The 'ins' and 'outs' of '04: guide to pop culture essentials
By Michelle Murphy
Suddenly, with the drop of a glowing orb and a subliminally drunken kiss it's 2004. It's also the dawn of the period when you perpetually mis-date your checks, and fearfully exit the house, wondering if your days of hip-ness have passed. Of course, this trepidation is not in jest, as the new year comes with a slew of new trends. Beware, your views, CDs, cities, and drinks may be expired. With all of this year's new hot items, categorical organization is imperative for comprehension. Let's take a look at the breakdown.
THE 'IN' PLACE â€" Hometown pride is huge this year, and the place to be proud of is Boston. With the red hot Red Sox (they were robbed), sexy quarterback Tom Brady leading the Patriots to a likely Superbowl title, and fans even feistier than the hoodlums in Oakland, Bean Town is definitely the place to be. That is if you can put up with the "Massholes" that live there. à Ã
THE 'OUT' PLACE â€" This will thrill and delight some of you and horrify others, but one of 2004's most shocking trends is that the gym is out. Though not a city, this "out" place is equally important. Curves are making their comeback, and the women once so concerned with maintaining their skeletal figures are kicking back and getting some of Sir Mix-A-Lot's prescribed "back."
THE 'IN' DRINK â€" "I'll have a Grey Goose martini, straight up with a twist" may be the newest and latest thing to hear at the Hut. Though not for the weak (these cocktails can be a bit stiff), the combos we once saw only in the hands of our grandparents are making their way into the mainstream. They look, sound and taste sophisticated, and may help make you appear equally so.
THE 'OUT' DRINK(S) â€" "Sex on the Beach," "A Slow Comfortable Screw," and pretty much anything else that has so much mixed together that it needs a fancy name. This year you better be talking to a hot member of the opposite sex if you're going to try to order any of the above.
THE 'IN' SPORT â€" Rugby. Manly men and studly females unite in one of the only truly aggressive collegiate sports left standing. The pushing, grabbing and other such contact is not only pretty sexy, it's all done without padding, the true test of physical and mental superiority. The fact that the two teams invariably follow up their games with a night full of beer only adds to its appeal.
THE 'OUT' SPORT â€" Football. While other schools cheer on their padded and helmet-clad (i.e. wimpy) token athletes, we have to fast forward to the end of "Bend it Like Beckham" to see our school on television over winter break. Perhaps the administration's distaste for cocky men in tight pants is the start of something. Ã
THE 'IN' ENTERTAINER(S) â€" 80's bands are back in vogue and Aerosmith is the ultimate in decade defying sex appeal. One can't ignore the six packs, the style or the skill of this dynamic group. Whip out your 8th grade CD collection and jam to "Crazy" for the first time in a long time.
THE 'OUT' ENTERTAINER â€" Britney Spears. Need we say more. Vegas weddings, salacious smooches and failing style? That's three strikes Brit. Maybe you should take your multimillions, buy a private island and stay there.
THE 'IN' ATTITUDE â€" Acceptance. When GALA gave Santa Clara the biggest and most successful drag show ever, some reciprocated with a hate letter and book defacing. If there's ever a time, a place or a cause that merits compassion, this is it, now and here.
THE 'OUT' ATTITUDE â€" Ignorance.
Though a plethora of other "ins" (retro fashion, protein and singledom) and "outs" (Von Dutch, carbs and dating) are making their way into our lives this new year, covering them all is impossible. Insanity and boredom would be certain ends. However, perhaps with this brief rundown of the latest do's and don'ts, you might just be able to fearlessly set foot out your door.
Contact Michelle Murphy at (408) 554-4546 or mdmurphy@scu.edu.