The Hoya: The Guide: November 20, 2015

the guide FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

One Desk, 31 Years JASMINE WHITE Hoya Staff Writer

ll, 1984 a H l l a n Dar 7) h ( S F S ’8 a r r a G c J im M C o u r te s y

See DESK, B2

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K C A B I AMIN CUDDE KEV 87 CAS

It was 1984, spring semester. Kevin Cuddeback (CAS ’87) lay underneath the desk in his tiny Darnall Hall bedroom, etching a message — a legacy.

“Oh, kindred spirit lying on your back it is not imagination but originality you lack,” he carved into the dark brown wood.

“To me it seemed the most natural thing that a place as old as Georgetown should develop a patina of gentle messages,” Cuddeback said.

At the time, Cuddeback’s roommate Jim McGarrah (SFS ’87) had managed to whip out his camera to capture the moment.

“I have many pictures from our [two] years as roommates at Georgetown — everything from him napping to horsing around with other residents to random shots of our dorm life,” McGarrah said. “As for this particular picture, I actually forgot it was in the mix. At the time I took it, it probably seemed just like another moment of hilarity and the camera was handy. Perhaps I hoped, in some less than fully conscious way, that it would be useful for when or if the story of his note surfaced.”

The note did eventually resurface. It just took several decades for that to happen.

When Brynne Long (COL ’19) first spotted the centipede crawling around in her bedroom, she never could have imagined the incredible discovery it would lead to.

“I chased it under my desk. ... When I was laying on back trying to kill it, I saw writing,” said Long.

Long and her roommate Juliet Ivanov (COL ’19) initially struggled to decipher the message, not only because of its illegible script, but also because it was more than 30 years old. The desk had been painted over and moved to a different room in Darnall Hall, so the note was nearly illegible.

THIS WEEK ARTS FEATURE

LIFESTYLE

Are You Game?

Rangila 2015 returns to Gaston Hall after venue renovations JANE MIKUS

Hoya Staff Writer

‘Free to Rock’ Hits Gaston Hall

The documentary, following rock ’n’ roll in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, premiered at Gaston Hall. B4

FOOD & DRINK

Drag Queens and Brunch

Perry’s Restaurant offers an unconventional take on “dinner and a show” for Sunday brunch. B5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Made in the A.M.’

One Direction’s last studio album before its hiatus will not disappoint fans. B7

THEHOYA.COM/ GUIDE @thehoyaguide

Last year, students in the South Asian Society received an alarming message. The stage at Gaston Hall, the location where, for the past 19 years, they organized Rangila — a South Asian dance show — was structurally unsound. Contractors found that a group of more than 45 people on the stage could cause it to collapse. Rangila usually features around 500 student performers.

The 20th annual Rangila dance last November took place on one night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which fits an audience of 2,300.

This Friday and Saturday, the dancers will return for two nights to a newly renovated Gaston Hall stage to packed crowds of around 800 audience members. For many, the 21st Rangila, now sold out, represents a return home.

“We’re coming home — that’s what it is for us,” SAS Treasurer Bhavya Jha (SFS ’17) said. “As a board, as choreographers and as dancers who have experienced Gaston, I feel like this is our stomping grounds, and these are our two nights to own it.”

Many of the dancers, particularly those who are seniors, are

KATHLEEN GUAN/THE HOYA

See RANGILA, B3

The South Asian Society’s annual Rangila cultural show, which was held at the Kennedy Center last year, returns this year to Gaston Hall after the completion of the stage’s renovations.

B2

the guide

THE HOYA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FEATURE

DESK from B1 In 1987, Cuddeback, now a senior, returned to his freshman room looking for a response to the note. There was none. Since he was getting ready to graduate, he decided to leave another note asking that whoever discovered his message come find him.

“As freshmen in 1984 we hadn’t found many [messages],” Cuddeback said. “But by graduation we had touched many, such as the ones in Healy’s South Tower, but my favorite being ‘T. W. Newton’ diamond-etched on Healy’s quad-side window in about 1900. We didn’t find him in time, so I returned at the end of senior year to be more emphatic that I would like to be found.”

Cuddeback probably did not expect that phone call to come nearly three decades later.

It was not easy for Long and Ivanov to find Cuddeback, partly because they had such a hard time deciphering the exact spelling of his last name. After a number of what they called “super-stalkery” Google search-

es, the girls finally found a promising phone number.

“I knew by her third sentence why Brynne was calling, and I am glad she was brave enough to get past the awkwardness of the initial seconds of calling a seeming stranger,” Cuddeback said.

“It was cool because it started out just being a centipede.”

BRYNNE LONG (COL ’19)

“It was the most surreal moment ever. I called and he answered saying, ‘This is Kevin M. Cuddeback,’ and it was the name we had been looking for,” Long said.

Cuddeback was, understandably, shocked. No one in 30 years had contacted him about that note. For several minutes, he and the girls chatted. Cuddeback reminisced about his time at Georgetown and asked about the changes to the campus.

Ivanov, a physics major, also received quite a bit of advice from the Georgetown alumnus who coincidentally had studied the same thing.

Cuddeback decided to post the happening on Facebook, which led to a virtual Georgetown reunion as other Georgetown alumni commented and chimed in, exhibiting nostalgia over the notes that they, too, had left as young students.

“It was cool because it started out just being about a centipede and ended up being this community outside of us just like these adults that had been here,” Ivanov said. “They were getting back together because of this. And like we don’t know what they’re doing. We don’t know how close they are now or if they talked other than the Facebook stuff, but it still is something that happened that made [Cuddeback’s] week or made his day.”

“They all started talking again. He started talking to his freshman roommate again. I think it’s really awesome that they started talking again because of something we did,” Long said.

VALERIA BALZA/THE HOYA

When Brynne Long (COL ’19) and Juliet Ivanov (COL ’19) discovered a note under their desk, they did not expect it to date back to 1984.

ILLUSTRATION BY JESUS RODRIGUEZ/THE HOYA

CENTER STAGE

A Hint of Japan’s Artistry on the Hilltop Samu Boyne (SFS ’18) on his unconventional style and artistic influences ELLIE GOONETILLAKE Special to The Hoya

On paper, Samu Boyne (SFS ’18) seems like your typical Georgetown student: He ismajoring in regional comparative studies and is originally from Dallas, Texas. However Boyne is an accomplished painter with a special interest in Japanese culture and the ability to make delicate artwork using coffee as paint.

THE HOYA sat down with Boyne this week to discuss his art and its influences.

Your work seems to take a lot of pointers from Japanese and Asian art. Tell me about your artwork and

its cultural influences. How did the Japanese influence come about?

I guess probably since my childhood, I moved around a lot, but one of the things I always had was video games, specifically Japanese video games.

So those different stories in the games … and Japanese video games tend to be much more creative than American video games. I could go on a rant about that. But throughout my life, I’ve been affected by the “soft power,” you could say, of Japanese culture.

[He shows a colorful watercolor drawing of a Japanese woman in a coat and dress.]

This is influenced by Japanese fashion subculture. I often do character designs.

around eight hours. [Boyne shows a composition with the silhouette of mountains drawn onto a man’s body]. I went to China this past summer, and there were all these beautiful mountains …[he points to red stamp at the bottom]. This is a Chinese/Japanese style signature so it has my Japanese name carved into it.

How do you manage to get the minute details?

Just with small brushes. I did this last year in my dorm. I haven’t been able to do much art while I’ve been here besides my Uncommon Grounds series. It was a small series on “Femininity and Diversity.”

I wanted to do something that reflected the diversity of Georgetown, especially for female figures in this case. It’s obviously very imagination-based, because it’s not very realistic at all, and when I draw it’s pretty much all from imagination.

I never look at pictures.

If someone were to say to you that he or she was taking an art class here at Georgetown next semester, what would you say is an important thing to keep in mind when doing a composition?

I’ve never actually taken an art class here. But that’s because of my rebellion, right? I have considered it. Obviously you have to fulfill the set standards for a project, but I would definitely say to not be afraid to put your own work into it.

When I was in high school, one of my teachers wanted me to do a still life and I despise still life.

So I started to do different, more geometric shading, which gives it a more surreal aspect.

For a composition like this, how long would that take you?

I tend to do things in one sitting.

This [coffee] series took a long time as I did them all at the same time instead of one. But something like this colorful one, I think I did it in

Is there anyone in particular that inspires you in the art world?

My top inspiration figure would be Hayao Miyasaki. He’s a director of one of Japan’s biggest and most famous animation studios. You might have heard of “My Neighbor Totoro” or “Spirited Away.”

Definitely from the imagination aspect, as well as the stylization, artistic aspect.

Do you think that your art in particular is a good reflection of you as a person, and your personality?

Absolutely, especially with my

more recent work. One thing I always have done, is write out stories behind my art. This one has a haiku that goes with it. And this one has a hidden message, it’s sort of about the act of giving and receiving-- the words that imply that in Japanese are very similar sounding, so it’s wordplay within art.

You seem to be into fashion and I know you do some work for Thirty Seventh GU, how would you describe your personal style?

I’m actually one of the co-editors.

I’m definitely very interested in fashion, especially Japanese fashion. Specifically in Japan, there’s a district called Harajuku, which is known for its craziness.

Some people will twist it around and say “it’s so weird,” but in actuality it’s just creative people who express that through clothes.

That’s sort of what I try to do. In recent times, I try to dress in ways that hopefully make people happy.

Do you think that Georgetown is a good place to be a student interested in art? Are there any museums or current exhibitions that you would recommend around here or in D.C.?

Well definitely D.C. is a great place because we have a bunch of free museums and exhibits.

One of my favorite museums is the East Asian Freer and Sackler Galleries. They have ancient stuff but then they have more modern Asian-influenced art, which is what I specialize in.

But Georgetown itself may not be the greatest; I’ve never actually met an art major that is only doing an art major — it’s not common. When I was applying to Georgetown, I did an

alumni interview and my interviewer basically said, “If you like art, don’t go to Georgetown.” I was sort of taken aback by that as at the time I was deciding between Georgetown and Rhode Island School of Design and they were two very different paths for me. But I think you can make it your own, and I think Georgetown’s a good place where you can learn from your experiences and put it into your art.

Boyne’s work, shown here, has been exhibited by the Georgetown University Arts Association and can currently be seen in Uncommon Grounds until January 2016.

the guide

friday, November 20, 2015

Resurrect The Date

How to Make Your Own Dating Luck

I

t’s with a heavy heart that I begin my final piece. It is strange to think that three months ago, I applied to The Hoya to write “The Cereal Dater” with this explanation: “After my first ask, I wanted to become a serial dater yet fear still held me back. Committing to this column will force me to get out of my comfort zone as I ask guys on dates and live to tell about it. While there is a selfserving motivation to this application, I also hope my classmates will laugh with me, live vicariously through this column and even find inspiration to conquer their own fears of awkwardness.”

Originally, I intended to ask someone new for every column, but that became difficult after the first date with Cookie Crisp. Fear not. One final story of comic relief to follow...

I decided Senior Dis-Orientation would be a time to wrap up loose New Student Orientation strings. With liquid courage, I walked into the first Dis-O kegger on a mission - to ask three different people on a date.

Ask No.1: Cinnamon Toast Crunch (NSO party-hunting wolfpack teammate and NSO crush. We hadn’t spoken since NSO, yet we matched on Tinder days earlier than this encounter.)

Me: Hey, Cinnamon Toast Crunch! Will you go on a date with me?

CTC: Hey! Yeah. *gives me his phone number* CTC did not respond to my text the next day. Although I do not remember exactly what came out of my mouth, I confronted him at the final Dis-O party and received this response: CTC: I’m kind of seeing someone.

Ask No.2: Froot Loops (He is a respectable young man.)

Me: Hey, I know you rejected me from [insert organization name], but do you want to go on a date with me?

FL: For the record, I did want you in [insert organization name], but I’m dating that girl over there.

Ask No.3: Wheaties (friend-of-a-guy-friend) W: My friend mentioned you wanted to ask me on a date.

Me: I was thinking about it.

W: If you’re paying, I’ll go.

Part ways. Ten minutes later...

W: Are you going to ask me on a date?

Me: Okay, will you go on a date with me?

W: Yeah, if you’re paying I’ll go. Where are we going?

The first ask is terrifying, I know. I promise it gets easier and I encourage you to take ownership of what you want.

The week after, I let him know I couldn’t take someone so rude on a date. He texted back: “What a time to be alive.”

Days later, I realized it was a reference to the new Drake and Future album in which the first verse of the first song I listened to was “I do not chase girls, but they’ll run a mile for me.” Wheaties will do great things someday.

As this column comes to a close, a huge thank you is in order to everyone who followed me on this adventure. Where is your favorite cereal dater now? Cookie Crisp has been incredibly wonderful, and I think I won the cereal lottery. I haven’t asked anyone new on a date in two months because I have no interest in dating anyone else. After all the boys who have momentarily been in my life, he is the first man to be worthy of my time.

The more time we spend together, the more I like him and that the more I realize how miserable the end of our time time together will be. Yet I won’t let fear of the future keep me from enjoying the present. I’m lucky that he became a part of my life with the help of this column, but I also believe that I made my own luck and that you can make your own too. A friend told me she admired my confidence; I told her, “It’s all pretend.”

Take initiative before it’s too late. Who cares if your postgraduate plans take you to opposite sides of the world? I used to justify my singleness with the plan that I would spend a lot of the next 10 years travelling.

But if you have a connection with someone in college, you’re both here right now, and you should cherish the time you have left.

The first ask is terrifying, I know. I promise it gets easier and I encourage you to take ownership of what you want. I leave you all with this: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. Wayne Gretzky. Michael Scott.”

Love, The Cereal Dater

The Cereal Dater is a senior in the McDonough School of Business. This is the last appearance of Resurrect the Date this semester.

B3

Arts Feature

Rangila Returns to Gaston Hall RANGILA, from B1

The Cereal Dater

THE HOYA

looking forward to this Gaston performance as a conclusion to their Rangila experiences. Rushika Athia (COL ’16) shares this common sentiment of feeling at home.

“A lot of people spoke about being able to dance on Gaston and having that smaller feel,” Athia said. “It’s completely packed, and there are so many people who come that are Hoyas because it’s easier to get to. There is such a feeling you get when you’re in Gaston. I definitely think it makes for a more memorable and richer experience.”

SAS President Aakash Bhatia (MSB ’16) said returning to Gaston has liberated the choreographers and their visions for the show.

“In terms of actual setup, we have a lot more freedom to do what we want to do,” Bhatia said.

“At the Kennedy Center, naturally since it’s an outside venue, we had certain restrictions on the stage with regards to lighting and props. At Gaston of course — being right on campus — we have a lot more flexibility, which makes incorporating the theme easier since we don’t have limits on what types of props we can use.”

For Rangila 2015, the board decided on a game show theme with the tag line, “Are You Game?” The two masters of ceremony, Riya Modi (COL ’16) and Chandini Jha (COL ’16), plan to incorporate this into their comedic skits interspersed throughout the night (full disclosure: Chandini Jha is the community member of The Hoya’s board of directors). According to Bhavya Jha, the theme t as played a central role in increasing excitement surrounding the show. “‘Are You Game?’ has played out well in our marketing,” Jha said. “Are the dancers game? Is the audience game? Are you ready for this? This is it.”

Rangila is also a charity showcase, with the $20 ticket prices going toward the Pritam Spiritual Foundation, a non-profit in Kashmir, India, that provides medical attention to people injured by land mines. Bhatia hopes to further advertise this important aspect of the event that is too often overlooked.

“The proceeds of our show are donated to the Pritam Spiritual Foundation, which is a Kashmir-based organization,” Bhatia said . “It helps the victims of the India-Pakistan conflict, especially those who have lost limbs to land-

mines, and provides them with health care. The organization has been doing great work so that is something we are going to emphasize during the show itself.”

Bhavya Jha is similarly passionate about promoting the board’s devotion to Prtiam Spiritual Foundation.

“At the end of the day, we forget that it’s a charity show,” she said. “We make it all about the dance, but that dancing is going towards a bigger cause. I have to make sure that money is spent in a very conscientious and intentional way so that our end goal of supporting the charity can come to fruition.”

Jha said that overall, Rangila proudly shines a spotlight on the artistic traditions of southern Asia and also engages the campus in a larger celebration of culture.

“You’re missing out if you don’t come,” Jha said. “Not only are you supporting a charity, you are supporting this community and what a certain group of students brings to it in terms of dance, culture and comedy. Everyone is going to be there, so be there or be square because you’ll probably be alone on your Friday or Saturday if you’re not in Gaston.”

KATHLEEN GUAN/THE HOYA

Dancers from the Rangila Raas group practice in the run-up to the show. Proceeds from “Rangila 2015: Are You Game?” will go toward the Pritam Spiritual Foundation, a nonprofit in Kashmir, India, that provides medical attention to victims of land mines.

FEATURE

Battle of the Bands

‘Free to Rock’ follows Cold War rockers Sarah Martin

Special to The Hoya

At 7:30 p.m., a motley crew of around 200 filled Gaston Hall on Tuesday. At first glance, it seemed a typical lecture event, except for the fact that students were sitting next to faculty members, rock stars and the occasional diplomat. The group gathered to witness the premiere of “Free to Rock,” a documentary directed by four-time EmmyAward-winning filmmaker Jim Brown and a coinciding panel discussion several diplomats including Hungarian ambassador Andras Simyoni.

“Free to Rock” follows the story of rock ‘n’ roll in the second half of the 20th century and its spread through the Iron Curtain, featuring interviews with Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Billy Joel, The Scorpions and the Iron Curtain rockers, and tracking the key players who drove the rocker scene into the USSR, including Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty and many voices from the United States.

The film’s main narrative described the unyielding, strained suspended chords of the many American and English rockers that began to arouse the youth of the USSR. Soon enough, underground bands and thousands

more clandestine supporters were taking to the liberating rock ‘n’ roll movement.

Decades passed and the movement grew larger, progressively forcing the government to make important concessions. Soviet Premier Gorbachev, featured in the film, loosened the grip the state had on rock ‘n’ roll as the force of the music began to fracture the totalitarian system. The film presents an interesting message: the United States spent trillions of dollars on weapons to end the communist rule in the USSR, though the music of Billy Joel, The Beatles, Metallica See ROCK, B4

KATHLEEN GUAN/THE HOYA

A crowd of 200, including students, faculty and Soviet rock stars, gathered in Gaston Hall on Tuesday for a screening of “Free to Rock,” a documentary by filmmaker Jim Brown exploring the rise of rock ’n’ roll in the Soviet Union.

B4

the guide

THE HOYA

Feature

‘Free to Rock’ Examines Cold War Rock ’n’ Roll ROCK, from B3 and the American-inspired underground rockers in the USSR played as much of a role in enacting change as the weapons did.

The documentary premiere, hosted by Georgetown University’s Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, the Student Lecture Fund, Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, Culture and Politics and BMW Center for German and European Studies, took place in Gaston Hall and was followed by a discussion moderated by Georgetown professor Cynthia Schneider. The panel included Simyoni, Chairman of National Endowment for the Humanities in 2014 William D. Adams, Soviet musician Stas Namin, the film’s director Jim Brown and the first American producer of Soviet rock bands.

Joanna Stingray.

Schneider began the panel by asking Namin to share his most meaningful encounters with rock ’n’ roll and which figures meant the most to him.

Namin, an influential music personality in Soviet rock, described his father, a military pilot during World War II, who loved rock ’ n’ roll and influenced his music taste. He named Jimi Hendrix as his favorite artist and talked about the time he spoke with Billy Joel, the first American artist he met.

“When you speak, you speak to the mind, but when you play the guitar, when you play rock ’n’ roll music, you play to the heart,” Simonyi said. “Rock ’n’ roll music … became a part of my diplomatic work. You can talk big politics all day, but rock breaks stuff down. Rock ’n’ roll music was not soft, this film is a testament to the fact that it is as hard as nuclear weapons.”

Friday, November 20, 2015

APPS IFTTT Free

Short for ‘If This, Then That,” this app programs your phone to perform certain actions on condition. With it, you can program your phone to save a copy of your photos fo DropBox whenever you post on facebook, or send a ‘thank you’ message to anyone who follows you on social media. Other uses icnluded automatically adding new friends or Linkedin connections to your address book and backing them up to Google Drive.

last message Free You know the drill — it’s late, you’re still out, and your phone is hovering around 2 or 3 percent battery. You know a plenty of people who would kill you if you didn’t answer their calls for whatever reason: parents, siblings, best friends going through a breakup. Last Message sets a pre-defined text, email, Facebook message or tweet to send when your phone is about to run out of battery.

pocket Free Let’s face it. Even in 2015, Wi-Fi dead zones exist all around. Pocket is an app that lets you save your favorite articles, stories, blog posts and videos to your phone to view, even without a cell reception. The app can also synchronize across devices, letting you pick up where you left off from any location.

HOYA HISTORY

“Security Complications Force Cancellation of Newton Speech”

KATHLEEN GUAN/THE HOYA

Gaston Hall hosted a screening of “Free to Rock” this Tuesday, featuring a panel discussion on how rock ’n’ roll shaped the Cold War-era USSR.

TAYLOR TRIES THINGS

Taylor Tries: Living Life To the Fullest It Can Be

T

here is very little that I have to say that is important. While I had planned to mass-produce another article detailling something silly or slightly stupid, like I’ve done recently, in light of the recent acts of terrorism, nothing seems worth discussing.

How can I plaintively discuss my disastrous attempts at attending a frat party or impulse buying a guzheng — a classical Chinese zither — when people’s lives have been irrevocably changed, or altogether destroyed and the pretense of safety in the world has once again slipped from society’s grasp? Trying to search for meaning in this world that is plagued with commonplace atrocities is exhausting.

I am certainly no stranger to existential crises and I am by no means an emotional person. So this is me, trying to be emotional. And yet, it is so much easier to think about these events only as news titles about detached and foreign events Taylor affecting people hundreds of thousands of miles away, where their pain cannot reach you. But sometimes that is the only way to survive a day without your body aching, suffocating under the knowledge that pain is inherent in the world. Often it seems like the only options are to remain aloof or to force ourselves to experience pain; neither is a particularly pleasant option.

However, I am not writing about what occurred in Paris, Beruit and elsewhere. To do so would be a disservice to the monumentality of the events, as the feelings of a semi-informed college student can do little more than repeat the same feelings already expressed. Pain is not unique. It is a universality, a senseless guarantee in this world that leaves none unscathed.

Where does the root of sadness lie? The answer to that is something I have puzzled over in conversations with close friends and on my own to no avail. More importantly, how can we allow ourselves to become blind so as to not be destroyed by the gravity of current events, and the undocumented horrors that occur every day?

In trying to dissect my own forms of sadness, I often fail. Generally, it is through the lens of poetry that I discuss the feelings of absence and erasure that often overwhelm me

in my own life, things I cannot even begin to consider without using art as a pretense of defense against the truth. In my writing, it is possible to undergo realizations about myself that I would not be able to confront otherwise. Or sometimes I ignore it. Turning my thoughts to the small pleasures, like running on the canal or eating M&M’s, allows for momentary escape.

I cannot help but assume that everyone must think like this at some point during the day, when the monotony of suffering through yet another international relations course followed by work followed by a barrage of club activities forces nihilist beliefs out of whatever crevice they normally work in. For me, it is unfathomable that a person can happily coexist with his own consciousness and not be brutally aware of the inevitability of death, or the fact that as we live our own privileged lives, we remain ignorant of the Bond plights of others, even those surrounding us.

Knowing that all of this sadness is possible in the world, how do we go on? How do we shrug away the burden of the guilt that comes from trying to be happy, for not knowing the true extent of pain? I apologize that this article wasn’t “zany” or “quirky” or “outlandish” like my normal work and that the prompt of this article is a discussion that I can truly add nothing to. But in all honesty, it was either this or Kpop, and somehow discussing my burgeoning love for boy bands did not seem very appropriate in light of everything that has happened.

There is no end to this article, just like there is no end to the events that will undoubtedly occur in the world and make us question all that we understand about happiness. As long as the world orbits, I am aware of the possibility of my death at all times, and although disconcerting, it reminds me to be content with the everyday experiences and accomplishments, and to focus on only impressing myself. To live is to struggle, but it is also the greatest — and the only — thing we will do.

Taylor Bond is a sophomore in the College. This is the last appearance of TAYLOR TRIES THINGS this semester.

Nov. 19, 1970 Security issues prompted the university to cancel a much-anticipated speaking engagement by Black Panther Defense Minister Huey Newton.

Black Panther members questioned the university;’s ability to provide adequate security measures for the event, despite the fact that it could have been moved to McDonough Arena. The speech was already controversial, as some thought it presented a “clear and present danger,” and others opposed the use of university funds to support the Black Panthers. This event would have symbolized an important cooperation between undergraduate student government and the Black Student Alliance.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK | SOUTH AFRICA

John miller/tHE hOYA

the guide

friday, November 20, 2015

THE HOYA

B5

Album ReviEw

Know-It-All Alessia Cara

SARA BASTIAN

Special to The Hoya

Alessia Cara’s first album, “KnowIt-All,” released Nov. 13, perfectly stresses the interplay between the optimism and pessimism of adolescence. Cara, a 19-year-old hailing from a suburb of Toronto, boldly gives a rebellious voice to a generation constantly characterized as conforming to socially constructed



norms. Since the launch of Cara’s debut single, “Here,” her defiant message has been loud and clear.

Released in April as part of her “Four Pink Walls” EP, “Here” has consistently remained on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and features as the second track on “Know-ItAll.” The song is an honest anthem for wallflowers, sympathizing with the antisocial individual who would rather stay away from the

DEF JAM RECORDS

Alessia Cara’s cool, relatable debut album, “Know-It-All,” offers a lot of promise for the burgeoning 19-year-old Canadian star.

party scene as she sings, “But honestly I’d rather be somewhere with my people / We can kick it and just listen to some music with a message.” Cara cleverly pokes at and makes us question teenage conformity. Fearlessly denying this trend, Cara’s fresh song gives power to challenge convention.

“Know-It-All” opens with the upbeat first track “Seventeen.” With a melancholy tone but a positive melody, Cara sings, “Now I wish I could freeze the time at 17 / I been goin on, I been growin’ up / I’m a know-it-all, I don’t know enough.” Immediately, Cara signals how the album title can be interpreted, leaving some ambiguity in the minds of her audience.

Although not an original, almost dismal theme of fleeting time, the tone itself is not sorrowful, which sets her apart from the thousands of whining artists who tragically lament the brevity of a lifetime.

She confidently approaches this terrifying fact of life in a hopeful, unapologetic manner, setting an example for how we should regard the daunting reality.

The third track, “Outlaws,” assumes a lively resonance reminiscent of Motown chords. She calls on her desire for adventure in a partner, crooning, “We’ll be outlaws / Partners in crime / We’d take on the world together.” Her longing to seek thrill in a partnership relates to hesitancies about relationships and apprehension that they - again emphasizing this universal concern - grow old and become boring.

The most mainstream, pop-in-

fluenced track on the album, “I’m Yours,” is not a typical love song.

Cara at first reveals her skepticism in trusting a partner, but over the course of the ballad, resolves to accept her feelings and open up to the relationship. Unapologetically justifying her behavior, she sings, “And I promised I would never let me hurt anymore / But I tore down my walls / And opened my doors / And made room for one.” She happily critiques the apprehensiveness that is all too common in beginning to trust each other.

Her humble beginnings can be discerned through the retro rythmand-blues “Four Pink Walls,” as these “four pink walls” represent Cara’s childhood bedroom, where she spent most of her time recording videos of herself playing music.

The perceptible polarity of her past and present sheds light on her journey to success, and she soulfully attributes it to her diligence and dedication to maintaining high aspirations.

“Wild Things” sets a fast-paced, energetic mood and works as an answer to the dispirited “Here.” Cara’s refreshing nonconformist attitude drives the message of this song as she sings, “I lose my balance on these eggshells you tell me to tread / I’d rather be a wild one instead / Don’t wanna hang around the in crowd.” Redefining “cool” as what is socially constructed as “uncool,” Cara embraces rebellion against a conformist system and emphasizes individuality.

Collaborating with Sebastian Kole on her seventh track, “Stone,”

DEF JAM RECORDS

Cara varies the pace of the album with this distinctly slow addition.

“Stars,” the ninth track, also succeeds in regulating the tempo of the album.

Cara concludes on a positive note, with a critique of society’s flawed beauty standard in “Scars To Your Beautiful.” The R&B-tinged lyrics affirm, “You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are / And you don’t have to change a thing / The world could change its heart.”

She disassembles the obligation to conform to public perception and rightfully places blame on society for giving girls these “scars.”

A pop-R&B fusion, “Know-It-All” celebrates Cara’s dreams, anxieties and pursuit to find meaning. Her album is unprecedented and succeeds at setting her apart from the pop princesses we have grown so tired of. Cara balances skepticism and buoyancy to capture the sometimes unpleasant, constraining, but also anticipated experience of adolescence. Her first album awaits positive results and should be a promising kick-start for Cara’s professional music career. Given that she has already been invited by JayZ to headline at the 2015 Tidal Concert at the Barclays Center, she’s well on her way.

RECIPES

Restaurant Review

Roasted Grape and Butternut Squash Bruschetta cooking.nytimes.com This simple recipe is a fall-inspired twist on a classic appetizer that is both easy to make and ideal for a sophisticated college dinner party.

When in doubt, go with bruschetta.

Ingredients:

ELEANOR TOLF FOR THE HOYA

Perry’s, a Japanese restaurant in Adams Morgan, is a local mainstay famous for its drag-queen-inspired Sunday brunch. The food itself is underwhelming for its price, but the atmosphere is the main draw.

Brunch With Flair Perry’s Restaurant 1811 Columbia Rd. NW | Cuisine: Japanese | $$$$ ELEANOR TOLF

Special to The Hoya

Don’t we all love brunch deep down, despite its reputation? Minus the title, it is simply breakfast that lets you sleep in and start drinking (age permitted) before noon. Brunch cuts out the pesky waiting period between breakfast and lunch, combining the two into one glorious chow-down. Perry’s, an upscale Japanese restaurant, has capitalized on this appeal. For the last 30 years, the Adams Morgan standby has hosted the Sunday morning brunch buffet we love with a twist.

Every Sunday, people line up outside Perry’s anxiously hoping for a table. There is chatter in the crowd, probably guesses about who will make an appearance today. Will it be the younger and energetic drag queens who shake it in ways you’ve never seen, or perhaps the seasoned veterans who tease the crowd with cute references and witty comebacks? Whatever the lineup, Sunday brunch at Perry’s is never dull. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and, while the doors open at 10 a.m., the show doesn’t officially start until 11 a.m.

While the younger queens focus on lip-synching and dance moves that show off their amazing flexibility in high heels, the older ladies take it as their mission to embarrass the diners, specifically birthday boys and girls or any man does to answer the question, “Do we have any single men in the room tonight?” The language and explicit nature of the show certainly isn’t for the faint of heart.

Although the normal Perry’s offerings are fairly upscale, the Sunday morning fare is nothing to write home about. It is, however, a refreshing reprise from the confused assortment that is Leo’s



Sunday brunch. The cost for the all-you-can-eat buffet, including coffee or tea, is $25.95. The buffet assortment features six different salads, muffins and breads, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, waffles, sushi, assorted meats, egg rolls, fruit and pastries. Sure, your plate of salad, waffles and sushi might look a bit off, but the strangest things start to feel ordinary over the course of two hours at Perry’s.

Sunday mornings are often not Georgetown students’ finest hours, but don’t fret about the early start.

If you can’t rally your group that early, you’ve still got options. The first round of guests start to leave at 12:30 p.m., so getting in line at 12 p.m. will almost certainly secure you a space for the second show of the morning. If you have any interest in exploring the Adams Morgan area, you can also leave your name with the host and return at the suggested time. A cheap and easy way to get to the restaurant is to take the G2 bus that leaves from 37th and O Streets NW until its stop at P and 18th, then walk a short distance west to Dupont Circle to get on the 42 bus, which will take you to Columbia and 18th Streets NW. There are a good number of drag shows in D.C. and I’ve seen most of them. Many occur on the 18 and over nights of local gay bars and are, of course, fun weekend activities, but the Perry’s show has been seasoned and perfected by queens and patrons are loyal to this specific show.

The show is a landmark of gay culture in D.C. and has played witness over the past 30 years to our country and city’s transitioning attitude towards LGBT issues. Family in the area introduced me to the D.C. tradition of Perry’s Sunday brunch, and now it’s my turn to encourage you to experience the eccentric underbelly of this city.

• 2 cups seedless red grapes • 1 tablespoon grape seed or other neutral oil • 2 teaspoons kosher salt • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper • 2 cups diced butternut squash • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves • 1 cup pecans • 1 baguette • 12 ounces good-quality • chevre or Camembert

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a sheet pan, toss grapes (with stems removed) with grape seed or other oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and roast for 15 minutes. On another sheet pan, toss butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, allspice, cinnamon, smoked paprika and thyme and roast for 10 minutes.

Roast the pecans for about three to four minutes or until they become fragrant. Cool slightly and chop.

Slice 12 pieces from the baguettes, sprinkle with remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill or toast in the oven until golden brown.

To assemble the bruschetta, spread each slice with about 2 tablespoons of chevre or a slice of a Camembert-style cheese and sprinkle with pecans. Then add a mix of squash and grapes.

Pear and Cranberry Bellini

www.marthastewart.com This fruity cocktail is best served with a fresh, tasty starter like the bruschetta.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup pear nectar • 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail • 1 bottle Prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine In a small pitcher or large liquid measuring cup, combine pear nectar and cranberry juice cocktail.

Pour 1/4 cup juice mixture into eight champagne glasses. Each glass, top with Prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine.

Sebastiani Sonoma County Merlot ($18) This wine combines aromas of black cherries, black tea, vanilla, mocha, and plums. The palate blends perfectly with the sweet but savory aftertaste of the bruschetta and the goat cheese.

B6

the guide

THE HOYA

Friday, November 20, 2015

MOVIE Review

life in art

Mockingjay, Part 2

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence Directed by: Francis Lawrence Daniel Almeida Hoya Staff Writer

Unwaveringly bleak, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” is the culmination of the action-packed, stirring “Hunger Games” series that fans deserved. As a result of director Francis Lawrence’s work, viewers will observe a series that found its spark among light, vibrant and futuristic gladiatorial battles mature into a dark tale of scarred characters and the dangers of insurrection. Set against the Capitol’s pale ruins and forebodingly impenetrable architecture, the final iteration of Suzanne Collins’ novels’ blend of a politically charged human drama and dismal tone is not for everyone. But audiences longing for something beyond the first movie’s melodramatic, young-adult portrayal of a world gripped by totalitarian cruelty and characters burdened with the pain of loss will not be disappointed.

We rejoin Katniss Everdeen, once again played by the talented Jennifer Lawrence, in the middle of the gut-wrenching revelation that audiences were left with at the end of “Mockingjay, Part 1.” But the Katniss we witnessed on the silver screen in the previous three parts of the series is not the one Lawrence brings to life. The Katniss of “Mockingjay, Part 2” is a character wrecked by catatonic disillusionment and overpowering grief. Although audiences will still enjoy those familiar moments of Everdeen’s biting sarcasm and brash impulsivity, make no mistake: This is a character who has been exposed to brutal and tragic loss and suffers from a sense of alienation from her duties, friends and environment.

In her portrayal of such a conflicted figure, Lawrence has rarely been better; she draws us in and electrifies a narrative wrought with mistrust and uncertain alliances. Josh Hutcherson’s disturbing depiction of the emotionally and psycho-

logically torn Peeta Mellark also deserves acclaim. Although Hutcherson’s portrayal is not as exhaustively explored, he, to the excitement of the audience, added refreshing depth to a flavorless character. Even so, as “Mockingjay, Part 2” turns inward to wrestle with some of the more thorny consequences of war, it is Lawrence’s towering performance that anchors the movie.

Audiences will also be pleased by the beautiful cinematographic work done by Jo Willems, who shot all but the first of the “Hunger Games” movies. Willems superbly contrasts the ruined grandeur of the capitol, the aesthetic of Katniss’ home and the unbearable heaviness of the bunkers of District 13. The costume work done team of Kurt and Bart pairs perfectly with the film’s darker themes. Characters dressed in light and elaborate garb are set against crushingly plain settings, while those who don simple, practical combat attire find themselves in the middle of detached opulence.

However, “Mockingjay, Part 2” is not consistent with its pacing. Perhaps that is for the best; director Francis Lawrence stumbles and rushes through critical scenes, heartbreaking deaths and awe-inspiring traps. Although moviegoers will find thrill in the nightmarish sewer sequence in which Katniss and her team are attacked by grotesque genetically modified monsters, such moments are few and far between.

It is the slow moments that shy away from maximum-volume, shaky-cam action that stick with the audience long after the credits roll. Those moments of daunting, revealing close-ups and haunting silence reveal a cast that is ready to elevate “Mockingjay, Part 2.” In a rare moment of foreboding calm, the audience is stunningly whirled around Katniss, dancing with Prim (Willow Shields), and shown the underlying fear and apprehension that continuously dictates Katniss’ every choice. But even

Dan Kreytak

LIONSGATE

those moments are not given the time they warrant. Such powerful, meaningful interactions between some of the best actors are cut too short; a decisive meeting between Lawrence and the maniacal President Snow (Donald Sutherland), leaves the audience uncomfortable — in the best of ways — but longing for more. By the final third of the movie, viewers realize that while some scenes drag on for too long, others are not given their due weight. In trying to reconcile the series’ past speed and the final chapter’s solemnity, Lawrence’s delivery was infuriatingly inconsistent.

The final chapter, unfortunately, also fails to distance itself from the tacky romantic drama that, as Johanna (Jena Malone) — one of the series’ most dejected personalities — aptly reminds us, engenders a healthy number of eye rolls. By the fourth installment of the series, the audience is tired of the cliched love-hate relationship between Katniss and Peeta.

“Mockingjay, Part 2” confusingly attempts to breathe fresh life into their relationship by having each separately grapple with its own emotional and psychological wounds.

Those shared scenes between Katniss and Peeta, therefore, default to the repetitive mold used in all three previous iterations of the “Hunger Games” series.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” is bold. Although its inconsistency leaves viewers with a sense that they missed something, its dour portrayal of the scars left by war and of its stinging emotional impact.

movie review

Secret in Their Eyes

Starring: Julia Roberts  Directed by: Joe Wright Nick Harrison

Special to The Hoya

“Secret in Their Eyes,” directed by Billy Ray, provokes questions about the meaning of justice and how far one is willing to go to get closure. The film stars Julia Roberts as Jess, an FBI investigator whose daughter is raped and murdered. Despite the efforts of her co-workers Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Claire (Nicole Kidman), the killer remains elusive.

Thirteen years later, Ray returns with a new lead he thinks will solve the case. While the film, based on the 2009 Argentine film “El Secreto de Sus Ojos,” which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, may not be Oscar-worthy itself, it is a thrilling and unpredictable story that is bound to keep audiences in suspense.

The film flashes through time, following investigators as they discover new information they think will lead them closer to the killer. The time lapses, although occasionally difficult to follow, are nonetheless effective at changing the film’s pace and keeping

thedaudience guessing. Clues suddenly lead to one another in too obvious of a sequence, but over time the story is filled out with twists and turns that heighten suspense and engage the viewer. A scene in which Ray and Bump (Dean Norris), chase a suspect through Dodger Stadium is particularly intense.

The team of investigators pushes legal and ethical boundaries as it seeks out the killer, encouraging the viewer to contemplate the meaning of justice and the lengths one should go to achieve it. Ray insists on investigating the case himself, rather than leaving it to the assigned detectives and focusing on his main duties, which focus on counterterrorism.

To complicate matters, Jess wants information about the case that she is not allowed access to. Even though Ray and Jess disobey orders, their commitment to solving the case is understandable, leading to mixed feelings about their motives. The characters become increasingly frustrated as higher-ups refuse to approve further investigations, which pushes them to try and take matters into their own hands and provokes moral dilemmas.

STX ENTERTAINMENT

“Secret in Their Eyes” follows the story of a murder case as an FBI investigative team pursues its suspect over the span of 13 years.

How I Snuck Into a Future Concert Over the past few months, I’ve pursued a hobby that combines two of my favorite things in a way I had never previously considered: “professional” concert photography.

As an avid concertgoer, I have always come home with dead and sometimes broken phones, feeling at once content and unfulfilled. I’d spent a night enjoying live music with friends but hadn’t captured the night to the degree I’d hoped: the energy, the mood, the experience. All my life, I’ve had a fear of forgetting the people and memories that shape who I am. Thus, my iPhone’s camera roll is filled with thousands of seemingly meaningless photos.

Last spring, in a pragmatic attempt to both spare my phone battery and capture an evening, I brought a disposable camera to my first Travis Scott show. Since the concert was sold out, none of my friends wanted to shell out the money to attend, so I headed to one of my first solo concert experiences, a tradition that I’ve only just recently gotten used to.

I took photos at every step of the night, documenting both my journey into the Fillmore at Silver Spring and my location in the crowd throughout. Having arrived late to the show, I stood at the very back of the sold-out, 2,000plus general admission crowd. However, Scott’s rowdy performance of his heavy-hitting “Basement Freestyle” found me two or three people back from the front barrier after a few minutes of moshing my way through the hyped crowd. Because of this, the first half of my roll was random shots of the stage from various parts of the club, but the latter half ended up being unique, grainy portraits of Trav and Young Thug, who co-headlined the tour.

Something I’ve learned since I started officially shooting concerts is that photographers typically get to only shoot the first three songs of a set in an effort to minimize their distraction to the fans. However, I took my first concert photos during the last few songs of the show: a couple duets featuring both Trav and Thug and some of their more popular songs. The energy was unparalleled. I captured something special.

After seeing some success with my newfangled, do-it-yourself concert photography, which consisted of me showing up to venues early and making sure that I got to the front, I started to reach out to managers of artists to acquire photo passes to shows with my “portfolio” of 35mm film shots developed at Walgreens. Believe it or not, I had some success, and I just built from there.

Even before this show, my mantra had been to get the shot by any means necessary, and this is where I really saw this motto start to pay off.

STX ENTERTAINMENT

The themes of passion and obsession — and the line between the two — take center stage in “Secret in Their Eyes.” Jess and Ray’s obsession with the crime takes over their lives. Ray spends years scouring databases with criminals’ pictures in search of the killer, while Jess spends every night at a restaurant with the hopes of encountering him.

We are ultimately pushed to contemplate if the team’s obsession with the case will be effective in helping the characters achieve closure.

The viewer may also wonder if Ray’s obsession has caused him to become paranoid and to follow false leads, and Jess and Ray begin to have disagreements over the case.

Similarly, Ray is enamored with Claire, despite the fact that she is with another man.

His passion for her mirrors his desire to solve the case. However, these thematic connections would have added more depth to the film had they been more subtle, especially considering that at one point Jess explicitly mentions to Ray the significance of passion in their lives.

“Secret in Their Eyes” invites the viewer to become obsessed with discovering the truth just like the characters, all while inspiring thought-provoking moral questions.

Although at times the thematic and narrative elements of the film can be too blatant and contrived, “Secret in Their Eyes” is nevertheless an admirable attempt at a genuine suspense film, which comes as a welcome surprise.

BEST BETS

TAG Day: Thanking Alumni & Friends Georgetown University Dance For Giving Company’s “Falling Forward” Come to the Healey Family Student Center to write a thank-you postcard for young alumni donors, who make possible the scholarships received by 40 percent of students. Come show your thanks to these alumni and grab a free Georgetown cupcake!

Come support Georgetown’s oldest dance group in its fall showcase, “Falling Forward.” Featuring contemporary and jazz pieces in addition to reworked choreography from “Sleeping Beauty,” this performance surely will not disappoint.

WHERE: HFSC When: Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m.

INFO: facebook.com Price: Free

WHERE: Walsh Black Box Theatre When: Nov. 20 and 21, 8 p.m. info: performingarts.georgetown.edu price: $10 general, $8 student

After a summer of shooting around a half a dozen concerts and some time off to get settled at school, my first show back in D.C. ended up being an unlikely opportunity. I had spent weeks trying to reach the promoter for a Future concert at Echostage that was a part of Howard University’s Homecoming Weekend and ended up heading to the venue the night of the show with plans to buy a ticket from someone and sneak my camera in. In a lastditch effort to talk my way in, I asked a bouncer about getting the imaginary pass left for me at will call. He directed me to the very promoter who had ignored my emails for weeks. After 15 minutes of convincing him, showing him my camera and pulling up past work on my phone, he told me he liked my hustle and wanted to hook me up for that reason. Even before this show, my mantra had been to get the shot by any means necessary, and this is where I really saw this motto start to pay off. I’ve been in mosh pits with my camera, talked my way into shows, jumped up to the front of packed venues backpack and all and waited around after to meet artists and get portraits.

Since coming to Georgetown, I had yet to take a photography class until this semester, the fall of my junior year.

If you had asked any of my friends, they would have said photography was a passion of mine. But it wasn’t one I was actively pursuing. In putting creative outlets behind other seemingly more important pursuits, I felt I wasn’t truly living my Georgetown experience to the fullest.

This year, I committed myself to working on my craft and building my experience, and it has already taken me so far.

I’ve met so many new people, including some of my favorite artists. I can’t wait to see where else my hobby takes me.

Dan Kreytak is a junior in the College. Life in Art is a rotating column, appearing every Friday.

ON CAMPUS Interfaith Thanksgiving BlankET

The Office of Campus Ministry invites any and all members of the campus community to join in a unique celebration of Thanksgiving that will feature fellowship, prayer and interfaith dialogue. Regardless of faith tradition, it is essential to acknowledge the blessings we have all received.

WHERE: Copley Formal Lounge When: Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. info: events.georgetown.edu price: Free

The Invisible Wall: Photographs by Susana Raab Go and admire the work of Susana Raab, the photographer of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. This exhibit displays her work examining the racial and social disparities in Washington, D.C.

WHERE: The Walsh Building, Spagnuolo Art Gallery WHEN: Now through Dec. 6 INFO: susanraab.com PRICE: Free

the guide

friday, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

THE HOYA

Album Review

MUSIC

Purpose

Justin Bieber Rhiannon Catalano Hoya Staff Writer

Pop sensation Justin Bieber has lived through a whirlwind couple years. From releasing three back-toback smash-hit records with 15 million combined sales to leaving his pet monkey in a German airport to puking onstage in Arizona, Bieber’s name has become synonymous with the words “reckless” and “obnoxious” rather than “singer” and “entertainer.” However, the time for teenage antics has come and gone. Bieber has done a lot of soul-searching in the past few years and is back, ready to tackle the pop music world.

After the release of three extremely popular singles earlier this year, “Where Are U Now,” “Sorry” and “What Do You Mean?,” there was little doubt that Bieber’s fourth studio album, “Purpose,” would be anything

New Releases

 but one of the year’s best records.

“Purpose” is a departure from Bieber’s precious slow rhythm-andblues jams and hip-hop features. Instead, there was a conscious effort by producers Skrillex, Poo Bear and Diplo (among many others) to create a new, unique sound for the apologetic star.

Sonically, “Purpose” builds on the foundation of electronic dance music and tropical house present on his three summer hits. Gone, for the most part, are the R&B singles reminiscent of Bieber circa the “Believe” era. New musical experimentations, including the occasional foray into tropical house, give Bieber the chance to show people his signature pure falsetto and his vocal abilities that made him a household name. In contrast to these new sounds, “Company” and “Trust” show Bieber switching gears back to his traditional R&B slow jams.

“We Are,” featuring Nas, feels like a

JUSTIN BIEBER MUSIC

Justin Bieber’s fourth studio album, “Purpose,” draws in new audiences with his EDM- and R&B-inspired pop hits.

2000s rap and R&B throwback from Justin Timberlake’s first solo album.

“Mark My Words,” the first track of the album, sets the tone for what is to come. The song’s calming presence shows Bieber trying to gain back the love and trust of not only his fans but also of his ex, Selena Gomez. With lyrics like “Falling in and out of trust / Trying to rekindle us / Only to lose yourself / But I won’t let me lose you,” it is easy to see how this is one of the three songs he admitted to be about Gomez on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” last week.

The expedition into Bieber’s personal life continues on the next track, “I’ll Show You.” Bieber laments about how his “life is a movie and everyone’s watching / So let’s get to the good part and pass all the nonsense.”

He admits that with the media following his every move, he has had to learn life lessons the hard way, a fact that would be hard to refute.

“Sorry” is, unsurprisingly, another track inspired by his ex Selena Gomez. The track, produced by Skrillex, has an EDM-meets-reggae feel that made the song an infectious smash hit. Although lyrics such as “I’m missing more than just your body” seem insincere, the song as a whole feels like a genuine apology directed straight at Gomez.

One of the best tracks of the album is a collaboration with Ed Sheeran called “Love Yourself.” The subtle background noise of an acoustic guitar and clever yet cheesy lyrics give the song the feel of an Ed Sheeran hit.

It is hard to not be swept up in the sea of emotion and vulnerability when Bieber sings, “I fell in love, now I feel nothin’ at all / Had never felt so low when I was vulnerable / Was I a fool to let you break down my walls?”

Piano ballad “Life Is Worth Living” features a stripped-down vocal melody with no trace of the ever-present tropical house vibes. This, in turn, gives Bieber a chance to showcase his vocal range. The song shows the best of Bieber and allows him to be inspir-

ERYKAH BADU “Phone down”  DEF JAM RECORDINGS

ing and genuine.

The strangest track on the album is “Children.” The song is a call to action for millennials who want to make a difference. What could be a public service announcement is oddly paired with a high-energy EDM beat.

However, the two play on each other to create a shockingly good song.

Beside love, another prevalent theme of “Purpose” is religion. The theme is not surprising coming from Bieber, who often speaks about his religious faith and beliefs. On the title track, “Purpose,” Bieber reflects on his rise to fame and his connection with his faith. On “All In It,” Bieber talks directly to God about the importance of being true to yourself and doing what you love. Both of these tracks, with their simple production and clean vocals, showcase Bieber’s emotional side and are exceptionally heartfelt and motivational.

The album ends with an acoustic version of summer smash “What Do You Mean?” The acoustic version allows Bieber to showcase his raw talent and makes the listener wish, despite the greatness of his new EDM sound, that the entire album had been released acoustically.

“Purpose” is by far Bieber’s best work to date. On “Purpose,” Bieber is introspective, making a pledge to show the world that his public image is not the whole story. The album does not quite give him the redemption he is looking for. Only time will tell if he has truly reinvented himself. However, he is growing up and owning up to his mistakes, and in doing so, he has created a unique album full of soon-to-be smash hits with the ability to convert many into Beliebers.

One Direction

Claire hayes

Special to The Hoya

Since day one, One Direction has tried to break the typical “boy band” stereotype. It has made efforts to avoid choreographed dances and matching outfits, and while its music in the beginning resembled the sound of bands like NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, the foursome’s fifth album, “Made in the A.M.,” has certainly strayed from its previous teenpop sound.

For the past five years, One Direction has released an album on an annual basis, continuing the trend

with this album. This is the band’s first album since member Zayn Malik left the group in March, and the last before the band goes on its extended hiatus.

The group released its first single of the album, “Drag Me Down,” in August, and right away fans got a sense that the boys were actively moving away from their “What Makes You Beautiful” days into a more rock-inspired genre. The song is certainly different from its past singles with its strong guitar and drum presence. As different as it is, it is still as catchy as One Direction singles usually are.

SYCO MUSIC

In its first album without former bandmate Zayn Malik, One Direction shows matured songwriting, departing from its more formulaic past.

 “Hey Angel” is the first song on the album, and right away you can tell that this album will be different.

The song features lyrics such as “Hey angel, tell me do you ever cry / When we waste away our lives,” signalling a more mature lyrical approach than that of past albums.

The second single, “Perfect,” is next on the album. The song made headlines in October after fans speculated it was about Taylor Swift, one of Harry Styles’ ex-girlfriends. The line “And if you’re looking for someone / To write your breakup songs about / Baby I’m perfect,” threw Directioners and the press into a frenzy. However, Styles has repeatedly dodged questions about the subject of the song.

The album also includes lots of slow songs, which is uncharacteristic of the usually-upbeat band. “If I Could Fly,” “Love You Goodbye” and “Never Enough” are the three big love-song ballads on the album.

Each song focuses on the struggles the members of the band face with heartbreak and fame. It’s clear in these songs that the boys’ songwriting skills have developed over the past few albums and that their own personal experiences have really begun to inform their music. In the past, the group has faced criticism for unoriginal and impersonal lyrics. This does not prove true in these heartfelt, emotional songs.

“Temporary Fix” and “What a

After releasing her own cover of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” last month, Erykah Badu released the original song “Phone Down” this week, dedicating it to “Aubrey” (or Drake). Hard-hitting bass pierces relatively sparse production featuring a simple haunting piano line in the background. The trippy single is from Badu’s mixtape, “But You Caint Use My Phone,” to be released Thanksgiving weekend.

Grimes “Kill V. Maim” 

Grimes’ latest studio album, “Art Angels,” was released this week to critical acclaim. Her own personal favorite track “Kill V. Maim” is an eccentric, psychedelic haze punctuated with rapid rhythms and clean beats. Grimes’s signature pixie-like vocals play well with the aggressive lyrics and techno instrumentals.

album Review

Made in the A.M.

B7

Hailee Steinfeld “Hell Nos and Headphones”  SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Feeling” are standout songs on the album. “Temporary Fix” clearly demonstrates that the lads are no longer the young boys put together on the United Kingdom’s “The X Factor.”

It features a lot of guitar and has a pretty rock-inspired sound.

Last March, One Direction announced it would take a break in 2016. This sent fans into a panic, fearing that Malik’s departure would destroy the group altogether. However, the songs “History” and “Walking in the Wind” are the boys’ promises to the fans that they will return to the stage as a group, at least some day.

For those who have looked down on One Direction as just a pop boy band or a product of the corporate machine, I encourage you to listen to this album. You will find more than simple teen-pop filler with a catchy beat; many of the tracks are songs that you can connect with, and ones that give insight into what it’s like to be in the biggest boy band on Earth.

“Made in the A.M.” isn’t meant to change the world, but it definitely puts to shame any critic who says the boys’ music has not matured in the past five years.

The biggest pop culture mystery of 2015, Hailee Steinfeld’s career transformation from Oscar nominee to self-love champion, persists with the release of Steinfeld’s new single, “Hell Nos and Headphones.”

The awkwardly titled track is a say-no-and-go-home #turndown anthem in the vein of her peer Alessia Cara, delivered over airy synths and thumping ’80s beats.

Mysterious as Steinfeld’s musical aspirations may be, if she continues releasing singles as slick and arresting as these, she could be in for a long ride as a pop star.

OFF CAMPUS The Kennedys’ Georgetown Walking Tour

Winners And Losers

Holiday Memories

Don’t miss the opportunity to see Russell Vandenbroucke’s adaptation of Truman Capote’s autobiographical holiday classics. A combination of “The Thanksgiving Visitor” and “A Christmas Memory,” the story of Capote’s experience living with relatives in Alabama is brought to life on stage just in time to get you in the holiday spirit.

PERICLES

Explore Georgetown in a way you never have before. Over the course of this two-hour tour, guide Dwane Starlin will guide you on a stroll through town. Prepare to discover the favorite haunts of President John F. Kennedy and his wife, First Lady Jackie Kennedy, during their years in Washington.

When a harmless drinking game turns serious, friends Marcus and James spark a deep debate in this production from Canadian artists Marcus Youssef and James Long. The game, an attempt to decide whether Kanye West and goat cheese are winners or losers, turns into a debate about the Berlin Well, the unpacking of privilege and the division of classes.

Where: Dumbarton House When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

INFO: dumbartonhouse.org Price: $15

Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre When: Nov. 18 to 20. See times online.

Info: woollymammoth.net Price: $35

Where: Barter Theatre When: Opens Nov. 25 Info: bartertheatre.com Price: $18 to $30

Where: Folger Shakespeare Library When: Nov. 13 to Dec. 20 Info: www.folger.edu Price: $35 to $75

Shakespeare’s seminal classic of the marooned Phoenician prince Pericles hits the Folger Shakespeare Library Theatre starting this week. The production, directed by Joseph Haj, who directed the Theatre’s 2010 production of “Hamlet,” will play through December.

B8

Sports

THE HOYA

Friday, november 20, 2015

football

GU Looks to Rebound and Send Seniors Off With Win Emma Conn

Hoya Staff Writer

After its comeback efforts fell short at home this past weekend, the Georgetown football team (4-6, 2-3 Patriot League) will take a seven-hour road trip to Worcester, Mass., this Saturday to face Holy Cross (5-5, 2-3 Patriot League). In their final matchup of the season, the Hoyas hope to continue their success from their last two meetings with the Crusaders.

Last time out, the Blue and Gray faced a well-known foe in the Fordham Rams (9-2, 5-1 Patriot League). Georgetown has struggled to compete with the Rams in the past, but last weekend it put up a fight. The Hoyas trailed 28-7 into the second quarter but senior quarterback Kyle Nolan stepped up, leading two scoring drives before the half.

After a Rams field goal, the Hoyas missed an opportunity to stay within a touchdown of their opponent. The momentum shifted at the end of the third quarter when senior defensive lineman Hunter Kiselick intercepted a pass that put the offense back on the field. Four plays later Nolan connected with freshman wide receiver Brandon Williams for a touchdown to bring his team within three at the end of the third quarter.

The Blue and Gray continued its push with a 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter by junior kicker Henry

Darmstadter. With the score tied at 31, Georgetown gave up a 76-yard kick return that led to a touchdown. Still resilient, the Hoyas drove to the 20yard line, but with 27 seconds left, a Rams interception ended the Hoyas’ comeback hopes.

“Just being relentless no matter the situation,” senior linebacker Matthew Satchell said. “It’s just been the mentality of our team this season. Just never give up and keep on fighting.”

That’s exactly what the Blue and Gray will hope to do against a tough Holy Cross team. Holy Cross defeated Bucknell (4-6, 1-4 Patriot League) last weekend 23-7 in what turned out to be a career day for junior wide receiver Brendan Flaherty. He caught 11 passes for 100 yards, breaking the Crusaders’ single-season record for receptions with 96. Junior quarterback Peter Pujals completed 30 of his 47 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Georgetown’s defense will be challenged, but it does not foresee any potential change in its approach against Holy Cross.

“We’re just focused on making sure we understand our scheme and make sure we perfect it,” Satchell said.

In their last game against the Crusaders, the Hoyas won 21-16 at home.

The win was their only victory against a conference rival last season. Nolan went 12-for-21 for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s played great against them the

past two years and obviously he’s the key to our offense so we’re going to try and get behind Kyle early,” senior wide receiver Jake DeCicco said. “We trust our defense wholeheartedly, but we know that Holy Cross puts up points the same way Fordham does, but we know that they’re going to get some stops and try to get Kyle going early.”

Even with a game left to play, the Georgetown football program has not had this much success since the 201213 season, when it finished 5-6 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

“We’re learning how to win as a program and that’s something that’s the expectation around here, not the exception,” Head Coach Rob Sgarlata said.

Sgarlata attributes much of his team’s recent success to the 16 seniors who played their final home game last week.

“I wish I had 11 more games to play with this crew,” Sgarlata said. “They fought through a ton of things that had nothing to do with football this year and I just think it shows the overall leadership and character of that senior class.”

With one game left to play against Holy Cross, the senior class looks to lead its team to victory.

“That’s kind of the legacy we want to leave behind is going out on top with the win,” DeCicco said.

The Hoyas look to finish their season at .500 and to send off their seniors with a win. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. at Fitton Field.

FILE PHOTO: KARLA LEYJA/THE HOYA

Senior wide reciever Jake DeCicco recorded eight receptions and 86 yards in Georgetown’s 38-31 loss to the Fordham Rams last Saturday.

saxa synergy

Cross Country

Green Leads Charge Into NCAAs Daniel Baldwin Hoya Staff Writer

The No. 13 men and the No. 14 women’s cross country teams will both travel to Louisville, Ky., to compete in the highly anticipated NCAA championships.

The men’s team looks to ride the momentum of its recent successes, as it won both the Big East championship and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Meet. The women will attempt to build on an impressive performance at the Mid-Atlantic Regional meet where they placed second overall with 75 points.

Junior Jonathan Green, one of the leaders of the men’s squad this season, will run on the national stage against some of the top runners in the country. Green placed second overall in the regional meet, running a time of 30:41.6 on the 10-kilometer course. His teammates and coaches value his high motor and intensity and know he will bring his A-game this weekend at NCAAs. “Well we have a nickname for Jon called ‘Psycho J’ and I think it’s an appropriate nickname for

him,” senior Michael Lederhouse said. “He’s very intense and one of the toughest and craziest guys I know. He puts everything he has on the line for the team every time he goes out there. It gives you a lot of confidence knowing Jon’s going to be out there.”

Lederhouse will look to build off of an impressive showing at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Meet, running a time of 30:58.2, which put him in seventh place overall. Junior Amos Bartelsmeyer stepped up for his team as well, clocking in at 31:00.9, which earned him eighth place. The top five for the Hoyas were rounded out by junior Scott Carpenter, who finished 10th (31:04.8) and sophomore Christian Alvarado, who earned the 17th spot (31:23.6).

As the Hoyas turn their atten-

tion the biggest cross country meet of the season, Assistant Men’s Coach Brandon Bonsey urges his runners to stick together, remain focused and execute the game plan.

“I just want our two through seven runners to run together as a group,” Bonsey said.

“We learned a lot from the Pre-National Meet in Louisville, that it’s hard to move around on BRANDON BONSEY that course.

Assistant Coach We need to get in good position early, run the first 1,000 pretty quick and stay mentally tough.”

The women’s cross country team comes off an impressive performance as well. At the MidAtlantic Regional meet, graduate student Andrea Keklak placed ninth overall in the 6000-meter race with a time of 21:13.5.

She believes her notable perfor-

“We learned a lot from the Pre-National Meet in Louisville.”

mances this season stem from a newfound consistency, expressing satisfaction with her ability to succeed even when she is not having her best day. Senior Haley Pierce, who finished with a time of 21:16.3 — good for 12th overall — followed Keklak. Sophomore Kennedy Weisner clocked in at 21:18.3 to earn 14th place. The top five for the Hoyas were rounded out by freshman Audrey Belf in 15th (21:20.4) and sophomore Autumn Eastman in 25th (21:37.3).

Less than 25 seconds separated Keklak from Eastman. This continues a promising trend for the Hoyas as they have consistently posted low spreads.

Keklak believes that the team does not have a clear front runner, and mentioned her satisfaction in her teammates’ ability to motivate each other.

The women’s cross country team will run a fairly young squad in the NCAA championships this weekend. Keklak believes that the key for the team is to remain calm and to control its emotions.

After the NCAAs, both the men and women will begin their transition to the indoor track and field season.

women’s v0lleyball

Hoyas Recognize Saar’s Dedication Ryan McCoy

Hoya Staff Writer

For many collegiate sports teams, Senior Night is synonymous with the sadness that accompanies saying goodbye to their most experienced players. The Georgetown volleyball team (10-20, 4-13 Big East), however, will have a different feel to its final game this

Friday against Creighton (22-8, 16-1 Big East) one of celebration.

Georgetown’s lone senior, outside hitter Lauren Saar, will be recognized for her accomplishments both on and off the court Friday in McDonough Arena.

Saar, who recently became the ninth player in program history to record 1,000 career digs, has been the cornerstone of the

FILE PHOTO: STANLEY DAI/THE HOYA

Senior outside hitter Lauren Saar, Georgetown’s only senior, has recorded more than 1,000 digs in her career.

Georgetown team. As one of only three returning players from last season, Saar faced a daunting task to begin the year. She took the challenge head on.

“It was going to be completely different, but that it really is an opportunity that we had,” Saar said.

“I know, at least personally, that it was one of the most beneficial things that we could’ve had.”

One person who appreciates Saar’s presence this year is Head Coach Arlisa Williams.

“It’s a huge accomplishment.

Lauren, this year, has been outstanding. During preseason, she wasn’t able to play she really embraced this group, really led, taught the newcomers the Georgetown way,” Williams said. “She’s leaving a huge legacy here on how to do it the right way all the time.

We’re going to miss her a lot.”

It has not always been easy.

The youthful Hoyas have struggled at times on the court this season, coming into the final match of the year with a 10-20 record, including a 4-13 mark in the conference. That could have easily contributed to a tense relationship within the team, but Saar has always been positive.

“She made a huge impact due to a lot of freshman not really knowing the ropes,” freshman outside hitter Alyssa Sinnette said. “She made it very relaxing and easy for us to adjust on the court.”

That calming influence has extended off the court as well.

Sinnette also said Saar has been extremely supportive of the team’s rookies as they adjust to the pressures of both collegiate academics and athletics.

“Whenever I got riled up and very anxious about things, she’s the one to calm you down, rub your back and tell you about her crazy stories which don’t make

you feel half as bad,” Sinette said.

Junior middle blocker Ashlie Williams has known Saar longer than most on the team and can attest to Saar’s personality.

“She’s always such a caring person,” Ashlie Williams said.

“Any time anyone even looks like they’re having a bad day, or something’s off, she’s the first person to go up and ask them how they’re doing. It’s hard to pick one story that encapsulates her personality. She truly is one of the most amazing people I’ve met here at Georgetown.”

Saar said she values those connections and friendships with her team.

“I think that the off-court dynamic is really important, having those friendships. It affects the way you play on the court. They’re not just my teammates, they’re my friends,” Saar said.

A perspective Saar takes to heart is that there is more to life than volleyball. The english and film and media studies double major is much more than just an athlete.

“I’m also involved with Chi Alpha on Georgetown’s campus, which I’ve been actively involved with since my sophomore year,” Saar said. “So I love that, I’m a leader there. Otherwise, I’m obsessed with photography and media and that’s hopefully what I want to work in. Whenever I get the chance, I love doing shoots and photography.”

In the end, perhaps Saar’s reaction to reaching 1,000 digs says it best.

“I think it’s a really great way to leave the season and my four years here,” Saar said. “It means that we’re putting up a good block and we’ve had a good serve behind it. It always comes back to the team; you can’t get digs unless you have the team there.”

Paolo Santamaria

Celtics’ Future Looks Bright Under Stevens

W

hen Brad Stevens left Butler University for the head coaching position for the Boston Celtics after back-to-back appearances in the NCAA national championship game, pundits questioned whether he had enough experience or the coaching fortitude necessary to be succesful at the highest level, let alone for the most winning franchise in NBA history with 17 NBA titles. After a tumultuous first year that saw the Celtics lose 57 of their 82 games, Stevens rebounded with an impressive second season, leading the Celtics to the playoffs and turning a team treading water in mediocrity into an up-and-coming contender.

This season, the Celtics have truly arrived. Though their record is only 6-4 through 10 games, they have won five of the last six, all by double-digit margins against teams with records of at least .500 last season. Many advanced stats and analytics projected the Celtics to win more than 50 games and secure, in some scenarios, the second seed in the Eastern Conference. As expected, there were many skeptics — myself included — and Stevens and the Celtics have so far proven them wrong.

One of the main critiques of the team was its lack of a true a star, a player whom the Celtics could rely on to take over the game when they needed it most. It appears that Boston has found two such players in Marcus Smart and last year’s runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year, Isaiah Thomas. Smart is a defensive monster, who helped lead the Celtics to the league’s third-best defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions). Smart exhibited his ability to contribute tenacious defense against star point guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Thomas has been an offensive dynamo, averaging 21 points per game and coming up with timely buckets.

Though it is early in the season and a 10-game sample size is hardly enough to go on, the recent hot streak of the Celtics and the way they play is reminiscent of another team that had depth but lacked a superstar: the 2012-13 Denver Nuggets, who went 57-25 and earned Head Coach George Karl Coach of the Year honors.

Though Stevens runs his team differently from Karl, the two teams share the same breakneck style of play, as this year’s Celtics average nearly 100 possessions per game — good for fifth in the league in pace. Another similarity between that upstart Nuggets team and this year’s Celtics team is their incredible depth. Capable of playing nearly all 12 players on their active rosters, both teams share the ability to throw several different sets and offensive looks at teams.

Still, the Nuggets boasted Andre Iguodala and Danilo Gallinari, whereas Boston must rely on two undersized guards and an average selection of wings. The Celtics really shine in their in-game adjustments, with Stevens routinely drawing up incredible sets and sticking to effective strategies on the court.

Last year during a game against the Washington Wizards that saw Boston trail by double digits throughout most of the fourth quarter, Stevens boldly sat star point guard Rajon Rondo in favor of Smart, who was quicker and capable of playing more physical defense against Wizards guard John Wall. It worked, and the Celtics came all the way back to force double overtime.

Stevens’ adjustments routinely maximize his players’ talent, and, at this point, the Celtics’ early season success is hardly a byproduct of luck — not unlike his NCAA runs at Butler. Though his 2010 runner-up team featured current NBA star Gordon Hayward, the 2011 team that also made the championship game had lost Hayward, yet still made the tourney’s final game, in no small part due to Stevens’ brilliant coaching.

Oftentimes in sports — and especially in the star-driven NBA — we lose sight of the importance of coaching, particularly in-game coaching. Ultimately, while these players are among the best in the world, they still need to learn how to play together to achieve their full potential. And while the rest of the season needs to unfold, the Celtics are fortunate enough to have one of the best teachers in the game.

Paolo Santamaria is a sophomore in the College.

Saxa Synergy appears every Friday.

sports

FRIDAY, november 20, 2015

THE WATER COOLER

THE HOYA

women’s basketball

men’s basketball

ND, OSU Adomako Scores 19 Fight for In Hoyas’ Home Win CFP Spot HOKIES, from B10

IPPOLITO, from B10

that the Pac-12’s champion will have a minimum of two losses, and a twoloss conference champion is not going to supersede any one-loss or undefeated champion.

The big winners from Stanford’s loss were the top-tier Big 12 teams, such as Texas Christian, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Because of the Big 12’s back-loaded schedule, all the top teams in the conference are in the process of playing each other, which essentially means every week contains at least one de facto elimination game. Currently, Oklahoma State is the conference’s lone undefeated team after knocking off TCU two weeks ago and surviving a scare on the road against Iowa State. However, the rival Sooners from Oklahoma are charging hard and scored an impressive road win at Baylor University last Saturday.

Last year, the Big 12 was left out of the playoff because it refused to crown a conference champion after Baylor and TCU each finished with one loss. Baylor beat TCU 61-58 earlier that season, but the conference refused to use that as a tiebreaker.

After some long-overdue meetings, the conference finally decided to live up to its slogan, “One True Champion,” by endorsing the headto-head as the tiebreaker that would produce an actual champion.

None of these technicalities will matter if Oklahoma State runs the table and finishes undefeated. Its final two games are against Baylor and Oklahoma, and a perfect record that includes several wins against top-tier teams would be more than enough ensure a place in the top four. However, if that does not happen, then the decision will become both highly complicated and highly subjective.

Another factor that makes this year’s playoff ranking different is Notre Dame. Notre Dame, for reasons of money and pride, does not play in a conference, but rather plays a major portion of its schedule against ACC teams. Currently, the Fighting Irish are ranked in the committee’s top four and their only loss this season was to the committee’s No. 1 team, Clemson, by two points on the road. If the Irish also win out, they would finish at 11-1 and have wins against at least three teams currently in the AP’s top 25.

Assuming that no upsets occur among the committee’s top three teams — Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama — the dilemma persists about who would claim the final spot — a one-loss Big 12 champion or a one-loss Notre Dame. While the committee does care about conference champions, it would matter more if there were an actual championship game, and the Big 12 is the only Power Five conference that doesn’t play such a game.

The committee takes into account strength of schedule. By most metrics, Notre Dame has played a tougher schedule than any potential Big 12 champion. Inherently, though, despite all of the data that is available, it is a subjective realm. The so-called “eye test” is used by a wide swath of the committee’s members, especially former coaches and media members. Whether a team looks the part could determine its fate, but if every coach looks for different things and there is no measurable standard, then whomever is excluded will have a legitimate grievance.

The potential for Notre Dame to bump out another conference champion also puts the value of said conference championships into question. A conference championship is one of the major criteria the committee uses, but if a team that does not play in a conference by choice is rewarded with a playoff spot, then it brings the validity of the selection process into question. This would be antithetical to the purpose of the playoff, because the playoff was designed to replace the controversial Bowl Championship Series that relied on a combination of mathematical algorithms and media polling.

One simple solution could be to expand the playoff to eight teams. Each Power Five conference champion and the highest-ranked non-Power Five team could be given spots and the committee could decide the other two wildcard spots and the seeding of the eight teams. This might be a bit difficult logistically, and some changes would have to be made to the bowl season, but it is a pragmatic approach that could pacify nearly everyone.

Regardless of what happens in the season’s final two weeks, the committee will have to make several difficult choices. As minute as the differences between teams may be, the impact is great as the stability of the new system surely hangs in the balance.

Michael Ippolito is a junior in the College. the water cooler appears every Friday.

points. However, Adomako picked up her second foul seven minutes into the contest and spent the remainder of the half on the bench.

With Adomako out of the game, the Hoyas struggled to score. Only freshman guard Dionna White would record points for the rest of the quarter, making a layup and two free throws. The Hokies took advantage of the Hoyas’ offensive struggles and managed to extend their lead to 10 points by the time the quarter ended.

Things changed dramatically for Georgetown in the second period.

Led by White, who recorded five points and two steals in the first six minutes of the quarter, the Hoyas began to battle back. The team’s defensive intensity picked up significantly, forcing another seven Virginia Tech turnovers.

“My focus was just to be more aggressive and to hustle, to go after every loose ball and do whatever my team needed me to do,” White said.

Offensively, the Hoyas were able to find a rhythm with Adomako still on the bench. An 11-3 run brought the Hoyas within two points with 5:53 left to play in the half.

“We don’t have one star on this team. We are going to team rebound. We are going to play team defense. It’s depth,” Adair said.

Three minutes later, senior guard/forward Logan Battle hit two free throws to tie the game.

Georgetown then forced a turnover in Virginia Tech’s backcourt and junior forward Faith Woodard drove to the basket, drawing a foul.

Woodard hit one of two from the line and gave the Hoyas their first lead since they led 2-0 to start the game. On the Hoyas’ next offensive possession, Woodard finished a bucket in the paint to put the team up three.

The Hoyas forced another turnover, and senior forward Dominique Vitalis hit a jumper from the baseline to extend the lead to five points. The Hokies managed to get to the line and junior forward Sidney Cook made both free throws to end the Hoyas’ 9-0 run with 24.5 seconds left in the half. Georgetown took a three-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Hoyas were dominant. Georgetown’s defense allowed Virginia Tech to score only seven points and forced the Hokies to commit another seven turnovers.

“I think we played very good defense tonight. We have been focusing on that since the summer so I think we did a great a job executing tonight,” Adomako said.

Georgetown’s offense was arguably even more impressive than its defense, as it put up an impressive 25 points in the third quarter.

Adomako led the way with eight points, while White chipped in five. A 24-4 run to close out the period gave the Hoyas a 20-point lead going into the final quarter of play.

“We definitely went to the locker room and talked about how [Virginia Tech is] one of the best teams coming out in the third quarter, so we had to go out like the score was 0-0 again and just play hard,” Adomako said.

Virginia Tech was not willing to go down without a fight, scoring 11 straight points within a matter of two minutes in the fourth quarter to cut Georgetown’s lead to 12 with 6:25 left in the game.

“In the timeout in the fourth, we said this [is] where we get better as a team. We said, ‘Don’t look at the scoreboard, let’s work on efficiency, let’s work on things that we need to work on,’ and they listened,” Adair said.

Georgetown was able to weather the storm and two free throws by White ended Virginia Tech’s run.

“We just had to calm down and not get too erratic. Once we did that, we were fine,” White said.

The Hoyas maintained at least a 13-point lead for the remainder of the quarter. When the final buzzer sounded, Georgetown had a 17-point advantage and an elated team celebrated a long-awaited home-court victory.

“You could see the excitement at the end of the game. It was almost like a weight lifted off their shoulders,” Adair said. “They did it together. … They have worked extremely hard and I am more proud of them than anything. They needed this.”

Adomako finished the game as the Hoyas’ leading scorer, recording a game-high 19 points. White scored a career-high 16 points off the bench to go along with nine rebounds. The freshman also had five steals.

“I knew [White] was going to be a great player coming out. I said it at Big East media day,” Adomako said.

Up next, Georgetown will travel to Memphis, Tenn., to take on Memphis (2-0). The game tips off Sunday at 2 p.m.

B9

ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Senior center and co-captain Bradley Hayes scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Georgetown’s 75-71 loss to Maryland.

GU Must Prepare For Koenig, Hayes WISCONSIN, from B10

from deep on the season to go along with five rebounds and three assists per game.

“He can do everything,” SmithRivera said.

More importantly, Koenig and the rest of the Wisconsin guards rarely turn the ball over, boasting one of the 10 lowest turnover percentages in the country. Georgetown has relied on its ball pressure in the past to force turnovers, but the Badgers are unlikely to play into Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III’s defensive schemes by turning the ball over. Sophomore guard L.J. Peak and freshman guard/forward Kaleb Johnson, two of Georgetown’s top wing defenders, will have to play a hardnosed defense and avoid trying to force the issue against the turnoverconscious Wisconsin offense.

In a larger sense, the Wisconsin game offers yet another test for the Hoyas in what has been a grueling

start to the season, as the Hoyas will play three of their first four games against NCAA tournament teams from last year.

“I don’t think this group is going to lose confidence in each other,” Thompson said. “We just have to get better.”

From the players’ perspective, a chance to play two games on the game’s biggest stage at the Garden is an exciting prospect, especially against such prestigious programs.

“Coach gave us that schedule because he believed that we can hang around with those teams and deal with those teams,” sophomore forward Paul White said. “We’re all excited and we’re all looking forward to it.”

White, who has missed the first two games of the season, remains questionable for Friday’s game.

Campbell, who is sidelined with an undisclosed illness, will not travel with the team. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. on Fox Sports 1 and ESPN2.

men’s soccer

FILE PHOTO: ELIZA MINEAUX FOR THE HOYA

Junior forward Alex Muyl has recorded five goals and a team-leading nine assists thus far in the 2015 season. As a freshman, Muyl was a unanimous member of the Big East All-Rookie Team, and in his sophomore season he was named to the All-Big East Second Team.

Improved Attitude Drives Muyl’s Success MUYL, from B10

the pitch, Wiese and Turnley describe the forward as more lighthearted.

“He’s always cracking jokes and is the life of the party. So in a little bit different sense off the field he is also a big personality,” Turnley said.

At times in the past, the passion and intensity that Muyl brings to the table have posed a problem.

He said he could be so distracted at times by a poor call or missed opportunity that he forgot about the game going on around him.

Wiese said the coaching staff knows to substitute him out of the game if he needs a mental break, rather than a physical one.

As Muyl’s career at Georgetown has progressed, however, these occasions have become increasingly rare. His appeals to referees

are more calm and measured. His comments to teammates are more constructive than critical this season, and the ends of tight games often see him urging the Hoyas on.

“This year I have really been working on my mentality and trying to be more positive with myself and others. I think it has been making a big impact on my game as well.

It doesn’t mean necessarily losing your edge, losing the competitive nature,” Muyl said.

So far in 2015, Muyl has record-

ed five goals and nine assists. He carried Georgetown to a comeback win over Seton Hall (0-15-1, 0-9-0), creating all three goals for the Hoyas and serving as the team’s vocal leader. He also lifted Georgetown to its first Big East tour nament title by beating a defender and scoring the game-winner in double overtime.

BRIAN WIESE Defenses ofHead Coach ten struggle to contain Muyl, whether he is making runs behind the back line, earning free kicks in dangerous positions or scoring all on his

“Without the biting, he is kind of our [Luis] Suarez. ... He’s a little temperamental ... but when he is really good, he causes all the problems.”

own.

“Without the biting, he is kind of like our [Luis] Suarez. When you look at Suarez … he’s a little bit of a pain in the butt, he’s a little temperamental, he does his own stuff sometimes. But when he is really good, he causes all the problems. … He’s the one that unlocks teams,” Wiese said.

Georgetown will host the winner of Hofstra (13-7, 6-2 Colonial Athletic Conference) and Lehigh (13-5-2, 4-3-2 Patriot League) Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament. With their 13game winning streak and 16-game unbeaten streak, the Hoyas will be the heavy favorite in that match with Muyl at the helm.

“His maturing into the player he has become over the last two years has been maybe the single most important piece to the success we have had this year,” Wiese said.

SPORTS

Men’s Soccer: NCAA Tournament 2nd Round Georgetown (15-2-2,9-0-0) vs. Hofstra (14-7-0, 6-0-2) Sunday, 1 p.m.

Shaw Field

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

TALKING POINTS

VOLLEYBALL Senior outside hitter Lauren Saar recorded her 1,000th career dig last weekend.

See B8

“

NUMBERS GAME

On defense we have to figure out how to stop people and basically finish the game.”

SOPHOMORE FORWARD ISAAC COPELAND

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

19

The number of points Dorothy Adomako scored in a 73-56 win over Virginia Tech.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

GU Cruises Past Hoyas Seek First Win at MSG VT in McDonough PAOLO SANTAMARIA Hoya Staff Writer

MOLLY O’CONNELL Hoya Staff Writer

The last time the Georgetown women’s basketball team (2-0) won a game at McDonough Arena was Jan. 9. The Hoyas beat the Providence Friars 69-61 in what would be the team’s fourth and final win of the season before it went 0-15 to close out the 2014-15 season.

The storyline at Wednesday night’s home opener could not have been more different. Coming off a victory in the first game of the 2015-16 campaign, Georgetown earned its second win of the season, dominating Virginia Tech

(2-1) 73-56.

“It was a great team win. It was a great confidence builder. This win did so much for us as a group and it’s going to propel us forward,” Head Coach Natasha Adair said.

The first quarter was defined by sloppy play for both teams. The Hoyas turned the ball over a total of 10 times, followed closely by the Hokies, who recorded seven turnovers of their own.

Sophomore guard Dorothy Adomako was the high scorer for Georgetown in the opening quarter, netting the team’s first seven See HOKIES, B9

KARLA LEYJA/THE HOYA

Sophomore guard Dorothy Adomako scored a game-high 19 points and had six rebounds in Georgetown’s 73-56 win over Virginia Tech.

THE WATER COOLER

Following a close 75-71 loss to the No. 3 Maryland Terrapins (2-0), the Georgetown men’s basketball team (0-2) will travel to Madison Square Garden in New York City for the 2K Classic tournament Friday and Sunday. In Friday’s matchup, the Hoyas will face off against last year’s national runner-up, the Wisconsin Badgers (2-1). On Sunday, Georgetown will then play either Duke (2-1) or Virginia Commonwealth (2-0), depending on Friday’s results.

Though the Badgers lost their two star players from last season — center Frank Kaminsky and forward Sam Dekker — to the NBA, they return a dynamic forward and NBA prospect in junior forward Nigel Hayes. Hayes averaged 12.4 points per game last year on 50 percent shooting from the field, including 40 percent from the three-point line. This year, he has taken on an increased scoring load and is one of the team’s leaders alongside junior guard Bronson Koenig.

Wisconsin will look to exploit Georgetown’s porous three-point defense, which ranks 261st in the nation, according to KenPom.com. The Hoyas have struggled with defending open three-point in their last two games, allowing opponents to shoot for 39 percent overall from behind the arc.

Georgetown particularly struggled to defend the three-pointer in the closing minutes of its first two contests, allowing its opponents to shoot 8-of-14 from three in the last five minutes of the second half and overtime.

“We can get what we want on offense,” sophomore forward Isaac Copeland said. “On defense we have to figure out how to stop people and basically finish the game.”

The Hoyas will look to take advantage of the Badgers’ defensive gaps, as they have allowed opponents to shoot nearly 45 percent from deep, ranking them 292nd in Division I. “They really protect the paint, so you have to be able to take shots and you have to be able to make shots,” Head Coach John Thompson III said.

Senior guard and co-captain

S

o much information and so few conclusions — such is the norm in college football. In the second edition of the College Football Playoff, the competition for one of the four slots is more intense this year than last year.

Surprising to few but worrying to many is the idea that champions of two major conferences could very likely be left out of the committee’s top four.

The College Football Playoff may leave out some major conference champions.

With the Pac-12, Big 10, Big 12, the Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference forming the Power Five, at least one champion is guaranteed to be left out. This year, that distinction will certainly fall to the Pac-12 after Stanford University lost to Oregon State University this week. Stanford’s loss ensures See IPPOLITO, B9

who is averaging 19 points per game.

Against Radford (2-1) and Maryland, the Hoyas fell victim to a star scorer each game, with Highlanders senior guard Rashun Davis notching 28 points and the game-winning three-pointer, and Terrapins sophomore guard Melo Trimble putting up 24 points, including a pair of game-sealing free throws.

This time, the Hoyas’ perimeter defense must contend with two elite wings. Koenig is shooting 45 percent See WISCONSIN, B9

Intensity Defines Muyl’s Performance Hoya Staff Writer

Committee Confronts Dilemma

D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, sophomore guard Tre Campbell and freshman forward Marcus Derrickson have shot a combined 11-of-27 from three-point range, a rate of 41 percent. Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan and his pace-andspace offense rank in the top 10 in offensive efficiency at roughly 114 points per 100 possessions. Despite its fast-paced offense, Wisconsin — like Georgetown — suffered a surprising nonconference loss to Western Illinois (3-0).

The Badgers pose a dual scoring threat with both Hayes and Koenig,

MEN’S SOCCER

ANDREW MAY

Michael Ippolito

ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Senior guard and co-captain D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera scored 14 points, including four three-pointers, in Georgetown’s loss to No. 3 Maryland.

Junior forward Alex Muyl has always been a good soccer player.

He started from day one, recording four goals and nine assists during his freshman campaign.

This year, however, the forward has begun to take his game to another level. Muyl plays a key role for No. 3 Georgetown (15-2-2, 11-0 Big East), and he does it in a way only he can.

Muyl’s game starts with his work rate. On both sides of the ball, the forward constantly puts himself in a position to make a play. His efforts when the opposition has the ball have been key to Georgetown’s defensive success, while he is in nearly constant motion in the attack. For Head Coach Brian Wiese, Muyl’s ability to keep up a high energy level all game is one of his defining characteristics.

“He is a personality that [opposing teams] have to deal with. He is talking and he’s running and he’s fouling and he’s being fouled and he’s on the ball all the time,” Wiese said. “He is just around it. You can’t not notice him.”

Just as the junior never seems to stop running, he also never seems to stop looking for a competitive edge. Muyl spends as much time on the ground as any other player.

He frequently appeals to referees for favorable calls and chastises them when decisions go against the Hoyas. In short, he is a player that fans love to have on their side and hate facing on a rival team.

It is not just the spectators in the stands who see this side of Muyl’s game. His teammates recognize that he is not afraid to search for any in-game advantage.

“I don’t discourage him from doing that because he is successful at it, to be honest with you. Not that I encourage diving and stuff like that, but I just mean that if he can get an advantage staying within the rules of the game, sometimes you do whatever you can get away with,” senior defender Josh Turnley said.

Muyl’s search for an edge is not

limited to the referees, either. He will yell at himself for mistakes and at his teammates if he feels they have made the wrong decision. When the final whistle blows, however, Muyl insists there are no hard feelings.

“The good thing that I love about this team and that I love about my teammates is that they know that on the field, whatever

happens, whatever is said, is on the field. As soon as it’s off the field, I’ll apologize … and it’s all good,” Muyl said.

Off the field, when all the on-field intensity has been left behind, Muyl presents a very different image. Far from the gamesmanship and volume on See MUYL, B9

FILE PHOTO: NAAZ MODAN/THE HOYA

Junior forward Alex Muyl leads Georgetown with nine assists in the 2015 season. Muyl is also tied for second on the team with five goals, giving him a total of 19 points on the season, second on the Hoyas.

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