That's one list DSC doesn't want to be on.

The fact that Dixie State College is currently missing a mascot had me feeling a little down. However, when I came across a photo essay on Fox Sports’ Web site called “Mascots gone wild,” I knew I’d be feeling better after looking at other schools’ mascot troubles.

Now I see that, in some cases, not having a mascot may be better than having one that misbehaves. DSC can learn from the examples in this collection of photos, as they showcase the kinds of mascots a school should avoid having.

For the most part, the craziest stories in this essay are about live mascots. For instance, Peruna, the Shetland pony that represents Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, apparently has quite a naughty streak going. From field-pooping to killing another team’s mascot, Peruna is the poster pony for what a mascot should not do on the field. So, for safety reasons, we should probably rule out having a live animal represent our school, especially if we become the rattlers.

DSC can also learn from the state of Oregon, which is home to two schools with out-of-control mascot stories. First, we should make sure that any girl who decides to don our future mascot costume can take a punch. Second, if we’re going to have a person with a rage problem wear our mascot suit, that suit better be something more fierce than a duck.

After reading these stories, I see that DSC needs to factor the type of trouble each potential mascot could cause into the decision making process.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/pgStory?contentId=8824820&MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002#sport=COLLEGE%20FOOTBALL&photo=8824504

Hold on, baby. Mommy still needs to vote.

As I sit here comfortably on my couch, diligently keeping track of the presidential election and crossing my fingers for the candidate I have supported, I realize how lucky I am for two reasons: I have already cast my ballot and I am not pregnant.

A Los Angeles woman is the inspiration for my gratitude because she does not share those two fortunes with me. According to Tyson Wheatley in a video story on CNN’s Web site, this woman was standing in line at the polls when her water broke. She went home and she and her husband proceeded to a hospital where a doctor told her that she still had time to vote before the baby would be born.

Doctor’s note in hand, this woman, technically in labor, was ushered to the front of the line and cast her vote.

Wow. Her right to vote meant enough to her that in what I’m sure was extreme discomfort, she still managed to put in her two cents in this historic election.

This makes me wonder what lengths I would go to in order to make my own voice heard.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/ireports/2008/11/04/irpt.wheatley.pregnant.woman.ireport

The dangers of drawstrings and other Pete Wentz adventures

So far in my journalistic endeavors, my worst fear has been getting a what-idiot-wrote-this-crap reaction from readers. My fear worsens when I give that reaction to other writers, case in point, an article entitled “Rocker ‘Nearly Got Hung’ by His Hoodie,” located on the Popeater Website.

I realize I was asking for a sketchy article when I clicked on the link to popeater.com from the AOL Music site, but the link was enticing. I guess the Popeaters did one thing right.

The headline implies that a rock start, specifically Fall Out Boy member Pete Wentz, had a recent, extreme accident. I pictured something along the lines of him getting into a brawl with Panic at the Disco members and them attempting to strangle him with his drawstrings.

Wrong. Apparently Wentz simply revealed to Popeater that he had a near-death experience two years ago when the drawstrings on his hooded sweatshirt tangled around him while he was crowd surfing. This story came in addition to several poorly stated answers to ridiculously random questions.

Still, I have to admit, I do like the quote that goes along with that part of the story.

“I couldn't breathe and I nearly got hung which I was probably fit for at the time,” Wentz said.

Don’t be so hard on yourself, Pete. In fact, I would say your biggest mistake so far in your career is probably talking to Popeater.

http://www.popeater.com/music/article/pete-wentzs-near-death-by-hoodie-scare/228463

Nice to meet you, Cutout.

I have a great deal of respect for people who are truly dedicated to their chosen causes. However, I believe some people give their attention to causes that are less critical than others.

Take for example a woman formerly known as Jennifer Thornburg. According to an AP article found on USA TODAY’s Web site, she recently officially changed her name to CutoutDissection.com, or Cutout for short. Her new name is the URL for a Web site advocating the elimination of dissection assignments in classrooms.

When it comes to her particular soap box, this tactic is extreme but successful.

“Once they find out what my name is, they want to know more about what the website is about,” Cutout said.

Personally, I have nothing against saving animals. I don’t necessarily condone using small animals as learning tools, partly because I’d rather slam my pinky in a car door than slice into a formaldehyde-soaked frog. Still, I think there are more pressing issues facing humanity. I feel that her idea for spreading the word for a cause could have been put to better use.

At the same time, I understand her decision. Names like stopworldhunger.com and eliminateAIDSinAfrica.org would not produce as nifty a nickname as Cutout.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2008-10-13-namechange_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Huh. We have more in common than I thought.

When I first encountered the article called “8 Love Lessons You Can Learn From Celebrity Crack-Ups” by Jessica Pressler, posted Oct. 6 on Glamour Magazine’s Web site, I had a good chuckle. What could I possibly learn from those silly, overexposed, narcissistic people?

Dang. I hate being wrong. It turns out that this particular piece, complete with flattering pictures of the famous subjects, focuses on advice that sounds similar to what my mother would tell me, especially the bit about listening to what other people say about your honey.

The snippet about Mario Lopez’s escapades proved to be the most disappointing to me. I must admit that I have been crushing on him since he was on “Saved by the Bell.” Since, according to this article, he has been caught cheating several times, I guess I’ll finally give up on him. I just don’t see how Slater could have turned into such a womanizer! It must be those dimples.

My favorite section was the one describing how the most beautiful women have been cheated on. It still hurts when I think of past experiences with that situation, but it’s good to know that Christie Brinkley was in the same boat as me at one point. I’m pretty sure that’s the only thing we have in common, besides our gender.

This goes to show that, although celebrities seem to be on a whole other planet, they experience many of the same things I do as an average girl trying to scrape my way through the crappiness of the dating world.

http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/2008/10/8-love-lessons-you-can-learn-from-celebrity-crackups

She's a MAC girl! I've been dying to know that.

Some people suggest that not only is it important to know about Sarah Palin's political views, foreign policy experience and previous actions as Alaska's head honcho, it is also crucial that we know every detail about her personal life.

One article, "Five (More) Things You Didn't Know About Sarah Palin," posted September 14 on People Magazine's Web site, takes the fascination a step further by revealing tidbits of information like her lipstick of choice and her cell phone habits.

I think I will focus on Palin's political abilities, especially since none of the other candidates are being asked what cosmetics they prefer. Even so, I still find the so-called facts in this article interesting.

For example, according to the article, Palin once gave a friend a blank thank you card. The explanation was that Palin liked the card so much that she wanted to give her friend the option of reusing it. For this, the article's writer called Palin frugal. Since when did forgetting to sign a thank you card reflect good money management skills? Also, the author pegs Palin as a traditionalist because she prefers to shave her legs, not wax them. In my mind, a traditionalist would just not shave his or her legs at all.

Out of the five so-called facts about Palin this author names, I can only see one of them as reasonable. To me, this is just another example of our nation's misuse and misunderstanding of facts about politicians.

By the way, like many of the other things we know about Palin, this information is all heresay. These tiny insights into Palin's persona are originally from the Insider's interview with several of Palin's close friends. I guess not even the Insider can get Palin to answer questions.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20226300,00.html

Matt Damon, political expert

Yikes. As reported at cnn.com, actor Matt Damon recently commented to the Associated Press on McCain's VP pick Sarah Palin.

"I think there's a really good chance Sarah Palin could be president, and I think that's a really scary thing because I don't know anything about her,” he said.

Judging from what he said in the rest of the interview, he sure does have a strong opinion of her for not knowing anything about her.

His comments don't make much sense to me, which is why I deduce that the only reason his opinion made the headlines is because of his celebrity status. That scares me.

Are people in the U.S. so enthralled in celebrity worship that actors automatically become knowledgable on every topic? Should I be asking Angelina Jolie how to raise my future family? I surely hope not.

The article also mentioned Damon's long-time pal Ben Affleck, saying that the two have been supporting Barack Obama. Those are arguably two of the yummiest men on the planet, but when it comes to politics, I'll stick to credible sources to make my decisions. They should just stick to looking pretty.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/