New Roller Coaster!!!!!!

In an economy like today's, I find frivolous spending, simply ridiculous.

That's why when I came across this article, I was shocked.

Who has $4500 to throw around?

I must say, I'm from Ohio, the best state for amusement parks, EVER. Between Kings Island, an hour and half south of my home and then Cedar Point, two hours North of my home, before paying the nearly $5,000 to have the first ride on the newest coaster, I would opt to wake up super early and camp out in line...

Road trip anyone?

Kings Island's Diamondback coaster's Web site describes the new attraction as "the tallest, fasted and meanest roller coaster ever to hit Kings Island, it unleashes its fury with over 5,200 feet of steel track. At 230 feet tall, this monster twists and turns through 10 acres of terrain, wooded hills with a spectacular splashdown ending to give you the ultimate thrill without the venom."

The coaster is set to open when Kings Island opens for this year's season.

For more photos and statistics, visit the site.

Napping on the job... Can't you be fired for that?

As you may already know, both Circuit City and Goody's are going out of business.

I'm sort of abnormal and live a little bit of a drive from campus, over by Target.

Though the going-out-of-business sign holders only work on the weekend, they always catch my attention.

As I drive to work, at Food Lion, I take a left onto Paul Huff Parkway in front of Denny's, and the parade of sign holders begin.

My first question is how do you get that kind of job; my second is how much do they get paid?

Each with their own personality and technique. Some are really into their job, some are merely holding the sign, listening to headphones, while others smoke their cigarettes.

However, there is one sign holder that takes the cake. He stands on the side of Paul Huff Parkway in between IHOP and Outback with his "going out of business" sign held up by a street sign (that may or may not be important to the drivers). He takes the opportunity to lean against a nearby electrical pole, his duffle bag as his makeshift pillow and nap.

That's right, homeboy is getting paid to nap.

Who's jealous?

Bedside lamps=expensive light bulbs

Introducing..... my new bedside lamp.

Why, you ask, am I making such a big deal out of my new bedside lamp?

First, you'll have to back up about two years with me. I bought a perfect bedside reading light, in the weeks before I pack up my car and left Ohio for my first semester of college. It match my decor, it was the perfect size and let off just enough light for me to see and was just dim enough for my roommate to sleep.

I've had this lamp, for two years, we've been through a lot. Three semesters in Simmons Hall, a semester in Keeble and it traveled with me now living off campus. The amazing thing, it's always fit in with the changing decor.

About two weeks ago, I went to turn on my faithful lamp and it's light had burnt out.

First time, in two years.

So I dug out it's light bulb and took it down the street to Target to purchase a new one. The new one, yea, was $7.67, for a light bulb, OUTRAGEOUS.

But, I decided to spend the nearly $8 on the light bulb anyways.

A week and a half later, I go to switch on the lamp so I can lie in bed and read before passing out for the night, and POP, it was out. No more light.

Even more angry, I let it sit there, unusable for another two weeks.

Finally, getting up enough courage (and money) to walk back into Target again, I went straight down the aisle toward the light bulbs, walked right past them an purchased myself a new bedside lamp that takes normal light bulbs, for $9.99.

I could have saved myself money earlier and bought it to begin with.

The moral of the story: Don't buy expensive light bulbs... er, check how much a light bulb costs beofre buying lamps.. er.. I know you've learned something from this experience of mine.

Just another addition..

Today, Facebook decided they wanted to add another reason for Americans to be anti-social and lazy.

Instead of typing (because we all know how much work that takes) that you like someone's status, picture or note, the social networking site allows us to click a button.

Adding the button right beside the comment button, allows users to think about whether their friend, that they usually don't know, really deserves some personalized attention. Whether they are important enough to write a personal message to.

Facebook, I salute you.

Love is in the air...

It's springtime.. and, well you know what that means at Lee. The rush for the ring-by-spring is on for ladies.

Many girls at my age (c'mon, I'm only 20 & 10 months old) are searching for their perfect match, but don't worry guys, my mommy told me like it was.

When I first came to school in Tennessee, she said, "Michelle, you're too independent to have a boyfriend."

And let's be honest, she's right.

While most girls are slaving away over a list of the perfect qualities to look for in a mate, I simply sit back and point out some of the things that annoy me the most about relationships.

For instance, some couples are determined to spend every waking moment together... Let me just state my opinion about this matter. By the end of the day, I would be so annoyed with hanging out with that one person so much, that I wouldn't want to date them anymore. Let's just say, long distance is the way to go with me.

Some girls just need a boy to open their eyes, to be a southern gentleman, to show them how to have a good time. Let me tell you. I'm from Ohio, which doesn't mean I'm rude or that a door being held open for me here and there isn't nice, but don't get crazy. I'm a human, I can open the door myself, it ain't gonna hurt me. Frankly, I can pull my chair out for myself, I can feed myself and I can order for myself also.

And beyond that, boys just don't know how to express their feelings. They are either too emotional or not enough; either way is bad. I don't want a boyfriend that will cry on my shoulder every other day, but talking about feelings isn't always bad. Is there ever a happy medium?

However, over the past few months, I've crafted a list. A list of what I am looking for...

1) Grandma must approve - Grandma is the hardest to get by. No need to worry about my mom, dad, brother, nephews, uncles... Grandma knows best. She's knows what she's talking about.

2) Good last name - Yes, I went there. I'm not going to take a ridiculous last name... I'm not afraid to hyphen it up.

3) Culinary abilities - This is a recent addition to the list. I'm a busy woman, I've got things going on. I need someone who is willing and able to cook. I mean, I can cook and I like to... but it's just too crazy.

4) Domestic - I understand I'm abnormal. But I could live in my own filth for months on end and it would never bother me. On top of all of that, remember the busy thing from the previous statement? I don't have time to do laundry or dishes or take out the trash. Ew, I hate taking out the trash.

Ok, now that you think I'm the perfect mix between shallow and CRAZY... you'll understand why my mom said I'm too independent.

If you know anyone who fits my mold, let me know.

What do you look for in a boy? Share with the Lee Clarion by leaving your comment below.

REALLY?

So. I've always wanted to write a post like this...

First off, you've got to understand where I'm coming from. I love SNL, I particularly get a good laugh out of their Weekend Update. On Weekend Update, they do a skit called "Really!? with Seth and Amy." If you've never seen the skit, they make fun of ridiculous things and situations, while repeatedly using the phrase "really." If you'd like to view it, a portion of it can be seen here. (I would recommend skipping ahead to the 2:00 time marker.)

I'd now like to present to you, Really!? with Michelle Bollman, news editor....



After months of advertising and millions of dollars spent, you're pushing back the date of the "switch to digital?" REALLY?

REALLY, Congress, you have been planning this switch for years and with two weeks to go you decide that you want to push the date back another five months? REALLY?

The commerce department simply ran out of money to send $40 coupons? REALLY?

REALLY, how does that happen? 3.7 million homes are still waiting for their $40 coupon? REALLY?

I didn't know 3.7 million homes went without cable, REALLY?

REALLY, are you sure this isn't just another marketing scam to make Americans run out the stores to buy their HDTV's still? REALLY?

What's new, the government wants to make some more bucks off the unsuspecting customers, REALLY?

You're going to use the extra months to step up better "customer service" and "customer outreach and support," REALLY?

REALLY, if you haven't heard about this program yet, you're just REALLY deaf and blind, REALLY.

This has been Really!? with Michelle Bollman, news editor....

Read the full CNN article about the push back of the switch to digital, here.