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Show Actively pursuing a long-term, monogamous relationship LaVerl Christianson Opinions writer | Good news, ladies: I'm officially on the market..Let me be the first' to tell you that an opportunity like this doesn't come around every day. And I'm not going to let a little thing like humility get in the way of my telling you how awesome I am. I'm a catch. Sure, I've been around the carousel a few times -- 1 had TWO serious girlfriends in high school - but I'd say I'm no worse for the wear. In fact, I'd say if anything, those regrettable parts of my past have rendered me a more forgiving person. I think I might even be OK with a girl who's kissed another guy. Open-minded, right? But enough about you, my potential spouse. 1 should probably tell you just why it is that I'm the most qualified fellow around. Maybe work on convincing you about why you should dream of one day having me size you up for a wedding band. That is, if you've somehow avoided becoming convinced thus far. Oh, I don't mean con- vinced by me. You will be, soon enough, when I start off on my list of stellar personal traits and accomplishments, but don't pretend you weren't keen on the idea from the get go. The anxiety of single life is no small obstacle. I'm sure you've realized. No one wants to die alone. And there are other things that come much sooner and more inevitably than death. Can you bear the social degradation of a blind date even once more? Can you endure the journey through another quagmire of personals? Can you stand the rejection of answering machines and unreturned calls? I'm guessing you can't. It's about time you had some validation in your life, and it sure as hell isn't coming from dredging through minimum wage tedium to pay for school. Is there any better way to feel like a complete human being than deciding that one other human being is all you need to feel complete for the rest of your life? If that human being is me, then of course not. If for some patently absurd reason you're still uncomfortable with trie prospect of finally being serious about a relationship, though, I've got to ask: Why? Are you afraid you aren't qualified to make a decision that will have potent ramifications for the rest of your life? If so, 1 assure you, you're as capable now of deciding what will be best for you 20 years from now as you will be in 20 years. And if there's any sort of decision that can only benefit from being legally binding, it's got to be relationship decisions. After all, it's not every day that a person changes their mind about what they want in a relationship, because it's not every day that a person changes who they are. Sure as shooting, I'm the same guy today I was 20 years ago, and I'll still be that guy in another 20. If there's anything you should really commit to, it's something as static and resolute as another human being. Realistically, that's the best thing you can hope for in a significant other: complete stagnation. And ladies, I've got plenty of that. Get off your apathetic butt and vote Heather Jones Opinions writer | Last fall, 1 was sitting in a political science class when the professor turned the topic to being politically active. He started asking questions and counting the answers. Only one person in the class had ever sent a letter to the editor of a local paper sharing their views: me. Only one person had ever posted a sign on their properly supporting a candidate: me. I was the only person, save the professor, who even knew what a caucus meeting was, let alone who had attended one. And 1 was one of only three students who had ever voted. Why, you may ask, did I stand out in this very informal poll? Is it because I'm brilliant? Thank you, but no. Perhaps I'm a political geek who finds CSPAN fascinating? No. Brown-nosing? No. The only difference between me and the other students is thai I'm 10 to 15 years older. It didn't take long for the question to form in my brain: How can a generation that is so focused on doing things their own way and having their own voice be so apathetic about one of the mosi powerful rights we as American citizens hold? Who votes in America? Your grandma. Traditionally, the 65 and older age group has the highesl percentage of voters in America, while 18-24 year olds are the lowest. Look over some of the biggest concerns being addressed by Congress today; there are a lot of programs for senior citizens. Medicaid, Medicare, the prescription drug plan. Social Security. Coincidence? I think not. If the 18-24 age group became the strongest voting machine in America, we would see significantly more focus on Federal Financial Aid guidelines. Interne! Privacy Laws, a possible draft, and rising college tuition. Yet an unscientific poll of my own classes at Utah Valley State College, taken on November 7, 2007 - the day after an election - showed that out of 140 students of eligible age, only 24 were registered to vote and only 10 actually voted. Pathetic. It's not hard, people! I have been voting for many years inr.v, and I'm still a little uncomfortable with how r;i\\ 11 is to do. Send in a card. ;JP C them my name, and poke n nole in a little card. With touch-screen voting machines, I don't even have lo risk hmiging chads. It's far easier than creating a Facebook page. You probably spent more time choosing what to wear loday than I did voting in the primaries. (Yes, there have already been several elections this year. You missed them.) Guys, I'm giving you a heads up here. In case you haven't been paying attention, there is a huge election right around the corner. You still have time to register. You still have time to research. Stop being slackers and give granny a run for her money. Survival for the passenger Alex Macharia J as I walked to campus. I was Dilated Pupils Opinions writer Did you know what the logo was when you first looked at it? What do you think of it? Was it a good design? "I think it's a lot of fun. I like how they made the UV turn into a claw." "Yeah." -Kyle Brown "No." "[It wasn't a good decision] for clarity." -Ryan Amott A few days ago, as I crossed the street from Sinclair toward UVU, I encountered a woman whose appearance immediately revealed her agitation. Beside her stood an old but wellcared-for bicycle. When a UTA bus came to a stop, she quickly moved toward the door and asked the driver when the next bus to Spanish Fork would be coming around. After a brief search, the driver responded, "Weil I don't have the time schedule for the 802. However, il should be here in an hour or so." Tears almost rolled down her cheeks as her face hardened. Even the uninitiated eye could tell she-was sorely disappointed and angry as she watched the bus drive away. "I should have driven my car," I recall her saying. That statement haunted me left wondering what happens to those without cars, motorbikes or scooters as an option. Am 1 wrong to assume that public transportation in Utah could stand some substantial improvement? It would-be unjust to fail mentioning that UTA is doing a stand-up job. Professionalism is their drivers' hallmark, and punctuality the standard. UTA's careful accommodation of bicyclists is well in line with the ecologically friendly aspects of mass transit. The buses are comfortable and clean. And, of course, the UVU bus pass is a great idea, though this realization may only come for those who have known the pain of being caught without one. Despite the many advantages of UTA buses, though, disadvantages weigh in equally as numerous. The bus schedule sometimes suffers seemingly eter- "I wasn't able to, no." "I like it, I think it's cool." -Sara Masked nal gaps, and the passenger the only public transit opis tied to UTA time. Should erating in Utah, and this of your watch deviate even course results in a variety of slightly from UTA time, difficulties. First and foreyou're almost certain to most, customers do not have miss the bus. Moreover, the a choice; they are forced into bus routes do not go to some compliance with the status areas where passengers are quo. Secondly, competition headed, hence people tend spurs advancement, and it lo trek for long distances af- seems ignorant to assume ter alighting, and those leav- , that such would not be the ing work late at night find case in this instance. themselves in a dilemma. As gas prices continue to In addition, if you are not soar, more and more comprivileged to be a UVU stu- muters are becoming relident with a bus pass, then it ant on public transportation. becomes very expensive to UTA moves about 60.000 finance your transportation. people daily, and this numIn cases where passengers ber is bound to rise. As such, need connecting buses, they there is a need for more efmust carry with them bus ficiency from our public schedule sheets. 1 once saw transit. a person with live different A good idea can be made schedules who looked as if into a better idea. It may he either did not or could not be too much to ask for iced comprehend the true time. drinks to make long summer Though solutions to these rides more bearable, but a problems surely abound, passenger's thirst for readily one in particular seems ap- available and comprehensiproachable and especially ble schedules ,at stops could feasible: the dissolution of easily be sated/** UTA's monopoly. UTA is Jordy Kirkman "Someone had to point it out to me." "I don't think it's that hard to figure out what it is." -Annie Thomas Jordy get up or I'm failing you... Next week's question: Why do you think there should or shouldn't be a timetable to withdraw troops from Iraq? 801)373-1000 pro • Fflthyi u n t Bpm To have your voice heard in dilated pupils, email your response to uvu.review.opirtions@gmail.com v * # ^ • . ' " • ' . ' ^ • - No, He* Ins disruptive when 1 he's asleep. , _ To view video interviews from dilated pupils, visit uvureview.com , robots. uvureview.com |