Disqus - Latest Comments for KristyBaldwin

Re: ten years ago today…

KristyBaldwin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:12:40 -0000

I was a senior in High School in northern NJ. We had heard in gym class and assumed it was just some idiot who didn't know how to fly or perhaps a drunk pilot, at 17 years old the word terrorist was not a part of my lexicon. As soon as I stepped into History class, my teacher started talking about Al Qaeda and we were absolutely clueless. We watched thevsecond plane hit, live, right there in a class totles American History. They let us out of school early and I sped home to inform my parents, who both worked night shifts. When I walled in the TV was already on, and they had heard. I asked if we knew anyone working in NYC, the answer was thankfully no. I then sped to my church, as I was quite religious at the time. By noon there were at least 40 people praying, kneeling, and crying. I joined them. A few days later I organized a blood drive at my school to try and feel like I could help in some way. The Red Cross called me to cancel because they didn't need anymore blood. There weren't enough survivors. A year later, attending as a freshman at Monmouth U, I remember a candlelight vigil being held and students weeping over lost parents and loved ones. I cried for them and out of gratitude that my mother was alive and well. The day itself seems so vivid yet quite foggy and hard to recall, but my faith in god has never been the same.

Re: VOTE: Best American Novelist of the 20th Century

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:19:05 -0000

Now that's a bracket I can get behind!!!!

Re: Goodtimes Leaving Quizzo to Host Late Night Show on WIP

KristyBaldwin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:13:47 -0000

April fools?

Re: Flash Mobs: Settle Down, White People

KristyBaldwin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:15:39 -0000

Let me expound upon my idea. It's not simple boredom that is at the root of this, but a feeling that no one cares what these kids do. We shut down everything they might like to do after school, we give little interest in whether they go to school, and we wonder why they feel as if they can get away with everything. And, yes, by 'They' I mean black kids. Race is quite obviously the undercurrent of all of this fear and angst. I feel as though the socioeconomic/racial connections to public perception and attitude are indisputable. Perhaps a kid doesn't want to be at a rec center on a Saturday night playing chess, but it would be nice if he could do it Mondays after school with someone from the neighborhood that serves as a good role model for him. No this will not stop him from trying to get laid at every possible moment of the day, or trying to score booze for a house party, but maybe he will think twice about punching some old man on the street for no good reason.
Kids need to know someone cares, black, white, male female, 6'4 and 5'2 alike.
If the community doesn't give a shit about the kids, then how the heck do we expect the kids to respect the community?
Anyone who asks "where are the parents" in these situations is just naive to the state of impoverished inner-city living.

Re: Flash Mobs: Settle Down, White People

KristyBaldwin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:38:28 -0000

Whether you look at this picture as a threat, a protest, or just kids getting together- there is something else to be seen from the recent trend of flash mobs in this city. Whether it be descending the Gallery in the middle of a school day or South St., these kids are telling us something, and that something is that they need more attention. Truancy is at a record high along with dropout rates while Rec centers, afterschool, and sports programs are getting shut down at a ridiculous pace. Retention and having a buy-in into the community (by appreciating what it has available) go hand-in-hand. The message these kids are sending to us is clear: "we are bored". I think that you are right that perhaps some of the coverage on this matter is being blown out of proportion, but as you said, eventually someone will get shot- and I would argue that any injury or death that occurs in this situation is the fault of the Philadelphia community for not fighting on this matter. We should care (and I know you do) that these kids have nowhere to go afterschool.

Re: Live from Englewood, CO

KristyBaldwin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:45:37 -0000

Spring break 2010: Englewood, Colorado here I come! Woot!

Re: t -78 Hours to Geek Bowl

KristyBaldwin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:25:55 -0000

That's it, Koob and I are going to go through some back issues of Vogue, watch some E! and the fashion Network, and then heading to Sephora for a perfume quiz. Hrmmm, that does sound like the 7th circle of hell for any straight man. Yeeeah, if they have a fashion round, you guys are screwed. I should have bought a plane ticket!

Re: We Need a Team Name

KristyBaldwin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:46:55 -0000

Broad Street Bullies
Cheez Whiz Kidz
Wawa Shorties
Jawn

Re: I Never Really Got Grunge

KristyBaldwin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:00:34 -0000

I may be a tad too young to have enjoyed grunge fully in its heyday- however, from 5th grade, to, well, now- many grunge bands have continued to be my preferred musical choice. The way that I understand grunge is that it started as a direct underground response to the cheesy glam-hair-80's rock that was running rampant on the radio at the time. Much like in the punk rock movement, teenagers (more specifically white teenagers) felt underrepresented in a time in a America where they felt there was not much to jump up and down over. Politics was corrupt, STDs rates and poverty populations were growing exponentially, church and state continued to be challenged daily, and, while these teens may not have been directly affected by these situations- there was still a sense of uncertainty and a feeling of helplessness in contemplating their roles in the world (*see Fight Club "We have no war" speech). As Teens, the only people they had representing them spent more hours on their make-up and hair than Tammy Faye-Baker. Ergo, grunge was a more authentic representation for many teens.(Also, I dislike the notion that because someone is white and comes from a decent amount of money-which, by the way, not many grunge artists did- that they couldn't possibly have something to complain about).
What I particularly enjoy about grunge was it's bridge from metal (from which it is largely based on) to a music that allowed some (actual) singing and a little less ludicrously long guitar wailing. Teenagers everywhere started buying strats, pounding on drum pads, and, yes, writing out angst ridden lyrics. As a white boy (and occasional girl) music, and becoming a musician, became attainable (without having to be a complete narcissistic douche with big hair). While there were some grunge bands who didn't have all that much musical talent- groups such as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Nirvana knew how to match the tone of their instruments to their emotions- they showed undeniable talent on the guitar, drums, etc, without going overboard and getting to "showy" with it.
Anyway, I don't want to go on for too long here, but I would also like to defend my favorite singer/vocalist, Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Black Hole Sun), who is able to sing Ave Maria so sweetly that your eyes fill with tears, and in the same breath can sing about the corruption of big religion and the feeling of betrayal he has felt personally from the church. Perhaps it is the paradox and conflict of soul (one that I would argue, many of us have experienced) that I like most about Grunge music.

Re: Another Meaningless Win for Steak Em Up

KristyBaldwin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:12:22 -0000

Oh, I'm sorry- Ilks was the one to start this "female knowledge" business- JGT just went along with it.

Re: Another Meaningless Win for Steak Em Up

KristyBaldwin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:54:28 -0000

I love how JGT thinks that skewing the knowledge in a way that he perceives as "female", would somehow trip up Garbo and Kenney. Because, you know, women know chick lit and pop culture and men know science and sports and manly stuff. Sigh.

Re: Big Things Poppin’ Tonight

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:16:38 -0000

I agree, moustache pics are needed.

Re: Battle of the JGTs

KristyBaldwin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:18:55 -0000

I am going to take those comments as a compliments, and then grab a snack because I am suddenly hungry...

Re: Battle of the JGTs

KristyBaldwin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:37:34 -0000

That's it. Next Halloween I'm breaking out some pink pants, aquiring a buffalo accent, and walking around with a cute blond on my arm. Bmt, your greatness shall be recognized.

Re: Annnnd We’re Back

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:42:19 -0000

Bob,

There's no use in denying it now, we have all seen the real "Bob", and *gasp* he's a pretty likable guy. Who'da thunk it?
It was a pleasure rooting for the Phillies with you.

Re: Famous Philly Native Would Turn 144 Today If He Hadn’t Died on Titanic

KristyBaldwin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:56:00 -0000

I went to Monmouth University for undergrad, and our creepy old mansion of a library is supposedly haunted by Mrs. Guggenheim: http://www.weirdnj.com/inde...
I mean, really, if you are going to choose a place to haunt, a summer mansion at the Jersey shore ain't a bad place.
On a side note, and as a suggestion for a future quizzo question, Wilson Hall (one of the main administrative buildings at MU, and Woodrow Wilson's presidential summer home) was also where they filmed 'Annie'. Yup, I took intro to literature in Daddy Warbucks' house.

Re: Rap About Game 4 of the NLDS

KristyBaldwin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:14:57 -0000

Liking the tune JGT. If you need any back up singers for future endeavors, you have my number.

Re: Quizzo Video Shoot September 19th in Rittenhouse Square!!!

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:29:59 -0000

The page says Saturday the 19th...

Re: Where Were You on 9/11?

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:46:26 -0000

I was a Senior in high school, and as I walked into my Current Events class,my teacher was sitting on his desk watching the television, jaw to the floor saying, "this is not an accident, this is a terroristic act". Then, we saw the second plane hit. We looked to him to explain. and in a rambling of anti-muslim-terrorist-jihad rhetoric that our young adult minds didn't quite understand, we just sat, in silence, in awe. I left school early every day to take college courses, and this day I was let out before they officially closed school, before anyone could quite wrap their heads around what had happened. The streets were empty. My parents both worked midnight shifts and typically slept until the afternoon. I remember walking into my house screaming for my parents to wake up- asking if any of our relatives worked near the towers. They were already awake, in bed, and staring at the television. I hopped into my car and sped down the road to the church. A vigil had already started for members and family of members who worked in the tower. Even my pastor, a man of true eloquence, could not find words to express his sadness and fear. They asked me to sing, and I tried. A few measures in, words were replaced by tears and weeping. We sat, listening to the piano, voiceless, crying, lighting candles, silently praying for those we knew and for those we did not. I remember feeling as if someone had taken something from me and replaced it with panic. I felt like I had no control over the situation, so I did what I always do when I feel out of control: react. Four days after the planes had hit, I started a blood drive at our school. We were an hour or so outside NYC, and I was certain blood would be the cure to that sickness in my stomach. Unfortunately, the Red Cross asked us to stop taking donations, as there weren't enough survivors.
I remember how small the world seemed in those few days. I felt relieved that I didn't know anyone in the towers, but overwhelmingly saddened for the families I knew who were still holding onto some glimmer of hope that, soon, their loved ones would be found.
Needless to say, those few days will never be forgotten, not even if I wanted to forget them.

Re: Pics of Top Teams at Black Sheep

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:27:52 -0000

Out of curiosity, just how many people can there be on a team?

Re: Quizzo News and Notes

KristyBaldwin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:07:29 -0000

Phillies game is in the evening.

Re: Quizzo News and Notes

KristyBaldwin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:11:31 -0000

Sunday Sunday Sunday!
Seriously though, Saturdays at the Rec Center are gonna be crazy busy.

Re: Quizzo News and Notes

KristyBaldwin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:32:04 -0000

Axis dominate,
what what?!

Re: Thanks!

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:14:23 -0000

Thanks Bob! It has been a lot of work but a lot of fun as well. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in a few short weeks and I look forward to improving on the program and expanding it for next year. Your input is very much appreciated!

Re: Lead Singer Quiz

KristyBaldwin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:15:20 -0000

Ah, yes Sebestian Bach will never live that moment down- apparently a fan threw the t-shirt at him during a concert, he put it on and the rest is history (I am not defending him, though- he's an idiot for not reading the shirt first)- along with his stint on Broadway in "Jekyll and Hyde" (which I saw in it's first run in HS) and his lovable yet creepy older character on "The Gilmore Girls"... Oh, SB, what strange life you lead...

Also, this was by far my favorite quiz of all time, and if it is a sign that JGT will be doing more music trivia- I will most certainly show my face around the quizzo community a bit more

Ps. Where is the frontwomen love?