Sons of Anarchy

Outlaws; slaves to the open road but some how blessed with a special freedom.

The biker; the smell of leather, exhaust, cheap booze and cigarettes, struggles with an internal conflict to do right by his club while trying to change his moral boundaries at the same time.

The outlaws are the Sons of Anarchy, and they run things in their neck of the woods, a small and cleverly named town Charming, California. They are a one percent motorcycle club (MC) named Samcro and they are hell bent on their town staying the way it is without anyone coming in to tell them what or how to do things.

Jax Teller is the biker (Charlie Hunnam). Jax, vice president of the MC, is trying to defend his legacy, the club, by changing its direction. Jax is haunted by a manuscript written by his late father (founder of the club) and is constantly at a power struggle with his step father and club president Clarence 'Clay' Morrow (Ron Perlman). Clays wife and Jax's mother, Gemma Teller Morrow (Katey Segal), is truly the matriarch of the MC and will go through great lengths to protect her territory and her men.

Currently in the saga of the Sons of Anarchy the sweet town of Charming is in turmoil. The MC's primary source of income is running guns and their livelihood is being threatened. They are trying to defend their club and their town while enemy's are coming at them from all sides. White separatists have moved into Charming and are trying to take over Samcro's gun running business by stealing their connection with the Irish pipeline while at the same time causing all sorts of problems.

Sons of Anarchy is well into its second season on the continuously 'on the edge' network, FX. Kurt Sutter is the creator and executive producer of the show who also created the dramatic police series called The Shield. Kurt Sutter is also actress Katey Segal's real life husband, but don't be fooled by Katey's relationship with the creator. There is no better person on this earth who could play this roll better than her. Lets just say, after you see her in this saga you will forget who Peggy Bunndy even was. The talent doesn't stop with her, the whole cast is lined with actors from all different levels of experience but they all have this writer convinced of their rolls in this powerful television show.

Sons of Anarchy is brutal, violent, sexy, and explicit all wrapped up into one loving and faithful dysfunctional family. Every episode carries a character deeper and deeper into a twisted web of surfacing history within the club. It is addicting and will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat, screaming at the television, smiling and crying all at the same time.

Red Numbers

The room is black.

Even the glowing red numbers are shelved by the neighboring nightstand. The last time curiosity won, the time was 3:24, wonder what time it is now? Was the cat fed? Mom hasn't called back yet, hope everything is OK. I can't believe I put off writing my column, again. Better work on it in the morning, if I wake up on time. Tomorrow you have to do laundry, and clean the bathrooms. They're gross. Oh shoot, when is your next Spanish exam? Cuando tu cumplianos?

Wonder what time it is....3:44.

If the thoughts inside any of your heads sound close to this at night, chances are you are suffering from insomnia. The red numbers constantly changing next to your bed could bring an intruding feeling of hopelessness and doom.





Someone who suffering from insomnia is constantly at battle, trying to balance their everyday lives while feeling irritable, cranky, and tired. One in three people suffer from some level of insomnia every year, and it is one of the most common reported health problems.

There are three different levels of insomnia. Transient insomnia doesn't last longer than a week and is most likely caused by a change of sleep schedule such as traveling or moving. Insomnia that occurs inside a month is called short-term insomnia and is caused by stress or a worry and normally sleep patterns return to normal once the issue is resolved. The third level is chronic insomnia; it lasts longer than a month and is normally due to another disease or condition. It is estimated that almost ten percent of people suffer from chronic insomnia.

Wait! There are some simple life style changes you can make to help you sleep at night.

Make sure your room is clean and comfortable. Being in an environment where you can relax will help you fall asleep faster and easier.

Make sure to use your bed for nothing other than sleep or sex.

If you find yourself worrying about everyday problems or feel overwhelmed try making a list or writing in a journal. Putting these thoughts on paper will help free your mind.

If you still find yourself restless try reading a book or a doing a low impact activity until you feel tired.

Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine or smoking cigarettes before bed. These things are stimulants and will keep you awake.

Avoid exercise for at least four hours before bed time.

Unfortunately it is difficult for college students to keep the same sleeping schedule, but if it possible try and go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.

There are a number of other things one could try, such as meditation or drinking chamomile tea before bed time. But if you are still having problems falling asleep or staying asleep it is time to see your doctor. As mentioned earlier chronic insomnia could be due to another disease or illness. Someone who suffers from depression or anxiety could sometimes need professional help and possibly medication. Or sometimes the doctor could just temporarily prescribe a sleep aid and this could help kick your sleep schedule back into gear.

Life can be challenging enough without having to face the day with missing sleep. With a good nights rest you will be more alert in class, retain information better and be happier. Just remember, if you find yourself staring at the red numbers in the middle of the night, your not alone.

Melissa Maerz's Mixtape of Music Journalism

Making a name for herself in the journalism and music industry, Melissa Maerz has seen music journalism change right before her eyes. Much of her work is writing reviews and blogging about music. Her name has inscribed the by lines of some of the country's top magazines.

Maerz graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's degree in Literary and Critical Theory. Although she doesn't have traditional training in journalism she said, "critical theory gave me really good analytical tools that helped me shape my arguments in my writing." She also says during her career she has met journalists who have diverse educational back grounds and the best experience comes from working in the field itself.

Maerz started at a weekly alternative newspaper called City Pages (much like the Sacramento News and Review) based out of the twin cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul. She describes her four years at City Pages as "fantastic," and she was able to work with an editor it seems she truly respected.

From here she got a job at Spin magazine which she admits she got partly by luck. Unfortunately, Maerz left Spin after two years because a change of ownership and a conflict of interests. She said, "we got a new editor and I wasn't necessarily happy with the direction the magazine was going in."

So from here she set out to New York Magazine where Mearz launched, edited and co-founded an arts and entertainment blog named "Vulture." Maerz says she loved her job at New York Magazine and it is still one of her favorite publications because they are unmatched in the area of online coverage.

Shortly after her start at New York Magazine she was contacted by Rolling Stone and they made Maerz an offer she couldn't refuse. So she left her position and started work as a senior editor. Unfortunately after almost two years she waslaid off from her position. The long arm of the changing world of journalism seemed to reach everywhere. She, and some fellow editors, waslaid off she said, "It wasn't a personal decision - I was one of the last people hired, so I was one of the first to get let go." CurrentlyMaerz is a freelance writer. She says she loves working from home and not having to report to a boss. Plus she also says she contributes to Rolling Stone more now than she did being under her payroll!

Maerz describes the changing journalism world in detail, especially that which effects the music business. Aside from the obvious factor of a broken economy music magazines are suffering because of other reasons. Just like magazines and news papers people are turning to online sources for their music. Because of illegal downloading bands make less money and have less money to spend on advertising in music magazines. Plus,Maerz says, because there is more access to new music online there is less of a reason for people to rely on the opinion of a music critic. Make no mistake,Maerz doesn't think all of these changes are a bad thing. In fact she thinks these factors force both musicians and music magazines to be more creative. There is nothing wrong with some healthy competition.

It was very interesting to read Maerz's articles from over the years. In fact it was surprising to watch her voice and style change. When she wrote for City Pages it seemed fresh and raw, and dare I say more personal. Don't take this the wrong way; Maerz is a very talented writer. It seems the journey from a small weekly newspaper to the offices of some of the most respected music magazines in the world has put her writ ting in the category of main stream rather than the independent style it once had.