04-28-2014 by The Daily Aztec

VOLUME 100, ISSUE 61

Monday, April 28 - wednesday, april 30, 2014

Get up-to-the-minute news @ thedailyaztec.com

JOSSELYN MOLINA, STAFF WRITER

BRAVO! | entertainment P9

CAMILLE LAZANO, SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Another divestment defeat | news P3 photo courtesy of thinkstock

You think you know e-cigs? | opinion P4

Jordan Owen, senior staff photographer

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‘Last chance meet’ | sports P7

P9 / entertainment

‘Spoonful’ explores addictions and demons

P4 / opinion

Stop hiding, ain’t no shame in your STD game

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2 NEWS

the aztec • april 28 - 30, 2014

#Researchbeat

Autism linked to brain maturity Camille lozano

senior staff writer A San Diego State researcher published recent findings on autism spectrum disorder in The Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry earlier this month. Dr. Inna Fishman found that in adolescents with autism, two networks within the brain were communicating far more than in the brains of children without the disorder. The extent of the communication between the networks was strongly linked with the amount of autistic symptoms observed. “This study demonstrated that brain circuits of individuals with autism spectrum disorder are less mature, less efficient and less specialized—even at this relatively late stage of brain development,” Fishman said. “This delayed maturation can explain the behavioral symptoms observed in this disorder.” In order to better understand the links between brain circuits and behavior, Fishman has utilized various brain imaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging, to map brain networks in a wide range of subjects and levels of sociability. The subjects included typical extraverts or introverts, individuals with Williams syndrome, “known to have hyper-social behavioral tendencies,” and most recently, children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder who have social deficiencies according to the study abstract. “I’ve always been interested in how different parts of the brain communicate with each other and how these connections give rise to either normative, or aberrant

Autism is a brain disorder that causes delayed social development and communication. courtesy of Thinkstock

behaviors, especially in the domain of social behavior such as interacting with others,” Fishman said. This study is Fishman’s first publication funded by a National Institutes of Health grant she was awarded in September 2012. “I was awarded a four-year grant to examine in detail the patterns of connections and the brain organization in children and adolescents with autism,” she said. “The prevalence of autism is growing at a very alarming rate and understanding the brain mechanisms underlying this syndrome is one of the most urgent questions facing the neuroscientists today.” Fishman’s research took nearly a year to complete. Utilized data was collected over the last three years by SDSU’s Brain Development Imaging Lab Director Dr. Ralph-Axel Müller, who is a co-author of the ASD study. Fishman also collaborated with Dr. Jaime Pineda from

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University of California, San Diego’s Cognitive Science Department and Dr. Alan Lincoln from The Center for Autism Research, Evaluation and Service in San Diego. Following the study, Fishman will continue to explore similar questions using different analysis techniques. Instead of studying the functional connections between brain networks, she will examine the structural and anatomical connections that allow the different regions of the brain to talk to each other. “I often compare this to a traffic versus highway infrastructure comparison,” Fishman said. “While the previous study explored the former, we can also learn something from the latter. What are the white matter pathways that connect these networks, and how are they different in children with autism?” Her research efforts are in line with SDSU’s areas of excellence campaign for clinical and cognitive neuroscience.

NEWS

april 28 - 30, 2014 • the aztec

#SDSUDivestment

Divestment bill shot down again SJP’s second divestment attempt fails to get past the A.S. University Council Camille lozano

senior staff writer The San Diego State Associated Students University Council met this past Wednesday to listen to public comments from Students for Justice in Palestine, Aztecs for Israel and other concerned parties regarding the proposed divestment resolution. The room was packed to maximum capacity and after two hours of public comment and a six-and-a-halfhour meeting, the majority of the council

voted against the resolution. Sixteen members of the council voted against the proposition, three voted for it and three abstained from the vote. “We are happy that the school didn’t take an anti-Israel stance,” Aztecs for Israel President Nirit Revzin said. “There is a reason why the resolution didn’t pass and I hope that—moving forward —if Students for Justice in Palestine focused less on demonizing Israel and more on human rights, they will have their way. I don’t think this was an effective situation

for either side.” The resolution, proposed by the Student Diversity Commission, called for the divestment of companies and products believed to be used by Israelis against Palestinians in the West Bank. A.S. Judicial Affairs Chief Justice Sean Guardian advised against voting on the resolution during the public comments section of the meeting. “The resolution fails to acknowledge that both sides of this issue are guilty of misconduct, errors and mistreatment towards each other,” Guardian said. “This sort of conflict is happening not just in Israel, but all over the world.” After public comments concluded, the council reviewed the resolution for citations included in the document. Some members of the council voiced their concern about the wording of the document and the lack of citations. After several hours of reviewing the document, the council voted. “We are invested in corporations

The resolution fails to acknowledge that both sides of this issue are guilty of misconduct, errors and mistreatment towards each other.

- Sean Guardian A.S. Judicial Affairs Chief Justice

that benefit when there is war,” SJP CoChair Nadir Bouhmouch said. “There are Palestinian students that go to this university … they have to come here every single day knowing that this university invests in the very companies that are used by Israel to murder and oppress their families back home.” Both concerned parties felt the legislative process took a lot longer than it should have, as the legislation was introduced back in January. “The fact that it took this long to get a resolution, to even get to the elected body through unelected bodies, is absurd,” Bouhmouch said. Revzin expressed frustration about the time students spent working on the divestment and anti-divestment campaign. “Divestment has taken up hours of our lives, nine weeks we will never get back,” Revzin said. SJP members plan to continue to introduce divestment legislation to A.S. next semester. “Just because it was voted down this year, doesn’t mean we won’t continue,” Bouhmouch said. “There are many young activists that are determined to continue this divestment campaign.” Divestment resolutions have passed on the campuses of UC Riverside, UC Berkeley, Loyola University Chicago and University of New Mexico.

Left: SDSU graduate student Bo Elder spoke during the public comment section of the meeting. Right: Students and community members wait while the University Council deliberates.

Camille Lozano, Senior staff writer

During its next regular meeting Monday, April 28, 2014 at 4:00pm the Associated Students Board of Directors will vote on some important

BYLAW AMENDMENTS. Copies of the proposed changes are available to interested individuals upon request from the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Information Booth or the Associated Students Suite front desk on the third floor. Comments regarding the proposed changes are welcomed in advance. Meeting location can be found at as.sdsu.edu/govt.

619-594-6555 as.sdsu.edu

4 OPINION

the aztec • April 28 - 30, 2014

#stds

Stop hiding, ain’t no shame in your STD game Elisse Miller features editor

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas … except for herpes. That s--t will come back with you.” This is just one of the many comedic one-liners found in “The Hangover,” which made nearly $45 million its opening weekend. It’s a quick punch to the funny bone, offering a new take on an old cliche and making fun of a life-long disease with real victims. OK, that last bit stings a little bit, doesn’t it? There are more than 65 million Americans currently living with an STD. Those numbers get steeper with younger populations—25 percent of young adults have an STD. That’s a significant portion of the population that gets ridiculed for being the product of a broken sexual education system. As overused as the phrase is, it truly can happen to anyone. One doesn’t even need to have penetrative sex to contract an STD. It’s not new for sexually transmitted infections and diseases to be the butt of jokes. However, we live in a progressive society that is thankfully on its way to

becoming more conscious toward the way it treats marginalized people groups. In most cases today, it’s in poor taste to use “retarded” as a pejorative and gay jokes when someone’s Facebook account is hacked just aren’t funny anymore. Please unfriend anyone who begs to differ. So why do we continue to poke fun at those suffering from serious illnesses? It’s not as if we would feel nearly as comfortable making cancer jokes in movies and television, even though the topic is just as severe. I already know the reason for this— STDs involve sexual acts, and sex is still a naughty, dirty thing that Americans love to do, but hate to discuss. Jokes about STDs feel harmless because as a society, we’re led to believe that anyone who’s infected deserves his or her sickness because they had sex—ugly, sinful, disgusting, inexcusable sex. Defenders of comedy will argue that not everything can be so politically correct and that victims need to get tougher skin. Unfortunately, there are some real consequences to a comedy-led discussion about STDs. Most jokes about STDs operate by the premise that STDs are bad, gross, unattractive, life-ruining and abnormal. These stigmas affect the diagnosis process;

whether it’s those at risk refusing to get checked, or traumatic positive test results that shroud a victim in shame. You see, most STIs can be cured and most STDs can be managed. Modern medicine has even found ways to control life-long illnesses such as herpes, helping those infected to still enjoy a healthy sex life. Rather than acting as if contracting an STD is the end-all be-all to public dignity, we should treat them as a “s--t happens” moment and focus on how to prevent spreading. Just this simple change of perspective could make a world of difference, starting with alleviating some people’s fears of getting tested, which would in turn increase awareness and early detection. But this idea, this sense that an STD won’t actually ruin your life, isn’t seen anywhere in the media. Ironically, making light of the subject continues to contribute to the unnecessary heaviness surrounding the topic. This isn’t to say that STD education is not a serious topic, but let’s leave that responsibility to experts and instructors, not comedians. April is STD Awareness Month. I challenge you all to question what it is you’re actually laughing at the next time a man with a baby strapped to his stomach comes on screen, and to feel the true weight of what these jokes mean.

#Ecigs

Vapor misconceptions go up in smoke Sara Tiano

Staff columnist

Most of us grew up during a time when cigarette smoking was being systematically shunned. Throughout the course of a few decades, cigarettes were banned from airplanes, workplaces, and eventually restaurants and bars. Finally, smokers were forced to the outer edges of society … or at least to the outside of buildings if they wanted to light up. The argument was that this measure was meant to save nonsmokers from unwanted exposure to secondhand smoke in public places and clearly label smoking as socially unacceptable. This, along with ever-increasing taxes on cigarettes, succeeded in helping Americans kick the habit. According to the American Lung Association, the prevalence of smoking has decreased by more than 50 percent since 1965. The regulations have continued to spread and cigarette ads were banned from television. For a while, it was starting to look like bad news for Big Tobacco. Then came e-cigarettes, and America jumped on board in a big way. They were marketed as being safe and odor-free, a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes: no nasty side effects, no stigma and you could use them anywhere. After all, it’s not real smoke, right? “It’s just vapor.”

This became the unofficial tagline of sorts, quick out of the mouths of every e-cig smoker. Apparently, people implicitly trust vapor. They bought into the vapor explanation without hesitation, or without any critical thinking, for that matter. I sincerely doubt many e-cig smokers could tell you what is actually being vaporized, but that’s beside the point. The point is, you could smoke inside again, and it doesn’t even smell bad. That must mean it’s safe, right? If e-cig smokers took the time to look into the details about their lovely little toys, they would find two concerning things. Namely, e-cig manufacturers aren’t required to offer ingredient lists for the chemical cocktail that fills their product. And for the fun twist, guess who e-cig manufacturers actually are? That’s right—Big Tobacco. Altria Group, Inc., makers of Camels and Parliaments, is a huge player in the multibillion-dollar e-cig industry. Lorillard, maker of Newport cigarettes, also manufactures blu eCigs, the most popular brand on the market. Now that you know the same people who have sold “cancer sticks” for decades are the ones making your e-cigs, how certain are you of their safety? How much trust do you have in the vapor now? Truth is, the nicotine in e-cig cartridges are actually at potentially toxic levels of concentration. The Center for Disease Control reported receiving more than 500 calls regarding nicotine poisoning from e-cigs this past February alone, and they weren’t just about babies eating refill cartridges. More

than 40 percent of calls were concerning adults 21 and older. Even if vapor is safer than smoke by nature, it’s still nicotine. The addictive aspect is still there, and addiction is inherently unhealthy. The nicotine part has been clear all along, so why consumers ever considered them safe is hard to understand. There was a time in history when cigarette manufacturers were not yet regulated by the FDA either, and could advertise their product as safe, even though science had proven otherwise. That gave them plenty of time to build up a market of addicted customers. E-cigs have been doing just the same, building a reputation on unsubstantiated claims and good ad campaigns while they still can. The difference is, we really should have known better the second time around. Fortunately, just like their paper-wrapped predecessors, e-cigs are finally falling under regulatory fire. Los Angeles County recently instituted a ban on e-cigs in parks, restaurants and workplaces. Even our very own San Diego State has prohibited the faux smoke on campus. CNN reported the FDA has proposed bringing e-cigs under its regulatory reach in order to institute strict regulations. We can expect e-cigs will fade out of fashion, much as tobacco use as a whole has declined since its mid-century peak. But fear not, Big Tobacco will more than likely be back soon enough with another clever gadget to trick the public into continued addiction. Hopefully, the next time around, consumers will remember to be smarter than the advertisement.

who’swho Editor In Chief Leonardo Castañeda Managing Editor Ana Ceballos News Editor Hannah Beausang assistant News Editor Luke Henning Sports Editor Adriana Bush Opinion Editor Madison Hopkins Entertainment Editor David Dixon Features Editor Elisse Miller Copy Chief Caitlin Johnson Assistant Copy Chief Erik Dobko Copy Editors Terence Chin Kelly Hillock Maria Del Carmen Huerta Elpin Keshishzadeh Photo Editor Monica Linzmeier Art Director Carlos Jimenez Production Designers Mark Anthony Santos Gabriela Flores Web Editor Victor Escoto _____________________________________ Advertising Director Jesse Castañeda A.s. Sales Manager Jordan Kato Account Executives Tony Disarufino Chase Gillmore Matt Kilefner Radbeh Rabaz Marissa Walsh Adam Zabel Accounting & Contracts Michael Bratt Kim Le Public Relations Kelly Hillock Christina Koral _____________________________________ General Manager Jay Harn Graphics Specialist Christopher Blakemore _____________________________________

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OPINION

April 28 - 30, 2014 • THE AZTEC

#koalaprobs

‘Koala-ty’ humor pushes buttons While many Aztecs miss the humor of SDSU’s counterculture paper, The Koala offers more than just laughs. Anthony berteaux Staff columnist

“Oh my God, why are you reading that trash?” I am asked often as I snort with stifled laughter reading the latest issue of The Koala, the cover most likely featuring a drug-fueled orgy. “Damn, get a sense of humor,” is my usual response. People don’t understand The Koala humor quite like I do. Should I be offended by this atrocious excuse for a humorous publication? Yes. Am I offended? No. For all it’s worth, The Koala is a heaping pile of offensive, racist, homophobic, sexist, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and lewd humor. Every page is filled to the brim with jokes about cancer patients, profanity and phallic symbols. However, for some reason, even as a social justice gay rights touting feminist, I love every bit of it. The reason I never get offended by The Koala is because, as it should be made obvious from the cover, it’s entirely intended to be offensive and therefore shouldn’t be taken seriously. Most of us should be able to tell when someone is being offensive to get a laugh or when someone is being offensive out of pure ignorance or bigotry. Everyone should know the humor portrayed in The Koala comes from a desire to get a laugh, even if it risks crossing the line. Comedy is allowed to be controversial and push the boundaries to reveal dark truths about society. The dark satire portrayed in The Koala

reveals a humbling truth about the rest of us. As we are aware, racism, sexism, homophobia and anti-Semitism are real issues that we face in the world today. The satire capitalizes on the offensive and socially unacceptable sides of these issues and churns them into jokes. By laughing about “so-bad-it’s-funny” jokes about serious issues, we can grasp a dark glimpse of the truth of how awful these things actually are. Great comedians such as Louis C.K. capitalize on this dark humor to reveal shameful truths about our society. “I’m not saying white people are better,” C.K. said in one of his comedy specials. “I’m saying that being white is clearly better; who could argue?” While initially his humor can be construed as offensive and mildly white supremacist, C.K. capitalizes on the uncomfortable parts of human history to get a laugh and to provoke and internal dialogue about racial inequality. When Nick Cannon released the video of himself made up in whiteface, he received a tremendous amount of backlash and was called a racist, among other things. The prank, while initially construed as a publicity stunt, revealed a double standard of racism that still exists in our country today and the political tensions the African-American community feel behind the original “blackface.” Good comedy makes you laugh, but great comedy makes you think. What The Koala does by offering us uncensored offensive humor, which is based on these controversial issues, is

Good comedy makes you laugh, but great comedy makes you think.

Screenshot from the koala’s facebook page

show us that we have the capacity to be a little bit racist, homophobic, sexist and twisted inside. If we were to accept this at face value and approach it with humor, the world could be a much better place. I highly doubt the writers of The Koala are misogynistic, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, or any of these offensive things. I think it’s possible they accept that everyone could be a little bit of these things. “The mission was to have fun, and yes, put it out there that we have issues with race in this country and in this world, but it doesn’t have to be with hatred,” Cannon, in an interview regarding

his stunt with the white face incident, reflected. The Koala is taking this nontraditional tactic with these controversial topics by approaching it with humor rather than the bitterness or hatred. There is much to be bitter and feel hatred toward; however, not everything has to be like this. While we must approach these issues seriously, The Koala provides an outlet for ridiculous and hilarious outlooks on these issues. Meanwhile, I look forward to the next issue of The Koala, expecting my full course meal of racial stereotypes, incestuous dad jokes and sex tips.

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6 SPORTS

the aztec • April 28 - 30, 2014

#Aztecswgolf

Henrikson finishes second

Emma Henrikson

Sophomore Emma Henrikson was one stroke shy of swimming in Poppie’s Pond Rafael Avitabile

closely contested. Henrikson’s one-under 71 earned her a share of a five-way tie for first place, which anchored the Aztecs’ As is tradition at Mission Hills Country one-shot lead. A second round 73 set her Club in Rancho Mirage, California, host of two shots off the lead forcing her to play the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship, catch up on Saturday. tournament winners take a dive into the “My long game was pretty solid,” green side of Poppie’s Pond on the 18th Henrikson said. “I gave myself a lot of hole. Unfortunately for sophomore Emma birdie chances out there but my putting Henrikson of the San Diego State women’s wasn’t on at all this week, unfortunately. It golf team, her three-round aggregate score could have been a lot better.” of 219 was just one stroke too many to earn The Aztecs’ combined 20-over par scores herself a pool day. on Friday and Saturday Henrikson’s par dropped them into a on the 18th matched tie for third place the tournament with Fresno State “It always stinks to winner, Fresno State University and lose by one shot...” University’s Guðrún the University of Brá Björgvinsdóttir, Nevada, Las Vegas. - Emma Henrikson who had a onePrior to the stroke lead. The tournament, Aztec from Malmo, Henrikson talked Sweden finished about her rivals the conference championship in a tie for within the conference and how she avoids second place, marking the best finish of focusing on her competition rather than her Aztec career. the course. “It always stinks to lose by one shot,” “Dana Finklestein from UNLV is a really Henrikson said. “But I’m happy with the good player,” she said. “She’s probably finish overall.” going to be an All-American so it’s a goal The weekend ended with another of mine to beat her. There’s also Sammi high note as Golfweek’s No. 88-ranked Stevens and Minon DeRoey on the New Henrikson was awarded first-team AllMexico (University) team. They’re two Mountain West honors for the second time rival players that I beat sometimes and in as many years. sometimes they win too, but I know I can “As I play I try not to look at the beat them all.” scores or pay attention to the girls I play Henrikson is focused on leading SDSU with because if I think too much about into the NCAA Regional Tournament everyone else my game will start to suffer,” in May. The top 18 teams in the field of Henrikson said. 50 will advance to the NCAA National Prior to the tournament, Henrikson Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma. had no doubt her team could contend for Henrikson looks forward to her return the conference title, and her team-low to Sweden for the summer where she will 74.13 18-hole stroke average suggests she rejoin the Swedish National Team. She will could very well have gone swimming on arrive to plenty of praise from members of Saturday. her home course, who are some of Aztec The opening round of competition was golf ’s biggest fans. Staff writer

WEsley beights, staff photographer

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April 28 - 30, 2014 • the aztec

SPORTS

#aztect&f

Track and field aims for finish line Livvi sefton

hurdles prelims, finishing 20th in 13.94 seconds. She also competed in the 400-meter hurdles finishing eighth and had an 11th place finish in the long jump. The San Diego State track and field team was In La Jolla, the rest of the Aztecs combined represented in two different states this past for 13 top ten finishes during the two weekend. Three Aztecs were at the prestigious days. Redshirt junior Meritzer Williams, Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, while sophomore Rachel Roesgen and junior the rest of the No. 14 ranked team was Dynasty Gammage all had second place across town at University of California, San finishes. Williams was runner Diego for the Triton up in the 200-meter Invitational. dash (24.35), Roesgen Senior triple in the 3,000-meters (10 jump specialist The Aztecs have one minutes, 15.90 seconds) Shanieka Thomas more meet before and Gammage in the finished first at they try to defend 800-meters (2:09.13). the Drake Relays their MW outdoor Earlier in the day, on Saturday with title. Roesgen also ran half a leap of 13.51 the distance, finishing meters. It was seventh in a time of only the second 4:39.00 in the 1,500 meters. time Thomas has Williams finished fourth in the 100-meter competed in the triple jump since winning dash in 11.90 seconds. the event at the Indoor Track and Field On the field, redshirt junior Jasmine Championships in March. Burrell led the throwers, finishing third in Thomas was joined by junior Kristen the shot put, 13th in the hammer and 15th Brown and senior Allison Reaser in Iowa. in the discus. Former Aztec Whitney Ashley A collegiate best time of 13.50 seconds from won the discus with a throw of 68.78 meters. Brown in the 100-meter prelims put her Despite the rain, Roesgen said the Aztecs fourth going into the finals. In Saturday’s made sure that they were always on the track finals, Brown finished sixth. to cheer on their teammates. Reaser joined Brown in the 100-meter

Jasmine Burrell

staff writer

Redshirt junior Jasmine Burrell at the 36th Annual Aztec Invitational

Jordan owen, senior staff photographer

“We always create an atmosphere of supporting and encouraging one another,” Roesgen said. The Aztecs have one more meet before they try to defend their Mountain West outdoor title. Roesgen said that this meet is the “last chance meet.”

“It is where we each focus in on our potential conference scoring events and the coaches make their final decisions on which athletes to bring,” Roesgen said. The Aztecs head to Azusa, California for the “last chance meet” on May 10 before the conference showdown from May 14 to 17.

8 SPORTS COLUMN

THE AZTEC • APRIL 28 - 30, 2014

#CAMERONSCOLUMN

COLLEGE CAREER 2010-2011

COLLEGE CAREER 2009-2011

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK REIS, COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE , MCT

PHOTO COURTESY OF KYNDELL HARKNESS, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE, MCT

Pro Aztecs set bar for new recruits CAMERON SALCE

have this much success in getting these star players to come to SDSU for men’s basketball, then why can’t we build the same San Diego State is known for a lot of type of success in baseball and football, the different things, but sports are generally other two major sports? undervalued when you think of the Aztecs. Marshall Faulk showed everyone that This began to change when SDSU hired Heisman worthy buzz could come out Steve Fisher to run the men’s basketball of San Diego in his 1992 season at SDSU, program in 1999. The season before finishing second in the Heisman Trophy they hired him, the Aztecs went 4-22 and award voting, before losing to quarterback experienced their fourth losing season in Gino Torretta in what was considered a the last five years under head coach Fred notable snub in the history of the award. Trenkle, who resigned after that season. Ronnie Hillman more recently showed Since then, the Aztec men’s basketball that an Aztec could take the next step into program has been on the rise and has put the NFL when he was drafted in the third SDSU sports on the map. round by the Denver Broncos after his For example the men’s basketball team redshirt sophomore season. has reached the This leads me to NCAA Tournament my next question: for the past five If we’ve had players consecutive seasons, If we’ve had players shine in college reaching the Sweet 16 football, why can’t shine in college two out of those five we land a major football, why can’t we seasons and winning college football land a major football the Mountain recruit at SDSU? recruit... West Conference The football Tournament two out team’s recruiting of those last five years. class ranked During this dominant 74th in the nation stretch of men’s basketball Fisher has racking up 26 commitments from 13 threerecruited many star players to help carry star recruits and zero four-star or five-star the load for the program. Players such as recruits. Kawhi Leonard and Jamaal Franklin who What’s the problem here? Is it because we have taken their talents to the NBA come lack a big-name coach like we have in Fisher to mind. Leonard has even played a vital for men’s basketball? Is it because there are role on a San Antonio Spurs team that has so many marquee college football schools had the best record in the NBA’s Western to choose from in California, such as Conference two out of the last three seasons. University of Southern California, Stanford Winston Shepard, who was a former fourUniversity, University of California, star recruit, and Xavier Thames are also Berkeley and UCLA? Or is it because two standouts for SDSU men’s basketball our football program and the Mountain that have potential to be in the NBA in the West Conference lack a certain prestige or near future. tradition like the PAC 12 or the SEC? This all makes me wonder – if we can Whatever the reason may be, our STAFF WRITER

mediocre draft classes year after year will force SDSU football to be a mediocre team. Don’t get me wrong the football team has had its bright spots in recent years, sharing the MWC in 2012 after a shocking upset against the Boise State University Broncos. They also made headlines when they beat then-redshirt senior linebacker Kahlil Mack and the Buffalo Bulls in the Idaho Potato Bowl last year. But Aztec nation craves the national attention like we’ve gotten in recent years from our basketball program. The same thing goes for baseball. Steven Strasburg showed that a player from SDSU could be as good as a No. 1 pick in the MLB

draft. Head baseball coach Tony Gwynn, a former San Diego Padre and SDSU legend, definitely knows what it takes to build a championship baseball team. Where are the results? SDSU has only been to the College World Series twice in the last five years. It hasn’t sniffed the championship series during that stretch. I believe SDSU has the potential to be great in all three major sports, and the basketball teams recent success has proven that. Football and baseball need to follow the recipe Fisher has cooked up for basketball. Maybe then they’ll grab some much-needed top recruits.

AZTEC ALERT FRIDAY, MAY 2

SATURDAY, MAY 3

• BASEBALL vs. University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque at 5 p.m. MST

• BASEBALL vs. University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque at 1 p.m. MST

• SOFTBALL vs. San Jose State in San Jose at 3 p.m. PST • WOMEN’S ROWING vs. University of San Diego at Santa, 7 a.m. PST

SUNDAY, MAY 4 • BASEBALL vs. University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque at 1 p.m. MST • SOFTBALL vs. San Jose State in San Jose at 12 p.m. PST

• SOFTBALL vs. San Jose State in San Jose at 1 p.m. PST

ENTERTAINMENT 9

April 28 - 30, 2014 • THE AZTEC

#oldglobe

‘Spoonful’ explores addictions and demons David Dixon

Entertainment EDITOR I was fortunate enough to read the Pulitzer Prize-winning script “Water by the Spoonful,” written by Quiara Alegria Hudes, before catching it at The Old Globe. It is the middle part of a trilogy revolving around a young man named Elliot Ortiz. Hudes’ dialogue is so animated and exuberant that I read the play in one sitting. I was pleased to find out that The Globe’s production had the same engrossing and engaging impact on me. Set in 2009, Elliot (Ray Lucas) is a 24-year-old Puerto Rican veteran who served with the Marines in Iraq. Discharged and walking with a wounded leg, he spends a lot of time working at a Subway restaurant, taking care of his sick mother, Ginny Ortiz, who has cancer. His day-today life becomes dangerously stressful as his mom’s disease progresses. During this same time, an Internet chat room for recovering drug addicts is being run by Odessa Ortiz, whose username is Haikumom (Marilyn Torres). She hopes to help those in the chat room get sober. In the beginning, it isn’t clear how these stories connect, but they ultimately collide halfway through the drama. In order to be surprised by the twist that connecting these tales, do not read the relationship chart contained in the program that details the characters’ connections to each other. It gives away a secret that is not revealed until the

beginning of Act 2. The Director, Edward Torres, distinctly contrasts the styles of these different plotlines. The sequences with Elliot are mostly staged in a subtle way, while the chat room conversations occasionally feel like a futuristic world. Mikhail Fiksel’s sound design, Jesse Klug’s lighting design and Powell Chair in Set Design Ralph Funicello’s scenic design all complement each other in showcasing the unconventional bonds between Odessa and her followers. Fiksel’s incorporation of moody jazz heightens tension, especially in confrontations between Elliot and a mysterious ghost (M. Keala Milles, Jr.). Hudes has mentioned in interviews that jazz partially influenced her piece, and the use of this music genre only adds to the richness of the interpretation. Everyone in the racially diverse seven-person cast brings such unique personalities to their roles. The chemistry between the performers is irresistible. Not only do Lucas and Sarah Nina Hayon make appealing kinfolk, but the members of the chat room, which feature Torres, Rubio Qian, Keith Randolph Smith and Robert Eli, are all funny and compassionate. While you should try to make some time to see “Water by the Spoonful,” there will be an interpretation produced by the San Diego State School of Theatre, Television & Film as part of the 2014-15 season. I am already looking forward to seeing Hudes’ brilliant prose performed on campus.

Ray Lucas and Sarah Nina Hayon appear in “Water by the Spoonful.” Courtesy of Jim Cox

#sdsusymphony

Requiem earns standing ovation josselyn molina Staff writer

SDSU Symphony performs with Chamber Choir in requim themed concert. Josselyn Molina, staff writer

Saturday night the San Diego State Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Choir and the Aztec Concert Choir came together to perform a program at the College Avenue Baptist Church. About 300 people attended the performance, an event that left the audience pleased. The setting was vastly suitable for the dark and ominous mood the conductors visibly portrayed. The theme of the night was “Requiem,” a mass dedicated to the dead. Beginning with the Symphony Orchestra, the pieces were played under the direction of Michael

Gerdes, who introduced spectators to a nightlong display of 18th century composers. The program stayed on track with European and American composers, including one who resides in our hometown. The Chamber Choir, conducted by Juan Carlos Acosta, performed a piece composed by Brent Dutton, an SDSU music professor. After the intermission, the performance shifted from a calm and tranquil atmosphere to a grand climactic sound of more than 130 musicians on one stage. This was thanks to collaboration from SDSU and the Canyon Crest Academy Choir, an accumulation of local high school students. During this combined performance, three different vocal

soloists filled the room with their sonorous and echoing tones. At the end of the program, all of the musical participants were applauded with a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. The whole night was brought together through the hard work and dedication of two SDSU professors who directed an ensemble, which came out to fill out the entire stage. Two specific goals were accomplished Saturday night: one being the recognition of the musical arts and the other being bringing the local community together. The College Avenue Baptist Church opened up its doors for the enjoyment and service of the San Diego community.

10 ENTERTAINMENT

the aztec • April 28 - 30, 2014

#mcasd

Exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown, has art from local artist, Eva Struble, Yasumasa morimasa and Richard Lou. ryo miyauchi, senior staff writer

MoCA brings laborers to canvas ryo miyauchi

senior staff writer Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown recently opened a couple new exhibitions for visitors to check out. The latest exhibition “Eva Struble: Produce,” opened April 5. It presents new paintings by San Diego artist Eva Struble. The other installation “Secrets & Lies,” features works by various artists drawn from the museum

collection. In her new work featured in “Produce,” Struble explores her newfound interest in Southern California agriculture through her experimental paintings. In preparation, she thoroughly researched the agriculture industry and interviewed the many laborers who work in the industry. The finished paintings have Struble rendering the agricultural landscape and cultural background of the migrant workers into

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Mexican artist. Morimasa plays with the expressive artworks. Different native colors idea of the self-portrait, a favored genre of and patterns, pulled from traditional Kahlo, as he changes his appearance into textiles, get layered on top of another to someone other than himself. Another is the create a vibrant collage. photograph series “Inner-City Portraits” “Secrets & Lies” collects works by by Richard Lou. The four portraits seem different artists, done in different mediums to present photographs of different local such as photography, paintings and found people at a glance, objects. The but a closer look uniting theme reveals they are all for all works in Artists play around Lou well disguised the exhibition with the norms and in character. Both is exploring the expectations of the works explore identity idea of deception viewers through in a creative way by and hidden disguises... playing around with messages. Artists perception. play around Both exhibitions with the norms are open until June 22, and expectations of so there is still a lot of time to head down to the viewers through disguises and unusual MCASD. For those under 25, the museum scenes, among others things. offers free admission with an ID. On May While “Secrets & Lies” offers a lot to 15, the downtown site has Free Third take in, two photographs stand out as my personal favorites from the exhibition. One Thursday where visitors get in free from 5 to 7 p.m, along with a tour of the museum is “An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo” from 5 to 6 p.m. Make use of the offers, and by Yasumasa Morimasa, a self-portrait check out some new art up at the museum. of Morimasa dressed up as the famous #gondwana

Bi-lingual reggae band rocks the House of Blues Hayley Spence Staff writer

Music is a language all its own, whether the lyrics are in English, Spanish or Italian. It can be understood by anyone willing to listen. On Tuesday April 22, Gondwana performed at the House of Blues San Diego for a venue filled with variety, proving you don’t need to know the language to enjoy the art. Gondwana was founded 27 years ago in La Pincoya, a region in Santiago, Chile. Since then the group has performed all across South America, in Jamaica and North America, standing the test of time throughout the years and continuing in their success even now. The doors to House of Blues opened at 8 p.m. for the show, and by 8:30 p.m. there was no more room in front of the stage as fans moved as close as they could to get the best view of the band. Long lines at the bar and a loud, steady

buzz of voices with multiple different languages being heard all around mixed with laughter. It was a welcoming scene, and a relaxed vibe rolled through the crowd. Once the show began, it was clear the band knew they had drawn all walks of life to their show, shouting greetings in both English and Spanish before jumping right into the music. There’s something about a band that thoroughly enjoys playing for its fans, because the place came alive. Different groups mingled, danced and sang along together while the band members performed. This is the language of music—the ability to bring people from all walks of life together to one place for one night of music full of love and revolution. I didn’t want the show to end. I wanted to stay there, in that place where no one hated each other and everyone got along, no matter skin color, culture or what language they were speaking.

features

april 28 - 30, 2014 • the aztec

#adventures

Make your own day ‘app-ventues’

New outdoor adventuring app features San Diego as one of its first locations

“Everybody starts at the same point, but depending on what decisions you make... there’s 20-30 different outcomes...”

olivia litsey

senior staff writer Finals are coming up fast and there is only so much time a college student can spend in the library, staring at a laptop screen or flipping through flashcards. With the beauty that surrounds San Diego State, it’s almost impossible to avoid the tempting sunshine and spring breeze waiting just outside the window. A new app called Classified Day Trips could be that much needed excuse for taking a mental break in preparation for the hell that is the end of the semester. Laura Baker is the CEO of outdoor adventure travel company Ethos Adventures. Baker started Ethos Adventures after quitting her job as an environmental attorney because she found a desire to do something different with her life. According to the Ethos Adventures website, she did it in an effort to get people outdoors, experiencing the world and living in the moment. When the business first began, she’d create custom adventures solely for clients that reached out to her in advance. Now, Baker’s adventure planning can reach a larger client base through the Classified Day Trips app, which features preplanned day trips that users can follow whenever they please. Classified Day Trips currently offers two cities to adventure in: Santa Cruz and San Diego. These locations were chosen after Baker ran a crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo last summer that helped her gain funders to support the creation of the app. After taking a poll of the funders’ opinions, Baker decided to include two of the top three location choices the contributors were interested in having on the app. “They’re places that I know and love,

- Laura Baker CEO, Ethos Adventures

A new app allows explorers to choose their own day adventures, while following a well-planned guide. courtesy of classified day trips

but I really chose them because that’s what my funders wanted,” Baker said. “They’re the ones that made it possible, so I thought it was only fair to do it that way.” There are two San Diego adventures available for purchase at this time— Explore La Jolla and Physical Challenge in Mission Beach. Once users decide on a trip, they’re essentially in charge of the direction of their day while simultaneously unsure of what awaits them, hence the name Classified. The trip is defined by step-by-step instructions that guide users from one activity to the

next. “It’s like a giant decision tree,” Baker said. “Everybody starts at the same point on either of those trips, but depending on what decisions you make—you know, if you chose to rent the bike or if you chose to stay on foot, and then your next decision, if you chose to eat out or do something else. So if you start at the same point, there’s 20-30 different outcomes of paths that you might have chosen.” Classified Day Trips will continue to take user feedback into consideration with the continuing development of the app. Eventually, Explore La Jolla and

Physical Challenge will be replaced with new adventures that could differ in style or regional location. Future cities to be included on Classified Day Trips are Yosemite, California and Washington, D.C. Ultimately, Baker hopes to expand the app to include places around the nation while sustaining a level of local knowledge with regional experts available for each location. If you’re considering dropping your textbooks and pencils is in the foreseeable future, you’re welcome for another addition to the list of things to do instead of studying.

CLASSIFIEDS help wanted Do you believe that you binge eat? I am looking for female volunteers between 1865 years of age. Participants will be paid $35 for a 2 hour one time visit study, as well as a 1 in 75 chance to win a $100 gift certificate. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer for this study please contact: Dorothy Reinagel, M.A. Phone: 805-701-1075. E-Mail: dreinagel-at-alliant.edu ______________________________________ Do you enjoy nightlife, fashion, and music? Fortune 421 is hiring marketing representatives. Inquire at: Fortune421/jobs. Must be 21+ ______________________________________ Swim School Staff Wanted. Swimming Instructors $12-19/hr. Front Desk $10/hr. www.murraycallanswimschools.com (858) 273-7946. ______________________________________

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internships If You Are Graduating in December With a Degree in Education, Leisure Services or Family Services, the University of Northern Iowa has internships available with U.S. military Child Development Centers in Europe, Hawaii and Florida Beginning in August 2014 or January 2015. Related major and prior experience with children/youth required. Receive 12 hours of graduate credit. Living stipend, airfare, and housing are paid. Build your resume, earn credit, and network with the world’s largest employer, the U.S. Department of Defense. Email internships@campadventure.com and please put INTERNSHIP/(OR) in the subject line. Briefly describe your prior experience with children/ youth and your major/degree. Make a Difference! Camp Adventure Child & Youth Services College of Education, School of HPELS University of Northern Iowa Catch the Magic! ______________________________________

disclaimer

The Daily Aztec does not endorse or support and has no affiliation with the products or services offered in the Classifieds section.

services For late-night or emergency math tutoring, call MathDBase at (714) 618-3624. ______________________________________

the

fun&games issue coming thursday 5/8/14

rooms for rent Room for rent in older home. Private entrance, Private bath. $650/mo+shared utilities. $500 security deposit. Street parking only. No pets/ drugs. 619-582-2222. ______________________________________

12 THE BACK PAGE

THE AZTEC • APRIL 28 - 30, 2014

De-Stress Fest

#POETRY

POOL

PARTY

Sarah Gough Staff Writer by

How did life become this complicated? Reality is simply the culmination of the end results of the circumstances we’re put in, the decisions we make, and the passage of time ultimately alerting those decisions. And all at once I feel the overwhelming truth bombard me again. Simultaneously, all things in our reality are limited by the confines of forces beyond our control; we are constricted by the boundaries of space and time. Simultaneously, everything is simply recycled into the unified infinite scope of eternity. I know that one day, I will have no longer walked the path of the life I know now. I don’t know where I will be. Or what form I will take. Or if my identity will simply meld with the millions before me into the stardust that is forever transformed. The daily challenges and concerns that pale in comparison to the span of a life. A sudden understanding that the routine decisions we make Accumulate to the reality that stares us straight in the eyes when we realize how much of an impact time and experiences make. It’s this realization that penetrates far beyond the shallow need for instant gratification. A realization that I have been waiting to have for so long. In an instant everything is put into perspective. And I know the love I have for those who have accepted me without reservation. Time has and will continue to take its toll. My time, my mother’s time, my love’s time, my friend’s time All of us are limited by time. By forces beyond our control. And the only genuine solace I can find in this stark reality Is the contention that I will use my time to live a full, soul-enriching life After time has taken its largest toll on me. I will lay one day, beneath the swaying limbs of weeping willow. And I will have been satiated by the fact that I lived for something meaningful, That I loved beyond contention, That I contributed to future generations after me, And that my presence will have somehow been eternally ingrained in some aspect of our reality And after that, I’ll see what lies beyond this world.

words

ACROSS 1 Nile dam 6 Start a card game 10 Stone Age dwelling 14 “The final frontier,” on “Star Trek” 15 Fairy tale bully 16 Curved molding 17 “Waiting for your signal” 19 Forest growth 20 Coastline concern 21 Garden entrance 23 R-V link 24 Be in complete accord 29 Fill completely 31 Ex-NBA star Ming 32 Beginning 33 Federal property agcy. 36 Strikeout king Nolan 38 Airport screening org.

69 Spanish painter El __ 70 Fellows 71 Ooze 72 PlayStation and Discman

39 Sound that may be “heaved” in a classroom 43 __-dried tomatoes 44 Potpourri 45 Wrath 46 Nebraska’s most populous city 48 Genetic letters 50 Turn, as a burger 54 Oath-ending words 58 Dictator Amin 59 __ Minor: Little Dipper 60 Continent-spanning landmass 62 Spanish artist Joan 64 “Alphabet series” mystery writer (she’s up to “X”) 67 Needing mending 68 “Gone With the Wind” plantation

DOWN 1 Evaluate 2 Ancient Greek city-state 3 Exit door 4 Behaves 5 Classic grape sodas 6 “Iron Man” actor Robert __ Jr. 7 A star may have a big one 8 LAX incoming flight datum 9 Pigeon’s perch 10 Word before boll or Bowl 11 Goes along with 12 Geese formation 13 Wide shoe spec 18 Fair-hiring abbr. 22 One making amends 25 Hammer or anvil, anatomically 26 Toy on a string 27 Polite rural reply 28 Greek “H” 30 It came before the chicken—or maybe after? 34 Shallow sea hazards 35 Yahoo! alternative 37 Tycoon Onassis 39 Japanese heavyweight sport 40 Pressed for time 41 Law partnership, e.g. 42 Rock’s __ Leppard 43 Scouring pad brand 47 Great blue waders 49 May-December wedding issue 51 Pay attention 52 Foolishness 53 Steinways, e.g. 55 Personal histories 56 “... __ daily bread” 57 Fast, short auto races 61 Puffy hairdo 62 Item on a business sched. 63 Letters from one who is short? 65 Persian Gulf fed. 66 Before, to a bard

numbers

HOW TO PLAY: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box contains every digit 1 to 9. DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

1/4

disclaimer

The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Aztec. Express your concerns by emailing letters@thedailyaztec.com

Aztec Aquaplex Thursday, May 1 12pm-3pm Free for SDSU students and Aztec Recreation members. No outside beverages. 619-594-7529 | arc.sdsu.edu

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

thefuture

YOUR BIRTHDAY (4/28/14) - Your career stature advances this year. Increase financial organization a notch, too. Grow your communications skills for profit and partnership. Revise, review and double-check work before presenting, especially before 5/20. Home projects and developments take your attention after 8/1. Release old habits that no longer serve, especially with family. October eclipses shine a light on what’s most important. HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 6 - Compute expenses before promising the moon. Imagination paints a picture, and sometimes that’s enough. Today and tomorrow present tempting offers to blow money. Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder, and the price doesn’t reflect true value. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 - With both Sun and Moon in your sign, you’re the star today and tomorrow. You’re in your element, and can shine in public glare. Take charge and increase stability. Your confidence is contagious. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 6 - What’s your real wealth? Get philosophical over the next two days. Think about life and death and transitions. If you don’t feel enough love coming in, give more. Your creative abilities can win fame and fortune. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 6 - Set meetings and group events on your calendar today and tomorrow. Friends open doors you weren’t even looking for. They have the info and ideas to make positive change. You’ll be more analytical for the next few days, with help from a technical friend. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 Assume more responsibility over the next few days. Your natural leadership shines (and leads to profit). Provide stability, reliability and a sense of humor. Learn what’s missing from any failures. VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 6 - Each new step forward presents new challenges. Plan for the future today and tomorrow. Don’t travel quite yet. Think, speculate and map out different options. Travel conditions improve. Find new expenses, though. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 6 - Deal with financial obligations today and tomorrow, and keep it solid. Deal with paperwork and institutions. You can substitute ingredients to create luxurious experiences at home for less. Prioritize health and good food. Get out in nature. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 6 - You’re not alone. Support your team, and it comes back to you. Compromise and work out details respectfully. Your greatest wealth lies in the network of partners, friends and family who love you. Remind them of how grateful you are. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Today is a 6 - Chores need attention today and tomorrow. Provide great service, while balancing your health and well being. Put the oxygen mask on yourself first, so you can help others. If you get tired, take time for rest. Do what you can to handle or delegate urgent priorities. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 6 - Simple gourmet cooking sounds good... pamper yourself and your loved ones. Finish work early today and tomorrow, and share your love with special people. Enjoy art, music and talented performers. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 6 - Family comes first today and tomorrow. Play in the garden or park, take on a project at home or share some games. Spend time finding out more about what the others like. Include art, beauty, and pleasures of the senses. Grow shared passions. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 6 - You’re sharp as a tack today and tomorrow. Study, write and speak. With keen concentration, you get to the heart of the matter. Explain the situation in a way that’s understandable to the masses, and get the message out.