I Want To Impact The World, But Can't Do It Alone

            Amanda Moore

           WC: 282

            Music is an important part of everyone’s life, whether you believe it or not.  We all know we’re guilty of singing along with the radio, no matter how tone-deaf we may be.   I’m one of those people who has their headphones in their ears at all times, whether I’m just walking to class or relaxing after a long day.  Music has the power to create or change moods in a person.  I’ve had some rough times in the past, but music has been the one constant throughout my entire life. 

            My family says I used to learn commercial jingles quicker then the things I was being taught in school.  Like all other musical pieces, they were catchy and they got stuck in your head quickly. This experience of my childhood has stuck with me, and even today there is constantly a song in my head. 

To me, music is a saving grace, that one thing that is always there for you.  There have been a few bands in my life that have had a tremendous affect on the way I look at myself, the main one being The Rocket Summer, as well as Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin.  Songs for when you’re happy, upset or even angry, music can pick you out of a funk or help you cope with those angry thoughts brewing inside you.  I believe in the power and impact of music.  It has the power to change the world if we just listen, the power to heal emotional wounds or just as an escape from reality for just a small moment.  Music can be a powerful thing, if we just give it the chance to do its work.

Belief:  I believe in music, in its power to heal and its ability to impact the world, if we just give it a little help.

Generation Social Network

     If I were to name our generation, I would pick Generation Social Network.  Our generation has become so reliant on the Internet in every aspect of our lives that it has blurred the line between private and public.  We feel that we need to share every aspect of every day, and nothing is kept to ourselves.  Our generation relies heavily on social networking sites and feels that we have a right to know everything about everyone.  Without sites such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, our generation would be a little more private and a little less nosy. 

WC: 97

A Community Landmark [Final]

          Walk through the doors into a 1950’s diner setting with constant noise and motion.  You’ve just walked through the doors of a business full of history, community and tradition.  Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, DC is home to a landmark known for it’s famous chili, a place that holds a special meaning to the neighborhood it resides in.

            Opened in 1958, Ben’s has been a large staple in the neighborhood for over 50 years and has kept the neighborhood alive throughout many trials and tribulations over the years.  Ben’s has also had its share of blessings like visits by celebrities.

            Faithful regulars, as well as tourists have kept business booming to this day.  Ben’s is the place to visit when attending a concert at local venue, 9:30 Club.  At all days during the week, there is a line stretching out the door of the eatery since Ben’s is open until 11pm on it’s earliest days.  Ben’s also offers options for vegetarians, and I can attest that it has the best vegetarian chili I’ve ever tasted.

            Ben’s Chili Bowl has been a popular eatery in the community for a long period of time and has become an anchor of the neighborhood.  A neighborhood that’s been beat down by troubles and is redefining itself thanks to this marvelous location on U Street that will always be the same place it began as, the same recipes, the same bar stools, the same love and support of everyone that steps through it’s doors.

WC: 249

A Community Landmark

Walk through the doors into a 1950’s diner setting with constant noise and people moving, a place that’s always crowded.  You’ve just walked through the doors of a business full of history, community and tradition.  Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, DC is home to a landmark known for it’s famous chili, a landmark that is special to the neighborhood it resides in.

            Opened in 1958, Ben’s has been a large staple in the neighborhood for over 50 years and has kept the area alive throughout the 1968 riots and the creation of the metro.  Ben’s has had its share of blessings like visits by Bill Cosby and Barack Obama throwing business into the limelight.  Faithful regulars, as well as tourists have kept Ben’s business booming to this day.

 Any day that I’ve stepped foot in Ben’s, even weekdays, there has been a line out the door.  It’s a regular eatery for concertgoers after shows at the local venue due to being open until 11pm on it’s earliest days.

            Ben’s Chili Bowl has been a popular eatery in the community for a long period of time.  It has managed to stay open despite hardships, and has become the anchor of this neighborhood.  A neighborhood that’s been beat down by troubles and is redefining itself thanks to this marvelous location on U Street that will always be the same place it began as, the same recipes, the same bar stools, the same love and support of everyone that steps through it’s doors.