Note: Look for our recap posts after each episode of the Real World. The posts feature mostly Frank but also let’s you know what you missed. CLICK HERE for all our recap posts.
According to a thread begun on the site Vevmo, an online entertainment discussion community with a focus on reality television, recent Midd grad Frank Sweeney ’11 has been cast in the upcoming season of the Real World. Set in La Jolla, San Diego this will be the twenty-sixth season of the hit MTV reality series.
The bio of Frank on the discussion forum mentions his studies at Middlebury and even links to his hit performances at the Middlebury Moth. Other forums on the site claim that the show is to air this coming November or December.
With spring break right on the horizon, I know everyone here at Midd’s been feeling a bit of a pull to avoid the homework and experience some of this wonderful warm weather we’ve been having. Unfortunately, there are six days left before we all embark on our various adventures, so let’s buckle down. With that random tangent, I bring you interesting news of the week.
NEW YORK TIMES: It’s here. NYtimes.com has announced the introduction of a paywall for online subscribers. A reader can view 20 articles a month at no charge before the subscription price kicks in. Interestingly, if you come across a Times article via a search, blogs, or social media, you will still be able to read even if you have exceeded your monthly quota.
SQUIRRELS: A renegade grey squirrel is stalking a Bennington neighborhood, attacking at least 3 different people in the past 3 weeks. ”A tame squirrel is a loose cannon sometimes.”
EGYPT: Egyptian voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum on constitutional changes that attempt to address the problems of the Mubarak administration. The turnout for the election, over 40% of the populous, broke all records for recent elections.
JAPAN: Although officials in Fukushima have appeared to have some success in stabilizing a few of the nuclear reactors in question, the Japanese government has suspended shipments of milk and spinach after finding higher than normal levels of radiation in the food.
OREGON TRAIL: Ever been curious how the world’s most popular educational game was created? Interestingly enough, turns out it was three student teachers at fellow NESCAC school Carleton.
And your video of the week: (It’s not Rebecca Black, thank god, please get it out of my head)
MiddBlog tweeted out about this a few days ago. But when things go viral, more of Midd should get in on the action. Jimmy Wong ’09.5 was the #1 most viewed musician on YouTube yesterday with his response to the “UCLA girl.” His video is almost up to a million views helping his budding acting/singing/improv/producing/etc. career. At Middlebury, Jimmy was involved with the Theatre and FMMC departments, sang lead in a band (The Gremlin’s Kremlin), and sang for several semesters with the Mamajamas. Below the original video and Jimmy’s response:
Whew! Another week. Seriously, J-term is over folks. And with Winter Carnival over, its time to get to all that work we’ve been putting off for skiing, chili-eating, and general romping in the snow (or 50 degree weather).
PROTESTS: Tunesia is what sparked Egypt and Egypt is what is sparking the world. Seriously, people everywhere are having their voices heard: Libya, Wisconsin, Iran, Kentucky, the list goes on.
GIRL SCOUTS: Grist reports that many varieties of girl scout cookies use palm oil, the number one culprit that leads to deforestation in Southeast Asia, destroying the habitat for many communities of orangutans.
CONGRESS: On Friday, the House voted to cut off all funding to Planned Parenthood.
GRAMMYS: The Grammys last week inspired excitement in some, anger in others, and general apathy in the rest. Get pumped for the Oscars in a week!
MORE CONGRESS: As the House votes to cut $60 billion dollars from the federal budget, the Democratic-controlled Senate has signaled that it will not consider such extreme measures, setting up a standoff that could lead to an actual SHUTDOWN of the federal government.
And here’s your video of the week (watch it till the end):
With the first week of classes down for the Spring term, let’s take a glance outside the bubble that is Middlebury College and see what’s going on in the world.
EGYPT: After President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation Friday afternoon, the Egyptian military has consolidated control, dissolving the country’s parliament and calling for elections in six months.
BROADWAY: After a set of disastrous previews, ‘Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark,’ a $65 million dollar musical based on the legendary comic book series has received some of the most aggressively negative reviews I’ve ever seen. New York Times reviewer Ben Brantly says ‘“Spider-Man” is so grievously broken in every respect that it is beyond repair.’
VANCOUVER: In one of the worst areas for the fastest-growing AIDs epidemic in North America, Canadian health officials are taking a new approach, providing widespread treatment and a facility called Insite where addicts can go to get treatments, clean needles, and more without worrying about disciplinary action.
ECONOMY: This article describes an interesting for-profit way of investing in social programs. Already picked up by the White House and many other leaders of federal programs, social impact bonds have a lot of potential.
