photo_ chelsea matiash

As the cosmopolitan playground of South Florida, it is not surprise that Miami is home to the internationally renowned Ultra Music Festival, a two day concert held in Bicentennial Park during Winter Music Conference.

words_ danielle kaslow and maz mann

With famous DJs and techno fans traveling from around the globe to attend, you’re guaranteed a great show. Yet dancing to the many artists’ thumping beats is not the only attraction. Other draws are people watching, style, and drugs.

“Ultra is like walking into a different world,” said freshman Ashley Brozic. “It’s as if all the freaks in Miami have left their dungeons and come out to play. It feels like you’ve entered a giant carnival just for adults, only instead of rides, there are what feels like 20 different stages.”

Janine Mears, a 2009 graduate who attended Ultra for the first time last spring, echoed a similar sentiment. “It looks like Halloween on crack,” she said. “I saw thousands of people dressed in every color possible.”

Mears and a friend shopped at American Apparel for their Ultra outfits and were surprised to find how conservatively they were dressed compared with other fans. Ultra invites attendees to push the boundaries of the average concert dress code.

“I think people just go and find random stuff in stores, any type of material, any type of color, and they just put it all together,” Mears said.

“Dress in your tackiest and craziest outfits from the deep depths of your closet,” advised Brozic. “People that get really into it come clad in furry rainbow colored boots, super eccentric wigs, fishnets and thongs, light-up t-shirts and bras.”

The most popular Ultra wardrobes involve glow necklaces, bracelets and neon clothing.

“It’s really fun if you pick one accessory, a token thing about your outfit that is just yours,” said Mears. “I had a purple feather boa, so when everyone saw the boa in the air, they would come and find me.”

Groups of friends often dress in themes. For example, a group may dress as the rainbow with each person wearing a different color. Other themes include neon rangers, tribe and the ’80s — anything that stands out.

Once the perfect outfit is decided upon, the next step is to prepare an arsenal of supplies to take on Ultra.

“The first thing is, no matter what your outfit, wear sneakers that you don’t mind getting dirty,” said Mears. “Also, if you’re going to be there all day, bring a towel so that you don’t have to stand the whole time.”

Make sure you have enough money before entering the concert, as everything is on a cash basis. Don’t rely on ATMs at the venue; transaction charges can be steep.

“Bring more than $50 because things there are definitely not cheap,” said Brozic. “One cup of beer is a whopping $9.”

It is also a good idea to bring toilet paper. The restroom situation at concerts — Ultra in particular — can be less than desirable, and it is unpleasant to be left without “TP” in a dire situation.

Another thing to be wary of is drug use.

“If you’re sitting on the hill and you look down, you’ll see two people that are heavily petting each other and have been for the last hour, so they’re clearly on ecstasy,” explained Mears with a laugh. “And if you look a little bit over to your right, you’ll probably see some guy sitting alone freaking out to the music, so he probably took something else.”

Ecstasy and marijuana are prevalent, along with LSD and GHB. However, with the large number of police and security guards at the event, the situation is somewhat controlled.

“There’s definitely a lot of drugs going on,” Mears said. “But if you’re careful and you have enough common sense, it won’t affect you.”

Now you’re prepared and know what to expect from Ultra: outrageous is the norm, and conventionality is out of place. It is undeniably exhilarating and an experience unique to Miami.

Max Mann also contributed to this article.

Yoga
This ancient meditative practice helps you warrior pose your way to relaxation and inner peace. Check out the classes at the Wellness Center.
Read
“When I’m stressed, I usually pick up a book to take me to another place,” revealed junior Tierra Fair. “Right before finals, I read all four books in the Twilight series in just five days!”
Laugh
Can a little Sarah Silverman do you wrong? We think not.
Punch Something
We strongly recommend a punching bag, not a person.
Have Sex
Though stress decreases your sex drive, getting busy helps your brain release serotonin and dopamine, hormones that enhance your happiness and pleasure.
Exercise
“When I’m stressed, I usually run the loop or go work out,” said sophomore Jessica Zucker. “[It] takes my mind off of things and makes me feel better too.”
Drink Alcohol — In Moderation
A little wine or a refreshing beer can do wonders for the worried mind, but steer clear of binge drinking. Struggling to remember what you did or said while intoxicated will only cause you more anxiety.
Write
Scribbling your thoughts and feelings on paper makes stressful situations seem less daunting, especially when there’s no one around to vent to.
Pray
“When I pray and put my worries in God’s hands, everything just seems to work out for the better,” said junior Jennifer Devaughn.

The time has come for you to ditch the Bud Light and feast on some fermented fruit.

If you are like most college students, you probably feel intimidated by the notion of drinking and selecting wine. After all, the complex names, thousands of varieties and leather-bound “lists” that look more like novellas can be overwhelming. Have no fear, however; we’re here to help you take the plunge into the wonderful world of wine.

Distraction had the chance to catch up with Gary Vaynerchuk, wine connoisseur and host of the popular video blog “Wine Library TV.” He assured us that there is no wrong way to indulge in a little vino — as long as you aren’t afraid to try something new.

“Trust your palate because at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is whether you like a wine or not,” he said. “Try something new every time you go [out] — not just another Pinot Noir from a different producer but a totally different grape you’ve never had before. You’ll start to hone in on what you like.”

When out at a restaurant, don’t worry about sounding like you don’t know what you’re talking about. Vaynerchuk insists that no one knows everything about wine. “To me, it’s not about what you ask,” he said. “It’s what the server should be asking you!” Tell him or her the kinds of flavors you enjoy, and ask for a recommendation. Keep in mind that in general, red wines go better with heavier food and white wines are best with lighter food.

Now comes the time to taste. Your server will present you the bottle and pour you a small sample. Smell the wine, taking note of the flavors and nuances unique to that blend. Rotate your wrist to give the wine a swirl. This allows oxygen to reach the flavors and “opens” the wine up. Take a sip, and let the wine roll across your taste buds. Cheers! You’re on your way.

The ultimate goal of wine tasting is to broaden your horizons and find wines that, as Vaynerchuk puts it, “bring thunder.” These are wines that overachieve their price. Fortunately, you don’t have to shell out serious dough for quality-tasting wines. You can surprisingly find great, reasonable wines at a supermarket.
Just always remember that a good wine is one that you like and a great wine is one that you love.

A wine bar, such as Cavas at Sunset, is a great place to check out the different types of wine out there. Cavas holds 88 varieties on tap and allows customers to purchase half glasses, which is perfect for people still developing their tastes in wine. Also, you can save 50 percent during happy hour, which is 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
5829 Southwest 73rd Street, South Miami  (305) 667-5332‎

The Do’s and Don’ts of Condoms

• Don’t let embarrassment become a health risk! Do not go condom-less because you’re afraid of what the convenience store clerk will think of you. He or she is more likely to be jealous than judgmental.
• Do your condom shopping online to avoid the blush factor. Plus, you can buy in bulk for cheaper prices!
• Fear the spermicidal condom. Although it kills sperm, it will also irritate the tissue of the vagina.
• Go for the thinnest condom of your choice, for ultra thin condoms perform just as well as their thicker brothers and will feel more pleasurable.
• Remember that sex requires two people and the condom selected should please both participants. (For example, you may think a lime green penis is funny on St. Patrick’s Day; she may disagree.)
• Though your love may not expire, condoms do. Never buy or use a condom past its expiration date.
• Once you’ve found your perfect condom, do not leave it in your glove compartment or wallet. Heat weakens the latex and thus increases your risk of STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

UM Students’ Favorite Condoms

“LifeStyles Ultra Sensitive [condoms] are thin, strong and sensitive — how men should be.”
-Kristin Perez-
Microbiology/immunology, freshman

“Trojan Ecstasy, for sure. It feels like nothing is there!”
-Hisham Kassem-
Biology, freshman

“My favorite condom? The one with my dick inside.”
-Carlos Diaz-
Electrical engineering, freshman

“If you get the green and orange condoms that the health center gives out for free, you can rock your chick like a hurricane!”
-Ryan Quintana-
Biology, sophomore

“Durex Extra Sensitive [condoms] are easy to put on and don’t smell like plastic is melting.”
-Trisha Vothang-
Neuroscience, freshman

“The first time I went to buy basic Trojan condoms at CVS, my mom walked in. So I quickly threw them into my gym bag and finished shopping with her. I ended up walking out of the store, completely forgetting about the condoms and scoring for free.”
-Alex Egusquiza-
Microbiology/immunology, sophomore

What classifies a food as an aphrodisiac — a sensuous taste, a creamy texture, a juicy bite, or maybe a shape that reminds you of a particular body part? Whatever the case, some foods have a reputation for bringing out the animal in you.

Banana

Considering its erotic shape reminiscent of a male’s most prized organ, it’s no wonder that behind the peel is a fruit that boosts male performance. It’s rich in potassium, magnesium and vitamin B, but the real trigger is the bromelain enzyme, which is believed to enhance the male libido. Mix that with the fruit’s saccharine taste and lush texture and you get an arousing sensation in anyone’s mouth.

Oysters

Not only do these sea critters resemble the lower section of the vulva, but they’re also full of zinc, which increases sperm count and pushes the libido of both genders to the limit.

Honey

The aphrodisiac appeal of this one is easy: it’s sticky, sweet and fun to play with. You can smear it on places like the neck, chest and thighs to drive your lover wild! Honey also contains a large amount of boron, a mineral that helps women metabolize estrogen.

Garlic

Although garlic is notorious for causing bad breath, a thorough mouthwash after ingestion will clear the way for its arousing effects. It’s allicin content increases blood flow, helping stimulate a male erection. Thus, who needs Viagra when garlic spices everything up?

Champagne

Champagne is commonly referred to as the “drink of love,” for it helps loosen the body and release your inner desires. A modest glassful served chilled with a strawberry slice is bound to put you in the mood.

Feel free to mix and match these aphrodisiac items. Have some champagne with your oysters; dip figs in honey; and pour chocolate over sliced bananas. You don’t have to be Casanova to turn your partner on!

Aphrodisiacs

Looking to try some aphrodisiac foods? Why not head to Tantra Restaurant and Lounge in South Beach where they serve up the pleasure for you? According to Tantra’s head chef, Jeff Beauchamps, the sexiest items on the menu are:

Virginia Blue Point Oysters
For centuries, they have been the leading aphrodisiac along with chocolate.

Chilean Sea Bass Aphrodite
It’s not only a beautiful white fish. It also comes with carrots, artichokes and asparagus, which are top aphrodisiac vegetables.

The Goddess
Three kinds of chocolate from around the world (Caribbean, Asian and Mediterranean) bring this flowerless cake to an extraordinary level of decadence.

Tantra Restaurant and Lounge
(305) 672-4765
1445 Pennsylvania Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Fill up your cup with these beer factoids. Amüsier dich!

Light Beer

• Light beer is your best bet for avoiding a beer belly thanks to its reduced calorie content.
• Light bodied Belgian and American wheat ales and Hefeweizen have a slightly fruity aroma and taste sweeter than other beers.
• Pilsners, which are medium-bodied and taste strongly of hops, leave a cool and clean feeling on your palate.

Dark Beer

• Porters and stouts are thick, bitter and taste heavily of malt.
• German Bocks are your classic dark beer, rich in flavor with very little hops.
• Dark beers are reportedly more heart healthy than light beers. Guinness stouts, for example, have very high levels of flavonoids, which are antioxidants.

Here is some fun info from a comprehensive beer blog by popular bar equipment retailer, Kegworks.

• Cenosillicaphobia is the “fear of an empty glass.”
• Storing beer upright minimizes oxidation and contamination from the cap.
• In Japan, beer drinkers can enjoy colored beers! The Ryuhyo Draft, created from seaweed extract, is a vivid sky blue.
• People who drink Blue Moon beer are 105 percent more likely than the average person to drive hybrid cars, 77 percent more likely to own Apple laptops, 65 percent more likely to purchase five or more pairs of sneakers every year and 32 percent more likely to not be registered voters.

For sophomore third baseman Harold Martinez, baseball is like life: It’s a game of adjustments.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound slugger had to learn entirely new positions last year after being a dominant shortstop at Braddock Senior High School in Miami. Martinez turned down a lucrative offer from the Texas Rangers after being drafted in the 19th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. He decided instead to attend the University of Miami, a school he always dreamed of.

“As soon as I had the opportunity to come here, I took a visit right away and committed real early,” Martinez said. “It’s crazy to think you could go pro right out of high school, but I thought it was better for me to go to college. College is a great privilege. I got calls earlier in the draft, but I told scouts I was coming to UM.”

Martinez started last year at first base and played part time as a designated hitter. After the first month of the season, he moved across the diamond and settled in at third base. He started all 60 games as a freshman.

Martinez studied three-time MLB MVP Alex Rodriguez’s technique at third base to get a feel for how to play the hot corner. In 2004, Rodriguez made a similar transition from shortstop to third base after he was traded from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees.

“The ball gets on top of you a lot faster,” said Martinez of the transition. “You have to react quicker. You have more time to throw, so you have to make sure to set your feet and make a good throw. You don’t need to charge balls; if anything, you need to take a step back.”

But making the transition from one position to another is a trivial adjustment when you look at Martinez’s life story.

Martinez was born in Cuba. He grew up in harsh living conditions, crying himself to sleep every night. There was barely enough milk when he woke up for breakfast.

“I used to play on the streets with my cousins,” Martinez recalled. “We used a tape ball. And if we didn’t have tape, we used whatever we could find in order to play baseball. We used a stick as a bat. Life was real rough.”

Martinez’s father, Alexis, had seen enough. He knew he had to make a change.

“Seeing my son cry every night was tough,” Alexis said. “I wanted to make a better living situation for my family. I had to do something about it.”

So Alexis did something drastic. He swam 10 kilometers from Cuba to Guantanamo Bay in the middle of the night. It took him 10 hours.

Alexis was used to being in the water, for he had been a renowned water polo player growing up. But swimming in a pool and swimming in the ocean at night with sharks are two completely different animals.

After swimming against the rough currents and weaving his way through fish in the dark, Alexis arrived at the shores of Guantanamo Bay and sought political asylum. He remained at the U.S. naval base for a month until he flew to Miami, where he lived two years without his family.

“I worked so much to try and save money for my wife and Harold to join me in America,” Alexis said. “I worked two jobs. I was doing gardening, and I was also working at Pollo Tropical. I was willing to do anything for my family.”

In 1993, Alexis finally earned enough money to bring his wife and son to Miami.

“I just feel really privileged for the sacrifices my dad made,” Martinez said. “I grew up very humble, and when you come here, life is amazing. When you see a real baseball, it puts everything in perspective.”

Alexis knew his son had tremendous athletic potential as early as age three.

“When he would swing the bat, the ball would just fly when he made contact,” Alexis recalled. “I knew he was going to be a baseball player.”

Martinez’s mom, Ivon, was on the Cuban National team for synchronized swimming, so Martinez also had a feeling he was destined to be an athlete.

“He’s got great genes,” UM baseball coach Jim Morris said. “I always say if you recruit guys with great genes, you’ll end up with great players.”

Morris remembers the first time he saw Martinez.

“He was in seventh grade. He was always the first to come to the stadium to watch [batting practice],” said Morris.

In high school, Martinez was selected to play on the USA Youth National Team and USA Junior National Team. He had offers to attend any college on a full scholarship but always had UM in mind.

Last summer, he participated in the prestigious Cape Cod Summer League and was selected for the Home Run Derby competition at Fenway Park in Boston.

“He just loves baseball,” Alexis said. “When he is not training, he and I sit on the couch [and] watch baseball together and study the players. He is always around the game.”

“He loves the game and is a student of the game,” added Morris. “[He] always has a smile on his face. He is a really good player.”

Martinez’s work ethic has been unwavering. He works out six times per day and is always improving his game. Morris is happy to have such a hardworking, versatile player that he can pencil into the middle of his batting order every game.

Martinez recognizes that adjusting from hitting a fastball to a curve ball and switching positions doesn’t mean much in the scheme of things; he realizes how fortunate he is.

“Living [in America] has been a plus,” he said with a smile. “I had nothing before, so I take nothing for granted.”

Find Harold Martinez on Hurricane Sports! http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/

At some point in your life, you may go through a heart-wrenching breakup so grisly and unbearable that you will be left flattened to the ground — either crying in despair, pulling out your hair or clawing at your ex’s heels in revenge. But how many of us actually get back at someone for deflating our hearts? Well, there are those who ignore this urge and those who take action.

Meet Scott Neustadter. He did not purposely venture into screenwriting as much as he stumbled into it, using the writing process as a cathartic exercise to vent over a bad breakup. He collaborated with co-writer Michael H. Weber to pen the film (500) Days of Summer. Though not a bitter man, Neustadter inserted a telling disclaimer in the opening credits: “Any resemblance to people living or dead is purely accidental… Especially you, Jenny Beckman… Bitch.”

This quirky romantic dramedy was the sleeper hit of last year, finding its legs in the fall and winter after its summertime release. Upon its recent release on DVD, we at Distraction were fortunate enough to interview Neustadter and chat with some “Tom’s” on campus.

The film’s narrator warns viewers in the movie’s preface that, despite a music-laden sequence of coming-of-age events, one thing it should not be mistaken for is a love story, for it explores the birth of a romance but also its degeneration. The premise is simple: boy meets girl, girl leads boy on before trotting on his hopes and dreams in vintage heels and finally, boy must learn from his mistakes and move on.

The film’s protagonist is Tom Hansen. We all know “Tom.” Hollywood banks on him as a rom-com’s saving grace: the “nice guy.” He’s cute, affable and possesses a certain indie-rocker charm. Tom falls for his fickle-minded coworker Summer Finn, an avid nonbeliever in love who immediately discloses that she’s not looking for anything “serious.” Nevertheless, she lures him further and further into her doe-eyed trap. They eat pancakes for dinner and prance around IKEA like sheep in a meadow. But in the end, she chooses someone else.

The saying is ageless: “Nice guys finish last.”  Yet it doesn’t always ring true.
“What I think people mean when they say that is nice guys are pushovers, weaklings and wimps. Those guys do indeed finish last,” explained Neustadter. He believes Tom isn’t one of these guys, however.

“In the beginning, he’s afraid to make a first move and challenge the girl he fancies for fear of ruining their relationship. By the end, he’s not that way anymore,” asserted Neustadter. “That’s why, even though his story doesn’t end the way we might expect, we certainly don’t get the feeling that he’s finishing last.”
Nice guys just need to find the drive to go after what they want, and what they want is clear.

“I’m a nice guy, so I’m looking for a nice girl,” said sophomore Karthik Bhandhari.
Sophomore Jaymes Gardzinski added, “I treat girls the way I’d want [my sister] to be treated. I’m big on long-lasting relationships and friendships. All of my ex-girlfriends are friends with me.”
For nice guys like these, we have good news. It turns out Neustadter was not writing too far from his real life. (He told us the main difference between his story and Tom’s is that Tom is a little taller). And although all is not fair in love and war, some fare better than others; the girl Tom meets at the end of the movie, Autumn, is real. In fact, she and Neustadter are engaged.

So what’s Neustadter’s advice for all the “Tom’s” in the world right now pining over the wrong girl, aside from listening to The Smiths?

“Just know you’ll grow out of it — either by realizing that there are other things that can make you just as happy or by finding someone else you like just as much. Hopefully both.”

In other words, there’s always life after summer, even if you don’t want it to end.

MOVIES

TOY STORY 3

Just when you thought you’d never hear the name Buzz Lightyear again, Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures present Toy Story 3, the latest addition to the Toy Story series that began in 1995. Returning with familiar characters and the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack, this installment continues the light-hearted fun. Andy is off to college, and the toys, including old favorites like Rex and the squeaky aliens, venture out to find new playmates. There may be new adventures, but the original motto still rings true: “No toy gets left behind.”

Release Date: June 18
For more information, visit disney.go.com/ToyStory.

ROBIN HOOD

Children and adults intrigued by stories about Robin Hood can now see his adventures and heroism brought to life by director Ridley Scott. Well-known for his direction of Gladiator, Scott brings Robin Hood to audiences with the latest cinematographic technology. The film is set in 13th century-England during a period of weak rule under a new king, and Russell Crowe co-stars with fellow Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett. Expect action, suspense and a bit of romance.

Release Date: May 14
For more information, visit robinhoodthemovie.com.

EAT, PRAY, LOVE

Readers of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir Eat, Pray, Love can look forward to seeing its cinematic rendition this summer, which will follow Gilbert as she travels the world searching for enlightenment while coping with a painful divorce and her inability to become pregnant. Directed by Ryan Murphy and produced by Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner, Eat, Pray, Love stars Julia Roberts as well as Javier Bardem, James Franco and Billy Crudup in what promises to be a great story of self-discovery, romance and new beginnings.

Release Date: Aug. 13
For more information, visit eatpraylove-themovie.com.

CONCERTS

SWAMP STOMP 2010

Swamp Stomp, a local independent music festival, arrives this April for the fourth year in a row to bring peace and love to the Miami music scene. Last year’s lineup included many University of Miami-affiliated bands, and this year’s lineup follows a similar pattern with Beckham County Trainwreck and Jahfé performing. The Lee Boys, a steel ensemble with sounds of gospel, folk and blues, will headline. Expect herds of hippies, UM students and funk fans to surge the scene. The festival will take place at Bayside Hut on Key Biscayne, and tickets are available for $10 at the door. If you love great atmosphere, great people and great music, you won’t want to miss this spring’s stompin’ activities. As Swamp Stompers say, “May your stomp be forever swampy.”

Date: April 24
For more information, visit swampstompmiami.com.

THE AP TOUR

Need your fix of indie music this spring? You’re in luck. The Alternative Press (AP) Tour will come through Ft. Lauderdale and make a stop at Culture Room in April. Performers include Never Shout Never, Hey Monday, The Cab, Every Avenue and The Summer Set. Never Shout Never, the tour’s headliner, features Christofer Drew and the sound of his ukulele and pop-inspired vocals. Drew’s vibe contrasts with the electric guitar-heavy sounds of The Cab and Every Avenue’s emo rock. The combination of styles is sure to have Culture Room buzzing with a variety of fans. Get tickets for only $16 in exchange for a night full of music, mosh pits and madness.

Date: April 19
For more information, visit altpress.com/specials/theaptour.

“GLEE” SUMMER TOUR

Whether you’re nostalgic about your high school choir, addicted to television or just love good-hearted music, the “Glee” summer tour is an event you won’t want to miss. The cast of “Glee,” Fox’s overwhelmingly successful 2009 musical drama, will tour major U.S. cities to showcase live performances of its work previously only performed on television. Packed with spontaneous singing, dancing and enthusiasm, the “Glee” tour is guaranteed to be a hit. Look out for tour dates soon in a city near you.

Date: Not Available
For more information, visit fox.com/glee.

BOOKS

Solar
by Ian McEwan

Ian McEwan, author of the renowned novel Atonement, will release his newest book Solar this spring. The plot follows protagonist Michael Beard, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, and the struggles he experiences with various aspects of his personal life, including his marriage, moral character and weight. Beard, once regarded as a successful scientist, is a washed-up has-been. Yet he gets a chance at redemption when his personal and professional lives suddenly collide in an accidental catastrophe. In an attempt to save his marriage, career and the environment, Beard embarks on a journey of self- and scientific discovery that is sure to enlighten readers. In this elegant, dark novel, McEwan not only addresses timely issues but also displays a fresh, comedic side of his writing.

Release Date: March 30
For more information, visit ianmcewan.com.

Beatrice & Virgil
by Yann Martel

From Yann Martel, the acclaimed author of Life of Pi, comes the spring release of his long-awaited novel Beatrice & Virgil. It tells the tale of Henry, a famous author who receives a letter from an eccentric struggling writer with a passion for taxidermy. This letter leads to Henry’s involvement with a donkey named Beatrice and a howler monkey named Virgil. The book is thought to be a literary allegory for the Holocaust. Fans of Life of Pi will be delighted to find that Beatrice & Virgil contains the same wild imagination and story-telling grace as Martel’s previous work.

Release Date: April 13
For more information, visit randomhouse.ca/newface/martel.

A Visit from the Goon Squad
by Jennifer Egan

Jennifer Egan, author of The Keep and Emerald City, will release A Visit from the Goon Squad this summer. In this novel, Egan introduces Bennie Salazar, a record executive and former rock star, as well as Sasha, the distressed young woman Salazar employs. Egan explores the secret lives of both Bennie and Sasha, neither of whom is aware of the other’s past. The characters’ lives collide throughout many different time periods, such as the ’70s music scene and New York in the ’90s. This bold and electrifying new novel about time and survival is made even more intriguing as the characters’ lives entwine and the characters find common destinies.

Release Date: June 8
For more information, visit jenniferegan.com.

MUSIC

PIGEONS AND PLANES, pigeonsandplanes.com

As one of the most active underground music blogs on the web, Pigeons and Planes focuses on emerging rap music and indie rock. A 24-year-old business student who works under the alias Confusion created the blog, and it is kept up-to-date by up-and-coming rapper Frank Ramz. The blog’s name is a metaphor for the broad range of music featured: “Pigeons are the starving artists, and planes are the mainstreamers,” according to Confusion. Pigeons and Planes provides rare and undiscovered remixes and mash-ups that cater to Pitchfork-loyal hipsters who want nothing more than to hear Raekwon mashed up with Vampire Weekend. Confusion and Ramz also post songs that stray from their typical content, so don’t be surprised if you find a promising Slavic singer/songwriter next to the latest Drake & Lil Wayne collaboration. The guys at Pigeons and Planes like good, compelling music, and they don’t care where it’s from or who makes it.

PITCHFORK, pitchfork.com

Pitchfork is a music blog that enjoys a loyal and widespread fan base, largely due to its high caliber writers, professionalism and the dependability of its album reviews. In many ways, it has become the Rotten Tomatoes of music blogs — insanely critical but polished and skillful at filtering out the fluff. The writers tend to avoid featuring mainstream music to please their hipster-oriented audience, but you can find album and song reviews on artists as diverse as Major Lazer, the Dirty Projectors, Diplo and Beyonce. Because Pitchfork posts everything from underground concert locales to interviews of your favorite bands, you can also rely on the blog for the latest newsworthy info in the music industry. Pitchfork’s homepage always includes a “best new music” section where you can listen to the latest releases from alternative artists free of charge and then impress your friends with your fresh, edgy taste.

FASHION

BLEACH BLACK, bleachblack.com

This conversational fashion diary created by industry veterans Kristin Reiter and Valerie Killeen makes it easy to find the latest vogue and has the best DIY tips for making edgy jewelry or artfully slashing your old Levi’s. Bleach Black’s layout is clean and minimalist, but the content is nothing of the sort. Resplendent with anecdotes, classic snapshots, bitingly clever post titles and much more, Bleach Black is a blog that defines fashion not as a hobby but as a lifestyle. Reiter and Killeen also always include a source website or phone number, so you can find the pair of shoes that caught your eye. In addition, they constantly post their favorite menswear, which is perfect for when you’re having trouble finding a trendy gift for your boyfriend or brother.

THE SARTORIALIST, thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Even if you’ve never heard of The Sartorialist, there’s a chance its creator Scott Schuman has snapped a photo of you if you frequent the streets of New York, Paris, Milan, Sydney or London. On this photo blog, Schuman documents trend-setting outfits worn by regular people on the streets of the world’s greatest fashion hubs. The photography is striking; Schuman has a knack for finding intriguing subjects, and his backdrops offer an honest glimpse into the gritty beauty of the many cities he calls home. If you need daily fashion inspiration or just enjoy good photography, The Sartorialist is simply perfection.

ART

IGOR + ANDRÉ, igorandandre.blogspot.com

Danny Roberts, creator of Igor + André, is a 23-year-old California native churning out the most beautiful, whimsical sketches and paintings of the moment. The blog showcases his expansive repertoire, which ranges from portraits of Lily Cole to interpretive drawings of his dreams and childhood imagination. Always a treat is “Inspiration Friday,” a weekly section where Roberts shares various images, photographs and even self-composed songs that stoke his creativity. Roberts also shares work from his fellow artists and has posted many colorful portraits of popular bloggers like Perez Hilton and Knight Cat. Because Roberts’s career is just beginning, you can buy some of his prints for just $40. Check out the link to his store on the blog homepage.

POLITICS

THE HILL, thehill.com

Attention all political science majors and healthcare majors: Tap into an incredible Washington, D.C. resource by following The Hill. Also, if you plan on moving to the D.C. area post-grad, this is the blog for you. With everything from news about the pending healthcare bill to a list of each senator’s birthday, The Hill places useful political and networking information at your fingertips. If you’ve been rocking Google or nytimes.com as your homepage for the last few years, try The Hill for a refreshing change of pace to satisfy your political thirst.

SPORTS

WITH LEATHER, withleather.uproxx.com

Founded by Northwestern graduate and Marine Corps veteran Matt Ufford, With Leather is a gossip-tinged take on the news and hotshots of the sporting world. There are no macho debates about which team has the better quarterback. Instead, there’s sarcastic criticism of superstar athletes whose talent we admire and whose lifestyles we love to hate. To add to the blog’s appeal, Ufford and his team are embarking on a new endeavor called the “Morning Meat.” This section, posted every morning around breakfast, includes “The Bacon,” “The Eggs” and “The Sausage.” “The Bacon” is the latest breaking sports headlines; “The Eggs” is an update of recent scores and game results; and “The Sausage” is approximately ten links (no pun intended) to controversial articles about various sports figures. With Leather is a great read if you’re in the mood to be entertained while getting the latest update on all things sporty.