By Jerry Taylor   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Central Michigan football team will officially add a number of recruits to their football team on National Signing Day, which happens all across the country. Unfortunately, one of those prized recruits will not be quarterback Kody Kater.

Kater, who had originally committed to CMU shortly after the Oct. 11 home football game against Eastern Michigan, de-committed from CMU over the weekend and will join former CMU head coach Butch Jones in Cincinnati.

Losing Kater is a huge loss for the incoming recruiting class. The 6'4, 200 lb, dual-threat quarterback out of Montague High School, which is located 18 miles north of Muskegon, was rated a three-star prospect by recruiting experts at rivals.com and scout.com. The Detroit News has Kater ranked in their annual "Top 15 Blue Chip players" in the state of Michigan, ranking him the 11^th best prep football player in the state.

To put Kater's three-star ranking into perspective, CMU has only three other three-star commitments that will play for the Chips starting this fall. Rivals.com has the Chippewas adding 18 total players, but that could change before Feb. 3.

This past season, Kater threw for over 2500 yards and 34 touchdowns, while throwing only seven interceptions. In addition to his arm, Kater also ran for 896 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season.

"I have a lot of faith in (Coach Jones) staff," Kater told the Detroit News on Saturday. "Plus it (Cincinnati) is a BCS school. What else can you ask for?" said Kater.           

With Kater now going to Cincinnati, the Chippewas only have three quarterbacks on the roster- sophomore Ryan Radcliff, junior Derek Rifenbury and redshirt freshman A.J. Westendorp. Between the three quarterbacks, only Radcliff has scored a touchdown- a rushing touchdown at Boston College last season. Kater was the only quarterback that CMU had on its recruiting commitment list, until last weekend.

A statement from Central Michigan University on behalf of Kater de-committing has not been released; phone calls made to the CMU Sports Information Department were not returned.

By Doug Sears Jr.   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

College football's elite seniors descend on Mobile, Alabama one week each year to display their talents one last time for scouts of the National Football League.

Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour will return to the site of his last game, the GMAC bowl, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. He will be on the North team, coached by Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and his coaching staff. LeFevour, the current NCAA record holder for most career total touchdowns, has impressed scouts and coaches in Mobile, including praise from Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.

In particular, LeFevour has done well with his transition from typically running plays out of the shotgun formation, to taking snaps directly under center, a skill that so far has eluded the most lauded quarterback in the Senior Bowl, Florida quarterback and 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow. Tebow has had much publicized struggles with fumbles after snaps under center, and scouts continue to question his tools in an NFL skill set.

However, while LeFevour may have impressed Lions coaches, it remains unlikely that he would end up in Honolulu Blue. The Lions will be sticking with No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford, as well as former Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton and will use the draft to fill holes at defensive back, defensive line, receiver and offensive line, among other needs.

LeFevour is projected to be taken as early as the late second round, all though it seems more likely he will go in the third or fourth. Teams that could take a chance on LeFevour include the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars or Carolina Panthers.

There are major question marks facing LeFevour, which he must answer on Friday, or at his pro day and at the NFL scouting combine. While LeFevour rushed for over 2,500 yards in his NCAA career, his speed, clocked at around 4.8, will not be enough to be a consistent rusher in the NFL. LeFevour must prove that his questionable arm strength is pro ready, and demonstrate that he can pass vertically.

LeFevour and the CMU offense was built on a lot of short slants, screen passes and yards after the catch, so LeFevour must prove that he can put the ball in the air consistently, beat NFL defensive backs and still complete a majority of his passes.

At the Senior Bowl, LeFevour will be sharing the snaps with two other quarterbacks on the North team, Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike and Oregon State quarterback Sean Canfield. On the opposite sideline, competing for attention will be Tebow, West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown and Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson.

All five of the other quarterbacks are currently ahead of LeFevour on most draft boards, so he will have a lot of ground to make up to maximize his draft potential. In what is being called a weak quarterback class, filled with question marks for injuries or the lack of experience in a pro style offense, LeFevour sits as one of the low men on the totem pole, and every quarterback ahead of him costs him opportunities and money. LeFevour certainly has his work cut out for him in the months ahead, and the journey begins this week at the Senior Bowl.

GCM stock photo by Michael Mulholland

By Susan Young   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

Essexville junior Vanessa Lesperance looks forward to the Rothbury music festival every summer. However, she and many other music fans will not be able to experience the magic of Rothbury this year.

The annual July music festival has been cancelled, due to availability issues with many of the hopeful featured musicians.

In a Jan.  22 press release, Madison House Presents'Jeremy Stein said, "The result for this year is that we are not able to move forward with the integrity and high standards that we demand from ourselves and for the festival."

The festival prides itself on not only being environmentally friendly, but also showcasing unique and upcoming artists and bands.

Lesperance attended the 2008 and 2009 festivals, and said she loved hearing all different types of music. "Seeing Bob Dylan was probably the most memorable performance for me," she said.
"I'm upset about it," she said, after learning that the festival was cancelled for the summer "because I had such a great time both years and I knew the event would only get bigger and better. My friends and I were really looking forward to going back this year."

When Mount Pleasant sophomore Ryan Heisler he found out the festival was cancelled he said he was devastated. "I was really looking forward to going this year."

Despite the cancellation of the festival this summer, the organizers are already working on the festival for 2011.

"This event is something very special, and we are unwilling to potentially tarnish what Rothbury is, and can become, by working under conditions that will produce anything less than a magical experience," Stein said in the press release. "Our efforts are certainly not coming to an end."

Meanwhile, music fans are looking for alternatives for their big summer plans.

"I'm thinking about going to Summer Camp music fest in Ohio and the All Good music festival in Virgina," Heisler said.

Lesperance has other plans, too. "I'm going to check out the line-ups for Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and hopefully attend one of those, but I honestly don't think anything could replace Rothbury!"

By Kara Yadach   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Between gas, lodging and lift ticket prices skiing does not fit with most college student's tight budgets. A single trip or an entire weekend getaway to the slopes this winter is cheap if college students are smart.

Crystal Mountain is a gorgeous ski resort with 45 downhill slopes located in Thompsonville.  Crystal Mountain has huge deals in February and March. Five-for- $50 Fridays at Crystal Mountain is one way to save cash. Bring a group of five people Feb. 5 or March 5 and each person rides all day for only $50.

Snowboarder, Kaleigh Schnieppe considers Five-for-$50 Fridays an excellent opportunity for college students.

"It's great because you just get five buddies together and everyone boards or skies for $10 each! Plus, you can split the gas money and a motel room five ways," said Schnieppe.

Looking to go on a weekday?  Two-for-Tuesday ticket and rental is an option. On Feb. 9, 16, 23 and Mar. 2, 9 and 16 purchase a 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. lift ticket and standard ski or snowboard rental package, and receive a second lift ticket and rental package for free.

Located in Harbor Springs, Boyne Highlands provides 114 downhill runs across two mountains. Boyne Highlands has cool ski packages for riders looking for fun with the first Brew Ski Festival Mar. 13.      

The event starts at noon in a tent at the base of the slopes.  The festival offers 100 craft beers to sample and brats on the grill. The party continues to the legendary Zoo Bar at the mountain after 4 p.m. with live entertainment.  The festival weekend package includes: Unlimited lift ticket Saturday from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., breakfast each morning, five drink tickets, a shirts and commemorative mug for $233 per person.

Caberfae Peaks located in Cadillac, has 34 downhill runs and accommodates college students on a budget with College Day every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Just show a college ID and receive all day discounts ending with a $9 lift ticket at 6 p.m.

Salem senior, Matt Schultz is a regular at Caberfae Peaks on College Day."I look forward to Fridays at Caberfae since lift tickets are only $9 and since I go so often, I save a lot of money on what I would normally spend on lift tickets," said Schultz.

Caberfae Peak's Ladies Day is offered on Wednesdays and Thursday runs all season long. For $17 ladies get a lift ticket, ski or snowboard rental, and a beginning group lesson.

            Ladies also get deals at Nub's Nob located in Harbor Springs. Every Tues is Ladies Day so lady skiers and boarders receive a 25 percent discount on lunch in the cafeteria when a full day lift ticket is purchased.

Purchase 10 gallons of gas at a Shell Station and receive a ski free voucher good for one free adult lift ticket when an adult lift ticket is purchased at participating area ski resorts. The resorts include: Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, Nub's Nob, Crystal Mountain, Shanty Creek- Schuss Mountain and Caberfae Peaks. Vouchers are available inside Shell Stations and valid until Apr. 16.

Clarkston senior, Angela Zott took advantage of the Shell Station voucher.

"I went to Boyne Mountain the other weekend after getting a free voucher from pumping gas! It was so nice to ski free at an amazing mountain like Boyne. For once, it was worth paying for gas," said Zott. 

By Sharon Smith   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Today is the last day for the Underground Railroad: A Photo Exhibit about Past and Present Slavery. The exhibit brought history to the Multicultural Education Center, the type of history usually not talked about.

The exhibit informed many about the Underground Railroad, and exactly what it is. The term Underground Railroad is not to be taken literal, it was not a real railroad underground. Many may be puzzled about the true meaning of the name, The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and used by 19th century slaves in the U.S. to escape to Free states and Canada.

Nedra Frodge designed the exhibit in regards to history she stumbled upon learning growing up in a state known for slavery. Frodge says "The unique history of the area certainly impacted my worldview and helped in the development of my interest in political and social issues", When referring to her hometown Northern Kentucky, which was a major slave market.

Beautiful photos grace the wall in the Multicultural Education Center, giving us students and others who lay their eyes on the history of the Underground Railroad a slice of history and what it was like during slavery.

The photos give insight on the Second Baptist Church across the photo of the Second Baptist church beautiful script words read Founded in 1836 by 13 former slaves. Also, stating that it is the oldest congregation in Michigan.

You can also see photos of other slaves who escaped to freedom became wealthy and purchased homes and land.

Frodge said "The images that I've assembled make us is flowing script to tell the stories or give information about the past, warm sepia toned images to impact a nostalgic feel and in contrast, a no-nonsense, "newspaper" font in black to talk about slavery today, my intent is to raise awareness and challenge the viewer".

GCM photo by Ashante Thomas

By Lindsay Lewis   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

“Fashions fade, style is eternal” – Yves Saint Laurent

Hi everyone! I’m Lindsay Lewis, the new style editor. I am really excited to be a part of the Grand Central team.

I am a junior here at Central Michigan University and majoring in Journalism with a concentration in News Editorial. My minor is Apparel Merchandizing and Design; hence my interest in style.

My hometown is Harrison Township, Mich. For those of you who do not know where Harrison Township is, it is about 30 minutes north of Detroit and about 2 hours and 30 minutes south of Mount Pleasant.

I graduated from L’Anse Creuse High School in 2007 and I am not athletic whatsoever so no, I did not play any sports. Coordination and I do not get along.

I also come from a huge family, which is one of the things I absolutely love about my background. I am the second to youngest in my family with three sisters and two brothers.

Fashion has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. At a young age I started sketching designs in my notebooks and cutting up my clothes to make new and exciting fashions.

Unfortunately, I realized not soon after, that I cannot draw nor design nearly well enough to pursue a career in fashion designing. This inevitably lead to my decision to focus more on the behind the scenes aspect of fashion.

My hopes for the future are to write for a fashion magazine in New York or Los Angeles. I strive to be just like Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Yes, when I dream…  I dream big.

If all goes well I will be graduating in the spring of 2011. I plan on doing an internship for a fashion magazine before I get settled into a real job at one of them.

Doing my internship outside of Michigan is what I really want to do; but I know it is extremely unrealistic right now. Hour, Ambassador and Strut are all magazines based around Detroit that I am looking into applying for.

I really look forward to working with everyone and being a part of helping the style section blossom into what I know it can become.

By Darrin Livengood   Wed, Jan 27, 2010

Ingredients

Meatloaf

1 lb Ground Beef

1 Package Breadcrumbs (stuffing)

1 Egg

1 Diced Onion

Sauce

Ketchup

Brown sugar

2. As the oven is heating, mix the ground beef, stuffing breadcrumbs, one egg, and diced
onion (if desired) in a mixing bowl.

3. Once these ingredients are mixed thoroughly, place in an oven safe glass cake pan and
mold the meat into a bread loaf shape.

4. Mix ketchup and brown sugar to create the sauce (use judgment for quantity).

5. Pour the sauce over top of the meat loaf and spread across the
entire top layer.

6. Place on the middle level of the oven and let cook for 1 hour, but check after 30-45 minutes of cooking
to be safe.

7. Let cool for 5 minutes.

8. Enjoy!

By Josh Berenter   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

The only thing less relevant for the National Football League, than the preseason, happened last Sunday.  For the first time ever, the NFL held the Pro Bowl on the Sunday before the Super Bowl.  The league has also decided to ditch paradise in Hawaii, to hold the exhibition game at the site of Super Bowl XIV, Miami.

The NFL has taken what was already the biggest joke of an all-star game in all of professional sports, and made it worse, trying to base it solely on a gimmick.  The NFL argues that it will build excitement by still being in-season.  League commissioner, Roger Goodell said he wanted to increase excitement by holding the game in the Super Bowl host city. 

Yeah, great idea.  Make it impossible for some of the best players in the league, like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, to play in the game because, oops, they have to play in the Super Bowl the following week.  14 players who are playing in the Super Bowl were declared ineligible for the Pro Bowl, and were replaced by the likes of Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (for Jonathan Vilma), and Dolphins strong safety Yeremiah Bell (for Antoine Bethea). 

Has anyone heard of Yeremiah Bell?  The 6th year veteran made the Pro Bowl roster with bolstering stats like three interceptions and 1.5 sacks this season.

Other Pro Bowlers like Brett Favre and Percy Harvin were replaced because of various injuries.  This is another thing that probably would not have happened if the league just left the boring game alone.  Favre, who was bruised and battered after last week's loss in the NFC championship game, sighted a nagging ankle injury for his withdrawal.

The result of all this; David Garrard.  The Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback has been added to the roster in place of Peyton Manning.  Garrard threw for just over 224 yards per game this season, and threw just 15 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions.  The average Joe he's replacing; 281 yards per game this season and 33 touchdowns.  That is also despite sitting out the majority of the last two games for the Colts to rest for the playoffs.  The fact that David Garrard is considered an all-star makes me less of a fan of the NFL than ever.

The whole thing has become even more of a joke.  Goodell needs to come up with something else to improve the Pro Bowl before it gets lower ratings than the preseason. Which, at this point, is possible.

Photo by Moore Aloha

By Jason Shubnell   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

In football, "living by the gun; dying by the gun" is almost exactly how one man has made a career the past 20 years. Throughout all of his gun slinging days, Brett Favre has become an icon and has created an argument for his detractors and his followers.

Favre lives the game of football, and has done so at a high level the last 20 years. Whether his wife is battling cancer or his father has just passed away, fans can be assured Favre will be taking the field any given weekend. His passion, whether people believe to be real or contrived, is what makes him such a terrific figure and player. But that passion is what also breaks him down.

Favre is the epitome of toughness, as well as luck. Steve Young and Troy Aikman dealt with numerous concussions; Joe Thiesmann's leg was snapped in two; Tom Brady and Carson Palmer got caught on the receiving end of roll-ups. These are injuries that are nearly impossible for a quarterback to avoid.

He has nearly every passing record imaginable, along with three MVPs. While it is incredible for a NFL player, a quarterback no less, to go week in and week out without missing a start, Favre must also sit back and count his blessings every once in a while.

With a string of 18 straight seasons starting at quarterback, you would think Favre would have a different kind of success than he does. In those 18 seasons, a Favre-led team has won eight division titles and made the playoffs 12 times.  He has won two NFC titles and one Super Bowl. But how much has he cost his own team?

In his past three NFC Championship games (2004, 2008, 2010), a Favre interception proved to be the outcome of the game. Even in his season with the Jets, which saw the playoffs and the division fizzle away, Favre's last official pass was an interception.  That's not to say he was the only one at fault for losing those games, but it really is what he does best, and he has done it 317 times.

You might be surprised, but there are many Packers fans that cannot wait for the Aaron Rodgers-era to really kick into gear, and forget about his predecessor (playing for the other team in purple and gold will do that, imagine what the old-timers would think seeing Bill Russell in those colors).

One analyst last Sunday night described it perfectly - he is either really good or really bad, there is no middle ground. And that's really what this gunslinger is. He has all the numbers to put him at the top, but there are many people in Green Bay and Minnesota who could have hoped for more.  But what seems kind of ironic in that analyst's statement is that Favre as a quarterback falls in the middle.

In today's game, Peyton Manning is like a machine on the field. A Colts team without him is like a Yankee's team without Riviera. Kurt Warner, who has only been around the past decade, has made his teams nearly unstoppable in the playoffs. He holds the three best Super Bowl passing yardage totals in history. And of course, there is Tom Brady. Aside from his 2007 season, he has never put up huge numbers - but he has remained cool under pressure. He is this generation's Montana, and still has a few solid years to go under. These are QBs who make their offense and their teams great, not simply make themselves look great.

Favre certainly has the numbers to put him above Fouts, Namath, Simms, and Marino; but he doesn't quite have the aura of the Elway, Montana, or Unitas. There is a Brett Favre mystique - but one that is not all butt slaps and arm-raising.

One image I will always associate with Favre came in his worst professional season. Facing the Cincinnati Bengals in the eighth week of the 2005 year, Favre was looking to lead Green Bay on a game-tying drive, and improve their woeful record to 2-5. He had been pressured all day and was looking very overwhelmed, evidenced by his five interceptions. On his final play of the day, Favre looked around and checked down. With nobody open, he scrambled to his left, ran a few yards past the line of scrimmage, and with that lethal weapon on his right arm, flipped the ball underhanded - hopeless.

He has proved to everyone since that moment that he still had much more in the tank - maybe his best ever. But just like that moment, he couldn't quite get it done.

Favre is again contemplating retirement. Should he never play again, he will finish as one the top five quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Favre, unlike Shakur, lived figuratively. He's left an imprint never to be forgotten in the NFL. But no matter how many times he tries to rewrite it; whether it is under a guru like Mike Holmgren, a Man-genius, or by getting picked up in a truck at the airport, #4 will always be remembered for taking the risk, many times worth the reward; many times not.

Photo by Divine in the Daily

By Tim Hanson   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

For the second week in a row, the top ranked team in the country suffered a tough road loss.  Tuesday night, it was Kentucky's turn to fall.  It was a rough week for the Top Five as three teams added a loss to their record.  This week, there have been a few changes made, starting with a change at the top.

Syracuse

The Orange have run off seven straight wins since they were defeated by Pittsburgh and Jim Boeheim continues to show why he is one of the best coaches in college basketball. With Syracuse's latest win, Boeheim took over sixth place in career wins--breaking a tie with Connecticut's Jim Calhoun.

An impressive 17 point win over No. 11 Georgetown, showed why the Orange deserve the top spot in college basketball.  Their 2-3 zone defense continues to give opponents fits, as the Hoyas totaled 19 turnovers and only scored 56 points for the game.  Kris Joseph, a sophomore, led the Orange on offense scoring 15 points and Wesley Johnson chipped in with 14 points.

On Syracuse's upcoming schedule is a road trip to DePaul followed by a return home to take on Providence.

Kansas

The Jayhawks are another team that has been hot lately, winning five in a row.  Not only have they been winning, they have been dominating over the last five games, outscoring their opponents by an average of 10 points or more in four out of those five victories.

The Jayhawks' latest victory came against their rival Missouri, in what is known as the Border War.  Kansas had the Tigers waving their white flags by halftime as the Jayhawks jumped out to a 50-30 halftime lead and coasted to an 84-65 win.  Marcus Morris paced the Jayhawks offense with 17 points and reserve guard Tyrel Reed totaled a season-high 14 points.

Another rivalry game lies ahead for the Jayhawks as they travel to take on No. 13 Kansas State.

Villanova

For the first time, the Wildcats have climbed into the Top Five, but this looks like a team that is here to stay.  Not only is Villanova undefeated in their last 10 games, they are 8-0 in the rugged Big East conference. 

Guard Scottie Reynolds, a four-year starter, decided to return for his senior season with the Wildcats.  Reynolds is averaging 18.7 points per game and is making a run at becoming the Big East Player of the Year along with numerous other awards.  Corey Fisher and Antonio Pena, both juniors, are averaging double-digit points and have been providing support for the Wildcats.

Additional Big East games are ahead for Villanova with their next game at home against Seton Hall followed by a visit to Georgetown.

Kentucky

There are no longer any undefeated teams after the Wildcats traveled to South Carolina and left with their first loss of the season.  Kentucky could not keep up with South Carolina's Devan Downey who netted 30 points in the 68-62 Gamecock win. 

The freshmen duo of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins continue to play well for the Wildcats, but the rest of the team needs to play consistently for them to be considered contenders for a National Championship.  Patrick Patterson, the most experienced starter on the team, is the player who needs to step up as he disappeared offensively against the Gamecocks.

The Wildcats will look to get back on track when they take on No.23 Vanderbilt this Saturday.

Duke

The Blue Devils have gotten back to their winning ways with two straight wins against No. 21 Clemson and Florida State. 

In Duke's win over Clemson, Nolan Smith led the way with 22 points.  Kyle Singler, Lance Thomas, and Jon Scheyer also all scored in double figures, in the 60-47 victory. 

After giving up 88 points in their loss to North Carolina State, the Blue Devils have made drastic improvements defensively.  If Duke continues to play strong defense, they will be a very dangerous team when the NCAA tournament starts in March.

Duke will travel out of conference to take on the No. 11 Georgetown.  The Blue Devils will then return home to take on conference opponent Georgia Tech, who defeated Duke earlier in the year.

By Carisa Seltz   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

INTRODUCTIONS

So now that the first month of 2010 is coming to a close, how's your new year's resolution coming along? You know, the one about finally kicking the sweets for good, eating healthy meals you cook yourself with organic-everything and working out every day?

Actually, that's a rhetorical question.

Before you rack your brain coming up with an excuse for why you haven't been doing these things, let me interject and assume that, like the majority of Americans who make the same promises to themselves year after year, you've thrown in the towel before the streets of Time Square have even been cleaned up from the new year's celebrations and/or cheated already.

Tisk tisk

Despite your lack of will power, don't get dejected. There's a reason why most people can't stick to their resolutions dedicated to getting healthier: people don't know how to do it.

To prove my point, see how many of the questions below you can answer correctly without referring to anything:

• What is a kilocalorie?
• How do you calculate your BMI?
• How many fruits and vegetables should you eat in a day?
• What is glucose and why is it important?
• What are macronutrients/micronutrients?
• How many essential vitamins are there and where do you get them?
• Why is water important?

So how did you do? If I may make another assumption, probably not very good. These questions would have baffled me as well a mere five months ago but, having gone through a rigorous nutrition class, I now know the answers to the above questions and am going to reiterate what I've learned to you by way of this blog.

Disclaimer: I'm not a registered dietician but you don't need a fancy-schmancy degree to help your peers learn the ins-and-outs of eating right (not that I'm devaluing dietetics as a field of study because it's very challenging). My intent with this blog is to show you the basics, therefore, I do advise you to seek more credible sources for more in-depth information compiled by a professional who gets paid to study what people eat and analyze the results.   

Here, you'll find insightful information delivered in a no-bull kind of way that anyone with half a brain can understand. I'd call it "Nutrition for Dummies" but that's already been taken by the For Dummies Store (you know, those silly books with yellow and black covers). So I'll just keep it simple: Welcome to NutriBlog, courtesy of GCM.

To prepare for the next entry, start keeping a food diary, that is, write down everything you eat and drink (and I mean everything). Don't wait until you get home from school/work to do it either. Take your tablet/notebook/journal (whatever has paper and isn't hard for you to carry around) with you wherever you go and write down what you eat throughout the day.

Good luck!

Next week: Evaluating your food diary; nutrition basics

By Jessica Wilt   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

This cupcake is as sweet as pie... cherry pie that is!

Ingredients:

24 cupcakes baked in foil liners

1 can of vanilla frosting

1 box of Boston Baked Beans candy

Red, Green and Yellow food coloring.

Directions:

1. Bake cupcakes as stated on box in foil liners.
2. Use 2 ½ drops red food coloring, 2 drops of yellow and 1 green to make a tan or "crust" colored frosting. If it turns out to red just add more plain white frosting.
3. Frost the top of the cupcake with just enough frosting to get the Baked Beans candy to stick. Place Baked Beans on the frosting looking like the filling of a pie.
4. Spoon the remaining frosting into a zip top bag. Snip a small corner from the bag and pipe a crust around the edge of the cupcake. Then pipe a criss cross on the top of the cupcake to resemble the top crust.
5. Eat and enjoy!

GCM file photo

By Theresa Baughman   Wed, Jan 27, 2010

1oz peach schnapps
1oz Jager
Splash Cranberry Juice

When looking for a sultry shot at the bar, the red headed slut is the perfect option. Don't get caught up with the name; this drink is one for the ages. While the shot goes down smooth, it packs a major punch. It also packs a major caloric punch, so beware if you're trying to slim down. Its deep red color is a fun splash, and this shooter is by far one of the best tasting Jager- based shots available. The sweet flavors of the fruit in the schnapps and cranberry juice blend well with the robust flavor of the Jager to make a winning combination. Don't worry, every bartender knows this drink. Let loose this weekend and order yourself a red headed slut.

Photo by bichromephoto http://www.flickr.com/photos/bichromephoto/

By Allie Boyer   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

From class to full-time jobs to extracurricular activities, CMU students have a lot on their plates and have learned to multi-task. But imagine doing all that plus designing your own fashion line and assisting in planning a fashion show.

Katie Matherly, an apparel merchandising and design major, has thrown herself into her work, literally. This year's annual Threads fashion show theme is "Autobiography" and she is taking this opportunity to put a reflection of herself into her designs.

With her roommates and friends walking as models, Katie's hippie-inspired designs will take the catwalk to a remix of the Beatles "Let It Be." She is competing for the awards in accessories and use of recycled materials.

But Katie isn't afraid of the challenge of designing her own line.

"I think it's good to know what it's like in the real world. (Knowing) how to design your own line and put it all together really gives you a new perspective on the work that goes into the fashion industry," she said.

Nothing out when it comes to materials that make up her outfits. Katie is currently trying to incorporate an old seat belt, deer hide and old sheets she used as a kid.

But Katie's work isn't limited to what will be seen during the show. She is working behind the scenes as a part of the production crew and is also working with the public relations commitee hosting fundraisers and selling ads.

Though she originally came to school thinking she had to choose a serious business-related major, she soon found that fashion is where her heart is. Even throughout high school she experimented and took risks with her own clothes.

"I would blow my allowance on clothes in high school, I even tried to make my own line. I learned the basics of sewing from my dad and then I would use my grandma's old rusted sewing machine to piece fabric together. Nothing ever really turned out," she laughed.

Katie has come a long way from the basics of sewing to creating five individual outfits with her own hands. Though she's not sure how her runway show will look, she knows it will be something memorable.

"I'm not really a plain Jane. I'll want to do something crazy; it just hasn't come to me yet," said the fashion designer.

However, all the work, stress and pricked fingers will be worth it when she sees her own designs strutting down that catwalk.

By Jenna Bishop   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Everyone has insecurities about the way they look.  Even the most beautiful person in the world that everyone is jealous of may lack confidence.  A person might feel as if their nose is too big or their cheeks are too bloated.  It's also common for a person to have those infamous "off" days, which are those particular days where some feel like their face looks completely bland and boring. 

Luckily, thanks to this video, a person can lighten certain areas on their face while hiding their not-so-flattering features with easy make-up tricks.

When choosing which areas of your face to contour, you do not want to use make-up products that are shimmery or shiny. Rather, use bland and bronze colors.  The shimmer and shine is okay to use when highlighting those particular areas of your face. Also, your bone structure, is going to impact how you are going to contour and highlight.

To start your contour, or shading, you want to line the brush up with the top portion of your ear, below the temple.  For a more natural look, stop the brush an inch away from the corner part of the lip region of your face.  It's also important to blend in the contour, to refrain from having any dramatic lines and an unnatural look. After the cheekbones are shaded, brush downwards to form a more sculpted shape.  Note that there are more ways to contour your face.

To make your jaw line pop out, use your brush to shade all around that area.  It's important not to forget to shade where the jaw line ends, which is located in back of your ear.  Again, make sure you blend, blend, and blend.

For everyone who was blessed with a larger nose, don't look into rhinoplasty just yet. 

Use a smaller, angular brush when contouring your nose.  Start at the beginning of your brow and move the brush directly down.  When blending, move the brush away from your nose to dissolve the hard line that will be on your nose.  To add a little shadow to your nose, and perhaps hide possible circles, you can use your bronzer in the corner of your eyes with a larger brush.

There is also a contouring trick for those individuals with a larger forehead.   Simply use your brush to shade right in front of your hairline.  This will bring create the illusion of a lower hairline.

After your face is contoured comes the highlighting process.  Basically, the areas of your face that aren't contoured, is where you should take a shimmery powder and highlight with a flat brush.

The higher region of your cheek bones, right underneath your cheekbones, on your jaw line, your forehead and on the center of your nose are all places that could be highlighted.

Highlighting the face will make your contour lines pop, which will equal everything out.  You will no longer have a day where you feel bland, and your insecure areas on your face will look diminished.  Plastic surgery does not have to be an option if you know how to correctly contour and highlight your face!

By Ryan Thomas   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

Fans trickled into downtown Pontiac's Crofoot Ballroom in anticipation of seeing indie rock veterans Yo La Tengo.

For what ended up being a nearly capacity crowd, the crowd came in rather slowly, with many coming after opener Times New Viking had finished up their set. Well, that would be their loss.

Times New Viking offered the type of raw energy concert goers should expect from an opener. They built on each song drawing more and more crowd members in with each song.

The bands sound cannot really be section off into one area, but garage rock with indie sensibilities would work best if they had to be placed into a genre. Do not place much in that as their music will only make listeners a bigger fan after each song.

After a short break, Yo La Tengo, stepped on the stage to a screaming crowd. The room seemed to come alive in that moment, but unfortunately, really only in that moment.

Frontman Ira Kaplan did not allow the lifeless crowd to deter him, as he went on in veteran rocker fashion, dancing and crooning the night away.

The band are true performers and professionals, at no point did they try to draw the crowd in, they continued performing classic and new songs from their expansive discography now spanning 24 years.

Finally, as the concert got into a groove the more up-tempo songs from Yo La Tengo had some audience members dancing and moving. Still it was less than what could be expected from a near capacity crowd.

Yo La Tengo lived up to their billing as a band that has solidified a place in modern day indie rock. The age of the crowd put a stamp on it, as there were attendees that ranged from "Doctoral degree" to "some high school."

Next time hopefully the crowd will be as lively, as the band's performance was.

Photo by dailybeatz

By Ryan Thomas   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

A-trak, Birdman, and Drake- Loonies to Blow

The year 2010 is shaping up to be a prime year for A-trak. Stop me if I have said this before, but the Montreal native is finally moving up in the world. This thumping remix of Birdman and Drake's "Money to Blow" gives an account of what A-trak is all about. The synth groove is so '90s it hurts and the drums will ignite any dance floor within minutes. A-trak has been turning hip-hop and rap songs into club bangers for a while now, and this remix is where people will begin to take notice. Look for the Dirty South Dance Vol. 2 in March.

Mr. Hudson feat. Kanye West- Anyone but him

Mr. Hudson is swinging for the fences with this one. The man obviously does not have the vocal talents of Robin Thicke, but much like Mr. Thicke backed by Pharell Williams, Hudson has strong production behind him. The guitar riff, the mid-tempo drums, and the grooving bass line will definitely have heads nodding. Lyrically it is not half bad, Hudson proclaims, "I'd rather hear you had the whole football team, then watch his filthy lips on your skin," and the anthem style hook has Hudson working with top 40 potential.

The Wonder Years- Melrose Diner

Personally pop punk I was fine without you, but every time I try to leave you alone, you pull me right back in. The Wonder Years give me a reason to believe this genre will always offer something, "Melrose Diner" is filled with angst, speed, and catchy lyrics. If you were wondering about the break down, present, drug reference, present, lost love, present. If you need a visit to nostalgia, "Melrose Diner" will take you there for just long enough and cover all the bases.

By Pat Jones   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Spoon's Transference manages to continue the amazing consistency that the band has had with their previous six albums, while still coming across as fresh and new. Transference isn't as polished as Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and doesn't have the same poppy hooks that Kill the Moonlight did. Instead, Transference goes into more experimental territory than their previous work, most likely due to the fact that Spoon themselves were in charge of the production and mixing this time around.

Typically, when the term ‘experimental' is thrown around, it means a band is going in a more difficult direction; a direction that only hardcore fans would really be into. Fortunately, Spoon still has all of their classic appeal in this record, tight and concise song arrangements, catchy grooves, lo-fi guitars, and a few piano numbers thrown in for good measure. The sound here is much more raw as well, especially on, "Got Nuffin," which is much more of a stripped-down and straight-forward rocker, probably more so than anything else they have done.

"Written in Reverse," the album's first single, immediately reminds the listener of the funky and smooth groove that Spoon captured in earlier songs like "I Turn My Camera On." Singer, Britt Daniel, croons "I wanna show you how I love you, but there's nothin there" over a fuzzed-out guitar riff for much of the song while the piano clunks and stutters like a rickety engine. The song then ramps everything up for its chorus, Daniel defiantly shouting "I'm not standing here!" shredding his voice apart while the other instruments crash into each other all around him.

Spoon also throws a few curve balls in the mix here, especially with the surprising "Good Night Laura," a tender, piano-driven ballad, that sounds as if someone had snuck into Daniel's bedroom while he was tinkering around with the song. "I Saw the Light," shows the band moving away from the typical minimalist instrumentation that they are known for during its extended coda at the end, which fits the song perfectly without seeming drawn out or too self-serving.

Throughout the majority of Transference, the drums are much more of an element in the mixes of the song, again, thanks to the band themselves mixing and producing the album. Because of the impressive, but usually understated, drumming of Jim Eno, the majority of the songs become much heavier than they usually are on past albums.

While this isn't Spoon's best album, it certainly stands among their best work. The sound here is different, but halfway through the opener, "Before Destruction," it's obvious that this is a Spoon album, but somehow shaken up a bit. There is a lack of super-catchy singles on Transference, but the band shows they have much more left in their tank than just great pop songs. Transference is more difficult than most Spoon material, but ultimately an incredibly rewarding pop-rock album that sneaks up on you after a few listens.

By Matt Erspamer   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Peter Jackson's talent is making the fantastic realistic, often doing so with a sky-high budget and production values that make fantasy settings all too real. From the fantasy trappings of his now-classic Lord Of The Rings Trilogy to his terrific reimagining of King Kong, Jackson has demonstrated a gift for story telling that places him in the ranks of the great modern directors.

Strange then, that the biggest problem with his latest, most real film, is that it isn't alive enough. The only way the viewer is to know that it's the 1970's is that it says so in the beginning. The only other time we get any indication of the time period is when we see the protagonist prancing around in hippie garb in her fantasy world.

That protagonist, played by the extraordinary young actress Saoirse Ronan, brings the movie alive, even though she's dead most of it. As she flees the scene of her horrific rape and murder, we see something of both beauty and terror, of innocence lost brutally. Unlike most murder mysteries, we know from the start who the murderer is, which plays to this movie's strengths more than anything. Stanley Tucci, until now famous for being Meryl Streep's sidekick, gives a chilling portrait of an isolated soul finding solace in the most disturbing, horrific way.

The rest of the acting, unfortunately, fails to live up to the grand standards set by Tucci and Ronan. Mark Wahlberg is particularly unbearable in the important determined-father role. This may be due to the scripts over-zealous happy family routine that encompasses the film's first act, or it may be that he has a niche where he performs well and this isn't it. Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon do some good to roles that are poorly underwritten.

This film contains several good parts, but fails to come together as a whole. In one scene you'll watch Ronan's Susie walk into a blood-drenched bathroom to see her murderer reveling in his accomplishment, only then to be taken back to a family that just isn't interesting without her in it. Some of the overbearing fantasy sequences of the in-between world Susie watches from combined with a watered-down PG-13 version of the source material bog down the material to being only average.

Grade: C

By Nick Baker   Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Legion is mix of just about everything; combining elements of action, horror, drama, and even a little comedy. Too bad this blend of genres added up to such a poor movie.

Legion takes place during humanities last days on earth, with god finally becoming fed up with people and deciding it's about time for an apocalypse. We get to watch it all happen along with a few other remnants of mankind in a lonely truck stop in the middle of the desert, where one of the workers there just so happens to be pregnant with civilization's last hope of survival. God will stop at nothing to keep this child from living and sends a militia of humans possessed by angels to kill it. Now this small band of survivors, along with the help of one of God's angels turned human sympathizer Michael (Paul Bettany), must protect the unborn child against heaven's immeasurable army.

The plot for Legion may sound unusual, but it plays out like every other survival horror movie you have ever seen. The group of unlikely survivors must work together to fend off the super-natural forces. The concept of angels being the bad guys seems like a great idea, but the movie ruins it by not making the actual angels attack people, but people possessed by angels. So instead of an interesting and unique adversary we get another generic villain that could just as easily be replaced by zombies or vampires or any other over-used monster.

The movie does have some descent action and occasionally unexpected scares, but these moments are too few and far between to give the movie any momentum. A possessed toddler and battle between two angels give the movie some life, but the other frights are predictable and the angelic duel is the only action to be found. The movie also throws in some dark humor and overly long dramatic monologues by the characters to try and give the film an extra shot of personality, but these feel boring and forced, working against Legion's final product.

The acting doesn't do Legion any favors either. With characters like Jeep (Yes, that is actually his name), who is perhaps one of the dullest heroes to ever exist on screen, it doesn't give the performers very much to work with. Even so, there is little realistic emotion on screen. Every character gives their own heartfelt speech, and every one of them comes off forced and dull. All these speeches do is put the audience to sleep while they're waiting for the next attack.

Even the battle hardened angelic protector played by Bettany, was less than entertaining. All of his lines were delivered in a soft, hardened voice, intending to make him seem like a rugged guardian, but instead just made him seem like he was trying too hard. He never really came off as tough, even when he was involved in the movies most action filled fight, you never really believe he is someone you would pick to take on a superhuman army and trust that he could win.

Legion had an interesting concept, but was spoiled in its execution. With some lackluster horror and action as well as some mediocre acting, the movie failed to give the audience any reason to stay interested in the plight of humanities last chance for survival

Grade: D+

By Jared Leatzow   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

To become a freaky athlete you need to have a freaky workout routine, I'm not talking about running through a dangerous neighborhood late at night. What I am talking about is a high intensity fat blasting workout that ignores the glamour muscles, and focus on functionality as well as making your heart feel like it is about to explode inside your chest, I am talking Crossfit.

Crossfit is not a linear exercise routine that is followed exactly the same week to week, what Crossfit is, is a athletic training system designed to unleash a athletic potential utilizing gymnastics, power lifting, bodybuilding and bits of odd object training.

This is not an exercise routine designed to get the meat headed muscle man big and ripped, it is about leaning out and being conditioned.

The system is a bit controversial; in fact if you go to a bodybuilding forum online you would probably find some hard-core lifters criticizing it. What is funny is though is the reason it is criticized is the reason why it is so good. The main principal of Crossfit is change, each week your routine is different the philosophy behind this is to keep the body adapting.

Unlike bodybuilding, which focuses on specificity, or rather working a particular body part over and over till it gets big and defined, Crossfit is meant to work the whole body and make it ready for any sort of sport.

Power lifting and bodybuilding have their place in the world of weight lifting and fitness. I see Crossfit as not a be-all-end-all sort of program, I see it as a useful alternative to serious weight lifters and general fitness practitioner. Crossfit could be used as a sort of conditioning program to get someone leaned out for a show or perhaps be used as a replacement day when you find yourself bored doing dead lifts.

The website Crossfit.com has a new workout each day for practitioners to follow, you follow that work out and you try to set a fast time as a goal. The site is completely free and offers a video library describing how each exercise is performed.

Crossfit has gained a sort of cult following and different gyms focusing on their philosophy have sprouted up all over across the country. Some gyms utilizing odd objects like stones, kegs and sand bags.

Here is a sample workout from the official Crossfit website.

225 pound Deadlift, 15 reps
50 Pull-ups
225 pound Deadift, 12 reps
40 Pull-ups
225 pound Deadlift, 9 reps
30 Pull-ups
225 pound Deadlift, 6 reps
20 Pull-ups
225 pound Deadlift, 3 reps
10 Pull-ups

By Brittany Novak   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

Pets do some of the funniest things when you're not expecting it. Their hyper activeness and basic understanding makes them the butt of slapstick comedy, all in good fun of course. Pet lovers will love these animals caught on video doing hilarious things.

You think your dog is smart? Watch this border collie do tricks that will dazzle you.

Perhaps dog shows aren't your style. They're not the only species that can get a crowd cheering.

I've met a few goats at various petting zoos over the years however none were as interesting as these guys.
Sit! Down! Roll over! Everyone expects those tricks from a dog. Want to train your dog to do something more unique? Take a look at this.
The title seems a bit presumptuous but I think I have to agree... This just might be the best cat video you'll ever see. 

Dogs can be pretty protective, especially when it comes to their food. When something threatens this dog's bone, things get serious.

Tricks are certainly an entertaining aspect of owning a dog but sometimes the most entertaining things happen purely on accident.

Okay, so dogs have a reputation for learning tricks but some would argue that birds could be serious competition in the intelligence department. Heck, they can talk.
Just because you're a fish lover doesn't mean you have to spend your days watching your pets swim in circles day after day...

This video proves not only the wile and persistence of pet ferrets, but also the pure genius.

*BONUS* I just couldn't leave this little beauty out. Try not to smile while you watch this viral internet video.

By Alysha Schlundt Bodien   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

By Jessica Suder   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

Traveling is something that almost everyone has done.  We've all traveled with friends, family, or alone.  It is one thing to travel with just a few people, but it is a whole other thing to travel when there are 14 people or more, things can get crazy.

The Central Michigan University gymnastics team traveled to Denver this weekend to compete in a tri-meet against Denver and Brigham Young University.  The results were not what were expected from the team, but it was a success none-the-less.  We beat BYU by two points but lost to Denver by .175 tenths of a point.  Although the results were impressive and the ending was happy, my story begins Friday morning in Mt. Pleasant at 8 a.m.

8:00 a.m. Freshman meet in front of Rose to load equipment

8:15 a.m. The rest of the team meets in front of Rose

8:30 a.m. Leave for Detroit

10:30 a.m. Arrive at Detroit airport

11:45 a.m. Plane takes off for Denver

11:00 a.m. Arrive at Denver

This is where traveling as a team becomes much more difficult than traveling solo.  Denver is two hours behind Mt. Pleasant. We ate lunch around 11 a.m. then headed to the hotel.

6:15 p.m. Dinner at Kristen's, a teammate who is from Denver, house.

Trying to get 14 people to meet in the same place at the same time is very difficult; rallying everyone up to leave together is quite the task as well. 

After dinner we are required to have a team meeting where we talk about the competition the next day and how we are expected to act.  We go over what we can do and how we have a very good chance of winning this competition and staying undefeated.  After the meeting we are sent back to our rooms to do therapy (our trainer travels with us) and get ready for bed.  Lights are out and televisions are off at 9:30 pm.  Our coaches actually go around and check the rooms to make sure everyone is sleeping at the right time.

Breakfast is at 9 a.m. where we all meet downstairs as a team and eat together. We all sit together.  Then we head back up to our rooms to get ready.  It is very important, especially in gymnastics, that we all look presentable and put together, we all have to wear the same outfit and have our hair done and makeup on.  It is important that we represent CMU gymnastics to our best ability.  After lunch and another team meeting we load the vans and leave for the competition. 

The Competition

We have to get there 3 hours before the actual competition starts.  We need to get treatment/therapy before the meet and (if you've ever come to watch a gymnastics meet we warm up 2 hours early).  Then we head back to the locker room to change and get ready to compete.  After the competition we all head out to dinner as a team, but we are only allowed to order certain items: no fried food, no cheese, no chips, only water, it has to be under $15, we have to leave food on our plate when we are "done", etc.  It is very important that we eat very healthy while we are in season, although sometimes it can be hard to do. 

 After dinner we head back to the hotel around 11:30 pm, pack our stuff, and go to bed.

Going Home

We wake up at 5 a.m. to catch our flight home at 7:45 a.m.  From here on, everything is pretty much the same as the flight in.

You might think that traveling as a team would be much better than traveling by yourself, and you might be right.  It is always nice to have people around and it is a lot of fun to be together, but on the other side it is way more stressful and way more chaotic. It is an experience, though, and I am glad that I have the privilege to do it. 

Photo by Jessica Suder

By Allie Boyer   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

Driving down I75 south, approaching exit 136, most visitors to Birch Run start to think about clothing sales, parking lots and shopping. But when I merge off the highway onto Birch Run Road, and turn in the opposite direction of the mall, I start to think about "home sweet home."

The rest of the world sees Birch Run as a shopping center. I have lived there my entire life and always viewed the mall as a job opportunity in high school and a reason to avoid driving through town on the weekends.

But my hometown is more than a great place to go Christmas shopping. If you drive straight through the traffic light rather than turning left into the mall, you head straight into downtown, and the heart of Birch Run.

Here you find the local grocery stores, Rueckert's Supermarket and Don's Foodland, and Marshall Greene Middle School, hidden behind the houses on Main Street. Just over the railroad tracks on the left is Goalpost, the perfect location to grab a pizza before heading to a football game for the Birch Run Panthers, and the gazebo out front, a popular place for pre-prom photo shoots.

Once you've passed Maxine's Flower Shop, however, farm country begins. Tractors are common roadblocks and cornfields stretch for miles on either side of the road.

While downtown has the grocery stores, the schools and Schmitzer's Hardware, The Exit Restaurant cannot escape a mention. After games, dances and Sunday church services, The Exit is where local families gather for a good meal and a visit with friends. While the tourists head to Tony's, Applebee's or Big Boy for lunch, the locals get comfortable at the Exit.

Down Church Street is the North Elementary School and Birch Run High School sitting right next to each other. The Panther mascot can be seen throughout the town on businesses, street signs and the water tower in support of our teams.

With about 600 students in the high school, everyone has a name and generations of families have walked the halls. My great grandma graduated from Birch Run High School in 1930, my grandpa in 1957, my grandma in 1959 and my mom in 1980. In 2006 I followed in my family's footsteps.

The Village of Birch Run holds a lot of history and is proud of its small town charm. So the next time you go for a shopping trip, turn off the beaten path and discover a little town, population 1,600, that I like to call home.

Photo by Allie Boyer

By Joseph Tobianski   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

Toronto is full of activity.  There is so much to do there. The Royal Ontario Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame, and sporting events ranging from soccer, basketball, baseball, and hockey to name a few.  There two parts of the city every college student should check out. 

If you are over the age of 21 and enjoy adult beverages, the most cost-effective thing to do is buy your beverages duty free at the border.  If you are not of age, there are specific stores that sell liquor, wine, and beer. You cannot just go to any local store. 

The first part of the city that I traveled to was a section called The Annex.  It is located on Bloor Street.  Along this section of Bloor Street are all kinds of stores, restaurants, and bars. If you are a fan of Asian and delicious sushi, and want to shop, this part of town is for you. 

Because The Annex is practically touching University of Toronto, there are all types of bars and dance clubs.  I went to The Wrecking Room just north of Bloor Street and Bathurst.  It was a $5 cover and the cost of drinks ranged from $4.50 for Bud and Budweiser to $7 for mixed drinks.  The most cost effective option is to buy a pitcher for $13.50. The music in the club had everyone dancing and was accompanied by music videos.

The next part of town that I visited was Queen Street between University Street and Spadina.  This was a match made in heaven for me.  The street is lined with vintage clothing stores.  The store that really caught my eye was The Black Market near John Street.  Everything in the store was $10.  For $20, I managed to get a suit coat and two shirts.  I could have spent hours and hours in that place.  There are similar stores along the street, but none were as cheap as The Black Market.  I would definitely suggest to head out there if you like vintage clothing. 

It was on Queen Street that I had a chance to have lunch.  I went to a place called India Palace.  They have a lunch buffet every day of the week for $10.95.  The samosa and buttered chicken was very tasty.  I have been to a few Indian cuisine establishments and this was by far my favorite.

There were three negatives about the city. First, taxi rides are expensive if you are traveling far.  This may be in part because gas in Canada is almost a dollar a liter, which covert to almost $4 a gallon. The start up fee is $4, so I recommend having at least $20 in your pocket for a cab ride.  If you do a little research and are good with maps and timing, check out the subway system, bus system and streetcar routes.  Second downer is plastic bags cost five cents, so it would be wise to bring some kind of bag when you go shopping.  My third complaint is everything seemed to be expensive in the city, like a majority of larger cities.  Always make sure you have room on your credit card just incase of emergencies.

Photo by Joe Tobianski