The Daily Aztec - Vol. 95, Issue 55

Monday, December 7, 2009

Vol. 95, Issue 55

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 OPINION

Green updates for Aquaplex

SHOPS’ SCANDAL Is Aztec Shops funding university projects instead of living up to its mission statement? page 3

DATING & ROMANCE

HOMEMADE GIFTS Look inside for some cheap homemade holiday gift ideas to give your significant other. page 5

SPORTS

ROAD WARRIORS The men’s basketball team wins its second consecutive game away from Viejas Arena. page 9

TODAY @ SDSU MFA Musical Theatre Program Moxie Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

San Diego State’s MFA Musical Theatre students will perform songs from contemporary musicals such as Shrek and The Producers.

For more of today’s headlines, visit:

www.thedailyaztec.com

CONTACT GENERAL INFORMATION

Lindsey Martin / Assistant Photo Editor

Associated Students completed a solar array installation project for the Aztec Aquaplex. A.S. expects to save approximately $45,000 annually by running the pool on solar energy.

R E E M NO U R S TA F F W R I T E R

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

TEMPO EDITOR, ANYA MOBERLY

As part of a dedication to maintain sustainability on campus, San Diego State’s Associated Students funded the third and last installment of a 124-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array.

A ceremony was held last week in recognition of the changes at the Aztec Aquaplex, which is now completely run by solar energy.

“Solar photovoltaic modules made up of individual cells convert solar radiation into electricity,” according to Sullivan Solar Power Web site. “When the sun shines on

The total project cost for the solar PV array was $744,088, but A.S. received a rebate check of about $268,000 from the California Solar Initiative, presented to them by the California Center for Sustainable Energy. So the final cost of the project is estimated $458,000.

Mack said the solar PV array is expected to save A.S. anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000 a year.

“There really isn’t another facility like this around in the area,” Natalie Colli, A.S. vice president of university affairs said. “San Diego was voted one of the top-10 cities for sustainability so it’s a huge deal for the city as well.”

the modules, the cells produce a stream of direct current (DC) electricity and send it to an inverter.”

The solar array at the Aquaplex generates 124 kilowatts every hour for an approximately eight-hour period, which roughly equals 992 kilowatts a day, A.S. Green Commissioner, Grant Mack, said.

“Even if it’s cloudy outside, (the solar array) will generate about 100 kilowatts,” he said. “It’s still getting solar power regardless.”

“It (the solar array) is also extremely beneficial for the environment since we are not purchasing ‘dirty’ energy from the utilities company that emit large amounts of CO2

(carbon dioxide) and we will have a constant source of reliable renewable energy,” he said.

Because the Aquaplex is the most energy intensive facility on campus, having it run by solar energy will save A.S. significant amounts of money, Mack said.

Mack said 25 percent of all energy in California is used to pump water.

“So you can imagine that pool pumps use a lot of water and a lot of energy to keep the water heated and clean,” he said.

The newly installed energy efficient water pumps will offset 70 percent of the energy used at the Aquaplex, Mack said.

will be the one A.S. supports and takes action with. Anyone interested in going to the meeting needs to RSVP via e-mail to as.president@sdsu.edu.

funds to repair Aztec Center or to follow through with plans to build a new student union. If A.S. votes in favor of building ModernSpace, a student referendum will be held next semester to determine if student fees will be increased to fund the building.

after voting on the matter. One change is that A.S. cannot overturn election code penalties. There will now be a non-student appeals board that will decide on penalties.

However, A.S. will still hold the power to overturn elections. The decision was seen as a way to eliminate bias in the elections process.

Elections code makeover

—Compiled by Senior Staff Writer Sarah Kovash

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 OPINION.........................................................................3 DATING & ROMANCE.................................................5 SPORTS............................................................................9 CLASSIFIEDS..................................................................11 THE BACK PAGE.........................................................12

A.S. BRIEF Budget solutions Associated Students is calling this week “Action Week” because of budget concerns affecting San Diego State. There will be a meeting at 3 p.m. Friday at the Backdoor in Aztec Center to discuss proposed solutions to budget cuts. Each person in attendance will receive one vote to use toward the solution of his or her choice.

The solution with the most votes

ModernSpace debate to continue This week, A.S. will vote on continuing with ModernSpace. The council will vote to either use available

A.S. has changed its elections code

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Monday, December 7, 2009

OPINION

The Daily Aztec

3

MASS MEDIUM

SDSU uses Aztec Shops to fund projects

T

he recent acquisition of Albert’s College Apartments by Aztec Shops, Ltd. is a concealed attempt at university growth during our budget crisis that fails to live up to the company’s mission statement.

Aztec Shops closed escrow last month on Albert’s College Apartments for $24.5 million, plus additional costs. The deal includes six apartment complexes that sit on 20 acres, located close to campus on 55th Street. With this acquisition, the company intends to help meet the demand of affordable, off-campus housing with the preexisting apartments.

The California State University Board of Trustees approved the acquisition in September. According to the minutes of the Sept. 23 CSU Committee on Finance meeting, “the proposed acquisition plan supports the university’s “Campus Master Plan” goal of expanding its existing portfolio of universityadministered housing by 3,000 beds in the coming years.” The deal is considered an auxiliary project, not a campus project, and did not come with the same kind of scrutiny and strict standards required for university-supported projects.

We are in the midst of the greatest budget crisis California and San Diego State have seen. It is inappropriate for Aztec Shops, a not-

A N DY L E WA N D OW S K I S TA F F C O L U M N I S T

for-profit auxiliary, to throw around approximately $24 million to basically fund SDSU’s projects. That is not its purpose as an auxiliary. The message it is sending is clear: We will use your money to finance SDSU’s projects.

Aztec Shops is essentially acting like a financing arm of SDSU in efforts of fulfilling the “Campus Master Plan,” the comprehensive plan to accommodate increased demand the school will face through 2025. Acting as an auxiliary of SDSU, the company is not upheld to the same standards of transparency and community discourse we expect from our public school when decisions affecting students are made. This deal is yet another reminder of the severe disconnect between students and our self-serving university.

It’s obvious that the university was aware of the sensitivity and controversy such a multimillion dollar purchase would have created in the midst of our budget crisis had they acquired the property themselves. However, it’s no better to obtain the same goal by exploiting a campus auxiliary.

The company has tried to justify the deal by highlighting its intent to maintain afford-

able pricing. This is a lie. When the acquisition was approved by the CSU Committee on Finance, it was stated,“The Corporation anticipates that at some point during the first one to three years of operation, increased enrollment will make it financially and operationally advantageous to enter into an operating agreement with the University’s Office of Housing Administration to provide services related to marketing, leasing, rent collection and onsite supervision.” However, once an operating agreement begins with OHA, it won’t be considered off-campus housing anymore.

Aztec Shops already owns University Towers, which it purchased in November 2000. Such an operating agreement with OHA is in effect for this residence, making it another on-campus offering.

Further, according to the 2009-10 SDSU Housing costs, housing starts at $6,872 a year with no meal plan at Villa Alvarado and increases up to $18,755 with a meal plan at Aztec Corner for the academic year. It’s obvious that affordable pricing is not in the works, especially considering the school requires freshmen to purchase a meal plan, thus increasing the total cost of housing even more.

This deal is a further transgression of Aztec Shops’ own purpose. According to their mis-

sion statement, “Aztec Shops will provide effective campus store and food service operations for the San Diego State University community. These services will be self supporting, sensitive and responsive to the campus community, and will be based on the principle of ‘value at a fair price.’” Nowhere in that mission statement do I see real estate acquisitions as a purpose that serves the school community.

What’s more, they label themselves as a notfor-profit corporation, which is ironic, considering the multimillion dollar deal they just closed. If the university feels compelled to expand to meet its goals then it needs to acquire properties itself.

Aztec Shops is a not-for-profit auxiliary operating at the expense of the students it claims to serve. Next time you buy your books at the SDSU Bookstore or ring up a latte at Starbucks, know that the expensive prices and money you pay to Aztec Shops is not being used in your best interest.

—Andy Lewandowski is a media studies senior.

—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to opinion@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Include your full name, major and year in school.

MEET IN THE MIDDLE

Campaign promise to end war should be kept

L

ast year, I shook hands with President Barack Obama. He was a senator at the time and campaigned through my hometown in Virginia, where I was lucky enough to meet him. I recall him promising to bring our troops home from the Middle East as he stood in front of thousands of people.

But it looks like he didn’t live up to his word.

I suppose I shouldn’t be too disappointed. After all, Obama is a politician and they typically make promises solely to obtain enough votes to win an election. It is now almost a year after taking his oath of office and he has yet to fulfill a multitude of his commitments, especially those involving Afghanistan.

Last Tuesday, Obama announced he will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

Even though he is only sending a portion of the support Gen. Stanley McChrystal requested, the decision to send thousands of soldiers is excessive and irresponsible.

This move isolates him from his own party while Republicans are increasing in numbers and regrouping from last year’s defeat.

Ultimately, the generation that voted Obama into office will feel the repercussions of his costly decision.

The surge is expected to cost about $30 billion dollars for the U.S. This is financially irresponsible in a time when our country is trillions of dollars in debt and in the middle of a recession that has yet to fully recover.

The money that will now go toward fueling an unnecessary war could have instead been better spent toward America’s crumbling education system or to revive the job market. Instead, the U.S. military will continue to spend frivolously in Afghanistan until not enough funding remains.

America’s reputation that Obama spent months trying to rebuild has also lost credibility with this surge. After the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize, its hope was that he would use it to advance goodwill in his international policy. Many hoped when Obama graciously received his prize, he would respond by withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and take his role as a peaceful leader seriously.

Now he is advancing to war and creating tension, not peace, with other nations.

Advancing further into this war will not only harm foreign relations, but also cause more division here in the U.S. It is obvious our military system is flawed when soldiers have turned to suicide or massacring each other in reaction to the prospect of being deployed. With a

MCT Campus

Congress should opt to not fund the expansion of the war. Obama needs to live up to his campaign promise of ending the war swiftly; we can’t keep waiting.

SA RA H GR I E C O A S S I S TA N T O P I N I O N E D I T O R

surge, the future of the strongest military in the world does not look promising.

There are still thousands of troops in Iraq.

The cost of fighting two wars will weaken our forces and push many active duty members to take multiple tours to the Middle East. The funding simply is not available to continue a war in Afghanistan, and to increase troop numbers will increase America’s debt.

“The Iraq war drew the dominant share of our troops, our resources, our diplomacy and our national attention — and that the decision to go into Iraq caused substantial

rifts between America and much of the world,” Obama said last Tuesday.

He acknowledges how devastating the war in Iraq has been, yet he will put the U.S. through a similar situation. Troops will be exhausted, resources will dry up and U.S. diplomacy will be weakened with the continuation of this war.

Obama’s failure to recognize this makes me question him as a leader and as our commander in chief.

Our hope now lies in Congress, although if may not opt to not fund this surge. In 2002, when Congress hastily voted to send troops to Iraq, mistakes were made. Lawmakers have learned from their errors and recognize that Americans do not

need more war involvement.

What we do need are elected officials to stand up and voice their concerns on behalf of Americans, and now is the time to call upon our representatives and tell them to block the passing of this surge. The problems within the U.S. must be made a top priority. If Obama cannot see that, our hope in him will diminish.

—Sarah Grieco is a public relations junior.

—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to opinion@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Include your full name, major and year in school.

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OPINION

The Daily Aztec

EVEN ARTICHOKES HAVE HEARTS

Walkouts not the way to fix the CSU

F

all semester is coming to an end, but unfortunately finals are in the way of freedom before Winter Break.

However, as the semester and year end in the same manner as many before, looking back at the past few months, no student can deny the obvious difference between this semester and those past. The current state budget crisis has had significant effects on all students and faculty of the California State University and the University of California systems and has left everyone searching for a solution.

This year, San Diego State students endured a 32 percent increase in fees and cuts in class availability.

Professors suffered a 10 percent salary cut and, along with students, had to cope with the repercussions of furlough days. These disrupted the flow of courses, decreased inclass time and office hours and often resulted in students having to essentially teach themselves the material at home without being offered the time to review in class.

Throughout the semester, students have staged protests against the cuts, most notably with Associated Students’ “They cut, we all bleed” campaign. The protests have been met with mixed reactions as some find them useless and unnecessary, while others claim they help raise the awareness of other students as well as gain the attention of administrators and the government.

I agree that student-led protests do raise awareness of the issue and catch the eyes of legislators.

However, I also believe this is nowhere near enough effort to make a significant change in the ways our state’s higher institutions are being treated. Students can shout and chant on the steps of Manchester Hall all they want, but nothing will necessarily change. The greater problem lies with the state government, not with SDSU officials who wish the money was available just as much as students do. Walkouts and protests during class actually harm students by taking away from the already limited in-class time.

Rather than turning to traditional methods of displaying our discontent, we must work toward creative solutions to this uniquely complex issue.

Recently, the political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha, held a forum on the budget crisis and its effect on higher education in California. They invited various professors to serve on a panel that addressed different aspects of the crisis, including why it is happening and what can be done to solve it.

R ENEE V I L L A S E N O R S E N I O R S TA F F C O L U M N I S T

This is the kind of activism that will help solve the assault being committed against higher education in California. Proactive student participation and organizing, educational forums and lectures by guest speakers can help students understand what has caused California to fall into this fiscal slump and how to remedy it. With this information, students will be able to make more informed decisions and take beneficial action. The campus walkout organizers should direct their efforts toward organizing teach-ins, where guest speakers may educate the student body on different aspects of how the budget crisis will affect them and how students may alleviate the negative impact on their individual lives.

Students are not the only ones who should create clever solutions to the crisis. Professors must also join the fight. Rather than simply complaining about furlough days to students and telling them that despite class time cuts, they are still responsible for the same amount of work, professors should be trying their best to decrease the impact on the quality of education they are providing. Professors should take advantage of furlough days and schedule guest speakers to discuss relevant topics in their place. Also, professors can record otherwise canceled lectures in advance so students may access them using blackboard.sdsu.edu on furlough days. Professors can also plan class sessions in advance where students must still meet and participate in detailed group assignments aimed at studying the material they are responsible for on that day.

The obstacles facing higher education in California are not going to be overcome easily. Students, professors, administrators and community members must work together and exercise all resources at their disposal. The greatest weapon we have as members of academia is knowledge, and we must use it to our advantage by educating each other on the current crisis and creating proactive solutions to preserve the quality of our education.

Monday, December 7, 2009

NEWS TO KNOW Last year’s unsuccessful measures attempting to remove the San Diego fire pits has resurfaced. By extracting the pits, it has been estimated that a total of $120,500 will be saved annually. The city alone is facing a $179 million deficit, and while fire and police departments are also facing cuts, getting rid of the fire pits would be the most logical idea, as suggested by Mayor Jerry Sanders. However, this cut in recreational activities for natives will not pass without a fight.

The California Coastal Commission recently declared that for Sander’s idea to be enacted, the city will need to issue a permit ordering the removal of the pits. Last year, an anonymous donor prolonged taking out the fire pits with $259,000; however, the funds will only last until summer. A Facebook group created solely to save the pits, titled “Save the San Diego Fire Pits,” has gained more than 3,400 fans. The purpose of the group is to create an alliance that will be ready to protest if the permit for excavating the fire pits is not enforced.

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Migrant domestic workers in Lebanon have been victims of work abuse. This common and ongoing problem has led foreign maids to commit suicide. It has been reported that in the last seven weeks, 10 suicides have been committed; either by hanging themselves or jumping off buildings. Foreign maids are forced to work 10-hour day jobs, are forbidden contact with their families and are isolated from the outside world. Aside from suicide, many attempt to escape from their employers, risking injuries and death. The main groups of workers in the Middle East migrate from the Philippines, Indonesia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Ethiopia.

The roots of these domestic abuse cases stem from prejudice and poor labor regulations. The media coverage of these events has not been portraying the magnitude of the abuse.

Instead, it has focused on the act of suicide and potential deaths because of work accidents.

2

Last Wednesday, the New York Senate voted 38-24 against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. If the measure had passed, it would have been placed on the ballot for the state’s public vote in next year’s election. However, the guaranteed defeat has officially disabled the measure from reaching the planned destination. The breakdown of votes resulted in the Senate’s 30 Republicans and eight Democrats. The loss has been speculated to have occurred because of the more critical issues the nation is facing, such as the economy. Unlike many voting sessions, some Senators approached this decision personally and even addressed their reasons for their specific vote. The issue of samesex marriage has been circulating in various states, and in most, like New York, the measures have been shot down.

3

Late-term abortions are not usually performed, but in a small clinic in Nebraska women can find comfort in making a late decision. Dr. LeRoy H. Carhart began specializing in this procedure after his colleague Dr. George R. Tiller was shot last May. Albeit, the legal requirement disables a woman from getting an abortion after 24 weeks, Carhart explains he will continue his procedures if the situations medically call for them. After 24 weeks, a fetus can survive outside its mother’s womb. For this reason, the abortions conducted

by Carhart have made him a walking target.

Anti-abortion groups, such as Operation Rescue, are aiming at revoking Carhart’s practitioner’s license as well as pressing criminal charges. The Nebraska law states that abortions should only be administered before the legal cutoff, or to save the mother’s life. Whichever the case, Carhart has assured the public he will continue his practices for the women who need and want abortions. To the groups against him, he suggests they file a claim.

4

Against contrary beliefs, mobile phones have been found to have insignificant effects on an increase in brain cancer.

Radio frequency electromagnetic fields released by electronics such as cellular phones have been thought to be the culprit of brain tumors. However, a biological feature has not been found that directly correlates with the frequency waves emitted by the phones. The Danish Cancer Society studied 59,684 brain tumor cases and monitored 20 to 79-year-olds.

They concluded the number of brain tumor appearances since the dawn of mobile phones has not increased significantly. Also, if an individual were to develop cancer, they’d have to be using their phones continuously for more than 10 years. Although these results minimize scrutiny on cellular phones, they will not be dismissed as causes for brain tumors. A new study the DCS will be conducting will be comprised of more people for a longer period of time.

5

Last Thursday, President Barack Obama addressed at a forum that job acceleration needs to be put into place.

Unemployment has reached more than 10 percent and he assures that talks and work toward increasing jobs have started. While some ideas will be put into immediate action, others, he said, will have to be congressional considerations. He solicited innovative ideas that would produce jobs for millions of Americans. Among the ideas, he mentioned making American homes more energy efficient. At this moment in time, a “greener” America seems to be the best project in which Obama wants to move forward. Along with grassroots level of support, Vice President Joe Biden encouraged big companies, such as Google and General Electric Co., to help the cause by becoming greener as well.

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—Compiled by Contributor Aileen Pantoja

—Renee Villasenor is a journalism senior.

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

Send e-mail to opinion@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Include your full name, major and year in school.

Have an eye for politics and design?

The Opinion section is looking for creative cartoonists, graphic designers or artists who want to combine their political passion with their creative side. The Daily Aztec is currently searching for a staff cartoonist to draw political cartoons that deal with both campus, state and national issues.

This is a great way to expand your portfolio and gain experience on your resume. Questions should be directed to Opinion Editor Allan Acevedo at opinion@thedailyaztec.com.

www.thedailyaztec.com Crystal Hoy / Contributing Cartoonist

Monday, December 7, 2009

DATING & ROMANCE

The Daily Aztec

5

What body language says about intentions Body positions easily reveal more than sexual interest M A L L O RY S H A R P S TA F F W R I T E R

Daniel Meza / Staff Photographer

Crossing legs and arms signals being opposed to giving information or opening up to another person or romantic situation.

Daniel Meza / Staff Photographer

Turning toward one another with open arms and smiling is associated with genuine happiness and interest in the conversation.

Often times in conversation about the opposite sex, the words “confused” and “frustrated” are mentioned. Since the beginning of time, men and women have been bewildered by one another and have either misunderstood what the other could be thinking or misinterpreted body language.

Though people are often baffled by some of the more subtle body cues, the human brain picks up on body language automatically on a daily basis. For example, if a person is standing with their arms crossed, it is assumed they are being reserved or closed off and are probably not open to sharing much information.

Other common clues to emotions and thoughts are when a person shifts their weight from foot to foot, which gives off a sense of wanting to be elsewhere. And when a person is avoiding eye contact, it usually means they are not being truthful.

While common body language clues are often easy to spot, it’s the lesser known body signals that could give a window into what people are really thinking and feeling. This can be a time-saver when it comes to dating and forming relationships.

“Since nonverbal communication is between 60 to 75 percent of the impact of a message, you could use the power of body language to become tremendously successful ... in your career, business, relationships, love life and anything else that involves interacting or communicating with people,” according to the Web site of Kevin Hogan a body language, persuasion and sales expert.

One interpretive signal that reveals a person may be lying is if their pupils contract or eyes flick to the side. So if someone is talking and their pupils shrink or flick, it is safe to assume what they are saying may not be the truth.

On the other hand, expansion of the pupils is said to be associated

with lust, or looking at something a person finds appealing. So if a person asks someone out on a date and their pupils dilate, that might be a sign the relationship has potential while shrinking pupils should cause caution.

Lips can also give silent clues into a person’s mind. Parted lips can signal interest and flirting, while pursed lips indicate anger or disapproval with a person or something they are doing.

Most of these body signals apply to both men and women, but there are some that tend to be associated with one sex more than the other.

“Men and women behave and respond to body movements in different ways,” Hogan said. “So it’s crucial for you to suit your body language depending on the gender of the person you meet, or you could damage a relationship or business without even knowing it.”

Women often show disinterest when being hit on, yet most men fail to pick up on the clues. For example, if a woman keeps looking away or is being abrupt, it is most likely a sign she is uninterested or doesn’t want to be bothered. Men often see this evasiveness as a part of the chase, and many think that it’s just a “woman thing” to play hard to get by acting disinterested.

Also, if she is avoiding eye contact, it’s generally because she feels uncomfortable, which can be caused by the situation or the attention. In this case, if she proves unresponsive to further attempts for attention, it may be best to just accept she may not feel safe in the environment or may be uninterested in the pursuer.

“Men and women behave and respond to body movements in different ways. So it’s crucial for you to suit your body language depending on the gender of the person you meet ... ” —Kevin Hogan, body language. persuasion and sales expert

Daniel Meza / Staff Photographer

A small amount of eye contact and facing away may indicate uninterest in the other person, which can be valuable when on a first date when people are most vulnerable.

As for a man, if he is focusing more on other woman, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is not interested, but rather he is not looking to commit to anything at that point. If this occurs, look at his hands. If his palms are facing upward, this can signal sincerity and a general interest. So even if his eyes wander, he may still be interested.

Then focus on his legs; if he is sitting and his ankles are crossed, he is most likely relaxed and enjoying himself. Also, if he is leaning toward the girl as they talk, he is more than likely open to get to know her and pursue some sort of relationship.

Because people often hear a person has four seconds to make a good impression, it is wise to not only read another person’s body language but also be aware of one’s own. A person never knows when a potential relationship may spark, so make sure body language best represents thinking patterns and feelings correctly, otherwise a man or woman may be put off by the signals.

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DATING & ROMANCE

The Daily Aztec

Monday, December 7, 2009

Show some love by making Christmas gifts be a memorable experience for both people.

A quick alternative is to make a mixed CD. This may have been practiced back in high school, but who doesn’t like music? Compile songs that remind one’s partner of a special moment shared. One can still appreciate their partner’s effort in taking the time to choose songs and burn a disc.

The gift should be unique to the significant other’s personality and interest. Invest time in making something they will enjoy and cannot be bought in a store. The trick is spontaneity. One will be surprised to see their partner’s effort and appreciate the time they spent in making a memorable, nontraditional gift.

Write Leave a surprise note with a unique saying outside their home or on their car windshield.

Couples tend to develop an exclusive language.

Write a letter and send it the old-fashioned way, he or she will be surprised to see it in the mail.

Make a card and write something sweet or funny. Personalize the card by adding a walletsized photo of a memorable moment. If they have a favorite quote or song, add a lyric or quote to the card. Writing “I love you” is great but demonstrating the reasons why is equally important.

Music MCT Campus

AN D R E A M O RA S TA F F W R I T E R

Face it — most students do not have the necessary funds to give their significant other the new Mac laptop or PlayStation 3 they may have been eyeing for months. But working with a budget is an opportunity to think outside the box. Instead of heading to the mall this Christmas, students can get creative and give a meaningful, handmade gift.

Photos Pick some of the most memorable pictures and make an album. Write captions on the backs of the photos of why that day or event was special. A quick alternative is to pick one photo and frame it. Then add a personal touch by decorating the frame or writing a sweet note on the back with a felt-tip marker.

For those who would rather use multimedia approach, make a slideshow. This is another great option because one can choose a variety of photos and add music in the background. Be sure to give the file a meaningful title and don’t just name it “slideshow.”

For those who can play an instrument, sing or write music, writing lyrics or playing a tune can

Cook Cook someone their favorite meal or dessert.

One can surprise their partner at work or school by bringing them homemade cookies or brownies. Plan a picnic at the beach or park or stay indoors, set a table for two and light some candles. The surprise in preparing a meal and creating a unique setting makes a delicious gift something to be remembered.

Put their favorite food or candy in a glass jar. If they love to munch on M&Ms or trail mix, seal it in a jar with a ribbon and add a note. Remembering what a partner prefers is important because it shows them one is being thoughtful of the details.

Knit Try knitting that significant other a scarf, hat or beanie to wear when it is cold. For beginners, easy step-by-step instructional videos can be found online. Add a personal touch by spraying cologne or perfume on the clothing item. For those who would rather not knit, iron a favorite photo onto a shirt or pillowcase with iron-on transfer paper.

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

FOR SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 4

Wins for the SDSU women’s basketball team

3

Loses for the Aztecs this season

64 .729

Overall free-throw percentage

36.9

Rebounds per game for the Aztecs

10.4

Steals per game for SDSU

21.3

Turnovers per game for the Aztecs

4.4

ht ig to R xt SU ne SD

Effin (Monday-Friday: 4-7PM) • $3 Draft Beers • $1 off well drinks • Half-price appetizers

Have an Effin Good Day

2)

Effin Good Happy Hour

Fe yo el 2 u li ’r k (e 1 ve a e e n g if yo ai u’ re n 2

Good Time

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SPORTS

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Daily Aztec

9

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Shelley and Leonard lead against UCSB Shelley nets 17 points while Leonard hauls in nine rebounds E D WA R D L E W I S SPORTS EDITOR

After losing two of its first three road games this season — and looking awful doing so — the San Diego State men’s basketball team can suddenly do no wrong when it’s away from Viejas Arena.

On Saturday night, SDSU beat UC Santa Barbara, 69-61, at the Thunderdome in Santa AZTECS 69 Barbara. And GAUCHOS 61 while the victory wasn’t pretty, the Aztecs improved their road winning streak to two and their overall winning streak to three.

“We fought hard,” head coach Steve Fisher told AM 600 KOGO after the game. “To come on the road and to come up here in a place that’s always tough to play at and get a win; we’re thankful.”

Fisher’s squad started this season 1-2 on the road, losing by 22 to Saint Mary’s and by eight to the University of the Pacific but has since won two in a row, including a victory against crosstown rival University of San Diego last week.

Against UCSB on Saturday, SDSU was able to get the win, but it wasn’t easy. In the first half, the

Aztecs built a 21-9 lead but watched it disappear as the half progressed. SDSU headed into the locker room at halftime up just 2826 and logged 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

“We had too frenetic of a pace in the first half,” Fisher said. “When it looked like we were going to do something, we turned it over …

We had to try to — all of us, from the coaches to the players — slow our pace down a little bit on the offensive end when we got to the top of the key.”

The Aztecs were able to slow down the game in the second half, only turning the ball over five times, but still needed standout performances from freshman forward Kawhi Leonard and sophomore guard Tyrone Shelley to fend off the Gauchos. Shelley picked up 11 of his team-high 17 points and three of his eight rebounds in the second half, while Leonard scored 10 of his 13 points in the final 20 minutes to help SDSU secure its sixth win of the season. “(Leonard) is better than I had hoped he would be,” Fisher said. “I thought he did a wonderful job for us at the defensive end … He has done a great job in his young start to his career.”

Leonard, Shelley and the rest the Aztecs won’t have to hit the road again until Dec. 19 and will play their next two games against CSU Fullerton and Arizona on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively at Viejas Arena.

Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor

10

The Daily Aztec

SPORTS

Monday, December 7, 2009

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

‘The big three’ too much for UCR to handle Johnson, Davis and Morris combine for 55 points in the Aztecs’ victory in Riverside D AV I D P O P E A S S I S TA N T S P O R T S E D I T O R

Most coaches will say it’s important to have a balanced offensive attack, spreading the ball around and getting all the players on the court involved.

But sometimes letting the dominant players take charge works just as well.

In Friday’s game against UC Riverside, the San Diego State SDSU 66 women’s basketball team got 83.3 percent of UCR 59 its points from the highly touted three-player nucleus it’s relied on for the past three years.

Junior center Paris Johnson and senior guards Quenese Davis and Jené Morris combined for 55 of SDSU points in a 66-59 victory against the Highlanders in Riverside.

UCR jumped ahead by as many as 10 points in the first half behind the hot shooting of forwards Rivera and Amber Cox, but the Aztecs’ speed proved too much for the team from the Big West Conference.

Johnson dominated the boards pulling down 15 rebounds (11 of which were off the defensive glass) and recording two blocks while shooting a perfect 5-5 from the freethrow line and netting 17 total points on a 612 shooting performance.

Davis also shot 50 percent from the field, hitting nine of her 18 shots while dishing out eight assists and racking up a gamehigh 20 points.

The Highlanders held their lead going into halftime with a two-point advantage.

But both teams came out firing after the

Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor

break until SDSU began to pull away with about six minutes left in the game as Morris began to heat up.

“Paris Johnson dominated the boards, pulling down 15 rebounds and recording two blocks while shooting a perfect 5-5 from the free-throw line.”

The All-America candidate shot just 6-17 but recorded five steals and went 2-3 from 3point range to net 18 points and clinch the win for the Aztecs.

Also working strongly to SDSU’s advantage was the outstanding free-throw shooting of the entire team. Morris and Johnson were both perfect from the charity stripe as well as junior forward Jessika Bradley and sophomore forward Candace Chambers.

For a team that struggled mightily from the line last year, a 15-17 performance is something to build on.

Aside from Morris, Davis and Johnson, the only other players to score double-digit points were UCR’s Cox and Rivera. Cox led her team with 18 points along with four rebounds while Rivera netted 16 points and a team-high nine total rebounds. While the Highlanders bench saw very limited playing time, the Aztecs didn’t allow a single point from a UCR non-starter.

SDSU’s next game will come at 7 p.m. tomorrow night at Viejas Arena when the Aztecs take on Pepperdine.

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DAILY HOROSCOPE

HUMOR: 7 2 OFF SUIT

Battles of sister rivalry

O

ne might ask me, “What causes sister rivalry?” The answer is simple: It is caused by having more than one daughter. It wasn’t my parents’ fault; it’s not like they had a “Child of the Month” wall to keep us competing or anything.

But when you have one front seat and two sisters, the rules of shotgun no longer seem adequate.

However, unlike Serena and Venus Williams, we can’t hit tennis balls at each other until someone is declared the victor. So my little sister and I are left to solve our issues the old-fashioned way.

Event 1: Finances The who-has-more-money contest is fairly universal but is best illustrated by the 1994 unsolved case file of “Piggy’s Death.” Fifteen years ago my sister and I each had a beautiful porcelain piggy bank we kept in my dad’s office.

My sister’s pig grew steadily heavier, while mine remained rather empty. But one fateful day, her pig suddenly felt depressed and jumped off the desk to its death.

My pig was sad it lost its friend and gained a significant amount of weight in its depression. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Winner: Big Sis.

Event 2: Height and weight There comes a sad, sad day in the life of the firstborn. The day your little sibling becomes taller than you. It’s just a fraction of an inch at first. But from that day forward, during every family picture, you will be on tiptoes trying to cover that stupid inch (or in my case, the cursed 3 inches). The

K R I ST E N AC E N E VA R E Z CONTRIBUTOR

weight issue is another beast. I take the occasional Pilates class, while my sister hits the gym every single night. As I happen to be shorter and, as I prefer calling it, less slender, my only fallback is to inform her that fat kids are harder to kidnap.

Winner: Little Sis.

Event 3: Social life I’ll admit it: It’s hard to judge who has a better social life. But when we were on the dirty streets of the public school blacktop, this issue was solved with the “Yo Mamma” throwdown of “I have three best friends, and you only have one!” So I will take that logic and combine it with 21st century technology to present genuine proof of my superior circle of friends on Facebook. I finally have more Facebook friends than she does, and therefore, more people skills. Speaking of which, all readers now have permission to add me on Facebook because she’s catching up.

Winner: Big Sis.

Event 4: Wardrobe and style I had the lead for a while. She was stuck in my hand-medowns for a good eight years.

Now my sister has 45 pairs of shoes and knows how to apply liquid eyeliner. Yesterday, I learned that Louis Vuitton is a luxury leather goods brand, not a French monarch of the Golden Age. Oh, and apparently

Dolce and Gabbana are not neighboring countries in South America.

Winner: Little Sis.

Event 5: Getting caught and tattling Did I mention my sister and I are roommates? ... At my parents’ house. As kids, when I found her borrowing my Pikachu stuffed animal, I had only two courses to avenge the kidnapping of the adorable, ground-dwelling rodent notable for its electric abilities. No. 1: Physical. I would proceed to chase her out of my room screaming that I should have flushed her down the toilet when she was small enough.

No. 2: Mental. I would calmly inform her she’s adopted (and unlike last time I had made that claim, now I had proof).

However, we are presently both responsible adults, more reasonable than our 5-year-old counterparts. So when I catch her “borrowing” my eye shadows, I solve the problem maturely — by screaming for my mother.

Winner: Tie I promised my parents I wouldn’t solve things the way Cain and Abel did. So we’re at a never-ending standoff. Like a Facebook “Poke” battle. Secretly, I love my sister. And as soon as she admits I’m a better driver than her, I’ll admit that undisclosed fact to her face.

—Kristen Nevarez is a general theatre arts junior.

Monday, December 7, 2009

BY LINDA C. BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (12/07/09) Use any money that comes your way this year to create a career vehicle that can carry you far into the future. Avoid all spending that doesn't promise to help your work. Unless your car dies, you probably don't really need a new one.You do need a new lease on enthusiasm and optimism. Grow yours with positive thoughts.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 6 People are drawn to you like magic. Do you know what to do with that energy?

Choose constructive change every time.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 - How many irons do you have in the fire?

Probably too many. Choose wisely and you'll get a lot done.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 You may get more done today than all of last week.You have brilliant ideas, practical means, and people with whom to share ideas.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 6 Pressure is applied from all sides.You get to choose which person takes priority. Be practical but compassionate.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 6 Other people give you a long list of tasks.

You have your own agenda, though. Check things off both lists.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 5 -

There's a lot of talk today but seemingly no action.This turns out to be a good thing.Tomorrow you move ahead.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 6 Take time today to listen.You have plenty to say, but now you can increase your pool of information with your ears.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Focus on what's important. Brainstorm in the morning.Then make some serious choices. By afternoon, everyone gets the details.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 6 - This is going to be a busy day.

Convince others to work with you. Show results to a superior by day's end.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 6 - You get a feel for how to bring an idea into the real world. Words and a little bit of elbow grease accomplish the desired result.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - You may have to give up your independent attitude so that detailed work gets done.Then, do the writing in seclusion if possible.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 6 Apply yourself to the task of understanding what others really mean.This requires patience and good questions. © 2009,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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.

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

Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com

LOOKING THROUGH OUR LENS

© 2009 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

CROSSWORD

LIVING IN LIGHTS Assistant Photo Editor Lindsey Martin captured this long exposure shot on the Embarcadero in the heart of a bustling San Francisco.

EDITED BY RICH NORRIS AND JOYCE LEWIS

ACROSS 1 Ringing phone on stage, e.g.

5 Place to unwind 10 Complacent 14 Medal recipient 15 Panama divider 16 Ice cream parlor order 17 Some lemony quaffs 18 Spring up 19 Took the subway 20 Prospecting swindle 23 USN rank 24 Utmost degree 25 Shadow 27 Suffix with farm or home 29 Fly in the ointment 32 North Pole toy maker 33 Thinner, as smoke 36 Temptation on a Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com hook 37 Multilevel invest64 Like the stepsisters 11 Ray from a natu- 37 Cooking up a coup ment swindle in “Cinderella” ral satellite 38 Like kids’ enthusi40 Stratagem 65 Red Sea republic 12 Be situated asm 41 Accomplished 66 Ready to drive, beneath 39 Folderol with a single try as a golf ball 13 “My goodness” 40 Actress Zadora 42 Slip signed by a 21 Gandhi’s land 43 Before, of yore debtor DOWN 22 Java holder 45 Derek Jeter, e.g.

43 Quiche base 1 Parts of a cycle 26 Shipboard direc- 46 Busy 44 Inuit craft 2 Stinging crawler tion 47 Wailed 48 Essence of roses 3 Ultimatum words 28 Bad way for plans 49 Culturally preten50 Sigma follower 4 Big name in to go tious 52 King beater breakfast cereal 29 Go-with dishes 50 Hackneyed 53 Sleight-of-hand 5 Barely adequate 30 Loch of lore 51 Home builder’s sidewalk swindle 6 Stereotypical 31 St. Louis’s afterthought 58 Brit’s elevator pirate’s cry Gateway __ 54 Notice 59 Cube or sphere 7 Part of ICU 34 Reason for an air 55 Nat or Natalie 60 Similar (to) 8 Poet Ogden quality alert 56 School reunion 61 Load to bear attendee 62 Reclassified planet 9 Toward the shel- 35 Bullet-on-metal tered side noise 57 Hops oven 63 Golfer Ballesteros 10 Curtain material 36 Second in a series 58 Singer Rawls