MSM Summer 2013

Main Street Issue 4 2013

Graduation:

Life Found Beyond Durham

Editor’s Note One of the things that I love about UNH is the relative freedom students have to take control of their own projects and create something new. Main Street Magazine has a long legacy on this campus. It’s been around since the 1980s; maybe even before. That being said, we’ve come a long way in a relatively short amount of time.

Over the past few years, we’ve brought incredible content and photos to the student body. We’ve grown a lot with the help and contributions of so many amazing people. I’ve enjoyed every minute of sitting in this cramped little basement office in the MUB with its poor air quality and serious ant problem, blasting music, and writing and designing articles. I can’t really believe it’s over.

This issue is bittersweet for me, as it is for the rest of graduating seniors that work here. As Taylor Lawrence and Jack Callahan can attest to in their articles on graduation, part of us wants to move on, but part of us will be lingering at DHOP and Young Drive, missing Tom making our omelets at HoCo, and feeling bewildered when normal libraries close at 9 p.m. and don’t sell Red Bull with flavor shots (my favorite 8 a.m. drink). So here you go, UNH. I’m incredibly proud of this issue and all the work that’s gone into it.

For those of you still scrambling to find something decent to wear to graduation, our resident fashionistas Heather Ross and Annah Todd preview boutiques where you can find dresses to fit any budget.

Melisa Donovan has plenty of tips for all of you summer festivalgoers, and we’ve got details on the all-new Boston Calling Festival, happening this Memorial Day weekend. We’ve also interviewed the U.K.’s hottest new band, Alt-J (don’t worry, they’re the antithesis of One Direction).

Peter Cloutier, Dominick Ottomanelli, and Emma Huntoon have thoughtprovoking pieces on drones, drugs, and sexual assault in the United States, and our resident photographer, Raya Al-Hashmi, delivers a great summer photospread.

Main Street Issue 4 has something for everyone. I hope you love it as much as I do. xx Ella

Ella Nilsen: Editor-in-Chief, Contributing Writer Raya Al-Hashmi: Photo Editor Peter Cloutier: Editor, Contributing Writer Jake DeSchuiteneer: Editor, Contributing Writer Taylor Lawrence: Editor, Contributing Writer Arly Maulana: Design Editor, Contributing Photographer Brian Morin: Web Editor, Contributing Writer Katie Wisniewski: Layout Editor Jack Callahan: Business Manager, Contributing Writer Lizzy Barker: Contributing Writer Brady Brickner-Wood: Contributing Writer Melisa Donovan: Contributing Designer, Writer Andy Flood: Contributing Writer Graham Hayslip: Contributing Writer Emma Huntoon: Contributing Writer Dominick Ottomanelli: Contributing Writer Heather Ross: Contributing Writer, Photographer Annah Todd: Contributing Writer, Photographer Sam Ueda: Contributing Writer Merhawi Wells-Bogue: Contributing Writer, Photographer Olivia Whitton: Contributing Writer

Printed by our friends at UNH Printing 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.

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

Find Main Street • mainstreetunh.com • facebook.com/mainstreetmagazine • @mainstmagazine • MUB room 12B

On The Cover Time to Graduate Caps and gowns are going to be all over DHOP after UNH’s commencement ceremony on May 18, so we got the jump on that trend.

Model Carter Bascom (UNH ‘13) rocks the classic combo of cap and gown and a slice of cheese pizza.

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Main Street Summer 2013, Issue 4

Featured Article Alt-J Interview We recently interviewed U.K. band Alt-J. Hailing from Leeds, the indie-rock foursome won this year’s Mercury Prize. and are currently on a world-wide tour to promote their critically acclaimed debut album, An Awesome Wave.

Page 36

Features 24 26 30 38

Ethiopia Steubenville Drones Ancient Pathways of Enlightenment

Local 14 18 40 42

Seacoast Spirits UNHCOM Student Spotlight: Vintage Fashion Farewell, UNH

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Reviews 6 7 8 11

Film Books Music Restaurants: Best Seacoast Burgers

Arts & Style 18 22 29 31

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Graduation Fashion Now You See Me, Now You Don’t Mad Men Project V.O.I.C.E.

Satire 16 Facebook vs. LinkedIn 18 Thank You, UNH

Music 28 Boston Calling 34 Festival Survival Guide

Photo Spread 22 Summer Storm: York, Maine

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CONTRIBUTORS 1 Melisa Donovan. 2 Heather Ross. 3 Emma Huntoon. 4 Arly Maulana. 5 Andy Flood. 6 Olivia Whitton.

7 Merhawi Wells-Bogue. 8 Taylor Lawrence. 9 Peter Cloutier. 10 Jack Callahan. 11 Dominick Ottomanelli.

12 Brian Morin. 13 Brady Brickner-Wood. 14 Sam Ueda. 15 Annah Todd. 16 Raya Al-Hashmi. 17 Graham Hayslip.

18 Katie Wisniewski. 19 Jake DeSchuiteneer. 20 Lizzy Barker.

Staff Picks Things MSM Staff Love Right Now

It’s actually easier than it looks. But seriously, it is important to concentrate on your breathing.

I find that, especially before exams and presentations, taking five seconds to pause, relflect, and ground myself is increasingly important as the school year comes to a close.

I’ve played guitar ever since I was 12. I’m not great, and I don’t get to play as often as I wish I could, but lately I’ve been taking time to pick it up and strum a bit in my free moments. It feels good.

-Jake

-Peter

The Sun, which was created 4.6 billion years

ago and is 92,960,000 miles away, is the best thing ever. The Sun gives us oxygen to breath, water to drink, food to eat, light to see, Vitamin D to metabolize, and energy sources to use. Pretty damn neat.

-Raya

When I was in Washington D.C. for spring break I visited the Newseum. We had to pay to enter, but D.C.’s newest museum ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. It had loads of media history and offered some unique perspectives on how news affects our view of historic moments.

A must-do if you are ever in D.C.

I’ve been drinking Wild Child’s Iced Chai Latte for the past few days instead of my usual caramel toffee coffee. It’s just delicious.

-Katie

-Arly

Pentimento Boutique is easily my favorite

store in the world. Located in my hometown area of Littleton, N.H., it is run out of owner Phillipa Evans’ house, and is unparalleled in its selection of beautiful, reasonably priced jewelry and other insanely cute items. If you are up North to hike this summer, go check it out. You will leave $60 lighter and ten times more fabulous.

For any of you photographers and photo editors out there using Photoshop and never touching Adobe Bridge CS6, you’re making a huge mistake. Bridge will change your life and your Tumblr’s quality forever.

-Brian

-Ella

Kleenex Tissues and Bud Light Limes, if you think this is an odd combination then you must not be a graduating senior.

-Taylor

Civil War Double Feature

A

By: Lizzy Barker and Andy Flood

fter all the 2012 movie awards were given out this winter, two movies stood out for being both excellent and strangely connected: Steven Spielberg’s biopic, “Lincoln,” and Quentin Tarantino’s madcap historical fictive film, “Django Unchained.” Lizzy Barker and Andy Flood, two Main Street Magazine film reviewers, watched both films, and sat down to discuss them.

But first some context for those of you who haven’t gotten around to seeing these films – which we highly recommend you do.

“Lincoln,” directed by Steven Spielberg, traces the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which banned slavery in the United States. It is set in January of 1865, a few months before the end of the Civil War, and follows the struggle of Lincoln’s administration to help pass a controversial amendment. It also deals with the personal struggles that Lincoln (Daniel Day Lewis) faced as commander-in-chief of a nation embroiled in civil war.

“Django Unchained” is set two years before the beginning of the Civil War, mainly in Texas and Louisiana. A dentist-turned-bounty hunter, Dr. King Shultz (Christoph Waltz), frees a slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) to help him hunt down a trio of criminals. Shultz, who hates slavery, takes on the newly-freed Django as a partner and comes to help Django in his quest to free his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from a creepy, psychotic and semi-incestuous plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). The film also features an excellent star turn from Samuel L. Jackson as Stephen, quasi-butler and the brains behind the plantation.

Lizzy Barker: “Django” isn’t really about the Civil War...

Andy Flood: Duh, Lizzy, it’s about explosions and witty banter. It was an adventure film-slashbromance comedy.

LB: I totally agree. It was a Western, or at least it seemed to be a satirical commentary on 1950’s Westerns. Actually, I think it was more a commentary on Westerns than it was on the historical institution of slavery. For instance, there was that scene after Shultz is starting to train Django in bounty hunting, and they go through that shopping/shooting montage. It did seem

very fraternal. That’s a key element of Westerns - they promote fraternity and male camaraderie throughout, and there is often little development of female roles. It was more of a film about men and revenge.

AF: I think you are looking a little too far into it. It seemed like Tarantino being Tarantino but set in a western world. The shopping montage, or the scene talking about the white bags impairing Ku Klux Klan member’s visions could just have easily been talking about whether or not tipping is necessary (like in Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs”) or the quarter pounder with cheese (“Pulp Fiction”).

LB: I’m not trying to say that Tarantino is being sexist...just that the typical B-movie Westerns that he’s referencing are sexist. That said, I think playing up the importance of fraternity in “Django” was important. It had a nice modern twist to it, with the almost-shopping spree where Django gets a ridiculous blue, frilly outfit before they kill the Brittle brothers.

AF: Ridiculous? That blue suit was beautiful; some would even say ballin’. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have a bromance with Christoph Waltz?

But it definitely had a modern twist. The music was all over the place. It went from 1950s music to 1970s folk music to hip-hop. Tarantino used certain songs for different scenes. It seemed pretty bold to use hip-hop in a scene depicting Django as intensely violent, particularly given the sensitivity of violence’s influence on rap and hip-hop.

LB: What did you think of the cinematography?

AF: I saw a lot of classic Western elements.

There were scenes of riding horses, panoramic views of the desert, extreme facial close-ups, and Django gripping his gun in the holster. Having said that, the movie spends a lot of time indoors, and the final shootout is indoors, which seemed a little different then your average Western.

LB: That was totally interesting! I think that’s what sets it apart from just a mock Western or a modern Western. Usually, in Westerns the final conflict or shootout occurs outdoors in open space. The idea behind it is that with the final conflict outdoors, civilization ultimately triumphs over the wild, whereas in “Django,” the final shootout is in the Candieland plantation house. The disenfranchised former slave marches down from a position of power (the top of the

staircase) and obliterates the oppressors. Then he goes outside and blows up the house. Django completely destabilizes civilization – which I guess is the point since he’s trying to abolish the institution of slavery.

AF: That kind of sounds like that other movie we watched: “Lincoln.” So how did “Lincoln” improve on the progress “Django” made at destabilizing slavery?

LB: Well, in hindsight, I’d have liked to see Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) hit racists with his cane more. But I think “Lincoln” actually handled the issue of slavery similarly to “Django,” in that both films used slavery as a vehicle for a wider critique. “Django” was a critique of classic and Spaghetti Westerns, whereas “Lincoln” was a commentary on the American political process.

It’s kind of funny – they both treat slavery as a theme, but they are doing two opposite things as a whole. “Django” is destabilizing institutions where “Lincoln” is a portrait of how institutions function, because it’s a drama about Congress.

AF: I think you could say “Lincoln” is also about the destruction of the institution, albeit in a more literal way than “Django.” Good ol’ Honest Abe does a decent job of destroying the institution of slavery. The movie intricately details a deftly played political game of chess, as “Lincoln” is able to charm and manipulate the outcome to his advantage.

In my eyes the movie couldn’t have worked so well without so many all around great acting performances. Day-Lewis’ voice became a smooth almost-whisper, but did not lose any gravitas in his words. Tommy Lee Jones does a great job as the radical abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens, and then there was Sally Field. She does a wonderful job as a tormented woman who does not feel the need to follow social conventions. It is amazing to think that Lincoln could accomplish so much while his home life was no more stable than the country he was able to save.

LB: Tommy Lee Jones ... well, he stole the show.

And his fight to abolish slavery was really all for his African American commonlaw wife – sort of like Django!

Book Reviews “I Suck at Girls” by Justin Halpern After gaining praise from elite comedians including Jimmy Kimmel and Chelsea Handler and talks of a television show coming off the success of “Sh*t My Dad Says,” critics wondered if author and funnyman Justin Halpern could keep the momentum going with his new book “I Suck at Girls.”

Fortunately, Halpern strikes comedic gold again as he tackles issues of life, love, and the mysteries of the opposite sex in this heartwarming and hilarious coming-of-age tale.

The story begins with Halpern looking to his father for wisdom as he prepares to propose to his girlfriend. “You’ve been dating her for four years…

It ain’t like you found a parallel fucking universe,” eloquently replies his father. After this burst of enlightenment, the elder Halpern encourages his son to look back at the women and relationships that had gotten him here, and we begin to giggle our way down Halpern’s personal memory lane.

We are taken all the way back to when drawing a picture of a dog pooping on the girl you like’s head was a romantic gesture, and to the proms that never lived up to our movie-fueled expectations. We hear stories of lost virginities, Hooter’s waitresses, and

“The People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn

T

he People’s History of the United States” is a rich interpretation of history that you didn’t learn in your high school history class. It should be considered a must-read for every American. The book’s author, Howard Zinn, starts with recounting the slavery and genocide committed during the violent colonization of the America’s by Christopher Columbus and later European explorers.

Zinn thoroughly explains the economic and political experience of the American Revolution, illustrating how the Founding Fathers agitated war with the British to quell a people’s rebellion that had been brewing in the colonies. After the war, the new U.S. government was not the bastion of freedom that the revolutionaries had hoped it would be. This caused more chaos in the colonies.

The author reveals how the newly established government set in motion a campaign to distract the American people with the threat of violence from America’s Indian population. The future politicians of America would use this divide-and-conquer strategy again in pre-Civil War America. Zinn details the methods by which racism was artificially constructed in order to enforce the economic system. He argues that racism is not natural because there are recorded instances of camaraderie and cooperation between black slaves and white servants escaping from their subjugation.

Zinn covers the Mexican-American war and the U.S. government’s continued campaign against the Native peoples living west of the Mississippi. Rights

stealing porn from homeless people. The girls rotate in and out of the story like a revolving door until Halpern finds his future fiancé in a sugary sweet ending we crave.

The anecdotes are stacked with secondhand embarrassment introduced by chapter titles such as “When You’re Married, Your Wife Sees Your Penis” and “You Will Never Screw a Woman Who Looks Like That,” capturing his father’s characteristic insight. Halpern’s father only appears occasionally within the chapters but grounds the short stories with lots of charm and heart hidden beneath his vulgarity.

We laugh, we cringe, and then laugh some more, as the stories are almost too relatable to deny. We digress to the days of cooties, prom, and lost virginities but are also hopeful to find love as the saying “you must slay some dragons to get to the princess” finds new meaning. “I Suck at Girls” is your growing up story, only way funnier. -Taylor Lawrence

of women and workers came into focus during the early industrial revolution, which saw the rise of industrial corporations, including railroad companies and banks. Their rise brought corruption and increased inequality in society, industry, and government.

Zinn explains how the aristocracy of the time attempted to quash any semblance of protest demonstrated by the average American worker. These attempts to suppress citizen’s power were often violent, resulting in the death of many innocent workers, including women and children. The following chapters detail America’s involvement in World War II and question the decision of the U.S. military to drop atomic weapons on Japan. Zinn claims that the Japanese had already planned to surrender before the bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

The struggle for civil rights and the 60’s revolution emboldened many social movements, once again revealing the government’s true colors when dealing with citizens’ concerns over social inequalities. Zinn recounts America’s opposition to the Vietnam War, as well as how the Nixon’s administration’s War on Drugs tightened the stranglehold on the people held by America’s elite. The book ends with the political climate of the Bush administration and Zinn’s belief there will be further class warfare between America’s elite and the lower and middle classes of society as economic conditions and inflation continues to grow.

-Dominick Ottomanelli

MUSIC

Jefferson Hammer

Tyler, The Creator

v` Kurt Vile

Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hammer “Child Ballad” Wilderland Records

Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hammer delve into the traditional English and Scottish music canon on their new album Child Ballads. The folk songs on the album were recorded in text by Harvard professor Francis James Child in the late 1800s, but original versions of the songs predate Child’s recordings by hundreds of years. On Child Ballads, Mitchell and Hammer create a sparse and intimate recording. Accompanied by their acoustic guitars and the occasional organ and accordion, the two musicians are able to update these supernatural tales using modern structuring phrasing, but they still capture the fairy tales of treachery, death, and trickery.

There is a reason these stories are still being told.

Song subjects include a tragic tale of young love, a wife whose husband is falsely being sentenced to death, and the story of reckless adolescent yearn-

ings. These stories do not feel antiquated. It is easy to forget that these tales have existed in some form for hundreds of years, but the album does have some aged language and the quirk of telling a number of separate tales about characters named Willy. These renditions have the benefit of being told by two gorgeous voices. At times Mitchell’s voice overpowers Hammer, but the warmth of Hammer’s voice adds to the texture of the music. If either musician approached this project independently, the result would not have been so cozy and satisfying. The album is nothing groundbreaking, but it functions beautifully as a quiet rainy day album.

-Andy Flood

You may know Tyler, The Creator as the loudmouthed, slur spewing, cat-obsessed rapper and operator of the music collective Odd Future. You may faintly remember him as the guy who did the song “Yonkers.” However you want to define, describe, or box-in Tyler, he somehow manages to exploit and elude the labels placed upon him, as he constantly finds new ways to develop his artistry.

In Tyler’s third album, Wolf, he continues to shed old stereotypes. On earlier albums Bastard and Goblin, he bashed music blogs, had eerie rape anthems, and generated under-produced instrumentals. With Wolf’s impressive producing, tremendously improved rapping, and engaging storyline, Tyler provides us with the first complete and masterful Odd Future album.

A striking feature about Wolf, besides the improved and matured sound, is Tyler’s honesty. Throughout the album’s running plotline, Tyler is confident, sounding completely at peace with himself and his insecurities. Whether discussing his experiences as the lonely 21-year-old wounded by his father’s abandonment (“Answer”), the bike riding, shit talking, leader of his wild friends (“Slater,” “Parking Lot,” “Trashwang”), or the restless kid at heart who easily gets annoyed with criticisms and fame (“Colossus,” “Rusty”), he remains articulate and reflective.

These themes come off as both authentic and

natural, giving depth to Tyler’s excellent production and flow. Wolf is jazzier and more soulful than any of Tyler’s previous works. The percussion is musty and mellow, electric pianos pretty and sweet, and horns discreet but rich.

Perhaps the most profound takeaway from Wolf is the realization that Tyler is only 21. With the quality of Wolf, success of Loiter Squad, and growing popularity of Odd Future’s brand name, Tyler appears to be at the beginning of a prolific rise to greatness.

The growth and improvement made from Bastard to Goblin to Wolf is remarkable. Despite the perception that Tyler and Odd Future are a mere trend, too silly for hip-hop, and too obnoxious for the public, Wolf arrives to say, “Let the music do the talking.” Wolf comes at an ideal time for not only hip-hop, but also the entertainment industry, illustrating the wonders of creative freedom, and organic artistry. Tyler may be known as the crazy kid who likes cat shirts and bikes, but that won’t last much longer. If Wolf is any indication of the brilliance resting behind this smiley, witty 21-year-old, than the world should brace themselves for something special.

-Brady Brickner-Wood

Kurt Vile has always seemed like a pretty relaxed dude. Two years ago, he released his excellent fourth album, Smoke Ring For My Halo, where he delivered short, tight, atmospheric acoustic rock tunes. His lazy sounding vocal delivery and mellow instrumentals made for a chilled-out listen. On Wakin’ on a Pretty Daze, Vile continues in a similar fashion, this time allowing songs to run longer and get a little wilder.

Vile’s lack of restraint is far from a bad thing.

The album opens with the astoundingly relaxing track “Wakin’ on a Pretty Day.” Over the span of the track’s nine minutes, Vile moves from slow strummed acoustic guitar bliss to an extended effects-laden guitar solo. Despite its length, the song never overstays its welcome, as Vile mixes up his musical ideas throughout to keep things interesting. Lyrically, Vile’s air of laziness and apathy just ooze. “You can say I’ve been most all around,” he slurs almost indecipherably, “But I ain’t going nowhere…To be frank I’m fried.

But I don’t mind.”

Other highlights include the Rolling Stones-esque crunchiness of “KV Crimes,” the spastic “Pure Rain,” which moves back and forth between one of the album’s jumpiest guitar riffs and some of it’s most mellow moments, and the 10-minute closer “Goldtone,” which is simply Vile being Vile. I can only use the words “mellow” and relaxed” so many times in one review, but both adjectives apply to the slowmoving album closer.

With summer closing in, Wakin’ on a Pretty Daze has arrived just in time. This album just begs to be played as the backdrop to a barbecue, pool party or camping trip. Vile is chilling out in these songs, and that’s just what he wants you to do, too. Throw this one on your summer playlist for sure.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10 Tyler, The Creator “Wolf ” Odd Future Records

Overall Rating: 8/10

Kurt Vile

“Walkin’ on a Pretty Daze” Matador Records

Overall Rating: 8/10

-Jake DeSchuiteneer

Staff Summer Jams Brian

1. “Sleep Alone (Chainsmokers Remix)” - Two Door Cinema Club Two Door Cinema Club has never sounded this good.

Put your dancing shoes on.

2. “Stay (Filtercrush Remix)” - Rhianna These guys are brand new and have put together an incredible first track. If you get a little too depressed by the original, I highly suggest this synth heavy version.

3. “Carolina In My Mind” - James Taylor I don’t know about you, but I was mentally in Carolina before spring break even started. Set this song to be your wake-up alarm tomorrow and get ready to have a good morning.

Ella

1. “What I Like (Remix) ft. Danny Brown” - Charli XCX Brought to you by Brit goth-pop songstress Charli XCX (the girl who wrote Icona Pop’s brilliant “I Love It”), this remix is golden. The winning factor here is the combination of a sultry summer banger infused with oddball rapper Danny Brown’s characteristically A.D.D. flow.

2. “Late Night” - Foals This song from Foals’ most recent album Holy Fire is quiet, gorgeous, and feels a little sinister in all the right ways. Foals are one of my all-time favorite bands and “Late Night” is in one word, masterful.

3. “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death from Above” - CSS It’s simply impossible to listen to this song and not want to dance. This track is one of my old high school favorites, but it never feels tired. Plus, CSS as a band are gleefully dirty. Summer perfection.

Raya

1. “Loxodonta” - Are We Elephants?

This band is new, local, and comprised of four clever men. Loxodonta is a perfect song to get introduced to their music.

2. “Praise” - Fatboy Slim The lyrics, “I have to praise you” repeat endlessly throughout the song, which I don’t mind at all ;) but the lyrics are hardly what makes this song one of my favorites; the instrumentals make this song so aesthetically pleasing.

3. “Walking on a Dream” - Empire of the Sun This individualistic song celebrates the power we have to make this world our own and the thrill that comes along with that.

Katie

1. “Lego House” - Ed Sheeran Ed Sheeran’s combined musical talent, ginger hair, and sweet melodies will make you fall in love with him. Oh, and he’s British too.

2. “Cruise feat. Nelly” - Florida Georgia Line This song is perfect for summer. Upbeat, fun, and easy to sing along to.

3. “Please Please Please” - Shout Out Louds This track is brilliant. One of my favorite Shout Out Louds songs, hands down.

Arly

1. “22” - Taylor Swift Taylor Swift is my worst guilty pleasure and this song totally reaffirms it. It is just too catchy to ignore and it always makes me smile when I listen to it. I’m also 22, so it should probably be my anthem.

2. “One of Those Nights feat. The Weekend” Juicy J Honestly I don’t listen to Juicy J or Three 6 Mafia that much but this song is the bomb, thanks to Abel Tesfaye and his amazing and haunting voice.

3. “Say My Name (Cyril Hahn Remix)” - Destiny’s Child This remix managed to turn this classic song into something cool and soothing. And if you wanna know what Beyoncé sounds like as a dude with a deep voice then you should check it out.

Taylor 1. “Bugatti” - Ace Hood Because if you are super white like me, attempting to rap this is entertaining to all involved.

2. “Can I Get A… Remix” - BigGigantic BigGigantic accomplishes the impossible in their remix of “Can I Get A…” They make Jay-Z even better.

3. “End of the Road” - Boyz II Men In honor of my fellow graduating seniors, this may be the end of one road, but damn, we got miles to go.

Jake 1. ”Yonkers” - Tyler the Creator I’m way, way late to this party, I know. But having never taken the time to listen to this track when it came out, I was happy to finally discover it for myself a couple weeks ago. Tyler is insane on this song.

2. “Demons” -The National A single off their upcoming album, Trouble Will Find Me, “Demons” provides National fans with what they’re looking for: more deep voiced self-loathing from lead vocalist Matt Berninger.

3. “Sweet Baby James” - James Taylor James Taylor is the man; I don’t care what anyone says.

This song is smooth, relaxing, and just plain nice on the ears.

Peter

1. “Gold Dayzz (FaltyDL Remix)” - Ultraista FaltyDL shimmers on this tasty remix. I’m obsessed with the overall composition and interplay between the vocal sampling/distortion with the shuffling beat.

2. “Static” - Justin Jay This hard stomper always makes me grit my teeth. The dirty bass groove is irrestistable; I just have to dance when it unleashes its fury.

3. “Dans” - Pomrad Pomrad calls this ‘futurefunk.’ Snappy drums and funky bass, retro synth tones, and soulful swag, this tune is undeniably from another planet.

Summer Brews By: Olivia Whitton

The Old Stand-By’s:

The Locals:

Mike’s Hard - Blood Orange (New York)

Sea Dog Raspberry (Maine)

For those that aren’t beer fans, Mike’s is always a solid choice. Their seasonal option, Blood Orange, tastes almost exactly like the fruit it’s named for—sweet and tart at the same time. It’s the perfect thirst quencher for the dog days of summer.

One of my all-time favorites, Sea Dog’s fruitier Raspberry brew is a precise blend of wheat and sweet, and a nice choice for beginner and experienced beer drinkers alike. It carries the classic taste of Sea Dog’s lighter brews and will wash your summer barbecue down in the best way.

Lienenkugel’s Summer Shandy (Wisconsin)

Gritty’s Vacationland Summer Ale (Maine)

Lienenkugel’s is, admittedly, not usually one of my favorites. But this summer option is more lemonade than beer, and it provides a nice sweet bite to offset the wheat beer taste. The Shandy is a good option for those that want a classier beer-lite, and will be an excellent companion for sitting pool or lakeside this summer.

Gritty’s Vacationland is a nice brew for the seasoned beer drinker. Not for everyone, it is a little bit darker than anything else on this list, and a touch more bitter. However, paired with a juicy burger fresh off of the grill or sitting in a koozie while you watch the game, Vacationland will be a winner.

Sam Adam’s Summer Ale (Boston)

Red Hook ESB (New Hampshire)

You can’t go wrong with Sam’s Summer. That’s pretty much the bottom line.

It’s a little citrusy, a little spicy and a lot yummy—and it’s an absolute must whether you’re boating, tanning, swimming, grilling or just sitting on the deck enjoying a gorgeous New England summer sunset.

Portsmouth’s Red Hook brewery is a standard choice for Seacoast beer drinkers by now. Their ESB isn’t a summer seasonal, but this Amber beer is perfectly balanced, made with a caramel malt and offset by citrusy hops. A cold ESB for any summer get-together is near-perfection, and supporting local breweries is always a plus.

Shock Top’s Honeycrisp Apple Wheat Seasonal Brew (St. Louis)

Throwback Love Me Long Time Pilsner (New Hampshire)

This isn’t technically a cider, but it might as well be. Brimming with the sweet taste of sour apple, Shock Top’s summer selection is so delicious it’s dangerous. While apples are more commonly found in fall brews, the honeycrisp flavor is a thirst quencher for all occasions. Make sure to drink it ice cold and it’ll keep you cool all summer long.

Yum. Locals Throwback Brewery have crafted a delicious Bohemian pilsner.

Love Me Long Time has a low alcohol content (for a craft beer) but plenty of crisp, delicious taste. You can drink a number of these throughout the afternoon and get only slightly silly. Everything in moderation, kids!

Restaurant Reviews: Burgers By: Ella Nilsen & Jack Callahan

El Camino at Lexie’s Joint

Farm Fresh Perfection at Lexie’s Joint

Open Sesame at Lexie’s Joint

Sautéed Chicken Breast at Lee Circle Grocery

Reuben Sandwich at Lee Circle Grocery

Lexie’s Joint

Lee Circle Grocery on Wheels

212 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Mon-Sun 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

(603) 319-4055

87 Calef Highway Lee, NH 03861 Mon-Sat: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

(603) 868-3040

If you live in the greater Seacoast area and have not yet visited Lexie’s Joint, you are missing out on one of life’s simple pleasures: burgers, fries, and shakes done oh so right. Lexie’s recently expanded their Islington Street restaurant, and have been dishing up delicious burger creations for the past few years to local converts. With summer approaching (more slowly than we’d like), Lexie’s is your one-stop destination for everything delicious.

The dining space is very family-friendly; one of the walls is plastered with colorful crayon drawings from some of the restaurant’s younger fans. Lexie’s is an extremely relaxed atmosphere, and has a kitchen space that is fairly open and integrated with the dining area so you can see your burgers and fries being made. It is populated by regulars as well as new customers, so interactions with the waitstaff/owners are nearly always good. In addition, Lexie’s does take-out and delivery.

The chilled-out atmosphere at Lexie’s is combined with the most delicious burgers and fries around. Part of the genius behind the restaurant is the size of the food. The burgers are never too large to handle, and the fries are thincut and perfectly salted (sort of like McDonalds…and it’s basically undisputed that McDonalds has the best fries, no matter what you may think of their other food).

Lexie’s is big on variety for both burgers and fries. There is always the option to “build your own burger,” which you can do with a beef, chicken, or bean patty plus any number of toppings and sauces for add-ons. Beyond that, the restaurant offers its own creations, including “Stairway to Heaven” (braised short ribs, caramelized onions, BBQ, cheddar), “The Bistro” (tomato confit, braised onions, bacon, relish, herbed aioli, lettuce), and my personal favorite, “The Green Lantern” (avocado, cheddar, chimichurri, tomato)…basically, I’m a sucker for anything with avocado.

For sides, you can go with plain fries, always delicious, but there are many other options. Herbed Parmesan fries and slaw and fried pickles are constantly on the menu, but Lexie’s specials change daily, and for spice fanatics, the El Comino fries with cumin aioli and Sriracha ketchup are a must if you can get them.

Lexie’s specials are delicious and unique, but they change every day, so it is a good idea to ‘like’ the restaurant on Facebook to stay ahead of the deals and new creations, including burgers dubbed “Little Miss Swiss,” “Smoking Fonion,” “Not so Cool Beans,” and “V.I.P.B.L.T.” And yes, that last one is a burger combined with a B.L.T. In addition to burgers and fries, Lexie’s offers fish tacos, fish and chips, hot dogs, and lobster rolls, however, some of these are specials, so don’t go in cold, expecting lobster rolls to be on the menu. It’s a good idea to check beforehand.

When you are done eating, wash it all down with some local beer. Lexie’s offers favorites like Throwback, as well as Tuckerman’s, Long Trail, and Red Hook.

And finally, there are the shakes. In addition to standard vanilla, chocolate, and my personal favorite, mint chip Oreo, there are things like the “Hunka Hunka” (vanilla ice cream, banana, peanut butter, Nilla wafers, chocolate syrup) and “Death by Chocolate” (chocolate ice cream, brownie, chocolate cupcake, chocolate syrup).

Nothing says summer better than sun, music, and NOM. Take a few hours break from finals, drive to Lexie’s, and I promise you will not be disappointed.

-Ella Nilsen

The hamburger. A staple on any menu, the burger is an easy option that many restaurants in and around Durham pride themselves on. So where’s the best burger around? It’s not in some fancy restaurant in Portsmouth, with imported beef and caramelized onions. It’s not a totally organic, homegrown product of Newmarket, with nitrate-free buns and organic vegetables. And it is not down on Main Street here in Durham, accompanied by some cheap drink special. The best burger in the area is available in a food truck parked next to a gravel pit at the Lee Traffic Circle. Seriously.

Situated behind the Wendy’s parking lot across from the entrance to Market Basket, the Lee Circle Grocery makes a mean burger. It’s made in a big white trailer, you order it standing outside in an unpaved parking lot, and you pay for it on an iPad. It’s a simple burger with traditional toppings and available in either the 1/3 pound or the 1/2 pound variety. The Lee Circle Grocery spoils you with a few picnic tables to sit at and enjoy your meal, but in the colder months, you’ll want to eat it in your car. There is nothing pretentious or even remarkable about the place, yet, according to NECN, its one of the “best burgers in New England.”

The burger is good, just trust me. Go get it this weekend with your friends, if only because the weather is nice and you want to prove my review wrong because clearly, there’s no way a burger from a trailer can taste this good. Get the burger the first time, then branch out to the rest of the menu because the Lee Circle Grocery, referred to simply as ‘The Burger Joint’ by some regulars, does a lot more than hamburgers.

They have the usual sides and appetizers: Chili Cheese Fries, Beer Battered Onion Rings, Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Fingers, and Jalapeno Bottlecaps. But they have a wide variety of main options. Whether you are in the mood for a Italian Sub, Hot Pastrami Sub, Roast Beef Sandwich or Tuna Fish, you’re in good shape. But being in coastal New England, the menu does not stop there.

Looking for fried clams, scallops, shrimp? Looking for a quart of them? The Lee Circle Grocery has them. And if you really want to splurge there’s the Half Pound Monster Lobster Sub. Oh yeah, and they also do breakfast.

So whether you’re looking for the best burger in the state, breakfast on your way home for the summer, or just a casual lunch, stop off at the Lee Traffic Circle, ignore Wendy’s and McDonald’s, and head to the Lee Circle Grocery.

-Jack Callahan

Seacoast Spirits: New Hampshire Distilleries Provide a Taste of Local Liquor By: Sam Ueda Photos By: Arly Maulana

I

t may sound bizarre that Flag Hill Winery established the first N.H. distillery since Prohibition, but it’s even more bizarre that owner Frank Reinhold had to challenge the state legislature to allow it to happen. Located on a small back road in Lee, the winery has a reputation for its beautiful open landscape, tasting tours, and small business charm. When it came to running a distillery, however, they weren’t allowed to let people taste their homemade liquor.

“When we opened, we couldn’t sell or taste our liquors here,” said manager Heather Houle. “We could only make it, and the only people we could sell it to was the N.H. liquor commission.”

Within a year, Reinhold had hired lobbyists who negotiated with the N.H. Liquor and Wine Commission, eventually obtaining Governor Lynch’s signature to allow the tastings in 2005.

“I felt like it was a natural progression back to the things we used to do,” said Reinhold, also the founder of Flag Hill Winery & Distillery. “We’re following the path of the beer makers during prohibition, who were ahead of the curve back then.”

Reinhold wasn’t interested in recreating his favorite liquor. He’s not even very fond of the stuff.

What he saw back in 2004 was an opportunity to make an investment in distilling that would add to his winery. The distillery could be used as a more stable source of income for his business when local crops suffered from New England’s sometimes volatile weather patterns. In addition, the plan was to use New Hampshire produce to bring back localized spirit distillation.

John Stark vodka was born, and Reinhold was on founded Sea Hagg in August 2011 in North Hamphis way to establishing an extensive and ever-grow- ton, hoping to give people the chance to take a vacaing list of quality, N.H.-made spirits. tion without having to leave New Hampshire. Currently, she is producing silver, amber, and blueberry Flag Hill’s liquor is distilled in the spirit of recyrum and selling mainly out of her store, which has cling and local agriculture. The vodka and brandy become a popular destination on the Granite State are made from “dropped” apples, ones that fall Growlers tour. from trees and aren’t sellable by orchards, and the grappa is made with leftover grape flesh from wineWhile most big name rums are heavy on vanilla making. Each product is made with a specific focus flavoring, Sea Hagg maintains its intense yet smooth on local agriculture. It may make the process more molasses taste. Though booze snobs might turn difficult, but the overall results are innovative fla- their noses up at flavored spirits, the blueberry rum vors and New Hampshire authenticity. is 80 proof and definitely doesn’t hold back. It is an amazingly crafted taste, unique and bold in the face Aside from the John Stark vodka, Flag Hill has a of liquors flavored with corn syrup and food colorseries of New Hampshire-themed spirits, including ing. In the back room, behind the dozens of barrels, Blue Karner gin, Josiah Bartlett apple brandy, White there is a much smaller barrel hidden on top.

Mountain moonshine, and a series of liqueurs made from New Hampshire fruits. On a side note, “That’s my birthday barrel,” said Hughes. “It’s a if you’ve ever hiked Mount Major in August and single barrel aged in maple wood, which makes the picked a few blueberries along the way, you’ll recog- flavor really unique to other rums.” nize the Alton Bay flavor that goes into the blueberFlag Hill Winery and Distillery manager Heather ry liqueur. There’s one thing Flag Hill doesn’t have Houle says the investment on a micro-distillery though, (besides tequila), and that’s rum. is massive, and a return profit is “probably 15 or If you’re a fan of Captain Morgan’s, or only know 20 years out. The larger piece of this investment rum when it’s mixed with your Coke, it’s time to is going to be for the next generation or the next grow up and try some of the real stuff. Sea Hagg is decade.” a micro-distillery specializing in artisanal rums. With three bottles of rum and a handful of crew, they’re a New Hampshire state liquor stores require that all passionate, hardworking organization. Though the products sell a minimum number of bottles in order small company seems a bit like a fishing boat in a to stay on the shelves. For Reinhold and Hughes, crowded cruise harbor, they’ve been able to keep who are up against the likes of Belvedere, Grey their business strong, getting known amongst the Goose, and Bacardi, it can be tough to get noticed sea of large brands that fill liquor stores by main- on a wall full of bottles. taining local clientele and a superior product.

“I want to be proud of what I make,” said Sea While potatoes and grains are the typical base Hagg founder Heather Hughes. “I love rum, and for most commercial vodkas, Reinhold decided to I’m not going to be making anything that I couldn’t use apples because of their abundance in local agdrink straight.” riculture.

Hughes decided she was ready for a career change “I looked at the apples around me, and I said, after a vacation to the Caribbean, where she fell in ‘well, what can I do with apples,’” he commented. love with the local atmosphere and alcohol. AfThe answer was clear – literally. Thus, General ter months of intense research and planning, she

Since Flag Hill and Sea Hagg are relatively new in the micro-distillery business, it’s still too soon to say whether New Hampshire distilleries will be able to stay in business against major companies. The cultural emphasis on consuming local, however, continues to expand, and will hopefully gain the support and recognition of liquor drinkers in New Hampshire and beyond.

LinkedIn vs. Facebook By: Olivia Whitton

Double fisting like a champ.

Olivia Whitton

Olivia Whitton March 30 near Manchester Clubski with my favessss — with Zak Ahmad, Patrick Sargent and Maggie Dana

Word of advice: never add “-ski” to the end of a word again.

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Olivia Whitton Just now near Durham Just asked my boss for a task and she said, “Go to the liquor store, get the biggest bottle of wine you can find, and a package of plastic straws.” Looks like it’s one of those days.

Funny, it kind of seems like it’s always “that kind of day.”

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Olivia Whitton a few seconds ago near Durham Hung over and there is no way in the world that I can make this mess look good today. Only solution is to stay drunk.

Yeah, there’s absolutely no way to make this mess look good.

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Olivia Whitton March 29 near Durham I Love Alcohol! (40 photos) — I got 99 problems and an empty glass ain’t one.

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You drink too much. Way. Too. Much.

Olivia Whitton Student at University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire | Writing and Editing

Olivia Whitton's Summary I'm Olivia. I am currently a student at the University of New Hampshire, majoring in English and minoring in American Studies. My expected graduation date is May 2014. I am currently employed as a Development Assistant at New Hampshire Public Television in Durham, New Hampshire; and am seasonally employed at Ancient Mariner Lobster Company in Westbrook, Maine. I am interested in creative writing, copy-editing and social media marketing.

Plain white V-neck like a champ.

That job title makes it look like you do more than just get people coffee. A+ for effort.

Olivia Whitton's Experience Development Assistant NHPTV August 2011 – Present (1 year 9 months) Help with annual on-air auction program; research potential advertisers; work with Microsoft Office; various special event-related tasks.

Look at you with all that proper grammar and shit.

Manager/Sales Ancient Mariner Lobster Company April 2009 – Present (4 years 1 month) Customer service; social media marketing; customer relations; communication with suppliers; inventory.

Application Support Maine Medical Center May 2012 – February 2013 (10 months) Portland, Maine Area As a temp, I worked on a conversion project, converting patient charts from one system to another and reconciling data across multiple platforms.

Oh, a “conversion project.” Don’t you sound intelligent with your obscure, fancy language.

Olivia Whitton's Organizations • Main Street Magazine Contributing Writer

August 2010 to Present • Contributing writer of varying content relating to the university, pop culture, news and more.

Olivia Whitton's Skills & Expertise • Leadership Team Leadership Creative Writing Social Media Marketing Social Media Customer Service Customer Satisfaction Babysitting Reading Writing

Olivia Whitton's Courses • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English University of New Hampshire Special Topics in Creative Writing: The Gift • Shakespeare • Energy & Environment • Major American Authors: F. Scott Fitzgerald • Literary Analysis

Olivia Whitton's Education University of New Hampshire Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English 2010 – 2014 (expected)

WHO WOULD LET YOU BABYSIT THEIR KIDS?

Changing the Scene: UNHCOM By: Graham Hayslip

T

here is an incredibly diverse, engaging, and energetic live music scene here at UNH, and if you didn’t know that, you shouldn’t be ashamed. This music scene is hidden because as years progress, more and more student bands and ensembles are deterred from playing on campus due to legislative hurdles that must be overcome in order to book a venue.

The amount of effort it takes to create an event and gather an audience is a daunting task, well beyond performing a musical act. The UNH Coalition of Organized Musicians (UNHCOM), a new student organization that has been formally recognized this semester, is hoping to change that.

UNHCOM’s mission is to foster a better live music scene on campus, utilizing its recognition to further members’ own goals. The members are all musicians by trade; some solo acts and others band members. The organization meets biweekly to compile news and resources in order to plan shows around campus, collaborate to find recording studios and music equipment stores, and simply share musical ideas with each other.

for local indie rock group Heads & Tales. The organization’s first few tasks included developing and organizing strategies and resources to aid various musical acts to create events. One of UNHCOM’s current objectives is to save the HiFi Music Festival, which typically happens every year but has been cancelled due to budget issues.

UNHCOM’s formation came about in part because of a need for a musically collaborative environment, but the group was also a response to the digression of the university’s music scene. UNH’s music scene used to be much more welcoming for live musicians, including students, and Durham and Seacoast residents alike.

Tim Gurshin Sr., an alumnus from the UNH class of 1979 and acoustic musician, spoke with me regarding the music scene when he was enrolled at the university. Thirty years ago, SCOPE (the Student Committee On Popular Entertainment) booked artists at many different spots on campus.

The Snively Arena (now the Whittemore Center) and the Lundholm Gym in the Fieldhouse were booked multiple times a year, not just flooded with This organization was originally the brainchild once-a-year concerts as they are now. of Ian Sleeper, a guitarist on campus who plays The artists weren’t anything to be overlooked,

either. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Peter Frampton were some of the artists Mr. Gurshin saw perform at UNH. But it wasn’t just the frequency of big shows that drew students from their dorms; it was also UNH’s openness with hosting student musicians and regional bands.

The MUB’s Granite State Room, Strafford Room, and (in 1979) the “MUB Pub” were all staged venues that played small bands regularly, usually for a small cover charge. These venues were fully booked almost every weekend. The drinking age was 18, which was another source of revenue for the MUB, but Mr. Gurshin speculated that this fact has little to do with why the music scene has attenuated.

The decline in live music at UNH is primarily due to a changing university culture in which students are less informed or engaged regarding live music.

Now, the process of putting on a performance is more bureaucratic and harshly regulated. This pulls a shroud over the numerous talented and eager musical performers that exist on or around this campus. UNHCOM wants to act on these issues and engage the student body, fostering a more welcoming environment for musicians to share their art.

Stoke Hall

Thank You, UNH By: Taylor Lawrence Photo Credit: Denise Barstow, UNH Tales

Thank you, MUB unisex bathrooms, for giving us yet another place to meet our college sweetheart.

Thank you, Young Drive, for giving day drinking an address.

Thank you, UNH alerts, for successfully eliminating four possible suspects with each report describing a white male wearing a UNH hat.

Thank you, Dimond Library, for giving us a quiet place to stare at the opposite sex and peruse the Internet.

Thank you, Holloway Commons, for strictly enforcing the one fruit law and keeping our community safe from potassium addicts and apple hoarders.

Thank you, DHOP, for accepting Cats Cache and allowing our parents to buy drunken strangers large pizzas from miles away.

Thank you, Cottages Hot Tub, for proving that UNH is fearless.

Thank you, Little Red Wagon, for serving zero purpose besides offering a place to claim to have had intercourse.

Thank you, Wildcat Statue, for allowing us to climb, ride, and tackle you while remaining the most photogenic creature I’ve ever met.

Thank you, UNH Hookups, for reaffirming the belief that no surface on campus is without some sort of bodily fluid.

Thank you, Library Hill, for giving me immense pain walking up but immense joy when I see longboarder falling down.

Thank you, UNH Hockey Games, for bringing cute kids, stumbling students, and your friend’s dad together to scream and wear the same outfit.

Thank you, T-Hall Lawn, for giving half-naked sunbathers a home when temperatures reach above 60 degrees.

Thank you, UNH pedestrians, for proving that

crosswalks are an unnecessary formality.

Thank you, Hamilton Rec Center, for making sexual tension an incentive to exercise.

Thank you, Horton Room 4, for making sure not even sunlight can watch us fail.

Thank you, 50 cent drinks, for helping both our bank account and delusional sense of reality.

Thank you, Frat Row, for constantly echoing the question, how many girls did you bring?

Thank you, unicycle juggler, for paving the way for everyone else too afraid to bring out the ol’ one wheel. Meaning all of us.

Thank you, UNH Sororities, for defying science and proving that every sister can and does have the best Big in the world.

Thank you, UNH, for giving me a place I can always call home.

Donna Morgan print shift dress

Sandra Darren salmon dress.

Diane von Furstenburg “Kadijah” dress

We Love Vera green print dress

Ann Taylor Loft ruffle dress

Donna Morgan “Art Deco” dress

Graduation Fashion Words and Photos By: Annah Todd and Heather Ross

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e're all about unconventional here at Main Street Magazine, so drop the white linen or Lilly Pulitzer prints and hop on the bandwagon. We have laid out six options that suit all sorts of budgets, body types and tastes; so follow our lead and deck yourself out in dress that you'll love. We tapped

Helene M. 24 Congress Street, Portsmouth, N.H. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. www.helenem.com Diane von Furstenberg “Kadijah” dress - $345 David Aubrey “Lapis” bib necklace - $108 This dress is hot, hot, hot! An easy shift dress with a delicate keyhole neck detail can be left as is, or dolled up with jewelry, a scarf or cardigan. The “Kadijah” dress is made with DVF’s signature suiting material that allows for a comfortable drape over the body, but also has enough shape to create a flattering fit that isn’t too clingy. The vibrant blood orange color is all over spring runways, making this a staple for your wardrobe.

Pair with a statement necklace and nude pumps - like I’m wearing - or a thin strand of pearls and black flats, and this frock could become your new high-pigment LBD. You can easily go from commencement to a cocktail to an after party and get your money’s worth. - Annah Todd Donna Morgan “Art Deco” dress - $140 JM Designs opera-length pearl necklace - $550 Black and white is a huge trend this spring and this black and ivory art deco dress definitely delivers.

The minimalistic color palette and bold, organized pattern is a flawless combination of mature elegance and youthful energy: a perfect choice for your first moments as a college grad. What’s even better is that this dress offers upscale elegance without the hefty price tag. The form-fitting dart seams tailor the dress with a defined structure that complements a feminine hourglass physique.

Besides adding a pop of color, the turquoise belt cinches at the waist and instantly draws attention to the thinnest part the torso. The inward cutouts in the sleeveless straps break up the continuity of the bold pattern and show off the shoulders for a more conservative look than a strapless dress.

A work of art that is clearly designed to speak for itself, this sheath dress is effortlessly formal.

Accessorize sparingly, but try a necklace like these

into the springtime trends but towed the line on classic. Besides, this celebration is going to be your most photographed day since prom and until your wedding. No date needed this time; this is all about you.

opera-style pearls. Wrap three times as shown here, Wearhouse or skip the belt and double wrap them, 1920s style. 74 Congress Street, Portsmouth, N.H. - Heather Ross Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Lizology Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

16 Market Street, Portsmouth, N.H. www.wearhouseportsmouth.com Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Ann Taylor Loft ruffle dress - $62.00 Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Dangly pearl bracelet - $12 www.lizology.com This dress is a steal at $62; but remember – there is only one available. As you hurry to your cars, Donna Morgan print shift dress - $98.50 keep in mind that the Wearhouse is far-and-away Silver cuff - $16.50 the best-curated secondhand shopping destination White, teal and coral collide on this bateau-neck on the Seacoast and it will contain plenty of other shift dress in a myriad of prints. Note the trim on well-selected options. This ensemble caught my eye this slinky garment - intricate zig-zags and minute for a few reasons, but mainly because the delicate decals line the sleeve and skirt hems to keep the ruffles on the top are flattering for a variety of chaos under control. Though this dress has a lot body types, due to a “skirt” that hits slightly above going on, the colors are all wonderfully pastel so the waist. Keep it understated with a pair of nude it is not overwhelming. I threw on a super simple pumps, or add some color by wearing it with a gold cuff bracelet and decided to go necklace-less pair of red heels. Feminine, flowy, flattering... I can to let the design to speak for itself. Stretchy and only think of one other “F” word better than all unlined. Don’t tell Grandma, but nude Hanky of that.

Panky’s might be the best undergarments for this - Annah Todd dress. - Annah Todd We Love Vera green print dress - $52.00 Sandra Darren salmon dress - $98.50 Gold jewel necklace - $18.00 Flower necklace - $16.50 If nobody buys this dress, I’m definitely going to.

This dress combines mature elegance with youthful The juxtaposition of the different shades of green sweetness and will look amazing on pretty much against the bright white background is so fun and anyone. The lace overlay is delicate and feminine, bold. I love how the textured fabric is unnoticeable but the straight and narrow structure keeps the from afar, but adds luxurious depth to the garment look formal and sensible. The vibrant salmon pink up close. The boatneck cut in the neckline is a makes this dress appropriate enough for any event refreshing variation from collarbone-covering this spring or summer; it will look even better with shifts or cleavage-baring deep V’s. Let’s face it… a natural summertime glow. The peek-a-boo chest as a college grad, it is time to hang up the bodypanel keeps the dress breathable while defying the con mini-dresses and appreciate some occasional traditionally conservative look of a sheath dress. sophistication. Cinch it with a belt or wear it as Designed to favor a woman’s curves, the waistis with heels or strappy sandals. This dress is wrapping panel narrows the fabric at the thinnest practically begging to be someone’s new spring and part of the torso to create that sought-after summer essential. And the best part: it will never hourglass shape. For maximum attention, pair the go out of style, so keep this dress in the closet and look with a long pendant necklace that hangs at the wear it until the seams come loose! - Heather Ross waist. - Heather Ross

By: Raya Al-Hashmi

Summer Storm: York, Maine

Street Life in Mekelle City Words and Photo By: Merhawi Wells-Bogue

D

uring the summer of 2011 after living in the U.S. for eight years, I had the opportunity to go back to Mekelle, Ethiopia. I could hardly recognize the city. It had become much more developed and modernized. Still, one thing remained the same: the problem with homeless children.

I witnessed the heart-breaking scene of the street children one day when I was Romanat Square, one of the busiest areas in Mekelle City. Young and old men and women were striding in different directions—some in groups—some alone. Small and big blue taxis, old Toyota cars and a three-wheel car called Bajaj were everywhere, coming and going from different directions. The roads and sidewalks were fully occupied with cars and people walking.

As I kept strolling in the hot weather, suddenly I noticed something that triggered past memories and emotions—the agonizing scene of street children. They were lying on the side of a building, deep in sleep in the daylight. They lay on top of each other like corpses—some naked, some barefoot, some in worn-out shoes, and others in shredded pants and shirts.

The children seemed dead; yet they were alive and asleep in the hot sun. The noises from the cars and the sounds from the people didn’t seem to bother them. The children seemed to range from ages 10 to 15. Ordinary people walked by them as if they were animals or didn’t exist at all.

It was difficult for me to behold the heart-breaking scene of the street children. It immediately triggered old memories, which I thought had faded away. They came back to me alive in my mind like a light in the dark.

Encountering the heart-breaking scene of the street children also made me realize I needed to do something about it. I realized I was more educated and privileged now than eight years ago.

In December 2011 I wrote a research proposal to the Hamel Center Research program on the issue of street children because I wanted to give the children a chance, a microphone to speak so their voices could be heard. Professor Lisa Miller from the English Journalism Department was my faculty mentor, as well as Professor Tom Haines and Dr. Henley Antonio, who helped me write my research proposal. In addition, through the help of Ato Fikire Assefa and a friend named Yisak, I found a foreign mentor named Eden Fitsum, a lecturer at Mekelle University of Mekelle City. I was fortunate enough to receive the SURF Abroad grant from the UNH Hamel Center to do my research on street children for the summer of 2012 in Mekelle, Ethiopia.

A typical street child in Mekelle City, is one who had run away from home because his family has abused him emotionally and physically. Such was the case with a boy named Yonas. It was 3 a.m. in a Mekelle City district called Kebelle 16. Yonas, quite awake, was playing karate for fun along with

his street friends. Other street children, feeling fatigued, sat and watched their friends fight while their eyes grew heavy.

I approached them by asking what they were doing. They told me they were hanging out. Even though it was bitter cold, the children almost pretended as if they were playing in beautiful sunny daylight. I struck up a conversation with them about street life.

As I talked to all of them, one seemed very sick and coughed hard nonstop for seconds. I could tell he needed a place to sleep and cover himself with a big blanket so he could rest. But that was out of reach; thinking of it would bring more misery than comfort. All he had was a jacket that he wrapped around his shoulders, head, and face to avoid the cold.

Some clearly lacked the energy to speak to me and were dozing off to sleep as their eyes grew heavy and red. Yonas and his friend, on the other hand, were quite alert and responsive to every question I asked. Yonas was a 13-year-old boy. He told me he ran away from a small town called Adi Gudom outside of Mekelle City. He said his stepmother was emotionally and physically abusive. According to Yonas, his biological parents got divorced when he was probably five years old. Since then, his father had decided to get another wife, which he did.

Yonas didn’t know where his mother had disappeared after the divorce. Curious of her whereabouts, he asked his father where she went. His father never answered the boy’s question. In fact, the father was determined about not disclosing any information about his ex-wife, wherever she might be, whether alive or dead. Yonas was left in confusion about his biological mother.

He began living with his new stepmother, who had her own son as well. He said it was very difficult to live with the stepmother because she treated her biological son better than him. Within a short time, Yonas grew frustrated with her peculiar behavior towards him.

Though he wanted to complain to his father, his father was not around. He was a merchant and never stayed at the house; he was constantly traveling for various businesses. Instead of being there, he sent money to his new wife for food and clothing every now and then.

Even with his father’s money, the stepmother would never buy Yonas any shoes or clothes. She always told him to finish whatever he had—even when his clothes were worn out. She always favored her biological son over Yonas.

One day, the father gave Yonas a hundred birr (Ethiopian currency) to buy some clothes. He went shopping and when he returned home, the stepmother was furious. She burned all his new clothes, and then she tied his hands behind his back and brought him close to a fire where she roasted hot chili peppers. The stepmother then made him inhale the fumes until he almost choked to death.

As the boy struggled and staggered like a blind man to go outside and get some fresh air, she pushed him into the fire where he severely burned his lower back. Shocked and terrorized, Yonas ran away to Mekelle City the next day. When I asked him if he would ever go back to the house and reconcile with the stepmother, he said with a sad and resentful tone, “I will never go back there. I would rather stay here and live my life and find a job.”

Even if it meant he would starve to death, Yonas would never go back to Adi Gudom. He became a street boy because there were no other options to choose from. Street life as a choice was crystal clear.

There he felt safe and felt accepted more than at the house with his stepmother.

Similar to Yonas were the lives of the other street children: they were abused, rejected, abandoned, and stigmatized. Furthermore, they are victims.

When they speak, their voices are not heard. This kind of treatment makes them feel they are worthless and their lives have no meaning in the eyes of the people.

Their identities, hopes, and dreams are crushed.

They fall into a state of confusion and frustration, always asking themselves if life is worth living. At times, the outcome of this confusion and anger prompts them to act dangerously when they steal money or food from people. When all those young broken souls come together, however, it seems they have created a chain of love among them where they all feel accepted.

Despite how much their faces express a sign of fatigue, helplessness, and pity, and reflect the lack of sympathy from society, they try to bury their burdens and replace them with resilience and fearlessness because they are convinced that society has misunderstood them. In addition, society has made them defenseless victims, victims that can be exploited and fooled merely for the sake of food.

In the face of this adversity, the children didn’t dwell on negative thoughts; they always tried to stay positive. They tried to find tasks to do in order to get some quick cash. However, in order to fill the void of helplessness, hopelessness, rejection, abandonment, frustration, and confusion, some would watch movies, some smoke cigarettes, and others drink alcohol and chew Khat (a stimulus drug).

It is hard to keep track of accurate data on street children, but in 2007, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in a study supported by UNICEF estimated the overall number of children on or of the street in Ethiopia at around 150,000, with about 60,000 living in the capital. It’s also possible to note that the numbers may have gone down or even up.

No matter how confused or identity-stricken the children might feel, they still have a thirst for education; they want to go to school desperately. They have not given up hope yet, but the question is if they can find someone to lift them up. It seems they need strong guidance and counseling in order to change, otherwise, they wouldn’t know how.

Steubenville By: Emma Huntoon Photo By: Raya Al-Hashmi

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s a generation exposed to media including television shows such as “To Catch a Predator” and “Law & Order: SVU,” we have come to see sexual crimes depicted as senseless, premeditated, the outcome of deranged psychopaths. Although these people do exist in the real world, many of the sexual crimes we face today seem to reside in a precarious “grey area.”

Whether you hear about an acquaintance getting blackout drunk and having non-consensual sex, or a friend feeling pressured to and subsequently sleeping with someone they do not want to; these are also forms of rape. The ongoing misconceptions about what consensual sex even means are alive and well; it is believed that only 30 percent of rapes are reported.

This idea of a sliding scale of sexual offenses is a danger in itself. Girls and women sometimes receive comments like, “It could have been a lot worse,” or “Why did you get that drunk?” The truth is, in a culture of binge drinking and blacking out, we have to redefine what exactly a “sexual predator” is.

In the highly publicized Steubenville rape case, Ma’lik Richmond and Trent Mays (both sixteen when they committed their crimes) peed on and raped a sixteen-year-old girl at a high school party.

Pictures of the victim in an unconscious state were taken and tweeted. On the Internet, anyone can find comments from those that knew the victim, condemning her for getting too drunk and “making a fool of herself.”

Rachel Sluder, a victims’ advocate at UNH’s Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program

(SHARPP), says that we need to reconsider our definition of a ‘predator.’

“I think that in some ways, the “predator” idea of it is misleading,” said Sluder. “With predators in the animal kingdom, hunting is the activity that molds their behavior and entire lifestyle. Lions are all about preying, killing and subsequently eating their prey. The predator defines the animal.”

There is a large discrepancy between the stereotype of who we “expect” to be a rapist and who actually commits the crime. Therefore, we need redefine our culture’s preconceived notions.

With this sentiment also comes the inevitable reconsideration of what “prey” is. Just as a rapist is not always the brutish and leering man who hides in the shadows, victims are not always physically weak and submissive.

Both Ma’lik Richmond and Trent Mays were all-star football players on a well-loved hometown team. They were revered as smart kids and excellent athletes. They were never considered predatory.

Because they raped someone, they are now known as rapists. Entities as nationally well-known as CNN and other media outlets were saddened by the once bright futures that will now be stamped with sex offenses on their records.

While society makes excuses for kids and teenagers, saying that they are learning how to productively and positively live in the world at large, this method can be applied to instances like speeding tickets and being late for a curfew. Rape is not a similar situation.

Flash forward to college, a place where many students take part in binge drinking and blacking

out. “The expectation about our overarching culture...you go to a party, get really drunk and then you hook up regardless of the sobriety of the other person. It is a facet of rape culture; that is just what people expect,” Sluder says. “It can result in rape; and people shouldn’t expect to be raped.”

Are we to say that because a person’s (overwhelmingly, a woman’s) defenses are down due to a dangerous amount of drinking that it is okay to have sex with her because she consented or didn’t literally say “No?” No. To manipulate words and states of consciousness, to blame things on booze and substance abuse – that will not stand up in a courtroom.

In the Steubenville rape cases, both Richmond and Mays have been convicted of rape and both have received the maximum sentence – Mays will be in juvenile jail for a minimum of two years for rape and the illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, and Richmond for a minimum of one year for rape. After sentencing, Richmond sobbed and said, “I had no intentions to do anything like that.

I’m sorry to put you guys through this. I’m sorry.”

While he may not have been plotting to rape his classmate while scoring touchdowns on the football field, Richmond did rape her. Because of that, he is now a convicted rapist in the eyes of the law and the eyes of his peers.

If you or anyone you know have been the victim of sexual assault, seek help. SHARPP at UNH is a valuable resource for both victims and their support systems to seek guidance in the wake of an assault.

Boston Calling By: Ella Nilsen

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he music festival phenomenon has spread fully across the United States.

Washington State has Sasquatch, Chicago has Lollapalooza, Tennessee has Bonnaroo, and New York City has Governor’s Ball. But there’s a new kid on the scene, the Boston Calling Music Festival. For the first year ever, Boston Calling Festival will take place this Memorial Day Weekend on May 25-26 at City Hall Plaza, and will see headlining performances from the likes of Fun., the Shins, The National, Of Monsters and Men, and Matt and Kim. “The goal was to put a big outdoor marquis event in the city of Boston,” said festival co-founder Brian Appel. “We watched as most major cities and lots of minor cities around the country started to get these music festivals that became identified with their respective cities. We thought that Boston deserved one and could certainly support one.”

Appel, a former contributor to the Boston Phoenix and WFNX, started working with city officials on the concept of a Boston music festival in September 2012. To get things going musically, Appel reached out to Aaron Dessner, guitarist in Brooklyn indie band The National. Dessner is a well-known producer within the music community. Having worked on previous festivals, he agreed to curate Boston Calling. He also agreed to have The National headline the festival.

“The first thing that he brought to the table, which was invaluable, was the National committing to play,” said Appel. “When you’re a first-time fes-

tival, getting that first big band is one of the biggest hurdles you can have. For safety reasons, most managers are skeptical of events with their bigger acts; it’s a big risk for them to put their name on something the first time it goes out there.”

Hearing that The National agreed to play, other bands soon joined. “[The National is] a band that is well-respected within the music community, so a lot of other bands saw that they had committed and said ‘sure, if they’re willing to do it, we would love to play with them,’” said Appel.

Appel and the festival’s other organizers were soon hard at work with Dessner to create a specific line-up.

“We really wanted it to be a really well-rounded two day line-up,” said Appel. “We didn’t want it to be one genre and the other day to be another; we wanted it to feel like a cohesive, two-day event to compel people to come for the weekend.”

In addition to nationally and internationally known bands, two local Boston bands, Caspian, and the Bad Rabbits, will open each day of the festival.

Even though the festival is showcasing these two local talents, Appel said that his overall goal was to bring big names to Boston, making sure that the festival had broad appeal.

One of the most important aspects of Boston Calling is that will be held in the heart of the city, as opposed to the suburbs. That being said, careful planning is going into the event to make ten-hours of music in downtown Boston easy to handle.

“We’re not trying to make you feel like you’re in the middle of a city,” said Appel. “I think that one of the cooler aspects of this event is that if you look up, you’re surrounded by skyscrapers and you’re in the middle of this historic city.”

Appel said that the Boston Calling’s organizers are working to make City Hall plaza comfortable for festivalgoers.

“We’ll have some shady areas; we’ll have some seating added in there. We’ll have places where you can go to escape the crowd and heat for a little while if it’s a hot day,” he said.

Saying that Boston is a city that’s “really receptive to live music,” Appel is hopeful that many Bostonians, whether they be college-aged or older, will come and enjoy the festival’s outstanding line-up.

There is nothing like live music to bring people together. Especially in light of the recent tragic events in Boston, the city deserves two days of excellent music.

Since the line-up was announced a few months ago, Appel says that “the response has been overwhelmingly positive.” Success isn’t a forgone conclusion, however, and he said that the real test will come on Memorial Day weekend.

“The real response will be after the event or during the event when people are experiencing [it],” said Appel. “People are excited about the line-up and they’re excited about the opportunity in Boston, but until it actually happens, there’s no highfives in our office.”

The Dark Beauty of Mad Men By: Jake DeSchuiteneer

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MC is killing it. With incredibly popular shows like “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead” and “Mad Men,” the channel has established itself as one of the premiere producers of quality television. I don’t watch “The Walking Dead,” but over the last couple years “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” have become two of my favorite shows. Some of you may have read my article from last semester’s first issue of Main Street Magazine about “Breaking Bad” and how simply awesome it is. When that article came out, summer had just ended along with the show’s most recent season, and the buzz I was feeling from the show-stopping season finale hadn’t yet worn off.

But now spring is upon us, which means it is time for another season of the equally excellent, but stylistically different AMC show, “Mad Men.” ‘Different’ may not be the right word. Set in the 1960s, following the lives of several workers at the fictitious advertisement agency Sterling-CooperDraper-Pryce, Mad Men is not merely “stylistically different” than the crystal meth slinging, throat slitting, bomb exploding world of “Breaking Bad.” It may as well be that show’s antithesis.

While “Breaking Bad” packs excitement and high-blood-pressure suspense into each and every episode, “Mad Men” plays it cool, allowing drama to unfold slowly and organically over the span of a full season. If “Breaking Bad” is football, “Mad Men” is basketball. If “Breaking Bad” is rock n’ roll, then “Mad Men” is jazz. I guess “Game of Thrones” would be Norwegian death metal in this analogy…but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The shows are simply very, very different, and to embrace “Mad Men” is to open up a new vacancy in your heart, one wholly separated from any other show.

So what is there to love about Mad Men? For starters: Don Draper. The show’s enigmatic, complicated, savvy, and devilishly handsome main character is, for me, the primary reason why “Mad Men” is so interesting. Don Draper is one of the most interestingly written and acted characters

on television. Actor Jon Hamm, with his deep voice, jet-black hair, and old-fashioned, handsome features, seems form fitted for the role from a physical standpoint, but he doesn’t shortchange on the emotional aspect either. Don Draper is like Batman, something that “Mad Men” characters acknowledge on script. On the exterior, Draper is as cool as the other side of the pillow. An advertising genius, Draper is the biggest reason why Sterling-Cooper (later renamed when Draper and coworker Lane Pryce become business partners) has financial success. His unerring wit and smooth talk always ensure that the clients – companies that come to him in search of the best possible ad campaign – almost never elude his grasp. Those traits, plus those aforementioned good looks make him a smash hit with the ladies as well. In the show’s early seasons, Draper is married with kids.

His wife, Betty (January Jones) is gorgeous. But that doesn’t stop him from sleeping with countless other beautiful women. Don seemingly gets his way, in every way, and every time.

But like Batman, there is much more than meets the eye. Don Draper is not as simple as the handsome ad-man he appears to be. On the inside, Draper struggles with inner demons and profound emotional scarring that he shrugs off through copious amounts of smoking and drinking. Born Dick Whitman, he assumed the “Draper” identity during the Korean War when a fellow soldier (the real Don Draper) died in battle. Unhappy with his home life – Draper is the bastard child of a rural man and a whore, both of whom die in his childhood – he switches dog tags with the deceased soldier, assuming a new identity, and with it, a new lease on life. Success follows, but Don can’t ever truly outrun the demons of his past. The delicate balancing act he performs between his work and family life and the deep emotional scarring of his past is one of the most compelling aspects of the show.

Draper is my favorite part of the show, but he isn’t the only reason to get into “Mad Men.” Across the board, the show is filled with complex characters

and excellent acting performances. Elizabeth Moss plays Peggy Olson, who, besides Don, is probably the show’s most important character.

We meet Peggy in the show’s first episode as she begins her job as a secretary at Sterling-Cooper.

Unwilling to be held down by the chauvinism of the times, Peggy uses her sizable talent to ascend the corporate ladder, becoming a copywriter at the company. The love/hate relationship between Peggy and Don is pure gold. Watching the oldfashioned womanizer take Peggy tentatively under his wing throughout the show is a slow, painful process, but impossible to look away from.

The hilarious Roger Sterling, played by John Slattery, is one of the show’s most entertaining characters. The snake-like accounts man Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) gives you somebody to root against. Joan Harris, played by the beautiful Christina Hendricks, is another compelling female character. The buxom secretary seems defined by her sex appeal at first glance, but she proves to be vital to the day-to-day operations of the office. As much as the men in Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce might think they run the show, the organizational skills Joan quietly possesses really allow the company to function. “Mad Men” is a character driven show, and there are too many good ones to list here, but these are the giants, the ones that keep you tuning in.

“Mad Men” is the definition of a show that grows on you. If you have any interest, any at all, head to Netflix and watch the first episode.

You’ll be confused at first, and that is okay. “Was something supposed to happen?” you might ask.

“That was boring,” may be your first thought. But give it time. Start episode two, then watch the third and then the fourth. Let the show work you over slowly like a great jazz album or fine wine. Allow the characters with all their deep-seeded issues to disturb you, to make you think, and you will slowly but surely fall for them. “Mad Men” is an acquired taste, but once acquired, it’s a taste you won’t be able to get out of your mouth.

Drones By: Dominick Ottomanelli

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hat’s that whirring in the sky just above your head? Is it a bird, a plane? It’s kind of a plane, except it’s an autonomous robotic plane with guns, scanning your biometric data to make sure you’re not a terrorist. If you happened to walk out the door without your Citizen I.D. today, this new robot will be your judge, warden and executioner, and it’s coming to a citizen…er…“terrorist secret meeting” near you!

If what I am describing sounds like a dystopian sci-fi movie, it may be time to get a pair of binoculars and look to the skies. The use of drones and killer robots in warfare started with remote controlled demolition vehicles developed by the Germans in World War II. Robots and other remotely automated machines were used to pass over minefields, explore irradiated areas and attack targets without the need for human casualties. Currently, over a third of aircraft in the military is unmanned and that number is expected to grow as our technology becomes more sophisticated. Our understanding of robotics and artificial intelligence has increased exponentially. Therefore, society must start to question the ethics of drone use both domestically and overseas.

The question has come far too late, for the United States has already carried out hundreds of drone attacks on targets in foreign countries since 2004.

In Pakistan alone an estimated 411 to 884 civilians have been killed due to drone strikes; additionally, between 168 and 197 children have been killed.

Unclassified reports also indicate that the CIA carried out strikes in Yemen and Somalia. When we include the other countries the United States has targeted with drones, the civilian death toll is at least 2,500, including approximately 300 children.

Retired military officials have recently pointed out that drones are not an effective strategy of attack because of their risk to civilians. Drones, they argue, should never be used in place of a human soldier, who can make split-second decisions to minimize the loss of life during combat situations.

Though everyone fears losing our loved ones in war, we must realize the message we are sending.

It is possible more of our soldiers will be injured and killed from the civilian population retaliating against killer drones than they will be protected through their use.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has revealed that since President Obama has taken of-

fice, at least 50 rescuers involved in humanitarian missions have been killed in CIA-approved followup strikes. On June 23rd, 2009 the CIA decided to target a mid-ranking Taliban commander who was attending the funeral of another Taliban member. The funeral had over 5,000 attendees, many of whom were civilians. 45 innocent people were killed during the strike, including 10 children.

The intended Taliban target was not killed, but eventually was killed in a new round of drone strikes six weeks later. This reckless disregard for civilian causalities does not foster feelings of goodwill towards the United States. In fact, it does the exact opposite, creating more of a reason for people to take up arms against the United States and become “terrorists” themselves.

Attacks like these, beginning with George W. Bush’s presidency, have always been coordinated in private meetings between the President and the director of the CIA. The secrecy is almost impenetrable. The media almost never publicizes the strikes, most likely because drones are covertly being used in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The number of civilian deaths resulting from drone attacks significantly increased after President Barack Obama took office. The New York Times revealed in 2010 that President Obama personally signed off on a classified “kill list” with names of people he and the CIA director wished to target with drones. The decision to initiate a drone strike against a “secret target” is not sanctioned by Congress. Neither the public nor the media are aware when it happens. Much like the controversial invasion of Iraq and the “non-military intervention” in Libya, the President, CIA and military are subverting the Constitution and Congress in favor of secret warfare.

It should be noted that President Obama received a degree in Constitutional Law at Harvard and then went on to teach Constitutional Law for two years at the University of Chicago Law School.

He also served as a civil rights attorney. We can’t assume too much, but the President definitely knows that carrying out these drone strikes on Pakistan and other countries is technically undeclared by Congress pursuant to Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution and thus is an illegal act of war. This makes the executive branch and military seem lawless and unaccountable. It undercuts the values we hold dear in this country, especially transparency between the government and the citizens, regardless of the perceived threats against us.

What does all of this mean for Americans at home? The companies who make these technologies for our military would never consider creating killer robots for domestic law enforcement, right? Wrong. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently published a report stating that approximately 30,000 drones from various companies and agencies are currently patrolling our skies.

The ACLU also condemned drone manufacturers like Vanguard Defense Industries for their offer to develop remote-controlled aircraft equipped with rubber bullets, tasers, and tear gas for domestic law enforcement.

These manufacturers brag that future model drones will have facial and biometric recognition technology with the ability to target individuals wanted for a warrant or suspected of a crime. The Atlantic Wire published an article revealing plans by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create drones the size of insects. The technology is so cheap that virtually anyone could purchase enough drones for a tiny little army of insect-sized robot spies.

If that doesn’t give you chills, consider a recent claim by Attorney General Eric Holder, that President Obama ‘has authority to use drone strikes to kill Americans on U.S. soil’ should circumstances deem it necessary. Is it ethical that private companies are colluding with our law enforcement agencies to create weaponized robots to roam our streets? Do we want to be constantly surveilled by drones that we don’t even know are there? Don’t we have a right to be protected against being killed by our own government?

Fortunately, not all hope is lost, nor may the future look like the Terminator. Thirty-six states have already introduced legislation forbidding the use of drones for domestic enforcement. Although some states have allowed exceptions for use against drug smugglers and human traffickers, these drones will be used for surveillance and not be equipped with weapons. New Hampshire is one of the states debating legislation regarding drone use by law enforcement. Have you considered doing something so that a drone won’t soon be flying around your backyard? It is time for us to speak our minds and make sure that our liberties at home are not infringed upon. If we are so righteous, civilized and free, America has a responsibility to be a leader in human rights across the globe. The use of drones on civilians is very much a human rights issue.

Founders Sarah Kay and Phil Ksye

Raising Your V.O.I.C.E By: Lizzy Barker

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f I should have a daughter...I’m gonna paint the solar systems on the backs of her hands so that she has to learn the entire universe before she can say ‘Oh I know that like the back of my hand...’”

This is how Sarah Kay began her TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design Conference) Talk in March 2011, widely acknowledged as one of the most significant talks of that year’s conference. In fact, Inc. Magazine’s Nathaniel Whittemore described her TED speech as “One of the wisest talks of the event [...] by the youngest speaker, 22-year-old slam poet Sarah Kay, who showed how the doors of self-expression are available to everyone.” The Washington Post described her as “a clear superstar” and “mesmerizing.”

Sarah Kay, a 24-year-old Brown University graduate, is one half of Project V.O.I.C.E. – a program she co-founded and currently directs.

Project V.O.I.C.E. is aimed at teaching people about the power of self-expression. Sarah’s partner in poetry is Phil Kaye – yes, similar last names – the two share interests, family history and much more.

Project V.O.I.C.E., which stands for Vocal Outreach into Creative Expression, is what they describe as an “international movement that celebrates and inspires youth self-expression through Spoken Word Poetry.” The mission of their program is to encourage a better awareness of culture and the world through poetic expression. They work to achieve this goal by hosting poetry workshops before or after their performances in venues across the country and the world.

Perhaps the most interesting component of Project V.O.I.C.E. is the creative spark of Kay and Kaye themselves. Sarah Kay began performing spoken word poetry when she was 14 at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City (historically famous for hosting up-and-coming artists, musicians and poets). She describes her art, spoken word poetry, as “[involving] creating poetry that doesn’t just want to sit on paper, that something about it demands

that it be heard aloud or witnessed in person.”

From an early age she started writing poetry, and in high school she started reciting and performing her poetry before audiences.

She formed Project V.O.I.C.E. in 2004 while still in high school. Kay envisioned it as a way to empower her classmates to participate in spoken word and start writing poetry of their own. When she first began college at Brown University, she met Phil Kaye, a fellow spoken word poet, and they “reinvented” Project V.O.I.C.E. to use their poetry, as “a way to entertain, educate, and inspire.” While at Brown University they used their breaks to put on performances and workshops all around the country for a wide variety of audiences from public elementary and high schools to M.F.A. writing candidates.

Over the years, as Project V.O.I.C.E. has developed, so have Kay’s skills and the tone of her writing. She described her first spoken word poems were as “mainly indignant” because it was her impression of what performance poetry ought to be. As the years went on, however, she started to find a different voice that was uniquely hers. Now, instead of indignant poems about what it’s like to be fourteen, she writes poems about the love and beauty behind hands, growing up on the beach, warring with jellyfish, and sibling relationships. One such poem about siblings begins: “BROTHER: You j-walked your way out of the womb...” At the 2011 TED Conference she performed poems entitled “B” and “Hiroshima” about the relationship between a mother and daughter, reincarnation, and time.

Phil Kaye, co-director of Project V.O.I.C.E., began performing spoken word poetry at the end of high school. Originally from California, he met Sarah Kay on the first day of orientation at Brown University when they both stepped up to perform poems at a group talent show. As the two outline in their poem “An Origin Story” they share the same (almost) last name and the same heritage (both are

Japanese-Jewish-Americans). They both worked as lifeguards growing up, and are both older siblings.

Coincidentally, Sarah’s younger brother’s name is Phil and Phil’s younger sister’s name is Sarah. I’m not making this up.

Phil’s love for poetry grew out of his infatuation with story telling, as he described in a TEDxMiddlebury Talk in November of 2011. His poetry is highly personal, relying on stories from his family and life. For instance, he writes poems about separation, the power of words, and his parents’ divorce. Perhaps one of his better-known poems is “Teeth” in which he investigates the significance of hate and his family history, particularly his Japanese and Jewish grandfathers. Phil is also fond of impressions. Giving impressions of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow first got him interested in spoken word, and one of his performance poems includes a narrative from the perspective of “The Geico Gecko.” In addition to teaching and performing poetry in classrooms with Sarah, Phil has also been invested in programs that take him inside maximum-security prisons to teach the power of self-expression through poetry, acting as head coordinator of Space in Prisons for the Arts and Creative Expression (S.P.A.C.E.).

Though I could go on and write more about the powerful words that these two write and perform, as both Sarah and Phil have indicated, the true power of spoken word poetry comes through speaking.

What makes these poets successful at their art is not just the words and images they compose through their poetry but the emotions they can share with their audience, whether in a classroom, a prison, a packed theater, a single person watching some of their poems on YouTube, or perhaps even a venue like the Granite State Room here at UNH.

Now You See Me; Now You See Me Again By: Emma Huntoon Photos: Raya Al-Hashmi

Everyone has a certain way that they see themselves – whether this notion is shaped by attitude, friendships, hobbies, or how they dress. Sometimes, however, there is more than one, two, or even three ways to see yourself. The ebb and flow of a person’s wardrobe allows them to experiment with these views, changing from a dapper man to a femme fatal at the blink of an eyelash or the tightening of a corset. In a time where cross-dressing and transgendered individuals have more cultural exposure than ever, gender ambiguity has a place not only in social dialogue, but also in a growing number of fashion scenes.

While there is still a shock factor for a lot of people when they see a genderbending individual, more and more people are helping to define this as a new

sense of normal.

For those who are curious about this transformation but have yet to try on a new version of themselves, consider Erin Dillon and Patrick Quinn your spirit guides. Erin goes from an edgy chic, pixie-cut girl to a wise cracking skater boy (no Avril Lavigne reference intended), and Patrick from the epitome of masculine debonair to a sultry siren. Neither look detracts from another, but work together to create a more holistic view of the person that you see in front of you. While interest in clothing can be considered superficial, using it as a tool to transform one’s outer appearance can be an important catalyst to meaningful inner change.

Summer Festival Survival Guide By: Melisa Donovan

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ummer is almost upon us, which means it’s festival time. This year proves to be exciting with all the new music releases, and promising bands whether they are new favorites or recently reunited. Summer festivals like Warped Tour, Firefly, Bonnaroo, or Electric Zoo can be some of the most intense and incredible highlights of your summer,

but to ensure that it is a positive experience it wouldn’t hurt to know the do’s and don’ts of festivals. Whether you want to travel light or pack all the “just in case” items, there is no such thing as being too prepared. If it’s your first time or even if you are a fest veteran, here’s a guide to help you through the day.

Remember to have fun, be safe, and rock the fuck out.

THE NIGHT BEFORE --------------------------at the end of a long hot day when you are cov• Try to get ahead of the game and pack things ered in dirt and sweat that came off another un- THINGS TO DO -----------------------------------in advance. I’m a very last minute person but showered person, the last thing you will want to • Get to the venue a little early, maybe an hour or when it comes to a big festival, I don’t want to do is stay in those clothes for the ride home. two. You need to factor in time for traffic and its be scrambling the morning of.

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, SPF chapstick; anything better to get a good spot then to put in all this • Make sure to charge your phone, camera, and to protect you from those rays. I cannot emphaeffort and be one of the last ones in. any other electronics you may need. size this enough.

• Try and find the set times first so you can begin • Check the weather for the next day so you can to plan your day. plan accordingly. The first three years I went to WHAT NOT TO BRING -------------------------• STAY HYDRATED. There are an absurd Warped Tour it downpoured; there was even a • A professional camera. Unless you have a press amount of people that pass out from lack of tornado warning! You don’t want to get caught pass you will not be able to take it in. water (a girl even collapsed on me and I had to up in something like that without a raincoat or • Credit cards or anything in your wallet that you carry her body to the medic tent). If you ever poncho. Yes, ponchos are hideous, but when don’t want to get stolen. You may be so packed feel faint, either splurge on the water bottle or you’re standing in a massive mud puddle lookin a crowd that you could mistake a pickpocketer try to find a medic who can give you water. ing like a drowned rat, they start to look pretty for the normal tussle.

• Take advantage of all the awesome free stuff! attractive. Buy one in advance because vendors • Always be on the lookout for crowd surfers. will overcharge you for one (as they do every- WHAT TO WEAR ----------------------------------They aren’t always the lightest people and when thing at festivals).

• Comfortable shoes. Not new shoes or heeled you have a sweaty 200 pound guy land on your • Try to get to bed at a decent hour. You’re going shoes. You will be on your feet for hours on end, head it’s good to brace yourself. to be out dancing in the sun for hours and you’ll most likely in dirt, mud, and whatever else ends • Put on sunscreen. Then put on more sunscreen. need all the sleep you can get. up on the ground.

And then when you think you’ve slathered • Depending on where you’re going, security may • Since it’s summer you’d think people would wear enough sunscreen on, put on more. Sunburns allow you a water bottle or a small amount of lightweight clothing, but you’d be surprised at hurt, and when you look like a lobster come food. Make sure to check and see what the venthe amount of individuals in jeans or sweatthree o’clock in the afternoon, the light little bag ue allows in so you don’t have to throw someshirts. You don’t want to overheat, so light-colon your shoulder is going to start to feel like rathing valuable away. ored, thin clothing is best. zor blades.

• Don’t buy a new dress or something you don’t • If you have an iPhone, follow the festival’s or WHAT TO BRING ---------------------------------plan on getting sweaty and dirty in. And unless band’s Twitter accounts. They can give out se• Your ticket. Nothing sucks more than getting you plan on wearing something underneath to cret times for signings or exclusive deals to get halfway through your trip and having to turn prevent flashing everyone, avoid those short backstage. back because you forgot the one thing you redresses. ally need.

• Ladies (and possibly gentlemen) with long hair... THINGS TO NOT DO ----------------------------• Cash. Things can be way over priced (and I mean choose a hairstyle that will stay out of your face • Don’t ignore any signs of dehydration or heat ridiculous) so make sure you have enough to get or off your neck. It will get pulled, knotted, and exhaustion. If you are passed out, how are you you through the day. stick to your skin, so save yourself the trouble supposed to see the bands and have fun?

• A lightweight backpack like a drawstring bag is of overheating and hours of detangling later on.

• Don’t complain when the pits gets too hot or perfect to carry all your items in. Emphasis on Just put it up. pushy. You don’t like it? Go to the back. Somelightweight; nothing is worse that a bag with a • Something not clothing related that should times you can even hear better from back there. ton of stuff when you have to carry it around be worn; deodorant. Please. Spare us all If you aren’t ready for the pit, don’t go near the for hours. Stay with a reasonable size and don’t from the distracting smell that could’ve pit. put too much in. If you’re going for a trendier been prevented with a simple swipe.

• Don’t drop any crowd surfers. Sure they may look, try a cross body or long shoulder bag. squish you but having them smack their head on • At festivals like these it is super easy to meet WHAT NOT TO WEAR --------------------------the concrete and it being your fault won’t be the the band members who are often just walking • Try to wear something that will actually stay on best thing for your karma. around. Make sure you have a sharpie/pen for your feet, so don’t be the person that shows up • On that note, don’t be rude to the people around autographs for when you magically meet that in a pair of flip-flops but leaves with just one. you; everyone is just trying to have a good time! heartthrob you’ve been obsessing over. It’s Do you really want to be walking around barealso helpful to write down set times unless you foot? planned on spending $5 for a piece of paper • Any loose items such as chains or jewelry. Unless with the bands on it… you want to be strangled or have your ear torn, • Change of clothes to keep in the car. Trust me, leave the hoops and long necklaces at home.

Alt-J: The New British Invasion By: Ella Nilsen

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was introduced to British band Alt-J during a musical rut in my life. I had spent most of the last year scanning the HypeMachine and listening to mostly EDM, but I was getting bored. My friend Lauren gave me Alt-J’s debut, An Awesome Wave, in August, with the assurance that this was the best new band of the year. She raved about the album’s sound, so I thought I’d give it a try. On first listen, I thought the album cohesive but was mostly unfazed. I played it again, and suddenly, I couldn’t stop playing it.

Alt-J is the band I’ve been most excited about in years. Their Mercury prize-winng album An Awesome Wave has been ascribed many labels, including ‘geek rock.’ The entire thing flows throughout in a carefully crafted haze. Carried by the unique voice of singer/guitarist Joe Newman and supported on gorgeous instrumentals by bassist/guitarist Gwil Sainsbury, keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton, and drummer Thom Green, Alt-J’s music is in turns beautiful, haunting, and

aggressive.

An Awesome Wave was released in May in the U.K. and September in the U.S. to critical acclaim, and the band has been touring constantly supporting it. As Alt-J prepared for its second weekend at performing at Coachella, I talked to bassist Gwil Sainsbury about sudden fame, American music festivals, and how Columbus, Ohio is apparently the land of continuous crowdsurfing.

Main Street Magazine: You guys have been touring for a while now since the release of An Awesome Wave. How has touring been?

Gwil Sainsbury: I think it’s been a pretty epic, epic kind of journey. We released the album May of last year in the U.K. and September in the U.S. We signed an indie label and didn’t have much money, advertising campaigns, anything like that, and we’ve kind of gone from being completely unknown to a strange kind of leveling up. We’ve gone way beyond anything I ever really expected

to achieve with the album. It’s quite strange, really. Completely a surprise to be going round the world and playing to fans. It’s so much further beyond anything we imagined would happen.

MSM: I understand you all met at university.

How did you meet and how long did it take before you were all playing together?

GS: Well, basically three of us, me, Joe the singer, and Tom the drummer, we were in the same course in the same year, so we knew each other from day one of university. Gus, the keyboard player, studied English literature. In first year, Joe was pretty keen every now and again to play me things he was working on. He hadn’t really sung for anyone else, and I thought it was really good, so we started recording some tracks on GarageBand quite badly, but having fun with it.

In second year, we asked Gus if he would like to add something to the songs, so he came along

with a really crappy keyboard and played along, and it was amazing. Then the next week, we asked Tom to play drums and he came along with just a snare drum, and it sounded brilliant and added loads to what we were doing, so it just went from there, really. It was casual, it was quite social because we were very good friends, but at the same time, I supposed it was kind of disciplined.

MSM: A lot of reaction to your album An Awesome Wave was that it was this different kind of sound, something that hadn’t been done before. When you started recording, did you go in with the intention of producing a new sound, or did it come organically?

GS: We were worried, obviously, because it’s fairly eclectic. The tracks are very different from each other. We felt it would be okay because Joe’s voice is so unique. It wasn’t really the responsibility of the instruments to perform some sort of cohesive, Alt-J sound. We felt that that sound was really there with Joe’s voice. The rest of the band had the freedom to do whatever they were doing or what sounded good.

MSM: What did it feel like after winning the Mercury?

GS: It was a real blur. I think afterward, my main concerns were that I couldn’t really remember winning, and I wasn’t really sure what I had done on TV. It was kind of a hangover blackout. I was just like, “I think we didn’t do anything stupid or offend anyone.”

It’s a huge, huge deal for us. We really did grow up with that short list and that prize meaning a lot; and just to be nominated was a massive honor.

To win it is weird. I always remember the people who are nominated for the prize. I never really remember who wins it each year, and I’m not sure how important it is. But it was really important for our confidence as a band, feeling like we were a band here.

MSM: I saw you guys play at a small venue in Glasgow this fall and it was fantastic. Do you feel like small venues more than larger, festival ones?

GS: We seem to just still be doing a mix, which is quite nice. I think that festival audiences are really good fun, because they’ve had a whole day of being in the mood and getting in the zone, listening to music. They’re more spontaneous; they’re just a bit freer. The smaller the gig, the scarier it is to perform, definitely. I think that when we’ve played some of our bigger gigs, it’s easier to perform because the crowd’s not anywhere near you really, there’s like meters and meters of space between you and the barrier and then the crowd, and the

security in between, so that’s quite detached. You can really focus on what you’re playing.

GS: I think it’s accessible. I don’t think it’s too weird. I think it has these elements that let it be If you play for 100 people or 20 people in a room, interesting and challenging, but I think essentially, or five people…five people in a room for an the quality of the songwriting is pop songs. It’s acoustic session I think is one of the most hard pop. I do think it’s got hooks, it’s catchy, and it’s performances because you’re so much more aware kind of sing-able, even though you can’t necessarof everything else that’s going on or what every- ily sing the lyrics. one else is thinking.

I think that’s something I wasn’t necessarily sure it MSM: Which festival has been your best per- did have when we recorded it. To me they seemed formance so far, or alternately, which festivals like catchy songs that could be on the radio, but are you most excited to play this summer? we didn’t know, we’ve never released an album before, so we had no idea how that really worked.

GS: I was really excited to play Coachella. I’ve Although I think that’s how I felt when I listened never really been to a music festival like it that’s to Joe play his songs to me; I just really liked them, been so well organized, and I suppose, so luxuri- and I thought other people would really like them. ous. In the U.K. and Europe, you’re lucky if the weather’s good. It’s much more centered on the MSM: How had the response been to your practicalities of survival rather than being about music in America? just enjoying yourself. I think Coachella is really indulgent, and sort of L.A., but I think it’s pretty GS: I think the responses of fans in America, and amazing. It’s pretty amazing it exists; I can’t really I’d also say Australia, is that they’re a lot more fabelieve it exists. natical. I think there’s a bit more excitement. I think also, depending on where we played, particuMSM: Have you gotten the chance to see any larly in the Midwest, we had responses to shows new or favorite bands at Coachella? that we haven’t really had before. Like, continuous crowdsurfing from the beginning of the set.

GS: I saw Foals, which I’ve wanted to see for years. I’ve never got to see them, and I’ve always If you’re at a festival and someone’s crowdsurfbeen a fan. I saw them play at Coachella, and that ing, they might do it for a hard or heavier song was incredible; it was so good. And then I also like “Fitzpleasure;” that’s kind of expected. But in watched Yeasayer, and they were amazing too, but Columbus, Ohio, they did it from the beginning of because of the VIP area at the front, I sort of sat the set to the end, regardless of the tempo of the down on the barrier and was looking straight up at songs. In Milwaukee, we had a stage invasion at them. It was really kind of awkward. the end, because we don’t request security or a barrier most of the time. We don’t really require one MSM: Since the album’s release, you guys because our fans are pretty chilled out. So we’re have been touring incessantly, doing world experiencing these different kinds of fan mentalitours as well. Have you adjusted to it this ties. It is quite geo-specific. point, or are you ready for a break?

MSM: I know this question might be a bit difGS: We don’t really have a break until October. ficult to answer because you are in the midst I think that touring is really hard to get used to. of touring, but are you working on any new You have to adapt to it, you have to sort of like, I material or have any plans to get back in the suppose be organized. It’s kind of the little things, studio after the tour ends? like finding time to wash your clothes. It’s all about you organizing your time around a schedule that GS: There are, yeah, there are. Actually, before doesn’t always make sense. the tour ends in October, we’ve booked in recording and rehearsal times. There’s tracks that weren’t It’s something that probably gets easier with time. ready for the last album that we almost put in the When you first start off touring, you’re doing last album but decided wouldn’t really fit, a bunch every single show that you can possibly do, and of new stuff that Joe’s been working on, as well as you’re doing it with a budget, losing money with a bunch of things that we just never got around to everything you’re doing. There’s no comfort; it’s recording. So I think, you know, that everyone’s just go, go, go, go, go. We’re on a tour bus now, so sort of craving that time in the studio because that makes it a lot easier; we’ve got this continuous that’s what we originally started doing. We formed familiar home. the band so we could write music, so I think everyone’s quite excited about doing that.

MSM: Alt-J fans seem to be kind of fanatical over your music and super loyal. What do you think attracts so many people to your music?

Ancient Pathways to Enlightenment By: Peter Cloutier

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or tens of thousands of years humans have sought to understand and define spirituality. Through means such as fasting, sleep deprivation, ingesting entheogenic substances and meditation, humans have altered their consciousness and expanded their minds. Additionally, shamanic guidance, rites of passage and religious devotion have provided means of experiencing the greater depths of the spirit— attempts to glimpse the ultimate reality.

In western societies, spiritual experience is not a central tenet of the culture. Especially in America, our primary societal values lean towards personal achievement mixed with materialism. The Hippie movement of the 1960s questioned these values, but waned to the fringes of society. Now, a revival is happening, most prominently at college campuses. Hopefully, we can continue to pressure the society and the government to become more open-minded about spiritual practices, different states of consciousness, and ancient path-

ways of enlightenment. If we ignore the teachings of the past and continue suppressing our spiritual needs with materials, pharmaceuticals, and ignorance, we will commit ourselves to a linear state of consciousness characteristic of primitive Homo sapiens.

Articles in the Journal of Happiness Studies show that high levels of materialism are correlated with life dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and low self-esteem. In America, materialism is highly characteristic of our economic orientation. Prosperity and success are often equated with having lots of money and things. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a psychologically based hierarchy of basic human desires, safety and physiological needs are the lowest. Material needs such as shelter, food, and etc. fall into these low categories. America’s over valuation of material goods suggests that we are not as modern as we’d like to believe.

In contrast, the highest category on Maslow’s hiearchy is self-actualization, which includes spiritual experiences that are approached from many different directions. By exploring primary ways that western culture approaches spirituality in contrast to historical approaches, we can better understand its importance to the human experience. By analyzing how our culture views ancient techniques of achieving “enlightenment,” we may teach society to value self-actualization and spiritual awakening above consuming material goods.

Graham Hancock, an author who has written extensively on the subject of ancient civilization, ayahuasca, and spirituality, believes “thought police” have nearly eliminated our sovereignty over our own minds. Exemplified by the American government and its war on drugs, citizens have been stripped of a very basic right: control over what they put into their own bodies and consequently, their states of consciousness.

Ironically, though we lack the choice to consume certain types of mushrooms, the pharmaceutical industry spends billions of dollars pressuring us to consume their drugs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States and New Zealand are the only nations that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise direct-toconsumer. In addition, the United States spends billions more soliciting doctors and lobbying in Washington. According to the British Medical Journal, Big Pharma spends 19 times more on advertising and promotion than on new drug development, “basic research.” The message: psychedelics such as mushrooms, mescaline, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are dangerous. And pharmaceuticals, such as Percocet (Heroin), Zoloft and Adderall are widely prescribed.

Psychedelics have profound effects on how humans view the natural world and reality. They have been used for thousands of years as a means to understand human nature and spirituality. In America we have been confined to one state of consciousness by consuming alcohol, caffeine and products of the pharmaceutical industry. Hancock refers to this state as the alert, problem solving state of mind.

In this sense of reality we are productive at working through material problems, but rather ineffec-

tive at addressing spiritual questions. To satisfy these, we seek other routes like religious devotion, meditation and yoga. We must question whether we have been systematically channeled away from other means. History has shown psychedelics can be profoundly helpful in understanding complex spiritual desires. For thousands of years psychedelics have helped humans reach other states of consciousness. From the perspective of the law, these states are not meaningful to our society and thus should be made illegal. We have given up sovereignty of our minds.

I have talked to many students who have had spiritual and enlightened experiences. I was curious to know what consciousness meant to them. While speaking with them on topics such as psilocybin (mushrooms), acid, DMT, marijuana, meditation, and yoga, several patterns emerged. These experiences had opened their minds to a broader state of consciousness, where what we deem “reality” is shown to be only a sliver of “ultimate reality.”

The ultimate reality described by these students echoed the compassionate nature Buddhism preaches, the God is Love theory, and the idea that time is not linear. Another commonality, especially between those who took psychedelics, was a feeling that their “third eye” had been opened. It is apparently illusory, yet globally revered. For example, Taoists utilize meta-physical practices in order to harness the powerful energy of the third eye.

Needing a more scientific explanation to grasp the third eye concept, I decided to ask a neuroscience major.

Sophomore Jeremy Roscoe is passionate about exploring the human mind and its limits. He told me about the pineal gland, located slightly above the area between a human’s two eyes. The gland is the only brain structure that is not hemispherical, and is used to contain photosensitive cells imperative to the regulation of the night-and-day cycle.

At this point in our evolution the pineal gland is responsible for the secretion of melatonin, though some scientists, such as Terence McKenna, believe it could also synthesize DMT. Historically, it eventually came to be regarded as the third eye and crucial to the understanding of spirituality. In Hindu mysticism, the location of the pineal gland is called Ajna, one of the seven Chakras. Ajna is the energy center of imagination.

It would seem spiritual experience can often be traced to a feeling of the third eye being opened, by which consciousness is viewed as a stream that connects everything in the universe, and time loses its linearity.

Naturally, hard science struggles to make the connection between the third eye and spiritual experience. Whether or not they are connected, an expansion of consciousness is imperative to the formation of religious institutions. In American society, religious institutions are a culturally accepted medium to understand spirituality. Unfortunately, just as there is great disparity between reading about Mt. Everest and climbing Mt. Everest.

Religious institutions often fail to provide spiritual experiences like the ones had by their founders.

As the tradition says, Gautama Buddha renounced his lavish lifestyle and fled to the Indian

countryside. After following several teachers, he found himself still spiritually unsatisfied. Eventually he tapped the truth he sought by meditating under a Bodhi tree. Inspired by revelation upon revelation into the complex nature of reality, he began spreading his message of interconnectedness, compassion, and the truth of suffering. Buddhism, as his philosophy/religion is called, became an institution of ritual, doctrine and dogma.

Now Buddhism’s followers use the codification of Gautama’s experience to attempt to personally understand the original profound experience that started it all. However, many find the institution of religion an inadequate prescription for their desire for spiritual awakening. It should not be surprising; maybe spiritual experience isn’t necessary to practicing a religion. And maybe religious institutions are not the most effective ways of sensing spirituality.

Regardless, humanity at large is still unsatisfied.

Humans use other culturally accepted, easily accessed supplements. Take alcohol for example. It is used to separate us from daily life and emotions.

Sadly, alcohol is just as unsatisfying. If anything, it leads us to make poor decisions, which can result in bad consequences (remember last weekend?). It is more culturally accepted to use alcohol than to use mushrooms, more acceptable to use substances to dumb the mind down than to expand it. In terms of spirituality, this is an unhealthy facet of our culture.

Our generation has been feeling the tension. We have the same spiritual desires and needs as past generations have. We see that major religions often fail their devotees. We see that the pharmaceutical industry tries to take advantage of our ignorance.

We see that some Eastern practices, such as meditation and yoga, have dramatic benefits. Yoga and meditation are on the rise, and many consider those practices spiritual. Arguably, marijuana is also used to experience peace and harmony, and for some, a somewhat spiritual state.

We are in college, being sifted into specializations where we will perform tasks that increase our wealth. This wealth is defined by dollars, which are poor predictors of happiness. Much better are social relationships and feelings of connectedness.

Religions often offer their followers a fantastic sense of community. A sense of community is often a component of spirituality. Many past communities used psychedelics as a means of experiencing spirituality. Looking at ancient art and descriptions across thousands of miles, it is evident that different cultures often shared very similar experiences through the ritualistic use of natural substances.

At present, American culture doesn’t seem to value spirituality as it does materialism. Society still has higher needs, but tends to disregard the effective methods our ancestors used to satisfy them.

We must critically look at how the pharmaceutical industry instrumentally discredits ancient and holistic medicine. We must question the drugs that are labeled safe and effective. And though spirituality doesn’t need to be learned through the use of psychedelics, we should acknowledge that it has been for thousands of years.

Student Spotlight: Bess Seidler By: Annah Todd

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ne man’s trash, that’s another man’s come-up. Thank your granddad for donating that plaid button-up shirt,” Mackelmore chants on his hit song “Thrift Shop.” Perhaps he was mocking our consumerist culture, but for a few, his words hold truth and livelihood.

Brunette, 24-years-old and standing at a mean 5 feet, 4 inches, Bess Antonia Seidler hardly looks like your average entrepreneur. Just coming out of ballet class, Seidler wears a black leotard, and rearranges clothes on a metal rack. Hot pink ski jackets, high-waisted denim shorts, crop tops and palazzo trousers clash against the soft lighting and all-white walls of her studio in Kittery, Maine. Beyonce plays from the MacBook perched on a cluttered desk.

Coat hangers are everywhere and a space heater whirs in the corner. Fed-Ex boxes are stacked by the door, addressed and ready to ship.

Seidler is graduating with a degree in Health Management and Policy from the University of New Hampshire, but her future plans to have nothing to do with her major after she walks in May. Instead, she has started her own clothing company, an unconventional route for a fifth year college student who used to want to be a doctor.

The company is called Navelte, and it sells only previously worn clothes that Seidler handpicks from Savers, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army, to name a few. According to the budding entrepreneur, the process is more elaborate and personal than it may initially seem.

“I have a vision in mind when I go shopping, and I buy clothes that fulfill that vision,” Seidler said.

“I guess, call it branding, if you will. I sell mostly says Doug Palardy, owner of Jenkins Quality Goods, 1980’s and 1990’s style clothing.” a clothing store in Durham. “They overspend on initial start up costs, they purchase too much invenHow to describe the type of clothes Navelte sells? tory, or don’t understand how to manage expenses Vibrant, unusual, gaudy. The first item that popped in year one.” up on Navelte’s web-store was a royal blue Nike tNavelte is an online store run solely by Seidler shirt, priced at a reasonable $30 plus $4.95 shipping since she started it in November. Although she sells to anywhere in the United States. The listing dis- clothing for both men and women, her market is played the shirt on the model and the caption un- primarily female. She hires a few different models derneath read: “AMAZINGGGGGGGGG. Don’t and shoots the photographs herself in her studio let this shirt pass you by. It is so cool. SO COOL! and storage space. She adds an unusual flourish For a man, for a women, for a dog-- anyone. GET the models always wear iconic black Ray-Ban sunIT! Size XL.” glasses in the pictures.

Pilar Van Patten, Seidler’s older sister, isn’t surPerhaps her business sense is innate. Seidler grew prised by her decision. up in the small town of Keene and has seen the “She’s a very creative person,” Van Patten said. “I hardships of developing a reputable business after was a little nervous at first that she wouldn’t be able her father took a risk and started his own restaurant. to pay her bills this way... but I am supportive in her But for Seidler, it’s about more than that, and her going for her dreams.” entrepreneurial behavior is nothing new.

Siedler is part of a phenomenon of fresh gradu“In high school, I would buy mass quantities of ates who are “looking to get rich, escape the cor- UGGs on sale and sell them on eBay around Christporate grind and work shorter hours with more mas,” Seidler said. “I’ve always had an interest in free time,” said Carol Roth in a May 2011 Fortune turning a profit, making something out of nothing.”

Magazine article. Roth is a Chicago-based business Despite everything Seidler has against her, she strategist and author of a New York Times best- has found success. In five short months, Navelte seller, “The Entrepreneur Equation: Evaluating the has made close to 400 sales of handpicked vintage Realities, Risks and Rewards of Having Your Own clothes.

Business.”

That all sounds great, but how do the numbers “The Mark Zuckerberg’s of the world make start- crunch? Seidler is completely self-sufficient, but ups look easy, but the cold hard facts are that 9 out she isn’t making enough to have repeated nights of 10 new businesses fail in the first five years,” said out on the town or accumulate much of a savings.

Roth. What is the biggest mistake a start-up com- “Having a savings is vital,” Seidler said. “And once pany could make?

I increase sales I will be able to add more inventory, “Most start-ups have not done their homework,” as well.”

Starting a company was never part of the plan.

Seidler has changed her major three times – she originally entered as a Biology major in 2008. But after just one semester, she “got scared of science” and switched into Health Management and Policy.

During her junior year, she had a self-described crisis, so she met with a professor who told her to pursue her passions. Seidler took his advice and added the Pre-Med option onto her Health Management and Policy degree, certain that becoming a doctor was something she could be passionate about. She soon found out that in order for her to continue onto medical school, she would have to add an additional two semesters worth of credits.

At the University of New Hampshire, only 64 percent of students graduate within four years. Seidler entered into her fifth year at UNH as a super senior in freshman science classes. All was going according to plan until one day in November.

“Somewhere in the middle of organic chemistry I had an epiphany,” Seidler said. “This wasn’t for me.”

The same day she realized she wouldn’t be happy wearing scrubs, Seidler decided to start Navelte; named for the phonetic spelling of “novelty”.

She started with a simple online shop on Etsy.com, an e-commerce platform with a focus on handmade and vintage clothing and listed for sale a few pieces of clothing she had in her congested closet.

Before she could lose her nerve, Seidler purchased a website (www.navelte.com). She has an ample collection and “love of wearing absurd clothes.”

To her surprise, the clothes sold quickly. There was

a market for one-of-a-kind articles of clothing inspired by 1980s and 1990s fashion.

Seidler’s process is an intimate one – she relies entirely on her intuition when buying clothes. “My theory is if I’d buy it, someone else would too, and that seems to have held true,” Seidler said. “Some days I walk out empty handed, and sometimes it’s a gold mine.”

But there are more challenges than just deciding which teal sweatshirt to pick off the rack. Business is irregular; most days Seidler only works an hour or two, but some weeks she works 40 hours.

“I can make money literally while I sleep,” Seidler said. She enjoys her open schedule, but realizes the danger of having free time. “I know the more I put into it, the more I will get out,” Seidler said.

One of the biggest issues is shipping internationally. There is a huge market for vintage “American” style overseas, but high shipping costs make purchasing these items not so desirable. Seidler believes that if there were a cheaper way to ship over seas, her market would increase significantly.

Additionally, commodity is a problem; Seidler cannot just place an order for “a cool 80’s style romper” and have one in stock. Similarly, if customers want more of something, they’re out of luck. “Sorry guys,” Seidler said. “I only have one!”

Lauren Grimm, 17, is a client of Seidler’s online shop from the midwest and has never met her in person. Grimm has purchased a few things from Seidler before, and believes she will be making more in the future.

“I am so glad that I looked up vintage clothing on Etsy and found her,” Grimm said. “I discovered a

whole new store that offers exactly everything I am looking for.”

Grimm isn’t the only one with feelings like this.

Ciara Christian-Berg, 13, lives in Connecticut and also is a loyal customer of Navelte’s. Seidler has “great communication skills, [is a] great, business woman, cooperative, kind and understanding,” Christian-Berg said. “She makes shopping even more fun than it already is!”

McKenna Wilkinson is not surprised by Seidler’s unusual and newfound success. Wilkinson met Seidler in a high school science class and described her as passionate, creative and a loyal friend. Not only have the two maintained a friendship, Wilkinson said that her favorite piece of clothing - a simple vintage t-shirt - is something Seidler recommended from her collection. Seidler is “a person who puts 100% into things that are important to her,” Wilkinson said. “I’ve seen her be good at so many things.”

Though Seidler may not have a use for her degree in Health Management and Policy, she has no plans to stop with Navelte. A Kickstarter project to fund a thrift-searching road trip across the country is in the works. Navelte relies heavily on social media Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram and Facebook - because the store exists only on the Internet.

“The possibilities are endless,” Seidler said. “This is going to be big, and I’m not stopping until I get there.”

Farewell, UNH By: Jack Callahan Photo By: Raya Al-Hashmi

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hen graduation day arrives our commencement speaker, Lieutenant General Mary Legere, will probably speak to us about our successes, our future endeavors, and our potential, perhaps for a bit longer than our hangovers can bear. I don’t doubt the qualifications of Lt. Gen. Legere, however, I write to you to talk about us. Legere will guide us out into the future. I want to draw you back into the past. This is the everyman’s commencement speech.

These past four years sped by in a blur of dining hall food, Blackboard assignments, and a string of identical nights in basement parties. You may be ready for the next four years to start as soon as possible. Even if you’re apprehensive to leave college because you have no money and no job, there is probably a little part of you that’s excited. It’s the little part of you said “I can’t wait until…” when you hit that “Submit Application” button or when you registered for graduation. Admit it. A part of you is ready to leave.

Remember that day you moved in freshman year? Whether you were shoved into Stoke Palace, the cultish Williamson and Christensen environment, or any other place of residence, our experiences were probably not that different. We stayed up late, lived with our doors open, and some of us actually did homework. Ah, the simple joys and stress of freshman year. How about that first college final? The one you studied weeks for to then realize that Blue Books have an amazing, transformative ability to turn rambling bullshit into cohesive, academic genius. Before internships, senior theses, or TA positions, your biggest worry was finding the right building for class or having someone to eat with at HoCo. Sophomore year came and that wide-eyed look began to wear off. You stopped ogling the houses on Frat Row and their inhabitants. You didn’t need to bring the campus map with you on the first day of each semester, and you started to cross those upperclassmen thresholds such as ordering with

confidence at BNG, eating alone in the dining hall, and having a car at the tailgate. Your classes got more interesting, your major started to crystalize, and you joined that student org with the coolest people in it that probably got suspended for hazing. By then you were looking around at an amalgamation of people from your classes, your dorm, and your orgs, people that had, by some strange osmosis, become your friends. You all packed up for the summer, and just like that, college was half over.

Maybe you went abroad junior year. Maybe your friends went abroad junior year. Maybe you and all of your friends went abroad junior year and had the time of your lives visiting each other in Florence, Budapest, London or Berlin. Maybe you didn’t go abroad junior year and are beyond tired of hearing about it. Either way, junior year was abridged. Your classes got much harder and you became familiar with the late night creatures in the library. Perhaps you moved into an apartment before you were ready (Lynne, I am not sorry about the ruined carpet, the holes in the wall, the broken washing machine, or the smoke machine that brought the fire department to Jenkins Court.

It was a blast). Oh, and you probably turned 21, remember that? Probably not.

Here’s a feeling each one of us can remember…

Fuck, its senior year. There were good parts of senior year like tailgating or when that last roommate finally joined you at the bar. And it was fun, for a while. Then, the slow service at the Libby’s, the long line at Scorps, or the smell at The Knot somehow wasn’t worthwhile anymore.

I didn’t spend the whole time drinking. (Really, Mom, I didn’t). For those of us who were academically adventurous, this was the year of the senior thesis, where you read everything with any relation to your topic, and had a minor breakdown when you decided it was mundane and infantile about three days before the due date. Somehow you managed, as a credit to the last three years of your higher education, to churn out 20-plus pages of something you could be proud of. In the time you

didn’t spend consumed in research, you took that last Gen Ed course like football class with Coach Mac. (Yes, it’s a real class).

And now here we are, a few weeks before graduation. We’re tired of lectures and seminars, the weather is finally nice, and a scooter ride to Adam’s Point or a game of Polish Horseshoes sounds much better than accounting class. You’re going out three, maybe four, nights a week in a last ditch effort to fulfill that yearning, still there from that first week of freshman year, for the next party to be the best one yet. You’re not ready to leave your roommates, your friends, your apartment, or the hot tub at the Cottages, but the idea of a sizable, regular paycheck makes your credit card tingle.

We’ve all changed a lot since that little cinderblock room from freshman year, and UNH has changed a lot too. They finally look to be finishing the renovation on Parsons (we hope). The Peter T. Paul school stands to ready to impress prospective students for years to come (especially juxtaposed against the beloved eyesore that is Stoke). We lost Wing’s Your Way, What a Crock, and Jenkins Quality Goods to the curse of Jenkins Court. We lost JP’s and survived the alleged cocaine ring operating out of Clemento’s. The Great Fraternity Purge of 2012, the demolition of Rosemary, and the construction of the Cottages have forever changed the social scene here in Durham. It hurts too much to even discuss Ballard’s.

But you are ready to leave. That little part of you that was so ready for college four, or five, years ago, the part that’s sort of excited to wear a suit or have a credit card bill or have your own cubicle, that part is telling you you’re ready. You will hear people tell you that college was the best four years of their life and that they’d give anything to be able to go back. These people didn’t take advantage of their time like we did. We lit a couch on fire at Young Drive, for God’s sake. So when we sit there and listen to Lt. Gen. Legere tell us to go confidently in the direction of our dreams, maybe we can feel that she’s right.

UNH Vigil for Boston April 16, 2013