YouTube videos worth watching

The new year brings changes, and for the Spinnaker, one of those changes includes the YouTube video of the week. Since this week is so incredibly special as the start of the spring semester, the Spinnaker decided to choose not one, but five entertaining videos for your viewing pleasure.

If you have any favorite videos you would like to be featured on the YouTube video of the week, e-mail your suggestions to features@unfspinnaker.com.

1. YouTube users make SpongeBob the new Soulja Boy

Various YouTube users have matched the lyrics of the song "Crank Dat" by Soulja Boy to make it seem as if the characters of children's shows such as "Barney" and "Dora the Explorer" are singing the words. Characters from "The Lion King," "Spongebob Squarepants" and "Winnie the Pooh" have also become Soulja Boy impersonators through this new rap phenomenon. Just type any of the aforementioned show titles along with the words "Crank Dat" in the YouTube search box, and you too will be able to view these newfound rap talents.

2. "Paintjam" performer is a portrait protŽgŽ

Painter Dan Dunn does caricatures and live paintings at events, but his most successful endeavor is "Paintjam," in which Dunn travels around the country doing live painting performances. Dunn starts out with a blank upright canvas, turns on music, and spins the canvas as he creates an improvisational painting. The painting never looks recognizable until the very end of his performance, so watch the whole video to see the incredible result. In the YouTube search box, type "Dan Dunn Paintjam" to see his various performances.

3. Ninja answers life's most Important questions

Type "Ask a Ninja" in the YouTube search box, and you are sure to get answers to questions that Socrates and Aristotle couldn't even touch on. The ninja answers a variety of questions ranging from net neutrality to the amount of love that ninjas need in order to survive. The very verbose ninja in these videos is an anonymous man that is more than six-and-a- half-feet tall who tends to get off subject when explaining the answers to his questions; he also gives off-the-wall examples that he expects regular people to relate to. At the end of the videos though, he connects the very different subjects he spoke about together to make interesting metaphorical mental images.

4. Chinese pop stars top lip-synch charts

These guys know that the art of lip-synching to pop songs is not to be taken lightly. Their best performance is their rendition of "I Want it That Way" by the Backstreet Boys, which has had over 5 million views since it was added in 2005. They also lip-synch to a few other Backstreet hits such as "As Long as You Love Me" and "Everybody." Another favorite performance from this comedic duo is their version of "Public Affair" by Jessica Simpson. Ultimately, the best part of every one of these videos is the roommate in the background who sits at his computer with his back to the camera just adding to these guys' humorous performances.

5. Man dances through decades in YouTube favorite

Comedian Judson Laipply is most well-known for his "Evolution of Dance" YouTube video that was the No. 1 most viewed video of all time as of 2007. In the six-minute video, Laipply starts by dancing to early generations of music, opening with Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog." As the video continues, each song is a representative of a successive generation. Most people know this video well; in it are song clips including Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and OutKast's "Hey Ya."

Contact Ross Brooks at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

The Week's Releases

Movies

First Sunday - Jan. 11

Petty criminals Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan try to rob a church but end up spending time with God.

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale - Jan. 11

With three of his video game-based movies on the 100 worst movies list, director Uwe Boll tries again.

DVD

3:10 to Yuma - This week

Outlaw Russel Crowe and his gang bring back the stage coach and the stage coach robbery in this western.

Zodiac - This week

Serial killers, cops and crazy journalists - what could be better? Well, maybe if the journalists were not crazy.

CD

Kate Nash: Made of Bricks - Jan. 8

David Gilmour: Music in Review - Jan. 8

Photo credits in order from top: Sony Pictures, Brightlight Pictures, Amazon.com.

PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

How to raise your book buying IQ

Jen Quinn

Grey boxes are used book prices, white boxes are new book prices.

Textbooks are expensive, but if you spend a little time researching, you can get more book for your buck. Here is the price comparison between a few popular booksellers for one UNF student's schedule this semester.

*Prices from online sellers include shipping. Availability as of Jan. 2.

Student's Schedule:
1. PGY 4610 - Photojournalism
Book: Photojournalism: The Professional's Approach
2. BSC 2086C - Human Anatomy & Physiology II
Book 1: Anatomy & Physiology
Book 2: Human Anatomy & Physiology: Lab Manual - Cat Version
3. MCB 2010C - Microbiology
Book 1: Microbiology: A Human Perspective
Book 2: Microbiology Laboratory Theory & Application
4. PHI 2630 - Contemporary Ethical Issues
Book: Contemporary Moral Problems

Compiled by Lori Bero
Contact Lori Bero at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

UNF Center, students offer solutions to semester stress

By Alissa Lagesse
ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

With a new semester now underway, feelings of nervousness and anxiety fill the buildings and sidewalks of UNF.

"I'm always nervous when starting a new semester because of new classes and new teachers," said Patrick Jones, junior history major. "It can be a real headache."

But there are ways to make the semester slightly easier. Jones said he makes sure to attend every class and write down everything the professor says.

Sophomore history major T.J. Strong recommends getting books early and spending lots of time studying in the library.

"I did good last semester so I am feeling pretty good about the new one," Strong said.

Procrastination does not pay off, said Richmond Wynn, a licensed mental health counselor and outreach coordinator at the UNF Counseling Center.

"I can't stress enough that students should start early in developing some kind of organizational regimen to find out what works personally for them," Wynn said.

"It's also about knowing yourself and being honest with yourself in finding out what works because schoolwork can easily creep up on you."

Wynn added that it's common for students to have anxiety about class performance, organizing school and work, and relationships with professors early on in the semester.

"Staying organized is key. Having and using planners and organizers always works, as does a strong support system, whether it be through friends, family, or even through the Counseling Center," Wynn said. "That's what we're here for."

Wynn is also a professor at UNF and strongly recommended that students read and know their syllabus for each class. He said syllabi give students the most important information pertaining to the class and usually answer most of the questions that students have.

When Wynn gets an e-mail question about something that was clearly stated in the syllabus, he said he simply refers the student back to the syllabus. Professors almost always go over the syllabus with the class, so it should be easy to understand, Wynn said.

Students should start early on assignments and leave enough time to proofread their papers he said.

"I see many errors in papers I grade that only needed a little time to proofread. Students should work on assignments piece-by-piece, allotting enough time for each assignment. That way it doesn't become so overwhelming when the time comes to turn it in," Wynn said.

He also recommended that students seek the help of their professor before, not after, turning an assignment in if they are unsure about it, in order to avoid a bad grade.

Students can take advantage of the many available resources at UNF, like the Counseling Center, which offers help with problem solving and personal support, said Wynn. Most of the programs offered around campus are free.

Wynn added that a balance of enough sleep and a healthy diet is a necessary starting point in managing the stresses of school.

Contact Alissa Lagesse at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Spice muffins, apple crisp warm up cool weather

College Cooking with Lori

Spice Muffins

What you need:
1 box spice cake mix
1 c. applesauce
1/2 c. raisins

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400. Mix all ingredients together. Spray muffin cups with cooking spray and fill almost to the top - they don't rise much. Bake for 20 minutes. They are a little gooey even when done.

Cost: About $4.50

Apple Crisp

What you need:
10 medium to large granny smith apples, sliced and peeled
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. oatmeal
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg
2/3 c. margarine, softened

Preparation:
Heat oven to 375. Spray 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Place apple slices in baking dish. Use a fork to mix remaining ingredients thoroughly. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed. It takes a little time. Sprinkle topping over apples.
Bake for 30 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.
Serve warm and, if desired, with ice cream.

Cost: About $14

Contact Lori Bero at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE