SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Two performances from local theater festival yield two very different results. page 6
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Monday, July 11, 2011
Vol. 96, Issue 121
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INDEX:
opinion ... 3
This week @ STATE The fourth annual flag raising ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. today outside of Hepner Hall
Tw i t t e r : T h e D a i l y A z t e c
entertainment ... 6
classifieds ... 7
backpage ... 8
President Hirshman takes office really does take a lot of steps, moving up through the ranks. DA: Besides living in San Diego, what are some of the perks to becoming SDSU’s president? EH: People ask, “What’s your vision of this university? What do you see it doing?” I have a very simple vision – that this is a diverse community that transforms lives. So the perk is you get to participate in helping students develop, in fostering the research and creative endeavors that affect the community, you get to participate in the community engagement ... getting to do all of these really important things. The downside is the hours are long, though.
Antonio Zaragoza / Photo Editor
BILL CROTTY NEWS EDITOR
Not quite one week into the job, San Diego State President Elliot Hirshman sat down with The Daily Aztec to talk about some of the issues he has been working with thus far. The Daily Aztec: You have been the university president for less than a full week, but our campus is in the middle of a construction overhaul. Were you expecting this much commotion? Have you been affected by the changes currently underway? Elliot Hirshman: I knew there was going to be renovation of the new center, and that’s a great opportunity, I know students are very supportive of it. There’s always a little
bit of a challenge with construction, but we’re looking forward to it. I met with the LGBT student groups, who were excited because Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. James Kitchen has worked with them to plan new space for students in the center. DA: Have there been any unexpected revelations on the job? EH: I think the first priority is getting out and meeting people, getting to know the campus. What I have seen, that maybe I wasn’t fully expecting, is just how powerful the SDSU network is. I can’t go anywhere without someone saying “I’m an alumni.” DA : What are some of the priorities you are focusing on right now? EH: One of the major issues we are looking at is the budget, so we
know there are going to be some reductions in state appropriations. We are working, through our governance structure, to be sure that we respond appropriately and protect our programs. That’s the challenge we’re working on right now. I do feel prospects are getting better. California’s bond rating went up, which gives a reason for optimism in the economy. DA: With your extensive experience in higher education, what about this position is similar or different? EH: If you look at everything we measure: student achievement, research and creativity activity, engaging the community — SDSU is very strong in those all of those. And now it is my privilege to help move it to the next level. What I am about is working with people to help them improve the university,
to help them do the things they want to do. DA: Former SDSU President Stephen L. Weber formed a close bond with the local community during his 15-year tenure at SDSU. What type of reception have you received so far? EH: There has been great response from the community. It ties back to this Aztec family notion – everywhere I go, people wave, tell me they’re an alumni and shake my hand. It’s a great thing, the local community is really supportive. DA : Did you ever see yourself becoming a university president when you were taking college courses? EH: I’ve spent my whole life in universities; my father was on a university’s staff. It’s a natural culmination. Sometimes people ask how you come into a job like this, and it
DA: Has former president Weber had an affect on you? EH: Stephen Weber was a great university president, did great things here, and the excitement there is to build on that platform. He and I spent a lot of time together and got to become good friends. They actually brought me in for a three-day period where I met with him and he took me through his perspective on different things. He was very, very supportive of me. DA : Overall, how was your first week? What were some of the highlights? EH: It was a good week. I think the best part was learning about all the great things at the university. I also went to the Shirley BioSciences Center – they’re working there on the problem of cardiovascular disease and they are very much focused on solving and addressing that problem. I visited with our EOP students – we are helping students who face significant challenges to succeed. I visited with Jim Stark who is the athletics director. Part of the excitement about a place like SDSU is there is so much strength across so many areas, so it’s been a good (first) week.
50 Aztecs make All-MWC academic team SANDY CORONILLA A S S I S TA N T N E W S E D I T O R
File Photo
The Mountain West Conference recently recognized 50 San Diego State student-athletes by naming them in its spring 2011 Academic All-Mountain West team. Athletes in spring sports such as basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, swimming and diving, track and field and softball are recognized each year for their academic achievements while being a starter or significant contributor to their teams. Female athletes such as softball
players Devin Gray and Katelyn Mathis made up more than three quarters of the Aztec athletes who made the team this year. Gray, a pre-nursing major, has been playing softball competitively since she was an eight-year-old in Northern California. She said during the school year there isn’t time for much other than studying and softball but she loves the outdoors, running and reading. This summer, Gray has the chance to travel to Costa Rica for a Spanish immersion study abroad trip. Mathis, a pre-anthropology major, agreed with Gray about their lack of spare time during the school year but she said academics have
always been a priority for her. The MWC recognized a total of 782 student athletes in nine universities breaking a previous record of 772 in the 2008-09 school year. Brigham Young University had 157, the most student-athletes recognized in the conference. SDSU had the least. Despite the epic season the Aztec men’s basketball team had last year, only one player, Mehdi Cheriet, was recognized with the academic distinction. The University of New Mexico and Colorado State University had the most men’s basketball players make the all-academic team with four each.
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NEWS
The Daily Aztec
AS restructure meetings go on ARTURO GARCIA S TA F F W R I T E R
With at least double the attendance of the last forum, last Friday's Associated Students restructuring meeting focused on one of the four newly designed councils, the A.S. Board of Directors. The meeting commenced with questions from the attendees. Similarly to last time, most concerns were with the centralization of power. Organization members questioned the open space which the new structure claims to offer. Most students were hesitant to the changes merely because they fear their representation will be undervalued. According to Washington Navarrete, criminal justice junior and member of MEChA, the same people who had been running A.S. and were sitting on the councils would also be checking themselves. A student government that governs more than 30,000 students needs as many viewpoints as possible, Navarrete added. “The restructure has a lot of potential to do this, but it can really go both ways,” Navarrete said
“It is something we have never seen before so it could help us out or it could also backfire.” The meeting was again run by Arts and Letters council representative Tom Rivera and Afrikan Student Union representative Channelle McNutt. Rivera agreed on the over-centralization the current A.S. faces. “We are making sure that within each section we do separate that out,” Rivera said. “For example, in the bylaws presented today, we made sure that in the eligibility section of who can sit on the board of directors, a person could not also be elected or appointed to the campus life council.” Another issue discussed in both meetings was the lack of student awareness on the plans of restructuring. An attendee suggested emailing the entire campus the new, developing policies. The presenters preferred the idea of emailing only the presidents of organizations and council members, to which the same attendee argued that not all San Diego State students are members of an organization. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on July 22 at Aztec Mesa 101.
Monday, July 11, 2011
iClicker coming this fall ANA CEBALLOS S TA F F W R I T E R
A new clicker is being introduced to students this upcoming semester. The clicker used to facilitate student participation and for the instructor to gauge student understanding of class material is being replaced by the new technology, iClicker. “Faculty noticed a decline in student participation,” Mina Azim, vice president of University Affairs, said. “The results that were expected were not being seen due to complications with this technology.” The new technology is expected to be easier to use and a more affordable option for both the students and school. The current hardware costs $54, but the new iClicker will be priced at $41. Also, the SDSU bookstore is helping students who need to make the switch to the iClicker by giving students several discounts. Students who bring in the old clicker at the time of the purchase will receive a $10 rebate, plus a buyback of $18 for the old clicker. One last perk that may encourage students to purchase the iClicker is an additional $10 coupon when spending at least $250 at the bookstore, which could reduce the cost of the iClicker to $3.99.
Antonio Zaragoza / Photo Editor
“I never had any troubles with the old clicker,” English sophomore Carina Luna said. “But if the change benefits me economically then I am happy.” Although there are students who don’t have complaints about the current system, both faculty and students were involved in choosing the new option that will replace the clicker. With 53 instructors using this technology
SDSU leads the way to new opportunities Summer training program encourages engineering for kids ARTURO GARCIA S TA F F W R I T E R
A notable shortage of U.S. engineers and biomedical scientists and an aging workforce in such fields has led many corporations to fund a project to encourage preteens and teens from middle and high schools to become America’s future engineering and biomed college students. San Diego State
is hosting Project Lead the Way Summer Training Program for Teachers which began on July 3 and will continue through Friday. The program trains middle and high school teachers. It was started by a businessman who owned several engineering companies and was having a hard time hiring engineers. According to Bruce Westermo, SDSU’s PLTW director and engineering professor, the U.S. is falling behind many leading industrial countries mainly because of the shortage of U.S.born engineers. As some companies require workers to be U.S. citizens, progress remains halted.
According to Westermo, NASA paid for two of the engineering programs PLTW offers. Most of the program’s funding is from private industry. Chevron is spending more than one million dollars per year in California, and Qualcomm has funded programs in the past. “(The companies funding the program) are the people that want to hire the kids that get out of this,” Westermo said. “They want to fund California because they have a tough time bringing people from out of state because of the pricey living.” Forty schools in San Diego County are part of the program. Among them are Patrick Henry,
Castle Park, Eastlake, Coronado, and Morris, Madison and Scripps Ranch from the San Diego Unified District, which Westermo said has a strong engineering program. SDSU is in charge of the program in California. As the courses satisfy high school curriculum, students have benefited. According to Westermo, instead of taking drama, a high school student could take a 3-D solid modeling design software class to satisfy the same requirement. “We don’t want to convert every student into an engineer or scientist,” Westermo said. “But we do want to show them the opportunity.”
at the moment, the iClicker has the potential of a more obvious increase in student participation and class understanding when compared to the original clicker. “Faculty doesn’t want participation to be a difficult process,” Azim said. “Even more when it is a big classroom and it becomes difficult to attend to every single student.”
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE According to the Aztec Student Union’s construction update website, soft demolition in the north side of the main level of the former Aztec Center and abatement in the south side is expected to begin this week. At last Wednesday’s construction meeting, plans for demolition and abatement were laid out. Hard demolition will start next week and could be completed by the end of this month. -Compiled by Sandy Coronilla, Assistant News Editor
Fourth annual rainbow flag raising at Hepner Hall Community event celebrates LGBT diversity on campus HOLLY PABLO S TA F F W R I T E R
MCT Campus
Today, San Diego State is holding the fourth annual Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony, which will signal the beginning of a weeklong celebration hosted by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in San Diego. Featured in the event will be a flag autographed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker, the man who originally designed the colorful symbol in 1978 to reflect the diversity among the LGBT community. The program is set to begin at 11
a.m. in front of Hepner Hall. Attendees will hear speeches from university members and community leaders before the flag is raised for the day. This serves as one of many choices the university has taken in recent years to become a more LGBT-friendly campus, Chief Diversity Officer Aaron Bruce said, by providing support for the culture and showing ongoing commitment against sexual prejudice. “SDSU has come a long way in supporting this movement,” Associated Students Government Executive Assistant Ben Cartwright said. “It shows the campus community that LGBT are a valued part of this campus’ fabric.” To end the week, SDSU President Elliot Hirshman will join Associated Students and the local community in the 37th anniversary
of the San Diego LGBT Pride Parade this Saturday. Pride, the largest civic gathering in the city, aims to bring together the skills, talents and vision of the diverse community through cultural and educational programs. Students interested in representing SDSU in the parade are encouraged to sign up at the Intercultural Relations website. The first 100 participants to sign up and arrive will receive a free ‘Aztec Pride’ shirt, Cartwright said. The registration deadline is at 4:30 p.m this Friday. SDSU was one of 19 universities in the U.S. that earned five stars in Campus Pride’s 2010 Climate Index of LGBT-friendly campuses. The nonprofit analyzes how accepting and safe the population is to the LGBT community.
OPINION
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Daily Aztec
3
Defend video games as art, not as a threat
I
would love to justify pouring — truly — countless hours of my life into video games as exploring artistic expression. I firmly believe some of the experiences I’ve had in virtual reality are extremely arty; these stories and characters have moved me to an extent bordering embarrassing. So, are video games art? Defining art is an amusing – and occasionally heated – debate subject, especially during a drink, yet slapping a firm definition on art with any semblance of consensus is an exercise in folly. One could easily wallpaper Qualcomm Stadium with all the definitions and personally held qualifications for calling something “art.” Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste and preference. Most who are familiar with the medium would say video games are absolutely a work of art. Consider how much is created by skilled individuals in order to produce a video game: Stories need to be written, characters developed, entire worlds – often complete with unbelievably extensive histories and folklore – need to be dreamed up.
JOHN ANDERSON S TA F F C O L U M N I S T
the artistic expression of these artists simply because their pieces appear together in an interactive, virtual form. On a macroscopic level, the game is not just a gallery for displaying their work, it is a work of art itself. Roger Ebert is one of the prominent figures against classifying video games as art. He argues that because video games are inherently “games” with “rules, points, objectives and an outcome,” they are more akin to sports or board games than art. Admittedly, there is some legitimacy in this. As much as I love FIFA 11, the soccer simulation game, calling it art is a bit of a stretch. If someone were to ask me if I consider FarmVille art, my knee-jerk response would be, “Hell
no.” Yet sports simulators and FarmVille do not invalidate the entire medium for the same reason adventure books and interactive journals do not negate books as an art form. Simplistic time-wasters such as Mafia Wars or Angry Birds do not detract from the artistic value of a game such as Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which promises 60,000 unique lines of dialogue and hours upon hours of immersive storytelling. Though they remain interactive, many modern games are more similar to animated movies than they are to sports or board games. Like movies and books, games can tell a story, explore the inner feelings and relationships of characters and make the audience experience tension, excitement, comedy, fear and loss. Additionally, games are frequently used to make political or social statements about the world, which is where the debate
turns from amusingly and intellectually nebulous to a legal and moral imperative. By excluding video games from artistic expression, we leave it unprotected by the First Amendment. California began censoring video game violence from minors when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill prohibiting the sale of maturerated games to minors. The difference between this law and the movie industry preventing minors from watching R-rated movies is government involvement. In theaters, the rule is a near-universally accepted company policy, not law. Having such a law would constitute government censorship of freedom of expression, which is exactly what the Entertainment Merchants Association argued when it took Schwarzenegger and California to court. Call of Duty-playing minors rejoice: On June 27 the Supreme
Court ruled in favor of the EMA, striking down the law prohibiting the sale of M-rated games to people younger than 18 years old, and cementing video games’ First Amendment rights of artistic expression. Now that the legal battle is out of the way and the moral and ethical debate secure, intellectuals and drunks can return to defining artistic expression. We may never be able to convince Roger Ebert, but hopefully as the medium continues to evolve it will win even more supporters.
—John Anderson is an ISCOR senior. — The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.
Games can tell a story, explore the inner feelings ... of characters ... (and are) frequently used to make political ... statements. Then comes the nitty-gritty design aspect: 3-D models, textures, backgrounds, graphic design, voice acting and musical scores all need to be imagined and created. Game studios employ graphic designers, visual artists, musicians, actors, animators and designers, all creating art and working together to tell a story and create an immersive experience for the audience. Before all these aspects are integrated, they can each stand as art individually. It is ridiculous to annul
MCT Campus
In a recent controversial Supreme Court decision striking down a preexisting California law, video game vendors are now able to sell “violent” video games to minors.
Purify ‘brown’ water to solve SD water crisis
S
ometimes it takes time for solid reasoning and hard facts to overcome knee-jerk reactions and misconceptions. After originally vetoing plans to open a new Water Purification Demonstration Project, Mayor Jerry Sanders recently kicked off a pilot project to test the safety and financial practicality of treating wastewater for reuse as drinking water. His initial opposition was on the grounds the innovative concept would be unpopular among San Diegans, deriding it as “toiletto-tap.” But more recently, a mayoral spokesman said the mayor has decided to “let the science do the talking.” Of course, it’s natural to be slightly skeptical imagining a direct line between your toilet and faucet without understanding the science and mechanics behind the system. So before you reel in revulsion, let’s take a look at the facts. The experiment will last one year, producing one million gallons of treated water per day. During this time the plant will not distribute water, it will only be closely
RANDY WILDE S TA F F C O L U M N I S T
monitored to test whether the wastewater can be safely and affordably recycled. Water will be piped from toilets, showers and washers in our homes as well as some factories into existing facilities for removal of solid particles and dissolved biological matter. Afterward, it will be transported to the new treatment plant to undergo a complex process of purification including micro-filtration, reverse osmosis and exposure to ultraviolet light. But why do we need this kind of fancy high-tech project when the city’s budget is in shambles? After all, this season’s above-average rainfall and record snowpack brought us out of the official drought. While that is certainly great news, imagining all of our water woes have now been put to rest and thinking that it’s time to build more golf courses and Vegasesque water shows is incredibly
foolish. On the contrary — water percent of our water currently comes from local or recycled restrictions and conservation sources, yet the SDCWA’s diversiefforts must be strengthened fication goals for 2020 show a through this brief respite. much larger role for these more The San Diego County Water sustainable and reliable sources. Authority obtains the majority of If San Diego its water from the hopes to move controversyWater restrictions toward a consisplagued San tent supply we Joaquin River and conservation can control, the Delta in Northern efforts must be quickest results California and will come from heavily tapped strengthened ... doing more with Colorado River. what we already Small-scale Another 10 perhave. Recycling cent now comes projects are less and small-scale from the Imperial projects are less Valley Irrigation expensive ... than expensive and District Transfer, huge projects such safer than huge essentially an projects such as arrangement as desalination desalination where farmers in plants and new plants. Imperial Valley are canals. The paid to give us much-ridiculed their water instead “toilet-to-tap” system is exactly of growing food. Pressure on the type of closing-the-loop initiathese distant sources will only tive that will allow San Diego to increase as population growth attain long-term viability as a and climate change continue their major population center. inexorable rise. Only about 10
One valid concern is that hightech facilities such as the Water Purification Demonstration Project will be expensive in comparison to the traditional method of finding new distant water sources to exploit. But the price of these sources is skyrocketing; demand is dramatically increasing from urban and agricultural users desperate to provide water and food for burgeoning populations in the midst of climate change’s effects on supply. Most importantly, this investment — if the pilot project goes well — could be part of a realistic long-term solution rather than just a fancy stopgap. Recycling wastewater into drinking water is the most dramatic symbol of a shift toward reclaiming one of our most vital life-support systems and gaining control of our own welfare. —Randy Wilde is an ISCOR senior.
—The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.
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ENTERTAINMENT
The Daily Aztec
Monday, July 11, 2011
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
A hit and a miss for The Old Globe DAVID DIXON S TA F F W R I T E R
The Tempest Is “The Tempest” truly the final play William Shakespeare wrote alone? This is a question many critics have asked, though the answer is not certain. The intriguing mystery cannot be ignored in The Old Globe’s mystical adaptation of the much beloved comedy. Prospero (played by booming, angry yet very relatable Miles Anderson) is a magician who lives with his daughter Miranda (the moving and mesmerizing Winslow Corbett) on a Mediterranean island. With a visually spectacular opening shipwreck scene that cannot truly be described in words because of the complex imagery that is evoked, Prospero explains to his child why he justifiably put the lives of the crew in danger. Yes, the play is nearly 500 years old, but more information on the plot will not be given away, so the show can remain fresh and exciting for the audience. Technically, this play is a comedy, but the direction from Adrian Noble along with Shakespeare’s magnificent prose creates something that can really only be categorized as a completely unique theatrical experience. In this fictional universe, light, darkness, magic, music, goofiness, intelligence, romance, potential revenge and adventure are all displayed prominently. For such an entertaining spectacle, there are still several moments in which the bard seemed to want to get some things off of his chest before he went knocking on heaven’s door. Prospero’s tale concludes with a beautiful poem that appears to be the end of Shakespeare’s lengthy relationship with the theater. The epilogue is a moving and unofficial farewell to an unforgettable master of the written word. The script alone is a terrific work that does not solely have to be
referred to as the “swan song” of the greatest writer who ever lived. On a superficial level, this is a spectacular story about how resentment can ultimately lead to unpredictable situations. The supporting characters, with too many standout performances to mention in just a single review, enhance the experience and craft the successful combination of different genres. Noble is a strong director who is not interested in telling a dull, tedious and stereotypical Shakespearian borefest performed in the style of Old English but rather in telling a cathartic and emotionally engaging tale that has stood the test of time. The man cares most about how modern audiences react to his particular interpretation, so he does everything he possibly can to keep the audience engaged in what could have been a fairly complicated journey. Noble wants everyone to scream when the sound of loud thunder is produced, laugh as the silly “jester” Trinculo (the absurd, comedically talented and Tony-nominated John Cariani) gets himself into another over-the-top situation and to be completely in awe of the majestic spirits who rule the stage. His main goal appears to make theatergoers feel as many different emotions as possible before leaving the Globe. He succeeds famously in this regard. “The Tempest” is hands down a must-see play where all the elements add up to something wonderful. Noble is deserving of a standing ovation for what he has created at The Old Globe. Tickets and information about “The Tempest” can be found at theoldglobe.org.
Much Ado About Nothing Several women walk onto a stage to stitch a quilt. Seconds later, the ladies croon a pretty song that has nothing to do with what they are doing. What is this moment trying to
convey? Is it supposed to set the scene or add some catharsis? These questions are left unanswered, even when the same tune is reprised before the end of Act I. It seems that the musical number does not satisfy in The Old Globe’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing” because the creative team, led by director Ron Daniels, did not truly figure out how to integrate the number into the play. In fact, the way Daniels attempts to convey his overall interpretation of the popular comedy feels forced as opposed to fresh. Those who have seen previous productions are probably going to expect a laughter-filled riot full of comedic and romantic chemistry between the two main characters, Benedick and Beatrice (played by the very funny real-life married couple Jonno Roberts and Georgia Hatzis). Watching them bicker and insult each other is incredibly entertaining because Shakespeare’s writing still resonates and the leads put everything they have into the comedic performances. However, the strong writing and capable leads are not enough to override the direction. Other players include Claudio (Kevin Alan Daniels) a noble count who wants to marry Beatrice’s cousin Hero (Winslow Corbett). Their love appears to be genuine, until an evil man known as Don John (Jay Whittaker) attempts everything in his power to tear them apart. As a bastard son, much like Edmund in “King Lear,” Don lashes out at the world that hates him by destroying other peoples’ happiness. All the performers in this part of the story are perfect in their roles and yet these moments, as good as they are, seem to fall flat. It seems as if there was an emphasis on exposition, making many of the scenes slower and not as interesting as they could have been. The explanations are meant to create anticipation to lead to the biggest crisis for the protagonists but the conflict is not even fully realized until Act II. In addition, “Much Ado About Nothing” has many other characters who play pivotal roles in the major
Courtesy of Jeffrey Weiser
“The Tempest” shines as a cathartic performance of one of Shakespeare’s best works.
conflicts that occur. Although this is true with practically any work of Shakespeare, the play felt overcrowded in the nearly three-hour run time, almost like a never-ending circus. There are simply too many large and forced tone shifts throughout the play; a random moment is played completely seriously, while the next scene is very humorous. Some directors can find a way to control the juxtapositions in styles, but Daniels appears to have difficulty navigating the mood shifts, so that a consistent state of mind is nowhere to be found. “Much Ado About Nothing” is
known to be a great work of Shakespeare’s. But unfortunately, The Old Globe’s interpretation does not give it the justice it deserves. On the other hand, there will be those who leave with great respect for the performers. They are the true highlight of the night, because the entertainers do leave lasting impressions. Hopefully, Daniels will continue to grow and develop as an interpreter of the immortal bard. Tickets and information about “Much Ado About Nothing” can be found at theoldglobe.org.
Young the Giant crafts relatable, catchy gems CHRIS POCOCK OPINION EDITOR
Courtesy of youngthegiant.com
Normally it takes at least a few good listens of an album before its greatness can be determined. In the case of Young the Giant’s self-titled album, it takes all of 10 seconds. And for good reason: The CD is ripe with harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and a sound that changes, evolves, thickens and restructures throughout. Be wary — this is no Justin Bieber album; it is, however, easily one of the finest albums of the year, and one not likely to escape the confines of any CD player once inserted. The all-out blitz of indie rock songs starts off with “Apartment,” a song that intimately captures the feeling of being completely alone. But what could very easily be a deeply despondent and clichéd song about a bleeding heart remains anything but. Using complex layered harmonies during the chorus, lead singer Sameer Gadhia’s “oh’s” and “whoa’s” balance the song’s upbeat tempo, keeping the song fresh and resounding. What results could be the musical offspring of The Temper Trap and Maroon 5, and one of the best songs on the album.
However, “Apartment” is only the beginning. Following is “My Body,” perhaps Young the Giant’s most commercially successful song and the rocking-est track of the album. Dueling guitar riffs roar, spring-loaded drumbeats pound and soaring vocals charge through the chorus: “My body tells me no, but I won’t quit. ‘Cause I want more, I want more.”
... relatable feelings such as love, loss, rebuilding and rising above are themes that bind the album into one sweet musical package. Each of the songs that follow “My Body” adds its own depth: “I Got” features a sort of rhythmic repetition that carries easily through. “Cough Syrup” plays like a scaled-back “My Body,” but finds equilibrium between the song’s raw energy and poetic lyrics. “St. Walker” seems to be the deepest lyrically, comparing a friend’s whoring to drowning in
deep water. While every track on the album lyrically tackles a different subject, nothing described is entirely foreign to anyone listening. Politics or other divisive topics have no place on the album. Instead, more relatable feelings such as love, loss, rebuilding and rising above are themes that bind the album into one sweet musical package. Truth be told, Young the Giant isn’t a newcomer to the field. Previously known as The Jakes, the core of Young the Giant has been around since 2004. But its songs are different from those on The Jakes’ last EP, “Shake My Hand.” Reinvented, resolute and more confident, Young the Giant has solidified its place among this year’s upand-comers. The band has seen quite a bit of success since its album dropped in January. “My Body” made it to No. 5 on Billboard’s Top 40 for alternative rock, and Young the Giant has been a festival favorite at venues such as South by Southwest and Sasquatch! Music Festival. So far, the band has been mum on when its next album will drop. What is known, however, is what the band members have going for them: They’re young, they’re giant and they’re going places.
CLASSIFIEDS
Monday, July 11, 2011
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
APTS 4 RENT
ROOM 4 RENT
Male volunteers (18-35) needed to donate small skin biopsies from shoulder area for research studies of sweat glands in the department of pediatrics at UCSD. Paul Quinton PhD, Principle investigator $100 compensation requires less than one hour. Please call 619-543-6935 to volunteer.
UCSD female cancer survivor studies. Compensation for participation. For more information call (858) 822-0768 or email: ayastudy.ucsd@gmail.com
East San Diego/ College Area. Furnished studios. Well appointed with fully furnished LR/BR and kitchen. Quiet cul de sac location. No SDGE. Deposit or hookup fee required. $695/month. Low $150 deposit. 619-281-9451.
Furnished bedroom, no smoking, no pets. $450 per month. 2 miles from school. 619-286-3317.
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UNAPOLOGETIC
DAILY HOROSCOPE
Becoming the modern man
I
am not your stereotypical man. In fact I find the entire idea of gender stereotypes to be nothing but harmful to society. However, there are certain things that come with being a man I sadly feel the need to explain. In our day and age a man needs to be an untamable, wild and passionate savage who puts on a suit and tie and goes to work every day. Let me explain. Manhood is not attained through how much you can bench press, how many notches you have on your bedpost or how many years you have slogged through but rather how you carry yourself. If you can look yourself in the mirror every night after going through all your encounters of the day and say you treated every person you came across with the same respect you would want in return, you spoke your mind honestly and without hesitation and you conducted yourself in a manner that Chuck Norris or Hunter S. Thompson would be proud of, you can go to bed happy. If you haven’t, listen to “Winner” by Cheeseburger and remind yourself just how badass you are until it sticks. Because at this point in your life, you are the youngest you will ever be physically. You will only get more saggy, more wrinkly and more bald from here on out, so you better make each minute count. Every instant you waste feeling sorry for yourself, moping about how that one girl from high school doesn’t like you, is one you could be spending with a blondhaired firecracker who will find you all the more attractive as you dance like a buffoon on a DJ stage. I find it incredible that so many men today have seen “Fight Club,” listened to the gospel and indentified with the mythic legend that is Tyler Durden, and yet come out on the other side as a manscaped Ken doll. Here’s the thing: there are
Monday, July 11, 2011
ANDREW SCOGGINS E N T E R TA I N M E N T E D I T O R
way too many ripped, tan, body builder-esque frat tools at this school to compete with physically. The truth is that most men cannot achieve a Herculean physique without the help of manhood-shrinking, cancer-causing chemicals. So don’t worry about it. Feel free to live in roach-infested squalor, with good friends who are more worried about debating the finer points of life, rather than finding the drunkest girl at the party to take home. Everything you’ve been told as a teenager was partially a lie. Yes, girls do like nice cars and money, but they’re the boring and dumb ones. Yes, girls like ripped men with more ounces of hair gel than brain cells, but they are the boring and dumb ones. Yes, girls will probably like you more if you bathe (that one is sadly true). Who really cares how many girls you’ve slept with? Truthfully it doesn’t make your manhood any more prominent and women won’t be able to smell the raw animalistic act on you, but the title of manwhore is a likely ending effect. I’m not saying that women shouldn’t be quested for or sought after, because let’s face it, we are genetically wired to do just that (unless of course you fancy yourself some partners of the male variety, in which case go for it, it’s all essentially the same premise). Men will always be hunters, providers and all-around badasses. But it’s time everyone realizes they don’t have to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger to do it. Here are some role models: Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Charlie Sheen (partially kidding), Han Solo, even Freddie Mercury has lain with more women than you or I ever will. And it’s because these men have found their passion in life and have pursued it with steadfast dedica-
tion, unapologetic testosteronedriven fury. Harness that and women will melt beneath your fingertips. It all just comes down to confidence and self-respect. If you have both of these things there is not a force on this earth strong enough to stop you. You can have literally any woman you want, from the shy, beautiful and strong policewoman to the artistic, intelligent, passionate sexual goddess who will bring you to your knees literally. But let’s make a promise here and now to stop reinforcing the stereotypes. Stop banging stupid women. I realize it is easy, but we’re just giving them the message that it’s OK, when it’s not. Don’t date women who don’t read, don’t flirt with girls who only giggle and look away when you ask them for their opinion on things that matter. I personally find the girls who play to these stereotypes of weak damsels in distress infuriating, and I know I am not the only one. Find a woman who challenges you intellectually, who won’t put up with your shenanigans or cheesy pickup lines. These are the type of women that have had to deal with the toolbags who treat them like garbage and these are the type of women who are truly in need of confident, badass men. So there it is, it’s all on the table. I’m not saying I’m some sort of lady magnet or whatever but I just learned from an early age that women are really just people who want to be treated with the same respect that anyone else would. And when you crack that little secret, any woman in the world becomes available if you’ve got your swag on. So swagger proudly men of the world.
BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (07/11/11) You're getting skilled at pinching pennies, and you don't really miss the frivolities of years past. Experiences can be worth more than material objects, anyway. Where would you like to travel this year? Seek out bold innovation. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 9 Adventure is in the air. A romantic destination or philosophical exploration keeps calling. Check prices and times, and indulge in speculation, even as you bring home the bacon. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 9 Details hold hidden gold for the next two days, whether discovered through reviewing the plan, or wheeling and dealing excellent terms. Seek win-win solutions. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 Compromise, negotiation and partnership hold the keys to success today. Hold off on travel for a few days. Send off the paperwork for a new opportunity. Make the call. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 It could be easy to delude yourself into not seeing something you'd rather avoid ... especially with all this work coming in. Face it squarely and accept changes that renew. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - Let go of a crazy scheme.You may be missing part of the puzzle.There's a bigger change that wants your attention. Listen to your loved ones, and follow your heart.
BY THE MEPHAM GROUP
Level:
1 2
3 4
Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.
—Andrew Scoggins is an English junior.
Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com
—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.
© 2011 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
CROSSWORD
Editor in Chief Allie Daugherty captured this colorful picture of a roller coaster and other amusement park attractions from atop the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier.
GENERAL INFORMATION
© 2011,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
SUDOKU
LOOKING THROUGH OUR LENS
C O N T AC T
VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 Create space at home by letting go of old clutter that doesn't serve you anymore. Don't keep it just because you once loved it. Let someone else love it now. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 Plan ahead and start marketing your future projects now.There's plenty of work to do and many temptations for fun. Organizational structures allow for both. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - The next couple of days could be very productive.Your head is full of ways to make money. Don't forget to make time for love.You won't regret it, not even a bit. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 9 - Confidence expands with your finances.You're strong, creative and a lucky hunch could prove quite profitable. Go for the practical solution. Pick the low hanging fruit. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Think it over, but not so much that you start going in circles. Watch out for spammers and scammers and wolves in sheep's clothing. Research the full story. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 6 - Heed your urge to serve. What you give comes back to you tenfold. Helping others is a great way to mend a broken heart, whether yours or someone else's. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 9 Don't get carried away by unobtainable fantasies. Focus instead on those that are within your reach.The trick is to know which ones are which. Patience is a virtue, especially now.
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ACROSS 1 Cookie quantity 6 Partner of a mani, salon-wise 10 “Dancing Queen” group 14 Hawaiian hi 15 Neural conductor 16 Area outside the city, briefly 17 Rhetorical question on a sultry day 20 Appear to be 21 Illness suffix 22 Blood lines 23 Enjoy a chaise longue, say 25 Subtlety 26 Shellfish order 31 Striped cat 32 __ polloi 33 Deck swabbers 37 Cavity fillers’ org. 38 Pitcher’s malady 42 Tennis do-over 43 “Sexual Healing” singer Marvin 45 Meaning of a wd. 46 Shrek’s love 48 Off one’s rocker 52 Boutonniere spots 55 Striped fish 56 Earthy tone 57 Lion’s den 59 West Point, e.g.: Abbr. 63 What you’re solving (in more ways than one, based on the starts of 17-, 26-, 38- and 48Across) 66 Lottery-like game 67 Look at leeringly 68 Italian white wine 69 Original sin site 70 Carpenter’s supply 71 U.S.-Canada defense acronym
EDITED BY RICH NORRIS AND JOYCE LEWIS
Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com DOWN 1 Scroogean outbursts 2 Natural balm 3 Shopping bag 4 Class with flasks and beakers 5 Solo in “Star Wars” 6 Stopped briefly 7 Vet 8 Homer Simpson outbursts 9 Having one flat, musically 10 How lovers walk 11 Poker tournament entrance fee 12 Rodeo bucker 13 Nasty treatment 18 Slimy stuff 19 Latin egg
24 Writers Lowell and Tan 25 Neet rival 26 Party without women 27 Exclamation with a flourish 28 Cybermarketplace 29 Master slicers and dicers 30 Hawaii’s Mauna __ 34 Scads 35 Russo of “Get Shorty” 36 Marquee luminary 39 Las Vegas numbers 40 “The Crying Game” actor Stephen 41 Advanced degs. for writers
44 “Nature” author 47 “What craziness!” 49 Brewpub pints 50 Tolerated 51 Heavenly music maker 52 “Social contract” philosopher John 53 Like a big landowner 54 Call up 57 Nike’s Swoosh, e.g. 58 Folk singer Guthrie 60 Drug kingpin 61 Edison’s middle name 62 Ownership document 64 “Golly!” 65 Mil. branch with ships