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Shouldn't Sept. 11 be a time to reflect on the tragedy of that day and how our lives have changed since then? Every year in school on the anniversary, we have a moment of silence and the national anthem is sometimes played on the speaker system. While I think this is a good idea, it is all that most students do to remember Sept. 11.

Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary. Life has really changed since then, but how much good has the change done? It has been so long nobody even remembers what flying was like before having to worry about liquids being in a 3-ounce container, all placed inside a clear, quart-sized plastic bag.

Nor do people remember that all these restrictions and increased security measures are a result of 9/11. Our lives have been affected by this event whether we realize it or not, yet we only spend a maximum of three minutes thinking about it a year.

Even that is in school, and it feels forced; most students are thinking about what they are going to eat for lunch or what homework they have tonight.

We need to stop and slow down, not only on this day but throughout the year, and reflect on how Sept. 11 has affected all of us.

-- LAUREN SUITER

PLAYLIST

Tired of humming the same old songs? Try these on

You know those songs that you absentmindedly hum in class, the ones that you always want to listen to, the ones that you make a point to learn all the words to? Don't say you don't! Here are some of my songs in case you get tired of yours.

This Is the Life -- Amy Macdonald

Come Around -- M.I.A. (feat. Timbaland)

Oxford Comma -- Vampire Weekend

Ruby Blue -- Roisin Murphy

Bumble Bees -- Aqua

Hallelujah -- Jeff Buckley

Cobrastyle -- Robyn

Sensual Seduction -- Snoop Dogg (feat. Robyn)

Ray of Light -- Madonna

Just Dance -- Lady GaGa (feat. Colby O'Donis and Akon)

Hot as Ice -- Britney Spears

Walking on Air -- Kerli

Hotel California -- The Eagles

-- LINDSEY LEONARD

QUE PASA

Catch Chiodos for show of 'Intensity in Ten Cities'

What: Come and see Chiodos, a group of hard-core rockers from Flint, Mich. They have traveled all the way to Alaska for a show that will cause "Intensity in Ten Cities."

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: The Downstairs at Club Millennium

For more information, call Club Millennium at 277-1428.

Alaska Dance's fall gala features Fairbanks ballet

What: Alaska Dance Theatre kicks off the 2008-09 season with a fall gala featuring the North Star Ballet of Fairbanks as a special guest. Come for an afternoon of compelling choreography and exquisite dancing. Tickets are $20.

When: 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Alice Bassler Sullivan Theatre at the ADT studio.

For more information, visit www.alaskadance theatre.org.

-- LINDSEY LEONARD