pg 4
Inhale, Exhale, Namaste pg 6
Think Before You Post: Facebook Blunders pg 20
The Switch Going From The
Frankenfood: The Mad Science Behind Your Food
pg 14
Bottom Up
I llustrators Matthew Heidreder Oscar Leon Edgar Ortez L ogo D esigners Lucy Myles Noe Ramirez Allan Vega
A dvisers Morgan Barnard Cindy Frye Suzanne Mapes
> ’12 C opy
editors Bryan Arrenguin Michelle Bond Tijera Butterfield Peter Clark Brian Combs Melissa Gonsalez Stephanie Gonsalez Jesus Hernandez Stephanie Hopson Shanae Hughes Jose Lopez Karen Ramirez Charles Reindorf Gladis Rivera Sheila Roark Jennifer Ruff Tasha Scott Carlisha Tipler Evelyn Velazquez Jackie Wall
D esigners
Lorena Alcala Gabriela Espinoza Ryan Flowers John Harris Rodrigo Lopez Ryan Lourenco Mars Eli Masiddo Lucy Myles Jose Palacios Amee Jay Papelera Noe Ramirez Raymond Shine Allan Vega
spring
6 12 18 24
Inhale, Exhale, Namaste
8
10
14
16
20
22 28
26
28
Sugar Baby Wanted
Jose Palacios
Ridevil, Dievil, Livevil
C over D esign
4
Feed Your Vanity
Oscar Leon
2
The Switch
A ssitant P roduction M anager
Frankenfood
Gabriela Espinoza
ents
From Pain to Promise
P roduction M anager
+
Lost In The Equation
Ivan Alejo Neilanie Besana Anthony Castro Sue Ellen Dent Daniela Donato Melina Erhard Craig Karli Judith P. Loniak Lucas Lundsberg Sanjin Malesevic Azaela Martinez John Policarpio Nate Toering Rachel Wright
Life After the Military
P hotographers
Alfredo Ramirez
Sip This!
W riters MIchelle Bond Tonia Ciancanelli Peter Clark Jesse “Liv”Crosby Melissa Gonzales Jesus Hernandez Shanae Hughes Marcy Bella Lopez Grace Orozco Gladis Rivera Sheila Roark Priscilla Ruedas Jennifer Ruff April Sanchez Monica Tafoya Kallayan Thuch Danielle Williams
A ssistant A rt D irector
table of cont
Judith P. Loniak
Think Before You Post
Tonia Ciancanelli
P hoto E ditor
Shoot the Duck in 4 steps
L ead C opy E ditor
A rt D irector Mars Eli Masiddo
Pin Up How To
Melissa Gonzales Jesus Hernandez
RAGE Against the Consoles
E ditors - in -C hief
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Pho
Sip This!
a m nzales e t S to il Local e elissa Go m lustr o S f ation f Bar ist a Le ts O y: M s by : N Stor y b ate Toering
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counter are all in good spirits as they converse with a customer who is sharing the story of the new diamond ring accentuating her left hand. As one barista notices another customer ready to order, moods change, laughter stops, smiles turn into straight faces and everyone is thinking, “Uh-oh, it’s that one lady.” Are you this lady? I am a barista. I make drinks, bag pastries, serve oatmeal and ring up complicated beverages somewhere you have most likely been. However, I also provide the exceptional customer service that makes you become what we call a regular; the many we remember by face, name and order. According to the National Coffee Association, coffee consumption in the United States is at the 8th highest level in the world. The average American drinks 3.1 cups of coffee a day. Whether your coffee brews in the comfort of your own home or you make a stop on your way to work, millions of people can’t go a day without it. You can find customer service statistics online. Some will tell you how many positive visits it takes a customer to make up for a negative one. Others will tell you how many people a dissatisfied customer is going to tell about his or her experience. A Customer Experience Report by Harris Interactive will tell you that even in a negative economy, 60 percent of consumers often or always will pay more for a better experience. What about statistics regarding the baristas’ efforts to satisfy their customers? That
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aristas behind the
statistic you are not likely to find. We have all heard this before, the customer is always right. What about us? We customize your drink: no whip, light foam, half a pump of this, light mocha drizzle, extra caramel, 185 degrees, extra ice, in a bigger cup, cream on the side, upside down, added shot and no, the list does not end there. To most it seems all that matters is what’s in the cup. I’ll admit, not every employee is perfect. We make mistakes and we will apologize for them and do whatever it takes to make sure you leave satisfied. But if you make our daily grind a nightmare, why should we go the extra mile for you? When I explain how angry some people make me, you wouldn’t believe how many times I have been told, “at least you have a job.” Although I am thankful I have a job, I could do without the customers who make me hate it. Do not get frustrated with me about rules and policies I have no control over, there is a corporate website for that. Do not be the face we dread seeing. Do not treat us like we’re stupid, we all know what we are doing. Be a customer we like to see, let us be the ones who make your negative morning a positive one. It isn’t rocket science. Next time you run into your local coffee shop or sit impatiently at the drive-thru, remember whom the experience couldn’t be possible without and appreciate it.
Graphic by: Matthew Heidbreder CITY /
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Inhale, Exhale...
Namasté
Free your mind, free your body, with free yoga on the bluff.
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of a few scattered trees, there is a bluff overlooking the ocean. On this bluff, a crowd perches upon a colorful cluster of mats. They move in sync from one position to another in steady, precise motions. As the group maneuvers into downward-facing dog pose, a car horn blows in recognition by a driver cruising down Ocean Boulevard. There is no response to this racket, for this assembly acknowledges only their collective breath and the calm of the gentle ocean breeze. A mass of individuals practicing yoga in the park at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue is a difficult sight to ignore. This daily gathering of yogis has grasped the attention of many Long Beach locals and observers throughout the years. What began as a simple way to give back to the community has become a substantial element of Long Beach culture. eneath the shade
Dharma Shakti had the realization years ago that many individuals possessed the desire to practice yoga; however, they could not afford a studio membership. As a result, Shakti began to offer her services instructing yoga as a gift to the community on the same bluff where classes are currently held. More than five years later, other instructors and a collection of passionate students have joined Shakti. Various instructors have donated their time and expertise to share the rejuvenating benefits of yoga. Free yoga classes are offered daily from 11 a.m. until noon on the bluff, as long as weather permits. “One aspect of yoga is to give without expecting anything in return,” said Lisa Nakhjiri, 26, an instructor on the bluff for nearly two years. “I started teaching shortly after I began practicing, it just came naturally to me,” Nakhjiri said about her accelerated start within the yoga community, as she pulled a short chestnut curl behind one ear. Practicing yoga has been known to increase flexibility, balance, strength and can reduce stress. Within this particular group of yogis exists a special understanding. “I love the energy that’s reciprocated everywhere,” Nakhjiri said, and then smiled. “It’s all about love, and happiness, and feeling good.” Students engaging in these priceless lessons appear to share the same enthusiasm for outdoor yoga as their instructors. After class, Lily Begler sat tall on her yoga mat wearing bright blue spandex and tucked her legs
“It’s all about love, and happiness, and feeling good.”—Lisa Nakhjiri, Photo by Neilanie Besana 4
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“I think yoga is meant to be done outside. I love to look over and see the ocean right in front of me.” —Lily Begler, LBCC student
neatly to her side. As Begler pressed her sunglasses to her face with one finger, she said, “I think yoga is meant to be done outside. I love to look over and see the ocean right in front of me. You can’t beat that, really.” Begler, 25, is enrolled in dance classes at Long Beach City College. Being a college and yoga student, Begler recognizes that free yoga lessons are beneficial for many individuals. “Having a donationbased system is amazing,” Begler said. “I think it allows people who normally wouldn’t be able to afford yoga classes more able to practice.” Apart from the free yoga classes on the bluff, Shakti runs a donation-based yoga studio on the corner of Broadway Street and Obispo Avenue. Trilogy Yoga opened in December 2009, and is Long Beach’s first yoga studio that operates entirely by donations. Many of the instructors who offer free yoga also teach classes at Trilogy studio. Students at Trilogy are not required to pay for individual classes or membership fees, though it is understood that their contributions are instrumental to keep the studio doors open. Stella Ida Fly, an instructor at Trilogy, teaches a yoga class that is accessible for all skill levels, or what she calls “fun yoga.” Working at a donationbased studio may come across as a difficult business to maintain; however, Fly said, “It is really liberating for everybody.” According to Fly, the instructors share the responsibility of paying rent with the generous
donations collected at the end of each class. Shakti has revolutionized the act of charity for every yoga-hungry individual in her neighborhood. As the class on the bluff concludes, the instructor requests the yogis lay on their backs with closed eyes. Some attendees shelter their bodies with blankets to absorb the complete effect of this unwinding meditation. Not a single sound is uttered among the congregation. The crowd hears nothing other than the serene humming of instruments and an occasional hushed chime of bells. In the wake of reflection, the flock rises to a seated position with legs comfortably crossed to respectively thank their instructor. The yogis resting on the bluff press their hands together at their heart center and bow as they peacefully breathe “Namasté.”
Story by Michelle Bond
“One aspect of yoga is to give without expecting anything in return,” —Lisa Nakhjiri, yoga instructor
yoga instructor CITY /
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Story by Kallayan Thuch Photo by Craig Karli
Social Media: Employers’ New Background Check
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of a mouse you’re signed into Facebook. While skimming through the newsfeed, a post that is entirely capitalized catches your attention. It reads, “MY BOSS IS A DICK. I CAN’T WAIT TO DITCH MCDONALD’S.” You chuckle to yourself about this friend’s boldness and mutter, “Bad idea.” The next day, you spin over to your computer in your chair, bag of popcorn in hand, and sign into Facebook with sadistic anticipation. There on your newsfeed, you find the same friend shouting, “McD’s fired me for my Facebook posts! This is an outrage!” The above scenario is fictional but not only an occurrence in fantasyland. Care2, a petition website, reports that Dr. June Talvite-Siple, a math and science supervisor at Cohasset High School, in Cohasset, Mass. was fired when she remarked on Facebook that the Cohasset residents are “arrogant and snobby” followed by “so not looking forward to another year at Cohasset schools.” Photos also are subjected to controversy. Ashley Payne, a teacher at Apalachee High School in Georgia, resigned in August 2009 when the school received complaints about her Facebook photo.
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t the click
The school contacted 24-year-old Payne about a photo of herself holding two glasses of what appeared to be alcohol during a trip to Europe, LexisNexis reported. Not even a vacation incident is safe from public scrutiny. Alex Nguyen, 23, a Riverside Community College student, said about employers firing employees over Facebook, “It’s a bit of a gray area but in the end there is a separation between your private life and work life that should be respected.” Kimlee Meas, vice president of alternative investments at Blue Fern Capital Group, said, “The amount of time spent on hiring and training an employee is quite high. Hiring a new employee is like an investment, something that is often overlooked
“It’s a bit of a gray area but in the end there is a separation between your private life and work life that should be respected.” — Alex Nguyen, Riverside Community College Student
by applicants. If someone is intelligent enough to leave their profile public, then they are in fair game territory.” She then added, “Overlooking character is a big no-no for any employer. In fact, I think character is much more important than education and almost as important as work experience. There should be no reason why an employer cannot use Facebook to screen their applicants.” It appears that employers would side with Meas. In a survey conducted by Career Builder CEO, Jennifer Grasz, 45 percent of employers used Facebook as a background check on employees in 2009. Her survey found a 22 percent increase from a Facebook survey in 2008. Logically, one can assume the numbers have risen in two years. Ryan Hunt, a representative of Grasz said, “We’re planning on doing a new update to this study during the spring to see if trends are changing.” In Grasz’s 2009 survey, the major reasons for trashing résumés were inappropriate photos and posts, postings about drinking, using drugs, and status updates talking badly about their past employer. Despite our lives becoming more public, people continue to thwart common sense and post content to sabotage their own reputations. There is no science or psychological explanation on why people doom their own future. Dr. Nancy Melucci, head of the psychology department at Long Beach City College, said, “I don’t think it has to do with personality. It’s a performance where people are unaware of the audience. They think their Facebook belongs only to themselves and forget how far their posts reach.” According to Melucci,
blunders
face Think Before You Post:
Your Facebook page can reveal what you may not want to share on your resume
“Facebook doesn’t have visual cues to remind people that they are not alone when posting their status. In person, other people are there and people will face consequences for what they say.” Although professionals, students, and teenagers continue to blissfully smash their reputations into a cheese grater, they may be saved. Engadget, a technology news website, reports that Arthur Amchan, an administrative law judge, issued a verdict stating that employees had the right to discuss their terms and conditions of employment as stated in the National Labor Relations Act. There may be a reason that Amchan’s ruling in favor of Facebook postings is the first to happen in a sea of stories where disgruntled employees fought their termination in vain. On Legal Lad, a podcast to give advice on matters of the law, Adam Freedman, a lawyer and New York Times columnist, explained that since employees can quit for any reason, employers have the right to fire people for any reason other than discrimination. Freedman responds to the common argument about First Amendment issues in favor of Facebook postings, saying that the “First Amendment prevents the government from restricting free expression; it does not apply to private employers.” There may be hope for people who want to lollygag on Facebook, but students should clean up their Facebooks anyway. Whatever is posted on the Internet stays there, and may haunt in the future. Approach Facebook like a politician. If there’s any content the public could maul you over, keep it off Facebook!
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FeedY Vanity
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Ayumi Kinugawa former LBCC student makes sure she’s never out of style.
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America, there are more shopping malls than high schools, more places to spend your money than places to acquire the education to make it. Nearly 47,000 malls consume the attention of college students everywhere. Mannequins dressed in the latest trends fill windows. Millions of mailboxes fill with catalogs from stores like Victoria’s Secret, JCREW, Vans and Urban Outfitters. Store promotions and discounts are sent via email and text. Many retailers are also offering easy-to-use phone applications. Designer advertisements spread across billboards. And all with one thing in mind—a shopper. Who said financial aid money had to be used for books and supplies? When the full-time college student routine overwhelms us or problems escalate with a significant other, why not turn to retail therapy? With
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Full closets, empty pockets. Story by Melissa Gonzales Photo by Anthony Castro
finvancial aid dispersing into MasterCard debit cards, giving in to temptation is easy. Shopping with the intention to improve moods is common. Jennifer Iglesias, 22, Long Beach City College health care administration major, likes to shop when she is bored or stressed. “It definitely makes me feel better,” she admitted. Iglesias likes to shop at Bakers, H&M and Foreign Exchange. “I do try to save my money,” Iglesias said, “but I’m working on it.” Ayumi Kinugawa, 26, who obtained her certificate in fashion at LBCC last year, could be called a shopping hoarder. A Nordstrom bag, postal boxes from online orders, and clothes pour out from her closet. A plastic shoe rack overflows with heels, flats and studded sneakers beyond its limit. When asked about her shopping habits, she laughed and said, “Just look in my room.” In addition to her shopping, Kinugawa has family in Japan who sends her a package of clothes and accessories every few weeks. Instead of paying parking tickets or dental work, she’ll say lines like, “Instead of using it for that, I can go use all that money for clothes or a new Marc Jacobs bag.” Arianna Cabral, 24, fashion
major at LBCC, won’t call herself a shopaholic, she simply says she loves to shop. She believes that in today’s tech savvy world, social media is creating more outlets for shopping like the ones she turns to. Interactive websites such as Pose, Polyvore and Lyst are social networks that connect fashionistas and shoppers everywhere. On Lyst, lists are created of favored items and notifications are sent via email when the shelves of their local retailers or boutiques will be carrying them. On Polyvore, shoppers can check out scrapbook like pages filled with sample outfits and colors for the season. Virtual shopping is attracting more credit cards as well as spreading the word on style. “Almost all retailers have a social media presence and they are constantly feeding and shoving products and information to the consumers through different social media vehicles available,” Cabral says. Fashion blogging has become very popular; retailers have started sending top fashion bloggers their items after how much traffic the blog receives. It’s a new way of advertising. Cabral says, “It’s now no secret of how influential these bloggers are and how this is changing the way consumers shop and the ways companies are now marketing and targeting their consumers. It’s a huge movement.” Perhaps the most socially reinforced of behavioral addictions is compulsive shopping;
explained. She added that most students that obtain credit cards do not make good use of them. The consultant agency has also appointed Eileen Chow to be an on-site financial counselor at California State University Long Beach, at request of the school due to many overspending students in need. Shopping isn’t just a girl thing. Research says men and women shop equally. Armando Covarrubias, 25, fashion merchandising major at LBCC, would rather have a new pair of shoes than food in his refrigerator. He also looks at his shopping habits as “contributing to the economy staying afloat.” He averages his spending to $3,000 a semester. Covarrubias wears designer sunglasses, carries schoolwork in a Dooney & Bourke tote and is always in style. He plans shopping trips once a week after payday. A mall is carefully chosen as well as every store and every purchase he - Sarah Navarro, consultant at Consumer plans to make. Every Credit Counseling Agencies in Orange County shopping trip doesn’t go without a map that omniomania. The condition has been known since guides his wallet and wants. A manager at Sears, the early 1900s and has now begun to reach its peak. Covarrubias said he makes enough for rent and According to About.com, Compulsive Shopping his phone bill, the only two bills to his name. The Basics, 6 percent of the U.S. population is thought remainder goes to feeding his vanity first, his hunger to have a shopping addiction. It is said that financial second. issues are popular among breakups, depression and Compulsive Shopping Basics research anxiety. Many shoppers don’t take the addiction indicates that three-fourths of compulsive shoppers seriously; many don’t even know it has a name. are willing to admit their shopping is problematic. Sarah Navarro, consultant at Consumer Karla Pantoja, 20, communications major at Monterey Credit Counseling Agencies in Orange County said Peninsula College, feels the guilt after some purchases. that many college debtors she comes across admit “At times I even leave bags inside my car.” Pantoja to poor choices and excessive spending. “They don’t laughs. “I don’t want my mom to see I am shopping understand the want aspect versus the need,” Navarro again.”
“They don’t understand the want aspect versus the need.”
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Sugar Baby Wanted :
Sugar babies: g A man’s sweet tooth cravin
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OTHING COMES FREE. Not love or happiness, books, cars, or clothes. Not homes, tuition, vacations, or anything in between. Or does it? For women who live the barely legal, borderline prostitution, sugar baby lifestyle, everything that appears “free,” still comes with a price. Stacy Lafferty fell into the sugar baby lifestyle when her boss terminated her after only a month. “He said he didn’t need an office assistant anymore, but he could use a different type of ‘ASS-istant.’” The curvy 22-year-old Fullerton College student averted her marble-green eyes, and her porcelain complexion
and another man left $600 on her kitchen counter after she watched a movie with him. “The only time I considered having sex for money was actually with a friend.” Lafferty added reluctantly, that his “uncircumcised dick” sealed the no-sex deal.
“daddy” may be home, she explained the obstacles she is battling with her former self. Growing up as an only child to a well-off mother, Jones was accustomed to traveling the world in designer clothes, but she was not able to maintain that lifestyle living on her own as a college student.
Aspiring model and Long Beach City College student, Jessica Jones, who lives in her sugar daddy’s Palos Verdes mansion, explains how she is living an unfamiliar life. “I’ve always worked full time, and to not have to anymore is unheard of,” the Cuban native said. Jones sat back and threw her legs over the arm of the
With the cost of tuition, textbooks and rent, there barely was any income left for fun. When she met her “daddy” in 2010, she realized she could rekindle the luxurious lifestyle she once knew. “He thinks we’re dating,” Jones said about her relationship. “But I told him I want to take things slow so, we’re not –Scott having sex,” she added,
chestnut colored, cowhide sofa along side a bay window. She recalled the bare walls, coffeestained carpet, and motor home-sized appliances that –Stacy Lafferty, Fullerton College student made up the studio residue off his dinner plates, soak shot glasses still apartment she had shared with her cousin. sticky from Jameson, dust his porn collection, and “I’m a 21-year-old college student without a empty ashtrays while dressed in revealing lingerie he job and I’m wearing $300 sunglasses that I got while on purchased. Lafferty said she repeatedly told herself, an all-expenses-paid trip to New York. It doesn’t make “It’s almost over. It’s almost over. It’s almost over.” sense,” she said, while waving the Dior sunglasses in Lafferty’s escapades continued as she met her hand. other men. A married attorney She sprung to her feet mid-sentence. “I also paid her $100 for every line of got these in New York!” she added with an excited cocaine he did off her breast, a whisper, pointing to the Christian Louboutin heels single dad paid her credit card that elongated her already sky-high legs. Louboutin bills for pretending to be his shoes typically sell for $600- $1,800. As she shut the bedroom door in fear that her girlfriend at dinner parties,
flushed as she recalled that day. As a broke college student with rent almost due, she agreed to clean his condo for $500. He watched her rinse the cocaine
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“He said he didn’t need an office assistant anymore, but he could use a different type of ‘ASS-istant.’”
y First Cla r u x ss Ticket to Lu a professional escort. Romano admitted he receives the “ultimate girlfriend experience” through writing rent and tuition checks, but the basis of his relationships is not money for sex. “For that moment before anything physical, my goal is for them to feel as close to being loved as possible. She has my undivided attention. I want her to experience a sense of total comfort for who she is as a person,” he said. “Often, I do not have sex with her. The emotional intimacy we achieve is a greater feeling and emotional kick than sex itself.” Angie Andrus, a sociology Romano, Sugar Daddy professor at Fullerton College for 17 years, said that sugar relationships are “obviously an unhealthy exchange,” adding that it’s a form of prostitution and not a standard route for getting things. Andrus said the behaviors for both the sugar babies and sugar daddies may have begun in their youth, with parents constantly buying their children’s love. Whether you fall into the sugar baby lifestyle as a survival strategy or to experience a life of luxury, everything has a price. What’s your price?
“Often, I do not have sex with her. The emotional intimacy we achieve is a greater feeling and emotional kick than sex itself.”
pulling her long, dark locks into a snug ponytail, revealing her enhanced bust and toned back. With good looks and an open mind, life’s essentials such as rent, textbooks and tuition are paid for. The material benefits of being someone’s sugar baby are obvious, but if sex is not required, then what are the advantages for the sugar daddy? Scott Romano said he looks for the Bambi experience. “Young and attractive women in a bit of distress. They are usually vulnerable, financially speaking, because of school or a similar commitment.” He further describes his ideal woman as someone under 25 years old, who does not do drugs, and is not
Story by Tonia Ciancanelli Illustrations by Gabriela Espinoza
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S h o o t the D u c k in Ju s t Fo u r St e p s
Le arn a ne w trick that will turn he ads
STEP #1 - To begin shooting the duck catch speed skating forward by pushing side to side, find your balance, and scope out your area and surroundings.
STEP #2
Story by Liv Crosby Photo by Jesus Hernandez and Lucas Lundsberg Illustrations by Gabriela Espinoza
I
N THE HEART of Long Beach there’s
streets of Long Beach and teaching addicting tricks
a tiny shop, on a tiny corner, full of big
that could lead the most cautious person to risk life
hearts. Moxi Skate shop opened in 2007, by an East
and limb for the thrill of surfing the tar or the classic
Coast native with a passion for skates and the drive to
“shoot the duck.”
STEP #2
spread her interest in the sport.
Michelle Steilan, better known as Estro Jen,
set up shop and has been taking on the city little by little. She founded a roller derby league and marketed a personally designed line of skates worn by local lifestyle skaters and talk-show host Wendy Williams.
While manning the business, being the face of
Long Beach Roller Derby, and a devoted coach, Steilan still finds time to sit down with regular gals skating the
What you’ll need:
- Once you believe you have reached a comfortable speed, put your weight in your thighs, tighten your calve muscles, squatt down and tuck your bottom behind your ankles and lean forward.
Roller skates Guards for knees, elbows, and wrists Helmet Knee-high socks Comfortable clothes
STEP #3 - Moving forward, maintain your balance as you wrap your hands around the front of your skates and grip your toe stoppers. In the next breath, lift and straighten the knee of the leg you feel comfortable holding and ride the other leg.
4
STEP #4 - After you are done shooting the duck, tuck your gun leg [the one you lifted and held straight] in and re-establish your balance. Once maintained, return to skating standing up and enjoy the “oohs” and “aahs” from the surrounding pedestrians.
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Going From the Bottom Up
The Switch Story by April Sanchez
photo by Sanjin Malesevic
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down to my panties and placed me on all fours facing the window at the dazzling metropolis below. He grabbed my hair and pushed my face down into the carpet. In the rhythm of his paddle, the crack of whips, screams, cries, and the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack, I lost myself. The next time I lifted my face to peer out the window, it was morning. This was my first play party. Fifteen stories above the city, in a well–lit Hollywood skyscraper, masters, or tops, lounged on sofas, rubbed elbows and laughed over successes or failed attempts at kink mischief. The slaves, or bottoms, were in the kitchen, fixing drinks, making snacks, and giggling over battle scars. Most of the people I met had a cracking sense of humor about their activities and lifestyle, including my first master. Transitioning from a self– centered, industrial club kid to a consensual slave seemed natural to me. The clubs I frequented in my late teens and early 20s usually featured bondage–discipline, dominant-submissive, sadism– masochism (BDSM), performances and themes. Eventually, I got curious. There seemed to be a common understanding among the members of the BDSM community that where there is pain there is honesty, and where there is honesty there is courage. Through BDSM, I learned how to be part of a community and how to be vulnerable. As a commitment to my master, I submitted myself only to him and wore a 2–pound eternity collar. It was a solid steel hoop e stripped me
with a hex key connection that only my master was supposed to open or close. We loved pushing the limits of tradition, such as mixing sex with our bondage, often with other females of his choice. Unfortunately, we also combined drugs and alcohol with our “play.” This was one of the few taboos that the BDSM community strongly frowned upon. Over time our relationship started to break down. I disagreed with many of the decisions he made, but felt obligated to follow. The structure that was once a source of safety and comfort began to make me resentful and restless. It was during this time that I was invited to a themed party called The End of the World. While I knew a few members from the BDSM community would be there, this event was hosted by a separate group of polyamorist artists at a private residence. Polyamory is a distinct culture that encourages creativity, intimacy, respect, multiple partners, and, unlike many BDSM relationships, equivalent sexual freedom. My master and his other slave were not invited to attend this event with me. When I arrived at the party, I was taken aback by how warm and friendly everyone was. Everywhere I looked were platters of ripe fruit, cheeses, nuts and quality liquors. Beautiful people I never had met smiled at me, hugged me, and greeted me like I was an old friend. Though there were no set rules, one of the guiding principals was if I wanted something, just ask. The hosts and other coordinators were happy to be of service and
address my concerns. I had found a new home. I was standing naked on the patio with a glass of champagne, gazing up at the bright moonlit sky, when a chill crept over me. My heart pounded and dropped into my stomach. To form a new beginning, I knew I had to leave something behind. Instinctively, I tugged at my collar. Taking off my collar would be like giving back a wedding ring. It meant recognizing that the relationship I had put so much effort, sweat and tears into, wasn’t making me happy any longer. I didn’t mind being lead by my master, but the time had come for me to admit that I was being lead nowhere. I had no idea where to begin, except to have another drink. Confused and frightened, I did the only thing I could think of. I asked for help. As it turned out, a gorgeous firefighter I had been connecting with earlier that evening had a truck filled with tools. He fitted the screw on my collar with a small Allen wrench and told me I could remove it whenever I wanted. I was terrified and began to sob. Everyone gathered around. Kind faces beamed at me with such love and support. They gave me the courage to do what I could not have done on my own—reclaim my freedom. While everyone slept, I spent the rest of the early morning in a mute stupor; hanging up discarded panties, taking out the
trash, and cleaning up empty bottles, glasses and plates. Silently, I prepared my final goodbye to my master the following day. We parted on good terms. I learned a great deal from the friends I had made. They showed me what healthy, happy, open relationships were like, and
To form a new beginning, I knew I had to leave something behind. Instinctively, I tugged at my collar. gave me the fundamentals I needed to pursue one of my own. Not long after the party, I met my current boyfriend, Christopher, at a burlesque BDSM nightclub. Chris is a switch, someone who enjoys being both dominant and submissive. With his encouragement I began exploring a different part of myself—dominance. Being a former slave had made becoming a top easier. I got to play the same kinky tricks on him that were often played on me, and my love for rope bondage was completely transformed. Through the BDSM and polyamorist communities I learned the importance of connection. People need to feel like they belong, regardless of who they are. Opportunities for approval and acceptance are everywhere.
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Livevil c S Ridevil Dievil a
tyle.
Story BY: Liv Crosby Photos BY: Lucas Lundsberg
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Livevil , FA M I LY W CREW AS
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n the summer of 2010, three high school boys decided they didn’t want to be lost anymore, and decided to put their heads and lunch money together to kick start one of the biggest trend waves Long Beach possibly has ever seen. With the optimistic attitude of “why not us,” conditional loans from supportive, yet hesitant parents, and connections through an underground dunk exchange, the boys were set for glory.
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-Kevin Torres, Livevil co-founder
HA
LL
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LIVEVIL IS MORE THAN A SKATE BRAND, IT’S A FAMILY, BUILT BY FAMILY, FOR FAMILY.
Kevin Torres, co-founder and creative director, explains his meaning of the crew as, “A place to go, people to know, a family to be part of.” As he pointed to the racks of clothes with the bold Livevil printed across the chest, he said, “Anyone who slaps up our stickers, sport the threads around town, that’s Livevil family. We’d be nothing without them.” Livevil is more than a skate brand; it’s a family, built by family, for family. “I believe in my friends and their talents, we all want to help one another.” A member of that family, Edwin Noriv, said he thinks of Livevil as something that keeps them together and believes the name speaks for itself. Noriv met the lords of Livevil at a local skate park and they quickly decided that Noriv would be fit for the crew. “It’s our job to rise up and keep the ball rolling,” Noriv said about the duties of being a skate member. With a five-person payroll and about 30 full-time goons, there’s no room for horseplay on the Livevil agenda. These young men are giving the scene a run for its money, covering the town with promotional stickers, and finding their apparel in the closets of young teens to the college campus, to the skatepark.
Ridevil
CI T Y O F N EA R LY IN A
The 18-year-old businessmen had the idea to take what already had been done and do it better. They created a lifestyle skating brand that entails custom designed shirts, baseball tees, sweaters, jackets, flannels, beanies, hats, stickers and lighters. The Livevil brand went from being cashed out from the trunk of a car, to being sold in stores throughout Southern California, and now shipped worldwide, all due to the underestimated power of word-of-mouth.
Dievil
reating
Christian Ruiz is Livevil’s people in the “have my people call your people” sense. In the middle of a busy coffee house, Ruiz unleashed the tales of sophomore year that involved more business ideas between Ruiz and Torres than their chemistry class entailed. From Los Angeles, Calif. to Brooklyn, N.Y., Ruiz has led Livevil in the right direction, which has given it the opportunity to sponsor artists such as Casey Veggies and Noah Vinson. “It all started with a message through Facebook,” Ruiz said. “Now I find places for Livevil to be, to grow, to be seen.” The meaning of the brand to Ruiz is “a movement,” he said. “Involvement among teenagers, an inspiration to show it can be done.” Ruiz is not only active as a member of the crew, but also a student at Long Beach City College.
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I believe in my friends and their talents, we all want to help one another
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-Kevin Torres, Livevil co-founder
Three masterminds with the intellectual ability and drive to break the stereotype of the apathetic minimalist teen have been rewarded with success and recognition in Long Beach and beyond. They live, they ride, they die, and they do it all evil.
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How-to:
pin-up Story by Jennifer Ruff Photos by Rachel Wright
scan this on your smart phone to watch the “How to Pin-Up” video
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classy, yet sexy way to express yourself. It is a way to improve your self-esteem, dress for a special occasion, find a new look or to commemorate your cute self through a photo shoot. Pin-up art began in the 1930s with George Petty IV and his “Petty Girl” illustrations. His artwork appeared in Esquire magazine but was replaced in the 1940s by the “Vargas girl. ” In 1960 Alberto Vargas was hired by Playboy to paint foldout nudes. During World War II, Petty and Vargas’s artwork influenced military artists. The most famous example, the Memphis Belle, was a B-17 Flying Fortress that had a Petty girl talking on a phone on the front nose tip of the warplane. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Gil Elvgren painted an “Elvgren Girl” dressed in
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in-up is a creative,
an officer’s uniform. In the 1942 issue of Good Housekeeping the caption read, “She knows what freedom really means.” His artwork that was also printed into portable calendars gave hope to American soldiers in the Korean War. The ‘50s and ‘60s were the most productive decades for pin-up illustrations, which were commercialized into prints, editorials, calendars, centerfolds, books, magazine covers and advertising. This how-to will give you various ways you can dress up like a 1940s to 1950s pin-up model.
Materials: - For makeup you will need foundation, a neutral or charcoal eyeshadow, black eyeliner, mascara, pink blush, red lip liner, red lipstick, an eyebrow brush, and a blush brush. - For hair you will need a curling iron or one-inch cold hair rollers, approximately 20 bobby pins, setting gel and hairspray. - To complete the authentic look, vintage or vintage replica 1940s to 1950s apparel is recommended.
For makeup:
For hair:
1 . Pin your hair up and wash your face for a clean palette. 2. Apply your choice of liquid or powder foundation. 3. Use a neutral eyeshadow on your eyelids as a base; you want the color to be a few shades lighter than your skin tone. 4. Use black eyeliner to thinly line the top of your eyelids. Extend the line to the outer crease of your eye, angling upward for a winged-tip look. 5. Use black mascara to make your eyelashes look fuller. You can add fake eyelashes at this point if you wish, but remember to blend them with your own lashes by using mascara. Touch up with eyeliner. 6. Clean up the shape of your eyebrows by plucking any stray hairs. Fill them in by using an eyebrow brush and create an arch on top of your brow for effect. MAC’s eyeshadow Coquette, a neutral dark brown that matches perfectly with most hair colors and skin tones is recommended. 7. Use a bright pink blush and apply it to the apple of your cheeks with a soft blush brush. You can easily find where this is by smiling softly; it is the height of your cheekbones. Follow the contour of your cheeks— you want to focus on applying the blush in a circular motion to get this effect. 8. Use lip liner on your natural lip line to shape your lips. This allows your lipstick to blend in better. To make your lips appear fuller, use MAC’s Cherry Red lip pencil to enhance the natural contours. 9. Finish by applying the perfect shade of red lipstick for your skin tone.
Aim for large, full curls as opposed to tight, bouncy curls. If you’re using a curling iron: 1. Warm up the curling iron. 2. Take a one-inch wide section of dry hair, wrap it around your curling iron and hold it for 7 to 15 seconds depending on how your hair responds to the heat. 3. Keep curling your hair until all of it is done. 4. Spray your hair with hairspray so the curls last longer. If you’re using hair rollers: 1. Use one-inch cold rollers to get large, deep curls. Divide your dry hair into one-inch sections as well. 2. Similarly, take a one-inch portion of hair and wrap it around a roller, making sure your hair is tight and even. For hard-to-curl hair, apply gel before setting the rollers. 3. Secure the rollers by using bobby pins. 4. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, and remove one roller from your hair. If it isn’t curly enough, roll it back up and wait 10 more minutes. Once you’re ready, remove all the bobby pins and unroll hair. 5. Style the curls by using your fingers to separate them. Finish with hairspray. For the pin-up pompadour style: 1. Take your bangs and curl them up and back toward your scalp, holding the end of your bangs between your index and middle finger. 2. Pin the end of your bangs with a bobby pin and use hairspray quickly so it will hold.
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Frankenfood: The Mad Science Behind Your Food If we are what we eat, what will we look like in the future?
Story by: April Sanchez Photo by: Melina Erhard -What is genetic engineering?
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Today, many common fruits and vegetables are genetically modified.
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enetic
engineering
is when scientists take genes from one organism and directly transplant them into a completely different species. While humans have been playing with genes through selective breeding in plants and animals for centuries, genetic engineering is different in that it combines DNA that would not normally be compatible in nature, such as plants with fish or humans with pigs. Proponents of genetically modified (GM) foods assert that this new technology will improve product quality, quantity and help sustain crops in poor weather. Biotechnology can create crops that are resistant to certain diseases or herbicides, as well as control pests through the production of proteins that are toxic to insects.
Some of the most common GM crops today are corn, canola, soy, cotton, tomatoes, papaya, flax, sugar cane and rice. In August 1992, the Food and Drug Administration approved GM foods safe for human consumption and announced that it was “...not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way, or that, as a class, foods developed by the new techniques present any different or greater safety concern than foods developed by traditional plant breeding.” The FDA regulates GM foods in the same manner as those derived from more traditional methods and since they are not “significantly different” they do not require a label. One of the largest producers of GM crops and seeds is Monsanto Company. In addition, it is the creator of the pesticide Roundup, which also is sold under the generic name glyphosate. When contacted for an interview, all inquiries were referred to their official website. On the issue of safety their website states “All of these crops have been assessed for food and feed safety in producing countries, and many more countries have approved the import of food or food ingredients that contain GM products. Hundreds of millions of meals containing food from GM crops have been consumed. There has not been a single substantiated instance of illness or harm associated with GM crops.” Sounds great! So what’s the big deal? Many groups, such as those at The Pew Charitable Trusts, question the method in which the FDA has chosen to regulate this budding technology. According to the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology: Guide to U.S. Regulation of Genetically
Modified Food and Agricultural Biotechnology Products report, “It is important to note, however, that under the voluntary consultation process the manufacturer, not the FDA, makes the determination of safety; therefore, the burden of proof regarding safety remains with the manufacturer.” This leads many researchers to question the reliability of these studies due to conflicting interests. Despite the FDA’s stamp of approval, there are those who express concern over the safety of GM products. In the article Frankenfish by Gretchen Voss from Women’s Health Magazine’s September 2011 issue, it states, “Inserting a gene into a plant’s genome is a random and haphazard process that allows no control over where the gene actually ends up in the plant’s otherwise carefully constructed DNA. Insertions can show up inside other genes, can delete natural genes or permanently turn
“Many argue that genetically modified foods are safe, but we just don’t know.” -Jennifer Miyagawa, MS RD, instructor, Food and Nutrition Department, LBCC
them on or off, and can cause significant mutations near the insertion site. For instance, one study found that a gene known to be a corn allergen was turned on in GM corn, though it was turned off in its conventional parent.” Jennifer Miyagawa, MS RD, an instructor in the Food and Nutrition Department at Long Beach City College, echoes the same cautious sentiment. “Many argue that genetically modified foods are safe, but we just don’t know. Could
genes from food make their way into your own DNA that might result in toxicities?” Miyagawa insisted that better methods of testing are needed before we can completely verify the safety of GM products. Alison Mochizuki, a public relations contact for Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocery store, stated in an email, “Our efforts began in 2001, when we determined that, given a choice, our customers would prefer to eat foods and beverages made without the use of genetically engineered ingredients.” According to the website Supermarket News, as of Aug. 30, 2011, Trader Joe’s grossed an estimated $8 billion, up from $6.5 billion in 2007, which may be due in part to a growing trend in consumer demand for non-GM foods. However, since GM labeling is not mandatory, avoiding GM foods can be tricky. GM products are in a wide variety of foods including baby formula, vegetarian burger patties, cereal, soda, juice, canned foods, frozen foods, candy, snack foods, soups, grains, pastas, condiments, pancake mix, cake mix, and other baked goods. Only foods labeled organic are required to be free of GM ingredients. In a survey of 35 LBCC students and staff, 33 thought it was important to label products containing GM ingredients. When asked why they believed this, most stated that consumers should have a right to know what’s in their food. Does anyone really know what’s on their plate?
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"Are you having trouble with math?" Maybe you have dyscalculia"
A student with dyscalculia struggles to understand math equations.
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Photo by: Azalea Martinez
a student stared blankly at the chalkboard as his math professor wrote a problem. The professor sounded as if he was speaking a foreign language. The student glanced at his classmates to see who was lost, but the rest of the class was completely engrossed in the lesson. His pulse began to quicken and he broke into a cold sweat as his professor called students up to the board to solve problems. This was his third time taking the class. If he didn’t pass he wouldn’t be able to earn his degree. He tried the help available to him, but formulas and equations still fluttered inside of his mind. As he watched students go to the board, he glanced at the clock; he had dyscalculia and the numbers on the clock could have been written in the same confusing language the teacher spoke as he taught the class. Math dyscalculia also is known as math dyslexia. It is a disorder where students have trouble remembering mathematical functions. They struggle to remember steps to equations and they mix up positive and negative signs. In the book, “Dyslexia” by Paula Wiltshire, she compares differences between dyslexia and dyscalculia. “Some people who have no difficulty with understanding words, sounds and letters do have problems with math. This condition is known as dyscalculia. Not much is known about dyscalculia, but it is thought to affect the way people understand simple numbers and mathematical concepts in
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rom his desk,
the same way that dyslexia affects the way some people understand sounds and letters.” Some have severe dyscalculia. They can’t read time on analog clocks and have trouble reading maps. Some have no concept of time. They can’t comprehend how long five years, five months, or five minutes may be, which is responsible for constantly making them late. People with dyscalculia have average to above average intelligence. Most are good writers, have great imaginations, and see the whole picture of a situation. Dyscalculia even affects the most successful people. People who suffer or have suffered from dyscalculia include Cher, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Benjamin Franklin and Mary Tyler Moore. Most people are unaware they have it and claim they have a phobia. Dyscalculia is not a phobia, it is listed as a disorder on the International Classification of Diseases 10th edition’s website. Dyscalculia isn’t discussed in math classes. Alicia Navas, a Long Beach City College student said, “As far back as fourth grade I knew I had it, it’s been tough.” Navas is transferring to California State University Long Beach in fall 2012. She’s failed beginning algebra three times. Knowing something must change, she went to Disabled Student Services for help. Navas’s curriculum has been modified to make transferring easier. She also is taking advantage of the Stephen Benson Learning Disability Program at CSULB. This program will require less math classes and more critical thinking classes to earn a degree. More information is
available in the DSPS office at LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus. After attending an orientation, students can make an appointment with a DSPS counselor and schedule a Learning Disability (LD) screening. Dan Hansch, LD specialist at LBCC said, “The LD screening is for DSPS to determine if a student is eligible to receive our services. The program can modify a student’s curriculum to help them earn their degree. We also work closely with the Stephen Benson Program at CSULB. CSULB is good at working with us to help students reach their full potential.” However, before students realize they have dyscalculia, many receive extra tutoring from LBCC’s math centers and the Learning Resource centers at both, the Pacific Coast Campus and the LAC. Ladera Barbee, math instructional specialist at the LAC’s math center said, “The tutoring at the center is not specific to helping students with dyscalculia. The student has to be able to self-identify and let us know they have a problem. Then we try to accommodate students
based on their own academic needs.” In the Learning Resource Center, Warren, a tutor who declined to give his last name said, “The tutors aren’t trained specifically to deal with learning disabilities. We are given tips on how to teach students differently. But all the tutors in the center are students themselves and don’t have a degree in psychology.” Most students with dyscalculia take math three or four times. Get tested early if you believe you have dyscalculia so you don’t have to repeat any courses. Financial aid has announced a new policy that will unintentionally discriminate against students with learning disabilities. The policy states students will no longer receive aid after failing a class three times. As Navas shuffled through mathematic concept cards she stressed, “People need to be self-aware. If you think you have a disability you must be your own advocate.”
"If you think you have a disabillity you must be your own advocate." — Alicia Navas, LBCC — student CITY /
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RAGE against the consoles Dafuq did i just read?
Pissed Off Peter on PC Gaming Story by: Peter Clark Graphic by: Matthew Heidbreder lood has been shed. My blood. My money. The gaming industry bleeds me dry every year. It garnishes my funds on wasted efforts of games it tries to push on me. The industry wastes its money on crappy games that it ports from a console to the PC, and in turn I waste my money believing that it isn’t a port. Money is the blood that courses through the gaming industry. The gaming industry wants and needs money, but it wasn’t always this way. In 1990, game developers made games to advance the industry instead of making games to generate income. These were the glory days of gaming; I could sit down as a kid and play the games that developers put their heart and soul into. Game developers wanted to show this to the world by releasing shareware versions of the game. Shareware games were my love. The shareware version included a full quarter or a third of the game for free, with the option to pay for the remainder. Released in 1993, DOOM, developed by esteemed id software at the time, revolutionized gaming and the way they were distributed.
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DOOM was one of the original, first-personshooters. It also released the entire first episode of the game, which was 9 full-length levels, for free. I played this shareware non-stop, and loved every minute of it. You could play it for as long and as often as you wanted. The shareware version is still available to play today, and I still do. Today things are completely different. Now, you are given a short demo, containing a level, maybe two if you’re lucky. Sometimes the demo is timed. Seriously, why the hell time a demo? As if there aren’t already enough limitations. Sometimes the demo pops up and asks you to buy the game right away. This is rather annoying, as I haven’t even played the damn game yet. Demos also cannot work after a certain time. For instance, if a demo is leaked before the release, it will screw you over and not allow you to play the demo after the game comes out. Infuriating! However, demos are just the beginning for the downw ard trend of the gaming industry. Today, game developers spend a lot of their time creating games for the console. Why? Why the hell do you think? If the title is not PC exclusive, which is hard to come by these days, then developers will do anything and everything they can to develop the game first for the console, then for the PC. This is called a PC port, and they do this to generate income choosing the more popular platform. What’s worse, sometimes
“Games should be developed on the best-of-the-best, and then ported to inferior machines, not the other way around!”
these games are sequels to games originally developed on the PC in their first incarnation. A game such as RAGE, released in 2011, while not a sequel, the game developer was id. If you recall, id developed the wonderful DOOM, at the time a PC exclusive title. RAGE was developed first for the Xbox 360, and PS3, and lastly, for the PC. The game developer has exclusively developed for the PC in the past, and now they kick us in the pants and make it cross-platform. While the game was made for PC as well, it could have been a lot better. A question may arise here—what makes a “PC port” such a bad thing? Well I’ll answer that for you. Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are running on 5-year-old technology. The PC, however, has the latest and greatest technology. Every day new technology is released for the PC. Every day, however, the Xbox 360, and the PS3 remain the same. A statement released by John Carmack, lead designer for id software in regards to a PC gamer outcry over RAGE said, “We do not see the PC as the leading platform for games.” This is appalling, he later said. “That statement will enrage some people.” You’re god damn right it angers me, but I’ll let him continue, “…but it is hard to characterize it otherwise; both console versions will have larger audiences than the PC version.” Okay while this may be true, you are eluding to the fact that you want to make more money.
Of course, there could be a silver lining here that they want more people to play the game, but I highly doubt that. Carmack went on to say; “Nowadays most of the quality of a game comes from the development effort put into it, and not the technology it runs on. A game built with a tenth the resources on a platform 10 times as powerful would be an inferior product in almost all cases.” I’m sorry, no. While I kind of agree, if you are so worried about the technology it runs on then develop it for the PC first, then port it to the consoles like the way it should be. You made the worst decision of your life, John Carmack. When a long-time PC game developer, who developed one of the most influential games of all time on the PC, comes and says that the PC platform is not the dominant platform, it makes me taste the bile in the back of my throat just a little. I am sick and tired of these stupid games ported to my PC! I want more console ports. Games should be developed on the best-of-the-best, and then ported to inferior machines, not the other way around! If you develop a game on the PC, then make it for the PC. Developers just want money, and it is rather annoying that the PC gamers get the harsh end of it.
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Pain to Promise From
A son’s commitment to make a difference. Story by: Grace Orozco Photos by: Daniela Donato
We Love You Mommy helps in the fight against Breast Cancer.
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REAST CANCER IS a killer. It doesn’t discriminate, it doesn’t matter what your ethnicity, religious beliefs, or socioeconomic status may be. It is random. One out of eight women in 2012 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. It strikes 1.3 million people every year, and the exact cost can only be estimated. With numerous cancer awareness charities throughout the country working to raise money for research, locally, former Long Beach City College student and business major Julian Courtney, 25, and his team at the We Love You Mommy Foundation, are determined to do more. Using Courtney Courtney’s two-bedroom apartment as their main office, he and close friends Matthew Arana, 23, William Alo, 25, and Sean Adriano, 20, have spent the last year and a half
working tirelessly with the Long Beach community, spreading their belief that “you can’t save lives only in October. Cancer is 365.”
How did the initial idea of starting a charity begin? Julian: We Love You Mommy was started out of desperation, determination and pain. I was sitting right here when my mom called me and she was telling me the prices of everything and I was just like ‘Damn, I’ve never even seen that much money.’ She said, ‘I know you can do it, I believe you can do it.’ You could hear the pain and desperation Julian in her voice. I couldn’t even get a loan because my credit was bad and I thought, what can I do? Then I thought, I have to sell something to raise money. What’s popular? Wristbands!
“We Love You Mommy was started out of desperation, determination and pain.”-
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Was it hard getting it going? Julian: It took off faster then I thought it would. Me and my mom talked about running it together as a nonprofit for when she would get better. It was a real epic moment, and that was my plan to run it with her, but she passed away. She was diagnosed in late October 2010 and passed away May 31, 2011.
What was the next step for you and the organization?
Julian: It was at that point I just realized you got two options: you can either crumble and fold and let everything go…and I was on that path, you know, self-destructive. I needed to numb that pain; I didn’t even want to think about it. And I did that. And it was either that road or be productive and be the man she wanted me to be. I can honestly say WLYM has kept me sane, gave me composure, patience and determination.
to unreserved areas and being on the frontline: self-examination, mammograms on a regular basis, that’s what we believe the cure is for breast cancer. That’s what our focus is, and that’s what I feel separates us from the rest. They take care of the research and we take care of the people.
Tell me about the support you’ve received from the community.
How many people do Julian: So far we’ve had great you have working on the support and not just from institutions but just from people foundation? Julian: Officially it’s me, Matt and William but we have this guy, his name is Sean Adriano, and he’s our photographer, our mechanic, he designed our business cards… Matt: If you teach him [Adriano] how to do something, he’ll do it. Julian: With his [Adriano’s] dedication, his heart, his will and all of his talents you’ll definitely be seeing more of him. He’s shot some videos and he always wants coverage of whatever we do at WLYM and it’s great. He’s a great guy and a great asset.
who want to be involved. And that’s one of the biggest accomplishments, for someone to notice us. Also, Nate Robinson, an NBA player, tweeted about us and said ‘support this cause.’ That’s a great accomplishment and great feedback. Everything that we’re trying to do right now, the public has supported. Giving us feedback on the website and things like that. Just telling us to keep going.
We’re looking into other options because we want it huge.
What keeps you guys going? Julian: There’s a lady that sticks out in my head. She walked up to me and took one look at our banner and broke down crying. She had just lost her best friend to breast cancer the week before. I told her about my mom and she was touched and really supportive of what we were doing. That moment right there solidified in my life, in my eyes, in my heart, that I’ve got to keep going. To see that type of support and commitment
“There’s a lady that sticks out in my head. She walked up to me and took one look at our banner and broke down crying.”-
Julian Courtney
from her, I was like, ‘Man I’ve got to keep going and be better.’
How does WLYM differ Tell me about the first from other breast cancer annual event planned for organizations? Summer 2012 called “Push For A Cure.” Julian: I’m frustrated by organizations that are only around Julian: People are going to do in October. They campaign and take our money and use it for research. WLYM believes in research, as well, but we believe in taking action first. I think that if every breast cancer foundation gave 10 to 30 percent to research and spent the rest on providing mobile mammograms
pushups and they’re going to find sponsors. The sponsor donates like $50 a pushup and they do an X amount of pushups. We want to get about 12 sponsors and our goal is to get someone to match what we raised and the money goes to a mobile mammogram program.
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Story By : Gladis Rivera
Life
Photography by : Sue Ellen Dent
After The Military Veterans transition from Military life to student life.
“I
into a classroom thinking everyone will be 17 or 18 and me being 25, it was going to be strange,” said former Marine, Alex Campbell, who attends Long Beach City College. “Being able to talk to people about it [being in the military] was really hard. But I’ve never felt like I needed to seek any help. I definitely view the world differently now.” It could be difficult for veterans to transition back to the lives they had before going into the military. They may wonder about what they will do with this new phase in their life, or if they will be able to find a job. Some will want to return to school but not know where to start. Some may have trouble with stepping into a crowded classroom. Yet, Campbell said school isn’t any different from the military. You still have to get up every morning and do your duties; both help you become more responsible and get things done on time. More than 4,400 military members have been killed, and more than 32,000 have been wounded since the Sept. 11 attacks. At the end of 2011, after almost nine years at war, President Obama announced the war in Iraq would finally be over and troops would return home. “I have mixed feelings about Obama bringing them home,” said Ed Mahurien, a veteran and student at LBCC, “because I don’t want them to have to come home and then go back.” Many Veterans look forward to the life after the military, because they can finally spend more time with their families and friends and no longer have to worry about military structure or being deployed.
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remember stepping
“Being deployed is only half the battle soldiers encounter. They are going to come home with issues that they never knew they had and probably never had before. The military does what it can, but it is not enough. They need to go seek out for help and not be afraid,” said Albert Hernandez, a Navy veteran. It is important for military personnel to let the troops know what resources are out there and that it is okay to seek assistance. They fought for this country and they deserve support. Many soldiers do not seek assistance because they think they do not need it. But there are many useful resources around campus and outside of school. LBCC provides help to those who seek it. The LBCC Vets’ Club meets every Thursday at the LAC, in F101 at noon. The Veterans Affairs “provides a caring, supportive environment for veterans and their dependents and to help them with the services they need to receive VA benefits, to enroll, and to become a success at Long Beach City College,” according to its website. “The Vets Club is the reason how I got my classes. Without them I wouldn’t have been able to know which classes to choose or where to start, ”- Alex Campbell, former Marine and current LBCC student.
“The Vets Club is the reason how I got my classes. Without them I wouldn’t have been able to know which classes to choose or where to start,” Campbell said. “The people who are in there are very involved. Especially Ernie Aguilar…wow that guy is great,” Mahurien said. “But the things I don’t like are that some of the guys in there are more separable from others. I feel they should be more interactive and try to open up more. But besides that, it is a great program!” Veterans meet and talk about activities going on at school and personal issues. For most, it takes time to adjust to civilian life. The veterans learn how to cope with their traumas or any other problems they have. However, for some it is very difficult to enjoy life and be successful. “For many years I haven’t driven on the freeway because I’m scared,” Mahurien said. The American Legion and AMVETS provide helpful and dedicated counselors who are available for those who seek help outside of school. Volunteers at The Veterans Crisis Line are available to listen or talk, 24/7. They can be contacted at 1-800-273-8255.