college life

In Your Queue: Visioneers

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by johncondry on March 22, 2012

Stress: the one constant of every college students life. Sometimes I feel like I get so stressed I might explode, which is a pretty common feeling, but what if stress induced explosions could actually happen? That worry is very real in Jared Drake’s black comedy Visioneers. Set in a dystopian city, Visioneers follows George (played by Zach Galifianakis): a worker for a large company called Visioneers. When people in George’s office start exploding from stress, George is worried he will be next. George tries to find a way to save himself and as he doe,s he peels away the layers of dull and wasteful life.

Seeing Zach Galifianakis in this kind of role is really fun. The funny guy from the Hangover does a great job in this serious role (leaving plenty of room for black comedy, of course). The setting of the film (the plain, old office) also adds a lot since it contrasts with the vibrant countryside so perfectly.

So this film is about stress, but where does stress come from besides our work loads or personal lives? I think stress can also stem from a deeper unhappiness. THAT kind of stress is what Visioneers deals with. George is stressed out because he has a job he hates, a loveless marriage, and no friends to speak of. His life has passed him by and he has nothing to show for it.

College students are some of the most stressed out people on the planet, but we are making choices right now that are going to affect the rest of our lives. What are we going to do for work? What kind of family are we going to have? Who will we call our lifelong friends? We might not take life to seriously right now (and we shouldn’t), but we should also be mindful of these choices so that we don’t end up seeing our lives 20 years from now like George does: a depressing excuse for existence.

Plus all that stress it just might…BOOM…kill you.

Visioneers is available on Netflix Instant Streaming.

How do YOU deal with stress? What do you think is the most common cause of stress for college students?

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Bored? Break Out a Board Game!

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by emilieflagg on March 14, 2012

I know you resident BSU hipsters have great ways of spending free time, but have you ever felt bored of the same old routine? Partying, being with your friends, and eating Taco Bell are all great activities, but remember- even though we’re getting up there in the age department doesn’t mean we can’t still play board games.  Example: I challenge you to play Apples to Apples without peeing your pants! If you want to add something new to the mix, bust out one of these games…

Outrageous and Never Failing:

Apples to Apples

Although many family fights have broken out while playing this, it’s 100 % worth it.  Apples to Apples involves combining cards together and winning by getting the most combinations.  The combos have to be judged the most adequate by a judge.

-But take the word adequate with a grain of salt-you can argue(!) as much necessary to get your card chosen over everyone else’s.  Funny combos include: “Rush Limbaugh” and “Attractive.”  Gather up a couple of people, especially on a bad day, and play Apples to Apples. You won’t regret it.

There’s nothing boring about this bad boy:

Jenga: Truth or Dare

I hope that everyone played Jenga as a kid (Ya gotta get that wood thing built by pieces, to stay in pieces, and not fall into pieces). BUT this one’s got a little(and exciting!) twist to it. Obviously the twist is given away in the title- it’s a “truth or dare game”- but the combination of a foot high pile of blocks falling and the revealing of sometimes cripplingly embarrassing secrets is… AWESOME.

Simple Yet Addictive

UNO

If you’re color blind, mastering this game wouldn’t be your strong suit, but no fear- one of the most fun ways to play is with teams, so you could be the master of numbers and “reverse” cards. The object is to get rid of all your cards through a system of color and number match ups.  When someone only has one card left, they hit that card and yell “UNO!” Unless someone else does so first, in which case the “Uno-er” must take all of the cards in the discard pile and start over.

WHODUNIT!? :

Clue- FAMILY GUY EDITION (!!!)

As if Clue wasn’t superior enough in Board-Game Land that they had to add a Family Guy Version! If you’re not familiar with Clue, it’s a suspenseful, fun-filled board game whose object is to figure out who killed who.  If you’re not familiar with Family Guy, then get out.  Just kidding! In the Family Guy version, the Giant Chicken (from the episodes that feature Peter and him fist-fighting endlessly) is the “person” killed.  The funny theme enhances the whole game, with results such as “Stewie Griffin with the Revolver in the Billiard Room killed the Giant Chicken.”

Not only are board games fun, but they’re also an ice breaker in social settings, preventing potential awkward silences.

Those are just four examples, but I bet you have more in mind.  Wipe off the dust from your old board games and have fun.

Do you have any old board games hidden in your closet? What’s your favorite game?

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Crunchy Granola: Dine Out RIGHT

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by Michelle_Belle6 on September 28, 2011

Even as a broke college student, I like to eat out with friends when I can. Who doesn’t? Sometimes dining hall food gets old and all I really want to do is splurge on Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory. I know what you’re thinking…”isn’t this is supposed to be a health blog?”

What I’m saying is it’s okay to splurge every once in a while as long as you do it the right way. You can still go for the dessert if you make healthier choices when eating dinner (before the dessert menu even crosses your path).

Think “S”

If you order “S” foods, you are usually safe. Think soup or salad. These foods tend to be lighter and sustain you with energy. You’re getting vegetables AND fruits. A word to the wise: watch out for salad dressings, too much can result in high calories and extra fat. The best kinds are vinaigrette or olive oil.

It’s All About Balance

Sides. Most of us don’t even think about the consequences of sides, but we should. You get offered sides when eating out like they’re free giveaways. Of course, the go-to side is, for most people, fries. Unfortunately, fries aren’t necessarily the smartest choice. To balance your meal, try ordering vegetables or brown rice. They are rich in protein and are usually less greasy (which’ll save you from the post-feast stomach ache).

Run from Empty Calories

Lately, when I order out, I have to make a conscious decision to order water with my meals. Why? Because, if I don’t then I load up on empty calories that aren’t doing me any favors. Soda and sugar-rich drinks fill you up quickly before you even have a chance to finish your meal. Not to mention, water is FREE and think about where those couple of dollars could go…maybe towards a new phone or laptop…you never know.

I know it’s hard to eat healthy when you’ve got the time crunch of school on the back of your mind. But, trust me, these few tips can be the difference between indulging in that ice cream sundae or banishing yourself to five hours a day at the gym.

Do you try and order healthy when eating out? What motivates you to do so? 

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