Editor's Letter
June 24, 2009
Frosted masterpieces
June 17, 2009
Take the money and ... save
These days, it seems things are all about cutting back and saving money. Although, to be perfectly frank, the past four years of my life have been about cutting spending. Nothing like college to curb one's spending. Still, I've noticed a difference in my shopping behavior lately, as I'm sure many of us have. I walk through the grocery store and scrutinze prices a lot more closely than I have before.
June 10, 2009
Hot summer nights
Admittedly, summer generally isn’t my favorite holiday. Here in Missouri, these three months are hot, muggy and pretty uncomfortable. I’m more attuned to the cool breezes and pleasantly warm sun of spring, or the vibrant colors and crispness of fall. Even so, I do enjoy the pace of summer and my summers in Columbia have been some of the best (and most changing) thus far.
June 03, 2009
The sound of music
Without music, I’m not sure who I’d be. It’s taught me creativity, expression, teamwork and traditions. I play a few instruments, I’ve sung in choirs, acted in musicals. I shamelessly listen to musical soundtracks, no matter how cheesy others think it is. That rich immersion in all things music is probably one of the more instrumental aspects of my development.
May 27, 2009
Serendipity, summer, Vox
Since coming to college, I’ve worn quite a few hats: stressed student, self-proclaimed band geek, reporter, designer, roommate, friend. Many of these were expected and some were not (who knew I’d decide to do marching band when in college — not me). But least expected is the role I find myself in this summer: editor.
May 20, 2009
Coping with stuff
Sometime in the next few weeks, I’ll be packing up my life and moving out of Columbia. As much as I feared moving here, I’ve formed a special bond with this place, more specifically my apartment. Compared to everywhere else I’ve lived, the rent is extremely affordable, the staff is super-friendly, and my property has a pool and fitness center. It’s pretty fantastic.
May 14, 2009
Denim, Vox, 2009 styling
Whenever I enter a bookstore, I tend to bypass the classics and head straight for the chick lit section with its rows and rows of pink glossy hardcovers. It’s not that I have anything against Hemingway or Dickens – well, maybe Dickens – it’s just that where my eye leads, my feet follow. I often wonder if I would be more likely to pick up a Steinbeck or a Faulkner if these old titles were given fresh looks. I’m not saying they need pink (although we all need a little pink), but some styling never hurt anybody.
May 07, 2009
A pet by any other name
Most of us have owned a pet in our lives, and if you’re a pet person, this is the Vox you’ve been waiting for. We’ve taken the issue and made it all about pets, right down to the last detail.
April 30, 2009
Once more, with feeling
As a teenager I attended my share of concerts. I am not ashamed to admit that most involved the vocal stylings of pop music’s finest boy bands accompanied by the shrill screams of overly excited teeny-boppers. I still have a drawer in my old bedroom devoted to faded concert T-shirts and disposable camera photos.
April 22, 2009
Midwestern innocence
The profiles in this issue of Vox about interesting, important individuals within the local criminal justice system carry a back story that isn’t obvious to the casual reader. All the bylines come from writers enrolled in an MU Journalism School class that educates them about the strengths and weaknesses of the criminal justice system in Boone County and across the nation.
April 16, 2009
Vivid memories, stark reality
Some events in our lifetime bring light to the phrase, “You’ll remember exactly where you were and what you were feeling.” On April 20, 1999, I was a sophomore in high school. I remember the images of the two boys in black trench coats wielding gigantic guns. I remember the faces of the students crying in the school’s parking lot, but for the life of me, I cannot remember where I was. It was the aftermath of Columbine that I remember vividly.
April 09, 2009
What's up, doc?
We live in strange times. Five-year-olds have cell phones, penny candy is no longer a penny, and people talk about seeing a therapist the same way they talk about getting a haircut — “I feel so much lighter now.” Maybe it’s just me, but until recently I saw therapy as a taboo topic, a don’t-ask-don’t-tell sort of situation.
April 02, 2009
Cash crunch
Yes, we’re still talking about the economy. Bailout plans blanket the news, the job market remains in the toilet, and car companies continue to suffer. For those who have always lived moderately, the effects might not be noticeable, but for others who have struggled, living paycheck to paycheck has become even more difficult. In today’s economy, quick cash can mean salvation.
March 26, 2009
Smoke-free satisfaction
When I was an undergrad, I worked at a bar. The pay was good, the hours weren’t too bad, and my friends frequently stopped in to keep me company.
March 19, 2009
Coffee talk
In my previous life, I had a job at a wire service distributing press releases. By some stroke of luck, I was the person in charge of opening the office every morning ... at 5:30.
March 12, 2009
From Farmer Jack to Hy-Vee: the path to grocery enlightenment
Having lived so many places, I’ve slowly been getting used to the process of finding new grocery stores. I initially look for proximity; if it’s close, it’s good enough. But inevitably I’ll need some obscure ingredient that can’t be found at my convenient new spot. And then I’m forced to venture out into the crazy world of retail.
March 05, 2009
Tech savvy and penny-wise
The day before classes started in August, my computer passed away. My trusty four-year-old companion would no longer reboot, and my ridiculously tech-savvy brother couldn’t fix it.
February 26, 2009
True resolutions
Last year upon arriving at the Artisan to purchase my True/False tickets, I was met by a standing-room-only crowd of more than 140 people. As it was my first year in Columbia, the mob scene was utterly unexpected, especially because I had made it a point to get there an hour early.
February 19, 2009
Beats Breakfast at Tiffany's
I never thought I’d be the bed-and-breakfast type. My idea of a weekend getaway tends to involve housekeeping, slot machines and buffets. I can almost hear the electronic bells calling.
February 12, 2009
Like heartbeats for chocolate
Anyone who knows me would tell you that my one true love is food. I am obsessed. My apartment is littered with old copies of Cooks Illustrated and Food & Wine, and my pantry is always stocked with the latest gadgets and cooking essentials. At any given moment, I’ve been known to whip up a delicious meal or a gluttonous snack while the Food Network hums soothingly in the background.
