AQUINAS I THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2004 Christmas Shopping with an Empty Wallet Christmas Spirit .. By ERICA SZYMANSKI Cranberry was my favorite." Arts and L1fe Editor Sophie Kinsella, the author of the famed "Shopaholic" series, has introduced a new on Campus Every college student knows the difficul­ novel for the female reader, just in time for ty of Christmas shopping on a meager Christmas. The shopping-crazed Becky budget, and still managing to purchase the Bloomwood is at it again in the new hard­ By CECILIA BARESS perfect gift for each sibling, friend, or sig­ cover, "Shopaholic & Sister." The book is the Staff Wnter nificant other. Fortunately, these inexpen­ fourth in the series, preceded by "Confessions of a Shopaholic," "Shopaholic sive holiday steals have come to the rescue. The Christmas dreams of local children The Body Shop has made shopping for Takes Manhattan," and "Shopaholic Ties the Knot." are going to come true thanks to the char­ women quite simple this year. Their deli­ itable actions of the Center for Social In this newest addition to the series, cious holiday scents, Cranberry and Action and Initiatives, CSAI. Becky meets her fathers illegitimate child, Chocolate Orange, are available in a variety For the Christmas holiday season, there Jessica, who she hopes will be her new best of lotions, body butters, soaps, bubble are two projects in which students can get friend. Unfortunately, when Jessica turns baths, and lip balms. For those women who involved. out to be a thrifty environmentalist with a prefer to fragrance their homes rather than In the Giving Tree program, members of hatred for shopping, Becky attempts to their bodies, The Body Shop also offers The University community can choose to transform her sister into a full-fledged both scents in oils which can be burned in sponsor boys and girls of a variety of ages. shopaholic. While the hardcover novel is aroma jars. Cranberry is also available in a Simply pick an ornament off the available for about $23 in bookstores, scented candle or room spray. Gift sets arc Christmas tree on the first floor of the Amazon offers "Shopaholic & Sister" for sold in holiday packaging for $15-$40, and Gunster Student Center and purchase a about $15, and also allows free shipping for about $32 on Amazon. The slightly longer arc attractive enough to avoid wrapping. gift according to the information about the all purchases exceeding $25. season three is sold separately, also at "I was given the Cranberry lip gloss last child. The suggested amount to spend is "Once I begin a 'Shopaholic' book, I just about $32. For the true "Seinfeld" fan, a Christmas and I really loved it," said between $15 and $20. can't put it down," said Pia Ray, a senior package of all three seasons is available Jeannie Bach, a senior from Mt. Carmel. Another program in progress is the from Hawthorne "I've read the first with the original script, a deck of playing "My houselllatc bought me a tin of differ­ NJ. Adopt an Angel program. Members of The three, and I am so excited to read the latest cards, apd salt and pepper shakers, for ent glosses from The Body Shop, but the University community have the opportuni­ book in the series." about $77. ty to purchase clothing and toys for chil­ Have a coffee drinker on your shopping "I couldrit wait for Christmas, I just bought the collector set for myself," said dren who are victims of abuse and neglect. list? The Starbucks Gift Card is the gift that The cost range for this project is slightly keeps on giving, since it can be reloaded by Rob D'Ambrosio, a senior from Staten higher ($75-$100) because those who vol­ the receiver after the original amount has Island, NY. "I'm a 'Seinfeld' freak." Poker has become a fad across the coun­ unteer are asked to purchase several gifts been used. Starbucks has given the card a for their sponsored child. unique twist by adding a Gift Card Builder try, and any gift reiated to the game would surely be a big hit. While poker chips can These programs will benefit area Head to their webpage. The buyer can adorn the Start programs, United Neighborhood card with gingerbread men, Christmas be very costly, ThcPokerChipComp.my.com offers an assortment of colors and styles, Centers and the Women's Resource Center. sleighs, and an assortment of other colorful "It really helps for our students to be images. For the more generous (and starting at $12 per hundred chips. Monogramming is also available for an involved," Pat Vaccaro, Director of CSAI, wealthy) shopper, Starbucks also offers Gift said. "Through these programs students Card Subscriptions, which refill the gift extra $6. TheHouseofCards.com also offers an array of card decks, varying in theme. can help children in the local community." card automatically each month. So next All gifts arc due to the Office of CSAI, time you arc ordering your Gingerbread Some of the more interesting decks include Cocktail Cards, Celebrity c;ards, and located on the first floor of Gunster Center, Latte or Peppermint Mocha, ask about by Monday, Dec. 13. Gifts for Adopt an Starbucks gift possibilities. Spiderman Cards, all ranging from about $8-10. Angel should be wrapped and tagged, · Fathers, brothers, and boyfriends can be while gifts for Giving Tree need not be difficult to shop for. Luckily, seasons one, So before you begin agonizing about your empty wallet this Christmas season, think wrapped. Monetary donations will also be two and three from the hit series, accepted. "Seinfeld," arc being sold on DVD in time about the inexpensive and creative gift possibilities available to you. You might For further information call CSAI (x7429) for Christmas. Seasons one and two arc or stop by their office. sold in a combination pack, retailing at even have a few bucks left over for a hot chocolate and a candy-cane.

U2 proves they can still bring the rock

Usually, the band fades into a song with a tify with. Songs such as 'Vertigo" and his express emotions, Bono still gives warn­ By SETH OPEIL I D.J. SETHO solo piano or a single guitar, which is either "Love and Peace or Else" finds U2 lyrics ing against expressing too much emotion Staff Wnter expected to gradually expand or suddenly focused on societal criticism ·~ Man and a leaving the message indecision between his explode into a powerful musical blend of Women'' and "City of Blinding tights" arc two choices. RATING: 5 out of 5 stars guitars, drums, and piano. Songs such as profound love songs. U2 adds religious Even after 24 years of singing, Bono has "Miracle Drug" and "One Step Closer" arc insinuations in the song "Yawch." The not lost the capability of writing lyrics or What can fans expect when a 24-year-old the songs that start out with a simple gui­ emotions U2 conveys in their lyrics are real singing songs. Since Bono tackles both band arrives back on the scene with their tar solo and gradually fade in drums, piano, and able to be related to by any listener. In rock and soft rock sounds, his vocal range first new studio album in four years? For and additional guitars to complete a song. the song "Sometimes You Can't Make It On cannot be denied. He can still rock with a the politically inspired and artistically driv­ 'Vertigo" or 'rut Because of You" consist of Your Own'', Bono takes the perspective of a strong voice in songs such ao:; 'rut Because en band U2, fans may expect greatness a solo guitar that explodes into a power friend singing to an individual who is fac­ of You" and 'Vertigo"; however, his voice is with their new album, "How to Dismantle chord to ignite a full musical sound from ing a problem alone. He gives a genuine soothing in the slower songs such as "One an Atomic Bomb." The new U2 album cap­ tltc start. U2 doesn't even limit song strate­ feeling of support to this lonely individual Step Closer". tures the essence of rock using insightful gies to the choices of a gradual develop­ by singing, "You don't have to put up a For anyone who appreciates music, U2s lyrical writing and creative instrumental ment or exploding ignition because they fight. You don't have to always be right. "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" is an work. Even after so many years of making try to catch their audience off-guard musi­ Let me take some of the punches, for you essential. The album boasts exceptional music, q2 continues to explore new sounds cally in "City of Blinding tights': This song tonight." lyrics !U}d amazing music. Even though the and succeeds at delivering an album that starts out with a rhythmic guitar strum­ Some songs arc so deep lyrically that the band explores and delivers a diverse sound message is up to interpretation by the lis­ on the 11 tracks of the CD, "How to balances-the.g~.-or~iitin~ elements ming and piano that gradually increases in tener. In "Original of the Species," Bono is Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" continues to of the ~trnourid-while introduc­ volume to make the audience think the talking to a mysterious lover who is ''the provide fans with the classic U2 formula ~ new~ts;!9_:1ceeR:their music evolv- song will explode with guitars; however it first of their kind" telling them in verse one that made them a legendary band. The mg. jo."J"''fq' ..... ·A-: .... ·::-.· ·~ bypasses that sudden transition to success­ Without even ~cansidering the_ lyrlcs, fully continue with a gradual instrumental to express emotions but in verse two most amazing part of the new U2 album is musically, "How m·-Dislriimfle:.an. Atomic build-up in the song. singing of the dangers of expressing emo­ that a band can make music for 24 years Bomb" is amazing. Similar to many other As expected with U2, the lyrics deliver a tions. Bono brings the song together by and still plow forward to break the barriers U2 songs, the first 30 seconds acts as an wide range of messages and topics that a singing, ·~nd you11 never be alone. Come of rock and out-do their previous albums. attention grabber to develop an excitement majority of listeners can relate to. Since on now show your soul. You've been keep­ "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" is in a listener to hear the core of the song. there are so many issues Bono sings about, ing your love under control." Although easily a rock classic and Grammy worthy listeners will find at least one song to iden- Bono is leaning toward having this love of CD.