V O LU M E 9 9 , I S S U E 10 7 | A P R I L 2 5, 2 013
usic is more than just sound waves; It’s something that defines who we are. It gets the heart racing, cheers us up when we’re blue and clings to our memories. Even though there are countless genres, there’s one thing that transcends them all: our love for music. NEWS
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AWOLNATION at House of Blues, San Diego. Photo by Dustin Michelson, Senior Staff Photographer. Cover art design by Victor Escoto.
2 | nEWS
Volume 99, issue 107 | THURSday, April 25, 2013
Lecture series speaker questioned by student orgs campus Donna P. Crilly Staff Writer
A letter addressed to San Diego State Provost Nancy Marlin criticized the invitation of political science professor Norman Finkelstein to speak at a lecture series about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict earlier this week. In the letter, representatives of Aztecs for Israel, the Jewish Student Union and Alpha Epsilon Pi questioned Finkelstein’s credibility. “Many view Finkelstein not as a respectable scholar, except among Holocaust deniers, neo-Nazis, radical Islamofascists and other assorted anti-Semites, who constitute his primary readership and audience,” the letter reads. SDSU political science professor Jonathan Graubart organized the lecture series, titled “International Law and Global Justice: Friends, Acquaintances or Enemies?” Graubart said he deliberately put the question mark at the end of the series title because he invited speakers who hold differing viewpoints on the conflict. Though Graubart said he doesn’t agree with some of the speakers’ stances, he thought it was important for students to gain a broad prospective of the conflict. The letter offended Graubart, who said he thought it was a personal attack, not only on Finkelstein, but also on himself, as the event organizer.
“The implication is that by virtue of inviting Dr. Finkelstein and, thus, giving him academic credibility, I am in league with human beings uninterested in promoting peace, as well as ‘Holocaust deniers…and other assorted anti-Semites,’” he wrote to the provost in a responding letter. Graubart, who said he “cares deeply about the Jewish people” and about reaching a “satisfying twostate solution,” said Finkelstein can sometimes be blunt and insulting because he often uses nonacademic language during speeches. However, Graubart added that he thinks all six of his speakers “have something valuable to say.” “What bothered me about organizations on campus that purport to be pro-Israel, like Aztecs for Israel, is they have a very narrow view of what’s acceptable discourse and … they can be very cutting to people who fall outside of their narrow perspective, including Jewish people like myself,” Graubart said. Finkelstein, who wrote “Knowing Too Much: Why the American Jewish Romance with Israel is Coming to an End,” said he hadn’t read the letter yet, but heard about it. At the lecture series, Finkelstein said international law and human rights law—not religion—should be the guidelines for a resolution to the conflict. Finkelstein’s activism sparked controversy in the past. He said Israel bears a significant part of re-
Political science professor Norman Finkelstein speaks at the organized lecture series about global justice at SDSU.
sponsibility for its section of the Middle East and violating international law. “I don’t think that most Jews would defend the sorts of things Israel does,” Finkelstein said. “So I think I’m more representative of Jewish opinion than Aztecs for Israel … and there were Jews in the audience today. Do you think they tried to defend what Israel does?” Aztecs for Israel President Mor Frankle, who signed the letter, said Finkelstein’s talk was “disheartening and targeting.” “He spent 20 of his allotted 40 minutes talking about ‘young American Jews,’ and as somebody who specifically fits in that description,
j. hutton marshall , managing editor
I didn’t quite understand how that discussion had anything to do with his proposed solution to the Middle East conflict,’” Frankle wrote in an email. The letter Frankle signed labels Finkelstein’s talks as “hate speech.” It reads that the assessments can be confirmed on YouTube, “where a clip is posted of Finkelstein’s appearance on a Holocaust denial program on Lebanese TV.” Finkelstein, whose mother and father were victims of Nazi Germany and placed in concentration camps during World War II, said he is not anti-Jewish. “Given my family’s background, to deny the Nazi Holocaust, I’d have
to be insane,” Finkelstein said. Graubart said he wasn’t sure if the letter meant to directly attack him as the event’s organizer or suggest that Finkelstein denies the Holocaust. Graubart however, added that the letter read as though it did both. “To be in denial of the Holocaust, to me, that was really quite insulting, quite offensive,” Graubart said. Other people who signed the letter included JSU President Lauren Zinn and Associated Students JSU representative Jon Davidi. Zinn didn’t comment, saying the letter sufficiently explains their stance. “To introduce and refer to (Finkelstein) as an acceptable speaker who will shape young minds on our campus concerns, offends and is shocking to many of us SDSU students,” the letter reads. College of Arts and Letters Dean Paul Wong responded to the letter on behalf of the provost. “We believe that our learning experience includes exposure to views, which we may or may not agree with,” Wong wrote in an official statement. “We will ensure that the lecture and discussion will provide opportunities for questions and comments, which would enable the students to gain a better understanding of complex issues.” To view letters written by both parties, visit the online article at thedailyaztec.com.
Gun control bill fails, Obama shows disappointment
national Alicia Chavez Staff Writer
The U.S. Senate denied the approval of several measures to expand gun control.
The legislation received 54 votes with a few Republican senators and several Democratic senators voting in favor. On April 17, the country watched as the bill failed to receive the 60 votes needed in the Senate. The gun legislation was a bipartisan compromise, expanding background checks for those interested in purchasing a
gun. The legislation also placed a ban on both assault weapons and high-capacity gun magazines. The Senate also denied Republican proposals to expand approval to carry concealed weapons and to persuade law enforcement to focus more of its attention on gun crimes. After the Senate’s defeat, President Barack Obama shared his thoughts during a public announcement. “By now it’s well known that 90 percent of the American people support universal background checks that would make it harder for a dangerous person to buy a gun,” Obama said. “We’re talking about convicted felons, people convicted of domestic violence, people with a severe mental illness.” Obama, alongside former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and a few
parents of the victims of the Newtown shooting, displayed their disappointment in the Senate’s decision. “A majority of Senators voted ‘yes’ to protecting more of our citizens with smarter background checks,” Obama said. “But this discontinuing distortion of Senate rules, a minority was able to block it from moving forward.” The legislation received 54 votes with a few Republican senators and several Democratic senators voting in favor. The National Rifle Association gathered several of its members to call, email and send letters and fight back with a $500,000 advertising campaign, criticizing Obama and his hope for a gun ban. Obama said the NRA wasn’t completely honest with its advertisements.
“They claimed that it would create some ‘big brother’ gun registry, even though the bill
did the opposite. This legislation in fact outlawed any registry,” Obama said.
President Obama makes a public announcement about the gun control bill that failed to pass in the Senate.
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SPORTS | 3
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 107
nfl
The Daily Aztec’s 2013 NFL mock draft
The 2013 NFL draft begins tonight and as a result, 254 young men’s dreams will come true. The first round, which takes place tonight at 5 p.m., can be seen on ESPN and the NFL Network. Sports Editor Ryan Schuler and staff writers Browning Stubbs, Terence Chin and Ryan Posner completed a mock draft, predicting the firstround selections.
RP: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon 6. Cleveland Browns RS: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama BS: Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU RP: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama 7. Arizona Cardinals RS: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU BS: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan RP: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
State BS: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State RP: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State 13. New York Jets RS: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia BS: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina RP: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
1.Kansas City Chiefs Ryan Schuler: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M Browning Stubbs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M Ryan Posner: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
8. Buffalo Bills RS: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia BS: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia RP: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
2.Jacksonville Jaguars RS: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon BS: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon RP: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
9. New York Jets RS: Lane Johnson, DE, Oklahoma BS: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU RP: Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU
15. New Orleans Saints RS: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU BS: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia RP: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
3.Oakland Raiders RS: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida BS: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida RP: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
10. Tennessee Titans RS: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama BS: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah RP: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
16. St. Louis Rams RS: Kenny Vaccaro, SS, Texas BS: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia RP: Kenny Vaccaro, SS, Texas
4.Philadelphia Eagles RS: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah BS: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama RP: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan 5.Detroit Lions RS: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan BS: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
11. San Diego Chargers RS: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina BS: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama RP: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama 12. Miami Dolphins RS: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida
14. Carolina Panthers RS: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri BS: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri RP: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
17. Pittsburgh Steelers RS: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame BS: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame RP: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia 18. Dallas Cowboys RS: Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia BS: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina RP: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North
Carolina 19. New York Giants RS: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama BS: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama RP: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington 20. Chicago Bears RS: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina BS: Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia RP: Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia 21. Cincinnati Bengals RS: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama BS: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee RP: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama 22. St. Louis Rams RS: Eric Reid, FS, LSU BS: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama RP: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama 23. Minnesota Vikings RS: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame BS: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee RP: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina 24. Indianapolis Colts RS: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State BS: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA RP: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State 25. Minnesota Vikings RS:Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee BS: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
RP: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee 26. Green Bay Packers RS: Matt Elam, S, Florida BS: Matt Elam, S, Florida RP: Eric Reid, FS, LSU 27. Houston Texans RS: Robert Woods, WR, USC BS: Robert Woods, WR, USC RP: Robert Woods, WR, USC 28. Denver Broncos RS: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington BS: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State RP: Cornellius Carradine, DE, Florida State 29. New England Patriots RS: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston BS: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston RP: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston 30. Atlanta Falcons RS: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford BS: Kyle Long, OT, Oregon RP: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State 31. San Francisco 49ers RS: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama BS: Margus Hunt, DE, Southern Methodist RP: John Cyprien, FS, Florida International 32. Baltimore Ravens RS: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU BS: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford RP: Matt Elam, S, Florida
4 | SPORTS
Volume 99, issue 107 | THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013
Q&A with track and field’s Nicole Oudenaarden track and field Adriana Bush Assistant Sports Editor
The No. 21 San Diego State track and field team had an incredible indoor track season, which resulted in its first ever Mountain West Conference indoor title. Now the Aztecs are hoping to claim an outdoor track title. The Daily Aztec’s Adriana Bush sat down with freshman Nicole Oudenaarden, who just broke the heptathlon school record, to talk about her accomplishments. Adriana Bush: What are you looking forward to the most this season? Nicole Oudenaarden: I’m looking forward to the NCAAs coming up. It’ll be really cool to be a freshman and go out there. So far, looking at the list, I’m the only freshman in there. AB: Do you think it’s harder to break your own record as opposed to someone else’s?
Nicole Oudenaarden compiled 5,774 points at the Mt.Sac Relays last Thursday to set a new school record.
courtesy of stan liu photography
NO: It’s fun being able to break your own record over and over again. Then, you’re just able to better yourself. It’s like something that I set previously becomes my new goal and if I can reach it and go beyond it, makes me feel like all of the training is worth it. Being able to represent your school at bigger meets and say, “I broke
my school’s record in the midst of this.” AB: When was your favorite track meet this season and why? NO: I liked indoor conference actually, because I was able to be a part of the first time SDSU women’s track has ever gone to conference and won it. The energy that was there and watching the 4x4 team, it was the coolest thing ever because everyone was cheering and getting into it, and to know that I was able to contribute to that win was just so cool. AB: Have you participated in any other sports? NO: In high school, I used to do badminton, volleyball, basketball and when I was younger, I did speed skating. My second oldest sister went to the Olympics in 2010 for speed skating. AB: What made you want to come to SDSU from Canada? NO: The team itself, actually. When I came down to visit, I met some of the girls and Coach Shelia Burrell, I was like, “This is where I got to be.” It’s such a family atmosphere if you come to our practices in the mornings. You’ll just see us joking around and we’ll be dying during our runs and stop to laugh. AB: How has your freshman year been so far? NO: Everyone said it’s going to be hard to balance school and sports. Of course there are difficulties, but I’m having fun. We do the weirdest things, like going an hour and a half away to go line dancing and midnight bowling and the Harlem shake here on the track. So we fill our time with a lot of fun stuff like the Aztecs Nights and the carnivals. My biggest fear coming
to State was that I wasn’t going to meet anybody or that I would be that awkward person in my dorm room always doing homework, and it’s been the complete opposite. There are so many great groups on campus that I just never want to leave. AB: What would you like to do after college? NO: I’m in kinesiology right now and I would like to go in osteopathy. I’m not sure if I want to go back home to Canada or if I want to stay in America. It’s so nice down here. But I definitely want to keep training. My goal is to try out for the Olympics, and it’s easier in Canada because the standards aren’t as high. I’m hoping to travel this summer and compete in track meets out of the country and to follow in my sister’s footsteps since she’s an Olympic athlete. AB: Is there anything you would like students to know about the track team? NO: No one comes to our meets ‘cause they think it’s all day and boring, but some of the coolest things happen here on the track. It’s the base to almost all sports and it’s really fun to come out and watch and cheer on your friends. We don’t get a lot of people out here, it’s quiet when your running an 800-meter and you can’t hear anybody. I know some schools have massive rallies going on in the bleachers for track meets and I’m like “How cool would that be.” All I can say is get to know a couple track people, they may be shy at first, but they are ridiculous when you get to know them like the throwers are just off the chain and hilarious. Students should try to come out to our meets because it’s quiet out here and we can use some more people on the 400meter track.
Music ISSUE | 5
Thursday, APRIL 25, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 107
Coachella is an experience worth having Ryo miyauchi Staff Writer
A few weekends back, the city of Indio hosted the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of the biggest music festivals in the U.S. Every year, the threeday festival brings a diverse list of top-notch names and reunions to the desert. Last year’s event featured blues rock band The Black Keys, alternative-rock titan Radiohead and hip-hop legends Dr. Dre and Snoop Lion as headliners. Needless to say, the festival is a star-studded event. I attended the event for the first time this year. On Friday, I caught the last half of the band Modest Mouse at the main Coachella stage. As the band played the hits “Ocean Breathes Salty” and “Paper Thin Walls,” I navigated my way to the front of the crowd. Fans were pleased with the band’s popular hit, “Float On,” although the sound was cut halfway through. Many left perhaps for the electronic duo, TNGHT, at another stage; but others remained for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The YYYs began a killer set with the epic new anthem, “Sacrilege,” accompanied by the Hollywood Gospel Choir. Flamboyant vocalist Karen O rocked the stage, growling on the mike and striking poses. Toward the end, the band performed the staple sing-along, “Maps.” After the slow jam, the YYYs finished with “Heads Will Roll” as the final dance. Next up was Blur, the British co-headliner for Friday night. The band began with its usual opener, the irresistible “Girls and Boys,” and continued the set with nothing but the hits. Singer Damon Albarn worked the crowd and felt the energy of his bandmates. The highlight was “Parklife,” followed by the famous “Song 2.”
The crowd jumped wildly as Albarn shouted his iconic, “Woohoo!” Finally, the strings rolled in for “The Universal” and the crowd gave its all until the band played its final notes. Up first for my Saturday was Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz, who arguably had one of the biggest afternoon crowds of the weekend. His set was a testament to his dominance on the radio this past year, as he rapped hit after hit. Pop act Bat for Lashes, which followed 2 Chainz, won the hearts of fans and casual listeners. As the drums throbbed for the Kate Bush-esque “Lilies,” the band immediately captured the audience’s attention. People cheered for frontwoman Natasha Khan as she rocked her body throughout the show. After sunset, electronic band Hot Chip finished its funky set. The audience at the main Coachella stage stayed put for the Postal Service. When the electronic hum of “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” set in, the crowd was instantly returned back to its adolescent years, softly singing in unison. Many indie fans were pleased to see former Rilo Kiley member Jenny Lewis accompany the band, especially when she sang “Nothing Better.” The band closed with “Brand New Colony,” turning the song into a graceful festival anthem. As people flocked in for The xx, I moved to the Gobi Tent to catch a few songs from the sets of rapper Pusha T and R&B artist Janelle Monae. Monae’s energetic performance and incredible band made up for her unexpected delay. After a theatrical entrance, Monae and her band jammed a funky medley, then covered “I Want You Back” by Jackson 5. The crowd went wild when Monae channeled the spirit of Michael Jackson through her vocal
The sun sets over the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday, April 14. Though this picture marked the end of the first weekend, the festival still had another full weekend April 19-21.
performance and body work. As Monae played her hits, “Cold War” and “Tightrope,” I headed out for headliner Phoenix. Some skeptics argued whether Phoenix deserved a headliner slot, but from the enormous crowd the band drew in that night, the choice seemed like a no-brainer. It was nearly impossible to get anywhere close by, but watching the band from afar was good enough. At the Mojave Tent, legend New Order played “Bizarre Love Triangle,” drawing many outsiders into the crowd. In another nearby stage, Sigur Ros rocked its slow, heavy anthems. Only at a festival such as Coachella could I see all of my favorite bands play close to each other. DIIV welcomed the last day at the festival for me with mellow riffs at the Mojave Tent, later followed by the warm presence of U.K. singer Jessie Ware. I left in the middle of Ware’s set for pop
artist Grimes. Her layering of vocals between songs might have turned off the crowd, but her romantic synth lines and hard-hitting drums kept the crowd going. “Genesis” and her cover of the Blood Diamonds’ song, “Phone Sex,” were definite crowd-pleasers. After later experiencing the impressive set of psychadelicrock band Tame Impala and the laid-back producer, Pretty Lights, I was up front for the Wu-Tang Clan. As ringleader RZA talked to the crowd, the radio request for the Clan’s classic single, “Protect Ya Neck,” aired. Soon, all members of the Clan came forth to bring the ruckus, and thousands of hands threw the “W” in the air. The first half of the Wu-Tang Clan set brought a majority of cuts from its classic album, “Enter the Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers),” then the solo singles from Method Man and GZA. Method
brian van der brug , la times , mct
Man reunited with Redman for “Da Rockwilder.” The Clan performed “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” and “Brooklyn Zoo” in honor of the fallen Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The reunion ended with “Triumph” and an announcement of a new album. After a final roll call, RZA gave his final statements and signed off. What attendees don’t really mention is that Coachella is an endurance test. There are a ton of reasons that can put people off from attending, whether it’s the long waits or the scorching sun. But when your favorite band is playing, none of that matters. Ask the guy who was behind me shouting along to Blur. Ask the girl who raised her arms in bliss for the Postal Service. Ask the hundreds who raised their “Ws” for Wu-Tang Clan. Their gestures told it all, and I felt the same. My first time at the festival was a fulfilling experience, no matter what the sacrifices were.
tyler grows up on ‘wolf,’ but not a whole lot elisse Miller Staff Writer
When rap crew and mischief creators Odd Future came into the hip-hop scene a few years ago, it injected a unique sense of youth into a community that had been suffering from stale motifs of thuggin’ and gangster attitudes. Led by rapper Tyler the Creator, the group found almost-instant fame, resulting in headlining music festivals and a show on Adult Swim. While such hype could negatively impact a musician’s work, Tyler’s latest album, “Wolf,” proves that he only feeds off the fame. Like Tyler’s previous two releases, “Wolf” features a shrink-andpatient relationship that plays out in different skits throughout the record. Tyler coos rhymes over stripped down beats that receive assistance from organs and pianos. “Wolf” also includes some more upbeat, ratchet-styled songs, such as “Domo23” and “Jamba.” These tracks serve as a nice break from the monotony of Tyler’s emotional musings and remind the listener of the freespirited attitude that makes Odd Future so alluring. “Wolf” features guest appearances from other artists associated with Odd Future, including Grammy winner Frank Ocean. For the first time in
photo courtesy tyler the creator
his career, Tyler also welcomes outside acts, such as Erykah Badu. While the unity and musical loyalty of Odd Future makes the group unique, it’s a relief to see that a promising rapper isn’t limiting himself to a certain set of collaborators. Tyler leaves (most of) his infamously graphic lyrics of violence and abrasive sexuality behind. It appears that while songwriting, Tyler actually—insert gasp here— fell in love and used the trials and triumphs of young relationships to dictate this latest endeavor. “Wolf” surprisingly presents Tyler’s more mature side, breaching topics such as hating his absent father, interacting with annoying fans and awkward first kisses. One song that stands out is “IFHY,” which is as close to a fullblown love ballad fans will ever get from such a rebellious rapper.
The chorus chants “I f---ing hate you, but I love you,” a sentiment that many involved in a complex romance can relate to. Rapper Pharrell, who appears on the track, is ultimately underused as he doesn’t contribute more than one verse. Appropriately so, the track that follows, “Pigs,” talks about rioting and starting fights and reminds fans that Tyler can still be “hard” despite being lovesick. Another track, “PartyIsntOver/ Campfire/Bimmer,” clocks in at
seven minutes and 18 seconds and consists of three different songs. Given that most rap songs are usually half that long, this song seems more like an attempt at innovation than anything else. Even though the separate songs are solid on their own, they lack coherence with one another and generally feel unfinished. Tyler tweeted that this track is his favorite off the album. However, it seems its length and position at the halfway mark simply makes the record lag in the middle.
I’ll admit that I initially did not want to like this album. The oversaturation of Odd Future’s “YOLO” ideals among obnoxious teenagers is a major turnoff to say the least. I mean, do we really need another song that yells “Wolf Gang/Golf Wang” as its chorus? All that aside, this album serves as a reminder why these reckless and talented youths became popular in the first place: They deliver clever lines, catchy hooks and a refreshing spin on the rap genre.
Tyler the Creator’s latest album, “Wolf,” comes in two editions: the regular (left) and the deluxe (right). The deluxe comes in a fancy box with a few extras for fans. Both have goofy covers.
photo courtesy sony music entertainment
| MUSIC ISSUE
Volume 99, issue 107 | thursday, april 25, 2013
Kevin smead Entertainment Editor
I’ve constantly heard the complaint that music today just isn’t what is used to be. It’s generally followed by claims of, “There’s no talent anymore,” and “Everything is done on a computer by a bunch of producers in a studio.” While I concede that, yes, the music industry is changing, the world is still brimming with talent. Sometimes, people forget to look in their own backyards. For example: The Nformals. The three young rockers write some killer tunes, put on high-energy live shows and have somehow found time in their busy lives to
produce a full-length album. “We took a year-long hiatus. It got pretty busy with school and work,” lead guitarist and singer Joshua Kmak said. “Then, we got to do a track at the new Lost Ark Studio down in Pacific Beach. It was a new song that we’d written.” After uploading the track to Facebook and getting positive response, including an offer to produce a full-length record, the band went into a different studio to record. Although the group members ultimately turned down the recording contract, they managed to complete the recording, mixing, mastering and physical production of the record on their own. “We’re doing the pressing, shirts, everything,” Kmak continued. “We’ve just been fronting the money and only went $90 over budget for recording,” drum-
mer Cameron Sisti said. Not surprisingly, The Nformals also put on a wild live show along the lines of major inspiration, The Hives. Sometimes having fewer band members works out better, as the sound is cleaner and tighter, and adding new members seems excessive. The band’s rhythmic riffs and catchy hooks make for a set that’s easy to get sucked into and keeps crowds coming back. The band has already started writing more tracks for a new record and is frequently playing shows around town. Its first album drops June 15, so be sure to snag a copy once it’s released. In the meantime, check The Nformals online on both Facebook and at reverbnation.com/ thenformals. Listen to the band’s track “White Like a Black Shirt,” and it’ll be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Though in this case, that’s a good thing.
j. hutton marshall , managing editor
kevin smead Entertainment Editor
At some point, every genre undergoes some sort of natural progression. Though most know and love the pop punk from the days of yore, it’s hard to deny that the genre’s grown up quite a bit. A new wave of pop-punk bands with melodic hard-core influences have hit the scene and created a genre some jokingly call “tr00 pop punk.” The big names of this new movement in the genre include The Wonder Years, Title Fight, The Story So Far, Transit and countless others. With the release of its “Sick of Sleeping In” extended
KEvin smead Entertainment Editor
So many bands these days are defined by the genre they play. “Post-pop core.” “Electro pop.” “Jazz metal.” These are all genres that the San Diego-based Focus in Frame inhabits, as described by various m e m b e r s of the band. T h e group
play, you can include San Diego band Black Panther to that list. The group, which has been together for just a little more than a year, writes catchy pop-punk riffs, accented with infectious leads and old-school melodic punk vocals. Its EP sounds like it could have come out in the late ‘90s alongside bands such as Lifetime, Kid Dynamite or Jawbreaker while still maintaining a varied songwriting style. There is the standard “kick, snare, kick, snare” beat here, though the group breaks it up with slower guitar lines and heavier halftime parts. The band is able to strike a healthy balance between pop and punk. The group’s EP, which has four songs, is definitely one to check out. The single, “40%,” sounds like it could have pulled straight from the new Title Fight record and features an excellent main riff that will stick with you for days.
The group’s lyrics hold true to the pop-punk tradition of songs about growing up and making mistakes, which is exactly what a fan of this genre looks for. Writing music about growing pains can sometimes come across as vapid or whiney, though these guys pull it off excellently. They show a maturity sometimes missing from other bands’ work. “Maybe I’m growing out of punk rock / Convinced myself that it’s too loud / When in reality I’m just a kid / Who gets bummed out by the clouds,” Jonathan Mueller sings on the track “Ikuze!” So, what’s next for these kids? “We got to play a show with Hold Tight!, who is a big influence of ours,” drummer Sean Jones said. “Now we’re writing a ton and we’re writing stuff for a full length.” Be sure to check out Black Panther on Facebook and snag its EP at blackpanthersd.bandcamp.
was able to reach somewhat of a consensus on what its sound is: “alternative post-hardcore rock.” “We have a lot of melody, even in our heavy parts,” drummer Kevin Smith said. “Though there are definitely times where we say, ‘Screw it, let’s just write heavy music.’” Even with the genre noodling, the band has a defined sound that mixes past, present and future. While certainly bearing the torch of such bands as Conditions, Dance Gavin Dance, Paramore and other San Diego natives Pierce The Veil, Focus In Frame had made a name for itself by playing music that’s never boring.
The band described how it began playing intricate hardcore rhythms that have since been refined into an addicting combination of the brutal and melodic. Heavy verses lead into clean, anthemic choruses, complete with driving beats that can get anyone super pumped. Guitar work is layered, with strong lead and rhythm parts accenting each other. The group, which has been together for slightly longer than a year, has a l ready played some big-
courtesy of black panther
ame shows, including headlining at San Diego’s Soma and a gig at the legendary Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles. The group is focusing on writing and preparing for a big set at the Rockin’ Roots Festival in Baksersfield, which features headliners Circa Surive, New Found Glory and Of Mice & Men, not to mention countless other excellent bands. “It’s like a mini Vans Warped Tour,” guitarist Jordan Hickman expla ined. “It’s pretty much what you go to when you can’t get on Warped Tour.” “Though we are trying to get on Warped To u r , ” Smith noted.
“This fest is just cool because we’ll be playing at the same festival with bands we grew up listening to, like New Found Glory,” singer Freddy Padilla said. Focus In Frame plans to release its first EP, titled “Restless,” in late May and is gearing up for a potential summer tour. “If that doesn’t pan out, we’re going to play around San Diego as much as we can,” Smith said. No matter what happens, check these guys out at facebook.com/focusinframe.
monica linzmeier , assistant photo editor
Music ISSUE | 7
Thursday, APRIL 25, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 107
Summers in college are a time for reckless abandon, exploration and extreme unproductiveness. Music festivals, in all their hip expense and overblown line-up announcements, encompass all these elements. This summer is jam-packed with dozens of alluring festivals for the young music lover to blow every dime in his bank account on, and I’d like to recommend a few of the one’s I’m tempted by. To go along with this, we’re debuting our spotify channel with playlists to go along with each festival. So find “thedailyaztec” on spotify and check out some of the bands we’re most looking forward to. J. Hutton marshall Managing Editor
The lineup was just released on Tuesday, and everyone I know—from the ravegoers to the music snobs—begin to foam at the mouth at the mention of this year’s HARD Summer. It’s not too difficult to see why; it’s drawn some pretty legendary acts out of the woodwork, and it’s got a full-enough spectrum where there’s really something for everyone, which isn’t often said about electronic music festivals.
For those who are turned off by the mainstream, overblown hype surrounding HARD Summer, Lightning in a Bottle is an electronic, camping festival a bit more off the beaten path. This four-day camping festival takes place mid-July right in Temecula, and prides itself on sustainability and continual evolution from year to year. This festival is not for the faint of heart, and if you’re new to the festival game (that’s right, I just used that phrase. Deal with it.) this is an extreme way to expose yourself to it, but if you’re not one for testing the waters first, then dive right in.
2-Day General Admission: $134.87
Full weekend pass: $240
I’ve already got my ticket for this one. This three-day, non-camping festival takes place mid-August in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which is a big draw for me. For those of you who may not be into the unshowered vibes unavoidable at a camping festival, this is a much different experience. Housed right in the middle of the city, the festival ends around midnight each day, at which point you’re shipped out to whatever hotel, hostel or friend’s couch you’ll rest your head on. This year’s lineup features much more indie rock than years past, which shows the festival is catering to the unignorable hipster crowd.
Here’s the one for you shoeless, salt-of-the-Earth hippies who love listening to 10-minute jams in a forest far from society. Held in Quincy at the beginning of July, this festival is for those who believe that if it’s not a camping festival, it doesn’t count. The lineup this year has a great mix of jam bands and funkinfluenced electronic, mixed in with plenty of off-color acts that you won’t find at any other festival this summer. This might be the one you’ll most regret missing this year.
Regular 3-Day Ticket: $249.50
Adult 4-Day Pass: $187 Regular 3-Day Ticket: $249.50
ADAMS AVENUE UNPLUGGED FILLS THE STREETS WITH MUSIC Kevin Smead Entertainment Editor
THE TWO-DAY FEST FEATURES MORE THAN 100 ARTISTS In the mainstream, folk music is on the rise. Groups such as Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers and even “American Idol” have dominated the airwaves with banjos, acoustic guitars and down-home sound. While folk, country and similar genres have been around for hundreds of years, they’ve mostly only been adopted by devoted fans. Thankfully, devoted fans are the best. This weekend’s Adams Avenue Unplugged brings together devoted fans of folk, indie, country and all sorts of other mostly acoustic music right here in the middle
of town. The event, which takes place inside of businesses and stages along a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue, reaches from University Heights, through Normal Heights and all the way to Kensington. Major headliners this year include Oscar nominee John C. Reilly, raucous Haunted Wind-
Haunted Windchimes are among this year’s headliners at Adams Avenue Unplugged. The group’s music, though mostly acoustic, is lively and sure to have feet stomping.
chimes and its barn-burning, footstomping tunes, and many more. The festival features more than
100 acts and takes place April 27 from noon until 10 p.m, and April 28 from noon until 8 p.m.
photo courtesy christa mattson
The best part? It’s totally free. So come out, support local business and enjoy fantastic music.
8 | opinion
Volume 99, issue 107 | thursday, april 25, 2013
Bike safety in SD finally getting on the fast lane
local
B
icycle safety is an issue that is too often neglected in San Diego. It takes a backseat to other issues such as jobs, construction projects and international trade. These issues are important for improving our local economy, but making sure we have safe streets for cyclists is equally important. Many of San Diego’s streets have narrow spaces for cyclists to maneuver around parked cars, curbs and traffic coming from behind. I see this problem every day when I ride my bike to the trolley station behind Qualcomm
Stadium. I rely on this method of transportation daily to get to school and work. Cars line the sides of the street, with no bike lanes and only small spaces between parked cars and traffic to squeeze in. Fortunately, the danger for bike riders such as myself isn’t too bad in this area when it’s not football season. However, this problem is much worse in College Area. Streets such as College Avenue and Montezuma Road between Campanile Drive and McDonald’s have similar problems to my neighborhood in Serra Mesa. Unlike Serra Mesa, College Area has much heavier automotive traffic and a
large number of San Diego State students who ride their bikes to school. This makes safety a major issue in the area. Compounding the problem further, some drivers neglect common sense laws, such as yielding to cyclists and pedestrians. Bicycle Initiatives of the City of San Diego program manager Ed Clancy discussed ways to improve bicycle safety in College Area. Clancy said there should be “designated bike lanes, more bike sharrows, which are the symbols in the streets with the chevrons and a bike rider, along with education that let motorists know that there are cyclists on the road and have the right of way.”
Sharrows can be found on El Cajon Boulevard, but I have a hard time finding any on parts of College Ave and Montezuma Road near campus. Further west on Montezuma Road, bicycle safety became a
Cars travel well above the 50 mph speed limit and many veer into the bike lane ... which makes bicycling in the area more dangerous than it should be . major issue last year when 63year-old cyclist Charles Gilbreth died after being rear-ended by a motor vehicle on the corner of Montezuma Road and Collwood Boulevard. There are student apartments in this neighborhood with residents who ride bicycles to school regularly. Yet cars travel well above the 50 mph speed limit and many veer into the bike lane to turn right onto Collwood Boulevard, which makes bicycling in the area more dangerous than it should be. Fortunately, the city is working on a project to connect one part of the bike lane on Montezuma Road to the other, painting the lane green, and providing signs to make both motorists and cyclists aware of the lane. Clancy said there will also be a buffer edge
with flexible markers. Such buffers can be found in other areas of San Diego, such as Barrio Logan and Pacific Beach. Mayor Bob Filner and the City Council are also working on projects to make cycling safer in San Diego. This includes the Uptown Regional Bicycle Corridor Project, which will run through parts of Hillcrest and North Park, and is designed to connect more streets for bicycle transportation. The project is a good first step in the right direction, but the city government also needs to look into areas with higher bicycle traffic, such as the College Area. Cyclists also need to do more to keep themselves safe. Joining bicycle advocacy groups, such as The Bike Stand at SDSU, will help fight the political battles for safety. Clancy also suggested riding in groups to school, “because it brings attention to vehicle traffic, and vehicles respond to groups by slowing down their speed and recognizing cyclists on the road.” Bicycle safety is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. It’s difficult for cyclists to get out of the way of a vehicle moving three times as fast. Too often, road construction projects are built with only cars in mind, and little thought given to bicycle traffic. The area around SDSU is a prime example of this problem. Addressing it now can save more lives in the future. —Staff columnist Matthew Smith is a single subject teaching credential graduate student
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opinion | 9
thursday, april 25, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 107
Seniors graduating into McJobs and unemployment
economy
M
y fellow Aztecs, as the semester draws to a close, some of you are thinking about graduation. Seniors are just a few weeks away from donning caps and gowns. And it’s closer than most juniors may think. No matter what stage of academic development students currently find themselves in, one concern reigns supreme above all others: Where to find a job after graduating. Unfortunately, the answer is disconcerting. While the odds of college graduates ending up in the unemployment line are low, recent survey data collected by The Center for College Affordability and Productivity shows about 48 percent of employed U.S. college graduates have jobs that require less than a bachelor’s degree according to the Bureau of Labor
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Statistics. Also, 11 percent of working college graduates currently have jobs requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a bachelor’s degree. To top it off, 37 percent have jobs that require nothing more than a high-school diploma, rendering their degrees useless from a financial perspective. How can someone justify student loan debt while working in a field that doesn’t even require a degree? Furthermore, the class of 2013 can expect to make less money after graduation than the class of 2000, according to a study by the Economic Policy Institute. New grads who worked full time in 2012 earned approximately $3,200 less than those who graduated in 2000, when adjusted for inflation. The EPI measured the earnings of college graduates 21 to 24 years old who didn’t have
advanced degrees. This data doesn’t mean a degree is worthless. Unemployment rates for college graduates are substantially lower than what individuals who only have high school diplomas are facing. As college graduates saturate the labor market—forced to work jobs where their skills are underutilized— lawmakers should be working overtime to figure out how to create more jobs that will take advantage of the skills young Americans worked hard to acquire. After all, student loan debt is at an all-time high because we have all been promised jobs as a result of our efforts. That’s the American dream, right? Alas, the clowns on Capitol Hill are too busy debating about the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, gun control and gay marriage. Congress has endlessly
burned up precious legislative time to debate social legislation that has nothing to do with creating an elite labor force capable of being internationally competitive. In a speech at Stanford University on Tuesday, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former Vice President Al Gore said the American political machine has been compromised. “Our democracy has been hacked,” Gore said. “It has been made to function in ways that do not serve the interests of the American people. Our democracy has been degraded; it has gotten worse.” Gore blamed “pathetic” congressional dysfunction on legislators’ collective dependency on financial contributions from increasingly influential corporate interests. Here is where the employment problem emerges. As long as there’s no incen-
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tive—financial or otherwise—for Congress to move the job market forward, there will be no solution. Future graduating classes will continue to face a bloated, ineffective job market, where their abilities are undervalued and underutilized. The solution will not come from Congress. It must come from citizens. Let the class of 2013 carry the banner forward, declaring that we will not keep electing candidates who don’t work for American workers. Let’s take a lesson from the job market our so-called leaders created and make future legislative positions highly competitive. Upsetting the current establishment is the only way to ensure subsequent graduating classes won’t be in the same boat as all of us. —Senior staff columnist Kenneth Leonard is an English senior
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10 | opinion
Volume 99, issue 107 | thursday, april 25, 2013
Terrorist label offers Smoking ban is unenforced anticomfort not answers tobacco smoke and mirrors national
A
troubling trend has emerged in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. Americans appeared eager, even desperate, to distance the suspects from affiliation with the U.S. by identifying them principally as Chechen Muslims and terrorists, while attempting to link them to international terrorist groups such as al-Qaida. Frantic attempts to portray the Tsarnaevs as anything but American is a manifestation of the fact that we’re somehow better equipped to deal with the threat of international terrorism, while domestic terrorism is still a hard pill for our culture to swallow. However, in a Fox News interview on Sunday, former CIA Deputy Director Phillip Mudd said people mistakenly categorized the bombings as acts of terrorism. “This looks more to me like Columbine than it does al-Qaida,” Mudd argued. “Two kids who radicalized between themselves in a closed circle go out and commit murder. I would charge these guys as murderers, not terrorists.” The U.S. has been conditioned to hope for terrorism, because the presence of terrorism justifies the suspension of liberties that occurred during the Bush and Obama administrations. We need terrorism to exist. If the threat of terrorism isn’t real, then we’re all just a bunch of simpletons who sacrificed freedom for the illusion of security. The fact of the matter is that violence
and terrorism are not simplistic issues that yield easily to dismissive categorization and stereotyping. Furthermore, domestic terrorism is as American as apple pie. From the Ku Klux Klan in the 1860s and the anarchists who bombed Wall Street in 1920 to Michael Bray bombing abortion clinics in the ‘80s and Timothy McVeigh bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, domestic terrorism has been woven into the fabric of our culture for generations. Many conversations during the last few days revolved around determining a motive for the bombings. In the ‘80s, Bray claimed he was motivated by Christianity. In the ‘90s, McVeigh said his desire for a smaller government led him to kill 168 people by blowing up a building. The Tsarnaevs were allegedly motivated by Islam. I have to ask, who cares? In his 1999 special “Bigger & Blacker,” comedian Chris Rock asked a relevant question: “What happened to crazy? What, you can’t be crazy no more?” How come we can’t just call these misguided people crazy and move on with our lives? Nobody needs to lose any civil liberties. Nobody needs to be stereotyped or stigmatized. I urge you to look at terrorists as statistical anomalies, identify them as the insane weirdos that they are and move on with your lives. — Senior staff columnist Kenneth Leonard is an English senior
campus
T
he U.S. has been moving toward a tobacco-free society for decades, and that’s probably a good thing. Therefore, the decision by the San Diego State University Senate to ban smoking on campus comes as no surprise. The new policy goes into effect next year, when the designated smoking areas will be reduced from 12 to just two. All smoking will be banned the year after. The policy isn’t completely clear, but the Senate implied all ashtrays would also be removed from campus. The policy also redefined smoking to include smokeless tobacco (even spitless, smokeless tobacco) and electronic cigarettes. How nicotine gum made it through is unclear, seeing how it has the same addictive effects as tobacco and creates litter the same way cigarette butts do. I would love to argue the fairness behind an absolute ban on an activity that can easily be regulated to prevent harm to others. But the University Senate and special interest groups behind this ban come prepared with a plethora of excuses, from beautifying campus to protecting nonsmokers and eliminating cigarette butt litter. They have studies about the positive effect of bans and scholarly articles arguing there is no constitutional right to smoke. They are fearless
crusaders, here to save smokers from themselves and nothing I can say will dissuade them. To paraphrase the great philospher Jeffrey Lebowski, they’re not wrong, they’re just assholes. The problem isn’t that smoking isn’t bad—it most clearly is—the problem is a complete ban of anything even remotely tobacco-related ignores some basic realities. The ban, coupled with an awareness campaign to inform students of the new rules, will in fact reduce smoking. One such ban at Indiana University decreased smoking by 3.7 percentage points, reducing the number of self-identified smokers by more than one-fifth. That’s huge, until you consider almost four-fifths of smokers are still puffing away, ban notwithstanding. That’s where some of the more ambiguous parts of the ban come into play. The new rules state there will be no official enforcement, but will rather rely on “social enforcement as the primary means of enforcement.” What happens when social enforcement isn’t enough to eliminate smoking to the degree the school clearly expects? A recent bill in California allows universities to fine repeat offenders as much as $100. If it comes to it, who will enforce the ban and pass out citations? How much money is the school willing to pay to hire individuals to go
in unobtrusive ways, such as spitless tobacco and e-cigarettes, are banned. Ashtrays are gone. Even the smoking cessation aid provided by SDSU Student Health Services has been mysteriously changed from “programs” to an unreassuringly sounding “assistance.” In the past, SDSU has shown it can come up with pragmatic solutions when the rules are being blatantly disregarded. A few years ago, there was a complete bicycle ban on campus, yet people still rode their bikes up and down Campanile Walkway. Eventually, school officials realized that the blanket ban wasn’t working, so they created a designated area where people could ride bikes. It wasn’t a perfect solution, and people still ride bikes outside the lanes all the time, but at least pedestrians know where the bikes will usually be and can stay out of the way. This is the arrangement SDSU and smokers worked out with the designated smoking areas. It wasn’t perfect—far from it—and it suffered from many of the same flaws the new ban does, mainly a lack of enforcement. However, given the choice to follow the rules and smoke in designated areas, I believe most SDSU students and faculty will accept the compromise. If you don’t think so, stop by one of the crowded smoking sections on campus. With the new ban,
If it comes to it, who will enforce the ban and pass out citations? How much money is the school willing to pay to hire individuals to go around campus, slapping fines on students and faculty? around campus, slapping fines on students and faculty? Where will the money from those fines go? It seems implausible that if enforcement officers see a student on campus with spitless tobacco in his mouth, they’ll pull down his jaw and hand him a fine. If enforcement is impossible, then isn’t the ban just encouraging a general disregard for the rules? These are the important questions the Senate failed to answer when it enacted a blanket ban leaving smokers without options. Alternatives to cigarettes, which would allow students to consume tobacco
some will in fact stop smoking on campus, but others will likely keep smoking, and not in just a few areas, but throughout campus. Obviously, a decision has been made and nothing I, or anyone, can say will change that. I sincerely hope the ban will cut down on smoking and litter and SDSU will be a healthier, more beautiful place. But I don’t think that’s realistic, and I worry about the unintended costs the ban will have. —Opinion Editor Leonardo Castaneda is a journalism junior
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entertainment | 11
THURSDAY, april 25, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 107
LCS wraps up its season with intense competition
aztec gaming
Alek Sanchez Staff Writer
During the past 10 weeks, eight teams have been duking it out for a spot to play in season three of the League of Legends Championship Series. Here we are, at the end of the spring season, and the action hasn’t let up one bit. Week 10 of LCS, known as Super Week, had a jam-packed schedule, showcasing 20 games throughout three days. Super Week saw the emergence of a clear-cut leader for first place, while highlighting the fall from grace of another team. Team SoloMid Snapdragon was a respectable third place going into Super Week’s festivities, but phenomenal team play helped it go 5-0 this week, the best record for the season. TSM’s jungler, TheOddOne, was also recognized as week 10’s most valuable player. While TSM came out of Super Week victorious, Team Dignitas was not so lucky. Dignitas held on
steamrollered through the weak and defenseless Dignitas players, quickly finishing them off with ease, 12-0 in kills. Super Week wasn’t complete for Dignitas, facing against the resurgent TSM in its final match. Dignitas looked to pick itself out of the losing streak, but overconfidence in its team play stopped them from closing the game, as TSM was able to capitalize on its poor objective plays and secure the win. TSM ended LCS and Super Week on an amazing seven-game winning streak. The conclusion of LCS also brought some big roster changes, with teams set to head into the playoffs. Seventh place compLexity lost its AD Carry, Brunch U, who cited “unhappiness” with playing “League of Legends.” The world of eSports is grueling, both mentally and physically as players condition themselves, clocking in hours of game time, day in and day out. Time invested can really tax players, and it’s hard to compete at your very best without be-
The conclusion of LCS also brought upon some big roster changes, with teams set to head into the playoffs. ... eSports is grueling, both mentally and physically as players condition themselves... steady to second place coming into Week 10, albeit a little shaky after losing two in a row during Week 9, but couldn’t shake off the losing streak, losing two more in an uncharacteristic performance by what was considered to be one of North America’s deadliest teams. In one of the most one-sided matches of the week, Counter Logic Gaming
ing able to enjoy playing the game. Naturally, Brunch U made the call to take an early retirement. The other roster change came from second place Curse and its Support player Elementz. Elementz and Curse management “felt it is best if Elementz and the team go their separate ways, starting with the spring playoffs.” Elementz has
been a figure in the “League of Legends” scene since beta testing, and had an early run with the longstanding Counter Logic Gaming before playing for Curse. Rhux, who plays for Curse’s secondary team, Curse Academy, will replace Elementz. But the biggest story from Super Week came from the match of the spring season, when place Vulcun played against second place Curse. Something was different from this match, as odd champions were banned, unexpected champions selected and roles switched around. It was unusual for viewers, but the game felt very relaxed. Seeing as how it was the final game of the tournament, some viewers felt the teams weren’t taking the match seriously, opting to have some fun and switch up their play styles. Others felt the teams were not giving the match 100 percent of their effort, and even wanted “League of Legends” developer, Riot Games, to take some sort of action against the teams. But with all major sports, as the season nears its end, teams usually rest their starters. For competitive “League of Legends,” that equates to trying out potential team compositions, especially the unconventional kind. Why risk exposing another strategy for teams to analyze, all for a match that can’t affect playoff placement? Curse could not move with a win or a loss, while Vulcun, would greatly benefit with a win, therefore opting them for a better placement in the spring playoffs. It was a win-win for everyone, viewers got a fun game out of it, and Vulcun was able to place fifth in the spring playoff standings. Next week marks the beginning of
spring playoffs. At the conclusion of Week 10’s matches, this is how the teams stand:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Team SoloMid Snapdragon21-7 Curse 19-9 Team Dignitas 17-11 Counter Logic Gaming 13-15 Vulcun 12-16 Good Game University 11-17 Team MRN 10-18 compLexity 9-19
All-Star match in Shanghai. After intense fan voting during the past month, the votes have been tallied. Here are the teams who you, the fans, have selected as the North American and European all-stars:
North America • Saintvicious (Curse) • Scarra (Team Dignitas) • Dyrus (TSM Snapdragon) • Xpecial (TSM Snapdragon) • Doublelift (Counter Logic Gaming)
For finishing first and second, TSM and Curse received a bye to the second round of playoffs, playing the winners of CLG vs. Vulcun and Dignitas vs. GGU, respectively. The bottom two teams, Team MRN and compLexity, must now prequalify for the summer season after missing spring playoffs. From May 24 - 26, the top players from around the world will play the first ever “League of Legends”
Europe • Diamondprox (Gambit BenQ) • Alex Ich (Gambit BenQ) • sOAZ (Fnatic) • EDward (Gambit BenQ) • Yellowpete (EG Raidcall) The stage is set and the players are ready, so don’t forget to tune into na.lolesports.com/ next week for all of the exciting “League of Legends” action.
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12 | BACKPAGE
As I spiral into nothingness
humor J. Hutton Marshall Managing Editor
I’m a privileged white kid who’s been given every convenience and opportunity since the day I was born, and now I’m about to be cast out into the dark, spiraling abyss that is the real world. Help. That’s right fellow seniors, graduation is upon us; although if you’re graduating, I don’t need to tell you that. Personally, it’s all anyone ever seems to want to talk to me about. “What are your plans after May?” “Do you have a job lined up?” “Why are you sweating so profusely right now?” It’s a series of questions just about every friend, family member, coworker, family member, random person at a party, family member, person who takes my order at Denny’s, family member, person who sells me knockoff sunglasses or family member asks me every time we see each other. I, however, have it easy compared to my dream self, who gets barraged nightly by these questions, with the added fun that the “person” asking the questions is a gorilla-shaped dementor wearing a tie and critiquing my resume. In case it’s not apparent by my general outlook on the universe, I do not have a job lined up for after graduation. I have a job now, but that’s going to end pretty soon. Despite my daily sobbing pleas, I’m told I cannot continue to work at this student newspaper after I cease to be a student. They say this as if it’ll stop my daily sobbing.
I’ve got it pretty good here, after all. As a senior finishing up my degree, I’m only taking a couple of classes, and I’ve got things pretty much figured out for now. I’ve found a pretty comfortable niche here, so to speak. I’m usually not into the whole “helping others” business, but I’ll impart a few small bits of wisdom for those of you who are lucky enough to avoid responsibility a few years longer. 1. Don’t buy food prepared at the Aztec Market. Especially the sushi. But, if I have to tell you that, natural selection really should have weeded you out by now. 2. Don’t waste your time at Aztec Nights. Sorry, San Diego State and Cultural Arts Special Events, but these icebreaker activities pale in comparison to some of the underage activities open to San Diegans. Try going to the beach, seeing some live music performance or getting lost downtown. Trust me, it’ll beat standing in a big, high-fiving circle for half an hour, which I actually got suckered into doing freshman year. 3. Enjoy the campus. We have some pretty incredible outdoor areas on campus, and seeing as this is San Diego, don’t force yourself to be miserably clammed up in the library. Go to the turtle pond, the Hepner Hall courtyard or just find a spot on Campanile Walkway. It’s a great place to nap, read or kill time. 4. Steal something from a frat party. I don’t know, maybe don’t do this. I just always wanted to. This proba-
bly isn’t the best idea, but one year, someone stole the huge “N” from the Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity house and it was funny. 5. Skip class. Don’t skip to stay at home and play “Call of Duty” or because you’re too hungover from the night before, but because college may be your last chance to get away with being a little irresponsible and stupid every once in a while. So skip class, do something spontaneous and get away from campus. Just don’t go overboard and forget the ridiculous amount of money you (or your parents) are schlecking out for this whole thing. Or, go overboard. I guess it’s really none of my business. I suppose this is the part where I’m supposed to conclude with cliches such as, “cherish it while it lasts,” and “be careful, because it goes by faster than you expect,” and “don’t just take their word for it that they’re 18,” but what right do I have to lecture you? Do what you feel and don’t worry about following every piece of advice you’re given. Most of it won’t be any more useful than the ramblings of a soon-to-be-unemployed college graduate anyway. But maybe not listening to anyone else’s advice is bad advice, and I’m just bad at giving advice. Or maybe the fact that I’m self-aware enough to think this proves I’m capable of giving good advice, in which case you should take my advice to not listen to advice. I don’t know. I wish I hadn’t wasted the last four years taking all of those philosophy classes.
Volume 99, issue 107 | THURSday, APRIL 25, 2013
HOROSCOPE
by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services
Today’s Birthday (4/25/13) - Good financial fortune shines for the first half of the year. Take advantage of this golden chance to save. Your social life takes off. Play, share and reconnect; partnerships develop new opportunities. Contribute with groups that further your passion. Alone time for peace and vitality balances. 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 an 8 - Figure out your finances. If you asked for a tax filing extension, now may be a good time to complete your return. Don’t wait for October. Get it done and celebrate. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - Vivid expressions of love and creativity bubble forth. Your team is on fire with productivity, and your leadership capabilities impress. It’s a good time to get messages across. Haste makes waste. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 9 - Get inspired by your work. The action may be backstage, but you can still participate. It’s a great time to write your novel. Craft the infrastructure. Be bold, and prosper. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - Stifle outrage for now. Distractions are abundant. Keep focusing on what you want, especially your financial objectives. Relax with friends and something tasty later. You’ll have an entertaining story. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 - Put your own oxygen mask on so you can help others. Keep your nest tidy. Someone surprises you by acknowledging you for the value you provide. Don’t gloss over it. Take it in. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 - It’s all so clear now ... handle priorities first, and explain it to co-workers. Accept a
creative assignment. Also offer your support for another’s project. Upgrade workplace technology. Expect another great learning experience. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 9 - It’s getting lucrative, but it’s too easy to spend new income. Shop to get the best deal. Act quickly, but not impulsively. Love is all around; share your dreams and everything looks possible. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - The next few days get active and fun. A turning point regarding home and career keeps you busy. Use your experience wisely. Get what you need from far away. It’s refreshing. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - Curtail spending for now, and review priorities and plans. Deadlines are looming; keep your focus. Clean out closets, and discover something that was missing. You have plenty, distribute it wisely. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - A new money-making scheme tempts, and a scheduling tool opens new possibilities. Your public life interferes with privacy. Some things may have to be left behind. Enjoy the attention. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Take responsibility. Choose strategies and budget. Accept coaching from the competition. Tempers could flare; stick to cool efficiency and prioritize, for a shift in a donation campaign. Imagine it flowing perfectly. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 - You’d rather play than work; take advantage of the mood for future planning. Communication around scheduling eases crankiness. You don’t always have to say “yes.” A great burden lifts. ©2013, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
SUDOKU
by The Mepham Group, Tribune Media Services
Difficulty Level: 4 out of 4
THROWBACK THURSDAY
Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2013, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
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k aren clapp
Throwback ‘92
on april 24 , 1992, in the “fashion issue” of the daily aztec, these two sdsu students showed off the height of fitness fashion at the san diego zoo.
Across 1 Dot-__ printer 7 Hash house sign 11 Org. that financed many public murals 14 Brand with a Justice For Potatoes League 15 Inside information? 16 Ancient pillager 17 Pop 20 Air France-__: European flier 21 Cathedral areas 22 Place in a 1969 Western 23 Tech staff member 24 Camel hair colors 26 Pop 32 Bat mitzvah locale 33 Bands from Japan 34 Gp. concerned with dropout prevention 35 Run smoothly 36 Condor’s booster 39 Ruckus 40 “__ you sure?” 41 Charcutier offering 42 2010 Angelina Jolie spy film 43 Pop 48 “Sooey!” reply 49 “Goodness gracious!” 50 Kitty’s sunny sleeping spot 52 TV and radio 53 Toulouse : oeil :: Toledo : __ 56 Pop 60 An official lang. of Kenya 61 The “a” in “a = lw” 62 First word of Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride” 63 Technique 64 Chews the fat 65 First step toward nirvana Down 1 Poke fun at 2 Shrinking sea 3 Duration 4 Poke fun at 5 Defensive denial 6 Second word of Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan”
/ Daily Aztec by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services
Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 7 Outdoor security options 8 Battling god 9 Itty bit 10 Pink Floyd’s Barrett 11 Pentecost 12 Flat-bottomed boat 13 “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” singer 18 Claim with conviction 19 Truckee River city 23 II into D 24 “Yay, the weekend!” 25 Short right hand? 26 “Balderdash!” 27 Chekov bridgemate 28 Quantitative “science”? 29 Bulls’ org. 30 “Jurassic Park” co-star 31 Father of modern Italian, per linguists 36 Very soon after
37 President between Tyler and Taylor 38 No and Who: Abbr. 42 Messy room 44 Excalibur part 45 Change the colors of, say 46 Wavy lines, in music 47 Justice who’s the son of an Italian immigrant 50 Get into a lather 51 New Rochelle college 52 Overly submissive 53 “The Simpsons” bus driver 54 Poke fun (at) 55 Intro to science? 57 Put into words 58 It’s usually FDIC-insured 59 Bassoon end?