What?! Free textbooks?!

It's Tuesday and it's time to save some money. As college students, one of our biggest expenses is textbooks. Many students end up spending nearly $1000 on books alone (especially any science major!). And then, when trying to sell them back to the bookstore at the end of the year, they end up getting back less than half of what they originally spent. There is nothing more frusterating than buying a brand new edition of a textbook and then being told at the end of the semester that a new edition has come out and that the teacher will no longer be using the same book. So you're left with a 10 pound, $120 psychology textbook and nothing but anger and remorse for all that money you just lost on a useless book. I know the semester isn't even half way over yet, but it's never too early to start thinking of ways to save money on all your books next semester.

I recently found out about a really exciting Web site. The Freeloadpress Web site allows students to to download e-textbooks online. According to the site:
"Freeload Press, Inc. is liberating the textbook so students from all financial backgrounds can use these important learning tools. Textbooks are too important...for students to go without: That's why we started Freeload Press. We publish and distribute premium textbooks from the best authors in their respective fields. We then deliver our textbooks using an innovative combination of commercial support and direct fulfillment. This allows us to provide the textbook as a free e-book. Print versions are also available for reasonable prices – typically 65% less than competitive textbooks!"

Basically all you have to do to use this service is register, which includes creating a short profile and agreeing to the terms of use. Then all you have to do is complete a survey and you're set to start downloading books for free. Books are downloaded in PDF format. You can see a list of all the textbooks available at this point before you register. Each time you download a book, you have to complete a short survey. According to the Web site, these surveys help keep the service free, and usually take less than 5 minutes to complete. There is also advertising within the pages of the book you download, which helps keep the service free as well.

The site is still in its testing phase, so the books they offer are a bit limited. The majority of books are in the finance, computer application and math fields. So far, only about 100 colleges have decided to use textbooks offered by Freeloadpress. But as the site generates more and more buzz from the publishing industry and universities across the country, more books will undoubtably become available.

This site is definately something to keep your eye on. Be sure to check back when you're deciding on where to buy your books next semester - you never know, that $90 textbook that you could buy at the bookstore might be available for free online.
I also found this cool video about the average college student today. It's pretty interesting, and I can definately relate. Check it out:

Monday Music Update!

Hello Hello and I hope you all had a good week. It's time to start a new one with this hot dose of music and entertainment news. So without further ado, let's see what last week had to offer.

The question that's been on everyone's mind has finally been answered today. That's right, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be playing the Super Bowl Halftime Show this year! I know Prince was amazing, and Tom Petty outdid himself last year, but I'm kind of hoping Brucey brings back the magic of the Janet Jackson show by exposing himself with a tear-away buttflap. Born In The U.S.A indeed!

All you dreamers out there can stop reading right now, because Robert Plant has officially denied rumors of a Led Zeppelin reunion tour. He's been so busy touring with Allison Krauss these past few months (great show btw) that he's decided not to tour at all for at least two years. This will come as a great disappointment to all the people who like to pay hundreds of dollars to see their favorite bands from the 70's sing like they're covering themselves.


And is the new Metallica album, Death Magnetic, too loud? Some metalheads think so. I wonder how much research went into this article. "Hey what do you think of Death Magnetic?"
"Too loud."

And The Great John Lennon's son is quoted as saying his father blew his eardrum out when he was a child in an upcoming Lennon biography. Apparently, Lennon was pretty emotional sometimes. I know I'll pick John Lennon: The Life up when it hits shelves soon.

I was very happy to hear that Frank Zappa's brilliant rock opera, Joe's Garage, has FINALLY been made into a full-on stage extravagana. I. Love. That. Album. Buy it or download it or whatever you have to do. Just listen.

UPDATE FROM LAST WEEK: Travis Barker and DJAM are out of the hospital. Those are some lucky guys.


Well, that's all for now. See you again next week!

Polyvore: Shopping Addiction Anonymous

Fashion bloggers have been obsessed with Polyvore since its creation. The clever site allows users to mix and match clothing and accessories found anywhere on the web to create outfit collages. While browsing the internet, users can "clip to Polyvore" or, more simply, import images into the database. Now every one can be a stylist. Watch out for the next Nina Garcia or Rachel Zoe.

And Polyvore is addictive. You can see what your wardrobe would look like with the addition of, say, Alexander McQueen's $3,000 leather pants from Net-a-Porter. You may have a college-student's budget but on Polyvore you can dream up outfits worthy of a French Vogue editor or at least a post on the Sartorialist.

Polyvore has held contests from brands like Nine West, eBags, and Topshop, so all of those hours "wasted" on the site creating outfits could win you a killer prize.

You should also check out Polyvore's Official Blog. It keeps readers up-to-date on the most popular trends found in Polyvore sets. Currently, the major trend is blouses, but blog topics run the gamut from "How to Dress like an Olsen Twin" to interviews with Polyvore members.

And if you really get interested add the Polyvore Application to your Facebook, so you can share your designs with your friends.

It's All Over

So the New York Yankees 13-year playoff run has come to an end, and so has its tenure at the historic Yankee Stadium. The stadium that has created so many memories and has allowed Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, Maris, DiMaggio, Jeter, Rivera and so many other legends to roam the grass and dirt that has stood there for 85 years.

It was a special moment las Sunday night, when Mariano Rivera came into Metallica's, Enter Sandman, Yankee fans new it was almost over. Rivera as he has done so many times in the past, made quick work of the Baltimore Orioles hitters and that was it, Yankee Stadium hosted its last night of baseball.

Shortly after the players shook hands the Yankees met in the infield to salute the fans, where fan favorite and long-time team captian, Derek Jeter spoke. He told fans that the memories of this stadium didn't end when they tore the old ballpark down, but lived in infamy through those who remember them. It wasn't Lou Gehrig's, "Luckiest Man" speech, but it was moving. Jeter will be one of the remaining legends that moves with the Yankees across the street to the new $1.4 billion dollar stadium.

In many ways it's fitting (and by no means does this mean I'm happy the Yankees aren't making the playoffs) that the Yankees are missing the post-season for the first time in 13 years. The Yankees have made history with 26 World Series Championships in that Stadium and so many amazing games, but its time for the fans, players and baseball to move on. The Yankees have new memories and new dynasties to build across the street now. Yankee Stadium left us like a John Wayne in a western, it gave us its time and then rode off into the sunset, no encore needed, its all over.

Temptation at a Glance

I stumbled upon this article today while browsing the web. It's about temptation possibly being a good thing while on a diet. It's an interesting article, however when I saw links on a few of the words in the article, I was disappointed to find that they were merely advertisements mixed in with the news. Distracting.





I looked on youtube.com for a video on temptation and the first one that came up was A Healthy Action Minute. Check out the official website for quick healthy habit tips each week. It's a fast way to learn something new to stay on track!

Another site talking about temptation and how to deal with it explains keeping fruit around to snack on is a healthy alternative. Also, making your own burgers or pizzas is a much healthier choice than going to Burger King or Pizza Hut. There is even a healthy pizza recipe at the bottom to try out! I haven't yet, but it sounds delicious!