Dumpster diving– the practice of taking another individual’s trash and putting it to good use– is becoming a more widely accepted practice. Every day, millions of people throw away food, clothing, furniture, and other items that can still be used. These items only need to be cleaned, and sometimes repaired or re-purposed, before they [...]

I’m not going to lie to you, I was not at all interested in writing my column this week. When I decided against going to Austin for spring break, my interest in “surfing” music-related sites diminished significantly. You see, I could not bring myself to look at the pictures, videos, and lengthy posts on Stereogum [...]

In the age of multiculturalism in which we live, many might expect that racism would be a thing of the past. However, another in a series of racially charged episodes emerged in the English football world, when Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez refused to shake the hand of Manchester United’s French defender Patrice Evra. This [...]

I don’t like Christmas music. For the most part, I think it’s repetitive and flat-out annoying. It is only catchy in that super mind-numbing way, and like every popular song that gets stuck in our heads, we never know all the words. (I dare you to try to sing “Silent Night” through to the end [...]

I’ve noticed myself slowing down lately. I walk slowly, one step at a time. Not keeping pace with anyone, feeling the ground beneath my soles. It’s nice: no hurry, no worries. It’s a practice of engaging in the journey, not just rushing toward a destination. Embracing the how along with the what. A similar kind [...]

After months of growth and publicity, the Occupy movement appears to be at a critical juncture.  Police have routed them from urban spaces in New York, Portland, Oakland and London, among other cities.  As weather turns colder, their ability to stage prolonged outdoor protests may wane.  And media attention, which was slow to develop in [...]

One thing I have come to learn about myself is that I am a fiend for coffee shops. Coffee is an excellent beverage, yes, but it is not always the same when you are drinking it by yourself in your dorm while watching something on hulu. But coffee shops, now that’s different. The atmosphere, culture, [...]