February 27, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 20 | Norman, OK
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STANDING TOGETHER AND STILL STANDING STRONG PAGE 2
FRATERNITY WHO’S WHO page 3 SPRING SPORTS IN FULL SWING page 11 BUZZFEED: THE BEST DISTRACTION A STUDENT COULD ASK FOR page 13
2 Editor's note
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STANDING TOGETHER AND STILL STANDING STRONG My mother always told me that bad HALEY MOWDY things happen in Alpha Gamma Delta threes—spill your Editor-in-Chief coffee all over your Haley is a senior studying classical languages. You may new Vera Bradley contact her at hmowdy@ou.edu. scarf and you will inevitably lock your keys in your car without a spare and forget you have an exam and flunk it. The OU Greek community has been dealt three majors blows this year, one right after another, and each one has left the community reeling and floundering. In August, we stood with our Panhellenic sisters at Kappa Kappa Gamma through a trying time that tested their strength and courage, and were reminded by their resilience just how important it is to stick your founding values. In January we scrambled to fundraise after the Alpha Gamma Delta house caught fire and its members were left homeless, and we were taught that sisterhood and brotherhood is stronger than bricks and mortar, and that the worth of our chapters lies far beyond the walls that hold our meetings. And just last week we learned of the devastating news that one of our very own, freshman Conner Hamilton of Sigma Phi Epsilon, had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. First and foremost, I want to take the time to personally send my condolences and love to the men of SigEp. I can’t imagine what you’re going through and I am heartbroken for you, but I am also comforted in knowing that your chapter is an exceptional one full of exceptional men who will stand together and support one another. Second, I want to offer you reassurance. The chapters of Pi Beta Phi, Alpha Omicron Pi and Sigma Chi have tragically lost members in the not-too-distant past, and through their love for each other and the strength of the OU Greek community they have each been able to take something horrible and bring about positive change as a result, both inside and outside their organization, because of it. The kind of men who become members of SigEp, from my experience, are the kind of men who will hold each other up and move forward past tragedy together, and emerge as a stronger chapter because of it. Those of us who have not experienced it cannot imagine how it would feel to lose a brother or sister, but we can learn from the experience of others—we would do well to look upon the year ’s
tragedies as a reminder of all of the amazing things that come out of OU’s phenomenal Greek chapters. Because of our organizations, we are women and men of character, sticking to our founding values even in times of trial. Because of our organization we know that at the end of the day nothing means more than the ones we love, including the things we’ve lost. And because of our organizations we have the special people in our lives who have entered into our hearts because of our connections through our Greek organizations. Let this time be a reminder to cherish those you hold dear, and a warning to never take one another for granted. OU’s Greek community has stood together against the tempests of heartbreak this semester, and because we are standing together we are still standing strong.
THE ODYSSEY AT OKLAHOMA CREATIVE EXECUTIVE TEAM
Rachel Campbell
Editor-in-Chief Haley Mowdy
Jessica Schaefer
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Chi Omega
Editor-Elect Annie Roach
Recruitment Chair Hunter Graham
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Contributing Editors
PR Chair Dea Pennington
Alex Bare
Delta Delta Delta
Alpha Chi Omega
Pi Beta Phi
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Scene greek life
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FRATERNITY WHO’S WHO
We always hear about the stereotypes of each fraternity, but to me, these stereotypes are a little off base. In order to get some real answers, I turned to the women that know them best - their fellow Greeks! In order to get a fair representation, five members of each sorority at OU were polled.
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(FROM A SORORITY GIRLS POINT OF VIEW)
Best All-Around
ALEXIS HAMES Kappa Kappa Gamma
1st Place- Sigma Phi Epsilon 2nd Place- Lambda Chi Alpha
3rd Place- Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (three way Alexis is a junior studying Public Relations. You may contact her at tie) alexis@ou.edu.
They were asked to select one fraternity chapter for each of the following categories: best date parties, most personable, best looking, rowdiest and of course, best all around. There was a large variation of responses, but here are the top results! Best Date Parties: 1st Place: Sigma Alpha Epsilon 2nd Place: Sigma Phi Epsilon 3rd Place: Lambda Chi Alpha SAE won this category by a landslide, earning just over half of all votes. Most of these women agreed that the best SAE date party was their annual jungle bash, followed by Founder ’s Day, a black tie dinner party. According to one source, SigEps, Sam’s Place was a huge hit last year due to the mechanical bull, water slide and mud pit. All of these date parties take place during the spring semester, so don’t miss out! Most Personable: 1st Place: Sigma Phi Epsilon 2nd Place: Lambda Chi Alpha 3rd Place: Beta Theta Pi “As many SigEps as I have met, I have yet to meet an unfriendly one. They’re just an awesome group, and I have made many lifelong friends there,” says a source. Best Looking: 1st Place- Lambda Chi Alpha 2nd Place- Sigma Phi Epsilon 3rd Place- Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lambda Chi is known for being Intramural champs, and according to this survey, are also the most handsome men on campus. But don’t get too cocky boys, your first place spot was determined by a single vote. Rowdiest: 1st Place- Sigma Chi 2nd Place- FIJI 3rd Place- Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sigma Chis, FIJIs and SAEs - these are the boys you want to be with during a Sooner sporting event. They have no problem entertaining each other, or their female friends. Of all votes cast, 95% went to one of these three chapters. The race between Sigma Chi and FIJI was a tight one - only one vote separated the two.
Between their lively date parties, friendly demeanors and good looks, it’s no surprise that the men of SigEp earned the top spot! They earned 20 votes, while Lambda earned 13. Beta, Delt and SAE each received five votes. Lambda, SAE and Sig Ep placed the most often - each in four of five categories. Here are some extras about each house: Alpha Tau Omega: “ATOs are always so nice, accepting, and easy going! Also I always have a really fun time hanging out with them!” -Emily Braun, Alpha Chi Omega Beta Theta Pi: “Beta has the best date parties. Barndantz and Woodstock are two events you can’t miss.” -Dea Pennington, Pi Beta Phi Brothers Under Christ: “BYX guys are always really chill, friendly, and funny! All of their parties are classy and energetic, and they really know how to have a good time! I may be biased, but who doesn’t like a good, Christian guy?” -Courtney Blossey, Alpha Gamma Delta Delta Chi: “Delta Chi guys are classy gents! They’re always willing to lend a helping hand, and love to get involved!” –Courtney Blossey, Alpha Gamma Delta
Delta Tau Delta: “Delts are down to earth, easy to get along with and know how to have a good time, they’re all around great guys” -Morgann Russell, Kappa Kappa Gamma Delta Upsilon: “Some of the funniest guys I know are DUs. A lot of the guys from my high school went DU and they’re all still really close. They like to have fun!” -Marley Dablo, Kappa Kappa Gamma Kappa Alpha Order: “The guys of KA are really kind. They are attentive listeners and are really reliable!” -Haley Mowdy, Alpha Gamma Delta Kappa Sigma: “Kappa Sig seems really community service oriented!” -Kelsey Gosdin, Alpha Omicron Pi Lambda Chi Alpha: “Lambdas are all really involved on campus and smart, nice, fun guys!” -Holly Roberts, Chi Omega Phi Delta Theta: “Phi Delts are like your go-to guy friends!” -Holly Roberts, Chi Omega Phi Kappa Sigma: “These guys are troopers! No matter what, they’ve stuck together and persevered. It doesn’t matter that their numbers are small or that they don’t have a house right now, they keep fighting to remain an active chapter, and that’s impressive!” -Haley Mowdy, Alpha Gamma Delta Phi Kappa Psi: “Phi Psis are sweet and down to earth guys that everyone needs to meet!” -Jennifer Nygren, Alpha Phi Pi Kappa Phi: “The Pi Kapps are arguably the sweetest guys on campus. They always treat women with respect and go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and valued.” -Haley Mowdy, Alpha Gamma Delta Sigma Alpha Epsilon: “They have fun date parties, such as Jungle.” -Morgan Brunelli, Delta Gamma Sigma Chi: “Sigma Chi is full of rowdy, fun-loving gentlemen who know how to show you a great time.” -Dea Pennington, Pi Beta Phi Sigma Nu: “is really diverse and the guys are open and friendly!” -Kati Harris, Alpha Gamma Delta Sigma Phi Epsilon: “They are always really fun and always had a lot of energy!”-Matty Williams, Kappa Kappa Gamma
4 CLASSIC SILVER SCREEN LESSONS FOR GREEKS Scene greek life
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a motion picture must be worth a few million. Movies can accurately display a culture like
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story where he gets to play in the Master ’s tournament. Instead he must
JEFF SCOTT Phi Kappa Psi
Jeff is a sophomore studying political science. You may contact him at jdscott1993@ou.edu.
Greek life or completely distort it. Regardless of each movies perception publicly, these movies are a must see for everyone in Greek Life and actually do teach us valuable lessons, while we laugh our butts off. (The Odyssey does not endorse publicly endorse the actions portrayed in these movies, but rather the lessons we can learn from them.) Animal House Let’s start with the granddaddy of them all. With a ragtag group of misfits, the Delta Tau Chis break all the rules and couldn’t care any less. These guys teach us what not to get caught doing. They face struggles from the school administration and their preppy snobbish rival fraternity Omega Theta Pi, who are trying to get them removed from campus. Most people see “Bluto,” John Belushi, as the main star of the movie, being the instigator of the mischief that the Deltas get into on campus. I however am more of an Eric “Otter” Stratton fan, the Rush Chairman, who is damn glad to meet you and any of your female party guests. These brothers have to own up to their mistakes and rally together. This is the original frat movie that the world bases its conception of what Greek life is about. As much as this is my favorite movie, and one that I’ll watch anytime there is nothing to do, we as Greeks are constantly are compared to Animal House in the media. This isn’t the best image to be promoted to the world, but allows us to surprise people when we rise above the stereotypes portrayed in this movie. Apart from their actions, one thing
battle a pesky gopher that is destroying the golf course. All these men look to golf to solve their problems of every day life. Apart from detailing with the struggles of the frat-tastic sport of golf, this movie is about not taking life too seriously. Work hard for the things you want and then enjoy your self. As an officer you have to take care of your responsibilities to the fraternity, but take the weekend off and hit up Campus Corner. If you don’t take it easy every once in a while, you will burn out and not be a productive member of your fraternity. Never let other people dictate what you can do in life, but set your own path. Always strive to do things to the best of your abilities and prove wrong those who doubt you and your abilities. Major League Lastly we have a baseball team with major problems. Their new owner wants to move the team form Cleveland to Miami. In order to do that she must drop the attendance to all time lows so she recruits players that are either old, lazy, spoiled, crazy, or have no experience. She gives them old equipment, a crappy travel bus, and no support. While this team starts off as a mismatched group of misfits, they rally together over the course of the season in sheer spite to ruin the owner ’s plans to move the team. While they started off as selfish individuals, they bond over their collective hatred of their boss and surprise the nation. This movie is truly about overcoming those who oppose your goals and bonding as a team. Just like the brotherhood in the fraternity, a baseball team has to be on the same page working toward the same goal in order to be successful. Each brother has to put aside his own ambitions at times to do what is best for the fraternity. We unite under the letters and flag of the fraternity to overcome those who wish to deter your success.
you can’t question is the loyalty of Otter and his brothers toward one another.
No matter the stereotypes that are associated with these movies, they really
When the going gets tough, the tough get going and real brothers never leave
do teach us what not to do and how to overcome the obstacles that we will all
a man behind.
face while at college. Just as these characters make mistakes in these films,
Caddy Shack
we make errors in judgment that we must learn from and become better people. While we work hard to achieve our goals, we must also remember
Any movie that has Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield is
to have fun while in college and keep our passion. No matter the struggles
guaranteed to be a classic. This is the story of a young caddy and his summer
that we face in college, our brothers and sisters will be there to support us
adventure to secure the local country club’s caddy scholarship for college.
when we need it most. I hope you enjoy these movies and learn from what
Learning from Chevy, young Danny learns a lot about life and overcoming
they have to offer.
the hurdles that other people can put in your way. The always-eccentric Bill Murray plays a greens keeper at the country club that dreams of a Cinderella
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KIDS THESE DAYS
When I was a kid, I had everything I could ever want. A swing set in the backyard, a Walkman Delta Gamma to listen to my *NSYNC Lauren is a freshman CD on, a dozen Barbies, studying public relations. Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t an AIM account and my Lauren.E.Keenan-1@ou.edu. imagination. I used to play house or school with my sisters. I grew up watching movies every Sunday night on Disney Channel. I even tried my hand at an Easy Bake oven! Are you starting to get a mental picture of the ‘90s? Good.
LAUREN KEENAN
Although my sisters and I were given nice things and had an amazing childhood, we were also shown the beauty found in the great outdoors. We were given an appreciation for all that we had, both material and not. Yes, I had a Walkman, but I was denied my own gaming system for almost ten years! My point here is that my parents didn’t 110% spoil us as kids, and for that I am grateful. I didn’t turn out to be an entitled diva, which is what I fear is happening to today’s children. Take, for example, my latest encounter with a kid. She looked to be no more than five years old. She was at Starbucks, with a cute little side braid, following her parents, with her hot chocolate in hand. Her name was Eva (I saw that on the cup) and she was wearing
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a blue princess costume. And one of my friends who works at the Disney Store told me that little girls who dress up LOVE being called princesses! So I commented to my sister Alexis, “Oh look – a princess!” Little Eva then turns to me with a perfect resting b****face and said, “I’m not a princess” and walks over to her parents, who were smiling at her! They were pleased, and they didn’t even make her apologize for her sass towards a stranger. I was trying to be nice, and this little girl almost made me cry at Starbucks because she had no manners and was straight up rude. Generation Z is made up of any children born during and after the year 2005. Kids these days are more connected with the world around them than ever before due to the Internet. But they have no clue how to connect with people that are right in front of them. Kids these days don’t know what natural sunlight looks like, because they’re too busy staring at their phones. They don’t need to read books anymore, because they can Google the SparkNotes edition. Kids these days don’t know the joys of anything other than instant gratification. Generation Z does not know the definition of the word “no.” Today’s parents are a lot more lax in how they bring up their kids because they have TVs, LeapPads and the latest eSomething to teach their kids so that they don’t have to. I am not saying that all of today’s parents are raising their children wrong. I am just stating that the gaps between Generation Z and every other generation before them are increasing. I feel bad for the Z kids that don’t know how to make a conversation with someone that isn’t over text. Kids these days need to learn that “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
LIVE A LIFE OF ZEST! I’m still trying to check off number 152. It’s been nearly four years of college, and I’m so ready for it to happen. It may Alpha Gamma Delta be a stretch when I say Courtney is a senior studying public relations. every girl has held to some You may contact her at romantically cheesy idea blossey.courtneyrose@ou.edu. that some sappy RomCom creates, wishing its reality to occur in her life, but I’m definitely guilty of this. You might find yourself asking what number 152 is, but let me first explain something.
COURTNEY BLOSSEY
People have always looked at me curiously when I tell them I want to live to be 110. They pass my idea off as nonsensical and crazy, to which I can only say “I don’t really care.” You see, I love my life, and I want to live it to its fullest. I want to see the year 2100, and the way I see things, if I’m going to live to be 108, why not round it out to a nice even number and shoot for 110? I know this may sound crazy, but I’m programming my mind for it; a good, positive mindset can get you anywhere! With this being said, I want to organize myself and dream big! The sky’s the limit, except sky diving really isn’t my idea of a good time. Throughout the years, I’ve found myself collecting a myriad of eclectic ideas and fantasies of things I hope to occur, and it has become my goal to write these things down, and make my dreams turn into realities. When one of my best friends from home gifted me with a beautiful, stitched journal as a high school graduation present, I dedicated it to writing down my life experiences, as well as an on-going bucket list. Not only has writing down my pursuits organized me, but it has afforded me the opportunity to physically see what I have accomplished, and hope to accomplish in the future. I don’t want to live my life halfway.
Socrates once said “Let him that would move the world first move himself.” In this way, I feel that Socrates challenges us to pursue greater personal endeavors before we can help others. My interpretation of his words is to live my life well, and to live my life fully if I want to be able to inspire those around me. My bucket list currently sits at 152 items (and growing), and no, this is not because I’m high maintenance—it’s because I have dreams that I want to turn into realities. And here I divulge. I’ve been able to check multiple things off of my bucket list, such as 73: Go in the library decks past 5 p.m., 102: Coach my neighborhood swim team, and 138: Join a sorority. There are still others I have yet to accomplish, such as 115: Own my own La Marzocco Espresso machine, 132: Jump into a pool fully dressed, 134: Get lost on purpose, 65: Drink coconut juice from a coconut, and 67: Dance in the rain with someone. I encourage you to set aside the limited amount of time it takes to make a bucket list. Mine is full of long term goals, as well as easy, cheesy things that mean something to me. Many of mine are personal and spiritual, mixed in with simple, easy to accomplish ones. If asked, I have shared parts of my bucket list, and it has become some of my friends’ goals to help me check items off. Make your list attainable. I cannot even begin to express how fulfilling and entertaining it is to see what you have accomplished, as well as what you once thought was a big deal! Whenever I refer back to my list, it’s a wonderful reminder of the passion I want to have for life, all throughout my life, in addition to how much I’ve grown. My bucket list is still growing, as are my dreams and aspirations. And what is my 152, you might ask? 152: I want someone to throw a pebble at my window and serenade me. If Pete Wentz could do it in Dance, Dance, I’m pretty sure it needs to happen in my life.
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BLAKE GRIFFIN VS. JUSTIN BIEBER While you were supposed to be reading and/or typing a paper today, you may have noticed on Twitter that Blake Sigma Nu Griffin allegedly hit or “bitch Maxwell is a junior studying slapped” Justin Bieber. It is broadcast & electronic media. all just a rumor at this point, You may contact him at Maxwell.A.Meier-1@ou.edu. but if this turns out to be real, then Blake Griffin has just done the whole world a favor, comparable to Bruce Willis taking that blast in Armageddon and saving Ben Affleck’s acting career. In case you have DSL or are a Doomsday Prepper, here is a quick rundown of the story to get you up to speed.
MAXWELL MEIER
Apparently at one of many Starbucks in the West Hollywood area, a barista refused to serve Justin Bieber because he was shirtless. More like “no talent, no service.” Then, like a Rice Crispy, the star snapped, crackled, and popped on the poor barista, causing a scene. Witnesses at the scene say Blake Griffin tried to calm Bieber, but when that didn’t work, Griffin reared back and “clipped” Biebs across the face, knocking him to the floor. One of the supposed witnesses said “He smacked the s*** out of him.”
deny that Biebs has this coming. This Canadian Biebhole has done enough to America. Whether it is from waging war on unsuspecting neighbors with eggs, (which were from free ranging chickens because he can afford it, prick) hot boxing airplanes, or something as simple as street racing on drugs with his pap, America has to take measures to defend itself. Luckily for America, our very own Blake Griffin is at the forefront of this fight. He is the Mel Gibson to our Patriot. He is the Keanu Reeves to our Matrix, which is ironic because he’s from Canada as well, darn. Either way, Justin Bieber being hazed by Blake Griffin might just set the kid straight. I belieb that rather than going to some expensive rehab where the only fight against addiction is massages and hot tubs, Bieber could learn a thing or two from Griffin about life in general, through a series of one on one games, smack talking, and actual smacking in the face. In addition to setting him straight, maybe Griffin could straighten up his pants, you know, to his waist. Anyway, seeing this story today put that creepily huge Grinch smile on my face, but even if it’s not true, I can still take comfort in the fact that Justin Bieber is spiraling out of control. Hopefully, the prevailing winds will catch Bieber and spiral him to Ontario or something. I hear the fan base in Canada is the rage, eh.
Given that I first saw this story on someone’s Facebook, the odds of the story being true went down a whopping 98 percent. Whether or not this story is true, one cannot simply
THROWING OUT THROWBACK THURSDAY If anyone has a social media account it is most likely they are familiar with every weeks typical Man Crush Monday, Delta Gamma Transformation Tuesday, Shea is a junior studying Woman Crush Wednesday, broadcast journalism. You may contact her at Throwback Thursday and shea.m.smith-1@ou.edu. Flashback Friday. Are these posts cute and fun, or annoying and overused? Personally I think these posts are really old and super high school. An occasional Throwback Thursday of a funny picture that would make people laugh is acceptable. But when you participate everyday of every week it starts to get really annoying.
SHEA SMITH
For instance, a girl with a boyfriend who happens to be her Man Crush Monday. Every single Monday. We get it; you kind of have a crush on the guy you’re dating, there is seriously no need to post a picture of him every Monday. Then there are those guys, who every single Wednesday posts a picture of Kate Upton in a bikini or Kim Kardashian in lingerie. I can promise you tagging these girls in every one of your, “Woman Crush Wednesday” posts will not make you existent in their book. And honestly posting pictures of those girls make you look a little creepy, considering it gives off the vibe that you have a whole album dedicated to those types of pictures. Girls do participate in WCW too as a matter of fact, but most girls do it differently. Mad at a girlfriend of yours? What better way than to woman crush the worst picture of her you have for revenge. Now, I know a lot of girls do this because some of the pictures I have seen make me wonder who would actually have a crush on the girl in the picture. Right in the middle of these two categories is Transformation Tuesday. I will say if I had to choose, this would actually be my favorite. I mean, when people want to do a transformation picture they typically pick the worst picture of their childhood and the best
picture of their adulthood. Usually, the before picture is way before puberty, way before someone taught them fashion sense, before braces and contacts and it is just purely them. I think people use this day to poke a little fun at how they used to look and that is fine by me, it gives me a good chuckle when I am having a bad day, or when I think I looked bad as a kid. But I do love seeing people post their transformation pictures because it sometimes gives me hope that I will too blossom, or just because it makes me glad that I didn’t look like that. Either way transformations are the most humorous. I will admit I am guilty of posting a throwback Thursday picture a time or two. But don’t be that person who still looks at pictures from high school, waiting to throw it back because you still think you looked super hot back then. Don’t throw back pictures from high school period. Maybe if you were a State Champion in something or you want to throwback to when you signed onto an OU athletic organization or when you got a full ride to attend here, then that is understandable. But if you throwback to a picture from a high school football game, science class, or somewhere else that is insignificant to you, it is seriously time to move on and take new pictures. Lastly there is Flashback Friday. Why? It gives people who are stuck in the past another day to relive and post pictures of their glory days. I am definitely not saying all of these posts or annoying or that it’s a bad idea to join in on the posting. I’m not completely against them and I don’t think they are all always annoying. If you want to participate in these posts then it is fine with me, it’s usually entertaining, but keep it to a minimum. Think of it as being a less-is-more kind of thing. Don’t ever over-post about someone, don’t be creepy, don’t try to embarrass a friend or use these tags for revenge, and don’t over post in these categories in general. Keep it a light and funny kind of thing only posting them here and there. These little daily categories can actually be really entertaining, just know how to control yourself with the posts.
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Scene on campus WHY YOU SHOULD REMEMBER PEOPLE’S NAMES
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Have you ever met someone and immediately forgot his or her name? I am guilty too—most of the time I forget someone’s name before they even leave the Delta Delta Delta conversation. Every time Hunter is a freshman studying someone remembers my nursing. You may contact her at name after the first time I hgraham@ou.edu. meet them I get so surprised and I imagine that my facial expression somewhat resembles the heart eye emoji. The least we could do is remember their name for more than 20 minutes.
HUNTER GRAHAM
Here are some reasons you should remember people’s names:
You may need a date for a date party You might find yourself dateless for the next date party--especially if you do not go out very often. If you remember the people you meet and keep up with them, you may not be in this predicament later in the semester. What if they are the one? You are not going to meet your soul mate at the library after both of your hands touch the same book and then suddenly fall in love. However, a mutual friend could introduce you two at the library and, who knows, you could be perfect for each other! No one likes to not be remembered – and be asked a million times what their name is This scenario happed to me all the time last year: I met someone when I was out and I was asked my name every single week after that. How annoying! The point of going out is to meet new people and to mingle with people you already know, but may not see that often. Remember the names of the people you meet! Ways to help remember your new friend’s name:
You’re going to see them again This campus is pretty large, but it is also small enough to see people you know basically every day. If you meet someone for the first time Thursday night, you will probably see him/her Friday because that’s just how things work. If you forget their name, then you will have to awkwardly act like you two never met or probably reintroduce yourself and ask for their name again. That’s embarrassing! They are an extra connection you will need
Say their name when you meet them. Instead of just saying “Nice to meet you,” say “Nice to meet you (insert name here).” Using the person’s name makes the conversation more personal and it can help you remember their name. If you didn’t completely catch their name, ask them again- what did you say? Make a conscious decision to remember their name
…And I’m not talking about just a LinkedIn connection. Maybe that person you just met is on an important campus exec, and you are applying for it. Knowing that person could help you get the job—or if they don’t remember your name—it could put you back into the pool with the possible hundreds of people that are applying.
If you make an effort to remember someone’s name, you will! Next time you are about to meet someone, challenge yourself to remember their name—You might be meeting your next best friend!
#STOPTAKINGTHETROLLEYTODALE2014
If you are part of South Greek and take the trolley, you know what I’m talking about. Unlike our northern counterparts, if you have a Pi Beta Phi class towards the North Oval and you plan on Dea is a junior studying public walking, you’re going to relations. You may contact her at have to leave the house dpenn@ou.edu. about 30 minutes early. For example, while livingin last year I decided to calculate just how far Sarkey’s was from Pi Beta Phi— about 24 minutes and 1.4 miles later, I decided that was something I didn’t want to do every day. This is why we South Greekers are blessed with the trolley: a magical vehicle that makes a complete 30-minute circuit to take us from our homes to our classes everyday. Back in my day (last year), this trolley’s first stop after South Greek would be the Physical Science Center. However, after riding the trolley recently, there seems to be a new stop.
DEA PENNINGTON
Dale Hall. There are many things wrong with this picture. To begin, this stop was unheard of last year. Before living in, I remember upperclassman telling me horror stories about the amount of dirty looks, negative comments and overall aversion to any individual that asked the bus driver to stop outside of Dale Hall. The legend went on to say that those who stopped the trolley at Dale were deemed lazy, considered unpopular and rejected from South Greek for being so self-centered. This was the unspoken rule and a rule we refused to break... Until this year. Unfortunately, times have changed and there are an obscene amount of individuals taking the trolley to Dale and, in turn, making the rest of us late to class. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand its cold out there. However, this winter isn’t any different than last winter… It wasn’t any different from the Ice Storm of 2011 or even the Ice Storm of 2007. So why are we changing the standard now?
Don’t be inconsiderate, walk a little bit.
The first problem with the Dale Hall stop is the overcrowding of the trolley. This is a safety issue, especially when the trolley is operating on ice. Also, does no one else feel sorry for the other South Greekers that cannot board the vehicle due to its over-capacity? It’s common courtesy to let those going to the Union, Catlett, etc. to secure their spot on the bus. Don’t be awk, take a walk. Let’s also remember that we are getting dangerously close to Spring Break. “Even though it’s cold now, you’ll be thanking yourself for that extra exercise come spring time… Summer bodies are created during the winter,” said Katelin Harrell, a pre-med junior. Walking half of a mile can help you burn up to 40 calories. If you choose to walk to Dale and back every day, you have burned an extra 400 calories. To put it in perspective, this is like running an extra four miles every week. Those calories add up, people! Don’t be a fail, walk to Dale. The last problem with the Dale stop is it interferes with the trolley’s schedule. There are times when the trolley is five, even ten, minutes late by the end of the day because the extra stop is taking unnecessary loading and unloading time. The offset of the schedule means being late to class. This is problematic because a) professors usually dislike tardy students, b) many classes have clicker questions at the beginning and c) you don’t have time to prepare your supplies to take notes. None of these scream, “star student.” There’s a solution, join the revolution. This concludes my article about the #StopTakingTheTrolleyToDale2014 movement. I hope you take these things to heart before this problem becomes habitual. Feel free to support the movement by tweeting the hash tag. Happy walking!
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Lookbook fashion
POLISHED
Nail polish names are the unsung heroes in makeup culture. Taxed with the challenge of cranking out clever names for an infinite and Kappa Alpha Theta expanding number of shades Emily is a junior studying and hues, nail polish companies continue to dive deeper into a professional writing. You may peculiar realm that know no contact her at annieroach@ou.edu. bounds. For as many clever names as companies like OPI and Essie produce, there is an equal amount of peculiar and uncomfortable ones. Quirky, creative, bizarre, and laughable, here are some my favorite nail polish names. Wear them, avoid them, and be as perplexed as I am.
EMILY IRVIN
Khaki Satan (Reckon) When suburban dads want to slip into something more comfortable. I Red a Good Book (Wet N Wild) When you’re in the mood for a polished pun. Spaghetti Strap (Wet N Wild) If you’re feeling nostalgic for your middle school wardrobe. Neo Whimsical (Essie) For a nail polish as cryptic as Coldplay lyrics. In Stitches (Essie) Because nothing says touch of femininity like an open wound. Pimp My Nail (NYX) MTV would totally pick this up as a reality show.
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Algae (NYX) Because autotrophic organisms are the new black. Orange U Over? (Ruby Kisses) I honestly don’t understand what this one is trying to say. “Aren’t you over?” If you get what this is referring to, please email me. Trophy Wife (Essie) Encouraging you to be honest about your life goals. 2% Milk (Wet N Wild) Do you wear skim cause you think you’re fat? You could totally wear 2% My Papaya (Cover Girl) Don’t be afraid to claim your fruit. I Like it Chunky (L’Oreal) Never leave vague antecedents. I’m Really Not a Waitress (OPI) When you’re having trouble convincing people of your occupation. You’re Such a Budapest (OPI) You’re such the capital of Hungary. Alcatraz…Rocks (OPI) To glorify high security prisons. Fierce and Tangy (Maybelline) Innuendo. Better in Buff (Maybelline) Again? Go Nude (Maybelline) Maybelline really capitalizes on nudity.
TREND SPOTLIGHT: 2014 SWIMSUIT STYLES Can you believe it’s almost spring break? It seems like just yesterday we were opening Chi Omega Christmas care packages full of peppermint bark and S o p h i e i s a s o p h o m o re studying English. You may adorably cheesy holiday contact her at sophie.orlich@ knick knacks from the dollar ou.edu. section at Target. But here we are again, the exciting time that is spring break--bringing back memories that reek of sand, salt, and stupid decisions. It’s beautiful!
SOPHIE ORLICH
The most important part about this beach-bound marathon is what you’re wearing. At the onesuit-one-day ratio, that adds up to a lot of suits! So ladies, it’s time to turn on your computers, pull out dad’s AmEx and stock up. Crotchet – Crocheted suits were a hit over 30 years ago and have made quite the comeback. This trend brings an artsy, bohemian look to the beach. From one pieces to two, bikinis to monokinis, the almost tribal feel of these suits are popping up on runways everywhere. Be forwarned though – many of these styles are not water-friendly and can give you unwanted tan lines!
matching bottoms! High neckline – Another trend that has transitioned from the apparel runway to the swimwear runways is the high neckline. I love it because it’s edgy and flattering but busty girls beware- some patterns and styles of this trend may make your chest look bigger and give you a uniboob of sorts, so choose your cut and colors wisely! Mesh – From overlays to inserts- mixing and meshing is back again from last year and designers are having more fun with mesh than ever, especially with one-piece suits. Coyly cut suits with a barely-there thrill are hot this season but with the comfort of knowing you won’t pop out or bare too much in your one-piece! Printed Rash guards – I’m not sure if the credit for this fab trend can be given to J. Crew alone, but I do know last year their 2013 swimwear collection included a few printed rash guards and now they’re everywhere. Perfect for showing off your fashionable side or for riding ski-dos with the fam, this comfy top will surely make it into my closet. The wearer will have to sacrifice some tan lines if you plan on wearing it all day, but maybe your skin could use some recovery time. Timeless swimsuit styles include nautical prints, florals and the LBB (Little Black Bikini), so if you see any of those or already have them in your closet, hang on to those because they’re probably still on point this year.
High-waisted bottoms – I love that this cut is still in style because it covers up your tummy while still giving you a bombshell silhouette. A tip when searching for the perfect high-waisted brief- the higher the cut on the thigh opening the more flattering it will look because it will elongate your legs instead of cutting them off short. Playing with proportion can be fun but difficult with this trend. For girls with longer torsos I would look at Urban Outfitters, the style they carry seems to be cut higher than most.
What NOT to wear on spring break – a monokini, there are always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part this style of suit is just awkward for spring break. The fringe halter top – it’s so over done and so 2012. Swap it for a crochet top this year to stay on trend! Paisley and chevron – These two prints are tacky and I hate them. Paisley hasn’t been popular since Hollister was and chevron is the most overused print of the decade. So for the sake of the fashionistas and the pictures you will take, please do not buy or bring a suit in either of these prints.
Bustier- Part II of the bombshell-pinup look radiates fashionably vintage vibes. With a little more coverage and structure, this top is great for a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Luckily this trend has evolved in the past couple years and no longer looks like a waterproof bra and more like a fashion statement. Still worried your top might be confused? Make sure it’s in a fun print with
One last tip- look for stores that offer free shipping both ways like Nordstrom, Zappos and Asos!
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SIX-PACK SECRETS REVEALED “Six-pack plans” are a dime a dozen. There are numerous articles that claim they have a foolproof plan that is Pi Kappa Phi Matthew is a sophomore guaranteed to get everyone, studying marketing. regardless of genetics, a You may contact him at defined six-pack. What most Matthewalfonte@yahoo.com. articles won’t say is that having a six-pack is a genetic characteristic, which means that there are some people that can get it, but there are other people who can’t. Some people were blessed with the genetics to have a six-pack regardless of what they do in the gym or what they eat, while there are other people who are constantly pushing themselves in the gym and have a clean diet, but just can’t quite get the results that they want.
MATTHEW ALFONTE
I know it’s sad, but the good news is that regardless of your body type, you have the ability to obtain an aesthetic and healthy body. Knowing which body type you are and how to train and diet accordingly will help you reach your goals. We can all be classified into three categories: endomorphs, ectomorphs, and mesomorphs. Endomorphs tend to be heavier people in relation to their height and have a hard time dropping weight regardless of what diet they try. This body type tends to hold on to fat significantly more than the other body types. Some training tips for people of this body type are to emphasize low intensity and high volume cardio, in other words, jogging consistently for thirty minutes or longer.
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Some dietary tips for people of this body type would be to eat several small meals throughout the day to ensure that your metabolism is constantly active. As far as meals are concerned, I would suggest eating multitudinous vegetables as they can serve as a significantly less starchy form of carbohydrates which gives you energy to last through your day. Ectomorphs on the other hand are people who are naturally lighter in relation to their height and have a hard time putting on muscle, but do not have a lot of fat on their body. Some musclebuilding advice for people of this body type is to put most of the emphasis on lifting weights rather than cardio. Some dietary tips for people of this body type are to eat calorie dense foods, rather than eating a lot of empty calorie foods. Some examples of calorie dense foods are almonds, avocado, peanut butter, coconut oil, the list is endless. Eating a ridiculous amount of surplus calories will only hurt you in the long term and in reality provides you no real benefits. Mesomorphs are the people who are proportional to their height and are naturally muscular and have very little fat. There is really little advice to be given to people of this body type as they will naturally build muscle easily, while maintaining a low amount of body fat. Here comes the secret that no one will tell you on how to get abs: work out. There is no real secret to getting abs other than to eat real food, work out regularly, drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. Sure there are optimal ways to get a six pack depending on your body type, but every approach that is possible to take requires the same amount of effort and planning. Work on building muscle and maintaining your health and you will reach your goals.
THE TAXING EFFECTS OF OBESITY According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of the adults in the Alpha Omicron Pi United States are considered obese. This percentage in each Nicole is a junior studying state is over 20 percent, and economics & religious studies. Oklahoma ranks at 30 percent You may contact her at obese adults. These statistics smith.a.nicole@ou.edu. do not account for children, and their numbers are growing each year (around 15 percent for 2013). Why is obesity eating our nation’s health? And what can we do about it?
NICOLE SMITH
Many in the U.S. have attempted to implement healthy choices into their menu (like the salads at McDonald’s), many have made documentaries to show how unhealthy our food is (like Supersize Me and Food, Inc.), and many have attempted to make after school programs that encourage kids to get up and move (like Michelle Obama’s program and the advertisements on network television). Unfortunately none of this has been able to drastically reduce the levels of obesity that cause health related issues such as diabetes, heart failure, stroke, and sometimes cancer. What is the United States missing that could reduce these rates? It might be beneficial for our government officials to look south of our border to Mexico. Mexico also suffers from huge obesity rates at 32.8 percent. Their different economy and lifestyle could have an effect on their higher percentage; as well as the problem that purified and filtered water in Mexico is more expensive than many carbonated beverages. Unlike the United States, Mexico recently implemented a tax on junk food and soda. The Mexican Congress issued a “onepeso-per-liter tax on soda and an 8 percent tax on junk food” according to a World Post article issued in November 2013. The intent of this tax on junk food and soda is two-fold: to reduce the number of citizens who purchase unhealthy foods because it is more costly and to increase tax revenues that will go to funding public schools and important healthy lifestyle implementations like accessible water fountains. Because the tax has only been recently implemented there are not yet results to determine
if this will have an effect in lowering the ever-growing rates of obesity. The problem in the effects of this tax arise in what causes an individual to make poor eating decisions--is it class level or education? Many economists have conducted experiments to determine if lower classes eat poorly because of their financial situation or because they do not have the education to know the long-term outcomes of eating high-fat foods. The answer to this question may be found in the new taxes on junk food and soda. If we do not see a decrease in demand of these items, then it may be that education plays more of a factor in poor eating habits. If the opposite occurs, it will appear that the cheaper option (in this case, healthier foods) is what lower income families resort to. But like most economic issues, there is a lot of ambiguity in the results based on preferences and substitutes and the individual consumer. Either way, the tax on junk food and soda will have a positive effect of either reducing obesity levels or by generating enough revenue to help public schools in Mexico. After the tax on junk food and soda was announced in Mexico, the Navajo Nation in the U.S. also voted to implement a tax on junk foods. According to an article by the Wall Street Journal, “soda and fatty snacks will go up by 7%...while fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts won’t be taxed at all.” The Navajo Native Americans suffer from some of the highest obesity levels among the Native American tribes. Their council members hope that this tax will also reduce the rates of obese adults and children. Unlike Mexico, Navajos can simply leave the tribe reservation and purchase junk food and soda from another store. It does not seem as likely that this tax implementation will have as much of an effect on the Navajo Native Americans as it will in Mexico. Will the United States follow the lead of its Mexican friends? The Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut (where Yale University is located) has proposed that the state of Connecticut issue a 2 percent tax on soda and other high-calorie sugary drinks. He proposed, like others before, that an increase in tax on these drinks will decrease sales and lower obesity rates. If this law passes in Connecticut and sees positive results, you can assume that other states will follow. However, when Obama was proposed with this option in 2009, he found it an interesting study to tax junk food and carbonated beverages, yet little has been done in the United States. This may be because large corporations, like Coca-Cola, have advocated against a tax increase on junk food and sugary beverages. We can fight obesity and fund schools, one Coca-Cola at a time.
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WHY INDIVIDUAL FITNESS IS THE GREATEST CLASS YOU SHOULD NEVER TAKE!
A lot of guys and girls, when enrolling, end up having 10 hours and need one more class to get to that full-time Lambda Chi Alpha student status. Well, I fell into this category one semester and Eric is a junior studying instead of taking some difficult chemical biosciences. You may science I decided to enroll contact him at snosrap@ou.edu. in Individual Fitness class, figuring that, since I workout already this would be an easy way to throw a few extra hours in and make sure that I went everyday. I would quickly realize that this was a very poor choice.
ERIC PARSONS
To begin with, I was a second semester freshmen and so it’s safe to say I was pretty immature when it comes to choosing a class schedule. This is the reason I attribute to my choosing a class at 7:00 in the morning. Easily my first and biggest mistake. Seeing as that early in the morning I doubt I would have the energy to move if there was a fire, I have no earthly idea why I would chose this ridiculous hour. But choose it I did and so I was obligated to attend (mainly because I would be kicked out if I didn’t). While I guess I was hoping that I would mend my ways and become a more motivated earlyriser type of individual, I actually went early in the mornings, posted up on the chairs outside the locker room and slept for my assigned forty minutes. This is what led me into conflict with the “Instructor” of the class. “Instructor” is in quotes because this individual, while being
fluent in what I believed to be Mandarin, spoke not a word of English and failed decisively in instructing me in anything except how to hide in a gym. You see, she took great offense to my habit of finding a bench that wasn’t being used and getting a quick nap in. The rules were that I had to sign the attendance sheet to say I was there then, however, I was supposed to have free reign. She felt that the time when I was in her class was supposed to be spent actually working out. Where she got this ridiculous idea, I don’t think we will ever know but suffice it to say I disagreed strongly on the grounds that my individual fitness required me to spend 7:00 to 7:40 curled up underneath the decline bench. What started out with me just wanting to get some shut-eye quickly turned into a game of cat and mouse, with each of us getting craftier each day trying to outwit the other. I abandoned the gym floor because that was always her first guess; Similarly, she quickly discovered my hideouts in the cardio room and upstairs in the biking area. However, I quickly realized with my hood up, I could sit in the rowing machine, face the wall, and remain unnoticed. Quickly, though, she realized my gambit and I swear to you that woman memorized every piece of clothing I owned. Like a hawk, she could pick me out of any crowd of slackers and the only thing more frustrating than the crooked finger she pointed at me was trying to figure out what the hell she was saying when she was scolding me. The battle, however, was won when I cleverly realized that the locker room was probably a safe haven free from abuse. So for the latter half of the semester, drag a chair into the bathroom and pass out I did. And that is why “Individual Fitness” is a ridiculous class that should not be taken by anyone…at least before 10 o’clock. Learn from my lessons and work out on your own time.
ARE SUPPLEMENTS FOR SUCKERS?
Shopping for health supplements can be a difficult and even frightening process. There are nearly unlimited types of supplements Pi Kappa Phi Ta y l o r i s a s o p h o m o r e including sports, weight studying health and exercise loss, energy, memory and science. You may contact him at so on. Many supplements Taylor.T.Lapham-1@ou.edu. you find in GNC carry names that include “force,” “max,” “extreme” and other powerful adjectives meant to sell supplements that do more harm than good, and may not even work at all. I’m going to outline some supplements outside the sport supplement market that actually do what they say they do and can contribute to physically feeling better.
TAYLOR LAPHAM
You should take special precaution when buying health supplements because they are not regulated by the FDA. For the most part, supplement buying guidelines fall under common sense. If the supplement in question has one of the over-zealous masculine adjectives listed above, or claims to do something extraordinary, examine it extremely closely by doing internet research and ask your doctor…really. I know it may just seem like a silly disclaimer you see at the end of every new prescription drug commercial, but consulting your doctor before taking most supplements is a good idea. One of the biggest markets that abuses consumers is the weight loss supplement market. There are some supplements that can aid in maintaining a healthy body weight, but those that claim to help you lose weight or fat fast are dangerous. Let’s take a common weight loss supplement, Xenadrine, for example. This supplement works through its active ingredient ephedrine, which is similar to amphetamines. It increases heart rate and blood pressure which can cause a number of cardiovascular complications including heart attack and stroke. Ephedrine does increase your metabolism, but it is ineffective in the long run. Your body is great at maintaining homeostasis, so it will actively try to return to your previous weight after you stop taking the drug. In general, the supplements with simple straightforward wording are the safer and more legitimate ones. You’ll notice that I’m not throwing around brand names in this article, so know that I’m not
promoting any of these because I’m some supplement rep who wants to sell you something. I have been using all of these health supplements for at least a year and have actually noticed a huge difference in the areas of my health that they claim to help. Fish Oil or other Omega-3 and -6 SupplementOmega 3 fats help reduce inflammation in the blood vessels of the body. It accomplishes this primarily by helping to flush LDL (bad cholesterol) through the body so that plaque does not accumulate on the vessel walls. This helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues such as stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure. It also helps to keep skin, hair and nails healthy. These fats are naturally found in fish, nuts and plant oils. Many people do not meet their daily recommended requirement, so it may be advantageous to take a supplement to compensate. Digestive ProbioticsA probiotic supplement contains live microorganisms. I know this may seem freaky at first, but you already have similar organisms at work in your stomach right now. These microorganisms assist in the digestion of food and taking a probiotic supplement can help you get the most nutrient value out of the food you eat through more efficient digestion. It can also help to prevent an upset stomach or irregularity. MelatoninThis supplement has done the most for me by far. A good number of college students are heavily involved with electronic devices, often late into the night. This disrupts our sleep cycle by inhibiting the production of melatonin, the hormone that induces your sleep and dream cycle. Melatonin is produced in the brain as your brain senses decreasing amounts of light as the sun goes down. Taking a melatonin supplement can help to start your sleep cycle and ensure that you get the quality sleep you need to repair your body, especially your brain. You can also help your sleep quality by reducing the amount that you use electronic devices late at night, reducing the brightness on those devices, and using programs that change the quality of light on your screen to be less white, thereby putting less stress on your eyes. (I use a program called F.lux). Pay attention to your body to determine what your specific needs are. Don’t be trapped by flashy sales pitches and stick to the basics.
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SPRING SPORTS IN FULL SWING
It’s crazy to think about how sports have become synonymous with the seasons. When football Alpha Phi season kicks off in August, Jennifer is a freshman studying journalism. we talk about how this You may contact her at marks the beginning of “fall jennifer.n.nygren-1@ou.edu. football,” but most of the time it’s over 100 degrees out! By the time that football season ends in December those fall football nights turn into dreary winter tundras in the stands.
JENNIFER NYGREN
America’s pastime, baseball, is always mixed in with the spring season. Though it can still be a little cool outside, baseball and softball bring so many elements to a fan’s experience. The crowd gets to sit comfortably to watch the game, concessions are a must and tailgates are acceptable without all of the congestion. OU’s baseball team has already kicked off their season, while MLB is well under way in their spring training. The National Champion softball team will start their season THIS SATURDAY. The Sooners, who took last year’s National Championship by storm, deserve nothing less than a huge home opener with an electric student section. The game is free and will be at 2p.m. this Saturday versus Nebraska. If you can’t make it to that game, go ahead and come at 4p.m. because there will be another game against Nebraska. Two opportunities to see the reigning National
Champions do work.
The softball team isn’t the only thing exciting happening this spring. Basketball season is winding down before the madness kicks off in March. A Red River Rivalry game will also be this Saturday with men’s basketball playing against Texas. Earlier this season OU crossed the river and came back with a win, so go check them out this week to see a repeat if you missed it the first time. Spring training for the football team is already bringing out some big surprises. One being quarterback Blake Bell moving to tight end. One of our other quarterbacks, redshirt freshman Cody Thomas, will be pulling double duty on the football and baseball team. All of this will make it all the more interesting to watch OU’s spring game on April 12. While spring season brings the new, it also gets rid of the old and all of Sooner Nation will miss our seniors. Especially when most of the seniors will be gearing up for the NFL combine (to anyone who does not know what the NFL combine is, it’s a showcase where college athletes entering the NFL draft compete in physical and mental tests in front of scouts). So our best players like Aaron Colvin, Brendan Clay and Jalen Saunders will take part, all hoping to do well and get picked early in the NFL draft. History could be made this spring as the University of Missouri has a star defensive player that could potentially be the first openly gay NFL player. Michael Sam was the SEC’s defensive player of the year and always projected to be a high draft pick. A lot of changes will be happening this spring, but all for the making of one great season.
GIVIN’ ZERO PUCKS Now that it is getting warmer it is time to get ready to watch your Sigma Phi Epsilon number three-ranked Michael is a freshman studying Sooners dish out big hits, Mechanical Engineering. deke opponents into the Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h i m a t michael.p.lantero-1@ou.edu. ground and score some filthy goals. That’s right, I said goals. I am not referring to our prestigious football team; I am talking about our great hockey team. Now I bet there are some skeptics out there thinking, “who gives a flying puck about hockey in the south?” Many people do not know we have a hockey team, let alone that our hockey team is phenomenal. Beating teams left and right, and not just beating them, but beating them bad with scores like, 11-0, 12-2, and 15-0. With our highflying offense, solid defense and stonewall goaltending, we have a shot this year of winning the school’s first ACHA DI championship.
MICHAEL LANTERO
I am assuming that many students on campus do not know much about hockey, and could not tell a clothes line apart from a blue line. No fear I will help out, teaching you the ins and outs of hockey so that when you cheer on our team in Delaware throughout the second weekend in March, you can keep up. The basics: the objective is a simple one, put the biscuit in the basket, put the puck in the goal. Equipment is pretty hefty just like in football, there’s a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, kneepads, skates, gloves and finally a hockey stick. You play with 5 skaters and 1 goalie, leading to 12 people
being on the ice at one time. Having too many men on the ice happens to be a penalty. There are many penalties, too many to name; the general rule is, if you would not want it to happen to you, don’t do it. For example do not punch people--you will get penalized. Now since you have the basics down, it’s time to learn a little more about the team. The team is comprised of 33 students from all over the U.S. and Canada too. nine of the skaters call Canada home. The team has managed to put together some fantastic winning streaks, nine games in a row. They did not just win nine games in a row once; they have put that fantastic streak together two times. But the true mark of a team is seeing how many times they have losing streaks. Our Sooners have managed to only have one losing streak during the regular season, and it was to two of the best teams in the nation, Arizona (#1) two times, and Arizona St. once. Being able to keep losing streaks out of the agenda leads to a fantastic regular season. Unfortunately the Sooners have no more home games left. The final games are in Newark, Delaware, for the D1 championship tournament. However the team is here to stay, so make sure to pay attention during the fall and winter of next year and head to some home games at the Blazers ice arena, just off of I-35. Now I know I am biased, however I have a good feeling about this year’s championship tournament; make sure to check up on the squad throughout this important final tournament of the season. Bring it home boys! BOOMER!!!
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4TH AND 20: SHOULD THE NFL END MARIJUANA TESTING? T h ro u g h o u t
country’s
using this stuff, and that it will probably be legalized in a few years anyway.
our
history,
sports have always been pioneers, leading the way for many
NATE FAIN
But whether it’s fair or not if the NFL is the trailblazing organization that
Sigma Phi Epsilon
allows the use of recreational marijuana their players will be given the stigma
Nate is a freshman studying journalism. You may contact him at ndfain@gmail.com.
of weed smokers. If you don’t believe a drug reputation can damage a league, just look at what cocaine did to the NBA in the 60s and 70s.
social movements.
There is also the current problem of parents discouraging their kids from
Whether it was Jackie
football due to injury risks that has threatened the future success of the NFL. If
Robinson being the first African American in the Major Leagues, Gale Sayers
the NFL were to end these tests then that would give parents, who don’t want
and Brian Piccolo’s undying interracial friendship, Billy Gene King beating
their kids to smoke, one more reason to keep their children away from the
Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes tennis match or the “best defensive
game. So regardless of one’s preference on the issue of recreational marijuana,
player in the NCAA football league,” Michael Sam, coming out just before
if the NFL wants to do what is best for its brand then they best follow someone
the draft, sports have always played a key role in “real world” issues. And
else’s lead, this time.
over the last week or so the sports world may have just found itself in the middle of another battle, this one being about ole Mary J. I don’t know if it has anything to do with the two states that have legalized recreational marijuana being represented in the Super Bowl or what, but in the days leading up to the big game Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the NFL, was asked about discontinuing testing players for weed use. Goodell said there were no plans to end the testing, but it was something that he is keeping an open mind about. In the next few days the Commissioner’s attempt to quell the topic turned out to be for nothing due to the comments made by the New York Jets’ defensive back Antonio Cromartie. The outspoken Cromartie stated in an interview with NJ.com “We’re just going to do it anyway. They just need to let it go. They need to go ahead and say, ‘Ya’ll go ahead, smoke it, do what you need to do.” The comments immediately grabbed headlines in newspapers and airtime on ESPN causing discussions that ranged from the plausibility of ending the tests to the potential medical benefits players could reap from the drug with every sports analyst having a unique view on a subject that is so seldom discussed in the sports media. Just speaking as a college student, the kids who seem the least likely to smoke pot are the athletes. Because if they get caught or fail a drug test it is curtains on their playing career and their scholarship, so the possibility of the country’s most popular profitable sporting league doing something like this could have a major domino effect. I think this is one battle that the NFL, and professional sports in general should not fight. I understand that there might be a few health benefits to
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BUZZFEED: THE BEST DISTRACTION A STUDENT COULD ASK FOR We all have that class; the lecture class you have to take in order to fulfill your non-Western civilization or your Chi Omega science without a lab. Ellen is a sophomore Falling asleep, checking studying journalism. Facebook and doodling Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t on your notebook are ellen.p.pearson-1@ou.edu. common occurrences in these classes. Admittedly, you know you should be paying attention but there is one thing that will throw your attention out the window. You’ve heard of it, seen its article’s on Facebook, but have you ever spent a good portion of time on the website? Buzzfeed, my friends, is the ultimate place to journey when it’s one of those days where you just can’t pay attention.
ELLEN PEARSON
The best thing about Buzzfeed is that you can read about almost any subject you could possibly think of. Need a current event for a class? Look at Buzzfeed’s News section. It has articles on political news, world news, business news and everything in between. The Life section has articles one could find on Pinterest like “do it yourself” crafting projects and recipes for the foodie in all of us. Also in the Life section are the several “life hacks” articles that describe incredibly simple ways to improve your life. Some examples would be, write these down, kids, to put your phone on airplane mode when charging, it’ll charge twice as fast or to use chopsticks to each your Cheetos to avoid that pesky orange residue. You know, information you can’t live without. Recently the website has come out
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with interactive quizzes like “Which Disney Princess are you?” (I personally recommend this quiz) allowing you to spend even more hours on your laptop instead of studying. Not only does Buzzfeed provide endless hours of entertainment, it can actually teach you a thing or two about what’s happening in the world. Not to mention an array of things to do, things to read and places to visit before you die. If you spend enough time on the site, you begin to mentally write checklists and to-do lists for the future. I can’t count how many times I’ve been sitting in the library with fifteen tabs of Buzzfeed articles on my screen during a brief (2 hour) study break. I think, though, that a break in which you explore different places, points of view and ideas can actually help you study in the long run by getting your creative juices flowing. Lastly, Buzzfeed is incredibly relatable; there are several articles I could pick out that apply to any college student in general. The people who write these articles always keep them interesting, entertaining and relevant to anyone with an Internet connection. If you’ve ever taken time out of your day to actually scroll through your Facebook News Feed you’ll see countless friends posting these articles to each other’s walls. And since the site is appropriate to all ages, I usually receive an article via e-mail from my mom weekly about cute dogs or how to not overdraw in my bank account. It’s a site that entertains all. So if you have a chunk of time that you think would be better spent on the Internet, like your next lecture class, check out Buzzfeed and the many interesting distractions it will provide you.
SHERLOCK: WHY THE LADIES LOVE HIM Every couple of years there is a new wave of a character girls crush on. When we were in middle school it was Harry Delta Delta Delta Potter. In high school it was Edward Cullen. The first few Alexandra is a senior studying professional writing. years of college was Christian You may contact her at Grey. And now, as the girls alexandra.bare@ou.edu. grow up so do the objects of their desires. Now that they’re older and sophisticated, it only makes sense that their newest character crush is no other than the “high functioning sociopath” that is Sherlock Holmes.
ALEXANDRA BARE
Sherlock made its debut in 2010 on BBC. This London based show came out nearly four years ago, but seems like it just recently picked up popularity since it was added to Netflix. I’d never seen Sherlock but had seen several memes, pictures and fan posts on Facebook and Pinterest, these were usually posted by girls who were fans of the show and considered themselves addicts. Recently, I’ve seen pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch in his Sherlock outfit on both computer and iPhone backgrounds. Not to attract an angry mob, but I honestly didn’t see why girls were so obsessed with Cumberbatch. His eyes are too far apart and his cheekbones only add to the villainous look that he has going for him. I never understood it, until I watched the show. Each episode is an hour and a half long, but it goes by in a flash. With only three episodes per season, I found myself feeling sad that all three seasons were over so quickly. I can’t get enough of Sherlock and Watson’s relationship or their individual characters. It fascinates me to see how obsessed with fictional characters people can become, especially girls. I know a lot of people are equally obsessed with Cumberbatch as they are with his character in Sherlock. But for the rest, they’re just stuck on Sherlock. I can sympathize with them. As an avid reader and movie watcher, I’d be lying if I said
I haven’t fallen in love with my share of fictional characters. In elementary and middle school it was Jeremy Sumpter from the movie Peter Pan. Then, I switched to Edward Cullen from Twilight, and then to James Stark from The House of Night series. After watching 27 hours of Sherlock, it’s easy for me to see his appeal.
Girls can’t help but be attracted to something they can’t have. Sherlock doesn’t have time for women. The Woman was the only one to ever catch his attention for long, poor Molly Hooper. Sherlock is unattainable, which makes him that much more appealing. He’s also quirky and clever, with an extreme attention to detail. He admits that he has no idea about human or social interaction, and most of the time he’s totally inappropriate. If you knew Sherlock in real life, you would most likely hate him, or at least be supper annoyed. But there’s something about watching him on TV that makes it appealing. To add depth to my theory, I sought out information from Sherlock lovers to see just why the ladies are so hooked on the detective and his magnifying glass. “Sherlock’s brilliance is so attractive, leaving the audience captivated and wanting to learn more about his life and the mystery that is Sherlock Holmes.” – Marissa Dubois, Delta Delta Delta “I love Sherlock because he is true to the original Sherlock Holmes. He is quirky, a little off-beat, but loveable all at the same time.” - Ally Nash, Delta Delta Delta “Sherlock is the perfect combination of intelligence, quick wit and the adorable lack of social skills.” – Ellen Pearson, Chi Omega “Benedict Cumberbatch has the bounciest and most luscious curls I have ever seen. Those rare moments of that hair getting tousled are reason enough to watch the show alone. Oh and his voice is deeper than the ocean and he’s British, so I just can’t.” – Annie Roach, Chi Omega “It’s a modern twist on classic stories with a highly dimensional cast. Also, Watson is adorable.” - Sarah Pitts, Gamma Phi Beta
14 UPGRADED COLLEGE EATS 500 words on food
Two words that I have a love/hate relationship with: junk food. And I MARLEY DABLO know I’m not the only Kappa Kappa Gamma one. Every once in a Marley is a junior studying while, I’ll have a craving journalism. You may contact for a good burger and her at marleydablo@ou.edu. fries (mostly the fries). While some may agree with my craving of choice, other go-tos might be nachos, pizza, or wings. Whatever you’re craving is, these recipes will satisfy your desire for junk food. First, breakfast nachos. The nachos will take a total of 25 minutes to prepare and cook. The serving size is for one, unless you’re feeling generous and want to share with a friend. Also, these can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Ingredients: · One bag of your favorite nacho chips · 1 cup of Monterrey jack cheese, shredded · ¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded · 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbed (you can buy premade bacon bits in the salad dressing isle) · 1 small shallot, thinly sliced · ½ whole jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional) · ½ cup black beans, cooked · 1 tsp. oil · 1 whole egg, cooked to your liking · Salt and pepper, to taste Directions: 1. Begin by preparing all of the ingredients (chopping, cooking the beans if you don’t buy canned ones, etc.). The egg will be cooked later. 2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 3. Add a layer of chips to a baking sheet or cast iron fajita pan, overlapping, as you desire. Add half of the cheese and scatter to get even coverage. Then top with half of the bacon, shallots, beans and jalapeno peppers. Sprinkle a little more cheese then repeat with a second layer. 4. Place the layered chips in the preheated over and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted. 5. While the nachos are cooking, heat a non-stick skillet on medium heat. Add the t teaspoon of oil and let it heat for a minute or so, then crack in the egg. Cook the egg as you desire and season with salt and pepper. 6. Once the egg is cooked, remove the nachos from the over, slide the egg on top and you are ready to serve. The second recipe is called Chinese Five-spice Chicken Wings. The chicken wing is an incredibly versatile ingredient – they can be fried, baked or grilled and seasoned to your liking. This simple recipe is sure to leave you a sticky mess, but also content with your junk food of choice. Ingredients: · 2 lb. chicken wings · 1 tbsp. five spice powder · ½ cup water · ½ cup brown sugar
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· ½ cup soy sauce · 2 tbsp. vegetable oil · 3 gloves garlic, minced · 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Directions 1. In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients except the water and set aside to let the chicken marinate for at least 6 hours. 2. Place everything in a large frying pan (or wok, if you happen to have one) with the water. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. While boiling, turn the chicken once in a while to make sure it’s cooked evenly. Let the liquid thicken then set the heat to low. This should take 8 to 10 minutes. 3. Once the liquid has thickened, turn the heat to low so it does not burn. Continue to turn the chicken to coat it evenly. At this point, a small amount of oil is extracted from the chicken wings and you can begin to stir fry the chicken for a minute (add oil if needed), then remove from the pan and serve. I’ve saved the best recipe (in my opinion) for last. It’s drool worthy: The Bacon Wrapped Mushroom Cheeseburger with Guacamole. I mean does it get much better than that? The recipe can easily be halved or doubled to suit your needs. Below are the measurements for one serving. Ingredients: · ¼ pound beef · 2 strips of bacon · 1 portabello mushroom · 1 slice cheddar cheese, about 1 ½ ounce · 1 tbsp. barbecue sauce · ¼ cup guacamole (I shared a recipe in a previous article, but you can always google a recipe for this.) Directions: 1. Form the ground beef into a burger patty, about 1 ½ inch thick, and wrap the burger with 2 strips of bacon. 2. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and scrape out the gills with a spoon. 3. Preheat the grill on high and cut one slice of cheddar. Place the mushrooms and bacon wrapped patty on the grill and brush the burger with half of the barbecue sauce. 4. Lower the heat to medium high and cook for 6-8 minutes depending on the thickness of your patty. Turn the burger, brush with the remaining barbecue sauce, and top with the cheese slices. 5. If the mushrooms are tender and soft, remove to a platter and keep warm while the burgers finish cooking. Thicker mushrooms will need to keep cooking with the patty. 6. Cook the burgers for another 6-8 minutes, or until done for thicker burgers. 7. Place the mushroom on a plate and stack the burger on top. Serve immediately with guacamole, lettuce, tomato and any other toppings of your choice. The recipe will take a total of 35 minutes to prepare and cook. The serving size can easily be increased if you want to share with friends or family. Hope these satisfy your junk food appetites and if not, feel free to email me with ideas or check out foodporndaily.com I’ll bet you catch yourself drooling.
Humor lol
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@Caroline_Pajda “Going to Whataburger because SOMEONE HAS TO SEE US WITH MAKEUP TONIGHT.’
@KingJames_25 “If you can wear shorts & long sleeves then you know the weather is perfect.”
@DPaulMoses “I don’t think I’ll ever get over how people act at the gym here.. it’s totally acceptable to flex in front of the mirror for minutes on end”
@_Tscott “Dude idk man like even when I do calves the blood just goes straight to my biceps. What can I say?’ –lambda at the huff”
@hannahkirk14 “Today I had 2 meals at costa, some McDonalds, and almost a whole box of Girl Scout cookies…count your blessings not your calories-“
@ZacMabry “My goal is to eat Dove Chocolates until I look like I belong in a Dove Lotion commercial. #lovetheskinyourein”
@AllisonBrownn “So you’re saying the right time is to break up with her on her birthday?” @emhudgeons “Shorts & chacos. All is right in the world again. @AlexPreble “I have 2 strikes, a speeding ticket, and I’m on probation. But I swear I’m a good girl’ –random girl in the elevator” @ryanfritz5 “Skipping class to study #rebel”
@baileytravis11 “The first test of the semester is always the worst” @sammyrhodes “If pretty much anyone, guy or girl, was handing out free milkshakes, it would bring me their yard.” @HunterrLane “If you ain’t talkin Krispy Kreme I donut wanna talk.” @AliciaMcintyre2 “50% off valentines candy at Walgreens. Score.”
@madison_bolton “I just need a break from life.”
@terahdayne “Was A Cinderella Story the first movie about a cyber relationship…? That’s where the bad example started.”
@Jnoizemaker “Went to Best Buy in slacks and my undershirt. #scandalsprobs #oops”
@aq_deless “S/O to all my professors who decided to schedule tests and quizzes this week. Y’all rock. �#sike”
@Christiann_G “Just got called a ‘usual’ at 7 so maybe I should take it down a notch?”
@WolfpackAlan “Disney Channel really should just stop making new shows and replay all the old ones.”
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commercial #thissucks” @courtneycasler “Just took the elevator to floor 4... Hahaha” @maxianderson1 “If you type “illuminate” backwards, followed by ‘.com’ in your address bar, you end up at the U.S. government’s national security page.” @anniemarie08 “My email account is disgustingly cluttered and it makes me more stressed out than my messy room ever could.” @MaciSmith8 “In princess diaries she had a mustang and in Cinderella story she had a mustang. I had a mustang so does that mean I’m a princess?’ –mom” @arshia_samandi “can we just take a moment and acknowledge that jimmy johns drove my big from lambda to the bars last night. I can’t.”
AIMEE SCHNEBECK Delta Gamma
Aimee is a freshman studying broadcast journalism. You may contact her at aimee.schnebeck@ou.edu.
@Jnoizemaker “I’m so mad The Warren changed its little
LIFE OF A PROFESSIONAL PROCRASTINATOR Okay, so I’m sitting here with a Chem paper barely started at 1:13 am on a Wednesday morning, completely knowing I have to be up in exactly 7 hours. I have plenty of homework
COLLIER HAMMONS Alpha Tau Omega
Collier is a freshman studying health exercise science. You may contact him at gregoryhammons@ou.edu.
and a Chem write up due early tomorrow. And I’m not going to do it. I’m going to sit here, watch Net�ix, probably laugh at some weird person on Facebook. I’ll probably go across the hall and wake my hall mates up to hang out for a bit just because sometimes I just need to be up. I need to stand up, take a deep breath, and go outside. I’d probably then run back inside because I hadn’t changed into actual clothes. I need to sit in your bed, hunch over the computer, and completely blow off every responsibility I can think of. I needed to tell that Professor I was sick today? When I write the email am I recovering or still in the pits with it? The part that tops the sun-sucked-day’s cherry (That is copyrighted by the way.) is that it’s that professor I have absolutely no feelings for. The one who doesn’t really make me mad, but doesn’t really make any point to try and be personal. So I’m writing to him/her (Just in case my professor happened to pick up this random issue of this newspaper) in this really nice, insincere kind of lie.
Dear (Professor ________) I’m so sorry to be missing class today, I have (random ailment) today and am desperately trying to get into the doctor’s to get it resolved. I also am feeling very lightheaded and forgetful, so if I don’t have a doctor’s note do not be afraid! It was merely lost in the pursuit of my health and, honestly, don’t you think that’s worth it? Can you see the problems with my concentration skills? I thought of all of this stuff (and sent that email #multitasking) and can barely focus on this Chem lab report. But I have now seen 3 more episodes of Portlandia and I am needing a study break. As soon as I make this easy mac and cheese I’ll jump straight into it and ride the stallion of writing right on into the night till this report is �nished. With all this enthusiasm piping through my veins just thinking about getting this assignment done, I can’t help but think back to earlier today when I went to Starbucks. Why did I go to Starbucks? Wasn’t I going to do this report earlier today, but I went to Starbucks? Oh yeah, that’s the class I decided “Oh class can wait!” and went to Starbucks with my friend. (Side note: They never spell my name right at Starbucks. It’s always Calyer, Callyour, or some weird variation.) But nope, now I’m sitting here with my mac and cheese. It’s 3:46 am on a Wednesday morning, and I have to be up in almost 5 whole hours. Wait, didn’t I have math?