Stuck in paradise, re~lly stuck

Joe Holden staff writer

"Alright, now I'm going to push. All I want you to do is slowly accelerate on the gas. Don't floor it!" I said this to my girlfriend, Kelly, as I rolled up my sleeves to push my ton-something Buick. Of course her Dodge Neon is no match for my car, and she poorly misjudged its power.

"Stop, stop, stop!" I yelled as I cleared chunks of sand from my eyes to see my car steadily sinking into the damn sand.

It was about 65 degrees out and I decided to wear shorts and a tee shirt. Kelly called and asked about taking a day trip to Sea Isle. I thought it would be cool since it was a Friday and we both bad off.

We drove down with little trouble and arrived in Sea Isle in less

Loquiturfails to preformthe dutiesof a schoolnewspaper

I am delighted to report that Cabrini's basketball team did spectacularly in the NCAA tournament and won the PAC. I am equally delighted to report that Cabrini's theater production of "Two Gentlemen of Verona" was a smash, packing the atrium to the walls, making it one of the most popular productions in the College's history. But this article isn't about that. It is about the fact that Loquitur was unaware that all of this was going on. That is a fiasco for the campus newspaper.

with photos, on the band U2, an overview of the Ozzie Osborne television show and a press release about (insult to injury?) a Shakespeare play produced miles away in Center City. The quality of these articles is not in question. I enjoy reading all arts news, but when I want that kind of reading, I tum to Rolling Stone and TV Guide. They do it better. And why not?

than an hour and a half.

We decided to walk on the beach, but it was not as warm along the ocean as it was back in Philly. So we retreated to the car and sat and watched the ocean.

About 30 minutes later a strange guy was walking around the car complaining about something, but since I have not been able to master hearing through car windows, who knows what he was babbling about. It freaked Kelly out and she said she wanted to go. I suggested we cruise along the beach. A car had jetted by us earlier and that's where I got that idea.

"Joe, don't drive on the beach. You'll get stuck in the sand." To which I replied "Oh come on. Let's just see what happens. Plus what about that shady guy?"

Of course Kelly said no, and that was good enough for me. I started the engine and noticed a black cat dart out from under the car. I figured that was what the

You can read all shady guy was talking about I asked Kelly where she wanted to go to eat. She then turned to me and said "Fine. Drive on the beach.''.And I did. I circled around a few times and was getting nervous about my tires sliding through the sand. I was ready to make my way back up the hill to the road. I got stuck. online and electronically interact with the writers and a community mes~ge board to voice your opinions of

The entire body of the Buick was resting on the sand. The tires were completely buried. I lost it (Note to those without four-wheel drive: keep your cars off the beach and stay away from Daytona.)

It took almost an hour for a tow service to come and rescue us. I'm just going to say that he wasn't the brightest. Not to mention that the tow truck started falling down the incline as it was trying to pull my car.

Nearly $250 later, I was on my way home. Now, three weeks later, I am still plagued by the sounds of sand whisping through my engine.

I mention our successes only so that we cannot be accused of artistic failure or "sour grapes." The team succeeded without Loquitur coverage and so did the musical. You say the fine arts are irrelevant to our society? We are not irrelevant, Loquituryou are.

Why do I care enough to write this, especially since I have no need of your publicity?

Because Cabrini College is a community in which we work together to perform service. I (and most of the college's faculty and staff) could earn far more money and acclaim by professionally performing the skills we teach our students. But we stay because we believe that the Cabrini student is the key to tomorrow's future.

Cabrini graduates not only enter the job market with the outstanding professional skills needed to make a fine living, but with the knowledge and the duty to use those skills to make the world a better place. It's a promise we made to Mother Cabrini when we signed on, and we must demand the best of everyone. That includes the Loquitur.

What did the Loquitur readers, students, administrators, alums, and online visitors, get instead of a pre'fiew article of our unusual Shakespeare musical and a well thought out critical review? A very long article,

Their reporters are on the scene attacking the news before and as it happens. They go to Ozzie's house and bother him. It's their beat. And do you know what? When Loquitur is on the scene covering its beat, nobody does it better. A quick examination of the issues of semesters past reveals an exciting, passionate journalistic service to our community. This is a far cry from our current throwaway magazine.

As for the editorial praising the basketball team after an alumni complaint? Shame on you. You make our newspaper an "OLDSpaper."

Loquitur has power. Many times I hear from students who attended the play because the preview article make it sound interesting. They tell me that the experience opened whole new, unexpected worlds to them. You can reach the disaffected Cabrini student.

I look ahead. Soon the newspaper will choose a new staff. I hope the selection process will return Loquitur to its former position of fine community service. To the new staff: See you at the game. Or the play. Or where the next exciting thing is happening. Be proud to be here.