Culture

Drums give CD personality

Sorry for the constant drug referencing when describing the numerous rock 'n' roll CDs that come barreling across my desk.

Film blurs heroism, terrorism

"V For Vendetta" is a futuristic film that warns of the dangers of a fascist government and justifies terrorist actions to topple such powers.

'Tsotsi' a cure for cynicism

Every once in a while the Academy gets it right. Earlier this month, South African Moviworld Productions' film "Tsotsi" won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. If this film had been made by an American company it would have been in the running for Best Picture.

Capitol offers more than art snobs

When I was a junior high student in Santa Fe, my friends always complained there was nothing to do. This annoyed me, partially because my friends were losers whose idea of fun was to get wasted and act stupid, which you can do anywhere. So in an effort to prove my loser friends wrong, I give you things to do in Santa Fe - besides getting drunk.

Litter takes away from striking scenery of Jemez

We were just outside of Bernalillo, on the edge of the desert, when I shrugged and began to fake cold. "It's like 80 degrees out here, dude," my driver said. "Why don't you just shut up and enjoy the ride?"

Taking a break to dance

Maybe you were planning to spend this Spring Break sleeping, watching TV and eating barbecue flavored potato chips on your couch. You are a lazy bum and should be ashamed of yourself.

Panhandle, hitchhike through Spring Break

In an effort to find stuff to do for Spring Break with absolutely no money, I thought long and hard. If you really want to travel but you have no cash, you can hitchhike anywhere. Seriously. Just check out digihitch.com. We've all heard the horror stories, and while some may be true, I have never had any problems. Of course, if you look as psycho as I do while standing on the side of the road, the drivers who are brave enough to pick you up probably won't mess with you.

How to have fun at home

Spring Break will rear its ugly head a few short days from now. I am going to use the time to get a lot of things done - that screenplay, some house cleaning, read A Million Little Pieces and study for those two math classes I am failing.

Spring broke

Spring Break is upon us. You now have exactly one week to let the groove you have finally managed to work yourself into fizzle into disarray. The remaining eight weeks will be absolute hell on Earth. All is lost. Now that you know you are doomed, try to enjoy yourself.

Photographic sunsets and laughs in White Sands

It was too early Saturday morning. Tired and bitter, I picked up my friend Jasmine to begin our trip to White Sands. We met up with the photographer, Harrison Brooks, and his two friends; one a transfer student from New Jersey and the other a Harry Potter look-alike from southern New Mexico. We blasted "Road Runner #1" by the Original Modern Lovers as we followed the guys south.

Zoo brings out the child in everyone

Times sure have changed. The last time I was at the zoo was around the same time I was sporting the light-up sneakers, jewelry I made in Girl Scouts and a "101 Dalmatians" backpack with all the Lisa Frank accessories. "Full House" was my favorite TV show, and I had the biggest crush on Zack Morris from "Saved by the Bell." Weren't the 1990s the best time to be a kid?

Aussies add substance to pop

Australia has its fair share of celebrities - Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger, Mel Gibson - yes, he really is from Australia - and, of course, Crocodile Dundee. But be sure to add the Veronicas to that list after you listen to their album The Secret Life of. These identical twins - Jess and Lisa Origlasso - hail from the land down under in Brisbane, Australia, and have a powerful sound that - even though it borders on the edges of a pop group - has substance.

Duke City's past a wild West tale

Albuquerque is a wild place, past and present. Howard Bryan writes about some of the crazier moments in his history of the Rio Grande Valley in Albuquerque Remembered. For example, a lawyer comments on a public execution rather nonchalantly.

Theater, dance combined to explore terrorist's mind

Liam Steel is in the middle of a five-night run of shows in Gainesville, Fla. "My body's a bit stiff," he said. Steel directs and performs in the show "Sinner," which hopped over the Atlantic from London for a tour of the United States.

Quintessential rap group stays classic

If one were to look up the term "hip-hop" in any dictionary, more than likely, he or she would see a photograph of Dilated Peoples. They deserve this honor not because they are the greatest rap group. They aren't. They should get a photo because their sound is the absolute essence of hip-hop music.

'Hamlet' stripped down to the basics

"To be, or not to be: that is the question." If you do not recognize this quotation, you are either an alien or an uncultured slob. Fortunately, all you slackers or martians have a wonderful chance to learn about Earth culture from William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," starting March 17 at the Vortex Theatre.

" Best Student Essays " awarding cash to winners

Depp disappoints in dark film

Johnny Depp is trying too hard. This was made sufficiently clear after viewing "The Libertine." While the film has its moments, for the most part it was a two-hour Oscar bid that managed to avoid any success with the Academy during its film festival runs.

Column: A wacky night at the Oscars

Ah, the Oscars. Where else can you see host Jon Stewart admitting his gay crush on George Clooney to a worldwide audience, a bunch of crazy French filmmakers carrying penguin dolls and a rap group named Three 6 Mafia now being able to go by the title of "The Academy Award-winning rap group Three 6 Mafia"?

Column: Giving Bono the peace prize means we're not trying hard enough

I'm often accused of being cynical. But I don't see how anyone could blame me. The Nobel Peace Prize is a nice award. It acknowledges those rare homo sapiens who want everybody to stop killing each other. I like that.