The Making of a MoT Top 10

Waaaaay back when DeMi used to write Top 10s on a weekly basis, we usually brainstormed over late-night phone conversations. The eleventh MoT Top 10, however, we discussed over Facebook instead. It is the creation of that Top 10 we would like to share. Below is the beginning of that conversation and the entirety of it is embedded as well as provided through a link to the same Google Doc.

Mi

De

april is gonna be the month to smash records brah
alright which top 10 do you wanna do?



I want to do.....
what are my options

the current one,
any other one you think of

not at the moment mon frere
we stopped doing the stick to the man one right



go to a bar order a cocktail on the rocks, finish it, take it outside and sell the melted ice to minors
do you have a good one for that?



no

ah lol
Top 10 Things Toddlers Don't Have to Worry About

ooooh
shitting their pants

sucking tits



regularly
toddlers?
tho



peeing on trees
loll
yeah you're right

we can change it to babies

Easter is on Sunday
Top 10 Things Jesus Would Not Do

uh oh

lol

Picket Funerals

1) Mary Magdelene

ohhhhhhhh
nice lol

thanks

secular
easter bunnies

wear shoes

lol

wear pants



swim

speak in ebonics

catch only one fish

lol

alright we're doing this one


https://drive.google.com/?pli=1&authuser=0#my-drive




New Top 10 coming this Sunday!

-DeMi

New Music News

What the hell is going on 2012? I've been really disappointed in your music so far. I mean, we all have five weeks left to live and yet at this moment, Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Taylor Swift and the Gangnam style guy are all in the top 15 of the Billboard Hot 100 Songs. Actually, I can't hate on Taylor Swift this time, but I can hate myself. Her new single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" is super catchy and I hate myself because I don't shut it off when it comes on the radio.

But I have come today bringing good tidings of great music, because there are some awesome things in the making:

Eminem:

If you don't like Eminem, it's not him, it's you. He may say some things that offend you, but you have to respect his talent. Unfortunately for hip-hop, his talent hasn't been around much lately, as his last release was two and half years ago.

On 11/19, Rihanna's new album, Unapologetic will be released and with it, Eminem resurfaces as a featured artist on the song "Numb". However, Mr. Marshall is not the biggest story here; Chris Brown, yup that Chris Brown, is also featured on the album. I really hope he was very careful choosing his words for this song. If not, critics and fans will come up with some very mean, albeit very clever things to say.

On 12/11, Eminem will again be featured, this time on a single by Wisconsin's own Skylar Grey, titled, "C'mon Let Me Ride". Eminem is also an executive producer for the album that will follow this single.

Kid Cudi:

Staying within the rap genre, Kid Cudi is going to release the album Indicud in early 2013. One song I've heard from this album, "King Wizard", is a huge step in the right direction for him and I hope to hear more like it on the rest of Indicud. Cudi has always had an unmistakable rapper's voice, yet his voice is really unique and distinguishable. Also his lyrics are above average and his cadences are refreshing. Still, I've always felt like Cudi's hooks needed some developing and I think the hook in "King Wizard" shows a good deal artistic maturity. Hype aside, the album should be unprecedented and a departure from his previous work.

blink-182:

After news broke that blink-182 had split with their label to go the independent route (pretty badass move I think), they surprised fans with the news of a new album, through various tweets from the band about recording in February of next year. It's such a big surprise because it's only been a little over a year since the release of their sixth studio album Neighborhoods. But, the band claims it has a new found agility after leaving Interscope, so hopefully this leads to a faster, more energetic album with perhaps a less melancholic tone than Neighborhoods or self-titled, while still maintaining the lyrical progress they've made since the days of Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Then they announced, again via twitter (which is becoming their official press release), they were recording this month and releasing an EP before the end of the year as a Christmas present to blink fans everywhere.

Here are some of last week's photos of the band's most recent recording sessions:

(A prize will be awarded to anyone who can tell me what these lyrics are before the EP's release)

^DeMi is just a little pumped for this EP.

Here is the most recent article with news about the EP, set to be released December 18th.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1697322/blink-182-mark-hoppus-new-ep.jhtml

Angels & Airwaves:

Tom DeLonge is the busiest dude alive. Shortly after blink's announcement of a new EP, Tom tweeted about a new music video for a new song "Diary", dedicated to Critter. The one and only Jeff "Critter" Newell was Tom's former sound engineer, who died on New Year's Eve last year at the young age of 45. He is often credited with helping Angels & Airwaves find their unique sound and because of this, the band thinks of him as their fifth member. His very next tweet announced an upcoming double EP for AVA, named Stomping the Phantom Brake Pedal, also coming out December 18th.

Information about the double EP, including bundle contents, track list and prices can be found here:
http://www.angelsandairwaves.com/

Diary Official Music Video

-De

On Wisconsin: Open Letter to Dean Berquam

Today we feature another guest-poster, Patrick from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This will become evident later, but for that lone reader in Iran, we're here for you. The Mifflin Street part has been a long standing tradition for the University since the 1970's, and it first started out as a protest against the Vietnam War. Now, it's an excuse to drink. But it all comes down to the same thing..freedom.

Anyways, Patrick, take it away.

-DeMi

______________________________________________________________________________

• Awhile back, you guys asked me if I would like to write something for MoT. Madison's Dean of Students has made public her opinion on the Mifflin Street Block Party, with a video, and an e-mail to follow up. I replied to her e-mail. Below is a link to her video(first posted), then her e-mail, then my e-mail.
  
  "
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f13Oz3IvrHk
  
  Students, 
  
  By now, I'm sure you've probably heard my feelings about May 5th
  Mifflin Street block party. Or seen the autotune or dubstep remixes.
  
  My video debut wasn't elegant, but I want you to know that I've spent the past
  week listening to your feedback about the event and how approach it this year,
  and in the future. Today, I have a few final thoughts about it, and you're free
  to agree or disagree with them. But I continue this conversation for one reason:
  As dean, I'm always concerned for your safety.
  
  I continue to believe there are many better things you could do with your
  Saturday than spend it at an outdoor drinking party. If you need inspiration,
  head to the lakes, go to the farmers' market or take a look at our campus events
  calendar: <http://today.wisc.edu/events/day/2012-05-05>
  
  I also understand that some students plan to attend the event, and I respect
  your right to decide. By this point, I think you're are aware of the risks
  involved, particularly after last year's serious issues. My goal is to see you
  stay safe while you're here and then go out and do great things in the world.
  
  I'd ask you to observe the city's rules of the event and listen to police and
  city officials. As you know, you could be liable for fines and my office will
  review your conduct should you be cited. You can find more information about how
  to stay safe here: <http://safeu.wisc.edu/protect/halloween-mifflin.html>
  
  Lastly, I'd ask you to honor everyone's right to live and feel safe in the
  Madison community, including fellow students and campus neighbors. Mixing
  Mifflin with ethnic stereotypes related to Cinco de Mayo isn't funny, and is
  actually offensive to many members of our campus community. Before you go out
  this weekend, ask yourself: By combining this event with Cinco de Mayo, are you
  honoring a culture, or are you reinforcing cultural stereotypes?
  
  Please look out for your friends and fellow students. Take care of one another
  this weekend and through the rest of this semester.
  
  Thanks for listening,
  
  Lori Berquam 
  Dean of Students"
  
  
  
  Dean Berquam,
  
  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your opinions with the student body, as well as describe to you my views on the matter, so that you may learn the perspective of a student here at the UW. In doing so, I hope to explain my perceptions on how the MAJORITY of the student body views the Mifflin Street Block Party.
  
  First, I would like to begin with thanks. Although I must sadly admit that I do not believe that most students care, I would like you to know that I feel blessed that my dean of students cares so deeply about my future, as well as the futures of those around me. I am very lucky to be able to say that my family has never fallen short in expressing their support for me, but this luck does not befall all of my peers. Selflessness is most certainly a virtue, and you show your selflessness through your passion for your students. The world often lacks this kindness, and I thank you for employing it.
  
  Now, on to the Mifflin Street Block Party. I believe that the MAJORITY of students do not see the party as an excuse to break the law without reprimand. This stigma comes partly from those who travel to our campus from nearby (or not so nearby) schools and high schools. I feel--and this may be an instance where I am not speaking for the majority--that an ever increasing proportion of these "visitors" are not under the same impressions as the typical student.
  
  It is my understanding that, apart from a stretch in the nineties, 2005, and obviously 2011, Mifflin has been a relatively safe event. Clearly, it would be wrong to call it a hands-down "safe" event, but it has certainly been one without malicious intent. A significant number of students drink enough to make them undesirable. While this may make the event uncouth, it does not necessarily make the event unsafe. As fellow Badgers--and I know that this IS an instance where I speak for the majority--we take care of one another. I have seen countless acts where a fellow badger goes out of their way to help another. In an instance where a student has had too much to drink, their friends never think twice about what to do; helping your friend, however short-sighted their decisions may have been, is the only option.
  
  Unfortunately, there are the bad apples coming in from out of town who do not understand the camaraderie present here on campus. In addition, there are a select few Badgers who DO see the event in a different light, in their minds attending a carousal, bordering on riot. These undesirables are often beyond the control of the student body and its given resources. It is my opinion that there should be as much coordination between the student body, the University of Wisconsin and it's board of regents, and the City of Madison as is possible. It certainly seems that there HAVE been attempts at this.
  
  Last year, the city attempted to provide a concession in that the street would be blocked off, and open containers would be allowed to those who were of age. I was appalled at the amount of people drinking on the street who did not have a wristband. I was even more appalled at the behavior of the officers, who seemingly ignored the crime. While I suppose they may have been pre-occupied with more important things, I believe that the event became much more rowdy, and therefore dangerous, than had the wristband policy been heavily enforced. This year, a new policy is in place, which seems decent on paper…however, I am not sure that it will play out so smoothly. I know multiple residents of Mifflin Street, and I know that all of them were hesitant to the idea of signing an agreement with the police. They felt as if it might be a trap, putting them in a situation where they were sure to get in trouble, regardless of their intent.
  
  All of this could be avoided if the event would just go away. Unfortunately, a crackdown by police, with the City refusing to acknowledge the existence of the event, would not work. I do not believe that the event can be forced into submission. The badger is an incredibly tough nosed animal, and the Badgers are likewise. Our adamant nature would keep the event in existence in light of any governmental action. This being the case, I laud the efforts of the UW and the City of Madison. At the end of the day, I am proud of the UW and the City of Madison for attempting to make things work. The only thing that upsets me is that I have never been asked to give my opinion on the matter. There may have been meetings, open to students, to discuss possible solutions, but I was not aware of any such meetings. If there were, it is partly my fault for not seeking them out, but it is also partly the fault of "the powers that be", for they did not value my opinion enough to seek it.
  
  In no way have I meant to make this a critique of the handling of Mifflin Street Block Party, but simply my impression of the opinion of the student body, so that you might better know our views on the topic. It is possible that I have failed in respect to the critique, but nonetheless, I feel that it is important that our views be expressed. I also feel that it is important that you understand how grateful I am for your passion. It makes me feel safer as a Badger, and a citizen of Madison.
  
  Thank you for listening,
  -J. Patrick H. Stephens
• 
  

  
  

The Hunger Games: A Casual Review

 

Finally got around to watching the movie yesterday, man matinee prices aren't what they used to be. Anyways, I thought I would write a review on my thoughts of the wildly popular movie adaptation of the book by Suzanne Collins. 

Having read the book beforehand, I delusionally come into these types of movies with high expectations. I am pretty good at picking out specific details in the book that are left out in movies which is more of a curse than anything, because truthfully I just want to enjoy the movie. I will say, however, that The Hunger Games remained reasonably faithful to the book, and of course I say reasonably.

I will start off with the cinematography and unwittingly pretend that I am a real movie critic. The camera work was sub-par. There were many scenes where I just wondered why they didn't use a stationary camera. It got really annoying when they would pan over the crowd and the camera would slightly bob up and down. #isthatreallynecessary? In addition, some of the editing was pretty choppy, but not too bad. I realize that was more to keep the movie rated PG-13 because of violence and increase revenue.

The set design/ location was great. As many of you might know much of the movie was shot in North Carolina, outside of Asheville. District 12 was spot on, and really was quite how I imagined it, with dilapidated houses, rampant poverty, and general signs of neglect. They did a very good job with the arena, the capitol, the little we see of district 11, and various other places. They also show some locations (President Snow's rose garden) that aren't seen until the 3rd book.

The acting? Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen quite frankly kicked ass. She played the role of care-taker turned murderous teen very well. Liam Hemsworth did a good job of playing Gale, though he wasn't in much of the movie. And Woody Harrelson as Haymitch was solid, yet at the same time he under-delivered. As a more established actor I expected him to provide a little more comedic relief than he actually did. Now for my least favorite actor: Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mallark. He was quite uninspiring to me. He was too small, even smaller than Katniss! He was supposed to be muscular, as he is described to be able to throw 100lb flour sacks with ease, but alas, this guys frame was pathetic. Beyond that, he didn't have the charisma that the Peeta in the book had. He made it hard to believe that Katniss and him had anything going on, when it's supposed to be the other way around.

And finally, film adaptation of novel. I really liked that only a few minor details were changed. For example in the book Katniss gets the Mockingjay pin from her friend, the mayor's daughter. Also, it wasn't Peeta's idea to hold hands mid-chariot ride, it was Cinna's to hold hand from the beginning. Beyond that, it told the story well. The violence was done very well. It was believable, yet not over-played. I specifically liked the scenes with the wall of fire, and the one with the trackerjackers. And I guess the suspense was well done too? I guess that's hard to tell because I knew exactly what was going to happen next. 

Overall, I give The Hunger Games a 7/10. Worth watching it once, but I wasn't impressed. However, I will watch the sequels, and it's most definitely better than Twilight.

-Mi