 16: Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers
Like the game on Sunday, the school is also offering $15 tickets to anyone seniors interested to attend. Make sure you RSVP to this event, or get there early, since these tickets will likely sell out fast! No transportation offered to this event either, but the commuter rail or the T are convenient, or a group of students could carpool in.
Thursday, May 17: Night at the Improv Asylum
This 18 plus event offers a night of great comedy and good pasta at one of the best comedy clubs in Boston. The show is called “It’s the North End of the World as we Know It (And I Feel Fine)”, and it features a number of hilarious sketches that must be seen to be believed. One $10 tickets includes transportation from Peabody Hall, a ticket to the show, and dinner. Although room isn’t limited on this one, make sure you get your tickets early, as this promises to be a great evening!
Friday, May 18: Trip to Mohegan Sun
Although a trip to a casino the day before graduation may lead to some sad seniors walking down the aisle, as long as it is handled responsibly, this trip should be a blast! Transportation to the Mohegan Sun casino is provided from Peabody hall, and students who go will spend a full day enjoying the variety of pleasures at the casino. In addition to gambling, the casino also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars, so if an unlucky morning leaves you broke, you can still have a good time for the afternoon. Busses leave at 10 am, and the students can enjoy the casino from 12:00 to 4:00 for only a $5 transportation fee. A 6 pm return to Peabody hall will ensure seniors have time to rest before the big day on Saturday.
Saturday, May 19: Commencement
No listing of senior week activities would be complete without a mention of the biggest activity of all. Commencement, held at 10 am, will be the culmination of your undergrad career. Students must report at 8:30 sharp, preferably with their cap and gowns, though the bookstore will be scalping them before the show for those forgetful students. Elizabeth Walker, CBS4 News, will be speaking this year, and receiving an honorary degree. Congratulations, proud seniors, you’ve done it!
by: Melissa Lanouette
Those students who are lucky enough to be graduating this semester have an opportunity to participate in some of the great senior week activities offered by the school. Whether you go to hang out with friends or to make some new ones, these events are a fun chance to have a good time before you leave Salem State College. Tickets can be purchased at a rotating variety of locations on campus, but the best bet to getting them is to go directly to the Program Council’s office.
Sunday, May 13: Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
This is an amazing opportunity to take advantage of a great price on a Red Sox game. At only $15 a ticket, this trip will likely be packed, so buy your tickets early. No transportation is provided to this or the Wednesday night Sox game, but public transportation to Boston is simple. Seniors can only purchase a maximum of 2 tickets and to only one of the games provided, but if you’ve bring a friend and your friends bring you, you get to take advantage of two great games at a low price.
Monday, May 14: Senior Cruise on the Provincetown II
This late night cruise, 10pm-1am offers seniors over the age of 21 a change to boogie down in Boston Harbor. With busses leaving from Peabody hall at 9 pm r, it is possible to have a safe good time and freely enjoy the Provincetown II’s three full-service bars without worrying about a designated driver (but, as always, drink responsibly!). The ship can accommodate over 1,000 people, so any interested senior is almost guaranteed a spot. So, whether you bring a date or a group of friends, this $20 cruise will be a great way to socialize and relax after finals week.
Tuesday, May 15: Senior Reception at Salem Beerworks
Although Beerworks will likely be crowded with seniors all week anyway, this free event looks to be a great excuse to spend more time there. Sponsered by the Alumni Association, this event offers free hor d’ouevres and a raffle for some great, as yet, undisclosed prizes. Held from 9-11pm, the reception at Beerworks is a good place to celebrate, but make sure to RSVP so they’ll save you a spot.
Wednesday, May 16: Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers
Like the game on Sunday, the school is also offering $15 tickets to anyone seniors interested to attend. Make sure you RSVP to this event, or get there early, since these tickets will likely sell out fast! No transportation offered to this event either, but the commuter rail or the T are convenient, or a group of students could carpool in.
Thursday, May 17: Night at the Improv Asylum
This 18 plus event offers a night of great comedy and good pasta at one of the best comedy clubs in Boston. The show is called “It’s the North End of the World as we Know It (And I Feel Fine)”, and it features a number of hilarious sketches that must be seen to be believed. One $10 tickets includes transportation from Peabody Hall, a ticket to the show, and dinner. Although room isn’t limited on this one, make sure you get your tickets early, as this promises to be a great evening!
Friday, May 18: Trip to Mohegan Sun
Although a trip to a casino the day before graduation may lead to some sad seniors walking down the aisle, as long as it is handled responsibly, this trip should be a blast! Transportation to the Mohegan Sun casino is provided from Peabody hall, and students who go will spend a full day enjoying the variety of pleasures at the casino. In addition to gambling, the casino also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars, so if an unlucky morning leaves you broke, you can still have a good time for the afternoon. Busses leave at 10 am, and the students can enjoy the casino from 12:00 to 4:00 for only a $5 transportation fee. A 6 pm return to Peabody hall will ensure seniors have time to rest before the big day on Saturday.
Saturday, May 19: Commencement
No listing of senior week activities would be complete without a mention of the biggest activity of all. Commencement, held at 10 am, will be the culmination of your undergrad career. Students must report at 8:30 sharp, preferably with their cap and gowns, though the bookstore will be scalping them before the show for those forgetful students. Elizabeth Walker, CBS4 News, will be speaking this year, and receiving an honorary degree. Congratulations, proud seniors, you’ve done it!
A Procrastinator's Guide to April
A Procrastinator's Guide to April
by: Melissa Lanouette
April is that time of years when a restless student most wished to be outside and active but is most chained down by work. The Professors’ Master Plan seems most evil this month, worse even, than homework during Spring Break or the coordination of five simultaneous midterms.
This is the month of term papers and final projects, of, “You’ve had three months to plan for this, no you can’t get an extension!” This is the month to turn in all those late papers that have been piling up since January. However, let a master slacker tell you, it is definitely possible to get this done and still have time to enjoy those lovely and long Spring afternoons. With a few simple steps, you can finish your work in plenty of time to smell the roses.
1) Gauge your teachers. Although all of them want to get your stuff on time, some professors, especially slow graders, won’t mind if it’s a few days late. Use this to your advantage when you have back-to-back due dates.
2) Use your time smartly. The afternoon and evening are important slack times in a schedule, so use the rest of your time wisely. Getting up a two hours early to get some work done works especially well since your brain hasn’t registered that you’re awake yet, and thus, hasn’t started telling you what awesome alternatives you have for doing homework.
3) When you work, work hardcore. It’s easy to get caught in the trap of doing homework/checking your
MySpace/watching a movie/listening to music/playing solitaire, but if you do that, you’ll find that you spend 3 hours “doing your homework” and have gotten nothing done. When you do your homework, do only your homework.
4) Red Bull is your friend. Full-time procrastinators pre-plan all-nighters. One key aspect is study-food. Anything with sugar or caffeine can help, although sugar may lead to crashes (i.e. drooling into your keyboard). My favorite study combo is Dr. Pepper and gummies. Although caffeine isn’t a substitute for real sleep and rest…actually, caffeine is a substitute for real sleep and rest.
5) Napping can be your friend. Although napping to avoid work obviously won’t help you succeed, afternoon napping can make sure you’ve got enough energy in the middle of the night to get work done. In the middle of the night, there are fewer things to grab your attention away from homework.
6) “But I already passed that in!” To be used only as a last resort, on a teacher so scatter-brained that they’ll believe it, this excuse not only works, but it inspires pity and guilt in a teacher. This excuse should only be used once, and on a teacher that has lost papers in the past. I used to pull this in high school frequently, but only used it once in college, because the teacher was taking half the semester off and lost almost everything the class turned in.
by: Melissa Lanouette
April is that time of years when a restless student most wished to be outside and active but is most chained down by work. The Professors’ Master Plan seems most evil this month, worse even, than homework during Spring Break or the coordination of five simultaneous midterms.
This is the month of term papers and final projects, of, “You’ve had three months to plan for this, no you can’t get an extension!” This is the month to turn in all those late papers that have been piling up since January. However, let a master slacker tell you, it is definitely possible to get this done and still have time to enjoy those lovely and long Spring afternoons. With a few simple steps, you can finish your work in plenty of time to smell the roses.
1) Gauge your teachers. Although all of them want to get your stuff on time, some professors, especially slow graders, won’t mind if it’s a few days late. Use this to your advantage when you have back-to-back due dates.
2) Use your time smartly. The afternoon and evening are important slack times in a schedule, so use the rest of your time wisely. Getting up a two hours early to get some work done works especially well since your brain hasn’t registered that you’re awake yet, and thus, hasn’t started telling you what awesome alternatives you have for doing homework.
3) When you work, work hardcore. It’s easy to get caught in the trap of doing homework/checking your
MySpace/watching a movie/listening to music/playing solitaire, but if you do that, you’ll find that you spend 3 hours “doing your homework” and have gotten nothing done. When you do your homework, do only your homework.
4) Red Bull is your friend. Full-time procrastinators pre-plan all-nighters. One key aspect is study-food. Anything with sugar or caffeine can help, although sugar may lead to crashes (i.e. drooling into your keyboard). My favorite study combo is Dr. Pepper and gummies. Although caffeine isn’t a substitute for real sleep and rest…actually, caffeine is a substitute for real sleep and rest.
5) Napping can be your friend. Although napping to avoid work obviously won’t help you succeed, afternoon napping can make sure you’ve got enough energy in the middle of the night to get work done. In the middle of the night, there are fewer things to grab your attention away from homework.
6) “But I already passed that in!” To be used only as a last resort, on a teacher so scatter-brained that they’ll believe it, this excuse not only works, but it inspires pity and guilt in a teacher. This excuse should only be used once, and on a teacher that has lost papers in the past. I used to pull this in high school frequently, but only used it once in college, because the teacher was taking half the semester off and lost almost everything the class turned in.
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