01-23-2013

JAN. 23, 2013

WEDNESDAY

“KEY TO THE KUFFS” REVIEW, PG. 4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

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VOLUME 99, ISSUE 58

Local area concerns residents

campus

Aztecs look to rebound against the Wolf Pack

men’s basketball Logan Burns Staff Writer

Backcourt Aztecs: It’s no question the Aztecs have struggled in the past two games, including two go-to guards Chase Tapley and Jamaal Franklin.

Franklin, who averages 20.8 points per game, had 13 in the Aztec loss to Wyoming on Saturday. Tapley has exhibited less-than-average numbers in the past two games also, but still is second on the team in scoring 12 points per game.

Franklin and Tapley should expect to put up big numbers against the Wolf Pack.

A calm view of Reservoir Drive on a Tuesday morning. The block has recently received concerns from residents complaining about a lack of security and high criminal activity.

Ana Ceballos Assistant News Editor

As San Diego State students began the first day of school last Thursday, a San Diego police officer fatally shot a wanted parolee during a warrant search just six blocks away from campus. The Villa Del Sol apartments are located on Reservoir Drive, an area that is no stranger to criminal activity, according to the San Diego State Police Department crime bulletins.

Reservoir Drive, which has multiple apartment complexes within the block, is mostly used as a park-

ing street for nearby residents who do not have access to a private parking space. The block rapidly becomes crowded after 6 p.m. as residents return home. This is the time when most crimes are reported on the street, according to SDSUPD crime bulletins.

Jose Diaz, a janitor who works for the Penthouse, Dorchester and Diplomat apartments cornering Reservoir Drive, agrees the block is known for criminal activity. Just three months ago he said multiple cars located inside garages in all three of the buildings and on Reservoir Drive were

broken into in just a single night.

Diaz, who often has to sweep glass off the street when criminal activity occurs at night, said there’s a higher probability of cars getting broken into if there are valuables visible in the vehicles.

SDSUPD Capt. Lamine Secka suggests people be aware of their surroundings when walking alone at night in addition to securing personal property to avoid criminal temptation.

“I live in the Dorchester Apartments just in front of Reservoir Drive and I’m forced to park there for lack

paige nelson , photo editor

of space where I live, but as a girl I don’t feel that safe walking there late at night,” child and family development senior Karina Escobar said.

“Nothing has happened to me, but it’s definitely dark and I’m an easy target.”

According to Secka, the San Diego Police Department has complete jurisdiction of the area and there are currently no plans to take any additional security measures to his knowledge. Secka added that because he doesn’t know about these plans to improve security, it doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t any.

SDSU among best public schools in the U.S.

campus Michele Pluss

Wolf Pack: The Wolf Pack backcourt is led by the dynamic duo of junior Deonte Burton and senior Malik Story, who are the top two scorers on the team, respectively.

Burton averages 16.8 points and 2.8 assists per game, which are both team-highs. Story is second on the team in scoring 15.8 points per game. Even still, Franklin and Tapley should prove to be the more dynamic of the two duos.

Edge: Aztecs BASKETBALL continued on page 5

Lucid dreams can improve quality of life

health & fitness Eric Dobko

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

San Diego State has been ranked among 100 public colleges and universities for being the most “bang for students’ bucks.”

SDSU was nationally ranked 73rd for out-of-state and 77th for in-state public institutions on a list released by Kiplinger magazine, a prominent personal finance publication.

Rankings were determined based on the average four-year graduation rate, academic excellence, financial aid availability for students, admittance rate, total cost (for both residents and out-

Lucid dreams bear the awareness that one is actually dreaming.

Both therapeutic and entertaining, they serve as a portal to your own virtual reality, one that can feel just as real as the waking world.

Since the term “lucid dream” was coined in 1913 by Dutch psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden, extensive scientific research has been conducted to further validate the existence of these conscious dreams. It’s been discovered that the eye movements one makes in a dream are actually physically performed by the eyes. In 1975, British parapsychologist Keith Hearne provided the first scientific proof of the lucid dream via analysis of these eye movements.

After teaching his subjects a series

SDSU was named in the top 10 for lowest debt at graduation.

SDSU ranking continued on page 2

A view of San Diego State’s campus, home to the Aztecs. The school was recently ranked 73rd among otherpublic institutions in the U,S.

paige nelson , photo editor

DREAMS continued on page 6

2 | news

Volume 99, issue 58 | wednesday , january 23, 2013

from SDSU ranking page 1

of-state students) and average student debt upon graduation.

SDSU was one of only three California State Universities on the list, outranking both CSU Long Beach and Poly Pomona.

Other California institutions on the list included University of California, San Diego, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Davis and UC Riverside.

SDSU was named in the top 10 for lowest debt at graduation. In its summary of the institution, Kiplinger stated that SDSU was “among the most selective schools on its list of 100 public colleges, with only five schools more discerning.”

Kiplinger cited Proposition 30 as providing a much-needed break for California public colleges, which have seen a 72 percent tuition and fee increase since the 2007-08 academic year. The new proposition will save nearly $6 billion in budget cuts for education, including public colleges and universities.

The Kiplinger list is available in the February 2013 issue and is available online at kiplinger. com.

New year brings tax increase for all earners national Declan Desmond Staff Writer

After months of debate, which dominated headlines at the close of 2012, Congress passed legislation to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans and protect various federal programs from spending cuts on New Year’s Day. The vote was a move to help the nation avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.”

The resolution, known as the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, easily passed the Senate but faced serious contention in the House of Representatives. House Republicans challenged the bill on the grounds that it would stop wide-ranging cuts in government spending, which were scheduled to take place at the start of the new year.

Though Republicans objected to targeting the wealthy for tax hikes, they believed that making cuts in federal spending was crucial to solving the national debt problem, according to The New York Times.

House Speaker John Boehner,

World Beat Israel election turnout More than 10,000 polling stations opened on Tuesday as Israelis participated in a general election.

According to BBC News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to return to office.

This year’s election, unlike past campaigns, focused on resolving social and economic issues.

Officials said more than 5.6 million people were eligible to vote on Tuesday and the voter turnout reached 66.3percent as of 6 p.m. local time—the highest level since 1999.

Quadruple helices found in human DNA The genetic code carrier of life has mostly been known and taught as a double helix.

Recently, however, scientists at Cambridge University said fourstranded DNA molecules have been discovered.

The study found that the quadruple helix is present inside human cells. Researchers have connected a possible link between these four-stranded

helices and cancer.

According to BBC News, the Cambridge scientists are waiting to see if pharmaceutical companies will invest in more research to analyze the use of quadruplexes as therapeutically viable targets.

Mining venture in asteroids Deep Space Industries has announced its plan to exploit the rare metals present in asteroids.

The announcement has left some scientists skeptical of the idea, while others will embrace a possible trillion-dollar business.

The expeditions, which will be conducted using spacecrafts called “Fireflies,” are expected to launch for the first time in 2015 and will last from two to four years.

Scientists opposing asteroid mining argue that it would not be very cost-effective. According to BBC News, an upcoming recent NASA mission will cost $1 billion to return just 60 grams of material from an asteroid.

who voted in favor of the bill, said out-of-control spending in entitlement programs—which include Medicare—is “driving our country deeper and deeper into debt.”

... Hopefully, the new year will focus on seeing if we can put a package together with a little less drama... barack obama

President of the United States

Without a resolution from Congress, the Bush-era tax cuts, for which all taxpayers were eligible, would have been renewed.

Under the new fiscal cliff deal, the tax cuts will be extended to all but those individuals earning more than $400,000 annually and couples earning more than $450,000.

The increase in taxes on the nation’s top earners is projected to raise about $600 billion in revenue throughout 10 years,

cnn*.com reported.

The fight to stop the extension of Bush-era tax breaks and the scheduled cuts in government spending became heated when the Congressional Budget Office reported in November that such measures would result in a recession.

According to The New York Times, economists predicted that extending tax breaks for the wealthy while making large cuts in federal programs would have been too drastic a deficit reduction for a weak economy to sustain.

The passage of the fiscal cliff resolution was a political victory for President Barack Obama, who said changing tax codes that were “too skewed toward the wealthy at the expense of working, middleclass Americans” was a “central premise” to his campaign.

Obama also expressed his hope that leaders on Capitol Hill could work together more harmoniously in their continuing efforts to solve the nation’s budget crisis.

“The one thing that I think, hopefully, the new year will

focus on is seeing if we can put a package like this together with a little less drama, a little less brinkmanship, and not scare the heck out of folks so much,” Obama said.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act is not a cure-all for economic woes, as evidenced by continuing debate and political maneuvering

by Congress to boost the economy. On Friday, the House agreed to a three-month increase in the national debt limit, which would allow the government to borrow needed money to fund federal programs and fulfill its legal obligations.

Despite the gains made by Congress, the start of the new year brought tax increases for all earners, as the fiscal cliff deal included the expiration of a recent payroll “tax holiday.”

During the tax holiday, which was enacted in 2010 to stimulate the economy, the payroll tax was at 4.2 percent, down from 6.2 percent. The payroll tax cut expired on Jan. 1.

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ENTERTAINMENT | 3

WEDNESDAY, january 23, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 58

“Pygmalion� revival still prevails after 100 years all the world’s a stage

David Dixon Assistant Entertainment Editor

Who would have guessed that after a century, “Pygmalion� would still be produced by respected theater companies? Even after 100 years, Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle prevail as two very amusing characters in The Old Globe’s rendition of the production.

For those who have not seen any version of the original show or the unforgettable musical “My Fair Lady,� here is a short synopsis. Set in 1912, Eliza (Charlotte Parry) is a poor flower peddler whose crude vocabulary skills and unattractive physical appearance lead to her gaining little respect from more well-to-do Londoners. After an argument with Eliza, Henry (Robert Sean Leonard), an egocentric professor of phonetics, bets his new acquaintance and colleague, Col. Pickering (Paxton Whitehead) that he can transform the ugly duckling into a proper lady within six months.

For the modern “Pygmalion� to work, the cast must be comprised of talented actors who make the popular roles their own. Parry rises to the challenge of having to consistently change her personality as Eliza lives in Henry’s house.

Parry’s total commitment to Eliza’s transfiguration brings many comic and emotional payoffs.

Although Parry is funny, her

most memorable scene is a very serious moment in Act IV. After feeling used by Henry, Eliza quietly sits down in his laboratory as the professor talks to Pickering about how she has successfully passed as a duchess. Parry conveys so much heartbreak in her silence as she listens to the two men talk about her as a satisfactory project that has come to completion.

Tony Award winner Leonard gives a hysterical performance as a youthful Henry. A third rate-ham could have turned the professor into a painfully annoying caricature, but Leonard has a ball exploring the bachelor’s narcissistic

Even after 100 years, Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle prevail as two very amusing character in The Old Globe’s rendition... nature.

Two supporting performers are so hilarious that they must be mentioned in this review. Kandis Chappell is perfectly cast as Henry’s brutally honest mother, Mrs. Higgins. Her no-nonsense attitude results in some of the bigger laughs of the evening.

Another standout ensemble member is Don Sparks, who plays Eliza’s good-for-nothing weasel of a father, Alfred Doolittle. Though

A scene from “Pygmalion� in which Henry Higgins (Robert Sean Leonard) convinces Eliza Doolittle (Charlotte Parry) that she can become a proper lady.

on stage for just a few occasions, his deadpan delivery is comedic gold.

The only part of the plot which needs further development is the bet between Henry and Pickering.

In this interpretation, the two are so friendly toward one another, it is easy to forget there should be tension in hoping Henry’s “experiment� with Eliza proves successful.

However, it could be argued director Nicholas Martin is far more interested in the relationship between Henry and Eliza. If this was his intended emphasis, his approach works because the characters’ smart and sometimes awkward conversations together are riveting.

Clever, fun and a little bittersweet, The Old Globe’s adaptation

all photos courtesy of henry dirocco

of writer George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion� is tremendously witty as well as a breezy, spot-on night of entertainment. Here’s hoping in another 100 years, there will be more revivals of this timeless classic.

Tickets and information about “Pygmalion� can be found at theoldglobe.org.

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Start commanding attention.

Start higher.

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Start moving up.

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4 | entertainment

Volume 99, issue 58 | WEDNESDAY , january 23, 2013

JJ DOOM teaches hip-hop master class on ‘Kuffs’ turn it up

also Flobots).

While DOOM may appear to do most of the work here, it’s really Jarel who shines in the production department. The range of instrumentation on the album is just incredible, as each track delves into new musical territory.

Really, I could go on forever about “Kuffs,” but I won’t. Go out and pick this one up. It’s some of the best hiphop to come around in years, making it a late contender for my favorite album of 2012.

“Key to the Kuffs” is the latest collaboration album from rapper MF DOOM. The project, JJ DOOM, also features of producer Jnerio Jarel.

Kevin Smead Entertainment Editor

The man in the mask is back.

Since the late ‘80s, DOOM (English born Daniel Dumile) has had many musical incarnations and was part of numerous exceptional collaborations, including Danger Doom (with Danger Mouse) and Madvillian (with Madlib). Now adding to the list is “Key to the Kuffs,” the first album from JJ DOOM, a collaboration between DOOM and rapper/producer Jnerio Jarel.

Let’s get it out of the way now: “Kuffs” is a wonderful album.

DOOM is master of his craft, consistently producing some of the freshest hip-hop year in and year out. “Kuffs” is no exception, combining complex, lyrical rhymes with instrumentation so good you’ll yearn for another volume of “Special Herbs” (instrumental-only albums of DOOM tracks).

Right from the start, “Kuffs” will hook you. After the introductory track “Waterlogged,” “Guv’nor” invades with a solid beat, grounded beneath an airy overlay. The track also samples “Ello Guv’nor,” an episode from the popular cartoon “Regu-

lar Show,” adding a certain level of cheekiness. Both aspects of JJ DOOM (the JJ and the DOOM) know they’re talented, which you can hear on the track, but they also set the tone that this album won’t hit you over the head with any sort of message. As much as I dig stuff like Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, I feel there’s a certain subtlety lost in their hip-hop that I find from artists such as DOOM. There’s no matching DOOM’s wordplay. On the opening lines of “Guv’nor” he raps, “Catch a throatful / From the fire vocal / Ash and molten glass like / Eyjafjallajökull / The volcano out of Iceland / He’ll conquer and destroy the rap world like the white men.” I challenge any other rapper to name-drop an Icelandic volcano in a way that is both pertinent to the topic of the song (which it is) and fits with the flow (which it does).

Nothing on the album is overdone or overblown. Even a guest appearance by Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn on “Bite the Thong” is noticeable, but not totally apparent.

No one writes key parts like Albarn, and from the very beginning of the track, he’s unmistakable. However, he never performs a guest verse or any

courtesy of klaus thymann

other sort of hip-hop trope. It’s one of the album’s several cool guest appearances, which includes another by Beth Gibbons of Portishead on “GMO.” “Kuffs” is also more of a traditional album than DOOM’s other outings, which generally come across as one lengthy mixtape instead of individual tracks. This works to JJ DOOM’s favor because each track is a complete, comprehensive thought rather than part of something larger. However, this doesn’t mean the album is disjointed. DOOM smartly tackles contemporary issues, making the album feel relevant and intelligent (which is not something always seen within the hip-hop scene) while maintaining the aforementioned level of subtlety. The message and the medium work hand in hand here as opposed to one overtaking the other, which can happen way too easily (see: Macklemore, and

check out: Guv’nor Bite the Thong Wash Your Hands GMO Winter Blues

REVIEW Album: keys to the kuffs artist: jj doom RATING:

5 | sports

Volume 99, issue 58 | wednesday , january 23, 2013 from BASKETBALL page 1

Aztecs go 3-1 in Michigan

water polo

Courtney Muller Staff Writer

Senior guard Chase Tapley looks toward the bench earlier this season. Tapley will be a focal point in the offense against Nevada.

Frontcourt Aztecs: The frontcourt for the Aztecs has been questionable for most of the season and especially in their last two games. The team has primarily become a 3-point shooting team and seems to live or die by their guards.

Senior forward DeShawn Stephens and freshman forward Winston Shepard have been productive at times and both usually play good defense down low. Stephens averages 5.8 points per game and Shepard averages nine points per game, even though most of his minutes occur at the point guard position.

Wolf Pack: The frontcourt for the Wolf Pack is far less productive than their backcourt. Junior forward Devonte Elliott is the fifth leading scorer on the team, averaging 6.4 points per game.

His complement, junior forward Kevin Panzer, averages 4.8 points per game and is the seventh leading scorer on the team. The Wolf Pack relies mainly on its point guard Burton and Story to put points on the board and carry the team.

paige nelson , photo editor

Coaching Aztecs: Head coach Steve Fisher can’t be pleased with the recent performances of his team. Two losses in a row is rare, but three losses in a row is unheard of, so Fisher will have his team ready for the matchup on the road.

Wolf Pack: Head coach David Carter returns to Nevada one year after leading the Wolf Pack to a 287 season, one of the best in school history. He also led Nevada to the National Invitation Tournament last season. So far this season, Carter has his team at a 10-7 record.

Edge: Aztecs Prediction:

Aztecs

Wolf Pack

64 53

The San Diego State women’s water polo team began its 2013 campaign by competing in the Michigan Kick-Off tournament hosted by the University of Michigan.

The No. 7 Aztecs proved their top-10 ranking valid as they went 3-1 in the tournament with only one loss against the No. 3 University of California, Los Angeles Bruins. SDSU went on to defeat former conference foe San Jose State 10-9 to close out the first day of competition in Ann Arbor, Mich.

On the final day of the tournament, the Aztecs went a perfect 2-0, defeating No. 14 Indiana 11-5 as well as No. 11 Michigan with a score of 11-10 in double overtime.

Senior captain Amber Pezzolla was a valuable offensive weapon for the Aztecs, scoring 15 goals in the tournament. The three-

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amber pezzolla

Senior captain

in the pool, also scoring three goals in the victory against the Wolverines.

The 2013 season will be SDSU’s first year competing in the Big West Conference, where it hopes to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Pezzolla expressed her faith in the team this season.

Preview: SDSU vs. Nevada Alex Riggins Staff Writer

Backcourt Aztecs: Senior guards Courtney Clements and Chelsea Hopkins make up one of the most dynamic backcourts in the country.

Clements leads the Aztecs in scoring at 17.3 points per game, while Hopkins averages 13 points per game and leads the team with 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Edge: Aztecs

Comments?

I feel this year with the team we have, we can without a doubt win the (Big West) conference.

“I feel this year with the team we have, we can without a doubt win the (Big West) conference.

We are a newer team so people don’t know us as well as they did in prior seasons,” Pezzolla said.

“We are ready to make it to the NCAA tournament.”

The Aztecs’ return sophomore driver Anique Hermann, who had a phenomenal breakout season last year, garnered an All-American honor in her first season competing for the red and black. With the graduation of four-time All-American goalie Kelly Campoli, SDSU looks to freshman Rachel Mitchell to anchor its defense this season.

Mitchell had a strong debut last weekend.

The Aztecs return to Montezuma Mesa with their first chance to showcase their talents in front of a home crowd on Saturday. SDSU will face off against former Aztec players in its annual alumni game. First sprint is set for 11 a.m. at the Aztec Aquaplex.

women’s basketball

Wolf Pack: Senior Chanelle Brennan, who scored 22 points in Saturday’s loss to Fresno State, and junior Danika Sharp start in the backcourt and are the featured scorers of the Wolf Pack.

Edge: Aztecs

time All-American led SDSU past Indiana by scoring six goals in the same game. Senior utility Emily Whalen torched the Michigan Wolverines when she recorded a hat trick in the final game of the tournament. Pezzolla continued to show her leadership

Frontcourt Aztecs: Malia Nahinu at 6-foot6 casts an imposing figure in the middle of the floor for the Aztecs.

The senior center combines with forwards Gabrielle Clark and Erimma Amarikwa in the starting lineup, and the three combine to average 21.8 points, 14.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Wolf Pack: Sophomore forward Emily Burns is the Wolf Pack’s best low post player, averaging 6.6 points, but leads the team with 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. She has struggled with shooting this season, only making 32 percent of her shots from the field.

Edge: Aztecs Intangibles Aztecs: The Aztecs four nonconference losses came at the hands of three very good Pac12 teams and No. 14 ranked Oklahoma State. Their one conference loss was to a solid Fresno squad. They are 7-2 at Viejas Arena and 3-1 in the Mountain West Conference. If the Aztecs continue to focus on defense, this one could be done very quickly.

Wolf Pack: Nevada is just 2-6 in road and neutral games, including a 92-41 loss at Wyoming in its first road game as a member of the Mountain West. The team lost six of its last seven games.

Edge: Aztecs

the daily aztec

Coaching Aztecs: Head coach Beth Burns has built one of the best and most consistent teams in the MWC. The Aztecs this season have routinely beaten inferior opponents and started the conference season strong. After an opening conference loss to Fresno at Viejas Arena, Burns led the Aztecs on a successful twowin road trip before returning home for a win against Wyoming last Saturday.

Wolf Pack: Head coach Jane Albright is in her fifth year with the Wolf Pack. She’s led her Nevada team to one 20-win season in 2010-11, although the 2011-12 team struggled. This year’s team is 6-10 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.

Edge: Aztecs Prediction:

Aztecs

Wolf Pack

78 58

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6 | features

Volume 99, issue 58 | Tuesday, january 23, 2013

from DREAMS page 1

thinkstock

of eye movements to be consciously performed while dreaming, Hearne was able to successfully develop a mode of communication between the dreamer and the outside world.

More recent research now harnesses electroencephalography machines to analyze brain wave frequencies in dreamers. The frequencies detected during lucid dreams are much higher than those of regular dreams. During regular dreaming, the brain releases theta waves which typically range from 4-8 Hz. But, in lucid dreaming, EEGs have detected Gamma waves that can measure up to 40 Hz. This is greater than the brain activity that’s exhibited when awake, meaning that through lucid dreaming, one can achieve a higher state of consciousness.

Lucid dreaming is remarkable in that it allows people to enter into their own fantasy world, a place without corporeal limitations or lasting repercussions. One of the stirring realizations in a lucid dream is that, in this dream world, the regular laws of physics don’t apply. For example, some dreams will initially feature the gravity that enables the dreamer to walk, but as soon as the whole experience is registered as a simulation inside your head, there is nothing to stop you from lifting off of the ground like a hot air balloon. Flying, teleportation and even moonwalking are all viable forms of transportation within the lucid dreaming realm.

No longer is solidity a nuisance either—if you’ve found yourself

trapped inside a room with no apparent exit, then just sashay right on through the wall and see what kind of world your mind fabricates for the other side. If the dreamer feels disadvantaged by size, there’s always the freedom to grow larger than the most colossal mountain or shrink down to the size of an atom. Metamorphosing into a cane-twirling, monocle-sporting penguin is even a possibility—the only limitation is the extent of your imagination. Be the master of your mental domain.

Lucid dreaming can also be harnessed as a tool for artistic creativity. If you’re a painter, try focusing your mental energy to produce a canvas and allow your unconscious to fill that canvas with whatever colors come to mind. If you’re a composer, see what melodies you can produce with your new altered state of consciousness. If you’re a porn star, see if you can come across an innovative new position for your next skin flick. Through this unusual application of the central nervous system, one can gain greater insight into both the world and themself.

An innate awareness that dreams are just products of the mind has been documented as an effective method for overcoming nightmares. A 2006

study published in the scholarly journal, “Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics” confirmed lucid dreaming therapy treatment can effectively lessen nightmare frequency. Those awful dreams when you’re being chased by a deranged ax murderer as your legs melt into gluten-free strawberry gelato lose most of their terror when you’re able to remember that it’s just a nonsensical sleephallucination, (Unless that’s what you’re into, in which case maybe this article isn’t for you).

But it’s easier said than done. Many people have never experienced lucid dreams, let alone been able to remotely remember the details of a regular one. Personally, one of the major steps that led me to the wonderful world of lucid dreaming was the habitual documentation of my dreams. By writing down my dreams each morning immediately after waking, I rapidly improved my ability to remember my dreams and to recognize when I’m having them. Another effective method is to perform reality checks on a regular basis. Are you dreaming right now? Perhaps your experience reading this article is imaginary. You may not even go to San Diego State and could actually be an impoverished Persian tow-truck driver named Fajid Umerani just trying to make

a living. The more regularly you perform these reality checks, the more often you’ll find yourself gaining awareness and control of your dreams.

It’s also important to understand that your experiences throughout the day will directly affect the content of your dream world. If you’ve spent your whole day on the couch watching “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” marathon on TV, chances are your dreams won’t be filled with giggly lollipop-wielding Care Bears. By staying mindful of your intake of sensory stimuli— be it sight, sound, smell, taste or touch—you can improve the quality of your unconscious mind and, consequently, the quality of your dreams. It’s really no coincidence that the brain looks like a giant sponge.

The average person spends about one-third of their life sleeping and about one-quarter of that sleep dreaming. If you end up living to be 80 years old, you will have spent almost seven years of your existence as a human being trapped within your inner-dream realm. You can spend the rest of that time stuck inside the blur of unconsciousness or finally resolve to remove the veil ... The choice is up to you.

FEATURES | 7

wednesday, january 23, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 58

Huge helpings highlight Hillcrest’s Hash House food & drink

Michele Pluss Staff Writer

I moved to San Diego at the beginning of the fall semester. While I’ve spent many weekends here when I lived in Orange County, I never ventured beyond the downtown strip of restaurants and bars along Fifth Avenue each time I visited. Now that I’m a permanent resident here, I’ve slowly branched out to the various neighborhoods this city offers and have discovered the hidden and not-so-hidden jewels of San Diego along the way.

One of these gems is Hash House a Go Go on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest.

If you venture there for the first time on a weekend, using (as I did) your trusty GPS to guide you, here is one simple tip to know you’ve found the right place: Simply look for the massive crowd of people milling about on the sidewalk.

That’s the Hash House. I would recommend getting there about an hour before the onset of any hunger-related crankiness because you will have to wait.

According to the cheerful host

in charge of taking names, dispensing pagers and general hungry-mob crowd control, the 35- to 45-minute wait is typical on Saturdays and Sundays, regardless of the time (although when I left the restaurant at 2:30 p.m., the crowd had magically dispersed, so you may have your best chance at a shorter wait time later in the afternoon). In any case, there are jugs of water and coffee at a table on the sidewalk for waiting guests.

And ladies, there’s an adorable little store a couple of blocks down called Buffalo Exchange. You’d be surprised how much shopping you can get done in a 35- to-45 minute wait for your table.

The crowd at Hash House varies from families and friends to couples, and the atmosphere is casual. I sat on the patio to enjoy the beautiful Sunday afternoon weather of a Southern California winter, but there’s also plenty of seating indoors, including a fullservice bar. The wait time provided me with not only enough time for a quick shopping spree down the street, but also a chance to peruse and select what I wanted for breakfast.

A word on menu selection: Go with your gut. Seriously. The first

item you see that makes your stomach growl should be what you order. If you keep looking at the eatery’s massive, two-sided tablet of a menu (and everything on it sounds divine), you’ll never be able to pick anything. Any dish that contains artichokes is golden for me, so I went with a “Hash,” which included fresh mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and fresh spinach, complete with potatoes, scrambled eggs, fruit and a biscuit.

It is a popular belief among men that size doesn’t matter. Well, the cooks at Hash House clearly subscribe to another popular belief: Bigger is better. Just when the portions look too big for one person to consume in a single sitting, they add a little more food to the plate. The plates, incidentally, were bigger than my head, just to paint a picture.

The portions are huge. The woman at the table next to me ordered a hamburger I’m pretty sure I’d have to deconstruct in order to eat, which teetered precariously over her French fries almost to the point of toppling to the floor. My own skillet of food was delivered fast and fresh and piled high. I was thrilled to see they did not skimp on artichoke hearts (as places often do, I’ve found).

Hash House must be a regular spot for most of its crowd because I was

file photo

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the only one on my phone snapping pictures of the food that had just been placed in front of me. I downed the rest of my coffee, took a deep breath and dug in. After the first bite, I could safely say Hash House is not only worth the wait, but also worth a late arrival to my second job.

Next time I go back there—because this will now be a monthly tradition of mine—I plan on tackling something from its waffle section and enjoying a mimosa or two. I’ll just have to plan it on a day when I don’t have to hightail it to work immediately after my meal.

Overall, this is what I found at Hash House: The service was wonderful, the food was delicious and the pricing was reasonable.

Yes, the wait time can get a little out of control, but this is not a place you should go to if you’re in a rush. This is the perfect weekend restaurant to go to when you want good food, atmosphere and enough leftovers to last you about two more breakfasts.

I will continue my exploration of the neighborhoods of San Diego, but Hash House a Go Go has become an instant favorite of mine.

8 | BACKPAGE

Volume 99, issue 58 | WEDNESday, january 23, 2013

Stranger-not-so-danger humor Carlos Alaniz Staff Writer

We all know them. We see them everywhere and we don’t always pay much attention to them. They are strangers, after all. We’re in our heads a lot and we’re too afraid to interact with them because of what could happen. I myself, like to take a risk and talk to strangers. It doesn’t always work out great, but once in a blue moon, you meet someone and it makes your day.

As a disclaimer, I will say not every stranger should be talked to. Some strangers are really weird and those are the ones you want to avoid. One minute you’re sitting on the trolley next to your friend who happens to have a service dog and the next minute, a weird guy walks up to you and starts talking about how coyotes are going to eat the dog, how he can talk to the ravens (or crows, because according to him, ravens don’t exist anymore) and about how soft your hair will be if you take vitamins while doing crystal meth (true story).

But I digress. People have interesting things to say. They also have good advice and you might be surprised at how well you get along with them. As I type this, I’m in a waiting room in a hos-

pital next to my uncle because my grandpa fell ill. My whole family came to see him. At one point, I was waiting for my sister and aunts to get out of the restroom when a janitor popped out of the room in front of where I was standing. I didn’t really think much of it until we made eye contact and I, trying not to be rude, said “hi.” He said “hi” in return. I work in an environment full of people, so it’s usual for me to at least wave and say “hi” to them. So when he replied, I didn’t know what to say. He was a guy who cleans rooms in hospitals and I’m just a guy who happens to write for a college newspaper, so I didn’t think we had much in common. He asked how everything was going and I said it was fine, aside from my grandpa being in the hospital, of course.

That’s when it started. He asked me why my grandpa was in there and I told him it was because he had a heart attack while crossing the border. Then there was the classic, “Is he okay,” “Yeah, he’s better,” part of the conversation.

I didn’t think it was weird because I’m guessing a lot of people talk to him about that. The funny thing is I felt comfortable enough to tell him I would understand if my grandpa was gone but I would be devastated. I told him about how I’m my grandpa’s favorite

grandson because I’m the first male of the family and how my sisters and cousins have to call him Tony because he disowned them (jokingly, of course; he loves all of us). I told him about my 14year-old uncle and about how I’m scared of what will happen to him if my grandpa passes away.

I told him about my grandpa being a diabetic and how he doesn’t take care of himself. I told him all of this for no good reason and he was a stranger. Heck, all of you readers are strangers, but I’m telling you all of this.

You see, strangers aren’t always dangerous or weird. A lot of them have good advice to offer and often it’s worth listening to—provided that they don’t start talking about how meth and vitamins will make my hair feel smooth. I have faith in the world. I believe that there are more people in the world who are willing to help than are not. Growing up, we’re led to believe strangers will kidnap or hurt us, but that might not be the case at all. I’ve had some really good conversations with strangers. Heck, our best friends started out as strangers. Sometimes everything works itself out.

In the end, there’s more to people than meets the eye.

HOROSCOPE

by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services

Today’s Birthday (1/23/13) - Your first half of 2013 supplies fertile ground for creativity. Ideas abound, and fun exploration crews tempt. What would you love to see realized? Set intentions. Your career heats up after June, with expanded income and influence. Come to terms with the past ... divine forgiveness provides freedom.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 7 Communication is key; luckily it comes easily right now. Don’t sell yourself short, as there’s far more to you than you give yourself credit for. Travel virtually.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 6 - You’re especially creative with your moneymaking capabilities. Others are impressed.

Find a way to increase your savings. Pinch yourself to see if you’re dreaming.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 9 - Go for what you want, making certain that’s really where you want to be. A temporary rush of overwhelm brings out your creativity.

Outwit the competition.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 5 - There’s no need to fight, as you both see the path to follow. You’re learning quickly. A traveler from distant lands inspires. Continue to invest in family.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 - Your optimism is attractive; keep it up. Embrace the contributions that your friends are to you and your quality of life. Return the favor. You get more by giving. There’s good news from

far away.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 6 - Consult an expert, then trust your intuition to solve the puzzle. Say more about what you need, and what you need to hear. Support your team.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 - Start by realizing how much you have to learn. You can maximize your career, and your welfare. Keep most of what you know secret, for now.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 6 - Stick to your good judgement. Let people know what you need, emotionally or financially. It’s a good time to ask for money.

Send out bills.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - When in doubt, count your blessings, again. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want, and find support around you, near and far. Express your love in words and pictures.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - Quick thinking wins, but you’re going to need the stamina. Get plenty of rest and eat healthy. Exercise also helps get your ideas flowing. Get help building your dream.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Your creative juices are flowing. There may be a tendency to want to stop the flood. Let yourself run with the ideas instead. Make a long-distance call for additional benefits.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 9 - Talk about dreams for the future and then get into action. Spreading the word helps find supporters. Keep an important appointment.

Love finds a way. ©2013, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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CROSSWORD Across 1 Exemplar of cruelty 7 Approach furtively, with “to” 14 Split and united?

15 2001 Disney film subtitled “The Lost Empire” 17 Pioneer transports 18 Animal’s paw warmer?

19 Boston-to-Providence dir.

20 Strauss’s “__ Rosenkavalier” 21 Neighbor of Ger. 22 Subject of a China/India/ Pakistan territorial dispute 26 Tokyo airport 29 Animal’s hiking gear?

30 Animal’s laundry?

31 Put in a zoo, say 32 Tippy transport 33 Suffix like “like” 34 Sets the pace 36 Marcel Marceau character 39 Indian spice 41 Assistant professor’s goal 44 Animal’s golf club?

47 Animal’s undergarment?

48 Like some bagels 49 Undoes, as laws 50 Heart lines: Abbr.

51 Brief life story?

52 HEW successor 54 Animal’s apartment?

58 Melodic 61 Wet ink concern 62 Night noises 63 One on the lam 64 Hot spots Down 1 Stitches 2 The Palins, e.g.

3 Animal’s timepiece?

4 Wall St. debut 5 Obama, before he was pres.

6 NFL stats 7 More secure 8 “Do __ else!”

9 CCLXXX x II 10 Trail

by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 11 Lab blowup: Abbr.

12 Paradise 13 Turns on one foot 16 Psalm instruction 20 Cartoonist Browne 23 Health resort 24 Crone 25 Neil __, Defense secretary under Eisenhower 26 Continuous 27 Past 28 “The American Scholar” essayist’s monogram 29 Portuguese king 30 Swindled 32 Low islet 35 Coastal flier 36 Animal’s instrument?

37 It surrounds the Isle of Man

38 Vigor 39 Gp. in a 1955 labor merger 40 Coffee holder 42 Ram’s mate 43 Ultra-secretive org.

44 Burns bread and butter?

45 Tips may be part of it 46 Lively Baroque dances 47 Corp. head honcho 49 Fingerprint feature 51 Ruination 53 Cong. meeting 55 Anatomical bag 56 Victorian, for one 57 Die dot 58 Donkey 59 Biological messenger 60 Debtor’s marker