I've always been a critic of music. It has presented itself to me as something that deserves to be investigated. As a critic, I've always felt that today's music industry has been slipping in comparison to the golden days of rock and roll back in the '60s and '70s with the glory of the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. But it seems like recently that has started to change.

For the past six years or so, the week before Thanksgiving has one meaning for me: the challenger. The JSM challenger, a professional tennis tournament hosted by the Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign, is a tournament for up-and coming players.

I know that this Transportation Security Administration (TSA) thing has been written to death in the media, but I still feel like most stories miss the point.

URBANA — I distinctly remember lining up five years ago in front of Office Depot to buy a new desktop. Even though the store notified us of a $100 increase for the desktop, crowds stormed the door. Black Friday was certainly exciting back then.

One of the things that I like about Korean dramas is that they are really easy to get started on - too easy, in fact. Sometimes I think that this is their major flaw. Once you get sucked in, you become more and more absorbed in them until you can never find a way out.

I first went to Golden Harbor after I came back from China last summer. I used to go to this restaurant all of the time when they were located where Mandarin Wok is now.

This summer, dismayed by my refusal to do anything that involved working up a sweat, my mother forcibly dragged me to a yoga class at the Living Yoga Center in downtown Champaign.

For years now I have jumped 2-3 feet at every mention of a new Star Wars trilogy. Not that I was in love with the prequels, but I do not share the unadulterated hate that most Star Wars fan-people feel towards them.

I love Harry Potter. I pre-ordered every single book on Amazon and then tore into the packages as soon as they showed up on my doorstep. I then devoted the rest of the day pouring through the book, only to finish late at night with bags under my eyes the next morning.

After a friend's suggestion, I began to watch "Modern Family". And now I have found myself hooked. Every week, I eagerly await Wednesday nights so I can watch the next episode.

The thing about "Modern Family" is that each character on the show is hilarious, from Manny to Phil to Mitchell so it's never boring.

The only way I've ever been able to remember my years at Uni is through my various play lists organized by "Subbie Cutting Edge Mix" or "ACT Jr. Study Mix." I seem to have a playlist for everything through my Uni career, even a "Before Winter Fromal '09" and an after party mix. So, hey, why not share a few songs that are committing the "My laster semester...Mix!" to memory?

Ever since I first took my first Air Force 1 clad step into the halls of Uni High, I have heard seniors complaining about the stress of the college process.

I asked my colleague Albert Anastasio about his Halloween experience.

“I ate vegetables for dinner and went to bed at seven thirty,” he replied. Al’s a great guy, but I don’t envy his disciplined lifestyle.

Two weeks ago, I sat next to him in the kitchen.

Last week, my friend brought out her kindergarten memory book to show to my lunch group. As my friends eagerly shared stories of their kindergarten days and commented on her pictures, I had a thought.

TV shows come and go and keeping on top of them can be difficult. It is often tempting to just watch reruns instead of sifting through shows to find one you like. But never fear, I have put together a list of the top four shows I think are worth tuning into right now.

Warehouse 13
Airs on the SyFy channel