Oklahom 3 13 14

March 13, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 22 | Norman, OK

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SWEET AND SOUTHERN BBQ: CHANGING THE WAY WE LOOK AT PHILANTHROPY PAGE 5

HOBO CON: THE CELEBRATION OF AN AMERICAN STAPLE PAGE 6 PHI PSI FRIDAYS page 5 HOW TO SURVIVE THE HUNGER GAMES (AKA MIDTERMS) page 3

ALPHA GAMMA DELTA’S PHILANTHROPY TEAM HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK PREPARING FOR THE SWEET AND SOUTHERN BBQ! Photo courtesy of Courtney Koval.

2 Editor's note

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SPRING BREAK SAFETY Spring Break is arguably the best part about the entire year. “Fall break” is Alpha Gamma Delta re a l l y j u s t a n o v e rEditor-in-Chief exaggerated threeHaley is a senior studying day weekend, winter classical languages & English break is too cold to writing. You may contact her at do anything, and hmowdy@ou.edu. summer vacation is spent waiting tables or wearing business casual, miles and miles away from your friends. Only spring break has the magic of being just long enough to give you the much-needed relaxation you crave, with fantastic weather, close to friends, but isn’t long enough for your parents to expect you to get a job.

HALEY MOWDY

Wherever you’re traveling to this week, I guarantee you’re going to have an excellent time that you’re sure to remember (or not remember) for the rest of your life. But let’s take a break from fantasizing about all of the fun you’re going to have this week, and focus on the most important aspect of spring break—spring break safety. Here are some tips to keep in mind to make sure that you make it back safe and sound when the inevitable Monday-after-spring-break rolls around: 1) Don’t be an idiot with alcohol. No, I’m not your mother, and no, I’m not suggesting you spend your coveted break sober. I am, however, asking that you be responsible with your drinking. Know your limitations, eat before-duringand-after drinking, drink copious amounts of water, and NEVER, EVER drink and drive. Sermon over.

2) Practice safe sun. While you may not realize it, the damage you do to your skin today can lead to cancer years down the road. Trust me, twenty years from now you’ll wish that you’d gotten a spray tan instead of a base tan. Leathery is not sexy, and neither is having a six-inch-long, two-inch-deep hole in your back from melanoma. Just ask my grandfather. Do your future self a favor, bring some sunscreen and use it liberally—no one is going to know if your tan is from the sun or a spray gun, I promise.

3) Keep your ID on you at all times. If there is anything we have learned from the tragedy that inspired Safe Break, it’s that you always need to keep an ID on you. It doesn’t matter that you’re in a bikini, attach an ICEDOT to your keychain or wear the waterproof bracelet the company makes that has your ID information printed on it. The university pays for us to have access to the ICEDOT service for free, so take advantage of it. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and keeps you from having to carry around your wallet at all times.

4) Never go anywhere alone. This is really, really important, especially if you’re intoxicated or in an unfamiliar location. Even big, strong fraternity guys are at a disadvantage if they’re intoxicated or alone, so don’t be dumb. It’s too easy to be cornered, kidnapped, or mugged if you’re alone, so take someone with you at all times, even if you’re just going downstairs to use the vending machine. Also, use the buddy system as a means to keep one another out of trouble. Sisterhood and brotherhood means more than having fun with each other. It means looking out for one another, and there is never a more important time to do this than on break.

Have fun, be safe, and tweet your pictures to @OU_Odyssey for a chance to be featured on the cover!

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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The Odyssey is a private entity not associated or governed by University of Oklahoma Greek life office. The views and opinions shared in The Odyssey are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Odyssey and Olympia Media Group.

3 HOW TO SURVIVE THE HUNGER GAMES (AKA MIDTERMS) Scene on campus

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A great friend of mine once compared midterms to the Hunger Games, and finals to the Quarter Quell. Think of yourself as Alpha Chi Omega Katniss. Once you manage to survive midterms, you Mary is a junior studying English literature. You may contact her at get a little recuperation, a marywallen@ou.edu. little celebration, but then BAM. You have to go into the Games again, only this time it’s more difficult and cutthroat (not literally in this case, thank goodness). So basically, prepare yourselves for the Hunger Games, because they’re coming. Here are some tips to assist you in the hellish week we all suffer in the middle of the semester.

MARRY WILLA ALLEN

First, get energy drinks. Buy them before the week begins, because you will not physically be able to drive a vehicle when this week arrives. I suggest Red Bull – it actually tastes good and doesn’t make you shake like a crazy person. In my experience, Five Hour Energy just makes you hyper, not focused. Avoid it, unless you want to feel the compulsion to sprint in between all the stacks at the Bizz (which is fun – maybe just not during midterms).

Take naps. I know that every college student loves after-class naps with a passion, but they’re actually super great for your brain, too. 10-20 minutes will boost your awareness and creativity. If you find yourself nodding off as you’re studying or you’re suffering a bit of writer’s block, go for a quick snooze. 60-minute naps are good for your memory, so if you’re in anatomy or history, take an hour to sleep after you’ve studied a lot of information. Avoid 30-minute naps – they will leave you in that creepy trance-like state

that won’t wear off for a few hours. Also, dodge any nap longer than 60 minutes, because it will have you hitting the snooze button like it’s your job.

Become best friends with Pandora. If you’re like me, you’re easily distracted by people chatting or just general noise. Plugging in some headphones and jamming to classical or rap (my two top choices – don’t judge), will help keep you in the zone.

Get SelfControl. In this case, I mean the app for Macs, but learning to control yourself is cool, too. Basically, this application blocks whatever websites you want for as long as you want. I’ll admit to you that I possess the attention span of a squirrel, meaning I check Twitter and Tumblr every 2 seconds when writing or studying (I’m doing it as I’m writing this), so SelfControl rids me of the temptation by blocking all social media for me. It’s awful not knowing what’s happening on Twitter for an hour (I’m serious), but it gets the job done.

Reward yourself. Study, and then watch an episode of Workaholics. Study, and then eat some Reese’s. Study, and then go for a run, if that’s what you think is a reward. It’s a simple way to procrastinate that’s actually beneficial. Your brain will thank you for the little breaks in studying, and it’s been proven time and time again that stretching out your studying as opposed to cramming in everything at once helps you retain information.

Also, you’ll be in a much greater mood, and no one wants to be around a grumpy-gills.

Midterms may be like the Hunger Games, but I have all the faith in the world that you’re a total Katniss. You know that three-finger kiss/salute they’re always doing in the Districts?

I’m totally doing that right now for you. I have given you a cornucopia for your personal Hunger Games, so go out there and win it, Katniss.

LIVE EVER DIE NEVER: PHI KAPPA PSI

with the spring pledge class-have a place to call home for many more days to come.

I would like to thank Phi Kappa Psi President David Boren for his continuous concern Jeff is a junior studying political for the students of this science. You may contact him at university and for putting jdscott1993@ou.edu. their interests before all else.

Without his compassion and understanding of the importance of Greek life at the University of Oklahoma, I would not have a place to call home here on campus. Some of the most important people to graduate from OU have been in fraternities and sororities.

President Boren recognizes the potential of our Greek community and the positive impact that it has on the community. He expressed how much the university tries to be fair when it comes to the relations and regulations regarding Greek life.

“I’m thankful that President Boren and OU have decided to retract their decision. Their recognition of our potential at 720 Elm has shown us that our place on this campus is an important one. All of us at Phi Psi look forward to being here on campus for another 93 prosperous years,” said Phi Psi Chapter President, Kevin Copeland.

Phi Psi Housing Corporation President William Long looks forward to working with the university in the future and is glad that OU is willing to work with Phi Psi and all other fraternities on campus. He stated that “OU did the right thing realizing the implications of their actions, allowing the chapter and university to come to a feasible solution by not looking at short term gains in acquiring 720 Elm, but deciding to work with us and strive toward long term successes that Greek life can achieve for the community and university.

Hi! Hi! Hi! Phi Kappa Psi! Live Ever! Die Never! Phi Kappa Psi! This is the chant we sing after every chapter and can be heard across North Greek. We have a new opportunity to continue the virtuous principles that we live by each day at 720 Elm. Thank you for the support that the Greek community has given us when we were truly in need. United we stand as Phi Psi men, members of Greek life here at OU, and proud Sooners.

JEFF SCOTT

It isn’t often that someone returns from the edge of a cliff that they were being pushed toward. When faced with such a danger, a person has two options: You surrender and put your fate in another’s hands, or work even harder than before to fight for what you believe in.

The men of Phi Kappa Psi faced the daunting cliff of having their property acquired by the university. Since 1964, the University of Oklahoma has owned the property the chapter house is built upon, and the fraternity has had a lease agreement. The university had recently decided to neither renew the lease nor provide an opportunity for any future negotiations, giving the fraternity a mere five months to find new accommodations for 32 brothers and a place to continue chapter operations.

With a surge in Greek community support and the strength of our alumni, Phi Psi can look forward to many more sunrises at 720 Elm. Members of Phi Psi each wrote a personal letter to President David Boren, expressing the importance of Phi Psi to their lives and the fraternity’s role on campus. Alumni officers from our national fraternity, Housing Corporation, and Alumni Association were granted a meeting with President Boren, and the future of Phi Psi’s chapter house was set on the table for discussion. After support from the Greek community and the personal conversations Boren had with the members of Phi Psi, an agreement was reached. The lease has been extended, and the undergrads--along

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RED DRESSES AND CARDIAC CARE

that 200mg/dL is the norm is very dangerous. If this is the average, this means that most people have borderline high cholesterol levels and Kappa Alpha Theta are at risk for having a heart attack or developing other Katie is a sophomore heart diseases. It could take studying communications.

20 to 40 years for cholesterol Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t and plaque to build up in kaitlyn.dorrough@ou.edu. the arteries. Treatment is available by undergoing a bypass surgery to move arteries from one part of the body and place them into the chest.

KATIE DORROUGH

On February 22, the women of Alpha Phi hosted their fifth annual Red Dress Gala. This black-tie event was held at the Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma. The members of the women’s fraternity and their families dressed in red to celebrate cardiac care. Live and silent auctions were held to raise money for their philanthropy. All of the proceeds went to the Alpha Phi Foundation. At the beginning of the event, the ladies of pledge class 2013 were introduced and escorted in by their fathers, grandfathers, brothers, etc. Ann Brinkman Carstensen, Executive Director of the Alpha Phi Foundation, spoke about cardiac care and gave testimonies of Alpha Phi members nationwide who have benefitted from the foundation. During the live auction, people placed bids on various items, including vacation packages. Though it was entertaining, the goal was to raise money for the Alpha Phi Foundation so it can touch lives and combat heart disease.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America. Though it is a major cause of death for both genders, women have a significantly lower chance of surviving a heart attack. Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart attacks. This is caused by build-up in the arteries. Once a person reaches the age of 19, they should have their blood cholesterol levels checked regularly. The average blood cholesterol level in America is 200mg/dL, and that is not good. Healthy levels are anything below 200mg/dL. The fact

Eating healthy is where heart disease prevention begins. The Healthy Heart Guidelines include: Consuming less than 30% of calories from fat, consuming less than 10% from saturated fat, 1% from trans fat, and less than 300mg/dL of cholesterol in the daily diet. Trimming the fat off of meat before cooking it and peeling the skin off chicken are two easy ways to reduce fat consumption in the diet. When it comes to foods that are high in fat, don’t avoid them completely, but eat them in moderation. It is crucial that people watch what they eat, and have their blood cholesterol levels tested often.

The women of Alpha Phi are passionate about living healthy lives and preventing heart disease. This is something that not only applies to their sorority, but it applies to all college students. This is the crucial age to start being aware of health risks, such as coronary artery disease. If a person begins to reduce their risks while they’re in college, it can keep them from suffering a heart attack or undergoing a bypass surgery in the future. Be conscious of the heart--it the most important organ in the body.

BREAKFAST AT THETA On February 13th, Kappa Alpha Theta had a philanthropy event called Breakfast at Theta. The Delta Gamma event took place from 8 M axi is a freshman p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Theta studying Marketing. house. Tickets were $5.00 You may contact her at in advance and $7.00 at maxianderson@ou.edu the door. Pancakes were served using the batter made famous at the restaurant Syrup. A wide variety of toppings such as peanut butter and marshmallows were also consumed. As if that was not enough sugar, a dessert table overflowed with brownies and other sweet delights. Topping it all off was a table stacked with Valentine candy in jars. The Theta servers were dressed in Valentine’s Day themed outfits. Music played throughout the event.

Everyone had a great time. All funds raised went to the Shine Foundation, helping to fund an orphanage called Rainbow Town in Liberia, Africa.

Feeta saw a book of matches in the rebel’s pocket, but he was never able to find them. Her faith in God was renewed while surrounded by the carnage of war.

She believed that God had placed the children in her care. Along the way, other children who had lost their parents joined the group. When they reached the village, there were 150 children. Confronted with caring for 150 children and no resources, Feeta found homes for all of the children. She is now referred to as “Ma Feeta” and is considered the mother of hundreds of children.

A woman named Feeta Naimen inspired Rainbow Town after her chance encounter with a group of rebels at the height of Liberia’s Civil War in 1994.

Feeta was very sick and hospitalized in Gbarnga, Liberia. Due to the fighting between the rebel groups she was left with no other choice than to walk to her village, Kpolokpai. As she walked, she was confronted by a band of rebels with eight children who demanded she take them or be killed. She continued to walk to her village with the eight children after tying their shirttails together so none would get lost. At one point, a drunken rebel stopped the group, forcing them into a shack as he threatened to burn them alive. He poured gasoline around the building. Feeta and the children began to pray, asking God to spare them.

In 2004, after adopting a six-year-old named Christiana from Rainbow Town, a family formed the Shine Foundation. What amazed Christiana’s parents was the fact that even though she suffered so much, she still had unconditional faith.

MAXI ANDERSON

Once the children were safe in good homes, the task of feeding them was a challenge. She would go into markets and beg for spare food and medicine for the sick children. Unbelievably, the children were provided for. In fact, many of the children were reunited with their parents. However, many children remained in the care of Ma Feeta. Upon hearing Ma Feeta’s amazing story, other humanitarian groups were eager to help. These organizations provided Ma Feeta with 50 acres in Rainbow Town. She teaches children the importance of faith, education, and community. She gives them hope in their nation, which was destroyed by civil war.

The Shine Foundation is the philanthropic organization that Kappa Alpha Theta supports. This support goes far beyond fundraising, though. Katie Little from Theta says, “We are so happy to be able to help Shine Foundation. There are so many Thetas that have traveled overseas to Liberia and worked in Rainbow Town. It is great to help a cause that has passion behind it.”

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SWEET AND SOUTHERN BBQ: CHANGING THE WAY WE LOOK AT PHILANTHROPY When I took office as Philanthropy Coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta, I envisioned planning decorations and Alpha Gamma Delta decorating my sorority B o b b i e i s a s o p h o m o re house, talking to vendors studying p h o t o g r a p h y. and securing donations, and doing one of my You may contact her at favorite things in the bobbielfranklin@gmail.com. world: planning an event.

Soon after taking office, I encountered hard reality--the large amount of paperwork involved and hours upon hours of work every week that is shouldered by my team and myself. I tell myself every day, usually in the midst of contacting individuals about our annual barbeque, that it will be worth it when we send the check to our Internationals.

education and research and the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation are close to my heart. As I think about the food, the music, and the decorations of our annual barbeque, I also consider what is most important about hosting a philanthropy event on our beautiful campus. I think of the kids in diabetes camps across the country that can feel normal once or twice a year and not ostracized for a disease they did not ask for. It truly puts a smile on my face to know my chapter can make some kid somewhere a little more carefree.

Going through recruitment, you learn that every sorority represents a different philanthropic organization. As a result of a new Panhellenic rule, each chapter is allowed to showcase their philanthropy efforts and events during Round Two of recruitment. This coming fall will be the second year we have operated this way. I may be biased, but I think a philanthropy-themed day of recruitment is an excellent idea.

Our chapter has an annual BBQ. This year, I decided to reinvent the way we tackle philanthropy. I am proud to say we will be hosting The Alpha Gamma Delta Sweet and Southern Barbeque on March 27th in Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center. The menu includes pulled pork sliders, beans, slaw, banana pudding, fruit, and for refreshments, we are providing sweet tea and lemonade for your Arnold Palmer needs. If you come out only for the food (I admit I’m almost drooling thinking about it) it still benefits a good cause. I hope to see you all at our philanthropy event, and if you see me around campus, feel free to say hi!

BOBBIE FRANKLIN

When I went through formal recruitment, it was not only the girls I encountered, but also the philanthropy they benefitted, that drew me to my chapter. Diabetes

When you think about philanthropy events you might attend this semester, I hope you think about the cause they support. We are all united in our philanthropic efforts, and it is important to give back and make a change in our community and in the world. I know and you know that there are members of fraternities and sororities that choose exclusively based on the type of food that will be served—I know I’m a fan of homemade chili and yummy queso—but I encourage you to attend as many events as you can. Anything you do will help someone in ways you will never truly understand. I encourage you to get out and spend some time at the Boys and Girls Club, the food pantry, or any area that calls to your heart.

PHI PSI FRIDAYS Friday Afternoon… time to “Turn Up” or maybe pre-game for the party that night. There’s nothing wrong with starting early. While some of us are starting the party

us. Honestly, can you blame them?

OMAR AWAD

If the satisfaction of becoming a role model to children who are in desperate need of one isn’t enough to drive you to make a contribution to your community like the outstanding

Phi Kappa Psi

men of Phi Psi, you should consider the fact that women absolutely adore it when a guy

Omar is a freshman studying Criminology / pre-med.

Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h i m a t omar.awad-1@ou.edu.

is good with kids. If there is anything us frat guys love, it’s women. So gather up your

right after class lets out, others, like the men of Phi Kappa Psi, are being big brothers to young children who are not fortunate enough to have a good influence at home or are alone after school.

The national philanthropy for Phi Kappa Psi is the Boys and Girls Club of America. The Boys and Girls Club of America is a safe environment for kids to learn and play. Members of Phi Kappa Psi go to the Boys and Girls Club every Friday afternoon and spend time with kids who would otherwise be playing on the street and around people who can lead them into things that can ruin their life. The Boys and Girls Club of America offers several programs for the kids who are there, such as education and career programs, character and leadership programs, health and life skills, the arts program, and sports, fitness, and recreation. The best way to volunteer your time is to focus on hanging out with kids in the sports, fitness, and recreation program. We basically join in on a game of basketball or air hockey and stand as a role model for these children. These young boys and girls look up to us as college students. To them, we are pretty successful, and they strive to be

brothers and some sorority girls and go play a game of basketball, or teach a few kids how to play pool. You become an important role model in a young child’s life, you could get a date for your next date party, and you have a little bit of fun. It’s just a few hours on Friday afternoon. You still have the whole weekend free to spend your time however you please. Sorority girls, if you want to know if that frat star you are dating is a good guy, drag him with you to the Boys and Girls Club of America this Friday before you take him to your date party Some famous people who were a part of the Boys and Girls club of America include Oklahoma City’s very own Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington has served as a spokesman for The Boys and Girls Club of America for the last 20 years. There is a very high possibility of meeting a professional basketball player in the process of making a giant impact on children’s lives. The men of Phi Psi are doing things right. Being a positive influence on young children, giving themselves the opportunity of meeting famous basketball players, and showing their special ladies why they are the man for them--what are you waiting for?

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THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF DRUGS

Over 51 trillion dollars are spent annually on the “War on Drugs” (drugpolicy.org). Out of 1.55 million people arrested o n n o n v i o l e n t d ru g charges, 48% of them were Alpha Tau Omega arrested for marijuana law Collier is a freshman studying violations. Of the 749,825 health exercise science. arrests, 658,231 (88%) were You may contact him at arrested for possession gregoryhammons@ou.edu. only.

These numbers are direct indications of the wasting of federal spending, and are also very inuential in placing us number one in the world with the highest incarceration rate.

So, why do people hate marijuana? Why do we allow a plant to scare us to the point of jailing anyone, from young adults to middle-aged citizens and older?

The “drugs are going to kill us” mindset started in the 80s and has carried well into the 21st century. Although hard drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, acid, and meth are legitimate problems and worth ghting to control, anti-marijuana legislation and arrests are causing overflow in our jails and costing trillions of dollars of taxpayer money on a drug that is substantially less harmful than alcohol.

The root of the problem started only 40 years ago, in a time when the United States needed something besides Vietnam to worry about. Contrary to popular belief, the idea that America has always been ghting drugs is false. Beginning in 1971, the “War on Drugs” started with Nixon’s announcement of the expanding of drug-ghting agencies like the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and simultaneously placing marijuana as a prime focus for the “war”. Surprisingly, resistance came from both parties, including a Nixon-commissioned board who unanimously recommended the decriminalization and distribution of marijuana for personal use. Nixon ignored the board and rejected its recommendations. After reading many different personal statements and analyzing

COLLIER HAMMONS

the American stance on marijuana legalization, I have to speculate the true intentions of Nixon’s attack on marijuana. The primary target at the time was a majority of the people protesting his administration and policies, but that’s not what this article is about.

People continued to push for the decriminalization of marijuana when 11 states legalized possession between 1973 and 1977.

Progressive ideas about marijuana hit a peak in 1977 when President Jimmy Carter was inaugurated with a campaign platform that included the decriminalization of marijuana.

Then in October, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to decriminalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Although people seemed to be on the verge of a major change in drug propaganda, the 80s turned the corner, and the great Ronald Reagan was elected president. The shift from marijuana acceptance to marijuana disgust can be connected to the way marijuana is consumed. People started connecting the smoking of “crack,” a smoke-able form of cocaine, to the smoking of marijuana.

While vastly different in substance and appearance, media portrayals and Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign helped create the zero tolerance policies we see in current legislation. Polling showed that in 1985, only 2-6% of Americans saw drug abuse as the nation’s “number one problem,” and in just four years, 64% of Americans saw drug abuse as the nation’s “number one problem.” Within less than a year, however, that �gure plummeted to less than 10 percent as the media lost interest. While the masses lost their hatred for marijuana, the policies stayed in place and helped to escalate the amounts of arrests and incarcerations every year.

Change is on the horizon. Right here in Oklahoma, a senator is actually trying to legalize marijuana in her district. “By taxing and regulating marijuana we can take the lucrative market out of the hands of criminals and drug cartels and put it in the hands of tax-paying, law-abiding businesses,” Senator Johnson declared. Senator Johnson understands that marijuana is going to continue being sold, but if it’s going to be sold then it should be sold by the law abiding citizens of Oklahoma. Johnson also believes that the legalization of marijuana would help to redistribute law enforcement to focusing on the real issues in her district, such as violence and real threats to public safety. While the jury is still out on what will happen in the upcoming vote, you can mark my words that within ten years the war on drugs will be drastically different than it is today.

HOBO CON: THE CELEBRATION OF AN AMERICAN STAPLE When I was in high school, I entertained romantic ideas about packing a simple change of clothes, a sleeping bag, and a single tooth Kappa Alpha Theta brush into a meager pack, heading due west into the Emily is a junior studying sunset, seeking temporary professional writing. employment at roadside Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t eateries, and exchanging emily.k.irvin-1@ou.edu. homemade goods for essentials along the trail. I would become a sun-kissed hobo. But as a simple suburban girl with every comfort at her disposal, my dream was condemned as ignorant—an inauthentic ideal.

EMILY IRVIN

But there’s a town in Iowa, a small farm community called Britt, that wouldn’t dismiss the dream of the American hobo as bizarre or outlandish, but would rather embrace it with flannel-clad arms. Britt, Iowa has been the home of the National Hobo Convention for the last hundred years. According to the current Hobo King, Frog, the city’s population swells from 2,000 to around 7,000 during the convention. It’s a long-standing tradition and celebration of a culture that was once a thriving aspect of United States history. It was a lifestyle for honest men who, for whatever reason, be it unemployment or dreams of a better life, rode the rails in pursuit of something more. More than anything, that’s what the convention offers--a celebration of the serendipitous, a celebration of releasing complete control to the rails and a festival of wanderlust.

The convention is held the second weekend of August. There are six types of people who attend the convention, according to King Frog: full-time hobos, part-time hobos, retired hobos, hobos in spirit, casual spectators, and elementary children asking hobos for autographs. The events at the convention include a Saturday morning parade with rags, tags, and velvet gowns, a 5K and 10K walk/run, a hobo memorial service, a flea market, an outdoor classic Car Show, and the most important and anticipated event: the speeches and coronation of the hobo king and hobo queen.

The convention is held in the Hobo Jungle, where a disorderly collection of trailers, lawn chairs and impromptu concerts on trashcan drums and plastic recorders come together in a festive atmosphere. While the bulk of the convention is made up of self-proclaimed hobos, families and seniors also come out to enjoy the festivities.

There are hobo poetry readings and impromptu concerts. Many hobos memorize three to five minute poems and a hobo named Pied Piper performs a vast array of songs on his plastic recorder, including popular pop songs like “Call Me Maybe.” Hobo cuisine is served for free at the convention nightly. One of the most popular dishes is a hobo staple and tradition called Mulligan Stew, which is traditionally made from whatever goods they have around the Hobo Jungle during the convention. Britt provides it in large tin vats. All other food is the responsibility of the Crumb Boss, the loving nickname for the convention’s head chef.

The Hobo Museum boasts a vast array of hobo crafts and artifacts. According to Frog, a unique pair of earrings drew the attention of international travelers from Japan a few years back. The Japanese family canceled their plans to spend a week in California to see the pair of earrings artistically fashioned by a former Hobo Queen using two of Frog’s pulled teeth. Frog said there was so much deliberation over who to sell the earrings to that he tactfully donated them to the Hobo Museum.

Intermingled with the celebration are sobering moments that reveal the loyalty and community between hobos. The convention’s Memorial Day service is an example. The hobo community usually suffers a lot of losses annually, so the services can be somber and moving. Memorial Day shows their unity, as they band together wearing strips of burlap and take turns talking about their loved ones. When a hobo dies, they say that he or she has caught the Westbound and other hobos pay their respects by tapping their walking sticks on their gravestones.

The entire hobo convention is completely open to the public, with the exception of the hobo council meeting. The council is made up of three elected men, and they conduct the screenings for the candidates running for hobo king. This important measure is delegated to the council, since the coronation of the hobo king and queen is the highlight of the convention. The king and queen receive huge respect from the hobo community and become ambassadors. Their crowns are fashioned out of Folgers coffee cans flipped upside down on top of straw hats and cut to have pointed tips. Every candidate gives a speech, and the winner is determined by applause.

Hobo King Frog said, “When you look at a community of people, you can pick and choose what you want to see. There are good, bad, and indifferent. But I will never stop speaking of good hobos because that’s what I see.” The culture wears the title with a huge sense of pride. “Being a hobo is an honor,” said Frog. A hobo rides the rails in search of work and new opportunity. They are not limited to a pleasant corner of suburbia, but rather fan out in search of serendipitous prospects, and the convention celebrates and commemorates that lifestyle.

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LETTING THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

It’s been over a year and a half since my parents dropped me off for the first time, and some Alpha Omicron Pi days I still can’t believe that. I remember the first Kate is a sophomore studying time I ever came to the marketing. You may contact her University of Oklahoma’s at Kate.E.Jenkins-1@ou.edu.. campus. Everything seemed bigger and more spread out. The campus seemed ridiculously large and the amount of buildings intimidated me. But when I visited, I felt like I was home. That, again, was a year and a half ago. Now, to me the campus is no longer this big daunting place, and I can make it from the dorms to Sarkey’s in fifteen minutes flat. One thing still feels the same as it did on my first visit to the University: the feeling that I’m home.

KATE JENKINS

The University of Oklahoma has provided some unbelievable experiences that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere but here. This fact makes me nervous, since in two and a half years I’ll be out on my own hopefully with a job or in graduate school to get my master ’s. Planning for the future starts now, and that’s a pretty rude awakening. So do I choose trying to get a job or trying to get into grad school?

Getting a big girl job right out of college is one of the most brag-worthy things you can do. It just screams productivity and drive. Your parents will probably love you a little bit more too, since you’ll stop taking their money and start

making your own. These are all very good things. But as a twenty-two year old, are you ready for those responsibilities? Also, as soon as you break into the real world, everyone expects you to get married--this holds true for girls at least.

After college you are going to be broke. No way around it, unless you’re one of those kids who opened up some successful business while in college and are reaping the rewards. So, since you have no money and probably don’t have any saved up, you might have to opt for living with your parents for a year. It may be lame, but it’s the responsible thing to do, and now that you have a grown up job, your life is all about responsibility.

Just the thought of that makes me feel like getting my master ’s isn’t such a bad idea. After getting a master ’s, whatever field you’re in, your starting salary usually goes way up. That’s a pretty sweet fact. However, since it’s impossible to get a scholarship nowadays, especially in graduate school, you’ve probably amassed a whole lot of debt. So see ya higher salary, it was sweet while it lasted.

By going to graduate school, you will probably come out of it with a job. Most companies want you to have a master ’s degree now to even work for them. Your parents now have bragging rights to your copious amount of degrees and your new job at a higher salary, all because you couldn’t leave the sweet college life behind.

Get a job or go to grad school? For me at this moment right now, that is an impossible question. As a second-semester sophomore I refuse to accept the fact that this is my fate in two years. I’m in college experiencing all the things I can before I have to become a grown up and act like one. As soon as I graduate, the world becomes a little bigger, full of new experiences, but for right now I’m just glad I’m home at the best university in the world.

8

Lookbook fashion

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SPRING ESSENTIALS FOR THE SORORITY GIRL

CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES THAT ARE SPRING-BREAK WORTHY

It’s finally that time we have all been waiting for.

The ice and snow have officially melted away, Pi Beta Phi indicating the beginning Amanda is a junior studying of the spring season. No advertising. You may contact her more heavy boots, fuzzy at amanda.m.tanner-1@ou.edu. jackets, and infinity scarves—it’s time to ditch that dreary winter wardrobe for bright colors, sundresses and wedge heels. The boutiques on Campus Corner are always a good place to start when looking to fill your closet with new spring break-worthy clothes.

One of the best parts about shopping for the spring season is knowing that summer is right around the corner. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when purchasing your spring essentials:

AMANDA TANNER

BEAUTIFUL BROWS There are two things wrong with the Mona Lisa. One, she has permanent stank-face.

Two, she got tweezer-happy with her eyebrows.

ALEXANDRA BARE Delta Delta Delta

Alexandra is a senior studying professional writing.

You may contact her at alexandra.bare@ou.edu.

Whether you realize it or not, your eyebrows are a very noticeable part of your face.

You might think that their shape or size doesn’t matter, but it totally does. Sure, when someone has good eyebrows you don’t typically think, “Oh, they have great brows.” Unless you’re me. But one thing people definitely notice is bad eyebrows. Think of that one old lady you know that has drawn-on eyebrows. She always looks surprised. Don’t be that old lady.

News flash, in case you didn’t know: thin eyebrows are a thing of the past. Full eyebrows are covering fashion magazines and celebrities alike. This doesn’t give you the okay to go all bushy and untamed--keep your brows in check. Just keep from plucking them until they’re non-existent. If you get your brows waxed or threaded, tell your technician to leave them full.

It’s less work for them, so they won’t mind.

Here a few simple steps to help you get full beautiful brows that look natural and not werewolfscary.

1. Find a good brow gel. This is important to keep your brows in place and in shape. Benefit’s “gimme brow” is my favorite. It runs a little high at $22 a tube, but it’s worth it. It comes in two shades: light/medium and medium/deep. You run the wand through your brows and let it set, like hairspray, before applying powder. “Gimme brow” makes your brows look fuller instantly and lasts all day.

2. Use powder instead of pencil. When you use a pencil to fill in your brows, you’re basically just drawing on your face. And unless you’re really experienced with pencil, you’re usually

heavy-handed. This leads to over-applying, and your eyebrows end up too dark and don’t look natural. Instead, opt for a matte brown eye shadow or brow shadow and apply with an angled brush or small eyeliner brush. Start at the middle/arch of your brow and work your way to the outer edge. Then use a little shadow to fill in your inner/thicker edge. Nyx has a brow kit that comes in four shades: blonde, brunette, taupe and dark brown. They’re $6 at Target and Ulta, and CVS now carries their line too.

3. Find the right color for you. The rule of thumb for eyebrow color is to go one shade lighter than your brows. My eyebrows are basically black, but that would look unnatural to fill in with black. So, I go for a medium/deep brown. And obviously, if you’re a blonde or red head, go for the lighter shades. Whatever you do, don’t go too dark. Eyebrows are supposed to be a natural part of your face to frame your eyes, so keep it natural.

4. Map out your brows before applying. I had never heard of this rule until I went to the Benefit brow bar at Ulta. Use the picture for reference. Take a pencil or ruler and line it up with the inner corner of your nose and the inner corner of your eye (see line A in photo.) Make a mark there; this is where your eyebrow should start. Next, hold the pencil or ruler horizontally from the outside corner of your nose through the outer corner of your pupil and make another mark (see line B); this is where your arch should be. Now, line up the outer corner of your nose with the outer corner of your eye to make another mark (see line C); this is where your eyebrow should end. Lastly, take the pencil or ruler and make a straight line from the bottom of your inner brow, to the outside of your outer brow (see line D). The line should be straight across.

It’s not as complicated as it sounds, I promise. If you want to have this done by a professional, check out the Benefit brow bar at Ulta. They do an awesome job of not only waxing your brows, but also trimming, shaping and even filling them in before you leave the store. They also make sure to cover up that awkward red after-burn with their awesome concealer.

Who knew there was so much important information about eyebrows? Now that you know, there’s no excuse for you to have puny eyebrows. Get those beauties in shape, you’ll be really surprised how much of a difference it makes to have perfectly shaped and groomed brows.

It’s almost like you’re a new person.

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Sports local

TOP TEN UNIVERSITIES IN THE OLYMPICS

9

The Olympics is a time to celebrate our nation’s athletes, but what colleges are we cheering for as we do so?

This winter Olympics, 80 athletes are not only representing their country, but also their college or university.

For winter sports, some schools have notably produced more competing Olympians than others. Here is a list of the top ten Olympian-producing schools in the U.S., according to Business Insider: 1. Westminster College Salt Lake City, Utah 23 Olympic athletes Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, Nordic combines, ski jumping, snowboarding 2. University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin 10 Olympic athletes Curling, ice hockey 3. Dartmouth College Hanover, New Hampshire 9 Olympic athletes Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing 4. University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 8 Olympic athletes Alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsled, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, ski jumping, speedskating 5. University of Minnesota Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota 8 Olympic athletes Ice hockey 6. University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan 6 Olympic athletes Figure skating, ice hockey 7.University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota Gamma Phi Beta 4 Olympic athletes Ice hockey Sarah is a sophomore studying 8. Harvard University journalism. You may contact her at s.elizabethpitts@ou.edu.

Cambridge, Massachusetts 4 Olympic athletes Ice hockey 9. Boston College Boston, Massachusetts 4 Olympic athletes Ice hockey 10. Alaska Pacific University Anchorage, Alaska 4 Olympic athletes Cross-country skiing The No. 1 best represented school in the Olympics is Westminster College, which contributed 10% of the athletes competing for the U.S. in Sochi.

The school is located near multiple ski resorts and, according to Forbes Online, the school has an association with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. This makes going to school for competing skiers and snowboarders more accessible, and why so many Sochi athletes represent this college.

Boston College Law student and former Harvard student Caitlin Cahow took representing her country and school even further this Olympics. The women’s ice hockey medalist was chosen to be a delegate in Russia, according to Boston Magazine.

College sports, teams and rivalries aside, it’s amazing to see such a great representation of different schools in Sochi and no matter what sport or who is competing, let’s keep cheering on team U.S.A.

OU/TX WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

the 7-7 Sooners. The score was close throughout the entire game, and the Sooners led 27-26 going into halftime. Sharane Campbell scored four unanswered points to begin the second half, but got her fourth personal foul as the Longhorns reclaimed their lead over the Sooners.

There were 12 lead changes throughout the game and both teams tied five times in the final six minutes of the game. On Texas’ last offensive drive of the game, Chassidy Fussell missed a layup, giving OU an opportunity to win the game. The Sooners took the rebound from the missed shot and Morgan Hook drove down the court, drawing contact with Longhorn Imani McGee-Stafford, setting the Sooners up at the free- throw line with just four seconds until the game ended. Hook made the first of her two free-throws, putting the Sooners up by one point.

The ball was then rebounded by Texas’ Nekia Jones, who rushed past OU’s defense to try to win this for the Longhorns. As she released her shot, the final buzzer blasted. Game over, and the Sooners had defeated the Longhorns.

Senior Morgan Hook was OU’s leading scorer, scoring 15 points. She also had nine rebounds and eight assists, making this an all-team high for this season. But, her final three points were the most important in this Sooner victory. The Sooners shot 39 percent, while the Longhorns made 40 percent of their shooting attempts. This was OU’s first win in nine games where they shot lower field goal percentage than their opponents. In the post-game press conference, head coach Sherri Coale said that Hook “was not going to be denied this win,” and that the whole team made “gutsy efforts and plays.”

The Sooners came out with a 64-63 win over the Longhorns, and hope to continue their winning streak for the next four games.

Brooklyn Hill, Odyssey Staff Everyone knows that when the Texas Longhorns come to play the Sooners in basketball, the game will be intense and the score will be very close. That pattern did not change when the Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Team took on the Longhorns recently at the Lloyd Noble Center.

Oklahoma hosted its annual Pack the Place Pink game and promoted the awareness of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which celebrates women cancer survivors. More than 250 cancer survivors and their families were invited by the university to participate in pre-game festivities and were honored on the court before tipoff. The Sooners were one of three NCAA Division I women’s basketball teams to debut Kevin Durant’s new Nikes--the “Aunt Pearl” collection of shoes. These shoes pay tribute to Durant’s aunt with a pink flowery pattern with highlights of blue and pearl. Embellished with a Kay Yow Cancer Fund logo, these special edition shoes raise awareness for the battle against women’s cancer.

As the game began, the Sooners were without their leading scorer, Aaryn Ellenberg, who suffered a concussion in their last game against Oklahoma State. But that did not matter for the Sooners. They overcompensated for her absence and scored above their season average.

The Longhorns came in looking for a win and played a hard game against the Sooners.

Ranked fourth in the Big 12 Conference, the Longhorns did not want to give up a loss to

THE CAPTAIN’S SEND OFF A few weeks ago, Derek Jeter, baseball’s most iconic figure of the past 30 years, announced that after 20 seasons, this one would be his last. Like his former teammate Mariano Rivera, Jeter’s decision to announce his retirement before the start of his final campaign gives baseball fans, both casual and fanatic alike, the next nine months to debate and discuss his legacy.

Personally, I was always on the Yankee-hater side of the spectrum. With his marginal power, zero MVP awards, and good fortune of playing on sports’ most celebrated franchise, I always felt number two was overrated. But now as the dust settles and the book that is Jeter’s baseball career begins its final chapter, I’m beginning to see him in a different way.

Almost all of Jeter’s playing career overlaps with one of baseball’s most infamous eras--one that has been riddled with star players who are fueled by greed and drugs, and has cost Major League Baseball the trust and appeal of America’s youth. However, while Jeter’s career and this corruption overlapped, they never intertwined. In a sport where seemingly every star was busted with drugs or consumed with money, Jeter was always pristine--the knight in pinstripe armor. Though he may not be a saint, his emphasis on leadership and clutch, contact hitting have put him in a different category than other contemporary stars. When A-Rod kept lying to us, when Manny failed a drug test, when Hamilton didn’t hustle, and when Pujols left for more money, Jeter was always there. Time and time again, one by one, the game’s biggest stars broke the hearts of young baseball fans around the country. Jeter was always there to be their shoulder to cry on, their new hero to follow. As the Steroid Era comes to its end, Jeter remains one of the generation’s lone superstars parents can tell their children to admire. Perhaps this reason, more than any, is why Jeter will retire as one of sports most iconic legends.

SARAH PITTS

The inimitable legacy that Jeter will soon leave behind was not just created by his 3,316 hits or his five World Series titles, but because of how carried himself. While Alpha Tau Omega the baseball world was falling apart at the seams, the Nate is a freshman Yankees’ shortstop always studying journalism. showed the most exemplary You may contact him at reverence for the game that ndfain@gmail.com. gave him so much, all while standing under baseball’s greatest spotlight. Even when making his announcement a few weeks ago, Jeter stated that his focus was where it always is, on the field. “This is not a retirement speech. I still have a season to play”.

With Jeter now entering his last 162 professional games, I now have seen the light that so many Yankee fans have been trying to show me for years. Sure, the jersey he wore and the self-destruction of his peers have forever elevated his reputation, but his ability to not crumble like so many other stars of the day should be celebrated in the same way we celebrate Babe Ruth’s power, Cal Ripken’s durability, and Jackie Robinson’s courage. I used to think Jeter was always in the right place at the right time, but now I know differently. Derek Jeter was the right guy in the right place at the right time.

NATE FAIN

10 SPRING FLING

Self health & fitness

It’s March, and our campus has transitioned from the freezing desolate wasteland it once was into a beautiful sunny oasis. Not only has the weather changed, the attitude of students has also changed.

Everyone is coming out of “winter mode” and gladly stepping into spring.

ELLEN PEARSON Chi Omega

Ellen is a sophomore studying journalism.

Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t ellen.p.pearson-1@ou.edu.

One of the ways students are waking up from winter hibernation is by finally transitioning to spending more time outside. During these nice and sunny days it’s hard to not find at least a dozen people walking around, driving with their windows down, or just sitting outside and enjoying the weather. The ice has thawed and we are taking all the sun we can get.

Not only are people spending more time outside absorbing the warm sun, but they are also more active. A lot of students tend to put on more weight during the winter because they feel eating is a way to stay warm. Now that winter has faded away, more people are seen at the Huff and running outside in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Also, since it is not bitterly cold, the time for being picked up from class by friends has passed. People are more than happy to spend a couple extra minutes outside for a stroll to class. Plus, healthy salads, fruits, and veggies just sound delicious

THE COST OF FOCUS

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, known by its acronym ADHD, has a profound effect on the way that Pi Kappa Phi students learn and interact Ta y l o r i s a s o p h o m o r e with their peers. Some of studying health and exercise the more well-known science. You may contact him at symptoms include the Taylor.T.Lapham-1@ou.edu. inability to pay attention for long periods of time and an increased difficulty in controlling physical movement while in class or while in other sedentary situations. It is estimated that 11% of children (age 4-17) are affected by ADHD. The numbers are much more difficult to obtain for adults and the general population, as these issues are usually discovered in the classroom. It is also difficult to obtain data for college-age students due to the fact that the institution is no longer directly involved in monitoring the students’ academic and habitual actions to the same degree as students experience in high school.

ADHD presents many academic, social and personal obstacles for those it affects, and there are myriad ways to control the symptoms. I will explore exactly what can cause the disorder, and the ways to treat it.

TAYLOR LAPHAM

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, as characterized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This is the official tool that psychiatrists and psychologists use to diagnose psychological disorders. Some of the symptoms of ADHD include being distracted easily, having difficulty processing information quickly and efficiently, and having difficulty organizing and completing tasks. At a younger age, many children with these symptoms are often written off as “problem children,” instead of addressing the issue and allowing them to get assistance if they need it. ADHD can be caused by a varying degree of influence from each of these factors: Genetics- Many of the children who showed signs of ADHD also had thinned brain tissue in the areas associated with attention. There are also certain duplicate segments of DNA, or absent segments, that have been found to be common among those who are diagnosed with ADHD. Environmental Factors- These include conditions that you experienced before birth.

Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy has been associated with a higher incidence of ADHD.

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after a nice day outside.

With this warm weather comes a bit of a boost in energy and focus of the students as well. You see a bit of pep in their step when they are leaving their bed to go study because more often than not, they will be studying outside. Students are filling up the several outside study locations on campus lately. Gaylord’s outside balcony is almost always filled with students happily working on projects and homework. Another study trend during this lovely weather is to spread out a blanket and study on either the lawn of your sorority or fraternity house or even on the South Oval under a tree. Lately, I can look out my window and see Chi Os on the front lawn studying or even tossing around a football.

This weather change not only affects students’ study and workout habits, but it also benefits the businesses on Campus Corner. Since it is warmer, spring clothes are on the racks in clothing stores, making girls flock to them in order to re-stock their spring closet. And what better way to end a day of shopping than by stopping by one of the restaurants on the corner? If you’re craving Mexican food, Chimy’s and Fuzzy’s have outdoor eating options, and if you’re the legal age, enjoy a beer or margarita on a sunny day. And if you’re in need of a caffeine boost, head over to Starbucks and enjoy an iced coffee outside while reading a book.

And since it is time for seniors in high school to start exploring college options, more and more families are now on tour filling up Norman and enjoying our beautiful campus. So, it’s time to dust off your tennis shoes, roll down the windows and let the sunshine in.

Brain Injuries- If a child has experienced a concussion or other serious head trauma, they are more likely to develop ADHD Medication and Psychotherapy are the two main treatment options for ADHD. Psychotherapy involves different techniques for different age groups. For younger children, their sessions might be geared toward reading the facial expressions of others, learning to wait your turn or share, and other general social skills. For teens and adults, most of the counseling techniques are focused on practical task mastery such as working on organization of schoolwork and one’s personal life, along with a system to keep yourself in check if you start to stray from the task at hand.

Medications based on methylphenidate and amphetamines are the most common classes of drugs used to treat ADHD. One of the most popular drugs prescribed today is Vyvanse, which acts by making the body produce more dopamine and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters associated with cognitive function and attention. This drug also inhibits their re-absorption, by which the body usually takes unused neurotransmitters and saves them for later use.

One of the biggest issues associated with ADHD medication is pill sharing between students who do not have a prescription. This is dangerous for a number of reasons. First of all, the drugs that treat ADHD symptoms are in a class of drugs known as stimulants, which includes methamphetamine. While Vyvanse and other ADHD medications aren’t nearly as powerful as meth and are much more refined, these drugs are powerful and should be respected. They can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

Another issue associated with sharing pills among friends without a prescription is the legal issues it carries. Amphetamines are a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. These drugs have been deemed to have a high potential for physical and psychological dependence. Under this act, possession of any of these medications without a prescription would result in a maximum of 5 years jail time. This goes without mentioning the permanent mark it would put on your records, severely damaging the chances of getting a good job.

Using these drugs without a prescription just isn’t worth it—period. If you feel that you have pervasive symptoms similar to those listed above, visit your physician so that they can give you an assessment. They can refer you to someone who can help to manage your symptoms, or, if need be, write a legal prescription for a medication to help alleviate severe inattention symptoms.

Self health & fitness

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SPRING INTO ACTION The sun is slowly starting

to peek out from behind the clouds, and the flowers are beginning to bloom. Spring is the perfect season to get active and to get outside.

This year, don’t let yourself

form of being active and staying healthy.

MATTY WILLIAMS

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Matty is a sophomore studying journalism.

Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t madison.t.williams-1@ou.edu.

or your friends turn into

2.

Run outside: Spring is the best season to start running outdoors. The weather during this

time of the year is usually a perfect combination of warm air with a slightly cool breeze. Along with perfect weather, this bright time of the year provides us with sights of vibrant flowers and awakened trees. Find a place that lets you get away from your busy school schedule and take a run. Running will allow you to clear your mind and relieve some built up stress or tension.

3.

Yoga: When most people think of yoga, they don’t think of the outdoors. Combining

yoga with nature is one of the most relaxing activities that you can do. In your free time, find a

couch potatoes. Make it a goal to spend at least 10-30 minutes outside every day. Soaking up the sun is one of the most natural ways to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is important because it helps with the absorption of calcium in our bones and helps maintain our organs and immune system.

Although Vitamin D is important, there are many other benefits of simply being outside.

Scientists have proven that the sunlight can protect against sicknesses such as heart disease and certain types of cancers. People who spend time in the sun are also less likely to suffer from depression or insomnia. This spring, get outside and give these easy and free activities a try.

1.

11

Go on a bike ride: Bike rides are both fun and beneficial for a healthy lifestyle. On a nice

day, grab a few friends and hit the trails. It doesn’t matter if you’re slowly pedaling through Campus Corner or off-road biking in the Wichita Mountains. Biking is an easy and enjoyable

quiet place that is secluded from other people or distractions. Take time to reflect on yourself and be still. Yoga helps with increasing your flexibility and muscle mass. It also leaves you feeling happy and less stressed than before. If you don’t know how to do yoga, you can simply practice deep breathing or meditation. Yoga is an activity that lets you be in total control of your thoughts and actions.

When spending time outside, it is important to dress appropriately. If you are naturally fairskinned, do not forget to apply sunscreen before being exposed to sunlight for a long period of time. If you are going on a bike ride, you might want to grab some sunglasses to help protect your eyes from the strong sunrays. Last but not least, never forget to bring water wherever you go. Staying hydrated is the key to staying happy and healthy when playing outside.

THE DIFFERENT ZONES OF THE GYM AND THE PEOPLE WHO INHABIT THEM Each section of the gym has a specific group of people who inhabit it. In this article we’ll take a tour of the Huff and glance at those people who hang out there. I’ll tell you what goes on in each section, and by the end of this article, you should be able to figure out where you fit into these fitness zones.

ERIC PARSONS Lambda Chi Alpha

Eric is a junior studying chemical biosciences. You may contact him at snosrap@ou.edu.

The first and most frequently used area of the gym seems to be the basketball courts.

This is basically the frat star’s forte. Go there and you will see a ridiculous amount of “Fratagonia,” Comfort Colors, and of course, New Balance shoes. This is where your average fraternity member who isn’t super concerned with getting big goes to get some exercise. Don’t be surprised to see a million guys with letters on their chests playing tip ten around the courts.

The next area that I always notice is the badminton/ping-pong courts. This area generally perplexes me, as I’m not exactly sure what spot it fills. I mean, do you really think that you’re gaining any kind of physical advantages from playing a game that can be done sitting down? While badminton is slightly better, why don’t we leave lawn games outside? I mean, you don’t see me playing bocce ball in the cardio room. This is basically a less intense version of tennis. If your sport has a ball that is designed specifically to move slowly, then it’s not a sport.

Speaking of the cardio room, this is the absolute land of the sorority girl. Why run around

the track when you can just run in place and watch “Parks and Rec” instead? You will see many of the sororities represented on the treadmills. However, a few of the braver ones will venture over to the mat and make an attempt at ab workouts. On a day when there are very few people in the gym, you may even see these girls go into the weight room. Make sure to take a note of this or Tweet, it because this is as rare as seeing a guy in a muscle shirt who lifts legs. Quick note: Please do not be one of the guys who, the minute a girl walks into the room, can no longer concentrate or get a set in without looking around to see if she’s checking you out. She isn’t. Unlike you, she probably came here to actually work out, and isn’t concerned with how badly you shake putting up 95 lbs.

You’ve also got the track and the racquetball courts. Now, I have to respect these two for one reason. They’re hard. As mentioned in an early article of mine, running absolutely sucks. If you’re a hardcore marathon runner, I salute you. I’m also curious if you’re a little stupid, but I respect it nonetheless. Racquetball falls into the same category, as that is not necessarily an easy sport to play. I am, however, very fond of the rule that if you hit someone you get points.

Finally, the weight room: there is hardly a more diverse place on campus than here.

You’ve got the ‘roided-out muscle jockeys who have a hard time bending their elbows past the 45. You have the miniscule honors kids who are working their butts off curling those 15 pounds. You’ve got those guys who sit in the middle trying to build up, and then the guys who decided last week they were getting buff for spring break. You can find all types here, which is part of the charm.

Whichever area you fall into, don’t let habit restrict you from mixing it up a little bit. Try racquetball or lifting weights, badminton if there’s time or (God forbid) jogging a little bit. You may enjoy yourself and meet some cool people along the way, and that’s easily a good enough reason to step outside your comfort zone.

12 500 words on

WHAT’S IN A BLOG?

T h e y b o m b a rd y o u r newsfeed, ask you weird questions, and give their unsolicited opinions--no, I am not talking about that awkward friend from high Alpha Omicron Pi school. I am talking about blogs.

Kelsey is a junior studying public Blogs have been a hot topic relations. You may contact her at of discussion lately, and I just Kgosdin@ou.edu. can’t seem to get away from them. Everywhere I look, someone is sharing a blog. · 15 ways to blah blah blah · The top 10 reasons you should blah blah blah · Why being married at a young age is good/bad blah blah blah But what exactly is a blog, you ask? A blog is an interactive form of publishing content on the web. The term “blog” is actually a shortened form of the phrase “web log.” Blogging dates back to the 1990s, and has become the dominant way to self-publish.

According to eBiz.com, the most popular blogs are: 1.

Huffington Post 2.

TMZ 3.

Business Insider 4.

Gawker 5.

LifeHacker While the content on Huffington Post or Buzzfeed is usually light-hearted, funny, and contains a good meme or two, the most compelling blogs I have read are personal blogs. I think personal blogs are more interesting because they give me a chance to learn more about a person, understand opinions different than my own, and gain insight into other people’s

KELSEY GOSDIN

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lives. Everyone has ideas and experiences they want to share, but what makes a good blog?

How do you even start?

While I am no expert, I have compiled a list of blogging tips so that you can be the next great Facebook sensation and share your wonderful thoughts with all 1,000 of your closest friends.

1.

Platform This one is kind of tough. There are several free websites out there that are easy to manage and make writing a breeze. These include: -Wordpress.com -Blogger.com -Weebly.com 2.

Content The first step to creating good content is to have a focus or theme. Before you start writing a post, know your audience and choose a tone. A second pitfall that plagues most bloggers is consistency. Be consistent. Next, always provide attribution. No one likes a copycat. Lastly, be concise. We have all landed on that page that looks enticing until you see that it is longer than that book you were supposed to be reading for your literature class. The tip that came up most while I was researching was to just be you. Readers are looking for honesty and reality when they read a blog, so do not be afraid to show your individuality.

3.

Share This could quite possibly be the most critical to the success of your blog. While I do know some people that could care less whether their blog is read or not, what is the point of publishing content if no one is going to read it? All of the websites listed above provide integration with social media like Facebook, Twitter, etc., so that you can share your newest post with potential readers. Personally, I think there is an art to sharing a blog and convincing people to read it. I think it is important to provide context for the reader, give them a preview before they click.

A simple “check out my newest blog post” doesn’t do it for me.

Now that you are armed with the basics of blog creation, go forth and write!

SHERLOCK-THE BEST MODERN RENDITION OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Sherlock is a British crime television series aired on the BBC, and is one of the many current adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Alpha Chi Omega Sherlock Holmes mystery Savannah is a junior studying series. The show has had three professional writing. seasons (the last of which You may contact her at recently aired in January 2014) Savannah.R.Gibbs-1@ou.edu. with three episodes each.

Steven Moffat, the show’s executive producer, has announced that a fourth season has been approved and is in the process of being scripted.

SAVANNAH GIBBS

Created by television writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, former writers for the Doctor Who series, Sherlock is brilliantly written as a modern depiction of Holmes’ adventures. Moffat and Gatiss are credited as co-creators for Sherlock, and each write one episode per series, leaving Stephen Thompson (contributing writer for Doctor Who and Upstairs Downstairs) to write the other. Their scripts are given life through the remarkable talents of Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness and Atonement) as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit trilogy) as Dr. John Watson. Cumberbatch captures Holmes’ extremely odd personality and super-intelligence seamlessly, much like his dark but brilliant character in Star Trek Into Darkness. Although not a cocaine addict, like the original Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, this latest version of Sherlock addresses the addict characteristic with multiple nicotine patches to adhere to current social and cultural attitudes and broadcasting regulations. Opposite Cumberbatch is Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson, Sherlock Holmes’ roommate, partner in crimesolving, and best friend. Martin Freeman brings the same loyalty from his recent role as the young Bilbo Baggins in the recent installments of The Hobbit, but with more seriousness of character. Freeman captures Dr. John Watson’s fierce loyalty for, and friendship with, Sherlock Holmes, while also nailing his role as the show’s moral compass.

Holmes’ friendship with Watson showcases his softest and most caring side. In Sherlock, Holmes is cast as coldly calculating, with very little in the way of emotional connections with people, unless extreme circumstances arise, as in the season finale of season two, and in the more recent episodes involving Watson’s wedding in season 3. The balance is just right for the audience to respect him and think him extremely odd, while maintaining sympathy for him through his friendship with Watson.

Hartswood Films produced Sherlock for BBC and coproduced it with WGBH Boston for its Masterpiece anthology series on PBS. Most of the scenes in the series are filmed in Cardiff, although a variety of other locations are used for production. The famous 221B Baker Street residence in which Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson reside was depicted through exterior shots in North Gower Street in London.

Critical reception for Sherlock has been extremely positive, with many critical reviewers commending the writing, acting, and other main elements of production. The show has been nominated for many awards, including Emmys and Baftas, winning the BAFTA award for Best Drama Series. Freeman also won the award for Best Supporting Actor and Cumberbatch was nominated for Best Actor. Andrew Scott, who played Sherlock Holmes’ infamous archenemy Moriarty, won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the second season of the series, which was nominated in other categories.

Sherlock is easily one of the best shows on television in my opinion, and also one of the best (if not THE best) recent adaptations of the famous detective series. The writing, acting, and direction are all superb, buffeting a uniquely intricate plot and intelligent script. I would recommend this show to all lovers of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work, as well as anyone interested in fast-paced plots, intelligent scripts and characters, and fans of Cumberbatch and Freeman as they are phenomenal and true to form in this show.

Even if you don’t fall into any of those categories, you should give it a try. The first two seasons are available on DVD and Netflix, so hunker down for each 90-minute segment, and I promise you will not be disappointed.

500 words on

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3 OF THE BEST BEERS TO DRINK DURING A SNOWSTORM

Ok, so you’re snowed in, out of school, and definitely not doing your homework because Jack Frost decided to show up.

Sigma Nu What is a man to do in this Maxwell is a junior studying situation? My suggestion is to broadcast & electronic media.

You may contact him at raid your emergency stash of Maxwell.A.Meier-1@ou.edu. whatever brew you have. But why enjoy the watered down Fratty Light, when you could be treating yourself like a true gentleman and having an actual beer? Take my advice, take your bobsled full of malnourished dogs to the nearest liquor store and seek out these three delicious beers.

MAXWELL MEIER

The first beer I recommend goes by the name of DNR, which stands for Do Not Resuscitate.

If a beer advertising that it will kill you doesn’t make your eyes wet, then you should probably start drinking hard cider.

Brewed in Oklahoma, this beer is probably one of if not the best beer that I have ever had.

As a culmination of central and western European malts, hops, and candy sugar, you will run

through this beer only to realize you forgot to read the label saying it’s 10.00%. With hints of dried fruit, cinnamon and vanilla, this can be an awesome/awful experience to be enjoyed moderately. But who enjoys anything moderately these days?

The second beer I recommend goes by the name of Ovila. This is not named after a Ukrainian hooker, but rather the monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux in Vina, who harvested the sugarplums within the beer. That’s right, this Belgian piece of heaven is another great-tasting beer heavy with the aromas of caramel, rich malt, and dark fruit. Might I also add that each one of these bad boys is 10.2% per bottle. Definitely a great beer to drink while boasting about how much more sophisticated you are than your oaf friends.

The final beer I recommend comes from the great state of Texas. From the same guys who brought you Shiner Bock comes the delicious Holiday Cheer. This beer is just wow. I know the holidays are over, but let this be a lesson to learn the act of hoarding. Next Christmas, go to your nearest liquor store and simply buy as much of it as you can, because they only sell it during the holidays.

For those of you trapped by the recent winter storms, hunker down, stay safe, and stay thirsty.

FEBRUARY’S MUST-MAKES Although February is over, I am writing this article in celebration of February’s little-known status as Alpha Delta Gamma national Chocolate Month. I decided to collect a few of the Lindsey is a sophomore studying chocolate related recipes that journalism. You may contact her I thought sounded unique at lindsey.scott@ou.edu.. and delicious the first time I stumbled upon them. I am not much of a sweets person anymore, but since my family loves sweets, I still find myself making a large amount of sweets when I have access to a kitchen.

LINDSEY SCOTT

The first recipe I found was called hot fudge pie. How people like their brownies cooked is all a matter of personal opinion, but I am the type of person who likes my brownies fudgy, gooey and warm out of the oven. This recipe belonged to the blogger’s grandmother and we all know grandmothers have the best dessert recipes. It was easy to follow due to only having seven ingredients and a short bake time. I recommend adding a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream with the final product for extra joy. http://islandeat.wordpress. com/2010/06/23/hot-fudge-pie-what-would-jessie-dish-week-six/ The second is a recipe I found that is credited to a campus favorite of mine, Chocolate Cobbler. At Couch Restaurant on a Tuesday or Thursday, there is a heavenly dish called Chocolate Cobbler. There is a cook time of about 40-45 minutes, but the simplicity of just pouring everything onto a baking sheet makes this recipe too hard to resist adding to the article. My family has requested that I no longer make this anymore, due to the fact we have no left-overs within the first hour. I highly recommended this for those people with a strong sweet tooth. http://wherefloursbloom.com/2011/09/07/old-fashion-chocolatecobbler/

Now for those asking me, “Lindsey, what if I don’t want to slip into a chocolate-induced coma and actually want to eat something semi-healthy?” If that’s the case, then I have the perfect recipe for you. If there were ever going to be such thing as a “healthy” double chocolate cookie, then ladies and gentlemen, I have found it. These cookies are super intense fudge balls of heaven that only add up to approximately 72 calories per cookie.

The best part is that there’s no butter or flour in these puppies. All the reviews rave about how good these cookies are, and I have to second them. A large glass of milk is required for eating these, though, and try not to eat all 24 cookies the recipe makes in one sitting.

I promise it’s a challenge. http://www.picklee.com/2012/02/07/deep-dark-chocolatecookies-butter-flourless/ Now for those who are feeling very creative and have some time to kill I recommend doing the legendary Dr. Pepper cake. The recipe includes homemade cake and icing, making it a decadent delight for anyone. The bake time is reasonable, but I will warn those who are planning to make this recipe to keep a close eye on the saucepan you mix everything in. The batter can get burned if the heat is too high, and that will cause some issues. I introduced this recipe to my aunt when I visited her last, due to her over-obsession with Dr. Pepper. To say the least, she was very pleased and asked me for the recipe instantly. http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2010/03/dr-pepper-cake/#_a5y_p=1032077 Lock all the doors, draw the shades, don’t answer the phone and get the milk because the final recipe is my life-long weakness, Nutella Gooey Butter Cookies. For those of you who have no idea what Nutella is, bless your soul. It’s a hazelnut spread that is debated to be better then chocolate. This is such an easy recipe to make. Only set back, the batter requires two hours of chilling until firm enough to roll up into balls ready to bake. So for those looking for instantaneous sugar, this is not the recipe for you. If you have the patience to wait it out, get cracking. http://www.plainchicken.com/2010/07/nutellagooey-butter-cookies.html If you are like me and don’t have the energy to type out the entire link, find me on Pinterest at LenziWithLove and find these recipes and others on my “Holy Yum” board. Have fun and enjoy your national chocolate month!

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The list

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QUICK AND EASY WEEKNIGHT MEALS 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 cup low-fat (2%) milk Kosher salt 2 tablespoons Neufchatel or low-fat cream cheese cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

MARLEY DABLO Kappa Kappa Gamma

Marley is a junior studying journalism. You may contact her at marleydablo@ou.edu.

12 ounces fresh fettuccine Freshly ground pepper One thing that sets me back from cooking dinner from scratch each night is the amount of time it takes to prepare the meal. I’m usually starving by the time I get home and opt out for the 8-minute microwavable baked potato (which always comes through), but it gets a little old after eating one for dinner three nights in a row. As a result, I did some research and found three easy dinner recipes that should take no more than 30 minutes to prepare.

The first is one of my favorite things to cook: salmon. This recipe is glazed salmon with spiced carrots and serves four (all of these are made for four, so you can always make them and eat them later in the week). It will take a total of 15 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.

What You Need: 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan 1 pound carrots, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving 4 6-ounce center-cut salmon fillets (about 1 ½ inches thick) Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper ½ teaspoon ground coriander teaspoon ground cumin Pinch of ground cinnamon 1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh mint cup sliced almonds What To Do: 1. Preheat the broiler and lightly oil the broiler pan. Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl, then spread out on one side of the pan. Broil until the carrots begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, the honey, mustard and 1 tablespoon lime juice in a small bowl. Brush the tops and sides of the salmon with the glaze. Put the salmon, skin-side down, on the other side of the broiler pan next to the carrots and season with salt and pepper.

What To Do: 1. Make the sauce: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and lemon zest and cook until the garlic is slightly soft, about 1 minute. Add in the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, 1 minute.

2. Whisk in the milk and ¾ teaspoon salt and cook, whisking constantly, until just thickened, about 3 minutes. Add the Neufchatel and Parmesan cheese; whisk until melted, about 1 minute.

Stir in the chopped parsley.

3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and return to the pot.

4. Add the sauce and ½ cup of the reserved cooking water to the pasta and gently toss to combine, adding more cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt. Divide among bowls and top with Parmesan and pepper.

The last one is for chicken tostadas, an easy 15-minute recipe. I love making Mexican dinners, especially because most are super simple.

What You Need: 1 whole rotisserie chicken (a cooked one) 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 store-bought tostadas 1 cup refried beans 1 avocado, sliced ½ tomato, finely chopped Mexican crema, for drizzling Queso fresco, crumbled Pickled jalapenos, optional What To Do:

3. Broil until the salmon is golden brown and just cooked through (test with fork to see if it is flaky) and the carrots are crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

1. Cut the chicken breasts and legs off of the whole chicken. Remove the skin. Shred the chicken off the bone and set aside in a bowl.

4. Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon each olive oil and lime juice, the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, mint and almonds in a bowl. Add the carrots and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper. Serve the salt with the carrots and lime wedges.

2. In a separate bowl, dress the romaine lettuce with olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.

This next recipe is definitely going to be a new go-to pasta recipe for me, and as a bonus, it’s a little healthier: low-cal fettuccine alfredo. This recipe will take 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook. It serves four.

What You Need: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

3. To assemble the tostadas, spread 1 tablespoons refried beans onto a tostado. Top with ½ cup shredded rotisserie chicken. Top with the dressed romaine lettuce, tomato and avocado. Drizzle with Mexican crema and top with crumbled queso fresco. Finish with pickled jalapeno peppers, if desired.

I hope you are pleasantly surprised by how quick and easy these recipes are. Also, feel free to email me with any suggestions or questions you might have regarding food. I would love to know what you are interested in reading!

Humor lol

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@GUBLERNATION “life’s too short for pants” @J_Tatty “To be honest I just want a boyfriend to buy me food….is that bad?” @Nickasaurusrexy “I used to dream about becoming an astronaut. Now I just dream that there’s still time before the alarm goes off. #collegeproblems” @RogerJDorn “house at OU is already the 15th nicest in the U.S. It’s about to be $8.9 million nicer: ow.ly/tZVBa” @Caro_Chaves94 “Just farted really loud in bathroom and my suitemates have people over #sorrynotsorry #I’mgassy #jkIamsorry” @nikkittt “Face timing with my wiener dogs >” @OhCorrica “I’m giving up fast food for lent. That doesn’t include Double Dave’s because I’m not crazy.” @CollegeStudent “college: where you skip class to study for the class” @ryanallen_OU “This just in: Vanilla Ice will still do a show for $50,000.” @Daryl_Foote “I was asked if I have children yet and I responded with “I’m 22.” I then realized that’s really not an answer anymore. #babieshavingbabies”

@samir “Taco Bell for breakfast Taco Bell for lunch Taco Bell for dinner Taco Bell for 4th meal Taco Bell served at my funeral” @dougie_frsh “There’s a generous tip in store for anyone who is willing to deliver Chipotle to me at Gaylord. Any takers? @ohbryce “Surfboart.” @itsErickPayne “Walk into class like whaddup I brought a full meal from Taco Mayo.” @AllisonBrown “Trying to figure out what to wear to class when it’s 30 degrees after you just got a spray tan #whitegirlproblems” @Veronica_Ann “New life goal: Make it to Friday” @em_hopkins “Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake: $4.

12oz carrot juice: $7. The choice is simple. @NateBreezee “Yo my boy @ZMSimms would give up his Pokemon card collection for a date to the Alpha Chi Thunder game, ladies hit him up!”

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@eabraun93 “I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom on the days that I wear real sweatpants in public.” @kait_rogers “I just witnessed the Usain Bolt of squirrels” @EvieEngram “If you’re a girl and your lipstick matches your outfit, you must really have your life together because my socks don’t even match today.” @TEEGREG “Nothing like an oscillating massage chair to really pinpoint my fat areas” @LoganMcElvany “When I tell people I work for Dunder Mifflin, they think I sell mufflers or... mittens or... muffins” @totalfratmove “The no-look lane change. #TFM”

AIMEE SCHNEBECK Delta Gamma

Aimee is a freshman studying broadcast journalism.

You may contact her at aimee.schnebeck@ou.edu.

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR… IT CAN BE DISTURBING about Native Americans and their genetic makeup.

Amidst a mosh pit of howling and drumming, the song “What Makes the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Red Man Red” informs viewers that one of the first Nick is a junior studying Native American ancestors journalism. You may contact kissed a girl and blushed, him at nickcallaway@ou.edu. and that their people have had red skin ever since. In a world where society is questioning whether or not Washington’s NFL team should be able to have their current mascot, it’s alarming that children are still watching Peter Pan at a young age.

NICK CALLAWAY

I was recently having a Netflix day at my humble abode of 730 College, and found myself exploring the Disney section. After a few hours of revisiting my childhood, I started thinking about how messed up some of these movies are for kids. Defend them as you will, but suggestive themes and disturbing messages from the people at Disney have inspired this article.

Dumbo Dumbo is the most backwards Disney movie of all time. For starters, it is centered on the dark and twisted things that go on behind the scenes of travelling circuses. As a lifelong coulrophobic (one who is scared of clowns), it was disturbing enough to watch this movie as a child. But then, Walt threw in some racism. Yes, the leader of the crows in the movie was actually named Jim Crow. He and the rest of the crows, dressed in dirty, torn clothes, spend their time in the film smoking Swisher Sweets and singing songs in broken English.

Finally, the most curious scene by far occurs when Dumbo and the mouse accidentally drink what can only be a combination of expired champagne and LSD, undergoing a horrifying trip that is enough to scar anyone under the age of 30.

Peter Pan My guess is that Disney’s success with Dumbo encouraged some similar writing for Peter Pan about a decade later. With maybe the most racism in any kids movie, we hear a tale

The Lion King Before I judge this classic, I must first say that The Lion King is without a doubt my favorite animated movie of all time. With that being said, there are a couple of red flags. The most evident fact is that Simba and Nala are brother and sister whilst also tender lovers. Lions live in prides with one male (Mufasa) and several females that he makes baby lions with.

Simba and Nala are cubs from the same pride. The other problem I have with The Lion King is the neglect of any compassion toward Scar. Sure, he becomes a villain, but he also spent his entire life being kicked to the curb by his entire family, and for what? He’s not big and strong? He doesn’t have the voice of James Earl Jones? Disney never acknowledges that there was some pretty justifiable cause for Scar’s actions.

The Little Mermaid A movie that basically says you have to change yourself to find love, The Little Mermaid offers great lessons for young viewers. Ariel basically makes a deal with the devil after experiencing the most basic “first crush” imaginable, and completely gives up her way of life. While the memorable song “Under the Sea” explains that you should treasure what you have, the end doesn’t portray this message at all. Basically, if you are a young girl, you should disobey your parents, run away, and become something different to please a strange man. Thanks, Disney.