Christin Fox

Making her second fabulous appearance on my blog is the amazing Christin Fox (Campaign Slogan: "She'll slap your grandma!") We talk about all sorts of things and she gives fantastic and insightful answers. She is currently a sophomore at Towson University.

S4L: Alright, so you're in a sorority, do you think the "traditional" image of greek life that's always presented by Hollywood is accurate? Or is it over exaggerated?
CF: It's definitely over exaggerated. or at least definitely for mine. I'm not in what seems to be the "typical" sorority. i don't think that the ones portrayed in movies truly represent the ones on my campus either. it's true that there's drama, but not that much.
S4L: I mean, theres sort of this stigma in popular culture surrounding greek life, but from what we've talked about in our conversations and even what you just said, it seems that this really isnt the case. Do you think there's sort of this image perpetuated in pop culture? And if so does it affect your sorority? I mean, do you get people who want to pledge because they think its going to be one huge party?
CF: There's definitely that stereotype, I mean, a lot of my friends never thought I'd join a sorority because of the image of greek life. and after going through rush, there are definitely some girls who come in expecting it to be a big party, but it's a lot of business too. some girls get it more than others, but then again, some sororities do party more than others. it really depends. but for the most part, girls kind of get a reality check about the partying after going through rush. there's a lot more than partying that goes along with being in a sorority, from sisterhood to philanthropy and community service to the business aspect.

S4L: Cool cool. I love talking to you about this because I feel like its good to set the record straight from someone who is there right now. But we can talk about other things now... Like, are you going to vote on November 4th?
CF: yes actually. I'm driving back home to vote because I wanted to make sure that my vote counted and didn't get lost or disappeared or something, y'know how that stupid stuff happens sometimes.
S4L: really?! Me too! hooray voting! Do you have any opinions on the candidates? I mean, I'm not going to ask you who you're going to vote for... but...
CF: Haha I do, but if I start talking about it you'll see my bias

S4L: That's true, so we'll skip it. ok, have you read anything fantastic recently? and if so, what is it?
CF: I haven't had much time to read BUT! did get two books that I can't wait to dig into!
S4L: oo what are they?
CF: one is called Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut, which was actually recommended to me by two of my friends. they say it's modern/satirical, so i'm excited to read that. the other one is called The Writing Class by Jincy Willet. I saw it in the store and the cover looked really interesting.
S4L: I've never read any vonnegut, but I just got this book called "The Best American Non-Required Reading" and it had a whole selection of his quotes in there. I just finished reading them. They were fantastic. I'm glad I'm not the only one who judges books by their covers. Was that the main reason you bought the one by Jincy Willet?
CF: pretty much. it has a bunch of different pens and pencils on it, each labeled with their owner. each has personality, and I thought that was really cool. I read the inside cover and it seemed interesting. a little juvenile, but still interesting. it's the story of a professor and her writing class, but it evidently turns dark with a phone call and threats that lead to a murder. the professor has to analyze all of her pupil's writings and work with them to find out who the murderer is.
and although it may seem dark, the reviews claim it to be extremely funny, so i figured I'd buy it

S4L: That sounds really really good actually. I'll have to borrow it after you're done. I hate not having time to read what I want to read. School is so time consuming. I'm sure we've talked about this, but are you going to do grad school or something?
CF: I'm going to have to go to grad school if I want to get the job I'm set on. I was hoping to prolong it, but my advisor (though I'm not sure if i should trust her) claims that I'll have to go straight into school again.
S4L: Crazy... I think we should just leave school and take up our dream of pirating and being saucy wenches. What do you think?
CF: Perhaps. but then again, it might be nice to have something to fall back on. but there definitely should be some pirating and sauciness in our futures

S4L: I'm sure there will be. No doubt. Is there anything you'd like to throw out there before the interview ends? Any last statements or anything that you think the whole world needs to know?
CF: There are many things the world should know, especially about how I'll slap their grandma when I gain control of the world. but until then, I just would hope people start realizing there's a lot more about people that they don't know about, so even if they think they know someone pretty well and can "judge" them, I'm sure there's a lot more that they don't know that factors into that. does that make sense? I guess just you don't know someone's situation, so don't assume... oh! and one last thing! to everyone: Your life is beautiful.
S4L: Wow. that was very insightful and... nice. Good ending Christin! Now you just have to tell everyone to read my blog.
CF: I will! haha

Alright, well there's another sweet interview for you. Again if you have anything or something to say and you want it to be here for all the world to see shoot me an email at bellamorningglory@yahoo.com subject line "Interview" Thanks for reading! Look for some updates from the glorious land up north sometime real soon.

Amanda Bender

This is my interview with my "good friend" (read: sworn enemy) of many years, Amanda Bender. She is tops at being crazy awesome and is a sophomore at University of Maryland. She's my first interview, and probably not my last:

S4L: Can I interview you?
AB: Absolutely

S4L: Sweet. So, first question: As a college student, do you really care about world issues, or do you follow them to seem like you know what's going on?
AB: The first.

S4L: Ok, so what issues matter to you? Name like.. two?
AB: Hmm.. having soldiers in Iraq still, and overusing our resources

S4L: So if it bothers you that we still have soldiers in Iraq, you're probably also pretty peeved about the possibility that we might invade Iran?
AB: i don't exactly know the situation there, and what we would actually be doing there, how the people would think about the soldiers being there and treat them... so i cant say for sure

S4L: That makes sense. You are so levelheaded. I'm just grumpy. Anyway, if you could suggest one book to one person, what would you suggest? for who? and why?
AB: Hmm...good question..
S4L: Thanks.
AB: I haven't read for pleasure for a good while
S4L: That's okay, it doesn't have to be something you've read for pleasure. How much reading do you do in your classes anyway?
AB: Depends on the class. two chapters twice a week for film, a paper or two a week for linguistics... I'd say... the book you gave me. The Realm of Possibility to anyone..
S4L: Why?
AB: It's very thought-invoking

S4L: Whats the difference between invoking and provoking?
AB: Provoking's the one i was looking for
S4L: But aren't they the same thing anyway?
AB: I think invoking is calling on something for support, like invoking the right of such and such
provoking is stimulation

S4L: Good call. OK, is there anything you want to say before we round off our interview?
AB: Not that i know of. What is this interview for?
S4L: I want to interview people, I just thought I'd try it out. I might put it on my blog if that's okay with you?
AB: Sure.

AB: Are you curious about people's responses to those particular questions? or just want to ask people different questions about different things?
S4L: I want to ask people about anything. I'm starting with people I know first, and then I'm hoping to talk to anyone. Probably just people around. I'm trying to become a better listener... and I like to talk to people.
AB: okay

S4L: Does that sound silly?
AB: only a bit. People you don't know might not be willing unless you have a purpose
S4L: yeah, but some of them might, and who wants to interview grumbly people anyway?

AB: You can't be prejudiced like that =P
S4L: You can interview grumbly people if you want. I'd rather not, that's all I'm saying.
AB: Fair enough.

So, that was it. I also interviewed myself via introspection and my inner male pirate... but that hasn't posted yet. I don't really care who you are or what is up, but if you want to be interviewed, let me know. Shoot me an email at bellamorningglory@yahoo.com subject line "Interview."

kthnxbai.