I think that the books are worse than the TV show, however. The books portray a much more hedonistic picture of the upper east side, without any sort of moral fiber or introspection on the parts of the characters.

The TV show seems to address some social problems unflinchingly, which, as you say, is a good wake up call for us teens at home (perhaps…).

This was the satire I wrote about gossip girls: http://lindseak.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/meme-high-school-daze-to-praise/

Have you heard of the Darwin Awards?

Nice new look, though I loved the old one too.

Hm. I find the idea of a university closed to “the universe” it’s supposed to serve kind of strange. All the universities and occasional community colleges I attended had no guards at gates, and I think that’s the norm in US colleges.

Funnier still, I knew a very smart student who was so financially under-privileged, he lived in a VW van he parked and slept and studied in next to the college. He chose to spend his limited funds on education instead of an apartment, since he couldn’t afford both (and his parents couldn’t either). He was one of the most interesting, brilliant people I had ever known. Took showers in the school gym.

So it goes. Crazy world.

You cannot define your faith only by the name of your college.

There are still many things we need to value. Sometimes, it is best to put aside those academics, and enjoy those other things that are given to us.

and this is what distinguishes us from nonliving things (or robots)
great blog post