It’s Breaking Wind…Not Breaking Up

It’s Breaking Wind…Not Breaking Up

Article by: Cameron Dailey

Can true love be defined by feeling comfortable enough to fart around your significant other? Passing gas is deemed crude and impolite, yet everyone feels comfortable letting one slip in his or her own privacy. Should you respect your partners’ space and olfactory senses so much that you continually disappear to some remote area to let one loose?

 

Every individual experiences the discomfort of holding in gas. The effort to hold it and mask your displeasure becomes all you can think about. The slightest wrong shift in your seat could be disastrous.  Assuming that you have already shared intimate moments with your partner, why kid yourself? While you should still aim to stay attractive to your mate, rather than attempting to portray a façade of a perfect individual, show your boyfriend or girlfriend how comfortable you feel in their presence and let one rip. I doubt it will affect the stability of your relationship, and if it does, you are dating the wrong person.

While eating dinner on a first date, regardless of how upset your stomach may be, it is most certainly polite to hold in your gas. If your stomach makes sounds similar to a water jug turning over, you should probably cover yourself and say, “Wow, I am REALLY hungry!” before heading to the restroom to alleviate your discomfort.

As your relationship progresses, if faced with a similar situation and you have already been to the bathroom more than twice on the date, rest assured. There is still hope. If you fear your fart will be too loud to disguise with a simultaneous cough, do not fear. Carefully make sure you discreetly lift up your rear to avoid the thunderous echo off your seat. Now, hope and pray that the air conditioning vents in the restaurant are blowing away from your partner’s side of the table.

Don’t let someone hound you for exercising a perfectly normal bodily function. According to research, on average, a healthy person farts sixteen times a day. That means those that condescend others for passing gas are just as guilty, but rather do it in privacy. Some men have convinced themselves that women do not poop. While this may come as a shock, women fart as well as poop.  If you see yourself spending the rest of your life with your boyfriend or girlfriend, get used to not having any privacy. Sleeping together every single night is about as intimate as one can get. God forbid you might fart in your sleep while your partner is still awake.

Although you may not want to hear or smell the remnants of your partner’s gas, the fact of the matter is that everyone farts. In the words of the award winning film, Good Will Hunting, “You’re not perfect, sport, and let me save you the suspense: this girl you’ve met, she’s not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you’re perfect for each other. That’s what intimacy is all about.” The ability to accept your partner for who they are and recognize their humanity through instances like passing gas is an indication that your relationship has what it takes to be successful. So let one rip, but don’t forget to say, “Excuse me.”

Gone in a Flash

 

Gone in a Flash

Article by: Cameron Dailey

Spending time at Wrightsville Beach makes UNC-Wilmington a popular choice for students who love salt water. But for one group of friends, the beach is no longer a relaxing getaway, but rather a reminder of the nightmare that took place one September afternoon.

On September 25, 2009, a group of students who lived on the fifth floor of Galloway Hall, a popular co-ed dorm at UNCW, decided to spend their Friday afternoon at Wrightsville Beach. Within a matter of minutes, the day turned tragic. “It seemed like a dream,” said TJ Snell, a friend who witnessed the incident. John Edward “JT” Sackett, an 18 year-old freshman from Annapolis, Maryland, was swimming with friends near the Oceanic Pier when lightning struck the water nearby. Friends rushed to shore but quickly realized that Sackett was nowhere to be found. Sackett was killed by the lightning strike, and his body washed to shore hours after rescuers began searching the waters. North Carolina ranks among the nation’s top 5 states for lightning deaths.

To this day, questions fill the minds of those who witnessed the incident as well as those who have heard about it. What were the students doing in the water during a thunderstorm? Why were friends and rescuers unable to find Sackett for so long? Snell and another witness, Brian Mack, the resident assistant on the fifth floor of Galloway, willingly clarified the details.

According to Mack, nine students from his floor made the trip to the beach that afternoon. During the car ride to the beach, the sky grew significantly darker. By the time the group arrived, it was raining heavily and the storm was directly overhead. The students remained adamant to get into the water and set out beside the Oceanic Pier. Most of the students in the water were on surfboards, however, Sackett was one of the few that was swimming freely. He separated himself from the group of swimmers and swam further out to his friends on their boards.

Mack vividly recalls what happened next.

“Never in my life have I heard such a violent crash that shook the ground like it did,” he said.

Lightning had struck within a few feet from the group, sending them in a panic to exit the water. Everyone hurried to shore as quickly as possible, but once on the beach, they noticed that Sackett was missing. Snell recalls this moment, saying, “I said something to the rest of the group asking where he was and if anyone knew, but everyone was so baffled.  I was hoping that a wave had hit him and he just went under for a second, but I didn’t see anything.”

Snell immediately rushed into the water and began searching for his friend. He recalls pushing himself under water as deep as he could, trying to find his friend with his feet, but he says the water was so deep he couldn’t even feel the bottom. Others joined in the effort to locate Sackett. Eventually, rescue crews arrived on the scene and took over the search. The students sat nervously on the beach, hoping for a miracle.

Despite rescue crews relentlessly searching the area with divers and even a helicopter, Sackett’s whereabouts were still unknown an hour after the lightning strike. After another hour passed, his body washed to shore. According to Dave Baker, head of the Wrightsville Beach ocean rescue squad, a couple spotted his body on the beach. Baker warns that swimming while you hear thunder or see lightning is hazardous. Rescuers performed CPR right away and transported Sackett to New Hanover Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Lorna Butler, a retired schoolteacher from Rockingham, NC, knows the dangers of lightning first hand. Butler was indirectly hit by a lightning bolt while seeking shelter under an overhang at Myrtle Beach in the summer of 1962. Butler was leaning against a jukebox while standing in a puddle of water when a transformer about 30 feet away was hit by lightning. The bolt blazed down the wire and onto the wet pavement like a streak of fire. Butler was knocked unconscious. She insists that fate was on her side that day, saying, “I’m one of the lucky ones. I lived to tell my story.” To this day, she suffers severe anxiety about thunderstorms. “When my kids played sports, if I heard thunder or saw lightning, I’d be the first person on the field telling the coaches to call the game,” she said.

Many people travel to North Carolina for its pleasant weather, but participating in outdoor activities during summer afternoons can be a deadly mixture if a thunderstorm is nearby. The state ranks fifth in the nation in deadly lightning strikes. Florida experiences the most deaths per year from lightning. Many outdoor enthusiasts meet their deaths by playing golf or participating in other activities that make them a vulnerable target. The National Weather Service warns that when a person hears thunder, he or she should seek shelter immediately. While the probability of a person getting struck by lightning is slim, lightning strikes the earth over 20 million times a year.

Unfortunately, UNC-Wilmington students learned the dangers of lightning the hard way. The students who were with JT Sackett on the day of his death have experienced mixed emotions about the accident. While Snell knows regretting the groups’ decision to enter the water that day won’t bring his friend back to life, he hopes that his friend’s death may prevent others from suffering the same fate. Snell remembers when sitting on the beach while rescuers searched the waters, Sackett’s cell phone started to vibrate. When he looked at the screen, he saw that Sackett’s mother was calling, unaware of the events that had just taken place.

“It ripped my heart open. I don’t ever want anyone to have to suffer like this again,” Snell said.

Musical Opinions

Musical Opinions

Cameron Dailey is soft-spoken and careful with his words. He is quick to retrace his steps and explain how he came along a certain path. It may not be surprising then, to learn that he judges people “based on their ability to voice their opinion.” What may be surprising to learn is that in 2010, while a sophomore at UNCW, Cameron Dailey was Mr. Greek (ΔΤΔ), a Dub Idol finalist, and frequent performer of his own music.

A Southern author once said that the basic difference between becoming a neurologist and an artist is that given a certain amount of intellect, time, money, and social status, anyone can learn the required knowledge to become a brain surgeon. Given the same intellect, time, money, and social status, the same cannot be said about the artist.

Dailey made a contrary comment to this when describing why he chose to major in Communication Studies. “I was interested in becoming a doctor,” he said, “But frankly, I wasn’t smart enough.” When confronted with the incredulity of such a comment, Dailey was quick to amend his answer to, “Frankly, [doctors] are ‘book smart.’”

In Raleigh, Dailey’s mother encouraged his artistic endeavors while his father worked his way up through the ranks of pharmaceutical sales to become manager of the southeast region. To Dailey, this work ethic became a gateway to his education. It would be through the effort of hard work rather than “book smarts” that Dailey earned his accolades. Well, hard work and a Justin Bieber song.

A classmate of Dailey said she knew of the Mr. Greek Contest through a friend in an opposing fraternity. Her friend was angry that his house lost the contest to “some douche singing a Justin Bieber song!”

Dailey knew his choosing a Bieber song wasn’t going to be the most popular choice, but however hesitant he is to admit that, his pride is evident despite how humble he remains about his talent.When asked what Bieber song it was, he shifts where he sits as if uncomfortable. Slowly a genuine smile appears on his face. “‘Baby,’” he answers, pleased at the choice.

He believes authenticity is integral to his music. One of his favorite compositions is about an ex-girlfriend who moved around a lot because her father was in the military. “She had moved about thirteen times” before coming to North Carolina from Michigan. “She and I met and hit it off almost instantly,” Dailey said, “I wrote her the song expressing that I would be the one constant thing that she could count on.”

In addition to having about 30 original songs in his repertoire, he enjoys performing covers of early 90s tunes and some 1970s hits from the likes of the Jackson 5. “I just love making music and sharing it,” he said, but didn’t comment on whether he thought it was something he was born to do. He was, however, willing to answer one last question but was taken aback by it. “That’s a great question,” he admitted, “and I wish I had something better to show you.”

(The question was, “What have you got in your pockets?”) Cameron Dailey sets out on the table his car keys, a paperboard packet of gum, his wallet, and cell phone. “I’ll try to do better next time,” he promises, then flashes a smile almost identical to what he showed after singing his winning song.

Considering what his best has brought him so far, his pockets next time will be filled with treasure.

Article by: Kirk Barrett

Summertime

 

SUMMERTIME

Sunscreen skin and bikini tops,
Ice-cream trucks and freezie pops.
Ocean waves and salty skin,
Sand-dollar bottoms and dolphin fins.
Sunlight rays and hot concrete,
Bathing suits and flip-flop feet.
Catchy tunes and iPod docks,
Sun-kissed hair and golden locks.
Sandy toes and brown tan lines,
Cold Coronas with a slice of lime.
Cool dusk air and lightning bugs,
Lemonade sold by the jug.
Rope swing branches and wading pools,
Oak tree shade, dark and cool.
Thick white fog and morning dew,
Crisp clear skies, royal blue.
Long hot showers and sunburnt skin,
Barbecue sauce painted chins.
Afternoon thunderstorms,
Honeybees, by the swarm.
Stifling heat and dripping sweat,
Watermelon juice, soaking wet.
Magnolia trees for kids to climb,
It’s finally here, it’s summertime.

By: Cameron Dailey

Why I Enjoy Making Music

I’ve noticed that a frequently asked question I get is, “Cameron, why do you write songs?” or “What inspires you to write songs?” I never take myself too seriously, so when my close friends make fun of me for spending hours crafting a song, I learn to laugh with them.  Although some may not understand, I appreciate having a hobby that is different than the norm. Over time, I’ve realized, it’s really just “my thing.”  While it’s hard to say what first got me started, I can try my best to explain why I love writing and making music.

The first song I ever wrote and recorded was titled “11:11.” I was a naive sophomore in high school and had just taught myself a few chords on the guitar. Over the course of a few months, I developed a pretty strong crush on a girl at my high school…The only problem was that she was two years older than me and bound for college. As if she didn’t already know that I had feelings for her, I wrote the song and sent it to her as her graduation present.

Here are the lyrics to the chorus of the song. “Why am I down here and she’s way up there. I’d fly to the moon but I’m too scared. Two years is such a long ride. I keep asking for a sign or some way to let me know. Is that a shooting star or is this how love goes?”

Pretty bold, I know. But sometimes when you want something, you have to put yourself out there and take a risk. Although it sounds like we fell madly in love because I wrote her such a “charming” song, I can assure you that that was not the case. But hey, I at least got a song out of it, right? Anyway, a general theme began to develop. As different girls entered and exited my life, I found myself writing songs about the situations. While I do  wear my heart on my sleeve so to speak in my songs, I prefer communicating through song because it lets me say things I wouldn’t normally say. I’m not a fan of playing games or regretting things that I *wish* I had said. If the song is too bold and I’m not sure how  it will be received, I keep some ambiguity in the air and don’t tell her who it’s about (although she could probably put two and two together). I feel words limit us from expressing ourselves in so many ways. Music has no boundaries. The feeling one gets when listening to a catchy song is so much more exhilarating than hearing words they’ve likely heard before. Plus, none of my friends want to hear me talk about my feelings towards girls. I like making people happy, and writing songs about them is my attempt to do so. It’s one of the most genuine ways I know of to express my sentiment towards them.

Over the course of time, I’ve learned a lot about song writing, and feel pretty confident about the process now. That being said, I obviously write more when I have a love interest. This is one of my major frustrations because very rarely do I have a love interest. I won’t say I’m a picky guy, but more or less I consider myself selective. I  am seldom sure of my feelings for someone, and I would never lead someone on if my feelings weren’t genuine. You’re probably thinking, “Man, this guy is girl crazy!” While I can agree with you that I am, I should make it known that I write songs about other things as well. The majority just so happen to be about love, as do most songs.

The feeling of accomplishment after I finish a song is enough in itself to keep me doing it. I love the thrill and I wish I had more time to do it. A lot of times I question why I’m in school and studying things that don’t interest me as much as music does, but I know the importance of a good education and a college degree. My father, being the big businessman that he is, makes sure I know these things. While he does support my music, I understand the distinction between a hobby and a career, because frankly, the music industry is nearly impossible to make a living unless you make it big, and as much as I love writing songs, I admit that I don’t have the voice to make it on the radio. I’m nothing special, but that doesn’t diminish my love for music.

My biggest dream is ultimately to write and record my own album. I feel optimistic because I know this dream is attainable…I just need the time to do it. It’s taken me a long time to get to this point because I was writing songs that I didn’t feel very strongly about. Although I was proud to have written and composed them, I just wouldn’t have seen myself listening to them for leisure. I’m happy to say that I feel more confident about my songs now, and I look forward to recording in a professional studio, having my picture taken, designing an album cover, having it pressed, and so on.

Below is a one of the most recent songs I’ve written called, “Picture Perfect.” Here are a few of the lyrics:

“Is it the way that I read your mind? Or the way you smile all the time? You’re so darn cute when I look at you and you’re acting so refined. Is it the way that you hold my hand, that makes me want to be a better man? I’m a mystery but rest assured, I’ve got a secret plan.”

“Cause I’ve been locked in the cold before. And I can’t take it no more. Once I saw the view, and baby I saw you. So baby, I’m looking in the window and I see a perfect picture on the wall of just us two. Oh, the grass is looking greener and the sky is looking bluer and I know it’s all because of you.”

The song is about the feeling you experience when you’re in love…You have a new appreciation for everything in life. Every day, you wake up in a good mood, ready for more. Things that had previously gone unnoticed suddenly appear, and despite the fact that they had always been there, you just never took the time to notice them because something was ultimately missing from your life (a special someone). Now that you’ve found the missing puzzle piece, everything seems to fall into place and before you know it, the puzzle is completed, or a “Picture Perfect” view is formed. To me, this is one of the greatest feelings in the world, and I was perhaps the happiest I’ve ever been while writing this song.

-Cameron

Hello everyone!

First and foremost, to everyone that takes the time to read my blog, thank you so much. It really does mean a lot to me to think that someone out there cares what I have to say.  I can’t promise that you will agree with what I write, but that’s fine by me. Please feel free to comment and tell me if we share something in common or if you disagree with something I’ve said. I can take criticism and more importantly, I am flexible with my opinions. I decided to keep a blog in a mere attempt to voice a few of the off-the-wall thoughts that fill my head day in and day out. Thanks again for reading.

-Cameron