Artwork by Mia Nogueira

As a senior at TJ I’ve eaten at possibly every restaurant around at school. I’ve compiled a list of the top ten won’t-burn-a-hole-in-your-pocket fast food restaurants that have become my favorites over the years and hopefully underclassman will find the list helpful when debating where to eat.

10. McDonald’s
McDonald’s, an oldie but a goodie. For people who are pinching pennies McDonald’s is the idyllic place to go because of the dollar menu with many amenities such as the double cheese burger, hot n’ spicy McChicken, small fries, hash browns and apple pies. Although not the most popular fast-food restaurant on the list, TJ students always flock to McDonald’s for their delicious golden fries and low prices. The closest McDonald’s to TJ is located on East Hampden Avenue in a long strip of shops that include Qdoba and New York Deli. Senior Mariah Brown adds, “I like McDonald’s because I love their fries and their breakfast burritos.” What I Order:  a Hot n’ Spicy McChicken with a side of warm golden fries and a cold drink.

9. Burger King
Burger King is another great place to go when pinching pennies. A favorite of most TJ students is the Whopper JR for only a buck.  Burger King is in walking distance of TJ, nestled between The Duffeyroll Café and Starbucks on East Hampden Avenue. With its close location, students without cars are able to walk the few blocks during lunch or after school. Not only is Burger King close and cheap but it also is true to its claim that its burgers taste flame broiled, as if they just came right off the grill. What I Order: a crunchy TENDERGRILL® Chicken Sandwich with a side of crispy onion rings and a medium Cola. Senior Ben Le asserts, “Burger King is great because it’s close and I can get good sized food for a low buck. People are friendly and it doesn’t take long to get the grub.”

8. Taco Bell
Sick of Hamburgers? Try Taco Bell, which is also close by TJ (by driving standards) on East Yale Avenue. Taco Bell is also known for its cheap prices and abundant food choices and combinations. Senior Katie Dehmlow declares, “I could buy a month’s worth of food with $15 and eat it all in 10 minutes. It’s filling and delicious.” The fast food restaurant always keeps us on our toes with its creative and inventive new menu items such as its Volcano Taco and the Mexican Pizza. What I Order: Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas which comes with a crunchy taco and a large refreshing Mountain Dew.

7. Subway
One reason for Subway’s popularity is its healthy choices, which students constantly boast about. Another reason the chain is so popular is its sub-sandwiches that can be easily customized to fit anyone’s taste. The restaurant also offers a lot of food for a great price. Subway is set in a little nook next to Chipotle and across from Whole Foods on East Hampden Ave. What I Order: A toasted 6-inch whole wheat Sub-Sandwich decorated with lettuce, roast beef, onions, tomatoes and honey mustard sauce. Senior Alex Palmer stated simply, “I love Subway because I love vegetables.”

6. Wendy’s
Looking for a fantastic chicken sandwich? Look no further than Wendy’s. Although it’s one of the furthest restaurants on the list (on South Monaco Pkwy), it’s still very popular among students. Wendy’s is another affordable place to eat; if you don’t have a lot of cash you can get one of the Deluxe Value Meals™ for only $2.99 which includes a side of medium fries and a medium drink. Students also love their wide array of desert drinks.  “Their Frosty™ are the BOMB,” says Junior Michael Kutz. What I Order: a Crispy Chicken Deluxe sandwich (without bacon or cheese), with warm golden fries, and an ice-cold coke.

5. Sonic
Sonic is another burger restaurant but with a unique specialty for drinks. They offer soft drinks, iced teas, flavored teas, Minute Made ® juices, milk, limeades, real fruit slushes, flavored slushes, ocean water, fruit smoothies, and water. Sonic is also unique in how they serve their customers, TJ students usually park outside and order from the row of order menus lining the restaurant and an employee comes out with the order(s). Senior Caleb Johnson claims, “Aside from being good, eating at Sonic is like rolling back into America’s heyday where style and tradition and all the classics are everywhere.” What I order: Sonic Burger, melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella sticks and a cherry limeade.

4. Qdoba
Chipotle’s second cousin twice removed, Qdoba is another favorite. More and more students are flocking to the restaurant because of its proximity to TJ and the freshness of its food. Qdoba is also a Mexican fast food restaurant and its height in popularity has a lot to do with students looking for something fresh and new to try out that was also close by. The low prices don’t hurt, either. “Qdoba has fresher food and they don’t put weird spices in their food,” Senior Will Simon states. What I Order: A burrito bowl with white rice, beef, mild salsa and a healthy helping of lettuce.

3. Panda Express
Panda is a little more than your average fast food restaurant, located a little further away then Wendy’s on South Monaco Pkwy. The food is a bit more expensive for the average high school student but it’s well worth it. The restaurant offers delicious Chinese cuisine (and even includes a vegetarian menu).  Senior Ivanna Vdovich had nothing but praise for the restaurant, saying, “Panda Express is amazing because it has a wide variety of food from which to choose and I happen to like the spices and whatever it is they use in their food. The people are pretty nice and are ready to serve with a smile. Food is prepared right in front of you and the wafting smells are the perfect start to your lunch (or dinner). The atmosphere is laid-back and care-free.” What I Order: A panda bowl full of steaming chicken fried rice topped off with sweet and sour chicken and mouth watering pot-stickers.

2. Noodles and Company
Noodles and Company or “Noodles” is a slightly more expensive choice on the list, but it’s well worth it (if you have the cash). One senior who just can’t get enough is Rebecca Holt who remarks, “I like Noodles because it’s healthy, high quality food, with the quickness of fast-food.” Noodles is also one of the closest restaurants to TJ and it offers a change from burgers and burritos. What I Order: straight from the Mediterranean menu a Penne Rosa with pieces of parmesan crusted chicken breast mixed in, and a medium drink. Noodles is just as close as Burger King, located on East Hampden Avenue.

1.Chipotle
Who doesn’t love a big fat burrito prepared right in front of you with the freshest ingredients and a friendly staff of servers? Chipotle is widely visited by TJ students, especially around lunchtime, also located on East Hampden Avenue. There is always a line that almost touches the door, and a great relaxing atmosphere filled with the sound of hungry mouths at work. Senior Martha Alvarez says, “Chipotle is the only fast food restaurant that comes close to tasting like authentic Mexican food.” Spicy, fresh and fast describe the restaurant which also offers a wide array of other menu choices aside from its famous giant burritos. What I Order: Burrito Bowl with steaming rice, black beans, mild salsa, extra beef, and a drink.

Artwork by Rebecca Holt

In lieu of pointing fingers and exchanging disrespectful language over the new debate over the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, I’ll offer a tantalizing compromise called: the bigger picture. It took the United States of America – land of the free, home of the brave – seventy years to allow women to become permanent members of the armed forces and even longer to be allowed in combat, and it wasn’t until sixty years ago that black soldiers were permitted to fight alongside white soldiers.

I’m sensing a pattern.

Is it a hobby of Congress to prevent any minority group, willing to die for his or her country, from joining the prestigious ranks of the armed forces? It’s been 17 years since DADT has been made into federal law and President Barack Obama addressed this issue very briefly in his State of The Union speech earlier this year telling the nation that he would work with both Congress and the Military to repeal the law that didn’t allow openly gay soldiers serve for their country.

What this reporter wants to know is, why not? Because it appears to be the same reasons African Americans and Women weren’t allowed in either – simple prejudice. Nobody thinks twice when a young 18-year-old walks into a recruiter’s office and decides to sacrifice his freedoms and dedicates his energies to protect and serve his country, but if there was knowledge this 18-year-old was gay it would not be okay.

Aside from being a civil rights and discrimination issue, repealing the archaic law can also benefit military recruitment. Studies done by Zogby International show that 73 percent of military personnel are comfortable with having homosexual people in the military, one in four troops who served in Afghanistan or Iraq knew a member of their unit who was gay, and the new generation of American fighters don’t even care about sexual orientation.  Additionally, since 1994, more than 13,500 service members have been fired because of the law. Even the public is jumping on the bandwagon: a 2009 Gallup poll also shows that 60 percent of churchgoers, 58 percent of conservatives, and 58 percent of Republicans favor the repeal. According to the Urban Institute, 65,000 gay Americans are serving in active duty and there are at least one million gay veterans in the United States.

Furthermore, if the CIA, FBI, State Department, defense contractors, and the Civilian Defense Department do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, what’s stopping the military? Discharges for breaking DADT have declined by almost half since 2001, and the U.S.A. and Turkey are the only two original NATO countries that have placed a ban on homosexuals – placing them apart from the 24 countries that allow openly gay service members.

Gay members aren’t any less qualified than anyone else, and they shouldn’t have to be afraid of losing their jobs just because someone finds out their sexual orientation. So with this big picture presented to us all, it seems that the only thing making anyone shake his or her head at the repeal is his or her own personal issues.

Mina Bradley-Belcaid as Mimi in Rent: School Edition. photo by Rebecca Holt

The TJ Performing Arts cast, crew, and instructors showcased their talents Wednesday night with their version of the hit Broadway musical, RENT: School Edition; the phenomenal leads of which were:  Andrew Craig (as filmmaker Mark), Colby Schaller (as Roger an ambitious musician), Mina Bradley-Belcaid (as the feisty exotic dancer Mimi), D’Aaron Moore (as Angel), Joseph Powell (as Collins), Megan Lussier (as Maureen), and London Thatch (as a no nonsense lawyer Joanne), and of course a great supporting cast and crew, including Director Michael Palmieri, Music Director Edwina Hebert, and Choreographer Carole Fulkerson.

The leads shone in their roles, with Craig moving the story along in a smooth baritone. The friendship between Craig’s character and Schaller’s character is seen in their relaxed postures – easily transitioning themselves into overlaying harmonies and playing off each other in sarcastic banter. The tone of the play is immediately set-up by the opening number RENT, which is sung with full on attitude and the youthful spirit of rock and roll. When Mimi, played exceptionally well by Bradley-Belcaid, walks in a more sultry mood is set, adding to the serious undertones that run throughout the play. Angel (Moore) stole the show with every change of costume, and whether male or female, Angel’s presence onstage was a definite audience-pleaser.

One of the most memorable performances of the night was Lussier’s rendition of Over the Moon, an entire song sung as an extended metaphor of Maureen’s experience on Avenue B. Another memorable moment was given by Maggie Barbour in one of her many roles as Alexi Darling, when she gave brief but hilarious singing voice mails that were a pleasure to listen to and watch.

After the characters are introduced, the audience is taken on a sensational ride of song and dance – with unconventional subject matter. With every joke there is a message, and the harsh reality of the AIDS epidemic that ravaged the city of New York in the 1980’s. The audience is reminded about love, and friendship, and the importance of living in the moment.

Some material might be unsuitable for children under the age of 13, but RENT: School Edition is definitely something everyone should experience this year. I encourage everyone to go see it on one of the nights to come: March 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th at 7 pm.  Tickets are available at the door, or online here.

photo by Gustavo Garcia

The technical part of Rent is showcased through its masterfully sculpted set.  The metallic stairs and stagecraft, coupled with the spectrum of stage lights, gives the show a great edge and a true Broadway feel, as well as providing many levels and dimensions to the stage.

With the cast of Rent working hard to make it a big success this year, the tech crew, who work behind the scenes, are already making impressive set pieces to mimic the real Broadway set – including a staircase leading up to exactly the same stage the characters prowl around on during a big number.

“Tech crew is not just behind the scenes, they are partners in the production,” said Drama Director Michael Palmieri. “They’ve built the set from the ground up.”  There are many different jobs in tech crew, with students specializing in spotlights, music, painting, and building; but everyone functions as one unit.  During the production, stage crew is also responsible for handing out programs and selling tickets. The crew also built 20 frames to support the giant wall on stage.

“We try to attract quality people,” Palmieri said.  There are thirty kids in the stagecraft class, and most of the stage crew is made up of the 8th period Tech class that teaches TJ students the basics of set building and the over all design.  Among other things, Tech class teaches the right way to use power tools and proper texture techniques. “My experience in tech crew has been amazing. You get to learn a lot about stage design, lighting and building,” said senior Conner Keleberger, a member of the RENT tech crew in charge of the new light board in the auditorium.  “I took two two,-hour classes on how to use the light board.”

“For now everyone’s building,” said Palmieri. The crew has been working since the beginning of November and are already making the stage beautiful and, most importantly, safe for the actors, getting help from David Pinson a professional handy-man who has been working closely with the kids to make sure every detail of the set is secure and that things run smoothly.

With last year’s stage crew and a fresh crop of kids coming in, Palmieri couldn’t help but gush about all of the new and old talent. “They are hard workers, skillful – they welcomed new members with open arms,” said Palmieri. “They come down here everyday cheerfully and get right to work.”

Photo by Rebecca Holt

Spartan Andrew Craig’s ascent into greatness was amplified by his can-do attitude and his confidence in his abilities that is helping him achieve his dreams. “I’m driven by ambition – achieving and beating the odds and being the best I can be. I’m also really competitive,” said Craig.

From his acceptance to Yale University – which is the result of years of hard work – to his involvement in the TJ community, to his AP and Honors classes along with running track and playing soccer his freshmen year, Craig has become a symbol of what can be achieved at Thomas Jefferson High School.

“I attended a Yale prospective students meeting and fell in love with the college,” said Craig. “I’m looking forward to studying either biology or theater, increasing my knowledge, learning more about the world and meeting new people.” Craig also had plans to apply to Columbia University (another Ivy League school) in New York, but Yale’s early decision is restrictive; applicants have to commit to the school until a decision is made about their admittance.

Craig got another opportunity to visit the Yale campus in early January and took another tour of the town and visited nearby New York. “Yale has a beautiful campus; I was extremely excited. It has all these old buildings and the architecture is just beautiful,” Craig said. “New York is where my heart is. Denver lacks the culture that New York City has – it’s a magnificent city and there are many job opportunities and internships there. You just feed off the energy of the people and the culture.”

Even though Craig is the All School Student Class President he also lends his leadership qualities to Peace Panel, Black Student Alliance, Gay Straight Alliance and RENT – TJ’s school musical, which is an opportunity for him to show off his voice talent while portraying Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker.

“My favorite part about being involved is knowing that I am helping to make a difference in TJ’s community through participating in these clubs,” said Craig. “I have developed great time management skills over the last couple of years.”

Artwork by Anna Becker

It’s that time of year again when the celebrity elite comes together for one night to recognize films that have touched our mortal lives. Oscar nominees endure the pre-Oscar awards such as the Golden Globes and the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) awards in hopes that by gaining victory for those they can get the golden ticket to the Academy Awards. This year’s nominees include the box office hits such as Avatar and indie favorites like The Hurt Locker. The Oscars are by no means predictable, but when there is an obvious winner it is easy to point out the diamond in a rough. These are my choices:

1. Best motion picture of the year: Avatar

Most, if not all, of planet Earth has seen this epic tale of Pocahontas with blue people. Avatar’s other nomination for visual effects is well earned, going hand in hand with the reason the film has become so popular. The movie is a visually stimulating ride, especially in 3-D and IMAX with political views on American consumerism and commentary on how we abuse our own environment thrown into the mix.

Other nominees:
Second Choice: The Hurt Locker
Third Choice: Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
A Serious Man
Up
The Blind Side
An Education
Up in the Air

2. Best actor in a leading role: Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart

From what I observed from the Golden Globes and SAG awards Jeff Bridges was picked as the favorite. In Crazy Heart he plays Bad Blake, a 50-something year old former country music superstar who’s fallen from grace due to his alcohol abuse. Bridges co-stars with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Colin Ferrell, but a large portion of the movie’s praise and success goes to his performance.

Other nominees:
Second Choice: George Clooney in Up in the Air
Third Choice: Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker
Morgan Freeman in Invictus
Colin Firth in A Single Man

3. Best actor in a supporting role: Christoph Waltz

Christoph Waltz was also a SAG and Golden Globe favorite this year. Waltz’s portrayal of Nazi Hans Landa in Quentin Terintino’s Inglourious Basterds is a chillingly charming performance. Waltz’s character is a self-proclaimed detective motivated by the thrill of coming out on top. Landa assesses a situation and immediately knows the full outcome and we quickly learn that we have to love to hate him since he is just that good.

Other nominees:
Second Choice: Matt Damon in Invictus
Third Choice Woody Harrelson in The Messenger
Christopher Plummer in The Last Station
Stanley Tucci in The Lovely Bones

4. Best actress in a leading role: Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side

This is Sandra Bullock’s year. Not only did she win a Golden Globe, People’s Choice, and SAG award for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy, she became the highest paid actress in Hollywood after The Proposal and The Blind Slide became big box office hits. The Blind Side is a heartwarming story about a real life white family who took in a homeless black youth, saving him from gang violence, homelessness and preventing him from becoming another statistic, and helping him achieve his football dreams which resulted in him being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.

Other nominees:
Second Choice: Gabourey Sidibe in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by
Sapphire
Third Choice: Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia
Helen Mirren in The Last Station
Carey Mulligan in An Education

5. Best actress in a supporting role: Mo’Nique in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Mo’Nique is unique in her portrayal of Mary in Precious. Both critics and moviegoers see no other contenders for the Supporting Actress Oscar and are united in being awed over Mo’Nique’s powerful performance. Mo’Nique’s character is Mary, Precious’s harsh and unforgiving mother and as the movie progresses the layers of her hatred and hurt are peeled away to reveal a woman in a great deal of pain.

Other nominees:
Second Choice: Anna Kendrick in Up in the Air
Third Choice: Maggie Gyllenhaal in Crazy Heart
Penélope Cruz in Nine
Vera Farmiga in Up in the Air

6. Best animated feature film of the year: Up

Pixar can do no wrong. It’s not surprising Up is nominated this year. Like its predecessor, WALL-E, the film was a box office smash (grossing $723 million worldwide). The story is also unique: Up stars 78-year-old Carl (Edward Asner) whose age is quickly catching up to him. In an effort to revive his wife’s last wish, Carl decides to embark on a dangerous journey to Paradise Falls (located somewhere in South America). Unfortunately, Carl accidentally takes 8-year-old Russell along (Jordan Nagai), creating a hilarious and heart-warming adventure.
Other nominees:

Second Choice: The Princess and the Frog
Third Choice: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Coraline
The Secret of Kells

7. Best Director Oscars 2010 Nominees: James Cameron, Avatar

I refuse to see Avatar as anything more than Hollywood’s way of milking money out of the public by transforming an overused topic (oppression of a native people) into a 3-D thrill ride, but that doesn’t mean the movie won’t take home one of the most coveted prizes of the night. Without Cameron’s vision the film would lack the credibility to be in the Oscar race. Cameron deserves his nomination since he produced, co-wrote, and directed the film and his Golden Globe wins for Best Director and Best Picture.

Other nominees:
Second Choice: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Third Choice: Lee Daniels, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air

Artwork by Anna Becker

Internet: the final frontier. When all else fails, the World Wide Web provides a plentiful playground. Should we fear the Internet? Is the Internet creating a multitude of mindless, overweight zombies, with drool dribbling down their chins? I believe not. In fact, the Internet should not be shunned or ostracized, but seen as the next step in human evolution.

Practically anything and everything you can fathom in our known universe can be found just one mouse click away. From young to old, foolish to clever, we are all on a level playing field. It does not matter who or what we are, the Internet is here to masterfully serve our needs. Whether reconnecting with loved ones or finding a hysterical video posted for all to see, the information super highway always here for every occasion.

The Internet represents the world community coming together in one place and sharing experiences and wisdom. Was there ever a time when ordinary people could utilize technology to show their extraordinary individual traits? Was there ever a time when the world with all its imperfections could be accessible to everyone? With one simple click, we’re walking on the sandy shores of Southern France or tiptoeing across the cobbled steps of Prague. Another click lets us talk to our cousin in London, catch up with a childhood friend, or translate a web page written in Cantonese. The Internet feeds so much into everyday life it’s hard to imagine living without it. There are maps, magazines, measurements, motivational speakers, and ways to manage money. We can learn how to cook, how to make a video, how to know if our boyfriend’s cheating, how to draw and even how to be a ninja. We can shop, preview a movie, learn about a new artist, view art and rate it. We can shop for books, antique goods, cars, and sell all the useless stuff that has accumulated in our closets. There is always something to do, something to see, to read about, gossip and criticize, and most importantly to learn about.

For everyone’s use there are a host of search engines that open a floodgate of information. It might seem overwhelming at times, especially with the cyber world becoming more complex and even posing as a danger in forms of viruses and hackers, but with newly discovered danger there is always newly discovered ways to avoid it. The Internet’s rapid growth has leaked into other forms of technology, also. Today it’s becoming a norm for libraries, college campuses and Starbucks to have free Wi-Fi, and even cell phones are able to tap into the web.

The Internet allows its users to contribute to or be a witness of the modern world without leaving the comfort of a leather office chair. Information is key to learning, and the more we dabble in what the Internet has and will provide, the faster we can understand our changing world.
If humans are constantly evolving, constantly moving, it is inevitable our technology will follow suit. There is always danger in the knowledge we acquire, but the Internet is just as multifaceted as the world is.

Artwork by Anna Becker

In a perfect world we would all be able to comfortably multitask while driving, but since this is not a perfect world and since there really is no such thing as multitasking (since the brain can only focus on one thing at a time), people – more specifically teenagers – should never try to multitask while behind the wheel.

The new Colorado Law banning texting while behind the wheel is a Godsend, but it isn’t being taken as seriously, and that scares me. I don’t like being afraid of cars. I like cars. They cover much more ground than the two appendages I call my feet. Unfortunately, Congress passed the law too late for a mother who lost her nine-year-old son in a car accident where the other driver was distracted by his/her texting.

The law is mostly aimed at teenagers, and that’s understandable. It is widely known and expected that most teenagers find this law unfair, but what I want to know is: what’s unfair about it? Safety? Not harming an innocent person? The fact that out of all the age groups teens own the most mobile phones (the average teen in the U.S. sends or receives an average of 2,899 text-messages per month)? Or that last year in December alone U.S. citizens sent 110 billion messages – a number that has been steadily increasing in the past three years?

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I would like to go through the rest of my life without being killed because someone received a text messaged they just couldn’t ignore.

Wrap your head around these statistics: a simulator study done by Clemson University found that, “Texting and using iPods caused drivers to leave their lanes 10 percent more often.” Another study done by AAA (American Automobile Association) and Seventeen Magazine revealed, “61 percent of teens have admitted to risky driving habits.”

Additionally, if you drive while texting you’re increasing your chances of getting into an accident 23 times greater than with not texting.

The texting issue isn’t just a Colorado problem, or even a problem in the United States only; it has turned into a global issue (a study in Ontario found that 1 trillion text messages were sent worldwide last year), as well. Studies have also shown that texting while driving is even more of a risk than speaking on the phone, both of which should be completely eliminated when you are in a vehicle. Aside from that, 18 states (including Washington D.C.) have already jumped on the bandwagon and made texting illegal. Unfortunately, the other 32 states are waiting for more research and data before they can even make the bill into law.

Research done by The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that in the moments before a crash or near or crash, drivers spent five seconds looking at their phones, the same five seconds it takes a vehicle to go down a highway the length of a football field.

NRMA (National Roads and Motorists Association) research has found that not only do drivers lose their ability to keep their vehicles straight but they also aren’t able to respond as quickly to traffic signs.

If statistics doesn’t convince people who text while driving, then maybe common sense might. What could possibly be more important than your safety or the safety of others? What could possibly be so important in that text message that you can’t wait?

Imagine you are driving to school, you’re already ten minutes behind schedule, someone just cut you off and the loud blaring of traffic horns is doing nothing for the headache you obtained from the lack of sleep you got the night before. The line finally gives way and you are about to turn into the parking lot then WHAM, you get rammed head-on by another car. Not only are you late, with a killer headache, but you also have a serious neck injury and your car is a completely unrecognizable mass of metal. Imagine that the only reason this happened was because the other driver had glanced down at a text-message he was receiving and had feebly tried to respond.

I know what most people are thinking, “Oh this won’t happen to me, I’m careful.”

Do you know what being careful is?

Not texting while driving.

Artwork by Mia Nogueira

The title of director Grant Heslov’s (who came out of the woodwork after winning an Oscar for his screenwriting for Good Night and Good Luck, 2005) new movie seems to reflect the satirical joy ride on which it takes its audience. The all-star cast which is composed of Ewan McGregor (Angels & Demons 2009) George Clooney (Ocean’s Thirteen 2007), Jeff Bridges (Iron Man 2008), and Kevin Spacey (Shrink 2009), breathe life into their characters with ease and with obvious chemistry and charm.

McGregor’s character, Bob Wilton, is a newly divorced journalist who, in an effort to somehow compensate for his wife leaving him for another man, sets off on a dangerous expedition to Kuwait in order to cover the Iraq War. This leads Wilton to meet Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), who explains to Wilton that he is a Jedi Warrior, a former member of the New Earth Army created by the government to be psychic spies. Wilton takes the new information with a straight face, motivated only by the chance of hitching a ride with Cassady over the border; he listens as Cassady explains how the New Earth Army was assembled. As much as Clooney’s character is one tequila shot away from being considered a crazy drunk – rambling about his former solider days – one can’t help but want to believe him. Which is exactly why this movie is enjoyable.

The movie flashes back to the 1970s when Bill Django, a Vietnam veteran who goes on a “spiritual” journey to decode the vision he had had during a mission in Vietnam. Django’s research (which involved a lot of the activities that were popular during the hippie movement) birthed the New Earth Army philosophy. The director’s impeccable skills at story telling draws one in so deep it’s as if these events happened as realistically as George Bush’s re-election or Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift at the MTV video awards.

As a young recruit, Cassady shows great promise in his abilities, and quickly moves up the ranks when he telepathically locates a missing solider. Enter the villain, Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey), whose jealousy of Cassady leads him to the Dark Side. After a mishap involving illegal chemicals, Hooper accuses Django of slander and gets the New Earth Army gets shutdown.

In the present, Wilton and Cassady become stranded in the desert when Cassady accidentally runs his rental car into a rock. The pair hitch a ride with a group of men in a truck, but end up getting kidnapped when the men turn out to be extremists. Luckily they escape when a private security firm rescues them. After getting lost in the dessert they are found by the newly revived New Earth Army who are using the Dark Side of The Philosophy to torture captives by putting them in a dark room with flashing lights and playing the Barney theme-song repetitively. There are a few adult-themed jokes but the plot-line is a straight forward one and doesn’t lose laughs along the way.

Afterward there are hilarious antics involving LSD (the main reason the movie is rated R) and a daring rescue of a heard of goats.

This movie was too unbelievably believable to not believe. If you squint, there is a message hidden in Wilton’s character growth about believing in yourself in times of adversity, but one can’t help but think this is some outrageous concoction mixed together by a half-crazed journalist who spent too much time in the sun.

It’s not.

Or, as the movie warns, “More of this is true than you would believe.”

Photo by Rebecca Holt

Fact: there are approximately 2.5 million Americans who have epilepsy. In that group there are 180,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States, and three in 100 people will develop epilepsy by the age of 75.

Despite such surprising statistics the neurological disorder is sometimes misconstrued as a mental illness because of the recurrent seizures people with the disorder have. In order to further educate TJ students and dispel some of the stereotypes associated with the disorder such as the myth that people with epilepsy have “fits” when it’s really just recurrent seizures.

Colorado’s Epilepsy Foundation sent Marcee Peterson, who gave a presentation to several JROTC classes about Epilepsy. Peterson first gave a brief description of Epilepsy, and then answered questions students might have. Afterward, she showed a video that was in depth about seizures, the many different types of seizures, and what should be done in case someone is experiencing a seizure.

“I have been a Program Manager at the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado for three years,” said Peterson. “My focus is serving youth and families that have been affected by epilepsy by providing programs and support.  Our programs for youth and family include a summer camp for youth ages 10-17, and a Youth Council so young leaders can have a voice and help raise awareness.”

The foundation also has a mentor program, educational presentations about epilepsy to teens, school personnel, school nurses (like the one at TJ), and in other venues within the community that include educational workshops, support groups, and information and referrals.

“What I most enjoy about working with the Foundation is raising awareness and understanding of epilepsy in the community and positively impacting the lives of those with epilepsy in various ways,” Peterson said. “We appreciate opportunities like the presentation day at Thomas Jefferson High School where we can reach many teens.”

Epilepsy can be caused by head injury, infections that affect the brain, stroke, brain tumor, Alzheimer’s disease, and genetic factors. The disorder is not contagious but if someone is experiencing a seizure for more than five minutes then an ambulance should be called.

“It was wonderful to see your school and the teens take an interest in epilepsy,” said Peterson. “By promoting Epilepsy Awareness Month and by taking the time to learn more about epilepsy in order to better support their classmates who are living with it.”
For more information please visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org.