Daily Titan: Monday, February 1, 2010

Vol. 87 Issue 2

February 1, 2010

Task force assigned to ensure triumph of Titans Cal State Fullerton assigns a task force to see to fruition a five year goal to increase graduation rates by six percent while reducing racial disparities. More than 20 strategies will be used to ensure more Titans take the walk.

News, Page 2

Aphrodesiacs abound in the ‘Love, Sex and Romance Guide’

MONDAY

SEE SPECIAL-SECTION INSERT

Watch how to make a delectable steak at DailyTitan.com/HowTo MakeSteak Supreme Court sells out crucial public voice OPINION, Page 13

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

ASI denies funding to Greeks

BY DONALD C. Stefanovich Daily Titan News Editor news@dailytitan.com

In their first meeting of the year last Tuesday, the Associated Students Inc. Board of Directors refused to consider the Panhellenic Council’s proposed budget for inclusion in the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget process after Panhellenic missed the 5 p.m. submission deadline by 12 minutes.

Following the decision by Henoc Preciado, ASI Vice President of Finance, to deny consideration, a further appeal to the board by Panhellenic President Maritza Lozano was voted down 7-1. Three abstained due to Greek affiliations at the

request of the board.

California2009-10 State University, Fullerton Panhellenic Budget 2009-2010 Panhellenic Budget “It was requested that all Greeks abstain because (of ) conflicts of interest, 10000 however, the other members who did $8,450 vote – I believe it was a conflict of inter$7,590 est as well – because the groups that they 8000 are involved with were directly affected as well,” contested Lozano, a 20-year-old $5,900 6000 psychology junior.

“One of the statements was, ‘If they don’t allot Panhellenic a budget this year, that their organization will receive extra 4000 money,’” she added “I strongly believe that the decision 2000 was made fairly,” said Preciado.

See PANHELLENIC, Page 3

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Contracts/Fees/Rentals Printing & Advertising Supplies

Since its return to Cal State Fullerton last year, the Titan hockey club has made its mark in the American Collegiate hockey Association Division II hockey league.

Their success did not come easy for a season of 32 games and 14 new players to the roster, but the supportive Titan coaching staff took the initiative and came to an agreement on four solid student-athletes to lead the team to victory in the 2009-10 season.

ss

Pre

By Christine Amarantus

So, after “Watchmens” jumped to the top of bestseller lists again after 25 years, you’ve decided to buy into this comic book thing.

You’ve watched some of the cartoons; maybe seen a few of the movies. You’re pretty sure you’ve got it down. Batman’s parents were murdered when he was a boy. Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider. Wolverine has adamantium claws.

Superman can be killed with kryptonite. Some of it has become ingrained in our pop-culture knowledge.

But how familiar are you w i t h c o m ics outside of the m a i n s t re a m Marvel and DC worlds? There’s a vast universe of comics past the X-Men or

Justice League. Here’s a short list of books serving as an introduction for any beginner to sink her teeth into.

Oni Press’ “Scott Pilgrim” series, written and drawn by Bryan Lee O’Malley, takes the reader into the lives of Canadian band, Sex Bob-omb, most specifically its bass player, Scott Pilgrim.

Pilgrim, like many 20-somethings after college, has girl trouble.

He’s up to his ears in exgirlfriends and Pilgrim has to battle the evil exes of his lady love, Ramona, in order to date her.

Pilgrim comes off like an overly-lucky idiot, but it’s his friends and the surprises he encounters that make you keep reading. Several have described the series as “Dawson’s Creek” meets a “Final Fantasy” game.

Continued Page 10

Coachella brings variety of acts to the desert The wait is finally over. The 2010 Coachella lineup was recently announced and the concert itself will be held April 16 to18 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Jay-Z, Muse and the Gorillaz are headlining the event. There has been speculation as to why Jay-Z, a hip-hop artist, is headlining what many consider to be an indie-music festival. It is

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Daily Titan Staff Writer

By Melissa Hoon

Hockey captains lead team’s first full season

$1,050

Comic craze goes mainstream

Daily Titan Staff Writer

DT Highlights

not, however, unheard of, since Snoop Dogg performed at the indie-fest Lollapalooza in Chicago last summer.

“Coachella’s variety this year definitely points toward the mainstream audience, which is a shame,” said American studies major Kacie Yoshida, 21. “Jay-Z is probably my least favorite.”

However, some are looking forward to the more mainstream lineup.

“I’m so excited Tiësto will be there!” senior Tatevik Tervartan-

yan, 22, a psychology major said. “I missed him last time he performed at Coachella.”

Many people are excited to see various lesser-known artists on the bill.

“There are plenty of bands on the lineup that I’ve never heard of but I’m sure

would be worth seeing,” Marley Rosner, 23, an American studies graduate student said. “But while this year’s lineup seems extremely exciting, I find it hard to think of a better lineup than one including Paul McCartney like last year.”

See COACHELLA, Page 8

Photo By Brian Evans/For the Daily Titan

Talented, poised, wholesome, but more importantly, determined to accept the challenge and head the Titans into battle against UCLA, Loyola Marymount, Utah and rival Long Beach State, just a few of the opponents to be named.

In a loss against USC earlier in the season junior forward Chad Pelliccioni said, “This is only our second year as a team, we just need to get better playing as a unit and that will come with time.”

Full Story on SPORTS, Page 16

Jay Leno not to blame for Conan O’Brien’s demise After more than a week of not having Conan O’Brien as our late-night companion, tempers have cooled and people are ready to re-examine the situation.

Jay Leno might be the one taking his show back, but it isn’t his fault. Leno is just one of many TV personalities struggling with ratings and relevancy,

and he has proven that he has staying power.

Unfortunately, O’Brien didn’t have the “Tonight Show” long enough to prove the same thing.

One writer takes another look at the Leno/O’Brien war and comes to a different conclusion about the network, the talent and the viewers.

The landscape of late-night television is up in the air, but see read what the future may hold, or at least have something else to consider when picking sides. Whether you’re on team Leno or team O’Brien, you’ll definitely be glued to the TV in the coming months to witness the outcome of this mighty TV battle.

Story at DailyTitan.com/farewellcoco

2

February 1, 2010

Grad rate increases

By Katie Rossomano

to achieve their individual goals.

CSUF has arranged a Task Force news@dailytitan.com of 15 campus officials to begin developing and implementing ideas to Cal State Fullerton intends to insupport students in their mission to crease its overall six-year graduation graduate. rate to 55 percent by 2015.

The Task Force is a diverse colThis Graduation Initiative is part lection of professors, deans and of a Cal State University-wide goal directors representing a variety of that reflects the Obama Administramajors. tion’s desire to make the United They are also seeking an AssociStates the country with the most ated Students member. The Task degree-holding citizens by 2020.

Force is being led by Vice PresiThe CSU sytem is one of 23 nadent of Academic Affairs tional higher education systems that Ephraim Smith. is taking measures to help students Trotter was very opIncrease the graduation rate succeed in earning their degrees. timistic while disof upper-division Edgar Trotter is the acting Assocussing the Gradutransfer students ciate Vice President of Undergraduation Initiative at from 70 to 81 ate Programs and is also a member the Academic Senpercent. of the CSUF Task Force that is ate meeting on Thursday. working to achieve this new “The targets are modest, goal. we will probably surpass Increase the “This (initiative) is them,” Trotter said. graduation rates of about getting everyone The Task Force began meeting in for the underrepresented who is capable access CSU sys- October and has since developed a minority students to a degree,” Trotter tem’s overall detailed outline of over 20 strategies by 8 percent. said. six-year gradua- that could be used to meet the new The CSU system addresses tion rate from the graduation goals by summer 2015. the disparity between the same year is about For the most part, the Task Force graduation rates of underrepequal, at 48.9 percent, indicating proposes further development of resented minority (URM) students that CSU’s overall graduation rate programs already in use at CSUF and non-underrepresented students. is slightly higher than the national rather than creation of new ones.

Native American, African American average.

Improvements suggested by the and Hispanic students are classified The Graduation Initiative intends Task Force include making the as URM’s. to increase CSUF’s rate by 6 percent freshman orientation process more CSUF plans to decrease this dis- so that it will be up to par with simi- integrated, mandating second separity by half. The plan is to increase lar institutions that have some of the mester advisement, making indithe overall graduation rate by 6 highest national graduation rates. vidual phone calls to freshman who percent and the graduation rate of While the goal to raise graduation URM’s by 8 percent. rates is being addressed at the state have not enrolled in their second The initiative also intends to in- and national levels, each CSU cam- semester, establishing a review procrease the graduation rate of upper- pus has developed separate goals. cess to clarify efficient paths to a dedivision transfer students from 70 CSU Media Relations Specialist Erik gree, streamlining the Titan Degree percent to 81 percent.

Fallis said that “campuses are being Audit and grad check process and a The data from 2002 indicates that asked to be innovators on methods” monthly progress report.

Daily Titan Staff Writer

Photo By Lucio villa/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Dr. Anil Puri, Matthew Jenusaitis and Mayor Don Bankhead form the panel of the tenth-annual State of the City.

State of the City luncheon Local leaders convene to discuss Fullerton’s problems and propose solutions news@dailytitan.com

Solving the problems caused by the recession was the theme of the tenth-annual State of the City Luncheon, “Moving Business Forward,” held at the Titan Student Union Friday. Being the first year that the event has gone from lecture to panel discussion format, three industry leaders joined Don Bankhead, mayor of Fullerton, and Dr. Anil Puri, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at Cal State Fullerton, to talk about Fullerton’s business environment.

Statistics displayed during the introductory video presentation showed that city revenues have dropped, though not as rapidly as in neighboring cities.

Matthew Jenusaitis, CEO and president of the non-profit organization OCTANe, optimistically countered the talk of recession, saying that the resilience of culture in Southern California’s economy could drive new ideas and improve business.

“This is a tremendous time for innovation,” Jenusaitis said.

Jenusaitis noted that Fullerton has over 300 surviving high-tech and medical technology businesses.

Tod Sword, economic development services project manager for Southern California Edison, said that while Edison has seen a 4 percent drop in overall energy usage, Fullerton’s energy usage has in-

creased 12 percent. are partly aimed at cutting conBob Sattler, president of Lee & sumer costs.

Associates, told the audience that Sattler said the low real estate the real estate industry in Fullerton values are an opportunity to help is still suffering, and values are ex- customers get the best deal whethpected to continue to drop. er buying or leasing.

Sattler said the problem stems Bankhead assured the audience more from the state than from the that the city of Fullerton is intercity, and that synchronizing the rules ested in assisting any business aland definitions of neighboring cities ready in, relocating to, or starting could bring improvement. up in Fullerton.

“If there isn’t a major change in Hilda Sugarmann, trustee for Sacramento come November, then the Fullerton School District, has I’m going been to prior State of to be very the City addresses. Sugdisaparmann said the change pointed,” of format for the event Bankand the effective use of head said. technology to reach its He also audience showed good noted on behalf of the – Don Bankhead, effort that CaliFullerton Chamber of Mayor of Fullerton fornia is Commerce. desper“It is really important ately in need of regulating its bud- to collaborate all financial and pubget. Concerns from the audience lic agencies in our community into included redevelopment, pension one dialogue,” Sugarmann said. plans and the survival of small busiSugarmann said she was surprised nesses. by the statistic showing the majority Pension plans and retirement of businesses in Fullerton are run by should not be negatively affected less than 25 people. since Fullerton is nearly 100 percent “I enjoyed the fact that we got funded for public safety and other the opinion of experts in completely necessities, according to Bankhead. different fields,” accounting major at In an attempt to capture concise CSUF working with NCH Wealth responses, one member of the audi- Advisers, Timothy Higgins said. ence asked for each of the panelists “Although we are in the infant to give a single sentence on what state of recovery from the economic could be done to improve business downturn, they all provided current in Fullerton. Sword said Edison’s ef- remedies for the small business and forts to increase its energy efficiency moving forward to the future.”

“

If there isn’t a major change in Sacramento...

I’m going to be very disappointed.

“

By Andrew kwok

Daily Titan Staff Writer

49 percent of CSUF students that enrolled that year as first-time freshman graduated in six years or less, said Edward Sullivan, Associate Vice President of CSUF’s Institutional Research and Analytical Studies.

The data Increase the overall graduation rate by 6 percent.

Housing: The debate continues

By Alma sanchez

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

"Now leasing," "apartment for rent" and "leasing specials" are just a few signs posted near Cal State Fullerton that students may come across when searching for a place to live.

School housing is an option, however there’s great demand for dorms amongst CSUF students, and not enough space to guarantee every applicant housing, according to the school housing Web site.

With 800 units and fees ranging from $5,775/double occupancy to $7,675/single occupancy, dorm life is limited.

For human services major Katie Egan, staying at the school dorms seems more appealing than staying anywhere off campus. “The only downside is the expenses because if

you were to live at the apartments it’ll be cheaper once you split it all up,” she added. “(Students) should always keep in mind location, pricing for apartments, feeling comfortable and safety,” said Adriane Valley, leasing specialist at the Waterton apartments located at 600 Langsdorf Dr. Rent at Waterton ranges from $950 to $1495 for one and two bedroom apartments with security deposits starting at $400.

Michelle Joseph, manager at the Pointe Apartments, located across the street from CSUF, said distance from school, safety and deciding whether to have roommates are factors to be considered by students when looking for a place to live.

Rental rates for a one bedroom apartment at the Pointe go from $1,025 for a 12 month lease and an additional $25 a month for a six

month lease. Occupancy in these apartments is limited to three people.

“If...you need people around to feel a sense of security or comfort, then the dorms is where you want to be,” said Tony Alva, CSUF alumnus who majored in business finance in 2001and an employee at Waterton.

“But if you’re more independent and you need a little elbow space, maybe you want to live outside of the dorms,” he added.

“There are always a lot of activities going on and we are always the first to know about things that happen on campus,” said Egan who is also a resident adviser at the school housing and resident life.

“Always ask about move-in specials, if there are any clauses about the lease or anything,” continued Joseph, “ask as many questions as possible.”

February 1, 2010

PRSSA students create campaign

IN OTHER NEWS

INTERNATIONAL

Faulting pedals on Toyota Vehicles result in recall

TOKYO (MCT) - Toyota Motor Corp., currently in the midst of a massive recall of vehicles in the United States, Europe and elsewhere over potentially faulty accelerators, was aware of a gas pedal flaw as early as the spring of 2007, according to industry sources.

Toyota, however, said Saturday the potential problem with the accelerator pedal in vehicles subject to the ongoing callback differs from a problem discovered in 2007 that caused sudden acceleration.

But industry sources have pointed out problems with a material used to make the pedal system both in 2007 and thereafter.

This raises questions about Toyota’s quality control system, the sources said. Had Toyota thoroughly dealt with the problem in its initial phase, the current large-scale recall could have been prevented, they said.

By laura barron-lopez

Daily Titan Asst.News Editor news@dailytitan.com

All it takes is 10 minutes or less to fill out a form, and every person who completes it gets $3,000 for the city in which the individual lives.

This is the message that five students will launch as a public relations campaign on Feb. 1.

They have dedicated increasing amounts of time since last November on a campaign to promote the 2010 Census.

These five students make up the Bateman team. The members include Molly Smith, Lady McDesmond, Jason Camarillo, Blanca Nunez and Jonny Barba. They are competing in the Bateman National competition.

In order to make the cut they had to be in the PRSSA club (Public Relations Student Society of America) and qualify in numerous areas.

Every team in this national competition is given a client that they must create and execute a campaign for.

If they are selected for the top three, they will be flown to Washington DC for a presentation and final judging by the very clients for whom they worked.

“This is a great opportunity for us to distinguish our communications program at CSUF,” McDesmond said.

The campaign will end on February 28, and in that span of time all of the planning, analyzing, figuring and dedication will be put into effect not only on campus, but in the surrounding communities.

“As part of the campaign, we con-

NATIONAL

Obama claims creating more jobs are top priority

By Molly Smith/For the Daily Titan Members of the Bateman team working with census bureau members. Sitting from left to right are: Lady McDesmond, census representative, Bulmaro Rivera (Partnership Asst. of Orange County census team), Jonathan Barba, Blanaca Nunez and Molly Smith.

tacted the census in our area and they gave us three HTC (hard to track) areas. In Fullerton they gave us the areas right behind our campus, those apartments, and they gave us CSUF, of course. And one more HTC area in La Habra,” Dean Kazoleas, the advisor to the Bateman team said, who has had two teams in the past reach the top three, the last one being in 2007 and finishing in second.

There are many difficulties when trying to count these hard to track areas, Kazoleas explained. However, in order to dispel the myths that surround the census, the bureau states clearly that no personal information by law can be shared with any federal agency or law enforcement. Everything is confidential, according to a 2010 census brochure.

Results of these myths are evident in areas such as “La Habra which is a big Spanish speaking population.

And the problem there is that many people are actually afraid. They are afraid of the government. Some may

be illegal, some are legal but they are afraid that if they answer the census immigration is going to come in,” said Kazoleas.

The project has occupied the time of these five teammates the majority of Fall semester and will continue to do so this Spring. The judges in the competition will be looking for the following in a winning team: 1. Did they conduct the research/ segmentation the client asked for?

2. Was the planning not only strategic but creative?

3. Was there an impact, did they raise awareness, did they persuade the public on the importance of the census and show the public it was safe to trust the bureau?

To accomplish all of this, the team puts in up to 50-70 hours per week.

When asked about the experience of being on the team and having to build their own campaign from the ground up, Smith and Camarillo commented on what a good learning experience it is.

“You learn to look at things in a

multifaceted way. It’s been very positive and rewarding,” Smith said.

The team is working to localize the message by stressing that “the census is easy to fill out, taking only a few minutes. When students fill it out, that counts for CSUF and brings financial aid to the campus and helps with budget cuts,” Camarillo said.

Smith added that when the people of Fullerton take the time to fill out a form, the money received will go to hospitals, transportation, and the community at large.

During the span of their campaign, the team will be branching out into the areas designated to them by setting up information tables, going door to door, and having a rock the census week on campus to attract students.

“I can tell you this as a professor, I have seen nothing else that is as effective in teaching the students how to do a real world campaign than Bateman. You have to implement the campaign on the ground,” said Kazoleas.

Panhellenic: loses funding for spring From Page 1 Panhellenic is one of four greek life organizations on campus which also include the Interfraternity, NPHC Chapters and the Multicultural Greek Council. Six sororities, including Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Zeta, Sigma Kappa and Zeta Tau Alpha, fall directly under Panhellenic.

“It was definitely tense,” said ASI CEO, Juliana Santos. “It’s nothing personal. It’s strictly business and it was simply us being fair and adhering to our budget language and all of our policies and bylaws,” the 21year-old child adolescent development major explained.

According to Rodrigo Calderon, a 26-year-old graphic design major,

3

and College of the Arts representative on the Board of Directors, the request to be submitted by Panhellenic exceeded $31,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Panhellenic received a budget of $23,470 for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

“There was a lot of effort on ASI’s part to make sure Panhellenic would not miss the deadline and would supply an accurate budget that would qualify them to be part of our discussion,” said Calderon.

While not clear whether Panhellenic would have been included in the ASI budget process to the extent of their request, the denial will certainly affect them in the coming fiscal year.

“Panhellenic isn’t specifically to enhance Greek life; it’s also to enhance life across campus,” said Brit-

tany Boat, fundraising chair for Zeta Tau Alpha and Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment. “So I feel that if we don’t have a budget, or if we have no money at all it’s probably going hurt campus life overall because a lot of the activities and things that we do aren’t going happen,” the 21-year-old communications major explained.

“There’s going to be maybe some events that they might not be able to do or it might limit the time for the expenses that they’re going to have to make between events, but they’re going to be moving forward with this experience,” said Maricela Alvarado, Greek Life Staff Coordinator on campus. “It’s definitely a learning experience.”

Calderon said there are other avenues available to Panhellenic and they are well aware of them. There is a contingency fund available to organizations for which requests must be made upon an event-by-event basis to the ASI Finance Committee. And like any organization, Panhellenic is

welcome to fundraise.

“We do fundraising, but when we fundraise it’s not for us, it’s for all the philanthropies that each sorority has,” said Boat. “And mostly Panhellenic fundraising goes to Camp Titan, so if have to fundraise for ourselves then that will away from Camp Titan. I think everything comes back to being detrimental to the school.”

The ASI Board of Directors meeting was the first of the year with many new members and only three returning veterans.

“By allowing the Panhellenic Council’s budget to be included even though it was there own fault for not turning it in on time, even after Henoc had gone to great lengths to try and help them out, it would just be opening Pandora’s box,” said Emel Shaikh, ASI Board of Directors Chair and 21-year-old public relations major.

“It was a meeting that basically started the semester off with a bang.”

NEW YORK - Putting more Americans back to work is the top priority in 2010 for the White House, which is also looking to rein in budget deficits that threaten to choke off the economic recovery, President Obama said Saturday.

Noting progress, with the government on Friday reporting the economy grew at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the final quarter of 2009, Obama also acknowledged those “still struggling” to find work.

“Our mission isn’t just to grow the economy. It’s to grow jobs for folks who want them, and ensure wages are rising for those who have them,” Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address.

But Obama also called critical the reining in of “the budget deficits we’ve been accumulating for far too long,” saying the nation’s red ink is an immediate threat to the economic recovery.

STATE California lawmakers stall on budget decisions SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Nearly a month after California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called an emergency legislative session to begin tackling some $8.9 billion in budget fixes, the clock for lawmakers would seem to be ticking louder every day.

But aside from a few lengthy budget hearings and some closed-door huddles, the Capitol’s business has mostly been, well, business as usual. Bills have hatched and died. Cocktails have been downed at campaign soirees. And industry lobbyists have made the rounds _ some of them carrying balloons.

Concrete alternatives to the governor’s deep cuts to schools, transit funding and welfare programs will wait until this week. That leaves the Legislature’s leaders with precious little time _ three weeks from Sunday _ to negotiate a deal before crisis measures kick in and force the rest of the people’s business onto the sidelines. Again.

“We’re moving as expeditiously as possible,” said Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, a Democrat, who chairs the Assembly Budget Committee. “The special session ends Feb. 22. It’s very likely we’ll do it before then.” And yet, if that sounds like a firm deadline, it isn’t. Not really. For one, lawmakers and the governor’s office have yet to agree on the size of the problem.

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan.

Please contact Executive Editor Sergio Cabaruvias at 657-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

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February 1, 2010

Students speak out: healthcare “

I don’t think it’s a right that we are given by being a citizen of this nation.

– Richard Buck

courtesy of mct

Obama addresses the nation

By James Gobee and Oscar Romero Daily Titan Staff Writers news@dailytitan.com

“

I think it’s good.. that he’s trying to make it affordable for everyone but certain things don’t seem right.

– Laura Bok

“

I think it’s ridiculous to see people going bankrupt because the bill is too high.

“

As the Obama administration continues to negotiate the final passing of a national health care reform bill, students of Cal State Fullerton voice their opinions.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, first introduced to Congress in the summer of 2009, has been publicly scrutinized for the past three months.

This has in turn launched President Obama into a constant battle to defend what he says will “greatly benefit Americans from all walks of life as well as the economy as a whole.”

Under this newly proposed legislation, President Obama puts forth three main goals for the future of health care in America: stability and security for those already insured, affordability and accessibility for those who are not, and slowing down the rising costs of American health care.

“I see a lot of students that have no insurance and they’re not even worried,” said senior Leila Conklin, 27. “They’re like ‘oh, it’s OK’ but they don’t realize that it’s not because you’re young that you’re going to be healthy,” added Conklin.

The primary goal of the president’s health care plan is to provide more security and stability to those individuals who already have health insurance.

Conklin, a finance major, said that although she’s already insured, if the act is approved she thinks everyone in the U.S. will gain something from it. “At the end it’s true, everyone will benefit,” continued Conklin, “because you can be rich or anything, but when it hits you, you’ll be happy to have a safety net.”

With the passing this comprehensive health care reform, the Obama administration said that it expects to provide insurance to those who don’t already have it by making it more accessible and affordable.

“

news@dailytitan.com

Justin Chavez, 19, criminal justice major, said he agrees with Obama’s proposed reform. “It’s not really for me that I’m thinking,” Chavez said. “It’s for the others that really need health care. You know, the children and women who can’t afford it and men who just suck it up and just keep going on with their day because they can’t afford it.”

This reform would also slow down the growth of health care costs for families, businesses and government, the administration said.

“I think it’s good that he’s trying to make it affordable for everyone,” said Laura Bok, 22, graphic design major. “But just certain things don’t seem right.”

What Bok refers to are the concerns shared by many Americans, especially those who benefit from programs such as Medicare, that the money spent on this reform would force the government to cut down on programs which they say benefit many in this country.

The President assures the country that the plan will not add more money to the deficit and that it will be paid for by finding savings within the current health care system.

And in his speech given to a joint session of Congress on Sept.

9, he reassured that “not a dollar of the Medicare trust fund will be used to pay for this plan.”

Some students like Richard Buck, 21, philosophy major, believe that President Obama’s proposed reform will not benefit Americans to a great extent. If the act were to take effect, he said, the quality of health care would not be very desirable.

“If we had abundance of money and could afford to give everyone really good quality healthcare for free, then that would be something that should happen,” said Buck about the health care act.

The final version of the health care reform legislation was passed by the House of Representatives on Nov. 7 and awaits the approval of the Senate.

“

By Juanita Vasquez

Daily Titan Staff Writer

– Leila Conklin

President Barack Obama's first State of the Union Address, which aired live on Jan. 27, focused on America’s ailing economy. Also addressed in the State of the Union were cleaner energy, federal spending, open government, homosexuals in the military and American jobs, which Obama said needed to be our "number one focus in 2010".

Obama urged the Senate to follow the House and pass a second jobs bill as its first order of business this year.

Obama also proposed rerouting the $30 billion paid to Wall Street banks to help community banks lend money to small businesses so they can stay afloat. Obama said he wants to set a goal of doubling exports over the next five years, explaining that it would support two million jobs at home. An initiative was also announced to help farmers and small businesses increase their exports.

Obama promised to reform export rules.

“Now, I know Wall Street isn't keen on this idea. But if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who res-

cued them in their time of need,” Obama said.

The president continued his agenda on reforming health care by reminding everyone of the bill currently making its way through congress. Lower premiums and coverage for the uninsured were some of the proponents covered in his speech.

“I just don’t feel he should be pushing it,” said 24-year-old Rob Carey, a business major at Cal State Fullerton, about the health care bill.

“He shouldn’t rush it.”

Obama reminded viewers that taxes have been cut for many Americans. Taxes were cut for 95 percent of working families, for small businesses, first-time home-buyers, parents trying to care for their children and for eight million Americans paying for college. Obama said that the plan that made all of this possible is the Recovery Act, better known as the "stimulus."

Obama also urged lawmakers to pass a bill to undo a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows companies and labor unions to spend freely on campaign ads that promote or target particular candidates.

In reaction to the speech many commentators and politicians voiced their opinions.

Obama’s pledge to remove all U.S.

troops from Iraq by the end of August was reiterated and he expressed his support for homosexuals to be able to serve openly in U.S. military forces.

In regards to education, Obama proposed that there be a $10,000 tax credit for students enrolled in fouryear universities, along with higher Pell Grants. He also proposed student loan repayments at 10 percent of income and forgiving all student loan debt after 20 years, or after 10 years if the student enters public service.

When asking the faculty of CSUF their thoughts regarding the speech various responses were given.

“I think there is no chance whatso-ever of bipartisanship,” Raphael Sonenshein Division Chair of Politics and Administration Justice of CSUF said. “This is a political party system, not a Kumbaya system.”

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey indicated that 48 percent of speech-watchers had a very positive reaction.

"It probably did not sway many Republican votes, or strengthen the backbones of many Democrats or shift public opinion too much; but rarely can a presidential speech do any of those things," said CSUF Political Science Professor Vince Buck.

5

February 1, 2010

Titans take fitness challenge By lauren Mccann

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Cal State Fullerton students are encouraged to participate in the “Titan Fitness Challenge,” a 10-week on-campus competition this semester, as a way to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The challenge is sponsored by Titan Recreation, Associated Students Inc., ASI Productions, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Services and CSUF Student Affairs.

ASI Productions Administration Director Thomas Kocina is extremely excited to see the challengers and encourages students to apply.

“Being a participant in this program is an incredible journey, free for students, and an absolutely fantastic resource for any student in need for a life change,” said Kocina.

Last year there were over 100 applicants for the challenge. This year, even more are expected to apply.

The competition will consist of 24 contestants who will be competing in six dimensions of physicality and nutrition.

Throughout the challenge, CSUF trainers will be coaching and training students through personalized exercise programs.

Ryan Carpenter, one of the trainers, is eager for the second year of the challenge.

“Our program is set up for you to achieve. We will find a personal level for you to succeed. Like a backbone, we will be working as a group,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter believes in the importance of a healthy lifestyle and encourages students to take part in this semester’s challenge.

According to Carpenter, and backed by popular nutritional belief, the Pareto Principle observes the 80/20 rule. In relation to fitness, it means that a balanced and healthy nutrition regimen consists of 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent exercise for best results.

Health educator Darany Hoang will be providing nutritional consultations and basic information from

the American Dietetic Associations and USDA MyPyramid to achieve dietary success for the competitors.

Contestants will attend 20-minute weekly weigh-in meetings, where they will have the opportunity to discuss their progress and challenges.

“The challenge is a time for each contestant to focus on empowering themselves with better habits and staying accountable to the supportive team from the Titan Fitness Challenge,” said Hoang.

Through the Student Health and Counseling Center, (SHCC) participants are required to get a pre-participation physical during the week of Feb. 15, which is also funded by the program.

“The previous group of contestants learned a great deal of skills in the gym, eating better and understanding the mental aspects of body image and food issues, and ultimately had a positive experience during this lifestyle change,” said Hoang.

Through the fitness challenge, not only will contestants be exposed to physical training and nutritional counseling, there are also Mind/ Body Workshops provided by CAPS in SHCC. According to their Web site, CAPS strives to help students achieve their academic, professional and personal goals. CAPS is a confidential

program that will be a part of the challenge, providing two interactive sessions that will address eating and body image issues related to weight loss. ASI Productions will be awarding prizes to one female and one male in overall weight loss and nutrition on a weekly basis. ASI Productions will also be holding a half-way celebration and a grand finale dinner for the contestants where the overall top competitor will be awarded.

This year, ASI Productions has gone the extra mile and added a cooking class to the program for participants.

“On top of the nutritional tips, I feel if the students actually see nutritional cooking, how quick and easy it can be as well as delicious, they will be more willing and maybe even wanting to cook more having an excellent diet during the program,” said Kocina.

Kocina, Carpenter, Hoang and James Mayhard, another CSUF personal trainer, all encourage students to ask them questions if there is any hesitation to apply.

“My motivation is seeing the challengers smile,” said Mayhard.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and applications must be submitted to the Titan Student Union, Room 269 by 4 p.m. on Feb. 5 and are available in the recreation center.

Photo By lauren mccann/For the Daily Titan Outside of the Titan Recreation Center where the Titan fitness challenge will be held.

By MICHaeL arellano/For the Daily Titan One of the many machines that sit idle in room E-30 in the Engineering and Computer Science building. Access to machines such as this are needed by the engineering seniors in order to finish their projects.

Engineering machines sit dormant

By Zam Anwar

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

The beginning of a semester for most Cal State Fullerton students means settling into their classes. While finals week may be the last thing on the minds of these students, some seniors in the engineering department are worrying about the completion of their final projects.

With the design and visual phases of the project completed last semester, students must now complete the building phase, which requires the use of the departments machine shop located in the engineering building, room E-30.

Due to the unexpected retirement of machinist and student supervisor David Parsons, the machines sit silently in E-30 for several hours a day. The college was only recently granted approval to hire a replacement after Parsons retirement last fall.

Fred Hogarth, team leader for

the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE), is working with his teammates on a race car for their project. Hogarth said there is considerable worry among seniors who are depending on the use of the machine shop.

“We need those machines to complete our projects, and if we cannot complete our projects, we cannot graduate,” Hogarth said.

Senior John Woodland, electrical engineering major, often assists students in the machine shop.

“I can be here,” Woodland said, “but (students) also need someone from the faculty to be here.”

With students looking to the colleges for a solution, Dr. Raman Unnikrishnan, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, said that the issue at hand is more complex than it seems.

“The students need to understand how the budget crisis is impacting everyone, even more so at the instructional level,” Unnikrishnan said.

Unnikrishnan said the college is dealing with a lot of different prob-

lems: three retirements in a very short period, state-wide furloughs (which has reduced available work time by 10 percent) and an increasing workload.

The dean also said that hiring a replacement for any staff member who retires is not as easy as it seems.

Many staff members who retire usually have at least a month of accumulated vacation time. The college has to wait until the end of that period to begin looking for a replacement. And because of the budget crisis, Unnikrishnan said there is an additional 60-day period until a replacement can be approved for any position.

As for hiring a new equipment technician, Unnikrishnan said that he received approval to recruit a replacement in midJanuary, but finding a skilled machinist to supervise and handle the machines is not easy.

“This is not like using a computer. These machines need to be handled by someone highly experienced,” Unnikrishnan said.

6

February 1, 2010

Drinking beer has healthy benefits

By Katelin Paiz

Daily Titan News Editor features@dailytitan.com

Photo BY Lauren Mccan/Daily Titan Staff Writer A garlic and olive oil mixture is paired with freshly baked focaccia bread to kick off a meal at Mama D’s.

Italian authenticity reigns

By Lauren Mccan

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

The Mama D’s crew invites Cal State Fullerton students to come in and enjoy meals with classmates and friends at this authentic Italian restaurant, where beach cruisers and palm trees align Newport Boulvevard down the sandy Newport Beach Peninsula.

According to general manager Luke Martin, any student who is part of an officially recognized university club will receive a club donation worth 25 percent of the bill, as long as they provide the club’s contact information.

“With budgets and tuition being so tight, we want to help students and their clubs. It is a way to benefit them directly. We thought this would be a good way to show our appreciation,” said Martin.

Locals, newcomers, regulars and passerby are sure to take a liking to the neighborhood Italian kitchen, whose mission and commitment is giving every guest a superior dining experience.

As you walk to your table, you can feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you walk to your table.

The kitchen, being the main focal

point, is the backdrop. Homey Italian decorations adorn the walls, outlined by children’s illustrations, all while welcome signs, Frank Sinatra and “Rat Pack” posters decorate the cottage-like windows. Diner Sally Porterfield, who stopped in two years after her first visit, was in awe of the the hospitality and calm feeling.

“It’s like a mom and pop shop. You get the urge to relax, like you’re at home and be who you are. I remember my server Dave from two years ago because the service here is sincere and personal. They care,” said Porterfield.

The menu is an extensive list of affordable authentic Italian dishes, with the average entree costing $13.

There are many pastas, sauces, toppings, pizzas and specialities to choose from. Go ahead and ask for recommendations.

On a busy night, people waiting for their table are served a rotation of delectable enticers: moist, flavorful garlic foccacia bread, hearty homemade meatballs and a genuine smile from the hosts.

To kick start your tastebuds, a garlic and olive oil mixture with freshly baked focaccia bread is brought to the table.

For a tasty starter try the crispy Calamari Fritti, served with a marinara sauce, or the cheesy Bo’s Bruschetta that sits on a plate surrounding a plump mixture of ripe pomodoro tomatoes, basil and olive oil.

Delizioso!

For newcomers, a homemade ravioli decorated perfectly with their red marinara sauce and filled with a light ricotta cheese is given to you as a complimentary welcome.

You cannot go wrong choosing any one of their pasta dishes with the special “Mama D’s Original Pink Sauce.”

Server Daniel Salisbury recommends anything and everything with it.

“I’ve tried pink sauce before, but there is something about Mama D’s Pink. I don’t know if it’s the alfredo or the marinara, but it’s out of this world here.”

Try the perfectly breaded Penny’s Chicken Parmigiana for a super satisfying meal. You are sure to have some leftovers, which are amazing the next day.

The next thing you know, if you opt for dessert, you’re brought Mama D’s delicious and warm chocolate chip cookies.

The foamy amber liquid that has become synonymous with frat houses and debauchery may soon become synonymous with something new – something surprising.

Beer has become the subject of many medical studies in which scientists have postulated that, in moderation, the drink may have some health benefits.

“I didn’t think there were any benefits of beer,” said 19-year-old business major Haylie Patterson, who was surprised by the idea.

Oddly enough, alcohol has long been touted for improving heart health. In fact, the main medical benefit of moderate alcohol use, defined as about one glass per day, is the lowering of the risk for coronary heart disease, according to “Scientific American.”

This benefit was discovered in the early 1900s when pathologists found that the large arteries of people who had died of alcoholic liver cirrhosis seemed remarkably free of atherosclerosis, or put simply, the fatty plaque that can cause heart attacks.

Beer itself has only recently come into the public health spotlight, following the surprising revelations about the health benefits reported to be in a glass of red wine – a cultural perk that the French have enjoyed for years.

According to “Nutrition Today,” beer can potentially provide nutrients

such as soluble fiber, antioxidants and dextrin. Additionally, many studies have shown that the grains used to make beer contain silicon, which boosts bone density.

Researchers have also asserted that hops, a main ingredient of beer, is a significant source of polyphenols that are thought to lower cholesterol, fight cancer and kill viruses.

One recent study, published in the “Nutrition Research Newsletter,” found that moderate drinkers have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.

People in these groups also tend to have lower risks for dementia than people who do not drink.

Despite the recent findings, some Cal State Fullerton students aren’t flocking to the underground pub to fill their prescription just yet.

“I don’t really believe it,” said Christie Dobrovodsky, an 18-

year-old biochemistry major, adding that she thinks, “It could potentially harm more than help.”

One thing that these researchers seem to share is the opinion that while moderate consumption of beer can have benefits, more than three drinks a day can only have negative effects on the human body.

Photo BY Nick Marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor

Learn how to cook a mean steak By luke cherney

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

No one ever said that cooking in the dorms was easy. With shared spaces, minimal appliances and typically a lack of cooking experience, most students opt for Hot Pockets or frozen burritos, which are neither a satisfying or healthy solution. How long can students live like that?

Most don’t realize that, aside from

these two frozen delicacies, there’s a third option: a big, juicy steak.

Making a steak is not something to fear. All it takes is a little preparation and time. But how do you cook somewhere like the dorms without calling mom or the fire department?

Before cooking, select a medium, thick piece of meat and allow it to thaw. For pan searing, choose a Tbone, a porterhouse, or something from the sirloin section. For the best quality, buy from the butcher’s counter and not the pre-packaged stuff. When in doubt, ask the butcher. If you do buy packaged meat, stay away from any with excessive moisture or tears.

If it’s frozen, throw the steak in a Zip-Lock bag with cool water running over the bag in a bowl, so it can thaw about thirty minutes before cooking.

Take olive oil, salt, pepper and whatever other spices you want to coat it with, and massage the mixture into the meat with your hands. I suggest chopped garlic and onions.

Now for the cooking. Start with high heat and add a bit of olive oil to the skillet, just enough to cover the surface, and watch it get really hot.

Add the meat just before the oil begins to smoke. The oil should not be popping or crackling. If it is, you are burning the oil. If that happens, just add a drizzle more and throw the meat on because you are ready to cook.

If you can find one, get a large cast iron skillet. They aren’t that expensive, and they are great for searing meats and sauteing vegetables. Because they

don’t have a nonstick surface, some of the meat’s juices will stick to the pan.

These are important in adding rich flavor to any dish.

“If you use a nonstick, you’ll have no drippings to flavor the sauce,” said French chef Jacques Pépin in a February 2010 GQ article. You can make a great sauce afterward by adding some beef stock and caramelizing some chopped onions or garlic.

Cook the steak for three to seven minutes depending on thickness and personal preference. Like your mother said, don’t play with your food. Let it sit and sear for about half of your cook time, then flip to cook the other side.

“Make the okay sign with your thumb and index finger. Poke the base of your thumb. That’s what rare steak feels like,” noted chef Steve Greer, owner of the Golden Ox in Kansas City, Mo. Set the meat aside on a plate and wrap it with foil or put it in an oven that’s been turned off for about five minutes.

Letting the meat rest is probably the most important part of cooking a steak. If you carve too soon, all the warm juices will escape, leaving you with a dry slab of leather. They need to reabsorb back into the meat.

Now, carve and serve.

Bon Appétit.

For video on how to cook the perfect steak, visit: www.dailytitan. com/2010/01/howtomakesteak

7

February 1, 2010

Vegetarians convert for humanely raised meat

By Lauren Mccan

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

It’s become downright fashionable to eat meat again.

The fashion started a couple years ago, when vegan actress Jennifer Connolly succumbed to her pregnancy cravings for turkey burgers.

Next, former-vegan actress Mariel Hemingway, who starred in Woody Allen’s “Manhattan,” began touting the virtues of buffalo meatloaf and grass-fed pot roast. Recently, acclaimed vegetarian chef and cookbook author Mollie Katzen admitted that she too is foraging for more than just roots and berries down on the farm.

What’s prompting this carnivorous conversion among the rich and not-so-famous? For some former vegans and vegetarians, it’s the availability of cruelty-free, fully-sustainable, free-range beef, lovingly raised on small farms by producers concerned more with the animal’s welfare than with their profit line. zMany people say this kinder, gentler form of cattle-raising mitigates the factors that caused them to become vegetarian or vegan in the first place.

Sociology major Crystal Wishart, 34, converted to vegetarianism three years ago after watching Fast Food Nation, a 2006 film that examined

Photo BY Lanae King/Daily Titan Staff Photographer

the health risks involved in the fast food industry and its environmental and social consequences.

“I was so grossed out by it, I couldn’t fathom eating meat of any kind,” she recalled.

Last year during a trip to New Orleans she “succumbed to all the yummy smells and sights” and began eating meat again. Now she peruses the aisles of Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market for humanely-raised, sustainable beef and chicken without regret, she said, not only because of the way the animal was raised but because the meat is healthier, fresher and tastier than factory-produced meat.

“Do I think that I am unethical or immoral because I eat meat? No. It’s just a personal choice,” Wishart said. “I see how some people can think that (eating humanely-raised meat) is more ethical or moral because the animals are fed better and treated better, but I hate to sound harsh - the ending is just the same for them.”

The term “sustainable” that has crept into foodie lexicon over the past few years, refers to products that can be produced indefinitely with little impact on the system in which they were produced.

Experts say the current meat industry is not sustainable because it is abusive to the environment, the animals and the humans that process the animals – a system that will cause worse damage and suffering if it continues on its present course.

Heather Stoltzfus, outreach chair for Slow Food Orange County, a non-profit organization that promotes consumption of sustainable, natural foods, explained there are several reasons to eat sustainable meat.

“You support a producer who is a steward of the environment as well as animal and human life instead of a corporation pursuing the bottom line,” she said. “At the same time you enjoy an animal knowing that it has lived its life as it was meant to be lived.”

Stoltzfus said many vegetarians give up meat in protest of industrial farming conditions that are harmful to the animals, the environment and the people who work with and eat them. Meat raised in a manner where these conditions are not present may be attractive to them.

A vegetarian for 18 years, Stoltzfus has recently considered adding sustainable meat to her diet.

“I try to support the best producers possible,” she said. “So is it better for me to buy and eat a sustainablyraised chicken and help the farmer stay in business or buy GMO tofu from a large corporation that is destroying the land they grow on?

In some cases eating meat is a sustainable and even compassionate choice.”

While some former herbivores cite taste and environmental concerns as primary reasons to eat meat again, experts also note that grass-fed, free-range beef packs a nutritional punch, offering health benefits that factory-produced, corn-fed beef does not.

She adds that vegetarians can get similar benefits by consuming a plant-based, dark leafy green diet, taking an omega-3 supplement or eating flaxseed oil and walnuts.

Pleasing the palate with Patel Pasta Pizza

By SHRUTI PATEL For the Daily Titan features@ dailytitan.com

Photo BY SHRUTI PATEL/For the Daily Titan

Food is a constant worry in our day-to-day lives. For college students, making something simple and affordable that still tastes great seems a feat in itself, which is why I have come up with a simple answer – pasta pizza.

I love to make something that can feed everyone and still leaves leftovers. This is why pasta has been a big deal in my house. It is also cheap to make and offers many variations and flavors. Still, eating pasta all the time becomes banal fast, so pizza has become a ready alternative.

This is how you can combine pasta and pizza: 3 Personal size pizza crusts (I recommend DaBertos) 1 Package of plain cooked pasta, any kind will do (except for spaghetti) 1 Jar of readymade marinara sauce 1 Jar of pesto sauce 1 jar of Alfredo sauce 3 Cups of Mozzarella cheese, approximately one cup per pizza ½ Cup sliced olives 1 Cup diced chicken, cooked ½ Cup mushrooms ½ Cup bell peppers, diced 1 Package pepperoni 1 Package sundried tomatoes

1. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the packet. After draining the water lightly, toss the pasta in olive oil, garlic salt and pepper.

2. Take the individual pizza crusts and brush them with a dab of oil, olive preferably but vegetable is fine, so they have a light coating throughout.

3. All of the toppings are optional, as well as the sauces, so feel free to top your pizza with whatever you’re craving that day. I tend to start off with sauce first, then the pasta, followed by whatever I have in my fridge and loads of cheese.

4. Put the pizzas on a baking sheet and cook for about 8 ½ to 10 minutes, checking about halfway through to rotate.

8

February 1, 2010

Simplicity equals success for Los Angeles band

By Meghan Alfano

Daily Titan Sound-off Editor Soundoff@dailytitan.com

For fans of: Built to Spill, Pavement, The Replacements, Modest Mouse

Coachella: Lineup announced

From Page 1

Whether or not people are excited about the lineup and regardless if they agree it’s mainstream, the sheer variety of artists scheduled to perform is undeniable. Newer bands like Passion Pit, the XX and Girls will perform on the same stages as older bands that are reuniting, like Public Image Limited, Pavement and the Specials. Numerous artists like deadmau5, Kaskade and 2ManyDJs will play house and electronic music. Coachella will be one of the first places artists like MGMT and Gorillaz will debut their first new music in years.

Gorillaz performance could be almost as arbitrary. Their third studio album, Plastic Beach, will be have been in production for almost two years at the time of its March 9 release date. Previous Gorillaz performances have had large onscreen silhouettes with musicians playing instruments in the pit, like a modern

psychedelic opera. So it’s anyone’s guess as to what their Coachella performance will be like with artists like Lou Reed and Snoop Dogg featured on Plastic Beach.

Then there’s Thom Yorke. The Radiohead frontman’s solo performance could most likely be the most unpredictable of all. He could do anything from reticently strumming an acoustic, to banging out a Radiohead song on piano to jumping on a sampler for an electronic song. His transcendent falsetto vocals will surely entrance the audience whether he plays an electronic song acoustically or an acoustic song electronically.

Single-day passes will not be available for purchase this year.

Those who would like to only go Friday to see Vampire Weekend must still purchase three-day passes, allowing them to see Faith No More on Saturday and Sly and the Family Stone on Sunday. Goldenvoice leader and festival architect Paul

Tollett told the LA Times that 80 percent of those who have attended Coachella in the past purchased three-day passes anyway. His goal is to improve the overall experience for everyone.

Tollett understands this is unfortunate for those who cannot afford the $269 three-day pass. On the bright side, however, the price of camping passes has decreased from $55 per person to $57 per slot – with no limit on people per slot.

Also, ins and outs are allowed on the campground, unlike previous years. Through Feb. 15, passes can be purchased via layaway (50 percent down and 50 percent due the first week of March, or 10 percent down and the remaining halves due the first week of February and the first week of March). Three-day festival passes (including via layaway) and camping passes are available for purchase at Coachella.com/tickets. The full lineup is available at Coachella.com/events/lineup.

“

Our success has come from not expecting things to happen.

“

photo by Christa connelly/Daily Titan Photo Editor Concert goers take a moment to cool off at an art sculpture with misters in the heat of the afternoon on day one of the three-day Coachella Music and Arts Festival in 2009.

Typically, the best way to go about being successful at something is to be serious about it.

The Henry Clay People are an exception to that rule.

What started out as a Santa Barbara party band, The Henry Clay People have become one of Los Angeles’ most buzzed about acts.

The Henry Clay People, which has gone through multiple lineup changes Photo courtesy of www.hearya.com since its beginning, currently consists The Henry Clay People are (from left to right): Michael Hopkins, Jordan Hudock of Yorba Linda natives Joey Siara (vo- (piano), Jonathan Price, Joey Siara and Andy Siara. cals, guitar) and Andy Siara (guitar, “Last year was the weirdest year,” he vocals), the only original members of Replacements were to fuse into one the band, along with Jonathan Price band, it would be the Henry Clay said. “We got a taste of what it’s like to make it with music, but on the other (bass, vocals), Mike Hopkins (drums) People.

Despite having a serious potential hand, we got a taste of reality – runand Jordan Hudock (piano).

The band started in 2002 playing to make music a livelihood, the band’s ning on five hours of sleep each night, parties in Isla Vista while lead vocal- main focus is still to create music that going out with no money – it was ist Joey Siara attended University of is comfortable, humble and above all, weird going from playing local shows to something much bigger.”

California, Santa Barbara to obtain a fun.

“Our music is something fun and The Henry Clay People consists degree in history. Siara said the Henry Clay People formed as an outlet to not too serious,” said Siara. “There’s of a group of musicians who are so down-to-earth that it’s hard not to express their energy in a way that was enough serious bands out there.”

Siara said that his favorite moment like them. Their catchy vintage popfun for everyone involved.

“We had all been in bands before, with the Henry Clay People was not beats are mixed with lyrics that enable and we were tired of taking music so Lollapalooza or their first tour, but listeners to relate to them as everyday seriously,” said Siara. “We started as a rather a small show they played on people.

“I write shit I know about,” addparty band, just having fun, and it’s New Year’s at Club Spaceland in Siled Siara, “being in my 20s and not slowly turned into something differ- ver Lake.

That night, he said, the small bar knowing what I want, being broke, ent.”

In 2009, the group went on their was packed with fans and friends, and relationship stuff – it’s what I know.”

That air of modesty seems to be first national tour supporting the Air- after the ball dropped in New York and borne Toxic Event, and landed spots the clock struck midnight, the band what makes The Henry Clay People was joined stand out from other more pretenplaying at both Auson stage by tious LA-based bands, and has ultitin City Limits in friends from mately lead to their success.

Austin, Texas and various other As for 2010, the Henry Clay PeoLollapalooza in ChiLA acts, ple will release the follow up to their cago, Ill. Their songs playing cover 2008 album For Cheap or For Free, were rotated on the songs from and play SXSW as well as tour in suplate Indie103, and their favorite port of their new album. have been featured – Joey Siara artists unTheir potential to continue to grow on KROQ’s Locals Vocals/guitar, The til the early seems unstoppable. At the end of the Only Show. In NoHenry Clay People hours of the day, Siara said what matters most is vember, the group morning nothing but the simple pleasure of began work on their “It was creating fun and enjoyable music. third album.

“I don’t want to expect anything big Pretty impressive for a band that really cool to see that,” Siara said.

“Nothing we will do can ever really to happen,” Siara said. “Our success started playing just for the hell of it. has come from not expecting things The Henry Clay People is modern top that.”

Siara added that while 2009 was ex- to happen. When the good stuff hapindie pop-rock infused with 60’s and 70’s rock beats. If Pavement and The citing for the band, it was also surreal. pens, it’s really lucky.”

9

February 1, 2010

Girls brings psychedelia to intimate Detroit Bar

The Magnetic Fields – Realism

By Juanita Vasquez

By Melissa Hoon

Daily Titan Staff Writer Soundoff@dailytitan.com

It was only 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, but Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa was already near capacity. Fans made their way to the concert room, trying to get as close to the stage as possible.

The audience’s anticipation grew more and more over the next two and a half hours until Girls, the retro-pop rock duo from San Francisco, finally hit the stage.

Fans were more than forgiving for Girls’ late start time, as they cheered loudly over the opening lyrics to “Ghost Train.” A mellowed hush flowed through the intimately small venue as front-man Christopher Owens, 30, captivated the audience with his cheerful yet distressed vocals, similar to Elvis Costello.

Concert goer Nate Cole, 28, of Sil-

The Album Leaf – A Chorus of Storytellers

Retribution Gospel Choir – 2

By Christa Connelly

By Serena whitecotton

Soundoff@dailytitan.com

Soundoff@dailytitan.com

Soundoff@dailytitan.com

For Fans of: Belle and Sebastian, Jens Lekman, Yo La Tengo, Camera Obscura One of the best things a bathroom has to offer is excellent acoustics.

There is no better way to prove it than by listening to The Magnetic Fields’ most resent musical creation, Realism. The album, released on Jan. 26, is the band’s third creation with Nonesuch Records. This 13-track compilation is not the first time The Magnetic Fields have made use of the distinctive qualities of a bathroom in order to make music.

While recording their previous release, Distortion, percussionist Claudia Gonson found herself sitting in a bathtub surrounded by instruments. Although both albums were conceived under similar circumstances, front man Stephin Merritt had clear intentions – he wanted both albums to serve as foils to one another Realism is completely acoustic, just as Merritt initially envisioned.

A simple no-outlet rule allowed for an array of uncommon instruments to make an appearance in this work: banjos, cellos, tablas, bouzoukis and

ver Lake, who heard of Girls via Internet music blogs, said he likes the duo because they sound fresh, but are also reminiscent of 50’s and 60’s pop-rock bands.

Owens peered at the audience through his long, wavy dirty blond hair during his harmonica solo before playing Girls’ first single, “Hellhole Ratrace,” the final song played before the band’s two-song encore. For almost ten minutes the audience cheered and danced, swaying back-and-forth to the seven-minute song.

“I like Girls because they’re not trite.

Photo BY Monti Smith/ for the Daily Titan They don’t try too hard and get right to Girls’ bassist Chet “JR” White (left) and frontman Christopher Owens (right) performed the point without using metaphors,” on Jan. 25 at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa.

Phil Neujahr, 27, of Santa Ana said.

Girls’ lyrics certainly are straight- it took three minutes to write.” his mother and the cult they belonged forward and raw. Owens wrote most After Girls’ set, Owens said that to, the Children of God. At 16, he left of the songs on their debut album, while he no longer uses speed, he still the cult and moved to San Francisco in Album, released last September, while writes with the same quick style because his twenties where he met bassist Chet high on methamphetamine. that’s what he’s used to. His writing “JR” White, 30, and formed Girls.

“I would stay up all night on speed style might be one of the only things You can get wrapped up in the full and do nothing but write,” Owens in his life that hasn’t changed over the Girls experience of psychedelic, caresaid in a recent interview with Rolling years. Owens grew up fatherless, con- less fun and torment at the Coachella Stone. “If a song’s three-minutes long, stantly moving around the world with Valley Music Festival on April 17.

Daily Titan Staff Writer

For Fans of: Elvis Costello, Real Estate, Atlas Sound

accordions.

The Magnetic Fields have made a successful attempt at folk music, and the opening track will not disappoint old-time fans. The way in which instruments resonate throughout the album has retained that peculiar Magnetic Fields sound that listeners are accustomed to.

With lyrics such as, “You think you can simply press rewind/you must be out of your mind son/you must be out of your mind” and “Yes, I think I might drink a few/And maybe the baby will too” we are reminded of the wit and humor that makes this band so appealing.

It’s not Merritt’s ability to create memorable tunes that strikes me the most about this album. Rather, it’s the subtle, yet charming way in which he expresses himself. Perhaps it’s his low and sad voice resonating as if it has been filtered though paper cups that makes listening to Realism enjoyable.

Daily Titan Editor’s Picks The most underrated album of the decade Sergio Cabaruvias – Executive Editor Anathallo – Floating World Jeremiah Magan – Managing Editor Toadies - Hell Below/Stars Above Isa Ghani – Multimedia Editor Third Eye Blind –Out of the Vein Danielle Flint – Copy Editor Warren Zevon – Warren Zevon Ashleigh Johnson – Copy Editor Dr. Steel – Dr. Steel 2 Eclectic Boogaloo Brittny Ulate – Detour Editor Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak Meghan Alfano – Sound-off Editor World Leader Pretend – Punches Nick Marley – Photo Editor Seu Jeorge – The Life Aquatic

Daily Titan Staff Writer

Daily Titan Photo Editor

For Fans of: Sigur Ros, Saxon Shore, Explosions in the Sky For the past 12 years, The Album Leaf has primarily been a one-man band with instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Jimmy LaValle recording almost every instrument. On the upcoming release of A Chorus of Storytellers, a live band has joined LaValle in the studio. Though this is a change in normal procedure for the band, their sound has improved.

I was excited to finally hear this album, but with any band that I enjoy listening to as much as The Album Leaf, I am always apprehensive when a new album comes out. I fear the band will change their sound so much that it’s unrecognizably them.

Luckily for me, A Chorus of Storytellers fits in beautifully with the rest of The Album Leaf ’s consistent discography. Even with LaValle giving control to a live band to record instruments, their sound is still distinctly The Album Leaf.

For Fans of: Low, Neil Young

The only significant change in this album is the droney quality of some of the vocals. Compared to previous albums there is less emphasis on the vocals, and more attention on the beauty of instruments like the sweeping violin across an ambient soundscape.

This album feels more mature than the bands previous releases.

For instance, the songs tie together beautifully, creating a cohesive feeling that holds the listener’s attention and allows relaxation at the same time.

The Album Leaf has managed to pull it together, once again, to create a great work of musical art without disappointment.

A Chorus of Storytellers debuts Feb. 2 on Sub Pop Records.

Don’t let the name fool you, Retribution Gospel Choir is no gospel choir. Guitar riffs and heavy drums rule their new album 2, released Jan. 26. The beginning of the album is a wake-up call to the listener. If you were sleeping when you pushed play, you won’t be 30 seconds into “Your Bird,” the album’s second track. The song – and album for that matter – starts off slowly but epically, as if Retribution Gospel Choir is preparing for battle. The group is not heavy on vocals, which is a shame because singer Alan Sparhawk has a really nice voice. It’s a little rough around the edges, but I think that’s why I like it. Oddly enough, my favorite track, “’68 Comeback,” is a 43-second song without vocals. It has so much heart, soul and rock and roll that I can’t help but nod my head and play some air guitar. I really wish they had made this song into

a two minute track. It was stuck in my head for two days, and 43 seconds just doesn’t cut it. “Poor Man’s Daughter,” the fifth track on the album, that will probably be a single, is a slow but passionate song about a man’s inner struggles. The only problem I had with 2 was that it switched back and forth from the upbeat “White Wolf,” to the odd and uncomfortable “Something’s Gonna Break.” Most of the songs ended just as I started to like them. I would still recommend this album to anyone who wants to listen to something new, or anyone who likes the band Low, since two members from Low, including Sparhawk, are in Retribution Gospel Choir.

2 is out now on Sub Pop Records.

10

February 1, 2010

Broadening the comic reader’s horizon

PHoto By Nick marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor

With interest in the graphic novel world growing, we delve deeper into the genre and explore new titles From Page 1 is.

It's one of those books where the less you know beforehand, the better it

With five books out so far, and the final issue due out some time this year, it's a quick read and it would be good to know the story before seeing the upcoming film. Michael Cera will be playing our hero in the upcoming Edgar Wright-directed film "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" due out in the summer.

Another series with the art and writing done by one man is "Usagi Yojimbo," put out currently by Dark Horse. After Miyamoto Usagi's master has

been killed by the forces of the evil Lord Hikiji, he roams the Feudal Japanese countryside; a ronin looking for work as a bodyguard. Sounds like an Akira Kurasawa film. Except for the fact that all of the characters are anthropomorphs, in that they pretty much have human bodies and animal heads (think Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny). Usagi is not a typical furry comic as some might assume. It takes on Japanese mythology, exposing the reader to the country's culture and integrating Japanese words into the dialogue.

The series can get pretty dark (see the story "Noodles"), but it's also heartwarming. Usagi has also been known to make crossover appearances in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons, going back to the '80s. "Usagi Yojimbo" is a 25-year-old ongoing story, with 23 books out so far and issues coming out monthly.

Bill Willingham's "Fables," put out by the DC's Vertigo label, which is meant for older audiences, uses characters just about any child would rec-

ognize to tells its stories. The fairy tale characters of the world are in exile, chased out of their world by an evil overlord, forcing them to flee to America to build their own community, Fabletown. Under the leadership of Snow White, Prince Charming and Old King Cole, with the help of Sheriff Bigby (Big Bad) Wolf, the public domain heroes go to war to take back their homelands. Despite the friendly-sounding line-up of recognizable characters, "Fables" is definitely not a bedtime story for the kids.

The last pick for this list comes from Dynamite, after being dropped from DC's WildStorm label due to its anti-superhero story. As Simon Pegg wrote in the introduction for its first volume, "Sick, funny and disturbing, this rather marvelous collaboration answers an old question, 'who watches the Watchmen?' The Boys, of course ..." Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's "The Boys" takes off the rose-colored glasses of the superhero world, looking into their reckless disregard for the people around them as they take on villains, snort cocaine and solicit hookers at the same time. Enter the Boys, a group whose job it is to keep the supers in line either by blackmail or force. This book really went above and beyond to earn its M rating, even outdoing past works by Ennis which were lauded/downcast for their massive use of sex and ultra-violence.

If you're interested in digging deeper into the comic book world, check out your local comic shop or library.

Long Beach Comic Con is also having a one-day Comic Expo on Feb. 20 in the Long Beach Convention Center.

Admission is $10. Comic creators, writers and artists like Sakai will be on hand to sign, sketch and talk.

Cinema attendees appetite satisfied with new movie offerings

By Jeremiah Magan

Daily Titan Managing Editor detour@dailytitan.com

Two thousand nine was a pretty good year for the film industry. Despite a failing economy, people still filed into theaters to shell out more than $10 billion, the most the film industry has ever made in one year. This year looks to be another landmark year for the talking pictures, but only time and critics will tell if a new decade can keep audiences coming back to the movieplex.

This is not a cohesive list of the films that are expected to be the best of the year, just the ones that are set to release in the first half of the year, and have been hyped enough to garner further inspection and ridicule before actually seeing them.

The Wolfman Classic movie monsters are fertile ground for filmmakers, and it's surprising that it has taken this long to jumpstart long-dead werewolf movies. Benicio Del Toro, hot off his disappointing portrayal of the revolutionary T-shirt icon Che Guevara, plays Lawrence Talbot/the Wolfman.

Though early reports indicated that the film was hitting hard times financially because of the digital effects budget being ramped up in lieu of prosthetics, the film still looks visually appealing. The cast of The Wolfman is strong with Anthony Hopkins and Hugo Weaving playing alongside Del Toro.

Release Date: Feb. 12.

Shutter Island Legendary director Martin Scorsese takes his first crack at a horror film since Cape Fear in 1991.

Starring Scorsese’s latest go-to actor Leonardo DiCaprio as Teddy Daniels, a U.S. Marshall sent to a psychiatric hospital with his partner Chuck Aule, played by Mark Ruffalo, to investigate the disappearance of one of the hospital’s most dangerous patients. Based on a book of the same name by Dennis Lehane, the film takes Daniels and Aule down a dark path as they investigate the secrets of the reclusive island hospital. Ben Kingsly also stars in the film, likely playing a creepy and overbearing psychiatrist who tortures the two agents and tests their sanity.

Release Date: Feb. 19.

Cop Out It’s been a long time since Kevin Smith directed a good film that wasn’t about his favorite characters Jay and Silent Bob. Come to think of it, Smith has never directed a good film that didn’t center around the pot-smoking comedy duo. Cop Out stars Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as longtime partners who set out to find a valuable stolen baseball card.

There is no doubt that hilarity will ensue as both Willis and Morgan are accomplished comedic actors. Willis playing the hard-nosed “bad cop” and Morgan playing the distracted “dumb cop” is a safe bet for a good film. The title of the film is disappointing, as it was originally titled A Couple of Dicks, a much more clever title that the movie studio thought

was too vulgar to advertise.

Release Date: Feb. 26.

Alice in Wonderland Tim Burton is a creative and innovative filmmaker. As the driving force behind some of the most visually-captivating films ever made, including Nightmare Before Christmas

Release Date: March 5.

Clash of the Titans Everyone loves a remake. Clash of the Titans is a revisiting of the classic tale about man’s fight for power against the Greek gods. The film stars Sam Worthington as Perseus, the demigod who leads man-

kind’s campaign against Image courtesy of ingorrr/flick.com

and Big Fish, Burton is bringing his special brand of creepy and disturbing to the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland.

Starring virtually-unknown actress Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsley, Burton is likely relying on his veteran cast of supporting actors to carry the film: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman, Christoper Lee, Helena Bonham Carter and Chrispen Glover.

Audiences will likely begin lining up a day in advance, in costume, to be the first to witness Burton’s vision.

the likes of Zeus and Hades.

If the original Clash of the Titans is any indication, Perseus will come face to face with many of the fabled monsters of Greek mythology, like the kraken, Medusa and the fates.

Expect some 300 style slow-motion battle sequences, low angle camera shots against a clouded sun and a desaturated color palette, giving the film an epic look and feel.

Release Date: March 26.

Kick-Ass April is a pretty thin month for

films with any promise. While the reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street releases the same day, audiences will likely be more inclined to spend their money on Kick-Ass, another film in the long line of superhero films of the 21st century that actually shows some promise.

The film takes a Watchmen-style approach to its superheroes since they are not super powered, just regular people who take justice into their own hands.

The names of the superheroes are poor at best, with the exception of Red Mist, played by Christopher

Mintz-Plasse of Superbad. The most glaring problem with the film is that it also stars Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy, a gun-toting Batman wannabe.

The worst thing that can happen to this film is Cage having a lot of lines, as his overacting is almost impossible for any film to overcome.

Release Date: April 16.

Ironman 2 Easily the most anticipated film of the year, Ironman 2 brings America’s latest favorite superhero back to theaters. Ironman 2 has seen its share of controversy as supporting actor Terrence Howard dropped out of the

film and was replaced by Don Cheadle. Mickey Rourke was also cast in the film as one of Stark’s main antagonists, Whiplash, and it is anyone’s guess as to whether or not Rourke will show up to work or relapse.

Ironman 2 also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, reprising her roll as Stark’s assistant Pepper Potts, and Scarlett Johannson as Black Widow.

This film will have no trouble selling out theaters in the first week, but there are a lot of hopes and expectations that have been placed upon director Jon Favreau’s shoulders.

Realease Date: May 7.

11

February 1, 2010

AboveTopSecret.com

By Alison Munson

Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com

College is a time to learn and let loose. It’s a time to let your mind welcome new ideas from others, as well as create your own.

Abovetopsecret.com is one of the largest and most frequented alternative thinking sites out there. With a range of more than 150 forums ranging in subjects from UFOs, the paranormal, secret societies and the new world order, the Web site covers almost any topic members can think of.

Alien abduction stories sit alongside discussions on the State of the Union speech, and provide the ADD child within everyone a chance to examine the world without losing their interest.

The Web site’s purpose is spelled out in their philosophical motto

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

By Christine Amarantus Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com

Kirk Douglas, eat your heart out.

Starz’s new series Spartacus: Sand and Blood has everything a viewer could want from a premium cable show: full-frontal nudity, almost Deadwood-level swearing for a period piece and computer-enhanced graphic violence.

The team that brought us Hercules, Xena and the more recent Legend of the Seeker, decided to push the envelope into premium cable, producing their re-telling of a slave who fought against his masters, found glory as a gladiator and led a revolt on Rome.

Blood and Sand will attempt to cap-

“deny ignorance” and the site creates a foundation for the promotion and application of critical thinking through peer interaction.

The threads are conducted in the opposite fashion. The site is meant to encourage discussion amongst a new generation of thinkers, so the creators of Abovetopsecret.com have set up a process of thread regulation that still respects their members’ freedom of thought and expression.

Though it is a major center for the discussion of controversial topics, most notably conspiracy theory, nut-jobs need not apply. The site values the discovery of truth above all else.

The Web site’s success is in the civility and respect members display for one another and their desire for a level of higher thinking. It’s a place where conspiracy theorists and stubborn skeptics can join together, because the site is managed in a way that discourages short posts with no substance and the chaos of insults, spam and hate

ture the life of the legend, more so than the 1960 Stanley Kubrick movie had time to do.

When the creative team behind Spartacus presented the show’s trailer at San Diego Comic-Con last July, they inevitably got questions about the similarities between the new show and 300. Producer Rob Tapert reassured viewers that it was just a style choice.

While I tried to divorce the connections between Zack Snyder’s movie and the new premium cable show in my head, it was almost impossible to ignore many of the visual similarities. Short of the lack of sepia-filtering, Spartacus is so stylistically like 300 that it was hard to take it seriously in the first episode.

The Thracian warriors, of which our unnamed hero dubbed Spartacus by his owner comes, don red capes and

speech.

Other than the discussions between members, Abovetopsecret. com boasts its own media page that features pseudo-news broadcasts that are supplemented by comments from their own members’ threads, as well as more legitimate outside sources.

In a video focusing on the conspiracies behind the swine flu epidemic, host Mark Allen interviews guest speaker Dr. Christopher Green, a physician with a doctorate in neuroscience and fellow at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. With music reminiscent of the X-Files and visuals akin to CNN, the news videos provoke and humor simultaneously.

Ultimately, if you are interested in an entertaining way to inform yourself through the efforts of your peers, Abovetopsecret.com is a perfect source. Let others do the research and pose the question, all you have to do: think, respond and repeat.

leather hot pants, similar to 300’s Spartans. The first battle they fight against barbarians in so many ways resembles one fight between Spartans and Persians, right down to the fight choreography. Even our hero’s wife, Sura, bears a strong likeness to Lena Heady and they’re further pushing it bringing in the “This is madness!” actor as a principle character.

But oh, the violence. The human body could never have so much blood. It’s almost like watching somebody play Mortal Kombat with how hits to the head cause pints of CG’d blood to splatter everywhere. Action slows from time to time to capture the poetry in motion, whetting the appetite for the slaughter that’s about to ensue.

Watching the show in high definition also seems to take away from it, making what magic the designers con-

In case you missed it ...

Memoirs of a Geisha

By Ashley Luu

Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com

Memoirs of a Geisha is a magnetic period piece told through the eyes of Chiyo Sakamoto, a fisherman’s daughter, who becomes one of the most famous geishas in Japan.

Chiyo’s elderly father and dying mother sell her into servitude at the age of nine. She struggles for independence due to the abuse and manipulative Hatsumomo, a popular geisha, determined to destroy Chiyo’s chances of becoming a geisha.

After a brief encounter with chairman Ken Iwamura at a young age, Chiyo vows to become a geisha in order to reunite with him. She spends 15 years mastering the art of musicianship, dance and tea ceremony practices and becomes a famous geisha called Sayuri Nitta.

Due to the outbreak of World War II and other clients vying for her affection, Chiyo eventually crosses paths with the chairman and they confess their love for each other.

The story could have been stronger if Chiyo decided to be a geisha for the income and independence, rather than for the sake of a man she hardly knew.

This national bestseller is a fishout-of-water story about a strong woman who fights for her beliefs, regardless of the obstacles. The book cocted in post-production seem far more cartoonish than it would appear on a regular television.

Scenes between Sura and Spartacus are raw and touching (granted, the few that they’ve been in together mostly ended in intercourse); however, it edges on cheesy when Spartacus heads off for war, tying a strap around Sura’s leg, saying it would keep him close to her thighs. I dry-heaved. Sure, the strap comes up as a plot device in the next episode, but the absurdity of such an act and the line to accompany it was, well, silly.

In short, the series has potential. It looks good, it’s entertaining and heck, they’ve got Lucy Lawless topless while her character’s husband is getting fellated. Not to mention all the ripped, greased-up, howling, Spartan-like gladiators. There’s something for both sexes to enjoy in Spartacus.

describes a geisha’s difficult yet admirable lifestyle that might sway anyone’s stereotypical judgment of geishas as merely prostitutes.

Every scene is vivid with imagery and metaphors, from the distinctive designs and vibrant colors of kimonos to the folds of someone’s skin.

“It wasn’t just the chickenlike skin of her neck and shoulders; her body made me think of a pile of wrinkled clothing…Everything drooped from her, even her protruding nipples that hung like fingertips.”

The book was successfully made into a film directed by Rob Marshall, starring Zhang Ziyi. Although films are usually incomparable to books, this film mastered the tone, production design and costume design and earned three Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Art Direction and Costume Design.

In the film, Chiyo’s childhood is cut short in order to focus on her teen to adulthood years. The sense of her difficult childhood as an orphan is lost and lacks information about her ailing parents. Chiyo and Hat-

sumomo are the focus of the film, which is shot in English.

It is distracting to watch foreign actresses struggle to speak English because we, the audience, miss the opportunity to fully understand the story. The film would have been authentic and easier to comprehend if it was done in Japanese with English subtitles.

Memoirs of a Geisha is a must-read for those interested in immersing themselves in the life of a strongwilled geisha.

12

February 1, 2010

The Big Game

Brett Farve’s career: courage, brilliance and catastrophe managed to make dangerous situations into moments of brilliance. opinion@dailytitan.com That style of play can only take you so far, as last Sunday proved.

According to Colin Cowherd, Once again, Brett Favre was at the host of “The Herd,” Favre is the procusp of reaching football’s ultimate prietor of the blame because of his game but was overcome by his gun direct influence on the offense. slinging mentality. The same atti“Each time, his team seemed tude that got him there ended up poised to win at the end; each time, being his downfall.

Favre’s final play was a disastrous inAs the final seconds winded terception,” said Greg Easterbrook down, the Minnesota Vikings were in an article for ESPN. in field goal range when Favre’s 19 He currently holds the record years of experience failed to show. for most attempted passes at 9,811, No. four tried to be valiant, but in- completions with 6,083 and 497 stead looked like a rookie as he flung touchdowns. And who can forget the ball across his body and into the about his impeccable 255 consecuhands of New Orleans’ Terry Porter. tive starts, the most of any quar“You have courage, you have bril- terback in NFL history and second liance, and you have catastrophe,” among all players. said former NFL But despite quarterback all the accolades, Trent Dilfer, in a Favre unforturadio interview nately also owns last Monday, the record of referring to the throwing an unVikings final precedented 317 drive in regulainterceptions, tion. a feat that will “That is Brett be synonymous Favre’s career in with his career. a microcosm,” Favre reached said Dilfer. the pinnacle Favre made of the sport in numerous 1997 by winthrows in the PHOTO COURTESY MCT ning Super Bowl final drive that Favre takes a rest during second quarter of XXXI. Favre lost were unparalleled the Jan. 24 Vikings vs. Saints game the subsequent in the game. He Super Bowl, and displayed the skill two NFC championships. set that has made him a living legWill Favre return one more time? end. The Vikings seemed destined The return of the 40-year-old is highto win, but sadly Favre’s trust in his ly unlikely. The game last Sunday arm got the best of him. left him with more than a bruised The problem was that Favre could ego. Favre took a pounding, and at have done one of two things in his many times had to dig deep to mussituation: he could have tucked in ter up the strength to get up. Age is the ball and run for a few yards, or beginning to make a presence in the simply thrown it away. veteran quarterback. Forty-one is no Favre should have taken a con- picnic, especially for an NFL player. servative approach and placed some Favre’s chances of winning a Sufaith in his kicker rather than his per Bowl have been decimated. The own ability.

NFL is giving way to a new generaBrett Favre often flirted with di- tion quarterbacks. saster, but with his athletic ability,

By Oscar Romero

Daily Titan Staff Writer

Who will win the Super Bowl? The Indianapolis Colts or the New Orleans Saints?

By Fred Bloom

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

Super Bowl XLIV is set to be a championship game to remember. The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints were the two best teams in the NFL for most of the season and they will be facing off Feb. 7 in Miami. It is the first time both number one seeds have reached the Super Bowl since 1993.

This is the second time in four years that the Colts have played in the Super Bowl. In 2007, they beat the Chicago Bears in a game that was also held in Miami. The year and the opponent are different, but the results will be the same; the Colts will again be Super Bowl champions.

The Colts will win because they have four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning at quarterback and they have far more experience than the Saints.

Manning is an offensive genius and he will be squaring off against the Saints 26 ranked pass defense.

The Colts pass offense was rated second in the NFL. The Saints defense has big play abil-

ity but Manning does not turn the ball over.

In the NFC championship against the Minnesota Vikings, the Saints defense repeatedly attacked quarterback Brett Favre and they are expected to use a similar strategy against Manning and the Colts. Despite the contact, Favre managed to throw for 318 yards.

Manning faced the top-ranked New York Jets defense in the AFC championship game, the only team that blitzed more than the Saints throughout the season, and he put up 377 passing yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions or fumbles. When the Jets rushed with six or more, Manning was 8-for-10 with 160 yards passing and a touchdown.

The Jets were up 17-6 in the first half but the adjustments made by Manning led the Colts to victory.

The Colts scored on four of their last five drives, winning 31-17.

Most of the key parts of the team were also members of the 2007 championship squad. They will make sure that teammates stay away from the distractions that can affect teams during the two week period leading up to the Super Bowl.

Perhaps more important is the experience that 11-year veteran Manning provides. He has the unique ability to recognize and adjust to defenses on the fly, creating more opportunities for his receivers.

Super Bowl XLIV will be an action-packed shootout and gunslinger Manning will lead the Colts to victory.

By James Gobee

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

In their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, the New Orleans Saints will take the NFL championship home with them Feb. 7. The devastation that Hurricane Katrina brought to New Orleans in 2005 has only strengthened the city, and given new life to the Saints.

The team’s home opener after Katrina on Sept. 25, 2006, was against a team that was undefeated at the time, the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints won that game 23-3, breaking the undefeated streak of the Falcons. The Saints seemed to come alive.

The Saints running game is superior to that of the Indianapolis Colts because, with a stable of talented running backs, the Saints will force problems when matched up against the Colts’ speedy linebackers. Running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush are not only dangerous in the backfield, but also in the passing game.

The running backs could attract coverage that would help open the middle of the field for

wide receivers Marques Colston, Robert Meachem and tight end Jeremy Shockey. Drew Brees is the highest rated passer in the NFL and has less thrown interceptions than Peyton Manning.

The Saints seem to become more aggressive as their defense is more opportunistic. Greg Williams, Saints defensive coordinator, brought more pressure to the opposing offenses and helped create more touchdowns out of turnovers than in previous seasons. The Saints defense left Minnesota Viking Brett Favre battered, bruised and limping and the beating put on the Arizona Cardinals’ Kurt Warner was one that paled in comparison to Favre’s.

Darren Sharper led the Saints in the regular season with nine interceptions, and in the post-season the Saints have forced seven takeaways after generating 39 in the regular season. The Colts rely on their passing game too much, as their second rushing leader for the post season, Donald Brown, only has 18 yards on the ground.

The Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings for many reasons, but a big asset that helped them that game and throughout the season is their kicking game. Kicker and punter Thomas Morstead has amazing depth on his kickoffs and is almost surgical in keeping opponents within the 20-yard-line on punts.

The Saints are a determined and focused team and have been ever since Katrina. The Saints will march into Miami and bring the championship home for New Orleans.

13

February 1, 2010

World News

Is China a lost cause for Google?

By Damon Lowney

Daily Titan Online Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

What started as an ambitious research project by two Stanford graduates has become one of the most powerful companies in the world.

From its powerhouse search engine to its e-mail program, Google provides some of the most complete and intuitive computer programs at no cost.

But as the adage goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Google shocked the world with its announcement that sophisticated cyber-attacks, originating from China, obtained intellectual information of known human rights activists, including information from Google e-mail accounts. The software company has threatened to pull out of China if an agreement can’t be reached, and I’m all for that. There’s no reason it should stay unless China gives its people and Google the respect they deserve. Respect, in this case, is unfiltered searches for the Chinese people.

Facebook, Twitter and Myspace have already been banned or partially blocked in the communist country, effectively eliminating three windows to the outside world. China has some of its people fooled, but as Bob Marley once said: “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.”

Knowledge is like a virus - it’s going to spread and you can’t really do anything about it in the end. It might spread quickly, like Ebola, or maybe it’ll take its time, like mono – you can’t see that one coming until a few weeks after you kissed that girl.

But there is a better way than pulling out… Stay in! Of course, the correct measures must be taken to avoid any unwanted consequences.

But Google could have an ace up its sleeve.

The best way for Google to solve this feud with China (and hopefully all feuds with China) is to inject a bit of Amsterdam into it. You know, marijuana. That’s a nice, harmless way to stimulate the government officials into deep conversation and

hysterical laughter – two of the best ways to solve a hairy situation. In addition, I like to think that two goods make things better.

All they need to do is relax a bit, you know? A relaxed work environment is the key to Google’s success, according to “Inside the Mind of Google,” a documentary by CNBC. In fact, everything about Google is opposite of China because its employees are basically free to do what they want. Google in China is like a Libertarian preaching to a bunch of democrats. Google does what its employees need done and then step back and let them do their own thing: it will wash its employees clothes, make them food on par with the best restaurants and provide them gyms, all for free!

Dress code? Nah, work in what you feel comfortable working in, says Google. I saw the Queen of England being given a presentation by some dude in a hoodie wearing Rastafarian bracelets during the documentary.

Which leaves me to believe that the secret behind Google (i.e., what

Illustration By Steven Doud/For the Daily Titan

is not known by the average nonGoogle employee), is a secret because it’s not totally legal and not everyone really agrees with it. I’m sure that somewhere at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., somebody is hiding a gram in his desk. He is hiding a gram that somebody can certainly smell, but that somebody instead ignores it because deep down she knows it’s a good thing.

Look at the success Google has

had, China! It makes billions by letting people be themselves and everybody is happy! I almost want to quit studying journalism and start from scratch as a computer science major just to work at Google.

For those of you who think that it’ll be just like the Opium Wars, you’re wrong because California doesn’t have medical opium clinics for a reason (the drug is incredibly addicting and it could kill you).

So spark up a joint, Google, and pass it around – just say it’s a funnysmelling cigarette – and let the good times roll.

My solution: roll some nice ones with filters and put them in a cigarette pack, and offer one to every government official in the discussion as a kind gesture. Perhaps even roll them with a bit of tobacco to throw them off the smell. Then offer a free lunch.

Supreme Court justices strike out twice on crucial court rulings

By Christine Amarantus Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

Do you remember when WalMart lost his first tooth? Or when Microsoft learned to ride a bike?

How about the excited looks on Exxon and IBM’s faces Christmas morning as they raced down the stairs to open presents from Uncle Chevron and Aunt General Motors?

Were you there when Morgan Stanley took PepsiCo to the prom?

Of course not.

Corporations aren’t people.

They are not born.

But the Supreme Court of the United States seems to think they are living beings; as such, they granted corporations the ability to give as much as they please to politicians for their campaigns in the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

As Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in his dissent of the 5-4 decision, “The conceit that corporations must be treated identically to natural persons in the political sphere is not

only inaccurate but also inadequate to justify the Court’s disposition of this case.”

These multi-billion dollar entities have been handed an unspeakable

rations allows them to amass and deploy financial resources on a scale few natural persons can match.”

Say what you will about only liberals and pot-smoking hippies get-

Photo Courtesy MCT Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor (Left) and Supreme Court Justice Roberts (Right).

amount of power. Arguably, they already had it, but now it’s completely legal and completely unfair.

Justice Stevens continued later to write, “The legal structure of corpo-

ting mad while the GOP literally throws themselves a grand ol’ party in celebration. I’m not about to wave red or blue flags on this one.

Everyone on both sides should be

offended by the precedent that has been put in place.

Those who decide your rights and the future of your city, county, state and country can unashamedly be purchased to fit the agendas of big business. Voices will be silenced right and left as a corporate media Barbie assures you that everything’s a-OK. Supreme Court-approved bribery – strike one.

Back in 2007, this John Robertsled crew of justices also decided to toss out the Fair Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. When Lilly Ledbetter discovered she was being paid less than the men around her doing the same work, she brought her case to court. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the statute of limitations for filing suit is 180 days from uncovering wage discrimination. The Supreme Court denied her claim in a

5-4 decision, saying that the statute of limitations should be 180 days from negotiating pay or otherwise the first paycheck.

So to ensure that one is paid just as much as everyone else, should a new employee go around to all his co-workers on his first day and ask how much everyone makes? Probably not the best impression to make with colleagues, especially when wage rates are often kept confidential.

Further food for thought: In 2007, when this case was decided, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the mean annual salary for men (of all races) was $50,110 versus the mean earnings of women (of all races) being $32,899.

After the case, Congress immediately drew up the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was signed into law in January of 2009 by President Obama. Superseding the Supreme Court’s decision, the act restored the terms of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Weakening gender and racial rights that many fought so very hard for – that’s strike two, Justice Roberts.

Supreme Court justices, like Cabinet members, are officials who are not elected. The general population doesn’t put them in these life-term seats – presidents do. Even when strike three rolls along, there’s no umpire that can call this misguided batter out. Then again Justice Roberts seems to think he’s qualified to be the ump, as he so stated in his 2005 statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Judges are like umpires,” he said.

“Umpires don’t make the rules; they apply them.”

But the Supreme Court does set precedents, which in essence become the rules and guidelines for future decisions to be made in every United States court from here on out.

It’s an absolute shame that the highest court in the land must be called into question.

14

February 1, 2010

Titan baseball crushes Alumni 18-3 Daily Titan Staff Writer sports@dailytitan.com

photo By juan velez/For the Daily Titan Nick Ramirez trots around the bases after his three-run home run at Goodwin Field.

The Cal State Fullerton Titan baseball team scored 18 runs en route to beating the Alumni in the annual Alumni Game at Goodwin Field Saturday; a test to prepare the squad for the demanding season ahead.

“We have a lot of talented players, and because of the alumni and everything they accomplished, it allows us to bring in the talent. But we still have to form a team and continue to reinforce in them that it’s all about the team and not about an individual,” Head Coach Dave Serrano said.

“We try to install fundamentals, and playing the game right and playing team baseball, and that’s what’s going lead us to the most success.”

Sophomore first baseman Nick Ramirez and senior infielder Joey Siddons both hit three-run home runs to lead the Titan attack against the Alumni team, which was composed of players throughout the Titans’ historic program.

“It’s a good rehearsal getting the uniforms on, and there’s a lot of new guys who haven’t put the uniform on

for a game. I think it’s a big deal to There was a scary moment as freshcome out and go through the routine man center fielder Ivory Thomas and of taking batting practice and taking freshman right fielder Austin Kinginfield,” Siddons said. solver collided going for a ball in right The Titans continued to add runs, center. scoring anB o t h other four in players reOur pitching staff is right the third to mained take the lead where we want it to be, our ofdown on 12-0. the turf as S o p h o - fense will be where we want it the medical more start- and I think everyone is going to staff evaluing pitcher ated them.

Tyler Pill was have to worry about the Titans Both stayed lights out this year. in the game. for the TiRelief – Joey Siddons tans, setting pitcher Senior infielder the Alumni C o l i n down in orO’Connell der in the shut the first three inAlumni nings, and he didn’t allow a base run- down in order in the fifth, but strugner until a hit batsman in the fourth. gled in the sixth inning, giving up two After the runner stole second, for- runs as the Alumni started gaining mer Titan Joe Scott stepped in and ground on the Titans as they chipped hit a smash to center field, scoring the away at the lead to 14-3. first run for the Alumni, and drew a The Alumni pitching staff started roar of cheers from the Alumni dug- to find their groove by shutting out out and fans. the potent Titan offense for three The Titans didn’t let the one run straight innings until the Titans got get to them as they scored another back on the board in the eighth. two quick runs in the fourth, extendThe Titans scored four runs in the ing their lead to 14-1. inning, three courtesy of a big blast to

“

“

By nicholas fortes

left off the bat of Siddons to give the Titans an 18-3 victory.

“We are very pleased with the end result, but we feel we played well for five of the nine innings. Our goal (was) to play a full nine innings and I think because of the score and the approach of the other team, we let off the accelerator and that’s not our mentality,” Serrano said.

While the current Titans played competitively for the first time this season, for the former Titans it was nice to play ball again.

“It’s always fun to get out there and throw a little bit. I play catch with my kids a little bit and different things like that, but to actually do it competitively and face hitters, it’s been a while,” Alumni pitcher Mark Chavez said. “I definitely plan on coming back. You always want to take a couple years off. It’s good to come back.”

The Titans have high hopes for the season and Omaha isn’t a goal, it’s an expectation.

“I think we’ll be very good. Our pitching staff is right where we want it to be, our offense will be where we want it and I think everyone is going to have to worry about the Titans this year. If we don’t go all the way, I’ll be surprised,” Siddons said.

The Walk-Off: Thoughts on Sunday’s ‘Big Game’

By Brian Whitehead

Daily Titan Sports Columnist sports@dailytitan.com

Jan. 15, 1967, in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in what would go down in history as the first Super Bowl.

Forty-two years later, Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 to claim their NFL-record sixth title in franchise history.

Now, a year later, the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints look to follow in their footsteps. The Colts are gunning for their second championship in four years, while the Saints are looking for their first in 43.

Before the two teams take the field

Sunday, in what will undoubtedly be an entertaining 60 minutes, there’s a whole week of dead air to kill.

So without further ado, I present the 10 things to look forward to heading into Super Bowl XLIV. 1. The .01 percent chance someone asks Saints running back Reggie Bush a question including the words “Ray J,” “Kim Kardashian” and “sex tape.” If this somehow happens, chances are you’ll feel Don Imusesque shockwaves wherever you may be. Whether in Anaheim, Wisconsin, Saudi Arabia - it won’t matter.

You will feel them.

2. How many mixtapes can New Orleans native Lil’ Wayne put out between now and Sunday? Five? Ten? The over/under is tentatively set at four and a half. (I’m riding the over, by the way. Definitely. Way over).

3. A Super Bowl participant making a fool of himself by appearing in a music video. The time-honored tradition of athletes awkwardly appearing in music videos has been around for years, decades even.

Roger Clemens – yeah, that Roger Clemens – made a cameo in M.C. Hammer’s “2 Legit 2 Quit” video, Shaq graced Master P’s “Make ‘Em Say Uhh” video as well as Diddy’s “Bad Boys For Life,” Magic Johnson

donned an Egyptian headpiece for Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” and, most recently, J.R. Smith showed off his bling in Young Money’s “Bedrock.

Well, with the Super Bowl looming, which Saints or Colts player is going to add their name to that list?

I’m setting the odds as follows:

Bush: 3 to 2.

Reggie Wayne: 10 to 1.

Dwight Freeney: 50 to 1.

Drew Brees: 100 to 1.

Garrett Hartley/Matt Stover: 10,000,000 to 1.

4. All of the hilarious Peyton Manning commercials. With advertisements for Sony, Sprint, Oreo,

photo courtesy mct Indianapolis Colts’ running back Dominic Rhodes is chased by five Saints players.

DirecTV and Mastercard, there’s no denying the man’s a walking commercial waiting to be taped.

Between the goofy haircut, awkward body and sneaky lisp, there’s a 95 percent chance you’re going to say to yourself sometime this week, “This commercial again?”

5. The sure-to-be titillating halftime show. How CBS got Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry and Shakira to perform during halftime still baffles me. Getting four women in their respective primes to come together for a once-in-a-lifetime performance must have taken months to work out. Thank you for making this year’s halftime show one for the ages, CBS. (Wait, what? You’re kidding. Who’s performing? The Who? For God’s sake, its been six years already!)

6. Weird celebrity sightings. Who would have guessed that Brad Pitt is a Saints fan?

Who knew Billy Bob Thorton and William Shatner were Colts fans? See, that’s the great thing about sports - they make fans of us all. And for celebrities to show team spirit surrounded by cameras, well, it doesn’t hurt their image, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate Gosselin was a Saints fan come Feb. 7.

7. Anticipating “The Commercials

We Paid Three Million Dollars For;” a tradition like no other.

Four things are guaranteed in life: death, taxes, that one of my friends is going to get in a fight with five guys on a Saturday night and the annual GoDaddy.com commercial that leads to an awkward father-son silence.In 1979, a little kid gave his Coke to a distraught “Mean” Joe Greene. In 1993, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan shot hoops for a Big Mac. Last year, a snowglobe predicted “Free Doritos at the office.”

Each one transcendent in its own way. Look for this year’s crop of Super Bowl commercials to be the same.

8. The historical implications. If the Colts win Sunday, Manning will officially pass Tom Brady in the “Best Active Quarterback” discussion, kind of like what winning the Golden Globe for “Best Movie: Comedy/ Musical” did for “The Hangover” in regards to passing “Superbad” in the “Best Comedy of the Last Ten Years” discussion.

9. Dissecting the Pro Bowl debacle. Who would’ve thought that putting a meaningless game a week before the Super Bowl would actually make the game less meaningful?

10. Predictions. My heart says Saints. My head says Colts.

15

February 1, 2010

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7

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1 4 5

hard

2 6 4

6 9 2

4 7 8

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4 1 7 6 2 5 8 3 9 3 6 2 1 9 8 7 5 4 5 8 9 4 3 7 1 6 2 6 8 4 1

2 9 8 7

1 4 9

6

9 3 7 2

8 7 3 5

7 1 5 8

5 6 2 3

4 2 1 9

6 4 8 9 7 3 5 2 1 7 9 3 5 1 2 6 4 8 1 2 5 8 4 6 9 7 3 3 4

1 4 3 5

6 8

5 8

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4

3 2

5 6

7

7

9 3 1 7 5 4 2 8 6

u Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

Daily Sudoku: Fri 29-Jan-2010

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

4

6

4

2 9

7 1

6

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Group efforts thrive today because everyone is on the same page concerning practical issues. Today you really feel like you’re where you belong.

How To Play: Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9: and each set of boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

9 1

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 6 -- The only thing that slows you down is getting your ideas into a format others can use. This happens when you rearrange the details until they feel just right.

Daily Sudoku: Fri 29-Jan-2010

3 4

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 5 -- If you have plans to head off into the sunset, you’re on the right track. This could mean business travel, or meeting your partner for a lovely rendezvous.

9

1 9

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Nothing succeeds like success. Your only limit today is your capacity to remain flexible under duress. Bring in an expert to sort out a few details.

7

8

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Cash flow (or lack of it) cramps your style. However, you have plenty of little projects that don’t require money today. Focus on those.

5 8 3 1 4 4 6

6 8

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 5 -- Dreams can provide poetry and metaphor for actions.

Look for double meanings in recalled images, and allow your subconscious to flavor your decisions.

3 5

2 3

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- You and a partner overcome a perceived disagreement on a fundamental issue. You were just using different words to describe the same feeling.

4

4

7 1 6 3 5 2 6

4 6

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 5 -- Your mind and heart battle for control. You want to side with heart, of course. However, power rests in logic for you today.

6

2 9

7 5

Cancer (June 22-July 22) -- Today is a 5 -- Share your words and feelings generously. Who knows? The feedback you receive could give you a boost over a huge obstacle.

4

8 2

Gemini (May 21-June 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Excitement on the home front spills over into the career arena. Creative use of time allows you to accommodate family and work.

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Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 5 -- Choose your battles carefully, considering both immediate gratification and longer-term benefits.

Change your tune to suit the tempo of the moment.

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Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 5 -- Take time today to consider the desires of others, as well as your own. Get creative at work by bouncing ideas off each group member and getting their responses.

16

February 1, 2010 By gilbert Gutierrez III

Daily Titan Asst. Sports Editor sports@dailytitan.com

In first full season, Titan Quartet has lead the team through ups and downs Former president of the Cal State Fullerton hockey club, Brian Evans, founded the club and played six games in the fall semester of 2008, coming out with a 9-3 victory in their last game of the year against the UCLA Bruins.

That initiated enough respect for the team to achieve Division II classification for the 2009-10 season and a full schedule of 29 games.

Titan captain and kinesiology major Andrew Hodge, 20, has been playing hockey for 13 years and said joining the team has made his experience at CSUF better.

Hodge has taken over the reins as president this season, and has worked together with three other captains on the team to help him with managing the team and its responsibilities.

For him, hockey is not only a stress reliever, but has also helped him meet a lot of interesting people who are as excited about hockey as he is.

He said it’s important to do his job and try to help make his team better.

Head coach Nick Moran, assistant coach and faculty adviser Dr. Steve Jobbit and the other assistant coaches put their heads together and decided to name three more captains to manage the 25-player team.

They all decided on senior Cyrus

Captains lead by example

photo By Brian Evans/For the Daily Titan From left to right, Forward Jacob Daniel, forward Andrew Hodge, defenseman Jason Holmes and defenseman Cyrus Raagas relax after a game against Northern Arizona University.

Raagas, junior Jason Holmes, and freshman Jacob Daniel to assist Hodge and help bring this band of brothers together to perform as a solid unit on the ice.

“We believe in these guys, (and) they’re doing an excellent job,” said Jobbit.

Jobbit is an assistant professor of Modern European History and said

that this is a brilliant organization.

He said that coaching the team has made his experience at CSUF even more enjoyable than before.

Jobbit is very passionate about his players and works very hard to keep them in shape for the game.

“We win together and we lose together,” said Jobbit.

According to Jobbit, the team

will definitely return next season for another full-fledged season of crosschecks into the boards, bruises to heal and goals to score.

In a win against USC earlier in the season, the team showed a lot of character against a much more experienced team, said Moran. “We don’t react to what everybody else does. We react to what we do for

each other,” he added.

Hodge is thankful to have the three captains by his side and turns to them whenever he needs advice.

Every team needs that certain someone to lead them, and whether they are announced as a captain or not, every team has one to help the players work together to win.

“I don’t try to put myself above

anybody on the team. I only try to lead by example,” said Hodge, who plays the right-wing position on the ice.

It is occasionally difficult for the four leaders to be in control of their studies, but the coaching staff has made a point that school comes first and hockey comes second.

Among the captains, there were only a few minor injuries sustained this season.

Hodge suffered from a concussion earlier last year and Daniel had a bruised shoulder mid-season.

As for Raagas and Holmes, they have managed to stay healthy with just the bumps and bruises every hockey player receives during the game.

“We got the win, but we got it through adversity, and that’s what this team’s identity has been about – it’s coming through adversity and coming out on top,” said assistant coach Jacob Vasinda in regards to a a victory on Oct. 17 against Utah.

Holmes, Raagas and Daniel were unable to comment because of rigorous preparation for a pair of games against Northern Arizona University in Anaheim over the weekend.

“We have the capability of dominating, but the guys just have to show up for three full periods,” said Jobbit in a win after a shootout against Long Beach State.

“This is a chance for the team to learn how to work together and trust each other on the ice,” said former player Evans before the beginning of the season.

He, along with the coaching staff and players, are standing at full strength to work together against every opponent.

Men’s basketball ends three-game Big West skid sports@dailytitan.com

Faced with the possibility of their fourth straight Big West Conference loss, the Titans needed a spark in their homecoming game at Titan Gym Saturday night.

The bench came alive and scored 38 points to carry the Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team to a 7468 victory over UC Irvine.

Redshirt sophomore forward Orane Chin came off the bench and reached career-highs in points (23) and rebounds (8).

“Orane Chin played the best that he’s played since he’s been here. He was really the difference at the end, offensively because he was making great offensive plays,” Titan Head Coach Burton said.

The Titans knew they had to stop Anteater sophomore forward Eric Wise, who was averaging 15.7 points coming into the game.

Redshirt junior forward Jer’Vaughn Johnson, who had 15 points and eight rebounds, took on the challenge – even with a bum

A scary moment for the Titans shoulder – and got it done on both was when senior forward Anderson ends of the floor.

Although Wise ended up with 14 and senior guard Aaron Thompson points and 13 rebounds, Johnson both went up to block a shot but made him work for every shot and collided with each other in mid-air.

After the incident, both players Wise had only one offensive rebound were not the same for the rest of in the second half.

“The key to the game was the game as they combined for nine Jer’Vaughn,” Burton said. “We turnovers.

Junior guard Devon Peltier was didn’t know if he could play, and we 3-of-4 from knew we didn’t behind the arc have anyone Orane Chin played the in the first half else who could and kept the have come close best that he’s played since Titans in it. to guarding he’s been here. He was reCSUF led Wise.”

33-29 at the Sophomore ally the difference at the guard Jacques half, as neither Streeter had a end, offensively. team could double-double – Bob Burton build a sizable with 11 points lead.

Head Coach and 10 assists.

In the second “I was just period, the Tibeing aggrestans were ahead sive and getting in the paint and the for the first 13:28 until a UCI threedefense collapsed on me and I just pointer tied the game at 59-59. found my teammates,” Streeter said.

The turning point was after a Chin His penetration and pinpoint jumper to make the game 63-61. passing broke down the Anteater Over a span of one minute, Chin zone, leading to easy baskets for his was living at the charity stripe as he teammates. made 6-of-8 from the free throw

“

“

By simon liang

Daily Titan Sports Editor

line.

“I just came out with an aggressive mindset and I was going to take it to the hole and get offensive rebounds and it turned out pretty well,” Chin said.

Unlike past games, the Titans’ offense was more free-flowing and the Titans thrived.

Burton said that he had thrown out most of their offensive plays and the team worked on just playing basketball and spacing the floor.

He said that when they play this way instead of over thinking, they are much better.

The Titans look to sweep the season series against Long Beach State at 8:05 p.m. Thursday at Walter Pyramid.

The game will be televised on ESPNU. “Last year we beat them (LBSU) Josh Akognon hit a buzzer beater there so they’re going to try to come in and be very aggressive with us,” Streeter said. “Their crowd’s going to be in it and they’re going to try to blow us out and it’s just going to be a fun game because we both like to run, I can’t wait to play.”

photo By camille tarazon/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Jer’Vaughn Johnson slams home two points in the Titans’ victory over UC Irvine.