A ranking of Boston-area beaches

By Alex del Tufo

You don’t attend a coastal California school, but Boston has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to white(ish) sand and blue(ish) water. Here is a ranking of the top five Boston-area beaches. Starting close to home:

5. The BU Beach

Ha ha. But seriously, it could be worse. Conveniently located and technically near water, the BU Beach is a staple for students. When the sun comes out, it’s the best place on campus to lay out, play frisbee or, as the tour guides say, “close your eyes and pretend the traffic is waves.” But if you’re looking for some “real” sand and “real” waves, here are a few better options:

4. Revere Beach

Revere Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Boston area and is accessible by the Blue Line. Although the beach holds a reputation for being a little less than clean, it’s not hard to find a spot to relax along the extensive beachline.

3. Castle Island

An easy Uber ride — or a slightly less easy bus ride — away, Castle Island is a classic Boston beach. Not perfectly clear or blue, but a great place to cool off on a hot day. While you’re there, you can have a picnic on the grass by the harbor or visit the massive 17th century Fort Independence.

2. Walden Pond

Although not on the ocean, it’s impossible to deny Walden Pond is a beach. Approximately 20-30 minutes outside the city, Walden is a bit of a hassle to travel to, but well worth the work. Surrounded by pine trees with a sand beach along the entire perimeter, it’s the perfect place to escape city reality for a few hours.

1. Cape Cod

This may be a cheating answer as it’s not technically in the “Boston area,” but there’s no denying that the Cape is the best beach nearby. Rent a Zipcar for the day and journey a couple hours to Cape Cod. With perfect white sand and clear water, it’s the closest you can get to the California sunshine without the plane ticket.

The 5 types of professors you’ll have at BU

By Alex del Tufo

In college, with eight or more classes a year, there’s a lot of turnaround on professors. This can be a good thing with the less than useful ones and sad for those you begin to love. Whatever the case, there are a few distinct types of professors you’ll happen upon along the way.

1. The one who just wants you to succeed

Whatever it takes, this professor is going to do whatever they can to give you an A. At BU, these professors are far and few between, but they exist. They’ll curve the curve, drop the lowest grade and offer a million office hours. They’ll explain the subject so painstakingly slow that it’ll drive you insane. And still you may or may not get a C+ in the class, but they did their darned best to make economics manageable.

2. The one who seems like they really don’t want you to succeed

This one, unfortunately, feels a little more common: “Boston University is the hardest grading college in America.” You’ve heard it, you’ve seen the rankings, it’s true. Professors at BU want you to prove that you can learn the material, and sometimes that seems as if they’re asking you to learn to fly. With an essay, a test and a vocab quiz in a three day span (yes, it’s happened), it’s hard to believe that they expect anything but failure from you. And yet, we scrape together a passing grade because you did decide to attend the hardest grading college, after all.

3. The one who’s more like a friend

This one is great. You still email them for job recommendations and life advice. They taught their class at one, long table, and it often felt as though they were simply a part of the group. Often a younger professor — but not necessarily — this one can make the material relatable in a way that many can’t. Hold onto this one.

4. The one who really does mean well

This professor really, truly means well but is really, truly just so boring. They have a monotone voice and are teaching statistics — the odds are really against them at this point. You can see the energy they put into their teaching, you just can’t seem to find the capacity in your brain to attain an interest. Try to drag yourself to the class anyway, it’s really for the best.

5. The one who makes you change your major (in a good way)

This is the professor who has a way of speaking that pulls you to every 8 a.m. lecture on the other side of campus. Their knowledge has you scribbling down every point they make. It’s a combination of the professor and finding a passion within yourself, but it takes a special kind of professor to have you log on at the end of the semester to fill out a major change form. That one comes once in a college experience.

How to embrace the Freshman 15 and where to do it

By Alex del Tufo

You’ve heard the horror stories time and time again: yet another college freshman let their good health disintegrate after their first 2 a.m. slice of pizza. The “Freshman 15,” for many, is a brutal reality. Factors to take into consideration may include proximity to FitRec (good luck Warren residents), dining points left over to use for Domino’s delivery and number of weekend excursions. This would be an excellent opportunity to list a few sensible ways to keep your health intact, but that seems less fun to me. Instead, here are the best places to pack on the inevitable pounds — all on, or close to, campus. You may as well do it right.

1. Nud Pob

In my opinion, Nud Pob is one of the most underrated restaurants on campus. Often outshone by its neighbor up Commonwealth Avenue, Noodle Street, Nud Pob supplies some of the best Thai food in the Boston area. With quick service and impeccable proximity to Warren Towers, it’s perfect for a quick dinner if it’s past 9 p.m. or if the dining hall just won’t cut it. Although an excellent lunch and dinner location, Nud Pob will not satisfy your post-party hunger, with doors closing between 10:30–11 p.m.

2. India Quality Restaurant

The hidden gem of Boston University, or at least hidden to myself until halfway through my sophomore year, is India Quality Restaurant. Coming from a home that ate Indian takeout several nights a week, I was disappointed by BU’s Indian food options. It wasn’t until I discovered India Quality that my home-fueled craving was fulfilled. Although it’s on the expensive side for takeout, the food is high quality and consistently delicious. It’s an easy takeout option for any students in the Kenmore area.

3. UBurger

While not underrated nor a hidden gem, UBurger is worth it all the while. With locations in both Kenmore and West Campus, UBurger truly fuels any BU student. With incredible burgers, chicken burgers and to-die-for shakes (also known as “frappes”), UBurger can satisfy any need. But get it done early, because UBurger will have its doors shut if you show up for a late night snack past 11 p.m.

4. Sunset Cantina

This article would not be complete without a shoutout to the restaurant that single-handedly supported my Freshman 15 efforts. Sunset Cantina — and their infamous XXL nachos — is a perfect place for a late night snack with friends. Piled high with one hundred toppings and a slab of sour cream, the nachos may not be impressive cuisine, but they sure satisfy the craving.

The Muse: Your guide to summer 2014

By Hannah Landers, Muse Editor
@hannland

Summer is almost here, time to relax with good music, movies, and food./ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Adam Baker

Summer is almost here, time to relax with good music, movies, and food./ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Adam Baker

Sweet summer is almost here, which means it’s almost time for The Muse to take a vacation. But before we grab our flip-flops and short-shorts, we have a few final suggestions to make this summer the most Muse-tastic ever. Below is a list of movies to see, albums to listen to, food to nom on and lifestyle events to check out during the long, hot days. Enjoy your summer, Musies! And don’t forget the sunscreen!

Movies

Book adaptation: “The Fault in Our Stars” (June 6) — Sure, “The Giver” promises performances from the likes of Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges and, er, Taylor Swift. But “The Fault in Our Stars” has a beautifully tragic story and a fresh-faced cast. If the trailer alone doesn’t make you tear up, you are a monster.

Epic: “Godzilla” (May 16) — Walter White from “Breaking Bad” takes on one of film’s most infamous monsters. Need I say more?

Comedy: “22 Jump Street” (June 13) — If you liked Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as undercover cops in high school, you’re going to love them as undercover cops in college. Ja feel?

Superhero: “Guardians of the Galaxy” (August 1) — With a team of characters that includes a genetically engineering raccoon marksman and a “tree-like humanoid,” “Guardians” promises to be “The Avengers’” weird younger brother. The diverse cast is another draw, especially with a newly buff and mostly shirtless Chris Pratt leading the pack (am I right, ladies?).

Once in a lifetime: “Boyhood” (July 11) — Director Richard Linklater tells the story of a young boy growing into adulthood, but because he shot the film over a period of 12 years, the audience is actually watching young actor Ellar Coltrane age from 7 years old to 18 years old in a span of three hours.

Music

Rock ‘n’ roll royalty: Jack White’s “Lazaretto” (June 10) — Jack White’s last solo venture was filled with a lot of good ol’ blues-tinged rock ‘n’ roll. Here’s hoping that this album is more of the same.

Girl power: Lykke Li’s “I Never Learn” (May 6) — The ethereal Swedish songstress is back after three years, promising more subtle brilliance with her one-of-a-kind voice.

Indie comeback kid: Conor Oberst’s “Upside Down Mountain” (May 20) — Bright Eyes front-man Oberst usually injects a little more of his country-tinged Nebraska roots into his solo releases and vocal assists from folk duo First Aid Kit only sweetens the deal.

James Blake 2.0: Sam Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour” (June 17) — If you caught Smith’s performance on “Saturday Night Live” in March, you know the power of this Brit’s haunting and soulful melodies. At only 21 years old, Smith is slated for a meteoric rise.

Movie mix-tape: American Laundromat Records’ “I Saved Latin! A Tribute to Wes Anderson” (May 13) — This 23-track album features a diverse array of artists covering songs from Wes Anderson’s iconic films. Muted color schemes and Jason Schwartzman not included.

Food

Chocolate chip cookie milk shot: From the genius who brought you the “cronut,” the chocolate chip cookie milk shot is exactly what it sounds like: a chocolate chip cookie in the shape of a shot glass filled with milk. It’s a magical update on a childhood favorite.

Infused ice: Ice cubes no longer have to be the boring frozen treat of your summer. Restaurants are starting to see the potential of infusing them with herbs, fruit and other goodies in order to spice up cocktails and other drinks. Cheers!

A spot of tea: From tea leaves in entrees to tea-based cocktails, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy tea without having to sip a steaming hot cup in the middle of July.

Ice cream sandwich smorgasbord: After enduring years of the cupcake’s reign as most popular dessert, it looks as though we’ll all be screaming for ice cream sandwiches from roaming food trucks soon enough.

Adult popsicles: Booze-infused popsicles aren’t a relatively new idea, but the fun flavor possibilities and their simple prep make them a no-brainer for summer.

Lifestyle

Music festivals: For many, summer is equated with hanging outdoors and listening to their favorite bands. Muse did a blog post earlier in April with a list of the best music festivals across the country. All you have to do is pick one (or two … or five).

Get your drink on: You don’t have to be in traditional “wine country” to take a tour of a winery. Or, if beer is more your thing, check out a brewery. Sites such as Groupon offer great rates that include tours, food pairings and of course, tastings.

Stuff your face: Food festivals happen nearly everywhere, and they’re a great place to expand your palette and maybe even find your new favorite restaurant. Some of them are even tailored to a state’s signature dish, such as the Maine Lobster Festival.

Pay homage to your favorite author: Okay, this one is kind of a stretch, but if you happen to be in Florida this summer, why not remember a famous author who used to live there? Hemingway Days is a five-day festival in July that includes book signings, readings, a fishing tournament in honor of the author’s favorite sport and a look-alike contest (Google some pictures and thank me later).

LA Manager undergoes plastic surgery to improve selfies

By Katrina Uy, Staff Writer
@katreenz

How far would you go to improve your selfies?/ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Rondo Estrello

How far would you go to improve your selfies?/ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Rondo Estrello

Just how far would you be willing to go to take better selfies?

Apparently, trying to take another one from a different angle or putting a filter on wasn’t good enough for Triana Lavey, 38, a talent manager from Los Angeles, who spent around $15,000 on cosmetic surgery solely to change how she looked in her selfies.

In an interview with ABC News, Lavey said she “didn’t like the face staring back at her in Skype chats or in Facebook pictures.”

Evidently, untagging unflattering pictures wasn’t enough to solve the problem. Lavey has been undergoing plastic surgery to change her self-image for the past two years, resorting to a nose job, chin implant and fat-grafting. She recently went under the knife for corrective surgery on her nose, along with regular Botox treatments.

Like the rest of the world, she loves taking selfies. Millions are taken every day, thanks to the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, and plenty are posted on other sites such as Facebook and Twitter as well. So are we as a society becoming more vain, or are selfies helping us create and maintain an online identity?

Lavey clearly thinks it’s more of the latter. In a video interview with ABC News last week, she said, “Your social media presence is just as important as your real-life presence.”

It sounds like she’s got a point there. After all, we can’t hear enough about employers deciding whether to hire an employee based on what they can find on their personal social media profiles, right?

“Today this business is moving at the speed of the internet [where] your selfie is your headshot,” Lavey  said. “You can reinvent yourself every single day with simply your iPhone.”

While these are all valid points, most people wouldn’t be willing to go to such great lengths to change how they look in their front-facing cameras — not to mention the price paid.

But hey, to each their own, am I right?

LOLThursday: Talk show host gets monkey-slapped

By Jacob Carter, Staff Writer
@jacobca1995

Recently, a local talk show host discovered the consequences of teasing a monkey.

On her show “Great Day Houston,” Deborah Duncan devoted a segment to a Capuchin monkey, which had a role in the film “Dr. Doolittle,” and its trainer. All goes well until the trainer decides to let the host try to feed the animal. She playfully withholds the food from it, and as a result, she is greeted with a firm monkey slap.

The way Duncan handles the situation must be singled out for praise. She does not lose her composure or become flustered with embarrassment. Rather, she laughs it off and says she’s sorry for teasing the monkey.

In reality, the Internet is rife with images and videos of monkeys physically abusing humans as well as other animals. There are monkeys slapping adults. There are monkeys slapping children. There are monkeys slapping cats and dogs. The movie “Night at the Museum” even featured the Capuchin monkey as it wreaked havoc on an unsuspecting Ben Stiller.

No, Deborah Duncan is not the first individual to suffer abuse at the hands of a primate, and she will most certainly not be the last. This is a pervasive problem in our current society, and I intend to be the first to stand up and fight against it.

Monkey slapping cannot be tolerated, and if we all stick together, we can combat the furry-handed violence that threatens to undermine the sanctity of the nation. However, I can’t argue with the comedy that ensues when monkeys go on slapping rampages.

Check out the video below:

Soccer player leaves racism on the field

By Ann Singer, Staff Writer
@annmsinger

Screenshot of Twitter search for #noalracismo illustrates the support Alves has received. Taken on April 30, 2014.

Screenshot of Twitter photo search for #noalracismo illustrates the support Alves has received. Taken on April 30, 2014.

When life throws racist innuendos in the form of bananas your way, what do you do? Barcelona’s Dani Alves picked it up and immediately took a bite during a soccer match at Villarreal last Sunday.

Alves is a Brazilian, playing for Barcelona. Evidently, someone in the stands didn’t appreciate Alves’ presence. At the time, he was about to take a corner kick when the banana flew from the stands and landed at his feet. With no hesitation, Alves picked up the banana, took a bite, and proceeded to go through with the kick.

In the past, racism has been dealt with by walking off the field, like then AC Milan’s Kevin Prince-Boateng in 2013. However, utilizing humor to belittle the culprits while still bringing attention to the problem has appeared to be a better option.

After the match, Alves posted a clip of the incident on Instagram with a caption joking about how his father always told him to eat bananas to prevent cramps.

He later told reporters, “We have suffered this in Spain for some time. You have to take it with a dose of humor. We aren’t going to change things easily. If you don’t give it importance, they don’t achieve their objective.”

Justice was served when Barcelona won 3-2. Also, Villarreal located the perpetrator and withdrew his membership as well as banning him from the El Madrigal Stadium for life, stating the club “deeply regrets” what happened.

The world was quick to stand in support behind Alves. His teammates, as well as fans and celebrities, sent tweets of praise as well as pictures of themselves with bananas, using hashtags such as #noalracismo and #weareallmonkeys. Even the president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association tweeted, “What @DaniAlvesD2 tolerated last night is an outrage. We must fight all forms of discrimination united. Will be zero tolerance at WorldCup.”

Still, racism is a problem in the world of soccer. CNN reported that not many Spanish authorities or media have addressed the incident, saying this sort of behavior is not accepted but tolerated as part of the game. Let’s learn this lesson Alves imparted with his phenomenal response and do our bit to end the ridiculous reality that is racism.

Spotlight: NYC v. Boston

By Stacy Schoonover, Staff Writer
@stacyscootover

Obviously, Boston is better than New York City./ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Roberto Zingales

Boston: home of the Red Sox, the Bruins, and Boston University./ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Roberto Zingales

I spent this past weekend in New York, and while NYC is the “big apple” and the “largest city in the U.S.” I couldn’t help thinking how much I love Boston more. Don’t get me wrong, New York is amazing — but there is just something about Boston that makes it superior. Let me explain…

New York is amazing because:

1. 24-Hour Subway

This city never sleeps. While Boston just go the T to stay open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays, New York is transporting people on a Tuesday at 4 a.m., and it’s wonderful.

2. That being said, the city never sleeps

Boston’s bedtime is that of an old married couple having to wake up the next morning for a nine to five workday. New York has nightlife, bars, events and activities at all hours.

3. The streets are blocked, and they make sense

If someone told me I had to be at 42nd and 6th, I wouldn’t have to get out MapQuest, or take a cab just to avoid getting lost or being late. In Boston, the streets don’t make sense. Bottom Line.

4. Central Park is better than the Boston Common

Both are gorgeous… but Central Park has a zoo. A zoo, people! 1.317 square miles of adventures, playgrounds, animals, zoos, concerts, etc. is better than 50 acres of trees.

5. New York is the Cultural Capital of the World

Home to the United Nations and a hub of international affairs, New York is more cultural in food, fashion and other cultural markets. Boston is more centered on remembering the past with its strong historical background.

Boston is way better than New York because:

New York City has a lot to offer, but can it stand up to Boston?/ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Chris Isherwood

New York City has a lot to offer, but can it stand up to Boston?/ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Chris Isherwood

1. New York is too crowded

The traffic of the Boston Marathon is the traffic on a normal day on 42nd street in New York. Boston is more livable, and while Boston is still touristy, it doesn’t stand out as much as the most populated city in the U.S.

2. We have the North End

Enough said.

3. Boston smells better

There isn’t as much pollution, and that is a beautiful thing.

4. Sports

Yes New York has won 47 professional championships, but it’s the largest city in the U.S. Boston is the 21st largest city in the U.S., and has won 34 professional championships. Go Sox. Go Bruins. We win.

5. Boston is the hub of history

Home of the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party and many other significant moments of the American Revolution, there’s so many historical sights to see. We also have the first public school in the U.S., the first subway system and the Boston Common is the oldest city park in the U.S.

And most importantly, Boston is home to BU, the best school ever! So, we win.

Social project shines light on homelessness

By Kyra Louie, Staff Writer
@beammeupkyra

Have you ever walked by homeless people without actually looking at them? It’s okay to admit to it, I definitely have. Now, what if those people you were passing were actually your beloved relatives?

Well, this video is going to shock you.

People’s brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and even wives volunteered to pose as homeless people, and were positioned so that their loved one would pass them. You would think that they would notice their own flesh and blood — but they didn’t. Every single person who walked by a family member did not recognize them and kept walking.

This video was created to advertise the Make Them Visible Project, hosted by the New York City Rescue Mission (NYCRM).

The NYCRM is a nonprofit organization created to provide help to the “people in crisis in New York City.” The organization gives people the food, shelter and clothes that they need in order to survive. Even for long term residents, it makes sure to provide help to develop careers to help people get back on their feet.

This social experiment shows just how unnoticed the homeless are in urban areas. Every day, hundreds of people walk past the homeless and don’t even acknowledge their existence. This video illuminates that phenomena by bringing awareness to the way our culture and society affects people. After all, if we cannot recognize our own family members dressed up as homeless people, what does that say about our actual perception of homeless people? If they are that invisible to everyone around them, how can we see them as actually being there?

Craig Mayes, executive director of the NYCRM told the Huffington Post, “The experiment is a powerful reminder that the homeless are people, just like us, with one exception, they are in trouble and in pain. And they are someone’s uncle or cousin or wife.”

Watch the video and be struck by the feels. I’m serious. I have a new outlook on this issue, and it’s because of this video. Check it out: