Vol.82 No. 6

SEPT. 30 - OCT. 6, 2014

VOL. 82 | NO. 6

Tune in to these great tips on how to properly binge-watch your favorite shows Arts & Living | Page 9

TV ISSUE

the

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY LASHER AND RAVEN SCHLEY | THE SIGNAL

Inside Inside like us! facebook.com/gsusignal

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amaluna in Atlanta

Cirque Du Soleil returns to Atlanta, featuring its newest show yet: ‘Amaluna’

Hammon released

The CDC advises for nonresidential trips to areas affected by Ebola to be postponed

Pumpkin spice season is upon us! Check out the best pumpkin coffees of the season

News | Page 4

Opinions| Page 6

A&L | Page 14

Sports | page 18

Ebola & Study Abroad nice spice season

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 2

Opinions 6

Arts & Living 9

Freshman running back Krysten Hammon let go after playing only two games

Sports 17

2

NEWS

last week...

Local

Atlanta tax preparer charged with tax fraud

Anita R. Ford, 50-year-old owner of a metro Atlanta Georgia Peach Financial & Fast Tax Service, was sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison for preparing and filing nearly $7 million in fraudulent returns over a five-year period. Ford was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr. to pay restitution to the U.S. Treasury of almost $6 million, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

National

Attempted suicide causes delayed flights

More than 16,000 flights were cancelled nationwide Sept. 26 after a Chicago-area air traffic control center employee allegedly set a fire and tried to kill himself, according to CNN. The

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

blotter

disruption at the Federal Aviation Administration radar facility hit Chicago’s busy O’Hare and Midway airports the hardest, stopping all flights at the airports for several hours. Flights started to arrive and depart to and from the Chicago area at a reduced rate shortly after noon.

Global

Sept. 21

interference with government property and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Sept. 24

A report was filed for marijuana odor at the University Lofts. Georgia State officers could not find who was responsible.

Nothing new at Underground Atlanta Underground Atlanta

A report was filed for theft from vehicle interior. A student said he found his car window shattered after he parked near the Georgia State Football Practice Field. A duffle bag in the front seat was stolen. The case will be investigated.

Smells like trouble University Lofts

Cut to the chase (by foot)

Chinese city killing dogs to control rabies

In a city in China, authorities killed over 5,000 dogs after rabies took the lives of five individuals, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported. Xinhua reported rabies outbreaks had been relatively rare in the past five years.

However, in 2006 at least 16 people died of the disease in the eastern province of Shandong. Municipal authorities in Baoshan, in the southwestern province of Yunnan, culled 4,900 dogs and vaccinated 100,000 in an anti-rabies campaign.

A report was filed for an agency assist. Georgia State officers ran after and apprehended a suspect of a stabbing. The individual was turned over to the Atlanta Police Department.

Sept. 22

Plaza art busted Library Plaza

Two students spraying graffiti on the walls of Library Plaza were arrested, processed and transported to Fulton County Jail. A report was filed for

A report was filed for public intoxication at Underground Atlanta. The individual was arrested, processed and issued a copy of charges before being released.

Sept. 23

Smells like trouble - Part 2 University Commons

Another report was filed for the odor of marijuana at the University Commons. A Georgia State resident assistant and a university officer conducted a welfare check, confirming marijuana residue. This information will be turned over to the Dean’s Office.

The broken windows continue Football Practice Field

Oh, book prices!

Piedmont North

A Georgia State student said her book was stolen from her dorm room at Piedmont North. A report was filed for theft.

The case will be investigated.

Sept. 26

Student harassment

A report was filed for harassment after a Georgia State student said he received harassing emails from a fellow student.

The case is being investigated.

Photo of the week PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL Kid Cudi was one of many artists that performed at Outkast’s ‘ATLast tour’ held at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia this past weekend Sept. 26 - Sept.

28. To see more pictures and full coverage of the event, visit www.georgiastatesignal.com.

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

USG smoking ban will reinforce Georgia State’s smoking policy TAYLOR JOSEY Staff Reporter

G

the Healthy State Committee to cross promote programs and services for Georgia State employees and students.

“There will be a major campus event on Thursday, Nov. 20 to celebrate Great American Smokeout Day in University Plaza,” she said.

He also said he’s witnessed the ban trying to be enforced when he was a student.

“It’s failing miserably,” he said. “How do you stop someone from doing something that is legal?”

He also said the smoking ban will not have an effect on his business.

“One half of the customers are students, but this won’t stop them from coming in,” Thomas said.

eorgia State students continue to smoke on campus even though The University System of Georgia (USG) created a policy that would prohibit E-cigarettes, hookah pens and vapes the use of all tobacco products last March.

Despite USG’s on-campus smoking E-cigarettes, also known as “E-Cigs,” SGA talks smoking ban ban, Georgia State created its own smoking policy in 2012, according to Gregory Lafortune, Student university attorney Kerry HeyGovernment Association (SGA) ward. senator of the School of Nursing, “Georgia State University said he attended a Tobacco-Free has actually been a tobacco and Colleges and Universities sumsmoke free campus for almost mit at the University of Georgia two years now,” she said.

(UGA) on Sept. 19.

Georgia State’s Student Code “We’re trying to limit the use of Conduct (SCC) states smokof tobacco at Georgia State Uniing and tobacco use of any kind versity,” he said of the summit’s is prohibited on all university goal. property. Smoking is also proUGA’s event celebrated the hibited within 25 feet of all camtobacco prevention accomplishpus building entrances and exits. ments taking place on instituHeyward said Georgia State tions throughout Georgia and will take the USG-wide ban as other schools, according to the an opportunity to remind the School of Public Health’s flyer. campus of the policy.

Lafortune said he under“We are going to have better stands the new policy will be signs and raise awareness and tough to implement for all uniremind the community about versities, especially for Georgia our policy through emails, soState. cial media [and] signage,” she “It’s always been a GSU said. concern, but because of where If a student is caught smokwe are located and because of ing within 25 feet of a university the the non traditional students building, it is considered a violawe’re dealing with, it has been a tion of University policy, accordbig, big, big headache and hearting to Heyward. ache trying to enforce it,” he said.

“Under the student code of Lafortune also said he wants conduct, a student found to be the university community to resmoking on campus could face alize smoking on campus affects charges,” she said. “And faculty everyone. He remains positive and staff could face charges unthat they can successfully ban der the employee or disciplinary action under the employee PHOTO BY NADIA DEJOU | THE SIGNAL smoking with the help of USG. “What I’m realizing is that handbook.”

Students regularly take smoke breaks in between it’s not something that can be The SCC states Georgia classes around the courtyard between Langdale Hall done with SGA alone. It has to State reserves the right to initiate be advocated through the whole disciplinary procedures against and the library. university and the new USG any individual found to be in and Vape pens are still classified as tobacco policy will help,” he said. continuous violation of this policy.

“I want to collaborate with other cam“Hopefully we have people following products, according to the USG. According to the USG tobacco web- pus groups who want to see this policy the policy more closely,” Heyward said. site, “Tobacco Products” are defined as enforced,” he continued. “And as a long cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smoke- term goal I want to see Georgia State 100 USG Human Resources less tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other percent smoke free.” provides mini-grant smoking devices that use tobacco, such as Lafortune helped form the Smokeopportunities to stop hookahs or simulate the use of tobacco, Free Campus Committee, which is comsmoking such as electronic cigarettes. prised of SGA senators.

Kassa Khouzami, transfer student, is He said students can voice their conAs a part of the wellness initiative and in support of the new USG Tobacco & not a fan of cigarette smoke but does not cerns at SGA town hall meetings or email him directly.

Smoke-Free campus policy, the USO HR see anything wrong with vape pens.

“Banning smoking on campus seems Sebastian Parra, Vice President of Acaoffice accepted mini-grant proposals in the amount of $5,000 for USG institutions like a violation of students’ rights,” he said. demic Affairs, said decreasing the number to use to promote tobacco cessation for “For universities to enforce a ban instead of people smoking at public areas around of coming up with alternatives is quite in- campus is definitely a priority of their adfaculty and staff up until Aug 30. ministration.

Cheryl Johnson Ransaw, director of sensitive.”

“The menace of people smoking in wellness services at Georgia State, said Local smoke shops give their public areas is particularly annoying to the the Office of Employee Development and view on the smoking ban student body in front of Library North,” he Wellness Services (EDWS) submitted a said. “People do not want to walk around grant proposal to the USG HR/Total ReThomas, Georgia State alumnus and campus and be exposed to smoke being wards Office for tobacco cessation targetowner of Happy Hookah on Peachtree, thrown at their face.” ed at the university’s employees.

USG’s new smoke-free policy will go Johnson Ransaw also said EDWS part- compared the smoking ban to prohibition into effect Oct. 1. ners with Student Health Promotion and in the U.S.

From the Twitter feed Georgia State students voice their opinions on the smoking ban

Share your opinions with us!

@signalopinions

4

NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

University

Ebola in relation to study abroad trips Directors of study abroad will address students’ concerns about going overseas LAUREN BOOKER Associate News Editor

T

he Ebola outbreaks ravaging parts of Africa will be later addressed with Georgia State’s current and future study abroad trips.

Ebola, a rare and fatal virus transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, contaminated objects and infected animals in Africa, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC states the disease is present in areas of Africa including Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria. Sierra Leone and more recently the Democratic Republic of Congo have all had outbreaks.

Georgia State’s study abroad trips will be held in the northwestern countries of Morocco and Tunisia.

The trips will also venture to South Africa and Tanzania, according to the Georgia State’s study abroad website.

Kristen Nordlund, Health Communications Specialist for the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said the CDC has recommendations for col-

leges and students who plan to travel to and from West Africa.

“Student health centers should follow the same recommendations as those for other U.S. healthcare workers and settings,” Nordlund noted the CDC stating. “Colleges and universities should ensure that student health center staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of Ebola and are prepared to follow CDC recommendations.”

Students, faculty and staff who have recently traveled to countries where Ebola resides should talk to school authorities about what steps should be taken and monitor their health for 21 days after returning, according to the CDC. The CDC also urges for non-essential travel trips to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone be postponed and for those traveling to Nigeria to use safety measures.

Ryan Rathmann, Interim Director of Georgia State Study Abroad Programs, said students should be concerned about Ebola as global citizens by utilizing the assets of the faculty members who lead study abroad programs.

“Before any student participates in one of our programs, directors will ensure that students are well pre-

MOROCCO

TUNISIA

NIGERIA GUINEA D.R. OF THE CONGO SIERRA

pared for LEONE the culLIBERIA ture and hazards (and much more) of their host country/countries through organized pre-departure orientations,” he said.

Rathmann also said study her. abroad programs directors’ roles “I guess I are to address the concerns students personally don’t have about going abroad. fear getting sick “I certainly expect that the Ebola or anything,” she SOUTH outbreak will be a primary topic to said.

AFRICA be addressed this year,” he said. “And The CDC states of course, as we continue to moniit could take at least tor all channels on the devastating six months to get outbreak in West Africa, we will enthe outbreak under sure that our programs continue to control and suggests operate within the guidelines of the for people returning Administrative Council and those from affected countries critical State Department Warnings.” to receive education. The Rathmann said he doesn’t know education would encompass what non-Georgia State study how to look for and promptly report abroad providers, AIFS, CEA and symptoms of the disease/ virus.

CIEE have planned, but the study The symptoms include fever, abroad policy will be the same for stomach pain and muscle pain.

Georgia State students who apply.

Headaches, vomiting and diarrhea Melissa Ramos, a junior political are also symptoms and Ebola may science major, said she is planning take 2-21 days to display, according on studying abroad in France and to the CDC. would like to later do study abroad Some of the study abroad proin Africa to learn about the culture, grams going to Africa include: Race, but the the outbreak doesn’t scare Gender and Class in Contemporary

TANZANIA

Countries affected

by Ebola outbreaks Countries Georgia State abroad trips visit.

South Africa, Embracing Indigenous Mathematical Knowledge Systems in South Africa and Ethnomathematics in Morocco, according to the study abroad office.

The programs are subject to change and are dependent on student enrollment, according to Rathmann.

University

Library Plaza used as marketing opportunity How vendors are chosen by Spotlight Programs Board MORAYO OYEWOLE Staff Reporter

L

ocal businesses are seeing Georgia State’s courtyard as an opportunity to solicit business to students.

Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon - 1 p.m. are the busiest times due to a number of organizations trying to gain members. Vendors are taking advantage as well.

Since the first week of fall semester, vendors swarmed the courtyard to sell products ranging from cell phone service to bundles of hair for weaves.

Spotlight, a student event organization, is a contributor to local businesses through promotion of their products on campus.

Symeria Palmer, marketing co-director of Spotlight, said these vendors are chosen through research conducted by committees or how the company reaches out to the organization.

“Any vendors that come out to most plazas go through the Reservations Office in the Student Center,” she said.

Palmer said Spotlight used Dippin’& Dots and Pretty Lady Lemon-

ade on Sept. 16. Spotlight paid around $250 for each business to come and the food was free for the students.

Some students said due to the plaza’s backpack-to-backpack traffic, vendors aren’t always positive for Georgia State.

Student Lindsey Baker, sophomore, said the campus cannot escape consumerism.

“The vendors are cool in the sense that they’re providing a service for those who want to buy their products, but sometimes it’s obnoxious to constantly be in a marketplace,” Baker said.

However, sophomore Gianna Tajadillo said she supports the vendors and what they have to offer.

“I think they’re really cool. They have a lot of unique things to offer that you don’t normally see in stores,” she said.

Ivan, a vendor and salesman of accessories such as rings and necklaces, said he knows how to keep Georgia State students interested.

“I’ve been doing this for three years. I have low prices because my customers are students,” he said.

Ivan said he is on campus at least twice a week on different days depend-

ing on the weather. He has to pay a registration fee for each day he sets up his tent.

An anonymous vendor, who wanted to keep his name private, said he has made a living from selling accessories on different campuses in the South for 15 years and makes an average of $300 to $500 a day.

But this vendor also said the process isn’t always as simple as making pure profit.

“We have to show a business license and reserve a spot. We have to give the school 10 percent of our earnings,” he said. “Business can be hard when there’s bad weather or if students steal.”

Vendors without these permits to sell merchandise have gotten creative in order to entice students into buying their products.

Jordan, a local street artist, set a table up in the Courtyard but does not consider what he’s doing a buyer-seller exchange.

“It’s not soliciting. If people come to the table and want to buy something, they can. But I’m not going around selling anything,” he said.

Jordan can be seen in the plaza almost daily promoting his artwork with

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL With such a dense population of students Tuesdays and Thursdays in the courtyard, vendors and student organizations compete for passerby’s attention. a laissez-faire business tactic.

Campus organizations on the other hand use plaza-time to market themselves instead of soliciting products and must share the space with students and vendors.

Dani Brown, member of Georgia State’s Alliance For Sexual and Gender Diversity organization, uses the plaza to promote upcoming shows

and events.

Dani said the outside vendors are competition for students’ attention but most students do not want to be bothered and walk to class with their headphones in.

“It is very hard to get people’s attention. We mostly have to make them look, hold our arms out for them to grab a flyer,” Brown said.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

5

NEWS

Campus

Student Government Association will keep OrgSync Students must merge their accounts by Nov. 1, otherwise unauthenticated accounts through the university will be deleted FERNANDO MATTOS Senior Reporter

L

ast spring, Campus Bubble brought its social app before the Student Government Association (SGA) in hopes of replacing OrgSync, the system currently used.

The SGA Executive Board decided, however, to reintroduce OrgSync by making organizations do things like voting and submitting applications through the system, according to Camyn Bradley, SGA’s vice president for public relations.

“Anything that would require students to come to OrgSync, make an account and to be involved,” he said.

Anthony Cali, theater student and member of the Georgia State University Players executive board, noted the difficulty of this method.

“It makes people join this program they’re unfamiliar with and it inhibits people from joining

your organization,” Cali said.

One new feature of OrgSync this year is the ability for students to use their Georgia State account information to log into the system, according to SGA’s president Lanier Henson. There were 14,000 students registered on the system before the merge of accounts.

Students are required to merge their accounts by Nov. 1 by logging into OrgSync and following the instructions located at: http:// bit.ly/1rjavNs. Any accounts unauthenticated through Georgia State before then will be deleted.

Different takes on OrgSync Cali received the information that SGA bases organization funding on the number of students on OrgSync pages.

“It’s an odd thing to base funding off when people don’t know much about it,” he said.

Briana Johnson, student assistant at SGA, said OrgSync numbers do not have a correlation to the amount of money each organization receives at the beginning of

the school year.

Cody Elliot, another member of Georgia State University Players, said the promotion of OrgSync is a problem.

“It’s difficult because the school doesn’t seem to promote it and general student body awareness of that is very, very low,” Elliot said.

SGA Senator Joash Thomas said he agrees with the decision to keep OrgSync but believes OrgSync needs more advertising.

“I do agree with them when it comes to that but I certainly believe that there is a lot more that we can do in the SGA to raise

awareness about OrgSync on campus,” he said.

Bradley said SGA began advertising OrgSync to students in the summer during Incept sessions and will continue spreading the word at events like organization meetings and fairs.

“One thing we haven’t done in the past was launching OrgSync effectively. There’s an actual plan for OrgSync to launch it and we have never finished that,” he said.

Bradley also said despite Campus Bubble costing slightly less than OrgSync, SGA considered it a risk.

“It’s not necessarily on all other

For additional information, please contact 404-413-3350. Lyndell Robinson, Diversity Specialist will assist you with speed code for payment.

campuses and we would be testing it, so it would be too much of a risk for us to pay for that fully and we don’t know if it works correctly,” he said.

“I liked Campus Bubble when we took a look at it, but OrgSync has done some really significant changes to its website as well and we just think that [with] the integration to campus already and the progress they’re making, it will just be easier for us to stay with OrgSync,” he continued.

Update requirements for organizations will also be stricter next year, according to Bradley.

OPINIONS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

‘Tis the Season for Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin spice season is right around the corner — Are you ready?

M NICOLE MOTAHARI Opinions Editor Nicole is a double major in biology and English.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys listening to musical theater and watching British TV with her family.

y face has turned orange and I’m positive that I reek of cinnamon and am developing nutmeg freckles. Why, you ask, am I suffering from this terrible affliction?

The answer lies in two simple words: pumpkin spice. That’s right, folks, you heard me. It is now October and you know what that means — ‘tis the season for ghoulies and ghosties and all things pumpkin spice!

With Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte being such a big hit in the past years, other companies have followed the trend in hopes of following the big success. From pumpkin spice Oreos to pumpkin spice Pringles, the hype is just about to begin.

Here’s the thing though- why all the fuss? Take a moment to consider the commercialization vantage point of the ‘good harvest season.’ I mean, few people ever look at a pumpkin and say “Oh, I just want to take a big bite of that!”

Instead, we take the fruit (yes pumpkins are a fruit, not a vegetable) and we scoop out its gushy insides. We smother it in cinnamon and nutmeg, making it into the delicious creation of actual pumpkin pie or we use it in other recipes in which we desperately try to recreate the yumminess of pumpkin pie.

But we can’t get that close, so instead we call it ‘pumpkin spice.’

Manufacturers then take the simulated flavor and turn it into a holiday of its own, with a month devoted to pumpkin spice deli-

ciousness. They take the whole month of October, which is really a month to start reaping the harvest, and commercialize it almost as badly as they do Halloween.

However, despite my disdain for the concept of all things pumpkin spice, I kind of maybe have a sweet tooth. Therefore, I am not to be held liable if you find me hiding behind the latest copy of The Signal in the Starbucks of Kell Hall, dressed in a trench coat, complete with fedora and shades, ordering up a Pumpkin Spice latte.

So put on your hipster glasses and your vintage-chic plaid Burberry coat and hang on folks, because the official pumpkin spice season is about to begin.

Read Below

Pumpkin Spice Staff Picks These specialty pumpkin drinks on the Starbucks menu can be customized to your liking.

Follow our suggestions for a great taste!

for recipes to concoct

YOUR OWN!

Pumpkin Spice Latte This classic is great for pumpkin lovers, especially those who are big on their coffee. Without sugar, the pumpkin comes as an aftertaste, but upon adding sugar, the pumpkin taste really pops!

Staff Rates: without sugar

Staff Rates: with sugar

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino If you’re looking for Pumpkin Spice , this is it. The Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino is Pumpkin Pie in a cup! You can’t get more pumpkinny than this beverage. It has the perfect balance of spice and you can really taste the pumpkin in it, making your taste buds explode with flavor.

Staff Rates: *Add Vanilla Bean Powder (2 scoops tall, 3 grande, 4 venti)

Which of the FOLLOWING

Pumpkin Spice products is your favorite?

Tweet Us @Signalopinions

Pumpkin Spice Latte

*Optional: Caramel drizzle around the inside of the cup *Top with whipped cream, pumpkin spice topping and more caramel drizzle

Pumpkin Spice Oreos

Creme Based Pumpkin Frappuccino This one is great for anyone with a sweet tooth - the pumpkin flavor is much more subtle, but the cinnamon taste is slightly stronger than in the other beverages.

Staff Rates:

Pumpkin Spice Hershey’s Kisses Pumpkin Spice Beer

*Add Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (1 pump for a tall, 2 for grande, 3 for venti) *Add Cinnamon Dolce Sprinkles and whipped cream blended in *Top with more whipped cream and Cinnamon Dolce Sprinkles!

DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION BY TAMMY HUYNH | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

7

OPINIONS

Prepare to scream: the holiday marketing chaos Dollars and sense with Mitch

MITCHELL OLIVER Columnist Mitch is a senior finance major and student financial advisor. “My goal is to have more college students financially literate.” Leave your questions for him online at georgiastatesignal.com

Follow him @madmoneyATL

H

appy Halloween! Oh wait, Halloween isn’t for another month, you say? But I’ve seen the candy and pumpkins all around for weeks now! And I could have sworn I saw a kid ringing my doorbell asking for candy... or maybe that was just a door to door salesman.

Regardless, it seems as if stores are pushing their seasonal offerings out sooner and sooner each year, but is there a method to the madness? The reason might be more sobering than you think and it may even be critical for many small businesses’ success.

Competition is fierce in the world of retail and especially retail marketing. For stores like Kroger and Publix, profit margins are already razor-thin.

They need to stay highly competitive, so they’ll throw Halloween candy out well before October. I can live with

Hello fall! I welcome you.

MIA MCDONALD Columnist Mia does amateur photoshoots, maintains the title of bookworm and hangs out with friends and family.

Follow her @MiaMore09

A

s of 10:29 p.m. this past Monday, it’s official. Fall season has arrived.

I’m not sure if it’s because I was born in October, but I’ve always loved autumn; it’s the only season I actually look forward to.

Summer is simply too hot, spring has too many rainy days and winter is too cold. After experiencing “Snowpocalypse” I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy winter.

The fall season brings more than great weather; by the time fall begins, everyone is well into their schedules and they have adjusted to changes. At the beginning of the season we’re always in at least our third week of classes.

By this time everyone knows how to maneuver their way through campus and has solidified their daily routines.

You don’t have to worry about long waits for One Stop Shop, checking your book bag to go buy overpriced course materials and you’ve grown accustomed to plaza days. There should be nothing but smooth sailing from

this point on.

There are a lot of financial benefits and opportunities associated with the fall season. Since most of the out-of-state college students are returning to school, their summer jobs now become your part time position. This is a chance to bless your bank account abundantly. Consider creating a squirrel fund. Squirrels stuff their space with acorns; you can stuff your pockets with money.

Here’s a last chance to show your school spirit. Go to the last few football games. Yes, the temperature has dropped a little, but you can bring your favorite blanket and snuggle up.

Dating is very popular during this season. Whether you’re already in a committed relationship or you’re looking for a new beau, fall usually ignites that relationship fire. What’s referred to as “cuffing season” really does exist.

People are looking for someone to latch on to. Expect to see more PDA and people posting about their date nights on social media.

And now for my personal favorite: fall fashion. I absolutely love the seasonal change in attire.

Cosby sweaters and hoodies are my fashion weakness, the only trend I’ll admit to partaking in.

Fall challenges anyone who considers themselves a fashionista or clothes enthusiast. Anyone can pair a t-shirt with a pair of shorts and wear sandals for summer, but to transform your entire wardrobe and still be stylish is a garment gift.

Take advantage of the fall season. Grab a blanket and catch a football game, check out new dating scenes, invest in yourself financially and break out your favorite hoodie.

that, since giant bags of Kit-Kats never hurt anyone.

Where it starts to hurt retailers is in other industries where consumers can purchase many seasonal items year round on the internet. Just fifteen years ago it would have been difficult to find Halloween or Christmas decorations outside of the seasonal quarter. Fast forward to 2014 and buying an inflatable snowman on Amazon in the middle of May is just a click away.

Retailers such as Target and Walmart are very aware of this shift and it has led to their online sites stocking holiday items year round.

However, many consumers have shown backlash when the brick and mortar physical stores begin selling holiday items too early.

In the internet age, consumers flock to social media sites to condemn retailers for their pervasive marketing. These companies are struggling to strike a balance between staying competitive and being respectful to consumers.

Conveniently, there’s a market-

ing term for all of this, coined in the mid 1980s. The industry refers to it as ‘Christmas Creep’ — the extension of holiday marketing well into other months. This Christmas Creep, however, is not at all scary for small business owners.

Many small businesses live and die off during the holiday season. If anyone reading has experience owning or working for a small business, you know that the holiday season (usually from early November to right after Christmas) is where many of these companies make the bulk of their income. This keeps many afloat year to year, so they rely on this Christmas Creep to allow them to sell as much as they can in the short period of time that they have.

There’s two huge underlying issues here though that give a one-two punch to small business owners and many retails in general. For one, like I mentioned above, many shoppers are switching to online shopping for holiday goods.

Since 2007, many consumers

have gone frugal and stayed that way.

Sounds like music to my ears, but for mom and pop shops and niche market retailers, the consumer spending just isn’t there. The middle class, or what’s left of it, isn’t increasing its wealth. In turn, its spending has been stagnant.

The result? Price cuts, stiff competition and the devaluation of brands.

Plus even more price cuts. This is great for the consumer, but if you see a TV marked down 80 percent, wouldn’t you hold off on buying it? It might be 90 percent off next month! Plus, with the seemingly shrinking middle class, is there any growing consumer group out there to spend any money at these small businesses?

Only time will tell, but my prediction is we will start seeing retail making a shift into a new era. In the current state, retailers are in a race to get the lowest prices and extending the Christmas Creep. They will soon need to rethink their plans when the well of eager, spend-crazy consumers runs dry.

8

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

Editorial Cartoon

ARTS & LIVING

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

How to binge-watch Pick the right show and tucker in with some snacks, ‘cause you’ll be staring at the screen for hours.

Just remember to take a shower...

Staff Reporter

The S imps

ons

AL SIGN | THE ICKS AL H AMA BY: J TION STRA ILLU

ALEX KUGACZEWSKI

B

inge-watching isn’t something I do very often. In fact, I’ve only binged a handful of the dozens of shows I’ve watched over the years out of an old-fashioned reverence for weekto-week viewing. But each time I’ve binged on a show, I’ve had a uniquely positive experience.

That’s because there’s nothing quite like losing yourself in your favorite programming. Whether you’re submerged in the lunacy of Bikini Bottom’s waters with “Spongebob Squarepants” or lost down the neck of a bottle alongside Don Draper of “Mad Men,” binging can often be the best way to enjoy television.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHOW One key element to ensuring a rewarding binge-watching experience is to make sure that you’ve chosen the right program to start with. Sure, any program can be watched without pause, but there’s no fun in it if the show just isn’t any good — or any fun.

Picking the right program is as easy as acknowledging your interests. If you’re into drama, research popular or criticallyacclaimed shows in that genre. You’re likely to find numerous suggestions ranging from the iconic “Breaking Bad” to the cult classic “Twin Peaks.”

9:00 PM

TV DRAMAS TO BINGE * * * * * *

“The Sopranos” “The Wire” “Sons of Anarchy” “Boardwalk Empire” “Mad Men” “Fargo”

* * * * * *

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” “Archer” “Bob’s Burgers” “Louie” “South Park” “Arrested Development”

TV COMEDIES TO BINGE

Even programs that do not live up to your expectations can be surprisingly thrilling if you find the right characters. Finding a familiar actor or actress in a program’s cast before you start watching can help anchor your viewing to something, even if the show surrounding that person’s presence seems to be falling apart at the seams whenever they’re absent.

Fox’s smash hit show “24,” one of the most binged programs of all time, suffered from this perhaps more than any other show in its later seasons but remained uniquely compelling through the power of Kiefer Sutherland’s performance. Despite the tired politicking, watching Jack Bauer race against time to save the day rarely became boring time after time.

While no one would accuse “The Sopranos” of being a show falling apart at the seams, James Gandolfini’s performance as the iconic Tony Sopranos kept viewers hooked on the program for years. Following Tony’s journey through two families — the mob and his wife and kids — wasn’t just compelling because of intricate plotting and great writing. Its brilliance also came from Gandolfini’s consistently stunning performances.

ACTORS TO WATCH ON TV

* Jon Hamm: Always comes across as charming, cool and collected * Kiefer Sutherland: Impeccable action hero * Aaron Paul: Charming, humorous * Michael Williams: Excellent dramatic performances * Steve Buscemi: Underrated all-around actor * Benedict Cumberbatch: Radiates peerless intelligence

COMMITTING TO THE BINGE Of course, binging isn’t all about the program — it’s also about commitment. Before you begin, it’s critical to make sure that you actually have the free time to spend on your latest obsession. There’s little worse than making it halfway through the latest season of your favorite show at the cost of your academic career, your health or your hygiene.

One of my most frightening binge-watching experiences came from problems with commitment. The FX original series “Sons of Anarchy” was the culprit and my grade was the victim. Sure, it was an undeniably thrilling, suspenseful ride to watch Jax Teller and his gang of gun-running motorcycle enthusiasts navigate various hurdles and enact vigilante justice, but neglecting my homework assignment that night surely didn’t help my life overall.

Of course, this isn’t to say that procrastination is always a bad thing. Some students actually perform better under the pressure of strict deadlines. If that’s you, you may find binge-watching a show before starting on your work to be a desirable habit.

TIPS TO COMMIT * Take care of your academics, if not first then before deadlines. * Don’t neglect your hygiene even if you have to get off the couch. * It is acceptable to pause the program to respond to your significant other.

FINDING THE RIGHT FUEL Once you’ve squared away any issues with committing to your new television fix, it’s time to find the proper supplements.

Food and drinks are essential to the binge and it’s critical to find the right snacks.

Personally, I opt for a classic combination of milk and Oreos. If I’m missing either of those two items, then I’ll settle for Doritos and a soda as a pleasant substitute. Bear in mind that it’s perfectly acceptable to put more effort into your snacking. There’s no foul in cooking a pizza before catching up with Heisenberg and his methscapades.

KEY STEPS TO BINGE-WATCHING Of course, you’ll want to know just how to binge your program.

Sure, that may sound a little pedantic, but there are key steps to ensuring a quality binge experience. Failure to follow these steps could lead to poor viewing.

1) You’ll want to make sure you’ve found the proper seating arrangement. It’s ultimately up to you whether the proper cushion constitutes an office chair or a lounge sofa. Binging isn’t going to be any fun if you aren’t comfortable enough to enjoy it.

2) Find the right time to binge. Sure, watching your show late at night may evoke that classic movie experience, but no matter how experienced of a binge-watcher you are, you’re going to drift to sleep eventually.

3) Know your limits. While it might seem like a cool idea to blaze through the entire first season of your new fix, bear in mind that you may not be able to make it all the way through in one sitting — regardless of time. Binge-watching is also about pace.

10 Hannah Sauber Production manager Film major Sophomore

OF

D N I H BE ENES SC

V T S G

THE

Q A

Job

re s po As nsi a bil p in itie c h a ro d u s? and c rg e tio nm sch of in r a e c tha onta dulin ental nage t th ct e g Ca qu r I am . I w ey re e ne ith th put ipme rg ed nt p Fav e oa e .

I li re s o p l ls? ori ke ou e te s r c e n p ro ces TV “B d sho r dir es and eakin ect job uctio ws g o ? r o s. I’ n be “M B d rp od ad,” ro d l i k e h i n d er n “M Pa u st cer to b the Fam ad Wo . e a ily” Men I’ve rks ” ? “ H d i re c e pa y G ted a r w h t o f o rg e o s h o r e c a l re I t h e u s ” t f i l m 48 led an c c “To reate Ho d w alled All d a ur P as a Th i n g s h o r ro j e c t t sH idd film en .”

Q A

Q A

Q A

G LON CCA E B ON & GIPS Y R E ER Y AV LASH HNN Y O L I J BY Y EM GN B DESI

Jamear Jackson

Andrew Stucky

Zachary Bankole

e La Fuente

Homero D

PHOTOS BY ALLYSON BUSCH | THE SIGNAL GSTV has a wide range students who act, write and produce different projects within the organization.

ARTS &

7

& LIVING

Warren Turner, senior film major and current managing director at GSTV, has worked with the station for four years, working his way up the ranks of the network.

“This is my fourth year as an officer of the network,” Turner said. “I started volunteering as soon as I enrolled at Georgia State, but at that point it was just little things; I would help set up cameras and equipment, edit the shows on our network and even do some camera work for Panther Report.”

As managing director, Turner acts as the liaison between the producers on the staff and the crew that makes it all run.

Acting as the overseer of all things GSTV, Turner says he sees firsthand just how beneficial working for GSTV can be.

“We’re the only organization at Georgia State that allows anyone to come and work on anything they want,” Turner said. “We help facilitate shows and guide

GSTV takes to the stage

Aside from television shows, GSTV is also currently producing one of its first plays titled “Santa vs. Elves.” Coordinating Producer Casey Williams will be spearheading the production behind the play, according to Turner.

“The play is in its beginning stages at the moment but it will have a Christmas theme and take place during the last week of the semester,” Turner said. “I can’t give away too much of the plot, but the title should give an idea of what it’s about.”

The team is currently seeking the following volunteers:

For the second year in a row, GSTV will host the Trick or Treat Film Festival where staffers judge student submissions of horror, suspense and thriller movies for various prizes. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 24 and winners will be screened Oct. 27-29.

2ND ANNUAL TRICK OR TREAT FILM FESTIVAL

How it Works Pre-Production:

· Actors on location: Have your actors and crew assemble together in order to start filming. · Ready equipment: Gathering equipment and setting up for the shots ahead; checking camera exposure, stabilizing audio levels, setting lights · Filming: Ready, Set, Action. Film the scenes.

Post-Production:

· Editing: Deciding what shots to use and managing the details that will be emphasized in the final cut. · Color correction: Changing and improving color and lighting of shots for special effects. · Sound mixing: Working with different sound elements like vocals, sound effects and music to enhance the overall production.

•

Q&A

h

Production

•

Managing the day to day production of shows Budgeting the finances for equipment and shoots Setting up meetings and rehearsals

wit

· Writing: Writing the script and gathering information about what topics you want to address/how you want to address them. · Casting: After sending a mass email to the Volunteer List, producers arrange for actors to come in and audition for roles. · Scheduling: Making sure your team is ready and available to start production and picking times to shoot at individual locations.

Facilitating communication between all officers on staff Creating marketing campaigns for operations director Managing production and post-production of television shows

ROLE OF PRODUCERS FOR GSTV •

Q A

office located in 330 at the Universty Center.

5. Assemble your team from the Volunteer List and make a schedule.

Carlyn Pounders News Director Journalism major Junior

Job responsibilities?

As news director it is my responsibility to put out our Panther Report, which is the news program that we have for the students and faculty. I have to get volunteers, anchor and essentially produce the program by filming and editing. I also help pick the stories and am in charge of the social media pages.

CURRENT

GSTV

staff about your idea.

6. Start production

SHOWS IN

far along you are in the process and what resources you need.

7. Enter post-

• Side Effects

2. Talk to the GSTV 3. Determine how

with access to the GSTV Studio and equipment.

production with software in the GSTV office.

WATCH GSTV ANY TIME ONLINE AT GSTVONLINE.ORG OR IF YOU’RE IN UNIVERSITY HOUSING FLIP, TO CHANNEL 91.

ROLE OF MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR GSTV

•

1. Go to the GSTV

to the GSTV Volunteer List which reaches actors, producers and more.

Camera Crew Actors Light managers Stage Managers Music & Audio technicians Contact: Casey Williams – cwilliams8487@hotmail.com

•

show for GSTV

4. Blast out an email

Currently seeking:

•

steps to create a

step by step:

The man in charge

our volunteers in comparison to other resources on campus that merely give you the supplies. Working with us, students can learn how to write, produce, shoot, edit and get a better feel for what exactly it takes to create a show.”

HOW TO PRODUCE A SHOW

H

ot white lights illuminate the features of a novice reporter.

He looks to his right, receiving direction from a producer watching in the audio room. Several cameras point toward him, zooming in on his face.

“Action!” shouts a voice from the shadows, clapping their hands in unison.

The cameras roll and the show begins.

Welcome to a typical day at GSTV studios.

11

Premise: College students balance their education with lucrative careers as drug dealers Producer: Eliot Schager

• Panther Report

Premise: Flagship news program of Georgia State, covering breaking news around campus Producer: Carlyn Pounders

• Under the Radar

Premise: A comedian regularly gathers with his friends to reminisce on the past, while performing stand-up routines in his mind Producer: Deranta Avaloy

1.Producer will create and

schedule shoot times for production, make casting calls and get crew finalized

2.Equipment for production is organized, checked out and prepared for work

3.Crew arrives to set, sets up all equipment and checks on lighting, sound, cameras, and technical details

4.Videographer shoots all

PRODUCTION

5.Crew breaks down

equipment, packs up and returns to campus

6.Editors begin to review

and cut film, editing the shots along the way

7.Editors submit final

cuts before deadlines, and finished product is reviewed and aired

scenes set for specific location

Q Favorite TV shows? outlets like CNN and A News ABC and also “American Horror Story.”

Q Career goals? would like to be a new A Ianchor for CNN. I’m [not]

sure if I want to do local or international news.

Q Other involvement? a part of The A I’m Intermediate, the University

Speakers Association and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists.

PANTHER REPORT

SOCIAL MEDIA INSTAGRAM: PANTHER_REPORT FACEBOOK: PANTHER REPORT YOUTUBE: GSTV PANTHER REPORT

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

‘Gone with the Wind’ Written by Nicole Motahari & Sydney Cunningham

I

n 1939, an adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel, “Gone with the Wind,” was made.

The film starred Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable and was directed by Victor Flemming.

Since then, the film is referred to as one of the most famous and beloved films of all time.

Tourism in Georgia

Located in Atlanta and its surrounding areas, there are many “Gone with the Wind” related tourist spots.

Located in Clayton County, the Road to Tara museum puts you in the shoes of historic Georgia and of the characters of the fictitious Tara. Housed in the original 1876 Jonesboro Train Depot, the museum houses various things such as “an authentic ‘Sherman’s necktie,’ a section of rail twisted into a loop so it became useless to the railroad, Margaret Mitchell’s china, reproductions of Scarlett’s most famous dresses, foreign edition library and the four portraits of the main characters that hung during the 1939 Atlanta premiere” according to the museum officials.

Opened in 2003, Scar-

lett on the Square in Downtown Marietta is a shrine to the film and novel and houses artifacts for the diehards. The museum is considered as one of the stops for tourists to explore the south’s antebellum history.

Highlights of the exhibit include the original honeymoon gown worn by Vivien Leigh in the movie, several of Margaret Mitchell’s personal volumes of the novel, an educational display dedicated to the African American cast members and foreign editions of the novel.

Housed in Midtown, the Margaret Mitchell House stands just how it did so many years ago. Mitchell moved there in 1919 when it was an apartment building. The building has been altered (besides the apartment Mitchell stayed in) to house artifacts and facts about the novel, the film and the author herself.

The Tourism Projects Manager and Director of the Museum, Connie Sutherland, described the house.

“Mitchell fondly called it ‘the Dump.’ Our museum is the collection of Dr. Chris Sullivan and profiles original artifacts relating to the

{

}

sit in and places to vi one “G e th of r hono 75th with the Wind” y: anniversar

Margaret Mitchell House and Museum — this is the apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote the novel, and contains various pieces of memorabilia, including the front door of Tara from the film set. Bonus: It is located right off the Midtown MARTA station, just a short distance away from Georgia State.

Grab a group of friends and go have a real Southern meal at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, a couple of blocks away from the Fox Theater and The Georgian Terrace Hotel, where Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh stayed during the premiere.

Impacting Atlanta 75 years later

book and movie,” Sutherland said. “We have the only original dress worn

by Vivien Leigh in the film that’s on permanent display in the U.S. We have Leigh’s contract to play Scarlett and original artwork and chairs used in the film.You do not have to be a die-hard Gone With the Wind fan to appreciate the history connected with our collection or at the Margaret Mitchell House.”

With “Gone with the Wind” making it’s mark in the state, whether you take advantage of the spots or not, the presence of the film here has amplified Atlanta’s attention. “‘Gone with the Wind’ has impacted tourism a great deal,” Sutherland said.

“With Oakland Cemetery (Mitchell’s burial site), the Mitchell House and two museums, how could it not impact tourism?

For the 70th anniversary of the film, we recreated the premiere for our annual event. Warner Bros and Turner Classic Movies were both involved and we achieved revenue of more than $90,000. Attendees came from 26 difference states and even two visitors [came] from Poland.”

Things to do...

QUIZ TIME:

7

4.

The famous burning of Atlanta was filmed by torching the old King Kong set.

DID YOU

KNOW?

Things you didn’t know about “Gone with the Wind.”

1.

5.

‘Gone with the Wind’ was the first film to receive more than five Academy Awards.

The novel was almost never published. The author, Margaret Mitchell, wrote it bedside after a car accident. She was peer pressured into publishing it and then asked for it back. They refused and it went on to sell many copies.

6.

2.

The film’s premiere was segreated by race, to the upset of Clark Gable. He threatened to boycott it due to Hattie McDaniel’s inability to sit near them.

McDaniel refused to go.

Hattie McDaniel was the first black woman to be nominated for and win an Academy Award.

7.

Vivien Leigh caused a lot of problems on set because she was away from her lover Lawrence Olivier and would request to film an extra scene a day so she could hurry up filming and end the production.

3.

Despite the famous onscreen chemistry, Vivien Leigh hated kissing Clark Gable. He wore dentures and she was quoted saying his mouth tasted like “something awful.”

“

When allowing for inflation, ‘Gone With the Wind’ is still the number one box office film of all time.”

-Connie Sutherland

IMPACT ON ATLANTA CINEMA

Visit Clayton County, which boasts multiple Gone with the Wind related sites such as: Historic Bus tours of various locations including Ashley Oaks Mansion and the Warren House, where The Battle of Jonesboro was filmed.

The Road to Tara Museum — the museum has many replicas of Scarlett’s outfits in the film, Margaret Mitchell’s china and artifacts from the Civil War. Stately Oak’s Plantation — a costumed guide leads you through the plantation, log cabin and one-room schoolhouse.

In a world where cinema and television is ruled by Hollywood, it is unique to have a story as popular as “Gone with the Wind” set here. It offers one more thing Atlanta can call home.

“With Atlanta being the home town of Margaret Mitchell and the site of the 1939 premiere of the movie, of course Gone With the Wind is important to most Georgians and has had a huge impact on the city,” said director of the Gone With the Wind Museum Connie Sutherland.

“Just a couple of years ago a small group of us Gone With the Wind entities were at the Capitol in Atlanta during tourism week lobbying for a Gone With the Wind Trail,” she continued. “Today, we’re handing out brochures for the Trail and receiving

How much of a ‘Windie’ are you?

visitors who are traveling its path. In July, the Fox Theatre held a screening of the movie planned for only one day. It sold out and they added a second screening.”

Sutherland said “Gone with the Wind” has stood the test of time and become a classic love story, which is why it is still beloved by many.

“I believe Mitchell’s message of survival is the common ground for the majority of individuals who love the book and movie,” Sutherland said. “Mitchell was once asked whether her book was a love story or a Civil War novel. She answered that it was both, but that it was more about people who had ‘gumption’ and who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps in the face of adversity. I feel that’s true today.”

1. Who plays Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind?” a ) Lucille Ball b ) Joan Fontaine c ) Vivien Leigh 2.What does Scarlett throw at Rhett Butler in the library? a) A glass ornament b) A china vase c) A book 3. Gerald O’Hara says the only thing worth fighting for is a) Love b) Family c) Land

4. Who is Scarlett’s first husband? a) Charles Hamilton b) Rhett Butler c) Frank Kennedy

5. What does Rhett bring Scarlett from Paris? a) A dress b) Books c) A hat 6. In the book, how small was Scarlett’s waist before children? a) 17 inches b) 18.5 inches c) 24 inches 7. What does Scarlett make her famous green dress out of ? a) Curtains b) Taffeta c) Bedsheets 8. How does Bonnie die? a.) Fever b.) Smallpox c.) Horseback riding accident 9. What are Melanie’s last words to Scarlett? a) “Take care of Beau” b) “Marry Ashley” c) “Be kind to Captain Butler, he loves you so” 10. What are Rhett’s last words to Scarlett? a) “Go home Scarlett” b) “I love you” c) “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!”

Answer Key: C,B,C,A,C,A,A,C,C,A

12

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

13

columns

Satire

The worst breakup Please don’t buffer on me no more 43% Buffering...

SAMANTHA REARDON Senior Editor

Samantha Reardon is a senior and the senior editor at The Signal. She loves granny hobbies, making collages and sketching. She is a bonafide cat person and punk rock mom of the most precarious child in the universe.

Follow her

@pinsandplats

Sex column

I

had a cold beer in my hand, and we were just settling into my new fix: “Trailer Park Boys.”

I was laughing. You were providing me with top-notch Canadian entertainment. That’s when I realized I want you back for real.

I only left because you updated.

You changed. You took something out of my queue. And frankly, I had spent the summer flinging with my new beau, HBO. Yes, it’s true. I left for another network.

It all really started in spring when I copped the HBO GO password from a friend’s parents. Things were never the same...

“The Newsroom,” “Six Feet Under,” Woody Allen movie, and the Criterion Collection. I was hooked.

But I faltered in June and saw

your potential; you had my eyes again with “Orange Is the New Black” (OITNB). It was your attempt at keeping my attention, and I tried to draw it out: OITNB for two whole weeks — a nigh impossible feat in the face of Twitter spoilers.

It was good, baby. So good. But in the heat of the summer it was no match for the two and a half months I spent “Six Feet Under” with Home Box Office, languishing with my lap desk in bed after long days at my internship, catching up with new favorites.

I had moved on. But here I am again, lost without your loyalty.

Plus, to be honest, the other HBO user changed their password.

Anyway, I’m begging you to take me back. How I miss our super-late nights together. Just me and you and

your streams. I’m over HBO. That being said, I know and you know the third and final season of “The Newsroom” premieres Nov. 9.

But I promise I won’t leave you for Will McAvoy. We have many hours of “Battlestar Galactica” (though short-lived) and “Gilmore Girls” (new adventures) ahead of us. Know that you’re my number one.

After all, you’re the hottest one on the block. There are thousands of young women dedicating their Pinterest boards to you. You inspired hashtag “NetflixISMyBoyfriend.”

But those basic bitches don’t know what we got. We got real love.

HBO can compete, that’s for sure. But that network is full of drama. And the humor? It’s all dry.

I knew you were really there for me when you offered me Robin Wil-

liams movies like no other streaming service on the block.

You were there when I wanted some Bradley Cooper the other night.

You were there when I was bored on Snapchat and needed something to fill my story. That something was a scene from an episode of “New Girl.” We all know I’m not into Hulu’s shenanigans.

I promise I’m not gonna be jelly anymore of your 29.4 million subscribers. We know how we feel about one another and that’s all that counts.

I can put on something a little more seductive, if you want. I’ll trade up these flannel pants and hoodie for some thigh high stockings, baby.

Just don’t buffer on me.

America’s fascination with adult movies How adult movies go beyond the screen and into the bedroom — and our lives

RACHEL KINGSLEY Columnist

Rachel believes even though society has become more open about sex, it’s still a highly taboo subject.

To become more open and accepting, she believes we need to start with education. Rachel shares her experiences.

Follow her

@rachelkingsley

A

dult entertainment is a billion-dollar industry.

In the U.S. alone, Internet porn is estimated to make around $3 billion dollars a year.

Porn has such a large influence on our own lives that the average person’s sexual experiences are tied to the rise and fall of fads in porn.

Don’t believe me? Porn influences us so much that when porn stars started waxing and shaving their pubic hair, the masses followed. Before, the average person proudly had a bush. Then suddenly both men and women are flocking to get their bushes whacked. The porn we see directly influences our entire idea of what is more “attractive” on our sexual partners.

There are so many different genres of porn that you can find anything that you’re into, any time of the day. Try different genres of

“

A lot of porn involves having bareback sex—not using protection. I don’t suggest this... Always use protection, not just to protect yourself, but to protect your partner as well.

Here are some insightful statistics about porn from Huffington Post and Cosmopolitan Magazine about how involved porn is in people’s lives: •

• porn — don’t let the names of the genres turn you off; there’s usually lots of overlap between genres, and you never know what combination can really turn you on the most unless you experiment.

If you and your partner are comfortable enough, I suggest you bring porn into the bedroom with your partner. Try and role-play out the scenes that you watch together.

Get your positions to mimic those that are on the screen (even the oral technique). Watching porn

while you’re having sex can be very visually stimulating for both partners. Add the physical stimulation of sex, and you’ll be in for a real treat.

A lot of porn involves having bareback sex — not using protection. I don’t suggest this. Reputable porn companies have to test their employees before every film, usually multiple times. Always use protection, not just to protect yourself, but to protect your partner as well.

• • • • •

64% of college men and 18% of college women spend time online looking at porn.

Politically liberal individuals are 19% more likely to look at porn.

88% of scenes in porn contain physical acts of aggression towards women.

49% contain verbal aggression.

There is an estimated 4 million porn websites.

There is an average of 40 million Americans who access porn regularly.

Porn sites get more visitors than Amazon, Netflix and Twitter combined.

14

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

The Amazon of

Amaluna

“

As an Amazon, I protect our sacred island, leading my people to safety and defending it from intruders.”

-Lindsey Bruck-Ayotte

COURTESY OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL “Amaluna,” a name that translates to “mother moon,” is the title of Cirque Du Soleil’s newest performance addition to their tour this season starting Friday, Oct. 3.

Arts & Living Editor

A

n Amazon goddess bends backward in the spotlight, her body contorted in a vexatious position. Absorbing the moonlight engulfing her island home, she defies gravity; standing effortlessly on one arm, she balances 20 feet above the ground.

Bellowing drums juxtapose her every motion as the Amazon guides her sisters back to the safety of their secret village, frightened by the unfamiliar faces of Atlantans. After months of anticipation, Cirque du Soleil has finally brought its traveling tent back to Atlanta.

For 30 years, fans have been amazed by the beauty and athleticism displayed at a Cirque du Soleil show. Starting from humble beginnings as street performers in Montreal, Quebec, Cirque du Soleil has grown into a worldwide phenomenon with a global fan base.

Today, Cirque du Soleil has evolved into a performing-art ensemble that tours the world year round, providing a cinematic experience for viewers. The newest addition to the traveling circuit is the show “Amaluna,” a name that translates to “mother moon” in several languages. Captain of the Amazons and three year member of Cirque du Soleil, gymnast Lindsey Bruck-Ayotte, explains her first experience with the organization.

“I was at a coachs’ convention when I first heard about the audition to join,” Bruck-Ayotte said. “I really missed competitive gymnastics, so when I found out about it I went out to Las Vegas in late 2010. A few months later they asked me to join Amaluna as captain of the uneven-bars team, better known as the ‘Amazons.’”

Although Bruck-Ayotte only recently joined Cirque du Soleil, she has a long history of gymnastics, from competitions to coaching.

“I’ve been doing gymnastics for about 27 years and started when I was three years old,” BruckAyotte said. “I was on the gymnastics team [at] University of Michigan prior to working with

Cirque, and after my career as a gymnast ended, I began coaching at the University of New Hampshire. That’s when everything changed.”

A SENSORY EXPERIENCE

Although Cirque du Soleil has been around for three decades, “Amaluna” is unique from their previous shows; featuring a primarily female ensemble, Amaluna breaks the gender norms of performance-artistry.

“Amaluna is unique because the cast is 70 percent women with an all-woman band,” BruckAyotte said. “Director Diane Paulus really wanted to emphasize the talent and beauty of women; she wanted to display female strength and remove the audience from their normal, everyday world.”

“Amaluna” spokesperson Rowenna Dunn has a slightly longer tenure with Cirque du Soleil but agrees that “Amaluna” is like nothing anyone’s ever seen before.

“No two shows are the same with Cirque du Soleil,” Dunn said. “Specifically because it’s a complete sensory experience and everything is designed seamlessly. Viewers are able to experience intricate storylines and whimsical performances, all of which are open for interpretation.”

Although audiences rarely get to see anything more than the finished product for these mystifying shows, Dunn assures that the nightly show is merely the tip of the iceberg. “‘Amaluna’ is big, but it goes beyond a single blue and yellow tent,” Dunn said. “We have six tents on six continents and we carry about 2,000 tons of equipment for setup wherever we travel.

Everything is on eight trucks and the typical setup requires six days of work. Whatever city we stop in, that’s where we all live until we have a new destination.”

LIFE ON THE ROAD

After hearing such astounding numbers, the first question that arises is: why are they carrying 2,000 tons of equipment? Dunn explains that it is simply because employees of Cirque du Soleil literally live on the road every day of the year.

“We spend about four weeks at a time in each city we visit. The coolest part about it all is the fact that we have a complete housing setup for all 120 of our traveling employees,” Dunn said. “We’re fully equipped with a kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and a site team that takes care of plumbing, electricity and all of the essentials. We have everything you could possibly need on the road with us at all times.”

Although Bruck-Ayotte was born in the American city of Syracuse, New York, Dunn explains that Amaluna’s ensemble is one of the most multicultural you’ll ever see.

“We have about 17 different nationalities traveling with us,” Dunn said. “We even have our own Immigration and Tour Services Department designated specifically for the unique backgrounds of all of our performers.”

Despite the whirlwind of cultures that Cirque du Soleil embraces, Dunn claims that there’s still an extremely family-oriented environment with the cast.

“It’s hard being away from our families and home lives for such long periods of time, so some of us even travel with our families,” Dunn said “We also try to keep a festive atmosphere for everyone’s comfort; we celebrate the holidays of every culture on board and we’re able to enjoy foods from all over the world, every day. Even though we all come from different parts of the world, we’re still unified as one big family.”

THE STRENGTH OF AN AMAZON

Bruck-Ayotte also made the point that although it seems like a lavish lifestyle of traveling and fun, the daily grind of being a gymnast for “Amaluna” is quite stressful.

“Working for the show is a great way to stay fit, but the training can be really strenuous,” BruckAyotte said. “We train six days out of the week,= with extensive cardio and bar-work. We have about eight to ten shows a week and it can be hectic.”

Officially listed on the bill as an Amazon, Bruck-Ayotte’s role in “Amaluna” is best described

as a “warrior goddess.”

“As an Amazon, I protect our sacred island, leading my people to safety and defending them from unknown intruders,” Bruck-Ayotte said.

“There’s actually a very intricate storyline behind all of the entertainment.”

Although Bruck-Ayotte and Dunn have contrasting roles as employees of “Amaluna,” they both agree that the show is an empowering experience, stressing the power of femininity and women as a whole.

“It’s a great show of strength for us as women,” Bruck Ayotte said. “It shows the world that we have the power to do all of the same physical feats as men, if not more. We get to express not only our physical strength and talent but also our beauty and grace. It’s the perfect balance.”

ADMIT ONE Amaluna begins its four week stint on Friday, Oct. 3 premiering in their signature blue and yellow tent at Atlantic Station.

Anyone interested in attending can purchase tickets by visiting www.cirquedusoleil. co/amaluna or by calling 1-800-450-1480.

ADMIT ONE

JOHNNY AVERY GIPSON

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

reviews

15

TV REVIEW

Gracepoint ‘Pilot’ Review 1 2 3 Airtime: Thursdays at 9 p.m.

Eastern Standard Time Grade: CVerdict: Gracepoint is as bythe-numbers as it comes, only worth the time of the most die-hard murder mystery fans.

ALEX KUGACZEWSKI Staff Reviewer

I

t seems that Fox just can’t come up with a winner. Ever since the conclusions of hit shows House and 24, the network has struggled to produce quality programming with any semblance of consistency.

Shows of such meager merit as the hilariously awful “The Following” have come to dominate

Fox’s rotation. Even the Sutherland-led Touch couldn’t do anything to resuscitate the flat lining station. Fast-forward to fall 2014 and here’s “Gracepoint” which is yet another attempt at a poignant drama that never rises above the most perfunctory of exercises.

“Intrigue” is the name of the game for Fox’s new show and, unfortunately, the show never manages to establish any reason to care who murdered Danny Solano. This is in large part a failure of the show’s primary characters, most of whom fit into cliché archetypes.

Leading the charge is a rugged head detective with a mysterious past, Emmett Carver, played by David Tennant. Anna Gunn puts on a decent performance as Tennant’s partner in the investigation, but viewers who found her character an impossible irritation on Breaking Bad aren’t likely to find Gunn’s newest role any better as she moans, cries and complains throughout the episode.

Occasionally, tired and annoying characters can be salvaged by a rollercoaster of plot, but that ride never comes in “Gracepoint’s” pilot. Sure, this

is just the pilot, but there should be something other than the small-town murder to keep the audience hooked for next week. As it stands, the only thing keeping viewers latched onto the show is the hope that it may turn into something better down the line.

This isn’t to say that “Gracepoint” is entirely graceless, however, as there’s plenty of beautiful cinematography to be found throughout the hour. In large part, this is due to the show’s gorgeous coastal location but also thanks to some smart camerawork found throughout. Shots such as the panning camera following Mark Solano as he moves throughout the town are incredibly welldone and work to keep the viewer engaged with the episode.

For now, though, Fox’s “Gracepoint” is an entirely skippable hour of nighttime television that can barely manage to keep a pulse as it trudges through its routine plotting and over-used characters. Only the most avid fans of murder mysteries should stay on board.

MNDSGN Yawn Zen STATIK SELEKTAH What Goes Around VANILLA Sweet Talk

4 5

LEMONADE Minus Tide

6

SIMIAN GHOST Youth (Reissue)

7 8

SLOW MAGIC How To Run Away

9 10

ODESZA In Return

STUSSY X SOULECTION COMPILATION

Stussy x Soulection Compilation WAND Ganglion Reef BLONDE REDHEAD Barragan

MOVIE REVIEW

NOW PLAYING AT

The Maze

Cinefest

Runner

Rating: PG-13 Running time: 113 mins.

Grade: C+ Verdict: Not so a “maze” ing...

PEDRO ALVARADO Staff Reviewer

I

f you take the best parts of “The Hunger Games,” “Lord of the Flies” and “Divergent,” mix them together and set them aside, what you have left over is “The Maze Runner.”

Based on the novel by James Dashner, “The Maze Runner” tells the story of a group of young men who are mysteriously thrown together in a beautiful forest glade with no way out except through the mysterious maze. The boys have no idea how they got in the maze or why they are there and have arrived with no memory of who they are, where they’re from, etc.

Nevertheless, they somehow manage to form a functioning society that enables their peaceful co-existence. But this harmony only lasts until Thomas (played by Dylan O’Brien) and Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) arrive.

Thomas’ arrival isn’t out of the ordinary as someone new has shown up once a month for the past three years.

But when Teresa shows up, things go awry.

Her presence signifies something ominous for life

in the glade and there are three distinct reasons for this: One, she shows up only a few days after Thomas, not the normal month; two, she’s the first girl to ever show up; and three, she knows Thomas’ name. This is the perfect set-up for an awesome adventure movie. Unfortunately, this is as good as it gets.

Despite good performances by the ensemble cast, the screenplay by Noah Oppenheim and Grant Pierce Myers fails to structure the story in a way that makes sense. We are left with a lot of gaps in the exposition, which is normally dispersed throughout the course of the film and saves it all until the climax.

For movies like this, shrouded in a cloud of mystery, withholding pertinent information about what put the characters in this position typically works. But for “The Maze Runner,” the final reveal creates far more questions than it answers.

Not only does the screenplay fail to provide the necessary exposition, it completely ignores the fact that a solitary girl is now among a group of young, hormone-fueled boys. Not one character raises a question about the sudden appearance of an individual missing a Y-chromosome nor do any of the characters look at her with anything that suggests their society is not androgynous.

This is not to say that Teresa should have been objectified by any means, but it does not seem plausible that a group of teenage boys do not notice the unprecedented arrival of a female.

More importantly, the screenplay missed a huge opportunity for dramatic tension and character development.

What makes this screenplay deficiency so bad is that the performances are so good. Each of the actors brings a genuineness and like-ability that makes you want them to successfully escape. They are so easy to love that the audience even loves the antagonist.

In addition to the wonderful acting, the film is shot in an exquisite manner. The location of the glade itself is reminiscent of the beauty of “Lord of the Rings” Middle Earth sans mountains. Even the corridors of the maze have a hauntingly beautiful aesthetic.

Sadly, none of these wonderful cinematic achievements can overcome the atrocity that is the screenplay.

All in all, “The Maze Runner” starts off like a competitive relay race with the baton being passed successfully from runner to runner until the anchor stops running just before crossing the finish line.

Think Like a Man Too Synopsis: All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas. But plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.

Showtimes: Wednesday- Friday 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Rated: PG-13 Running Time: 146 minutes

16

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9/19/14 10:34 AM

SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

SGA votes to send basketball legislation to Athletics Legislation would create method for student organizations to promote themselves at home basketball games AKIEM BAILUM Sports Editor

I

n a Sept. 18 meeting of the Student Government Association (SGA), the Senate voted 31-0-1 on sending an Athletic Partnership Act to Georgia State athletics and new athletic director Charlie Cobb.

How it came about The legislation was originally proposed by SGA Vice President of Academic Affairs Sebastian Parra. It was described in writing as an “Organization of the Game” in hopes of creating an agreement with the athletics department.

SGA President Lanier Henson previously mentioned that they intend to start with basketball games for this season since the interest is already present and expressed confidence that it would be passed before the start of the season.

“We plan on working with Athletics to extend this partnership to games for the other sports, but both groups want to see how the program will work with basketball,” Henson said.

Jovan Paige, who was elected Vice President of Student Life in the most recent SGA elections, was the one who took to the podium and spoke the most about the planned legislation.

What’s in it?

The resolution would allow for student organizations the opportunity to promote themselves at Georgia State sports events. Thirty total organizations would be represented for this season at 15 men’s and 15 women’s home basketball games.

Paige said that organizations would have the opportunity to apply and that an application would be in the works.

He also said that there would have to be further communication with the athletics department.

“We would have to communicate with the athletics department on how many games they will be allowing us to do so,” Paige said. “We proposed 30, but there is a likelihood that

they’re already having some things prepared for some of those games.”

He said that if the athletics department approves, organizations would go through the application process. A selection committee would then select the organizations.

“The committee would be comprised of Senators, a couple of the Executive Board members and some people in the athletics department,” Paige said.

Georgia State’s men’s basketball team has a total of 13 regular season home games scheduled at the Sports Arena for the 2014-15 season as well as two home exhibition games in early November. The womens team has 18 regular season home matchups and an exhibition against Montevallo Nov. 6.

Amendments to the Act also included a draw out of a hat with one representative from each organization that has been notified of their selection that will include the game’s date and whether or not it is a women’s game.

Paige and Parra both say this was done to lessen potential bias among organizations that may prefer to be at a men’s game over a women’s game, given that men’s basketball has a higher attendance.

The proposal also states that organizations who are allotted the opportunity to promote themselves will have a chance to explain their organization at halftime during the basketball games. The time that will be given to them would be decided at the discretion of the athletics department.

Reaction from SGA Paige felt it would especially benefit smaller organizations in terms of obtaining more exposure.

“With our basketball teams being the ‘cream of the crop’ in terms of our athletics programs, it could give them a higher profile to use the platform of basketball to get their name out there,” Paige said. “Also, it would increase attendance at women’s basketball games since some of these organizations, we assume, have some pull on campus.”

He also referenced that SGA would assist the organizations in promoting themselves prior

PHOTO BY NADIA DELJOU | THE SIGNAL SGA members voted on the legislation to promote student organizations at home basketball games on Sept. 21 at their 2nd General Senate Body Meeting.

HOME ATTENDANCE AT MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES NOV.

DEC.

JAN.

FEB.

4000

M A R.

March. 8 3,870

3000

Feb. 22 2,870

Feb. 1 16 2,281 Dec. 20 Jan. Feb. 20 2,089 2,130 2000 Dec. 4 1,893 1,747 Feb. 3 Nov. 9 Jan. 182,068Feb. 17 1591 1,759 1,859 Jan. 2 14 1,436 1000 Dec. 1,477

to games.

“It’ll also help out SGA because a lot of people don’t know about the services we offer,” Paige said. “When we are offering the provision for the organization to promote the game, we’ll have something in the corner of a flyer that says ‘brought to you by Student Government Association.’”

Even though SGA will start out with basketball, they intend on expanding to other sports.

Paige mentioned that since football has already started, it would be too late to bring the initiative to that sport. Court and sand volleyball were also referenced as well as baseball, soccer and softball despite those three sports currently being based in Panthersville.

“It’s an ongoing challenge because of where they play,” Parra said. “I honestly, for this year, just wanted to stick to basketball and see how it goes.

Next spring, we want to work with the marketing department and set up shuttles, so the Organization of the Game can go to Panthersville.”

He admitted that when he originally wrote the legislation, he only mentioned men’s basketball since they won the regular season Sun Belt championship last year. Parra says it was Paige who suggested the provision about the amount of womens and mens games.

“I want to commend [Vice President of Student Life] Paige since he was the one who had the idea of increasing attendance at women’s basketball games,” Parra said.

According to Parra, SGA met last year with Georgia State

Assistant Director of Marketing, Parker Hendricks about increasing school spirit on campus. He says the proposal is modeled after how Greek organizations appear at events.

“If a sorority shows up at a basketball game, the fraternity will appear as well to support them and vice versa,” said Parra.

One senator abstains All but one member of SGA voted in favor on sending the legislation to the athletics department. The lone holdout was Senator Justin Brightharp of the College of Arts and Sciences, who abstained. Brightharp contends that the requirement for organizations to fulfill a GPA requirement is overreach.

“I feel like if you bring in other members, it’s a little personal because they’re just going to a game and they’re talking about their organization,” Brightharp said. “It’s not like they’re running for an elected position like SGA. I just don’t agree with the requirement to have to be at a certain GPA.” Brightharp did agree with the caveat in the legislation that organizations had to have displayed community service initiatives.

“I thought [the community service requirement] was a good idea since it asks the organizations what are they doing in the Georgia State community,” Brightharp said. “But to have a collective GPA because you don’t want to single out one group member is something I don’t like. They said out of 12

people, only eight can go. So, if one group member had a bad semester, they can’t represent their organization at a game. I don’t agree with that.”

Reaction from Athletics The reaction appears to be different from the athletics department. Matt Newhouse, the assistant A.D. of marketing for the Georgia State athletic department, said that everyone from Cobb on down has given their seal of approval to the plan.

“We’re really excited about it,” Newhouse said.

Newhouse said that the conversations between the athletic department and SGA dated back to the previous president, Andrew Whyte and have been engaged in numerous conversations with President Henson.

“This would be a great opportunity for organizations to promote themselves and the philanthropy that they engage in,” Newhouse said. “This will also help graduates who are in organizations who are looking to get hired after graduation.”

According to Newhouse, one thing that organizations will be allowed to do is sit in the seats on the opposite ends of the Sports Arena behind the basketball goals. He also says there will be no concerns with conflicts with sponsor promotions.

“There may be an opportunity for the organizations to promote themselves during media timeouts. It’s also possible that they may be able to do that during pregame. Ideally, they may have anywhere from 15 seconds to two minutes if it’s during halftime,” Newhouse said.

Newhouse agreed with SGA that basketball was a good place to start with the outreach given their success last season.

In addition, he felt it would be beneficial if they were to expand it to other sports.

“Sororities were at the sand volleyball games. They also did a bake sale at the baseball and softball games recently. Our goal is to expand this beyond basketball and beyond campus into Panthersville,” Newhouse said.

Organizations having the chance to promote themselves

during the winter break will possibly also face a drop in attendance. The men’s basketball team averaged nearly 2,100 fans at the Sports Arena last season.

However, their attendance was 1,477 on Dec. 14, 2013 against Old Dominion, 1,893 on Dec. 20, 2013 when they played Georgia Southern and 1,436 on Jan. 2, 2014 vs. Troy.

The concerns of attendance dropping during the winter break did not seem to worry Newhouse as he said that it was something that is out of the control of Georgia State and SGA. “It happens across the country during the holiday season,” Newhouse said. “We spend a lot of time reaching out to charitable organizations that help our attendance. Kids have the opportunity to meet Pounce for the first time. Which games the organizations will be able to do will be the luck of the draw and attendance dropping is entirely out of control.”

CRITERIA FOR ORGANIZATIONS Organizations have to meet a variety of criteria including: A minimum of a 2.7 GPA among the members that will attend A list of community service initiatives Promotion of the basketball game the organization will be at commencing at least one week prior to the game Inclusion of SGA in promotion materials as approved by Vice President of Public Relations (Camryn Bradley) A minimum of eight active members (each organization must have at least 12) Has not been represented the previous season

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 18

SPORTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

Column

Football

Panthers release running back

Krysten Hammon

Watching sports in comfort vs. with a crowd

LATAVIA UPTON Columnist

E

PHOTO COURTESY: GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS Freshman running back Krysten Hammon only suited up in two games for the Panthers this season.

AKIEM BAILUM Sports Reporter

T

his past Wednesday during the team’s bye week, Georgia State announced the release of freshman runningback Krysten Hammon from the team.

Hammon asked for his release from the team last Monday morning, according to a source. He has intentions on transferring, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported that head coach Trent Miles is restricting him from moving to other Sun Belt schools.

He announced the news via Twitter shortly after it broke.

“Granted my release at Georgia State.

Thanks for everything !”—Krysten Hammon (@TheeeGifted) on Wednesday, Sept.

24.

The tweet was later deleted but is still visible as it was reblogged on PantherTalk. com. Hammon’s biography page is still listed on the football section of the Georgia State sports website.

Hammon only played two games with the Panthers. He had 13 carries for 78-yards in his debut against Abilene Christian in which Georgia State won 38-37. He posted a 127-yard performance with a pair of touchdowns on 25 carries in a game in

which the Panthers suffered a late 34-31 defeat to New Mexico State.

“We thought we had it won. We just didn’t finish,” Hammon said after the game.

“I feel like when we got up that we relaxed a little bit. We should have done the complete opposite.”

Miles then suspended Hammon for conduct detrimental to the team, preventing him from playing in the Panthers’ matchup against Air Force—an eventual 48-38 defeat. He did not travel with the team to Seattle for their first road matchup of the season when they played Washington—a 45-14 loss.

Some are already speculating that Hammon, who played his high school football at Dickinson High in the Houston metropolitan area, may move back to Texas to be closer to home. While at Dickinson, he amassed more than 4,000-yards rushing at the Texas Class 5-A level, including coming close to a 2,000 yard campaign in his senior season.

During his recruiting process, Hammon received offers from Texas State (a Sun Belt school) as well as from Baylor and the University of Texas-San Antonio. He has since tweeted that he has received offers from two FBS programs.

Hammon also hinted at his interest in joining one Texas school--TCU. Shortly after the Horned Frogs’ 56-0 victory over the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, he congratu-

lated David Porter III, TCU’s wide receiver.

Along with Hammon’s release, injuries to Kyler Neal and Jonathan Jean-Bart have raised further questions about the team’s health at the runningback position. Junior cornerback Marcus Caffey was observed at Wednesday’s practice taking snaps at the runningback position and Gerald Howse will soon return after suffering from a broken hand.

The news has caused talk among aficionados of Georgia State football, including doubts that Miles may not be able to keep talent with the Panthers.

“It came at a really awful time and it raises questions,” Will Butcher, a Georgia State alum, said. “I wish we did not have to ask about Coach Miles and his ability to keep talent in Panther blue.”

Butcher also referenced how the release could further affect the team along with the rash of injuries the Panthers experienced in Washington.

“We had a real shot against Washington until our guys went down. It was awful timing,” Butcher said.

Miles was not available for further comment. The Signal also attempted to reach John Snelson, Hammon’s high school coach at Dickinson. He also was unavailable to share his thoughts.

The Panthers will be back in action this Saturday on the road at Louisiana-Lafayette as they resume Sun Belt play.

veryone enjoys a good game in sports whether it’s football, basketball, soccer or gymnastics. However, the decision of watching the game in person or in high definition is the debate that a lot of fans are currently trying to decide.

Fans are deciding which form of support is better: Being gathered around thousands of other fans in overpriced plastic stadium seats or watching the game in the comfort of their own home.

As a sports fan, there is really no better place to experience a game than at the stadium. To witness thousands of fans from different cultures and backgrounds stand as one is a memory worth sharing. Everyone comes dressed in their favorite team’s colors. Some people are even covered in paint to show support. We cannot forget the dramatic “oohs and “aahs” that the whole stadium declares as a player delivers a “big hit.”

However, we can all skip the ridiculously long lines for food and the bathroom. Or the dramatic search for a parking spot. Or the hiking trail to the stadium. Or the lack of replay if you just so happen to blink during a crucial play. Or the unpredictable weather. Or the drunk fan who makes vulgar comments. And please, do not get me started on the prices of the seats.

This brings me to watching the game in the comfort of your home. You have a variety of game time snacks at your disposal. The burden of being drenched with beer by a drunk fan can be erased because you can invite whoever you please to watch the game with you. You technically already paid for the game via your cable bill.

The bathroom is free and watching a sports event on TV is a much more relaxing and cheaper experience then watching the game live. Instead of having to watch one game, you can switch to one or more games to watch the highlights.

And the seats are comfier.

Unfortunately, there are some downfalls with watching the sports in front of the TV. First, you have to deal with someone interrupting your space or have to deal with homework. It is extremely hard to concentrate when you have a million different distractions at home. Then, you have to listen to the extremely annoying television commentators talk about the glory days, team stats, what went wrong with the play and the ridicule of each player. No one wants to hear that.

And just when you think that the commentators are done talking, you have to deal with tons of commercials!

Overall, there is nothing like standing up and cheering with other fans when your team scores a much needed touchdown or annihilates the opposing team’s defense. While the cost of attending a game can add up, the memories shared there are priceless. Being with a host of other fans with the same interests is also a great time to socialize and party with strangers. Just make sure you bring some good hiking shoes, a full stomach, empty bladder and of course, a lot of team spirit for your favorite team.

1923

SPORTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013

STAFF PREDICTIONS

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

FOOTBALL

GUEST PICKS OF THE WEEK Guest Picker

NATIONAL Oct. 4 Auburn vs.

Student Picker

GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

A J N Appalacian State

A J B NH

Stephen McGill Soccer Two goals from senior midfielder Stephen McGill led Georgia State men’s soccer to a 3-1 victory on Friday night at Lipscomb.

McGill hails from Dublin, Ireland. He played for St. Pius X Catholic High School in DeKalb County. In 2009 and 2010, McGill was named to the all-county team. He scored 85 career goals during his time at St. Pius, which is a school record. McGill also played club soccer for the Concorde Fire.

His first college play would not occur with the Panthers but with Clemson. As a Tiger, he played in sixteen matches and scored his first goal with Clemson in a 1-1 tie against Georgia Southern.

In 2011, he was named to the all-CAA second team and was part of a Georgia State team that scored an NCAA tournament bid for the first time since 2004. An injury sidelined him for 2012, but he rebounded with an 11-goal campaign in 2013. McGill was named to the College Sports Madness AllIndependent first team last season.

SUN BELT South Alabama vs.

BH

LSU Notre Dame vs.

ULM vs. B N Arkansas State A J H

Stanford

Georgia Southern vs.

JB

A J B NH

ANH Nic Wilson

Baseball player Formerly played for Georgia State, now with Princeton Rays Favorite TV shows: Grey’s Anatomy/Teen Wolf

New Mexico State

Homero De La Fuente

Michigan State vs.

GSTV Sports Editor Class:Junior Major: Communications Minor: Journalism Favorite TV show: Mad Men

A J B

Georgia State vs.

J B NH

Nebraska

Louisiana-Lafayette A

NH STAFF:

A J

Akiem

B

Bryan

Jeremy

Nic GUESTS: N

H

Homero

BRIEFS Volleyball

Georgia State played its second match at the Sports Arena on Friday night. It ended in a 3-0 defeat to the UALR Trojans. It’s the team’s second loss in as many games at home as they also suffered defeat at the hands of Western Carolina earlier in the season.

Men’s Soccer

The Panthers extended their winning streak to four games with a road victory at Lipscomb in Nashville by the final score of 3-1.

Senior midfielder Stephen McGill played 73 minutes and on two occasions connected with the back of the net. Freshman midfield-

er Rashid Alarape also scored for Georgia State.

Baseball

Head coach Greg Frady released the 2015 baseball schedule this season. The first action for Georgia State on the diamond will come via hosting the Atlanta

Challenge on Feb. 13 with Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State. The regular season schedule will conclude at the Baseball Complex May 1416 with a three game series against Georgia Southern before the Sun Belt Championship commences on May 20 and lasts through May 24.

Worth The Wait: Panther’s tight end Joel Ruiz draws from past experiences and family values to become a weapon for the Panther’s offense JEREMY JOHNSON Staff Reporter

T

he years leading up to Joel Ruiz joining the Panthers may have helped him transition to the physically demanding position of tight end that he holds today.

Ruiz thinks there are some physical challenges that he has fought through to become a tight end, but his years as a quarterback have helped him mentally.

Ruiz, who is 6 feet 4 inches and 240 pounds, has 15 receptions with 223 receiving yards and two touchdowns in three games this season.

His pair touchdowns place him second on the team in touchdown receptions. Ruiz missed Georgia State’s fourth game of the season with an injury when the team faced Washington last week.

Ruiz does see he has some advantages that most tight ends may not possess in addition to his height, weight and separation speed. He still thinks like a quarterback and looks at the offense as an entire unit finding where he fits into the entire scheme.

However, the learning curve from quarterback to tight end was something Ruiz had to deal with.

“It was really tough at first,” Ruiz said. “Because as quarterbacks, we don’t get touched at practice... And going to tight end where you’ve got to be a big guy, you’ve got to block, be physical and run routes.”

Under the coaching styles of Jeff Herron while at Georgia High School,

Ruiz won back to back state championships at Camden County in 2008 and 2009.

Ruiz’s assent into the playmaker of today may have been aided by a year he had to sit out. He got to go through the mental repetitions while adding strength and size.

The two-year wait to return to game action was well worth it for both Ruiz and the Panthers offense. Ruiz is a transfer from Presbyterian College and due to NCAA rules, he had to sit out for one full season.

Ruiz played a pair of seasons at Presbyterian and totaled 16 receptions for 200-yards along with 50 rushing yards and one touchdown in 21 games, but he says he was not happy there since he was not receiving significant playing time.

In 2013, Ruiz left Presbyterian in pursuit of more field time and a return to his home state as a native of Kingsland, Ga. “It’s just been so much support,” he said. “Having your family there is the biggest thing for me. Having that to fall back on when I’m feeling down. You can always have your family to not only be there through a text or phone call but to be there in person. I think that was the biggest thing for me.”

To Ruiz, family is important. He credits his father with pushing him into football as a child and motivating him to strive for long term successes such as a good quality of life for his future family.

“My dad’s just a very hard working man. He grew up in a very poor neigh-

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL Tight end, Joel Ruiz, is looking to come back from his injury healthy and ready to give his all. borhood, has worked his way up and has nice things now,” Ruiz said. “That’s something that sparked something in me that I want to do the same thing when I get older. Work really hard and be able to enjoy my life when I get older as well as being able to provide for a family when I reach that age.”

Ruiz’s father is a retired Navy officer and uses the military environment he grew up with on and off the field.

He feels that his father’s Navy experience has allowed him to grow up and respect authority, have discipline and remain a solid citizen as well as a good football player.

Obviously, we place importance on respecting authority. That was instilled in my dad when he was in the military which trickled down to me,” Ruiz said of the influence of having a military upbringing.

The journey through his upbringing, his high school experiences, his time at Presbyterian and his position transition have molded Ruiz into the promising playmaker that Georgia State fans and the college football nation will enjoy.

The Panthers just came off of a bye week last week. Ruiz and the team will be back in action Oct. 4 as they clash with Sun Belt foe Louisiana-Lafayette.

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