the guide september 14, 2012
the weekly magazine for life on the hilltop
RUN THIS TOWN Local Transfers Find Home at GU
G4
Take Back the Night: Finding Strength
G7
Matchbox Twenty Fails to Catch Fire
G15
Look at that body. this issue 8 Hey, I WORK OUT. lifestyle 3 food&drink 10 arts & 12 entertainment center stage | pardon my french
basil thai | burleith bartender
Georgetown students are runners. They lace up their sneakers and hit the treadmill, run sprints around a track or take one of the many weaving trails that carry them through the nation’s capital. Running helps them make friends, let loose and get lost in the monotony of a perfect run. For others, running can be incredibly competitive or a way to get in shape and lose the pounds that seem to stick out among the hordes of well-conditioned students. Whatever the reasons, they get out and run.
sARI fRANKEL/the hoya
the words | matchbox twenty
nextissue Stephen Chbosky
COVER PHOTO BY SARI FRANKEL
soundbite
lifestyle
thedailydanny.com
Recently, the guide had a chance to interview Stephen Chbosky, author of both the novel and screenplay of the much-anticipated The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which he also directed. Check out our article next week.
the guide Sarah Kaplan, Executive Editor Steven Piccione, Managing Editor Leonel De Velez, Photo Editor Emory Wellman, Layout Editor Emily Perkins, Copy Chief Zachary Gordon, Deputy Guide Editor Sheena Karkal, Deputy Guide Editor Bethany Imondi, Contributing Guide Editor Sari Frankel, Deputy Photo Editor Zoe Bertrand, Deputy Layout Editor Jessica Natinsky, Deputy Layout Editor Kyle Hunter, Deputy Layout Editor Phoebe Lett, Deputy Copy Editor Hunter Main, Deputy Copy Editor Jamie Slater, Deputy Copy Editor
Connor Gregoire, Editor-in-Chief Victoria Edel, Guide Editor Corrections and Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Sarah Kaplan at (202) 687-3415 or email executive@thehoya.com. General Information The Guide is published each week during the academic year with the exception of holiday and exam periods. Address all correspondence to: The Hoya Georgetown University Box 571065 Washington, D.C. 20057-1065 The writing, articles, pictures, layout and format are the responsibility of The Hoya and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University. Signed columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of The Hoya. Georgetown University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression for student editors. The Hoya does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, national or ethnic origin. © 2012. The Hoya, Georgetown University twice weekly. No part of this publication may be used without the permission of The Hoya Board of Editors. All rights reserved. The Guide is available free of charge, one copy per reader, at distribution sites on and around the Georgetown University campus. Additional copies are $1 each. Editorial: (202) 687-3415 Advertising: (202) 687-3947 Business: (202) 687-3947 Facsimile: (202) 687-2741 Email: editor@thehoya.com Online at www.thehoya.com
MeaganKelly Page 7
“Basically, what I’m trying to say is all you brainy Georgetown kids are harshing my mellow. Knock it off.”
omglol :( :) :l :D
ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN Queen Elizabeth II’s corgi Monty, a star of the Olympic James Bond sketch, has died. Let’s hope Bond is on the case. TIDINGS OF JOY “The Voice” judge Cee Lo Green is releasing a Christmas album this October. We honestly have no idea what it will sound like. TAINTED LOVE John Mayer and Katy Perry might be dating. Hopefully we’ll get some good songs out of their inevitably messy breakup.
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FUNNY PEOPLE Taram Killam of “SNL” and Colbie Smulder of “How I Met Your Mother” married this weekend. They’ll have hilarious kids.
saywhat?
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I owe Justin Bieber everything. — Carly Rae Jepsen
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lifestyle
Editors’ Picks iPHONE 5
iSIDEWITH.COM
Like many Hoyas, we’re addicted to our iPhones. So we were anxiously awaiting the announcement of the newest model, and it lived up to the hype. With a larger screen, higher resolution, a longer battery life and a better camera, we can’t wait to get our hands on one. Here’s to hoping we’re eligible for an upgrade.
Political candidates and their platforms aren’t always the most transparent, and it can be hard to tell who exactly you agree with the most. This website helps you solve that problem. Fill out the quiz and see if you really should be a proud member of the Green Party or if Romney really isn’t your guy. Then post it on Facebook and debate your friends.
JAMES MARTIN CNET
ISIDEWITH.COM
‘SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE’
DANA EDELSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANDY MURRAY
Our favorite way to spend a sober (or not so sober) Saturday night is back, with Seth McFarlane hosting. Frank Ocean, whose album was the soundtrack of our summer, is the musical guest. Sure, we’re concerned that it may not be as funny without Kristen Wiig, Abby Elliott or Andy Sandberg, but we have faith that this election cycle will give them some great material.
appyhour Hipmunk
price: free
This incredibly useful travel app works a lot like Orbitz and Travelocity, but sorts the results by convenience in stead of price. While this might not seem preferable, it’s really nice when the first two pages of results aren’t all 5 a.m. flights that you will not want to take. It also displays the information in an easy-to-read graph.
After losing at Wimbledon and crying his way into our heart, Murray won the gold at the London 2012 Olympics in front of the home crowd and then won his first Grand Slam at the U.S. Open this week. Suffice it to say, he’s having a moment, and the Anglophile in us is eating it up. So cheerio, Andy Murray — is that what we’re supposed to say? GETTY IMAGES
the apps that will make you love your favorite gadgets even more
Wi-Fi Finder
price: free
Need to find Wi-Fi quickly? Why not use something better than the Internet? This app uses the GPS feature on your iPhone to locate the nearest free hotspot. If you like some Internet providers over others, never fear! You can easily set it to prioritize providers (e.g. Comcast) over others.
ZACH GORDON Hoya Staff Writer
Stanza
price: free
Stanza is a free e-reader for the iPhone or iPad, allowing you to purchase any of its many books to read at your convenience. Ranked as one of the top apps of all time, Stanza is easy to use, with a large database of both classic and modern works to choose from. The only downside to this app is that it isn’t a real, physical book.
9.14.12 | the guide | 3
lifestyle Same City, Different SchooL Transfers from DMV Find New Home on Hilltop victoria edel Hoya Staff Writer
A
t New Student Orientation, hundreds of new students flood campus. But some of these undergrads had been through the process before: They’re transfer students, who arrive at the front gates looking for a do-over. In 2011, Georgetown accepted just over 200 transfer students. While
classdrc.com
washingtoncitypaper.com
umd.edu
RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER From top to bottom, American University, The George Washington University and the University of Maryland at College Park.
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many of these students came from across the country, others moved just across the District to get a fresh start. They came from schools like American University and The George Washington University, as well as others that call the D.C. metro area home. For some students, like E.J. Thomas (COL ’14), transferring offers a second opportunity to apply to Georgetown. Thomas originally applied to Georgetown his senior year of high school but was rejected. He wound up attending American for two years but realized after a semester that it wasn’t the place for him. “It got to a point where it really wasn’t challenging anymore at American,” he said. Thomas waited until the end of his sophomore year to transfer, however, hoping that he would earn strong enough grades to finally be accepted to Georgetown, his dream school. Since arriving on campus a few weeks ago, Thomas has noticed many differences between the two colleges. “I knew I was coming into a way SARI FRANKEL/THE HOYA more challenging school,” he said. “Classes are a lot more difficult here.” But he added that the differences A CHANGE OF PACE E.J. Thomas transferred to Georgetown in his junior year between the schools extend beyond after deciding that American University wasn’t for him. the rigor of the coursework. “[At American], 50 percent of the life,” he said. class sizes, peers who could work hard class won’t get actively involved. But I Thomas isn’t alone in having felt un- yet still have fun and a place where I feel like in most Georgetown classes … comfortable at his original school. Al- could generally explore.” most people want to engage in the con- exander O’Neill (COL ’14) transferred O’Neill, who grew up in Silver versation; they Spring, Md., also felt like want to speak; the school was too close to they want to home. “[The culture] is drastically different. be engaged in “Many of my friends from whatever it is Georgetown is very insular, compared to GW. GW high school went there,” he they’re learnis a lot larger, a lot more urban. ... Georgetown, said. ing,” he said. Phillip Bradshaw (COL T h o m a s ’14) was happy at George on the other hand, is more secluded and believes that Washington — his sister’s Georgetown alma mater — until he reexclusive but still great.” and American alized he wanted to study students are The problem — Phillip Bradshaw (COL ’14) linguistics. different outwas that the school lacks a side the classlinguistics program. room as well. from the University of Maryland at “Toward the end of first semester … I “In general, there’s not a lot of stu- College Park this semester. realized that I didn’t want to continue dent activism [at American]. Some “It simply wasn’t the best fit,” he an international studies major at GW,” people get really involved, but a large wrote in an email. “I always wanted he said. “So I looked around and I saw majority of the student body is not in- a small, liberal-artsy college, a col- that Georgetown had linguistics and I volved because you have a lot of Greek lege experience defined by smaller figured that was an easy transition.”
lifestyle
COURTESY MIKE LIU VICTORIA EDEL/THE HOYA
THE PERFECT FIT Phillip Bradshaw (COL ’14) transferred to Georgetown from The George Washington University in order to pursue a major in linguistics.
Unlike Thomas, Bradshaw does not necessarily feel that his old school was necessarily the wrong place for him, it just didn’t offer the program he was looking for. “I think a lot of times, transferring is seen as a correction, like you went to George Washington and then you corrected and came to Georgetown,” he said. “I don’t feel that way at all. I went to GW, I really enjoyed GW and then I realized that … GW wasn’t going to be [the] place I continued studying.” So Bradshaw made the journey down M Street to Georgetown. Within his first few weeks on campus, he was hired by Students of Georgetown, Inc., where he now spends much of his time. Being a part of the student business helped Bradshaw make new friends immediately and made him feel comfortable on the Hilltop. “[The transition] could be difficult for [transfer] students who don’t have that instant community and connection, because The Corp is that — for Corpies, at least,” he said. Like Thomas, Bradshaw has sensed a significant difference between his two schools. “[The culture] is drastically different. Georgetown is very insular, compared to GW. GW is a lot larger, a lot more urban, a lot gayer. Georgetown, on the other hand, is more secluded and exclusive but still great,” he said. He believes that part of this differ-
ence can be explained by transportation options: With a Metro stop on campus, it’s easy for GW students to experience all the District has to offer. But as a Georgetown student, he’s found it more difficult to venture into the rest of the city. “It’s really hard for [Georgetown] students, especially considering the natural tendency to stay in Georgetown. The conditions just don’t exist for students to go out as often,” he said. Because of his links to both schools, Bradshaw frequently makes the trek between campuses on his bicycle. However, he realizes that his case is atypical. “I didn’t meet a Georgetown student until I transferred, and I don’t think a lot of Georgetown students really know GW students, either,” he said. “They’re very close, but socially and academically, they’re very distinct schools.” Thomas, too, keeps links with his old university. “That’s where all my friends are,” he said. “I still read American University’s newspaper. I like to see what kids are complaining about and compare it to here.” But now that Thomas is here, he can’t imagine leaving. “Georgetown has always been my dream school,” he said. “I would say it’s a pretty well-known fact that most students that are at American … applied to Georgetown. It’s the best school in D.C.”
pardon my french
Because French Fries Are Better Than Pommes Frites
O
ne thing I’ve noticed since migrating to the Hilltop is how many of my classmates have travelled internationally. Without including the international students themselves — who would skew these conclusions even more — it seems almost everyone I meet and talk to has had at least some experience travelling, studying or even living in a foreign country. This isn’t the oddest occurrence, as many of these students are drawn to the School of Foreign Service, but the frequency of these experiences startled me. Growing up, my family vacations were a little less culturally diverse. Every summer, for as long as I can remember, my mother has planned and executed awesome adventures within our good old U.S. of A. This isn’t to say that we don’t want to go abroad, but living in the Southwestern-most corner of the United States makes travelling to Europe an absolute nightmare with plane flights for 18 straight hours or more. Now, Nicole, you may be asking, the
Southwestern-most corner? Isn’t that awfully close to Mexico? Doesn’t Mexico count as a foreign country? Couldn’t you have gone there? The answer to all of these questions is yes, but my family never did make the trek across the border. This mostly stemmed from my mother’s deeply ingrained, personal fear of Mexican drug cartel violence, which has been increasing over the past few years. When horrific Nicole violence and murders less than 30 minutes away appear on the news almost daily, some paranoia is to be expected. This combination of the impracticality of Europe with our unwillingness to head south led my family to travel to over 30 states before I turned 18. I’ve had some really unique experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. I may not have seen the Notre Dame de Paris, but I did get to visit the only real rainforest in the contiguous United
States. And while I have never walked the crowded streets of London, I have hiked up mountains, danced on deserted interstate highways and seen the world’s largest potato chip at the Idaho Potato Museum. How many Georgetown students can say that they have traveled in Italy? Probably a lot. How many can say that they have visited the Mitchell Corn PalJarvis ace, the world’s largest drug store and a worldfamous reptile world while driving through the vast emptiness of South Dakota? I would bet not nearly as many. While my classmates’ international proclivities certainly help give Georgetown its unique flavor, I like to think that mine do, too. Because, for all the foreign places they’ve seen, I’ve seen things that are equally as fascinating and strange — maybe even more so. I’ve seen small towns and big cities. I’ve seen
the beautiful and the bizarre. I’ve seen all these individual bits and pieces of our country, and everything I saw was American. Only in America would we place a seven-foot-tall statue of a jackalope mere feet from a giant mechanized Tyrannosaurus Rex. While attempting to fit in on this campus, I was initially afraid I would be seen as “uncultured” or looked down upon for my lack of international travel, but I’ve discovered the opposite is true. Stories of feeding wild donkeys out my car window and of three-hour traffic delays caused by migrating bison herds — with calves — have made great conversation starters and served me valiantly during the obligatory NSO “two truths and a lie” icebreakers. I can’t wait to see more of our weird homeland, and hopefully I’ll add even more crazy towns to my list of places I never need to go again. Nicole Jarvis is a sophomore in the College. PARDON MY FRENCH appears every other Friday in the guide.
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lifestyle
centerstage
NOT JUST RAISING THE ROOF Philanthropic Events Spread Awareness
jessica natinsky Hoya Staff Writer
Georgetown students live by the phrase “work hard, play hard,” and in 2008 Georgetown students found a way to transform a fun night out into something philanthropic. Party-For-A-Cause, a nonprofit organization, aims to empower and encourage college students to participate in and create events that raise money and awareness for a charitable cause. For Liz Kane (MSB ’14) and Joey Byrne (MSB ’13), involvement in Party-For-A-Cause runs in the family, and it is through their continued involvement that this community-focused organization keeps growing while throwing a great party at the same time. What does the PFC do and how are you involved in the organization?
also trying to recruit underclassmen to keep the organization moving forward.
JB: The PFC team works behind the scenes to orchestrate a carefree and memorable event for the attendees. Once the board identifies the cause, we tackle the logistical and administrative aspects of planning the party. These include but are not limited to corresponding with charity, publicizing the event and managing all fundraising transactions. I am currently the president of the Party-For-A-Cause Board; I oversee almost all of the operations while
LK: Past events include a homecoming formal, a winter ball, a tennis tournament, senior prom and many smaller open-bar events. I am currently vice president of the organization and focus mostly on the logistics of planning each event, such as interacting with venues [and] caterers and organizing ticket sales. I joined the board my freshman year when my sister Grace Kane [COL ’11] was a senior on the board. How long has PFC been at Georgetown?
SPOTLIGHT What’s on your iPod now? Joey: Anything by DJ Oey. Liz: “Hollywood” by RAC. Favorite quote? Joey: “Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” — John Wooden Liz: “Everyone is a genius. If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.” — Albert Einstein Favorite televison show? Joey: If “Suits” and “Revenge” could somehow make a spinoff with Jason Statham or Ryan Gosling as the main character ... Liz: I’ve always loved “The West Wing.”
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JB: Molly Breen [MSB ’11] founded PFC at Georgetown in 2008. It was inspired after recognizing that there are nearly 20 million college students in the United States today who spend a significant amount of time and money hanging out with friends and going out to parties. LK: PFC aims to redirect a portion of this money to charitable causes. College students, with a lack of “real-world” financial responsibilities, are an ideal untapped market for charities to reach. What differentiates PFC from other philanthropic groups on campus? LK: We find that the best way to get college students involved in helping out charities is to center it on social life. When students are typically going to be going out anyways, we provide an easy way to contribute toward a good cause. We’ve seen that as our events become more popular throughout the university, a greater number of people attend, and thus more money is raised for charity.
CHRIS GRIVAS/THE HOYA
CREATING TRADITIONS Party-For-A-Cause infuses campus social life with Georgetown students’ penchant for community service. What groups do you typically donate to? JB: We aim to help charities that make a direct impact on students of Georgetown or the D.C. area. Most of the charities that we have worked with have actually been started by Georgetown students or are close to the hearts of Georgetown students. LK: This year our charity for the homecoming formal is Elizabeth’s Hope, a charity centered on the life of Elizabeth Minter, who lost her battle with brain cancer in May 2012 and was great friends with many students here at Georgetown. The charity was created to help find cures for inoperable brain tumors that affect young people so that we may never again lose a friend, a roommate or a classmate. How have you seen the organization grow since the beginning of your involvement? JB: For me, the most important growth I’ve seen is a large increase in the number of charities who have come to us personally in order to help them throw successful events. It’s been so great to see how the PFC name has been in-
strumental in throwing such fun and successful events for these charities. LK: Since joining in the fall of 2012, I have seen this organization grow into a staple of Georgetown social life. For example, the first homecoming formal that I was involved in planning aimed for 350 attendees. Last year’s homecoming formal sold out in three days at 400 people and had a waitlist of at least 30 people. You still have time left at Georgetown before you graduate to help PFC develop. What are your goals for the board’s leadership and the organization as a whole? JB: I just hope that the people I’ve been working with can continue on the path we’ve established this fall, and that PartyFor-A-Cause becomes an even larger part of the social life here at Georgetown. LK: Over the next two years, my goals for the organization center on training the younger kids on the board on how to approach planning events of all types and sizes. We always aim to host new types of events and help out new charities, so it’s crucial we continue to spread the word about what PFC is and what we do.
lifestyle ring by spring
Pondering Post-Grad: The Struggles of an English Major
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his past weekend, I rang in senior year with the annual event that marks the maturity and sophistication that is so characteristic of this time: I went to Club Lau* for the first time and danced with a freshman boy. And by that I mean I did something I call dancing while a freshman boy slowly approached, got nervous and turned away. Yeah. I know, lil’ fella, I’m a lot of woman. That actually has nothing to do with what I want to talk about; I just feel like bragging. With my second-to-last semester finally in full swing, I’ve begun to think about the decisions I’ve made over the last three years, namely, my major. I am an English major. Yes, I know. It’s incredibly specific and with a clear, determined direction. I’ve spent the past three years taking literature after literature course, studying the complex writings of Oscar Wilde and Joseph Conrad and the cultural significance of Victorian sexuality. And what industry DOESN’T need someone experienced in all those fields?! I’m your number one pick, Goldman Sachs! Never mind that I haven’t taken a math class in four years. I don’t regret for a minute deciding
to be an English major. I’ve been intel- camp in the West Bank when I was lectually stimulated by mostly all the 16 and was so touched by the expericourses I’ve taken (except for you, Chau- ence that I just knew then and there I cer. You’re not funny. I don’t know who wanted to be an ambassador. ever decided you were) and have never OP: Oh, how wonderful! So what will had a bad English professor … ever. A big you be doing after graduation? two thumbs up for the Georgetown Eng- JH: I have a job lined up at a nonlish department from Meagan Kelly. But profit, policy-making advocacy group despite all this, my acathat specializes in labor demic choices worry me rights in Iran. now that all those “postOP: Oh, what a bright graduation” questions young lady! have started rolling in. (I made up most of the I’m going to give you words in that scenario. two different dialogues, Micromanagement’s a MeaganKelly one being that of the thing, right?) average Georgetown student and one being mine, and perhaps Dialogue number two: you’ll see where my worries come from. That same old person: So what are you studying now? Dialogue number one: Me: I’m an English major ... Old person: So what are you studying The now-judgmental old person: Oh now? ... nice. Do you want to be a teacher? Jane Hoya: I’m an international re- Me: Nope. lations major with a concentration Old Lady Judgey McJudgerson: So, do in Middle Eastern affairs and a cer- you think you’ll go to grad school? tificate in international business and Me: Nope. micromanagement in Saudi Arabia. Old crank: Okay, well … good for you. OP: Oh, how interesting! How did you Good luck. get interested in the Middle East? Me: Thanks. You gonna eat that JH: I spent six months in a refugee shrimp?
Advocacy Group Reclaims the Night
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alking around Georgetown’s campus, it’s difficult not to notice that there are women everywhere. With the female population topping 55 percent of the student body, it may seem like issues of women’s health and safety would be a major concern for the Georgetown community. There are countless organizations that attempt to deal with different aspects of these complex issues, but Take Back the Night, a group that works to spread awareness of violence and sexual assault against women, front and center. However, during the last few years, their campus presence has been greatly diminished due to unresponsive leadership, and their important messages about gender violence have been lost in the fast-paced world of Georgetown clubs and extracurriculars. That’s all about to change. This year, Take Back the Night is under entirely new management and is ready to get back to its roots and step back into the campus spotlight. Cochairs Lena Hermans (COL ’14), Kat Kelley (NHS ’14) and Deanna Arthur (SFS ’14) are determined to put issues of sexual assault and domestic violence back at the forefront of campus discussion. It is often a difficult statistic to accept,
but studies have shown that one in four college women have been or will be sexually assaulted while attending school. Arthur, herself a survivor of sexual assault, is working with Kelley and Hermans to challenge the perception among students that sexual assault or domestic violence can’t happen to them. “It is something very real, and it can happen to anyone. It can happen to you, and it’s not something that has to ruin ... or completely alter your life,” Arthur said. However, while they often discuss rape and domestic violence, Take Back the Night is far from one sided. “We don’t just have to be the group that says ‘Oh, we don’t like rape,’ and that’s the only thing we are concerned about. We want to be very holistic about education,” Hermans said. The chairs have big plans for increased campus presence through film screenings, speakers and outreach efforts in the greater Georgetown and D.C. communities. They also are planning to get more students involved with local nonprofit organizations benefiting victims and the prevention of sexual assault. Two of the group’s most popular events are always R.U. Ready, a discussion about sexual assault on cam-
You see the difference there? There was shrimp in the second scenario and none in the first. HA! Suck it, Jane Hoya! This school is chock full of careeroriented brainiacs with very specific paths for the future. Now before you get your accordion folders in a jumble, nerds, you should know I am not mocking or judging your overwhelming intelligence and specified life ideas. I am merely deeply, truly and passionately jealous. This whole “wanting to know what you’re going to do with your life” business is stressing me out. I have no particular idea for my future. All I know is being a waitress for the rest of my life would give me shin splints. Basically, what I’m trying to say is all you brainy Georgetown kids are harshing my mellow. Knock it off. *For my non-Georgetown readership: Club Lau is the annual party held at our library (Lauinger Library). A room on the ground floor is cleared out for a DJ and bumpin’ ’n’ grindin’ like you wouldn’t believe. Meagan Kelly is a senior in the College. RING BY SPRING appears every other Friday in the guide.
NICOLE JARVIS Hoya Staff Writer
NICOLE JARVIS/the hoya
SPREADING AWARENESS: From left to right: Deanna Arthur (SFS ’14), Kat Kelley (NHS ’14) and Lena Hermans (COL ’14) are encouraging the recognition and discussion of sexual assault.
pus, and their presentation of “The Vagina Monologues,” a controversial play performed at universities across the country. R.U. Ready will take place Oct. 3, while “The Vagina Monologues” are typically performed in February.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how this group can grow and how we can talk about these issues without it being this big, scary, foreign, distant thing, because [sexual assault] is a very real thing, and it’s something to be dealt with,” Arthur said.
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BORN TO RUN W
katherine foley Hoya Staff Writer
hen Patrick Musgrave (COL ’16) arrived on campus last month, the first thing he noticed about Georgetown wasn’t the preppy clothing or his dancing Orientation Adviser. It was the runners. “From what I’ve seen, there’s a huge [running] culture,” he said. “Even when you walk down the hallway in the dorm leaving for a run, someone will want to go with you.” Whether they’re just out for a morning jog or on mile 15 of a training run for their next marathon, runners can be found almost anywhere on campus. Students who compete in the classroom take that streak with them to the trails, tracks and paths that surround Georgetown. They challenge each other — and themselves — to run faster, farther and more often. Georgetown’s pervasive running culture has an impact on nearly everyone who sets foot on campus, even those who have never considered the sport before. For Faher Elfayez (COL ’16), a native of Jordan, seeing hundreds of her peers lace up their shoes every day for a quick jog is something new. In her home country, hardly anyone runs outdoors. “I feel running in general, for both females and males, is not a common thing [in Jordan] … especially in the street. For females especially, it’s not at all normal to run, because it’s just not culturally accept-
ed,” she said. Seeing the enthusiasm of her fellow students has motivated Elfayez to take up the hobby. “It’s awesome. I want to start running,” she said. The many Georgetown students who run have chosen this sport for a variety of reasons. Some do it to relax, others to make friends. While some savor the thrills of competition, many hit the pavement in hopes of losing weight. NEED FOR SPEED The Georgetown University Running Club is at the heart of this campus running culture. Because Georgetown boasts highly ranked Division I track teams, talented high school athletes who can’t or choose not to compete at that level often gravitate toward GURC. Composed of about 60 dues-paying members, the club trains for the sake of collegiate competition and sheer love of the sport. Tim Dougherty (COL ’13), the current president of the club, joined his freshman year after running competitively in high
HAPPY TRAILS Members of GURC work out on the C&O Canal trail, a popular route for runners in the District.
school. On top of organizing new-member activities and races throughout the fall, Dougherty is training for the Philadelphia marathon in November. “In high school, running was really intense. … Now that I’m in college and running for just myself, I take it less seriously and really use it as a way to chill out,” Dougherty said. Evan Cunningham (COL ’14), who also ran for his high school track team, said he enjoys the camaraderie of running with GURC. “In high school — and here, too — it’s a very social thing … I get to meet a lot of new people and build friendships,” he said. “Runners in general are very outgoing and friendly people, I couldn’t tell you why.” The club meets six days a week for group runs; Mondays and Thursdays are track sessions, while Sundays are reserved for longer runs. Though the regimen might seem intense, Dougherty said that the club runs are as much a social event as they are a workout. “We really don’t want to scare people off. It’s more about creating a sense of social community ... to relax and enjoy one another’s company,” he said. “With track workouts, especially, you’re running in a circle, so even if you fall behind, you can still cheer on others.” GURC’s meets provide an even greater opportunity for club members to cheer on their friends. The team is set to compete at four events this semester, including the National Intercollegiate Running Association championship in Hershey, Pa. For Clare Murphy (SFS ’15), a GURC cocaptain, these meets are a major motivator. “The worst feeling in the world is standing on the starting line, waiting for [the race] to start, but the best is when the gun goes off,” she said. She ran a personal record last fall at the NIRCA championships, finishing a 6-kilometer race in just under 23 minutes. She placed 14th out of 300 competitors, help-
ing the Georgetown team to finish fifth overall. Murphy said she thrives on this team aspect of running. Though racers are competing against each other, there are times when the concept of team is a greater motivating factor than personal glory “When you’re running with your teammates, it’s the first five runners across the line who count for your team points,” she said. “Having your teammates to race against helps you push up the hills, and you can do pack running, which creates a group mentality that helps drive you along.” GO YOUR OWN WAY Though GURC maintains an active presence on campus, many students enjoy the benefits of the group mentality without joining the team. Kate Schmitz (COL ’13), who chose not to run with GURC because of scheduling conflicts, instead recruits friends to keep her company on her runs. “It’s a great time to catch up with people, and that’s one thing people try to build into their schedules,” Schmitz said. “When you have someone to talk to, it’s so much easier to run. … You get caught up with talking and being with a friend, so you can go 45 minutes to an hour.” Tony Lin (COL ’14) agreed, adding that his running partners are a source of inspiration. “I find that when running with friends, we push each other to run harder and faster. It’s the companionship,” he said. Other times, a solitary morning jog can provide more solace than even the closest of friends. “It’s really nice to get off campus, out of the academic setting, where I don’t have to think about schoolwork or my job. It’s a time I reflect on God’s blessings in my life,” Schmitz said. “Sometimes [those blessings are] in the beautiful day that it is or in my health in that I am able to run. A lot of times, that reflection turns into a time of prayer, whether it’s for other people, myself, gratitude or seeking help or discernment.”
Though she frequently runs with GURC, Murphy also sees the benefits of running solo. “[Running is] something you can take with you and do anywhere. You don’t have to have a team or equipment. You can just take running shoes and go,” she said. “PRESSURE TO BE ATHLETIC” Others, however, find fault in the pervasiveness of the Georgetown running culture and feel that losing weight rather than enjoying the sport is the main motivation behind some students’ decision to lace up their sneakers every day. “In my experience, a lot of people at Georgetown do run, and I guess it comes down to the reason why,” Lin said. “In my opinion, a lot of times it’s just to lose weight. … There’s a definite culture at Georgetown in which a lot of people here, myself included, believe that in order to succeed, you need to look good, and fitness and running tend to be a part of that.” Stefanie Palencia (COL ’15), a regular on the treadmills at Yates Field House, agrees that students prioritize both working out and weight management. “There’s definitely a pressure to be skinny. It’s reflected by how people dress. The gym is always full. People work it into their schedules to either feel good or be fit,” she said. “Even if it’s not deliberate, there’s pressure to be athletic.” It’s not just female students who feel that they have to run to look good. Cunningham said he sees this pressure all around him. He runs not only because he enjoys it, but because it helps him feel better about his body. “To fit in, a lot of students feel like they have to be in shape, because so many people are in shape,” he said. “One thing that has always struck me about Georgetown’s student body is that so many people are in shape and are physically active.” According to Matt Chung (COL ’14), vice president of GURC and co-captain of the men’s team, the competition and self-motivation involved in running fit neatly with the driven nature of Georgetown students. “This is a whole group of really talented, really smart, really competitive personalities kind of all jockeying for control, and I don’t think that competition takes away [from life here],” he said. “I think it deepens discussion, and it’s like racing against the person.” Cunningham believes that students are strong time managers and apply it to their workouts. “Georgetown students … are very conscientious about taking care of themselves, and so from that, they have the discipline to fit in a regular workout routine, to run on a regular basis,” he said. “That could be … fueling the fitness level on campus, the general diligent quality that Georgetown students in general have.” But at the end of the day, Cunningham said it is his dedication to the sport that keeps him running. “I personally run not just to stay in shape, but because it’s what I love,” he said.
all photos sari frankel/the hoya
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO Whether they race in packs or train alone, Georgetown students can be found running on tracks, trails and stairways around the city.
food&drink Don’t Be Ashamed To Pig Out kyle o’donnell Hoya Staff Writer
THE PIG
1320 14th St. NW cuisine: BBQ price: $$$$
T
he Pig is an enigma. A pleasant one, but an enigma nonetheless. Any restaurant that takes its name from a notoriously gluttonous animal should offer a meal with a calorie count that will keep me on the StairMaster for two and a half weeks. After perusing the menu at The Pig and seeing a dish called the Carolina Smoked BBQ, I expected to leave the restaurant via forklift. The 14th Street Corridor is home to some of the best restaurants in D.C., and The Pig lives up to the reputation of the neighborhood. The Pig is a member of the EatWell D.C. restaurant group and is making good on EatWell’s promise to deliver local, natural and high-quality food to the District. From the food on your plate to the light fixtures on the ceiling, The Pig’s dedication to detail does not go unnoticed. Surprisingly, the interior feels like a dive bar in Mississippi. The wood paneling on the walls and the worn-out signs of Dixieland offer up a homier feel than Grandma’s front porch. The accents of subway tiles reflect the glow of the rustic honey-lit torches on the wall, envel-
oping the diner in an embrace of Southern nostalgia. It isn’t named The Pig for any ol’ reason. The restaurant’s namesake plays an integral part in the procurement of two of the most important ingredients: pork and truffles. The restaurant celebrates our porcine friends by dedicating an entire column of the menu to the pig. Although “pork” and “light” are rarely used in the same sentence, The Pig focuses on small, almost tapas-like dishes instead of troughs of high-cholesterol food. The Carolina Smoked BBQ is described simply as “pulled pork, mac & cheese” on the menu, although it is much more than that. The pulled pork comes without barbecue sauce because, really, it doesn’t need it. The meat is surprisingly moist and proves that sometimes, good things come in small packages. The macaroni and cheese is not your typical blue-box dish. The ramekin of gooey macaroni is topped with a sensationally crunchy crust accented with truffle oil. If this sampling of macaroni and cheese left you asking for more, do not fret! A
blogbites
seriouseats.com
THIS LITTLE PIGGY Locally sourced and completely organic, this BBQ delivers more than its simple name, The Pig, implies. side of the deliciously powerful dish is also available. The gang at The Pig has updated down-home favorites in a way that fuses Southern style and the sophisticated palate of the urban foodie. The idea of buttermilk-fried chicken with Thai chili gravy would make Paula Deen’s head spin. Unfortunately, The Pig didn’t anticipate the popularity of the chicken, and they ran out before we were able to try this clash of cultures. Instead, the waiter suggested the wild boar ragù,
and it did not disappoint. The Pig may have taken its dedication to the animal a bit too far, though. A chocolate sundae incorporates pig blood into the dessert. Sorry, but I had to say no to this one. But the dessert embodies the entire restaurant’s philosophy. By integrating ingredients in new and sometimes shocking ways, The Pig takes the familiar and reinvents it in a culinary exploration of flavors and textures, all through small and inviting dishes.
a weekly review of the blogosphere’s best recipes
mudslide fudge cookies
chocolate coffee caramel bars
foodrenegade.com
paleomg.com
These meringue-like cookies require only five minutes and five ingredients, so you can kick your chocolate craving ASAP. Eat them warm for a delicious, gooey inside.
One layer on a cookie bar is never enough, so these sweet treats pile on three. The ingredient list is a bit long, so have friends over to help – just make sure you’re willing to share.
10 | the guide | 9.14.12
food&drink
Hidden Gem Serves Up Fresh, Authentic Thai Food jasmine wee Hoya Staff Writer
A
short 15-minute walk from campus, Basil Thai gives its competitors in Georgetown a run for their Baht. With only 11 tables and 30 seats, the restaurant creates a welcoming and intimate atmosphere that the better-known Mai Thai and Bangkok Joe’s lack. Reservations are not needed, and parties of two to four should feel free to seat themselves if tables are available. Upon entering the red brick establishment at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Q Street, one notices the warm orange walls, hanging watercolors and glossy, hand-painted tables. This bold yet clean presentation translates into the flavors of the authentically prepared cuisine as well. Immediately after sitting down, my friends and I were served ice water and given menus. The waitress also pointed out a selection of specials before taking our drink order. Along with traditional favorites like pad Thai and drunken noodles, Basil Thai’s menu offers something for every palate, no matter the diner’s preference. In addition, items that are spicy are marked with a bomb on the menu and can be altered for those with low tolerance. For an appetizer, our party shared the crispy wontons, which did not disappoint. As their name suggests, the wontons were crunchy but not brittle and were served perfectly warm. Though fried, they were not oily or greasy, affording us the opportunity to enjoy the best part of the starter: the luscious and soft white chicken meat at the wonton’s center.
EMILY MANBECK/The Hoya
PERFECT PORTIONS Basil Thai’s servings are just the right size for one person.
basil thai 1608 Wisconsin Ave. NW cuisine: Thai price: $$$$ When it comes to Asian food, I am not one to experiment with anything unfamiliar. I ordered a conventional chicken pad Thai. At the same price as Mai Thai’s, Basil Thai’s dish contained seemingly fresher ingredients and much more flavor. Striking a perfect balance between sweet and savory, the chicken and noodles melted in my mouth, unleashing a tang of ginger and hints of basil and garlic. A veggie lover, I also enjoyed combining those tastes with the side of crisp carrots, shallots and bean sprouts. My friends ordered the Thai Rama chicken and Gang Dang curry, both of which they enjoyed. Served with sticky jasmine rice, these entrees were of an edible portion size, not too large or too small for one person. Like the pad Thai, both of these dishes were made with fresh herbs and spices. I thoroughly enjoyed the combined aromas of the curry’s chili pepper, the Thai Rama chicken’s ginger and the pad Thai’s basil and garlic. Sensing the natural scents from other parties’ meals wafting in the air, I felt as though I were dining in an open marketplace in Thailand. Also interesting is the fact that Basil Thai’s chefs do not use any MSG. As a result, I found that the meals at Basil Thai were not as heavy as those from other traditional Thai restaurants. Unlike at Mai Thai, where I often leave half of my main course uneaten, I left only the floral carrot garnish on my plate at Basil Thai. Other than the seemingly out-of-place American musical theater hits that played in the background and the Christmas and Valentine’s Day decorations that hung in the front window, we had no complaints about Basil Thai. In fact, I think we will be replacing Mai Thai with this restaurant, as its service is faster and friendlier and its produce and meat fresher. Providing free delivery as well, the owners of Basil Thai show that they care about not only their food but also their clientele.
burleith bartender
Grab a Lime and Salt Up
T
here’s a scene in a mediocre variant, called blanco (white) or plata movie called Three Amigos (silver), is bottled directly after distilwhere Steve Martin, Martin lation. Blanco tequila is the clearest Short and Chevy Chase enter a seedy and purest of the tequilas; its simple Mexican cantina and experience te- agave taste makes it usually the best tequila to mix with. Reposado and quila for the first time. Our three heroes take their shots, añejo are aged for a few months spasm and gasp for air. Afterwards, or a few years, respectively, in oak they perform “My Little Buttercup” barrels. The oak barrels make the for the confused cantina patrons. tequilas darker and give them more That approximatecomplex flavor proly summarizes the files that can vary reputation, especially dramatically dependamong college stuing on the oak used. dents, of tequila: It High-end tequilas, esmakes you gag, burns pecially the añejos, are like fire and makes excellent for sipping you do funny things. without mixers in the PrestonMui While there is some same way good scotch truth to this stereoshould be sipped. Gentype, the real problem is poor-quality erally speaking, the more you shell tequila — almost any cheap liquor out, the better. But if you aren’t lookwill offend your taste buds and make ing to spend a lot of money, look for you desperate for a chaser. inexpensive bottles with “100 percent Tequila is actually one of the agave” on the label. most interesting liquors to drink When you’ve acquired your tequila, and to mix. Tequila, by Mexican there are some simple recipes to try. law, is made of at least 51 percent blue agave, the best being 100 per- Preston Mui is a senior in the College. cent blue agave. Tequila generally BURLEITH BARTENDER appears every comes in three varieties. The first other Friday in the guide.
tequila recipes margarita
1.5 oz. 100 percent agave tequila 0.75 oz. orange liqueur (e.g., Cointreau, Curacao, Grand Marnier) 0.5 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice Pour all ingredients in a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake until cold, strain into a (kosher) salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wheel. Start with this recipe, and then enhance it by making frozen margaritas or adding strawberries.
pepper tequila
Tequila blanco Seeds from a hot pepper (e.g., jalapeno, sichuan, or cayenne). Let the pepper seeds soak in a glass of tequila for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain out. Use the infused tequila in a mixed drink. The drink’s primary taste will remain unaltered, but the capsicum from the seeds will leave a fiery aftertaste.
mint paloma
4 to 5 mint leaves 1.5 oz. grapefruit juice Club soda
0.5 tbsp. lemon or lime juice 1.5 oz. Tequila 1 tsp. agave or sugar syrup (granulated sugar will also work)
In a cocktail shaker, mix the sugar syrup and mint leaves until the leaves begin to fall apart. Add tequila, grapefruit juice and lime juice. Shake vigorously, and strain the mixture over ice. Top with club soda and a slice of lime.
9.14.12 | the guide | 11
arts&entertainment Walsh Exhibit Links Art And Science
JOANIE GREVE Hoya Staff Writer
I
can’t decide if the creation before me reminds me more of an autumn leaf or a fire. It’s three-dimensional, with wispy, irregular paper formations that jump off the surface in a way that reminds me of fall. Perhaps this is because the season is fast approaching, but given that eyesight and intuition are my only critiquing tools, I wouldn’t disregard that initial impulse. The composition’s colors, however, are various burnt shades of red, orange and brown, stirring up fanciful ideas of dragons. I look at the title of the piece — “Flare” — but this new information fails to end my uncertainty. This work of art that has captured my attention is a creation of Rebecca Kamen. The Spagnuolo Gallery in Walsh will feature her colorful work every Wednesday through Sunday until Oct. 14. A couple of the pieces are replications of Angelo Secchi’s art, but most sculptures are Kamen’s own work. These sculptures have a science-fictionlike feel to them. One of the pieces, “Fluid #4,” is colored blue and orange and made of acrylic on Mylar, with fiberglass rods holding it together. To me, it has the eerie appearance of a globe’s destruction. Another pink and purple sculpture looks like a graphic designer’s take on DNA or on a strain of bacteria. The materials of the sculptures (mostly acrylic, Mylar and graphite) also allow them to move slightly in the breeze. This has two effects: It makes the pieces look more realistic, but it also makes it more difficult for me to obey the “please do not touch” signs posted around the room. Already noticing the scientific features
of Kamen’s artwork, I am unsurprised to read in her biography posted by the door that “[her] work explores the intersections of art and science, informed by wide-ranging research into cosmology, spirituality, philosophy and various fields of science.” Knowing the multitude of scientific intersections with the sculptures makes them seem both modern and complex. The pieces are layered in a way that makes the colors look more vibrant. Each layer seems to represent one of the fields that Kamen explores in her work. With this new information, the globe’s destruction of “Fluid #4” seems to carry an implicit connection to space and our world’s place in it. Some pieces are more compact, distinct and monochromatic, so they didn’t catch my eye in my first walk around the exhibit. On second glance, they resemble religious or astrological symbols and seem complex in a way distinct from the “Fluid” and “Flare” pieces. The sunlight that streams through the windows of the exhibit adds another level of richness and detail to the pieces, making them more beautiful. At the end of my visit, I look back at “Flare.” While it still could be an autumn leaf on fire, the dozens of color variations in it now look like a chemical reaction that spreads its way across the piece, changing its composition as it goes. I still have only my perceptions to help me find meaning in the pieces, but they are enough to make them irresistible to look at again. The world always looks more beautiful after leaving class, anyway.
rEBECCA gOLDBERG FOR THE HOYA ROTTENTOMATOES.com
BLENDING ART AND SCIENCE Artist Rebecca Kamen appeals to both rationality and emotion in her thought-provoking, avant-garde sculpture.
12 | the guide | 9.14.12
amplify
Soundtrack to Success: The Best Study Playlist
Y
ou’re sitting in a study carrel The xx, “Angels” in Lau, seemingly isolated from Sigur Rós, “Við Spilum Endalaust” the world around you. The The Shins, “New Slang” buzz of the florescent lights almost James Blake, “Wilhelms Scream” overpowers the frantic typing of your Carla Bruni, “J’en Connais” fellow miserable comrades. Pretty Youth Group,“The Frankston Line” sure that the enticingly aromatic eau Coldplay, “In My Place” de Leo’s stench is still on you from Broken Social Scene, “Love and dinner, you can’t remember if you’ve Mathematics” even showered today. You sip your And when you’ve done work for lukewarm coffee and pray to Baby Jesus, Tom Cruise and the singing secu- half an hour, reward yourself with rity guard that your homework will your favorite dance track. “Call Your do itself, or at least that some decent Girlfriend” by Robyn is the one I’ve been turning to as of late, but the eye candy will walk by. In other words, you’ve hit rock bot- possibilities are endless. Whatever you do, give your brain tom for the night. a break. You deserve it. We’ve all been there. And when you’re done, We Hoyas have already move boldly onward to been in full-on study the next set of music. mode for a while, wonThese tracks have been dering what that magiproven to improve procal “syllabus week” holAlliePrescott ductivity by 110 periday is that they have at cent. other schools. Our eyelids sag, our brains hurt and if we have to read about the prisoner’s dilemma Gonzales, “Meischeid” one more time, we might just go loco. Rilo Kiley, “Dreamworld” Believe it or not, I’ve found a so- Dios Malos, “You Got Me All Wrong” lution. It’s something I call “The Rogue Wave, “Publish My Love” Soundtrack to Getting Sh!t Done.” It’s Fleet Foxes, “Heard Them Stirring” a playlist-making method whereby Iron & Wine, “Boy With a Coin” one listens to a cycle of 30 minutes The Clientele, “The Queen of Seville” of calm, unobtrusive study music, The Civil Wars, “I’ve Got This Friend” followed by your four-to-five-minute Another 30 minutes down. You’re pump-up song of choice. Think of it as a sort of power hour (or many hours, a champ. It’s time for a real musiunfortunately) for your brain. Though cal reward: the ever-poetic “All I Do the effectiveness of this method still Is Win” by DJ Khaled. Feel free to awaits further scientific testing, my follow the instructions of the song right-hand gal, Maggie Cleary (COL and put your hands in the air. You ’14), claims that this method has might get some weird looks; then again, when it’s 1:30 a.m. in Lau, changed her life. “By the time I start to fall back the standard of weirdness goes way into the abyss of unproductiveness, down. People might even join in. It may sound ridiculous to make an upbeat song comes on that’s a total game changer. I feel refreshed such a regimented study playlist, and renewed, as if I’d had three but desperate times call for desred eyes from The Midnight MUG,” perate measures. So, friends, as we Cleary said. If other people find this embark on a new semester, add method as effective, Midnight may the concept of “The Soundtrack to have some competition. Sorry, guys. Getting Sh!t Done” to your arsenal But first you need to try this of study skills, and I promise that method for yourself. Listen to the those nights in Lau will be easier to playlist here, and find out if it helps bear. turn on your brain’s productivity switch. (For links to all the songs, Allie Prescott is a junior in the College. visit amplifymusicblog.wordpress. AMPLIFY appears every other Friday in com.) the guide.
photoessay
A Sepia-Toned City
arts&entertainment
by courtney mastrangelo
N
estled between vibrant green hills in Italy lies the Renaissance city of Florence. You gaze upward and see one of the world’s most revered architectural structures. In awe of its magnificence, you turn around and see horses and carriages in the piazzas before you. You are no longer just reading this fanciful tale: You have become a character in it. The cobblestone streets hide secrets around every corner, enticing you to explore them. With an attentive eye, you recognize the subtle beauty of every object around you. You begin to wonder if you are on a movie set, where every imperfection seems purposeful and staged. Everything seems surreal. Lost in the journey, time escapes you. The sun is cloaked behind the darkness that has suddenly fallen over the valley. Antique wooden panels protect the storefronts until the sun comes out again. The stars are brighter than you have ever seen, and the moon glows vivaciously against the black sky. You continue to wander through this enchanted city and soon find yourself staring at the reflection of the moon and city lights above you. You take a moment to admire the breathtaking view. You hear the sound of a guitar playing in the distance, and you let your ear guide you to the source of its melody. A musician strums away in a peaceful trance, conveying his emotions to the audience. The music echoes through the piazza as people slowly walk by on their way back home. You take one final glance over your shoulder and see a cupola illuminated like a star in the sky.
would you like to be featured in the next photo essay? email guide@thehoya.com
9.14.12 | the guide | 13
arts&entertainment small-screen obsessions
When Reality Television Left Speechless Becomes Too Real
L
et me begin by admitting ten outrageous but, at moments, that I follow Andy Cohen, Bra- felt anything but fictional in each vo’s “Watch What Happens she constantly fought her family Live” host and, more importantly, members. And it was in these real the brain behind the “Real House- moments that things got uncomwives” franchise, on Twitter. I feel fortable. Teresa’s endless arguments with like that needed to be said. Andy Cohen is a funny (if totally self- sister-in-law Melissa Gorga stopped obsessed) guy. I may have also read fazing me early on — the yelling his book. No shame. If anything, became old news fast. Let’s be the knowledge I’ve gained through honest: Teresa’s anger hasn’t been this research (yes, I’m going to call truly amusing since she flipped a it that) actually makes me more table at the end of season one. It qualified to do what I’m about was what lay behind these fights to do: call the entire “Real House- that was actually upsetting: the drama revolved not only around wives” series totally soul crushing. I’m not one of those “I-don’t- extended family conflict but also watch-reality-because-I-only-like- around serious turmoil in Teresa’s life. Sorry, but I like critically-acclaimedmy reality shows not TV” snobs. I’ve seen so realistic, though each of the iteraI realize this is not tions at least once at all logical. This is and used to be a when things should regular viewer of the leave the airwaves; New Jersey, Beverly BridgetMullen no child should be Hills and New York crying onscreen over City versions. But I really had to stop. Why? Yeah, be- her father’s potential infidelities and criminal activity. It’s just cause of the soul-crushing stuff. You see, the “Real Housewives” wrong. I’m not necessarily calling for an franchise is not just a weird compilation of the general awfulness end to all the frivolity in the “Real of its stars. It’s not just an inad- Housewives” franchise. It might vertent public service announce- kill a few brain cells, but won’t ment against plastic surgery (it cause real damage. It’s in those rare will maim you), a showcase for moments that these shows actupuke-worthy materialism or a ally seem to — in the saddest ways stage for unbelievable amounts of — resemble reality that things take petty behavior. It’s a composition a turn for the worse. Basically, these people need to of real lives, however warped they may be to fit producers’ demands keep things revolving around their colorfully outfitted mini pets, a la for compelling storylines. I noticed this most explicitly Lisa Vanderpump and her dog Jiggy, on this past season of “The Real rather than their real children and Housewives of New Jersey,” which their very real struggles. To watch I actually couldn’t watch in full something so personal is beyond because it became too painful. I’m invasive. Or maybe that’s exactly not going to deny that these shows why people like reality TV and I’m are often laugh-out-loud funny. completely wrong about this. Still, Otherwise, they wouldn’t have ex- though, can’t you agree that once perienced as much success as they the claws retract and you’re just left have. Still, there’s a point when with a young girl bawling onscreen, things become a little too real things have gone a little too far? I now realize that also totally apand a little too close for comfort. And when you finish watching an plies to TLC’s “Toddlers and Tiaras.” episode, you feel a little bit icky Awkward. (the beginnings of your soul being Bridget Mullen is a sophomore in crushed). Teresa Giudice of “The Real the College. SMALL-SCREEN OBSESHousewives of New Jersey” had a SIONS appears every other Friday “storyline” this season that was of- in the guide.
14 | the guide | 9.14.12
By ‘The Words’ BISI ORISAMOLU Hoya Staff Writer
Q
uite some time has passed since ella (Olivia Wilde), seduces him. WildeI’ve seen a movie as beautiful as and Quaid are not your typical romantic The Words. I admit that the real pairing, but it worked in the context of reason I went to go see it is because of the movie. my undying love for Bradley Cooper (COL At the beginning of Hammond’s story, ’97). I would have been content with just Rory finds old, worn pages of a novel in a scenes of him shirtless and brooding, but vintage suitcase that his wife buys him. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the This story moves him so much that he plot had actual substance to it. decides to type the words, just so he can The Words is the story of book charac- feel them. When Dora stumbles across ter Rory Jansen (Cooper), a writer strug- the story on his computer, she is overgling to produce publishable work. His come with emotion and convinces him father is tired of lending him money that he should try and get this story and keeps pushing him to find a steady published. He ends up publishing the job that can support a family. Only one book, and the once-overlooked author person believes in skyrockets to fame Rory: his wife Dora and glory. That’s (Zoe Saldana). Hongreat for Rory, as he estly, I don’t know seems to forget his who I had a bigger guilty conscience crush on during until running into THE WORDS the movie, Cooper the person (Jeremy or Saldana. Besides Irons) who actually starring: Bradley Cooper, Zoe being unnaturally wrote the book he Saldana, Dennis Quaid beautiful, the two found. You think of them are flawless getting caught quotactors, with such ing SparkNotes is chemistry that at times, their scenes awkward? Imagine getting caught plawere sickeningly sweet. giarizing someone’s life story. Rory and Dora are characters in a The shafted author then confronts book-within-a-movie written by author Rory and tells him the stories behind his Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid). Their book. At this point, the movie turns into story is narrated by Hammond doing a Hammond’s account of a story about an reading of his new book, also called The author who stole a story from a man who Words. Quaid is no Morgan Freeman, had an incredible story to tell. A story but he held his own as narrator. He also within a story within a story within a has his own place in the movie when an movie. It was like Inception. Or Russian overeager Columbia grad student, Dani- nesting dolls. Either way, it was awesome. The Words is subtly funny and has an impeccable cast. As someone who has watched a few too many movies that rely heavily on special effects and not so much on an actual plot or message, I really appreciated the level of storytelling involved. Also, any movie where a main character is referred to solely as “the Old Man” (the true author of the plagiarized work) has to be either remarkable or abominable. I also like a movie that leaves you with a little bit of uncertainty. Go see The Words, at the very least so you can explain to me exactly what the ending meant. There’s nothing Hoyas love more than ROTTENTOMATOES.COM celebrating their alum. Congratulations, LOVE LETTERS: Cooper and Saldana Mr. Cooper. You and your abs made make a convincing couple in The Words. Georgetown proud.
arts&entertainment
‘Shields’ Brings the Beat
New Releases
alex sanchez Hoya Staff Writer
EDUARDO GUEIROS
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rooklyn-based indie rock band Grizzly Bear is set to release its fourth studio album, Shields, on Sept. 18. This will be the band’s first release since 2009’s Veckatimest, an album that was met with overwhelming critical acclaim. The success of Veckatimest was due in large part to its experimentation and genre-blending qualities. With Shields, Grizzly Bear attempts to continue along the same trajectory it set for itself three years ago — and it succeeds in doing so. “Sleeping Ute” is the lead track and first single from the album. With its quirky psychedelic tangents, loudly crashing rhythm and flourishing vocals, the song defies any sort of linear quality. Yet somehow, it works. Somehow, the seemingly strange pauses and pared-down detours become something close to catchy. It’s certainly a strange choice for Shields’ first single, but as a lead track, “Sleeping Ute” more than adequately sets the stage for a loud, quirky and decidedly nonlinear album. Both “Yet Again” and “Half Gate” are able to come closer to a happy medium between experimentation and unconventionalism. However, both songs share the all-over-theplace nature of “Sleeping Ute.” Here too, though, Grizzly Bear successfully walks the fine line between “a lot” and “too much,” between “quirky” and “weird.” These are not songs that you would expect to hear at a coffee shop or even on your local radio station. Grizzly Bear is clearly not eager for commercial success. For better or worse, the band eschews politeness for the sake
“I WILL WAIT” I MUMFORD AND SONS
Mumford and Sons continues its ascent with this new single. It errs more on the side of emotionality than excitability, shifting slightly from their traditional approach. Although it may not match the popularity of past songs, “I Will Wait” is still very solid and enjoyable. CONSEQUENCEOFSOUND.NET
EXPOSED Grizzly Bear’s album is erratic, sometimes soft but often raw and crashing. of its music. In other spots, Shields is quiet and toned down. “What’s Wrong,” in a departure from the album’s previous songs, veers into the territory of the soft, quiet and minimal. So does “The Hunt,” which appears nearly halfway through the album and marks the winding down point. By the time Shields reaches “Half Gate” — the album’s penultimate track — Grizzly Bear flips the switch back to “crazy” and leaps into the anthemic seven-minute closer “Sun in Your Eyes.” Shields is certainly not as polished as the band’s previous efforts, nor is it as avant-garde. It is, however, a very strong album in its own right, and — even for those fans with high post-Veckatimest expectations — it will not be a disappointment.
How Far We Haven’t Come
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ull disclosure: I love Matchbox Twenty. Maybe it’s because, growing up, they were constantly on the radio. I never bought any of their albums, but I know the words of so many of their songs.
Atlantic Recording Company
UNWELL Matchbox Twenty’s new album falls short of expectations.
Hoya Staff Writer
Or maybe it’s because Rob Thomas has one of the most attractive singing voices ever. Either way, this band has helped me through more than one dark night on Lau One when I’m all alone and slowly going mad. So I was very excited to hear that the band had a new album out, North, their first since 2007’s Exile on Mainstream. But it doesn’t live up to my lofty expectations. The first single, “She’s So Mean,” is probably the best song on the album. Like many (arguably better) songs before it, it’s about a girl who’s kind of a hot mess: She’s funny and needy and scattered. I don’t really understand why this character has become so common in pop music. Maybe women like to hear men sing about how they love them for all the crazy things they do. Anyway, while this song won’t become a Matchbox Twenty classic, it’s enjoyable. It’s upbeat with an eminently danceable rhythm. I’ll probably throw it on my workout playlist. Except that one song, the album is ex-
glassnote. records
“EVERY CHANCE WE GET WE RUN” | DAVID GUETTA AND ALESSO FT. TEGAN AND SARA
This new single from the world-famous DJ alternates between smooth female vocals (courtesy of Tegan and Sara) and Guetta’s more traditional dance-inducing beats. Altogether the single does not fit into the DJ’s trademark style but uses female vocals in an intriguing way.
Capitol Records
“DEFAULT” | ATOMS FOR PEACE
The first single from all-star group Atoms for Peace has dropped. Their new single, “Default,” sounds a lot like a Radiohead track, with plenty of intricate soundscapes and processed instrumentals. While it may be jarring for those not used to this style, those familiar with Yorke will find this to be an inspiring track.
XL RECORDS
victoria edel Hoya Staff Writer
tremely bland. “Overjoyed” is a mediocre love song that shares a name with a much better Stevie Wonder hit. “Put Your Hands Up” is an unmemorable attempt at a dance hit. Thomas and the rest of the band almost sound bored on that track. It’s just too different from what they normally do. “Our Song” continues the theme of uncreative song titles. It’ll probably get stuck in your head — “This can be our song; this can be our song” — but only because that’s literally half of the words in the song. I can guarantee that this will be no couple’s “song.” And this track kind of sums up the album as a whole: Each one is trying to hard to be “the song” without actually creating anything worthwhile. I’m big on lyrics. I lack the ability to draw, so my doodles in class are often just the words to whatever song is stuck in my head. Matchbox has gifted us with some gems that preach to my neurotic tendencies: “I think I’m just scared. Do I talk too much? I know this is wrong. It’s a prob-
lem.” Welcome to my life. Maybe Rob Thomas’s life is just too together now. Maybe he’s a grownup and has it all figured out. That’s fine, but something in his life has to be more compelling than begging people to “put [their] hands up” over and over again. It’s not a bad album; it just isn’t particularly good. These songs will still get played on the radio (or show up on your Pandora stations, as the case may be). For example, The eighth track, “How Long,” is an unremarkable yet enjoyable song about a guy who’s wondering how long the object of his affections will make him wait. It’s cute but — once again — very repetitive. And that’s really the best way to describe the album as a whole: unremarkable and repetitive but still enjoyable. It’s probably good study music, with nothing exciting to distract you. But is it a good album? Sadly, it’s not. When it comes on Pandora, just click “I’m tired of this track.”
9.14.12 | the guide | 15
bestbets
pacific coast highway — sheena karkal
on campus
GPB PRESENTS: SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. And 11:00 p.m. — ICC Auditorium
When an asteroid threatens to end life on Earth, a suddenly heartborken man (Steve Carrell) decides to find new love and take a road trip to find “the one that got away.” His charming neighbor (Keira Knightley) joins in on his adventure. RSVP or ticket required.
JEWISH NEW YEAR PARTY Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. — Makóm: A Jewish Gathering Space
Join the Jewish Student Association for a fun, sociable dinner party to celebrate the Jewish New Year. There will be plenty of food (including apples and honey in the Jewish tradition of the New Year) and several activities and music, with time for students to mingle. Students of all faiths welcome!
EL GRIOT DE INDEPENDENCIA FOR LATIN AMERICA Saturday, 11:00pm — Healy Lawn
Join MEChA de Georgetown and GUMSA in celebrating the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Enjoy food, music and performances while you wait for the clock to strike twelve to recite “El Grito de Dolores.” Come celebrate the independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries.
SCREENING OF INDIAN FILM DON Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. — ICC 118
Visiting professor S.V. Srinivas will be screening four Indian films this fall. The first in the series is a Bollywood action thriller starring big-name actors Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Isha Koppikar, among others. The remake of a 1978 film follows a simple villager from Mumbai who is recruited to go undercover in an international gang of smugglers.
around town saturday
friday
sunday
You may think you don’t like opera, but check out “Photo-Op” at Artisphere’s Black Box Theater in Arlington and you might change your mind. A political satire written in 1989, this production focuses on the emotional turmoil of a candidate and his wife during his campaign.
Venture to H Street for a cultural exploration. Featuring vendors from businesses new and old, the festival will offer food from Ben’s Chili Bowl, H&Pizza and Cusbah. In addition, there will be free musical performances, live muralists, dance demos and eating competitions.
Urumi: The Warriors Who Wanted to Kill Vasco da Gama, a 16th-century period drama, will be screened at the Meyer Auditorium in the Freer Gallery of Art this Sunday . This movie tells the story of a warrior who, along with his best friend and a princess, sets out to avenge his father.
WHERE: 1101 Wilson Blvd. WHEN: Friday, 8 p.m. INFO: 703-875-1100 PRICE: $22 METRO: Rosslyn
WHERE: H and Eighth Streets NW WHEN: Saturday, 12 to 7 p.m. INFO: hstreet.org/events/festival PRICE: Free METRO: Union Station
WHERE: 1200 Independence Ave. SW WHEN: Sunday, 2 p.m. INFO: 202-633-1000 PRICE: Free METRO: Smithsonian
sheena karkal & emily manbeck Hoya Staff Writers