There is a bodega on Harvard Avenue between Commonwealth and Brighton Aves. If it has a name, it isn't the kind that sticks. To me it is just the bodega, a distinctly urban phenomenon &- a small, under-groomed, crowded store with everything you need and a few pocket-sized hookahs that you didn't.

Yesterday The Daily Free Press was correct to condemn the South Hadley teenagers who were charged with bullying Phoebe Prince into committing suicide. But what wasn't mentioned was the failure of the teachers and staff to address the issue before it spiraled out of control.

Like asking a person about his or her sexual, religious or political attachments, inquiring about post-college plans has become taboo. The mere idea &-&- the thought &-&- has become scary. Like Voldemort.

Words, words, words.

I get it: Sporting a high-end education label comes with a price, as does anything of brand name status. But at times, I question the true value of every dollar I spend attaining "higher learning."

The passing of the new health care bill starts us on a road down a debate of ethics when it comes to making amendments. The health and well-being of this country's citizens should, without any doubt, be the primary concern of the government. Denying these of anyone would be close to alienating another's right to a happy life.

My parents made the repeated mistake of giving me the car keys, only because it was absolutely essential in the suburbs. I could no more walk to the grocery store there than I can now to Roxbury. But then I moved to college; I gave it all up.

And so the twilight of my suffering is finally moving into the dawn of a grand new beginning. The greatest of my desires will finally be granted as "have-nots" turn into "haves." Yes, you guessed correctly, I am turning 21.

Policy played out in front of the people is never pretty. Anyone following the health care debate can attest to that. The Republicans have turned into nonsensical attack dogs, barking at any shadow of Democratic weakness. The large Democratic majority put the bill together, but wavered in the face of public anger and apparent disapproval.

On a lazy Sunday evening after a day at work, I went over to a friend's place to chill out and watch the second episode of the new HBO miniseries, "The Pacific." I wanted an entertaining yet introspective view on the trials of the United States troops fighting against the Japanese in World War II. Instead, what I got was 50 minutes of slaughter and contrived camaraderie.

Weather.com says it's going to be a little groggier out today than we're now used to. Indeed, the moody climate enjoys playing tricks on us Bostonians. On top of that, I'm suffering through the repercussions of pulling one too many all-nighters this past week, so the clustering clouds mauling my weekend's pristinely blue sky are looking particularly melancholy, and I'd really like to just go back to bed.

Consider the following &- you give a homeless person some spare change. What motivated you to do so? Was it so you could sleep well that night, knowing that you did something good during the day? Or was it because you hold firmly onto the ideology that one should always give to the poor? If you answered positively to the former, you're a very self-centered person. If you answered to the latter, why are you still reading? You should be giving all you have to the poor.

I do not live in a trash heap. I do not speak with an ugly accent and I, under no circumstances, have ever even considered fist pumping while dancing. I am from New Jersey, and I am not taking your crap any longer.