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Valentines Day: Hallmark or Pagen?
By Christina Kim
Assistant Sports Editor

People typically celebrate Valentines Day by giving loved ones cards and candy, but few know where the holiday and traditions come from.

It turns out that there are a number of theories, with no concrete evidence that one is more accurate than another.

According to the Oxford Encyclopedia, an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia was first celebrated on Feb. 15. It was a celebration of purification and fertility. Chosen priests and magistrates ran through the streets, striking people with the dried skins of sacrificed animals. Women whom were struck were then said to have become more fertile.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, at the end of the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentines Day. The Oxford Encyclopedia also states that the holiday could have originated from either of two saints of the third century, Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Interamna, an ancient town of Italy.

Both of the Saints’ martyrdom are commemorated on Feb. 14. In the fourteenth century, the custom of choosing a “sweetheart” on Valentines Day arose in court circles. Sending letters, according to the Oxford Encyclopedia, dates from around the mid-eighteenth century and steadily grew more popular.

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Implementing an age limit
By Alycia Choroszucha
Collegiate Staff Writer

My mother has a Facebook; she is friends with her old high school buddies, co-workers, and my friends.

When she first discovered Facebook, she merely uploaded pictures of her kids, talked to the neighbors, and posted silly links. In the month since the conception of her Facebook however? Things have gotten a bit out of control.

She boasts the most applications of anyone on my friends list; having things like Superpoke, Pieces of Flare, Kidnap, Top Friends (which I am not on… there is hostility), but the worst of them is Bumper Sticker.

She has successfully managed to accumulate 77 friends, all of which she has inside jokes with that require a minimum of 5 bumper sticker communications a day. I, unfortunately, receive all of these application invites, bumper sticker requests, top friends requests (which I don’t understand, as I am NOT on there), and even the snowball requests.

For those of you Facebook Users, I hope you relate with me on how frustrating that is. All of this made me wonder if Facebook should institute an Age Limit… a “If-you’re-fifty-or-older-don’t-join” kind of thing.

But then I thought about it, and the way my mother uses Facebook is so essential in today’s society. With changing maiden names, changing locations and just a basic loss of communication, Facebook has provided my mother with a link to her long-lost high school best friends.

To be clear, my mother is in no way reuniting and rekindling with her old friends, but is incredibly happy that she can talk to them as though just a week or two has passed.

Before you decline your mom or dad’s friend request, I’d think twice. I happily accepted my mom’s friend request… proud of the idea that I’d be her only commenter, and she’d tag all my baby photos, but what has come is my constantly lurking her to see if she’s talking about us, only to discover she is entirely wrapped up in her inside jokes, bumper stickers, catching up.

Honestly, I’m impressed with how well she keeps herself entertained on there (while she is working). Encourage your parents to get a Facebook and find their old friends; it’s done wonders for my mom and her social life, and not only that but it’s nice to see that Facebook isn’t just a tool for my peers.

Did I mention she recently used “Roflcopter” in conversation? Or that she is a frequent Urban Dictionary user? How about her constantly sending me Lolcat pictures? Or what about her witty AIM name? This could be getting out of control.

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'The Almost Moon' worth the read
By Jacqueline Prins
Web Design Editor

From the acclaimed author of The Lovely Bones, national bestseller, The Almost Moon analyzes the intense relationship between mother and daughter.

In a reading guide in the back of her book, Alice Sebold said, “Intense subjects have been a preoccupation for me.”

The Almost Moon falls nothing short of intense. Sebold’s main character, Helen Knightly always finds herself living the life someone else has chosen for her. She is constantly weighted down by the demands of her aging mother.

The Almost Moon analyzes what leads up to, and what follows, a person’s breaking point. Over the course of 24 hours, Helen’s life changes forever. She comes to a turning point in her life that is irreversible. Although the entire novel covers little more than a day, Sebold writes at a pace that is constantly speeding up and slowing down.

She tells Helen’s background through flashbacks. With each one, the audience discovers a little more about the mysterious and dark past of Helen Knightly.

The Almost Moon is filled with suspense, yet the author’s overall tone is peaceful. Although Helen is dealing with inner turmoil, and releasing herself in ways that do not commonly fit with accepted social norms, the audience cannot help but feel alarming calm.

This fictitious account of a mother daughter relationship that has gone alarmingly wrong is reminiscent of The Lovely Bones.

Sebold’s The Lovely Bones is an unforgettable account of a 14 year-old girl watching her family and friends go on without her after she is brutally raped and murdered. Although The Almost Moon, delivers Sebold’s usual writing technique, and a uniquely written story of the dark side of family dynamics, fans of The Lovely Bones may be disappointed.

Sebold sets herself a high standard after The Lovely Bones, and it is not reached with The Almost Moon. Still a worthwhile read, The Almost Moon should be looked at for what it is on its own. It is a well-written novel that delivers a haunting and alluring story, which is more than worth the read.

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Springsteen: Working on a Dream
By Kyle Kiekintveld
Collegiate Staff Writer

Bruce Springsteen has been a staple of the rock scene for decades. His past albums have been filled with social commentary, angst filled lyrics and Americana.

His newest album, "Working on a Dream" is a stark departure away from what he is best known for. The social commentary for the most part has been left behind, leaving the songs with a faint alternative country feel to it.

The hooks are simple and catchy, leaving the entire album with a pop music feel. The lyrics are often empty of what made Springsteen great in the first place, but they aren't bad.

The E Street Band is as good as ever. The music sounds crisp and clear. Featured on the album are instruments from Piano to a surprisingly well placed Saxophone.

The Saxophone makes the song "My Lucky Day". The album has a diverse sound but it is not intimidating.

The production is particularly well done on the album. With an aging rocker's voice to contend with, and multiple unusual instruments on each track it would of been very easy to overproduce this album. Springsteen's voice is not a young man's voice. It is left flawed. This leaves the album feeling very intimate.

The obvious stand-out track to this album is "The Wrestler" the Golden Globe winning theme to the new Darren Aronofsky film of the same name. It is the best song of the film, and perhaps the most minimalistic in nature, yet it provides a good feel for the album.

A softer, almost country Bruce Springsteen, Working On A Dream was released on January 27, 2009. I give the album 4 out of 5 stars, with the only mark downs going for the occasional cliche or bad lyric.

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