Buzz Magazine: Dec. 10, 2009

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Champaign-Urbana’s community magazine FREE

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week of december 10, 2009

the lady of guadalupe  5    Seasons of the decade  7    a queer planet  17

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Topless Female Dancers 18 to enter • Mon-Thur 8pm-1am • Fri-Sat 8pm-2am • $5 Cover (Always Hiring, We’ll Train)

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PLANNING THE FUTURE DUMB DOG ...

CANDY CANE COCOA

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A recipe for National Hot Cocoa Day

END OF SEASON TUNES

10

Canopy Club brings you the Fall Semester Showdown

BECOME A SURVIVOR 4 Now Accepting I-Cards BEADS HAIR SPRAY BALLOONS PARTY GOODS

ORANGE & BLUE EVERYTHING! WE HELP YOU WITH YOUR ILLINI SPIRIT!

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ON THE217.COM MUSIC Have you heard about the bird? Yes, everybody’s heard that the bird is word. Check in on Thursday for a review of Andrew Bird’s performance at Foellinger Auditorium.

ARTS Ever wondered how you’re supposed to act in the theatre? buzz has got the complete inside scoop on audience etiquette that won’t have you wondering any longer. Look for these helpful tips on Saturday just in time to see your favorite holiday show.

217.351.5974 • 101 E. University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820

COMMUNITY Feeling a little lonely as of late? Hoping to find a special someone? Po’ Boys is hosting a speed dating night this coming Tuesday. Find out a little more about the event by heading to the217.com this Saturday.

MOVIES AND TV Reviews of Invictus up on Saturday. Invictus is the latest film directed by Clint Eastwood, and concerns Nelson Mandela’s (Morgan Freeman) attempt to bring South Africa together by having the national rugby team win the World Cup.

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Movin’ on up with Annie at Assembly Hall

www.silverbulletbar.net

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The U of I Research Park begins to expand

1401 E. Washington Urbana 217.344.0937

• • • •

DECEMBER 10, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE

Silver Bullet Bar

ILLINI FLAGS • FACE PAINT • • WIGS • POMPS

VOL7 NO48

buzz’s PHOTO CORNER

PHOTO BY WALLO VILLACORTA ANDREW BIRD buzz catches up with Andrew Bird backstage at Foellinger Auditorium

CALENDAR

12

Your guide to this week’s events

EDITOR’S NOTE TOMMY TRAFTON

Happy Reading Day! For anyone that doesn’t know, today marks the end of fall classes and the beginning of finals. This, of course, means no more classes, which means a lot more free time, which leads to more procrastinating from studying. And on top of that, everyone is trying to get in to the holiday spirit with the cold weather, the Christmas commercials and all that jazz. I admit it, the odds are against me this semester with all the distractions, but exams are kind of important, aren’t they? To help me feel better about locking myself in my room to stare at a computer screen and review lecture notes for hours while all the holiday hubbub tries to distract me and lure me away from good grades, let’s talk about what I hate most about the holiday season — shopping. I’ve never liked to shop and never will. Unfortunately, this is the season in which we should all be shopping the most as the media tells us, but I’ll take twice the exams to avoid a trip to the mall this time of year. So instead of spending a day up and down Prospect Avenue, navigating through the aisles of Best Buy and digging through the scavenged shelves of Borders and Target and all those, I’ll be trying the alternatives this year. First of all, there’s the Internet. I had a roommate once who only purchased goods or services online. And by that I mean he never left the apartment. His food, his socks, his pens and paper would all be bought from the comfort of his own desk. I’m not planning on going that far, but come to think of it, I usually don’t do online shopping. And then there are the little shops that you don’t know what to expect from when you walk in the door. Okay, it’s still shopping, but browsing through an old record store or a family run gift shop is the best way to avoid the rush of consumers ready to kill to get what they need in the mall. This way, hopefully I’ll have a better chance of finding unique gifts, as well. Anyways, as long as I have finals left, there’s no reason to start the shopping yet. Come to think of it, it’s nice to have one reason to be thankful for finals. Let’s let them last as long as possible.

the217.com ††december 10 - 16, 2009

HEADS

UP!

LET

IT

OUT

If you were a PokĂŠmon which one would you be and what would your move be? zimuzo onwuekwe

“Pikachu, because he’s the main character. He’s also cute and a great friend. And he’s yellow and I have yellow in my hair!� sami khan

The annual Toys for Tots Drive by Emily Langhenry

TALK TO BUZZ

buzz staff

Brighten up a child’s Christmas this winter by participating in the Bentley’s Pub and Carmon’s Restaurant Toys for Tots drive. Bentley’s and Carmon’s are teaming up for the annual toy drive to benefit less fortunate children in the area. Bring new and unwrapped toys of any kind to either location from now through Dec. 19. Those that donate will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 gift card to Bentley’s. The winner will also receive a dinner for four at Carmon’s with a bottle of wine included. The drawing will be held on Dec. 19 at Bentley’s. Participants must be over the age of 21 and do not have to be present to win. Bring donations daily to Bentley’s in downtown Champaign at 419 N. Neil St. and Carmon’s at 415 N. Neil St. Bentley’s is open Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Carmon’s is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Cover Design  Kamil Kecki Editor in Chief  Tommy Trafton Managing Editor & Copy Chief  Mark Grabowski Art Director  Claire Keating Photography Editor  Wallo Villacorta Image Editor  Rebekah Nelson Photographers  James Kyung, Paul Habeeb, Annette Miller Designers  Louis Lee, Kamil Kecki, Jillian Rahn Music Editor  Amanda Shively Food Editor  Maggie Carrigan MovieS Editor  Matt Carey ArtS Editor  Abby Wilson Community Editor  Michell Eloy CU Calendar  Bonnie Stiernberg Copy Editors  Danielle Perlin Sales Manager  Sarah Gleason Marketing/Distribution  Brandi Willis Publisher  Mary Cory

On the Web  www.the217.com Email  buzz@readbuzz.com Write  512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 CALL  217.337.3801

We reserve the right to edit submissions. buzz will not publish a letter without the verbal consent of the writer prior to publication date. buzz Magazine is a student-run publication of Illini Media Company and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students. Š Illini Media Company 2009.

“I would be a Kangaskhan because ‘Khan’ is my last name and he’s a rare PokĂŠmon. My move would be the baby punch, I think, because it had a baby in it’s pouch.â€? hana yu

“Let’s just say Mew because it makes and copies PokĂŠmon moves. My moves would be being the ultimate mime and glowing.â€? david mainzinger

“Ninetails, because it’s very graceful, elegant, and often underestimated. My move would be fireblast because you can only learn that once and it’s the strongest fire move.�

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GRIPES

michell eloy community editor

likes

Âť Getting free things for no other reason than the fact that I’m a relatively attractive young woman: Makes the mood swings and general diagnosable craziness that comes with being of the female persuasion completely worth it. Âť Brunch: Why yes, I’ll have a Reuben sandwich with my eggs benedict and pancakes. Thanks very much. Âť The Notorious B.I.G. remix of “Party in the U.S.A.â€?: Gives me a (more excusable) reason to like the song. I feel my street cred and self respect slowly returning. Abby Wilson arts editr

gripes  Assignments due on Monday: You know what this means? This means that I will put it off until the weekend, have a miserable weekend and an even more miserable Monday. A Tuesday due date might even be a little better. Throw me a bone here.  There’s only 24 hours in a day: I need more hours in my day to have a better balance of relaxation time and productive time. Some say if we had more hours in a day that we would fill them with extra things and still want more hours, but that’s nonsense.  No turn signal: Please use your car turn signals when you are turning. People didn’t put them on cars just for fun.

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December 10 - 16, 2009

the217.com

One on One

A Celebration of the lady

with savannah hampson survival day coordinator at homer lake forest preserve

Kalarte Gallery recognizes the the Lady of Guadalupe

by Eric Gordon This week, buzz sat down with Savannah Hampson, an environmental education specialist. Hampson is planning Survival Day, a program designed to help residents learn outdoor skills like fire building and shelter making. The event will take place at the Homer Lake Forest Preserve in Homer, Ill, rain or shine. Registration is required for the event and is $5 for adults and $2 for children. As of Dec. 3, there were ten available spots for the event. » buzz: Do you think people have become detached from nature and the outdoors? Savannah Hampson: Yes. We deal with that issue everyday. We want people to reconnect with the outdoors again. There is a lack of outdoor play. But with shows like Man vs. Wild, the idea of surviving outdoors has become increasingly popular. » buzz: What can people expect to learn at the event? SH: Our main focus will be on building shelters and fire making skills. We did a survival series about two years ago that was split into three separate days. We made this event one day shorter as it is harder to get people to come out multiple

days. There will be two groups, one learning about fire making and the other about shelter building. They will then switch. At the end of the day, we will discuss methods and weaknesses, as well as having some snacks that will teach participants about edible food in the wild. » buzz: In order for people to survive in the wilderness what would they need the most? SH: One of the most important items someone who is surviving in the wild can have is a knife. We also will be teaching and emphasizing the “Rule of Threes.” We can survive three weeks without food, three days without water and only three hours without shelter. » buzz: What are some issues that you think might come up with the event? SH: People need to expand their comfort zone. Also the three hours will go by quickly when introducing people to building fires and shelter. » buzz: Besides survival skills, what else can this event teach participants? SH: Families and their kids can be outside together. » buzz: How should participants dress? SH: Participants should wear warm footwear and gloves for the event. Just dress for the weather.

CU Sound off

by Jeanine Russell

Photo by James Kyung Savannah Hampson of Homer Lake Forest Preserve demonstrates how to build a fire using a bowdrill. Used with permission from Savannah Hampson

by Lauren Hise

Should the Catholic Church allow married priests? In the year 1534, the question of England’s King Henry VIII’s right to annul his marriage to his first wife caused a rift within the Roman Catholic Church. In the aftermath of Henry’s denied annulment, Anglicans officially split from the Church. Since then, however, disagreements among Anglicans over admitting women into the priesthood and same-sex marriage have arisen, propelling some to rejoin with the Church. As a result, 475 years later, questions about marriage have taken

center stage once again. In a surprising announcement, the Roman Catholic Church agreed to accept married Anglican priests into the Catholic priesthood after evaluating each case individually. For many, such an announcement is unexpected in light of the Catholic’s long-standing requirement and tradition that its clergy take a vow of celibacy. Is this break from tradition a good thing? And, if so, should the Catholic Church start allowing its own priests to marry?

FEISAL MOHAMED

COLLIN GROEBE

DANIELLE KELTNER

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH

JUNIOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

SENIOR IN SPANISH EDUCATION

“The great charge that the Reformation thinkers made against the Roman Church was that it was not Catholic at all. It didn’t admit the kind of variation that a universal church should. So what the Catholic Church seems to be doing now is to embrace a more broadly ecumenical approach to its own community, which is to say that they’re going to allow these Anglicans to become members of the Catholic Church even though they don’t fully embrace policies like celibacy.”

“I think a lot of religion has a lot to do with tradition. Women’s status in society has changed, but they’re still not priests. This goes against the values of Catholicism. Maybe, it’s good. Maybe, it’s bad.”

“I think all priests should be allowed to get married. I think it’s an outdated system and unrealistic. It should be overturned.”

buzz

Located in the back corner of Heartland Galleryin downtown Urbana is a small table and wall display of bright masks, dolls, paintings, tin moldings and jewelry. It’s a vibrant corner compared to the December cold outside. This space is Kalarte Gallery, owned and operated by Bernard Cesarone. Cesarone has a strong interest in the art and culture of Latin America. “Folk art is accessible to large audiences,” Cesarone said. Running until Jan. 2, Kalarte Gallery is featuring the Celebración Guadalupana II and Holiday Gift Sale, an exhibit and craft sale with numerous paintings from Latin America. The festival and sale are centered around the Mexican patroness, the Lady of Guadalupe. “She’s a great focus of religious and artistic devotion of Mexico,” Cesarone said. Cesarone said he travels around the world to gather crafts from small, community-based artisans and uses his purchases to support those communities. Items range in nationality from Latin American to Indian to African. With the Celebración Guadalupana II and Holiday gift sale, Cesarone will display and sell paintings from Mexico, the proceeds of which will support a woman’s co-op. There is also embroidery from Peru, along with items from Nicaragua and Ecuador, sashes from indigenous tribes and paintings from indigenous families. Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day is Dec. 12, but this sale correlates directly with the holidays. According to Cesarone, all of these items would make great gifts. “They’re all done by hand with love and care,” said Cesarone. “It’s a good balance to things in our culture that are cranked out by [machines].” This sale is an opportunity to provide one with a piece of another culture, something made with time and consideration. Cesarone said it’s a “new take” on gift-giving.

the217.com   december 10 - 16, 2009

One, two, three, four! I declare a thumb war!

Growing business

Plan underway for Research Park expansion

by Alexandra Morgan

I

f you’ve driven past the corner of Windsor Road and First Street lately, you’ve probably noticed the road construction that’s taking place there. But what you might not know is that this construction is part of the University’s plan to expand Research Park, a multimillion dollar plan that includes developing roads, constructing at least a dozen more research buildings and adding retail shops. Currently, Research Park occupies about 40 acres of land and contains eleven buildings. The Park features technology-based businesses, giving them an opportunity to work with faculty and students at UI and collaborate with them on research. “It [Research Park] has created high tech, quality jobs for full time [employees] and for students,”

explained Laura Frerichs, the associative director at Research Park. Research Park employs over 1,200 people and offers more than 400 student internships at any given time. The plans for expansion aim to increase the Park’s size by about 100 acres. The new development would be between First and Fourth Streets, beginning south of St. Mary’s Road and running to Windsor Road. Groundbreaking at Research Park began in 2000 when the University signed a contract with developer Fox/Atkins. Since then, it has expanded to about 600,000 developed square feet of space, hosting over 70 companies. Abbott Laboratories, State Farm and Yahoo are among the large public firms located at the Park. “The benefit of that [expansion], I think, is the ability to have high-tech companies moving to Champaign,” said Frerichs. The Park’s expansion would prove beneficial to the entire ChampaignUrbana community by bringing in these companies, thus boosting employment and industry. Research Park also offers unique opportunities for Illinois students, providing them with internships that could turn into full-time offers after graduation. The Park’s proximity to the UI campus enables students to work there year-round, completing full-time internships in the summers and parttime work during the school year. “That’s a really good thing for students,” said Frerichs. “[It] makes them more attractive after they graduate.” But the students aren’t the only ones benefiting from this arrangement. The companies at the Park can also profit from hiring knowledgeable students. “The students are a major driver of the success of Research Park,” said Frerichs. “[Student involvement] is

really a model that we’ve grown here that is quite different than other research parks.” As the Park expands, Frerichs said it will continue to hold this unique role for students. But with the economic downturn, the plan isn’t without obstacles. “I think it’s a challenging time for commercial real-estate across the country,” said Frerichs. But Frerichs remains positive about the state of the park. “We have continued to see companies moving into Research Park throughout the year, which is a positive indicator,” she said. This may be due to the unique sense of flexibility and innovation that many of the companies residing in Research Park possess. “The [small businesses and entrepreneurs] have the ability to develop their business around the sectors that are growing nationally,” explained Frerichs. “In our case, we’re seeing companies that are being started or re-focused on ... areas of potential growth.” The plan for expansion also includes adding a few more commercial aspects to the park. “It’s been a goal of Research Park to have a mixed use component,” said Frerichs, noting the iHotel at the corner of St. Mary’s Road and First Street as an example. She said these non-research related components of the Park would prove convenient for Research Park employees, as most would be within walking distance of any given company. Though nothing is finalized yet, possible ideas for the commercial aspects of the park include coffee shops, a fitness center and a dry-cleaner. The University is in the process of ironing out the details of Research Park’s further development. This includes choosing a developer for the next phase of expansion at the Park. The University’s ten-year contract with Fox/Atkins will expire this upcoming spring, and the University is reviewing proposals by various development firms, including Fox/Atkins. UI will narrow down the firms during the winter and choose a firm in the spring of 2010.

Research Park offers unique opportunities for Illinois students, providing them with internships that could turn into full-time offers after graduation. Photos by Paul Habeeb

buzz

arts

&

entertainment

“Annie” tour celebrates show’s 30th anniversity The classic favorite will perform at Assembly Hall Dec. 14 by Neha Mehra irect from Broadway comes a classic tale of hope and Christmas spirit. Annie and her adorable dog, Sandy, will be coming to Assembly Hall Dec. 14, celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary.

The Tony Award winning play was first seen on Broadway in 1977. Since its birth, Annie has been one of the most successful shows on Broadway. After winning seven awards and running for over 2,000 performances, it has become an American classic.

Photo by Phil Martin; Used with permission from Neworks Presentations, LLC

The plot is set in New York City during peak of the Great Depression. Annie, a spunky, redheaded orphan finds herself in the home of multi millionaire, Oliver Warbucks. While living at the mansion, Annie and her loyal dog, Sandy, charm Mr. Warbucks, his assistant, the president of the United States and his entire Cabinet. Linda Billington from the Anchorage Daily News said that the costumes and set design are reminiscent of the show’s origin as a comic strip, and the Chicago Tribune called the production “the best musical ever.” Jennifer Larson from Assembly Hall said that the production was a huge hit when it came to Champaign last year. Larson is excited to see that the touring schedule has allowed the production to come here during December. She hopes that the plot’s uplifting message will help people get excited about the holidays. “This is a timeless tale, and it continues to give a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope,” said Larson.

Larson thinks that the musical is very timely because of the country’s economic meltdown. The holiday’s gift giving traditions are being threatened because of people’s inability to make ends meet. She hopes that the production will be a good distraction from holiday stress and she hopes the story will inspire people to indulge in the holiday spirit despite the economy’s current state. “It delivers an appropriate and timely message considering the current state of economic affairs,” she said. Annie will be in town on Dec. 14. Tickets are on sale now at the Assembly Hall Box Office inside the Illini Union. They are also available on the Assembly Hall website, http://www.uofiassemblyhall.com.

briefbox

D

assembly hall 1800 S. First St., C TICKETS: $30-44 When: Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Commerical Success results in selling out Artists give up artistic integrity to make the big bucks by Alyssa Schoeneman Lady Gaga did WHAT!? Wearing WHAT!? Stars like Lady Gaga have refined their shock appeal more than their artistic talent, paving a road to fame that is highly criticized. These days, a large part of fame and commercial artistry is having good marketing tactics and giving the fans what they want. The question is — what do they want? Consider this: when you purchase a CD, what do you wish for? Do you hope that it sounds like the band or artist’s last CD or do you yearn for a new, fresh sound? If artists desire wide-scale

success, this duality in consumer expectations is a constant plague to the conscience. In the early stages of an artist’s career they are often developing a recognizable style, defining their personal aesthetic and growing an audience. For these artists, it is imperative to find a niche and to stick to it; experimentation in such an early phase of exposure can discourage potential fans from sticking with them for the long-term. Once an artist has tasted success, the trouble sets in. Should he or she continue to work in the same vein, crafting a product that may be

deemed too similar to previous creations? Or is it an opportunity for artistic growth? Many artists challenge themselves by adding new structural elements to their work, by enlisting collaborators or by integrating alternate mediums. Such experimentation is risky and can be ill-received, if an artist does not stay true to his or her roots. If done well, however, any of the above processes can launch an artist forward and increase his or her fan base. This raises the question of whether or not fame is the ultimate goal. Many artists are criticized by

their peers for “selling out”, for making work in the mainstream media that arguably undercuts the artistic value established by their previous work. Renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp was victimized by this notion after choreographing “Movin’ Out,” a Broadway musical set to the music of Billy Joel. Tharp decided to choreograph for the show in an effort to provide adequate salaries for her dancers, but her upright efforts were misinterpreted. Sometimes an artist just can’t get a break. Unless, of course, that artist is Lady Gaga and she’s dancing on crutches.

ILLINI UNION COURTYARD CAFÉ Getting you there. Fast.

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Accommodation for hearing impaired patrons is available by calling 244-8938 at least 7 days in advance of the event.

the217.com ††december 10 - 16, 2009

Footy pajamas > Snuggies

movie review

PG-13

3Favorites

UP in the air

★★★★★

Travel films by Zach Creer Easy Rider

Used with permission from Paramount Pictures

by Sarah Gorr The economic climate in Up in the Air is not unlike our own; companies are either downsizing or going under, people are losing their jobs and there seems to be no end in sight. If you’re wondering where the upside is in all of this, then enter Ryan Bingham (George Clooney). Ryan works for a company whose lifeblood is the failure of other companies; it’s his job to fire people when a boss can’t seem to do it himself. Happy with superficial connections and constant movement, Ryan’s life is baggage free. That is, until newcomer Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) has a revolutionary idea for the company that would make Ryan’s traveling days obsolete. Up in the Air examines what happens when we’re faced with the reality of our lives. What do we do when we finally take a minute to stop and really look at ourselves, at what we’ve become? The contrast of Ryan’s self-assurance and isolationism with Natalie’s youthful optimism, sensitivity and refusal to settle is enlightening. It’s this relationship that pushes Ryan to examine all others: his relationship with his sisters, his home, his job, his lover. Suddenly, Ryan isn’t so confident, and we watch as he struggles to understand where to go from here.

Clooney’s performance as Ryan is full of his typical charm, wit and likeability. It’s Clooney’s ability to humanize Ryan that keeps him from being seen as misanthropic or pathetic. It’s hard not to like Ryan. In fact, it’s much easier to dislike idealistic Natalie whose character lacks that easy-going air. Vera Farmiga is excellent as Alex Goran, Ryan’s lover who, as she so pointedly states at one point, is “just like [Ryan] only with a vagina.� In love with her on-theroad life, she is Ryan’s perfect match, where Natalie is his counterpoint. As Ryan changes, it’s these two women, grounded in their desires and needs, that help illustrate Ryan’s changing sensibilities. Of director/writer Jason Reitman’s films (Juno, Thank You For Smoking), this is by far his most successful. This story of a life thrown quite literally, “up in the air�, is the most grounded in reality. The sprinkling of nearly nameless soon-to-be-ex-employees (including Zach Galifianakis and J.K. Simmons) are every bit as impressive as Clooney himself, and it’s their multitude of reactions (everything from violent rage to sobs to suicidal tendencies) that really help bring home the reality of Ryan’s life. Up in the Air is Clooney at his best. It’s a brilliant story about moving forward at the point when it seems most impossible to do so. It is definitely a solid pick at the theatres this season.

A powerful representation of the southwest in the late ‘60s, Easy Rider manages to capture decade of ideologies in a few short hours. The movie is a must see for anyone who has interest in the hippie movement and its ramifications. Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda play motorcyclists on a trip across the country after a successful drug deal. Jack Nicholson is also featured as a lawyer the bikers pick up along the way. As a travel movie, Easy Rider shows a picturesque travel from LA to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This set of sceneries is a perfect background for a movie that changed its generation.

In Bruges

Colin Farrell plays a hit man who is sent to Bruges, Belgium for a contract. Yet, his mission is not quite what he expected. Bruges does not disappoint as a “fairy tale city�. It is filled with medieval buildings still intact and the charmingly narrow roads of a time before automobiles. The movie never feels like it relies too heavily on its environment to make the story work like other travel movies have a tendency to do. Plot wise, the ending sequence of events remains one of the best twists of the decade.

Carmike’s Stimulus Tuesdays: $1 Popcorn & $1 Drink ADVANCE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRECIOUS, AVATAR 3D & 2D, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS THE SQUEAKQUEL, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE OPERA AND BALLET SERIES

– SHOWTIMES FOR DEC 11-17 –

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG G (1:57) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:20

– 2:00 – 3:40 – 4:30 – 5:55 – 7:00 – 8:15 – 9:30 (10:30 Fri & Sat) INVICTUS PG13 (2:33) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:00 – 2:00 – 4:00 – 5:00 – 7:00 – 8:00 – 10:00 (11:00 Fri & Sat) THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND 3D PG (1:45) DLP Special Engagement with Special Pricing of $15.00 per person or a couple for $25.00 1:00 – 3:15 – 5:30 – 7:45 – 10:00 EVERYBODY’S FINE PG13 (2:00) DLP 1:45 – 4:00 – 7:00 – 9:35 (12:00 Fri & Sat) BROTHERS R (2:10) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 – 4:00 – 7:00 – 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) ARMORED PG13 (1:48) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:40 – 4:15 – 7:10 – 9:40 (12:00 Fri & Sat) THE NUTCRACKER BALLET NR (2:15) DLP 1:00 Sunday Only – Special Engagement with Special Pricing of $15.00 per person or a couple for $25.00 OLD DOGS PG (1:48) DLP 1:30 – 4:00 – 7:00 – 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) BOONDOCK SAINTS 2: ALL SAINTS DAY R (2:18) (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 – 4:05 – 7:00 – 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) NINJA ASSASSIN R (1:59) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:40 – 4:10 – 7:15 – 9:45 (12:00 Fri & Sat) FANTASTIC MR. FOX PG (1:47) DLP 1:45 – 4:15 – 7:30 – 9:45 (12:00 Fri & Sat) NO 1:45 SUNDAY ONLY THE BLIND SIDE PG13 (2:29) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:45 – 2:15 – 4:30 – 5:00 – 7:15 – 8:00 – 10:00 (11:00 Fri & Sat) NEW MOON PG13 (2:30) DLP 2:00 – 5:00 – 8:00 (11:00 Fri & Sat) PLANET 51 PG (1:51) DLP (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 – 7:15 2012 PG13 (2:58) DLP 1:30 – 4:45 – 8:00 (11:30 Fri & Sat) A CHRISTMAS CAROL 3D PG (1:56) DLP 3D SURCHARGE WILL APPLY/NO DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED (11:00 Sat & Sun) 1:30 – 4:15 – 7:00 – 9:30 THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS R (1:50) DLP 4:00 – 9:30 (12:00 Fri & Sat) OLIVIA: WINTER WONDERLAND G (1:26) DLP 11:00 Sat & Sun

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tv seasons of the decade

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Lost in Translation

Dexter: Season 2 by Katharine O’Brian When the first season of Dexter ended, it seemed that there would be no way to top the twisted surprises of that excellent season. America’s favorite serial killer had just killed his own brother to save his adopted sister. He had discovered secrets of his mysterious past and the events that shaped him. There didn’t seem to be that many more questions that needing answering. With the second season came new surprises, though. Dexter became the hunted, and he also had to look more closely at himself and at adopted father Harry, the man who shaped him. Season 2 of Dexter is one of the best of the last decade because of its ability to surprise and entertain. It’s exciting to watch as Dexter goes a

little more off the deep end as he indulges his “Dark Passenger� and has an affair with the creepy, but intriguing, Lila. Michael C. Hall’s acting is amazing, as is that of the entire cast. Also noteworthy is Keith Carradine as the Special Agent from the FBI, brought in to investigate the Butcher’s murders. Dexter is the sort of show that really should not have a long shelf life. How much can really be said about a serial killer who also tries to lead a normal life? Yet season after season, there are new twists #/50/. and turns — it never gets old or boring. The thing $2).+ that makes the second season so specialWITH PURCHASE is Dexter’s OF OZ BAG OF BUTTERY POPCORN transformation. He goes from a good son living by the code of his father to an independent man who makes his own rules, for better or for worse. /:

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Bill Murray plays the type of character he’s been playing a lot lately, a down on life 50-something, that was made famous in such movies as Rushmore and well, pretty much every Wes Anderson movie. This time he is trapped in Tokyo for a commercial shoot. He spends his nights drinking in his hotel bar, where he meets Scarlett Johansson. They begin an unexpectedly deep relationship. The movie excels in its ability to portray the alienation and culture shock living in a foreign country brings. As Sofia Coppola’s second film, Lost in Translation captures perfectly traveling to another country without stylistically glossing over the negative aspects of travel.

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buzz †â€

Food

&

Drink

satisfyingly sweet

Sweet Indulgences opens its doors once more

By Olivia Villarreal

A

fter eight years in business, Sue Kirby, former owner of Sweet Indulgences, has handed over her baking apron to new owner Missy Holste. On Monday, Dec. 7, Sweet Indulgences, located at 1121 Windsor Rd., C., had its grand reopening, offering new and old customers alike another chance to enjoy their fresh-baked treats. “I decided to keep this Bakery fairly the same, but with a touch of me,” said Holste. “I didn’t want to take away from its home-style ambiance. I wanted to keep the feeling of family and home, and the black and white photos of baking equipment remind me of my Grandma,” she explained. Holste is adding some of her own pastry creations to the menu as well to keep the bakery fresh and lively. When asked what was her personal favorite was out of the store’s offerings, she replied excitedly, “Almond Raspberry Frangipane Cake! Bursting with mouth-watering raspberries and oven-roasted almond filling, it’s one of my newest additions to Sweet Indulgences that is a must eat!” Her description of it is enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Since Holste was five years old, she has always loved baking. “My passion for baking definitely developed when I first started baking with my grandmother,” Holste reminisced. As she grew older, she decided to acquire a higher culinary education to continue pursuing her passion for baking. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelors degree in Restaurant Management and Business, Holste has held managerial positions at both Great Harvest and English Hedgerow in CU. While doing catering events for English Hedgerow, Holste started bumping into former Sweet Indulgences owner Kirby. When she found out the establishment was for sale, she knew it was the opportunity for her. “With every cake and pastry I bake, I put my heart and effort into it. I care about making delicious cakes and incorporating the best flavor in everything I bake,” Holste said. Having such a special connection with food, Holste knows what it feels like to have a craving satisfied and works to ensure her customers have the same experience, “All of my experience in baking and being a part of the food industry will help me better understand my customer’s needs,” she said, “If there is a cake or cookie you just have to have, Sweet indulgences can make it happen just for you.” The bakery itself is very cool, calm, and classy. As you walk into the shop, you can smell the sweet smell of chocolate cake baking in the oven mingling with the aroma of brewing coffee, a smell so alluring you can almost taste it. Inside the cake stand next to the cash register, you can see all the intricate icing swirls as if they

were spelling your name. The walls are frosted in black and white photos of old baking equipment, which gives Sweet Indulgences a very homey, comfortable quality. Softly lit tables along the windows offer a cozy and comfortable place for eating, chatting or studying. The new owner really believes in the healing power of food: “Delicious food brings people together. I give my customers a place to really call their own while they enjoy a delicious treat after a long day.” In addition to homemade desserts, the bakery also offers coffee from Champaign’s own Columbia Street Roastery and fresh smoothies. For those who are looking to indulge without breaking the bank, the shop offers big slices of cake for just $4 and a cup of coffee for $1.50 with free refills. The shop’s preceding reputation has really helped to get Holste off on the right foot in this tough economy. Sweet Indulgences has long been a community go-to for a special sugar fix. With the holidays coming up, the bakery’s reopening has come at the perfect time, “People are very excited about the reopening of the bakery, and they have already begun to place orders,” said Holste proudly. “When you just can’t figure out what to get for your friends or family, remember that people love eating sweets at Christmas!” she enticingly marketed. However, the location of the bakery also helps to spur business. “It’s very helpful to be located in a popular shopping location,” Holste admitted. “You can pick up flowers, wine, and a cake all in one day since everything is located nearby. I’m really excited to reopen such a sweet, convenient bakery.”

Five items worth indulging in: 1. Almond Raspberry Frangipane Cake

A pound cake with raspberry and almond filling. With a recommendation as expressive as Holste’s, it must be good. 2. Sour Cream Coffee Cake

A moist and lightly sweet vanilla cake with brown sugar filling, drizzled with vanilla glaze. As its name suggests, it’s perfect with a hot cup of coffee.

Cookoo for cocoa Dec. 12 is National Hot Cocoa Day by Jordan Ramos The weather has officially turned cold, the holiday season is finally upon us, and the very last thing anyone wants to do right now is study for finals. To better your mood during this stressful time, become more closely acquainted with Swiss Miss and celebrate National Hot Cocoa Day on Dec. 12. Discovered by the Mayans roughly 2000 years ago, cocoa comes from the seeds of theobroma cacao, a tropical evergreen tree that is native to South and Central Americas. Hot cocoa has since become popular in almost all cultures, whether it is the thick consistency mainly popular in Europe or the relatively thin version that Americans are partial to. Not only does hot cocoa taste sinfully delicious, it is a proven fact that cocoa and dark chocolate does your body well during this numbing Winter weather. Cacao beans have an extremely high number of antioxidants, which cleanse your body of harmful free radicals, they help improve blood vessel functions, and if you happen to develop a cough, a steaming mug of hot cocoa can help reduce that annoying tickle in the back of your throat. Additionally, if you can hardly keep your eyes open while studying for your most important final, start warming up the milk ­— chocolate is a great source of energy. If you would like to make your cup of cocoa a bit more interesting, you can add the ever popular marshmallows, mini or otherwise. Or you could also put some whipped cream on top, stir it up with a flavorful peppermint or cinnamon stick, or tipple it up with some Kahlua or Bailey’s Irish Cream. Whichever way you decide to go, it’s hard to believe you’ll end up disappointed. Try this festive hot cocoa recipe for a festive pick-me-up. Candy Cane Cocoa » 4 cups milk » 1 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped » 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed » 1 cup whipped cream » 4 small peppermint candy canes

3. Buttercream Chocolate Cake

Butter — good. Chocoloate — good. Together — absolutely sinful. This one is a classic and a chocolholic’s best friend. 4. Cinnamon Rolls

Holste’s cinnamon rolls are small, round, sticky, and just about divine when warm. 5. Espresso Bars

Bold flavors of dark chocolate and creamy espresso make these the perfect treat for the audacious sweet tooth.

buzz

Sweet tooth lovers can get some delicious baked treats at Champaign’s fresh, new bakery and espresso bar, Sweet Indulgence. All photos by James Kyung

In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted and smooth. Pour hot cocoa into four mugs, and garnish with whipped cream. Serve each with a candy cane stirring stick.

the217.com ††december 10 - 16, 2009

The man-whores always get me.

RANTS & RAVES Tri-Town Talk

Ăł



“Rants and Raves�is an anonymous space for your words, not ours. Post (anonymously) on the217.com’s Rant & Raves forum (find it on the home page) and we will put your scribblings in an upcoming issue. We reserve the right to refuse to publish any post on the basis of content.

Perhaps, the most thrilling prospect of life after graduation is that I will not have to see an obscene amount of Northface and Uggs everywhere I go.

Ăł

Someday you’ll miss them. But this is another reason not to go to grad school.

M

I don’t know why you’re under the impression that people don’t wear these things after college.

Ăł

Much like a cappella groups, the number of either of these fashion choices is significanly decreased once you exit the college environment. When you get to the real world, let me know if I am wrong.

M

Dear mammoth of a neighbor, I hate you. Yes, I’m well aware ‘hate’ is an awful word to use, but I have no choice, especially when I can’t f**king sleep when I need to. I hope to find solace when you’re sick with the flu and bed-ridden.

Ăł

Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches make life worth living. Not only that. I can now postpone massive grocery shopping for a week and save money by subsiding off of nothing but stuffing and pure, tryptophan-filled, meaty goodness. That is all.

December 10th ONLY

One Day Tax Holiday Pay no sales tax when you buy a new Mac. *while supplies last; see site or store for details.

Ăł

This might be a little selfish, but I love hanging out with people who are worse at stuff than I am. I’ve never been bitter about being outdone, but it is quite refreshing being the awesome one for once. Oh yeah, this is all referring to playing Rock Band.

Ăł

I watched OVER 48 hours of Law & Order (the original and still the best) this Thanksgiving break. Much like It’s A Wonderful Life for others, L&O marathons are part of the holiday season for me, and I don’t think I could properly get into the spirit without them.

Ăł

I don’t have a real problem sitting through job interviews when I’m the interviewer rather than the interviewee. They can be boring, but about one out of 10 people is really attractive and that makes them all worth it.

Buy an iPod, get a free case. *while supplies last; see site or store for details.

M

It’s a Wonderful Life may be the most depressing movie of all time. I will never understand why people think it’s an uplifting movie to watch during the holidays. Come to think of it, most holiday movies are depressing. A Christmas Carol is just terrifying. The Bishop’s Wife is mostly about infidelity and how sad an angel’s life is. Home Alone always slightly disturbed me. A Christmas Story - come on, little boys with guns and a mean, old Santa does not scream holiday spirit. Please show me a Christmas movie that doesn’t make me want to cry!

Ăł M

Find more deals and gift ideas at

www.illiniapplecenter.com/udays

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is just about the only Christmas movie I can stomach anymore.

Sometimes I’m a pedestrian, and sometimes I’m a biker. But when I’m a pedestrian, I don’t walk on the bike path. Those yellow lines on the pavement by the sidewalk are for bikers. Pedestrians, please refrain from walking on the bike path. I’ve ran into one person and have had plenty of other close encounters. When I shout, “Watch out!� I hope you’re listening.

512 E. Green Street, In The Heart of Campus www.illiniapplecenter.com 217.337.3116

Store Hours: Mon–Sat: 9am–6pm buzz †â€

MUSIC

A season of sound

Musicmentalist

Coming to a close with the Fall Semester Showdown

Playing for “The Man” by Emily Carlson

by Amanda Shively As the semester winds down and students begin to spend more time at libraries, coffee shops and any 24-hour outlet that provides a form of caffeine intake, Urbana’s Canopy Club gears up for another edition of the Fall Semester Showdown. Held over three consecutive evenings from Thursday, Dec. 10 through Saturday, Dec. 12, the showdown celebrates both well-established locals and up-and-coming student acts. The 16 performing bands represent a wide spectrum of genres, from the folk-tinged multi-instrumentalists of World’s First Flying Machine to the appropriately named The Skalalitabs. While the Fall Semester Showdown may seem competative with its boxing-themed aesthetics and related title, the series of events is less about the bands vying for audience attention, and more an opportunity to bring a large group of CU artists into one location at the Canopy Club. Scheduled act Kilroy et. al plans to use the event as both a “hello” and “goodbye” for various aspects of the group. Guitarist/vocalist Ed Rice explained, “We’re planning on debuting both a few new tunes and our new lead guitarist. Our musical saw player is moving in a few weeks, so this will sadly be our last show with a musical saw. Our last song will feature some sweet singing saw melodies.” With plans including a “crowd pleasing cover” from Shark Bandit, and (in jest) a “note-for-note, step-bystep recreation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar,” from Withershins, the eve-

ning is a chance for CU bands to present their top material surrounded by peers. Though there is a heavy presence of bands featuring University students, the showdown is not restricted to only college acts, showcasing a strong number of alumni and resident groups at Saturday’s closing event. For some, the showdown is one of their first opportunities to present their act to a large CU crowd. “As a new band, the highlight of our semester was definitely when we formed and performing at our first shows. We performed for the first time at the Illini Union and since then we’ve had a great time improving with each new show that we play,” shared Audiac Arrest, another of the 16 performing acts and one of the newest to the scene. Help bring the semester — and your studying — to a close at the Fall Semester Showdown. Thursday, Dec. 10 features Empyrean Soul, Audiac Arrest, Arkansas Dogjaw, Kilroy et. al and Jet W. Lee, Friday, Dec. 11 features Roses and Sake, Butterfly Assassins, The Withershins, Neoga Blacksmith, The Cellar Door and The Skalalitabs, and Saturday, Dec. 12 features World’s First Flying Machine, Zach May and

Fist fights and highlights

Illustration by Matt Harlan

The Maps, Hot Cops, On Again Off Again and Shark Bandit. In accordance with prior shows, Thursday’s performance begins at 10:00 p.m., Friday’s performance begins at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday’s performance begins at 9:00 p.m. Each evening has a $7 cover.

Checking in with Fall Semester Showdown artists

by Amanda Shively buzz spoke with several of the Fall Semester Showdown artists about the past semester and showcase plans. » buzz: What has been the highlight of your fall semester thus far? Shark Bandit: Our highlight of the fall semester was going to Milwaukee to open for New Found Glory. Kilroy et. al: Our fall semester has been swell. The band has filled out from two to four primary members now. We’ve been putting on house shows at our house once a month that have been many fun times as well. Audiac Arrest: As a new band, the highlight of our semester was definitely when we formed and performing at our first shows. We performed for the first time at the Illini Union and

10

buzz

since then we’ve had a great time improving with each new show that we play. » buzz: What do you have planned for your set at the Fall Semester Showdown? Shark Bandit: For the Fall Semester Showdown, we don’t want to give away our set list, but you can expect four originals and at least one cover that is a crowd favorite. Kilroy et. al: We’re planning on debuting both a few new tunes and our new lead guitarist. Our musical saw player is moving in a few weeks, so this will sadly be our last show with a musical saw. Our last song will feature some sweet singing saw melodies! Audiac Arrest: We’ve worked hard all semester to hit the ground running with our music, and we are excited to showcase all of the hard work

that we put into it these past few months. It’s a good feeling that after starting from scratch, we worry about having too much music. We’ll perform six songs — each of which are moderately lengthy — including the Nirvana song “In Bloom.” » buzz: If you could fight any historical figure, living or dead, who would it be and why? Shark Bandit: As for a famous historical figure, we would fight Hitler because there is a rumor that he did not like rock music. Kilroy et. al: Rasputin. He was ever so mysterious. Audiac Arrest: Audiac Arrest and its members do not wish to display or support violent behaviors of any sort, but we would like to meet Shannon or Kurt.

The music industry is just that ­— an industry. Record labels are in it to make money, and the bands on them will do what they’re told so they can make it too. Bands might argue that they won’t “sell out,” but when it comes down to it, if they want to continue doing what they love they have to make a living out of it, and to make a living out of it they have to buy into the system. It’s a vicious cycle. This makes it easy to look at the music industry as jaded because actual talent seems to be brushed aside when it comes to what major labels are looking for in the bands they sign. Any decent musician will tell you that bands like Fall Out Boy and Green Day are not in the position they’re in because of their ability to play the most progressive, technical music. How much does talent actually have to do with “making” it in the music industry? The first thing to do is define your idea of making it. Does it require selling out amphitheatres nationwide like Blink182’s reunion tour, or it is enough to just have that one hit that makes a few heads turn at your name, namely someone like Phantom Planet. This seems to be where different types of labels come in. It’s easier to see real musical talent — different time signatures, incredibly complicated riffs, challenging vocal ranges, etc. — on independent labels. Look at the level of difficulty, creativity and originality coming out of some of these labels. In Champaign alone, Polyvinyl Record Co. has signed bands like American Football, Owen and Braid, all of which are incredibly impressive bands musically — and that’s just in this town. Every once in a while, you’ll end up with a band like Radiohead or Death Cab for Cutie that is extremely talented, gets signed to an independent label, catches the public’s attention, ultimately ends up on a major label and becomes a huge act. Of course, there are always plenty of exceptions to the rule. Look at singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for example, who is not only extremely talented, but also extremely successful. She writes or cowrites nearly everything she performs, plays pretty darn good guitar and attracts fans from across genre borders. Maybe it’s desire, maybe it’s ambition, or maybe it’s just plain luck. Maybe it’s a whole lot more of being in the right place at the right time, writing what appeals to just the right person, and crossing your fingers and going for it. It comes down to one thing — whether bands are writing for themselves and for the sake of music, or whether they’re writing music to get signed. Whether or not Green Day is hard to play musically, you can’t deny that “Longview” might be the catchiest song ever written. So where does that leave the music consumers of the world? It leaves us in the hands of media conglomerates, label executives, and the “bigger man.” If nothing else, we can rest assured knowing that they’ll keep the catchy tunes coming, and hopefully talent will ensue at its own pace.

the217.com   december 10 - 16, 2009

I was looking for my key the other day. I got in the shower and it fell out of nowhere.

getting Carley Wolf to know ...

and The Howls

I saved you

the set lisT

by Justine Chan

A Woman’s Place Benefit at the Cowboy Monkey by Todd Hunter

Used with permission from the band.

Carley Wolf is both adorable and incredibly talented. Her voice has the plunge of high pure sweetness and her music is a captivating volcano of the crazy, the witty, the catchy, the eclectic, the honest and the ineffable. With the recent release of her album Set Sail, she and her Howls are themselves setting sail from Austin, Texas, for the first time as a fivesome, on a tour across the country to share their music and see the world. » buzz: What is the story behind your band name, Carley Wolf and The Howls? Is that your real name? Carley Wolf: Yes, it is my real name. I chose “The Howls” because howls are my favorite sound in the whole world, and it just seemed to fit. » buzz: You play a number of instruments, including the banjo and the mandolin. How are you able to incorporate each of their sounds into your music? CW: When I was recording, I was able to layer the different instruments in the songs and that was neat, but it is so much different when we’re playing live. My bass player, Gary James, can actually play guitar as well. During the show, we switch off so that sometimes I’m playing guitar, and sometime he will and then I can play all my different instruments. It works out nicely that way. I’d actually really like to play piano too. I have a piano at home, just no keyboard to take to shows. » buzz: How would you describe your sound? CW: My sound is a mixture, I would say, of American roots music to jazz to folk to Appalachian music to gypsy music. I try to blend it all in a unique way so that sometimes it sounds like

pop, and other times it has a darker, even classical sound. » buzz: You have played with other bands in the past. How is it different for you now that you’re with The Howls? CW: It’s a really exciting time for me because I have my first album out and this is going to be our first big tour as a band together. For the first time, I’m in charge, and I love it — it is like my baby. It is such a dream come true to have my own band playing all my own music because I’d always wanted to do it my way. In the other bands, I was playing a lot of old time music but now, our music is a lot closer to me in that I feel I can be so much more invested in the music and the creative process. » buzz: How is the tour going? Do you have anything special in store for the Champaign concert? CW: Right now, we’re still in the preparation stages — getting merchandise and contacting radio stations, trying to get the word out, basically. The past month we had a bunch of local gigs in Austin and to be touring outside of Texas is awesome. Do we have anything particularly special for the Champaign show? I guess just come and find out! I know we’ll be selling a lot of handmade stuff — I’m a very handmade person. There are screen printed tees, little zines that I’ve made, and other silly stuff like that. Be sure to catch Carley Wolf and The Howls on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 8:00 p.m. at Mike ‘n’ Molly’s. Carley is joined by special guests Hathaways and Megan Johns.

Amid the good news that Illinois has made more than $120,000 in back payments to A Woman’s Place, numerous Champaign County concert venues are continuing with benefit shows for the domestic violence shelter. What started out as a Snowsera show saw Mike Ingram & Kayla Brown of Darling Disarm, Tricia Scully, Carl Hauck, and Cary Judd added to the bill, although Judd was unable to appear due to car trouble in Arkansas. The crowd was young, large, and lively, with drinks flowing freely and vocals hard to hear. This was not a problem except for cover-

age of fine sets by University of Illinois alumni Hauck and Scully. Scully, whose college band Tall Tale broke up last year, will be back next month and ready to rejoin the local scene. Brown and Ingram had impeccable chemistry, and although Brown fronts their band together, Ingram took the reins on rarities such as “Keeping Me Down” and 1961 number one hit “Runaround Sue.” Snowsera had their best show here in a long time, cruising through mostly new material that drew forth the audience. “Another Trip” best captured the new sound, but there was not a dud in the bunch.

» Carl Hauck 1. Milt the Stilt 2. Coffee on the Rocks 3. Northern Lights [Bowerbirds] 4. Wrong About Distance 5. Terms of Endearment 6. Martial Riesling 7. Bleeding Bells [Delta Spirit] 8. Warren

2. So It Goes 3. Volcano [Damien Rice] 4. The Wire 5. I Want You Back [The Jackson Five] 6. Keeping Me Down 7. Runaround Sue [Dion] 8. Oh! Darling [The Beatles]

» Tricia Scully 1. It Was Kind of Cold 2. Apology [Tall Tale] 3. The Hall Monitors 4. Train Song [Feist + Ben Gibbard] 5. Creeper, Not a Keeper 6. Marry Me [St. Vincent] 7. Curse Me! » Mike Ingram & Kayla Brown 1. Crazy [Gnarls Barkley]

Todd Hunter hosts WEFT Sessions and Local 901, two hours of local music every Monday at 10 PM on WEFT 90.1 FM.

» Snowsera 1. Chase the Rabbit 2. 24 3. Push & Pull 4. Another Trip 5. Sun Meets Sea 6. Marksman 7. In This World 8. Crazed 9. Stop! Listen. 10. Blinding Light 11. Remission 12. Come to Me

QUICK PICK ALBUM review ARTIST:

Rihanna

Album:

Rated R

Indeed the example of a good girl gone bad, Rihanna has demonstrated a mental, physical and musical growth with her latest album, Rated R. After being assaulted by formerboyfriend Chris Brown, it is clear to see that this album is filled with the emotions and reactions to being the victim of domestic violence. Personally, this is my favorite album that she has put out thus far. It is gruesome, filled with analogies, and demonstrates her versatility as an artist. She touched me with this album, and it was almost as though I could feel her pain. — Isra Shatat

by buzz Music Staff

ARTIST:

Relient K

Album:

Forget and Not Slow Down

After the “Sadie Hawkins Dance” ended and they lost their “Mood Ring,” Relient K grew up. Their latest album Forget and Not Slow Down shows a great deal of maturity for the Christian-rock band. There is a lot of jazz in the record, especially in “Candlelight” and “Over It,” but also a lot of solid rock and roll and less pop. Of course, what would a Relient K album be without a few songs reminiscent of their old, screaming-teenage-girl-pop-punk days? A few songs, including title track “Forget and Not Slow Down,” have the same kind of feel as what came off of Mmhmm in 2004. Regardless, the record is a good collection of fiery and wholesome music that is definitely worth checking out. — Emily Carlson buzz

11

CALENDAR

DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2009

Complete listing available at

THE217.COM/CALENDAR

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO THE CALENDAR: Online: forms available at the217.com/calendar • E-mail: send your notice to calendar@the217.com • Fax: 337-8328, addressed to the217 calendar Snail mail: send printed materials via U.S. Mail to: the217 calendar, Illini Media, 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 • Call: 531-1456 if you have a question or to leave a message about your event.

THURSDAY 10 live music Carley Wolf and the Howls with Hathaways and Megan Johns Mike ‘n’ Molly’s, C, 8pm Fall Semester Showdown Canopy Club, U, 9pm, $5-$7 Blues Jam: The Sugar Prophets Cowboy Monkey, C, 9pm Geovanti’s Live Band Geovanti’s, C, 10pm

dj Country Night with DJ Halfdead and Free Line Dance Lessons from Scotty Van Zant Radmaker’s Rock & Roll Tavern, Tolono, 8pm No cover before 8pm. DJ Belly Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm Stitches Goth Night with DJ Rickbats, DJ Kannibal The Clark Bar, C, 10pm

concert

CG Productions presents RockStar Karaoke featuring Karaoke Opie Bentley’s Pub, C, 9:30pm CG Productions presents RockStar Karaoke featuring DJ Switch Fireside Bar and Grill, C, 10pm

stage Fishing with Dynamite: An Evening of Sketch Comedy Canopy Club, U, 7pm, $3

volunteer Campaign for Better Health Care Lincoln Building, C, 9am Volunteers needed to work on an informational mailing to our members around Illinois about health care reform. UC Books to Prisoners work session Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, U, 2pm

Dance Concert: Odissi, kids & families Classical Dance of India Spurlock Museum, U, 7pm Preschool Story Time Urbana Free Library, U, karaoke 9:45am DJ Hollywood Karaoke ARTfusion It’ll Do 2, C, 8pm Douglass Branch Library, DJ Bange C, 4pm Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., U, Write On! 8:30pm Urbana Free Library, U, CG Productions presents 4pm RockStar Karaoke featurseniors ing Crazy Craig Senator’s Bar & Grill, SaMinds In Motion voy, 9pm First United Methodist Liquid Courage Karaoke Church of Champaign, C, Memphis on Main, C, 9pm 10am

lgbt

White Trash Rodeo Memphis on Main, C, 9pm Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor with Arkansas Dogjaw Mike ‘n’ Molly’s, C, 9pm Corn Desert Ramblers mind/body/spirit Bentley’s Pub, C, 10pm Vinyasa Flow Yoga Mistletoe A Go Go Classes with Amanda Cowboy Monkey, C, Reagan 10pm, $5 Amara Yoga & Arts, U, Featuring The Love Me $12 Nots and The Hounds Lunchtime Yoga at Amara Below. Yoga & Arts dj Amara Yoga & Arts, U, $12 Top 40 Dance with DJ Ashtanga Prep Class at Substitute Amara Yoga and Arts Chester Street, C, 9pm, $3 Amara Yoga & Arts, U, DJ Delayney 5:30pm, $12 Highdive, C, 10pm, $5 Free Acupuncture Clinic DJ LEGTWO and DJ Belly For Veterans and Families Radio Maria, C, 10pm Urbana-Champaign DJs Ian Procell and Reflex Friends Meeting, U, 6pm Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm Yin Yoga Class at Amara Latin Fever at Clark Bar Yoga and Arts The Clark Bar, C, 9pm Amara Yoga & Arts, U, No cover before 11pm. 7pm, $12 Live and Let Live GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation, C, 6:30pm

A rock musical about an East German transgendered singer and her band The Angry Inch. Armory Free Theatre, C, 9pm & midnight

mind/body/spirit Yoga Classes Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, C, 12pm Happy Hour Flow Yoga Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 5:30pm, $12

SATURDAY 12 live music

Dinner with Panache Jim Gould Restaurant, C, 5pm Desafinado with Bate Collado Canopy Club, U, 6pm, $7 UI Jam Band Bentley’s Pub, C, 6pm Eva Hunter The Clark Bar, C, 8pm Slim Skinny and The karaoke Bunkhouse Buckaroos FRIDAY 11 CG Productions presents Bentley’s Pub, C, 8:30pm RockStar Karaoke featur- Renegade live music ing Crazy Craig Memphis on Main, C, Appy Hour & Live Music Senator’s Bar & Grill, Sa9pm at Silvercreek voy, 9pm Fall Semester Showdown Silvercreek, U, 5:30pm Karaoke with the Outlaw Canopy Club, U, 9pm, $7 Martin Roemisch Quartet D.R. Diggers, C, 9pm New Riders of the Golden Bentley’s Pub, C, 6pm Dragon Karaoke with Maize Road Song Paul Faber Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., U, The Clark Bar, C, 6:30pm CJ Dane’s, Tolono, 9pm 9pm, $3 Fall Semester Showdown CG Productions presents Vanattica, Steeleater, and Canopy Club, U, 7pm, $7 RockStar Karaoke Withnail Kilborn Alley Blues Band Geo’s, U, 9pm Cowboy Monkey, C, Po’ Boys, U, 9pm, $4 9:30pm, $5 stage Chrissy Corson Trio dj Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., Hedwig and the Angry U, 9pm Inch DJ Hollywood

Free

DURING FINALS WEEK DECEMBER 13-18

PICK YOUR PRICE BOWLING I get distracted while bowling - $2.60/game/person* I came here to BOWL! - $16/hour/lane* *Shoe rental NOT included THE PLACE TO PLAY AT U OF I! www.union.illinois.edu/funspots/recroom

12

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karaoke Dragon Karaoke with Paul Faber CJ Dane’s, Tolono, 9pm CG Productions presents RockStar Karaoke featuring Matt Fear Senator’s Bar & Grill, Savoy, 9pm

stage

bag or case with purchase of guitar expires 12/26/09

Details at...

www.corsonmusic.com 217-352-1477

ONGOING EVENTS SPRINGER CULTURAL CENTER ART EXHIBITION SERIES Springer Cultural Center, C. Featuring work by artists including Alberto Aguilar, Ryan Gray, and Michael Fuerst.

COMMUNITY Asian American Cultural Center, U. 8 a.m. A selected collection of photographs depicting the Midwestern Asian American identity.

TOYS FOR TOTS TOY DRIVE Bentley’s Pub, C. 11 a.m. Each new, unwrapped toy brought in will enter you in a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate to Bentley’s and a dinner for four including a bottle of wine at Carmon’s. The drawing will be held at Bentley’s at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Playshop for Kids Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 10am, $75 for six week session Survival Day Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Homer, 2pm, $2-$5 Spanish Story Time Urbana Free Library, U, 2:30pm Parent Date Night Savoy Recreational Center, Savoy, 5:30pm, $8-$13

Emerald Rum Blind Pig Co., The, C, 6pm Live music at Carmon’s Carmon’s Restaurant, C, 6:30pm

dj Patio Party Cowboy Monkey, C, 5pm Country Western Dance Independent Order of Odd Fellows Arthur Lodge 742, U, 5pm, $2

Hedwig and the Angry Inch A rock musical about an karaoke East German transgendered singer and her band mind/body/spirit Rock Band Sundays The Angry Inch. Tarot Readings by Jace Hosted by MC Remy Armory Free Theatre, C, Hoppes Bentley’s Pub, C, 8pm 10pm Chester Street, C, 10pm, $5

volunteer UC Books to Prisoners work session Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, U, 2pm

kids & families Fairies and Fairy Houses

CORSON Music

TAKE A BREAK FROM STUDYING....

ILLINI UNION REC ROOM

It’ll Do 2, C, 9pm Hip Hop at Bradley’s II Bradley’s II, C, 9pm, $5 Kosmo at Soma Soma Ultralounge, C, 10pm Saturday Night Throwdown featuring DJ Mertz Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm Dance Pop Chester Street, C, 10pm, $3 DJ Tugs Highdive, C, 10pm, $5 DJ Tim Williams Highdive, C, 11pm No cover for students before 11pm, $5 cover after.

open mic

SUNDAY 13 live music Dinner with Panache Jim Gould Restaurant, C, 5pm Brunch with Panache Jim Gould Restaurant, C, 11am

Anything Goes Open Mic Night with Jeremy Harper Memphis on Main, C, 8:30pm

movies Pizza, Pitcher, and a Movie Canopy Club, U, 6pm

game-playing

CG Productions presents Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., RockStar Karaoke featur- U, 9pm ing Matt Fear dj Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm open mic Hillbilly Humpday with stage Open Stage for Bands/ DJ Halfdead mind/body/spirit Musicians Zoo Improv at Indi Go Radmaker’s Rock & Roll Vinyasa Flow Yoga Memphis on Main, C, Gallery Tavern, Tolono, 8pm Classes with Amanda 8pm Indi Go Art Gallery, C, Weekly Top 40 Reagan 9pm, $2 Chester Street, C, 9pm stage Amara Yoga & Arts, U, Physical Challenge Dance 1pm, $12 Annie The National Tour game-playing Night Prenatal Yoga with Tami Assembly Hall, C, Trivia Dinner Canopy Club, U, 9pm Mor 7:30pm, $30-$44 Canopy Club, U, 6pm DJ LEGTWO Amara Yoga & Arts, U, Monday Night Improv Boltini TNT with Cara Boltini Lounge, C, 9pm 5:15pm, $12 Courtyard Cafe — Illini Maurizi DJ A-Ron Union, U, 8pm Boltini Lounge, C, 7pm Highdive, C, 10pm miscellaneous WPGU presents Trivia I Love the ‘90s game-playing Pearl Harbor Day ReDiner hosted by Fishing Soma Ultralounge, C, membrance Ceremony Trivia with Evan and With Dynamite 10pm Lincoln Square Village, Monte Canopy Club, U, 7pm Tango Night with DJ Joe U, 2pm Bentley’s Pub, C, 7pm Grohens literary Board Game Night with Cowboy Monkey, C, 8pm classes & workshops DJ Casanova Red Herring Fiction Swing Dance W. African Drum Classes Radio Maria, C, 10:30pm Workshop Illini Union, U, 9:30pm Capoeira Academy, C, Channing-Murray FounWeekly Salsa Night kids & families 4pm, $12-$15 dation, U, 7:30pm Cowboy Monkey, C, 10pm West African Dance O Baby! Physical Challenge Classes with Djibril Champaign Public Library, volunteer Canopy Club, U, 10pm Camara C, 10:30am, 11:15am UC Books to Prisoners karaoke Channing-Murray Founwork session mind/body/spirit dation, U, 7pm, $10-$12 Urbana-Champaign InCG Productions presents Lunchtime Yoga at Amara dependent Media Center, RockStar Karaoke featurmonday 14 Yoga & Arts U, 7pm ing DJ Switch Amara Yoga & Arts, U, The Corner Tavern, Monlive music kids & families $12 ticello, 8pm Oddmusic Convergence Ashtanga/Mysore Babies’ Lap Time The Legendary Karaoke December ‘09 Classes Urbana Free Library, U, Night with The Outlaw Urbana-Champaign Inde- Lincoln Square Village, U, 9:45am White Horse Inn, C, 9pm pendent Media Center, U, 7am, $12 Story Time “G” Force Karaoke/DJ 7:30pm, $5-$10 Champaign Public Library, every Wednesday at Fat One Dollar Wild Montuesday 15 C, 6:30pm City days Fat City Bar & Grill, C, live music mind/body/spirit Canopy Club, U, 9pm 10pm Monday Night Live The Piano Man Lunchtime Yoga at Amara open mic Boltini Lounge, C, Canopy Club, U, 9pm Yoga & Arts 10pm Corn Desert Ramblers Amara Yoga & Arts, U, Open mic at Green St. Mayhew The Traitor Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., $12 Green St. Cafe, C, 8pm Memphis on Main, C, U, 9pm Slow Flow Yoga Open Stage Comedy 10:30pm Amara Yoga & Arts, U, Night dj 5:30pm, $12 Memphis on Main, C, dj Retro Night Tarot Card Readings 9pm Industrial Night: DJ Chester Street, C, 9pm Carmon’s Restaurant, C, Open-Mic Night SorceryKid presents 5:30pm, $15 Radio Maria, C, 10:30pm karaoke Nekromancy Ashtanga Yoga Class at stage Chester Street, C, 9pm, MCJS Karaoke Amara Yoga and Arts $2 American Legion Post 24, Amara Yoga & Arts, U, Zoo Improv at The Iron ‘80s Night C, 7:30pm 7pm, $12 Post Highdive, C, 10pm Liquid Courage Karaoke Iron Post, U, 8pm, $4 Maniac Mondays Memphis on Main, C, wednesday 16 kids & families Cowboy Monkey, C, 9pm 4pm CG Productions presents live music Storyshop at the Branch RockStar Karaoke featur- Donnie Heitler Douglass Branch Library, karaoke ing Crazy Craig Great Impasta, U, 6pm C, 10:30am MCJS Karaoke Geo’s, U, 9pm Traditional Irish Music at classes & workshops American Legion Post 24, Paul Faber hosts Dragon Bentley’s Pub C, 7:30pm Karaoke Bentley’s Pub, C, 7pm Mastery of ConsciousCG Productions presents The Clark Bar, C, 9pm Dave Cooper and Joni ness: How to become a RockStar Karaoke featur- CG Productions presents Dreyer stronger force for good in ing Matt Fear RockStar Karaoke featur- Senator’s Bar & Grill, Sathe world Mike ‘n’ Molly’s, C, ing DJ Switch voy, 8pm School of Metaphysics, U, 10pm Bentley’s Pub, C, 9:30pm Caleb Cook 7:30pm, $20 per week Trivia Night at The Blind Pig Brewery The Blind Pig Brewery, C, 7pm

Acoustic Karaoke with Steve Meadows Bentley’s Pub, C, 10pm

buz z ’s WEEK AHEAD

Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor Mike ‘n Molly’s 105 N. Market St., C. Friday, Dec. 11 9 p.m. Free Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor is a band out of Detroit that I randomly heard for the first time on my friend’s iPod. When I heard they were coming here to play, I was more than happy to agree to go see them with said friend. I don’t really know how to describe them, but they’re edgy and cool — chilling at Mike ‘n Molly’s with a beer and listening to them will be a great unwind after I’ve gotten through this awful week! — Maggie Carrigan, Food & Drink Editor

Bah Humbug Productions & Parkland College presents A Christmas Carol Parkland College Theatre 400 West Bradley Ave., C. Dec. 4 - Dec. 20 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. $18 Adults $12 Seniors and Students $8 Children under 12 Bah Humbug Productions & Parkland College will bring in the holiday season with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and I can’t wait to experience this classic tale with the community. I’ve also heard this year’s production introduces new characters and even more special effects! — Abby Wilson, Arts Editor

Mistletoe A Go Go presents The Love Me Nots and Hounds Below Cowboy Monkey 6 E. Taylor St., C. Friday, Dec. 11 10 p.m. $5 After speaking with The Love Me Nots’ Nicole Laurenne, I am fully convinced that I need to head out to the Cowboy Monkey on Friday, Dec. 11 for the Mistletoe A Go Go show. I am, in fact, going to judge a book by its cover and say that part of my attraction towards the group is their wicked sense of style and from the videos I watched online I can tell the band doesn’t just play, they put on a show. — Amanda Shively, Music Editor

Fall Seme ster Showdown The Canopy Club 708 S. Goodwin Ave., U. Friday, Dec. 11 9 p.m. $7 Who doesn’t love local music? I’ll tell you who ­ — jerks, jamokes and jackasses. Granted, I’ve never heard of any of these bands, but I’m sure some of them are good and fit my finely tuned musical tastes. This is going to be a good time, and introducing yourself to new bands can never be a bad thing. Unless that band is Nickelback. — Matt Carey, Music & TV Editor

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CU HOLIDAY EVENTS ∆CHAMPAIGN-URBANA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: THE CUSO HOLIDAY CONCERT Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, U. $31 $28 seniors $5 students

Dec. 10

7:30 p.m.

∆VRINER’S CANDY CANE MAKING Jim Gould Restaurant, C.

Dec. 10 & 11

Dec. 14 - 18

11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

∆BONEYARD POTTERY HOLIDAY SHOW

∆A CHRISTMAS CAROL Parkland College Theatre, C. and seniors $8 youth

Dec. 11-13

7 p.m.

$18

$12 students

∆AMARA YOGA & ARTS HOLIDAY PARTY

∆OPTIMIST CHRISTMAS TREE SALE

∆THE TONS O’ FUN BAND’S 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW

∆HOLIDAY GIFT WRAPPING Market Place Shopping Center, C. 8 a.m. Volunteers are needed to wrap holiday gifts at Market Place Mall during the holiday season. Shoppers make a small donation to have their packages wrapped, and the money goes to Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County.

buzz

The Hillel Foundation The Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen Center for Jewish Life, C. Dec. 11 3:45 p.m. Get in the Hanukkah spirit with maccabbee mocktails, Hillel community candle lighting, dreidels, gelt and more.

Boneyard Pottery, C. 12 p.m. Featuring new work by Michael Schwegmann, Gary Beaumont, John and Charlie Sweitzer, and Patty Lindbloom. Country Fair Shopping Center, C. Dec. 10 1 p.m. The Champaign-Urbana Optimist Club is holding their annual Christmas tree sale to raise funds for youth related programs and activities throughout the area.

14

∆CHANUKKAH HAPPY HOUR

Amara Yoga & Arts, U. Dec. 11 7 p.m. Featuring cookies, cider, tea and wine to celebrate the holidays.

Virginia Theatre, C.

Dec. 11

7:30 p.m.

$10

$5 children

∆HOLIDAY SECOND SATURDAY STORY TIME Urbana Free Library, U. Dec. 12 11 a.m. For children of all ages with an adult.

∆LINCOLN SQUARE VILLAGE HOLIDAY MARKET Lincoln Square Village, U., Dec. 12, 8 a.m.

5pm

Krannert Uncorked // Marquee

7:30pm

Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra: The CUSO Holiday Concert // CUSO Th Dec 17

5pm

Krannert Uncorked with the D.R. Dixie Band // Marquee

Fr Dec 18

CenTerCheCks

10am

Dance for Parkinson’s Disease // Marquee

No long lines, no disappointed glances, no exchanges: CenterChecks make shopping easy. These gift certificates never expire and can buy coffee with a muffin at Intermezzo, silk scarves at The Promenade, a smooth cocktail at the Stage 5 Bar, the best seats in the house at the Ticket Office, and everything else you’ll find at the Center. Treat yourself or give the gift that everyone can enjoy.

C A L L 3 3 3 . 6 2 8 0 s 1. 8 0 0 . K C P A T I X

Corporate Power Train Team Engine

Marquee performances are supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council—a state agency that recognizes Krannert Center in its Partners in Excellence Program.

40 North and Krannert Center—working together to put Champaign County’s culture on the map.

Find your missing piece in today’s Daily Illini or at www.dailyillini.com

Kr annert Center for the Performing arts

Th Dec 10

Puzzled about your world?

This week

the217.com   december 10 - 16, 2009

Today at dinner I dropped my phone into my mashed potatoes.

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Classifieds Place an Ad: 217 - 337 - 8337 Deadline: 2 p.m. Tuesday for the next Thursday’s edition. Index Employment 000 Services 100 Merchandise 200 Transportation 300 Apartments 400 Other Housing/Rent 500 Real Estate for Sale 600 Things To Do 700 Announcements 800 Personals 900

• PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD! Report errors immediately by calling 337-8337. We cannot be responsible for more than one day’s incorrect insertion if you do not notify us of the error by 2 pm on the day of the first insertion. • All advertising is subject to the approval of the publisher. The Daily Illini shall have the right to revise, reject or cancel, in whole or in part, any advertisement, at any time. • All employment advertising in this newspaper is subject to the City of Champaign Human Rights Ordinance and similar state and local laws, making it illegal for any person to cause to be published any advertisement which expresses limitation, specification or discrimination as to race, color, mental handicap, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, prior arrest or conviction record, source of income, or the fact that such person is a student. • Specification in employment classifications are made only where such factors are bonafide occupational qualifications necessary for employment. • All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, and similar state and local laws which make it illegal for any person to cause to be published any advertisement relating to the transfer, sale, rental, or lease of any housing which expresses limitation, specifications or discrimination as to race, color, creed, class, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, personal appearance, sexual oientation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or the fact that such person is a student. • This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. Our readers are informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal oppportunity basis.

Deadline: 

2 p.m. Monday for the next Thursday’s edition.

Rates: 

Billed rate: 43¢/word Paid-in-Advance: 37¢/word

Photo Sellers

30 words or less + photo: $5 per issue

Garage Sales

30 words in both Thursday’s buzz and Friday’s Daily Illini!! $10. If it rains, your next date is free.

Action Ads

• 20 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $20 • 10 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $10 • add a photo to an action ad, $10

16

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HELP WANTED

020 BUSINESS SERVICES 110 APARTMENTS

Part time OfďŹ ce Coordinator

The Daily Illini and Buzz advertising ofďŹ ce is looking for a U of I student to ďŹ ll a clerical position beginning January 11. Keep our dynamic ofďŹ ce and staff working smoothly by providing support to our student salespeople and ad managers. Duties include computer database entry and maintenance, ad order processing, payroll, phone customer service, ďŹ ling, organization and more. Mornings 9-12, M-F. The ability to work during breaks is a big plus. This job is a great resume builder; a great way to learn about advertising, business and more. To apply ASAP, email your availability and a statement of interest to: nelliott@illinimedia.com. EOE

Survey takers needed. Make $5 - 25 per survey. www.getpaidtothink.com

APARTMENTS

Furnished/Unfurnished

410

BEST OFFER CAMPUS 1 BR Loft 2 BR 3 BR 4 BR Campus. 367-6626 Available August 2010

APARTMENTS Furnished

HELP WANTED Full/Part time

030

Survey takers needed: Make $5-25 per survey. www.getpaidtothink.com

Fall 2010 studio and 4 bedroom penthouse. Secured building. Private parking, laundry on-site. Value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

Furnished

420 APARTMENTS

509 E. White, C.

203 S. Sixth, C.

August 2010. Large Studio and 1 bedrooms. Security entry, balconies, patios, furnished. Laundry, off-street parking, value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

For August 2010. Large 4 bedrooms, 2 bath. Balconies, laundry, covered parking. Starting at $300/person. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

105 E. John, C.

Need to make some extra cash?

Available Fall 2010. Large 1 & 2 bedroom furnished, great location. Phone 352-3182. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com

Check today’s Daily Illini Classified section

420

1005 S. Second, C.

420 APARTMENTS

Furnished

NEW KITCHENS 503 - 505 - 508 White 2 Bedroom with den $790 3 Bedroom $830-950

theuniversity

group

Contact Justin at 618-304-8562

Completely Furnished On-Site Parking & Laundry On-Site Resident Manager universitygroupapartments.com 217-352-3182

420 APARTMENTS

Furnished

Furnished

420

John Street Apartments

GREAT VALUE 306-308-309 White, C August 2010. Furnished studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms. Balconies, patios, laundry, dishwashers, off-street parking. Behind County Market. Starting at $265/person. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

58 E. John, C. August 2010. Studio, two and three bedrooms, fully furn i s h e d . D i s h w a s h e r, c e n t e r courtyard, on-site laundry, central air, parking. Starting at $298/person. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

HEALEY COURT APARTMENTS

Old Town Champaign

307-309 Healey Court, C. Fall 2010. Behind FU Bar. 2 and 3 bedrooms. Parking, laundry. Starting at $343/person. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

510 S. Elm, C. Available Fall 2010. 2 BR close to campus, hardwood oors, laundry, W/D, central air/heat, off-street parking, 24 hr. maintenance. Value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

Leasing for Fall 2010! XXX 5BOE$BQBSUNFOUT DPN Spring Semester Leases Available NOW! b

1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Sign by December 31st and your FIRST MONTH’S RENT IS FREE!

• FREE parking • 24-hour computer lab/business center • On-site laundry facilities • Quiet Lifestyle • Unique floor plans • Pet friendly (cats and dogs) • On-site management • 4 Swimming Pools • Minutes to U of I, shopping, and restaurants • 24-hour answering service • Courtyard • Tennis courts • Basketball court • 24hour fitness center • 24-hour maintenance

APARTMENTS Furnished

Stop in for a tour!

1032 E. Kerr Ave. Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 344-7717

420 APARTMENTS Furnished

For virtual tours, leaing information and more please visit:

217-359-6108

1 Bedroom Apartments108 S. Fourth, C 203 E. Stoughton, C

Studios

108 S. Fourth, C 307 E. Armory, C Clark St. Studios, C

420 APARTMENTS Furnished

507 E. Clark, C 601 & 603 E. Clark, C (Completely Remodeled) 512 E. Clark, C 701 S. Gregory, U Busey Court, U (Only one apartment left!)

420

www.jsmapts.com

505 S. Fifth Street, Champaign, IL 61820

The JSM VIP Program gives our residents exclusive discounts at local businesses!

2 Bedrooms

1001 W. Clark, U 108 S. Fourth, C 303 S. Wright, C 413 W. Main, U 3 Bedrooms

206 S. Sixth, C

411 HEALEY, C.

602 E. Stoughton, C

Best Location - Fall 2010 Spacious 3 and 4 bedroom apts. Fully furnished, dishwasher, laundry, and value pricing. Covered parking. Phone 352-3182. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com

Fall 2010. Unique 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. All furnished, laundry, internet. 2 Bedrooms starting at $387/person. Parking available. Must see! THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

1107 S. 4TH, C.

307, 310 E. White, C 307, 309 Clark, C

For August 2010. 4 and 5 bedroom lofts. Best location. Completely furnished. Laundry, parking garage, elevator, at screen TV available. Starting at $360/person. Phone 3523182. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com

111 E. Chalmers, C. August 2010 studio, 1 and 4 bedrooms. Furniture, skylights, offstreet parking, laundry. Starting at $360/person. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

203 Healey, C. Fall 2010. Great location on the park. Private balconies. Fully furnished 3 bedrooms. Parking, laundry, value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

1006 S. 3rd, C. Fall 2010 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. Location, location. Covered parking, laundry, furnished, patios. Value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182 Furnished 1 & 2 bedroom near John & Second $495/mo., Healey & Third $395/mo., Studios on Healey and First $345/mo. Available Now. Call 356-1407

Fall 2010. Large studio, double closet, well furnished. Starting from $350/mo. Behind County Market. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

4 Bedrooms

601 W. Green, U (Completely Remodeled)

301 S. Water, C

Look for JSM on Facebook!

509 Bash Court, C. Fall 2010 Great 3 and 5 bedrooms, Behind Legends. Fully furnished, dishwashers, laundry. Off-street parking. Starting at $330/person. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

506 E. Stoughton, C. For August 2010. Extra large efďŹ ciency apartments. Security building entry, complete furniture, laundry, off-street parking, value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

604 E. White, C. Security Entrance For Fall 2010, Large studio, 1, 2 bedroom, Loft Apartment. Furnished, balconies, patios, laundry, off-street parking, value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

605 S. Fifth, C.

509 Stoughton, C Fall 2010 Near Grainger, spacious studios and 2 bedrooms, laundry, value pricing, parking. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

307, 310 E. White, C 307, 309 Clark, C

Fall 2010 5th and Green location Outdoor activity area. 1, 2, 3 bedrooms available. Garage offstreet parking, laundry, value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

Fall 2010. Large studio, double closet, well furnished. Starting from $350/mo. Behind County Market. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

207/211 John C.

705 W. Stoughton, U

2, 3, 4 BR. Great Location, on-site laundry, parking. 3 BR with 2.5 bath/ spa with own washer/dryer. 4 BR with leather furniture plus at screen TV. Value pricing. OfďŹ ce at 309 S. First C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

Fall 2010 3 bedroom apartment. Spacious living area. Communal balcony, great backyard. Plus a bar area in kitchen, dishwasher, washer/dryer in each unit, value pricing. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

the217.com   december 10 - 16, 2009

Shenanigans is my favorite word of all time. Just saying it makes you feel like you’re getting away with something.

APARTMENTS

420 SUBLETS

Furnished

104 E. Armory, C. Fall 2010. Location!! 4 bedroom, 2 bath. Some skylights and flat screen TVs. Covered Parking. Laundry. Starting at $375/person. Office at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

106 Daniel, C. For August 2010. 1, 2, 4 bedroom mardi gras balconies and townhouses. Parking, laundry. Starting at $360/person. Office at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP universitygroupapartments.com 352-3182

Available January Furnished Apartments Studios $355 - $390 1 Bedrooms $450 2 & 3 Bedrooms $595 & up THE UNIVERSITY GROUP Office @ 309 S. First., C universitygroupapartments.com 217-352-3182

APARTMENTS Unfurnished

430

800 W. Church, C Centrally located. 2 BR. Near shops and transportation. Now Available. $490/mo. No Pets. 217-352-8540 for showing. www.faronproperties.com

440 HOUSES FOR RENT

510 ROOMS

530 ROOMMATE WANTED 550 ROOMMATE WANTED 550 ROOMMATE WANTED 550

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Check out the BUZZ for an upbeat flick playing in C-U.

by Jo SangEr and Ross Wantland

Fear of a Queer Planet Do queer and trans people have a responsibility to disclose their gender and sexual identities? Recently, Ross participated in a discussion where a student was talking about his thoughts on whether a transgendered individual should tell him their biological sex. Basically, he wanted to know if the woman he was sexually attracted to had ever had a penis. As the conversation unfolded, other people weighed in that it wasn’t fair for trans people to “hide” their identity. As we reflected on this conversation, “Doin’ It Well” thought this all sounded very familiar. Anxieties about others’ “real” gender and sexual identities are pretty common. Let’s talk a little bit about the hide and seek of identity.

“Secret” Identities and the Need to Know

But we also see this with the fear of presumably straight men having sex with other men. The “downlow” phenomenon talks about “straight-acting” Black men who have sex with other men and expose their female partners to sexually transmitted infections, like HIV-A. As Keith Boykin, Black queer author, points out, the downlow assumes that these behaviors are happening simultaneously — that men are having unprotected sex with men while in a relationship with a woman. The downlow also plays upon fears within the Black community about losing “real” Black men, who are already endangered by institutional racism. Into the Confessional

What’s the Worry?

Sometimes this anxiety gets labeled homophobia or transphobia. The movie The Crying Game highlighted this anxiety. The main character becomes romantically involved with a woman who he later finds out is biologically male. The reaction of viewers was both shock and disgust. They had watched this movie, developed a connection to this woman, and maybe got a little turned-on by her. Then in the end, they had to deal with what it meant that they felt attracted (or were otherwise duped) by a transwoman.

Our society loves a good confessional scene. We hunger to know people’s deep dark secrets (just look at reality television). Trans and queer lives become an especially compelling spectacle, and we feel entitled to know the identities of people around us. These folks are expected to go around proclaiming their identities. Rather than disclosing when and where they choose, they are expected to tell everyone they come into contact with (which isn’t a process that traditionally-gendered and straight folks have to do). This isn’t for the benefit of the trans or queer individual but to manage the anxieties of the other

people around them. The others cannot deal with the fluidity of gender and sexual performance because it suggests that their gender and sexual identities may not be as solid as they like to believe.

someone may not disclose (or be able to disclose) their sexual and gender identities to a partner. It isn’t lying or hiding as much as it may be a privilege that their partner hasn’t yet earned.

Need-to-Know Basis

Knowing and Telling

What do we need to know? In a sexual relationship, do we have the right to know the gender of the other person’s past sexual partners? Do we have the right to know the gender transitions of our sexual partners? Their sexual orientation? Most importantly — and totally unrelated to sexual and gender identity — may be an open, honest conversation about sexual risks and safer sex. This is about health and respect, and it doesn’t have to include a disclosure about gender or sexual identity, especially since some sexual relationships are very casual or temporary. For more intimate relationships, it is reasonable that partners will share information with each other en route to becoming closer. So it is understandable that a partner might be hurt or surprised if they were to discover this new information about their partner when they believed they knew them. But knowing another person is a privilege, not a right. And there are many reasons, from internal struggles to fears of social punishment to fears of violent retribution, that

So how do we deal with what we can know and what we learn about others? At the root of it all, the fear of a queer planet is more about society’s anxieties than it is about the trans and queer folks. If we’re going to deal with it, we have to deal with our own anxieties first. What would it mean if we were attracted to someone who may have been born a different gender than they are presenting? What if we found out someone had a different sexual identity or had engaged in different sexual behaviors than we assumed? And what would that all mean about how we see ourselves? If we consider these questions ahead of time, it will help us deal with our reactions when we’re faced with these situations. Ultimately, this will help us stay sex positive and treat others, regardless of their sexuality, with dignity and respect. Check us out next week as we look at public posts about private issues Jo and Ross rely on you for their column ideas. Send them your thoughts to buzzdoinitwell@yahoo.com

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December 10 - 16, 2009

the217.com

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY ARIES

(March 21-April 19)

“Indignation is one of the most rewarding of emotions,” writes Theodore Dalrymple, “as well as one that automatically gives meaning to life . . . There is nothing like irritation to get the juices circulating and the mind working.” Of all the ideas that have made me irritable and indignant in recent weeks, this one steams me the most. I disagree so completely that I am practically beside myself with paralyzing rage. And as I plunge my attention further and further into his ridiculous proposal, I feel the tension coursing through my body. I sense my mind becoming swampy, my perceptions distorted. There’s a good chance that I am inducing in myself a state of stressed-out stupidity. Please don’t follow my example, Aries. It’s possible that sour fury could be useful to you at other times, but right now you should avoid it. If you want your intelligence to work at peak efficiency in the coming days, you’ll need long stretches of tender, lucid calm.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20)

The evidence is incontrovertible: You have definitely acquired more power in 2009. Whether that means you are now sitting in a corner office bossing around a gaggle of subordinates, I don’t know. What I do know is that you are in greater charge of your own destiny. You know yourself much better, and are smarter about providing yourself with what you need, when you need it. You have gained access to enormous new reserves of willpower, in part by harnessing the energy of your obsessive tendencies. Blind fate just doesn’t have the same control over your life as it used to. More than ever before, you’re making decisions based on what’s really good for you rather than on your unconscious compulsions.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

I trust you’ve traveled all over creation in 2009 -- or have at least exposed yourself to a wide range of novel sights and sounds near your home turf. I pray that you’ve escaped one shrunken niche, two narrow perspectives, and three low expectations. I’m also hoping that in these last 12 months, you have regularly sought out pleasant jolts and breathtaking vistas that have inspired you to see the big picture of your unfolding destiny. If you haven’t been doing these things with the eager abandon you should have, please take the next flight to the other side of the world. Eat unfamiliar food, meet people who are very different from you, listen to strange music, climb a mountain, and get your mind blown.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

So how are you doing with your year-long resurrection project, Cancerian? Have you been taking care of the finishing touches these past few weeks? If not, do so soon. It’s high time for you to officially and definitively rise from the dead. Your wandering in the underworld is at an end. Your mourning for broken dreams should be complete. In January, the age of exploration will begin; make sure your reborn spunk is ready for action by then.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

I bet your relationship life will be a source of revolutionary teachings in 2010. Adventures in intimacy and partnership will draw you into some highly educational fun and games. You will be invited to dramatically expand your understanding of the nature of commitment. You will also be asked to dig deeper to discover your real desires, which up until now have been partially camouflaged by more superficial longings that were grafted onto you during the darker days of adolescence. How should you prepare for the interesting tests of the next 12 months? How can you get yourself in shape to earn the demanding gifts that will be within reach? Now is an excellent time to start thinking about those questions.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Whenever the tide goes out, the creek I live next to loses a lot of its water to the bay. It becomes a narrow trickle surrounded by stretches of mud. From a distance the mud looks like a wet black desert, but if you get up close you’ll

18

buzz

December 10- December 16

jonesin’ by Matt Jones

“B e s t o f t h e D e ca d e , P t .1”-- s ta r t i n g 2000-2001.

with

see it’s covered with tiny furrows, pits, and bulges. This is evidence that many small creatures live there, although only the hungry ducks and egrets know exactly where to look to find them. Be like those birds, Virgo. As you survey your version of the mud flat, ignore anyone who tells you that it’s barren. Go searching for the rich pickings.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

It seems to me that in 2009 you’ve learned to love the fact that all the world’s a stage. You’ve found roles that have been fun to play, and you’ve expressed yourself with the nuanced zeal of a skilled actor in an elaborate theatrical production. I have very much enjoyed seeing you reveal the full range of your inner riches. If I were going to award Oscars to the astrological signs, you Libras would get the prize for “Best Performance of One’s True Self.”

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

“The nature of the work is to prepare for a good accident,” said filmmaker Sidney Lummet. He was talking about the craft of creating movies, but he could have also been advising you on how to make the most of the coming week. Your task, as I see it, is to set in order everything that can be set in order. Get very organized. Make sure you’re wellrehearsed. Be warmed up and highly alert. That way you’ll be ready to respond with graceful intensity when serendipitous opportunities arise within the framework you’ve put in place. One of your top accomplishments in 2009 is the way you have united parts of yourself that had not previously been very well connected. It seems you decided that you were tired of being split up into fragmented sub-personalities that had different agendas. Somehow you managed to convince them all to work together in a common cause. Now I’m quite impressed with the new spirit of cooperation that’s at work in your depths. I predict it will lead to an unprecedented singleness of purpose in 2010. In his book The Way of Transition, William Bridges defines the “neutral zone” as “that in-between time, after you’ve let go of your old life and before you have fully discovered and incorporated your new life.” Sound familiar? Maybe the neutral zone where you’re currently simmering isn’t as dramatic as that -- maybe you haven’t been stripped of every single certainty and you’re not wandering in limbo. But I suspect you have at least let go of one aspect of your old familiar rhythm and have yet to ease into the one that’ll be familiar in the future. My advice? Don’t rush it. Get all you can out of this unique and educational time in the neutral zone.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

In 2009, the cosmic powers-that-be have been conspiring to get you to expand your self-image and enlarge your understanding of your place in the world. So I trust that in these last 12 months you have started a business or organized a support group or reinvented your physical appearance or begun your masterpiece -- or done something to initiate a new phase in your long-term cycle. If for some reason you’ve been remiss about doing this work, I suggest you scramble to make up for lost time. And if you have been taking advantage of the abundant cosmic help, it’ll soon be time to move on to phase two: consolidation.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

To prepare for his turn to hit, a Major League baseball player slips a doughnut-shaped piece of metal over the top of his bat, making it a few pounds heavier than it normally is. He then takes a number of practice swings. The theory is that when he removes the doughnut and strides up to home plate to actually hit against a pitcher who’s throwing the ball at 90 miles per hour, the bat will feel lighter and he’ll be able to swing faster. As you prepare for your own equivalent of going up to bat, Pisces, I urge you to use this as your operative metaphor.

Solution in Classifieds.

Across

1 Health services provider for seniors 9 Goa garments 14 Vaporize 15 Dog tag, e.g.: abbr. 16 OutKast album that rated #1 on Metacritic’s Top Albums of 2000 17 Island in the Mediterranean 18 It can get high every day 19 Spine-chilling 21 Yellowfin tuna variety 22 Denom. of South Carolina’s Allen University 23 His “Goblet of Fire” was Amazon.com’s #1 best-selling book of 2000 26 Language that gives us “schadenfreude” 28 Pissed-off looks 29 Confesses (to) 33 H, in a fraternity 34 With “The,” sitcom that made Time’s 10 Best TV Series of 2001 list 38 Bolivian president Morales 39 “Pig’s blood at the prom” movie 40 Be ready for 43 May-December difference, perhaps 47 Gamespy.com’s PC Game of the Year, 2001 51 Junkyard dog’s warning 52 Former Texas Rangers pitcher Kameron 53 Swedish politician Olof assassinated in 1986 54 “Knowing” star Nicolas 55 Talk show ending in 2011 57 Compact that made Car & Driver’s Best Car of 2001 list 60 Rhone tributary 61 Complaint when the lights are out 62 Belly button that collects lint 63 Bases, chemically speaking

Down

1 Personal period 2 Dodgy sort? 3 Comedian Cook 4 Tats 5 Fortune magazine subj., perhaps 6 “Up” actor Ed 7 More wintry 8 Sweetums 9 San ___, CA (Hearst Castle locale) 10 Palindromic Oklahoma city 11 Be sympathetic with 12 How sugar is sometimes served 13 Elevator alternative 16 Men-only 20 Numerical Internet addresses: abbr. 23 Kate Hudson’s mom Goldie 24 Years, to Nero 25 [snicker] 27 Angel in Mormon history 30 “Hey, wait a ___!” 31 “Kill Bill” star Thurman 32 Course goal 34 Belize’s capital 35 She sings “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” 36 Ending for demo or Dixie 37 “Ah, whatever” follower 40 House Speaker Nancy 41 Greek god with a lyre, to the French 42 Grp. once battled by Jesse Helms 44 Showed up on (the cover of) 45 Defends one’s side 46 Current Palm products 48 Like Santa’s helpers 49 Oil company that merged with BP 50 Played on TV Land 54 “___ fan tutte” 56 Folk rocker DiFranco 58 CSI sample 59 U.S. consumer protection agcy.

Caution: Don’t lend out your peanut butter and expect to get more than half a jar back.

AND ANOTHER THING ...

the217.com   december 10 - 16, 2009

by MICHAEL COULTER

A Slacker holiday Giving, in small portions This past Saturday, I took whether the gift giver has any sort of idea about a little drive to North Pros- what sort of person I am to begin with. After I’ve made myself happy enough to think pect. During other times of the year, heading up there is of others, I like to get the little stuff out of the way sort of like entering the fifth first. There are two or three people I buy a gift for circle of hell, but this time of that are sort of tricky because it just has to be a year, it becomes something little something. This little something can quickly far worse. Everyone in that area seems creepily turn into a large pain in the ass. I generally rack my focused. Initially, it appears that they are focused brain trying to come up with something heartfelt on driving like morons and acting like a pack of and creative. After that two minute torture is over, rude soulless raiders. It quickly becomes apparent I just buy them something close to the same crap that these things are only byproducts of the real they got from me last year. “Oh, look, a bottle of reasons they are all so focused. They are Christ- perfume that’s not all that expensive and has the mas shopping, and they are dangerous. Like crack vague smell of prostitutes, gin, and Rice Krispies. addicts, it’s best to stay away from them, even If I ever decide to become a hooker, that’s one less though you aren’t experiencing their particular thing I’ll have to worry about.” problem at the moment. I haven’t made it to that point After that two minute torture is over, I just of my shopping just yet, so it all seems completely strange to buy them something close to the same me. I was just up there trying to crap they got from me last year. “Oh, get some snacks, a bit of dish washing liquid, and possibly look, a bottle of perfume that’s not all some flour tortillas. Granted, that expensive and has the vague smell of these things aren’t quite necessities, but the mindset prostitutes, gin, and Rice Krispies. If I ever involved in acquiring them is decide to become a hooker, that’s one less far different than the mindset of shopping for others. I didn’t thing I’ll have to worry about.” have the eye of the tiger. I was a pork chop in a room full of pit bulls. I was not After those purchases are out of the way, I move qualified to join this party. I was actually a little on to the bigger gifts for the close family. This scared. I found the dishwashing liquid and got can become easier with a little bit of research. the hell back to a normal part of town. There’s If you pay attention in the months leading up to just no reason for everyone to be so scary. If only Christmas, it’s a ton easier. If someone just got a they’d listen to me and have a more relaxed, or blu-ray player, I can simply pick out a few choice lazy, approach. titles as their gift. It’s important to remember that I don’t have to buy for all that many people, so even though you think Reservoir Dogs is a fantastic my stress level is far lower starting out. People movie, your great aunt my not particularly underhave tried to lure me into various gift exchanges stand it in any way. Since this is the case, go ahead in the past, and I give them that look. You know, and get her something with Sandra Bullock in it. that look as if you’ve just watched a cat vomit for Just be sure to tell the cashier that this is a gift, five consecutive minutes. They usually sense my so they don’t think there’s something seriously malaise and drop the idea altogether. This makes wrong with you. me very happy. Since the list has been kept short, It’s a tough thing. Everyone is quick to point out I initially focus on the immediate loved ones. This that it is the thought that counts. These are genbasically means I like to buy a few things for my- erally the people who manage to disappoint the self right off the bat, just to get the edge off. gift recipient year after year. I like to think that It’s fairly easy to shop for me, particularly if I’m the gift is really the only thing that counts and the one doing the shopping. I’ve always consid- if you don’t like whatever is it that I give you it is ered it a tricky proposition buying gifts for myself because you are a simple little dipshit. This is not so close to the holidays. I worry that someone else a good attitude to have in the holiday season, but might get me the same gift, and then I would have it’s hard to completely change my personality for duplicates. This is sort of senseless, because it one month each year. As I get older, this time of just never happens. I can usually find something year seems more and more like something that for myself that makes me smile and skip out of the simply must be survived. Still, I’m very glad others store. Most of the gifts I get from other people just don’t feel that way. The whole holiday would be sort of make me sad and also make me question even less fun for me.

buzz

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December 10 - 16, 2009

the217.com

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