In the Future...June

Upcoming Movies - June 2011

- X-Men: First Class: June 3

   - Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence

- Super 8: June 10

    - Starring: Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka, Kyle Chandler

- Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer: June 10

    - Starring: Jordana Beatty, Heather Graham, Parris Monsteller

- Green Lanter: June 17

    - Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard

- Mr. Popper's Penguins: June 17

    - Starring: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury

- Cars 2: June 24

    - Starring: Larry the Cable Guy, Owen Wilson, Michael Caine

- Bad Teacher: June 24

    - Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake

- A Better Life: June 24

    - Starring: Demian Bichir, Jose Julian

(information taken from imdb.com)

Upcoming Albums - June 2011

Week of June 12

Junior Boys - It's All True

Pat Metheny - What's It All About

Barry Manilow - 15 Minutes

Madeleine Peyroux - Standing on the Rooftop

Black Vell Brides - Set the World on Fire

Eminem - Bad Meets Evil: Hell the Sequel

Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day in Hell

Ziggy Marley - Wild and Free

KeKe Wyatt - Unbelievable

In Flames - Sounds of a Playground Fading

Pitbull - Planet Pit

Week of June 19

Cascada - Original Me

Simple Plan - Get Your Heart On!

Justin Moore - Outlaws Like Me

Michael Bolton - Gems: The Duets Collection

Vanessa Carlton - Rabbits on the Run

Teddybears Sthim - Devil's Music

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Weird Al Yankovic - Alpocalypse

YACHT - Shangri-La

Lmfao - Sorry for Party Rocking

Week of June 15

3 Doors Down - Time of My Life

Friendly Fires - Pala

Kate Bush - Director's Cut

Ben Harder - Give Till It's Gone

Kidz Bop Kids - Kidz Bop Sings Monster Ballads

Danger Mouse - Rome

Moby - Destroyed

Week of June 26

Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra

Marianne Faithfull - Horses & High Heels

Dolly Parton - Better Day

Queensryche - Dedicated To Chaos

David Cook - This Loud Morning

Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday

Curren$y - Weekend at Bernie's

Beyonce Knowles - 4

Big Sean - Finally Famous

Wynter Gordon - With The Music I Die

DJ Khaled - We The Best Forever

Selena Gomez & The Scene - When The Sun Goes Down

Joss Stone - LP1

Nas - Life Is Good 

(information taken from metrolyrics.com)

The Diary of a PROCRASTINATING College Student - June

Procrastinators unite!.....later. I'd love to say that I never procrastinate. But, if you know me at all, especially after this issue of EAL, you'll see that that is absolutely not true. I procrastinate all the time. Maybe that's why I didn't start studying for my psychology final this past semester until the day of the final. The final was at 7 p.m. so I basically had from 10 a.m. until then. That wasn't a very smart idea. It's interesting to see that procrastination has almost become a norm for everyone. You'll have a deadline for some project or assignment and you'll think, "oh it's not due for a couple days, I can go do something completely unimportant and irrelevant for 3 days" and then by the time you realize it's due, you have exactly 20 minutes. Oops.

What's funny is, procrastination sucks. It sucks so bad I can't even fathom how bad it sucks. Except, we still do it regardless. It's almost like being addicted to candy...that sounded better in my head. Anyways, I think that a little procrastination isn't bad, but if it delays you to the point where you're pulling out your hair because you'll be incredibly late for a multi-million dollar project, then you need to stop. Or get some help.

Some say the best way to prevent procrastination is by planning out everything you do. What's funny about that is, the plan almost always falls through. Because you begin to procrastinate...yet again. Ironic huh? The prevention eventually leads to the reason for the prevention. I find that a very good way to avoid procrastination is pressure. If I'm under excessive pressure or instruction to get a particular job done, I'll get it done sooner or right in that moment. I know that that's quite impossible to have someone breathing down your neck all the time, but that's what friends are for! If you have a project or goal you need to get done, then have your friend help you get through those super hard times when you're tempted to waste 10 days on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr (this is what I do...I know productive isn't it?).

Alright, I think I've rambled on for a quite a bit now. Notice how through all of this, I haven't actually told you anything important. I'm procrastinating on that part...just so you get my point. Procrastination is ok in moderation, but please...control yourselves. Motivate yourselves. I find that yummy chocolate or awesome ice cream is a good motivator to make yourself do your work. Reward yourself at the end of your project or job, because then you'll actually have incentive to get it done quick!

-- Sarah Luo

Straight from the Narwhal's Mouth - June

The Expected Narwhal

--- Steven Albers 

     

     Everybody expects so much these days. Especially now that the world is more connected and interlinked than it ever has been, only the best is acceptable; whether it be in the music industry, the sports industry, or even the toothpick city building industry (You can’t hold a candle to this guy... Seriously though, a candle would burn that sublime masterpiece to the ground). But I digress.

     Technology – not just the internet, but everything electronic – bridges the gap from city to city; society to society, and now it’s simply not good enough to be "okay" at something. In most cases, it’s not even good enough to be "great" at that something. Think you sang a fantastic cover of "Hey, Soul Sister"? Tough, 1,500 people have done it better. Think your 110 MPH tennis serve is fast enough? Don’t look now, but even a lot of high school players can do that.

     There are billions of people vying for a very selective elite group atop each thing in life worth competing for. Some believe that this raises expectations because of the sweet, sweet sensation of being the very best; however one might also argue that these colossally high standards really lower peoples’ expectation of you. If little Milos is only okay at Improv, why challenge him to be better? You know he’s never going to be as good as Colin Mochrie, so you might as well funnel him into something more boring and mainstream where being "only okay" is expected.

     Raising the bar certainly improves quality; however it also drastically decreases a person’s chance of success in that respective field. And as time goes on things only get tougher. So what do you do?

     The answer is simple, but the application is what stumps a vast majority of the world: get better. It’s possible to mimic, and even surpass, the silky smooth vocal prowess of J Biebs, it just takes time and determination – a topic to be discussed on a later date. Life’s expectations of you are getting increasingly higher, but that doesn’t mean you can’t size up to them.

Featured Fiction - June

Wonder-full Coffee

“Welcome to Starbucks, what can I get for ya today?”

Brian felt his pulse quicken. The edges of his vision blurred. He kept his gaze locked just below the tousled onyx hair that hung over the man’s forehead. Close enough to his eyes that it gave the illusion of actually making eye contact.

He’d come in at the same time every day for the past two weeks in a vain attempt to pique the curiosity of this single barista. After the first week he’d managed to construct a rough timetable of the guy’s shifts.

 Monday-Thursday, afternoons…around 1 to 5. Yup, I’m a total  stalk—

“Oh hey! Venti breve iced mocha with 2 pumps of caramel ya?”

Brian was dumbfounded. 

Not a big deal, I’ve been in here every day for the past God-knows-how-long. Be cool, Ringo, BE COOL! There ya go, nod your head. We don’t want to look like a complete retard.

“You want an extra shot of estrogen in that too, you big pussy?”

The antagonizing remark came from behind Brian, right from the mouth of his friend Nate.

He robotically removed his debit card from his wallet, the same card that was emblazoned with the GLAAD logo. He’d hoped it would tip the barista off. Actually, he’d hoped it would scream something along the lines of: 

 ‘SEE! Gay, right here. Yup!’

 ‘Gay!’

‘I like boys!’

‘Woo Marriage Equality!’

Even though everything else was contrary to the stereotype:

‘No, I know, I’m not that fashionable.’

‘Hair looks like shit this morning, not a fan of product!’

‘Ya, these pants are pleated; and no my shoes do NOT match my belt.’

“You’re a member too? Hey, you know what, this one’s on me. It’s kinda nice to see another member of the club here in the middle of Hickville.”

Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, shit shit shit shit shit, ohmygod. Breathe, breathe. Whew, deep breaths. Words, use your words, come on, you’re a big boy. USE YOUR WORDS!!!

“Th-thanks. I mean, I really appreciate it. That’s really nice of you.”

The barista smiled and handed him a receipt.

“Sign this for me please.”

Even though he was left-handed, Brian scrawled out what looked like two big swirls and a series of squiggles with his right hand, keeping a death-grip on the pen the entire time to keep himself from shaking.

“And here’s your copy; I’ll have that drink out for you in just a sec.”

Brian looked down, at the bottom edge of the customer receipt, in perfect cursive script it read:

“We should grab dinner sometime. Call me. ~Britt (942) 753-6228”

He stood there for 5, 10, 20 seconds. Then Brian felt a tingling in back of his leg. After a moment it started to sting a little.

--

“Dude, come on. Hurry the hell up and order. HELLO! We have a meeting in 5 minutes you jackass,” a voice echoed.

Nate was kicking the back of Brian’s leg.

The barista looked confused.  

“Um, sir. Welcome to Starbucks…do you need some help ordering?”

Brian spat out the words—asking for a grande bold roast—handed the barista a wad of $1 bills, then retreated to the corner of coffee shop until his drink was ready.

He held the door for Nate on their way out of the building. He dared a quick glance back at the barista, and for a moment thought he saw the fleeting glimmer of understanding in the young man’s eyes. And then, a wink.

**all fiction is property of the author and EAL Magazine, please do not use or copy in any form without permission** 

  

My Gay Best Friend - June

My Gay Best Friend

--- K.P. Lennox

10:04 PM: Text from EAL Editor Sarah Luo received: “Harro! Can has articles :)”

10:15 PM: Crawl out of bed

10:17 PM: Trim artichokes. Throw in pot. Boil.

11:55 PM: Waste more time watching shirtless hippies on How the States Got Their Shape.

12:03 AM: Still distracted by the History Channel. Amazed by the melodrama of Decoded.

12:09 AM: Finally writing this article.

12:30 AM: Man vs. Wild comes on. 

12:42 AM: Oh just kidding, Bear Grylls is naked. There goes any chance of progress.

What can I say, yours truly is a HUGE procrastinator. So, seeing as how I’m now 9 days tardy on this issue I finally came up with an idea. This month’s GBF will be dedicated to the pros and cons of all things late.

WORK: 

Pro: SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP. Just think of those blissful extra 20 minutes of snoozing in 800 thread count Egyptian cotton. And of course you’ve got enough time to get an $18 handcrafted coffee beverage*.

Con:  You don’t want to risk job security, a verbal lashing by your boss, and those awkward glances from coworkers as you dejectedly walk to your desk.

*TIP*: If you know you’ll be late, swing by Starbucks—or some obscure hipster coffee house—and get your boss his or her favorite coffee. Nothing says I’m so sorry for being late like a soy caramel 137°C café misto with extra non-fat foam and half a valium.

PERIODS:

Pro: In 15 years you’ll have an indispensable form of free labor. In your elder years they can buy you things and change your diapers.

Con: You might not know exactly who the father is. Enter Jerry Springer! Not to mention squeezing something the size of a watermelon through…DOWN THERE!

FAMILY FUNERALS:

Pro: You had an awesome time doing shots of Jaeger off the chest of that hot waitress. And you got her number. It also may be your rich Great Aunt Beatrix in that casket, the crazy one with all the rabbit figurine, and you may just get a little somethin’ somethin’.

Con: You get stuck standing next to your creepy third cousin with the really greasy hair and zit on his face the size of a silver dollar. And it’s just your luck that he suffers from halitosis and has to talk to you every 20 seconds. To top it off, this hangover from the 17 Jaeger-bombs last night has you feeling like one of the undead.

For the wise advice from our GBF, please send all questions to ealadvice@gmail.com and your question may be answered in the next issue!!

Fitness/Beauty - June

Food for Flawless Skin

--- Lena Lam

     You are what you eat. Okay…so what exactly are you supposed to eat? If you find yourself frustrated with your skin or hair, or just your body in general this summer, here are some foods that you should try to add to or emphasize in your diet. 

    (But first, breathe. Don’t be frustrated! Stressing over what you think your imperfections are will only lead to more breakouts and other undesirable features, such as wrinkles. You may be what you eat, but your attitude towards improving and maintaining your health is also very important!)

    In general, in order to keep your skin, hair, and body healthy, drink enough water (at least six cups a day), eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (I recommend aiming for a minimum of 7 total daily servings), and eat enough protein. Water has a vital part in keeping your skin and hair healthy, as do the fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamins. Protein, whether it be in the form of eggs, nuts, or fish (omega-3!), is important especially in keeping your hair strong and vibrant. 

     Having said that, here are just some of the foods that are in season right now, which is another reason for you to give them a bigger role in your diet!

    Berries. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and any other kind of berries. They are packed with antioxidants and some studies have shown that they help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well. They’re not only great for your brain, but they also help your skin keep its youthful quality. 

     Cucumbers. Instead of just using them during facials, try eating them. They’re great additions to salads and are full of fiber and silica, which helps improve your skin complexion. 

    Peaches. They’re full of vitamin A and potassium, and are in season until October. It is also a good fruit to eat if you have problems with digestion; it help make your bowel movements more regular and natural (regulating your system will help with overall weight loss, not to mention how much more energetic you’ll feel). 

     Bell peppers. You probably wouldn’t have guessed it, but they have a lot of vitamin C, which is important to having clear skin. Plus, you’re supposed to eat as many foods with colors of the rainbow as possible; here’s an easy way to get red, orange, yellow, and/or green.

     Squash.  Lots of vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids. The latter can also be found in fish (such as salmon—though salmon is typically in season in the fall, it is still a great food to have in your diet). Some studies have shown that omega-3 helps protect your skin from UV damage. 

     Okra. Another food rich in fiber to help regulate your system. It is said to rid your skin of pimples as well as lower risks for diabetes because of the way the fibers influence your blood sugar levels. 

     Watermelon. Lots of vitamins A and C. It also has the B vitamins, which are important in energy production. It’s a great way to get all the antioxidants and nutrients you need while quenching your thirst during the hot summer months!

     Those are just some suggestions for foods to add to your diet this summer, but remember to maintain a balanced diet!

Sources:

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306851,00.html

http://beauty-healthy.info/hair/149-food-for-healthy-hair-scalp-hair-tips

http://beauty.doctissimo.com/summer-beauty/summer-beauty-guide/scrumptious-summer-skin.html

Running Terrains

--- Sarah Luo

     Running on a treadmill is boring. But to be truthful, that's kinda hypocritical. Because working out on an elliptical or stationary bike all day is also boring. The good thing about running though is that it's not restricted to a treadmill. Neither is biking, but that's a topic for another day. Most of the time, when you go running outside, it's on pavement. Unless you live in front of a beach in which case you're a lucky butt. Anyhow, running on pavement is not too different from running on a treadmill. But running on sand, grass, dirt with uneven roads, and snow (if that floats your boat) all have different effects on your workout. 

     From experience, I do know that running in sand is about 10 times harder than running on pavement or running on a treadmill. Just something about actually having to use extra effort to pick your feet up makes you work harder. Huh, what a concept. Because the sand is deep, your feet sink in much easier making you use more muscles so that you can pull your foot out again just to sink it back into the soft soft sand. This really works not only your calf muscles more, it also helps tone up your thighs. Now who wouldn't want that? Of course running in sand is ideal not only because the work out is much more effective, but come on, who doesn't want to be able to run on the beach beside the beautiful ocean water every morning?! So those of you with that privilege, don't take it for granted!

     So a question that is frequently asked is if running on a treadmill is actually better than running on pavement. From the research I've done and personal experience, it's not quite that different. What I do know though is that it's far harder to run outside on the pavement than it is on a treadmill. The fact that you can adjust your speed on the treadmill makes it so much more tempting to go 4 speeds slower than you normally could. Outside, on the pavement, it's just as easy to adjust your speed, but you're less likely to because it's not right there glaring you in the face. You also don't know exactly how far you've run so you tend to run farther and longer without knowing. So you tell me, which do you think is more beneficial? Another advantage of running outside is the change in incline. If you run in a park, more often than not, there are little or big hills that you'll eventually encounter. This not only adds variety to the run, it also helps target different muscles to help tone up your legs. 

    Lastly, running on grass is also very beneficial. From PE in high school, I know that running on turf is actually quite hard to get used to. Just the fact that the ground beneath me is squishy and not squishy like the sand makes it harder for me to pick up my feet. So I guess that's an advantage to running on grass too. But of course, turf isn't grass....close enough. Just kidding. Running on a soft surface makes you work your body harder and this is all without you actually physically feeling it either, until the workout is completely done. Quite like running on sand, running on grass is more effective than running on pavement or on the treadmill. It's also really nice to feel much faster when you hit the pavement again because it's much easier to run on pavement especially after running on grass.  

    Now that you have a couple of different options for your running terrains, go out there and get some exercise! Running is a great way to get those endorphins flowing and that in itself is a natural high. You'll feel great after running and you'll get a toned and fit body. A win-win in itself! Check out Running World for some more options!