What do you want to do before you die?

Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

It’s a simple question but, its not that easy to answer.  Despite from the entire semi-scripted reality  MTV spews out at us, the network still has some shows that stick to the good ol’ boy days.

“The Buried Life” is one MTV show that isn’t about sleeping around and getting drunk. The premise is simple: a group of guys travel the country with a list of 100 things they want to do before they die. They also help one stranger with one the thing they would like to do before they die. Some tasks on the list are: delivering a baby, learning how to krump, playing basketball with Obama, and the ultimate one, I think, is going to outer space.

The show got me thinking what do I want to do before I die? I would love to see all the wonders of the world, hang out with Obama and of course, go to space, and a lot more. The show really demonstrates how anything is possible just by simply asking some one to help. You never think total stranger will help someone out nowadays, but as humans, we need to help people no matter what, its like our instinct.

If you haven’t seen the show, you must. It will start to make you think about others and your life’s list.

So, what do you want to do before you die?

Check out the full “Buried Life” list here.

Concert etiquette for the new rocker

Lindsey Oyler, Alestle A&E Editor

by Lindsey Oyler, Alestle A&E Editor

I saw the Saosin show at Pop’s last night. The moshing was great, there was a few crowd surfs (totally illegal at Pop’s) and of course, tons of screaming/singing. The first band was Novella, of which I had a prejudice against already. I wished they hadn’t gotten the spot for the show. The next band was Before Their Eyes. It wasn’t bad, but it was a little too Yellowcard for me.

Then, the green laser lights turned on and the lights went low. Maylene and the Sons of Disaster was on the stage and the crowd went wild. They had a Southern rock tone combined with that punk rock feel. Never have I heard something original and so happy without leaving the alternative genre. It was an amazing experience.

Finally, after several sound checks with their own equipment, Saosin arrived. An announcer from the Point introduced them, with the crowd going wild. This was pure, simple and crazy emotion, coming only from the anticipation of the insane music they were about to witness. And oh boy, did Saosin fulfill it.

I wouldn’t have had a successful night though had it not been for my past concert experiences. There are several things that any concert-goer needs to do in order to fully have that experience and be able to say that “that show rocked.”

First, be ready to get shoved and to shove back. Any intense genre has plenty of moshing or semi-pushing going on in the pit, and being in the pit is the only way the show will be the best experience for you. Don’t get mad when you get jabbed in the ribs; everyone else is getting it, too.

Second, don’t be afraid to dance. Bobbing your head and swaying with the music will suffice, not full on dancing. Most joints don’t even allow hardcore dancing (rigid movements with no point whatsoever) such as picking up the change and wind-milling. But having your body in tune with the music (pun intended) is just another way to connect with the band onstage.

Finally, try to meet up with the band afterwards. I was lucky enough to get some shirts signed, a photo and a Facebook reference.  If you’re new to the concert scene, don’t feel like it’s a test. These bands are playing as a service to you. Enjoy it.

Never underestimate a good ol’ fashion house party

by Mathew Camp, Alestle Copy Editor

Ever since I turned 21, it seems that house parties have taken a place on the back burner when it comes to hanging out with my friends on the weekends. These days with all the bars and other places available to go and drink with friends, there hasn’t been much reason to focus the effort on looking for a party each weekend. However, this past weekend reminded me just how much fun they can be.

First of all, it is much cheaper to buy your drinks at a grocery store than it is to pay for them individually at a bar tipping a dollar with each drink. There is also no waiting in line for a drink, which can become a hassle in a crowded bar on the weekend. Besides convenience and financial reasons, the entire atmosphere of a good party is totally different from that of a bar.

It is a lot easier to hear people talk because of the size. Normally, you haven’t tried to cram 200 people in a relatively small room, all of whom are trying to talk over the DJ. Also, because you (generally) know the people there, it is easier to find people to talk with since most will be your friends or friends of your friends. As one of my best friends will attest to over the weekend, it is much easier to meet a girl in the more intimate setting of a party.

I had also forgotten what fun drinking games can be in my hiatus from house parties. I hadn’t played beer pong in months or flippy cup in even longer, but it all came back pretty quick. It’s kind of funny how competition goes hand-in-hand with drinking, and when you are winning, it is so much fun to gloat in the face of your opposing team. But due to the spirit of the competition, no one’s feelings are hurt because it eventually all comes full circle.

In general, the feeling is just more homey and comfortable than that of a bar. It’s so much easier to hang out and talk, there’s a multitude of drinking games you can play, and if someone drinks too much they can find a nice comfortable couch to crash on. (At their own risk, of course.) There is no last call until the beer runs out, in which case there is usually a happy person with a case to help out a friend in need.

There are several drawbacks, of course, such as potentially dealing with police due to noise complaints,  underage drinkers possibly sneaking in, and you still need to have that sober driver willing to take you  home at the end of the night, but overall, finding a good party can make for just as fun a night as going to a rockin’ bar.  It definitely is worth the change in pace.

‘Bad Girls’ make great TV

Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

The brilliant creators of the Real World have made another show that people cant stop talking about. Its nothing new, but the “Bad Girls Club” is a hit.

In a way, it’s television genius to put a group of self-proclaimed “bad girls” in a house with no TV and a bunch of alcohol.  Its TV gold. This season has to be the craziest one yet. The season is about to wrap up, but that’s not stopping the girls bad behavior. Fights between roommates in the house or at the club is what keeps people hooked in.

Natalie is the self proclaimed queen of LA, but she is not from LA. She constantly makes it know that she “runs LA” and the house. She is one of the most annoying characters on TV with her constant loud and rude behavior, but I can’t help myself  to want to see more of her.  It’s sad to see this person with no self-respect plaster it all over TV, but it’s fun watching this train wreck.

The show is basically a 24 hour viewing of the movie “Mean Girls” with alcohol. The “Bad Girls Club” is one of my guilty pleasures, and I can’t wait for the end of the season.

Damn Good Food: Sushi 101

Kenneth Long, Alestle Chief Copy Editor

by Kenneth Long, Alestle Chief Copy Editor

If there was a popular, hip food trend for today, it would have to be sushi. It’s gone from being a stereotypical, Oriental meal to being a power lunch of corporate suits and snobbish new-age stuck-ups. I figured, why not hop on this trend?

My first venture into sushi in Edwardsville led me to one of the newest venues, Wasabi. It’s actually part of a chain around the St. Louis area. Their Web site promised to provide the freshest fish in the Midwest. Sounds good to me.

I went with my friend Billy at about 3 p.m. on a Friday. He said this was the only time to go: Happy Hour. At first I had my doubts, as it sounded like we’d be getting plastered and eating raw fish. Thankfully, Happy Hour at Wasabi means ridiculously good deals on sushi. With a more limited scope of sushi to order, Make sushi (the kind that looks like little rolls of rice stuffed with many types of ingredients) priced most of their six to eight piece orders at about $5. The Nigiri sushi (rice on the bottom and a single type of fish on top) was two for one. While 3 p.m. isn’t the most romantic time to get sushi, it’s certainly the cheapest.

The Edwardsville Wasabi is on the end of a small strip of stores. This interior is lit with traditional Oriental lamps at the ceiling. I’ll have to come back at night, because with the glossy tables and chairs, the tapestries, the visible kitchen and plants, it’s probably a very classy place in the dark. Kudos for atmosphere.

Except the music. During the entire meal, we listened to a mixtape of mainly Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and Britney Spears. A better choice than the stereotypical string instruments of any Oriental place, but when I go for sushi, I’d rather not be reminded of a junior high dance. That makes me nervous and sick to my stomach.

Since it was Happy Hour and Billy and I are two hungry men, we selected four of the Make sushi: Tuna Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, St. Louis Roll and a mystery roll that Billy wouldn’t tell me. My surprise. Just because I’d wanted to try it since I watched Weird Al’s long-defunct movie “UHF,” we also got the Red Snapper Nigiri.

Within fifteen minutes, my stomach began to growl. They must have sensed this, as we soon found a wooden boat approaching the table. No, we weren’t at sea. Instead, it was a sushi boat. All the rolls were organized into small factions of pink fish rolled up in rice and seaweed; little pinwheels of vegetables, spices and sauces; the Red Snapper being the large and in charge sushi; the at the bow of the boat was a small plop of green, sided with shaved pink strips of what I at first assumed was fish.

I was amazed.  The only sushi I’d had before was at a Chinese buffet. This was my first real sushi experience.

Billy taught me how he usually eats sushi. First, pour a small dish of soy sauce. Next, select your sushi. You can season it with a bit of the green stuff (wasabi) or dip it in the sauce. Then, eat the whole piece and enjoy.

I started off with the Tuna Roll. Dip in the soy sauce. Stuff in your mouth. Delicious.  The biggest surprise with sushi is that it isn’t slimy or overly-fishy. It’s the only way for me to eat tuna now.

Red Snapper was equally delicious, but this fish had more meat to it.  The St. Louis roll was the biggest combo of flavors, with avocado and tiny carrots in it.  The Spicy Tuna had a mixture of flavors, finishing with a slow, gentle heat. The only downside was the sesame seeds. They gave it an unwanted nutty flavor that distracted me.

The mystery roll? It was made mainly of fried eel, which gave it a crunchy texture that complimented the fresh vegetables and rice.

The shaved pink strips I mentioned earlier was ginger root. This, Billy said, was to clear the palate of any type of sushi I didn’t like. I tried it, but not because I didn’t like the sushi.

After all was said and done, I was satisfied. Who knew I could be full on sushi? Now, the bill, the scariest part of dining out for any man.

A whole boatload of sushi was just over $20. My wallet and heart let a sigh of relief.

Wasabi is the best balance of price and fresh sushi I’ve ever had. For all you lovers and sushi lovers alike, visit Wasabi during Happy Hour. It may be a strange time for romance, but your stomach and wallet will leave fuller than you expected.