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PA I S A N O
INDEPENDENT STUDENT MAGAZINE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO
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BLACK LIVES MATTER P. 16
FALL 2015, ISSUE 2
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{ The Paisano } Editor-in-Chief: Jakob Lopez
Special Issues Editor: Jade Cuevas Managing Editor: Mia Cabello Special Issues Assistants: Urub Khawaja, Allison Gayda Photo Editor: Fabian De Soto Web Editor: Michael Turnini Senior Copy Editor: Kate Kramer
Letter from the Special Issues Editor
S
ince 1981, The Paisano Independent Student Newspaper has provided the UTSA community with a quality source of news for students, a weekly issue written for students by UTSA students. In recent years, we here at The Paisano felt that to best serve all UTSA students and cater to their diverse interests we should publish a special issue — enter the Paisano Plus. Twice a semester, Paisano Plus covers feature articles on the topics you want to read about to truly satisfy your news needs. In this magazine you’ll find the scoop on food, updates on local nightlife, spotlight student organizations and standout individuals, tell you what’s hot in fashion and much much more. Be sure to tune into to our cover stories, which will always spotlight topics relevant and significant to San Antonio college students. In this issue, we look into #BlackLivesMatter. In particular, we delve into one UTSA student’s cypher with a mix of rap, cinema and a compelling storyline — this cypher addresses the different
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viewpoint of being an African American in society. Don’t forget about the other sections in this issue: restaurant and bar reviews, campus style and new music to add to your playlist. (Not to mention, some awesome photos from the unforgettable PINK party.) So go ahead UTSA, take a gander, enjoy all Paisano Plus has to offer and then let us know what you think. Give us feedback, point out what themes and articles you liked most and inform us on the type of topics and trends you want to hear more of in future issues. This is a magazine for you, so feel free to make your voice heard. But first, simply turn the page and enjoy.
Jade Cuevas Jade Cuevas specialissues@paisano-online.com
/ThePaisano @ThePaisano @paisanomedia
Account Executive: Jenelle Duff Business Manager: Lizzette Rocha Marketing Director: Randi Gilmore Distribution Manager: Patrick Martinez {Writers} Adrian Bremudez, Amanda Camacho, Quentin Hemphill, Sonia Mata, Brady Phelps {Photographers/Illustrators/ Graphic Artists} Annette Barraza, Cindy Hurtado, {Cover Graphics} Urub Khawaja {Advisor} Diane Abdo {Advisory Board} Stefanie Arias, Jack Himelblau, Steven Kellman, Red Madden, Sandy Norman Paisano Plus is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed towards: © 2015, The Paisano 14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 690-9301 specialissues@paisano-online. com
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CONTENT S FALL 2O15
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Campus Street Style
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Best happy hours & trivia nights in SA
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Dressing for more than success
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The corner of business and music
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Life playlist
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Because Black Lives Matter
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Students marking their territory
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Blowin’ smoke
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Whiskey cake: Brunch edition
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Student submissions: creative writing
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On the scene: The PINK party
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Netflix obsessions This issue was generously underwritten by
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“I always prefer to be comfortable than dressing up, but I also don’t want to give up my personal style.”
“My style ranges — I never really have a specific style. One day I’ll be really girly, or I’ll dress like this today.”
Merry Kim
Lucia Gomez
“I always dress like this. I like casual looks.”
Peter Erey
CA MPUS ST R E ET ST Y L E Interviews: Jade Cuevas Photos/Graphics: Urub Khawaja 6
Paisano Plus went on the hunt and asked, “What does fashion mean to you?”
“I swear we’re not related.”
Brenda, Joshua and Samuel Castillo
“This dress is really pretty but comfortable — I just love dresses.”
Ana Rivero-Borrell
“My devotion to Disney inspired my outfit.”
Nathaniel Ramos
BEST
HAPP H URS 11
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Alex Birnell
GRAPHICS: Urub Khawaja
Taco Cabana 15606 Chase Hill Blvd. 12731 I-10 Frontage Rd.
If you want a dirt cheap alternative—we’re talking the money in your car’s cup holders or in between your couch cushions—Taco Cabana is the spot. From 3 p.m to 7 p.m. on a $3 dollar budget, you can order a personal bean-andcheese nachos and a 10-ounce margarita or domestic beer for $3. Domestics are a dollar-off original menu price, and 10 oz margaritas are $1.50. If you’re with friends, the margarita pitcher prices are borderline insane. At $4.50 a piece, you feel almost criminal having one — they’re usually $14.95. The food is up there in the best available options for inexpensive but still tasty. Drink on a budget, sacrifice nothing.
The Brooklynite
TBA
2801 N. St. Mary’s St. Happy Hour:
10best.com
@TacoCabana
516 Brooklyn Ave. TBA represents a zenith achievement in the “hole in the wall” genre. The bar is located across the street from the male dancers club “Hardbodies” on San Antonio’s well tread and infamous “St. Mary’s Strip.” TBA’s facade has that initially striking outdoor cage of a patio with a view of the street, but it’s interior offers a laid back, cool, no pressure, casual environment. The staff banters with patrons, but somehow still manage with a kind of sly magic to pop open beers and make flavorful cocktails without missing a beat or angering an impatient crowd. The music is usually indie, like Built to Spill and Grandaddy to name a pair of bands. While hunched on your stool, it’s definitely not a place to brood on gloomy feelings. Instead, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., it’s place the phrase “just hang out” was made for. (Tell Evan that Alex sent you!)
Kona Grill
Deol Bar
15900 La Canter Pkwy Suite 7300
Conveniently located at La Cantera, Kona Grill is best for students who are preoccupied and halfway drudging their way through class in the morning and afternoon. Kona’s “reverse happy hour” alleviates the desperate need for a cheap drink after most of us have left class for the day. They call it “reverse” because it takes place at night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., in addition to the standard hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. that they also offer. For a college student, the unorthodox timing of drink specials makes it a rescue location when other bars are charging full price. You can’t go wrong with the sake bomb. Drinking it is the target of everyone’s “Snap story.” The music playing is indie and Top 40; you can hear the Strokes and Adele while enjoying a drink in Kona’s breezy outdoor patio. With price-slashed appetizers like sushi, avocado eggrolls, BBQ chicken flatbread and dumplings. The only draw back is portions. Definitely consider divvying up an order of several “apps” among friends, for food solidarity.
Cynthia Esparza via San Antonio Express-News
Located in the downtown area of San Antonio, this bar guarantees atmosphere. It’s an ideal location for a date you want to get to know without muddying noise drowning out conversation. The decor is simple, but provides its own classy vibe with small, divided sections with Victorian furniture, massive chandeliers hanging in the center of the room and wallpapers with subtle patterns. The bar’s claim to fame is “Tiki Tuesdays” when the bartenders take it up a notch and make classic one of a kind specialty cocktails featuring fresh fruits, such as “Only God Forgives,” “The Shrunken Skull,” and the “Sidewinders Fang.” The Guardian called this place “the epicenter of San Antonio’s cocktail culture” for a reason. It demands you scope it out, wearing your best clothes.
6851 N Loop 1604 W
konagrill.com
Located at 1604 and Chase Hill, Deol is a bar without much hassle — the quick and dirty option for students not wanting to drive far out, but still desiring to get toasty for an inexpensive price. It’s a no-frills college bar. The place is a dependably there, and for that alone it deserves note. Expect the place to be an almost exclusively college crowd, with the music playing the trendiest on the radio. It’s a dive bar and has the expected but still appreciated offerings: pool tables, karaoke and appetizers. Less than a mile from campus, Deol is no logistical trouble; it’s the spot you go to when you want a drink and the affectations of other more dressed bars. Don’t count it out!
Deol Bar Facebook
A favorite for many, The Flying Saucer hosts a weekly trivia entitled “Trivia Bowl.” Not a surprise, considering the casual and cozy vibe the bar offers. Winning will grant you a gift certificate from $15-$50. Categories range from current events to history and science. Hopefully your major will come in handy.
The Flying Saucer
Tuesday evenings are a good time to get a taste of the atmosphere at Halcyon-arguably Southtown’s hippest coffee bar. Hosted by Geeks Who Drink, this event draws quite the crowd; so arrive on the early side if you want your choice of seating. Extensive menus of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, as well as relatively healthy food options, provide plenty of choices.
Halcyon Southtown
11255 Huebner Rd. Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (first game) and 10 p.m. (second game) The Flying Saucer via Google Maps
1414 South Alamo St. Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
For those who want an option closer to the Boerne area, San Antonio Trivia Live hosts a trivia night at The Silver Fox. The Silver Fox describes itself as the “Best Kept Secret in Leon Springs,” but some secrets deserve to be shared. Tim Hennessey of the SA Current called The Silver Fox a “refreshingly chill bar,” praising its spacious patio and agreeable prices. Make sure to grab some food before showing up for trivia, as food is not the focus of this hangout.
Silver Fox 24802 Ima Ruth Pkwy, Leon Springs, TX Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Silver Fox via Google Maps
Geeks Who Drink also hosts a trivia night at The Lion & Rose Pub in Alamo Heights on Tuesday nights. A staple of San Antonio’s pub scene, The Lion & Rose offers a wide selection of beers on tap, and their menu has a mixture of British/Irish and American cuisine. The SA Current voted this location’s bar trivia as the best in the city in 2013.
The Lion & Rose Pub 5128 Broadway Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
“Like Your Politics. Love Your Bar” is the Angry Elephant’s motto, and with a well-designed and decorated venue. Located where Highway 281 intersects Redland Rd, the government-themed bar is a political junkie’s dream. The Angry Elephant welcomes those of all political affiliations. But if you’re offended by mass consumption of frankfurters, beware — The Angry Elephant is known for its cleverly named gourmet hot dogs, such as the “Chris Christie Deep Fried Bacon Burger Dog.”
Scott Andrew via San Antonio Current
thelionandrose.com
BEST
TRIV A NIGHTS
Angry Elephant
Brady Phelps
281 - 19314 Hwy 281 N Suite 107 Mondays at 8 p.m. yelp.com
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Dressing for more than success
Looks matter; whether we like it or not. How we choose to express ourselves through our personal style is important and can even lend a professional advantage.
Look as smart as you are
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a highly successful novelist and public speaker, recently wrote an article for Elle magazine entitled “Why Can’t a Smart Woman Love Fashion?” She spent years dressing down to try and please others, but found that incorporating her own personal style in her outfits helped her career and confidence. The notion that you can’t love fashion and also be highly intelligent has become obsolete, as more and more successful people have proved that you can never be overdressed or overeducated.
No need to sacrifice comfort
Wearing nice clothes doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be uncomfortable. It’s very possible to look and feel great at the same time, and even simplicity can look elegant and effortless. Looking put-together can, and should, be comfortable and should suit you personally. I, too, appreciate my collection of overly large T-shirts, but I also believe that there is a time and place for such apparel, and they should be worn sparingly.
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Open doors for yourself Forbes.com released a study in 2013 called “Can
Dressing Well Increase Your Income in 2013?” that showed dressing well can increase your income, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. When you dress to impress, you create opportunities and open doors for yourself. You never know who you’ll meet or run into, and I’m sure most everyone would want to look their best for a date with destiny.
Stand out
When the time comes to venture out into the “real world” (aka life after college), there will most likely be many other similar applicants competing for the same job. This is when your appearance in an interview and the rest of your career can either help differentiate yourself from the crowd, or group you in with the rest. Employers will notice and appreciate the extra effort you’ve put in, and it’ll show how serious you are about the job. Plus, it’s a great way to express your individuality.
PHOTO: Fabian DeSoto
Boost your self-confidence and performance
More often than not, we feel most confident when we’re wearing an outfit that we feel accentuates our physiques. People tend to perform better when they look fairly put together, so when you throw on sweatpants and a T-shirt because you think staying up all night gives you the right to do so, chances are you’ll spend the rest of the day in that same lethargic state of mind. Researchers at Northwestern University found that participants who wore more professional clothing than ones who dressed casually performed better on tests and had improved posture as well as self-confidence. Spending just a few extra minutes in the morning putting on a well-thought-out outfit has been proven to wake your brain up and make you feel more confident throughout the day.
Allison Gayda
Roy Maas Youth Alternatives is currently accepting applications for Residential Specialists. Please call Janet, 210-340-8077, ext.1112 for more information.
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THE CORNER OF BUSINESS AND MUSIC A
fter over five years of inactivity from the Musicians of Business organization, three senior music marketing majors, Michael Kazenas, Hailey Smith and Dylan Isleng, decided to restart the program. Musicians of Business, also known as MOB, provides music marketing majors as well as other students interested in the field of music with experience in the art of music promotion in the industry. Dr. Stan Renard, assistant professor of music marketing, is the current adviser of the MOB program. Kazenas, Smith and Isleng are students with varying music interests and talents who lead of MOB, which currently has 15 members. They are working on their biggest project, the UTSA Underground Festival, which is set to take place for a second time in April next semester. Kazenas, the president of MOB, is a trumpet player and a drummer for Cinnamon House, a local band he created with his childhood friends 10 years ago. He and his bandmates have performed in areas around San Antonio and Austin. His passion for music is always growing. “I picked the trumpet because I originally wanted to do the percussion at school, but spots filled up, and I ended up auditioning on the trumpet and saxophone,” Kazenas said. “They
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said they needed some trumpet players, so that’s how I got into the trumpet—I just kind of stuck with it. Drums, I was very passionate about, so I just kept with it over the years.” Along with arranging the upcoming Underground Festival, Kazenas will also be performing at it with Cinnamon House and many other artists on campus. “UTSA Underground is something that Hailey, Dylan and I started last semester, with a few other marketing majors,” Kazenas said. “It’s a live event we hosted where we went around campus and found students who have interesting talents, such as playing instruments, or maybe even poetry, dance, or painting or making sculptures and stuff like that.” The festival will take place in the tunnel system underneath campus. “We wanted to pick a unique location for this event, so we chose the tunnel system,” Kazensas said. “And so, we chose it because it kind of related to the name of the event— for instance, you don’t know that the person sitting next to you in class would have these talents, so it’s kind of hidden, and the tunnel system is hidden.” Smith, the vice president of MOB, also participates in organizing the Underground Festival. She is also a vocalist and involved with the Music and Memory program and explains that she has been singing “ever since
she can remember.” “For me, learning a whole new instrument and expressing myself through another medium would be great, but to do it all on myself is just the way that I feel is most efficient,” Smith said. “My personal favorite is Lana Del Rey and laid-back acoustics, but I also really love classical music,
which is what we’re trained in here (at UTSA). I really like singing Schumann pieces as well, and if I ever had the chance to do a Verdi opera, that would be amazing.” She hopes to work for nonprofit organizations after graduating next spring. “I’m looking to work in community
Photos Courtesy of Musicians of Business Organization outreach and reaching out to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to help facilitate people in music memory and music marketing sort of rehabilitation,” Smith said. Smith said that the skills that are to be gained from MOB are different than the ones they will gain as the organization continues to grow. She said that as of now, she has gained a sense of togetherness.
“...we
“I’ve learned to check your e-mails all the time,” she said. “I’ve also learned to be flexible with who can do what and who’s available when, and to delegate different responsibilities to different people. I know one of my weaknesses is when I’m like, ‘I just want to get it done, so I’m just going to do it,’ but with something like this, with a bunch of people, everybody wants to be a part of it. So you kind
all have a set
goal and that is music, we all love music.”
of just have to let that go and delegate everything out to different people and just trust that everything’s going to get done.” Smith said that she’ll always remember that the students of the music program were a “close-knit group of people.” “We always have a sense of being a family almost—even though it’s orchestra versus band versus choir and all of the different things out there— we all have a set goal and that is music, we all love music,” she said. Music has been a huge aspect of Isleng’s life. He has been a part of an orchestra since the sixth grade. He said that he was always interested in rock music, but through orchestra, he developed an interest in jazz, which “opened a whole new world” for him in performing. “Orchestra is mainly where I developed all of my musical skills, like learning how to read music, and it set me up to where I first decided to become a music major,” he said. “I guess that’s also what really opened me up to San Antonio, like coming to the All-State TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) convention that happens every year and just seeing the different cultures here in San Antonio. It just helped me become a better musician—to be able to play along with other people and perform next to them.” As secretary in MOB, he is in charge
of interacting with other members. “It’s helped me already, just with communicating with people because I used to not be comfortable with sending out e-mails to people I didn’t know,” he said of his position. “And having to stay on top of people, like telling them, ‘Hey, show up to this,’ and ‘Hey, do this,’ because I used to be a pretty reserved person. Being a musician in general and giving outside of school have just helped me be really comfortable talking to people.” Isleng hopes that MOB “keeps getting better and better,” and wants to see more people join the organization in the future. The program is open to anyone interested in music marketing or promotion. “With Dr. Renard joining the faculty and being the Music Marketing adviser, he’s really lit a fire in this whole idea of Musicians of Business, so I just hope to continue to see it grow,” he said. “And with that, I think we’re really expecting to see a bigger turnout at UTSA Underground. We were really impressed last year with what we did with so little—now we have so many resources and faculty to back us. It should be a really good thing.”
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8 Life playlist 8 Need some new additions to the soundtrack of your life? Try out these seven songs, hand-picked for moments in your daily routine. Sonia Mata
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Commuting: “Nightcall” – Kavinsky
dailymotion.com
You might recognize this song as the title track from Nicolas Winding Refn’s film “Drive,” and — ironically — that’s exactly what it’s perfect for: driving. Kavinsky, a French electro house artist, gained mainstream attention from the popularity of this song. His music is identifiable by his distinctive 1980’s electropop sound, and “Nightcall” is a perfect example. Plus, this song was produced with GuyManuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk, so you know you’re in for something catchy. Save it for dealing with the daily traffic struggle or a long road trip home — it’ll keep you nodding your head instead of yelling at every driver that cuts you off.
Relax: “The Ghost Inside”– Broken Bells This indie rock band is made of James Mercer, the lead singer and guitarist of The Shins, and Danger Mouse (yes, that is what Brian Burton goes by). Together they have produced some of the catchiest, most laid-back tunes, and ultimately landed their 2010 selftitled debut album at #7 on the Billboard 200 chart. The music video is pretty interesting too – Christina Hendricks of “Mad Men” stars in the sci-fi spectacle. When you’ve got free time and you want some tunes to accompany you, try this one.
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amazon.com
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Going to Bed: “Don’t Bother They’re Here” – Stars Of The Lid Is sleep escaping you? This track may help. Originally from Austin, Texas, Stars Of The Lid is an atmospheric, ambient experience created by the duo of Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride. Their Facebook page describes their music as “beatless soundscapes composed of droning, effects-treated guitars along with piano, strings, and horns,” with “Don’t Bother They’re Here” being no exception. This ten-minute masterpiece dips and swells, fades in and out, and maintains an interesting flow while not being too busy or overexciting. albumoftheyear.org
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Wake-up: “My Number” – Foals
amazon.com
In the mornings, if you want to listen to something upbeat and poppy, but not too obnoxious or overbearing, “My Number” is the perfect wake-up song. Foals is a five-piece English indie rock band that has been making music for a decade — they know their way around the scene. The track’s album, “Holy Fire,” also landed music producers Alan Moulder and Flood (or Mark Ellis) a “UK Producer of the Year” award in 2013. Check out this catchy, refreshing song for a daytime mood boost.
Workout: “Black Skinhead” – Kanye West Entertainment Weekly called this song “a galloping punk-rap manifesto.” Intrigued? This stomping, screaming, industrial track will get you up and running. Rolling Stone named this track number 3 on the “100 Best Songs of 2013.” As soon as you hear it, you’ll understand why. Kanye West, Yeezus is truly a master of his craft. “Black Skinhead” pumps you up, making you feel borderline invincible. The pounding drums and powerful and clever lyrics make this song the perfect background for an intense workout. It’ll have you pushing yourself to new limits.
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genius.com
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Partying: “Hacker” – Death Grips Popular Top 40 songs usually dominate parties, so why not? With an avid fanbase — Tyler the Creator is even a fan — and a sterling resume — this track’s album appeared ninth on Pinchfork’s “Best Albums of 2012”— this California-based experimental group produces some of the most raucous, intense music you’ve ever heard. Not quite noise, not quite hip-hop, but exactly what you need to get a good party going. youtube.com
Studying: “Jaguar”– Mogwai If classical music puts you to sleep but songs with lyrics distract you, “Jaguar” may be the solution to your problem. Mogwai, a Scottish post-rock band that has been around since the mid-90s, created this song as part of a soundtrack for the French supernatural television show, Les Revenants. Featuring a melodic piano and a the slightly-eerie background, this tune keeps your studying at a good pace. shazam.com
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BECAUSE BLACK LIVES MATTER uriosity, intrigue, confusion and shock: these are the characteristics of one UTSA student’s video — a cypher to be more specific. The “more specific” is important. Usually, a cypher can be defined as the product of rappers cyclically rhyming or freestyling to a beat. But this video is different.
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While the video does include rhymes of four student rappers, its cinematic mastery and symbolic storyline offer more. It isn’t a music video, though, there is no central song. It is raw emotion, lyrics overlaying a cycled beat. Jordan Mkwanazi, a senior communication major at UTSA, is the creator of these raw emotions and original concepts. “It’s (the cypher) not about racists or racism,” he says. “But us as African Americans and trying to voice our opinions.”
Cypher breakdown with Jordan Mkwanazi The bound men: The oppression of African Americans in American history and society. Breaking free of the bonds: African Americans becoming free people. “Or we think we’re free,” Mkwanazi adds. The rappers: Once free, African Americans try to express their thoughts and opinions. The gunshots and death: African Americans voice and opinions are being shot down. “It seems like no matter how peaceful, militant, hopeless or optimistic you are, we get shot down — either physically or by not having our voices heard.” The smile: “The end smile symbolizes society not taking us seriously…I mean, we’re being as serious as we can be, but we’re getting shot down,” Mkwanazi says.
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Mkwanazi, an aspiring film producer, is an active member of UTSA’s Black Lives Matter student organization. His video came to him subconsciously. “I had a dream about the whole concept of the cypher,” he says. “And most of my friends — the rappers in the video — rap. So, I decided to put both together to collaborate my dream with their passion.” Mkwanazi’s dream manifested within two to three months. Although the time is standard for the production of a regular music video, shooting the video took only a couple of days. Getting there was the hard part. “Let me tell you about the process of making this video,” Mkwanazi laughed. “It took two to three months because, once I had the concept down, I took it to people I knew — my family in particular.” The lengthy editing period is no surprise considering the video’s storyline. The video begins with a black man desperately running down a dirt road. The scene then flashes back to earlier in that day when four black men — Lawd Geniu$ (Quevin Cams), Sterl LeMoor (Sterling Green), Lowe (Henrique Lowe) and Dot O (Wole Ogunleye) — bound with rope and duct tape in an abandoned house. One man breaks free, then releases the others. From there, the four begin to rap. With lyrics ranging from “At ease my brothers / we need to change this / using music like the slaves did to make a language” and “no guilty / no innocent / of the ghetto instrument,” the rapping critiques society
and the treatment of blacks in America. “In the video we had a rapper that was peaceful, another militant, another hopeless, and another optimistic. So we have different views on how society is.” After a few minutes, the rapping stops abruptly. The beat is replaced with the loud sound of a heartbeat thumping in the background as the rappers confusingly look to the back of the house where a hooded figure opens the door. A white man approaches
at hisface. He has a determined look in his eyes facing straight ahead. He glances at the camera, smiles and looks back the location of the shooting. While the beginning of the video is somber and moving: the last 15 seconds are unnerving and jaw-dropping aspects of the cypher. The viewer is left a bit dazed as the screen fades to black and #BlackLivesMatter appears in red before the credits begin to roll. “I knew it may be kind of controversial or that people would think I’m racist,” Mkwanazi says addressing the shocking smile. “My sister especially warned me, ‘You might start a riot with that smile at the end. That smile is very…That smile is not cool,’” Mkwanazi says. “But that’s what I wanted to portray. It’s very subliminal.” Every aspect of the video has a sub-layer. In a sort of “behind the scenes” video, the rappers explain their views on not only the cypher, but also in society. “I thought it would be a great way to kind of throw some issues that are going on in our society at the youth in a more vivid way,” LeMoor says. Dot O explains how he hopes people relate to his words and the cypher’s message. And Lawd Geniu$ points out how the beginning lyrics in his verse have a sense of hopelessness. Despite that, he finds the cypher hopeful, “If it can only touch one person, then that helps.” With over 1300 YouTube views, the project exceeded Mkwanazi’s expectations. “Honestly, my goal was for 500 or 600 views and to touch those people who saw it in some
“Black lives matter is not a trending topic. Black lives always matter.”
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them, gun in hand, and aims. On the screen black silence. One, two, three shots are fired. Three rappers now lay dead on the ground; one escapes down a dirt road. While there is a flash of hope as the man runs franticly, he never makes his destination. Another shot is fired and another man lies dead on the ground. The camera slowly pans from the shooter’s hands that hold a pointed gun stopping
GRAPHIC: Urub Khawaja
way,” he says with a shrug. #BlackLivesMatter flourished over social media platforms, news outlets and daily conversations — most notably in the summer of 2015. According to Forbes, though, interest has declined. In September, Forbes reported that Google searches for ‘Black Lives’/’ Lives Matter’ had dramatically decreased. Mkwanazi attributes this decline to the controversial catchall #AllLivesMatter. Mkwanazi offers his theory, “Maybe you support breast cancer awareness — maybe you, someone in your family, or a friend had it. And because it relates to you, you go to the walks.... But then someone that supports bone cancer awareness says, ‘well, all cancer awareness matters.’ Support for one movement over another, Mkwanazi says, is closely linked to which one a person relates to the most. “That’s (what) Black Lives Matter (is.) We know all lives matter, of course. It (Black Lives Matter) is a subtopic we’re passionate about because it relates to us (African Americans).” While Mkwanazi appreciates the positive reception to the cypher, ultimately he hopes it will have a long-term impact, raising long-term awareness to racism, stereotyping and police brutality that American blacks face in modern American society. He says, “BLM is not a trending topic. Black lives always matter.”
Jade Cuevas
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W hy st u de nts m a rk t h e ir te r rito ry
n the first day of the semester, many college students walk into a new classroom, look around, and assign themselves a seat — which they often keep for the remainder of the semester. Perhaps it is ingrained into our brains from elementary school, but many college students feel the need to continue this routine. Do these seat self-assignments serve an educational purpose, or just tap into our territorial, humanistic mindset? According to counselor Alan F. Zundel’s article “Same Old Seat” in the Conscious World Journal, the reason for this phenomenon is the habitual nature of the human mind. People are attracted to habit and resist stepping out of their comfort zones — even when they aren’t aware of it. This could explain why many college students assign themselves to a seat, or why people prefer to take the same route to work every day — habits are comfortable and comfortable can be attractive. When students walk into a classroom, their minds move to a specific area and their bodies subconsciously follow. Soon choices become habits. Any interruption of this routine (i.e. someone else sitting their seat) could lead to their minds
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focusing on that particular area instead of the material being taught in the class. UTSA senior communication major Taylor Wehmeyer relates. “After a few days, I like knowing where my seat is in the class,” Wehmeyer said. “If I come to class and someone is sitting in my seat, it kind of throws me off during the rest of the lecture, especially if I
when students who sat in the back of the class have received higher grades than those who sat in the front. According to researchers Steven Kalinowski and Mark L. Taper, there is no evidence that affects a student’s grades by seat location. UTSA senior business major Mark Rosepink thinks that sitting in the front or the middle of the classroom might improve
People are attracted to habit and resist stepping out of their comfort zones — even when they aren’t aware of it. have a quiz or a test that day.” This illustrates the notion that people feel most comfortable in familiar situations. People are drawn to what they already know, and they tend to avoid change. Whether students who sit in the front of the class perform better than the students who sit in the back row is still under investigation. There are cases
a person’s performance in that particular class. Rosepink also believes that after the first week of classes, people should already know where they are going to sit for the rest of the semester, and that they should not attempt to take his spot. “It is definitely territorial for me,” Rosepink said. “Maybe sitting in the same place or in the front or middle of the
class during the semester helps people’s grades and maybe it doesn’t, but my spot is my spot. I’m more concerned with that.” Rosepink’s view shows that there is somewhat of a territorial aspect to sitting in the same seat every day. Once a student selects a seat on the first day, any invader who takes that seat on a different day could result in an awakening of the primal instinct of the seat’s original occupant. Zundel believes that people should avoid letting habitual mental states diminish their cognitive abilities. “Going to a habitual state of mind is just giving in to a sleep state; it’s like dreaming while you’re sleeping,” Zundel claimed. “They take you wherever they’re going to go and you have little control over it. If you get pulled into habitual mind states, you’re not free — you’re in a semi-sleep state.” Perhaps Zundel is right, and when students sit in the same seat every day they are in a semi-sleep state. Perhaps students should practice sitting in different areas of the classroom and step into what Zundel calls the “awake state of mind.” It may be harder for the professor to learn names, but at least he or she will be teaching a classroom of mentally-awake students.
Quentin Hemphill
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PHOTO: Jade Cuevas
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700 E Sonterra Blvd #1117, San Antonio, TX 78258
hours of business: Sunday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Brunch on Sundays only: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Paisano Plus rating system: HIIII (Horrible) HHIII (Not the best) HHHII (Eh, it’s okay) HHHHI (Pretty Good) HHHHH (Amazing)
PHOTOS: Annette Barraza
Blowin’ smoke Meat, more meat and sauce Paisano Plus rating: HHHHI
E
nthusiasts of finely grilled meats don’t need to be skeptical about visiting the ostentatious Stone Oak neighborhood to get down on some ‘que. Typically, the best smoke shacks are located on street corners of urban neighborhoods, right next to ballparks or on farm-to-market roads out in the country — certainly not around high-end shopping malls, premium coffee bars and sushi restaurants. But the Smoke’s reputation has developed quite a buzz since its April 20th grand opening , receiving several five-star reviews on foodie websites OpenTable and Yelp! The décor inside is rustic yet modern, like the inside of a luxurious barn house. The soundtrack matches the environment with tunes from classic southern rock like Credence Clearwater Revival to modern alternative rock like Foo Fighters. When there’s an important game on, the staff replaces the music with the broadcast’s audio. The restaurant is spacious. The kitchen is open, so patrons can see the chefs work their craft and even converse with them. All of the employees are talkative and personal. There are about 20 different beers on tap, more than half of which
are craft beers , and there are more options in cans and bottles. Their fairly large liquor selection lines wooden shelves, and pre-made cocktails like Texas Tea in large mason jars decorate the top shelf. The menu, decorated with beer stains and pen doodles, features options such as “Dr. Pepper Pork Ribs, Shiner Bock Beer Brined Turkey, Guava Glazed Crispy Pig Tails, and Chilled Watermelon Soup,” among others. The bartenders are excellent: they are eager to drop knowledge about each dish and provide samples of beer. Patrons can order full plates or they can order “from the smoker”: a la carte options for the cuts of various meats. “From the smoker” has a ‘Pick-3’ option, as there are about 10 different cuts from which to choose, and comes with sliced white bread. Those wanting to pick their own cuts may be disappointed, as the ‘Pick-3’ options change day-to-day. It’s more of a daily sampler from the chef than a choice. The three “meats of the day” were the brisket, the Shiner Bock turkey, and the housecured maple bacon. Customers can choose from either a lean or fat cut of brisket. Instead of in a napkin, silverware is packaged in a
white rag towel. The same kind of white rag towel with which one would wipe his or her hands with when grilling on July 4th or working on a car in the garage. What’s better is the fact that the food was brought out on wooden cutting boards rather than plates. Very backyard-esque stuff. The cut of brisket was great, not too fatty but still soft enough with a tangy kick that’s really good and not too salty. The turkey was good as well. The Shiner gives it a sweet taste and there’s a hint of smokiness in the middle of the bite. However, it could have been much juicier. Smothering both the brisket and the turkey in their sweet house BBQ sauce gives everything a nice, candy compliment. As for the bacon, there was a lot of fat hanging off the slices. A strong maple taste brought out a nice breakfast-like flavor. The burger was colossal, stacked with brisket and bacon accompanied by a mountain of crispy fries. The patty was cooked just right, soft and juicy, and the bacon on the burger was that good, crispy red part of the pig. Most importantly, it had enough cheddar cheese to fit the amount of meat; the macaroni was fantastic — shell pasta with layers of different cheeses mixed with a fresh blend of herbs.
The food is moderately priced; a meal including a couple rounds of beer won’t cost more than about $25. Traditional Texas-barbeque fans should know that Smoke isn’t a mess hall where they can slide a tray down the counter and get spoons slapped on their plates. It’s an actual sit-down restaurant. Similar to the other food venues around Stone Oak’s swanky streets, Smoke’s cuisine is prepared with a worldly range of ingredients by gourmet chefs. At Smoke, you will not find a clamoring wall of televisions displaying live sporting events. Customers can enjoy live music every Thursday through Saturday. The bar stays open until 2 a.m. On Sunday, patrons enjoy a delicious brunch. Smoke also has a food truck that sometimes posts up at The Block at UTSA Blvd. and Roadrunner Way – for those wishing to savor cuisine but save a trip.
Adrian Bermudez and Brady Phelps
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Whiskey Cake
BRUNC H EDITIO N
Mimosas, waffles, and scratch-only food Paisano Plus rating: HHHHI
B
runch is the best thing since sliced bread. Typically served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., brunch is a hybrid of breakfast foods and lunch fare. Even if you enjoy sleeping in, you can still enjoy breakfast items such as ham, eggs, and hash browns without sacrificing your beauty rest. For others, brunch means drinking mimosas at 11 a.m. without shame. Upon entering Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar, you’re instantly greeted into a rustic, farm-house aesthetic as dimly lit bulbs create a warm and cozy setting. Walking through the door you’ll find empty soda bottles used as pots for a multitude of herbs and plants. Located in The Shops at La Cantera, Whiskey Cake is only a short ride for UTSA students. Whiskey Cake prides itself on being a “fromscratch only” kitchen with fresh ingredients from local vendors. Even though it is located inside a mall, Whiskey Cake tends to a garden in front of the restaurant. The restaurant has a bit of an industrial vibe with a lot of wooden furnishings and accents that make it seem like a cozy oasis. The dim lighting, wide windows and funky seating options make you feel like you are eating
at a friend’s place rather than at a restaurant. While quite large, the restaurant is often crowded, but the staff and ambiance still manages to be welcoming and open. If you are visiting anytime during weekend, expect a 1530 minute wait — especially during brunch. The brunch menu is diverse, including common breakfast items such as Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes to more exotic lunch dishes like Pork Belly Ramen. If you’re not feeling adventurous, Whiskey Cake’s signature dishes include the Chicken & Waffles, French Toast Switch-up, Kale & Pomegranate Salad, and their OMG (Onions, Mushrooms, and Goodness) Burger. The prices are considerable for the typical college student, ranging between $10-$22 for an entrée and $9-$12 for a brunch cocktail. Though pricey, the extensive selection of beer, wine, and whiskey is impressive. For frugal foodies, Whiskey Cake offers a variety of $5 brunch treats including Cheddar & Jalapeno Drop Biscuits, yogurt parfait, fried green tomatoes, deviled eggs and mimosas. The mimosa’s mix of crips champagne with freshly squeezed orange juice makes for a fresh, sweet taste. Whiskey Cake also offers
non-alcholic freshly squeezed juices all priced at $5. The Cheddar & Jalapeno Drop Biscuits are a decent pick, but leave more to be desired. As it crumbles in your mouth, the biscuit has a fresh, soft taste that pairs well with gravy. However, the taste of cheddar is little to nonexistent. The biscuit could contain more freshly sliced jalapenos instead of limiting one per biscuit. The popular Chicken & Waffle entrée is a waffle infused with bacon slices, topped with syrup, chicken tenders, and sausage gravy. The chicken is juicy and tender with a crisp breading alongside sweet waffles, creating a classic combination of savory and sweet. Ordering the sausage gravy and syrup on the side might be a good idea if you are
a slow eater who’s not a fan of soggy waffles. Overall, Whiskey Cake has a lot to offer patrons — a wide drink selection, comfortable ambience and classic food with a dash of eccentricity. The prices are steep for the typical college student, but it is perfect to #TreatYoSelf. If you want to stay on a budget, Whiskey Cake offers a weekly happy hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., “Whiskey Thursdays” from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and “Girls Wine Wednesday” from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Amanda Camacho
15900 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 21200 San Antonio, TX 78256
hours of business: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m. - 12 a.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Paisano Plus rating system: HIIII (Horrible) HHIII (Not the best) HHHII (Eh, it’s okay) HHHHI (Pretty Good)
PHOTOS: Cindy Hurtado
HHHHH (Amazing)
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STUDENT SUBMISSIONS: Creative Writing MY DEAR BELOVED INTROVERT By Ricky Castillo “Look straight at the camera honey – You’d stare endlessly at it for sure; as unpleasant as it could be since you acknowledge it’s only her that matters. She then smiles foolishly, and your world is now complete.” Certainly, the intrinsic emotion we call love is the most beautiful yet terrible thing in the human mind. It is as destructive as it is beautiful and we crave it as a fundamental quality of our daily life. Consequences of it include extreme absent mindness and staring into void, tendency to define your world by your significant other, ridiculous emotional attachment to one another, deceiving jealously, thirst for fresh and reddish human flesh, and even turning into naive poets in order to manifest our emotions. All of which might seem undesired and avoidable, but once the human falls in love there is nothing to stop it; nothing but sweat, tears and blood. Some blessed souls worry not about these, but some of us are just odd souls wandering around the
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unreal world we live in: Your attention is suddenly dragged by that one mesmerizing compound of eyes and skin. You both make a shy, romance-like eye contact from afar for a matter of a second, and smile it away. The next day you notice that same now unmasked face sits at the same spot; once again you both glance at each other, but this time slightly longer; progress. Third day, and you finally have enough guts to go and sit next to that beautiful person you can’t even tag a name on. Would you go on a date with me? A glimpse of blurry light runs across the room and strikes your face; bed sheets are all messed up like if an earthquake had just occurred, and you open your eyes into a pale ceiling. You’re awake; it was all a fantasy world stored back in your dreams to be forsaken. Only would you break down in tears of despair; right? No. You’d stand up, staring to the void perhaps, and realize your daily routine must be met. Take a hot shower, have breakfast, go to college, get
back home, sleep; repeat. Slight variations of events would happen every now and then, but nothing too big. You’d sometimes wish though that the person from your fantasy world was alive and sitting right next to you whispering to your ear “You’re mine.” This black sun illuminates The endless forest I run by Seeking nothing but hope Of finding you; my muse Thoughts of inner peace often cross your mind but never stay. You know you need love; you’re ready for love. However, there is just something that prevents you from feeling the ecstasy love can be. That’s when you will find yourself asking, “What am I doing?” You could just walk up to that pretty face and enlighten your soul, wrap your feelings around it and fall into an endless world where the phrase “I love you“ can so easily be said yet it means its whole indefinite definition… Except that you’ll never act like such. You’re just one more of a bunch, often hopping on Twitter every now and then, favorite
non-sense six worded poetry and striving the day someone will notice what you’re trying to say through other’s words and eventually come and talk to you. One of a bunch who plugs in headphones into its ears and bounce to a complete different world where you’re the boss and everyone else is an insignificant peasant; careless about them would you often collapse paths and eye contact each other saying “Hi” through void. Living your world, your fantasies and dreams, caring about no one else by yourself; some might claim that’d heaven. However you know more than anyone else in this deceiving world that it is that one face you seek; that one face you crave. The conjunction of their being and your world just simply seems perfect to you, and you’d stare at that pair of crystalline eyes; endlessly. Notice then how your fantasies and reality shifts. What is your name? I’m no-one.
MELANCHOLIC SHOWERS By Patrick Martinez As he stands amidst the crowd, he paces through the faces quiet and loud.
again, heads will spin from too much gin under his skin.
Doused in thoughts of melancholic showers, he screams like death metal, but only louder.
And he has to ask, what’s it worth? Trying to solve the problems within the earth’s girth.
For I know, if he has her back
Deeply personal and mawkish,
rotating in a carousel of insults, he gets nauseous. Like a crawfish, he feels so little. Belittled, he’s as displaced as pipers playing fiddles. He needs a needle to feel regal But it mocks feeble into this
human zero. He retreats back into his cave, his room; a slave to his mind, he’s saved by the music and books purposed to educate and penetrate the beautiful mind that’s too familiar with hesitate.
WAKE UP CALL By Michael Antinarella It was a dark and stormy night. “I know I’ve heard that one somewhere before,” Nick mumbled to himself, lying in bed. The storm raged outside, like a child throwing a temper tantrum. The rain pelted the window like large teardrops. Nick took a deep breath, then closed his eyes. Suddenly, the firehouse alarm bells sounded. Nick snapped his eyes open, threw the covers off, and ran to the pole that led to the ground floor, sliding down as fast as he could. He looked at his watch. “Hmm. 7 seconds… not too bad,” he grunted to himself in satisfaction. The noise of an engine starting snapped Nick back into reality. He hurriedly put on his firefighter’s outfit and jumped in the firetruck as the emergency lights came on.
One second later, the firetruck took off like a shot, speeding down the rain-soaked street. Blaring sirens. Flashing red and white lights. Nick smiled to himself in the backseat. He loved the adrenaline rush. “Ok fellas,” the captain said, turning around in the passenger seat to face his crew. “This one is quite a doozy. Dispatch says it’s an industrial warehouse full of all kinds of fun explosive stuff, so watch yourself.” Oh joy. Nick found himself wishing it was just the typical house fire. He would run in, save the little old lady and her cat, then he would be done and back in his warm bed in no time. The fire truck slowed and pulled into a parking lot. In front of them, the massive building stood, flames roaring through the roof. Smoke
bellowed out, blending in with the dark storm clouds. Lightning flashed. Nick grabbed the ax as he jumped out of the firetruck, and started running towards the building. Suddenly, he saw a bright yellow flash. He felt himself flying through the air and hit the ground, his arms flapping like a rag doll. Nick groaned in pain. The dark storm clouds crawled across the sky. Flaming ashes drifted down to the earth in slow motion. Time slowed down. He saw his limp body lying on the ground. Am I dead? No!!! A voice boomed like thunder. “Nick!” The harsh sound sent a shock through him. Instinctively, he braced himself. Lightning flashed through the clouds. He felt like he was floating away. Wait! I can’t leave my kid!
He’s my whole world! “Nick!” Another jarring shock. His body still floating upwards. Wait! God…if you’re there…I promise…I won’t do it again! I’m sorry! I was lonely…and she was very beautiful… Suddenly, he felt the pouring rain pounding his body. His soaked clothes clinging against his skin. “Nick!” The paramedic shouted in his ear against the roaring fire. “Hang in there! You’re bleeding badly… we’re transporting you to the hospital!” I’m alive? I’m alive! He wanted to get up and give the paramedic a big wet kiss on the lips. But as he reached up, a sharp pain pierced his back. Then deep, inky blackness wrapped around him as he passed out.
Want to see your work published in the next issue? Send your poems, short stories or photography to specialissues@paisano-online.com
ON THE SCENE: THE PINK PARTY PHOTOS: Jade Cuevas
PHOTO: Wireimage Rick Kern
PHOTO: Randi Gilmore
PHOTO: Wireimage Rick Kern
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NEXTFLIX FINISH YOUR FAVORITE SHOW? FIND YOUR NEXT FIX
Quentin Hemphill
If you enjoyed the dramatic storytelling and superb acting in Breaking Bad, then you may enjoy Narcos. Narcos follows the growth of cocaine drug cartels and the efforts made by law enforcement to stop the spread of these cartels around the world. The show focuses around infamous cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar, played wonderfully by Wagner Moura. braodcastingcable.com
sonypictures.com
If you liked the quick-witted banter and mystery solving in Veronica Mars, you’ll love iZombie. Based off a DC comic book series, iZombie concerns the life of a recently “zombiefied” medical student, Olivia “Liv” Moore (played by Rose McIver), who copes with her appetite for brains by taking a job at a morgue. Liv realizes that with every brain she consumes, she gains some of their personality traits and memories, and with these newfound powers, she helps the police solve mysteries regarding the victims’ deaths.
comingsoon.net
sharetv.com
If you liked the zany, surreal humor of 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt will also crack you up. The show is centered on title character Kimmy Schmidt (played by Ellie Kemper) who adjusts to life in New York City after being rescued from a doomsday cult’s underground bunker in Indiana. The show is laced with co-creator Tina Fey’s comedic timing, and it shows when you watch Kimmy Schmidt hilariously adapt to the modern world. netflix.com
nbc.com
If you enjoy the dark tone and action sequences of Arrow, you will really enjoy Daredevil. Matt Murdock/Daredevil (played by Charlie Cox) is a blind lawyer-by-day, who utilizes his heightened senses to fight crime at night in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. While the movie adaptation starring Ben Affleck was horrible, Netflix’s version is an excellent, action-packed series that you won’t want to miss. netflix.com
moviepilot.com
Fans of Bill Nye the Science Guy and its wide range of natural science topics will also enjoy Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. Cosmos, hosted by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, takes viewers on an enchanting journey regarding time, space, the first steps of evolution and the consequences of climate change. play.google.com
events.nationalgeographic.com
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