Well, we made it — the first issue of the Creightonian is finally here! Back-to-school season is in full swing — cue the smell of fresh college-ruled notebooks, deleting innumerable SLIC emails and if you’re anything like me, procrastinating assignments until the very last minute. I think I speak for all procrastinators when I say that we really did mean to start that paper earlier. We wrote it down in our planners, we already had an outline in our head and we told ourselves we’d start after Ted Allen declares whose dish is on the chopping block. Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush, or maybe we’ve just convinced ourselves that we’re more creative last-minute. In the interest of full transparency, I will admit that I am writing this column at 8:30 p.m. even though I knew it was due at 9 p.m. for a week. But procrastination isn’t all bad – think about all the things you can do during the time you should be working on that research paper! Here’s a quick lineup of some recommended distractions:

1. Podcast: How Did This Get Made

I just started listening to this podcast over the summer and it’s fantastic. Hosted by comedians Paul Scheer, June Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas, each hour-long episode dissects and mocks terrible movies — “Jupiter Ascending,” “Vampire Academy,” “Green Lantern” — I’m talking the worst of the worst. They also have guest stars each episode who watch the movies and get to weigh in. My personal favorites are any of the “Fast & Furious” episodes where the team brings in their resident “Fast & Furious” expert, Adam Scott. 

 2. Book: “Commonwealth” by Ann Patchett

I cannot recommend this book enough. I impulsively bought the paperback version of the book because it was on sale at Target and I couldn’t put it down. In “Commonwealth,” Patchett tells the story of two families forever intertwined after one unexpected events over five decades. It’s an incredible, heart-wrenching, introspective and humorous book that explores the drama of family dynamics like nothing else I’ve ever read. Also I think it was maybe one of Oprah’s Book Club books? Don’t quote me on that though — if not this is my official recommendation to Oprah because I think she’d like it.

3. Television: Riverdale

I didn’t want to like “Riverdale” but here I am. Last year, the CW developed a new teen drama based on the popular Archie Comics. The series explores the dark shadows behind Archie’s seemingly sleepy hometown of Riverdale. It’s a classic “girl likes boy but boy wants to focus on his music and also there’s a murder” trope and I am completely hooked. The episodes are short and easy to watch, and the entire first season is on Netflix. In my opinion, the show’s standout star is Luke Perry, who plays Archie’s dad, Fred Andrews. He’s the only responsible parent in Riverdale! Please stop me on the mall if you want to discuss further. 

4.Music: HAIM

I’m probably late on this but wow the band HAIM is so great. This badass pop rock band consists of three sisters from Los Angeles, Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, who have been performing together in a family band (formerly Rockinhaim) since they were old enough to hold a guitar. Their newest album, “Something To Tell You,” was released in July and it has a groovy Fleetwood Mac vibe that is perfect driving music.