The Daily Aztec - Vol. 95, Issue 39

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Vol. 95, Issue 39

THE

DAILY

w w w. T h e D a i l y A z t e c . c o m

AZTEC

Tw i t t e r : T h e D a i l y A z t e c

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1913

I N S I D E T O D AY FOOD & DRINK

Walkout held to protest cuts

TWISTED TACOS Find out the best places to enjoy San Diego’s speciality: fish tacos. page 2

SPORTS

V.J.’S STORY Before his injury,Vincent Brown established himself as one of the best receivers in the nation. page 3

TEMPO Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor

Protests against budget, faculty, staff and course cuts continued yesterday as hundreds of students demonstrated frustration about increased fees and decreased resources.

K E V I N M C C O R M AC K CIT Y EDITOR

ALL TIME LOW Check out what lead singer Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low had to say during an interview. page 4

CONTACT

Several hundred San Diego State students gathered in front of Manchester Hall yesterday afternoon to protest cuts to the art department and to higher education overall.

The protest was organized as a walkout, with students meeting in front of the Arts South building at noon during normal class time. The crowd of protesters proceeded to march together through the Professional Studies and Fine Arts building to Manchester Hall, where administrators’ offices are located.

Associated Students President Tyler Boden was among the students participating in the walkout, leading chants of “No more cuts!” and “They cut, we bleed!”

Several students addressed the crowd once the group reached Manchester Hall.

“The problem doesn’t lie here

with SDSU, it lies with the state,” Boden said to the group of protesters, prompting a roar of cheers from the crowd.

Boden praised students for supporting the rally and encouraged them to continue being active beyond the time of the walkout.

He said A.S. is organizing a contact list where students can sign up to receive notifications about upcoming demonstrations.

Boden and other speakers also encouraged protesters to support Assembly Bill 656, which raises money for the CSU through taxes to California oil companies.

Chelsea Herman, a graduate student and one of the organizers for the walkout, said she and fellow students are upset with the cuts to the CSU system and SDSU. “We’re really frustrated with the deteriorating education,” Herman said. “The range and depth of classes — the quality of classes — has really diminished and we’re really

frustrated about that.”

Art students also received a strong vote of support from their department faculty.

“I want to tell you that you have the faculty’s support,” Arthur Ollman, director for the school of art, design and art history, said to the crowd of protesters. “The faculty is with you on this.”

Ollman said the protest wasn’t aimed at criticizing one individual or administrator, but instead a message to the state legislature to increase funding for higher education.

“The governor understands how difficult these cuts are, but state government can only spend the money it has. And that is exactly why the governor is pushing for tax and budget reform — so that state priorities such as education can have more reliable funding and a rainy day fund can safeguard them from devastating cuts when the state faces deficits in the future,” Andrea L. McCarthy, deputy press secretary

for the governor’s office, said.

“People of California are going to pay one way or another — they’re going to pay from lack of education for their populous, the lack of opportunity for their kids, just the information that we’ve all pledged to pass from one generation to another,” Ollman said.

The rally was also a protest to the reduction in SDSU’s faculty and staff.

As a part of the walkout, art students made 600 ceramic skulls to represent faculty, staff and university employees who are no longer at SDSU because of budget cuts.

The skulls were placed at the entranceway to Manchester Hall once the group arrived.

“The student body wants and needs professors who are available,” Herman said. “We hope that everybody makes higher education a priority. That means the community, that means the administration, and hopefully the state.”

GENERAL INFORMATION 619.594.4199

EDITOR

IN CHIEF, FARYAR BORHANI 619.594.4190 EDITOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

CITY EDITOR, KEVIN MCCORMACK 619.594.7782 CITYEDITOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

FEATURES EDITOR, AMINATA DIA 619.594.6976 FEATURE@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

SPORTS EDITOR, EDWARD LEWIS 619.594.7817 SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

STATE

OF MIND EDITOR, ALLAN ACEVEDO 619.594.0509 OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

Golf facility to be eliminated E L I S E F OX S TA F F W R I T E R

TEMPO EDITOR, ANYA MOBERLY 619.594.6968 TEMPO@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

ART DIRECTOR, ELENA BERRIDY 619.594.6979 ARTDIRECTOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

PHOTO EDITOR, GLENN CONNELLY 619.594.7279 PHOTO@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

WEB EDITOR, MYLENE ERPELO 619.594.3315 WEB@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

ADVERTISING 619.594.6977

INDEX FOOD & DRINK.............................................................2 SPORTS.............................................................................3 TEMPO.............................................................................4 CLASSIFIEDS....................................................................7 THE BACK PAGE............................................................8

Once a racquetball court, always a racquetball court.

The driving range on the west end of Peterson Gym will be converted back into its true colors in the next couple of weeks.

In an experiment 15 years ago, Associated Students decided to give the indoor golf driving range a whirl; however, with the number of partakers dwindling, it’s not worth the space, according to Eric Huth, the Aztec Recreation director.

This recommendation was formulated by staff, decided by students on the Recreation Board and approved by council members of A.S., according to Sean Kashanchi, the communi-

cations commissioner of A.S. Nets will be torn down and the Astroturf will be ripped out of the racquetball court turned indoor driving range, Huth said.

“Most people who practice golf, don’t want to practice indoors,” he said.

Many students have taken an interest in racquetball and wallyball, which is indoor volleyball played on a racquetball court, Huth said.

The renovation should not cost anything besides the labor, according to Huth.

Once the renovation is complete, there will be one less court to compete on.

The Racquetball Ladder Tournament has become successful among students as well, he said.

GREEK BEAT Sorority supports breast cancer survivors Alpha Epsilon Phi will be hosting their “Manicure for the Cure” event from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority house located on Montezuma Road.

Manicures will be offered for $10 to help raise money for Sharsheret — a support group for Jewish women living with breast cancer, according to Adriana Hooper, vice president of finance and house manager of Alpha Epsilon Phi.

Fraternity volunteers for Mitzvah Day Alpha Epsilon Pi will be involved in Mitzvah Day, a community service event hosted by the Jewish Student Union and Hillel, on Sunday.

The term Mitzvah means an act of human kindness in the Jewish culture, according to Aaron Kaufman, president of

Alpha Epsilon Pi. Kaufman said there are 120 volunteer spots available for community service activities within different organizations all around San Diego. Students are invited to participate and can sign up for a community service activity at www.sign-upsheet.com/users/sheets/3815.

Colleges Rock Hunger campaign A total of approximately $1,500 and 700 pounds of canned foods were collected during the Colleges Rock Hunger campaign, which San Diego State participated in last week to benefit the San Diego Food Bank, Jenn Bjorklund, Panhellenic Council activities director of Greek Life Activities Board, said. The donations add up to approximately 5,200 meals, Bjorklund said.

—Compiled by Staff Writer Reem Nour

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The Daily Aztec

FOOD & DRINK

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Energizing food to fuel any morning class ASHLIE R ODRIGUEZ S TA F F W R I T E R

Triple-shot espressos, sugary energy drinks and calorie-loaded candy bars aren’t the only way to wake up. Students are on a constant hunt for the ultimate energy boost, but relying on teeth-staining and heart-racing unhealthy sources of caffeine is not the solution.

From fruits and veggies to nuts and grains, nature has already supplied college kids with inherently energizing foods.

Everything from mental alertness and bodily functions can improve when fueled by proteins, antioxidants and carbohydrates — all which cannot be found in coffee. Make coffee and energy drinks the last resort to the morning routine and rely on an energizing and nutritious diet instead.

Antioxidant alert Fruits and veggies are loaded with the antioxidant vitamin C. Antioxidants help the body’s ability to absorb iron, which helps fight fatigue and enhance endurance, according to Taub-Dix. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables sends a surge of healthy energy straight to the brain, heart and digestive system to wake up even the most tired of students.

Consuming crunchy carrots and celery with hummus dip is a tasty treat between meals, and keeping an apple, banana or orange on reserve to munch on while walking to class is a quick way to stay alert.

Crunchy food in class isn’t recommended, so stop by Juice It Up! to order a delicious, low-fat smoothie chalked-full of antioxidants and vitamin C with one free vitamin boost such as energy or immunity.

Caffeinated carbs Power-packed proteins

MCT Campus

For a morning energy boost, kick the coffee addiction and reach for a grapefruit or a handful of nuts.

Considered a superfood, proteins provide the body with essential nutrients. Protein has a lasting power that keeps people going better than the quick, fleeting jolt of a sugar rush, according to Bonnie Taub-Dix, national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. The body will gradually use the protein it digests to store energy and ensure the mind and body will feel awake all day.

Keeping a bag of trail mix handy is a great way to fuel the body. Aztec Markets provide a sundry of mixes with fruit, chocolates and an assortment of seeds, all for $2.99.

Easy-to-make peanut butter sandwiches are a yummy alternative to midday carbonated craving. Creamy peanut butter spread on whole wheat bread is not only healthy, but a way to revitalize the body without slamming it with mountains of sugar, and consequently leading to the threat of an energy-draining crash.

And don’t forget about cheese sticks.

Those small snacks are endowed with enough protein to supply a tired body with enough stamina to get through a day of classes.

Carbohydrates give the body good fats to fuel it all day. Avoid greasy potato chips and sodium-covered crackers and opt for healthy alternatives. Pita chips are crammed with carbohydrates the body can burn throughout the day, providing energy and warding off hunger until dinnertime.

Even more nutritious, tasty and affordable are energy bars made with granola, whole grains all for about $1 to $2 at Aztec Markets.

Taub-Dix recommends energy bars that have about 100 to 150 calories for optimum energy. Constipation is a factor inducing fatigue, making cereal bars full of fiber is another allnatural way to keep vigilant.

Keep in mind dehydration is the main source of energy depletion. Coffee, energy drinks and sugar are infamous for dehydrating the body’s water reserves, so be sure to drink lots of water each day. This alone will replenish cells, which is key to staying light, alert and most importantly — awake.

So avoid coffee and sip some tea; say goodbye to energy drinks and hello to smoothies.

And overall, try to infuse the body with natural energy boosters instead of sugars.

Fabulous fish taco finds around San Diego So close to Mexico, it’s no wonder San Diego has mouthwatering fish tacos K A R I L UU S TA F F W R I T E R

Chicago may have the best deep-dish pizzas and Philadelphia might be known for its cheese steaks; however, San Diego is fortunate to be home to delicious, sauce-laden fish tacos.

As the story goes, beach vendors from Baja California, Mexico inspired the fish tacos of San Diego, with the recipe having crossed borders some time in the last half of the century.

Ingredients matter when enjoying a fish taco, of which the right combination of flavors will call anyone back for more. There may be hundreds of satiating fish taco eateries in San Diego, making it easy to find the perfect match.

Mamá Testa Taqueria When the Food Network’s Bobby Flay had a televised throwdown with this little restaurant in Hillcrest, his skills could not match the owner’s recipe for authentic and flavorful Mexican tacos. Mamá Testa’s fish tacos (listed as Mividita on the menu) consist of deepfried catfish topped with Mexican coleslaw, queso fresco and stuffed into a crunchy taco.

To any fish taco connoisseur, the combination is a revelation and makes this hole-inthe-wall a mandatory visit for fish taco lovers. What makes this taco so good is the unique flavor in comparison to traditional San Diegan fish tacos with mahi-mahi, white sauce and red cabbage. There is no overwhelming flavor of sauce, no soggy fish and the way the tacos crunch is to die for. The only downside to eating at Mamá Testa is that the fish tacos cannot be purchased a-la carte and the plate with beans and rice is about $10 for two average-sized tacos.

South Beach Bar & Grill South Beach’s crunchy mahi that is sprinkled with cheese, dripping with sauce and wrapped in a soft tortilla is often listed as one of the best fish tacos in San Diego. At the Ocean Beach restaurant customers can enjoy a delicious lunch and a view of the oceanfront and pier from the bar’s windows. South Beach’s tacos are prepared Baja style with salsa fresca and white sauce frequently spilling out from both ends of the taco. It’s impossible to use only one napkin when dining on this delight and the tacos should be wrapped in a second tortilla for leverage. The tacos are worth the $3.25 price; however, during Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. every Monday through Friday, the tacos are $2.50 and taste delicious with a cold beer.

The Tin Fish Found in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, The Tin Fish is only a few blocks from Petco Park and is a nice alternative to the overpriced restaurants nearby. Customers can vary their choice of fish tacos as they have the options of Northern-halibut fish, salmon or even swordfish. However, the halibut, which is deep-fried and comes as a large portion for its price. The taco is layered with cabbage, ranch and cheddar cheese. The ranch does Americanize the taco, but it’s just as good as any Baja taco and tastes similar to a chicken sandwich.

Unfortunately, the salmon taco is not as good with the same combination of ranch and cheese. The taco plate prices vary, however each taco sells at $3.50.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco Although it’s a fast food chain, this restaurant offers grilled fish that makes it worthy to be on the list. The tacos are layered in two tortillas and it’s a good quick taco fix when in need.

Lauren Swann / Staff Photographer

For fresh, authentic fish tacos, San Diego has a variety of options to satisfy a taste for traditional Mexican fare.

The Fish Market With a similar taste to The Tin Fish, The Fish Market downtown has a deep-fried fish served with a cup of ranch. The fish always tastes fresh and the portions are large. It’s well-worth the purchase during its weekly Happy Hour.

George’s at the Cove This fancy-pants restaurant in La Jolla surprisingly serves up a mean grilled mahi-mahi, which is first marinated in olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper. It is wrapped with a mango salsa, Bermuda onion and cilantro, plus cabbage, chunky guacamole and jalapeno-lime crème fraîche. It’s served during lunch and dinner and priced at $11 and $9 a plate, respectively.

Courtesy of Corrine Derosa

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

SPORTS

The Daily Aztec

3

FOOTBALL

Before injury, Brown proved doubts wrong E D WA R D L E W I S SPORTS EDITOR

Pac-10 recruiters come through Nick Baiz’s part of town every so often. They’ll ask about his players, and Baiz will answer them honestly. Sometimes the Pac-10 recruiters listen.

But other times, they have their minds made up long before Baiz moves his lips.

Three years ago, they knocked on his door and asked about a kid named Vincent Brown. Baiz tried to tell them how solid of a receiver he was, but the Pac-10 recruiters weren’t having it.

“The foot speed,” they would say. “I just don’t know about the foot speed.”

Baiz would shake his head. He tried to convince them: “Guys, he’s the best receiver I have ever coached.”

But nobody listened. The Pac-10 recruiters wanted two of Brown’s Rancho Cucamonga High School receiving teammates. They had the foot speed, the Pac-10 recruiters said. They were the real jewels of Rancho Cucamonga’s receiving corps.

Brown? He was just an average receiver with no speed.

Baiz just didn’t get it. He had coached Brown at Rancho Cucamonga High School, and he knew he was going to be good. So he told the Pac-10 recruiters, “You’re going to wish you had him.”

Three years later, they really do.

****** Little Vincent Jr. was 3 or 4 years old at the time, when he was out back roughhousing with friends. Vincent Brown Sr. watched his boy, the one he called V.J., from a window in the house. He could see it then, right there on the lawn; his kid had talent. He was faster, stronger and more athletic than the other kids. So when little V.J. grew up, Brown stuck him in Junior All-American Football. Little V.J. played receiver, running back, corner back and defensive end; but he shined as a wideout.

Usually, in Junior All-Americans, nobody throws a deep ball. The kids aren’t big enough, no one has the arm strength to get it there and the receivers flat-out never catch it. But with little V.J., it was different.

They would chuck him the ball and he would catch it. Every single time. Little V.J. just dominated. And when it came time to make the leap from Junior All-Americans to Rancho Cucamonga High School, he was ready to dominate there too.

But suddenly, little V.J. wasn’t so little any more. He had packed on 20 pounds in one summer.

“He was running a 4.6 40-yard dash in the eighth grade,” Brown Sr. said. In the ninth grade, he was running near a 5.0.

So that’s where V.J.’s story really begins.

He had all the talent in the world when he was a 13-year-old, but in high school, things weren’t so easy. He had to learn how to work. And his dad was more than willing to teach him.

Brown Sr. would tell V.J. mediocre wasn’t acceptable. He would tell V.J. being a diva wasn’t going to fly under his roof. He would tell V.J., “Unbelievable effort isn’t unbelievable. It’s expected.”

So V.J. worked. Brown Sr. had him enter speed training camps in the 10th and 11th grades, and V.J. exhausted himself. He ran with parachutes on; he did resistance work with elastic bands; he lifted; he sprinted with weight vests on. He even dragged tires.

And at the end of the day, tired and out of breath, he would tell his father, “Dad, I can’t stand being slow.”

What bothered V.J. most about being slow, though, was his Rancho Cucamonga High School receiving teammates. Deon Ford and David Roberts had the foot speed, and they sure as heck didn’t work as hard as V.J. did to get it. They were both three-star recruits and both ran sub-4.5 40-yard dashes. They were the ones getting the love from the Pac-10 recruiters.

But V.J. kept working. Baiz said he was always the last one out of the weight room.

And when V.J. was finally ready to leave, he would turn on the JUGS machine and catch 200 footballs. Ford and Roberts would sometimes stay with V.J. to catch passes too.

“But the difference between Vincent and those other receivers that would stay is, it was Vincent’s idea,” Baiz said. “He made them stay. That’s the type of kid he was.”

****** These are supposed to be the best high school defensive backs on the West Coast, and V.J. is tearing them up. That’s one, two, three catches in a row. He’s the smallest wide receiver out here, and he’s playing against guys twice as big, twice as fast and twice as touted, but he’s just killing these guys.

“He’s catching everything on everybody,” San Diego State’s receivers coach LeCharles McDaniel says.

Everyone on the Palo Alto NIKE Camp sidelines has the same look on their face.

How can V.J., a 5-foot-11-inch, 172-pound Rancho Cucamonga wide receiver, be dusting future Pac-10 recruits?

Off on the side, Brown Sr. watches V.J. with a smile. He’s never missed a V.J. moment; and he knows exactly how V.J.’s doing this: Mediocre isn’t acceptable.

That May 2006 NIKE Camp was V.J.’s big breakthrough. It was his payday for three years of hard work. V.J. found McDaniel at the airport after the camp and introduced himself. It wasn’t long before V.J. had an offer from SDSU on his table.

Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor

Some scouts thought San Diego State’s junior receiver Vincent Brown was too slow to play in the Pac-10.

He committed to the Aztecs early, seeing as the Pac-10 schools didn’t think he was quick enough. He remembered visiting the school and remembered being chauffeured by former SDSU safety T.J. McKay. V.J. would ask him all kinds of questions: “What’s this over here?

How do you guys do that? And how about school with football?”

McKay answered V.J. and told him all about the university. V.J. loved it, and in 2007, he was on the field running routes with Chaz Schilens and Brett Swain. Those two, who now occupy spots on NFL rosters, molded him.

“Come in and work,” Schilens and Swain would tell him. “Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t come in and make an impact.”

In his freshman season, sharing the load with those two star wideouts, V.J. racked up 349 yards and two scores on 31 catches. In his sophomore year, when Schilens and Swain met the NFL, it was his turn to take the leadership role.

He was Dominique Sandifer’s chauffeur when the would-be freshman was taking a look at joining the Aztecs. Sandifer was wide-eyed and couldn’t stop asking V.J. questions: “What’s this over here? How do you guys do that? And how about school with football?”

V.J. answered him, and then told him, “Come in and work.

“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t come in and make an impact.”

****** Deon Ford is now a linebacker at Pac-10 Washington State. In 2007, he redshirted. Last

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

year, he missed the entire season with a shoulder injury. This year, there’s no sign of him on the Cougars’ stat sheet.

David Roberts is now a receiver at Pac-10 Arizona. In 2007, he redshirted. Last year, he caught two passes for 15 yards. This year, he has 300 yards and a touchdown on 29 catches.

As for V.J.? Well, SDSU offensive coordinator Al Borges can tell you all about him.

“He’s as good as anybody in this conference,” Borges said. “He’s as good as a lot of players in other conferences. He’s a big, talented kid and he’s a very good route runner. He has glue hands. He can catch a BB in the dark. He’s tough catching the ball in the middle and he can make plays. He’s as good as he wants to be.”

Before V.J. injured his thumb against Colorado State, he was third in the nation in receiving yards with 778 and was tied for seventh in the country in receptions per game with 7.5.

“He’s a heck of a player and I lost a lot of sleep watching him,” New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker said after he faced V.J. earlier this season. “He’s good enough to where he could have given us fits the whole night.”

V.J. still keeps in contact with everyone who has molded him into who he is today. He and his dad will talk two times a day. He and Schilens and Swain will still keep up with each other. And he and Baiz will text every now and then.

As for the Pac-10 recruiters, they still come knocking on Baiz’s door to ask about players.

But now, three years later, Baiz will answer them honestly; and then he’ll say, “You missed out three years ago.”

Looking at it now, they really did.

SPONSORED BY

FOR SDSU FOOTBALL 45 778

Advanced Test Preparation

Team-leading catches for SDSU junior receiver Vincent Brown this year Team-leading receiving yards for Brown this year

111.1 Team-leading receiving yards per game for Brown this season 17.3 6 1041

Team-leading yards per catch for Brown this year Touchdowns scored by Brown this season All-purpose yards racked up by Brown this year

7

Games played by Brown this season

1

Thumb injury that spoiled Brown’s electrifying season

Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor

Vincent Brown has proved doubters wrong in his career with the Aztecs, pummeling opposing defenders.

Advanced Test Preparation

Score Higher, Aztecs!

4

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TEMPO

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

UNDER THE SCOPE

Melodic quartet on its way to top charts ALEESHA H A R R I S MANAGING EDITOR

Pop-punk band All Time Low has the recipe for infectious, upbeat songs down to a science. With the recent release of its third album, “Nothing Personal,” garnering the band praise from fans and critics alike, All Time Low has significantly ratcheted up its position in the music world.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Alex Gaskarth took a quick break from the band’s insane touring schedule (it’s currently headlining a full U.S. tour) to answer some questions for The Daily Aztec.

Daily Aztec: When did you become a band?

Alex Gaskart h: Back in high school. Jack (Barakat) and I started the band and we needed a drummer so Jack stalked Rian (Dawson) until he agreed to join.

He would literally follow him to his classes and pester him.

Zack (Merrick) went to a diff e r e n t school, but we got in contact with him and he came over for an audition. I just remember he was outside skating and doing a lot of cool tricks.

We hired him as soon as we saw him doing them, thank God he ended up being able to play bass.

DA : How have your lives changed because of the band?

AG : We’re so fortunate because we get to travel the world playing music with our best friends. I’ve definitely had the chance to go to so many places that I never would’ve gone if I wasn’t in this band. But in many ways it’s stayed the same. Three of us still live in the same town we grew up in and have a lot of the same friends. We just don’t get to see them as much because we’re on the road so much.

DA: Finish this sentence, if I wasn’t in All Time Low I would be …

AG: An unemployed bum mooching off my parents, (laughs).

iPod that your fans would be surprised by?

AG: Brad Paisley would probably be the most shocking.

DA: Any up-and-coming bands you think people need to check out?

AG: Definitely The Friday Night Boys, since they’re on my label The Party Scene and our good friends in Every Avenue.

DA: All Time Low is tied pretty closely to the clothing company Glamour Kills. Why are you guys attracted to that company? And what other companies do you work with?

AG : We’ve known Marky who owns GK for a few years now since he was designing shirts in his parent’s basement. We both kind of came up at the

same time and became good friends. He has a knack for really capturing the style of our fan base and has been super supportive of the band. We’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of great companies such as Nike, Hurley and Red Bull. Not to mention all of the instrument sponsors that support the band.

DA: What is one question you’ve always wanted to be asked / answer?

AG: Would you like to sleep with Rihanna?

The answer is yes, (laughs).

All Time Low will play a free acoustic show Friday afternoon at Fashion Valley Mall as well as an evening concert San Diego’s House of Blues.

DA: Is there any music on your

Courtesy of Hopeless Records

DA: How did you get the name All Time Low? AG: The name All Time Low came from the New Found Glory song “Head On Collision.” They were a big influence on us coming up. We had so many awful names like Playground X that the moment we found one that didn’t totally suck we went with it.

DA: Your third full-length album, “Nothing Personal” peaked on the Billboard Independent Albums chart at No. 1. That’s pretty impressive.

How do you feel about that?

AG: I have to admit it was very surreal and totally unexpected. We did a pool with our manager and crew where we all bet on how much we thought it would sell first week and we were all at least 20,000 CDs short. It says a lot about how great and dedicated our fans are that a band on an indie label with no radio play at the time can chart that high.

DA : Throughout the years your sound has changed, but still stayed much the same. What attracts you guys to light-hearted pop-punk?

AG: It’s the music we grew up with and it’s just what we enjoy playing. We’ve definitely pushed the envelope a bit with songs like “Therapy” and “Too Much,” but we never try to be something we’re not. All Time Low has always been about having fun and not taking yourself too serious.

DA: Your band makes a pretty conscious effort to meet fans at the shows. Why do you feel this is important?

AG: Not to sound cliché, but we’re really only at the point we’re at because of the fans and their support. They take the time to come out to the shows and we love meeting as many of them as we can. Our shows aren’t about the band, they’re about all of us having fun together. It’s a great feeling seeing familiar faces and getting to talk to them when we come back to their city.

Courtesy of Hopeless Records

Maryland-based All Time Low was recently featured on the late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” where its hit song “Dear Maria, Count Me In” was performed.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

TEMPO

The Daily Aztec

5

VISCERAL VISUALS

Minimalist exhibit shines bright with talent Current MCASD exhibit display similar to an industrial forest of artwork OLIVIA J ONES CONTRIBUTOR

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is currently showcasing several pieces downtown from its permanent collection, which is focused on minimalist art in an exhibition titled “Primary Forms.” The focus of this exhibition is neat and obvious — minimalist sculptural pieces. So, because of the nature of minimalism, visitors may feel there is not much to see and if an explanation is needed, it’s probably not worth it.

But for those who may be desiring some respite from their daily visual saturation in pop culture or life in a bustling, technologically thriving San Diego, this exhibition could very well serve as an enclosed retreat that will treat some visitors to its focus on simplicity of form.

The most thrilling piece might be a white wall that breathes through machinery within the wall that receives servicing through an unobservable vent. Otherwise visitors will experience neon lights inter-playing with glass or metal, a big piece of felt on the wall and other industrial materials, such as a long cylinder of metal with perfect cylinders punched through, laid across the room like a fallen tree trunk.

Through careful observation, viewers may not have to do any work at all to decide what the core of each piece is, as there is sheer value in the stripping down of visual experience to access the power of subtlety.

Take note that if the goal is to escape from society, it might be more refreshing to go on a hike. As the focus of this exhibition bears several works with neon lights and basic shapes, it may overwhelm one’s senses contrary to visual information that is absorbed daily. The viewer may not be accustomed to tuning in to such simplicity but it might just have an unexpected, overwhelming effect, unlike the calming effect of leaving society behind and venturing into the wild.

The exhibition goes until the end of the year at MCASD downtown, located at 1001 Kettner Blvd. For visitor information, view the museum’s Web site at www.mcasd.org.

Courtesy of MCASD

Pasha Rafat’s untitled piece, pictured above, is built of 15 millimeter Argon / Mercury gas tubing and steel framing. See its dimensions on display at MCASD downtown.

Courtesy of MCASD

LIVE AND DANGEROUS

Electro-house jams conclude Halloween weekend Canadian DJ, Deadmau5, spun the night away at House of Blues T I M D R AU T S TA F F W R I T E R

Glow sticks and mouse ears appeared to be the accessories of choice at House of Blues in San Diego during Sunday night’s dazzling performance of progressive house music by world-class disc jockey, Deadmau5 (pronounced “dead mouse”) and his opening act, DJ Burns.

After headlining at HARD Haunted Mansion in Los Angeles, Deadmau5 brought an end to the Halloween weekend at the sold-out show in downtown. The concert was one of the first stops on his “For Lack Of A Better Name” tour to promote his new album of the same name.

Burns warmed up the turntables with loud,

danceable, techno beats, keeping the crowd moving for an hour. He concluded his set with a remix of Benny Benassi’s “Satisfaction.”

Deadmau5 did not keep the crowd waiting long before he appeared on stage, wearing his trademark giant mouse head with big gray ears and spooky red eyes. Further enhancing the visual spectacle of the Deadmau5 experience were multi-colored strobe lights, fog machines and a big LED screen adjacent to his DJ equipment that displayed an endless array of bright patterns, graphics and visualizations that went along perfectly with his electronic beats and grooves.

Deadmau5, whose real name is Joel Zimmerman, removed his mask several times, but not before he indulged the crowd with his signature move of clapping his hands over his head while jumping up and down to the beat of the song. Fans were definitely feeling good, dancing and throwing their arms in the air for the entire two-hour performance, stopping only to take advantage of the free water — a crucial necessity for

the crowded dance party.

Fans were definitely feeling good, dancing and throwing their arms in the air for the entire two-hour performance, stopping only to take advantage of the free water.

There were many highlights to Deadmau5’s set, including modern house classics such as “Ghosts ‘N’ Stuff,” “I Remember” and “Not Exactly,” as well as more recent tracks such as the epic “Strobe,” “Hi Friend” and the drum-fueled “FML.” Deadmau5 showed his sense of humor by throwing his hands in the air and spinning

around to the remixed “The Legend of Zelda” portion of “You Need a Ladder.” The LED screen featured additional throwbacks to classic video games such as Space Invaders, Asteroids and Pac-Man. Deadmau5 performed two outstanding remixes toward the conclusion of his set, one being Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” and the other being “With A Heavy Heart (I Regret To Inform You)” by electronic-rock group Does It Offend You, Yeah?, which ended his performance with thunderous applause.

Deadmau5 exited the stage, then returned for an extra 10 minutes for an encore performance of “Slip.” By this time most of the audience was exhausted, but nevertheless completely satisfied by Deadmau5’s loud and wild set.

For more information on Deadmau5 visit, www.deadmau5.com.

For more information on upcoming shows at House of Blues visit, www.houseofblues.com.

6

TEMPO

The Daily Aztec

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

LIVE AND DANGEROUS

Evening panders to punk rock fans at notable venue ALEESHA H A R R I S MANAGING EDITOR

An auditory journey spanning years of punk rock was the featured item last Thursday night at House of Blues.

Registering a sound garnering much more than just a hint of a similarity to Green Day, Broadway Calls opened the night.

With solid vocals and sound, the three Oregon natives brilliantly delivered. The trio, made up of Ty Vaughn, Josh Baird and Matt Koenig, showcased a healthy batch of songs both old and new, including a few from its recent album “Good Views, Bad News,” which has been the band’s first release since it signed to the Los Angeles record label SideOneDummy Records. Though the venue could best be described at that point as being loosely crowded, Broadway Calls played with the vivacious energy characteristic of any genuinely good band.

New York City’s own alternative band Bayside was second on stage. With a sizable margin of crowd participation, the band ripped through its set, eliciting raucous praise from the attentive crowd. The Victory Records band has been steadily touring for more than 10 years, a fact that was made apparent by its polished and enjoyable sound.

Playing through a tirade of songs both fast and slow, Bayside proved that even after a decade of touring, the band still has an ample amount of its original live-show magic.

Pumping with a thick vein of red-blooded punk rock, headliners The Bouncing Souls hit the stage. Ripe with rowdy songs, the

band, which is currently celebrating its 20th year of music-making, wowed its onlookers.

Boasting by far the biggest turnout of the night, The Bouncing Souls had audience members with their hands in the air, wildly singing their hearts out.

Vocalist Greg Attonito gladly led the participation with his debonair delivery and onstage swagger.

“This goes out to your mom!” bassist Bryan Kienlen exclaimed as the band launched into its interlude song “I Like Your Mom.” With boisterous energy, Broadway Calls, Bayside and The Bouncing Souls produced a night’s worth of alliteration and awesome music for the end-of-theweek crowd.

For more information about upcoming dates for The Bouncing Souls’ 20th Anniversary Tour visit, www.bouncingsouls.com.

To watch an exclusive interview with Broadway Calls, visit www.thedailyaztec.com and click on the DA-TV icon.

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The Daily Aztec

THE BACK PAGE DAILY HOROSCOPE

HUMOR

Council meeting wackos

L

ately, I’ve been questioning if democracy works.

Before you call me a traitor and try to impale me with one of those miniature American flags, hear me out.

Thanks to a journalism class, in recent months I’ve been assigned to report on a few city council meetings throughout San Diego. I know the thought of democracy in action makes Americans everywhere get all misty-eyed and sentimental, but what I’ve witnessed would make even Uncle Sam disown the U.S. Let me explain why my faith in the system has been undermined.

The first city council meeting I attended began innocently enough.

The council members calmly outlined a three-hour agenda, which began with an open forum for the public and then moved to discussion on scheduled topics. I looked around the crowded room and eagerly awaited a thought-provoking debate. However, that expectation was shattered when an old guy who resembled Clint Eastwood shuffled to the podium and cleared his voice. He started by talking about how the Ford dealership screwed him royally on a recent transaction. Um, I guess that’s semi-topical? He concluded his diatribe by casually asking, “Also, can I bring my gun to the next meeting?”

Not only was the phrasing of the question troubling, but I couldn’t believe this individual was allowed to wield a firearm. Even

JARED W HITLOCK S TA F F C O L U M N I S T

more concerning was the less than subtle implication that he would cap anyone who disagreed with him. I made a mental note to avoid future meetings at this location for fear of being caught in a hail of politically charged gunfire.

Dirty Harry’s spiel set the tone for the next three hours. The floodgates were officially opened. A horde of people came out of the woodwork and used the forum to level complaints unknown to reasonable members of the public.

Mentions of the government secretly controlling us? Check.

Accusations of council members stealing? Check.

Despite being cut off on multiple occasions, people continued to make personal speeches in the time allotted for discussing relevant issues such as zoning and taxes. I wished I had a bottle of liquor, not only to subdue the noise of the rants, but turn the ordeal into a drinking game. The rules would be simple. Any mention of the word “conspiracy” would warrant a shot of alcohol.

As a result of these city council meetings, I’ve been acquainted with all kinds of crazy. I’m talking the kind of crazy normally reserved for straitjackets and Sarah Palin.

It certainly made adhering to the neutral principles of journalism in my reports difficult. For example, in one of my reports I erred on the side of caution by

writing, “The woman passionately urged the council members to reconsider a proposal.”

Even though I was tempted to write, “The deranged woman didn’t really have an argument, so she resorted to swearing and the use of racism.”

I wish I could say my experience was an anomaly, but these meetings are a microcosm of what’s typical across the nation.

For example, a simple Google search of “city council meetings” yields countless videos displaying the same reckless disregard for sanity. In fact, San Diego is apparently tame compared to the fights that break out in Philadelphia or the psychotic accusations of helicopter attacks that are a staple of council meetings in Charlotte, N.C. (seriously, Google it). I’m starting to think even the top tiers of government have been hijacked by other unhinged thinkers. See, apparently crazy is contagious because I’m now proposing my own illogical theories.

I’m not trying to say I want to submit to dictatorial rule or anything; I just have mixed thoughts about our political system.

If nothing else, city council meetings temporarily keep a large portion of crazy people occupied.

That’s certainly something I can feel patriotic about.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

BY LINDA C. BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (11/04/09) Others tell you a lot this year that you have a hard time believing. More than ever you need to check the facts before making a decision.You should be able to spend less and get more.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 Group activities move forward in unexpected ways.Your insight guides each person's effort through careful choice of words.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 Footloose and fancy free? Your mind takes you to imaginative locales. Planning a trip?

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 You find yourself changing your mind on something you were so sure about.That's OK. Go with the flow.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 7 Your mood changes today and your logical thinking takes on a new direction. Adapting to circumstances takes very little effort.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - You change your mind big-time today.You probably wonder what took you so long.

You'll get used to it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 Because your own feelings are in a state of flux, you wonder if others feel the same.

Direct questions get vague answers.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 Creative projects move forward much faster than anticipated. Earlier limitations give way to clear communications.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 - An associate delivers some difficult news.

It's not over 'til it's over. By tomorrow, you may see how to repair the damage.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - Are you questioning what you've been told? Now is a good time to research the facts and draw your own conclusions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - Reasoning keeps pace with imagination, bringing ideas into practical form.

Work now, talk later.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - More dreams point you in the right direction. Imagine yourself traveling the path you want, then go there.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 6 The cobwebs clear out of your mind and you see the future clearly. Share your vision with those you want to take along. © 2009,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

—Jared Whitlock is a journalism senior.

—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.

SUDOKU

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP

Level:

1 2

3 4

Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.

SDS-VIEW

Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com © 2009 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

CROSSWORD

IN THE NAME OF ART Photo Editor Glenn Connelly captured this intense moment during yesterday’s walkout, a protest organized in reaction to the furloughs and class cuts.

EDITED BY RICH NORRIS AND JOYCE LEWIS

ACROSS 1 “__ be an honor” 4 Absurd sham 9 Music performance rights org.

14 Fizzle out 15 Where work may pile up 16 Bit of wisdom 17 Respond to Uncle Sam’s poster request 20 Navajo relative 21 Wood decay 22 Tall and long-limbed 23 Hope/Crosby film title word 24 Captured 27 __-Cat: winter vehicle 28 Movieland 30 Eliminate entirely 32 __, meenie ...

33 Outdoor nap site 36 Women, in old-fashioned Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com parlance 38 Blow one’s top 61 Go out with 12 Escort’s offer 37 Draft choice 39 Chasms 13 Thickness 39 Five-star leader 40 “Pay attention!”

DOWN 18 “Gross!”

41 Nifty 43 Pesky little tyke 1 Lofty principles 19 Jekyll’s alter ego 42 Low-cost lodging 46 Retailing pioneer 2 __ Alley: old 23 Actuary’s calcula43 Coastal irregulariR.H. __ music-publishing tion ties, and word 47 Eternities district 25 Cut or scrape, in anagrammed in 48 Zellweger of 3 Old White totspeak this puzzle’s four “Chicago” House middle 26 Lego relative longest answers 50 Anxiety name 28 Tic __: mint 44 Stinker 52 Texas metropolis 4 Suspicious 29 Eric the Red’s son 45 Mortar and __ 53 Passive-aggressive 5 Poker payment 30 Loneliness syn48 Gave a PG, say tactic 6 Sac fly stat drome when kids 49 Shade tree 56 Land along the 7 Approve tacitly leave home 51 Tolkien tree peoocean 8 Crowd scene 31 Repetitive learnple 57 Two under par, actors ing method 52 Six-time Emmy on a hole 9 Copycat 33 Captain’s position winner Tyne 58 Up to, in classi10 Furry North 34 “Carmen” highlight 53 Teaching inst. fied ads Pacific swimmers 35 Like weightlifters 54 Chit 59 Aches 11 Hanna-Barbera 36 Animal rights 55 Bigheadedness 60 Father of Beau output activists’ concerns and Jeff