Hey there. Did you go see Perfect Thyroid perform at Fall Fest? Do you know anyone who did? Well, that's okay. I can't blame you if you didn't go. After all, Perfect Thyroid aren't a "big name" act.

This has been a problem for SA and UUAB when organizing the annual Fall and Spring Fest events. In the past, getting major headliners had been little to no problem. Hell, they even managed to get the Gin Blossoms during their 15 minutes of fame. Sadly, because of revenues lost due to illegal MP3 file-sharing through programs like Napster, national bands have raised their booking fees (That was sarcasm, folks). Since SA hasn't risen your Mandatory Student Activity Fee in four years, they can no longer afford the exuberant prices of top acts, such as 'N Sync, or Poison.

To be fair, calling Fall Fest 2000 a failure would be like calling a Chinese hooker a fortune cookie. It's funny at first, but ultimately, it's cruel and inaccurate. Fall Fest 2000 had a good turnout, particularly for headliners, The Roots. These events could bring together a much larger segment of the student population with the help of better-known artists.

Since they're the Student Association (SA) and not the Administrative Association (AA), SA is turning to you, the student body, for help on improving these events. This week in the Student Union during lunch hours, SA will be conducting polls to see what students think would be the best path to take with the Fall and Spring Fest events. It is important that you stop by and fill out a form. You'll essentially be voting on the future of these events, and as we've been trying to instill into your bubble gum saturated minds--VOTING IS FRIGGIN' IMPORTANT. If you don't let your opinion be known to SA, you won't have the right to bitch if Fall Fest is dismantled (which would suck), just as if you don't vote this upcoming November, you won't have the right to bitch if George W. is elected President (which would really suck). SA is trying to please you. The least you can do is moan and let them know how you like it.

If you're taking the time to read my edit note, you're probably expecting me to give my opinion, and so I will. I think the two Fests should be combined into one massive event. This would double the money SA has available to spend on artists, ensuring bigger name bands can be booked, as well as several smaller but equally good opening acts. A larger, diversified bill will attract more of a crowd. Of course, this is just my opinion and you do not have to adhere to it. Form your own opinion, then put down the porno, extinguish the bong, and fill out a form.

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GLOSSY THING THAT FALLS OUT WHEN I OPEN THE MAGAZINE AS I SIT DOWN TO TAKE MY DAILY CRAP?

Last week, you may have noticed a new addition to Generation. No, I'm not talking about Michael Jacobs' dreamy eyes. I'm referring to Steamtunnels. As you can see from this week's issue, it wasn't a one-off deal. They will be with us for the rest of the year.

Steamtunnels is one of those hip national college magazines that offers you advice on how to enrich your college experience. Basically, it's a lot like U. Magazine, except that the articles in Steamtunnels are semi-useful. Also, Steamtunnels is inserted into a campus publication, making it harder for you to completely ignore it.

Now, before you go accusing us of being sell-outs (an accusation we're not really willing to dispute), keep in mind two things:

1.) The money they give us helps pay for production while allowing us to print fewer ads. This means there's more space allocated to actual content--the content that drew you to pick up Generation in the first place.

2.) Your mama.

Hey, lighten up and quit yer whinin'. It's not like we're distributing The NRA Quarterly here. Give Steamtunnels a quick skim. You might even find something interesting in there.