This is the winter of our discontent. With the temperature in Boston going down to single digits regularly, this is undoubtedly the coldest winter I’ve ever experienced in the city. Walking around the Northeastern campus, you can literally see the chagrin on everyone’s faces. Going to class is already difficult for us college kids; add frigid weather and it becomes practically impossible.
If you thought the Super Bowl was the manliest competition happening this Sunday, think again. Head out to Somerville for BeardFest 2014, the beard and moustache contest. Participants will fight for prizes in five categories: natural full beard, free-style full beard, free-style moustache, free-style partial beard and best fake beard. There will also be a shaving station for those wishing to compete in the 2014 Northeast Regional Beard and Moustache Championships Aug. 2, as a part of the “six month sprint” category. And if you’re clean-shaven (or female), fear not. A make-your-own beard table will be available to make sure no one feels left out of the pogonotrophic fun.
When “American Psycho” and “Holes” hit Netflix earlier this year, campus was abuzz with references to the crazy-yet-still-kind-of-sexy, chainsaw-wielding killer and the nerdy Shia Lebeouf who contributes to the atrocious-yet-catchy rap that plays during the credits of the film. And with shows like “Breaking Bad” and “House of Cards,” it’s ludicrous to be without a Netflix account these days.
The camera flies over an archipelago with bright green islands sprouting out of an azure sea. Fifty feet beneath the surface of the calm waters is a school of thousands of glassy sweeper fish, casting a radiant glare as they turn in unison. Below them, a pair of graceful, 20-foot-wide manta rays glide effortlessly along the seabed. Closer to the surface, a few monstrous whale sharks meander through the endless blue, siphoning gallons of water and microscopic life as they open their 5-foot-wide mouths to feed.
It’s the kind of chill that is felt only in meat lockers or hospital stock rooms. I was in the latter, amidst plastic-wrapped tools that only rubber-gloved hands are certified to touch.
Can’t wait until Valentine’s Day to binge on chocolate? Come get your fix at the Harvard Square Chocolate Festival. Running from Jan. 24-26, the festival includes discounts and promotions on chocolate-themed items in stores throughout Boston and Cambridge. Stop by Shake Shack for a free cup of dark hot chocolate, check out The Red House restaurant’s chocolate menu, or pick up a 20 percent off coupon to Hidden Sweets. On Saturday, Harvard Square will also host a chocolate tasting event, offering free samples of delicious treats from Ben & Jerry’s, Finale, J.P. Licks and many more. Stop by for a choco-lot of fun.
The beginning of the new year ushers in the commencement of the winter television season —packed with both new episodes of returning hit shows that fans have been anxiously awaiting and auspicious new shows that will undoubtedly win devotees of their own. For those who simply do not have the time or energy to sift through the endless waves of new content premiering in the coming weeks, here is a quick rundown of the most anticipated shows for which viewers should indubitably make time.
“I like it when it first snows ... [and] when the city’s all lit up and you can just walk around and go to the Frog Pond.”
-Ashley Brescia, middler business major.
Last year was arguably one of the best years for music in the last decade. Kanye declared himself a musical savior with “Yeezus,” Arcade Fire showed their fun-loving side with the long-awaited “Reflektor,” British electronic duo Disclosure broke onto the scene with their debut album “Settle,” and with “Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk reminded us that they are essentially musical robot gurus. All in all, a pretty stellar year. Now as we embark into 2014, the musical possibilities seem endless.
Any fans of scavenger hunts, murder mysteries, fine art or all of the above are sure to love the Murder at the Museum Scavenger Hunt. A curator has been murdered and it is up to you and your team to figure out who committed the crime. Organized by Watson Adventures, this hunt will lead participants on a quest through the halls of the Museum of Fine Arts in an attempt to piece together the ultimate murder mystery story. The adventure will include discovering clues, breaking codes and learning secrets about historic works of art, so be prepared to unleash your inner detective. Sherlock Holmes costume and magnifying glass optional.
As the clock struck midnight on Dec. 13, 2013, the stars aligned as an unforeseen and unprecedented event began to rattle the globe, surpassing anything previously measured by the Richter scale. The world was gifted with a moment of transcendence as Beyoncé reminded us all why she is irreplaceable by silently releasing her fifth studio album, “Beyoncé,” exclusively through iTunes with zero promotion.
