October 23, 2006 By SHANNON NORDT Staff Reporter SAPSOI9@PSU.EDU Songbird Monica has done it again. After a long break due to the birth of her son, Rodney; Monica decided to embrace us once again with her voice. Monica’s new album was released on September 19, 2006, entitled, The Makings of Me. This album will be Monica’s fourth album since her debut in 1995 at the age of 14. Everyone expects the most from Monica’s new album because the last three albums have gone platinum in a short time after they hit the stands. But just like most artists, Monica strives for this album to be what her fans want, but she also wants it to be different. “This album has more storytelling than the others. 1 think that now, since 1 am able to understand some of the things that have taken place in my life. I’ve been able to put enough stuff in perspective and find a way to tell a story in three minutes,” said Monica while doing a interview with BET. The Makings of Me includes songs produced by Missy Elliot, Jermaine Dapri, Sean Garret, Tank, and Michael Cox; all who have a reputation of producing music that becomes popular. The title of the album explains it all as Monica tells BET.com that this title was hard to come up with, but it accurately represents the tracks on the CD. “It’s a diary of the last eleven years of my life, so it’s hard to group that all into one thing that makes sense. But this was the best title for the album,” said Monica at a BET.com interview. One of the first singles to hit the stands on Monica’s CD was a song produced by Jermaine Dupri titled, “Every time tha Beat Drop”. This songs talks a lot about Atlanta and the culture of the music produced in Atlanta. It also goes into Atlanta hip-hop culture and how it affects dance. Other songs on Monica’s album also include upbeat tempos but mostly talk about new and lost love, getting over relationships and keeping it real. Monica’s latest, The Makings of Me, clings to the audacious, in-your-lace formula that has kept the 25-year-old Atlanta native semi-relevant for so long. “With my third album, I’m getting a chance to express myself in a whole new way. I’ve been going through different changes people go through in life: the album title ‘After the Storm’ says it all. I've been through a lot since my last record came out in 1998 people close to me passing, dealing w ith my own development as a young woman who's been in the public ey e for ten of my twenty-tw o years, and figuring out where I was going with my career. I needed time to figure out all those things. I worked with my friend Missy Elliott on several tracks on the album and she and 1 thought the name for the album describes where I am now. It’s about finding the positive in the negative and finding the joy within the pain. Now, I’m learning to adjust to the changes I’ve been through and 1 can sincerely declare, the storm is over now!" said Monica. The R&B singer expressed her discomfort in having studio producers privy to her deepest thoughts, saying, “That was kind of private to hand over. It was going into the hands of about seven or eight people. It was difficult to do something like that the first time around.” One track was taken straight from the pages of her diary. Jermaine Dupri became inspired after he read a particular passage. Monica wrote, “Was it something I did wrong?” She said, “When Jermaine heard me say that, he wondered why the guy would pick the other woman, who doesn’t look better nor has anything going for her. That’s when he came up with the next song, “WHY HER.” THE CAPITAL TIMES Rock cli By LAILA DIDEBAN Staff Reporter SZDI23@PSU.EDU “1 don’t want to do this anymore!” I whined as I grasped the tiny nubs that barely jutted outwards. My motionless body clung to the rocky surface like a leech. There I stood, my arms shaking and my legs desperately searching for another ledge to safely rest on. I cursed the idea that had sprung so brilliantly into my head days earlier. “Woohoo, we’re going rock climbing! Are you ready, Roo?” Beaming with the goofiest grin, I looked over at my editor, Maruja Rosario, a.k.a. Roo. “You bet I am, girl,” Roo replied with a smirk. That’s when Matt Mahoney walked in. Mahoney, along with Roo, is the top dog for the Capital Times. He, like always, had to know what we were up to. “Haha, we have to tell him!” Roo and I started laughing. Mahoney sat down looking at us with the most quizzical eyebrows. “Laila and I have decided to broadcast the Hot Spot Review. Every week we will try some new activity. This will give more options when people are bored and don’t know what to do around here. Haha and get this,” she looks over at me “our show is going Circle K and Ha By MARIAM ELHADRI Staff Reporter MUEII7@PSU.EDU For many months, us Americans go with out spoiling ourselves to a holiday, but fall is that time of year to jump back into the holiday season again. Kicking us off is Halloween, a holiday appealing to all of our crazy imaginations, fearsome phobias, and most importantly, our sweet tooth. It is the only time of year where we can all step out of reality and dress up as something we’ve always dreamed of being, carve faces in v egetables, pay to be spooked, and feed on free treats. We find ourselves salivating at the scent of free pumpkin pie down the hall. Even the sight of pumpkin-launching trebuchets and the occasional ghost hunt around campus are not odd sights at this time of year. It is clear that at Penn State Harrisburg, college students are never too old to have a little Halloween holiday fun. The Circle K could not agree more. This year, the Circle K has stepped up to lead the campus with Halloween festivities. Their main event this year is the Middletown Borough Halloween Parade. The parade is an event that the Kiwanis dub of Middletown and the Circle K of Penn State Harrisburg collaborate and put in endless time and effort, from start to finish so Middletown and neighboring communities can enjoy. The Circle K helps to prepare for the parade by making sure all the floats are ready and in order. They later keep the floats in categories after the parade to be judged. The Kiwanis then judge the floats and distribute the prizes. In the previous years, the parade was a great success and had a huge turnout with floats and people from all neighborhoods coming to participate and watch. This year, the Halloween Parade took place Monday, October 16"’, at 6 p.m. starting out in Hoffer Park in Middletown. The President of the Circle K, Samantha Lewis, hoped for the same kind of crowd and community involvement as seen in previous years. She got exactly that. According to Circle K member, Joshua Salvi, sophomore of the School of Engineering, the parade had a great turnout. He stated, “Everything ran very smoothly from setting up and throughout the parade. Even most of the Harrisburg radio stations made it out to cover the event.” UptoS 1,790 worth of prize money was awarded among category winners for best large float, small float, scariest, most patriotic, original mb like a pro at Bass Pro Shop to be called The Adventures of Laila and Roo!” Mahoney just looked over at us sharing the same goofy grin. “Yea, and Friday we are going rock climbing,” I said. “It’s going to be so much fun!” “This is NOT fun!” 1 cried out, now stuck on the wall. “I don’t think we can suggest this as something fun to do!” I was halfway up the rock wall at the Bass Pro Shop in the Harrisburg East Mall. Roo was standing on the other side of the roped area edging me on. I cannot say that I took much notice to the growing crowd of people gawking at a Persian girl making a joke out of herself on camera. Yes, the camera was one thing I did take notice of. How could I not? Mahoney was yelling, “Hey Laila up here!” and shoved the camera in my face every chance he got. And I do realize you’re not supposed to ever look down when you’re climbing something, but yea, I did. The scariest thing was wondering if I had to climb all the way back down. Knowing myself, if I did have to climb down 1 would fall and it would hurt. Right about now my mind flashed back to moments before, when signing the waiver. “Hey Laila look at this,” Roo was standing at the sign-up booth for the rock climbing feature. She held a paper in her hand. 1 started loween combine for a good time group, original individual, comic, best marching/performing group, and cutest. Everyone who took part in this parade was very happy with success and are all looking forward to the growth of the event in the future. The Circle K is also working with the Student Government Association and other clubs on a Halloween Party for the entire campus. They plan for this event to take place on October 3T' from 9-midnight. Lewis stated, “My fellow Circle K members and 1 want to get all the clubs involved to help with this event. As we see it, if we are able to have the Halloween Party, this would allow our fellow Members of PSH's Circle K participate in the Middletown Borough Halloween Parade Monday night along with members of the Kiwanis club of Middletown classmates and clubs to get to know each other and have a great time.” In addition to the costume contest at the party, each club will be contributing some kind of activity or game for the students to participate in and win prizes. This year, Circle K is really interested in starting the tradition to have more activities for Halloween. Lewis stated, “Since I joined Circle K, which has been three years now, our club has skipped over Halloween and jumped straight into Christmas activities. The members, officers of Circle K, and I felt that we should get our campus to enjoy Halloween.” The students of PSH have made it clear that the most anticipated part of Halloween are the parties. Most students are excited about Halloween reading the paper over her shoulder. “May not climb if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” “May not climb if under 85 lbs.” “We are not to be held liable for death.” So now, on the wall, I’m thinking 1 could die, and lord why didn’t 1 wear that helmet! Oh yea, and that I would never make fun of those people climbing buildings and ledges again on Fear Factor. Listen, just because you have a harness on doesn’t make it any less freaky. “I’m coming down, NOW!” Roo tried to stop me, saying I had to go on and ring that bell. Come on Roo, I was thinking, this isn’t a soap opera. “Oh, you just wait until you have to do this!,” I said, “Haha, you just wait love!” show can provide an adventurous per son a day of excitement and laughs. because they get to dress up, see all the best and worst costumes, and have fun with Halloween related I activities. Even privately held parties are holding contests and prizes for the best costumes and ideas. Sophomore Chris Shishko of the School of Business predicted, “Theme parties ; are going to be the big thing this year because instead of random different costumes, everyone will be following a theme. It is interesting i to see how far people go to fit a theme.” Freshman Donny Smith, of the Division of Undergraduate Studies said he is most eager to see ; the girls, commenting, “They have the best costumes.” This is definitely the way college students modernize and celebrate and ancient ; tradition. For those who are willing to unleash their childish side and do not mind walking a good portion of the night, Middletown Borough’s trick or-treat night is on Thursday, October 26, from 6-8 pm. Although many students believe it is never too old to trick- or-treat, senior Cory Daniel, school of information science and technology, doesn’t think he will be participating this year. He said, “Being 6 ’4,1 really don’t think 1 can pull off being a regulartrick-or-treater the Middletown community is used to.” Although the borough had no comment about any safety rules, tips, or age limitations, they did mention police vehicles will be circulating Middletown throughout the trick-or-treat night. If campus festivities do not tickle your frightful fancy and your looking for more daring experiences, the central-Pennsylvania area offers a lot that can keep you busy this Halloween season. Haunted houses, hayrides, and amusement parks are open to the public all around the area. Jason’s Woods, Field of Screams, and the Halloween Park are all some local favorites. Although not terrifying, Hershey Park’s “Park in the Dark” is an event people of all ages love. With all the events this area has to offer, it is all treats in spooking up together a haunting Halloween. With that I pushed off backwards and glided into mid-air bouncing happily down towards stability. I have to say that was the most fun I had the entire time! “Laila I’m stuck!” Now it was Roo’s turn and 1 have to admit I took silent pleasure in her difficulty to get past the first level of the intimidating wall. Hungrily my eyes scanned the room for the camera. Pleased to see Mahoney beside me taping every second of Roo’s obvious struggle I snugly sat back in my seat. Roo must have heard my negative thoughts because she chose that moment to outshine me. That girl had some leg too! Once she got passed the first set of rocks she devoured the rest. I may have had my fake smile on cheering for her, but you know I had to be jealous. Ok, Roo, I thought, Johnny Depp is not up there! Fall already! She was shaking too; the climb took a lot of strength. Yes, I am truly evil. Then the next thing you hear is the sound of the bell ringing and Roo beats Laila and sets the stage for our show. “Show stealer!” Roo and I shouted as we taped Mahoney giving the climb a try. As we had expected, there was never any struggle for him. Needless to say we were all smiles. Of course, we made him put on that awful red helmet! It was hilarious and it gave Roo and ◄ Geek's Corner ► By LISA STONE Staff Reporter LCSI67@PSU.EDU For this week’s GC, I was feeling a bit political, so I thought I would tackle a fairly serious issue that could become a political hot potato sometime in the future. This week I am going to take a look at the pros and cons of chipping. Chipping is a term used to refer to the implantation of a small tracking microchip in the body. This technology is already offered by many veterinarians for pets in the event they get lost. Some hospitals even offer chipping services for children. But is this the right thing to do? There are some very real advantages to chipping. Should someone be in an accident, information such as blood type, allergies, and other vital medical information could be accessed quickly. This could assist emergency room physicians in administering safer, more effective treatment to injured chip recipients. Even family physicians could provide better services, thanks to more complete and accurate records available to them. Some ideas for chipping that are not very far down the road include tracking. Some companies seem to be very close to introducing an effective tracking chip for general use. While how effective this kind of chip will be in the near future is still up for debate, even a chip that allows for tracking when you are in the vicinity of the chip recipient could assist police. This could provide law enforcement with a significantly better chance of finding endangered individuals in time to make a difference. More grimly, but just as important, bodies without identification or soldiers killed in the line of duty would have a better chance of being returned to their loved ones. Other ideas under development for chipping technology include things like an integrated debit-card system. Instead of swiping your credit card you hold your arm under the scanner. It is also not hard to imagine automatic refusal to underage patrons attempting to purchase items such as tobacco, alcohol, or pornographic materials. Security systems based on chips, which would make it easier to restrict access to secure areas or computers, are also in development. How widespread these will be is unknown, but they are an option for companies and public service departments that need to handle secure data. These are some very impressive recommendations for chipping, but there is a down side to the idea of chipping. The first problem with chipping is privacy. Consider the fact that even if you have done I a fit of giggles. It was agreed by the three of us that it was an amazing Friday afternoon. Rock climbing had been a thrill we hadn’t expected. Yes, I admit, I had a blast. It had been a crazy feeling I wanted to conquer. Hmm, maybe next time I will! Bass Pro Shop Located in the Harrisburg Mall Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9a.m.-9p.m.; Sun. 10a.m.-6p.m. Activities offered: • Arcade • Archery Range • 60,000 gallon aquarium • NASCAR simulator • Rock climbing www.basspro.com and are doing nothing wrong, you will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. All of your purchases; stops during the day; what buildings you went into; could potentially be recorded. Is it really all that far-fetched of an idea that businesses could buy information from the companies so that they could “better serve their client base?” Many people understandably find this idea less than attractive, and it isn’t fear of being caught doing something wrong. They simply value their sense of privacy. A need for some privacy is a normal and healthy desire people have. That is why your right to privacy is protected by law. Even children and adolescents have some, although by necessity lesser, right to privacy. It is a documented fact that, when parents constantly trample their children’s sense of privacy, it can harm them emotionally and developmentally. Even if a stringent privacy policy regarding chips is created, the business with the government permitted phone taps without court approval points towards serious issues with the sanctity with which the right to privacy laws are viewed. While the government may have no reason to violate laws regarding chip privacy, many people have already lost faith in the United States’ ability to ensure the privacy of its citizens. Even if the government doesn’t abuse or allow abuse of access to something like chipping networks, there are most certainly technologically savvy individuals out there who would. Chipping is a technologically based concept and, as many readers of Geek Comer probably know, technology can and will be abused in some way. That is simply the nature of technology or, more specifically, some of its users. So, is it worth it? Do the safety benefits outweigh the privacy issues? In truth, only you can decide that. My recommendation is to make your own decision. Don’t let the pro-chip people pressure you into having your child chipped with statements like “Your child’s safety is more important than anything, what kind of parent would NOT get their child one of these!?!” Don’t let the anti-chip people scare you with tales of the CIA knowing where you get your underwear. In a way they are both right. What you have to do is decide what the most important thing is and what risks you are willing to take. In truth, that is all any of us can do. Make your own decision regarding this issue and be aware that when it does hit the mainstream, there will probably be many activists trying to change your minds for their own purposes.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers