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I recently saw Toy Story 3. The movie is a huge success, grossing $167.6 million in its first week alone. I loved the first two growing up, and really wanted to see how it all would end. I went with my boyfriend who has an affinity for every Pixar movie. When we got to the movie theater, he asked the girl selling tickets if a lot of people like us (meaning 20-something college students) went to see the movie unaccompanied by children. She said, “Tons. I actually want to see it, too.”

It seems this is a growing trend with what used to be just kids’ movies. With the rise of Pixar and Dreamworks cartoon films, a larger adult audience has been drawn in as well. I find myself loving the Pixar movies I watch with my younger cousins as much as they do. These movies have storylines and elements kids and adults can relate to.

Take Dreamworks’ Shrek. There are plenty of adult jokes and allusions that kids aren’t old enough to understand. Kids seem to find the visual elements funnier than the actual commentary most times. Pixar’s movies also always seem to have more adult themes. Finding Nemo revolves around a parent’s love for his child, Ratatouille is about blazing your own trail in life, The Incredibles deals with a mid-life crisis and a wife’s suspicions of her husband’s affair, and Wall-E focuses on what impact we are having on the Earth and our environment – and those are only a few.

UP had me crying within the first 15 minutes. The visual montage that begins the story can hit home to so many. Childhood sweethearts Ellie and Carl are first united due to their love of adventure. The montage follows them as they get married and go through life together. They build their dream home, deal with their inability to have children and pursue their dream of travel. However, life gets in the way with bills and their savings constantly dry up. When they’re much older, Carl finally decides to surprise Ellie with their dream. But Ellie falls ill and passes away leaving Carl alone.

Although children may be able to pick up on what is happening (they build a nursery and no baby shows up; Ellie is there and then she isn’t), they haven’t had the life experience to truly relate which is why the stories are so endearing to adults. Adults comprehend loss, longing and working toward a dream. The storylines have these real-life issues but are light-hearted enough to be enjoyable.

If you still think kids movies are just for kids, think again. In my opinion, they are some of the most enjoyable movies out there. What makes it even better is that everyone can enjoy them. My whole family always gathers to watch one on our family vacations. So go out, rent one of these films and get in touch with your inner child. Your outer adult will thank you for it.

Ashley Thill, Finding Nemo, Pixar Dreamworks, Ratatouille, Shrek, The Incredibles, Toy Story 3, UP, Wall-E Hide

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I became a Gleek this summer. It hit me just within the past month. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Gleeks, it’s the name given to fans of FOX’s hit show, Glee. The show focuses around a group of talented high school misfits who just want to fit in and go about doing so by participating in the school’s glee club. I was hooked from the first episode I watched. I had the entire first season finished within a matter of days. Not only is the show funny, touching and entertaining, I can also relate. I was a member of my high school’s show choir all four years, so some of the situations on the show are close to home for me.

Although show choirs are a big deal in the Midwest (where I’m from), their popularity hasn’t spread far beyond. But Glee seems to be changing the way people view the arts and the show choir. Art organizations and summer camps are springing up with their own Glee-centric programs.

Many kids unfamiliar with show choir and musical theater seem to be catching the bug because of the television show. One high school in Washington instated a choir class focused on the show choir elements of dance, acting and singing after many students approached the choir teacher and asked him why a class like that wasn’t available.

A poll conducted by the National Association for Musical Education showed that 43% of choir instructors believed Glee has had an impact on students’ interest in their programs. At a school in Kettering, Ohio (the state where Glee takes place), some of the students who auditioned for show choir were finally persuaded to do so because of the program.

One student, Caitlin Dybvad, told the Dayton Daily News: “I was about half and half whether I would try out. ‘Glee’ convinced me. I wanted to try and be like them and what they are doing.” Choir directors who had show choirs before Glee don’t claim to see a huge difference in those auditioning for their groups, but they do see a trend of show choirs cropping up at schools that previously didn’t have them.

In a world where tight school budgets often lead to arts programs being the first to go, it seems that Glee may be just the thing to bring some interest to dying music programs. The show also may break stereotypes about who joins choir. In the show, four of the school’s football players join even though they endure ridicule from their teammates. More students may be influenced by the show’s messages.

Only time will tell what kind of impact Glee will have. It’s just in its infancy with one season, but has already caused a huge sensation. I think it’s already succeeded, however if it gets a few more kids to get involved that wouldn’t have before. That’s what the show is truly all about; creating a place for students to belong.

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There are questions in life that fuel the mind’s curiosity and have us mulling over life’s peculiarities in the ultimate quest for truth. Time is one of those quests that seem to continue without a definite interpretation.

A few days ago as I was browsing through my Netflix instant stream queue, and I came across a quirky little independent sci-fi love dramedy called TiMER. The plot of the movie revolves around these revolutionary bio-technological implanted soul mate wrist timers. The TiMER is an innovative device that counts down to the exact moment in which individuals will lay eyes on their soul mate, assuming that person also has an implant.

This all sounds ground-breaking and very profitable, but for Oona, the lovely protagonist who lives in a near future that’s not a super fantasy Gattaca-esque setting as you might suppose. The backdrop reads ordinary modern day, but the future is clearly evident. Oona is frustrated because her timer is blank. It was first implanted in her arm when she was 14, the legal age for implantation, and it has yet to ever click on, indicating that her soul mate has yet to receive a timer himself. Oona’s younger brother Jesse receives his implant and finds his mate within three days of implantation. I can barely decide what shoes I’m going to wear for the day let alone comprehend the meaning of my soul mate at 14! Just as frustrated with life is Oona’s stepsister, Steph whose timer reveals that she has a little shy of 15 years to wait for her mate.

It sounds a bit nutty, but the film got me thinking about love, dating and the uncertainty of it all. A huge theme in the film circles around having a timer and knowing that you’ll eventually meet Mr. or Mrs. Right. But what do you do until then?

The film was cute, poignant and the characters were real people. What I liked most however are the questions it brought forth. If you knew in advance the exact day you would meet your soul mate, would you be more likely to spend the intervening weeks or years remaining chaste for that future partner, or would you try to squeeze in as many one-night stands and random hook-ups that apparently mean nothing beforehand? What does everyone in-between you and the one mean? Which is worse, knowing that your soul mate is still many years in your future, or meeting him or her while you’re still in junior high? Is the timer real fate or is it just a self-fulfilling prophecy? Thank goodness it’s currently fiction, and I don’t need to have all the answers.

Danielle Francis, Gattaca, netflix, soul mate, TiMER Hide

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There’s no doubt that the country has followed the Bristol Palin/Levi Johnston drama since the 2008 presidential race when Palin’s now infamous mom, Sarah, was up for the vice presidency, and Palin announced her pregnancy. Even more drama ensued after Palin and Johnston broke up. Johnston and Palin’s mom got into a media war, going back-and-forth with their comments and allegations. Now the two have shocked America once again by revealing to Us Weekly recently that they’re engaged!

This came as shock not only because it wasn’t really known that the couple was back together, but after the bashing between Johnston and Palin’s mother, it would seem the relationship was irreparable. Johnston said he apologized to Palin’s family privately and has issued a statement publicly.

According to Palin, the two reunited after discussing a custody plan for the couple’s son, Tripp. She told Us Weekly: “ When he left that night, we didn’t hug or kiss, but I was thinking how different it was. He texted me ‘I miss you. I love you. I want to be with you again.’…I was in shock.” Sources have said the couple only ended their relationship because of pressure from Palin’s parents. But is she making the right decision getting back together with a guy who left her a single parent while bashing her and her family?

Palin has already said her mother isn’t all for her engagement: “She’s apprehensive and concerned about this. She doesn’t want to see me get hurt again.” She added that her family has more concerns than well-wishes for her.

For many people, our family influences us in numerous aspects. They provide a foundation for who we will be. We grow up with some of the same ideals we were surrounded with as kids. I know this is true for me. People may come and go (and have) in my life, but my constant has always been my family. If a guy disrespected my parents or another member of my family, I’d be done with him.

My advice to Palin: don’t rush into anything. The two got engaged after being back together for only three months and plan to marry soon. Palin wants to be a family and have a father figure for her son, Tripp. However, Tripp will have a dad either way. Johnston was involved in his life before and still would be if they weren’t a couple. Although circumstances are different for everyone, I’ve known enough couples who have had a baby but aren’t together now. Nowadays, a family isn’t mom, dad and kids. It’s defined in so many ways, and children don’t lack anything as long as they have love.

I respect Palin for her decision to keep her child and go on as a single mom. If she and Johnston are for real, I wish them the best since it may be a long, bumpy road until their relationship, and impending marriage, is accepted.

Ashley Thill, Bristol Palin, engaged, Levi Johnston, Sarah Palin, Us Weekly Hide

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In 2007, the national birthrate soared to a record high in two decades, but just one year later accounts demonstrate the annual birthrate began to decrease. And it’s steadily continuing to decline as years go by. Many suggest the trend is beginning to mirror the downward transformation of the economy.

As we look at the world from a sociological perspective it’s evident that we as human beings are at best a conundrum, but we are all participants in the bigger picture.

North America, one of the most economically and culturally diverse areas, represents a mere 5% of the world’s population. As for the other 95%, countries with more traditional and less modern cultures cannot afford, chose to ignore, or even intentionally resist new technologies that faster growing, more developed nations covet and embrace. The world’s population has grown because of a combination of positive changes such as improved sanitation, nutrition and health care, which enable people to live longer and more productive lives.

It remains a perplexity that these lower-income countries with generally speaking fewer resources are able to acquire less wealth in comparison to their more developed counterparts, but produce more offspring. Logically I suppose it makes sense, but the reality annoys me.

Population growth and over-consumption underlie many of the persistent environmental and social concerns humans are plagued by today. Places where more lives can be sustained generally have smaller populations because they understand there’s less to risk.

Studies have shown that teen birthrates in America have plunged 28% since 1990.

After a two-year increase prompted concerns that one of the nation’s most successful social and public health efforts was faltering, a decline returned in 2008. The success of increased contraceptive use and sexual education courses has aided the movement, although the number of unmarried births increased mildly since 2006.

As for ladies in their 20s, the prime child-bearing age, factors such as youth, income and education are affecting birth cycles. One study found that women with lower incomes were more likely to try and postpone having a baby, while younger couples took advantage of the economic troubles by delaying marriage and child bearing. If that’s not enough, around 20% more women remain childless compared to 10% 40 years ago!

Embracing non-traditional gender roles along with the lessening of social pressures targeted towards crafting a docile image of women has enabled individuals with the freedom to choose. The pressure is more or less off marriage and baby making. Survival of the fittest was so 10 years ago. Currently, singles are searching for the maps and directions to personal happiness. Maybe it’s selfish or maybe it’s just smart.

It was once thought that children were the glue binding marriages together. Nowadays, married couples are taking the time to actually enjoy themselves. With the pressure off, duos are able to focus on each other.

Other trends like going to college, being over 44, living in New Hampshire, or if you’re a woman with a Ph.D., slim the chances of conception.

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I just broke up with my boyfriend of two years about a month ago, and I’m pretty freaked out. From the outside single life looked great; new guys, adventures, overall a new me. But now as I’m delving further into the single world, I’m beginning to have second thoughts about leaving the security of my relationship.

Maybe “second thoughts” isn’t the correct phrase. I’m actually beginning to understand what all of my single friends were complaining about, and honestly, I’m just not too thrilled about the whole experience. Seriously, I don’t understand why anyone would willfully choose to be single.

Now I know that sounds bad. I was never this girl. Two years ago, I was only 18, but I was a serial commitment-phob. After years of watching my parents try to figure their relationship out, I realized the single life was for me. Little did I know, the love bug had already started to plot against me and it was ready to send me on a life-changing whirlwind.

I first met Ben when I was still a high school senior. We’d seen each other at a few parties, and generally hung around the same groups of people. He was cute; tall, dark hair, with an enigmatic energy that lured me into the complexity of his aura. I really love that boy, but it was my first romance. My first heartbreak. I let things happen in that relationship I promised myself I would never let a guy say or do to me. I was blind, but I felt like I didn’t need to see.

So the biggest part of my anxiety lies in the fact that I have yet to be single in college. This is probably the most nerve-racking part of my transition period since I honestly don’t know what the dating scene is like. When Ben and I met it was comfortable and in no way contrived. For the past two years I have been half of one, and funny enough, I’m having a little trouble finding the natural other half that made me whole before. I’m not the girl nor will I ever be who needs a man to complete her.

All I want are good people in my life right now. People who bring positive energy and new engagements, but unfortunately I tend to get along with guys more than girls.

Whenever I meet a guy I want to establish a friendship, but I feel based on fact and experience, the majority of guys want to just skip the foreplay and get into my pants. I’m irked because this has occurred way too often for the amount of time I’ve been single.

I threw in the towel for a few years, come back and the “hookup culture” has taken over the dating scene. I don’t like it one bit.

I know I’ve been out of the game for a minute, but it’s time to regroup and think of a new game plan.

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My elementary and middle school experience often differs from those of my friends because I went to Catholic school from kindergarten to eighth grade. People always ask if we had to wear uniforms and pray all the time, but the truth is my grade school days were similar to those of public school kids. We had recess, went on field trips, and learned all the usual curriculum (although we did have religion class and go to church weekly). There were the crushes on classmates, “boyfriends and girlfriends,” and we played boys chase girls.

But what I consider my “typical” experience may not be so typical anymore. Many schools in recent years have turned to same gender classes — all boys and girls from each grade level split into their own gender-specific classes. This approach has been met with mixed reaction.

Some feel it’s good to separate children by gender. Boys and girls learn differently, especially in subjects like math, science and reading, so teaching catered to gender may help them learn better. There also is a lack of distraction from the opposite sex allowing children to be themselves without worrying about how they will be perceived. Yet others argue this type of separation isn’t really helping our children. Children all have different learning styles, despite being male or female, and if they are split, they are missing out on developing key social skills by interacting with members of the opposite sex.

A number of schools have conducted their own trial runs of these kinds of classrooms in my home state of Wisconsin. One such trial is being conducted in Janesville, about an hour from Madison. The Academy at Marshall Middle School was set-up as a trial of this kind of learning two years ago. It’s a voluntary program, parents choose whether they want their children to participate. The students take core curriculum like math, science, reading and social studies apart but come together for art, music and gym classes as well as lunch.

The program began with just sixth and eighth graders, but a seventh grade program was added after one year. Teachers and students see an improvement and say they’d never go back.

One eighth-grade boy said, “The teaching is way different…so it appeals to us more than girls. I think it has improved my school work a lot.” An eight-grade girl had similar comments, “We’re more relaxed when we’re just with other girls. I’m doing a lot better in my school work since I started this.”

Teachers at the school also concur saying they can plan and teach more effectively with a target audience.

I believe education is important, and children have a right to great schools and teachers who help them succeed. If single gender classrooms work, I think it’s good for students. But I would hate to see more sexism and separatism come from these changes. Only time will tell what sort of impact these classrooms will have on students.

Ashley Thill, Catholic school, education, gender, gender-specific classes Hide

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What if there was a world where the attractive could seek out other attractive people and the burden of sorting through the mass of mediocre appearances was diminished? Well for anyone who’s interested, that place really does exist.

In 2001, Greg Hodge and Robert Hintze launched BeautifulPeople.com. The Web site was first introduced in Denmark, but shortly after opened access for users worldwide.

The infamously vapid, super-elite and exclusive dating club was initially instated to provide fellow attractive daters with good-looking hopefuls that could possible spark some sort of romantic connection. Founded on the idea that attraction is a huge aspect of criterion in the bar and club scene, BeautifulPeople tries to shift this design onto the web by helping members create personal and professional relationships with other people who stand out because of their attractive exteriors and personal qualities.

The site’s strict “no uglies” policy is determined when you first sign up. To become a member applicants have to be voted in by existing members of the opposite sex. Over a two-day period members rate all new applicants based on whether or not the members of BeautifulPeople.com find each profile “attractive enough.” If applicants are lucky enough to secure an adequate amount of positive votes, they will be granted membership.

Applicants can start by uploading a profile for free at BeautifulPeople.com, and as time goes on their profile will be moved into the rating unit. Applicants are allowed to include e-mails to particular members while they are being rated to try to give some insight into the character behind the face.

Posed in the form of a sort of thermometer that moves from “yes certainly” through to “absolutely not,” the ultimate verdict of beauty is in the hands of the members of BeautifulPeople.com. Majority rules in the land of the pretty, and they aren’t afraid to let you know how attractive they think you are. It’s like the democracy of dating. With 5 million members and counting, it’s a surprise only 20% of applicants actually make it into the community.

Newly expanding their boundaries a little further than match-making, the site is now offering a different set of options. So what if you don’t hit it off with that hunky bachelor or bachelorette. BeautifulPeople.com now offers a fertility introduction service that allows both members and non-members the opportunity to create beautiful offspring. The sperm and egg bank allows members to skip the foreplay and head straight to baby making. Hodge claims that he and his partner receive no monetary advantage from the fertility clinic. It’s just another demand being supplied. The clinic was supposed to be closed off to members only, but Hodge felt it was thoughtless and insensitive to deny “uglies” the benefit of procreating with the good-looking gene pool.

Not sure how much popularity this will garner, but who knows maybe we’ll forgo dating all together and just artificially inseminate with the über-attractive.

BeautifulPeople.com, Danielle Francis, dating, Greg Hodge, Robert Hintze, sperm and egg bank Hide

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Some deem it dirty, immoral, sinful and dangerous. To others it’s victimless, acceptable, and a viable source of income. Prostitution has supporters and resisters internationally remaining strong on both ends of the spectrum. Certain nations have legalized it, while others stand fervently opposed. The world’s oldest profession continues to be a vital branch of the sex industry generating over $100 billion annually on a global scale.

Prostitution is defined as “the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment.” But prostitution has been found in many cultures dating back centuries. In the Ancient Near East, “houses of heaven” were commonplace and prostitution was regarded as sacred. Even in Renaissance Europe during a time when the Roman Catholic Church strictly opposed sexual activity outside marriage, prostitution was accepted as a tolerable alternative to dispel compulsions of rape, masturbation and sodomy.

History doesn’t always define present-day circumstances, though. As a society, much has changed including the general regard towards women and more affluent laws defining what is legally acceptable. Today, in nations like Sweden and Norway, prostitution is considered a form of exploitation and it’s illegal to buy sexual services, but not to elicit them. In the Netherlands and Germany, prostitution is regulated as a legal profession. In many Muslim countries, it’s prohibited with both prostitute and client facing severe penalties.

Canada is one of the nations that technically doesn’t deem prostitution a crime, except that most activities surrounding it are. For instance, working within or operating a brothel, soliciting in a public place and being found in an establishment with those purposes are all criminally punishable acts. In the U.S., all but one state (Nevada) declares prostitution illegal and classes it as a misdemeanor.

So what are the pros and cons of such a profession and should the laws be amended either way? The cons to decriminalizing prostitution are hard to ignore. It demeans and degrades both the client and prostitute. Human trafficking of both women and children in third world countries and Eastern Europe is alarming and would continue to drive and promote despicable sex slavery acts. Profits gained through the “sex trade” often are recycled in other criminal activities. Sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV are difficult to monitor now and after legalizing prostitution, there may be a higher exposure to those risks.

On the pro end, many believe that prostitution is not a crime based on merit if it’s agreed to by two consenting adults. Decriminalization would better protect people in the sex industry from abuse and violence. At present, police units have task forces working solely on the industry, catching clients and prostitutes. Once apprehended, it’s a costly and often ineffective system. Legalizing prostitution would eliminate wasted dollars as licensed properties and guidelines would be enforced.

At the end of the day, there are lists of reasons on both sides that could ignite debate. It’s a subjective and controversial topic that will most likely never find a happy medium.

Decriminalization, Genevieve Castonguay, Nevada, oldest profession, prostitution Hide

You can’t win them all, and sometimes you just have to lose big. Diesel’s newest ad campaign is collecting some interesting press for its fresh marketing strategy.

The “Be Stupid” campaign fashions a male model being straddled by three pairs of women’s legs, a female model flashing a security camera in a NYC alleyway (a hint of nipple is visible from the side), and another features a bikini-clad brunette model in what looks like a grassland with a lion behind her. The model is shown strategically taking a picture of her crotch while pulling her bathing suit bottoms out for a peak.

The series of ads read: “Smart may have the brains but stupid has the balls.” That’s just what we need — another attempt at glorifying idiocy to be added to the bunch.

I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to take that. And what does any of this have to do with clothing?

It’s not the smartest or most clever campaign out there, but they already knew that. Anomaly, the creator of the venture, actually ended up winning the Grand Prix, one of the most renowned awards at Cannes’ Lion’s International Advertising Festival. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to make too many friends in Britain.

The British Advertising Standards Authority has decided to ban the ads that were just being applauded weeks earlier.

The “Be Stupid” campaign was tagged by ad watchdogs as being lewd and antisocial. The antisocial part made me giggle a bit. I thought nudity brought people together — I guess not.

But this is not the first time Diesel has tried to push the bar. A few years ago in celebration of their 30th anniversary, the company used compiled video footage known as the Viral Factory in their online promotions project. The campaign uses cheesy 80’s porn clips along with animation and music.

As for “Be Stupid,” it was decided that the images portrayed “socially challenging” actions that might be attractive to younger consumers and might encourage behavior that was antisocial or irresponsible. Although the ban has not quite made it to the States, the ads have been prohibited from running on public posters.

Perhaps it is the simple case of British conservatism versus French glorification of all things tantalizing. Regardless, in the world of fashion ad space all press is good press. Meaning, ban and all, this controversial campaign has proven to be anything but its slogan. Maybe Diesel’s smarter than we’re giving them credit for?

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