BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Photo: NC Student Power Union

After realizing the effort on the part of the current state administration and legislative body to take away the voice of students, the underprivileged, the elderly and minorities - among others - I have decided to stage my own protest.

Affective Midnight EST Wednesday May 1, 2013, Reflections will go offline for 24 hours. That means you will have zero access to my blog during that time. 

I've had it with this legislative body and Gov. McCrory's administration and feel this is a way to lash out against them.

I'm sick and tired of students and others being ignored and thrown to the curb. 

It's your own personal business who you voted for but, what do you think of these people now? Did you take into account that my education and the livelihoods of others would be jeopardized? 

Probably not.

For that, I'm forever ungrateful.

Please go to the NC Student Power Union's website or Facebook page for more information.

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NMM: Kris Allen

Photo: Beck/Smith Hollywood

This "Idol" alum released his second album almost a year ago but I just now discovered this amazing song on it. "Teach Me How Love Goes" is simple in nature but has a powerful message. 

The song is stripped down to just guitars and a little soft percussion in the background - all you really need for a song like this. This beautifully written song is one that should be playing on the radio right now.

Have a listen!

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'Splash' Too Dangerous Or Critics Too Squeamish?

The first season cast of "Splash" | Photo: Google Images/ABC

Splash, the hit new reality competition show on ABC, has garnered some scrutiny from many news outlets on being too dangerous for the celebrity contestants involved. 

The show has seen its share of injuries. Chelsea Lately star, Chuy Bravo, fractured his foot and didn't even compete. Nicole Eggert, Rory Bushfield and Katherine Webb were among the more seriously injured of those who competed. Others received minor injuries as well.

According to Deadline, an assistant to one of the contestants on the Chinese version of the show drowned in the pool.

Now many news outlets are asking the question: is this type of show too dangerous?

I'm sorry, but the celebrities, trainers and everyone else involved know what they're getting themselves into when they sign up. It's the nature of the beast.

Diving is no cupcake of a sport. You will get injured, especially if you're just starting out like these celebrities. Even the pros themselves get injured. The mentor for the celebrity contestants, champion diver Greg Louganis, suffered an injury during the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. You didn't hear anyone say "diving should be banned" because of injuries like his and many others, now did you?

The bottom line is I hate that anyone has to get hurt doing this. The celebrities on the show have a lot more bravery than I would ever have. But, just because they get injured, we shouldn't be running around and criticizing the show. 

People have gotten injured on other shows before. Look at Dancing With The Stars for instance. A contestant on the current season, Dorothy Hamill, had to leave the competition with a back injury that could've become more serious had she not quit dancing. 

People have also gotten injured on the CBS show Survivor - and had to be taken away from the show for more treatment in some cases - but you don't hear anyone questioning if that show should stay on TV.

I care about the safety of others but, in my opinion, the criticism needs to stop unless the shows are being negligent in the treatment and care of contestants - which they're not. If you're going to criticize one show you need to do the same for others. I can't help but wonder if the same criticism would be given if normal, everyday people were the contestants instead of celebrities.

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ENG 417: Profit-Sharing Proposal Under Scrutiny

(L-R): Audience at the DPAC, Mayor Bill Bell, Councilman Don Moffitt | Photos: Google Images/City of Durham

The Durham City Council scrutinized the rationale on Thursday for a reworking of the profit-sharing agreement between the city and the operators of the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) as part of a lease renewal.

The Herald-Sun reported in an article that the current agreement has theater operators, PFM/Nederlander, and the city of Durham splitting the theater's net operating income 60/40, with the city getting the lesser share.

The new proposal, a rather confusing one at that, would be laid out as the following according to The Herald-Sun:

• Each year, the city and PFM/Nederlander would still split the first $2 million in net income 60/40, with the city receiving the lesser share.
• The operator would get to keep the next $300,000 then the two sides would resume the 60/40 split until income hits $3 million.
• Once past $3 million, PFM/Nederlander would keep 70 cents on every $1 the theater nets.

Tom Bonfield, who negotiated the proposal, said in The Herald-Sun that the new system would add incentive for PFM/Nederlander to bring in top-notch shows.

But Mayor Bill Bell and City Councilman Don Moffitt don't buy it.

Both Bell and Moffitt noted in the article that the proposed agreement would short change the city. And the numbers don't lie.

According to The Herald-Sun, administrators explained if the DPAC earned $4 million in a year the city, under the proposed split, would receive about $1.4 million. The straight 60/40 split in the present lease would yield it $1.6 million.

Moffitt said a straight 60/40 split "would seem to give the operator plenty of motivation."

I'm no business or economics guru but I'm intelligent enough to see that this is short changing the city which has invested quite a bit into this theater. $200,000 adds up fast and the city would be losing that each fiscal year. 

I guess I can understand a new profit-sharing system if the operators were struggling to get high-quality shows into the DPAC but, from the look of the venue's lineup, it doesn't appear that way.

Why not make it simple and keep it the way it is?

Full Story 

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NMM: Light 'Em Up

Fall Out Boy

Let's be honest, I'm not that big a fan of rock music (Daughtry is about as far as I'll go). But when I heard this song by Fall Out Boy I really couldn't help but love it. I also thought it's time I throw in a different flavor to my New Music Monday posts.

After about a five year hiatus, the band is back together and has released a new single entitled "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light 'Em Up)." Whew! Long title but a great song.

The song's meaning is really up for interpretation which makes it a genius work of art. Yes I said art. It's undoubtedly a rock song but there is a nice pop/hip hop-esque beat in the background which keeps you jamming throughout. There's no doubt Fall Out Boy is back.

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Ring, Ring!

Judge Raymond Voet | Photo: AP

A Michigan judge is in a whole heap of trouble...with himself.

Judge Raymond Voet, who's known as a stickler about cell phones in the courtroom (even confiscating them from police officers), found himself in a pickle when his new fancy schmancy phone went off during closing arguments of a jury trial. Disgusted, the judge found himself in contempt and even gave himself a $25 fee.

A report by Consumerist.com said Voet explained his phone started asking for voice dialing commands and he didn't know how to stop it.

Voet continued by saying that, if he can't live by the rules he enforces, he has no reason to enforce these rules.

Well, at least we all know he abides by the rules. Talking about embarassing!

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ENG 417: The War On College Students

A college students' group protesting in downtown Raleigh against suggestions that proposed cuts for the state's public universities could include closing some UNC system campuses. Photo:WRAL/AP

The N.C. General Assembly apparently hates college students.

Why?

Let's begin with Gov. Pat McCrory's proposed budget that would cut an additional $139 million from UNC System schools.

It’s just a proposal but the cuts would make getting a higher education that much harder for students.
The cuts come after an already steep cut of $400 million to the system in recent years.

Sen. Pete Brunstetter, a Republican from Forsyth County, is the co-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He said in an interview with WRAL that he and his colleagues are concerned over “how the money is spent and thus want to trim duplicative programs across UNC campuses.”

That means the system could very well consolidate its campuses, possibly resulting in the joining together or the closing of some of its 16 campuses across the state.

Lawmakers insist this won't happen but it will definitely put further, unneeded stress on hard working college students regardless.

McCrory also proposed a 12.6 percent increase in out-of-state tuition which could deter out-of-state students from coming to North Carolina for school.
The cuts will have a detrimental effect on UNC system schools and will probably trickle down to local public school systems as well.

And as if that wasn’t enough. McCrory’s pals in the legislature are cooking up yet another bill that could hurt students.

Senate Bill 667, better known as the “Equalize Voter Rights” bill, could limit the ability of college students to vote where they live.

The bill would remove the state income tax deduction for dependents who register at an address other than their parents. In other words, parents of college students would be punished with a new tax simply because their son or daughter registered to vote at school rather than home.

This would, in a roundabout way, serve as a poll tax on college students, therefore pressuring them not to vote altogether. If it’s not convenient, many students would likely become apathetic about voting.

College students typically lean Democrat so this bill would cut out a key demographic, just what those boneheaded Republican lawmakers want.

These proposals before the General Assembly are direct attacks on college students. It’s time for the people of North Carolina to wake up and realize this is a slippery slope.

We need to fight to give students across the board a chance and a voice.

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NMM: Scotty McCreery

You guys voted and here's this week's spotlight. As you can see, this week's featured artist is special for many reasons. One of them being he's a fellow Wolf Pack student!

Garner, N.C.'s own, Scotty McCreery, has released a fresh new single off an album that is due out later this year. The single, "See You Tonight," is a love song but it's not a slow ballad like "The Trouble with Girls" and some others.

No the song is a toe tapping tune that's sure to get stuck in you head. This is actually the first song McCreery has written and recorded. I'd say he did a tremendous job on it. Really looking forward to hearing the entire album, which is sure to go platinum like his others have.

Below is a video of Scotty performing "See You Tonight" on American Idol. Have a listen!

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NMM: Tyler Barham

Photo: NWZPaper/Google Images

Describing himself as an up and coming musician, Tyler Barham is quickly turning into a country star.

The Montana native gained an online presence with video covers he released on YouTube. Then, in 2008, he took his talents to the TV screen on the competition show "Next GAC Star" in which he placed sixth.

Since then, Barham has been releasing various original songs on iTunes. That included a self-titled EP which hit No. 39 on the iTunes Country Charts, beating out the likes of Jerrod Niemann and Justin Moore - both major recording artists. In addition, he's gained quite the online following, with over 8.1 million upload views and fans through social media.

Barham recently released a radio edited version of his hit "17 and Young" which was featured in the "New and Noteworthy" section of iTunes alongside Luke Bryan.

The song, which is beautifully written I might add, showcases Barham's true talent as a singer/songwriter. With great songs and a growing fan base, Tyler Barham is one artist to definitely watch out for.

Have a listen to "17 and Young" right here!

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ENG 417: Boyz II Men Still Rocking After 20 Years

Boyz II Men. (L-R): Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman | Photo: Chris White

Boyz II Men and a symphony orchestra: two things you don’t often associate together.

The world-renowned R&B group came for a special, one night only concert with the North Carolina Symphony at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh on Thursday.

Known originally as Unique Attraction, Boyz II Men had various members in its beginning. One day, Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris and Marc Nelson were practicing their harmonies in a bathroom at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts when Michael McCary joined in. McCary became the new, permanent bass singer and the group was formed.

After a stellar performance in front of celebrities and others, New Edition member, Michael Bivins, gave the group his number and later agreed to be manager and producer.

A delay in recording original material and reported personality conflicts led Marc Nelson to leave the group, making Boyz II Men into the quartet that would gain international fame.

The group's first taste of the road came with an opening gig on MC Hammer's high profile 2 Legit 2 Quit tour. While making a tour stop in Chicago the tour manager, Khalil Roundtree, was murdered.

The group's future performances of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" were dedicated to him. This very unfortunate event – and heartfelt performances of the song in its aftermath – would prove to help advance the group’s success in the business.

Boyz II Men has gone on to become one of the most iconic groups of our time; recording hits such as “End of the Road” (the group’s first No. 1 single), “One Sweet Day” (a collaboration with Mariah Carey) and “A Song for Mama.” The group also won numerous awards including nine American Music Awards and four Grammy Awards.

In January 2003, McCary retired from performing due to an ongoing battle with scoliosis. Despite that the band continued on as a trio, leaving Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman.

Photo: Chris White

20 years later, Boyz II Men is still going strong. The group recently announced it’ll join New Kids on the Block and 98 Degrees for a summer tour. The trio also announced that they’ll start limiting their own tours to concentrate on a headlining show at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

That made this night all the more special.

You normally don’t see an R&B group performing with a symphony orchestra. But Stockman said during the concert that each member of the group was trained in a classical style of music in school so this was a very natural fit for them.

Stockman also made a very touching argument that this was the reason why music should be in every school around the country. You truly never know what can happen if you get involved with music in school.

Boyz II Men performed all the hits for almost an hour and a half with no intermission. The crowd went wild at the playing of just the first note of a song. The guys even handed out roses to some lucky ladies during one song.

The symphony itself was fabulous. It was nice to hear a different take on these songs that we’ve all grown to love over time. I, for one, have always been infatuated with orchestras since I’ve played the clarinet for the past several years both in school and in a church orchestra.

Boyz II Men concluded the concert by performing arguably its biggest hit “End of the Road.” Everyone in the sold out Meymandi rose to their feet, sang along and swayed back-and-forth while the trio serenaded them. It was a magical moment.

Although the group announced in March that it was going to limit touring to focus on its show in Las Vegas, there was still a chance of a return trip to North Carolina in the future.

A group member asked during the concert if we’d come again if they returned. Naturally, everyone – including myself – shrieked with excitement over the possibility.

It’s amazing that this group has lasted for 20 years in a business where most groups don’t, especially nowadays. One thing’s for sure: this is definitely not the “End of the Road” for Boyz II Men.

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Are You Kidding? Part 8

Two Florida DJs are on "indefinite suspension" and could possibly face felony charges for pulling an April Fool's Day prank on their listeners.

Florida country radio morning-show hosts Val St. John and Scott Fish told listeners that "dihydrogen monoxide" was coming out of the taps of their listeners throughout the Fort Meyers area. 

Dihydrogen monoxide is water.

There was so much widespread panic that it forced county utility officials to issue a statement calming the fears of these chemistry challenged Floridians.

The manager of the station, WWGR/Gator Country 101.9 FM, had to issue a retraction — or at least a constant on-air admission that the gag was a joke — even though St. John and Fish were technically correct that dihydrogen monoxide was coming out of their listeners' taps.

From Left: Val St. John and Scott Fish

"Every break we have we're telling listeners it was a goof, a bad joke," Tony Renda, general manager at WWGR radio told WTSP-TV.

Apparently local authorities didn't find it funny and now the two hosts could face felony charges for telling people the scientific name for water was coming out of the taps.

Seriously? I could only laugh when I saw this story. I understand it caused apparent "widespread panic" throughout the listening area but, come on, felony charges? It's not like the DJs said some poisonous chemical was coming out of the tap. 

It's ridiculous that there was such panic with, oh I don't know, Google and other search engines out there that could've stopped it from happening in the first place. And another thing: if there really was something harmful coming out of the tap, wouldn't county officials alert the community either before or after the radio DJs announced it? It's common sense people! Last time I checked I trust my community officials to tell me things like that and not some radio DJs.

Here's an idea: take a deep breath and go do some chemistry homework!

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NMM: Hudson Thames

You may know Hudson Thames as Sage on the hit ABC series Malibu Country but did you know he's a musician as well? I first discovered this by watching the show and seeing a piano-backed performance by Thames of his original song, "Easy."

The song is beautifully written and will definitely get stuck in your head - which is a good thing. With great music, and a big platform like a hit TV show to showcase it, Hudson Thames is definitely one artist to watch out for.

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