C a l i f o r n i a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y, F u l l e r t o n
THE DAILY TITAN F E B R U A RY 1 4 , 2 0 0 6
w w w. d a i l y t i t a n . c o m
Vo l u m e 8 2 , I s s u e 4
SPORTS
OPINION
Love, not just athleticism blooms on the playing field Page 6
Valentineʼs Day: A time for movies, solitude or tradition? Page 4
Comm. Students Test Program for Grad Checks
Roused to Lead Single Life
Use of Titan Degree Audit for prospective graduates may become new standard
Book about dealing with lost love is an inspiration to those with similar souls
By Daniela Medina
Daily Titan Staff Writer
By Irvina Kanarek
Daily Titan Photographer
I almost got married. He was smart, handsome, successful, funny, and he treated me like a queen, but I dumped him after I read “Honeymoon with My Brother” by Franz Wisner. I did not want to cause the pain Wisner writes about in this true story of his own life. Forty-eight hours before his wedding to his girlfriend of over 10 years, she dumped him. A week later, back in Newport Beach, he is demoted from his high-profile job as a powerful lobbyist for the Irvine Co. Given the situation most men would find a hot girl and a bottle of scotch, pronto, but Wisner opted for the road less traveled. He contacted his emotionally distant and recently divorced brother, Kurt, and took him along for the planned honeymoon. If thatʼs not bizarre enough, the two men quit their jobs, sold their cars and homes, and turned a two-week honeymoon into two years of traveling and soul searching, visiting more than 50 countries along the way. I traveled to their Temecula book signing for the opportunity to meet the brothers who dramatically changed the course of my life. After sharing my own story, Franz and Kurt told me I wasnʼt the first person to take great leaps in the name of “Honeymoon with My Brother.” After reading the book, a couple of graduates of the University of Oklahoma quit their own jobs and planned their own “honeymoon” abroad. At the signing, I met Lisa England, Franzʼs secretary at the Irvine Co. Lisa dropped the secretarial career and the Orange County crowd and moved to Temecula to open her own interior design business and boutique. Prior to the honeymoon, Wisnerʼs story reflects many of our own stories about to take place. We accomplish things in order: college, good job, get rich, fast car, marriage, nice house, kids…. While walking through the procession to collect on our goods, we lose sight of our surroundings. We donʼt know our own siblings, have little understanding of our world and look at love as a possession. We sacrifice so much in order to accomplish a checklist. Franz and Kurt have paved their own path off the narrow road with great success. “Honeymoon with My Brother” was bought by Sony and will be made into a movie, due out in 2007. The duo recently sold
SEE BOOK = PAGE 3
path of resistance Community environmental group leads effort to save Coyote Hills area from becoming housing development By Jickie Torres
Daily Titan Staff Writer
T
he struggle to save Coyote Hills has been around since the late ʼ70s, when the city of Fullerton first approved the proposal to turn 361 acres of open land into a housing development. Helen Higgins, a member of the Friends of Coyote Hills, an organization of volunteers fighting the battle against builder Pacific Coast Homes and Chevron, their parent company, said that no part of the struggle has been easy. “We always need more people,” Higgins said. “We need more bodies to help us in the effort.” Higgins, like many members the organization, volunteers her time after, before or in between working. And the struggle is fraught with long procedures and local government red tape. The main goal is finding funding for acquisition. However, buying the property from Pacific Coast Homes, as Higgins explains, is difficult
because the price is a hard to calculate. “The problem is that the developers arenʼt allowing us to see the value of the property,” Higgins said. “Chevron wants to value the property at market use, but right now the land is still under gas and oil zoning.” This can thwart attempts to put a definitive price tag on the land. All other fundraising goes toward maintenance plans, which, Higgins said, shouldnʼt be much. The friends have been successful in spreading the word. One Saturday a month, they lead hikes through the North Cutter trail of Coyote Hills and educate locals and hikers about the native vegetation, wildlife and history of the 580 acres. They also do outreach events at venues such as Green Scene at the Fullerton Arboretum and Faces of Fullerton events hosted downtown. Eugene Hung, a pastor for the Chinese Baptist Church of Orange County, moved to La Habra from Texas and first came to a hike because of signs posted about the effort to save the hills. When he learned the area was a nesting ground for the California gnatcatcher, an endangered bird species, Hungʼs passion for saving the hills really SEE COYOTE HILLS = PAGE 3 Songha Lee/Daily Titan
The Titan Degree Audit Pilot Program began in the fall 2005 semester for a group of communications students that may bring campus-wide changes to the grad check process. The College of Communications in conjunction with Admissions and Records are testing the use of a Titan Degree Audit (TDA), an electronic checklist, rather than the traditional paper checklist to complete grad checks on 325 students. The goal is to simplify the current process and make final requirements for soon-to-be graduating students more readily available. “Iʼm definitely optimistic that it will be an efficient process,” said Tammy Rogers, Cal State Fullerton academic advisor. Students must currently apply for their grad check upon completion of 90 units or two semesters before their graduation date. Courses taken are evaluated in the grad unit of Admissions and Records to see if major requirements have been met. This process is done on paper, and in triplicate. Once the checklist is ready, it is mailed to the students. The prospective graduate must then get signatures from the necessary faculty and advisers for his or her department. At this point the signed forms are turned back into the grad unit. “Normally the TDA is not an official document,” Rogers said. “Itʼs used as an advising tool.” The TDA, which has been under development for the last five or six years, will provide the same informa-
tion as the traditional checklist does. It is a computerized evaluation of completed courses. Rather than being mailed to students for them to get signatures, the TDA will be e-mailed directly to the people who need to sign it. “Thereʼs a lot of running around involved,” Rogers said of the traditional method. Communications major Forrest Sherman is completing his last course before graduating. He started the grad check process at the beginning of the spring 2005 semester. It took until August to complete and turn in his forms. While his grad check was completed in the current, paper format, he referred frequently to his TDA online. “There werenʼt too many surprises,” Sherman said. The 325 students chosen for the pilot program are students who started at CSUF in their freshman year or transfer students whose final evaluation is available on TDA. Students selected for the pilot program still needed to apply for a grad check and pay the $115 fee. Participating students are scheduled to graduate in June and August of 2006. They were notified via mail and e-mail in November of their involvement in the pilot. There are a few possible problems with course accuracy the students may face with their TDA. Training advisers who are not familiar with using computers may be a challenge as well, said Peggy Bockman, assistant dean of the College of Communications. Even so, those who have called or come into see an advisor with questions think the new process will be easier for them, Rogers said. “When [students] register for their last semester, they have a clear understanding of the requirements they have left to meet,” Bockman said.
Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Cardio Funk: Take Your Pick Drop-in fitness classes offered between classes for health-conscious students By Jessica Horn
Daily Titan Staff Writer
A
s Jennifer Lopezʼs “Iʼm Real” blasts down the hallways of the Kinesiology building, a voice shouts over the music, “On three … one, two, three.” The voice is that of Cal State Fullerton fitness instructor CJ Edwards, who teaches hip-hop dance lessons as one of the many free drop-in fitness classes offered to CSUF students. “The program is funded by the Titan Student Union. Itʼs very important that students understand these things are free,” said Alison Wittwer, assistant director of programs for Rec Sports. Drop-in fitness classes offer a wide variety of exercise choices, including 40-40-20 [40 minutes
of spin, 40 minutes of core, and 20 minutes of stretching and flexibility movements]; cardio funk/hip-hop; freestyle aerobics; guts, butts and thighs; kickboxing; kung fu; Pilates; total body conditioning; and yoga. All that is needed to attend a drop-in fitness class is a Titan Card and a towel. “The main goal for them here and for me is to have fun. Iʼm not auditioning them for Janet Jackson or anything,” Edwards said. “Itʼs OK if theyʼre not on the same level as everyone.” Wittwer said that in the last four years, drop-in fitness classes had a limited capacity, but now 24 hours of classes a week are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of student attendees has steadily increased each semester. Wittwer said that the school tries to keep up with student feedback every semester to offer classes to students that are high in demand. The appeal is that students donʼt have to attend on a regular basis, hence the name, drop-in
fitness. “Maybe a class gets cancelled and you want to kill an hour,” Wittwer said. “We make it so easy. You can come if you want, and if you donʼt want to, thatʼs cool.” Popular classes are strategically placed either around lunch hours or between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. on weekdays, which seem to be the most convenient times for students to drop in. Each class is offered twice a week to be more accessible to students. For Candice Sainz, 23, a health science major, the best thing about drop-in fitness is “you can come whenever you want. You have to be fairly physically fit, but for the most part, the instructors make it kind of easy. CJʼs got so much character.” CSUF students are also welcome to sign up for personal training sessions, which last one hour and cost $20. The session offers one-on-one training with certified strength and conditioning specialists. Students can buy
INSIDE
NEWS
SPORTS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Black, African-American history month, whatʼs in a name?
CSUF first baseman Brett Pill chosen Player of the Week
PAGE 3
PAGE 6
TODAY Mostly Sunny High: 73 Low: 49
Irvina Kanarek/Daily Titan
DANCE FEVER: Instructor CJ Edwards teaches hip-hop to students in a drop-in fitness class Thursday. a package of personal training sessions, or book semi-private lessons, where they can work out alongside a friend and their instructor. “I feel like weʼre offering quality training at a friendly cost. For $20, you can get an hour of personal training, while at a health club like 24 Hour Fitness, you canʼt buy a single session. It costs $62 to $72 per session
of personal training,” Wittwer said. “We try to stay current and mimic what health clubs offer. I donʼt get why students will pay to go to expensive health clubs when they can get the same type of classes and offers at school free of charge.” To find out more information about Drop-in Fitness classes or personal training, visit asi.fullerton.edu/asrc/dropinfitness.asp.
WEATHER WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Mostly Cloudy High: 64 Low: 41
Partly Cloudy High: 65 Low: 44
FRIDAY Mostly Sunny High: 65 Low: 45
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T U E S D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 1 4 , 2 0 0 6
NEWS
N E W S @ D A I LY T I T A N . C O M
IN
OUT
OTHER NEWS
N’ ABOUT
WORLD
ON CAMPUS
One Dead in Haitian Protests
TODAY: The Womenʼs Center is hosting Go Red for Women Day on the Titan Walk from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to snacks being provided, there will be $5 chair massages. For more information, call (714) 278-4202.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Supporters of Haitian presidential candidate Rene Preval erected smoldering roadblocks across the capital and occupied a luxury hotel Monday. At least one protester was killed, but U.N. peacekeepers denied witness accounts that they had shot him. As Port-au-Prince descended into chaos, Preval returned to the capital for the first time since the election Tuesday. He was the clear winner with about 90 percent of the votes counted, but supporters claimed electoral officials were tampering with results to prevent him from getting the majority he needs to avoid a runoff.
TODAY: The Womenʼs Islamic Network will have a Valentineʼs Day bake sale at the Titan Walkway from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Henna paintings will also be offered.
Saddam Lashes Out in Court BAGHDAD, Iraq – Prosecutors produced documents and put former aides to Saddam Hussein on the stand Monday as they made their strongest attempt yet to link him directly to torture and executions. The ousted president, who looked disheveled and appeared in his slippers, shouted “Down with Bush!”
WEDNESDAY: The Pilipino American Student Association will have its first general meeting at 3:30 p.m. in Pavilion B of the Titan Student Union. For additional information, go to www.csufpasa.com
NATION
Report: Army Policy Costs WASHINGTON – Discharging troops under the Pentagonʼs policy on gays cost $363.8 million over 10 years, almost double what the government concluded a year ago, a private report says. The report, to be released Tuesday by a University of California Blue Ribbon Commission, questioned the methodology the Government Accountability Office used when it estimated that the financial effect of the “Donʼt Ask, Donʼt Tell” policy was at least $190.5 million.
White House Defends Actions WASHINGTON – The Bush administration on Monday pushed back hard against Katrina-response criticism leveled by ex-disaster agency chief Michael Brown and congressional investigators. “I reject outright the suggestion that President Bush was anything less than fully involved,” said White House homeland security adviser Frances Fragos Townsend.
LOCAL
Whale Beached in San Pedro LOS ANGELES – Beachgoers in San Pedro found the body of a 28-foot gray whale behind a lifeguard station at Cabrillo Beach. The animal was likely little more than a year old and had been dead several days, said Larry Fukuhara of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Officials have not determined a cause of death. The body of the whale was decomposing when it was found early Friday. Using a skip loader, workers were able to push the animal back into the water, and it was towed out to sea. It was the first time in years that officials could remember a whale washing up on a local beach. Reports compiled from The Associated Press
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SONGHA LEE/Daily Titan Photo Editor
WALKING IN THE SHADOWS: Patrick Nguyen, a senior
marketing major, steps into a beam of sunlight causing an elongated shadow of himself in the new Performing Arts building last Tuesday afternoon.
WEDNESDAY - THURSDAY: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Career Center will host a Student Open House to inform students about its services. Root beer floats will be provided and students can join a drawing to win a $100 Titan Shops gift card. FEB. 20: Campus will be closed in observation of Presidents Day.
N E W S @ D A I LY T I TA N . C O M
BOOK FROM PAGE 1 its second book about relationships in foreign countries (title in progress). They appeared on Oprah twice last year and plan to hit India, China and Uzbekistan this year. Currently they are on a road trip in a VW van across the U.S.ʼs southern states. They have reformed their lives and call their job “professional brothers.” Brotherly, they are warm, funny and honest. Kurt jokingly asked me for a
COYOTE HILLS FROM PAGE 1 began. “The way I see it, God made all these wonderful things, and I see us as stewards for the environment,” Hung said. “To show you how desperate the building industry is,” Higgins said, “theyʼve tried to hire environmentalists, and they want to declassify the gnatcatcher and lump it with another species so they can say, ʻHey, theyʼre not endangered anymore.ʼ ” Higgins is careful to explain that she isnʼt anti-housing. “I know people need housing, but our statement is ʻWhy take this last section of open land?ʼ the last of itʼs kind in the north county and use it,” Higgins said. Ron Campos and his wife Tammy, Cal State Fullerton alumni, brought their 13-year-old daughter, Megan, to a hike to savor the views. For Campos, itʼs important to preserve the land. “I grew up here all my life and used to bike in these hills,” Campos said. “Some people say itʼs a lost cause,” Higgins said. “But itʼs not a done deal.” Higgins and the friends find hope in similar cases theyʼve won around Southern California. Community activists like Higgins have saved 400 acres of Portuguese Bend in Palos Verdes from development. The locals near
womanʼs opinion of his new haircut – it passed with an A. Franz hugged me goodbye and told me to “definitely keep in touch” like an authoritative big brother would. They reminded me that Valentineʼs Day isnʼt just for couples; itʼs for people who believe in fulfilling their passions and loves no matter what life throws them. “Honeymoon with My Brother” is a journey of travel, heartbreak, spirituality, success, failure and humor. It feeds every manʼs and womanʼs palette and will quench your thirst with the belief in fate. Itʼs available in paperback for $12.95. Barnham Ranch, also in Orange County, have successfully fought to preserved 500 acres of wildlife habitat. Similar victories also appear in Whittier, Cole Canyon and the Bolsa Chica Mesa. Higgins said they look to these communities for inspiration, motivation and tips on how to win their own battle. The next step is waiting for the environmental report to be released by the city. Higgins said this is when the public has an opportunity to really show itʼs numbers by submitting comment letters during a 60 day feedback period. Why do all this? Higgins said her love of nature and the idea of open space in the community keeps her working hard. “Believe it or not,” Higgins said, “working on an effort like this promotes a real social opportunity. Iʼve learned so much.” In the last few years, Higgins has learned a lot about local governments, agencies and the nature of the budget stream. She has also seen glimmers of hope. “The city was on the right track with its redevelopment plans,” Higgins said, referencing the push toward downtown housing and urban housing construction. As for whether redevelopment and other strategies will really help, Higgins is unsure. “Where is my crystal ball when I need it?” Higgins said. “All I can say is years; Iʼm sure this will take several years. Itʼs not going to happen tomorrow.”
NEWS
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Pride, No Matter the Name Black history month or AfricanAmerican history month is a matter of preference, respect for many By Julie Anne Ines
Daily Titan Staff Writer
F
ebruary, black history month, remembers the struggles of black Americans who have fought for equality. Those, like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who had, and have, a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” But though black history month acknowledges the fulfillment of this dream to some degree by showing the many accomplishments and contributions of black people throughout American history, the designations of the month itself may not be created equal. Depending on who is asked, the month of February may either be called African American history month – as it is being promoted on the Cal State Fullerton campus – or black history month. Julie Stokes, Afro-Ethnic studies department co-chair, said the use of either designation depends on the experiences of those you ask. African-American people who are “less oppressed” prefer the term “AfricanAmerican.” Those who have experienced segregation prefer “black,” and some young people choose not to call themselves either, preferring simply “American” instead, Stokes said. Stokes herself prefers saying “African-
American” because it underscores the American experience of black people. Stokesʼ co-chair in the department, Wacira Gethaiga, said that the conflict arises because black people are “always in the process of self-definition.” The term African-American implies that the group is composed of Americans of African decent. However, the culture of black people in America is in itself unique and separate from African culture, Gethaiga said. On the other hand, calling the month black history month doesnʼt just limit the group to black Americans, but also extends the monthʼs
“Black history month is the common term, but the month... is a misnomer because black history is part of American history” Wacira Gethaiga Fullerton Student
scope to black people overseas. It doesnʼt focus on black peoplesʼ American experience and their part in shaping American culture, Gethaiga said. “Black history month is the common term, but the month in itself is a misnomer because black history is part of American history,” Gethaiga said. One other reason the phrase black history month may not be preferred is that “some people are not comfortable with the word because of its connotation within the American language,” Gethaiga said. Of the two phrases, Stacy Ellis, the president of Sister Talk, a support group for African-American women on campus, prefers
African-American History Month. “In society today, people donʼt consider [African-American and black] different, and they use the two terms interchangeably,” said Ellis, a senior majoring in human services. The difference between the two phrases is that “African-American” shows more respect, Ellis said, comparing it to using a nickname versus a formal name. However, people using the word, “black” does not bother her because it is used on a daily basis. Andre Everett, the treasurer of the Black Business Student Association, said he would prefer calling it African-American history month. It “makes you think of your heritage and your pride in your heritage,” said Everett, who is a junior majoring in pre-business. The designation also gives the black community an opportunity to “look at what African-Americans went through to get to where they got today,” and it gives the community a feeling of “power, unity and a sense of organization,” Everett said. Dawit Solomon, the president of BBSA, prefers black history month. He acknowledged that some people refrain from using the word “black” because they think itʼs derogatory. The sense that he gets, however, is that the black community doesnʼt seem to be offended when the term is used. When it comes to preferring one to the other, Gethaiga doesnʼt mind either designation. “Either one is OK, as long as we keep celebrating the survival and contributions and experiences of black people,” and as long as society remembers that the month is “not about reliving history, but about trying to make the experience of black people today better.”
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TITAN EDITORIAL Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960
SYSTEM FAILURE
W
hile most stu-
still have to pay for doing it
dents pay $115
themselves through the Titan
to receive sig-
Degree Audit. This does not
natures to com-
make sense.
plete their grad check, 325 stu-
Where is the money going?
dents still have to pay the same
For those not a part of the
fee for doing it on their own
pilot program, the money
through their Titan Degree
would cover the processing fee
Audit.
– basically for the time it takes
The new grad check Titan
for people to review the gradu-
Degree Audit Pilot Program
ation requirements. However,
can be efficient but it is not
if done electronically why
practical for a studentsʼ pock-
would there be a cost?
et.
Students already pay for
The price of the grad check
Titan Online services, which
alone increased by $5 within
include the use of the Titan
one school year. Even more
Degree Audit, in the beginning
disturbing is the fact that the
of the semester when student
cost of CSUF grad checks is
fees are paid.
more expensive than Cal State
As students, we already
Dominguez Hills, where their
worry about the cost of tuition
equivalent of a grad check
and cost of books. Every
costs no more than $70.
semester there is always an
The pilot program partici-
increase of some type of fee.
pants, who are students from
We donʼt want to spend any
the College of Communication,
more money.
Editorial Board
Philip Fuller, Opinion Editor Nicole M. Smith, Executive Editor Kim Orr, Managing Editor In deference to the paradigm established by venerable Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, unsigned Titan Editorials strive to represent the general will of the Daily Titan editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the view of the university.
OPINION
O P I N I O N @ D A I LY T I T A N . C O M
Dear Me I Love You, Love Me By Lisa Chung
Daily Titan Staff Writer
I have the most amazing date planned for Valentineʼs Day. It will start with a sunset beach walk along my favorite stretch of sand and lead into a delectable three-course dinner of seared ahi, crab-crusted halibut and raspberry chocolate soufflé. Frank Sinatra will sing the soundtrack of the night. The candlelight will flicker on the bloodred rose petals. And I will be spending it alone. Thatʼs right! This year, on the day set aside to honor love, I will be celebrating by showering affection on the one I love the most: me. I feel the need to let you all
know that Iʼm not bitter or recently dumped, and I donʼt consider myself a feminist. Iʼm just very happily single. And I want you to know that if you too are finding yourself sans a boyfriend or girlfriend this February 14th, itʼs not just okay, it actually has the possibility of being fabulous. Iʼm a waitress/bartender and I go out a lot. On a nightly basis, I hear people, both male and female, talking about failed relationships and broken hearts. Whatʼs worse is that I see the manifestation of these conversations. I watch seemingly intelligent, beautiful girls go home with guys who were hitting on every other girl in the bar before they happened to
throw a cheesy line in their direction. I watch guys that have every reason to be confident feign interest in sloppily inebriated girls whose idea of culture revolves around sales at South Coast Plaza. My point is that we, as a generation, settle way too often because we are deathly afraid of being alone. But really, itʼs not that scary! Itʼs about time we celebrate our singledom. In honor of Valentineʼs Day, Iʼve comprised a list of the advantage of being in a relationship with yourself: *This one is pretty obvious and cliché, but you get to hang out with your friends and family more. *You will be the sole master of your remote control. This means
guys, no having to watch Tivo-ed re-runs of Sex in the City, and girls, no Best Damn Sports Show Ever, unless of course, thatʼs your cup of tea. *If you, once in a while, feel like being the sloppily inebriated guy/girl at the bar and you happen to make out with a perfect stranger, you donʼt have to feel guilty! *No fighting, no crying, no hurt feelings, no breaking hearts, no broken heart. *And the number one plus to being single (drum roll please), YOU! You get to spend more time with yourself, which means more reading, singing, hiking, painting, praying, dancing, whatever-ing. And if none of these apply to you, more time to figure out what it is that you love to do.
Watching Couples Fight On Cupid’s Day By Kirk Dingley
Daily Titan Staff Writer
Magazines and talk shows love compiling lists for Valentines Day. Thereʼs the “Best places to take your date”, or “favorite love songs” or the always entertaining “Gifts that will make your partner love you forever.” So Iʼve decided to compile a completely different list. Itʼs the list for all those who will be all alone on Cupidʼs day. “The 10 worst Valentine movies to take your date too, but perfect if youʼre alone like me .” “Enough” Your going to love being single after watching a screaming Jennifer Lopez spend the entire movie frantically running from her psycho-hubby. Hey, at least your not in her shoes. “Sleeping with the Enemy.” Julia Roberts picks a real winner, as sheʼs forced to fake her own death just to get rid of her bruising sweetheart. Imagine the
trauma of having to change your ing section. But, then she notices something is missing. No, not the cell phone number. “Swingers” Guys, this film is price tag, although that is annoya reminder to us all that the single ing, but her boyfriend! Boyfriend life definitely has its advantages. actually leaves his pregnant girlAfter watching Vince Vaughn friend at the superstore. For good! execute the art of making cheesy It seems somebodyʼs feet got a pick-up lines seem thoughtful and little cold. “History of Violence” Iʼm sincere, you will also be inspired sorry sweetto try a few lines heart, I was at the local watering-hole. Hey, going tell you “How about I sell my werenʼt you Miss I was a Dodger Tickets and we that America? Wow, hit man for go to the ballet?” you put the G in the mob, but gorgeous baby. Iʼve just been Kirk Dingley Does that smile so busy takDaily Titan Staff Writer ing the kids have batteries? to little league “The War of the Roses” Nothing beats watch- practice. Yes, I know, weʼve been ing a couple try to viscously maul married for 10 years now so each other to really get a sense of Iʼve had ample time to tell you. the love in the air. Can I make it up with a box of “Where the Heart is” chocolates? How about I sell my Boyfriend and pregnant girlfriend Dodger tickets and we go to the leisurely stroll through the local ballet? I will wash and dry the Walmart looking for some bar- dishes. That dress looks great on gains. Pregnant girlfriendʼs eyes you. Please! Donʼt make me sleep perk-up as she spots the cloth- on the couch again! Iʼm sorry!
“Unfaithful” Hardworking husband heads to the office, while equally hard working wife heads to her office, the apartment of her suave Latin lover. Honey Iʼm home! Honey? Honey? “In the Company of Men” The last place you want to be after watching this film is in the company of men. Basically two friends, who act as strangers, seduce a nice assuming woman before completely humiliating her. “Fatal Attraction” A married man chooses the wrong woman to have a one-night-stand with. He probably would have been better off bedding Hannibal Lector. The woman terrorizes the philander for not wanting to see her again. “Closer” This film is definitely a must-see for all singles on Valentines Day. Watching couples cheat, play manipulative games, and try to psychologically kill each other reminds us all that being unattached just isnʼt that bad.
Valentine’s Day Isn’t a Marketing Ploy for Couples in Love By Kirsten Alto
Daily Titan Staff Writer
Thatʼs right, Iʼm here to defend Valentineʼs Day, not only because I personally love it, but also because it is necessary to our American Culture. Itʼs depressing that, aside from “I love you,” the phrase most commonly said on February 14, seems to be “I hate Valentineʼs Day.” Throughout junior high and high school, bitter singles discussed
the validity of the romantic holiday, spreading rumors that it was a holiday created by Hallmark or American Greetings. A lie I actually believed for a long time. The truth is Valentineʼs Day was not started by any greeting card company, and for the record neither was Motherʼs or Fatherʼs Day. According to the History Channelʼs website, Valentineʼs Day was declared a holiday by Pope Gelasius in 498 A.D. and the first mass produced Valentines
were made by a woman, Esther Howland in the 1840s. Of course, now it is not just the cards, itʼs the candy, jewelry, stuffed animals, etc. marketed towards the lovers of our society. Yes, Valentineʼs Day has turned into a superficial day that, in turn, helps card and candy companies profit. But come on, letʼs face it, is Christmas any different? Why do we hate Valentineʼs Day so much for being a commercial holiday and Christmas barely gets any
concerning discrepancies when itʼs Christmas thatʼs the number one holiday for card companies. Not to mention every other company. But Christmas is needed, and so is Valentineʼs Day, at least in our culture, for so many reasons. Today, most couples work, which suggests less family time and assigns the major holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving and “ChristmaHanukwanza”) more importance despite their commercialization. It also means less time
for couples. Sure, there should not have to be a day designated to let someone know you love them, everyday should be a day for that, but our society doesnʼt always allow it. After marriage, many love lives diminish, couples rarely have sex, and kids come first. Valentineʼs Day gives a pair an excuse to go out alone and forget about the kids, forget work, and focus on one another. And Valentineʼs Day gives everyone another huge excuse to gorge themselves on sweets. A
w w w. d a i l y t i t a n . c o m
plethora of treats in the shape of hearts? Who can resist. This excuse is for everyone whether youʼre taken or single. And what are we as Americans if not a society of excuses? Excuses to decorate your home, to sing an awful love song, or to simply wear pink. Whatever your excuse for embracing this commercially exaggerated day, Valentineʼs Day gives us a vacation from reality which is what we essentially look for in every holiday. So stop complaining.
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SPORTS
S P O R T S @ D A I LY T I T A N . C O M
Love: Not Just a Game
Student athletes find romantic relationships on the field of competition
career in sports. Bolton and Wilson know what it takes to succeed in the competitive field, and use their edge to By Lisa Maiorana motivate each other farther. “Our relationship is wonderDaily Titan Staff Writer ful,” Bolton said. “We push each other all the time especially at With many student athletes practice. Whenever we go out having to deal with the ongoing to practice we always compete pressures of competition, train- against each other to see whoʼs ing, fatigue and coaches, some gotten better.” may eventually burnout. Most people are significantly However, some athletes find an more comfortable when someone outlet in relationships, the key in shares the same devotion that is balancing out all the stress. needed to extend the drive for Take Cal State Fullerton seniors what it is they are most passionErica Pryor and Justin Turner for ate about. “Iʼm very cocky at what I do example. The couple met their fresh- and Kandace always tells me to men year while attending athletic train like Iʼm the slowest, not the study hall. fastest,” Bolton said. “She has Pryor just finished up her last a wonderful personality - sheʼs year playing on the womenʼs soc- competitive and tough just like cer team for the Titans while me. At times we struggle and at Turner is a star second baseman home arguments can lead on to for the Titan baseball team. the track, but we laugh a lot.” After a couple of months of Laughing out problems isnʼt dating, the two have now enjoyed the only way the couple stays a two and a half year relation- connected. Taking the same classship. es and living in close proximityto The two have found a mental each other has also helped them and emotional backbone of sup- stay close. port in each other because of Bolton and Wilson are not the their understanding of the added only ones who fell in love during responsibilities sprints. of being student Senior Aaron athletes. Williams and “Itʼs better junior Kelly “It’s better to be in a to be in a relaFigueira of the tionship with relationship with some- track and field someone when will be one when you’re both in team youʼre both in celebrating their sports. You both have sports,” Pryor third-year anniversary come said. “You both an understanding of this March. have an underwhat it takes to comstanding of Although the pete at Division I.” what it takes track is what to compete at brought them to Division I.” their love connection, they Her relationErica Pryor ship with boykeep their perfriend Turner sonal life off Titan Soccer Player has proven the field. itself beneficial “Whenever when training weʼre training and practices or competing, become overwhelming. itʼs strictly what we need to do on In her free time, Pryor has the track,” Williams said. “After shown Turner support by attend- that, all our spare time is usually ing many of his games, some of spent hanging out at home.” which include traveling out of Titan baseball player Brett Pill state to Omaha in 2004 when the met senior womenʼs tennis player Titans won the College World Ashley Dunbar here at CSUF a Series. little over two years ago. Their Turner, himself, has gone out relationship started after meeting to Pryorʼs soccer games. This in Professor Kenneth Ravizzaʼs year he made a trip out to Santa stress management class. Barabara to watch her play. Ravizza was giving a lecture She also went to Tucson when about taking chances and the class the the baseball team played activity was to do something the against the University of Arizona, students wouldnʼt do normally. and to Stanford for the Titansʼ seaPill decided to take a chance son-opener against the Cardinals. and asked out Dunbar. “Erica is always there for me, “Ashley is great. Sheʼs my best whether it is baseball, family or friend and sheʼs just really comschool, she knows when to say fortable to be around,” Pill said. the right thing and when to lay “The most positive thing about off,” Turner said. “When ever having athletics in common is Iʼve had a bad day the best thing that it doesnʼt take up too much she says is you get to go out time.” It may not be a bad thing to get tomorrow.” In addition, knowing and not struck by Cupidʼs arrow while out knowing when to say the right on the athletic field. Even though practice, games or thing is crucial. Take CSUF track and field stars other team functions may intersenior John Bolton and junior fere, student athletes, like other Kandace Wilson, who have nur- students in relationships, still tured a nine-month relationship. have to plan for Valentineʼs Day. Wilson, like Pryor, played for “Thereʼs not too much money the womenʼs soccer team and has in college,” Pill said. “But Iʼll flourished significantly through probably make dinner for her, you hard work and dedication to her know. Try to be romantic.”
Christina House/Daily Titan
LOVE THE GAME: (Above) Track stars Kandace Wilson and John Bolton take a moment to enjoy each otherʼs company during practice. (Below) Womenʼs soccer player Erica Pryor hugs second baseman Justin Turner at a celebration ceremony after the Titans won the College World Series.
SPORTS IN SHORT
BASEBALL Pill Chosen Player of the Week Cal State Fullerton first baseman Brett Pill was named the Big West Conference Player of the Week as announced by the Irvine-based league office this afternoon. 2006 Wallace Watch List member Pill broke out of a 1-for-12 slump this past weekend hitting .636 (7-for-11) in three games at first base for the Titans. The big right hander went 4-for-5 in Friday nightʼs clash with UNLV, then followed it up with a 2-for-4 night against the Rebels on Saturday. He hit his first home run of the year and chased it with a double, driving in three along the way. The junior also drew three walks, hit a SAC fly, stole a base and scored three runs over the weekend, as the Titans went on to sweep UNLV at home 3-0. Pill led the Big West in hits with 85 and plate appearances in 2005. He had a .327 batting average and had nine home runs and 57 RBIs..
Provided by Erica Pryor
Information provided by CSUF Sports Media Relations, www.Fullertontitans.com