Last week, I shared five of 10 musical snapshots from the last four years at St. Thomas. Today I present the end of that list. All 10 songs will likely serve as reminders of college and capture the fullness of time spent inside and out of the classroom. They’d also make for a killer movie score.

6. Lil’ Wayne “A Millie”

(Creative Commons)

Maybe its because there are so many artists doing so many things now; few performers do much that is instantly recognizable as a big deal. But when Lil’ Wayne began his explosion and pop-culture takeover, I think a lot of people could tell something exciting was happening.

Since stealing the scene on Fat Joe’s “Make It Rain,” Weezy F. Baby has released hit song after hit song, and “A Millie” tops them all. Lil’ Wayne is the boy band of the 00’s, and thankfully, he does things with a bit more substance and style. After seeing him in concert twice, I assure the attention is deserved.

7. Third Eye Blind (every song)

(Creative Commons)

During the summer time when you’re outside grilling with your friends and tossing around a football, what band is playing? I’m sure every group of friends has a go-to-band for situations like that, and for my friends and me, Third Eye Blind is that band.

Third Eye Blind, which made a valiant return to the music scene with 2009’s “Ursa Major,” will forever be tied to the good and not-so-good times from college. I wonder if Stephen Jenkins would still be shouting “Can I graduate?” if he was a student in my shoes.

8. Kings of Leon “Sex on Fire”

(Creative Commons)

During my J-Term abroad in London, my classmates and I heard one song every day – “Sex on Fire.” Kings of Leon hadn’t really sparked yet in the States (”Use Somebody” came later), but this song was beyond popular in Britain. It became the anthem of our trip, making for group singalongs and an a capella rendition or two while walking down the sidewalk.

Studying abroad is one of the greatest opportunities St. Thomas offers, and I could not have been happier about taking advantage of it. Having such an awesome theme song for the trip helped, too.

9. T.I. featuring Eminem “Touchdown”

(Creative Commons)

What did your intramural football team do after its victories? Probably nothing because it was too busy losing to ours. For three years straight, Young Money Entertainment dominated on Palmer Field under the stadium lights.

Well, not quite dominated, but we got close to the championship each season. And without fail, my teammates and I would blast “Touchdown” by T.I and Eminem after each win. It never seemed to bother us that the song had nothing to do with football, which makes sense. We didn’t really pay attention to details like song lyrics … or passing routes.

10. Nas “Black President”

(Creative Commons)

On November 4, 2008, I played Nas’ “Black President” nonstop from my bedroom, partially to annoy my conservative friend and partially because it was election day. Probably more of the former, though.

Although I obviously can’t know what President Barack Obama thought of the song himself, I thought it was an awesome use of Nas’ fame and popularity. For once I really felt excited about an election and was proud to see so much activism on all sides of party lines, and thanks to Nas, I’ll always have this song to play when my friend starts ranting.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu.

But sometimes I find photos limiting, and that’s part of the reason I am such a big music fan. Unlike photos, which do a great job of capturing single scenes, songs can attach themselves to certain times and take you back years later when you revisit them.

I still remember the two CDs I listened to every day of the first summer I had a car, and each time I play them now, it’s almost like I’m doing it all over again. The memories are that vivid.

As my classmates and I prepare for graduation, I’ve begun to look through my music library, trying to find the songs that will take me back to the college days when I put them on years from now. I can’t say for sure yet, but I have a good feeling that these 10 songs will become some of the musical snapshots of my college career.

(Creative Commons)

1. Ozzy Osborne “Bark at the Moon”

Right after I bought “Guitar Hero,” one of my friends said she was concerned that game would take up too much of my time. And she couldn’t have been more justified.

My friends and I spent hours each day trying to earn five stars on every level, and no song posed more of a challenge than the finale: Ozzy Osborne’s “Bark at the Moon.” My respect for guitarist Zach Wylde took off here. His riffs were the first big challenge in what became an immensely popular—and addicting—video game genre.

(Creative Commons)

2. Explosions in the Sky “Your Hand in Mine”

Whether I was packed on a dorm futon to watch “Friday Night Lights,” studying for finals in the library or just trying to peacefully fall asleep, no band set the mood like Explosions in the Sky.

With its melodic guitars and cascading drums, “Your Hand in Mine” is the pinnacle of the Austin-bred post-rockers’ performances. This song really set off my exploration into instrumental rock, and everyone can benefit from some of that. Even my roommates asked me to play it for them from time to time before they went to bed.

(Creative Commons)

3. Flo Rida featuring T-Pain “Low”

Right before Christmas break 2007, I downloaded a song called “Low” on iTunes. All I knew was the song was catchy and it featured that singer who fell in love with a stripper. When I got back from break, I never stopped hearing it, or so it seemed.

Not since Usher, Ludacris and Lil’ Jon teamed up for “Yeah” has a song dominated the pop scene like Flo Rida’s debut single. This song is still played on every top-40 station and at every party. For better or worse, I’ll always remember it.

(Creative Commons)

4. The Outfield “Your Love”

Remember when Tiff’s was the Thursday night bar to go to? Before this school year, anyone wanting to start their weekends a day early could catch the shuttle and dance the night away at Tiffany Sports Lounge.

What I remember best about Tiff’s is that no matter what, the night wasn’t over until the DJ played “Your Love” by The Outfield. Something about 80’s sing-a-longs really bring college students together. Put this song on at your graduation party, and I bet you’ll spark a few “glory days” conversations about Tiff’s.

(Creative Commons)

5. The soundtrack to “Lost”

Ever since my freshman roommate asked me to watch “Lost” with him, my life has been different. No show has ever captured my attention like it, and I couldn’t have asked for a better time to watch it all unfold.

As I look back on the show’s six seasons, I can’t help but remember how intense some moments were thanks to composer Michael Giacchino. Running from a smoke monster through a jungle is frightening enough; adding a soundtrack full of pounding and shrieking only magnified the intensity.

Check TommieMedia later this week for the last five musical snapshots.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu.

This is News in :90 for Thursday, April 29, 2010.

The Upper Quad: a hot spot for obnoxious eyewear and students chasing missed passes. (John Kruger/TommieMedia)

Every year, I’m amazed at some things I see in the Upper and Lower quads once the weather starts getting nice again. Something about spring really brings out the ridiculousness in people.

Whether you’re walking to class or biking home from the library, you can usually bet that more than a few groups of students will be gathered in the quad if the weather’s somewhat decent. And I think that’s great, for the most part. However, some of the sights still astonish me after four years in Tommieland.

For once, I’d like to make it through the quad on a nice day without having to worrying about getting hit in the back of the head with a baseball. So, I present to you the five biggest spring quad faux pas.

1. Playing catch without catching

A friend of mine said he left his dorm the other day and saw some guys playing catch in the quad—pretty normal stuff. He also told me that within the eight throws he saw them make, the ball got dropped six times.

Now, I wish I could say that’s pretty abnormal stuff, but all too often do I find groups of students fumbling passes and chasing down Frisbees.

I know the Box Office & Expeditions loans equipment to all Tommies, even alumni, but can we get some standards here? I think anyone who wishes to rent a football should have to pass a basic catch-and-throw skills test first.

2. White sunglasses

In an Aquin article last year, I referenced lacrosse players wearing white sunglasses in the quad. At a party a few days later, a friend told me to watch out because some of the lax people there wanted to fight me because of what I said.

Talk about being too sensitive.

I’m not sure what it is about white sunglasses that bothers me so much, but it’s there. And I’m not alone. My mom always says the surefire sign of a jerk is white sunglasses, especially if they’re on backward. Maybe the lacrosse team thinks the white shades will reflect more UV rays, but is that really worth looking like jerks?

3. Sand + Volleyball = No shirts?

In February, we were blessed with a surprisingly nice day in Minnesota. For the first time in a long time, I left my coats and sweatshirts in my closest and headed to campus in just a T-shirt. When I reached the corner of Selby and Cleveland avenues, I found about six male students playing volleyball with their shirts off.

And I thought I was being bold.

What is it about sand volleyball that makes guys take their shirts off, anyway? We’re not at the beach. In no other area of the quad will you find a group of men running around topless. I doubt their spikes improve that much by only wearing shorts.

4. Dowling beach

Every spring, you can count on finding a bunch of women from Dowling Hall laying out on their blankets in the Upper Quad. Now, I don’t find anything wrong with this by itself. I enjoying soaking up the sun just as much as the next person.

However, what really makes me laugh is when these girls pretend to study. If you’re going outside to socialize, please spare us the charades and leave your textbooks in your rooms. You might as well embrace your Dowling beach membership; it’s an elite crew.

5. Gaming instead of playing games

Another reason to question the existence of Dowling beach is the herds of guys that it attracts. Once late afternoon rolls around on a spring day, men come from all over to see who else is in the quad. Most of them probably don’t even live on campus.

These are the guys who post up next to a group of girls and start throwing a football as far as they can. Do they really think that is going to attract anyone’s attention? Well, they got mine, but I doubt that’s for whom they were aiming. The point is, the quad is a place for community, not showing off and getting phone numbers.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu.

Looking at pictures and posting on walls is great and all, but nothing gets me going more on FB than people’s status updates. Most of the time, what I read is mundane, but sometimes it makes me laugh. The most appalling updates, however, make me consider abandoning the site altogether.

But instead of doing something dramatic like that, which I would clearly have to update my status about, I decided to address these Facebook abominations here, hoping to cure the cause rather than treat the symptoms.

1. Tagging your “baby”

The ability to tag people in status updates and wall posts was overdue but necessary. If done correctly, tagging your friends in your status can be clever, embarrassing (for them, of course) and meaningful. However, not everyone uses tags so wisely. I’m talking to you, lovebirds.

If you’ve just had a great date with the love of your life, doesn’t he or she already know about it? Is tagging him or her in your status really necessary? The answer is no, it’s not. That’s what your Facebook inbox is for … or phone calls … or, God forbid, face-to-face conversation. Your friends should already know you’re happily in a relationship. Save me the trouble of cleaning the chunks off of my keyboard and keep sappy status updates to yourself, please.

2. Piling on drama

If you’re really upset about something or having a “rough” day, let’s be honest: You don’t want 800 of your least-closest friends to know about it, do you? No one likes a complainer. There’s no need to drag everyone else down with an obnoxious update. And since we’re being honest, is what just happened to you really that bad? People get speeding tickets every day. Lip balm can cheaply be replaced. Hangovers aren’t so bad once you acknowledge your drinking problem. Updating your status won’t solve anything.

Statuses that do a poor job at being subtle also fall into this category. Yeah, we see all those Paramore lyrics you like to post. We also see that it’s a poor attempt to stick it to an ex who wronged you in hopes that he or she will see how badly you’re hurting. If you really want to stick it to him or her, write a letter detailing how you’re totally over him or her and you don’t even think about your relationship anymore. And  then put it in his or her locker. I mean it worked in eighth grade, so it probably still works now.

3. Requesting some commendation

I’m happy you got the job. I’m glad you did well in your game. Don’t ruin that by trying to guilt me into congratulating you.

If I want to give you praise, I will do so on my own terms. There’s no need to make a special request for it. Plus, don’t you think my regards might mean a little more if I can make them on my own terms? How am I supposed to genuinely wish you luck or applaud your efforts if you ask me to before I even get the chance? Few things on the Internet can stir excitement like logging on to Facebook and seeing a notification. You owe it to yourself to preserve that experience, so don’t spoil all the fun by trying to make people say something when they might not want to. Thanks.

4. Stating the obvious

When finals begin May 18, I can guarantee St. Thomas students’ news feeds will be filled with statuses about how tough finals week is. Talk about aggravating. Everyone is in the same boat. We’ve all had finals before, and many of us will have more next year. Why do some people deem it necessary to comment on them? I could not care less about how many presentations, essays and tests you have left.

If you’re so busy, how do you have time to sit here and tell anyone who will listen that your world is so hard that you can’t handle it? In the time it takes you to figure out all the ways your life is so rough, you could probably publish your own self-help book and assist others who suffer similarly with life perpetually holding them down.

Statuses should be unique. They don’t have to be revolutionary, but there’s no need to go on about what everyone already realizes. Before hitting the “Share” button next time, try and not parrot your 20 friends who are also watching the Twins game tonight.

5. Stating the pointless

In all of this, I hope people don’t get the impression that I’m anti-status updates. I’m really not. Like I said before, they’re often quite entertaining. I just think some things are better left unsaid. With the statuses above, the reasoning seems pretty straightforward. But not all updates are so explicable. All too often I come across one that just reads as utterly pointless.

I don’t care that you’re at the gym. You’re going to bed? OK, good for you. Just get it over with and leave Facebook be. It’ll be there when you’re done. I really don’t need to know what you’re doing at every second of everyday. I like you; that’s why we’re Facebook friends. But unless you’re trying to create a community of stalkers, you might want to chill out a little bit.

I like Facebook just as much as the next person but please, for our sanity and yours, let’s strive to add a little significance to status updates. It just promotes a healthier atmosphere for us to do what we do best—creep.

Ben Katzner contributed to this report.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu.

This is News in :90 for Thursday, March 25, 2010.

Known for its red Solo cups, dance music and raucous behavior, the house party was a liberator for many students who spent far too long in the library or at work during the week. For those Tommies, the house party provided social refuge — always dependable, always loyal.

Whether or not you were involved with it, you could always tell when the house party was near. Beginning Thursdays and continuing through Saturdays, one could usually spot a number of St. Thomas students wandering through the Merriam Park neighborhood, trying to find the house party that night.

The house party was always ready to celebrate when a team played, a “hell week” ended or a holiday arrived. It served as the main outlet for birthday revelry and gave students a chance to set school aside for a few hours and meet new people.

Despite strong resistance from the university and local law enforcement, the college pastime flourished behind the scenes for many years, welcoming new supporters with each incoming freshman class. The house party managed to sneak past authorities, thanks to black sheets over windows and concrete basements, but such transparency couldn’t last forever.

Two years of ups and downs

Worries for the health of house party began to build in spring 2008 when St. Paul police issued 76 citations for underage drinking at a residence in the 2100 block of Temple Court. The event sent shockwaves through the St. Thomas community, alerting students, neighbors and administration of the magnitude the house party had reached.

But the fear that incident lit inside students eventually faded, and soon enough, another semester arrived, staging the house party’s comeback. Besides rumors of “ZAP patrols” dampening some weekends, the 2008-2009 school year bore witness to many successful nights for the house party. For awhile, things seemed to have returned to normal for the house party.

As classes resumed in fall 2009, the house party got some unsuspected news. The Zero Adult Providers project, previously one of the house party’s main adversaries, was becoming unstable. With university officials and Public Safety officers confused about budget concerns and cuts to the ZAP program, the house party saw students become less anxious and greet it with open arms. Such openness didn’t last long, however.

Only a couple weeks into the semester, TommieMedia posted a letter from Elaine Weber Nelson, a 1986 St. Thomas graduate who was fed up with students’ disregard for the surrounding community. She had had enough of the litter, the puke, the late nights, and the house party was somewhat to blame. At this point for the house party, the end was near, and some students could sense it.

City ordinance brings final days

The house party’s last breath came soon after the city of St. Paul passed its social host ordinance Dec. 12. When the ordinance went into effect, the house party suffered a large hit in prominence and popularity. At the time, many denied the ordinance’s effect and attributed the house party’s dip to the stresses of finals week and the holiday season, but slowly and surely, the house party was letting go.

Some had hoped to see a revival in the house party’s condition after a long J-Term break, but the fear of a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail proved too much for the party and most of its advocates. Small groups fought to sustain the house party, hosting sporadic tournaments and themed get-togethers to show not all support had been lost. Unfortunately, though, the grandeur was gone.

No one was willing to risk getting caught fraternizing with the house party, especially with so many banding together to put it to an end. Why take a chance at getting busted when the local bars offered a safe and legal alternative?

Moving on in the house party’s absence

Gone now are the Facebook invites and mass text messages telling of the house party’s next blowout. Instead, students are planning weekend getaways and renting buses to hang out with their friends, as if they have forgotten what it was like to walk into a house full of classmates—both friends and strangers—all singing, dancing and having a good time. Undoubtedly, bars around the area have seen a growth in attendance. Whether that’s a good or bad thing, we’ll have to wait and see.

The house party will surely show up again in some new incarnation, but never as it was before. The house party as we knew it, with all its spontaneity and camaraderie, is gone. It will be missed.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu.

This is News in : 90 for Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010.

From that moment, I was pulled deeper and deeper into the modern television phenomenon. Besides anxiously waiting every week of the past three springs for a new episode to air, I have spent incalculable hours re-watching seasons on DVD during breaks. I simply cannot get enough of the action, suspense, romance, polar bears, confusion and absolutely everything else.

When ABC airs “LA X,” the first episode of “Lost’s” sixth and final season, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, I fully expect to relive the pure excitement and amazement I felt when my roommate showed me the pilot episode. In case you’re not as ecstatic as I am right now, let me tell you why I love “Lost.”

1. The depth

Right away, I could tell “Lost” wasn’t like most network TV shows. You can’t just casually watch from time to time and pick up on what’s going on. “Lost” requires 100 percent focus during viewings and dedication to each episode. Some people have said the show is too hard to get into, which is true, but that difficulty is also part of what makes it so great. Every detail is important; each moment matters.

2. The cast

Although some of the actors on “Lost” had recognizable roles before the show, most got their big break on the island, and that’s despite the show having an enormous cast. All the characters have meaningful parts in the story, but some of the actors have taken their parts to unbelievable levels with their skills. The “Lost” cast, which has been nominated for numerous Emmy and Golden Globe awards, is the most diverse and impressive lineup on TV.

3. The fans

Everyone probably knows a “Lost” fan or two. Whether you can’t stand them or enjoy their nerdiness, you recognize their dedication. Tons of fansites are devoted to discussing the Dharma Initiative and theories on time travel. Each site is filled with pages cataloguing every thing that could possibly be connected to the show. Call it obsessive if you want, but the commitment “Lost” fans share has been taken to an unprecedented level.

4. The writers

Most TV shows tend to fade during their final seasons. Instead of gallantly riding off into the sunset, they do more of a flimsy limp into the gutter. “Lost,” however, has managed to maintain strong viewership and exceed expectations, mostly due to its superb writers. Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, the main creative minds behind all the flashbacks and cliffhangers, continue to think of new ways to keep the show fresh and the viewers satisfied, and they promise this season will be no different.

5. The mystery

The one thing on everyone’s mind this season is how “Lost” will end, and no one really knows. Sure, plenty of theories and speculation are floating around, but the one thing that keeps people coming back to “Lost” is that you can never know what happens next. The show has taken the simple premise of being stuck on a deserted island and twisted it in so many unimaginable ways. From smoke monsters to nuclear weapons, “Lost” always manages to blow my mind.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu.

This all can only mean one thing – finals week is approaching.

Now I don’t know about you guys, but the idea of four straight days of cramming for end of the semester exams isn’t exactly appealing. So, I’ve compiled a list of ways to enjoy your time during finals. Whether you’re procrastinating, taking a study break or just looking for a distraction, give one of these suggestions a try.

1. Monopoly anyone?

There’s no better way to put off studying than starting a board game that lasts at least a good three hours. Plus, trash-talking your railroad-owning opponents is a great outlet for all that built up frustration. So put down the textbooks, sort the property and start divvying up the money. Even if you hang in there, pull off a victory and fail all your finals because of it, you can always just switch to a business major. That can’t be much harder than Monopoly.

2. Facebook “breakdown”

Since you’re already on a computer looking at PowerPoint slides and doing research, you might as well hop on Facebook. Who knows what kind of crucial status updates you may have missed since you were last on five minutes ago. Instead of just creeping, though, stage a fake breakdown. Change your picture, scrap your info, maybe even mess with your name. Facebook is pretty much a joke already. Might as well have some fun and see how well your “friends” really know what’s going on in your life.

3. Television catch-up

Who can keep up with television nowadays? Every week it seems like there’s a new show premiering and that’s just on network TV. But that’s no excuse to pack your bags and head back to the library. Instead, you should dedicate the time you used to spend attending class to discovering a series you might have missed. Lots of great shows like “Lost” and “Nip/Tuck” will be airing new episodes in 2010. If you start now, you just might be able to catch up in time.

4. Prank calls

When caller ID was invented, we lost a great art form – the prank call. Gone are the days when you hear the phone ring, say hello and get hit with a classic one liner or maybe even something more elaborate, like an Arnold Schwarzenegger sound bite. Used to be, you and your bored friends could fill a whole evening sidesplitting laughter with just a phone and some wit. Who better to work on reviving such classic, teenage debauchery than a college student craving a break?

5. Snow sculptures

You shouldn’t be the only one benefiting from your inability to focus during finals week. Instead, give everybody else something to enjoy on their way through campus next week. St. Thomas got pounded with snow yesterday and now that frozen, white plaster is waiting to be sculpted. What if you brought some of the Minneapolis sculpture garden’s beauty to the Lower Quad? Even a well-built, classic snow person could help lift your colleagues’ spirits.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu.