Issue 18 - November 2009 by Alisha Ramos

thehvoice.com

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

the voice

an official harvard college student publication

A GUIDE TO

THE GAME 2009

MORE INSIDE: bros and WASPs, facebook stalking, wild things...

2 NOVEMBER

the voice LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:

the voice

Harvard’s Got Game

MASTHEAD

(but not like that, unfortunately)

President, Editor In Chief, Alisha Ramos ‘12 Executive Editor, Liyun Jin ‘12 Features Director, Qichen Zhang ‘12 Voiceover Director, Sara Plana ‘12 Lifestyle Director, Henry Woodward-Fisher ‘12 The Dish Director, Charlotte Austin ‘11 Web Director, Ingrid Pierre ‘12 Director of Photography, Emily Xie ‘12 Associate Photographers Caroline Lowe ‘12 Staff Writers Bonnie Cao ‘12 Crystal Coser ‘12 Liyun Jin ‘12 John Paul Jones ‘12 Molly O’Donnell ‘12 Ingrid Pierre ‘12 Bella Wang ‘12 Monica Zhou ‘12 New Initiatives Director, Simone Zhang ‘12 Design Director, Melissa Wong ‘12 Social Director, Katie McNicol ‘12 Director of Business Operations, Brian Shen ‘11 Director of Business Management, Margarita Krivitski ‘11 Business Associates Marta Bralic ‘12 Chloe Goodwin ‘12 Naveen Srivatsa ‘12

arvard is a PRETTY AWESOME place. It’s cliché, but it’s a fact we often take for granted (see harvardfml.com). Sometimes we just need a little reminder that, uh: we go to the one of the best schools in the nation. As you will see in this issue, the people here are incredibly talented and it’s a lovely place steeped in history and great traditions like The Game. In last month’s issue, we featured a talented student who starred on Broadway—and immediately after the issue’s publication, we were given a multitude of tips on other students who were just as impressive. I mean, dang. In this issue, we present three other members of our student body who have accomplished some pretty remarkable feats. We hope this small sample of Harvard talent will give everyone a reality check: we attend one of the most incredible schools in the world, and we should never take that for granted! No matter how many Harvard FML’s are posted about how “miserable” we are, deep down inside we know we basically go to the best school in the universe. Along with highlighting some of Harvard’s talent, we’ve compiled a “Guide to Harvard-Yale” since it’s uh, this weekend and it’s like a pretty big deal or something. Kidding! You should totally go. From the dirt on secret societies to the best places to hang out on Yale’s campus, we hope you’ll find the guide to be fun and informative. We hope you’ll make the trip to New Haven this weekend to cheer on the Crimson— or at least to party hard with some Yalies. Peace out.

PORTRAIT OF THE EDITOR AS A YOUNG GAGA We picked this photo because 1) it’s the most recent we have of the editor and 2) it’s funny. photo by Caroline Lowe ‘12

Alisha Ramos ‘12 president, editor-in-chief

Table of Contents FRONT MATTER Letter from the Editor, p. 2

VOICEOVER Street musicians play in Harvard Square, p. 18

And You Invented the Lightbulb, Too, p. 3 Your Official Guide to Facebook Stalking, p. 4 Obama: One Year Later, p. 6

LIFESTYLE

How to Dress like a Harvard Stereotype, p. 9 Sex Ed Part 2: Sex Toys,Your New Best Friend, p. 19

FEATURES

Meet author Isabel Kaplan ‘12, p. 22

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

Mindfully Mute: Harvard’s Mental Health Resources, p. 8 Interview with J.Y. Miller ‘13, Singer and Songwriter, p. 12 Not Going Home? Fear Not: A Guide to Thanksgiving at Harvard, p. 17 Modern Minstrels: The Changes in Cambridge’s Street Music Scene, p. 18 Extraordinarily Ordinary: A Conversation with Novelist Isabel Kaplan ‘12, p. 22 The Wild Things in All of Us: Interview with Maria Tatar, p. 24

thehvoice.com

An Interview with Justin Pereira ‘13, p. 26

THE DISH

The Voice Guide to Harvard-Yale 2009, p.13

PHOTO ESSAY The Yard in Autumn, p. 28

VERY NOICE .COM the daily blog of the voice check it.

VOICEOVER 3

the voice

And You Invented the Lightbulb, Too on originality or the lack thereof

by John Paul Jones ‘12

nsert these lyrics somewhere: “ You’re an buses may simply strive to be thought of having good taste. Talent original, baby / Like we’ve never seen before / You’re an original, scouts, after all, make a living by having good taste—or at least by baby / Turn around and you’re looping at 100 more…” – Sheryl identifying what has the potential to be popular. Of course, Harvard Crow. is less known for producing talent scouts than for producing bestI have never been the person who knew about the latest music selling authors, brilliant mathematicians, and future presidents. group “before everyone else.” I have always been content to hear That said, it would seem more effective to stick with one traditional them when I may, whether at a party, on the radio, or on a friend’s style. Someday, I am sure, hipster attire will no longer be fashioniTunes. able, and then the people who simply wore decently colored clothes Apparently my lax attentiveness to culture puts me bethat fit will once again be on top of the style heap. The added hind the times. Nearly every day I talk with someone benefit: people who adhere to traditional styles do not who claims to have heard of Feist or Lady GaGa often fall out of style. “Do or Snow Patrol “before they were popular,” or Of course, as I lounge and write in my black“when they first came out.” Surely not all of ish skinny jeans and gray-and-black striped we value these music-obsessed college students were sweater (I caught onto hipster fashion long originality because the original discoverers of those artists. after it became fashionable), I can think Still, it seems that many people see value of no better theory. Do we value originalit shows others that in being “original”: being one of the first ity because it shows others that we have we have good taste? to experiment with a new trend or to good taste? Do we value originality beappreciate a new cultural phenomenon. cause it allows us to confirm our taste to Do we value originality Perhaps life in the Harvard bubble ourselves? has limited my perception, but this pheRegardless of motive, this desire to because it allows us to nomenon of originality seems much more be original is, on the whole, harmless. At confirm our taste to intense among Harvard students than worst, it is a petty criticism of someone among the good-ol’ subdued Midwestern else’s unoriginality. Still, I cannot criticize ourselves?” folks of my hometown. Of course (I muse this the phenomenon with integrity. As I think while listening to Regina Spektor, whose music about it, I wonder if my indifference to being the I first heard two weeks ago—how unoriginal), the “first” person I know to do something—to wear this need to be original fits with the competitive—or maybe style or to listen to that music—is different. Maybe it is neurotic—mindset of many Harvard students. To be different is to actually original—the thought is pleasing—but why does that matbe more deserving, more accomplished, and more interesting. ter? Yet it seems dismissive to chalk up the desire for originality to In this era of childhood, everyone is special. The message of competitiveness. In fact, it seems more like a desire to be seen as uniqueness pervades children’s televisions, elementary school projdifferent than to be different. At a university known for educating ects, and parents’ fawning words to their children. Setting aside industry icons and world leaders for centuries, why wouldn’t people skepticism, if everyone is special, then who needs to worry about strive to be leaders—even if their sphere of leadership was just an- originality? We like what we like, whether or not it is trendy— other passing trend? and since it is true, I do not much care whether it is an original As one of my blockmates suggested, these fledgling Colum- thought.

Want to work for The Voice? Want to mod Harvard FML? Want to be awesome? Email us:

Beer on tap, not out of a Microfridge.

Shays Pub and Wine Bar

thehvoicemail@gmail.com Best of Harvard FML: “The guy/girl ratio was so high, I needed L’Hopital’s rule to evaluate the limit as my chances of getting laid went to zero. FML”

58 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 864-9161

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

4 VOICEOVER

the voice

o t e d i u G l a i c i f f O Your g n i k l a t S by Kathleen French ‘13

We all do it.

You first go through all the profile pictures—to see the best they have to offer. Then you scan the recent tags—to see what they really look like. If you have access to it on your phone, may the Lord be with you. Facebook stalking: it’s a phenomenon, but also an art. There are some people (myself included) who have perfected this skill to a scarily professional level. I have literally added people I met at a party while still at said party (thank goodness for cellular Wi-Fi). I know the ins, the outs, the in-betweens—you can even call me a Facebook connoisseur. First steps: see if a) if he is in a relationship, b) which team he plays for, and c) if his profile picture is (or ever was) his avatar from World of Warcraft. If he passes this test with flying colors, there is still one more obstacle: interests. If he lists anything as elementary as “girls, girls, sports, oh yeah, and girls,” then I know it would be a wise idea to run for the hills because his conversation might be as stimulating as one with a dining room table. Given the knowledge I have acquired through the wealth of my experience, and being the expert and philanthropist that I am, I have decided to become, my dear Harvardians, your stalking sensei. No worries, it’s totes legal. photo by Nikki Anderson ‘10

THE GUIDE

CATEGORIES OF FACEBOOKERS

1. Profile Pictures If there are in excess of 40, then there are vanity issues at stake. If you see someone with over 200 profile pictures—just stop. Stop now. No, their physical appearance is irrelevant. They like looking at themselves. And that’s not okay.

2. Friends Friends are important. It kind of sucks to watch re-runs of Will & Grace with your dog when you could be out partying with actual, living and breathing human beings. If this number is less than 60 this means either a) they just joined Facebook and deserve a second chance, b) they, uh, don’t use this very often, which means that you should, uh, not look at it anymore, or c) they don’t have friends. If (c.) is true, I strongly recommend you reconsider your interest. If you have mutual friends, congratulations! Your friends know this person in real life! Meaning (drum roll please) that the object of your affection actually EXISTS.

3. Personal Information Now, this is particularly ambiguous terrain. It’s like jumping into the big kids’ pool without your floaties on for the first time, screaming “Oh, my God. The life instructor is so beautiful, but I’m drowning, and this sucks, and I’m going to submit this scenario to some form of an FML website.” (See www.harvardfml.com.) Anyway, this area of Facebook is difficult to analyze to accurately evaluate a person’s grasp on reality and humanity. But don’t fret, Harvardians, it is possible. We simply have to do some categorizing. Continue.

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

The Minimalists: These people display very little, usually only their email and birthday. The latter serves the primary purpose of making them feel special on the anniversary of the day they emerged from the birth canal by granting them more than 147 notifications. This is a deceptive little tactic, however, because it means that either a) they are the coolest people you will ever meet and don’t need to elaborate on their personalities because it couldn’t ever possibly fit in such a limited space, or b) they have no life. This creates a toss-up of pursuit. These profiles require more complex measures to determine the personality of people in question, via pictures and posts left on their walls. If all (actually, any will suffice) of these posts are from their moms, then I have nothing more to say. The Braggarts: These list every achievement they have ever attained in high school and college on their personal page and, therefore, use it as a self-aggrandizing résumé to attract people, jobs, fans, etc. If you’re into that, re-evaluate your life. The Ironic: You’ve hit the jackpot. These are gems of human flesh and bone who list “Religious Views” as something outrageous like “feet.” That’s weird. But I like it. Beware of the hipsters, though. They will steal your clothes and your Tao Lin books. Uncouth. The Artsy/Profound: Usually these profiles comprise a smorgasbord of artfully listed fragments that claim said person’s interest. This can be done well or dreadfully. Many have tried, and many more have failed: FAIL: “Candlelight on my bedside table as I write with my quill pen… [smiley face emoticon].” Enough said. WIN: “I enjoy burning old love letters.” Come on. You know you want to watch that go down.

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VOICEOVER 5

the voice The Musician: They are in a band and they make you very aware of this fact. Link after link after link. But to what, their Myspace page? No. Not okay. Bands can be sexy, but there is a fine line: only good bands are sexy. Proceed to evaluating his/her musical group’s tracks. If a chipmunk would commit suicide with a Popsicle stick after hearing the first chorus, I recommend you consider sketchily un-friending them. Don’t worry—they probably won’t realize it for a couple months. Facebook is great that way. The Norm: If none of the above really apply, this one is tricky. They don’t really walk any weird lines, so you have to be cautious. Check out the Facebook groups they’re in. If more than one includes the words “One Million Strong Against/For,” turn and RUN. Why? Because, frankly, it’s annoying. Stop joining those groups. Stop making them. YOUR MICROPOLITICAL ACTION DOES NOT SOLVE ANYTHING. For your reading pleasure (as well as my own personal satisfaction), the following is my construct of 22-year-old Eleanor Roosevelt’s Facebook profile, if she lived in good ol’ 2009. SHAMWOW.

Personal Information Name: ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Activities: Not being cheated on by FDR, but he still cheats on me. FML. Getting crunk, writing sad poetry, violence, maybe I’ll be a better person later, getting my hair did. Favorite Music: This kid just friended me on Myspace. His name is Elvis. He’s pretty good, but we’ll see. Favorite TV Shows: Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, Rock of Love when they’re on the bus—there are just so many diseases! And OMG, that girl shat on the floor! There’s something so gutter-butt about Nibblz. Favorite Movies: Juno…obviously. Reminds me of two years ago. NBD. Favorite Books: When things were rough, What To Expect When You’re Expecting was a solid read. Other than that…Twilight. If it weren’t for Franky, I would find myself a vampire. Kinky. About Me: I had a really bad phase I like to call the “Irish Tea” period, but we do not speak of it. I like the beach and dancing to “Get Low” by Lil’ Jon & the Eastside Boyz. I’m in a committed relationship with this guy who will probably be president one day because he’s fairly intelligent and stuff, but whatever. He caught my eye with that shiny Harvard degree, but he hardly ever texts me back. I have so many feelings.

Now readers, go forth and use your new knowledge wisely. Procrastinate on that paper and tag yourself in 30 pictures. And remember, stalking is never okay. Except when the person in question is unquestionably dreamy. Just kidding.

DISCLAIMER: This article serves as commentary on a social phenomenon popularly known as “Facebook stalking.” The phrase is not a creation of The Voice, nor does The Voice condone or encourage stalking in any form. Just making that crystal clear, you know, given our past. Please, please, don’t feature us again, E! News. At least, not for this.

hey you. join the voice and everyone will love you.* thehvoicemail@gmail.com

*maybe, it really depends

“I want a girlfriend that I can sleep with every night. No, I’m not addicted to sex, I’m just afraid of the dark. FML”

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

6 VOICEOVER

the voice

OBAMA

One Year Later

Harvard on the night of November 4, 2008 is an unforgettable memory. A triumphant yells exploded from common rooms and Harvardians burst fro Yard was ablaze with cheers of “Yes we did!” Even the Square showed it flags and gathered around the T stop to sing a ra

To most of us, that night was the beginning of something important, someth had a hand in something so momentous. One year later, John Paul Jones ’ evaluating the promises given to the people who welcomed, with giddy of a ne

Yes, We Can—But No, You Haven’t: A Critique of the Obama Presidency by John Paul Jones ‘12

hen I cast my vote for Barack Obama, I was not voting for change. I was not voting for a man who inspired me or made me proud—despite his brief time as a senator from my home state of Illinois. I, like many people who voted for Senator Kerry in 2004, was voting for the candidate who seemed to be the lesser of two evils.

I mailed my ballot with some measure of pride; as a first-time voter, I was excited to exercise my civic duty, and I could not imagine voting for a candidate whose platform seemed like a gussied-up version of Bush’s. On election night, I attended a viewing party in the Queen’s Head Pub, and I jumped and hugged and shouted along with everyone else when the Senator became President-Elect. That was the last time I was proud of our current President. Since then, he has made little—if any—progress in ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has completely failed to reverse Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), has softened his stance on health care, and has made clove cigarettes illegal. Damn. In all honesty, the ban on flavored cigarettes is the only Obama policy that directly affects my daily life. But as a voter and an American, I am concerned about issues that do not directly affect me. Though I no longer aspire to serve in the United States Air Force—a goal I cherished throughout high school—I find it unnerving that President Obama has consistently dismissed the importance of DADT, which is arguably an issue of civil rights. Though I’m comfortably covered by Harvard’s student health insurance plan, I find it disturbing that our President, far from taking the screw-the-opposition-I’ll-do-what-I-want attitude of former President Bush, has lost the passion that fueled his public statements on healthcare before the election. Though I am no longer a high school student, I find it saddening that public education continues to suffer, and I wonder why my brother’s stint in public school will be no better than mine. At least as long as public school flaws do not prove fatal, we will not be in as poor shape as, say, Darfur, a human rights calamity that the rest of the world seems to have officially ignored. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize. Naturally, one might assume that the President must have done something significant to promote peace—even outside Darfur. Realistically, however, he has not. I do not expect the President to stop genocide or heal political instability single-handedly, but I do expect him, at the very least, to act on problems within the United States in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, President Obama has yet to accomplish this. To be fair, President Obama has not had time to do very much and, with less than a year in the Presidency, has avoided major scandals. Yet the current state of his Presidency—becoming lax on healthcare, dismissing LGBT rights, practically ignoring human rights, and forgetting education—does not promise improvement. Some administration officials have said that the country has many issues and that the President cannot be expected to resolve all of them at once. The President has trouble juggling lots of issues at once? Tell that to any single parent. Indeed, when we elected— rather, hired—President Obama, we expected him to deliver on the potential he claimed to possess in so many campaign speeches and television ads. Though I cannot speak for America, I must say that, one year after the election, I still find myself waiting for President Obama’s potential to be realized.

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

thehvoice.com

VOICEOVER 7

the voice

As the last results trickled in—first Ohio, then Iowa, and finally, California— om their entryways, rushing in a frenzy to the Yard. By midnight, Harvard ts pride; cars honked their approval as elated students waved American apturous rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

hing that would change history—and for some of us, it was the first time we ’12 and Dustin Poore ’12 reflect on the state of the Obama administration, y celebrations both here at Harvard and across the globe, the beginning ew era.

OBAMA

One Year Later

Yes, We Can—And We Will by Dustin Poore ‘12

t seems to some that the Obama administration has nothing more than a general sense of good will, not setting any concrete timetables or plans. But, considering what we’ve had to contend with for the past four years, even working toward improvement, however incrementally and inchoately as it may seem, is

an improvement. On October 30, President Obama announced that he would lift the tourism and immigration ban for HIV positive persons, a move praised by African activist groups but hardly mentioned in the mainstream media. This small success in human rights is overshadowed by what are perceived as defeats in LGBT equality, in accountability for China’s human rights violations in Tibet and elsewhere, and in democratization efforts in the Middle East—if one can even consider democratization a project American presidents should undertake. Obama’s efforts regarding healthcare reform are likewise characterized by a balancing act between gains and losses, risking changes in the original plan to achieve major strides in the long run. Obama’s actions in this realm have been frustrating and excruciatingly slow, but this is, unfortunately, the only method that works. The five original committees working on the proposals have been narrowed to two, and debate is poised to start in the House. Our President is tantalizingly close to overhauling the healthcare system, providing coverage for most Americans, and all he needs from us is a little patience. Skeptics claim the only aspects Obama has been sure to change have been his attitude and aura. During his campaign, the then-Senator was characterized as a charismatic and diplomatic orator inspiring hope in a nation tired of the same. While the luster that once made Obama so popular has dwindled, his approval ratings continue to be higher than average: above the critical 50 percent mark of viability, according to recent Gallup polls. But this information is contradictory to what we hear over and over in the media and on the streets, which are little more than complaints about the slow pace, seeming inefficiencies, and frustrating inactions of the Obama administration. Obama is a diplomat—both sensible and, well, diplomatic. But does this make him less effective than the rough-and-ready George W. Bush? One would think not, given the imminent healthcare success, his high approval ratings, the felicitous negotiations decreasing Russian hostility and nuclear armament, and his ability to regain United States’ position in the international community. In his campaign, Obama promised “Change we can believe in,” but he has recently shifted his rhetoric, telling audiences that “Change is hard” and “doesn’t happen overnight.” This shift should not be seen as Obama failing to deliver on his word, but instead, as a realization that his monumental campaign promises— closing Guantanamo, stopping the war in Iraq, etc.—can only be met through hard work over a long period of time and through prioritization of the country’s most pressing issues. However reluctant we may be, we have to realize that Obama is, first and foremost, practical. And we wouldn’t want anything less from the original photo from E-Discovery Bytes graphic by Melissa Wong ‘12

President of the United States.

“Today I learned about Quantum Mechanical bra vectors. It’s the closest I’ve been to a bra since I’ve been at Harvard. FML”

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

8 FEATURES

the voice

Mindfully Mute:

Behind the Scenes of Harvard’s Underused Mental Health Resources by Stephanie O’Connell ‘13

“Advice comes cheap, but often it’s hard finding someone to just listen.”

itting down to talk to Lianna Karp ’10, co-director of Room 13 and Mental Health Liaison for Lowell House, was similar to meeting with your go-to friend—the one you seek out every time you just need someone to listen. Although our conversation was for me to better understand peer counseling services available on campus, it immediately became clear that she was much more comfortable listening, a trait that is often hard to come by at Harvard, where people’s schedules make it easy to become absorbed in their own lives of academics and activities. As we spoke, Karp made the somewhat imposing Dining hall of Lowell feel like an intimate and private space. And after thirty minutes of prodding her, somehow her presence made me want to confide in her even though the only interaction I had with her prior to this interview was an email setting up a meeting spot and a convenient time. Her reason to become a peer counselor thus seemed unsurprising. “I have always been the one who my friends go to talk to,” Karp admitted. “I wanted to reach out to more people and create a safe space for everyone.” Karp is just one in a large network of peer counselors at Harvard. With five undergraduate counseling groups, each composed of their own individual staff, most of the student body probably knows a peer counselor—people just don’t realize it. Most peer counselors are asked to keep their positions anonymous or at least not broadcast their involvement, in order for all students to feel welcome to reach out to the groups and to avoid premature judgments. But while their anonymity is a tactical move to maintain confidentiality, it is often hard for other students to fully understand peer counseling without a definite picture of the community. However, the concept is simple: College life is hard. Even people with strong personalities that Harvard attracts usually do not admit that sometimes they just need advice from someone who will listen without judging. But staffers emphasize that peer counseling is not just a resource to use when you are desperate. According to Karp, going to talk to a peer counselor is much more about “confiding in or just chatting with someone who is in a similar place in their lives who can hopefully provide an ability to relate or empathize,” and if nothing else, these resources provide “just someone to listen in a non-judgmental way.” Julia*, who works for Response, an organization that deals with female sexual harassment issues, said that she “wanted to reach out to people on campus who maybe didn’t have anyone else to talk to. Jackie*, a Contact counselor, agreed with those sentiments. “What most peer counselors have in common is that we want to help people,” she said. Similar to other campus organizations, the Peer-to-Peer groups strive to create a comfortable atmosphere for the staff-

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

ers as well as the students who use them as a resource. The directors of the counseling groups meet and use each other as resources. While the broad, umbrella system of various counseling options may seem confusing, the separate groups are designed to reach as many students as possible. Some of the groups advertise themselves as experts in one field while others are based around being able to answer all sorts of questions and serve as active listeners. Despite specialties in one area or another, peer counselors are extensively trained to respond to any sort of crisis situation. The differences between the groups are not the only diversity in the peer counseling system. All different types of students have decided to offer their time in order to help others in the Harvard community. While some counselors aim to go into counseling as a profession, others are interested in simply helping others. While there might be some pressure on staffers to live up to certain expectations or be what people expect a peer counselor to be, the students involved know. As Karp put it, “In order to offer advice to others or just be a friendly listener, we all must be in comfortable places with ourselves.” But despite the variety of resources available and the warm atmosphere created by students willing to dedicate their time to help mere strangers, counseling remains a taboo and sensitive topic on campus. Posters hang all over campus. Clearly, a devoted group of students make themselves available. But how many Harvard students can actually name all five undergraduate peer-counseling groups? And even for those who could, would it be something they would admit to? The actual number of people willing to reach out to this network if they actually needed help remains in question. When asked what people would change about the peer counseling services, the universal answer among those involved in the organizations was to diminish—even totally erase—the stigma associated with the topic of

Peer Counseling Groups Contact was created with the goal of reaching out to

the LGBT community, which was, and still remains, very ostracized. They advocate the inclusion of everyone, regardless of who they sleep with or don’t, what pronouns they use, and whatever they decide to call themselves. Contact peer counselors counsel anyone about anything they want to talk about, including relationships and sex. Counselors, who are available on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Thayer basement, aim to comfort anyone and everyone, whether they want to talk about their boyfriend or their grades, and whether they are a minority or not.

ECHO (Eating Concerns Hotline and Outreach) is com-

mitted to addressing the serious issue of disordered eating, from anorexia and bulimia to body image. ECHO recognizes how silence can contribute to isolation. The hotline is staffed every night, and people are encouraged to talk about anything they feel is relevant. ECHO also sponsors outreach and educational events, such as films, speakers, and presentations. Their hotline receives calls all week, and visits can be made to the Quincy House F-Entryway basement on Sundays through Wednesdays from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

PCC (Peer Contraceptive Counselors) is a group that pro-

vides counseling on issues of sexual health and relationships. The staffers are trained in the gamut of related topics, like contraception, STIs, sexual assault, pregnancy, relationship dynamics, and more. Their office is open every night on the fifth floor of UHS from 7 p.m. to midnight on weekday nights and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekend nights.

Response is a group of undergraduate women con-

cerned with physical and emotional violation. Peer Counselors help students deal with serious issues such as rape and sexual assault, and they are also available to discuss smaller relationship concerns. Students can call in an emergency situation and get immediate help, or they can casually talk through concerns about a friend. Response welcomes visitors Sundays through Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Lowell Basement.

Room 13, A confidential, peer counseling group, Room 13 staffers are trained to deal with pretty much anything. The room, located in the Thayer basement, has two peer counselors, one male and one female, available seven nights per week from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., who listen to any concerns and respond nonjudgmentally.

counseling. Melissa*, a co-director for Peer Contraceptive Counselors (PCC), summed up the issue concisely. “I think there may be an embarrassment factor associated with going to a peer counselor, that people have a tendency to internalize problems when, in reality, talking them through with a supportive, confidential, nondirective counselor could be really helpful.” Often, counseling seems to get a bad rap because people see it as a resource only for those who cannot help themselves. “I personally feel that at Harvard, it’s too easy to prioritize the things you’re doing above yourself,” Jackie said. “But whether or not you’re at Harvard, I feel like peer counseling can be so beneficial for small things you just want to get off your chest or for more scary or difficult things that are hard to talk about.” Like Jackie, most counselors feel that their service is more of comforting addition to the normal stresses of college life rather than a desperate measure for sanity.

photo by Sasha Mironov ‘13 thehvoice.com

...continued on page 27

LIFESTYLE 9

the voice

How to dress like a...

by Ingrid Pierre ‘12 and Alisha Ramos ‘12 photographed by Emily Xie ‘12 and Colin Teo ‘12

D R A V R A H

stereotype F ew individuals can defy categorization, and though we might think of ourselves as informed, open-minded people it’s only natural to compartmentalize the world we live in. The stereotype then, for better or for worse, is just one way to make this big, scary environment more manageable. Here we present you with a handy little guide to some our very favorites: the lamonster, the humanities hipster, the bro, the athlete and the WASP. While a few aren’t unique to this school we’d certainly like to embrace them here as our own. Admittedly, no single person neatly fits into any of these categories. Still, we’re sure you’ll know a few, and heck, you might even see yourself on these pages! Even more than a glimpse at the apparel of these archetypal Harvardians, we hope to shine a humorous, well-intentioned light on the lives of the people underneath.

the lamonster

Also known as the CabotRabbit (depending on the library haunt of choice) this stereotype is one of Harvard’s most beloved and reclusive. Comfy from head to toe, the Lamonster is about function not fashion.

EVER-EXPANDABLE BACKPACK

Plenty of zippers and hidden pockets to make the exit bag-check and turning corners a nuisance.

SANDALS

Laces are impractical for library life. Socks, on the other hand (or foot), are essential.

VENDING MACHINE FUEL

Sugar, Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, B Vitamins: the main nutritional groups.

SWEATSHIRT SNUGGIE™

The Blanket That Has Sleeves! For when you requi warmth but also the freedom to work on your p-set.

“I fixed a girl’s computer. I tried to fix her heart too, and failed. FML”

Providing warmth, a front pocket for your TI-89, and sleeves to wipe the drool from your face after falling asleep in the binding of your coursepack.

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

10 LIFESTYLE

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the humanities hipster Drowning in fabric, this hipster style covers you from head to toe in aloof, ironic chic. Today’s generation of brooding poets (or art historians, or social scientists) forgo the somber black and opt instead for an exterior à la Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat.

VINTAGE AMERICAN APPAREL FRAMES

Glasses make everyone look smarter for that ironic, professorial look.

FOREVER21 SCARF

Bright or patterned, a good scarf distracts your classmates whilst protecting your neck from the ones who’d like to strangle you in section.

FAIRLY TRADED/ORGANIC/RECYCLED TOTE BAG A must-have ‘green’ way to hold your cloves and Daddy’s AmEx.

PABST BLUE RIBBON You can’t drink herbal tea at parties and wouldn’t be caught dead with a Corona.

ANTHROPOLOGIE CARDIGAN

It’s all about the layers to achieve that eccentric bag-lady look.

EXTRA CREDIT the humanities hipster favorite brands: American Apparel Anthropologie Urban Outfitters Forever21 Free People Ten Thousand Villages Apple see also: etsy.com hole-in-the wall thrift, bargain, consignment, secondhand, vintage shops

MINNETONKA MOCASSINS

Cultural appropriation is bad, except when it looks this cute!

THRIFTED DRESS

At just 50 cents, it was such a steal. You love clothes with a “history”... and in this case, a certain indescribable musk.

the bro

This unassuming, all-American boy style makes a man look approachable and familiar so as to better lure young women at sketchy dorm parties. Take any old outfit, add a backwards cap, a cheesy pickup line, and you are good to bro!

! COLOR N I D A E IS SPR .com SEE TH at thehvoice online SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MODELS: Marisa Beckley ‘12 as the Hipster Rob Longcor ‘12 as the Bro Caroline Lowe ‘12 as the Athlete West Resendes ‘12 as the WASP Todd Sheerin ‘12 as the Lamonster

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

“BASEBALL” CAP

Always backwards, never trucker. That’s not a Harvard bro, that’s a different beast altogether.

LEVIS 501

The originals (and still somehow totally unoriginal). Also try khaki shorts to complete your every-man look.

AQCUA DI GIO COLOGNE It’s like Axe Bodyspray for the college-aged. Classic bro.

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PASTEL LACOSTE POLOS

Short enough to preview the “gun show” and no more useful than a regular tee shirt, but about six times the price! Elite.

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the athlete We give this one a 2.5 out 4... GPA that is! Just kidding. The simple, rugged, and sensible style of the Harvard athlete is admirable–intimidating even (please don’t hurt us).

NORTHFACE BOREALIS BACKPACK

Ruggedized for hiking Cambridge streets, it also has room for both your SIGG and Mountain Blast Powerade bottles.

DHA “TUXEDO”

Heather gray is universally flattering. And full-body sweats are appropriate for class, gym, and sleep alike!

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR MONKEY WOMAN FLEECE JACKET

Made of soft “Monkey Phur” this jacket will keep anyone warm. Not you of course, you’re so tough you don’t even need it.

BROOKS BROTHERS THREE-BUTTON BLAZER

EXTRA CREDIT the wasp

Sharp as a tack. If you have a spare $528 + tax, and a personal tailor, that is.

SEERSUCKER TROUSERS

Not “pants”. These are trousers. No WASP wears navy wool in warm weather.

J.PRESS OXFORD

favorite brands: J.Press Brooks Brothers Andover Shop Vineyard Vines Lacoste Polo

PINK

Soft pink isn’t gay, and besides, a J.Press oxford is so traditional it’s practically homophobic.

the wasp Don’t be fooled by the name, this classic look isn’t just reserved for Whites, Anglo-Saxons, or Protestants! When dressing, picture Farnsworth Bentley back when he was still holding umbrellas for P-Diddy, or consult a suitable final club member. “My colon just got hit by the Annenburglar. FML”

SPERRY TOPSIDERS BOAT SHOES Something Grandpa would wear, so why not? They were bought with his money after all.

VINEYARD VINES HARVARD UNIVERSITY TIE Costs about as much as the athlete’s entire outfit, but look at that precious ivy print!

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

12 FEATURES

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Interview with Singer and Songwriter

J.Y. Miller Talented Freshman Set to Release Album Later This Month

by Philip Gingerich ‘13

ven among Harvard’s diverse and multifaceted student body, Jasmine Miller is a standout. Besides reaching the Class of 2013’s prominent consciousness when she won the freshman talent show with her performance of a Narnia song, she has written and recorded an entire album entitled Color Me, set for release later this month. The half-Asian singer-songwriter hailing from Nashville, Tenn., began her musical career at the age of three when she first picked up the violin, “an important childhood factor” in her artistic development. In early high school, after watching a performer who sang and played the harp, Miller decided she could make her own original songs, too. By junior year, Miller had written her first song, the dreamy and plaintively longing “Invisible Man,” the centerpiece of her album. From there, she set up a Myspace page under the name J.Y. Miller (she said it “pops-up in Google better”) and started playing local shows. Her first gig was at The Muse, which she did not know was a rowdy biker bar until her performance. Nevertheless, it was not until her talent show performance at a Jack Kent Cook Foundation scholarship event that Jasmine knew she was good at what she did. “There were hundreds of people there,” she said. “This might sound corny, but people cried.” Many people have drawn comparisons between the music of J.Y. Miller and that of Soviet-born singer Regina Spektor. Ironically enough, the first concert Miller ever attended was Regina Spektor’s, though when Miller first began songwriting, she had never heard of the artist. Miller understands that her music is very different but claims to be “perfectly fine with the comparisons,” which do seem apt. Both singers share a delicate, airy, and ephemeral voice and sing emotive ballads with pop-inflected hooks, a style her CD describe as “indie-jazz-pop.” Genre characterizations aside, Miller’s own specific craft is best defined by her lyrics. Her nimble and loquacious lines are imbued with an individual outlook, and Jasmine’s persona invests the weavings with touches of humor, melancholy, cleverness, and vulnerability. The often literary and theatrical songs tend to tell stories efficaciously with a social aim. When asked how she writes her lyrics, Miller explained that she will often write them in her head as she goes about her daily tasks, whether she is in the shower or doing dishes. Most of the time, she will discover an interesting phrase and then build a song around it, basing the lyrics around scenarios or things that happen to her friends. The young talent has never been a stranger to words and writing. A former Davidson fellow and Young Arts scholar, Miller has composed prolifically and possesses about 80 pages of an unfinished novel concerning people’s relationships with technology. A self-described nerd, Miller said that as a child, she always had her nose in a book, and her favorite works include the Ender’s Game series and Voltaire’s

Candide. J. Y. Miller’s writing ability and literary influences are reflected in her songs, and the writer claims to currently have around 30 ideas for songs. Her album Color Me, which was recorded three weeks before school began, has at its heart themes of personal identity and the “colors” of race, society, and romance. Miller’s lyrical prowess—not to mention her moving voice, genuine with a quavering projection—entertains and invokes contemplative awareness. Besides her gorgeous first song, “Invisible Man,” highlights include “Wake Up,” which dances poetically and articulately to the jazz tones she sings, the forlorn ballad “Something Different Bout You,” and the jubilant and whimsical “Yellow Umbrella,” which she is already in the process of selling to an independent film. Most notable perhaps is the song “Doncha,” its full instrumentation and sultry sensibility giving glimpses of a mainstream smash. As for her musical aspirations now that she is in college, Jasmine Miller, a freshman enrolled in mainly social science courses such as government and economics, said that for now, she is “interested to see where Harvard takes her.” She always wants her life to be filled with music, though. “Doing music for yourself is always fun, of course, but it is something meant to be shared,” Miller said. “And besides, sappiness works in songs, as opposed to other pursuits.” Hopefully, Miller will continue crafting her own path using her exceptional talent, and Harvard will see where it leads. To get your hands on a copy of Color Me keep an eye on Miller’s Myspace page: www.myspace.com/jymiller. She’ll also be selling the album on campus, and there’s an iTunes release date penciled in for December.

photo by Sasha Mironov ‘13 ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

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The Voice

Guide to Harvard-Yale 2009 by Charlotte Austin ‘11, Crystal Coser ‘12, and Stephanie O’Connell ‘13

Why Harvard-Yale?

he rivalry between our two prestigious schools has been engrained in each of our minds since receiving acceptance letters (or as in many cases, long before), so there probably are not actually many Harvard students or Yalies asking themselves, “Why HarvardYale?” Harvard and Yale are in constant competition concerning everything— sports and school pride are just the tip of the iceberg (look at previous years’ t-shirts for examples). Despite the Ivy League’s diminished athletic prowess (now that Harvard and Yale are not the only two football teams in the country…), The Game is still a time where students are both schools can take immense pride in their teams and everything each institution stands for (no pressure football players). Don’t worry

that the two schools are actually strikingly similar—we got into them, so we sure can find enough differences to spur one of the greatest college rivalries in the nation. From countless students at either school during Prefrosh weekends spending more time bashing the other than playing up the virtues of their own institution to PhoneA-Thons competing to see who can make more phone calls, the Harvard versus Yale mentality is encountered on a daily basis in both Cambridge and New Haven. But while we might be intense competitors (its in our nature) much of the time, do not forget that our rivalry is all in good fun. At the end of The Game, we sleep on each other floors and mooch off of each others meal plans because well… if Harvard and Yale went to college together, they would be friends.

“Gentlemen , you are no w going to against Har play footba vard. Never ll again in yo you do any ur whole life thing so im will portant.” – Jones in 19 Yale Coach 16 , T.A.D

40 Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29

ooking for a great movie to get pumped up the weekend before the big game? Rent the documentary, Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 (it isn’t one of those boring films you had to watch in high school… we promise). The true story of the 1968 game between undefeated Harvard and Yale has been a classic for ages. Last year, for the fortieth anniversary, the film was released, doting the title of “the most famous game in Ivy League history.” Don’t want to watch the movie, but are still curious to find out how a tied score could

be dubbed a victory? It’s simple. Although both teams went into the final game of the season without any losses, Yale was heavily favored and quickly amassed a twentytwo-point lead. Although the Crimson players fought back to make it a 29-13 game, with two minutes left, it seemed all hope was lost. Wrong. Harvard scored 16 points in the final 42 seconds, and although the game ended tied, The Crimson challenged journalistic integrity and the headline read “Harvard Beats Yale 29-29” to reflect the excitement of even a tie.

30 Back in the Day...

ovember 13, 1875. The HarvardYale football game tradition began. Despite being played on enemy turf (it was actually just grass… turf hadn’t been invented yet), Harvard won 4-0 (the scoring system was kind of different. But don’t worry about it… we won!). Twenty-three years later, in 1898, when former Harvard football captain referred to the match up as “the game of the season,” the name, The Game, was baptized. It stuck (for no other reason than Harvard and Yale both like thinking it is still the most important game in col-

lege football) and has been used by announcers, programs, and advertisements ever since. Although Yale leads the series 65-52-8, Harvard has been king seven out of the past eight years, closing the gap significantly.

photos by Grace Sun ‘13 “I just want someone to hold me. FML”

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14 THE DISH

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The Game

20 How Are We Doing? H

arvard has been victorious the past two years, and things are looking good heading into the November 21st match up. Harvard is 6-3 and 5-1 in the Ivy League while Yale is 4-5 overall and 2-4 in conference. If you are actually aware enough of your surroundings to pay attention to the game, make sure the look for Harvard junior running back, Gino Gordon who became the first

player in school history to gain 100 yards rushing and catch 100 receiving yards in one game (a pretty remarkable feat considering Harvard has one of the oldest college teams in history…). Overall Harvard’s offense is a powerful beast, raked second in overall yards in the league. Yale is a much more defensive team, second in the league in yards allowed, providing the right ingredients for a great match-up.

LEARN THIS ONE FIGHT SONG And you’ll be golden. It’s the one the band will play over. And over. And over again.

Prank Wars

lthough small pranks have been part of the rivalry for years, Yale definitely got the best of Harvard in 2004 when Yale students impersonated the Harvard pep squad, handing out place cards that supposedly spelled “Go Harvard”. In reality, the signs spelled out “We Suck”, and although Harvard won the football game, the endless stream of photos memorializing the joke put Yale into

the lead in the prank category. Other pranks have including in 1992 when Harvard attempted to “x out” the giant Y made by the Yale Precision Marching Band, but ended up merely “x-ing out” themselves as the band made a giant H instead. MIT also has a tendency to play pranks during the games (as they do not actually have a rival to compete with and are jealous of both Harvard and Yale).

In 1934, Handsome Dan, the Yale bulldog, was lured from the Yale campus with hamburger and photographed licking the boots of John Harvard’s statue.

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40 Yale Social Life (?)

ale social life, in many ways, is very similar to Harvard’s (shocker!). Students party in their dorm rooms, at parties sponsored by student groups or Residential Colleges, at fraternities, and at local bars and clubs. However, New Haven bars are far more relaxed on ID’s than their Boston or Cambridge counterparts, and this more relaxed attitude towards partying seems to translate to the social scene at the college as well. Dorm parties, for example, are almost never broken up, and the registration system is very relaxed. A junior at Yale who I spoke to had no idea whether or not there was a time when parties were supposed to end—a stark contrast to Harvard’s strict 2AM curfew. Without tutors or RA’s in many entryways, there isn’t really anyone around to break up parties in the first place, and indeed, it seems like this rarely happens. Even in the freshmen dorms, partying is not a challenge— the proctor equivalents are seniors, and

their job is more advisory than disciplinary. Off campus partying is definitely more popular at Yale than at Harvard, though clearly it varies among different circles. One popular spot is Toad’s Place (300 Park Street), a bar/club which also holds concerts by popular artists. They’ve recently opened the space up to 19+, and 21+ can show their ID’s at the bar to get a drink. On Thursday nights, Viva Zapata (161 Park Street), or “Viva’s,” described to me as a “somewhat shitty dive bar” is packed with students. Three fraternities at Yale have open parties: SigEp, SAE, and Deke (Both George Bush-es were members). Like Harvard’s Greek scene, however, it is not an enormous presence on campus and is popular with only a certain group of people. Many sports teams, notably the football, lacrosse, and soccer teams, also have houses that are known as “frats”, where some team members live and where they throw parties.

Guide to New Haven Food

For the heavily inebriated hankering for some For the budget-friendly post-game meal with For those who just met the Yalie of their dreams and friends: is in need of the perfect dinner date: greasy grub: Yorkside Pizza 288 York St. Come here for pizza that satisfies the plastered palate, although like everything at Yale, the pizza is mediocre at best compared to its Harvard competitor, Noch’s. Though you would assume pizza to be the celebrated dish, Yorkside Pizza serves up traditional Greek dishes and large casseroles that are more palatable than its pizza and similarly budget friendly. A-1 Pizza 21 Broadway This pizzeria/diner serves thin crust pizza that is less greasy than that of Yorkside. For the inebriates sick of the ubiquitous New Haven pizzeria, order off of the extensive grilled cheese menu. Try the Clint, with shaved steak and mushrooms, or the Sophia, with tomatoes and grilled eggplant.

Claire’s 1000 Chapel St. This vegetarian, organic, sustainable, and Kosher restaurants (a few too many dietary restrictions for my liking), serves traditional as well as Mexican vegetarian fare. Although Claire’s will satisfy a craving for a veggie burger, the real stars here are their pastries. The sell-out dessert? Lithuanian coffee cake. Atticus 1082 Chapel St. This bookstore café is the perfect place for a quick salad and sandwich bite, and its black bean soup was voted the best soup of 2009 by the New Haven advocate. This “save the poor starving student” restaurant serves $1 fair trade coffee and has a budget $12.99 prix fix with all of its star dishes: 1 cup soup (black bean highly recommended), side salad with Chabaso rolls, ½ grilled panino of choice, choice of desserts (but you must go with their famous truffles), and a beverage.

Scoozi 1104 Chapel St. Warm weather and Scoozi’s charming couryard make for the perfect date al fresco. The sophisticated menu includes a variety of antipasti, numerous seafood risottos, and upscale manifestations of Italian comfort food classics. Try the Aragosta ristto with lobster meat, Jones Farm spaghetti squash, San Marzano tomatoes, shiitake mushrroms, lemon mascarpone, and toasted pumpkin seeds. What Bulldog, or anyone else for that matter, wouldn’t fall in love with you after feasting on that? Soul de Cuba 283 Crown St. Slightly less pricy than Scoozi, Soul de Cuba offers a sexy menu of traditional Cuban cuisine. Start out with the ceviche, feast on ropa vieja, or shredded beef slow cooked with onions in a light tomato sauce, and finish your meal with a slice of mouth-wateringly moist tres leches cake.

“My roommate likes to tape her thumbs to her hands to see what it would be like to be a dinosaur. FML”

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16 THE DISH

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30 More Food Options for the Hungry Havardian

For those with alumni parents in town and can therefore splurge:

Union League Cafe 1032 Chapel St. This contemporary French café is one of the nicest in New Haven. Try the duck confit, a luxuriously slow-cooked dish served with watercress, walnuts, green apples, and a potato galette, and end your meal with the “perfect” crème brulée. The prices are friendly to parents only, but Union League also offers a student-friendly $29 pix fix served MondayFriday featuring butternut squash velouté, traditional coq au vin, and apple tart tatin. Make reservations, dress up, dine, enjoy, and put a dent in the pocketbook.

Ibiza 39 High St. This upscale Spanish and Basque restaurant is a fusion of traditional and modern cuisine. The wordly gourmand can savor bacalao, Basque salted cod, and chiperones, squid braised in its own ink. Like Union League, Ibiza offers a Pre- or post-theater $29 pix fix. Highlights from the prix fix include lomo de cerdo (Grilled pork tenderloin, tetilla cheese, and piquillo peppers), arroz valenciano (saffron rice, chorizo, chicken, mussels, squid, and cockles), and crema catalana.

For those in need of something quick and sweet:

For those who want to drink as the Yalies do:

Ashley’s Ice Cream 280 York St. The dessert spot for sweet-toothed Yalies. Their homemade ice cream is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, explaining their slightly steep prices. Must try flavor: coffee oreo.

Downtown at the Taft 261 College St. Lenient carding and a sultry New American atmosphere make Downtown at the Taft the spot for metropolitan Yale bar hoppers. Their martinis come in fresh fruit, sake, champagne, espresso, honey, and pear varieties. It’s no surprise that Downtown at the Taft was voted best martini of 2009 by the New Haven Advocate. In for something decadent? Indulge with double chocolate martini.

Inside Yale's Secret Societies Are they like Havard's final clubs? Maybe not.

ontrary to popular belief, Yale’s secret societies play a very different role in the social scene than Harvard’s final clubs. Though their reputations as bastions of elitism are certainly comparable, secret societies at Yale are generally made up of only 15 members (boys and girls) of the senior class, chosen in April of their junior year on something called “Tap Night,” during which each of the societies’ current members formally dispenses invitations to the new class of members. What makes these societies so secretive isn’t their membership rosters—lists of members are often circulated in student publications and posted on blogs like IvyGate—but rather, the content of their meetings and rituals that is kept hidden from the outside world. And don’t expect to roll up to the Skull and Bones tomb on a Friday night for a rager—entrance into each society’s tombs is generally restricted to members. Societies, therefore, are not huge part of the social scene at Yale, per se. The members don’t interact with the rest of the student population as a group, instead usually meeting privately on Thursdays and Sundays, with the activities, purportedly, focused on personal growth and the development of deep friendships. Many argue that election into secret societies is far more meritocratic than election into Harvard’s final clubs, and what one has achieved as a member of the Yale community supposedly trumps family backgrounds. (For instance, there has been a recent trend of Yale Daily News senior editors being inducted into Scroll and Key.) Still, the societies and their alumni organizations seem to have a history of control and influence over the university, both fiscally and administratively: by 1884, half of the faculty and the Yale Corporation were members of secret societies. There are a wide range of societies at Yale, some without a tomb of their own, some which accommodate juniors, and some which do in fact function more as a social space.

Skull and Bones

Far and away the most famous secret society at Yale, Skull and Bones is also the oldest. It was founded in 1832, after the valedictorian of the class of 1833, William Huntington Russell, was not elected into Phi Beta Kappa (which, as you may imagine, was a very different organization back in the day). Skull and Bones’ membership famously includes George H. W. and George W. Bush, as well as the latter’s 2004 election opponent John Kerry. Much mystery and mythology surrounds the society: they are rumored to have stolen the skulls of Geronimo and Pancho Villa, and rumors about the activities of their members and alumni networks never fail to capture public attention. The so-

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

ciety often appears in popular films and TV shows, such as the Matt Damon movie The Good Shepherd, as well as the second season of Gossip Girl.

Scroll and Key

Scroll and Key is the second oldest secret society at Yale, and arguably the second most prominent, though in recent years its popularity has begun to eclipse that of Skull and Bones—rumor has it they currently have a larger endowment. They were formed in 1841 after a dispute over elections to Skull and Bones, and the group has made many significant donations to Yale, including the endowment for the founding of the

Yale University Press. Notable alums include Cornelius Vanderbilt III, former secretary of state Dean Acheson, and Cole Porter.

Wolf’s Head

Wolf’s Head was founded in 1884, amidst a student movement to end the society system once and for all. Needless to say, the founding of Wolf’s Head cemented that movement’s death, and today members enjoy the largest secret society compound on campus. The Wolf’s Head Society was for a time notorious for admitting prep-school types and was the last society to go co-ed in 1992. Famous members include composer Charles Ives.

Book and Snake

One of three still existing societies that was founded at the Yale Sheffield Scientific School—a division of the university which focused on science education—Book and Snake originated as a three-year residential society and didn’t become a senior society at Yale until 1933. Book and Snake taps eight men and eight women every spring and claims to be the first senior society to admit women. Famous alumni include Bob Woodward and Harvard’s own Henry “Skip” Louis Gates, Jr.

Manuscript

Founded in 1952, Manuscript is the second youngest society that owns property and also claims to be the first society to accept women. Unlike many of the other societies, Manuscript is famous for its yearly Halloween party. Famous alums include

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Duke University president Richard Brodhead, Anderson Cooper, and Jodie Foster.

St. Anthony Hall

St. Anthony Hall or “St. A’s” is a national collegiate literary society which—besides Yale—currently has co-ed chapters at Columbia, Trinity, Princeton, Brown, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and MIT. (There are all male chapters at University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, and the University of Mississippi). F. Scott Fitzgerald makes numerous references to the society in his works, and the Yale chapter maintains its literary and intellectual reputation by sponsoring a public lecture series on literature, the arts, and public affairs. Membership is comprised of sophomores through seniors, and St. A’s is essentially the only society that consistently holds events open to the public.

Pundits

The Pundits are not exactly a society—in fact, they are sort of an anti-society, notorious around campus for both their naked parties and their often elaborate pranks, often involving tricking juniors into believing they are being tapped for a secret society. The Pundits were the masterminds behind 2004 Harvard-Yale game’s “WE SUCK” prank. It is speculated that the term “pundit,” as we use it today, originates in the name of this group. Famous Yale Pundits include former vice presidential candidate and Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman (imagine him streaking…eww). ---Charlotte Austin ‘11

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the voice Not Going Home? Fear Not:

A Guide to Thanksgiving at Harvard 7 things you should do while spending the holiday at Harvard

by Ricardo Alberto Ramirez Garcia-Rojas ‘13

ore than 3,800 international students are enrolled in Harvard’s various schools, so it’s unsurprising that people stay on campus for Thanksgiving. Unlike Yale (sigh), Harvard only has a two day break, making flying home a luxury. Staying on campus during Thanksgiving may not sound appealing at first. Besides a bland HUDS meal served in Adams House on Turkey Day and the slower pace of life on campus, there’s not much else to look forward to. Yet in reality, four days away from classes is a pretty enormous window of opportunity for fun activities, especially when living in a metropolitan area like Boston. So instead of flooding Harvard FML with too many pity stories—“While my roommate is probably sitting in front of a succulent 10pound turkey, I am staring outside my window at a hairy dude in a turkey suit holding a gory PETA sign. FML”—bear in mind some of the following options, and maybe there will be more to be thankful of.

1. Get some work done. Sounds bor-

ing, right? But why multiply stress later when you can take care of it now? International student Gloria Kavetskaya ’11 plays to use at least some of this year’s break to finish some work for their classes. Kavetskaya took four seminar classes this semester, all with extensive papers. “I plan to write at least one of them,” she said. But don’t forget to rest up. After all, there’s a reason why it’s called a “break,” so try to balance work with some relaxation, perhaps in the form of…

2. A trip to New York. A bus ride to the

Big Apple only costs about $15. A variety of fun options await in the city, such as the internationally renowned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Not only that, but the shopping crowd on Black Friday should supply anyone with enough excitement to last through finals. Crash with some friends at NYU or Columbia. Staying at a hotel is another option, but keep in mind that most New York hotels have a 21+ age limit to check in. For more adventurous types, try the cheaper hostel option, but be sure to call ahead to reserve limited spots.

3. Eat Thanksgiving dinner with a friend or roommate’s family. Most

domestic students go home for the holiday, and some lucky international students have had the experience to travel outside of campus not only to experience the holiday in a new place with free board. Last year, Kavetskaya went to Pittsburgh to spend Thanksgiving at her friend’s house. She noted that the most interesting thing about the experience was “seeing [her] friend in a family setting.” A home-cooked meal doesn’t sound bad either.

4. Make an extravagant meal

yourself. Most dorms and houses have decent

kitchens. Shaw’s in Porter Square, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s are only a quick T ride or short walk away and offer a variety of ingredients for a self-made Thanksgiving meal. If you can’t cook, befriend a Harvard Culinary Society member to make sure your feast doesn’t turn into a dud.

5. Dine out. If you’re uncomfortable with the

do-it-yourself mentality of a home-cooked meal, head to one of the Square’s fine restaurants, most of which remain open on Thanksgiving. Upstairs on the Square offers Thanksgiving dining on Thanksgiving Day from 1 to 8 p.m. For $68 per person, they serve a four-course meal ranging from scalloped oysters with buttered, salted Brioche crumbs to fresh sweet cream and Sauterne Supremes on butter lettuce, to sage-rubbed pork loin with sweet potato gratin. (Drooling yet?) Not only that, a lot of excellent Boston restaurants, such as Sel de la Terre and 606 Congress, also serve Thanksgiving dinners. Visit www.harvardsquare.com for more information on dining choices.

6. Root for the Crimson.

Harvard’s men’s hockey team will go up against Dartmouth on Sunday, November 29. The men’s basketball team will also play that day against Boston University. Show some school spirit and cheer for Big Red.

INTERNATIONAL OR NOT Spending the holiday at Harvard ain’t so bad after all.

7. Rock out at a concert. Zero 7, a Brit-

ish group Jimmy Kimmel described as “studio assistants turned rock stars,” will play at the House of Blues in Boston. Described as trip-hop, downtempo, and acid jazz, their performances won’t disappoint. Additionally, the amazing venue is reason enough to go, which is all the more reason to take advantage of tickets now going for just $20. Guests also have the option of either eating dinner at the awesomely decorated House of Blues restaurant before the show, or powering through one of Boston’s “The Sausage Man” great Italian Sausages or hot dogs outside the venue. For those too lazy to trek all the way across the Charles, the Capitol Steps’ “Obama-Mia” Tour is also being held that same day in Sander’s Theater at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. According to the FAS website, the play will be “an evening of musical political satire that pokes fun at Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.” The play’s soundtrack even topped the charts in Norway. or internationals, Thanksgiving probably seems like just another unusual American holiday dedicated to gluttony. To international student Heng Shao ’13, Thanksgiving “is not an important festival, but only a weekend.” She might be correct, but that shouldn’t be reason to stay cooped up in the dining hall on the most gluttonous Thursday in November.

“All I really wanted in life was to attend Hogwarts. Instead, I’m reading about spermatorrhea for my Culture and Belief class. FML”

ENJOY THE QUIET The campus will be pretty quiet--a perfect time to relax and er, make friends with pumpkins!

photos by Grace Sun ‘12 ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

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the voice

Modern Minstrels: by Suzanna Bobadilla ‘13

n any given day, the entrance to the Harvard Square T stop bustles with tourists figuring out which way to wander, students rushing to class, and Cantabrigians passing through on their way home. When people stop for a moment to take in the flurry of activity, this movement appears to be synchronized to the soundtrack of local street musicians. Even though these sidewalk performers don’t attract the same crowds that flock to Mass. Ave. when Ben Affleck or Jon Hamm are rumored to be about, these talented musicians seem content to simply share their music with those who care to stop in their tracks and listen. From South American pipe players to local teenage ba nds, Cambridge has an impressive history with street musicians and performers. Modern day minstrels have undoubtedly given this city character and are now an inseparable part of its culture. Street performers come to Harvard Square for its reputation as an area of community musical congregation. But the environment has changed. Instead of stopping and listening, people continue on their way to their next sightseeing stop, their next class, their next meeting. According to Ned Landin who sings and plays guitar near Out of Town News, the waning interest in street musicians is due to changing demographics. “First of all, with rent control, it was less expensive and you had people who were really interested in this kind of stuff,” he said. “When the unique businesses got pushed out, Harvard Square became less of a destination.” Landin cites gentrification as the major cause of the declining feedback from passersby in the past few years. “I’ve found that in order to get a good crowd, three or four people need to stop, and then more people get drawn in to see what’s going on,” he said while looking at the almost empty T stop. “Now, this is more of transit area and people don’t think of this as a place to hang out.” In the increasingly fast-paced tone of life in Cambridge, the possibility of a place in the city for the average street musician is in question. But as I walked through the Square a few weeks ago,

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

photo by Emily Xie ‘12

The Changes in Cambridge’s Street Music Scene

evidence that the community still appreciates the vivid open to enjoying the music or relaxing for a minute and takculture that street musicians bring to Cambridge is found ing in the music.” everywhere. A father bounced his son in time to the music, But more business-savvy performers take note of the while young professionals reminisced about the first time community patterns and supply to the visible demand. Some they heard a specific song coming through the speakers of a musicians, like guitarist Bart Caruso, regularly play crowd guitar player. When the first few chords of “Here Comes the favorites, like the Beatles and Bob Dylan. Sun” rang out through the crowd in front of Peet’s Coffee, “It helps if people know the songs,” he admitted with the crowd perked up, gathering around for a moment before a laugh. Covering songs such as “Nowhere Man” and “Here continuing on with their day. Comes the Sun,” Caruso is able to unite his audience with the Jonathan Walls, one of the co-founders for Playing for classics. “Now and then, I try to sneak in some of my own.” Change, an organization that seeks peace through music, ofWhile Cambridge street musicians can’t halt the modfered a more optimistic perspective on the future of street ern pace of life, they remain as a huge cultural anchor for musicians. the community. With Playing for Change, Walls has traveled across the Grounding students and residents alike, they seem unworld and, with the help of technology and pure talent, has fazed as people ignore them amid the crowded throng of compiled music videos that have become viral hits on You- students and tourists. Instead, they seem content with the Tube. Playing for Change’s first video, “Stand By Me,” has almost 15 million hits. Other videos, such as international ...continued on page 27 covers of “Don’t Worry” and “One Love,” have received overwhelming positive responses. “I have always been intrigued by street musicians because they are out in the open, they’re Visit Playing for Change on YouTube breaking down the fourth wall, they’re expressing themselves and their art immediately to people,” Walls said. “There’s really no separation, so it’s an engaging art.” Walls also sees an intrinsic aesthetic appeal to the amateur performers, selling their homeproduced albums and unabashedly advertising themselves to the public on the sidewalk, whether in Cambridge or elsewhere. “There’s a beauty to these street musicians. Even if the music isn’t that great, they have the courage to go out there and to share how they feel through their music.” On a more localized and personal level, a part of the atmosphere is more likely connected to the contributions of the pipe player on JFK Street, even if people don’t necessarily have the time to stop and take in the pan flute. http://youtube.com/user/playingforchange “The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that there is a certain time of day when people are focused to get to the next thing they have to do, you know?” Walls said. “The passersby aren’t as

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LIFESTYLE 19

the voice

D E X E S

nd e i r F t s e r New B

ou Y , s y o T t 2: Sex

Par

by Lena Chen ‘10, Christine Yu, and "Hand Solo"

’m as big a fan of self-love as a newly sexually-awakened postpubescent, but sometimes a couple digits just won’t do. That’s when I reach for my favorite vibrator made by Fun Factory, a German sex toy company. Before I came across their nifty invention, I’d tried a lot of toys that left me feeling dissatisfied, so I resorted to masturbation without technological enhancements. Though it’s cheaper and equally pleasurable (especially if you’re familiar with your own body and nimble with your fingers), masturbation alone can get boring and sex toys can add variety to the bedroom. Some women have a difficult time reaching orgasm and can get closer to their goal with the aid of a toy. For me, finding the right vibrator made me realize that sex toy shopping is a little bit like playing Goldilocks. You have to find the toy that’s juuuust right and there are a lot of factors that come into play! According to The Tech’s Sex Survey, 13 percent of all MIT students have a sex toy. Overall, 16 percent of MIT women have toys. However, this statistic is as low as 6 percent for the females in the freshman class, whereas it shoots up to 26 percent for the females in the senior class. These numbers argue that sex toys become more prevalent as students go through their MIT career, and whether you’re a virgin or one-half of a couple, you can integrate toys into your sex life and use them to get better acquainted with your (and your partner’s) body and preferences. To protect your health and prolong the life of your product, keep in mind the following when purchasing and using:

Cost: Good toys aren’t cheap, but they don’t have to be outrageously expensive either. All of the products reviewed below are well-known brands carried by reputable retailers like Babeland, which only sell quality toys. Though it might be hard to justify spending triple digits (at some point, you’re really just paying for the brand), there’s a huge difference between a $15 plastic dildo made in China and a $60 silicone one that comes with a warranty. If the price makes you wince, it’s better to skip toys altogether. No vibe is preferable to a toxic vibe.

Material: Silicone toys cost more, but they’re hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and as close as you can get to the real thing. Rubber/jelly and latex toys are less expensive but are also porous, which makes them difficult to disinfect, and may contain phthalates, a common rubber softener which has been correlated with negative health consequences. Toys are also made out of hard materials like plastic, glass, and aluminum (used in Tantus’ Revolve and JimmyJane’s Little Chroma).

Safety: Toys made of rubber, latex, or jelly are porous and harder to clean (see below) so I highly recommend using a condom with penetrative toys

made of these materials. In general, however, condoms are a good idea because they act as a barrier against toys with materials that contain allergens (latex) or dangerous chemicals (phthalates). Condoms are an absolute necessity if you’re sharing toys with a partner and if you’re switching between vaginal and anal penetration.

Lubrication: As always, don’t forget to lube up, especially if you don’t get wet on your own. Remember to keep the silicone lube away from your silicone toys or you’ll destroy the surface of the latter. Stick to the water-based stuff, which is safe for all materials, or use saliva when in a pinch (It’s better than nothing!).

Care:

To prolong their lifespan, don’t put off cleaning your toys. Most toys will do fine with a warm water rinse accompanied by anti-bacterial soap, but rubber, latex, and jelly toys are more porous than silicone so they require extra rinsing to get rid of excess soap. If you want to make sure your toys are squeaky clean, silicone and glass products without electrical parts can be boiled or run through a cycle in the dishwasher (stick them in the top shelf, though).

This edition of Sex Ed focuses on products for women, but don’t worry, boys. We’ll be reviewing unisex and couples toys in an upcoming installment. In the meantime, the boys can read a review of the Fleshlight by “Hand Solo.”

Womolia & Femblossom $99.95 each by Emotional Bliss

CHRISTINE: Using silver ions as an antibacterial agent, Emotional Bliss’s selling point is the almost self-cleaning nature of their personal massagers. To clean it, it’s as simple as wiping it down with water. I don’t know about others, but I find cleaning my sex toys to be such a hassle. So much so, I’m hesitant to use them when I’m on a time crunch, even though I could really use an orgasm to wind down. This makes these toys perfect for those who don’t want to boil silicone after every usage. And, these toys self-heat! But, they never get too hot. I prefer the Femblossom because of its design. The Womolia (pictured above) is a Design: B bit too thick and long for internal usage, in my opinion, and for clitoral Efficacy: A purposes, its shape is awkward. Out of all the toys I tested, Emotional Bliss also had the best speeds, but they’re incredibly loud. So loud that I consider it a major product flaw for college students— I think they’re louder than “indoor speaking voices.” It’s a small price to pay, though, for a quick orgasm, which the higher speeds definitely afforded.

photos by David Templeton

LENA: The U.K. company Emotional Bliss has garnered a large following in Europe with its line of intimate massagers, which include the Womolia and the Femblossom. These are the only vibrators on the market that heat up by warming to the speed and frequency selected. Though the vibrations are strong enough to suit my preferences, the toys are also extremely loud so discretion is next to impossible if you’re not living in a single. I also Design: C wish they didn’t resemble shower heads and came in a sleeker design. Both Efficacy: B are rechargeable (so you can forget batteries) and curved for comfort. One big plus: Since the products are made of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), which is non-porous, they’re super easy to clean and also contain an antibacterial agent that sterilizes the massager after it they are wiped with water.

“ I just sneezed in the Widener reading room. It echoed—loudly. People stared. One guy woke up and fell out of his chair. I did not know I had this much power. FML”

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

20 FEATURES

the voice

Onye

$55 by Big Teaze Toys

CHRISTINE: I wanted to like the Onye. With its pretty satin-lined case, I thought I was in for a treat. Plus, it wasn’t terrifyingly large. If anything, it looked like a thicker, shorter version of JimmyJane’s Little Chroma, which is one of my favorite toys on the market. After stealing my AAA batteries from my TI-89, I should’ve known I was in for a disappointment. My batteries will be staying in my TI-89. The eight speeds are nice, but none of them quite did the trick. Plus, it’s very much like a bullet vibraDesign: C tor in the sense that the speed Efficacy: D button is the same control which turns it on and off. In my opinion, this is just an overpriced, oversized bullet.

$125 by JimmyJane

CHRISTINE: The Little Chroma is what introduced me to sex toys; so obviously, my thoughts are biased. It is arguably the quietest toy on the market, but what really makes it special is the replaceable motor. It’s depressing when a sex toy dies. With heavy usage, it’s easy to kill one in six months, so instead of buying a whole new toy, JimmyJane does what more companies should: selling motor replacements. Made of aluminum, it only has one real speed (arguably, one could not fully tighten it when turning it on, giving a slower result), but even then, I don’t think it limits the toy. I do wish it had more speeds. It also runs on 2AA batteries, which surprisingly allow it to last up to 16 hours. In my long term usage of the toy, I find this number to be about right, which means it outlasts some of my rechargeable toys. It’s better for clitoral use, but it’s not super thick or super long, making it also a good toy for vaginal use. I’m impressed with JimmyJane’s display at Good Vibes. As a friend of mine put it, “if Good Vibes Design: A were a Best Buy, then JimmyJane would be the Apple Efficacy: Adisplay.” They market themselves with sleek designs, and for those not willing to drop $100 on a toy, I would suggest trying their smaller version with their iconic bullet (priced at $16.)

LENA: The Onye, which comes in eight modes, is short, thick, and does the trick. As a 5’ 2” gal often intimidated by the giant phalluses on display at adult store, I appreciate smaller vibrators which are more realistic about the size of the orifices they’ll be used in. Made of hypoallergenic and phthalate-free ABS plastic, the Onye is aesthetically pleasing, but even if it weren’t, it comes in its own satin-lined case for discreet safekeeping. One big down side is that Design: B the button for the different Efficacy: B speed and vibration modes is the same button that turns the toy on and off. No one likes being interrupted at key moments.

LENA: Also made of aluminum, the Little Chroma is one of the more affordable options in JimmyJane, a luxury sex toy company that is to vibrators what Tiffany’s is to jewelry. This is an especially apt comparison since JimmyJane is well-known for manufacturing jewel-encrusted toys adored by celebrities like Kate Moss and Teri Hatcher. This little vibe is one of my favs in terms of design and whisper-quiet Design: A+ to boot. It also packs a powerful punch despite its diEfficacy: B+ minutive size. My only complaint? Though I appreciate the sleek and smooth shape, a curved shape would fit my body better. If you think you might have similar concerns, the company’s hefty Form 6 might be a more appropriate option.

Revolve

$89.99 by Tantus

CHRISTINE: The Revolve didn’t impress me, but I am not someone who has figured out how to give myself a G-spot orgasm. Plus, it’s incredibly cold (being aircraft aluminum). When I use it, I can’t help but think of smart balls and Kegel exercises, which don’t really get me off. I think that the Revolve is an afterthought for Tantus, kind of like how Brooks Brothers started designing women’s clothing — realizing they could make a profit by branching into an area they aren’t nearly as good at. Tantus is known for high quality silicone sex toys, and the butt plug they sent is by far my favorite Design: B silicone butt plug. However, I Efficacy: B prefer my butt plugs to be made of glass, as I prefer silicone lube for anal play. Nonetheless, for those interested in high quality silicone toys, Tantus uses medical grade silicone. LENA: Unlike the other toys in reviewed in this piece, the Revolve doesn’t vibrate which, for me, means more work to get off. If you’ve mastered G-spot orgasms, however, the non-uniform curves make this toy your new best friend. The Alumina Revolve is made of anodized aluminum, a seemingly weightless material which initially feels cool until it warms to the temperature of your body. I’m the type of gal who insists on having sex with the covers on, not because of prudishness but because of sensitivity to cold. If you’re like me, run the Design: A Revolve under hot water first to Efficacy: Bwarm it up. A bonus feature: It can also be unscrewed in the middle to be mixed and matched with parts from other toys in the Alumina line.

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

Little Chroma

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FEATURES 21

the voice

SaSi

$150.01 by Je Joue

CHRISTINE: The SaSi is not intuitive. However, for those willing to read an instruction manual, it can consistently give an orgasmic experience. Unlike other sex toys, the SaSi can be programmed with an individual’s favorite patterns to get off. It’s supposed to simulate cunnilingus, but I don’t find the speed fast enough (It has possibly the weakest motor of all the toys I tested.) It has a ball-like item inside the toy, which can move up and down, left and right — in a similar fashion to a tongue; additionally, it vibrates and pulsates. It is probably the best thing on the market for oral sex simulation, but I’m not sure that I necessarily want my toys to be just like the real thing. Part of the fun of sex toys is that they’re a different experience. Also, because it’s not user-friendly, it’s easy to push the wrong buttons and get unexpected Design: A+ results. It’s rechargeable, but sometimes it heats up too much. However, it’s easy to clean, with a Efficacy: Bslip-off silicone cover. It doesn’t look like a sex toy, although it slightly resembles a tongue. In its packaging, though, it looks more like a phone, sitting on a stand. I do commend the creators of SaSi for the sleek design and the plethora of options; I just wish it had a stronger motor. LENA: The Sasi is the most expensive and most impressive product of the bunch. Designed to simulate cunnilingus, this silicone device cradles your curves and gently massages your clitoris with a rounded tip Design: A+ that protrudes from under a silicone skin. By far one of the best options I’ve ever come across for Efficacy: B+ women who don’t like penetrative sex toys, the Sasi comes with varied pre-programmed modes and can also remember which patterns you like best. The only thing that kept the toy from an A- is my preference for stronger vibrations. I tend to like the real thing hard and rough, and in that regard, the SaSi just isn’t quite sassy enough.

Fleshlight

$64.95–$69.95 by Interactive Life Forms

HAND SOLO: The Fleshlight represents one of the few mainstream sex toys marketed towards men that aren’t interested in playing with their rear end. It was designed by a SWAT officer, the manliest of men, so: Guys, there’s no reason to be a scrotum and be afraid of owning a toy. The Fleshlight is a plastic container, vaguely approximating the appearance of a flashlight, with an elastomeric gel sleeve insert. And, in case it isn’t obvious, you insert your penis into the sleeve. The sleeve itself is very stretchy, and if anchored at both ends can serve as an impromptu slingshot. Although the container comes in different colors, its primarily point of customization is sleeve options. A variety of options are available on their website (fleshlight.com), ranging from different “skin tones,” orifice depictions, and inner texture. When I bought mine a few years ago, there were several tones available, from caucasian to “pink” to african; the only options these days seem to be pink and “ice” (clear). Bummer! The orifice selection is abundant: options include the Lady (vagina), Mouth, Butt (anus), Mini-Maid (buttocks), and Stealth (nondescript). The inner texture selection is equally abundant: Original (plain 3/4”), Super Tight (plain 1/2”, rectum emulator), Ultra Tight (plain 1/4”), Vortex (diagonal ridges), Wonder Wave (vagina emulator), Super Ribbed (mouth and throat emulator), and Speed Bump (reportedly the most intense). I have the Lady in pink with the Original texture in a black case. I figured that the Original was the most vanilla and would leave me the most satisfied by future ladyfriends. The first thing you’re going to want to purchase with your Fleshlight is lube, because it is literally as useless as a paperweight without it. You can’t expect to give it some wine and kiss its neck and expect it to become lubed like a real vagina. The lube type is strict: water-based only! Silicone-based lubes will eat away at the polymer. In use, it does the job. It does not emulate the act of “humping” by any means, and as someone who has tried clamping it to a desk with a Quick Grip, I can say trying that is less than satisfying. I would recommend hand-held use only. There is a cap at the back that can regulate suction, but it has only a

very mild effect. I would recommend keeping it closed to contain the “effects.” Speaking of effects, herein lies the Achilles’ Heel of the Fleshlight: cleanup. According to a few girls I’ve talked to, it seems much easier to clean a real vagina than this thing. First off: clean it immediately after use. If you wait, things start to dry and start to smell. Once, I was post-orgasmically lazy and decided to put on the front and rear caps and clean it “later;” later ended up being when I found it under my bed after a week. The cleanup from that was truly horrifying. But even if you wash it immediately, it is a pain washing the inside and outside of the sleeve, and then the many parts of the container. The Design: C inside of the sleeve is particularly difficult, as it involves stretching it to Efficacy: B+ inhumane geometries to properly get a cleaning digit/utensil deep in. The sleeve cannot be boiled, so it cannot be sterilized easily, and thus should be used by a single individual only. Even after proper cleaning, the surface of the sleeve is a bit cohesive, and powdering it occasionally with cornstarch is recommended. It is for this cleanup regimen that the Fleshlight is docked points for design. A final note about couples’ use: recommended. Giving your girl a second vagina to wield can be a psychological turn-on for her and a physical one for you.

“I was sick for four days. I now have seven favorite shows. FML ”

TOYS, TOYS, TOYS When your digits just won’t hit it.

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

22 FEATURES

the voice

Extraordinarily Ordinary:

A Conversation with Novelist Isabel Kaplan '12

by Liyun Jin ‘12 photos by Emily Xie ‘12

bove Isabel Kaplan’s desk hangs a sign with the quotation, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” For this Harvard sophomore, the quotation perhaps more aptly applies to the present, since it’s hard to believe that Kaplan could possibly dream bigger or achieve more than she already has. The 19-year-old L.A. native can already boast about writing a novel, Hancock Park, which was released by HarperTeen over the summer and made it onto the L.A. Times bestsellers list for two weeks. And while most Harvard students go to the COOP simply to buy coursepacks or to browse through sweatshirts, Kaplan—who has been called “an author to watch” by School Library Journal—was there on a weeknight last month for a book signing. Her own, that is.

‘PERFECTLY ORDINARY’ On a Sunday afternoon, Kaplan sits in her Currier single, located at the end of a seemingly endless labyrinth of hallways, and claims to be a “perfectly ordinary” college student. The dish chair, scattered notebooks, and colorful dorm decorations seem to support her assertion. But despite her standard Harvard uniform of black tights and wrinkly button-down shirt, there are hints of extraordinariness. Even at a college where high-achieving, multi-tasking, and highly productive lives are the norm, Kaplan’s sounds especially striking. Her summer destinations sound like the collection of brochures from the STA office on Mount Auburn. “It was New York for one week, L.A. for a week, D.C. for five weeks, L.A. for one, New York for one, then D.C. for three, then most of the rest in L.A. with about a week in New York in between somehow,” she rattles off with a laugh. “It was a lot of traveling.” When she wasn’t interning at Glamour Magazine in New York or working for U.S. Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass.) on Capitol Hill, Kaplan was in her hometown pitching Hancock Park to Hollywood television producers. So far, there’s been “a lot of interest” from producers and directors, she said. While nothing concrete will be decided until next summer’s pitch season, Kaplan is already excited at the prospect of seeing, not just reading, her novel. Written during her junior and senior years of high school, the book, called “perfect poolside reading” by People, centers around Becky Miller, a troubled yet privileged L.A. teen who has a dysfunctional family and her psychiatrist on speed dial. It doesn’t take much

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

imagination to envision it on screen, since it seems to possess all the Gossip Girl ingredients of a hit TV show: money, drama, youth, and boy troubles. “To adapt it to TV would definitely require attaching new characters and storylines,” she said. “It’ll be very, very thrilling to see this how would all happen.” In the meantime, Kaplan is already a third of the way through writing her second novel, though she remains tight-lipped about its contents. “It’s top secret,” she smiles. “I can only say that it’s not young adult like Hancock Park, it’s about a girl, a strong female protagonist, and the target audience is a little older.”

OLD HABITS Kaplan’s love of words and compulsion to write, she said, began at a young age. She wrote her first short story while in second grade, and her favorite gift ever was a fancy pen and black spiral-bound journal she received for Hanukkah when she was seven years old. “I guess that shows where my head was,” she laughs. She wrote her first full-length book at twelve and showed it to her mother’s friend, editor and book publisher Judith Regan. Though Regan turned down the manuscript, Kaplan remains grateful for the early experience of writing. “That book will never see the light of day,” she smiles. “But I’m very glad to have had the experience. She told me, ‘Keep writing, I want you to keep writing.’”

‘STILL DEVELOPING MY VOICE’ Today, Kaplan clearly heeds that advice. Just the night before, she had pounded out 2,000 words of her novel before going to bed. “I try to write at least a little everyday, if not very much,” she said. However, she said she never forces herself to write and doesn’t stick to a writing regimen, since “that doesn’t produce successful writing.” Kaplan, who plans to be an English concentrator and has a bookshelf filled with Woolf, Atwood, Joyce, Plath, and Proust, is constantly refining her writing and learning what works for her. “The more I read and the more I write, the better I get,” she said. “I’m still developing my voice, and figuring out what I’m doing.” The creative writing classes she took last year with professors and established authors

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FEATURES 23

Claire Messud and Jamaica Kincaid helped as well. But at Harvard, whose halls have been graced with the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and T. S. Eliot, such legacies and prominent mentors can be as intimidating as they are inspiring. “I just try to take and learn as much as I can from what I read, and not judge myself or compare myself against it since it’s a hopeless task,” she said. “Everyone’s self-conscious about their own writing.”

GIVING BACK Yet it’s hard to think that Kaplan could have anything to be selfconscious about. Besides her own writing projects, she also contributes to The Huffington Post and co-directs a new PBHA program called South Boston After School, a literacy program for first and second graders at James Condon Elementary School. “I can’t imagine my life without service,” she said. “Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to give back.” It’s a close echo of her philosophy toward writing, too. “I hope my writing will influence someone else to read and write. That’s what I aim for—to touch people with my words.” Though it may seem as if Kaplan has her future already mapped out given her predilection for writing, she’s quick to debunk that assumption. Besides the condition that her future job must involve writing, she has “absolutely no idea” what she wants to do after Harvard as a career, she said. “One of the exciting things about being our age is figuring out what we love and what to do,” she said. “I have my eyes wide open.”

QUITE A NOVEL-LA Kaplan’s book, ‘Hancock Park’ is about a young girl’s life in LA.

ALL SMILES Kaplan signs copies of her book at The Coop.

“ The last time I hooked up with a girl was at the first chance dance. I’m a senior. FML”

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

24 FEATURES

the voice

The Wild

Things in All of Us Folk & Myth Chair Maria Tatar discusses Where the Wild Things Are and the enduring magic of children’s literature. by Suzanna Bobadilla ‘13 Photos by Sasha Mironov '13

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

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FEATURES 25

the voice

s Max sailed away on his boat back to a home, a mother, and a slice of delicious chocolate cake, the audience at the Harvard Alumni Association’s screening of Where the Wild Things Are rustled not their popcorn bags, but their tissues. The movie, based on Maurice Sendak’s 1963 iconic children’s book, was released on October 16th and has not only revitalized interest in Max and his wolf suit but also has allowed the public to sail away on their own journey of nostalgia to their childhoods. Directed by Spike Jonze, Where the Wild Things Are stars the gifted Max Records as the eternally youthful and eternally angst ridden Max. As in the book, Max still throws a temper tantrum that would make even Super Nanny quake in her loafers and he still seeks refuge in a far away island, inhabited by bizarre, giant monsters—the Wild Things. However, Jonze adds a back-story to this cinematic interpretation. The audience learns of Max’s dysfunctional family: a single mother trying to get back into the dating world, a teenage sister who just cannot be bothered by her brother’s antics, and an absent father. Jonze also give his Wild Things names, voices of acclaimed actors, and most importantly personalities. The monsters, created by a synthesis of costume, CGI, and puppetry, are representations of Sendak’s distinctive illustrations but also of us. We emphasize with Alexander’s (Paul Dano) frustration that he is overlooked by the others; we understand KW’s (Laura Ambrose) desire to escape an increasingly suffocating environment; we knowledge that like Carol (James Gandolfini) we cannot always control our tempers; and we remember those times when like Max we overestimate our capabilities and find ourselves overwhelmed by leadership positions. But as the HAA audience consisted of mostly alumni and current students, we can no longer relate to Max’s entitlement as a young child to quickly return home and experience the comfort that only a parent can provide. Following the movie, the Harvard Alumni’s Associated held a WICKED SWEET Gregory panel on the importance of Where Maguire, author of Wicked, the Wild Things Are featuring childiscusses childhood literature at the Harvard Alumni dren’s literature scholar and UniAssociation’s screening of versity of Florida professor John Where the Wild Things Are. Cech, the author of Wicked Gregory Maguire, and Harvard’s own children’s literature expert, Maria Tatar. The Voice returned to Tatar, the John L. Loeb Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures and author of Enchanted Hunters: The Power of Stories in Childhood, for further insight within the realm of children’s literature.

hen we first sat down in her office, we first asked her impressions of the film. She noted, “I am impressed by how it established the power of family bonds. Those bonds captured best in silent scenes. And we also we see how everything can quickly collapse, coming down on you with the chill of the ice in Max’s snow fort. It’s with your family that you get the chance to act out, to take things out.” She praised the movie’s young star: “The expressive intensity of Max’s face when he feels abandoned reminds us of the overwhelming, explosive sadness children can feel.” But the conversation then extended beyond Sendak’s work and into how these books shape lives.

“These childhood books are like talismans, mantras inside of us that have an emotional charge.” Q: Who do you consider to be the masters of children’s literature? A: J.M. Barrie [the author of Peter Pan] and Lewis Carroll [the author of Alice in Wonderland] were the real innovators. They were both unusually interested with small children. You could say that they had a suspect investment in children, with the one playing pirates with boys and the other taking photographs of girls. But they also knew exactly what kinds of stories children wanted, not the ones that pointed out morals and contained messages. Maurice Sendak’s stories give us the racing energy of childhood. He takes us inside the emotional world of childhood by probing his own memories. He is Max. The best children’s authors have great instincts, intuiting what children want in a story. There are all of these “how to write a children’s book” blueprints out there—it all seems so easy and formulaic. But few adults reflect long and hard on what it means to be a child and how you speak to them without condescending to them. As Roald Dahl put it, you want to conspire with a child against an adult. Q: What do you consider to be children’s literature greatest attribute? A: Having talked to thousands about books, I never cease to be amazed by the bonding power of stories and the many stories about stories. For example, if you are at a dinner party or just in general conversation and you bring up A Winter’s Tale, sparks rarely fly. Maybe one other person is really familiar with the play. But if you bring up A Secret Garden, a book that everyone seems to know, it’s magical. The other day I was at the COOP picking up a copy. The woman who located it told me about her experience with the book. How it taught her compassion and how she then read A Little Princess and wept endlessly over it. I walked over to the check-out desk and the young man there, who was about 25, told me how much he loved the book. But adults who caught him reading it told him that it was a girl’s book and that he shouldn’t read it. These childhood books are like talismans, mantras inside of us that have an emotional charge.

“Reading is not just an intellectual experience, it also has a sensual and sensory T dimension.”

Q: How is writing a children’s book different from writing an adult’s? A: When you as an adult try to put together the emotional stew, you risk misrepresenting how children think and react. We never get an unmediated version of the child’s mind. Someone is always in between. There are children who do write books, prodigies, but their work often shows signs of adult intervention.

Q: How do you think children feel about adults reading books like the Harry

“I miss having a soul. FML ”

Potter series? A: [Laughs] Children are likely to protest: “Hey, that’s my real estate.” Children use books to move forward, to mature, and to discover secrets about the adult world. When adults read children’s books, they often want to go back, to recapture their childhoods. And that explains in some ways the magic of an adults and children reading together—they meet in and through the book. I’ve always loved that. I loved reading with my children and taking them to movies because we had that shared experience. But there is also a suspect side to the adult’s desire to go back—that regressive move. Adults are perched on the outside as voyeurs. You could say that they are poaching or trespassing on the child’s real estate.

owards the end of our interview, Tatar’s eyes light up as she remarks on the seductions of reading. “Maurice Sendak told my students once how wonderful it was to ‘go to bed with a book.’ Reading is not just an intellectual experience, it also has a sensual and sensory dimension.” For this Thanksgiving break, Where the Wild Things Are may not be the ideal movie for the kids you once babysat as it seems to be targeted towards those who have passed through once-upon-a-time in order to make to the real world in time for that meeting or class. But Harvard students may find themselves relating more to Max than they might have expected. As Gregory Maguire says, “This sense of the college rumpus, it’s palpable all around here. I’m 55 so more than 30 years later, I can still here the jungle drums as you walk through the campus in the rain.”

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

26 FEATURES

photo by Nikki Anderson ‘13

the voice

Freshman With A Twist:

Justin Pereira '13 starred in the American National Tour of Oliver!

rior to arriving on campus, Justin Pereira already boasted a resume performers thrice his age would kill for. Pereira played the title role of Oliver Twist in the 2003-2004 American National Tour of Oliver!, a musical based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens following the tale of an orphan boy and his journeys in the streets of London. In addition to his starring role in Oliver!, this Silver Springs, MD, native has had his time in several other professional theater productions, from playing Tiny Tim in a production of A Christmas Carol at the historic Ford’s Theater, to Stephen Sodenheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, where he worked personally with the legendary Academy, Tony, Grammy (and Pulitzer!) Award-winning composer and director. Despite living in that obscure freshman dorm behind Hollis, otherwise known as Mower, these days this charming pre-med funnyman takes the spotlight on the Harvard stage, serenading with the gentlemen of the Din & Tonics – and has found his niche as the moderator for the famed “Din Impressions” segments. He will also soon be performing (and possibly mooning?) as part of the musical production of Grease. How did you get started in theater and music? My sister had always done theater – she’s six years older than me – so I saw a bunch of her shows and at some point I just started getting really bored with just having to watch. So she ended up dragging me along to rehearsals and auditions, and I ended up getting Oliver! – not the Broadway musical, in MD . So yeah that’s how I got my start! I guess also being the lead probably didn’t hurt either.

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

What was it like working in Oliver!? Oliver! was … incredible. We toured for about seven months – it was all of my 7th grade – and I had the chance to go see all these amazing places and [I] made all these new friends.

my voice. What are some of your favorite parts that you’ve played? Some of the best roles I think I’ve played were actually in smaller scale productions that I did in high school. I really liked playing Marius in Les Miz [Les Miserables]. Just playing the role was absolutely incredible. I also really liked Aida and being the lead in that. So the experience isn’t quite the same as being on a national stage, but it’s still the same awesome feeling.

I know you’ve done a lot of other work in professional theater, can you tell me a little more about that? The first professional show that I did was A Christmas Carol in Ford’s Theater. I was Tiny Tim. That got me started – an agent How about some of came and saw the your favorite songs? “I like [Harvard] a performance, and Oh that’s a tough lot.... My classes are signed me. From one – I would have to there things kind say “Where is Love” pretty tough, but I’m of started rollfrom Oliver!. I’ll never managing. I just have ing. One of the live it down. It’s one of other shows I did those songs that people no time – but the was Merrily We will always come up to people here are Roll, directed by me and ask me to sing Stephen Sodenfor them. And it’s also great.” heim. I was pretty this amazing song that young and develcarries so much meanoped an awesome ing with me, because it relationship with Stephen. It was a great exreminds me of Oliver! and that entire amazperience because I was the only one on the ing experience. cast who hadn’t been on Broadway. What is your most embarrassing moment So you mentioned working with Stephen on stage? Sondheim – what was it like working for Hmm – Well it was actually a planned a legend? thing. We did High School Musical 2 at my I was fortunately not old enough to be high school, and in the stage version, there’s intimidated, like some of the other actors. I a moment when they strip down Troy and just treated it like it was another show, and make him put on all these golfer clothes as he was just another awesome director, which part of his “transformation.” So I played Troy, I think ended up being a really good thing. He and for every show, I would be stripped into actually gave me a nickname – “Pipes” – for my boxers. But since the show drew so many

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by Bonnie Cao ‘12

young kids, it would end up being me almost naked in front of these little, really young kids. I’m about to have another embarrassing moment though – for the show, Grease wants me to moon the audience. What is one experience on stage that you’ll never forget? I have to say one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had on stage was when Oliver! was performing in Los Angeles at the Kodak Theater, and when I stepped out on the Kodak theater stage and looked out on this full crowd, including a couple famous faces – I was just blown away. To go along with that, they got me to be in the Los Angeles Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was pretty cool. Something that I’ll probably never forget though was my last night doing Oliver!. I’d spent seven months with these people, becoming really close friends, so it was very sad, but also very incredible. Going out for my last bow – that’s just something I’ll remember forever. How are you liking Harvard so far? I like it a lot – the Dins are amazing – the In the Swing Jam was the most fun of all time. My classes are pretty tough, but I’m managing. I just have no time – but the people here are great. The hardest part is being away from my girlfriend in Maryland. I went to the Dins Jam and saw you hosting “Dins Impressions” – ever thought about pursuing acting? Music? I’ve thought about it, but I don’t think I’ll end up doing acting or music in the future,

...continued on page 27

NOVEMBER 27

the voice “Justin Pereira” Continued from page 26... just because I’ve been lucky enough to do so much of that already. I’ve seen the toll it’s taken on adults. You’re either working, or if you don’t get a part you’re working as a waiter somewhere – there’s so much instability. I’m also really interested in medicine, and maybe becoming a doctor, so we’ll see how that goes. What music do you like to listen to? I’m a huge John Mayer fan. Favorite movie? I’m going to have to say Old School. Favorite TV show? Sigh – well it’s between Friends and The Office. I think I’m going to have to go with Friends – I love Friends – it’s just such a classic. Favorite musical? Oh that’s a tough one. The stuff I like tends to be really obscure, but I love this musical called The Scarlet Pimpernel. What’s been your favorite thing about Harvard? Only at Harvard can I go on a free world tour with the Dins. We’re going to 20 countries, and that’s amazing to me. Did I mention it’s free? A world tour – for free. That’s just awesome. What are your plans after your four years here? Med school. Yea – fun stuff. I’m not sure where I want to

go yet though. host a study break in Annenberg, as well as organize a Mental Was there anything else you wanted to mention? Health Awareness week in February. Hm I think that’s about it – I guess just that people should Smaller steps are being adopted to tackle the greater come see Grease! issue of mental health among the student body. One of the goals is to incorporate Mental Health Awareness into OrienWant to pub it? tation Week. According to Cindy Guan ’12, a Student Mental Sure! We’re about halfway through the rehearsals and it’s Health Liaison, “Freshmen are required to attend workshops already shaping up to be amazing. It’s going to be completely on sex, and drug and alcohol use, but none on mental health, different than everyone’s preconceptions of Grease – it’s in- which is equally important, if not more so.” tense and rough, and everyone should come see it! While some counselors were eager to label peer counseling as an underutilized resource, Karp was hesitant to define “Peer Counseling” it under such terms. “I can’t honestly say that we are reaching everyone, but we are fortunate to talk with many students who are looking Continued from page 11... for all the different counseling services we offer,” she said. “We’re a resource that so many people don’t realize ex- “While we certainly would like for everyone who was going ists, or who do but don’t see it as something for them, often through a rough patch to see us as a resource, we know that because they don’t see themselves as in need of help or that we are doing a good enough job and reaching enough people desperate,” she said. But really, we’re for everybody, and it’s for the University to justify so many of us remaining active not a desperate thing to do. It’s actually an extremely self- on campus.” empowering and courageous thing to do.” The first step that many groups have identified to try *Last names have been omitted to protect confidentiality. and reduce the stigma is by creating more awareness, something the co-directors for PCC and Contact both explicitly “Street Musicians” stated as a goal for the current year. Mental Health Liaisons have been working along with hope that some will occasionally stop in their tracks for a Peer Counseling to raise awareness about mental health is- quick listen. sues in addition to spreading knowledge about Peer-to-Peer groups. Rather than being the university’s method of “catching” students with depression, the mental health screenings in Annenberg served the purpose of inspiring discussion and informing students of the resources available. In addition to the measures taken so far this year, MHA plans to

“ I’m in class and the guy beside me is rubbing himself inappropriatly, im not sure if he has an itch, or if its something else. FML ”

ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009

PHOTO ESSAY 28

the voice

photo by Emily Xie ‘12

photo by Grace Sun ‘13

photo by Sasha Mironov ‘13

The Yard in Autumn Hey you. Yeah, you. Go outside for a bit. Enjoy the beautiful autumn weather and the fallen leaves before the winter slush gets here! Trust us, it gets pretty nasty in these parts.

photo by Sasha Mironov ‘13

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ISSUE 18, NOVEMBER 2009