So, what exactly does Steve Jobs have up his sleeve this time? Well, he is aiming to steal some of Facebook’s thunder, by creating a solid music-centered networking system. The announcement of Ping was unveiled along with the new iPod models.

Check out this tasty bulleted list for the breakdown.

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• Ping- If Facebook and Last.fm got together and had a bouncy bundle of joy it would be Ping. Ping is the super-intuitive networking system that works with your iTunes account to connect you to all your friends. Users are able to upload pictures, select ten songs to display on their profiles, review music, and showboat what concerts they are attending.
• Logo Change- Yes, the classic CD backdrop has been discarded for a more digital age-friendly design.
• iPod Touch now supports “FaceTime”- The extremely popular tech on the iPhone 4G is now available on Apple’s most popular music player.
• iPod Nano-has converted to touch screen, has a built in FM radio, and a pedometer.
• iPod Shuffle-Has voice-activated and touch controls.

PCMag follows the launch announcement and demonstrates the new devices.

The Constitution and Citizenship

The first line of section one explains everything, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Dr. Loren Gatch, a political science professor at UCO, says that, “That part that pertains to citizenship is very clear.” While political pundits argue their cases nightly on cable news programs, and local politicians ready themselves for elections this fall, the word “repeal” has somehow fallen into the conversation.

Click here to see Dr. Loren Gatch explain the original intent of the 14th amendment.

Oklahoma Republican Senator Tom Coburn was not available for a comment, but in an interview with The Journal Record last Thursday, he told them that he was against altering the definition of a citizen in the 14th amendment, and on the topic of altering the Constitution said, “we shouldn’t do it”.

The Politics of Symbolism

Gatch says that taking aim at repealing a constitutional amendment is merely “symbolic politics”, and that actually repealing the amendment is a massive undertaking. But what about the other lines in the 14th amendment? The citizenship clause is merely the first sentence of the amendment.

Amanda Snipes, senator for the UCO chapter of Young Democrats, says “they [politicians and pundits] are only talking about section one. The fourteenth amendment also talks about due process, and it includes a lot of other rights and protections. Picking what you want just to get people out to the polls in November is not what our politicians need to be focusing on, we have real issues.”

The amendment goes on to say, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. ” It is from this sentence that scholars have interpreted the rights to “due process” and “equal protection”. These rights are very important, and very relevant to current political culture because as recently as four weeks ago, a California State Supreme Court judge struck down the state constitution amendment banning same-sex marriage on grounds that it had violated the 14th amendment.

An Amendment of Inclusion

Snipes says that “the fourteen amendment to me is an amendment of inclusion. I think it’s something that’s focused on inclusion because it was intended to extend citizenship rights to newly freed slaves, and it’s part of what american democracy is all about, recognizing american citizens and their humanity. It’s a very central part of what our intention is as a government legislature and as a government body.”

The alternative to repealing the amendment would be to have the Supreme Court change it’s views on the amendment, and Gatch says, “It would be easier to get the court to reverse its interpretation.” How does the court interpret the amendment? Gatch says that the line has been read as conferring citizenship to anyone born in the United States, not just freed slaves as the amendment originally intended.

Does being an citizen really make you an American? On the UCO campus, Samuel Begemann, a sophomore graphic design student, doesn’t think that where you were born defines your national identity. “Anybody can be born here, and other people can have the attitude of freedom and democracy and stuff like that. It’s just more like the mindset of America makes you an American.”

The issue is over whether or not a cultural center, meant to educate and advocate religious tolerance, should be built near the site dedicated to the victims of 9-11. The polarizing issue has created a politically charged atmosphere and raised questions over the line between the freedom of religion and what is to be considered socially appropriate taste.

The animated arguments from both sides have seen extensive coverage by the mainstream media, but no peaceful resolution can yet be seen upon the horizon. Many who are publicly opposed to the center, have used the Founding Fathers as a voice piece, claiming that it is against the principles of a nation, established upon the bedrock of Christianity, to embrace religious tolerance. This rhetoric seemingly disregards the significance of the first amendment, which the American Revolutionaries felt necessary to place at the top of the Bill of Rights, ensuring protection against tyranny and religious persecution.

The maxim of America is the freedom to choose. There is no doubt that the proposed religious center has the ‘right’, through the separation of church and state, to be built anywhere that is legally zoned for a religious center, so the only unanswered issue is whether or not it is within good taste.

It is unfair to paint any organization as diverse as Christianity or Islam with a broad brush. Uncouth acts have been carried out in the name of many Gods throughout history. The fact that the terrorist attacks were allegedly carried out by Islamic extremists should be of little consequence to the Nation of Islam as a whole.

The recent level of intolerance being displayed has the potential to take away part of what makes America what it is. If the extremist’s that terrorized a symbol of freedom by destroying the twin towers goals were to undermine American ideals, then they win. If we idly disregard our obligation to the protection of everything that we as a nation have fought for since our inception, then the idea of what makes the United States of America the greatest empire in the history of humankind is simply a piece of the past.

The freedom of expression is the real foundation of this great nation, and if that means that the placement of a memorial, dedicated to education and religious tolerance, infringes upon some Americans perspective of good taste, then that is a small price to pay for retaining the rights of the individual to create their own path and pursuit of property and happiness.

This week social networking giant Facebook reached the momentous 500 million user-mark. Now, listen, I am a humble man. I buy awkward t-shirts at thrift stores, I shave with a single blade Bic, and most of my groceries come out of a can.

So how am I to survive in a wave of social networking, with shirtless mirror pics of egomaniacal dandies riding the crest?

Poke fun, I suppose. I mean I cannot be a success in a culture where the state of my abs supersedes all personality factors, given the condition of my tummy. I have the stomach of a 40-year-old woman who has birthed six kids, and I’m a man. Look at my beard. Yes, the modesty of humankind is in need of a transfusion, so I’m going to shoot the status quo full of sarcasm.

Social networking has made us all fall head over heels for ourselves. We use sites to promote half-baked philosophy, witty remarks, mushy boasts, political rants, cries of boredom, and requests for incessant text messages. We want an army of so-called friends to give our sentiments a thumbs-up, to cast our opinion of whether or not cheerleading is a sport into brainiac gold.

Who is to blame? It would be easy to say celebrities, or a high-speed lifestyle where classic romance is traded for sexual quick fixes, but I feel the original criminal is the deterioration of high art.

Our culture prescribes to a Jerry Bruckheimer state of mind. Explosions and sex scenes. Action, action, action, for the plot requires too many brain cells. We celebrate formulated pop and any country song that talks about daddies fighting wars, front porches, mama’s cooking, dogs, and patriotism sprinkled in the chorus so every demographic is appeased.

Low culture revels in immediate pleasure. Girls in microscopic shorts and boys lifting up their Affliction t-shirts all in the name of swollen egos. It is a cancer that is constantly eating at us. Gimme, gimme, gimme more attention.

I want people to be real. I want them to be relatable. Not puppets that play lip service to whatever is trending on Twitter. Not to be so caught up in their story that they cannot see past their passing wants.

Put on your shirts, ab fiends, put on some pants, scantily clad lady friends, turn off Bad Boys II, and read Brave New World.

An exhibit taking place through Aug. 15, 2010, at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art brings to light costume design’s impact during the course of American film history.

Sketch to Screen: The Art of Hollywood Costume Design has 68 pieces of film apparel, 20 accessories, 60 sketches of costumes, 20 film clips and more than 100 photographs. It features the work of some of the most notable costume designers of the Hollywood studio era, including Walter Plunkett, Gilbert Adrian, Travis Benton and Edith Head. Many of the pieces have been worn by some of the biggest names of past and present Hollywood, such as Audrey Hepburn, Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo, George Clooney, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Russell Crowe, Robert DeNiro and Johnny Depp.

There are 10 sections in the exhibit: Early Cinema, Femme Fatale, Gone with the Wind, Period Films, Women’s Fashion, Musicals, Westerns, Comic Books & Animation, A Man’s World and Oscar® Winning Designs.

Sketch to Screen is supplemented with a series of films that show some of the most memorable costumes seen in film. The film series contains motion pictures that have pieces shown in the exhibit, such as “Atonement,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Funny Face.” Film screenings are in the museum’s Noble Theater 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays for the exhibit’s duration.

The exhibition was put together by the OCKMOA and co-curated by Brian Hearn, film curator, and Jennifer Klos, associate curator. Among the lenders to the exhibit are the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Universal Archive, 20th Century Fox Archive, MGM Archive, Oklahoma History Center, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Some pieces in the exhibit date as far back as the silent screen era, like the bolwer hat in Charlie Chaplin’s “The Circus” (1928), and the “Tramp” shoes Chaplin wore in “City Lights” (1931). Also on display are the jeweled fan mirror and lipstick holder seen in “What a Widow!” (1930). Silent film star Gloria Swanson designed both items herself.

A couple notable ensembles in the exhibit include the cream silk satin evening gown seen in “Bombshell” (1933) on Jean Harlow, “the original blonde bombshell,” and the two-piece Givenchy beige silk faille suit Audrey Hepburn wore in “Funny Face” (1957).

One of the more elaborate gowns in the exhibit is the one worn by Greta Garbo in “Queen Christina” (1933). The two-piece beige velvet period gown was designed by Gilbert Adrian. It has a filled bodice and Eugene neckline. The full sleeves of the gown are trimmed with crocheted cuffs, and it has a matching skirt with train.

Another elaborate piece is the gown worn by Dorothy Christy in the 1938 “Marie Antoinette.” It was also designed by Adrian. It is a “gold lamé ball gown with a full hoop skirt trimmed in black lace in scalloped pattern with black velvet ribbons, ruffled three-quarter sleeves with black lace and velvet bows.”

The exhibit includes “Gone with the Wind” (1939) reproductions of what Walter Plunkett designed for Vivien Leigh to wear as Scarlett O’Hara. There are reproductions of the blue velvet dressing gown, burgundy velvet dress and the green curtain dress, which is said to be the most famous gown in history.

Other pieces include the two-piece black and silver lame Egyptian gown worn by Claudette Colbert in “Cleopatra” (1934); the pants, shirt, jacket, suspenders, red sash and red ties, prop spurs, rubber spurs and sombrero worn by Steven Martin in “Three Amigos” (1986); and a coral evening gown and a navy silk suit from “Titanic” (1997).

Sketch to Screen also contains pieces from more recent popular movies, like the dress, shoes, gloves and hat designed for Nicole Kidman to wear in “Moulin Rouge” (2001); the black sequined gown with spaghetti straps worn by Renee Zellweger in “Chicago” (2002); and the two-piece pink skirt suit designed by Sophie de Rakoff that Reese Witherspoon wore in “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde” (2003).

Cate Wieck, costume designer and assistant professor of Costume Design & Technology, gave education curators ideas for the Sketch to Screen: The Art of Hollywood Costume Design Lesson Plan Unit.

“It is a resource guide for teachers,” Wieck said. “They can choose from a variety of activities to incorporate into their lesson plans.”

Wieck described how crucial costumes are for creating theater and film.

“I think costumes are very important, whether actors put together costumes themselves or a costume designer is putting the whole show together,” she said.

“Costumes are a tool. They help convey personality, age, social status, time period, sometimes season. Costumes are important for creating the world for theater and film. … It’s really important that everything fits together.”

When designing the actors’ clothes, Wieck first puts herself in the actors’ shoes.

“The early performing I did … helped me think like an actor. It’s up to me to make sure the actors are comfortable and understand why they’re wearing what they’re wearing. Part of my job is making sure actors are comfortable in the skin I give them. I ask actors lots of questions so they have what they need.”

The script is also always extremely important to Wieck.

“I look for clues within the text. … When I’m designing costumes, I’m inspired by music, by color and texture. … I find a lot of texture in words,” Wieck said. “The texture can be texture of fabric, of language. … The words of a script are very important to me. … I look at language, I look at music, I look at art.”

Wieck personally likes a lot of the costume styles of the past.

“My favorite 20^th century era would be the 1930s,” she said. “I really lean towards the ’30s and ’40s. I like the clothes from that time period. I also like the early 19^th century, up until the big hoop skirts of the Civil War era.”

This fall Wieck will be starting her fourth year at UCO. She’s been designing costumes for nearly 20 years and has costume credits in more than 100 productions. She did a lot of freelancing before working at UCO. She has a bachelor’s degree in theater and a master’s degree in costume design from University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“It was never my passion to be on stage,” Wieck said. “I really like the getting ready part of production. I really enjoy clothes.”

by Big Boi

Release Date:

July 6, 2010

Label:

Def Jam

*out of 10

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Always seen as a sharp rapper, yet also perceived as a mere sidekick to Andre Benjamin in the southern rap, revolutionary group OutKast, Big Boi has a tremendous amount to prove on his first proper solo outing.

Big Boi not only proves it, but creates one of the strongest hip-hop albums of the last five years. Each track glides into the next, and each song is exquisite lyrically.

Yes, Big Boi has quite the big mouth, but I’m sure you figured that from the gargantuan album title. Having a big mouth is no crime in rap, in fact it’s quite the asset.

• “Shutterbug”, the first single off Big Boi’s “Sir Luscious Left Foot…”

The opening track to the album begins with a Spaghetti Western whistle that quickly is tinged with base and heavy keyboards. Smooth is the best adjective for the prelude, and when it starts to drop down, you will probably wish for a little more, fret not. Big Boi addresses your concern at the close by saying, “That ain’t nothing but the intro.”

“Daddy Fat Sax” hits swiftly. The lyrical assault will leave your heading spinning. Toward the close, the assault is traded for a spacey melody with femme backing vocals.

Production truly shines on “Turns Me On”, as the subtle electronica transitions into surprising vaudeville around the 2:35 mark.

Big Boi‘s delivery is wonderfully novel. He never falls into a cozy rendition pattern. He will trace the backbeat one moment, then will swim up the beat, the next. He will transition into several different stylings at any given moment, keeping the listener on their toes.

“Shutterbug” the incredible single from the album is the best example of Big Boi‘s vocal delivery. He fires the chorus, “Now party people in the club it’s time to cut a rug/And throw the deuce up in the sky just for the shutterbugs,” with speedy precision. The song also features a ripping base and the sound of automobile crashes dot every 16th beat.

“General Patton” samples a choir that would even make Peter Jackson jealous.

“Tangerine” lets the guitar and conga drums takes center stage. One of the album’s sexier songs, for Tangerine “shakes it like a tambourine”.

Big Boi softens up on the beautiful “Be Still”, as a soulful voice starts, “Be still young heart/never will you fall apart.”

Many have wondered if OutKast will ever craft another record. After 2006′s inconsistent Idlewild soundtrack, this album may be proof that the two are better off on their own.

“Fo Yo Sorrows” certainly affirms that. A definite highlight, finding Big Boi at his most political,“Yeah, I’m still speakin’ about it ’cause New Orleans ain’t clean,” cries Big Boi, “When we shoutin’ ‘dirty south,’ I don’t think that is what we mean/I mean, it mean the rough, the tough, the dangerous, we reign supreme/Can slaughter entire teams with the ink that my pen bleeds.”

This album will most likely be on nearly every music publication’s top ten best albums of 2010 list. A long overdue, creative, lyrical barrage of an album that the listener will want to play on repeat.

"Nesting," by Rosie Sandifer, is located at 1st and Broadway. The bronze statue is one of many statues scattered around the city of Edmond.

In a recent CNN article, four Oklahoma cities appeared in the top 100 places to live in the United States, with Edmond weighing in at No. 35. Stillwater was ranked at 67, Norman at 70 and Broken Arrow at 81.

Only 10 other states had four cities on the list – California, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin, while only three states had five cities on the list – Colorado, Connecticut and Minnesota.

The article broke down how the cities were selected. For the 2010 list, only cities with a population between 50,000 and 300,000 were eligible. Among many factors that narrowed down the selection process were family income, ethnicity, education quality, crime levels, housing affordability, arts and leisure opportunities and job growth. Smaller details that might be overlooked were also evaluated, such as the traffic flow and casual gathering places.

Patrice Douglas, mayor of Edmond, and UCO President Roger Webb both noted that in addition to the CNN article, Edmond was also recognized by another publication. Family Circle magazine ranked Edmond as No. 1 in its list of 10 Best Towns for Families in a recent issue.

“Edmond is indeed a great city,” Douglas said. “We are being noticed because of our quality schools and universities, our economic development efforts and our quality of life. To be vibrant, you need all of these.
“I love my role as mayor. With the notice of these two national magazines, clearly they agree with my belief that Edmond is the jewel of this state and region,” Douglas added.

Webb also thinks very highly of Edmond.

“My family has found Edmond as a wonderful place to live because it is a city that works,” Webb said. “The city infrastructure is reliable. Edmond is safe, has remarkable schools, colleges, variety of places to worship, surprising diversity, amazing public art, parks, and some of the best restaurants found anywhere. Edmond is simply a friendly town and a cool place to live.”

So what are the highlights of Edmond and these other recognized Oklahoma towns? All of them happen to be college towns, so to start off with, the campuses are definitely worth a visit, whether it is to take in the scenery or browse the campus bookstore.

What to do in Edmond? Edmond truly does offer a myriad of activities and sights. A drive through the city will unearth unique bronze statues scattered along the streets. Also of note is the UCO Jazz Lab. The Lab, located on E. Fifth Street, is gaining recognition as a working classroom and excellent jazz club. Many outdoor activities are available in the city, or just outside of it, as in the case of Arcadia Lake. Arcadia offers everything from camping to water skiing to equestrian trails. After visiting the lake, a trip to the landmark gas station and restaurant Pops is in order. Located on Route 66 in Arcadia, it sells just about any flavor of soda imaginable.

What to do in Stillwater? Eskimo Joe’s, known for those famous big ol’ grin shirts, is celebrating its 35^th anniversary July 19-25. Located at 501 W. Elm St., it has been voted as one of the top post-game hangouts.  Stillwater also offers many enjoyable golf courses, one of which is the Karsten Creek Golf Club. It is a nationally recognized golf course. See website for reservation information.

What to do in Norman? On the other side of the metro is the “rival” city of Stillwater, Norman.  Located a short distance off 1-35 is the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. The museum recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and in addition to the actual exhibits, the museum offers other programs for kids and is available to rent for birthdays, weddings and other events.  Norman is also home to the Ring of Fire Studio, a glass-blowing studio owned by Craig and Alison Clingan that is rated to be one of the best in the state.

What to do in Broken Arrow? The Broken Arrow Blue Bell creamery is one of three BB production facilities, with one residing in Texas and the other in Arkansas. Built in 1992, the facility offers tours 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. The city boasts numerous parks for families to enjoy, ranging from small neighborhood parks to sport complex parks, complete with football fields and other sport facilities. To round out a trip into Broken Arrow, there are a variety of clothing, furniture and art shopping opportunities along Main Street.

The Official YouTube Blog made an announcement on Tuesday, June 6^th that the site would launch “Life In A Day,” which looks to be a cinematic experiment unlike most anything done before, at least not on this scale.

According to YouTube, participators in the event will have nearly limitless options. One may choose to film the ordinary (i.e. morning paper runs, ice cream for breakfast, music piracy, etc.), or the not-so-ordinary (i.e. goose attacks, talking cats, bungee jumping, etc.) in an attempt to submit compelling footage. This footage will then be edited into a feature-length documentary film.

Kevin Macdonald, director of such films as The Last King of Scotland, Touching the Void, and State of Play. Macdonald will be tasked with editing the most interesting and unique of the short films into a much greater work.

According to Macdonald, he seeks to make a film unlike anything that has ever been done before. He hopes to bring thousands of people together on a single day, to observe these people’s individual experiences on July 24^th, 2010, and how they make one collective whole.

Macdonald says that the film will act as a sort of time capsule for this one day, which people 20 years, or maybe even further down the road can look back, and see what the world was like for that one day lost in time.

Not everyone feels that the concept behind the film is as fresh as it might seem.

“I don’t really think it’s new necessarily,” Brittany Dalton, UCO Sophomore, says. “I think the idea has always appealed to people. No matter how mundane the task, it’s always interesting to other people. It gives you a sense of being a little important, if you know someone else is taking the time to watch your life, even if it’s a simple task like brushing your teeth.”

When asked what she herself would submit, Dalton replied, “I would submit me driving somewhere and singing to the radio. It’s weird, but in a way that’s when I’m at my most comfortable, relaxed, and just the most like myself.”

The film will be executive produced by the legendary Ridley Scott, director of Blade Runner, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down.

Scott says that the film is intended to be very personal. Scott says he, along with director Macdonald, want to see what appeals to each individual person that might submit material, and what really makes each individual happy. According to Scott, there is no good excuse not to submit and participate in this event, given you have the technology.

For those who wish to participate in this event can research more on YouTube’s “Life In A Day” channel and read through the steps there. Of course your first step would be to submit your video, be it morning paper deliveries, uncomfortable family gatherings, or heart-wrenching breakups, by July 31^st at the latest.

According to YouTube, even if your video doesn’t make the final cut, it will still be visible on the “Life In A Day” page, preserved in what Macdonald refers to as the “time capsule” for future generations down the road.

Erika Reyes' performance at Zorba's. (Photo by Vista photographer Garett Fisbeck)

Erika Reyes knew her future would somehow involve music at a very young age. She was surrounded with music and performance all her life, and knew she would follow in the family tradition in the future.

Not many can say they knew exactly what they wanted to do at a young age, but Reyes began dancing at an early age, and she used her passion for music and performance to lead her to a career in dance education.
Reyes is a senior here at UCO. Her major is dance education, and she hopes to inspire others as did her family when she was young.

Family Tradition

Her mother played the piano, and her aunt was involved in dance. Her uncle was involved in a popular music group, Color Me Bad. And her father loved to dance salsa and have music playing in her household.
She started to dance at the age of three, taking ballet at Everything Goes Dance Studio, which her aunt, Shannon Calderon Primeau, took ownership of.

Flamenco with a Touch of Reyes

She fell in love with flamenco at the age of eight. She was involved in a flamenco workshop, and she fell in love with the culture, the history and the passion of flamenco dancers.
“I love it. … You can stomp your feet, wear beautiful costumes and have pretty flowers in your hair,” she said. “The music is beautiful, and the culture is beautiful, and I just fell in love with it.”
Her performance is well-known in the dance world. She has been praised and won several talent competitions for her flamenco dancing throughout her career.
“I turn into a different character [when I perform],” she said. “I imagine myself I am in Spain performing for a queen.”

Work, School and Dance

She not only is involved in dancing, but also enjoys UCO’s campus activities and opportunities.
She has been Miss Hispanic UCO 2008 and Miss Latina Oklahoma in 2009. She is involved in teaching at Everything Goes Dance Studio, as well as being involved in UCO’s campus activities, performing and at the same time having a full-time student workload.
She also performs flamenco with her sister, aunt and cousin every Friday night at Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine at 6014 North May Avenue in Oklahoma City.
She likes to think it is a major part of her family and chance for everyone to come together for support. It is also an opportunity to share the unique performance with other Oklahomans.
“I don’t see any of it as work, or hard or stressful. I enjoy it,” she said. “I enjoy every second of it. I love going to ‘work,’ which is going to see my five-year-old and teaching them to dance. … I am getting to do what I want to do in the future. It doesn’t seem like work because I get to do what I love.”

Erika dancing her passion. (Photo by Vista photographer Garett Fisbeck)

(Photo by Vista photographer Garett Fisbeck)