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Island University opens enrollment to merpeople Administration budgets for education outreach for Oso Bay to accomidate mercommunity
Welcome to the new, non-improved Center for Instruction PAGE 3
photo by Alexis De Leon
University President Flavius Killebrew announces the open enrollment policy with the merdance team on the two way monitor
by ALEXIS DE LEON editor-in-chief
T
exas A&M University-Corpus Christi provides a truly open enrollment by allowing merpeople to apply for fall 2014 semester. Administration has begun budgeting for the new education outreach programs planned to help facilitate incoming merpeople class. “We have always been a very open and diverse university but we hope with the new outreach programs we will lead the way in facilitating the educations of a very mysterious group of individuals,” University CEO and President, Flavius Killebrew said.
Talk about the new open enrollment policy began late last spring when Killebrew was called to a mercouncil meeting out by the hiking trails. The high chancellor of Mercorpus Christi had been developing a plan to promote local education and segue merstudents to facilities of higher education. “Currently the only facility for higher education is the University of Atlantis and, while they have been sufficient for several hundred years, we were really hoping to promote local economies by having merstudents stay in regional waters for their education,” High Chancellor Blake Merenthold said. Costs for the University of Atlantis have been steadily increasing since the Industrial
Revolution due to the underwater air conditioning units being run to lower global warming of the oceans. To supplement the cost, U of A has figured to increase tuition by 10 percent each semester. Monica Mermaid, a merstudent looking to transfer from U of A once Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is up and running, had a few thoughts on the matter. “It just gets really hard to pay for college and go to school full time. Flipping your fin you don’t get too far. There are only so many clam bras and pearl necklaces you can sell before sales reach a plateau,” Mermaid said.
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he University Center isn’t the only thing undergoing remodeling this year. In keeping with the theme of change, “Island Waves” has recently switched over to a new printing method, one that will allow the newspaper to
be printed on flavored pages. Available in a wide variety of fruity flavors, this new technique will allow readers to be able to lick certain “flavored” sections of the newspaper. “Here at Island Waves we like to stay hip with the times because we aren’t like those other newspapers we are a cool newspaper.
PAGE 4
see Killebrew and Merpeople on pg 5
Island Waves takes on new taste by KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor
First look at raccoon secret society on campus
What better way to stay current than by making the paper taste like candy,” Alexis De Leon, editor-in-chief said. “I tried some and thought it tasted good, so I’m really excited about it, hopefully the students give us a lick through.”
Islander scores big bucks on Buffet bet PAGE 12
see Mystery Flavor on pg 7
INDEX EDITORIAL 2 | NEWS 3 | FEATURES 5 | ENTERTAINMENT 7 | SPORTS 10 | VISUALS 12
VOLUME 25, ISSUE 09
2
editorial
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
Letter from the editor
a student publication of
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
island waves staff
Dear Island University, ALEXIS DE LEON editor-in-chief
STEPHANIE WALLACE managing editor
MARIAM AMAYA
advertising manager
AUBREY DANCER layout editor
KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor
CONNER TICHOTA news editor
JUSTIN VU NGUYEN
advertising assistant
CHRISTINA BOOTHE VICTOR CANALES ANDREW LIGUEZ TREY SEAL staff reporters
NICK THOMSON
distribution manager
RUTH AIPPERSPACH faculty adviser
H
opefully by now you have noticed that this week’s issue was our form of an April Fool’s joke. Clever right? We figured with all the stress and anxiety lingering around these days the student body could use a few solid chuckles. By allowing our reporters to show off their creative writing sides I think we ended up with some fairly comedic works. Certainly some will be offended and others possibly upset that there is nothing truly “hard hitting” in this issue, but we probably are not writing to those people. College is about being creative; exploring the unknown, whether that be, in a community, around campus or within yourself. Put your brain on a plane (metaphorically only of course). We also hope your jokes are in good nature, unless you can get all the furniture to stay on the ceiling without killing anyone, please refrain. In wanting to keep up with what the students want, I went back and checked on some of our old readership surveys in which many students stated they wanted to read more on news oriented stories around campus. I am all for more news, but with only one of our staff members covering news it just becomes physically impossible to be in all the right places at all the right times. So I urge the student body (those willing to read this far down my letter) to send us any leads they may have on a story. Shoot us an email with what you saw, heard or experienced and we will take it from there. Remember that even a butterfly’s wings can cause the largest of waves. So while exams are looming, deadlines are approaching and anxiety maybe mounting remember to laugh. Island Waves is here to help, whether that means providing the laughs (hopefully not at our expense), the entertainment or the soapbox to preach. There is only 51 days until graduation (for those graduating May 17) or if it makes you feel better, roughly 73 thousand minutes depending on when you read this issue. Get out there and enjoy the Island University.
AMY KOTULSKI staff adviser
contact us 6300 Ocean Drive Unit 5783 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 825-5862
write us a letter The Island Waves accepts letters no longer than 250 words. Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to the editor via email at editor@tamucc.edu.
Island Waves voted number one newspaper in the world Beating: The New York Times The Chicago Tribune The Los Angeles Chronicle Corpus Christi Caller Times And every newspaper ever owned by Rupert Murdoch
about island waves The Island Waves is a student-produced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions. Since A&M-Corpus Christi has no journalism department, Island Waves is supported by student fees and advertising sales. Any student or University employee may submit material for publication consideration. To become a contributor, email or call the Island Waves editor.
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news
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
University construction chronicles University tears down old Center for Instruction in order to build exact replica on demolition site by STEPHANIE WALLACE managing editor
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e have all become acquainted with something that has become a nuisanceconstruction at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Unveiled during Spring Break, the University’s next phase for construction will involve tearing down the Center for Instruction, and building an exact replica in its place, tile by tile, room by room. The Board of Regents and the Texas A&M University system gave their ok for the project, slated to begin in the summer of 2014 and ending in fall of 2015. “I feel like we haven’t done enough construction,” said a board member. “You know what I mean?” A student fee hike went unopposed when put to a vote, and now a five thousand dollar addition in costs will be added to each student’s tuition bill for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. “We did not really advertise the fee hearing, but made it open to the student body to vote on,” said another board member. “We feel it is in the best interest of the University to create an entirely new building, but have it be the exact same in every way as to not confuse students.” The Center for Instruction was built in 1994 and is popular for holding various biology and math labs, as well as classes and faculty offices. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with the building and we are making it exactly the same,” said the head engineer who works for the construction company who will complete the job. The parking lot in front of CI will be shut down at the end of the spring semester, 2014, and spots will not be reallocated for students.
“We built the parking garage, and charge what we charge, so students have a place to park,” said a staff member who is part of the presidential cabinet. “Students can walk, bike, or take the bus to get to school. There is no reason why this parking being taken out, in addition to the UC parking lot, should be an issue. Students will just have to find a way.”
right: new Center for Instruction building stands in exact location of old Center for Instruction building
photo by Aubrey Dancer
Untold stories of the deep Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi senior, Elosinee Bellker recalls a tragic tale of his encounter with a creature from the abyss of the ocean
by ANDREW LIGUEZ features reporter
I
n this day and age it’s hard to come across a truly horrific story. Every once in a while a gut wrenching, goosebump inciting story finds you. In this case, our Island University was ground zero. “My name is Elosinee Bellker, and I am a senior here at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. I am a philosophy major and I want to be a researcher of the human mind concentrating on mental illness. My story starts off with me getting ready to go out on a fishing trip. I was sixteen around that time, and I was going with my friends Billy Bob, Jennifer Garner, and the Islander Anglers. Billy Bob was a really good fisherman and he wanted to teach both me and Jennifer how to appreciate the masterful art of
fishing. We went out to sea early one morning around the beginning of April, I’m not really sure honestly, I tried to black that day out of my memory for good. Billy Bob, believing he was a skilled enough fisherman convinced Jennifer and I to steer our boat in the opposite direction of the Islander Anglers. We cut the engine and waited for the small group of boats to move on with out us. After a few hours, we ended up getting sun burned and wanting to do something else. At that moment we had yet to actually catch anything, so we were pretty bummed out as well. Jennifer and I both wanted to leave to go home, but Billy Bob wanted to stay. Wanting to humor him we ended up staying for a few more hours, a decision that we
would soon regret. About two hours passed and we started to feel a weird motion happening beneath the boat. It felt as if something had rubbed itself against the bottom of the boat. We were the only ones out there, thinking it was nothing we just let it slide. Not more than a few seconds later we had a bigger bump hit us on the side of the boat. Now that was one that made us actually worry. We feared that whatever it was, was going to flip us over. Billy Bob took the helm and started to lead us out of the ocean and back to the shore. Before we could even get out of the area something terrible happened. The thing flipped the boat over and we all spilled out of the boat and into the ocean. I was able to swim to the
surface, but while underwater, I saw something that scares me to this very day. The thing, or monster, that had attacked us had taken a huge bite out of Billy Bob and had turned my dear friend into a human doughnut. There was blood everywhere, like something straight out of the movie ‘Jaws’. Moments later he was sucked down to the depths of the ocean by something I couldn’t quite make out. Luckily I found Jennifer shortly thereafter. we swam until the Islander Anglers found us and pulled our blood soaked bodies from the water. We climbed on top of the boat and tried helplessly to explain the horros we had witnessed. We never saw the monster that ate our friend Billy Bob for dinner.”
news 4
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
Ghost sighted in University Center by STEPHANIE WALLACE managing editor
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alking around the Island Waves office at night, located on the second floor of the UC, we often find ourselves alone in the building. After Operations has left, and the last of the students have gone to their dorms or apartments, our staff is usually all alone, left to our own devices to produce the paper that you now read- or are we? “There is a ghost here,” said Ops worker Nick Jung. “There is zero doubt in my mind. I have had some extremely weird things happen to me as I closed up the building.” Local talk of the UC staff states that a student died in the UC many years ago, only to come back and haunt it’s halls. Walking around the building to go to the restroom at one in the morning on layout night is very scary to do. “It always feels like someone is following you,”
said Aubrey Dancer, layout editor. Even sitting in the office, weird noises start to filter in when we know the doors are locked and we are the only ones present. Doorknobs will start to jiggle and occasional power outages will occur, always only turning off lights and never our computers. “When I was in Breakers Gameroom one night for Billiards Club (now on the third floor), we all heard a big bang,” said Jung. “Not just any bang. It sounded like all the windows in the building had been busted and the roof was coming off. The lights flickered and the doors shut. Then, just like it started, it was all over. We were all really shaken up.” Although most do not have access to the UC at night, if you ever catch yourself stuck in the UC after hours, watch out for the ghosts that linger. And whatever you do, do not go into the bathrooms and say “Tarpie” three times into the mirror, for those who have did not make it back to tell the tale.
photo courtesy of ALEXIS DELEON
Secret Raccoon Society Finally Exposed
The ghost of the UC caught on the third floor by Career Services. Due to the high level of ghost sightings, this area of the UC is now closed to students.
photo courtesy of CONNER TICHOTA
The SSOR caught in action on the trails of the Island University in the dead of night. Their sightings have become increasingly active.
by CONNER TICHOTA news editor
I
t has been rumored for years that the continually growing population of cats and raccoons on Texas A&M Corpus Christi’s campus is not purely coincidental. There is now concrete picture evidence of a possible secret society of raccoons that exists at the Island University. The candid photograph was provided by Andrea Salazar, a senior Biomedical Sciences student who resides in the on-campus Camden apartments. Salazar claims she had been hearing strange noises outside her living room window one night when she discovered the peculiar sight. “I thought I had been hearing these strange chattering noises for a couple of weeks,” said Salazar, “Monday night I just happened to be up late finishing a paper when I heard them again. So I got up and went to the window; and, there were these three raccoons just sitting on the trail, chattering at each other. I thought it
was so strange that I went outside to take a picture of it.” Salazar reports she has not heard any other strange late night noises since the incident. “I went out onto the patio to get the picture. They must have seen me, and now I’ve scared them off,” said Salazar. Salazar isn’t the only person who has seen or reported strange behavior from animals on campus. According to Dylan Hurst, sophomore English student, he has noticed odd raccoon activity during daylight hours as well. “I was walking towards CASA through the back alley where all the cats like to hang out,” said Hurst, “ I noticed this huge raccoon doing this weird little pacing dance, eyeing the cats’ food dish. I thought he was just going to go eat out of it when the coast was clear; but, once he got over there, he just flipped it over and trashed the thing. Then he ran back into the bushes.” Island Waves might have just dismissed these incidences as normal behavior for the scavenger species or some type of hoax; just to be safe, upon receiving the picture, reporters
began investigating, finding some shocking results. A web forum entitled Rabid Rancorous Raccoons, or RRR, provided clues that there is in fact a nationwide infestation of raccoons, creating hidden societies around college campuses. Students from campuses across the country have sent in pictures of raccoons on campus, many similar to the one provided to Island Waves. RRR subscribers also provided countless stories of abnormal activity including antagonizing students, stealing their belongings, and destroying public property. According to “Elmer Fudd”, the chosen pseudonym of the site’s creator, he developed the site after having been randomly attacked by a raccoon in his freshman year of college. He claims that there was something suspicious about the attack, and created this site to gather further evidence that the attack was rather deliberate. Fudd has been hunting for seven years, trying to find enough evidence to prove that this secret society of raccoons truly does exist. There is no mention of the possible motive for the formation of this society, or
there operational goals. The photograph shown gives clear evidence that there is something going on, whether or not it is related to Fudd’s RRR secret society theory remains unclear. However, these raccoons can prove detrimental to Island University. According to Dr. Don Berkich, philosophy professor at A&M-Corpus Christi, they have had an effect on the student population. “I have mixed feelings about the raccoons,” said Berkich, “The raccoons are a retention problem because they keep eating slowmoving freshmen. However, there is less tardiness because of this, and we keep the faster- moving sophomores.” This statement only furthers the idea that student’s should be wary of the raccoon population on campus. If in the event a student witnesses any strange behavior exhibited by raccoons, please do not attempt to approach, photograph or otherwise aggravate these creatures.
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features
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
S T A C L FERA
Killebrew and Merpeople
continued from page 1
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by KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor
T
exas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Feral Cat Program added three new honorary members to their club last week. The cats, which have recently befriended Jojo, Rigby and Pilot, welcomed the rabbits into their pack with open paws. When asked why rabbits, and not dogs, Big Black Panther Cat, president of the Feral Cat Program, had this to say. “Meow meow meow meow, meow meow meow meow, meow meow.” The cat members first met Jojo, Rigby and Pilot while at a Corpus Christi Animal Companion meeting that took place late last month. As mentioned by Two-Colored Face Cat, vice-president of the club, the cats instantly clicked with the rabbits. “Meow, Meow meow Meow meow meow meow meow,” Two-Colored Face Cat said. We spoke with local cat expert, Felidae Feline for her thoughts on why the cats and rabbits may have bonded so well. “Rabbits are just the cutest, little animals
in the whole, wide world, who wouldn’t like them,” Feline said “Cats and rabbits are actually quite similar; they both have whiskers, they both like to scratch at things and they both have a natural tendency to fear dogs. My theory is that once the cats and rabbits got talking, they realized how much they both have in common, and it just went from there.” As part of the rabbits’ new positions as Honorary Cats, Jojo, Rigby and Pilot have been attending the Feral Cat Program’s weekly meetings, and are helping to prepare for the club’s annual Ball of Yarn 5K. When asked how does it feel to be an Honorary Cat, and how he’s enjoying the club so far, Jojo had this to say. “Nose twitch, nose twitch, nose twitch, thump. “Nose twitch nose twitch, thump, thump thump. Thump thump, nose twitch, thump thump. Nose twitch, nose twitch, thump thump thump thump.” As of now, the cats and rabbits have become best friends, and are even hanging out together outside of the club. Their more recent outings involve bi-weekly carrot runs to the local H-E-B, shopping at Petsmart and playing tag together.
The merdance team the “Merryachis” perform a syncronized number to raise school spirit High school mersenior Lincoln Whaletale is looking forward to enrolling in the outreach programs come fall. “The raccoons and I have always had a mutual love for Human food. Ever since I tasted something called a ‘bagel’ they brought me, by those Einstein Bros. I dreamt of attending Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.” With the addition of the outreach programs, University organizations such as the Marine Technology Society have already decided to collaborate with incoming merstudents. “It will be really amazing to have the merstudents tell us how the remotely operated vehicles are working out underwater,” MTS President Alonso Silva said. “The mertechnology is a lot more advanced than ours, so I think working together will really help our society dominate at the MATE international competition come summer time.” Along with the majors open to the merstudents, both sides have agreed to also
allow for new classes available to willing Islanders. Classes such as “Swimming with Sea creatures,” “Merpeople Mariculture” and “A Thousand and One Uses for Kelp” will be open to Islanders during registration. “I can’t give a definite yes or no just yet, but we are hoping to bring in our next sport- water polo,” Associate Athletic Director & Compliance Officer Scott Lazenby said. “There are no rules that say merpeople can’t compete and we hope to use that to our advantage.” Marine Biology student and Sailing Club President Emily Douglass spent most of her childhood captivated by merpeople. “I always found them fascinating,” Douglass said, “but now I get to brag to all my friends back home about how my university is the first to be tolerant of all people.” Whaletale hopes to get better aquainted with the Island population.“I don’t know when, I don’t know how but I know something’s starting right now. Watch and you’ll see, someday I’ll be, part of your world.”
features 6
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
Washed up actor washes ashore at Island University
by CONNER TICHOTA news editor
A
fter 14 years adrift at sea, Wilson has been discovered washed up on the Texas A&MCorpus Christi beach. The infamous volleyball is coming forward for the first time in an exclusive interview with Island Waves. The iconic volleyball was spotted by students lounging on the hidden beach located on the trail of the Island University. He was reported to be living in Corpus Christi after having retired from a long and tedious career in show business. Wilson admits the heart-wrenching scene with his costar in “Castaway,” Tom Hanks, was not at all staged. According to Wilson, there had been several issues on set, particularly between Hanks and himself. “We just didn’t see eye to eye on anything,”
recalls Wilson. “I found his acting choices to be very melodramatic, and I was more fond of a minimalistic approach.” The final strike occurred for Wilson during the filming of the raft scene. He had caught wind of a rumor that the director wanted all of his lines removed from the final edit to make it appear as Hanks’ character was hallucinating throughout the film. The star was outraged at his trivialization, and decided to take matters into his own hands. “I had doubts about what I was about to do,” said Wilson, “Would it ruin my career? Would I be able to pull it off successfully? So I hesitated until about the third take, and then I did it. I jumped. I jumped off that raft and swam for the hills.” Wilson had reason to worry about the future of his career. His hasty decision led director Robert Zemeckis to revoke the volleyball’s
paycheck, but he retained the right to utilize the footage already shot. After the overwhelming success of his role, Wilson has become typecast, and has had extreme difficulty finding roles in Hollywood. “I auditioned for that movie called Dodgeball,” said Wilson, “They were looking for someone willing to pull their punches and do their own stunts. They weren’t looking for a volleyball with a serious background in cinema. “ Wilson has had several cameos throughout the years. His most recent rolls have been cameos in films such as “All You’ve Got” and “Freaky Friday”. Wilson admits he has been asked several times to appear in spoofs and parodies of “Cast Away”. He has refused every one. “I feel no need to relive an extremely dark part of my life,” claims Wilson, “I refuse to
Re
participate in the mockery of my career.” After having been turned away from role after role, Wilson decided to retire from show business all together. He moved out to the Corpus Christi area to be closer to other family. Furthermore, he admits that the city was a refreshing breath from the fast pace life of a larger city. “I do like the ocean still,” said Wilson. “The Gulf Coast is so different from the West Coast, that I don’t even think about that time on the raft.” Wilson is currently working on a bachelor’s degree in Communication at A&M-Corpus Christi. He asks that students respect his privacy, and treat him the same as all other students on campus. “I just want to live a normal life,” Wilson commented.
ce
Syngnathiman Tells All by ANDREW LIGUEZ entertainment reporter
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hen evil arises, there must be good to combat it. Here at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, we have a superhero of our very own. His real name is kept secret from the public, but under his mask he goes under the alias, Syngnathiman, fighter of good for the incent seahorses. He nemesis is Jolly the Jumbo Hammerhead, a sea evil doer that wants to take over campus for the purpose of evil. I was able to get an interview of with the superhero of the campus. I was interested in what exactly he doing here instead of out saving the world. Q: Why are you a student at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi? A: “I am a student here because I want to get an education. I want to be able to get a good job so I can pay the bills. My estate does take a lot to keep it going. Sadly, being a superhero does not pay the bills as much as I would hope.” Q: What is your major and what do you want to do with it? A: “I am a pre-law major, I want to be able to go to law school after this. My goal is to be a lawyer that would be fighting to get criminals into the abyss that is jail.” Q: What do you think of your arch-nemesis Jolly the Jumbo Hammerhead? A: “Honestly, I think he is a jerk. He is evil just for the sake of being evil. His main goal in
life is just to make me have a bad day with his hammerhead attacks. Which he pays for so he actually has no powers. I remember this one time I found him trying to take every computer and vending machine hostage in the UC. I had to chase him down the breeze way while he was shouting, ‘You will never take me alive.’ I ended up tackling him outside the O’Conner building and dragging him back into the ocean. Worst day ever.” Q: What is your best superhero moment? A: My best moment would be when I gained a fan club. I was so happy that I was finally being recognized as a hero. I still have the fan club t-shirt hanging in my closet.” Q: How did you get into the superhero business? A: “I got into being a superhero after I graduated sea school. On the way home one day I saw a defenseless seahorse being hit by an evil doer. Me, being the brave person that I am, jumped to his aid. I ended up losing that day but I was able to allow the seahorse to escape and go to safety. After that, I vowed to be the hero that everybody could depend on and look up to.” Syngnathiman is currently living in the ocean at his estate. The fan club meets at a secret location every Friday at 5 p.m. Anybody that can find the location is welcome to join the club.
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entertainment
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
W
ith the help of Tasteful Printing, a printing press located in Dallas, TX, “Island Waves” will soon be delivering orange, grape and blueberry-flavored newspapers to the University. Other additional flavors include strawberry, cherry and peach. “I think it’s really cool that they are doing this. I’ve never had flavored paper, but I would be willing to try it.” Aimee Falsch, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi freshman said. “My favorite flavor is strawberry, so I’m really excited to see if the pages will actually taste good.” Made up of rice paper, the pages are soaked in a mixture of water, rice vinegar and fruit flavoring for a total of 12 hours. During this time, the mixture is soaked up by the paper, which allows the pages to take on the particular flavoring. The pages are then set out overnight to dry, before being ready for printing. “It’s a really long process to get the flavors just right, but the results are really amazing,” John Feint, co-owner of Tasteful Printing said over the phone. “Luckily, we buy all our rice
paper from a local company, so that saves us a lot of time from having to make it ourselves.” With the use of flavored paper, “Island Waves” is hoping to increase its readership among the faculty and students. Although the paper itself is safe to lick, the ink is not. Only specified sections of the paper are safe for licking. “This sounds like a really cool idea, I can’t wait to see how it turns. I feel like more students would get excited every week for the paper to come out if they knew they could lick it. More students would also want to pick up a paper if it tasted like something,” Dillon Vals, A&M-Corpus Christi sophomore said. While the flavored pages won’t come into affect until next week, “Island Waves” has included a mystery-flavored blank section in this issue for readers to sample.
image courtesy of BLUE-RAYSTATS.COM
Tom Buys Facebook and Twitter by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter
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he Social Media world was shaken this past week with the announcement that every major social media site including Twitter and Facebook would now be under the ownership of one entity. The biggest surprise however was who that entity is, none other than Tom Anderson, the original founder of Myspace. Anderson withheld the fact that he patented the very vague concept of a website that allows users to set up an online profile with the ability to message users, list interests, hobbies, links to websites, etc. In an interview with NBC News, Anderson was asked why he waited so long to file suit. He said: “I knew what they were doing was illegal and I’m sure the thought crossed (Mark) Zuckerburg, (Jack) Dorsey, and (Noah) Glass (the latter two being the founders of Twitter) knew it too. I decided that I’d bide my time until they got big and then cash in and take the
companies for myself.” The two social media giants aren’t taking it lightly though: Zuckerburg, Glass, and Dorsey intend to team up and counter sue. “All that two bit hack invented was a drug dealing haven with flashy pictures and shoddy music. Facebook invented the real social media network and Twitter gave it elegantly limited design for on the fly updates. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win this case. The question on many minds is: what does Anderson intend to do if he wins the case? “I plan to bring social media back to its Golden Age, I think the world is tired of status updates, it’s time to bring the wall post back. Facebook and Twitter killed the personalization of profiles, what happened to posting up an awesome wallpaper for your background and having some killer tunes for your friends to listen to. I know for a fact that my users and I don’t even know the point where you can listen to too much “Shake dat Laffy Taffy” (in reference to the 2005 hit song by D4L).” Users aren’t so happy however: “The reason
we ditched Myspace in the first place is because of all that nonsense. We outgrew Myspace by the time we were 16, I refuse to see a bunch of people sending out messages about their boring, mundane lives. The simple fact of the matter is: if you have nothing interesting to say, don’t say anything at all. Facebook wiped all of that High School drama out of the picture. We honestly don’t need people pulling the whole begging for attention act all over again. A picture comment for a comment died out for a reason. The question on many analysts’ minds is: could this be the death of social media? Market Analyst Richard Goldberg stated in an interview: “Social media is just another fad, it’s going to go the way of the disco and
image courtesy of MYSPACE.COM
soda shop before it. The truth is that trends die when they become too mainstream and as a result too corny or lame. Your Grandma probably understands how to use a Facebook at this point: when a market expands to that point, it can do nothing else but collapse upon itself, it’s essentially a digital Roman empire.” One thing is certain about this case; whatever happens will change the world of social Media as we know it. Join me and tweeting this out to the world; if anything, maybe we can save our beloved platforms through an online petition.
entertainment 8
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
by STEPHANIE WALLACE managing editor
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ack from the dead, for one night only, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra will be performing at the Island University’s Performing Arts Center this April 1. “We heard about all the hype surrounding “The Walking Dead,” and figured it was time to show those zombies how the King does it,” said Presley in a sneak peak interview granted
to Island Waves. It was a dreary day on August 16, 1977 when Presley was found dead. His journey since that day has been a rough one. “ I had to fight my way to the top again,” said Presley. “It was not always easy, but I knew it was time to come out of retirement and bring my voice back to the masses.” Joining him will be none other then Frank Sinatra. Sinatra died on May 14, 1998. His baby blue eyes, not having faded one bit, will be back to showcase his voice to a newer generation.
“This ‘music,’ as the kids call it now a days is pathetic,” said the ever-vocal Sinatra. “It is time they hear real music, and I will not let a little thing like not having a pulse stop me. Other famous bodies planning on attending are Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, to name a few. In the sneak peak Island Waves attended, even temporarily losing an arm didn’t stop this show from going on. “This little thing,” says Sinatra as he is
putting his arm back into place,. “This is a common occurrence, and is really not even an issue. The show will go on.” Tickets go on sale the day of the event, and are expected to sale out within three and a half minutes, so get yours fast before they are gone.
bottom left: zombie Elvis Presley bottom right: zombie Frank Sinatra
photos courtesy of AUBREY DANCER
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04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
Island Waves
Te x a s A & M Un i ve r s i t y - C o r p u s C h r i s t i
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Now Hiring Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Layout Assistant News Reporter Sports Reporter Alien Liason applications now being accepted career-services.tamucc.edu contact us in the newsroom (361) 825-5862 • editor@tamucc.edu
sports 10
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
Islanders baseball team to become Islanders football team
by CHRISTINA BOOTHE sports reporter
S
hock resounded from the Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi campus as Athletic Director Scott Lazenby announced that the university would be adding a football team. The initial excitement died down to confusion when Lazenby added that the football team will replace the baseball team, and all baseball players would be enlisted to be the starting team. “We have some great athletes on the baseball field,” Lazenby said in a recent interview, “and with a little bit of training, they could be incredible football players.” It is speculated that Matt Danton and Jacob Dorris, pitchers for the Islanders Baseball team, will be transitioned to the quarterback position for the upcoming season next fall. Outfielders Kyle Danford and Zack Gibson will be wide receivers for the team. Cody Stephens, the current second baseman for the Islanders, will become a safety when the football team starts up. Pitchers Trevor Belicek and Kaleb Keith, along with first baseman Frankie Salas and third baseman Dawson Yates will make up the beginnings of a defensive line. “The student body has been complaining for years about the university not having a football team,” Coach Malone noted when asked his opinion about the move, “So I think this is a great way to silence their frustrations. I’m excited to see my athletes as they transition into great players on the football field. Baseball will be missed, but it’s time to make the move to greener pastures.” Baseball players, too, seem thrilled by the change. “I always wanted a football team,” Senior Jacob Hubert shares, “And, though I’ll graduate this May and won’t get to play, it will be cool to see my fellow teammates tearing up the end zone like we did on the bases together. I think we’ll have as good a team as anyone, once we establish ourselves.”
Others, though, aren’t so happy. “I came here to play baseball,” Junior quarterback recruit and current pitcher, Matt Danton, says, “Not to throw around a pigskin. I’ve worked for years to perfect my pitches and then they change the sport on me? Not a chance. I’ll be looking to play baseball elsewhere.” The student body seems thrilled by the change, though slightly confused. Students could be seen gathering around television sets all around campus to watch as AD Lazenby made national news with his decision to make a change. The plans for demolition of the baseball field are in set, with the new football field to go up across from the Momentum Campus on Nile. “I’m not sure how I feel about this,” Islanders men’s basketball coach Willis Wilson shared in a recent interview. “This is one of the few universities where basketball truly shines. I fear that football will take that away.” Melanie Lowry, the head coach for the Islander dance and cheer team, feels quite ambivalent about the matter. “It’s exciting for my team, because we’ll have more chances to dance. But this requires more choreography, stronger technique training, and flashier numbers. Plus, now we have a whole football field to cover, and many more games than before. It’s going to be a challenge, to say the least.” The overall reception of the news was positive, despite a few negative responses from sparse faculty and students. Despite their lack of enthusiasm, Islander Football will go on. Plans for the football stadium are being drawn up as we speak, with hopes of naming it Lazenby Stadium after the school’s charming and dedicated Athletic Director who made all of this possible. Be sure to stop by the baseball field and watch the last season of Islander Baseball before the boys are put into pads and helmets for their football debut next fall.
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11
sports
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
Islander wins Buffett bet
Krista Sifers wins billion dollar Warren Buffett bet based on player’s uniforms
by CHRISTINA BOOTHE sports reporter Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi was taken aback when it discovered that the lone perfect bracket left in Warren Buffett’s billiondollar bet belongs to one of its students, Krista Sifers. Sifers, a freshman English major at the University, is just as shocked as anyone else. “I didn’t expect to get this far,” Sifers shared in a recent interview. “My fiancé and I filled out the brackets as a joke. I hate sports. I don’t even watch basketball. I just picked which school’s uniforms I liked best.” Despite her lack of knowledge in the game, Sifers is the lone candidate for the one billion dollars that Buffett promised to the winning bracket. “I’m hopeful,” Sifers continued. “This will allow me to have the wedding I’ve always dreamt of. My fiancé and I can have a really solid start because of this. But the jury’s still out. We’ll see what happens.” Friends of Sifers are in shock to hear about her success. Close friend and sports enthusiast, Christina Boothe, expressed her surprise. “I’m the one who loves sports,” Boothe disclosed. “Krista always rolls her eyes when I discuss them. To hear that she’s the one having such an awesome bracket – that’s crazy. I never would have expected it.” After smiling conspiringly, Boothe continued, “But she owes me at least a million dollars for helping her Google all of the uniforms for each university so that she could make her bracket.” Sifers’ fiancé, Kevin Osborne, expressed pride in his wife-to-be.
“I knew Krista knew more about sports than she let on,” he said. “She was at every one of my football games our senior year. She pretends that she doesn’t like sports, but I think that, secretly, she loves them. That’s why her bracket has been so successful.” Professors, too, are surprised by Sifers’ exploding success. “She [Sifers] doesn’t come across as the kind of girl who likes sports,” Dennis Meyers, a psychology and honors professor at the University, shared with an interviewer. “She always comes to class in frilly dresses and vibrant colors. Most of the time, she’s wearing a flower headband. Sports just never seemed like her thing at all.” While most laugh at and shun the idea of Sifers picking solely based on uniforms, Sifers’ friend and classmate, Alyssa Barton, confirms the legitimacy of the idea. “I was with Krista and Christina when they designed the bracket,” Barton dishes. “They spent hours searching for each uniform and contemplating color theme. Christina kept trying to throw in actual sports statistics, but Krista only concerned herself with the uniforms.” Barton continued to say, “It’s crazy to think that she’s gotten this far just because of colors.” When asked to make a final note, Sifers shrugged. “I’m telling you, it’s the power of fashion. We often hear the term, ‘Dress for Success,’ but we don’t consider the power behind clothing. The better we look, the better we perform, period. I make a habit of going to take tests in my best outfits, and it’s served me well so far. It’s cool to see my theory proving itself through the basketball championships. May the best uniform win.”
above: Krista Sifers with Warren Buffett
visuals 12
04.01.2014
ISLAND WAVES
The Scarecrows of the corn Students being harrassed by scarecrows caught on camera A scary time it is: the time of the scarecrow. On March 24 the invasion of the scarecrows happened. It all began when pigeons mystriously began dying around campus. Faculty and staff were unsure of the cause. Evidence from the massacre links the scarcrows back to the crime. There has been longstanding feud between scarecrows and the foul that they have been charged with eliminating from fields andaround the city. Now that feud has been brought to the campus of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Rachel Garza, a freshman at the University recounted her experience with the monsters. “I was walking to Tejas B around 8:30 at night, when I heard a rustling behind me,” said Garza. “I turned around and didn’t see anything. When I turned back towards the room, I noticed two eyes peering at me from the darkness. “ Garza admits she ran away and doesn’t know what happened afterwards. Island Waves asks that all students be cautious of their surroundings when walking through the University Center and to call UPD with any sighting.
University Center employee, Aline Terjo, is heckled by Scarecrow.
Scarecrow couple wait patiently in elevator for unsuspecting students.
Scarecrow caught creeping around the corner of the Student Services office in UC.
Caught under camouflage lurking on the third floor railing of the UC.
Scarecrow caught in the wild and on the prowl.