Archive for the ‘onFun’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Cabin in the Woods: You think you know the story?

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

 I saw the trailer for this movie a month ago and it started as any other horror movie would start: A bunch of young people going off into the woods only to later be murdered by some unknown monster. Typical and predictable. Then in the middle of the trailer words appear in an eerie white font, “You think you know the story?” and I thought to myself, “Yes, I do think I know the story but prove me wrong because now I am interested.” What they showed next was a mixture of flashing images of force fields, monsters, blood, people screaming, things twisting, stuff turning and finally what really won me over was the name of the writer: Joss Whedon.

I am a big fan of this man’s work. He wrote Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and several X-men comics. He is a talented writer who can really perfect characterization and take typical concepts and twist them into an extraordinary experience. He also has a quirky and sometimes disturbing sense of humor.

Onto the movie itself, Cabin in the Woods was AMAZING. The movie tricks the audience into thinking they know what is going to happen and then the movie morphs out of your expectations creating an environment of thrills, suspense, and excitement. The movie switched between moments of complete comfort of knowing what was happening to the group of protagonists, moments of complete horror, and moments of oddly placed humor which adds to the disturbing effect Whedon creates so well.

The movie overwhelmed my expectations. Yes, a lot of parts of the movie seemed obvious such as the old man warning them that they won’t be able to get back, the characters being foolish enough to play with items and read out demonic latin words that lead to blood and sacrifice. Yes, that is a bit cliche  and not hard to predict. However, it is not a movie that takes itself seriously. It is fun and meant to play with the audience with its campy spirit. The acting and characterization were perfect and the twists either scared me (like they should have), shocked me, or a combination of the first two followed by spontaneous laughter or disbelief at what was going on.

Also, there is a suprise guest at the end, though not everyone would know or appreciate this addition.

I have come to a conclusion that Joss Whedon never dissapoints and that this movie is given the rating of AWESOME. Go see it for yourselves if you don’t believe me. Don’t look for spoilers though. That just ruins the entire movie.

For after movie munchies, remember to take advantage of student discounts and the great offers at Campus Clipper.

Sophia, Rochester Institute of Technology

Check out my blog!

Click here to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us onFacebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Posted in Movies, onEntertainment, onFun | Comments Closed

Overhearing or Oversharing?

Friday, April 20th, 2012

One of the greatest things (which also may be it biggest flaw) about New York City is that it is full of many different kinds of people. Maybe it’s the loud cacophony of vehicles and conversations, we cannot deny how the city is just inherently full of loud people. While not intended, we have all come across a situation where we may have overheard a conversation someone else was having with their friends, perhaps on the phone, or maybe even with themselves.

Nevertheless, even though we are trying to sleep on a train and hearing the murmuring of our neighbors makes us create our own threatening murmurs in our head, sometimes you come across interesting conversations.

Last week, I was on the train, coming home late at night from a class, and had the lovely luck of sitting next to a big man eating burgers and talking loudly to anyone who would hear. While I usually ignore people on the train, I could not help but hear and listen to what he was sharing. He talked about a woman who he considered the only person he could trust and that he no longer travels to a certain area because a fight broke out and he got shot there. Even if it was just the tall tale of a man desperately seeking attention, it was interesting and slowly I transformed the story he told to the train inhabitants into a movie in my mind.

He began getting repetitive but then he mumbled how you can’t trust anyone and how nowadays people aren’t afraid to backstab you and shoot you without remorse.

Yes, very morbid things I overheard, or maybe he was just oversharing, but it depends on how you look at it. Here was a man who had learned a very harsh lesson and was telling it to anyone who could hear. In one train ride I learned a personal secret and lesson from a complete stranger.

Ending note? Listen to others and what they say. You don’t have to intently listen in to strange homeless men but don’t reject a person’s words right away as soon as they seem a little crazy. Take their words with a grain of salt because it is how you view the world that changes how the world affects you.

But not everything you overhear  has to be morbid. In a complete change of tone, Overhead Everywhere is a hilarious site containing overheard conversations all over the country. It has mature language and content but all in all, I find myself skimming through these pages for a good laugh every so often.

If only when I went out, I could keep track of things I overhear. It’d make great fodder for stories or sharing with friends. You could use your money to get a digital recorder or even simpler get a fancy notebook with a student discount at  an art store.

The possibilities are endless when your ideas come from crazy New Yorkers.

Sophia, Rochester Institute of Technology

Check out my blog!

Click here to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us onFacebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Posted in onLife, onValues, Uniqueness in NYC | No Comments »

Voice Recorders

Friday, March 30th, 2012

I have always wanted to get my hands on a voice recorder, like the ones writers or reporters used in old movies for interviews. They seemed so handy and special, being able to hold tiny bits of moments in your life that you could replay. My sister got one yesterday for a meeting she wanted to record.

Not the exact model, but just as attractive!

This little guy wasn’t exactly cheap. With a price tag of $790, not only can it record, it also has usb compatibility, an extra micro sd slot (for more storage), can store up to 72 hours (or until the battery wore out), crisp clear recording sound and finally my favorite: different modes. These modes alter the recording to the type of room you were in such as a big auditorium or a close up conversation. It also has voice activation. Great for black mail. Joking!…or not…

Once my sister brought it home, we both started playing with it, testing out how well the sound played back when recording from different distances. It performed very well, even when I spoke softly a few feet away. This is truly a professional device, and worth all the money it cost.

So what can it be used for? Other than personal pranks and singing, it also can be used to interviews, meetings, lectures, possibly concerts (have yet to see how well it’ll record in a crowded booming room), or even daily settings when you want to record somewhere you have been. You can also record a song you hear somewhere and then turn it into an mp3 file when you get back to your laptop.

Electronics are amazing these days and what used to be a simple on and off fuzzy recording device is now a multi-purpose recorder, music player, and spy device (for fun of course. no harming anyone please!)

Now let’s say you don’t want a recorder because your phone/camera does everything you want anyway. For the future mishaps here is a student discount to help you out.

 

Sophia, Rochester Institute of Technology

Check out my blog!

Click here to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us onFacebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Posted in onFun, Studying | No Comments »

NYC The Official Guide

Monday, March 26th, 2012

With the arrival of Spring, also comes the innate urge to go out more and soak of the sunshine. However, not everyone can afford events. Believe it or not, there is always something free to do in  the city. A simple Internet search goes a long way.

NYC The Official Guide is just one site I came across that effectively dispalyed what I was looking for- free stuff to do. They have a weekly updated list of free events in New York City to help give ideas for things to do for the price of nothing ( except possibly a metrocard ride). For this week of March 21-27, though much of the events have passed, some are still going on.

Today March 26, Macy’s opens its flower show called Brasil: Gardens in Paradise. It will feature many beautiful, tropical flowers from the forests of Brasil. This will also be displayed outside of the Macy’s at Heral Square for pucblic viewing. Check it out for yourself. This exihibit will be up from March 25th to April 7th.

Another event is for art lovers out there. Lisa Lebofsky has her debut in a solo art show. Her ethereal artwork uses the interesting combination of pain on metal.  Her work will be displayed at the Milavev Hakimi Gallery from March 27 to March 31.

Of course there are always more free things to do that  are not quite as fancy but still enjoyable. Parks are beautiful places to lounge in, even between classes, during this season. The Farmer’s Market in Union Square allows you the chance to try samples of organic food as well as offering some delicious items for cheap if you look hard enough.

Cheap is the next best thing to free. Many places offer student discounts, so it never hurts to ask. Stores and restaurants near your school may do student discounts because of all the business potential they have being in close proximity to a university, so be sure to ask!

So save and have fun and remember to check around for free things to do. Not everyone has to spend $13 dollars for a movie ticket to entertain themselves.

 

Sophia, Rochester Institute of Technology

Check out my blog!

Click here to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us on Facebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Posted in onEntertainment, onFun, onSavings, Uniqueness in NYC | 1 Comment »

Bareburger

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

New York might well be one of the best places in the world for food. The City has been the gateway to the USA for over a century with over a third of all Americans able to trace their ancestry through Ellis Island, and with such an astonishing mix of races and peoples from all over the world, diversity is the watchword in NYC. It’s no surprise that all these peoples kept their local cuisines going – many of them have managed to keep whole languages going!

With so much choice in food in New York, it can be hard keeping track of it all. You would certainly be forgiven for thinking that Pizza was devised here, the way it has taken hold… But the only, really, truly American food, has to be the humble hamburger, which like so much of US culture, seems to have gone on to dominate the World! Like all food that has found its way to New York, it seems to be popular, and there are now so many interesting hamburger restaurants and joints, and variations on the concept it can be impressive, if not rather overwhelming.

I had the pleasure recently to try one of the newest and more rapidly developing restaurants selling their own version of this timeless classic, Bareburger. After an initial start in Brooklyn, this small but rather excellent little chain is now franchising across the city. I had the pleasure of trying it at 85 2nd Ave along with my better half; Bottom Line Up Front: Tasty burger. Do you need to know more?

The restaurant itself is on a fairly quiet corner, a few blocks down from St Marks. It is a really bright space, decorated with a slight, modern twist on classic rural Americana – though the fork chandelier made me feel slightly wary! The service was quick, pleasant and very knowledgeable. The hamburgers themselves are close to a design-your-own set up, where you can specify the meat and the bun with selections including Beef, Turkey, Elk, Boar, Portabella Mushroom, Brioche Bun, Lettuce Wrap, Wheat Flour Wrap or a Multi-Grain Roll. Wanting to get the best comparison, I took a classic beef/roll combo, but I’ll have to return to try the Elk now…

A Classic American Feast!

Aside from the content, there is also the style to consider, with a further fourteen menu choices for your burger. I took the ‘Supreme’, while my date went for the Maple Bacon Cheeseburger. We were not disappointed at all. The presentation was really excellent and both burgers were juicy, tasty and different enough that we could be certain Bareburger has its own signature and style. The food came in the classic basket, with a simple bu t very effective selection of sides – we took the onion rings and fries. Even the beverages were organic, and my blueberry soda went really well with the whole meal, that unusual, organic edge of a healthy drink (without being so-called ‘health food’) perfectly complimenting the natural food.

Food Goes in Here

You do not get hamburgers in the UK like you do in New York, and I love them. I have a running list in my head of the top 5 places, but it just doesn’t seem like enough (or even reasonable to try and rank them!), and now I have another one to juggle in there. Bareburger has nine (soon to be ten) outlets across the City. If you like your hamburgers, if you like to support good organic food, and particularly if both, you need to check them out. We have a student discount coupon for you right here!

Dan
Follow my Leadership Blog now!

Click here  to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us on Facebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in Eating Healthy, NYC Student Guide, onFood, Out On The Town, Restaurant Reviews, Uniqueness in NYC | 1 Comment »

Sale savvy

Friday, March 16th, 2012

I travel around 34th street a lot, mostly because of the many stores I can go through. I notice there are a lot of stores that say “sample sale” or “wholesale only”. Which brings me to the question: what is the difference between a whole sale and a sample sale?

Now, while these are no-brainers to many people, for the longest time I was completely unfamiliar with these terms.

Going into one of these stores, you see a small amount of several items along with tags on each. Some items are wrapped together in a plastic covering, others are hanging separately on a beam against the wall. There is no music and the place over all feels slightly dingy but gives you the sense that you might find a deal here.

Wholesale is when stores buy large quantities of items from manufacturers and sells it in smaller bulks to retail stores. This is mainly used for smaller retail stores to get good quality items for cheap. If you go to shop here and don’t plan to buy in bulk, you should probably go elsewhere. However, some stores will sell individual pieces. Chances are though if it says “only wholesale” don’t bother.

Claim what is rightfully yours!

Sample sale legally means:

“Any sample or model which is made part of the basis of the bargain creates an express warranty that the whole of the goods shall conform to the sample or model”. [UCC § 2-313(c)]

It used to be a term for when designers would sell pieces from their collection to show at retail stores at the end of a season. For the public, these items would sold at wholesale prices and would be limited in selection. However, now it has turned into more of a stock sale, where left over inventory is given to stores while being sold at a fraction of the price. Generally, there is only one type of size and they only take cash.

For a third type of sale (just to keep boggling your mind) there are warehouse sales. Recently, American Apparel had a warehouse sale, selling their items at crazy discounts. The main difference is that the items being sold are usually items that have been on the shelves and this event is similar to a final clearance. They usually, but not always, take credit or debit.

There has been an online movement for sample sales where there might be some membership authorization involved. Overall, the selection is less and items go very quick.

How to find one of these sales? Online you can do a search or if you know a friend/ family  member in the field who can clue you in. Some places you can subscribe to them to get emails of events.

As for shopping at a sample sale there are some helpful tips here: http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/sample-sale-shopping-tips/.

For those of you want more savings on clothing, here is a student discount for Hillary Boutiques.

Share

Posted in Fashion, onFun, onShopping, onStyle | 1 Comment »

The Five Year Itch

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Being in a relationship is hard. Being in a five year relationship when you both have full schedules with little extra time to spare- now you’re just talking crazy. But it’s possible! I’m proof! And now I’m going to spend the next 400-500 words talking about all the wonderful things about love and rainbows and cupcakes. Did I mention my boyfriend is a saint for putting up with my sarcasm for this long?

So, I find myself in a long term relationship or as my boyfriend and I like to call it, “The Long Haul” and I think I made it clear that I won’t be talking about all the good stuff. Nope, I’m going to cut down to brass tacks here. Relationships are hard and real unless you’re Kim Kardashian and believe in the power of denial and illusions, just saying.
It’s not all the charming qualities about your partner or the way they look into your eyes and tell you that they love you (cue my gag reflex). No, it’s all about the fun.

If you’re looking to find and stay in a long term relationship, you have to ask yourself- “Can I have fun with this person even when we’re old and arthritic? Am I okay with this person being the one who will most likely be the only person I’ll allow to hear me pass gas and laugh about it?”

It sounds silly but ask anyone in a long term relationship or marriage and they’ll tell you the same thing, granted slightly variations of fun and maybe still not okay with the passing gas in front of each other part, but you get my point.
Fun is the essential part to not just romantic relationships but any relationship really.

For all you kids at heart out there, just think of that episode of Spongebob where he teaches the “F.U.N Song” to a grouchy Plankton. “F is for friends who do stuff together. U is for you and me. N is for anywhere at any time at all.”

Now before you laugh at me for being 22 years old and still knowing the words to that song from Spongebob, here me out.

When choosing a partner, do you want to be with a jolly, optimistic and fun Spongebob or can you really see yourself living the rest of your life with a total downer like Plankton? And if you happen to be content living with a Plankton, then I’ll make it a point to buy you some wrinkle cream for your next birthday for all those frown lines you’ll be getting soon.

People who have fun with their romantic partners, no matter how long they have been together, tend to be happier people- with fewer wrinkles in the long run.

We all hear the stories of the ‘ol’ ball and chain’ but I say it doesn’t have to be this way, just remember fun.

And having fun doesn’t mean you have to file for bankruptcy. There are lots of great ways to have a great time in the city for close to nothing. For example, The Brooklyn Botanical Garden offers free entrance on Tuesdays and discounts for student tickets on any other day. To top off a trip to the BBG, you can head over to East Village Tavern for buy one get one free burgers! Be sure to print out the coupon below and bring your student ID and check out the Campus Clipper for other student discounts for good eats and more fun.

 

Janet, College of Saint Elizabeth, 2012

Follow me on Twitter!

Check out my blog!

Click here  to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us onFacebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

 

 

Share

Posted in onFun, onLove, Relationships | 4 Comments »

Music Mayhem at Webster Hall

Friday, February 24th, 2012

This past weekend, I had originally planned to spend time relaxing at home. But on Friday night, my sister asked me if I wanted to go to a concert Saturday night and I had to give her answer within an hour. Now, over the years, I have found that planning too far ahead for enjoyable activities (not projects, jobs or work) allowed too much time for things to go wrong. But at the last minute, I agreed. The ticket was twenty bucks, which is very cheap considering the venue was Webster Hall, the artist has tons of adoring fans, and usual concert ticket prices usually start at $30.

The performer was Zola Jesus, an old school goth, classical, industrial, electronic influenced band whose lead singer, Nika Roza Danilova, sports an amazing opera trained voice. I went to the concert knowing only one song called ‘Night’, which I had only half listened to. But since the band is a favorite of  my sister, who happens to have great taste in music, I knew it would be $20 well spent.

Doors opened at 6pm but knowing Webster Hall, the concert itself didn’t start until 6:30 and even then there were still opening bands who were also scheduled to perform. This was all fine because we arrived at 8th and Astor Place late and forgot where Webster Hall was anyway, a problem that was quickly solved with the help of my smartphone.

We finally arrived at around 7:30pm and we caught the last two songs of the first opening band Talk Normal, a punkish female duo who sounds like a mix of Sonic Youth and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There was some noise-rock flair to their rhythmic drum beats and I loved every second of it.

The second band was Liturgy. This was definitely different from the normal tastes of the crowd since they right away into a  mix of noise-rock, black metal, and the classic metal man’s screech into the mic. I am not a metal-head but I love metal music so this was a pleasant surprise for me. However, many people in the crowd were not used to this type of music scene and I could see them getting restless.  Later on they went into new territory by going out of conventional metal sound with an added electronic mix. The first 3/4ths of their set was the best. But overall, they brought joy to the little metal fan in me.

Finally…the one we had all been waiting for. ZOLA JESUS! By far, one of the most amazing bands with a lead singer who can actually sing. She has a deep, passionate voice that has a crazy range probably attained from her opera training days. The music was both haunting and moving. While singing, she would dance sporadically and jump on stage to the beat of her own music. She really felt her music throughout her body and soul. About halfway through the concert, she performed a song called ‘In Your Nature’. In the middle of the song, she went to the edge of the stage and jumped into the crowd with fans and she traveled through it and danced with everyone while still singing. I have never seen an artist to that.

Her performance of the song ‘Night’ was truly moving. I saw fans sing every word and throw their hand in their air, while they moved to the music.

She had some truly passionate fans in the crowd. We all cheered and shouted their appreciation and love for this artist. She came out for her encore where she played on the piano with just her violinist and sang the song, ‘Skin’. It was a beautiful song that nearly brought tears to my eyes. The sound of her voice resonating throughout the room was something truly magical.

I have been converted and am now a Zola Jesus fan. I love her for her music. It has moved me deeply and she brings a lively spirit on stage. Thankfully, she performs in New York often, so next time she comes I’ll be sure to buy the ticket right away.

The post concert excitement is the best part. If you are like me, coming back from a concert makes you really hungry. I was lucky and the show ended  at 10:30 which is very early for a concert. The options of food dwindle from little to none as time goes by. If you are in the Village area late at night, delis are your usually your only reliable option.

Sophia, Rochester Institute of Technology

Click here  to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us on Facebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Posted in Appreciation, Cheap Eats, onEntertainment, onFood, onFun, onMusic, Reviews | No Comments »

Michael Cera at UCBT

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

 

A slew of comedy shows are at your fingertips in New York City, but as a college student it’s hard to scrape up the money to see them all. Do your research, though, and you can find free shows like I did this past Sunday night.

Every Sunday night the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre hosts their famous “ASSSSCAT” improv show for anyone willing to wait a couple of hours in line for a free ticket. Freebies are the best NYC student discounts! It was a cold wait, but definitely worth the two hours trying to keep my extremities from freezing off. It can be fun waiting in line with your friends– chatting and sipping coffee– and it’s a great place to meet people while getting excited for the show.

Plus, you never know who’s going to attend the show. As we were waiting, a thin guy in a red beanie walked by us on the sidewalk and out loud I said, “That guy really looked like Michael Cera.”

The girl standing in front of me turned and said, “That is Michael Cera.”

That’s the fun in going to NYC shows– you never know who you’re going to see, which adds to the excitement of the crowd. Once inside he was sitting with his co-star from the TV show “Arrested Development” Alia Shawkat.

 

Aside from the celebs’ presence in the crowd, the show was one of the funniest I’ve seen at UCB. Leading the crew, Chris Gethard and his group performed a fully improvised show and had us all in tears of laughter. It’s hard to beat a free comedy show on a Sunday night, especially one packed with such incredible talent.

 

 

Paul, Auburn University 2012

Check out my blog and follow me on twitter!

Click here  to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us on Facebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Tags:, , , , , , , ,
Posted in onEntertainment, onFun | No Comments »

The Chris Gethard Show

Saturday, February 18th, 2012

Where do I even begin?

The Greek guy in spandex?

The guest known as “The Human Fish”?

The, anyone-can-call-in, policy on the show?

Public access television is a very colorful world of utter randomness, hilarity, confusion, and inexplainable delight. This week I attended The Chris Gethard Show, a show that airs every Wednesday at 11:00PM on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) and is hosted by the very funny, very cool, Chris Gethard. A free show is the next level of NYC student discounts!

Clip from The Chris Gethard Show

A well-known figure at UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) and famous for his presence in sketch/improv comedy, stand up, and comedy writing, Gethard has appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Conan to talk about his life-long trouble with the last name GETHARD (Get Hard… I mean, come on!) as well as his most recent book “A Bad Idea I’m About to do.”

The entire experience of being in the audience was one of the most random things that I’ve ever been a part of, but also one of the funniest. Anyone can attend and it’s free (cha-ching for another student discount in NYC). A free comedy TV show in NYC! You can check out some of his episodes here: http://thechrisgethardshow.com/episodes/

If you want to enjoy some awesome entertainment for a great value, then check out Fat Cat!

 

Paul, Auburn University 2012

Check out my blog and follow me on twitter!

Click here  to download the Campus Clipper iTunes App!

Follow Campus Clipper on Twitter or keep current by liking us on Facebook

Interested in more deals for students? Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to get the latest in student discounts and promotions. For savings on-the-go, download our printable coupon e-book!

Share

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in onEntertainment, onFun, onValues | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »