Main Street Magazine - Fall 16

MAIN STREET MagAzine Fall 2016

True Stories of the Haunted Houses on Mill Road pg. 20

Editor’s Note Hi, Wildcats! Thanks for picking up the first issue of Main Street Magazine this school year. We had a ton of fun working together as Co-Editors in Chief to create this issue. We hope you enjoy all of the creativity and hard work our writers, editors, and photographers put in.

In this issue you will find a wide array of stories from a piece on microagressions to articles to get you in the holiday spirit. Please also enjoy our music, food, and film reviews. This year we changed a few things around and are only publishing one issue a semester. But we packed this issue with amazing content for you, so it makes up for it!

Feel free to take a few copies home to the fam this holiday season. We imagine that they would make great stocking stuffers, but if that’s not your thing, they work great as kindling for the fire (ouch). In all seriousness, we want to thank you for taking the time to read this magazine, it means a lot to us when we see the magazine being enjoyed by fellow Wildcats.

“Sometimes we’ll start a sentence and we don’t even know where it’s going.

We just hope we find it along the way…”

Cheers!

-Corey and Morgan

Find Main Street mainstreetmagazine@gmail.com facebook.com/mainstreetmagazine @mainstreetmagazine MUB room 137

Morgan Cutolo, Editor-in-Chief Corey Scarano, Editor-in-Chief Beccy Anderson, Content Editor Larissa Claar, Content Editor Lilly Radack, Content Editor Noelle Dolan, Photo Editor Amy Rixon, Contributing Writer Allyson Couture, Contributing Writer Peter Siekovich, Contributing Writer Danielle Ouellette, Contributing Writer Stephanie Khaivallah, Contributing Writer and Designer Madison Forsberg, Contributing Writer Kiera Hood, Contributing Writer Annie Henry, Contributing Writer Jordyn Haime, Contributing Writer Jamie Smith, Contributing Writer Kate Sutherby, Contributing Writer Rebecca Ma, Contributing Writer Domenic Paolo, Contributing Writer Brendan Freund, Contributing Writer Michael Valotto, Contributing Writer and Designer Douglas Rodoski, Contributing Writer Kate Springer, Contributing Writer Olivia LePage, Contributing Writer Carlos Martens, Contributing Writer Andrew Harnett, Contributing Writer and Designer Mikayla Scharn, Contributing Writer Mackenzie Ganley, Contributing Writer

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Main Street Magazine Fall 2016, Issue 1

Featured Article

Microagressions and Disability on Camus “Most of the people I ask have never heard of a microaggression, I only receive looks of confusion, as if I made up the word myself. This is where the problem lays.”

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Features 13 A Healthy Thanksgiving 27 Fall Fashion 28 Why I’m Proud to Serve 40 The Beat Generation

Local

16 Inside Look at the Fire Department 24 Microaggresions and Disability 33 Stone Church 37 Nowhere to Play

Reviews

6 Restaurant 8 Music 10 Book 11 Film

Opinions & Satire 12 Myth of the Male Feminist 30 Holiday Life Guide 29 Bad Asian

34 Printed by our friends at UNH Printed Services, 10 West Edge Drive, Durham, NH The opinions expressed within Main Street are solely the opinions of the attributed writers and are not necessarily shared by Main Street Magazine, Student Press Organization, SAFC, the University of New Hampshire, or anyone else, for that matter.

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Main Street Magazine is funded entirely by your student activity fee, and we would like to thank SAFC for continuing to fund this publication. @mainstmagazine

Contributors

In order by row: Corey Scarano, Morgan Cutolo, Beccy Anderson, Larissa Claar, Lilly Radack, Noelle Dolan, Amy Rixon, Allyson Couture, Peter Siekovich, Danielle Ouelette, Stephanie Khaivallah, Madison Forsberg, Kiera Hood, Annie Henry, Jordyn Haime, Jamie Smith, Kate Sutherby, Rebecca Ma, Domenic Paolo, Brendan Freund, Michael Valotto, Douglas Rodoski, Kate Springer, Olivia LePage, Carlos Martens, Andrew Hartnett, Mikayla Scharn, and Mackenzie Ganley

Staff Picks

Things MSM Staff Love Right Now

Bath & Body Works Seasonal Candles- I love to light my winter candy apple candle after a long day and read The New Yorker.

-Beccy

Appchos- Apple Nachos… yep you heard it right. Thinly sliced apples laid out on a plate with peanut butter, chocolate drizzle, granola and coconut. My roommate and I like to think it’s our way of eating nachos, with more nutrients…but maybe that’s simply a justification for the amount we eat them. They are SO yummy.

-Larissa

Fuzzy Blankets- I want four around me at all times from September until spring time!

-Corey

Shipyard Pumpkin Head- It’s the perfect fall drink that I can enjoy with my friends.

-Noelle

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend- This show is hilarious! Sometimes the main character’s life decisions stress me out, but the musical numbers in every episode make it okay.

-Morgan

West World-It’s a new HBO show that combines the future with the wild west. It’s wicked hard to explain but it’s the best show on TV right now. It’s a good distraction while I wait for Game of Thrones to come back on this summer.

-Lilly

STREET

900 Degrees

Restaurant Reviews By: Kate Springer and Olivia LePage

STREET 801 Islington Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 An unexpected find is located in the back of a strip mall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From the outside, the restaurant, called Street, looks like a plain brick building with a simple sign. It is obscured from the main road, but there is plenty of parking out front. As soon as its doors are opened, however, you know that the experience that awaits you will be a unique one. The industrial-like building and the red painted walls of the dining room are juxtaposed with globes and colorful modern décor including recycled light fixtures.

Indie music blasts through the speakers. The large central bar dominates the room but not in an overwhelming way. The hip, casual nature of the restaurant is apparent after a quick glance around.

Actual streets appear to influence the art in the interior ‒ graffiti inspired walls cover the bathrooms and bike tires hang on the walls throughout.

was grainy and tasted too salty. The tortilla chips that were included with a couple of the main dishes were bland, but lightly salted and not too greasy. We also ordered what was listed as an Asian cucumber salad, so we were surprised to find hardly any cucumber in it. The pieces were minuscule, and kimchi dominated the bowl. The menu section for extra add-ons has no descriptions, and this item name was not accurate for what we received.

For dessert, we enjoyed fried cinnamon-sugar empanadas with rice pudding filling, and a Key Lime tart topped with coconut and fresh whipped cream. The cream served as a nice way to mute the tangy flavor of the pie.

Overall, I decided that the dishes were delicious and the others felt the same way, raving about the balance of flavors that was achieved within them.

We appreciated the food’s ability to make us feel like we were transported to another part of the world. Each dish was cooked and spiced perfectly.

The vegetables were crisp, the sauces were not overdone, and every dish had a light golden brown color to it. The varied options and worldly dishes made this outing a positive experience. The menu even tells you how to pronounce the names of the offerings, and appeals to different types of palates.

Dishes are inexpensive, ranging from around 4 to 16 dollars ‒ very reasonable for Portsmouth and the quality of food offered. Portions were good for the price; we did not feel like we were getting too little for our money. We started to feel full after just a few dishes as they were packed with flavor.

I visited early on a Saturday night; they do not take reservations so getting there early seemed like a good plan. The restaurant was already hopping, but was not overly crowded. Young professionals, locals who knew exactly what they wanted, and groups of friends, couples and families filled the room. My family and I were seated immediately.

Service started out slow, but luckily it improved to a normal pace as the night went on. The waitress The atmosphere of the restaurant and its street remembered the order without writing anything theme is not what impressed me. I expected it to down and gave helpful sauce suggestions. Other be more influenced by the international edge of staff members who assisted us were friendly as well. the menu offerings, with decorations such as maps, Street, like the name suggests, serves street food flags, or art that was clearly from, or inspired by, from all over the world. Looking at the menu another country. The high ceilings and worn takes time; it is eclectic, offering everything from interior made for a noisy and drafty restaurant hot dogs and hamburgers to seamita, a type of fish at times. The food, however, makes up for a slow cake. There are many vegetarian options as well, start to service and the feel of the restaurant. This including various salads and rice dishes. I was also is where Street truly succeeds. Where else can one informed that they can accommodate gluten-free try specialties from places like Thailand, Mexico, diners as well. Traditional appetizers are not on Cuba, the United States, and South America the menu, but many small dishes are available. under one roof? After my first bite of sticky rice I My group decided to get multiple dishes to try. was sold on Street. The quality and freshness was Once ordered, food arrived quickly and seamlessly. apparent in everything I tried, whether I preferred The crispy rice cake had subtle layers of sesame the dish or not. I could picture going again just for and scallions without being too hard or sticky. a couple of small plates. I encourage you to take The cubano, a take on the Cuban sandwich with an international trip without leaving the state by ham, shredded pork, cheese, pickles and mustard, experiencing a menu more globally-focused than had a perfect texture and grilled bun. The Chilean many. Discover new foods or enjoy American empanadas were covered with light, airy, fried classics. The quirkiness of Street helps make the pastry and filled with perfectly spiced meat. They dining experience exciting and, most of all, fun. were the best I have ever eaten. The bibimbap, a Korean dish with crispy rice, various vegetables, an egg and sauce, and the Mexican fried cheese that was surprisingly not breaded were highlights as well. The individual ingredients and their flavors in the bibimbap went well together, and the fried cheese was just rich enough. The sauces, including Peruvian lime and a type of tomato salsa were nice supplements as well. They helped enhance the dishes.

The only foods we had a mixed reaction to were the falafel, chips, and a small salad. The falafel, the only dish that was sized larger than expected,

900 Degrees 24 Brickyard Square Epping, NH 03042 If you’re a pizza lover you must try 900 Degrees!

There are numerous pizza places in the seacoast area, but this restaurant is worth the trip to Epping. They have twenty-one signature pizzas on their menu as well as pastas, soups and salads, appetizers and desserts. They also offer an option to make your own custom pizza by choosing your own toppings and cheese, right down to the crust.

I went on a Wednesday night, not a typical night for pizza, so it was on the slow side. My friend and I ordered Octoberfest on draft along with a side house salad to start. I ordered the 900 Signature Salad, which had various greens, dried cranberries (my favorite salad ingredient), honey walnuts, and red onions with a balsamic dressing. It was well portioned and delicious; leaving me plenty of room for pizza!

Then out came our BBQ chicken pizza and Mac and Cheese pizzas! The BBQ chicken pizza had a well-balanced ratio between sauce, cheese and chicken. There was one too many red onions, so next time I’ll ask for them to be taken off. The real winner of the meal was the Mac and Cheese pizza.

My friend and I are enormous mac and cheese lovers, so to have it served on top of the pizza sounded like a dream come true. And we were right; it tasted just as good as it sounded! Mac and cheese with bacon, a lot of cheddar and provolone cheese, topped with breadcrumbs! It was wonderful. There were only two of us so we couldn’t finish them both, but it made for great left overs the next day.

Unfortunately, we were too full to try one of their many dessert options, which was another mouth-watering part of their menu. However, if I had left room I would have definitely indulged in their Famous Dessert Pizza! I’ve always had an eye for dessert pizzas, especially this one. This dessert pizza consisted of a cinnamon sugar crust topped with pieces of white and dark chocolate, macadamia nuts, whipped cream, as well as kiwis and strawberries. I have one of the biggest sweet tooth’s so passing up this heavenly sounding dessert felt like a crime.

The food was not the only pleasing element of the restaurant. The service and atmosphere were enjoyable as well. Our waitress knew everything we needed to know about the menu. She also listed off seasonal drinks that are offered. If asked what 900 degrees would be compared to, it would be Bertuccis. Both restaurants have a similar atmosphere along with comparable prices; affordable yet expensive enough that it is quality food. For a college student on a budget and wanting to venture off campus for a decent meal it was a great place to go.

The best part of 900 Degrees, besides the Mac and Cheese pizza, is that they are expanding the restaurant to Portsmouth! Excellent pizza at a closer location! When this happens my stomach will be much happier than my wallet.

Music Reviews

Coast Modern

Wu-Tang Clan

BANKS

Coast Modern “Coast Modern” 300 Entertainment

Overall Rating: 9.5/10 Wu-Tang Clan

“Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” Loud Records

Overall Rating: 10/10 BANKS

“The Altar” Harvest Records

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Coast Modern is not a household name when it comes to alternative music, but their debut EP titled under the same name is destined to draw them closer to being one of the hottest up-and-comers around. With only four songs, one would think they didn’t have much to offer, but these four songs are packed with unbelievably catchy hooks, unique and intense rhythms, and lyrics that one couldn’t not sing along to.

The EP begins with its lead single “Hollow Life,” which is also easily their hottest track. The song blends a mix of sounds that can be compared to Twenty One Pilots writing with Foster The People and Alt-J, as they rap-sing over some infectious sampled-sounds that would have one wondering why this song isn’t famous yet. The second track “Animals” is a warmer track that’s fit for one of those windows-down in the car days, with anthem shouts that make it easy to sing along aside to some quirky acoustic guitar and electronic sounds. It also features a bridge with a mini-guitar solo that has some fueling energy to it, almost necessitating a repeat of the song. “Guru” is one for those who are

into bands like Joywave and Glass Animals, using their talent and knowledge of off-beat bounces and bendy mesmerizing sounds to create a tropical experience that will bring the listener to a place no other song can. The choruses build up bigger and bigger as they go on, swelling to some super catchy verses and rapping. The EP ends with “The Way It Was,” the most percussive track of the four. There are stretched harmonies that settle so well in the ear, and the movement of the melodic lines are just written to not be forgotten. The sound is so big that it could easily be played in an arena and have everybody moving along, with a bridge of trap-like electronic and looped “hey!” like most modern pop songs.

This EP is most definitely not one to pass up on.

Coast Modern are starting to grow in popularity and they will soon be one of the biggest alternative bands around, it’s so easy to tell even after one listen of this EP. Check them out before everyone knows who they are.

-Domenic Paolo

When it comes to Hip-Hop albums, there is no better album in my opinion, than the Wu-Tang Clan’s first album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Starting with the first in your face track, “Bring da Ruckus” starts the album off to offer some of the most lyrically intricate songs in HipHop. One of the album’s best songs, “Clan in da Front” is delivered by GZA, a member of Wu-Tang who is known for his complex and unique rhymes and lyrics in which he disses anyone that is trying to disrespect or “step to” the Wu-Tang Clan. My personal favorite song off the album is C.R.E.A.M. which features Raekwon the Chef and Inspectah

Deck, my favorite Wu-Tang member, but also features one of the more well-known Wu-Tang hooks, “Cash Rules Everything Around Me”. I am going to have go and agree with the group’s most popular song when they say that the Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F*ck With.

First and foremost, if you haven’t ever heard of BANKS, you need to stop reading this right now and go listen to her first album, ‘Goddess’ before you read this. You’ll thank me. It will help you better understand my review of her recently-released second album, ‘The Altar’, which you’ll also thank me for.

much better her own love is with “I used to care what you think about me / ‘Cause my love so good / So I fuck with myself more than anybody else”.

BANKS is just one of those musicians who has a knack for everything. Her music consists of dissonant strings, thumping bass, a variety of vocal deliveries, exposed emotions, empowerment, and poetic lyrics. BANKS’ lyrics are phenomenal. In ‘Goddess’, we follow BANKS on a journey as she sings about fragile vulnerability and withering putdowns. With ‘The Altar’, however, there’s a significant shift in her attitude and her poise; she’s more in control and more confident with who she is. Her songs on this album reflect her self-exploration, melancholy, rage, and clarity to know that she deserves better.

-Brendan Freund

Apart from ‘Fuck With Myself ’ being a major highlight, ‘Trainwreck’ is another one of my favorites – mostly because it doesn’t stick to BANKS’ signature vocals. She uses accentuated auto-tune effects that give a piercing edge to her voice, making it a great blend of vocal manipulation and natural talent. The technical aspects of the song itself are quite different with its towering inferno of cascading synths, which parallel the vibrating basslines.

The second half of ‘The Altar’ is much sultrier with ‘Mother Earth’, ‘Haunt’ and even ‘To The Hilt’, delves into cutting betrayal, profound loneliness and growth after moving on from a relationship. I really enjoy this portion of ‘The Altar’ and that could just be because I’m completely in love with BANKS’s vocals in slower songs. It could also be that I enjoy listening to songs about missing The album opens with ‘Gemini Feed’ which people who were never existent in my life. throws us right into the emotionally abusive tac‘The Altar’ is an album that rewards with each tics an ex used against her, allowing for us to feel listen, initially packing a powerful punch with its her hurt as she sings, “And you’re passive aggresindependence and self-determination, and then sive / convinced me other people / they don’t care unravelling to reveal tales of a complex, knotty about me”. Listening to this first track, I instantrelationship full of ‘Mind Games’ and passive agly thought that BANKS was going to be singing gression. It’s honest and candid without being hisabout more heartbreak and the emotional pain that trionic or self-pitying. Give ‘The Altar’ the time it follows. However, the second track, ‘Fuck With deserves, allow yourself to see under BANKS’ steely Myself ’ surprised me. This track is certainly a voexterior. You’ll find a wholly gratifying record full cal standout as BANKS celebrates herself and how of depth and emotion.

-Kiera Hood

Book Reviews “In a Dark, Dark Wood” By: Ruth Ware

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n a Dark, Dark Wood, is Ruth Ware’s debut novel. This thriller certainly contains the most classic mechanisms of mystery. It begins with the main character, Nora, in her tiny London flat. Nora is a writer that works hard to follow her editor’s deadlines and limits her contact with the outside world with scheduled runs through the city. Nora is an intentional loner.

So, an email invitation to a hen party—otherwise known as a bachelorette party—is definitely an inbox inconsistency. She is invited to stay at the Glass House, to celebrate her childhood best friend’s engagement. Problem is, Nora and Clare (the bride) haven’t spoken in 10 years.

The novel builds slowly towards the hen party, and once there the plot didn’t exactly send shivers down my spine. The author doesn’t present anything explicitly gripping until she makes a sudden shift in setting to a hospital bed. There, we learn Nora is recovering from a night that left her clothes blood-spattered and her memory shaky.

The author, Ware, is acutely in tune with the details that lend themselves to a thriller. Her list of characters, or list of suspects rather, is kept short, things go bump in the night as they always

“Diary of an Oxygen Thief ” By: Anonymous

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iary of an Oxygen Thief, written by Anonymous was published in Amsterdam in 2006, and follows the extremely honest tale of an Irishman living in London working through alcoholism and the compulsive need to hurt women. The progression of the tale follows the main character to the States for work at an advertising agency, and through his newfound sobriety. He begins attending AA meetings and continues to indulge the reader in his struggles with paranoia, addiction, love and loss. Though the book opens with the many memories the main character has of hurting countless numbers of women, the story changes to follow his own humiliating heartbreak by a woman who had similar motifs as him.

The anonymous author has a crudely captivating way of writing. Telling a tale of heartbreak like it has never been done before. The first person narrative gives the reader the feel of sitting in a hole in the wall Pub, located on some New York side street, hearing the story first hand from the relapsed, strung-out main character himself.

Though the plot gets hard to read, the reader can’t help wanting to delve further into the story,

do and the setting is the ultimate thrilling component. We are trapped with the characters in an England countryside cottage that is void of cell phone reception and framed with large glass windows looking onto, dare I say it, a dark, dark wood.

Although the back and forth from hen party to hospital bed kept me on my toes, I wouldn’t file this novel under truly scary stories. I didn’t have to save this as a daylight-only kind of read. Ware uses amnesia as a tool to keep us guessing along with the main character. It served that purpose, but I see it as a sort of disservice to the type of alarming suspense I hoped it would live up to.

Despite this, I did enjoy the novel overall, because Ware’s writing is smooth and purposeful.

In a Dark, Dark Wood would be the perfect first thriller. If you generally stay away from murder mysteries for fear of nightmares, this would be a great stepping-stone to the truly frightful.

-Beccy Anderson

needing to read more because you start to feel the story could be about you. The anonymous author has a style of writing that allows anyone who picks up the book to relate to the story inside.

Diary of an Oxygen Thief is a book that will draw you in more and more with every page. The cynical humor will make you laugh out loud while at the same time feel all of the pain behind every printed word. You feel the emotions of every heartbreak, even if you’ve never had your heart broken before. Every turn of a page within the book brings the reader more raw emotion, you go through hatred, sympathy, and love for the main character who you cant help but feel as close as related to. Despite the fact that the print is big and the book is only 151 pages long, the quickened pace of the read drags you through a story so personal that the only question you have left after finishing the book is whether the plot of the story is based on a real life experience, and if the main character is actually the Anonymous written under the title on the front cover.

-Madison Forsberg

Film Reviews TBy:he Neon Demon Peter Siekovich

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2016

he Neon Demon, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, is a strange, gory, disturbing look into the ugliness that lies beneath the beauty obsessed world of the fashion industry. The movie follows a young old orphan named Jesse, played by Elle Fanning, who moves to Los Angeles in the hopes of making it big as a model. Immediately as she arrives, everyone is taken aback by her beauty as she quickly makes her way to the top, which causes a lot of jealousy amongst the other models who had been working for years with the hopes of getting where she is.

The very first thing I noticed when the film started was how stylish it was. Everything from the cinematography, to its use of color, to the soundtrack felt sleek, trippy and seductive which really pulled me into the film and helped accompany its theme of beauty obsession.

The story starts out very intriguing. We are quickly introduced to the fierce and unforgiving world of the fashion industry, and I was interested to see how it was going to affect Jesse, who was younger, more innocent and less experienced than the other models. After scoring a personal photoshoot with one the top photographers, it is clear that Jesse is going to make it big. We quickly see her get consumed by her new status as a top model,

as she becomes more narcissistic. Throughout several trippy photoshoots and nightclub sequences in the movie, the gradual change in color from blue the red in these scenes helps show her loss of innocence.

While it was visually intriguing, the movie definitely felt like style over substance at times. Much like the models in the film, the Neon Demon was pretty, but did not have much depth. However, while shallowness is often a criticism for a movie, it may have actually been the point of this film. In an interview, Nicolas Winding Refn described how he believes that we use beauty to define quality. This the theme the drives the film as we see models’ entire lives depend solely on the their looks. While it is a powerful idea, I did feel like it was weakened by an over the top, ultra gorey final act. Although I did anticipate some sort of horror/violence to appear later in the film based on the behavior of the jealous models near the beginning, the events at the end were so over the top and bizarre that it made it very much less believable and was difficult to take seriously. However, I was still engaged throughout the entire film, and found myself thinking about its themes and the way it presented the fashion industry long after the credits rolled. It’s not for everybody, but if you’re looking for something completely different and enjoy the horror genre then it is definitely worth checking out.

TBy:he Blair Witch Project Kiera Hood

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t’s been seventeen years since ‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999) was released, which changed the “found footage” platform in the horror film genre forever. Following ‘The Blair Witch Project’, a year later, ‘Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2’ tried to match the success of its predecessor and failed miserably, disappointing Blair Witch fans. However, a new film in the Blair Witch series has been released this fall and it’s most certainly the sequel that ‘Book of Shadows’ should have been. ‘Blair Witch’ (2016), which is produced

by Adam Wingard, is a great combination of a continuation from the original storyline as well as a tribute to the first film.

The story picks up sixteen years after Heather Donahue and her fellow film student peers go missing in the woods of Burkittsville, Maryland, home to the infamous Blair Witch. James, Heather’s little brother, has found a miniscule amount of evidence that persuades him to believe that his sister is still alive. And in a traditional horror movie sense, James somehow convinces his group of friends, Peter, Ashley and Lisa, to join him on his venture into creepy woods where many people have been reported missing. A local couple also joins the group to ‘guide’ them to the specific location of where they found Heather’s camcorder.

Lisa, coincidentally, is a film student who wants to document their entire experience in the woods, so she prepares the group with high-tech equipment: head cameras, walkie-talkies, professional microphones, perimeter cameras, and even a drone.

This aspect of the film made the story a little bit scarier in terms of being able to see everything at

1999

different angles from the lost campers’ perspective to security camera perspective. The group’s preparation for documentation was great, except they didn’t prioritize their preparation for their inevitable deaths in dangerous, well-worn territory. (Sidenote: All of this cool tech, by the way, allows the audiences to get a glimpse of just how terrifyingly strong the Witch’s powers can be.)

The downward spiral of death the group falls into occurs really early in the film, which doesn’t actually allow for any character development or substance for the plot. With jump scares that happen almost every ten minutes, the film includes a bunch of different horror movie characteristics like time / dimension lapses, body horror, elongated-limbed creatures, wooded figurines, and even claustrophobic situations. The latter characteristic was what really freaked me out – despite Callie’s fate – because crawling through a small tunnel… in the dark…underneath a house…while being stalked by a witch is just not an ideal situation.

I went into this film with a highly-placed expectations bar, and I think ‘Blair Witch’ hit the ‘meh’ level; it wasn’t as great as I was hoping for it to be, and that could just be because I watch too many horror movies that they’ve become predictable to me. BUT. I really did think that Wingard saved all of us Blair Witch fans by rebounding with this great ‘official’ sequel. Who knows, maybe in sixteen years, we’ll have another film that’ll feed our desire to watch another group, who is next in line to be dumb enough to bother the Blair Witch in her woods.

The Myth of the Male Feminist By: Jamie Smith

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n late 2015, the adult entertainment industry was rocked with the news that James Deen, a male performer, was accused of rape by a former girlfriend and fellow porn performer, Stoya. Soon after, more female performers stepped forward, both in solidarity with Stoya, and to assert that they too had been the victims of abuse and sexual misconduct by Deen. Deen brushed the allegations off as “egregious” and “defamatory,” but the damage was done: both The Daily Beast and The Huffington Post branded Deen as the “Bill Cosby of porn.”

You might be reading this and wondering why you should care. This situation may very well confirm what you thought about the adult entertainment industry in general as one that precipitates misogyny and violence. Well, the reason Deen’s case was distinct was that he was seen by both fans (called “Deenagers”) and those more ambivalent towards the world of porn as a “feminist porn star.” Despite the fact that Deen has said earlier in 2015 that he did not consider himself a feminist, some women had dubbed him as such nonetheless. As Ann Friedman points out in her article for NYMag’s The Cut, Deen was a pornstar that women could feel good about watching.

He was outspoken about his support of consent and communication with sexual partners. He was the chairman of an advocacy group for adult performers. His body type was not the stereotypical overly muscular look expected for male performers. All of this made him an anomaly in the porn world, and fans (especially female) responded well.

constitutes a female feminist, while nearly nonexistent standards for what constitutes a male feminist. Female feminists must first self-identify as feminist to then be considered as such by the population at large; for male feminists, this step is merely optional. That is the reason it can sting when a so-called “male feminist” shows his true colors in one-way or another (that is, if you are a fan of that person or their stances). It is a trope that plays out time and time again, not only in entertainment, but also in politics. The bar is set so low for a man to become a “male feminist” that the term might as well not mean anything.

In an effort to both make feminism “cool” and dispel the notion that feminists are misandrists, the term has been fastened to any famous man who makes a remotely female-positive comment.

As a feminist, I am tired of having the bar be set so low. There ought to be a level of self-awareness that is required--that is, a man must acknowledge the fact, at least to himself but hopefully to others as well, that he believes in full equality between women and men.

The way to solve this, of course, lies in solving a larger issue: the trappings of masculinity. By definition, masculinity is supposed to be seen as antithetical to all things female--from femininity to feminism. Holding these seemingly polar opposites in mind, it can be understood that men who are attempting to appear as stereotypically masculine would not see feminism fitting in any way to their self-identity. In fact, much of what is considered to be masculine grew in response to secIn an ironic double standard, feminist wom- ond-wave feminism and the gay rights movement. en often have extremely high standards for what It appears that you can either be a male feminist,

or you can be seen as masculine, but there are no circumstances under which you can be both.

This is a mindset that is damaging for all genders.

Moreover, there is a common misconception that through promoting equality for women as a man, you are naturally relinquishing some of your own rights--this is untrue. There is not a fixed amount of equality that needs to be distributed equally among genders. This is not a math problem. The success of others is not relative to your success, and for others to do better, you are not by virtue of that going to be doing worse. In fact, when there is more equity among genders, quality of life improves for everyone (just look to Scandinavia for proof ). Thus it is helpful to reframe gender equality from being just a “women’s issue” to being everyone’s issue.

If you have read this far (which is a feat in and of itself ), I encourage you to question your role.

If you are a man, you should know that when you are advocating for gender equality, you are advocating for yourself (and not to sound flip, but if this matters to you, advocating for gender equality definitely makes you more attractive). By adopting the term feminist, you believe that your mother and your father, or you and your sister, or your daughter and your son, all deserve the same rights and opportunities. I know that things often don’t seem that bad at UNH, or in New Hampshire, or in the United States. And it’s true, many of us are very lucky--but there is still a long way to go for less visible populations of women and people in general, from your next-door neighbor to someone halfway across the world. Maybe then there won’t even have to be something called a “male feminist”--there will just be feminists.

A Healthy Thanksgiving By: Danielle Ouelette

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rying to stay healthy during the holiday season can be extremely difficult.

We come up with every excuse. They range from “I’m not the one cooking,” to “it’s only once a year,” to justify our unhealthy food choices, when in reality it isn’t that hard to stay on track. This Thanksgiving, try to choose some healthier yet still delicious alternatives to the classics. If you’re not having a gathering at your house, offer to bring a dish. By doing so you control what goes into it and you’ll be able to make it a healthier option at the dinner table. Here are some easy alternatives to Thanksgiving classics.

- Love mashed potatoes? Try mashed cauliflower instead! It has the same texture as potatoes without as many carbs. Add a little cheese and some salt and pepper. Your guests won’t even notice a difference. (Okay, they might but they’ll get over it) - Kick the canned cranberry sauce to the curb and make your own! Not only does it taste better

but making your own sauce will cut out unnec- Before you buy a bag of rolls to pop in the essary sugar and calories. Mix a bag of the little oven and then cover with butter, consider getting red berries with some water, sugar and a splash flatbread instead. By opting for flatbread, you of orange juice in a pot on the stove and cook. cut out calories you don’t need. Top the bread with a little bit of olive oil, some fresh rosemary - When Grandma asks if you want her to make and garlic then stick it in the oven for a few minher green bean casserole, offer to make some freshly utes. You’ll have yourself a new crowd favorite. steamed green beans instead. You can even make a delicious, lower calorie sauce out of vegetable - What Thanksgiving dinner would be comstock, cornstarch, and low-fat Greek yogurt. Add a plete without pumpkin pie? Well, this one. You little salt and pepper and you will have a delicious, don’t have to cut out the classic dessert comhealthy alternative to Grandma’s classic side dish. pletely, just have smaller pieces. Instead of cutting slices of pie, cut little squares! This way, - Another side dish that could be doctored up you can still enjoy it while still saving calories. is the classic candied yams- you know the ones you only eat for the marshmallows on top? Well, See? Eating healthy during the holidays doesn’t to make it a little better for you whip the sweet have to be impossible. It just takes a little more efpotatoes with nonfat Greek yogurt instead of fort. And if you don’t want to completely give up heavy cream. Add some maple syrup, brown sug- your favorite holiday meals, you don’t have to. Just ar, a little bit of cinnamon, and some butter. You’ll remember that everything is okay in moderation. love this dish even more than the original, even though it doesn’t have any marshmallows on top.

Ski Bum By: Carlos Martens

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ave you ever imagined a life without responsibilities? A daily routine where obligations and priorities don’t exist? Would you forsake your current situation to escape to this utopia? Not long ago, these were the thoughts that crossed my mind. I searched for an escape to a new environment where I could do what I wanted to do. I fled the everyday hustle and went north into the Green Mountains of Vermont. I became a ski bum and discovered a simple life in the mountains.

As a supervisor I was given more freedom. I wasn’t assigned to just one chairlift; I now had the liberty to float around the mountain and make sure the chairlifts were running smoothly. It also became my duty to transport liftys by snowmobile and be ready to mobilize to wherever needed via the use of walky-talkies. My job quickly became more play than work. My morning commute consisted of snowmobiling, sunrise chairlift rides and snowboarding. The ten-hour workdays were happily spent on my snowboard and snowmobile, exploring the mountain and Halfway through college I decided I wasn’t ready simply enjoying life. The thrills and chills that I’ve to commit to a career choice. I didn’t know what I been chasing have culminated into a paycheck. was passionate about, I didn’t fully understand my academic strengths and weaknesses. I was attending On my days off, I would simply go snowcollege because I was told to, not because I wanted boarding. Not a day went by that wasn’t spent to. I was just a young punk in love with the out- slashing pow, scoping dope lines in the woods, doors and chasing the thrills that life has to offer. and nailing new tricks in the park. I acquired a group of like-minded individuals who would beGetting a job at a ski resort was a piece of come my best friends. We became a wolf-pack, a cake, I applied for a lift operator position, aka, tight-knit group of snowboard homies hell-bent a “lifty” and was hired almost immediately. on the notion to shred and destroy. We would I found a comfortable cabin apartment nesparty all night and snowboard all day. Fueled by tled at the base of my new mountain home. alcohol, adrenaline and Mother-Nature’s good Little did I know what was in store for me. herb, we embraced this life-style, nothing could My days began before dawn. I would be suited bring us down, except gnarly wipe-outs of course. and booted in my snowboard gear and clocked The evenings were spent in front of the woodinto work as the sun began to peak over the horistove, nursing our wounds with ice-packs and zon. Every sunrise I found myself at the summit, bottles of tequila, joking and laughing as we rembreathing the crisp winter air, strapping into my inisced on the days shred session, waiting to hear board and getting first tracks as the sun rose. Liftys where the party was. Long days of snowboarding are required to perform pre-operational checks of turned into long nights of partying and most of the chairlifts and get them ready to run. We would us would get two hours of sleep before waking shovel snow all morning and operate the lifts all to head to work. I know its wrong, but someday. I exceled at this type of work, and in a short times I’d clock-in still drunk and be asked to rip while I was promoted to a supervisor position. a snowmobile through a snowstorm to head to

commence my workday. The smell of gasoline and fresh mountain air as the snow fell was sobering and surreal, I can’t deny the fun I had every time.

Becoming a local is akin to acquiring a noble status. You weren’t a “Jerry” from New Jersey, or a “Joey” from New York, or the know-it-all college kids that flooded the weekends, behaving as if they owned the mountain. We were locals, we knew where the secret stashes of powder were hidden, where the rad parties were, and where the best riding could be found. We acquired unspoken privileges in our ski town such as access to private hot tubs, skipping the lines at bars and clubs, and getting free drinks.

I was hooked, I was living! I embrace winter’s chill and I love snow. I love the outdoors and the simplicity of being a mountain man. But as time went on, I realized this is only temporary. This type of work doesn’t pay well. But that was just it, you don’t do it for the money, you do it because you love it! Yet, this too begins to fade. I watched as the peers I grew up with began to graduate college and begin careers, and here I was, frozen in time just chasing thrills. But it wasn’t for nothing; by stripping down all of life’s responsibilities I was able to see the path ahead of me, I knew what I wanted to do. I got this lifestyle out of my system, and I am back in college excelling like I never did before. I know if I didn’t pursue a ski-bum life, I would’ve gotten a degree that I didn’t understand and career that I didn’t like. By being a ski bum, I realized that what I wanted was to be happy, to wake up every day and love what I do for pay. I was sad to leave my ski town behind, but I will forever carry the adventurous spirit that lured me there in the first place.

Photos by Carlos Martens

“We call this hurry up and wait.” - Firefighter Scott McGrath (right).

By Michael Valotto I wanted to be that fly.

The one on the wall, but I didn't have a wall to stick to. So Instead, I was a bug.

The bug that goes splat on your windshield. Except it wasn't your windshield.

This windshield was on 30 tons of red steel and this windshield was looking II good before I went splat!

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The firefighter tried to wipe me off, but he had no luck. For fourteen hours I stayed smeared to that shining beast of an apparatus on homecoming night.

When morning came around, I was shook, but alive. I nursed my wounds.

I Patched my wings and again I took flight.

I saw many things in that interim of fourteen hours, things that take more than 197 words to describe.

Though, I can tell you; that in my time with the Durham Fire Department, I witnessed: honor, selflessness, pride, duty, courage, family, and meaning.

I saw a passion from those individuals, a passion that burned from within each and every one of them. I experienced the company of the men and woman who would risk everything so that you may live.

I witnessed the bond between a family that only few can say they’ve ever shared.

II - Firefighter McGrath (left) Firefighter Eric Vierkant (right).

III - Officer Derek Standard and Firefighter Matt Hunt.

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Above: Firefighter Lundberg

Above: Chief, Corey J. Landry

Your Friendly Neighborhood Drug Dealer

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By: Andrew Hartnett

BO’s series “High Maintenance” is not a reality TV show. The series features ten-minute clips about a marijuana dealer named “The Guy” who travels around New York City dealing weed to a variety of quirky characters. Each episode features a new deal or character, and the marijuana-influenced shenanigans that follow make up much of the show’s material. Imagine combining Humans of New York with That 70’s Show.

After binge watching the show a few weeks back, I was wondering what High Maintenance would be like based in real life, like reality TV. What’s a day in the life of the average weed dealer like? Fast-forward 10 days, and I’m sitting in my living room at 1:30 p.m. with a local marijuana dealer talking about music festivals and splitting some lunch.

“It’s really not that exciting,” said the dealer, who I’ll call Greg for anonymity reasons. Greg, a senior student at UNH, views himself as more of a friend who does favors than a “dealer.”

“I go to class, I go to work, I’ve got an internship, just sometimes I smoke a little pot and leave friends with some to go home with.”

Greg insists on the difference college has made on marijuana deals, and the difference between himself and what one’s grandma might picture when they hear “drug dealer.”

“In high school the guy I picked up from sold pills, had weapons, and seemed dangerous. I like to think nowadays when people come through I’m

providing a safe service. They [clients of Greg’s] closed-looking building with a door locked by should be comfortable, and I want them to go electronic keypad. After entering the first door, Bill and friend carefully treaded up some half-broken home happy.” stairs to another steel plated door with a padlock.

Greg added with a laugh that his clients can be a They entered the room only to find $1000 bottles forgetful bunch and sometimes leave their purchase of champagne lit up by Christmas lights lining the at the house, or smoke it all in one sitting without walls (dealers love Christmas lights apparently), meaning to. and the “friendliest French Bulldog and Husky” Nobody is meeting in the CVS parking lot any- that Bill had ever met. more to pick up a bag of oregano. In college, people Bill spent most of the time petting the dogs while are cooler about marijuana, and have been for dethe supplier spent 30 minutes lying on the ground, cades. My parents told me of some guys they knew ranting, “why the fuck do I have all these chamat UMASS Amherst in the 80’s who would turn on pagne bottles. Where did I get these? I don’t need the Christmas lights on the outside of their house this shit.” When the subject of weed came up, the when they had pot they were selling. supplier had well over three pounds of marijuana “If the lights were on, they were holding,” my stashed under his couch in color-coded bags. By the time 1 a.m. rolled around, Bill was ready to mom said with a laugh. leave.

Times have changed a bit since then, and so have “Most deals are not great stories,” said Greg ofthe methods of communication. Christmas lights are a little more creative than the usual “Yo, I got fering his two-cents while smoke curled above his that dank, you need some green?” text that is often head. “Usually I’ll be doing homework, I get a text, I weigh it out and they swing through. We chat, sent out again and again to local clientele. smoke a joint or something, maybe, and go on our That said, sometimes the business can be a shifty way.” one.

Just as life is not as exciting as reality TV, dealing Another student whom I went to high school weed is not always as exciting as a miniseries makes with, a former student at Bridgewater State Uniit appear. Sometimes someone comes over for a versity, told me a story about driving to Worcester, joint and you get to hear a good story. Other times, MA in the middle of the night to pick up a pound you might hold a stranger’s dogs for protection at 1 of marijuana with a friend of his. a.m. in the bad part of Worcester.

Let’s call him Bill.

With this dealer, I’m glad I got the good story.

According to Bill, they showed up at a fore-

Fashion Culture Shock By: Kate Sutherby

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fter coming back from adventures abroad in Florence, Italy I was excited to return to UNH as a more cultured, sophisticated, and fashionable woman. On my first Thursday back, I was excited to go downtown with my best friends who I had been separated from for the past five months. My preparation for the night was much different than it had been in Italy. I began by showering in a space that was larger than a miniature cardboard box, drying my hair without blowing a fuse in my apartment, and straightening my hair with my beloved straightener that I had left behind. Next I chose to wear what I thought to be the most chic European outfit: skintight jeans, a black silk blouse with elongated sleeves and open back, paired with my golden Massimo leather satchel that was bound together with a dark silver chain. I was confident that I’d for sure be the hippest girl in downtown Durham.

Well, I was in for a shock the moment I stepped on to the Wildcat Transit and saw two girls with the same exact satchel as me. Maybe I wasn’t so cool after all. I had thought I was so trendy and anti-mainstream, but that was quickly disproved when I arrived downtown and saw a crowd of girls dressed almost identical to me.

I thought to myself, wow maybe European fashion has carried over to Durham nightlife, or I just never adopted the fashion around me in one of the most iconic fashion cities in the world.

The following Monday, I was determined to dress to impress with an Italian flare to my style.

To my surprise once again, I looked like an absolute fool dressed as if I was walking in Milan fashion week during a 9:10 am class. Everyone else seemed relaxed in leggings, baggy sweaters, and converse while I sat stiff in tight white denim jeans, an olive green long sleeve, flashy statement necklace, and 3” heel brown leather boots. I had forgotten what it was like to go to class in a comfortable outfit; Italian women wouldn’t be caught dead wearing sweatpants in public so I quickly learned to dress up in order to somewhat blend in.

In Florence, it was exhilarating to go to class in a fancy outfit, drink espresso, and walk past designer stores such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada. I think I was attempting to bring some of these values back into my New Hampshire lifestyle. Maybe it will happen one day, but for now I’m not complaining about wearing leggings and a sweatshirt as I trek to Dunkins before my 8 am.

My culture shock with fashion is comparable to my overall culture shock in general. At times I see similarities to the way people acted abroad to how people act here, but then I also see extreme differences that often leave me stunned for a while until I remember I have to re-learn certain American cultural values that I had previously known my entire life. So Wildcats, keep stylin’ until I reclaim my American fashion senses once again.

True Stories of the Haunted Houses on Mill Road By: Corey Scarano

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hen I entered my senior year of college, moving into a big house with four of my best friends, I expected sleepless nights- I just didn’t expect that those nights would be caused from a haunting within my new home.

My friends and I live on Mill Rd., a highly desired spot as an upperclassmen to reside, both being close to downtown and academic buildings.

We were so excited when we signed the lease- our biggest concern being the thought of spiders in an older house.

My first night in the house this summer, I was exhausted from moving all day. When I had finally unpacked all my boxes, I couldn’t have been more excited to hit the pillow- the smell of fresh paint still surrounding me. I couldn’t have been asleep for more than an hour when I woke up to a loud bang.

I shot up and looked around, knowing I was the only one in the house that night. I was now sitting up and completely awake when I heard the front door slam shut, and then creaking on the staircase as if someone were walking up them slowly. I immediately texted my only roommate at the time asking if she had just come home for some reason, she replied “no I’m at the cottages tonight.” I was incredibly freaked out. Sometime later, I fell back asleep with all of my lights on.

That night I was woken up three more times by odd noises, all of which to this day I can’t seem to justify by outside factors or the fact that it’s “just an old house”, and I definitely know I wasn’t hearing things.

But because I didn’t want to freak out the rest of my roommates who hadn’t moved in yet, I kept that terrifying, sleepless night to myself. That is until one of my roommates visited in the summer and stayed in my room, texting me the next morning asking if I had ever heard noises in the house…

own ghost stories as they happened night by night, other day my roommate was saying that while he week by week. was alone in our house brushing his teeth he heard something fall in our kitchen out of no where.

When my roommate was talking about her ghost When he went to check it out, a cup had just fallen experience in class one day, a friend stopped her off the counter onto the floor. He was spooked.” and asked her if she also lived on Mill Road. Bingo. The friend told my roommate what another girl Cueno then asked if he should be worried if their living on Mill Road had been experiencing, and the house is haunted. I said yes, and here is why. haunting seemed to widen from just one house.

After some research, it isn’t surprising that these Jessie Brooks, a UNH student living at a Mill older houses would be haunted by restless spirits.

Road house isn’t sleeping well either this semester. We’ve all heard of Three Chimneys Inn, just a five These residents first run-in with a haunting was minute walk from the Mill Road houses. This Inn when a roommate came downstairs one morning is infamously haunted, so much so that it has been completely spooked, claiming she swore she could featured on national T.V. shows and even made a see a white figure in her closet starring at her the list for the top 20 haunted places in America. Is the previous night. She only told her roommates, town of Durham haunted? knowing it was a bold claim, when later that day her friend Becca came over who had stayed in her Some History: The Oyster River bedroom a week earlier.

Massacre.

Brooks remembers Becca saying, “Oh my god I totally forgot to tell you guys I could barely sleep last weekend because I swear I saw something starring at me from Marissa’s closet.” The roommate was convinced someone had told the friend the story, but Brooks swears no one told her the white figure story. This is when they were convinced they were haunted.

Brooks, whose room is upstairs, says one time she heard the door slam downstairs and then footsteps, so she went downstairs to greet whoever had just come home to find no one. She repeatedly yelled, “hello? hello?” with no answer. She ran back to her room and waited for a roommate to actually get back.

Brooks has also woken up to seeing a figure at the end of her bed, and her roommate was once convinced there was a fire in their home because she kept seeing “smoke like” figures in her room one night.

The English settlement of Oyster River was attacked by Villieu with about 250 Abenaki Indians, composed of two main groups from the Penobscot and Norridgewock under command of their chief, Bomazeen. The Indian force was divided into two groups to attack the settlement, which was laid out on both sides of the Oyster River. The attack began at daybreak, with the small forts quickly falling to the attackers. In all, 104 inhabitants were killed and 27 taken captive, with half the dwellings, including the garrisons (their stationed body of troops), pillaged and burned to the ground. Crops were destroyed and livestock killed, causing famine and destitution for survivors.

The Oyster River to this day flows through all of Durham. These Indians who’s lives were destroyed, homes burned to the ground- lived right here. They established land on both sides of the river, miles deep, just to get it taken, and then murdered. These Indians could very well be wandering within our Mill Road homes, too stubborn to leave the roots that were wrongfully taken from them.

Brooks and her roommates are so convinced that they are haunted at Mill Road that they have conTrying to stay cool, I asked her what she heard Call us crazy, call us what you want. But spend sidered hiring a medium to come speak to the spirit and if she was possibly dreaming. She said no way; a night or two like we have within these homes, with them. that had she repeatedly heard someone on the stairhearing, and sometimes even seeing what we havecase, when no one else was in the house but her And if a two houses full of convinced students and you may not have as many doubts. As I am that night and her boyfriend, who was right next isn’t enough, there’s a third on Mill Road with sitting here editing alone in my house, I once again to her. similar spooks. When a friend inquired why I was hear noises upstairs, regardless of the fact that all asking about living on Mill Road, I told him I was the windows and doors are closed. If you are thinkWe couldn’t be haunted on a college campus doing a story on how some people thought their ing of renting a house on Mill Road house, take house, no way, I thought. But more and more, the houses were haunted. Jack Cueno, a UNH senior, into consideration the extra roommate you may be roommates who doubted us and called us crazy immediately responded, “Wow, that is actually re- housing- for if anything is certain at all, they are would get white in the face when they told us their ally weird you just said that,” he went on, “Just the known to make themselves right at home.

Photos by Noelle Dolan

Microaggressions and Disability on Campus

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By: Larissa Claar f I asked you to define the word stereotype, you could probably do it pretty easily right?

You know, those common statements that generalize and group individuals together due to a widespread belief? Here’s an example, all blondes are ditzy and unintelligent… I’m willing to bet you’ve heard that one before.

Now I’ll ask you to try to define the term microaggression.

Could you do it? Most of the people I ask have never heard of a microaggression, I only receive looks of confusion, as if I made up the word myself.

This is where the problem lays.

Let me help you out; a microaggression is often unintentional, but nonetheless offensive. It is a comment or notion that is often verbally expressed in such a way that reinforces a stereotype and is derogatory on many levels. In a world that is continuously progressing in hundreds of directions, good and bad, microaggressions make their way into millions of lives on a daily basis. They have

the ability to slip out of the mouths of just about cases cannot even be seen. Disability ranges from any one. loss of mobility, hearing and vision to cognitive and psychological disorders.

I could go on to speculate microaggressions as a whole, which could take hours, but there is one University of New Hampshire senior Lecturer subset in particular that plagues the college cam- in Women’s Studies, Joelle Ruby Ryan, opened up puses. Those are microaggressions that are aimed about disability on campus. “In a university setting, towards the physically and mentally disabled. where there is such a strong emphasis on excellence and strength, disabled people may constantly be When I started writing this, I questioned how I made to feel that we are not “measuring up” somewould do it without microaggressing people in the how because we are being judged by standards that process. I wanted opinions and different perspecassume able-bodiedness and not having a chronic tives to get my points across, and that is difficult to illness,” Ryan said. do without making assumptions in an individual’s direction. What I mean by this is assuming that any Students are not the only ones affected by mione with a disability would be willing to speak with croaggressions on campus; faculty sees it too. Ryan me about it. That is one of the most prominent went on to talk about some personal experience. microaggressions that exists, taking disability as an “As a person with mental illness, I have been told open invitation into someone’s private life. that my disability is not real and that if I just tried harder I would be able to overcome any problems According to the CDC, in 2015 a recorded one associated with being mentally ill,” Ryan explained. out of every five adults in the United States had a “As a person who sometimes uses a cane, I have disability of some sort. Many of these disabilities people rudely ask ‘what’s up with the cane?’ or ‘why are very obvious; but most are subtle and in often

are you using that now?’”

The reality of it is, whether it is mental or physical, disability is real. The culture we live in has engrained this unrealistic concept that embodies a model of perfection that truly could never exist.

Time is wasted in a never-ending attempt morph into an ideal model in which we are all taught to fit into. Our society is designed for the able bodied – structurally and conceptually, and this is the very reason microaggressions and stereotypes are so prevelant.

There are numerous buildings right here on the UNH campus that are not accessible to all, whether that be stairs upon a building entry, no elevator access, or even desks that are made for a specific body type – the list could go on. It’s incredibly important that able-bodied privilege is recognized, understood and that student’s and faculty take this into consideration when going through daily life.

Senior UNH student, Charlie Durkin, evaluated some common microagressions heard right here on campus. “People always say stuff like “crazy”, “stupid”, “bipolar”, and “insane” to describe everyday things and using all those terms in such a casual way is very ableist and dismissive of the issues faced by people who legitimately get called or labeled those things,” Durkin explained.

The most difficult part about microaggressions is that very rarely are they said to insult or hurt others. In some ways, they even commonly come from a place of what people think to be “compassion.”

However asking a person in a wheel chair, “what happened?” or “you don’t look like you have a disability,” or even saying to someone with depression, “just be happy,” are not examples of compassion.

These are some of the hundreds of undermined phrases that stab at people with disabilities, and even though they often are not meant to be insults, the accusation and comparison to those who are disabled to those who are not, are a constant reminder.

time to time we may end up expressing ourselves in the wrong way unintentionally. The challenge from there is thinking before speaking, understanding before assuming, and fostering any mistakes to avoid them down the road.

Durkin believes that reaching out and educating ourselves as a society could really make the difference. “It’s not the PC (politically correct) police out to get anyone, its just people trying to help one another. Use the most inclusive language possible “I also see cases where people immediately speak so we can make a better environment for people of to the presumably able-bodied person who accom- all abilities.” Durkin explained. panies a disabled person as if the disabled person Ryan also believes that education in the matter doesn’t exist or talking to a service animal while is a key to a better society. “Don’t expect the miignoring its disabled owner,” expressed Ryan. Ofnoritized person to always be your educator, but ten it is not one small comment that will make a seek out good information and work to become an huge impact, but it is the cumulative effect of the ally,” said Ryan.” Able-bodied people need to listen constant and unnoticed ridicule that piles up, comto disabled people’s voices, affirm their experiences, ment after comment, day after day. and acknowledge the oppression they face.”

Anneke Smith, member of the organization In a perfect world, microaggressions would not *Stop the Stigma, right here at UNH, said that exist. Maybe to some that’s not realistic, but I feel more often than not, individuals with a disabilithe path to that objective could start with all peoty just wanted to be treated normally. “I think it’s ple holding themselves accountable. Next time you extremely important just to remember that we’re encounter somebody different than yourself, think all just people who all have struggles we’re dealing for a moment how you would want to be treated, with, and although this is an elementary school and then proceed and grow from there. term, you should treat people the way you’d want to be treated,” said Smith. *Stop the Stigma is an organization dedicated to reducing the stigma towards mental illness and suiAt this point you may be asking yourself well cide, opening the discussion towards these issues, and how do I know what would bother who, and who offering support and understanding for those who are is bothered by what? No one is perfect, and from experiencing similar difficulties.

What Makes Home, Home?

By: Madison Forsberg

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hen I was 8 years old my dad be at a park, or a campground, or even way up in took a job in Herzogenaurach, the mountains. Or home could not Germany. Just finishing the second grade, I found myself being taken away from the life I knew with family and friends in Portland, OR and flown to the southern part of a country I had only ever heard about. I wasn’t just leaving my house and my family behind, I wasn’t just leaving behind the streets I grew up on, it felt like I was leaving my heart behind.

After the move to a small German village just outside of Herzogenaurach, I realized it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Living in Germany is an experience I am extremely thankful for. Attending a small local International school, the Franconian International School (FIS), I was not only exposed to other cultures, able to meet people from all around the world and travel around Europe, but I was able to fully establish where I knew my home was: Portland.

While living abroad, my family and I frequently went back to Portland; every summer, and for most Christmases. For the past 11 years I have gone home. And I call it going home because that is what I have always done. From the first year I spent away it was never “going to Oregon to visit,” it has, and always will be “going home”. It was my family’s way of keeping a connection to the place we came from and to our family. This tradition of going home at certain times of the year carried on through my family’s next move to Melrose, MA. I spent my entire high school career in Mass, even some of my middle school career and it is still where my parents live today. My younger brother currently attends the same high school I graduated from and I go back to visit quite often, because it is so close to UNH. People often ask me why, even after 11 years, 6 of which being spent in Melrose, I don’t identify Melrose as my home. My house is there, so it would make sense to say that, right? I have the new iPhone update that recognizes locations and it recognizes my house in Melrose as my home, but sometimes your home is not where you spend most of your time, or where your iPhone thinks it is.

There are a lot of factors that play into where someone chooses to identify as home. For me, a major factor is family. My family is very small in contrast to most, my brother and I being the only grandchildren on both sides. With a family so small, the bond becomes very large, and having all of my family in one place makes the area feel even more like a home setting. People are a major factor of what makes a place home, the sense of familiarity that comes from having people close to you. There is always something to do and someone to see. Home is not something that is foreign; it is a place where you are at ease.

be a place at all, you could find home within yourself or within another person. It doesn’t have to be where your house is, or even where your body is. Home could be in a place that you have never been to before and have yet to discover. But eventually, you will find your home and no matter how far you wander, or how far life takes you, it will always be where you left it. Your home is a part of your It is a feeling. It could be within the boundaries identity. It is something you carry with you, within of a city, it could be at a certain coffee shop, it could yourself every day and every moment. Home could

change, and this could scare some, but when it comes down to definition, home goes beyond what your read in the dictionary and beyond the walls of your house. It becomes where you belong; where you feel you belong.

My home is in Portland, my house in Melrose, and my body is in Durham.

Fall Fashion Update By: Mikayla Scharn

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nother year has blown by, and we are coming to the end of nearly everyone’s favorite season. The smell of pinecones and pumpkins, the taste of warm tea and coffee, and most importantly the look of fall fashion! We all know the typical styles for fall include flannels, oversized sweaters, and warm boots. But have you ever

wanted to hop out of the norm and make your fall style stand out from everyone else? Wearing velvet, suede or leather can be just as comfortable as wearing yoga pants or sweatpants. This fall, encourage yourself to style differently than everyone else on campus. Branching out into different looks is exactly what I’m going to talk about in this article of the latest fashion trends for this fall.

Look #1: Suede is easily one of my favorite materials for fall. In this look, Gabriela Misiewicz is wearing suede heeled knee high boots from LF. The closest LF to UNH is on newbury street in Boston, and is definitely worth the ride. At the end of each season they have a huge sale where the whole store is 60% off. It gives customers the opportunity to buy expensive designer brands for really reasonable prices. The suede skirt is from Brandy Melville, and the striped top is from free people. The top was purchased at Solsistar Boutique downtown Durham on main street, which carries a variety of brands.

Look #3: In this look I’m wearing everything from Brandy Melville, except for my wedge sandals which can be purchased anywhere. This outfit can go from summer right into the fall with the warm white cardigan to keep you shielded from the cold. Wearing maroon is a fall must, and you can match it with any monochrome colors or nudes. A simple look like this would go great with a simple gold necklace, or for a funkier style you could wear a cool layered necklace, such as the one’s you can find at free people.

I styled four different outfits that scream the epitome of fall. Every item of clothing is from affordable clothing stores. Most of the stores such as Brandy Melville, LF, and Aritzia are located closest in Boston Massachusetts on Newbury Street.

Although different alternatives can be found anywhere in shopping areas closer like Portsmouth!

Look #2: Sawyer Twombly’s look is on the cozier and warmer side, but she still looks very put together. The cardigan is from Aritzia, the top underneath is from Free People, the jeans are from Carmar denim (which can be expensive, but you can wear any dark shade or light shade of plain jeans with this outfit), and the boots are from Nordstroms. Long cardigans are a fall favorite for many people, but each cardigan starts to look the same. That’s what I love so much about the Ionic cape from Aritzia. It’s the length and style that makes this cardigan different from all the rest. Heeled ankle boots are another popular fall fashion item. Some of my favorite stores to buy my ankle boots from is Jeffrey Campbell, H&M, Forever 21, and Urban Outfitters.

Look #4: This is yet another outfit almost entirely from Brandy Melville aside from the tights that are from urban outfitters, and the black heel boots that are from H&M. Skirts may seem to be a struggle to wear in the cold, but when you pair it with a comfortable sweater or long shirt, the cold isn’t as unbearable. Black tights or knee high warm socks is great to pair with boots, and can instantly make your outfit more fashionable. Urban outfitters has a vast amount of knee high or ankle socks for the fall and winter. Definitely worth checking out!

Why I Am Proud to Serve By: Douglas Rodoski

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very morning since I started college again at UNH, I have enjoyed parking in A Lot and walking towards downtown. My usual routine includes breakfast at HoCo, and then I go to Dimond Library to get some work done. In the Fall especially, the view on this fine New England campus is iconic and stimulating. When I make this walk, I pass by the bench outside of Murkland Hall, memorializing UNH Professor Robert G. Leblanc.

Professor Leblanc passed away on September 11, 2001; he was on Flight 175. On September 11 of this year, I saw that, as usual, there were flowers left there along with a small painted stone. I reflected, not for the first time, on what is great about our country and the people who live in it. With over 20 years of military service and my final Army contract ending in the next couple of years, my mind embarked on a stream of consciousness that reinforced why I have enlisted and re-enlisted over the years.

I serve because of all of the 9/11 victims and heroes, as well as those from the Boston Marathon bombings. Many of those affected were from the UNH community.

I am inspired by Medal of Honor Recipient Staff Sergeant Ryan Pitts, who is a UNH alumnus and spoke at the 2015 UNH Commencement in Durham.

At the 2015 commencement, Pitts challenged all of us to test our limits; we can do things that we previously thought to be impossible. He spoke about the silence surrounding him after his position in Afghanistan was attacked (in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on July 13, 2008); this was due to the loss of his fellow soldiers.

I serve because of my older brother Mike who survived a point blank shoot out in the 1980s’

during a traffic stop, while working as a police of- to show their support. Upon arriving at the entry ficer. He also continues to serve the public as a fire point of the Ground Zero operations, all bystandfighter and paramedic, saving countless lives. ers were told to put away their cameras. Right then a stream of men, women and children-family I serve because of US Army Staff Sergeant Travis members of those who perished-came out after beMills, who lost portions of both arms and legs from ing provided a view of Ground Zero. I will never an IED while on active duty in Afghanistan. He forget the look on their faces. refuses to give in; a true warrior.

I serve because right after the United Nations I serve because of my Uncle Bob, a WWII vetbuilding was bombed in Baghdad in 2003, I met eran who also introduced me to his neighbor, the two foreign national women who had been pulled late Lee Warren. Known as “The Flag Man,” he was from the rubble by coalition forces. One had an eye a Pearl Harbor survivor. He gave me an account of missing and the other was badly wounded. They the events of December 7, 1941 - and that, I will wanted to thank me, even after I told them I was never forget. not the one who had rescued them. All I could I remember an incident that occurred while train- do was hold their hands and tell them how brave ing in Manchester with my Army Reserve unit, in they were.

February of 2012. We were doing maneuvers in a I serve because on October 5 of this year, World large parking lot near the Mall of New Hampshire, War Two veteran Alan Moskin spoke to the UNH in the M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle, community, recounting the liberation of a concenor ASV. A woman approached me with a small boy, tration camp in 1945. The 90-year-old Moskin and we showed him the trucks. She explained to stood for more than two hours and stayed after the me how her husband was still experiencing PTSD, presentation to speak to young students individualafter his Afghanistan deployment. I recall the conly. Moskin delivered a strong first hand description flicted look on his face; it was like a combination of the atrocities of the Holocaust, and he implored of a child’s fascination with the big trucks, along young people to stamp out hate in their lifetimes. with a reminder of the plight of his father. I serve because of families like this.

I serve because of all of my fellow soldiers on three Iraq deployments with the U.S. Army, from I serve because after re-enlisting in the Army af2003 to 2011. The great thing about the military ter September 11th, 2001, I made a trip to Ground is the diversity; people of different ethnicities and Zero in New York City to see it first- hand. The backgrounds working together for a common goal. first things I noticed, getting off the bus at the Port This is truly a microcosm of what our country Authority, were the hand-made notices for missshould be and is at the best of times. ing persons that covered the walls of the terminal, from floor to ceiling. They said things like: “If you I serve because of these great people and many have any information regarding the whereabouts more, including the young students at this college. of my older brother, who worked on this floor of I see them excelling every day that I am here. the North Tower...” When I walked the perimeter God bless this university and God Bless America. of the recovery and cleanup operation, I met people from all over the country who made the trip

Bad Asian By: Rebecca Ma

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am a Bad Asian. I’m terrible at being Asian.

I always have been. There is no going around that. My destiny never had full-time Asian in the cards. I was raised by traditional parents who wanted me to be as Chinese as possible and I still managed to mess that up. I succeeded in missing the mark for example, I am one inch taller than the average Asian woman and I have green hair instead of black. I’ve always been a few shades tanner than my mother and I have slight eye creases instead of the standard monolid. The eye bags don’t help. I also can’t do an Asian squat so I guess that automatically results in the removal of my Asian card. I’ve never been too family oriented. Growing up, my paternal grandmother lived with us.

Traditionally the parents will live with the son and his family or the child will take care of the parents when they get to a ripened age. The point being that the child gives back to their parents for taking care of them. This is supposed to be an endless cycle of people taking care of others. I moved away to New Hampshire right after high school as opposed to my sister who only went to Oregon. In all this mess of confusion and weirdness with identity, I’ve grown to accept the mark of Bad Asian and the unknown that comes with it.

I’m not the first one with the slow burning identity crisis of being a first generation kid in America.

There’s a slang term for American born Chinese people called “banana”. Essentially it means that on the outside, it’s physically visible that a person is yellow skinned or East Asian. Despite the person being “yellow” on the outside, they are still “white” or more accurately an even cream color on the inside. I first heard the term from my sister when she returned from college, but I did find myself in the position of being a banana several times. My sister

told me that I listen to “white” music and should listen to Korean pop like her. My Mom and Dad have called me a banana on separate occasions, both over the phone. That was their nice way of telling me that they knew I was a bad Asian. My sister refuses to admit that she is a banana; instead she has settled for a plantain. I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.

I’ve really identified with Ali Wong in her experiences of being an Asian American. Ali Wong is an Asian American Comedian who is also a writer for “Fresh Off the Boat”. She does a stand up act where she talks about life as an Asian American woman. She talks about being an American woman who does “hippie shit” with her husband.

Ali Wong described her and her husband as being white people pretending to be Asian. I can’t help but relate to her. While I feel like it is my duty to at least understand more about Chinese culture and history, I end up being a complete and utter tourist in everyday life. I will marvel at pieces of Chinese culture like carved jade and calligraphy but I don’t know what it means. A lot of the time I do feel like a white person pretending to be Asian.

I was raised to be a golden bird. I was raised to be a commodity. I had piano lessons when I was a kid and my sister had dance. I was expected to write ‘essays’ everyday. I had to do math and grammar workbooks in addition to school. My sister and I were even sent to Mandarin lessons so we could learn how to read and write Chinese (I’ve since forgotten). I played a flute since I was 10. If you look at Tiger mom, this was a pretty toned down Chinese childhood. My parents were always busy and very hardworking, which kept them from breathing down my neck and having complete control of

the person I would become. There was a part of them that wanted my sister and I to have our own separate happy lives apart from them. At the same time there was that expectation to be a Chinese parent because then they’d get to have an easier time leading up to their eventual death. There were many times I was left alone to my own devices. My parents were there to remind me that I had it easy and was more spoiled than the kids who had cinder blocks placed on their feet to force them into a perfect split. It’s not unusual for an Asian American kid to do a complete 180 and do something far from what their parents wanted. I did just that.

Despite me personally identifying as a Chinese girl it doesn’t seem to matter to other Chinese people. I was always too American. My heavy American accent was distracting when I spoke to them.

To Americans, I was always too Chinese. Part of being a bad Asian was growing up in a very different culture than the one my parents were from. It was also being socialized in a culture that felt almost opposite what my parents would preach. My parents were also conflicted. They gave my sister and I American names because they felt that that was part of being American. At the same time, they wanted us to be Chinese. Throughout my life I’ve take traditional medicine more times that Western medicine because that is what they thought was best for us. They spoke Cantonese with us and we did get our traditional names. They grew up in a time and mentality where being Chinese was accentuated and a point of pride. They really tried to make us a Chinese as possible, but not to the point that we’d be completely ostracized. The balance is hard to achieve. When I finally picked to be proud and knowledgeable about my ethnicity, I proved to be absolutely terrible at being.

Holiday Life Guide By: Mackenzie Ganley

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he Holiday season is upon us, which means different things for different people. If you’re like me, you listen to Christmas music starting in October.

If you’re like the other guy, who spits on the holiday season and tells it to go kick rocks, then you might want to turn the page or use this piece as kindling for your icy soul party.

I sympathize because sometimes it’s hard to get in the holiday spirit. Last Christmas, I found myself not even really caring if it came or went, which is so unlike me, my friends asked if I was sick. For those types who just can’t get into the holiday spirit no matter how hard they try, I’m here to try and lend a hand. Because trust me, we’ve all been there.

My job is to give you inspiration so when the Holidays are upon us, you’re ready to rock your socks off around the christmas tree.

Here’s a life guide to get into the holiday spirit and save you from going on Pinterest and failing at half of the “easy” artsy crafts and décor that just end up wasting your time and effort.

Things to Do if you have Funds:

* Grab a red lippie for a quick holiday look.

Some good ones that I love are these festive reds: Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Mascate, Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Bloodline and Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Lady Balls. * It’s not Christmas without festive nails. My top picks are China Glaze in Merry Berry and Define Good. OPI’s Alpine Snow, All I want for Christmas and Gone Plaid. * Montreal is beautiful during the holiday season, and of course, New York City can’t be beat if you’re down with copious amounts of people that reminds you that there are 7 billion plus people in the world. Additionally, the White Mountains and ski resorts during the winter are beautiful—book it as soon as you can and go. * Boston is amazing too and deserves its own shout out because it’s the closer option and thus more affordable. It’s beautiful, and going out to dinner and feeling not like a college student for a day is lovely. While there are so many wonderful family owned, small restaurants that are discovered/ comes with having a mother from Cambridge, I have to say one of my favorites is Top of the Hub (sorry Mom). It’s at the top floor of the Prudential Center and offers top views of the city.

I suggest going a half hour before the sunset so you get to watch it and then enjoy dinner with the sparkly Christmas lights from above as well as watching planes land arrive and depart at Logan. If you don’t want to spend money, you can go on the other side to Winthrop and enjoy the views of Boston off the concrete wall that separates the beach from the pavement. It’ll blow your hair back, figuratively speaking.

Things to do if you have limited funds:

Christmas sweaters but for your feet, which is instructables.com. awesome and a little classier than the sweater that * College Woods in the winter is so beautiful and screams “drunk Uncle off Eggnog.” peaceful when it’s snowing. Take a walk with your * Create your signature winter perfume blend. A friends or significant other and enjoy the sound of common ingredient in many winter scented prod- snowflakes hit the leave and trees. ucts is frankincense and myrrh, which I use very * Borrow skates if you don’t want to pay the fee sparingly because it’s strong . Smells like everything for renting skates at free skate and go with somegood about the holidays. It’s much cheaper than one who knows the ponds around here and play buying a 10.00 bath bomb with that scent at Lush. pond hockey. I’ve always thought this would be a And you’ll smell like Lush without the price. great start to a Valentine’s Day date or Christmas * Go to the thrift store and get a cheap Ugly Eve date.

Christmas sweater or make your own. Or keep * There’s usually at least a handful of snowmen your eyes peeled for those Christmas adult onesies on T-Hall lawn, depending on the snowfall. Go at Target. with friends and make whatever you want. Still * Go to free skate at the Whitt (It’s a couple of waiting to see a wildcat-snowman to be honest. bucks to rent skates or you can bring your own) and pretend you’re as good as the hockey team. Just Spirits to warm you from within...

Make your own vodka present: Buy a nice glass kidding. Hold onto the sideboard like Jack and vodka bottle and add cinnamon sticks and orange Kate on that raft and don’t even be sorry. peel and tie a cute homemade card to the neck of * If you go to the Dollar Store, you can get cheap the bottle. decor for your room and not break the bank.

Vodka infused spirits: Chai Cinnamon Vodka * Get your Holiday drink down pat. Dunks, Vodka infused spirits: Spicy Christmas Citrus Starbucks, Aroma Joes or Breaking New Grounds, Coffee Craving—whichever place, create a unique Vodka winter blend of flavor shots or something. Also, These work for great gifts, and you can use vodka know when to time this so if you ever have to take ranging from Zhenka to Grey Goose in terms of the bus and/or walk during winter, at least you’re how much you care/have funds. rest assured you won’t get frostbite on your nose or stave off the chance of the beginnings of HypoGift ideas for that person you just thermic disorientation. True story. Don’t walk from Hoco to an off campus destination if you don’t don’t know what to get for: * Bar10der 10-in-1 Tool, Bloomingdales, or Amhave to. Wind chill is no joke y’all. azon for $39.99. It’s like a Swiss Army Knife but for * Buy yourself a little kid chocolate Christmas the opposite of survival skills and everything fun. countdown calendar and don’t feel ashamed. Ok Use it for mixing and making the perfect drink, all maybe a little. But you get candy everyday so who’s of which can fit in your purse or the man purse we really winning? see on weekends here: the backpack.

Things to do if you have zero funds:

*Drive to somewhere with Christmas lights, go with friends and blast Christmas music. Streets in Portsmouth usually have the full light decorations, but Durham usually does too. If you’re really hurting for Christmas lights and don’t want to drive, walk around and explore—Frat Row always has funny and nice Christmas lights. * Create the ultimate Christmas Spotify playlist * If you have zero currency to work with, I’d suggest going to Bath and Body Works during the Holiday season and at least smelling all that they have to offer and testing out the different lotions and potions and candles. My favorite scent is Vanilla Bean Noel. You can’t go wrong with them—the ppermint one is great too. * If you like to read Christmas stories or just plain miss Christmas book, you can check them out of Dimond free of judgment. Those who do judge you are clearly not on your level, so whatever. And if your roommates judge you, you can just make a drinking game out of it with every time the story mentions “Santa” or “snow.”

* Take a trip to Target, Wal-Mart or CVS and * Make snowflake paper cutouts and hang them get some cheap but festive socks. They’re like ugly up in your apartment or dorm. Find how to’s on

* I once had a roommate who bought her boyfriend a custom corn hole board with his name and his favorite sports team, all in camo. You could do one for a girl’s sorority and get her colors and letters customized on there. Prices can vary, but can be done at 200-300 dollars. * Getting something for that special snowman in your life can be one of the hardest things sometimes. If they like hockey, or play hockey, Bauer has custom hockey sticks you can order online. You can choose a player or a goalie stick. It’ll cost you around 250-300 dollars, but it’s nice in that you can put whatever you want on stick. I put “you are my goals” on the goalie stick I fake ordered because I’m corny like that.

Hopefully this lit the fire under your marshmallows and gave you inspiration to have the best Holiday season ever. Because while we’re not technically on campus for Christmas, we’re here for the 5 months of post holiday snow and festivities. So before we break out the long johns and super attractive snowpants— celebrate Fall just a little longer, but get ready to gear up for what we Wildcats do best: wintertime in Durham.

35 Minutes with Harsh Armadillo By: Allyson Couture

Members interviewed: Dimitry Harris

Camden Riley (Guitar)

(Keys, Synth, Organ)

Thomas Forbes (Bass, Vocals)

Max Harris (Saxophone, Vocals)

Dan Tauriello (Drums)

“Damn, I was going to say ‘Harsh As Fuck’.” – I walked into a two-story garage in Durham and immediately followed the sound of a lively Dan jam session to the second floor. Once I reached “I’ve got to say…Energy has got to be one of the the top, I was greeted by 5 boys going HAM on words. Sophisticated, Funk and Energy.” their instruments. I have had the pleasure of talking with this group on multiple occasions through the -Thomas different things I’m involved with here on campus, “Sophisticated, Funk and…Funkin Donut.” and every encounter is much more interesting than -Dan the previous. These boys made up almost half of the members of Harsh Armadillo, a 9-piece band “Timeless Party People” Dimitri out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The group “I partied once, I didn’t like it.” –Max describes the purpose of their music as “bringing you deep into that pocket groove, and then spitting What are your favorite artists/groups at the moyou back out with a melted face and burnt insoles.” ment?

“I went to school for Mechanical Engineering, and now I’m Mechanical EngiNERDing in Seabrook and I’m definitely using my degree to the fullest and I’m lovin’ that. It’s a sweet day job and then I do some rocking out on the weekends.”

-Dimitry “Dan are you using your master’s degree that you don’t have yet?”

-Max “I’m the tech specialist and first mate for the Ocean Mapping Boat at UNH, and I’m a Masters student in Ocean Engineeering. And I hate my life.” -Dan

After 10 or so minutes of grooving and chatting, “Vulfpeck for sure. Rubblebucket I’ve been real“I work at a lobster pound. So I’m definitely cracking jokes and sharing recent memories; I set ly groovin’ on lately.” -Max not applying my major. Lobsters are really hard up my laptop and recorder to ask these radical communicators. They won’t open up.” -Camden “Anderson Paak is dope.” -Thomas friends some questions about their band and its (Communications Major at UNH) success in the area.

“Robert Glasper Experiment. Cher.” -Dan Any place on campus that sparks great memoWhen asked if there was a particular group that “Eiffle 65. They’re a huge influence in my life, ries? inspired their sound, their responses included I’m blue dude.” -Max bands like Lettuce, The Nth Power, Snarky Puppy “Jenkins COURTTTT” –Thomas Do you guys think you’d be playing in a band at and Nigel Hall.

“That was a good spot. Lot of shenanigans going this age/where you are now?

“Rubblebucket in general I think is a pretty good on in there. Lots of damage done to that apartment.

“Thomas probably did, I’m sure Cam did too. I influence” -Max The band actually formed at Davis Court when did not, personally. I kind of liked music as a ran“Andrea is really influenced by that Jewish grand- dom hobby. But these guys were too much fun to me and Dan were living there. We had a jam space ma singer...what was her name? Amy Winehouse, not play with!” -Max in the basement where we started jamming and yeah that one.” -Dan that’s where we started playing. That’s actually the “Hell yeah! I did.” -Thomas first house party we played.” -Dimitry “Basically like any sophisticated sound, you “No I definitely didn’t think we would be here. know? Like we love the funk, but we also love jazz “I think it was Cam that said ‘Man, this sounds and we like to bring that more sophisticated sound. At this point, I mean. It was just a hobby, we did it really good. We should be playing for people.’ So A lot of bands nowadays are doing ‘jammy’ stuff in for fun, and all of a sudden venues are asking US to D and his roommates were like, ‘Let’s throw a party the festivals and that kind of makes us unique in play for them. Our friends are getting married and and tell everyone there will be a live band and they the sense where we like to get some jazz influences asking us to be a professional wedding band. I had will be horribly disappointed when it’s just us but it no idea we would be to that level of professionality. will be cool.’” –Max and some sophistication in there.” –Dimitry Professionalism. That’s the word.” -Dimitri How do you feel about funk in the mainstream “We had no intention in starting a band at first.

When asked what bands they always loving We were just jamming and we had enough people since artists like Kendrick Lamar help propagate it? playing with, they were super excited about bands who wanted to jam just as a hobby and for fun, we “Dubstep was cool 10 years ago and now it’s like Smooth Antics, smalltalker, Viva la Hop and weren’t trying to make money or start a business-esfunk.” –Thomas Strange Machines. que band by any means. Everyone just enjoyed do“I think it’s about time really. There’s finally a “I would say Smooth Antics. They’re from Burl- ing it so it came very naturally.” -Dimitry resurgence of people actually playing their instru- ington and it’s almost the exact same instrumentaAny last comments or words of advice to people ments in popular music, and playing them well. tion but they’re on more like the jazz side of funk reading?

I think guys like Kendrick Lamar and Anderson we’re on more like the funk side of jazz. If that Paak are such huge figureheads that are demand- makes any sense.” -Max “Don’t start a band, it’s gonna suck, nobody’s ing their band to actually play. I hope that starts a gonna like it, nobody’s gonna cheer for you, no“The Kenney Brothers are sweet.” -Thomas trend. That more people actually pick up an instrubody’s going to through panties or bras, you’re goment and fucking play it.” -Camden “We played with Kung Fu once that was dope. ing to run out of money, your parents are going to kick you out of the basement and there will be less “You even have stuff like Pretty Lights who tours They were fucking awesome.” competition for us.” -Max with a live band playing this ‘electronic music’ but

“We really like hanging out with them they’re still musicians playing the instruments on too.” -Thomas (everyone erupts in laughter) “I say if you love whatever you’re doing, keep doset. It’s definitely a refreshing change.” -Max ing it. That will lead you to the perfect spot.”

For those who went to UNH, have you guys apDescribe Harsh Armadillo in 3 words---that plied your major yet in the real world?

-Thomas don’t include “Harsh” or “Armadillo”.

“Yeah! Chemical Engineering.” -Max

The Stone Church By: Stephanie Khairallah

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he Stone Church rests on the top of the tallest hill overlooking downtown Newmarket. It was erected as a Universalist meeting house in 1832. The building has shuffled through many identities; it has existed as different flavors of churches, a roller rink, a school house, a shoe factory as well as VFW home.

Having retired its bells and religious practices years ago, the venue now hosts live music, drinking and dancing.

“We haven’t played enough in New Hampshire, and it feels like the right audience here.

We like playing smaller venues every now and then because it gives us the opportunity to loosen up our sound and really explore,” said stand-up bass player of the group Cabinet, Dylan Skursky.

“We played a nice bluegrass set and then some dub reggae[Sept 22, at The Stone Church]… everybody was into it,” said Mickey Coviello, gui“In 1969, two UNH alumni bought the business, tarist and vocalist of the bluegrass group Cabinet. right about the same time as the Woodstock Era of While the church is small, it is full of heart. As you keeping live music alive and supporting local artists. enter the building amidst the crackling of lead-lookWe still aim to achieve the goal they were striving ing paint and a disheveled set of signage, you are emfor,” said Stone Church manager, Abby Sapochetti. braced by a certain sense of comfortable hominess as Colloquially known as ‘the church,’ around town, the history of the building makes itself readily apparent. the meeting house has hosted many a band over Surrounded by outdoor seating and a patio, of which its almost 50 years in business as a music venue. they’ve titled, “The Beer Garden,” the church rests in a sunny spot overlooking the town of Newmarket.

Phish, Aerosmith, Twiddle, and George “The people are happy here, you always know Clinton have all performed in this antiquated fix-er-up school house with a view of the tiny you’ll run into somebody you know up at the town of Newmarket over the Lamprey River. church,” said Newmarket local Miriam Sepulveda.

“George Clinton brought his whole band to play a set back in the day. They have something like 9 players and he took one look at the stage and said no way, it wasn’t going to be big enough,” said Christian Pearson, a veteran bartender at The Stone Church.

“We built him a new one [a stage] during sound check.

They put on a great show, we’ve had the stage ever since.”

The Stone Church, in the height of its infamy, was known universally as a dirty, dirty dive bar for jam bands and silly hippies.

“We used to smoke reefer er source who wished to “It was wild. There were no It was the place to be, and

inside,” said an oldremain anonymous, rules at the church. everybody knew it.”

before the late-night events,” said Sapochetti.

The Church now offers afternoon shows, a dinner menu, and a family oriented atmosphere during the day. You can find children running between tightly packed tables and sound equipment as their parents sip on cocktails and enjoy happy hour tacos. You’ll find the game on and classic rock ringing through the sound system. Yet, if you wait long enough, the adorably innocent afternoon atmosphere will transform into a very different, and somehow much bigger room.

This juxtaposes their former reputation as a stinky, pot-smoking hell hole where bands came to get their start in the music world.

As the lights go down at The Stone Church the shady room is only cut by the light systems projecting lasers in tune to the rhyme of the bands on stage. People crowd around the front, politely arguing over dancefloor space while some linger at the tables in the back, watching the creatures pass back and forth in between the musicians on stage.

“There are certain aspects of our dive bar The Stone Church is well known for its warm lifestyle that we’d like to retain…. Our dive and inclusive attitude towards all walks of life. bar accents, like the stickers, carry the histoIts porch is typically brimming with smokers ry of this place into the business we keep today,” and strangers bonding over a sense of communiThe Stone Church is built on wooden posts which inty and all the good vibes the music has to offer. terrupt its dance floor. Tattooed from head to toe on these “It’s the Stone Church Meeting House, pillars are an entire generations worth of band stickers and it’s always acted as such. It brings togeth- and free advertising. The Church has no plans to remove er people of all ages and walks of life togeth- these, regardless of their strive to freshen the place up. er to simply enjoy themselves!” said Sapochetti.

“We want new demographic, a family friendly atThe building has seen its fair share of turmoil, mosphere. That doesn’t mean we don’t love our late holding a notorious reputation as a seedy dive bar. nights; but we’d like to do both” explained Sapochetti.

Over the last 10 years however, The Stone Church The Church remains a meeting house of all has revamped itself into something more than this. different walks of life. Whether it be for live “We’re open to a large genre of music here, we’re not music, local craft beer or a messy night out, just jam bands. We have so much more than that to The Stone Church won’t be going anywhere. offer. People come here to listen now, not just to drink.”

The Stone Church is no longer exclusively an after-hours joint full of jam bands and hippies. While The stone church now offers day time events and the jam bands still exist, and play often, the venue attempts to offer a more eclectic selection of music. rentals for private parties. Student music recitals and art festivals often occur in the Church’s sandy parking “Every night at the Church is a little differlot. Alongside their efforts to change their tune, The ent – there is a whole new set of characters for Stone Church is revamping their entire dinner menu. each event,” said the host of Wednesday’s eve“We want to have bar food with a modern nings beer fueled trivia competition, Sara Gerard. twist. Our new menu is really going to change Sunday is open mic night, Monday is blues, Tuesday the way people think about The Stone Church,” is bluegrass, Wednesday is pub trivia and Thursday is said kitchen manager and chef, Ethan Chase.

Irish night. Friday and Saturday evenings are for music.

The new menu will include but is not limited to Recently The Stone Church has featured Harsh Arfish tacos, brisket, pork belly & hablack bean burgers. madillo, a local funk band from Durham, Jake Davis & “We are bridging the dive bar gap …. We The Whiskey Stones, a folky string band from NH as well Cabinet, a dancey bluegrass trio from Pennsylvania. have more afternoon shows now a days and more people who come in to enjoy the space

A Guide to Europe By: Carlos Martens

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f you ever come to the point in your life where you wonder if you should solo backpack Europe, then just do it. The experience will change you for the better, the memories will remain forever, and you’ll continue to live for further adventure. The thrill of exploration through investigation is intoxicating. The not knowing of what you’ll see, who you’ll meet and what you’ll do is such an alluring temptation. Fueled by curiosity, I’ve trekked through numerous European cities in search of culture and intrigue, and around every corner, there is a story to tell.

This style of traveling (solo backpacking) can be daunting and overwhelming, so I’ve provided a few tips to ease yourself across Europe.

home from point B. This way, your travel will have a geographical beginning and end, you will not have to back track. Once you have your flight to and from, begin choosing where to explore along the way.

Throughout my travels, I noticed a common habit from fellow backpackers, they try to cram in as many destinations as possible, and stay for only a night or two. This results in a premature understanding of the culture and lifestyle. They don’t fully immerse themselves, and everything is rushed.

I urge you to choose fewer destinations and stay longer in each. This tactic allowed me to properly investigate my surroundings. I discovered local secrets, made friends with the hostel employees, 1. Get your gear and finances together and estab- and eventually felt a sense of comfort in this far lish a loose plan. off land. Only when my curiosity was fully sated, did I depart.

With all the walking, train hopping and hostel living in this sort of trip, you don’t want to be Do not stay rigid to your schedule, adjust acdragging a suit case through the streets. Invest in cording to opportunities. You wouldn’t want to a legitimate travel backpack to comfortably haul miss out on something special because your schedyour stuff around. A 65-liter pack is sufficient for ule says otherwise. Stay an extra night, make an una weeks’ worth of clothes. An accompanying side expected stop, join a new found friend in a spontabag or satchel is also convenient for quick access to neous excursion. frequently used items.

2. Choose hostels that cater to your style of travWhen it comes to making a plan, I found that el. a balance of planning and not planning is the best Without a doubt, youth hostels (generally ages option. Roughly map out your journey. I highly 18-40) are your best bet when backpacking Eurecommend flying into point A, and then flying rope. They are fun, exciting, and filled with inter-

esting travelers from all over the world. You don’t want to be cooped up in a hotel room by yourself, you’ll miss out on all the comradery that hostels provide. Everyday new faces check in, and every night offers a different group to partake in festivities and nightlife. Most European youth hostels have their own bar, and like the chicken and the egg, it is hard to tell what came first. Is it a bar with a hostel? Or is it a hostel with a bar? The two are so comfortably integrated that the result is genius; it’s like living at a bar. These youth hostels incorporate a trendy blend of antique and modern décor, providing a cool atmosphere to drink and meet people.

From there, you and your new found friends can experience the local nightlife, or simply stay in. I had plenty of nights where there was no need to leave my hostel because our bar was so lively and full of local and foreign guests.

3. Use your feet! And utilize the most important travel tool, your smartphone!

By far, the use of your own two feet is the best way to experience Europe’s amazing cities. A favorite ritual of mine when arriving in a new city, is navigating the twist and turns to track down my hostel. From the train station, instead of hailing a taxi, I consult my notes where I previously jotted down the address and then acquire a street map.

With a sense of adventure and intuitive intrigue, the reward of locating your hostel is exhilarating.

Navigating the unknown is intimidating, but the

experience will help you ease into the culture, and dash of confidence, I was able to meet a new group you may learn a thing or two about yourself. of people every night. Without their guidance and hospitality, my time in Europe would have been a Europe has some of the best bicycle friendly completely different experience. As a classic romancommunities that I have ever experienced. Most tic, speeding across the European country side via cities have very intricate bicycle traffic systems. It train is ideal. But, before you put on headphones, is so integrated into the European life-style that in or dive into the pages of a book, take a moment some cities, cyclist generally outnumber motorist. to say hi to your neighboring passenger. You never As a bicycle enthusiast, I was in love. I made it a know what one might have to say or offer. point to rent bicycles in every city I visited. The joy that emanated from pedaling through the sights Locals will always have contempt toward tourand sounds was infectious. ists, but watch as their demeanors change when you make an attempt to speak their language, show As much as I am against hiding behind your interest in their culture and share your knowledge phone, I can’t deny the use of a smartphone when of their history and legends. backpacking. It contains your itinerary, your reservations, maps, notes and camera. Before arriving Curiosity is my #1 motivation and individuals at a destination, screenshot the map(s) of the area; who dare to edge away from comfort zones will imnow you have zoom-able street maps without need- mediately grab my attention. Every new experience ing Wi-Fi. Smartphone tech has revolutionized culminates into something greater. A local may traveling. In days past, one had to use directories whisper a secret alley that leads to a unique bar, a and reception desk landlines to make reservations, chance encounter with another traveler may result now everything is a touch-screen tap away. I lost in a life-long friendship. I am in constant contact count of the amount of times I woke up in a hostel, with a multitude of friends from around the world. with no method of transportation to continue, or I have re-united with friends I have met months, a bed to sleep in that night. But with the help of even years after our initial encounter. some coffee and the hostels Wi-Fi, I would have 5. Don’t get too attached and learn to overcome a spot on a train and a bed in my next destination sentimental/emotional circumstances. within 30 minutes.

Regardless of how awesome this style of travel 4. Meet everyone and immerse yourself into the is, it has its ups and downs. Between the highs of local culture. sight-seeing, culture immersion, late night pubAs a solo backpacker in foreign cities, your lev- crawls, unforgettable acquaintances and the overel of immersion will dictate the experience. The all sense of adventure, there will be low points. memories you make and the stories you tell will My personal weakness is saying goodbye. Saying have stronger impacts than any material souvenir goodbye to the city you fell in love with, saying can accomplish. I encourage you to make small- goodbye to the friends you made and saying goodtalk with locals, get to know the hostel employees bye to the hostel that became a second home. A and involve yourself with other travelers. With a looming sense of loneliness attempted to penetrate

and sabotage my adventurous spirit. Every day you meet someone new and experience the unknown together, you make memories together, you get to know them. Whether you find yourself connecting with newfound friends over pints of ale, or strolling hand in hand with that special someone through the amber glow of streetlights, you know that a goodbye is inevitable. You could spend an entire night getting to know someone, and then the next day, they are gone. Even though you are surrounded by people, solo backpacking gets lonely; day after day, you get introduced to something or someone, and day after day you part ways, it begins to wear you down. A mutual agreement between your happy-go-lucky heart and the practical logic of your brain is needed. You have to accept the fact that this is what you signed up for. Learning to let go is just as important as knowing how to grasp experiences.

Europe can be a land pulled from the pages of a fairy tale. Walking the cobble-stoned streets in the shadow of medieval architecture is nothing less than magical. Quaint stone bridges cross canals as swans gently float beneath them, towering cathedrals poke the clouds sheltering the comfortable outdoor cafes from the sun. By physically walking amongst these sights and sounds, you create your own history. You will learn things about yourself you never thought of, and the wisdom received from such an adventure cannot be matched by any classroom setting. The importance of travel as an educational learning experience is often overlooked by society’s tunnel vision importance of pursuing college. Incorporate travel with your studies, spend a summer abroad. I guarantee, you will be a better student upon your return.

Searching for Oprah By: Jamie Smith

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ne of my fond memories from childhood is watching The Oprah Winfrey Show with my mother.

Everyday at 4pm, I could bank on the fact that Ms. Winfrey would be making an appearance on our television. I knew my mother was one of her disciples--we got the magazine monthly, and books emblazoned with Oprah’s seal of approval were scattered throughout our home. My mother would keep sticky notes of products Oprah discussed on her show (you can imagine the notes taken down during her annual “Favorite Things” telecast). Granted, I didn’t really know what Oprah was talking about on her show, given that I was in elementary school. But I knew that when a guest made Oprah, the audience, and my mother cry, it must have been good stuff.

Having Oprah as a fixture on my television, and in a greater sense, my life, normalized the idea that women and minorities deserve a voice on a national scale. I didn’t question whether, as a young girl, I could grow up to be a TV star or an astronaut or an author or president; I believed that if Oprah could do it, so could I. My mother raised my sister and I within the Oprah school of feminism, and not in a “you’re special, here’s a participation ribbon” way-Oprah was daily proof that a marginalized person could live her dreams through hard work and talent, and that was powerful. So, when Oprah went off the air in 2011, there was a hole in the the lives of

those who allowed Oprah to come into their homes those I have listed provide what Oprah did? And everyday to tell stories of real people and experi- is it possible that anyone has the potential to? ences. And that hole has been growing ever since.

It is easy to cherry pick from all the work these It is certainly an understatement to say that women do to form some semblance of a contemOprah left large shoes to fill. Nonetheless, as a mil- porary Oprah: for example, I read (and get recomlennial and a woman who will soon be thrust into mendations from) Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter, the “adult” world, I can’t say I don’t wish there was follow the work of Emma Watson and Sheryl Sandsomeone like Oprah for people like me. I like being berg for general girl-bossiness, and seek out media an independent thinker, and making my own deci- from my favorite female creatives like Tina Fey and sions; I also like suggestions on books to read and Mindy Kaling (among countless others). But it is a new trends and exposure to different ways of life process; the information isn’t delivered to me daiand being told that I am not alone in my personal ly at a certain time and with such vigor as Oprah. struggles. There does not seem to be anyone who Moreover, in the age of social media, it could be provides all of that as effortlessly as Ms. Winfrey. said that the sharing (and sometimes over-sharing) that Oprah did with her audience is all too comRacking my brain, I tried to come up with who monplace. But many women who post or overpost may be seen as an Oprah for the millennial crowd. are often trying to advance a brand through seemThere are many figures who are role models for ing like a “normal” person, whereas Oprah used it women my age (including Oprah herself ): Mito bring attention to important issues like health chelle Obama, HRC, RBG, Amal Clooney, J.K. and relationships. She saw the value in not only Rowling, and Malala Yousafzai come to mind. quantity, but more importantly, quality--someThey are inspirational in the traditional “startedthing often lacking in the social media landscape. from-the-bottom-now-we-here” sort of way. Then there are newer, pop culture icons who are breakSo, where do we go from here? It is possible ing glass ceilings in their respective industries: Be- that the cult of personality Oprah created was taiyoncé, Sheryl Sandberg, Tina Fey, Amy Schumer, lor-made for the late-80s, 90s, and early-00s zeitLena Dunham, and Emma Watson. There are even geist, and is not plausible in this day-and-age. Howsome in my generation (though I do not necessar- ever, I’d like to hold out hope that one day I’ll be ily agree with them) who would name the likes of able to sit down with my future daughter and watch Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and Demi Lovato a show that helps her feel proud to be a woman. as worthy role models. Still, who among any of

Lots of Talent and Nowhere to Go By: Andrew Hartnett

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ocal music isn’t dead; it’s just a little less local. There is a plethora of local musical talent on the UNH campus, both in the PCAC rehearsal spaces and also hidden among coffee-shop stages and dusty garages. There is a community here of familiar faces who play the same instruments, and show up to the same parties. We just don’t play around campus much.

“There’s this little underground scene, everyone knows each other.” says Mark DelGrosso, UNH senior and bassist for Phatt James, a local music outfit. “We all started at Freedom Café and kind of grew from there.”

by someone’s playlist. Both my group and Mark’s so that’s where the shows are,” says Katie Curnan, have played campus events such as Get Outta 20, Newmarket resident and avid show attendee.

Bed and Shred and Solarfest, but the on-campus Curnan has a point, too. It’s easier to get to the bars options are certainly limited for aspiring bands. in Newmarket and Portsmouth when they’re walkJack Seperack, UNH Junior and local percus- ing distance from your house. Libby’s in downtown sionist has been disappointed with the UNH Durham has shows from time to time, memorably music scene as compared to his experienc- Harsh Armadillo, and just recently Barefoot Young es playing in his hometown in Connecticut. and Phatt James, but the shows are few and far in between, leaving bands lacking a venue to play in.

“When we play out at home we can play For full bands stationed in Durham, the house any kind of music we want, and even if people at a venue don’t like it, they can appreci- party scene still exists, but you might have to provide ate it because they see the work that goes into your own home. Local New Hampshire band The playing live. Here if you’re not playing what Trichomes held an album release party at a house in people want to hear, just get off the stage.” Lee that was well attended by many live music fans.

Local open mics can be a big opportunity for individuals and small time bands.

Durham can be a tough town to play localThere’s nothing quite like a coffee shop lit with ly in for sure, but options get better as you move Christmas lights to see some acoustic music, outwardly. Portsmouth has a flourishing music though some are looking for a bigger venue. scene ripe with local folk and jazz acts. Venues DelGrosso added, “We play the occasional house like the Music Hall or 3S Artspace can host naparty, but there’s not really anywhere to play. Lots tionally touring acts that find themselves beof people want to see this music, but the live music tween Boston and Portland for the weekend. scene seems so separate from the rest of campus life.”

On the smaller scale, some bars such as The Mark played a show at fraternity SAE Stone Church or Ri Ra Irish pub offer open mic last winter with local band Barefoot Young, nights or folk/blues sit-in sessions where musicians only to be hustled offstage after about four may play with an established group on an open songs, “so someone could plug in their iPod.” stage. They also have established acts come play on weekends, and for singer-songwriters or bands My own band, Dogs That Know They’re Dogs, looking to meet others; this may be where to begin. had a similar experience last Spring when we were “I think it’s because all the people who would go scheduled to play a day party at Sigma Beta, only to be vetoed by their alumni board and replaced to shows live in Lee, or Newmarket, or Portsmouth,

With Boston group Celebrity Look-Alikes as the openers, the party was a hit with roughly one hundred attendees, and featured many smiling dancing people, proof that there’s still hope for college bands.

Some bands spend nights dreaming of a stage on which to amaze screaming fans, but most of us laze around practicing scales on Saturday until some bar discovers the band’s Facebook page. There is an eclectic group of musicians at UNH who sit in at each other’s practices every weekend, sharing songs and music facts. Honestly, half the fun is often in how unprofessional musical jamming can be, anyway.

As far as a stage goes, the Durham options are notably limited, but with a car and maybe a couple roadies, any group could play just outside of campus, and having some options is better than having none.

A Magical Card Game By: Brendan Freund

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y name is Brendan Freund and I am a closet nerd. What I mean by “closet nerd” is that I’m someone who loves fantasy/sci-fi movies and books, playing video games for hours straight and a number of other activities that would deem me a nerd in the eyes of society.

However instead of embracing all my nerdiness I enjoy so much, I’m very private about that part of my life because of the negative stigmas that society has fostered around “nerd” culture. That being said it is important to know that when I use the term “nerd” it isn’t supposed to be derogatory, so please no one take offense. Anyways, I would have to say that my nerdiest past time would be Magic. When I say magic, I don’t mean sleight of hand tricks, but Magic the Gathering, the trading card game.

Growing up I saw my older brother and his friends playing Magic, but because of the stigma associated with nerds, I never wanted to give it a try. It wouldn’t be until many years later when I was working at the local summer camp of my home town where I first played Magic. One of my coworkers and friend convinced me to buy a deck and I haven’t stopped playing since. The only problem is that most of my friends play at home, so finding people to play with up at UNH was quite hard.

There’s so much pressure freshman year to make friends that I wouldn’t ever tell people I played, because who would want to hang out with a nerd that plays Magic the Gathering? Eventually as my time at UNH went on I became more comfortable discussing my nerdy side of life with other people and eventually was able to find other Magic players.

Finding people who play is one of the best feelings cause you get to release all your built up nerdiness over a friendly Magic duel.

I also came to the realization that people really didn’t care whether or not I play Magic, love Game of Thrones or anything else nerdy because I like all of those things and that’s all that matters. I never thought I would find myself buying cards, but here I am a couple years later still buying some, so don’t knock Magic or anything else until you try it just because people might have a certain opinion about you. Be yourself and let your geek flag fly.

Food is an Artform Too

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By: Annie Henry

ow musicians view their instruments, or sculptors perceive clay, I see sugar and eggs. A spread of raw ingredients, spatulas, and pie tins are my own personal blank canvas waiting to be painted on. Art is a way for one’s creativity and imagination to be expressed on an observable level. Like other art, the culinary arts allow you to play around with color, shape, and texture to create something aesthetically pleasing. Yet with food, you can take creativity one-step further and explore other sensory details, such as taste and smell. Experimenting with spices, herbs, and a vast variety of ingredients can result in an amazing aroma and complex delicious taste. Akin to the creative process of other branches of art, cooking and baking requires trial and error, countless hours of practice, and a respect for the medium. Though a chef ’s masterpiece won’t be found in a museum decades after its creation, there is one brilliant aspect about food that distinguishes it for all other art forms: you can indulge in it once it’s complete! Any piece of art that can be appreciated through eating is my kind of art!

One of my favorite ways to express my own passion for food is to cook and bake for others. Since it’s not feasible to give each and every one of you a taste of my delicious creations, I figured sharing a recipe would be the next best thing. In honor of this beautiful autumn season that’s upon us, I chose one of my favorite fall recipes: apple pie.

Apple Pie Ingredients for the Filling: -4 large (5 medium) apples

-2 tsp. cinnamon -½ tsp. nutmeg (optional) -1 tsp. flour Ingrediants for the Crust: -2 ½ cup all purpose flour -1 tsp. salt -1 tbsp. sugar -½ tsp. nutmeg (optional) -1 cup cold, cubed butter -8 tbsp. iced water (give or take) -1 egg (optional) Though it may seem daunting, apple pie is the perfect dish for someone new to baking. It’s easier than it looks, I promise. Let’s begin with the filling. My favorite apples for baking are Cortland or Granny Smith. They are sweet, but still crisp: perfect for baked goods. Start by cutting each apple into half inch, semi-circle slices, removing the core in the process. Add the apples to the bowl along with the sugar, cinnamon, flour, and nutmeg. The nutmeg provides the dish with a subdued, warm flavor. The flour may also seem silly, but it makes for a thick, creamy filling. Toss all the ingredients together and set them aside to marinate together.

because it will make for a flakey crust once cooked.

Pulse the ingredients together until the butter is separated and tiny balls are formed. Then slowly add in the cold water. You may need to add more or less water depending on your climate and condition of your ingredients. Add water until the ingredients come together in one big ball of dough. It should not be too sticky, nor too dry. Separate the dough into two equal parts. On a floured surface, roll out each part into a ¼ inch thick circle using a rolling pin. Then lay one circle over a standard nine inch pie tin and lightly press down to cover the bottom and sides of the tin. You don’t need to grease the tin prior to adding the crust; the butter in the dough will prevent the pie from sticking. Next add the filling into the dough-lined tin and cover with the final circle of dough. Using your fingers, pinch the bottom and top layers of dough together to seal in the filling. This action is called crimping. Using a sharp knife, cut a few incisions in the middle of the top crust. This will allow for steam to be released while to pie is cooking and prevent it from exploding. Finally, whisk one egg in a bowl to make an egg wash and lightly brush it over the top of the pie. The egg wash will make your pie a beautiful golden brown color once finished. I advise to use a pie ring or aluminum foil to cover the very edge of your pie crust to prevent it from burning. Bake it at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes until the crust is fully cooked and the apples are tender.

Next, it is time to make the crust. You can use a Voila! Your pie is complete. Serve it warm with pre-made, store bought crust to save time, but it’s a side of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. not too difficult to make your own, either. First add Enjoy your masterpiece! the butter, flour, salt, sugar, and nutmeg to a food processor. It is important for the butter to be cold

The Legacy of the Beat Generation By: Jordyn Haime

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hen Lawrence Ferlinghetti launched City Lights Publishing in 1955, he didn’t know it would give a voice to some of the most influential poets of the twentieth century. He didn’t know he would be arrested for the apparent obscenity and “lewdness” of one of City Lights published works. But that is exactly what happened after Allen Ginsberg approached Ferlinghetti with Howl, Ginsberg’s now infamous four-part poem.

Though an unexpected outcome, this reaction was expected and encouraged by the Beat Generation, a post-WWII generation of writers who explored freedom of sex, music, religion, and expression through various forms of art, breaking down every convention and expectation of the period.

rules. Jack Kerouac developed an entirely new method of writing that he called “spontaneous prose”, which, according to Ginsberg in an interview, was, “total honesty of examining the mind rather than attempting to fake a picture of the external world that the mind sees.” William S. Burroughs wrote freely about homosexuality and drug use, two topics that were beyond socially taboo in the 1950’s. Burroughs, Kerouac, and Ginsberg all took inspiration from jazz music, learning to improvise in writing as a musician would on the trumpet or saxophone. This is believed to be one of the many origins of the name “beat generation”; Kerouac also connoted “upbeat” or “beatific” referring to his and other poets’ works.

can still feel the extreme influence and presence they have upon the city. It is the home of City Lights Books and Publishing, which stands on Columbus Avenue and still publishes books today. “With nearly 200 books in print, City Lights publishes cutting-edge fiction, poetry, memoirs, literary translations and books on vital social and political issues,” reads City Lights website.

The mosaic-covered building next door to City Lights is Vesuvio Cafe, a popular beat hangout that was originally established as a bohemian gathering place; today the walls are covered in art and beat memorabilia. Separating Vesuvio and City Lights is Jack Kerouac Alley. Dedicated in 1988, it is a pedestrian-only walkway lined with colorful muThe beat poets found their home San Francis- rals and poetry. The whole neighborhood is littered co’s North Beach neighborhood, which is also with meeting grounds for beat creativity, like the Ginsberg wasn’t the only one who broke the the city’s “Little Italy”. Over sixty years later, you historic Caffe Trieste on Vallejo Street, just around

the corner from the Beat Museum on Broadway.

Jerry Cimino opened the Beat Museum in 2003.

He was always inspired by the beats and was tired of working for corporate America. “Every generation comes to a place where they discover the beats because the themes of the beats are useful. It’s about rebellion, sexual identity...where do I fit in? Who do I wanna be?” Cimino wanted to find a way to promote those themes. “Find your own way, don’t be afraid to be authentic, go on your own quest. We all have our own quest,” he told me on the phone.

Authenticity was part of what made the beats so important. Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs, and the rest of the beats wrote because it was their passion; they didn’t expect to be loved or even published. “To your generation, it’s normal for kids to come out as gay, but he [Allen Ginsberg] did it in the 1950s, and back then, no one did that.” Cimino said.

The museum began with artifacts from Jerry Cimino’s personal collection, but it wasn’t long until people from all over the world were donating books and memorabilia. Jerry says that the museum gets new things in the mail every day. “People want to contribute because it means something to them.”

The museum is closely affiliated with the Foundation for Creative Expression, also called the Friends of the Beat Museum, a non-prof-

it that helps to promote creative expression through events like poetry readings, book signings, literary conferences, and writing workshops.

On the other side of the country, Lowell, Massachusetts citizens celebrated their hometown hero in the “Lowell Celebrates Kerouac!” festival on the weekend of October 7th. “Everybody goes home in October,” Kerouac wrote in On The Road, which is why the festival is held during the month. Lowell was abuzz with jazz, poetry, and art inspired by the writer from Thursday through Sunday. The festival is held by the all-volunteer organization “Lowell Celebrates Kerouac,” and costs between $5,000 and $6,000 each year. All of the money comes from donations and merchandise sales as well as occasional grants, according to Steve Edington, member of the LCK committee for the past 25 years.

The atmosphere of the festival was, well, beatific. Each event had a general air of generosity, inclusiveness, and community. David Amram, jazz pianist and composer who was close friends with Kerouac, provided music for several of the events and repeatedly stressed the importance of art and free creative expression.

“Over the past 15-20 years, Kerouac has become recognized as kind of a global literary figure. People come to Lowell every year to honor and celebrate

his life. “We want to do right to honor his life for the people that come to visit every year, and people come from all over,” Steve Edington said of the festival, and he was right. I met people from Albany, Vancouver, and even Manchester, England, all of whom were so inspired and touched by Kerouac’s work that they traveled to Lowell to celebrate him.

“Its exciting knowing I live in the town Kerouac grew up in,” Karen Seshel, a nurse who has lived in Lowell for the past 20 years, told me after an open mike session. “I’m learning now that I’m influenced by some of those same influences that he had.” Seshel has been attending the festival for the past 5 to 6 years for inspiration for her own writing. “It’s freeing to come,” she said.

From Lowell to San Francisco, the beat legacy stands. They inspired creative freedom for generations to come through their art. Without their influence, perhaps we would not have to counterculture movements of the 1960’s forward. Perhaps our art would still be censored. Perhaps we would not have Bob Dylan, the Beatles, or Patti Smith.

And so the beat goes on, 60 years later. As David Amram quoted Keats at the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac festival, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.

An Invisible Illness By: Amy Rixon

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isabilities exist in all shapes and sizes.

While all disabilities have unique attributes, some are more visibly obvious than others. Hidden disabilities tend to have symptoms that fly under the radar of everyday life and are often referred to as invisible illnesses. It is important to remember that although someone might not present a visible symptom, they could still be facing health challenges that you cannot see.

I look totally normal. You would never know that the smile on my face is covering pain and discomfort. I was born with arthritis. I do not know what it feels like to not feel pain, because it is all I have ever known.

Arthritis is an invisible illness. So is Crohn’s disease, Lyme disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Celiac disease, and Asthma. This list goes on and on and affects more people than you would normally think.

One of the most difficult parts of living with an invisible illness is the stigma associated with it. Are we sick? Are we faking it? Only we can make that call. Our feelings are subjective to our own experiences, so it can be difficult to connect with or understand if you do not have a chronic illness.

I was diagnosed with Arthritis before the age of 2, so I have lived my entire life feeling abnormal.

There so many things that I’ve always wanted to do but have never been able to because of my arthritis. I never did gymnastics because I was told that I couldn’t. I was terrible at soccer because I

was scared of hurting myself. I have to miss class because I have a compromised immune system and get sick all the time. I can’t go to parties all night because I know that it might make me overtired and therefore more susceptible to being sick and in pain.

The way that I feel was normal. Camp was a safe zone for me not to be scared of explaining myself or looking lazy.

People tell me to be grateful for what my disability affords me. They say to be positive about the parts of my life that my arthritis does not affect.

But is difficult for me to be optimistic and say that I am grateful for my arthritis because I am not. I have pains and hardships just like people that have disabilities that manifest in more obvious ways. I recognize that other people with disabilities have hardships that I may never experience. However, some people with disabilities do not have struggles that I do have. Everyone’s experiences are different and nobody can judge them but the individual themselves.

In order to fit into my direct community, I like to advocate for myself as much as possible. I tell my friends not to make judgments for me, even if they seem helpful. It can be difficult to be a support system for someone with an invisible illness because the needs revolve around the person with the illness’ subjective needs and perceptions. But know that you can be a good support system if you try to be as understanding and open-minded as possible.

However, advocating for myself outside of camp can be scary. I fear being yelled at every time I use my handicap pass in a parking lot. When my Having arthritis affects me every single day and I friends play intramural soccer and I do not join, I hate it, but nobody else knows these things unless feel like they think I am lazy. The stigma is really I tell them. hard to cope with while feeling confident in myself at the same time.

Just because I look normal it doesn’t mean I am.

Saying that I look healthy and I should be grateful I hate that I am too disabled to be healthy and for it hurts me inside because it demeans the way too healthy to be disabled. I feel alone a lot of the that I feel. I feel like it says that my pain is less se- time because society tells me that I don’t fit into vere and should be taken less seriously. either category.

During my adolescence I attended a summer camp for children with Arthritis and other connective tissue disorders. Arthritis camp was awesome because you HAD to have arthritis to go. Everyone assumed that everyone had it and it was awesome.

If you have an invisible illness, know that you are not alone. Remember that there may be someone sitting in the seat next to you that has a similar pain on the inside. Continue to advocate for yourself. Continue to educate your friends. Do not let someone make decisions for you or tell you how to feel. You know yourself better than anyone else.

Invisible illnesses are confusing but do not forget that you should never feel ashamed of your pain.

The Tattoo Stigma By: Lilly Radack

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s the first semester of senior year starts coming to an undesired close, my friends and I have been forced to start thinking about what we are going to do with the rest of our lives, and that’s scary. Job interviews are looming, grad school meetings and important life decisions are just around the corner. Impressing an interviewer who could potentially change your life is a big deal, but if you have a tattoo on your wrist when you go to shake their hand, will that affect your potential offer?

In a study conducted in 2015 it was concluded that 1 out of every 5 adults have tattoos, where among people ages 18-29 it was closer to 40% with tattoos. With that in mind, and the number growing every year of people with tattoos, there is still a negative connotation when it comes to tattoos in our society. When I surveyed students at UNH for this article, (who wished to remain anonymous) 6/10 girls said they would be nervous to introduce their boyfriend to their parents if they had tattoos.

7/10 had said that they didn’t want to have a tattoo

that would be visible on their wedding day. (That’s one my mom warned me of too) To me, if I am proud of a tattoo that I have, and I had it in a place that could be seen, why wouldn’t I want it to be seen in wedding photos someday? Why should you have to hide a part of you in fear of what others will think?

A majority of the people I know at UNH have one or two tattoos. With this number rising, the question I have is; how is there still a stigma against people having tattoos when applying for jobs or in other serious moment in one’s life? Granted a majority of tattoos aren’t visible when wearing a collared shirt in an interview, but what happens after you get the job, someone sees your tattoos later on, and now they think of you differently.

People with tattoos have been correlated with having rebellious attitudes and someone not to be taken seriously in studies across the U.S. However, with more and more of today’s younger generation getting them, I’m hoping to see that negative connotation slip away in society. There is no longer a stereotype of what kinds of people have tattoos. I

have friends studying to be teachers, doctors, political scientists, and journalists, men and women, all who have tattoos. Does that mean that they won’t be taken as seriously as someone who doesn’t have them? I want to see this change.

Tattoos are an expression of ourselves that we would like to be apart of us forever. It could be an important memory, a phrase, an image, a word, a symbol, or even something random that you decided to do someday. Maybe you drunkenly got mom with a heart and arrow on your bicep one night, but hey, it’s a memory to share and now it’s apart of your life story. Some tattoos are placed on your body to keep private, while some are placed for the world to see. It shouldn’t matter to anyone besides the person who decided to get the tattoo.

It’s a personal decision to put something on your body. Because someone has a tattoo, doesn’t mean they are “dirty”, “trashy”, or not to be taken seriously. Instead the words that go along with tattoos should be, “creative”, “beautiful” and “interesting”.

Embrace the ink.

MSM