LSU’s No. 21 — Even though Louisiana State University didn’t even crack U.S. News and World Report’s 2007 best colleges list, the school is still pretty “high” up on a list that really counts: CollegeHumor.com’s 2006-2007 Power Rankings.
The male chauvinists over at College Humor, with the help of similar-minded students that make up the site’s user base, set out to “scientifically” find the best schools where you can “have the maximum amount of fun while putting forth the least amount of effort.”
They asked all the tough questions: Are free condoms available on campus? (yes) What time do the bars close? (2 a.m.) How many students are interested in drugs? (To get this score, they used information provided by students on their own personal Facebook profiles.)
I admit, I’m a Southeastern girl through and through. And I know LSU has a reputation as a “party school.” Anyone who doubts that should find the Advocate article in which students feebly defended their alma mater in the face of the U.S. News and World Report omission. The best many could come up with was, “But we have a good football team!”
Maybe it’s me, but if I went to LSU I’d be more than a little disturbed about the disparity between these two lists. Then again, SLU made neither.
Just chalk it up to another case of Louisiana being first (or close to it) in everything bad. But wait, since when is a school having an all-male vocal group a bad thing?
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Nashville South — I’m becoming thoroughly convinced that Tangipahoa Parish is Nashville South. In my time at The Daily Star, I’ve interviewed and written about four country musicians or bands directing their own careers out of this parish. And I’ve only had this job since late June.
All of them have CDs, mostly on independent labels. They travel back and forth to Nashville all the time, i.e., Kayla LoCicero, and Chris Gray, who is in the middle of work on his third album there now. They work with award-winning songwriters. They travel all over the Southeast and even the world (The Honky Tonk Disciples are actually going on tour in Belgium soon).
And let’s not forget about Lindsey Cardinale, Ponchatoula’s other claim to fame. The “American Idol” finalist is apparently working on more songs in Nashville. Sure, she’s name-dropping Country Music Association vocalist of the year Ms. Carrie Underwood on her MySpace blog (they were roommates and kindred spirits during their “Idol” season), but she’s a star.
I’m interested to find out about any other country music talent in Hammond and the surrounding areas (and Todd O’Neil is on my list). Any suggestions?
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“The Sweet Escape” ... to Pop Music Hell — In national music news, Gwen Stefani is set to release her second solo album, “The Sweet Escape” on Dec. 5.
I’m only mentioning this because I am such a huge fan of Stefani, yet I am so disturbed about her artistic direction. If you (or your kids) are considering buying into Stefani’s brand, please do yourself a favor and go here.
Here’s the unfortunate gist. Current single “Wind it Up,” a strange conglomeration of hip-hop beats and yodeling from “The Sound of Music,” is actually one of the best songs on the CD.
Stefani’s first CD, “Love, Angel, Music, Baby” was groundbreaking. Just listening to current hits by Nelly Furtado and Fergie attests to the massive copycatting going on. But I think the experiment has run its course.
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Look at me! — OK, I couldn’t resist. Apparently Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are fast becoming BFFs. And when you run with Hilton, underwear is optional.
I suppose I don’t have to actually write what the paparazzi have pictures of this time. Let’s put it this way — one far-from-ladylike party momma plus one low-to-the-ground vehicle plus one bad camera angle equals... yep, you thought right.
So much for my prediction of a slightly more modest comeback.
If you’re interested: www.perezhilton.com.
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Renee, you can also go to www.justjared.com to view....uhhum...eewww...can't even say it.
I'm just beyond words over what Britney Spears is doing to herself. I never liked her and don't think she can sing at all but this is over the top. And who is taking care of those babies she so thoughtlessly brought into this world. I read where she said she'd been pregant for 2 1/2 years and she deserved to party now. So irrisponsible and immature. Get real Britney. If you weren't washed up before you sure are now...
In my opinion, I think Britney had the first baby because of publicity and she thought it was a way to hold onto K-Fed. The second time she got pregnant was probably lack of birthcontrol. Oops I did it again! Obviously she didn’t really want this child and the new wore off of the first one. Well, if she wanted attention she sure is getting it. I was watching The View this morning, which I don’t watch normally. Remember how they threw a party for Britney after her divorce announcement? Now they are just sick over her and want Victoria’s Secret to send panties. Rosie wants her to come live with her so she can straighten her out, failing to mention teaching her to be a mother. Every talk show on tv is talking about her. What in the world is she thinking?
Check out idontlikeyouinthatway.com
It's even worse. Britney Spears is nasty!
The one thing I can say for my alma mater of LSU, I never found it as easy or easier than high school. I remember coming home my freshman year and talking to an old friend of mine who was a pre-med major at a certain regional university. She asked me if I found college easier than high school. Uh. Nope. NEVER had that problem at LSU. And before you ask, I attended all of my classes sober.
I haven't gone to perezhilton.com yet - but dare I? Ugh. Nope. Uh uh. Don't think so.
But I did watch Nancy Grace last night (hush now - I dig Nancy Grace). The topic of course being Britney. Britney is in the court of public opinion now. She made sure that she wanted to be there. And "hits and misses" is the perfect headline for this topic, since Britney wants to "hit" us baby one more time with her "come back", the David Letterman surprise visit and ice skating with her friend (lawyer? manager?) while in NY. Soooo totally staged.
But I highly doubt her passing out at 6am after a night with Paris constitutes as a staging, but rather, she would prefer that we miss or skip that part of the program all together. Uuhhhhmmm ... the answer would be no.
And why? Because not many a judge that I know would stand for a FedUgh as it is. But let cold, hard, documented facts of a partying mom with so much carelessnes as indecent exposure, dropping their baby, improper child seats, baby riding on lap on the highway, sex tapes .... sheesh did I miss anything? Let that happen to a local, and it's guaranteed neither the mother or the father would have custody. Don't believe me? Pick up the Hammond Star and the court records printed. That tiny print is usually two full pages front and back.
What disturbs me most, is that I fear Britney and FedUgh, being celebrities, will be given more rights with less court time than the average everyday citizen going through the same. I've watched in front of my eyes the animalistic nature of custody battels, leaving nothing to the imagination. In Brit & FedUghs case, they've intentianlly aired their dirty laundry (when she's actually wearing it) for the entire world to see, then boo hoo like a baby when people judge them. No sh*t Sherlock - of course we are going to judge them because they threw it any our faces any chance they got.
Hollywood has a bad habit of overlooking the very binds that tie a family together. Along with Brit and FedUgh - another set of (ahem) parents that come to mind is Jolie and Pitt.
The both of them can attempt to be some philanthropist, "Look at me! I'm gonna save the world, but I need you to spend money on my movies" crap. All I see when it comes to the both of them is a man who screwed around with a "hoe" behind his wifes back, got her pregnant before a divorce from his wife, and refuses to marry the girlfriend now because Pitt wants all marriages to be recognized. What the hell?
Fool Pitt needs to realize that in just our parish alone, pedophiles are just about on every street corner, and at least one I've read about right across the street from a grammar school. If given the chance, no doubt in my mind a pedophile would grab hold of a kid to marry, 'cause Brad Pitt says all marriages should be recognized. Now maybe Pitt and Jolie have no problem allowing their children to marry a pedophile, or a death row inmate, or a freak within a secular church. But needless to say, I wouldn't. I'm a little tired of Hollywood believing they are a shining example to the world.
I can't honestly say that ridiculous Hollywood jargon cost John Kerry the election in 04. But it cost him my vote - if my one vote counts for anything.
Which is why, in closing :-), I go on the rants that I do about hypocritical Hollywood. And if recent posters who came upon this board chose to criticize the blogger, without realizing the parallels between Hollywood and the average citizen, they would have found there is definetly a parallel between the two.
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Another topic to "post-it note" or dog ear Renee? Does Hollywood get more special treatmeant than the average citizen? You're darn right they do. (I.E: Danny DeVito went on a drunken rant yesterday on the air. You think any of our local television stations would have tolerated this? Of course not. It's an embarrasment to themselves, and looks bad on the station for allowing it. But in Hollywood, it's considered "funny". Uh huh. DeVito should take the time to visit a M.A.D.D. meeting, and try explaining it to them how funny it really really is.
Please add Chris Johnson to your list of locals. He is a Hammond boy who is commuting back and forth to Nashville. He has recorded his first CD which will be out in a few weeks.
You can see his page and listen to his music at
http://www.myspace.com/chrisjohnson06
Hey, Renee. . .musicians making trips back and forth to Nashville from Tangi? Our personal favorite, and we've seen her perform in New Orleans, is Brityn Lotz. An awesome young lady with loads of talent who I believe will really go places. And she's a Hammond High grad! Take a look at her website: britynlotz.com
Keep up the good work on the blog.
There was a really good singer at the Baygent store benefit in Tickfaw this past summer. His name was Patrick Stilley, and he was 17 years old. He may have also been a student at IHS, but I'm not 100% certain.
He sang at the Baygent benefit with Chris Gray who also performed, and oh my! What a crooner Patrick was. I googled his name, and so far I don't see a MySpace page for him, but I hope and pray he is still doing music although he's still so young. He's certainly good at it, and it was for a good cause at the Baygent benefit.
Actually I have met and written about Brityn... she's a great girl and her mom is cool also...
I just had temporary memory loss and couldn't remember!
Alissa I liked your "rant" and I agree with most of it. The problem with Hollywood is that these actors aka KOOKS are given special privileges. I think they leave their homes and go to Hollywood normal but after a while the money and lifestyle start to blur reality to these people. The problem with this attitude is people are actually buying into it. I fear the morals that our country was founded on are quickly fading away and I think these wierd people have a huge role in it. I do like to watch the movies and I do listen to the music but I tune out thier philanthropist crap. Go Tigers!
"The Blogger"----->"I do like to watch the movies and I do listen to the music but I tune out thier philanthropist crap."
Yeah - what he said! And the reason I try to stay abreast of all things pop culture, is because I have three children, two of whom are pop culture age. They are in to MTV, VH1, and chatting on the web. And "Mamma Bear" here is right behind them every step of the way watching every move they, and others make in these chats, not to mention the (ahem) examples set by celebrities that my kids are soaking in.
Britney, while talented in my opinion, is what I hope and pray my daughters will never be. Not all of the money or mansions, or marriages in the world are worth losing your heart and identity as Britney has done. I have no doubt she's probably still a homegirl at heart. I've been raised in the south my whole life and it never escapes me. But I love my children too much to encourage them to try to makes lots and lots of money by exposing themselves and acting like a "Lolita" for any fan or freak to enjoy. Flashing yourself like a wench in a "Red Light District" window may have made Britney lots of money, but it just goes to show you that character in a person is worth a whole lot more. Money wise - Britney is one of the richest young women our country has ever seen. But her bank account on character and dignity is in the red. And to me, it's simply not worth it. But I'm not Britney, and I'm sure as heck not her mom either. So Lord only knows what reasons, other than money, she's been encouraged and managed to do the things she does.
I also challenge any celebrity who may come across this blog in the wake of Katrina, to head down to our parish and start hammering in a few nails for "Habitat for Humanity". But on one condition if I may be so bold? NO CAMERAS. No PR or personal film crew to film them so these celebrities can advertise to the world what wonderful philanthropists they are. If their heart is truly in the right place, they would have anonymously showed up by now, or sent a nice huge anonymous donation to this organization and others like it. I do not remain hopeful that this will happen from the likes of Pitt, but thank God we have so many good people in our parish and surrounding areas who help with these organizations, and expect no bells and whistles because of it. Christian or not, Hollywood should take the time to read over the Beatitudes. It would probably work wonders if celebrities are willing to set their cameras aside.
Which reminds me of Sean Penn, and his (ahem, again!) humanitarian efforts after Katrina. His stupid boat sank between the cracks in the hull, and the several camera crew members and their equipment who piled in to film his "efforts". B.S. He wanted to get on film and show the world what a savior he is, take a pot shot at a president, and his stupid boat sank in front of God and everybody. Makes me want to go to YouTube and find the video of it, and it's hilarious to read the reports about it. People waiting to get rescued looked at him at shook their head.
Have I mentioned lately how much I dig this blog? There is so much to be said about Hollywood and the example it sets for us, both pro and con, and all that fluffy stuff in between, that if I wrote the editor every time I had a gripe, Ms. Mirando would never have space for anythinf else :-). When it comes to Hollywood, as opposed to what is REALITY, I always have much to say :-). These are our kids who will be the adults running the country one day. If we left it up to celebrities to set the examples for us, we may as well give it up and admit defeat now. We'd never last.
Thanks for the bump, "The Blogger". I've read over your own blog many times, and your candor is exemplary. Nice job!
Oh, and by the way ... don't you mean "Geaux Tigers" :-)? My husband and our eldest daughter are HUGE fans of the ol' Tigers themselves. Also important to note - The Faces Lab at LSU was the first lab ever created in the entire US, maybe even the world, for forensic rconstruction. You being HPD "The Blogger" must know the Lab I am talking of. God bless The Faces Lab. It may be heartbreaking to realize why they do what they do - but their skill and talent has brought closure to many. The Faces Lab gets all respect possible from me.
Off to mop the house now - company's a comin' :-). But I sure did enjoy my coffee at the Blah, blah, blog this morning :-).
Sean Penn... Every time I look at him all I see is Jeff Spicoli messing with Mr. Hand in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. How can you take him seriously...LOL. Don't like Penn personally but I love that character.
ALOHA !!!
If Lindsay Cardinale would have chose better songs, she would have made it a lot further than she did. I don't question her singing ability, she can sing. I didn't like her song choices.
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