When Jack Kerouac released On the Road in 1957, he was hailed as the king of a bristling new generation of poets and writers known as the Beats.

'Citizen Kane': greatest film of all time. It's the biggest clich'eacute; in all of moviedom, but to use the old Henry Kissinger adage, it has the added value of being true. You thought you'd go your whole life without meeting someone who actually likes 'Citizen Kane'-well, here I am!

This past weekend, thousands rallied at Boston City Hall and in cities around the nation in support of gay marriage. There was reason for proponents of same-sex marriage to celebrate since Connecticut had just recently begun granting marriage licenses to gay couples.

Given the current political climate, families could be giving thanks for some unusual things next Thursday. Houses will glow with gratitude for surviving the recession thus far, and thanks will be given as the Bush administration's clock ticks down to its final days.

I get a lot of flack for writing a fashion-themed column. It usually comes in the form of a lot of whiney inbox messages along the lines of, 'Why don't you ever write about serious issues like trayless dining halls and tuition increases?'

Safety and peace of mind are some things you should never have to sacrifice. Whether it's your confidence in national defense or more directly your feeling of safety walking home late Saturday night, you should never be denied peace of mind.

If you know me '-'- especially if you knew me my freshmen year '-'- I'm never short of ideas on how BU can improve (to say it nicely). Maybe it's because I was a Harvard reject, was waitlisted at BU and BU was the only university that accepted me (and I'm proud of it).

Once upon a time, in the land we call the United States of America, you could procure substances such as cocaine, morphine and methamphetamines without the threat of being arrested and put in jail. All these drugs were at one point legal to buy and consume.

When Barack Obama appeared via satellite on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Oct. 30, five days before the election, he knew he was going to win.

Less than a year ago, Bill Clinton angrily remarked that Barack Obama's candidacy was 'the biggest fairy tale he's ever seen.' This was one of a few comments coming from the former president that suggested this doe-eyed political newcomer was not someone we should seriously consider for the highest office in the land.

You will never forget where you were, whom you were with and what you were thinking about around 11 p.m. EST on Nov. 4, 2008. Time seemed to almost stop.

I can't help but feel a little hopeful after Barack Obama became the president-elect. While most of us were celebrating this historical moment, there were, of course, those drowning their sorrows in what seemed to be doomsday.