08-29-2013

VOLUME 100, ISSUE 6

thursday, august 29, 2013

Aztecs make a difference Future EMT holds lives in her hands | P7 Richard freeland contributor

Filmmaker only needs an iPad and creativity | P9 david dixon

entertainment editor

Tune in under the radar | P8

“I would say she’s the faculty members’ ideal provost.”| P2

Trivia How many presidents has SDSU had since 1897?

(Answer on P11)

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9/12

ryo miyauchi Staff writer

Football Preview

9/26

Greek Life arturo garcia sierra assistant news EDITOR

Lady Aztecs ready to roar | P7

10/10

Restaurants & Bars ____________________

Livvi Sefton contributor

Get up-to-the-minute news @ thedailyaztec.com / Mundo Azteca

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2 NEWS

Thursday, August 29, 2013

#sdsuprovost

Longtime SDSU provost to step down Arturo sierra garcia assistant news editor

During summer break, the faculty and staff of San Diego State received an email from SDSU Provost Nancy Marlin revealing her decision to step down.

Marlin has held the title since 1998, when she was chosen as SDSU’s first woman provost.

Marlin said few people know what a provost is. To corporate people, she says she is the vice president and to military people, she says she is second-incommand. But really, the provost is the chief academic officer of the university.

All facets of the university related to academics report to her, including faculty departments, colleges, enrollment services, the Imperial Valley campuses and extended studies, among other areas of SDSU. “It’s a very large responsibility,” she said.

This academic year will be Marlin’s last as provost, but she is not retiring. She’s stepping down to a faculty role, which she hopes will focus on international issues. As provost, Marlin urged for the extensive growth of study abroad programs.

“I always remember when I interviewed for this job, I asked the basic question ‘How many students are studying abroad?’ People would just look at one another like ‘Well, we don’t know,’” Marlin said. “I came in knowing this is essential for a quality education.”

Marlin said she is stepping down because she needs more free time.

“I love the job and I love the university, but this is a 24/7 job, and at some point you get to think, ‘I’d like to do something else other than work every moment I’m awake,’” Marlin said. “I’ve done this a really long time.”

Marlin said the average term for provosts at research universities is 4.2 years; however, she’s been provost for 15 years. She had been contemplating stepping down for a while, but she said she wanted to wait until the university recovered from budget cuts and the

temporary freeze of new faculty hires.

“We are going back up now, finally going to start rebuilding,” Marlin said.

“Come here and cut budget? That wasn’t going to attract high-quality people.”

For the incoming provost, Marlin hopes the committee will pick a candidate with a strong academic and administrative background who can deal with million-dollar budgets—one which grew during her administration, but

then sunk after the economic crisis—and who has great respect and value for what faculty do.

Marlin’s administration revived the tenure track and tenured promotions for faculty, political science professor emeritus Edward Heck said. Heck was promoted tenure in 1987, and 14 years later—three years after Marlin became provost—the next person was promoted in his department. During

Tuition

2008-09: $215,292,594

academic affairs budget

2007-08: $209,998,143

Marlin’s administration, 12 more tenure promotions have been made in political science.

“There was a period when we didn’t emphasize tenure-track hiring,” Heck, who is retiring this year, said. “Frankly, I’m glad that I won’t have to deal with the new provost because the one we have now, from the faculty perspective, has done an outstanding job. I would say she’s a faculty member’s ideal provost.”

2010-11: $216,028,145

2009-10: $201,019,527 2011-12: $193,361,045

2006-07: $190,252,446 $3,289

2012-13: $192,755,221

$3,289

2005-06: $182,930,377 $2,603

2004-05: $173,095,360

$2,451

$1,714 $1,468

FALL

$1,561

$1,877

$1,572

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

infoGraphic by MArk anthony, production designer

Changes in the SDSU Academic Affairs budget compared to changes in SDSU tuition costs for 2004-13.

#UCDIVESTMENT

news writers! now hiring thedailyaztec.com/jobs

SDSU student org disagree about UC divestment Camille lozano staff writer

Throughout the past year student-run organizations across the University of California and California State University systems have protested their schools indirect funding of documented human rights violations, according to the Students for Justice in Palestine. Some CSU organizations are supporting the UCs student organizations’ efforts including San Diego State SJP, Arab Student Association and Amnesty International.

Tuition dollars from UC schools have been invested in companies and stocks,

some of which are responsible for the violation of Palestinian human rights, according to the student organizations.

Although many student governments have acknowledged the need to divest from these companies, California Legislature has effectively limited the extent of the measures taken to retract involvement.

California State Assembly resolution, H.R. 35, describes any discussion or measures taken by students or faculty members promoting and encouraging divestment from Israel as means of divestment continued ON PAGE 3

NEWS

THURsday, august 29, 2013

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“demonizing” the country, adding that anti-Semitism has often been “cloaked” as criticism of Israel on some college campuses.

The resolution, written on Aug. 6, 2012, was joined by a letter from the Legislature this past May, firmly condemning the universities from divestment measures on campus, in effect attempting to limit student democracy.

Together, the groups scripted their own version of the document denouncing the Legislature’s firm stance in remaining loyal to companies that do business with Israel.

“As students we are not going to support funding of projects or companies that are complicit in the occupation of Palestinian people, complicit in human rights violations,” SDSU Muslim Student Association President Hassan Abdinur said.

Students for Justice in Palestine CoChair Nadir Bouhmouch explained the deliberately timed actions the Legislature took in composing and dispersing the letter, a time when most UC and CSU school systems were in their final examination periods, making it difficult for students to provide a rapid response and protest.

The letter sent out by the Legislature on May 31 was met with a response by UC

and CSU student organizations more than “There’s nothing wrong with being a month later on July 8. critical of a government, whenever we “We are not only upset by the human are critical of the U.S. government, we rights violations, we are upset about the are not considered anti-American. We fact that someone is trying to curtail are considered American because we are student rights and student democracy,” criticizing, we are putting our government Bouhmouch said. to a higher standard,” Abdinur said.

SDSU’s Amnesty International Arab Student Association Secretary President Hilal Haider said the issue was Farah Abunadi explained how tuition one in which no side needs to be taken, dollars have indirectly been used to but rather a fund companies concern for all of that aid in humanity. the building “At the end of of the illegal the day the thing separation Not all student that matters most wall along the organizations at SDSU is the human West Bank, hold the same opinion. perspective of destruction (human rights of Palestinian violations), there homes through are … lives that use of bulldozers are being lost in and restricting another country, the movement of and the fact that people don’t know about Palestinian peoples within their own land. it is huge,” Haider said.

The companies are Cement Roadstone In response to the Legislature’s claims Holding, Caterpillar and Hewlett-Packard of the antagonistic environment caused Co. by divestment, as well as H.R. 35’s claims “Our interest in divestment is not that anti-Semitism has been veiled in against Jewish students, it’s not against criticisms of Israeli government, Abdinur people of the Jewish faith, this is against a said the intent of divestment interests particular government being ruthless and among student governments on UC and being an occupied force on another people CSU campuses are a deep concern for the … this is about stopping a government human rights violations committed in and companies that are committing Palestine. human rights violations left and right,”

3

Abdinur said.

The response letter, drafted and signed by the various UC and CSU school systems’ student organizations, serves as an explanation of the concern for human rights violations that the university students share.

“The signed letter will show the legislature that we will continue to fight for human rights, and that we cannot be silenced … We want to make clear that the legislature’s clear attempt to attack and discriminate against college students … will not be tolerated,” Abunadi said.

Not all student organizations at SDSU hold the same opinion. Aztecs for Israel has a stance against divestment, AFI representative Jon Davidi said.

“Aztecs for Israel takes a strong stance against divestment. To say Israel promotes human rights violations is simply false,” Davidi said. “Divesting funds from companies that invest in the state of Israel is unfairly placing blame on one side in a two-sided conflict. Divestment is a regression of peace. If we truly want a better life for both people, we must move forward, and each side must compromise,” Davidi said.

AFI looks forward to the newly initiated peace talks in hopes they will bring about a resolution for both governments.

The aforementioned student organizations await a response from the Legislature following the signed letter.

4 OPINION

thursday, august 29, 2013

#freethearc

Students shouldn’t pay for fitness kelly gardner contributor

A

s a recent transfer student stepping on to the beautiful San Diego State campus for the first time this fall, I arrived eager to explore the many opportunities available to students. I’m impressed not only by the number of resources provided to us on a daily basis, but also by the fact they are offered to students at no additional cost.

Whether you need something serious, such as a health checkup, counseling services or a bit of tutoring, it’s available to students. Even if all a student needs is some condoms or time on a massage chair, SDSU has it covered.

It seems SDSU has put a great deal of effort into making these services available to students to keep the student body healthy and functioning at the top of its game. Unfortunately, one resource provided by SDSU not offered free to students is membership to the Aztec Recreation Center and Aquaplex.

SDSU has clearly made the health concerns of its students a priority, but I’m slightly dismayed as to why the extension of free services stops when

it comes to physical fitness. If SDSU students want to utilize the fitness or swimming facilities they must sign up for an ARC membership or purchase a day pass.

An ARC membership is $19 a month if you sign up for a minimum of four months, which gives you access to both the ARC and Aquaplex. If a student desires to only have access to the Aquaplex, he or she may purchase an Aquaplex VIP card, which is good for 10 visits and costs $24. For single-use visits students can purchase ARC day passes for $6 and Aquaplex day passes for $3.

While these fees may not seem like a steep price to some, students should not be paying them at all. Other than California Polytechnic University Pomona, SDSU is the only school in the California State University system requiring its students to pay a membership fee to access campus fitness and aquatic centers. The other 21 CSU

campuses cover their students’ costs with basic tuition and fees.

The costs are specifically covered by the breakdown of student body association and student union fees.

According to SDSU Student Account Services, student body association fees are used to help support student body organizations and the student union fee “supports the financing, construction, and operation of student body centers.”

SDSU’s ARC and Aquaplex are both run by Associated Students. Therefore, the fees we are paying to support A.S. and to operate student body centers, including the ARC and Aquaplex should Staff photo essentially cover our membership. It doesn’t seem right students should have to pay another fee in addition to that.

The ARC and Aquaplex are also both open to SDSU affiliates, as well as the surrounding community. Memberships for SDSU affiliates and the community

are offered at slightly higher prices, bringing in an additional income to both facilities.

All of those great student health services mentioned before are offered to us at no cost for a reason. Every semester they are covered by our Student Health Services and health facility fees; also included in basic tuition and fees. A student membership to the ARC and Aquaplex should be one of the amenities covered by the fees we already pay.

Some students may not use the gym very often, or may want to only use it for one class. If students were not forced to pay an additional membership fee, they might be more inclined to utilize the facilities. This would also be more convenient for students wishing to only use the Aquaplex.

Students already have countless expenses to worry about and it’s not right that 21 out of the 23 CSU campuses provide their students with free membership to their school’s facilities.

As students in the CSU system we should be provided with the same amenities as other campuses, especially because we are essentially paying for them with our tuition and fees.

Get ready.

september 2013

thursday, august 29, 2013

FEATURES

#roadtrippers

5

Website and app fuel wanderlust carla romero contributor

Have you found yourself daydreaming a little more often lately? Does your mind often wander somewhere else? Have you been longing to go somewhere new?

You’re not alone. People suffer from this condition call it wanderlust. Those who live with it call themselves explorers and adventurers. Not to worry; this condition is not deadly. It may, however, be highly contagious. Please remain calm ladies and gentlemen, for there is a simple solution: a road trip.

Even if you’re not thinking of taking a life-changing drive across the U.S., feeling the wind in your hair and a long, open road before you is a great way to cross off some bucket list items and go to some place you’ve always wanted to go.

To make some road trip magic happen, many ingredients must first go into the pot. With so many options to choose from, planning can get a little overwhelming. That’s where roadtrippers. com comes in.

The user-friendly website is a little more than a year old, and has already helped users plan more than 800,000 road trips across America. Roadtrippers asks for your starting point and destination, and lets users play around with the details from there.

After the trip from point A to point B has been set, users can search for what they want to do, see, eat, and stay. The website allows users to discover all kinds of places with tabs on the side of the screen. From attractions to food and drink to scenic drives, users can choose which places to pin to a virtual map. With links to other websites, Roadtrippers makes booking reservations an easy thing to do.

James and Tatiana Fisher, the founders of Roadtrippers, wanted to make the hectic planning stages of a road trip easy for travelers just like them. They designed the website along with a mobile version that fully encompasses all the features of a great road trip. The app synchronizes to selections from the website for easy navigation.

If you’re drawing a blank on where to go or what to see, Roadtrippers features guides with different themes. From offbeat sights to legendary trips, the guide section on the website can set a variety of road

photo courtesy of thinkstock

trips for you.

There’s a guide for every kind of traveler. The bacon-lover will enjoy “United States of Bacon,” a guide featuring various places around the country to dine on all kinds of bacon cuisine. For the haunted house aficionado, “Horrorville, USA” features haunted houses, cemeteries, castles and hotels across the U.S. Each guide is divided into bucket lists and trips. The “Bucket List” tab lays out things to do across the country from the specific theme.

This allows the traveler to decide where to go based on where they are in the country. The “Trips” tab is slightly more specific in setting the voyage up itself.

Even though summer is done, a road trip is the perfect way for students to travel on the weekends.

International security and conflict resolution senior Roberto Berumen loves to travel, and thinks Roadtrippers could come in handy on his next trip.

“I would use it because if you’re going all over the country, especially to places you’ve never been to before, you’re not going to know where to go,” Berumen said. “With an app you have everything in one place.

You don’t have to go looking around for all the information you need.

The app is really easy because it’s practical.”

Beruman said the app is easier to use than a map.

“When I’ve gone on a road trip, we didn’t know where to eat because we only had a map. It didn’t tell us where there were restaurants or things to do.”

Because it is still relatively new, the website only plans trips across the U.S. The Roadtrippers staff is working on launching an international version soon, according to the website.

The app is not yet available for Androids, but iPhone users can sync their planned road trips from the website to their phones. While you’re driving down the open road, the app will help you navigate to your dream destination. So grab your phone, a few friends, fill up the gas tank and hit the road.

6 FEATURES

thursday, august 29, 2013

#bambooskateboards

Sustainable shredding

A skateboarder shows off on a Bamboo Skateboards sustainable shortboard. Boards made of bamboo prevent deforestation and are an extreme way to be green. Photo courtesy of Bamboo skateboards

Nick Knott contributor

The fall semester is finally here and the mass hustle and bustle of students flooding the campus walkways to their first classes is apparent. However, many students opt for a more efficient mode of transportation—the skateboard.

Skateboards are an easily maneuverable and portable way to get from class to class.

As skateboarding becomes increasingly popular each year, more boards are sold.

The rise in skateboard manufacturing contributes to the maple deforestation in North America.

Oceanside company Bamboo Skateboards looks to put a stop to maple deforestation by offering sustainable board alternatives with its bamboo shortboards and longboards. Bamboo is a grass, it grows quickly and in large amounts. An average bamboo chute takes three-five years to mature, while a single maple tree takes about 60 years to fully mature.

Bamboo also has a higher tinsel strength than maple, creating a sturdier skateboard.

Bamboo Skateboards took advantage of the market for sustainable skateboards since its conception in 2008. Bamboo Skateboards use 70 percent bamboo and

only 30 percent maple in their decks.

“When it comes to the skate industry, we’re really the only one completely focused on sustainability and protecting the environment for the future,” Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Olson said in an online video.

Bamboo Skateboards use bamboo directly from China. The store’s bamboo is cut by axes in “managed forests,” manufactured into boards and shipped to the U.S. Bamboo skateboard not only help the environment, but also have better performance than the traditional maple board. The bamboo board has a better “pop” for doing tricks. Skaters care more about the performance of the deck rather than the sustainability aspect, Olson said.

Unfortunately, saving the forests one skateboard at a time comes with a price.

Bamboo Skateboards is currently trying to raise money for an ad campaign through the use of crowdfunding.

“Crowdfunding is basically people caring about something and essentially donating to that cause,” Olson said.

“However, they are getting something in return.”

Bamboo Skateboards is using the website Indiegogo as the source for its

crowdfunding campaign. Depending on the contributions made, donors may receive a social media shoutout, T-shirt, skateboard or autographed boards from musicians and professional skateboarders.

Bamboo Skateboards’ goal is to raise $15,000 to put toward a national ad campaign and brand awareness. The company has received a good response so far.

“It’s a great way for a small company to gain funds without selling their soul,” Olson said.

Looking into the future, Bamboo Skateboards plans on expanding its reach across the country. The store has already established itself within San Diego, but Bamboo Skateboards wants skate shops to sell their boards as a sustainable alternative, Olson said. Currently Bamboo Skateboards supplies its boards as far as the Philippines, Brazil and Europe, but its retail reach still needs to expand across this country.

“One goal for me as sales director is to say we have our boards in every city of the US,” Olson said.

Bamboo Skateboards showcased its products at the past two San Diego State GreenFest events. The company had its different types of boards on display and

demonstrated them to students and likeminded businesses. SDSU’s GreenFest is an event that Bamboo Skateboards is looking forward to attending this year.

“We’ll be there,” Olson said.

According to the Bamboo Skateboards website, SDSU plays a huge role in changing the mind-set of college students to be more green.

“Engaging with students and staff alike, it was evident that SDSU is a campus that is in the forefront of living sustainably.”

The Roommate P’s and Q’s 1. Privacy 2. Personalities 3. Partners 4. Partying 5. Quiet Read the rest of the story at thedailyaztec.com

thursday, august 29, 2013

FEATURES

#aztecpride

7

Healing Hands

monica linzmeier, photo editor

Richard Freeland contributor

Blood is incongruous on soft hands.

The liquid is pure, the skin without blemish—sublime red on a smooth canvas. Perhaps beautiful in art, but eerie in reality. Leathery hands bear blood more naturally—if something is beaten, why not bloody? While conjuring up mental images of an emergency medical technician, America’s medical disaster foot soldiers. What’s soft about saving lives? Adrianna Flores may change people’s minds. Her dainty hands smeared with blood accomplish wonders.

Flores was recently awarded a $1000 Dream Scholarship from the Law Enforcement Education Program. The LEEP conducts a variety of services, including: instructional children’s DVDs on calling 911, Students on Sobriety school seminars and Outstanding Service Awards for law enforcement officers in local communities.

But the LEEP’s Dream Scholarship recognizes a broader prospective career category: public safety.

“We want the money to benefit individuals who will enter the public safety arena—whether it be the FBI, the Police, the Fire Department, federal prosecutors or emergency medical technicians,” Executive Director of LEEP Richard Weiler said. Flores won the scholarship for her “commitment to public safety” and plans to enter the medical field as an EMT, Weiler said.

“In many states EMTs do everything …

If, God forbid, someone gets shot, EMTs are right there. They’re essentially first responders,” Weiler said.

EMTs, along with memorizing and navigating the labyrinth of city

you feel so happy about what you were streets, adapt to whatever emergency able to accomplish,” Flores said. environment greets them. Sudden Flores continued her service crusade, childbirths, obstructed airways, heart unsure of her future profession, until she attacks and mentally altered people only volunteered at the Parkway Hills Nursing begin to describe the obstacles these and Rehabilitation this summer. medical warriors confront daily.

“Working at the home for sure helped “Warrior” is not often attributed to me figure out (what I want to do),” she Flores on first impression. Soft-spoken said. with a high, lilting Flores’ hands, voice and a petite while soft, are figure, nothing seldom idle. about Flores San Diego suggests violence.

State played a “When they “Being an EMT is role in Flores’ called me I was like unexpected—you just development as ‘What? Yay!’” she well. recalled cheerfully, get a call and you “SDSU definitely throwing have to be there. It’s teaches you how to her hands in be a hard worker. exclamation. “I spontaneous. I also Taking a lot of wanted to have like the responsibility. units teaches you money for school time management, because I don’t People’s lives are in responsibility and get any grants your hands. It’s up to how to achieve what or anything, but you truly want,” she also to pay for a you to save their life.” said. nursing or EMT For Flores, SDSU certificate,” Flores is more than a said.

- Adrianna Flores requirement for So how did this a career—the smooth-palmed school has been her junior form dream college for aspirations for a as long as she can callous-creating remember. She finds career? the question “What do you love about “I love helping people,” Flores said.

SDSU?” difficult.

She clocked in 200 hours as a volunteer “I love everything! It’s so diverse, a at the Antelope Valley Hospital in her beautiful campus, great professors … I home town of Lancaster—and that’s remember driving on the freeway with just her service in nursing. In addition my parents and saying ‘I wanna go there to being a member of various clubs and someday’” Flores recollected. organizations, Flores volunteers for just Flores’ journey to actualization of about anything she can get her hands on. becoming a part of the medical field is “Once you motivate yourself to do it,

bright and cheery, a story she tells with warmness. But when asked what drew her to her profession, she adopts a demeanor of grave conviction.

“Being an EMT is unexpected—you just get a call and you have to be there. It’s spontaneous. I also like the responsibility.

People’s lives are in your hands. It’s up to you to save their life,” she said.

At the nursing home where she volunteered, Flores learned plenty about holding peoples’ lives in her hands, and that there’s more to nursing than the medical side.

“You have to be very loving. You’re their only friend in the world. People don’t visit them,” she said.

Flores’ dedication and soft touch, essential in the nursing world, could be just as effective at emergency sites.

Flores holds no illusions as to what the EMT life entails.

“People don’t think about how the EMTs are feeling. Some situations can be really shocking. And if they make a wrong move, people judge them,” she said.

Despite this, the thought of the gruesome, catastrophic scenes Flores will witness as an EMT doesn’t phase her.

“It’s definitely hard, but it’s part of your job. Somewhere in your mind you have to think, ‘This is the best I could do.’

You have to separate yourself from the situation, but still be sympathetic,” she said.

Soon enough she will depart daily in a blaze of red and blue lights, sirens heralding her approach to the scene of calamity and possibly death. Perhaps Flores, with her healing-hands style of nursing, will care for bloody San Diegans in a way stitches, defibrillators and toughskinned physical strength can not.

8 ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, august 29, 2013

#summeralbums

Not a bad summer for under the radar music

Norwegian singer, Annie, stood out this summer, because of her musical versatility. Annie’s album features music ranging from modern techno to old fahioned pop. courtesy of anniemelody.com

ryo miyauchi staff writer

Yes, Daft Punk and Kanye West have released some of the most talked about albums this summer. But here are a few more album’s worth checking out:

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Burn” U.K. brothers Disclosure one-up the singles-dominated dance scene with their incredible debut album “Settle.” Disclosure plays around with sleek garage-house sounds alongside popular U.K. singers such as Sam Smith and Eliza Doolittle.

Unleashing everything from twisted bass to high-energy dance-pop, Disclosure proves dance music can produce a fulllength album that moves beyond a generic formula.

“The A&R EP” by Annie Choice song: “Back Together” Norwegian pop starlet Annie is back. For her return, Annie has again collaborated with British producer Richard X to bring a “Personal Record” by Eleanor Friedberger solid five-song extended play, “The A&R.” Choice song: “Stare at the Sun” Richard X drew upon nostalgic dance-pop Eleanor Friedberger’s sophomore album sounds for the EP, like the breezy disco “Personal Record” is rather lightweight pop in “Hold On” or the industrial techno contrary to its title. The record invites more in “Invisible.” Meanwhile, Annie shines collaboration, sounding through on the more like a full band musical recording than a lonely singer as a sweet and on stage. What playful personality remains personal that makes a love is Friedberger’s letter to actor Ralph Disclosure proves friendly writing Macchio sound like dance music can and her warm a golden pop single. produce a full-length traditional guitar Let’s hope there’s pop. “Personal album that moves more great pop Record” sounds by the duo in the beyond a generic like a lost treasure making. formula. in a record bin. Her music is fresh and “Sunbather” by new, but the result is Deafheaven timeless.

Choice song: “Dream House” “Run the Jewels” by For its burning Run the Jewels new record “Sunbather,” metal band Choice song: “36” Chain” Deafheaven harnesses heavy sounds by Run the Jewels is a rapper duo stretching the most dreamy chords that consisting of El-P and Killer Mike, who draw comparison to shoegaze greats. each collaborated last year for their “Sunbather” is an emotional ride fitted for incredible solo records.

The new team kept a fan of mesmerizing guitar play and an on working and shared their self-titled obsessive in the mood for the most brutal group album for free.

They bounce back thrashing. “Sunbather” is a rewarding like a classic hip-hop duo , while El-P’s experience from beginning to end. destructive production continues to bring the ruckus. Only a few hip-hop acts match “Settle” by Disclosure up to this violent, big-mouthed pair.

Choice song: “When a Fire Starts to

ENTERTAINMENT

ThursDAY, august 29, 2013

#aaronmento

9

Aaron Mento dares to try new things david dixon

entertainment editor Aaron Mento is the writer and director of “Standards of Living,” the first ever full-length feature filmed on an iPad. The former San Diego State student and The Aztec writer has created a complex horrorscience fiction comedy about an unfunny stand-up comedian who travels to another dimension to save a mysterious man’s daughter. If this sounds offbeat, the plot actually makes sense in the context of the flick, and the result is an original piece of storytelling.

The Aztec: Tell me a little bit about your experiences at SDSU and what you majored in.

Aaron Mento: I majored in television, film and new media and did some short films at State. They were all horror related.

That’s always been my thing. My thesis film was a horror movie that I shot at my parents house in Poway. I continued my tradition on into Loyola Marymount University. I did a horror film and shorts there too.

TA: What did you do between graduating and filmmaking?

AM: I graduated from San Diego State

Aaron Mento is the director of the first ever movie on an iPad, “Standards of Living.” It is a horror story involving alternate dimenisons, religion, and bad stand-up comedy. Kevin serrano, staff photographer

and went right to LMU for my master’s degree. Afterward, I had written a few horror feature length screenplays and they were too big budget for me to pull off in my own.

I got a 9-to-5 job to pay the bills doing

search engine optimization work. One day on the job, my left eye went blind for 15 minutes after looking at excel spreadsheets.

It finally went back to normal, but the experience scared me.

I went to the doctor and he said I had an

ocular migraine, which is what I call my production company. That kind of kicked me in the pants and made me realize that I needed to make a movie. I can’t just wait for someone to invest in my scripts. I just needed to make something that I could pull off on my own.

The inspiration for “Standards of Living” is that I was looking at my iPad one day, and I just thought, “Why couldn’t I just make a movie on this instead of on a high-end camera?” It seemed like a wild challenge.

TA: Who influenced you as a filmmaker and writer?

AM: Definitely “The Twilight Zone.”

They can do so much with just one set and low-tech special effects. Limitations can give you the best creative vision. We literally only had two locations to do the whole feature and it really made me use my imagination.

Don Coscarelli inspired me. He is responsible for the “Phantasm” series and the first one is very home made. Coscarelli did a lot with no budget and it became pretty huge.

David Lynch is another big influence on Continued on p10

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10 ENTERTAINMENT mento from P9

me. “Twin Peaks” blew me away. So did “Inland Empire.” He shot all of that film on standard-definition digital video. It’s rough looking, but it fits the story he was telling and probably wouldn’t have worked on film. That definitely set lights off on my head.

That’s also a plus of filming in such an intimate setting. It feels real because you see the characters conversing with each other in a small space and you really

get a magnifying glass on these people’s emotions.

TA: What are your plans for some of your future projects?

AM: I wrote a feature-length screenplay called “Survival High,” which is a horror movie obviously. It is based on a short from LMU and “Survival High” was actually a top 10 finalist at Cinequest Film Festival in the screenplay competition.

The plot sets a horror story at a campus after hours. There is an evil teacher and I play with some of the mechanics of teacher

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

versus student.

It is controversial, especially with the way gun control is going and school shootings.

The movie addresses some of that and the time is now to reflect upon this in a horror movie. It is similar to when “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” came out and how that was an allegory about the Vietnam War. What’s great about the horror genre is you can address current events without shoving them down peoples’ throats, which can happen in drama. Themes can be

deeper and hidden and the final product can have more of a punch.

TA: Do you have any advice for SDSU students?

AM: If you see boundaries, go through them. Don’t have anyone tell you that a certain kind of movie can’t be made. If you feel like you can tell your tale with your phone, then do that.

Above all else, tell a great story. Don’t let money and equipment get in your way.

“Standards of Living” can be watched for free at standardsoflivingmovie.com.

#wiiu

The black sheep of gaming consoles jordan pollock staff writer

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be the first to say I love just about every system and first-party title Nintendo has ever made.

That being said, the Wii U’s lack of worthwhile games is the main reason why it’s considered a failure in the gaming industry.

Back in 2012, the Wii U had a decent amount of hype built up around it. Think about it—the advent of Nintendo’s first high-definition console meant users would be getting HD versions of “Mario Kart,” “The Legend of Zelda,” “Metroid,”

“Donkey Kong Country” and various other first-party Nintendo titles.

And yet, nine months later players are just now getting word about first-party Nintendo titles fans are actually looking forward to, titles such as “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze,” “Super Smash Bros. Wii U” and “Super Mario 3D World.” Unfortunately, these games aren’t coming out until the holiday season and sometime in 2014.

That’s all well and good; we’ll finally get our hands on something more fun than “ZombiU.” However, the Wii U now has to contend with the likes of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The

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Wii U doesn’t really give gamers an Xbox 360 can go for as low as $200 by incentive to purchase the game console itself. The PS4 will be sold for $399 and with variety in quality. Ultimately, next the Xbox One runs for $499. With that in generations consoles will end up being mind, the price of the Wii U Deluxe Set is more successful $350! It costs more than than the Wii U. In the PS3 and Xbox addition to that, 360 did initially major third-party and just a little less publishers such as than the PS4 and Even after nine Electronic Arts and Xbox One. months, the Wii U Activision aren’t The Wii U’s lacks variety and really attempting to price point, video games that are make games for the combined with the worth buying. This Wii U. lack of exclusive could negatively That isn’t to say titles, absolutely there is absolutely does not garner affect Nintendo in the no third-party any sort of interest not too distant future. titles for the Wii U. in the console. The In fact, it does have original Wii was many third-party a success because games available right it innovated the now, but they are all titles that appear on industry with motion controls, which the other, more popular consoles.

Sony and Microsoft tried to capitalize Where does that leave the Wii U? On on and ended up not being as successful. shelves at every major gaming retailer.

With the Wii U, Nintendo attempted to Why? Because Nintendo has seriously bottle lightning once more and create dropped the ball. To further this point, a new gimmick for a new generation; it look at the price tags of the currentsimply didn’t work. generation, and next-generation consoles.

Maybe next year the Wii U will start The Playstation 3 now runs for about generating some interest when it actually $300 bundled with triple-A titles such gets worthwhile games. Until then, the as “God of War” or “Uncharted.” The Wii U sucks. No offense.

> WEB thedailyaztec.com Read articles, blogs, and explore more content than you’ll find in our print edition. > TWITTER twitter.com/thedailyaztec Keep up with The Daily Aztec by receiving up-to-the-minute updates. > FACEBOOK facebook.com/dailyaztec Become a friend on Facebook and never be out of the loop. > YOUTUBE youtube.com/dailyaztecvideo Check out the latest sports and news videos and see the action for yourself.

Or pick up a printed copy of the paper at one of the many paper racks located throughout the SDSU campus!

Due to very few quality games and for being ludicrously overpiriced, the Wii U is a sub par video game console that is nowhere near as fun as it should be. CAITLIN JOHNSON, STAFF WRITER.

SPORTS

thursday august 29, 2013

#volleyball

11

Lady Aztecs prepare for Tiger Classic livvi sefton contributor

The San Diego State volleyball team will kick off the season this week in its campaign to defend the Mountain West Conference title.

The Aztecs have been named the preseason favorite from a poll of the Mountain West Conference’s 11 head coaches. They collected nine first-place votes and 99 total points. The remaining two votes went to the 2012 co-champions, Colorado State, who picked up 90 total points. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas was predicted to finish No. 3.

Two SDSU players also picked up MWC preseason accolades, including senior setter Johnna Fouch being named as the 2013 MW Preseason Player of the Year. The Redlands native was placed on the preseason all-conference team as the designated setter and is one of the top returners of that position in the conference.

Fouch is a two-time all-MW honoree and the only player from the 2012 allconference team to be honored again this year. Senior outside hitter Raegan Shelton joins Fouch on the preseason all-

conference team.

Five freshmen and one transfer join the 2013 roster. Freshmen Baylee Little from Gilbert, Ariz. and Cassie O’Hara from Victor, N.Y. will look to make an impact this season as middle blockers. They both received all-state honors during their high school careers.

Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Pino comes to Montezuma Mesa after spending a year at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she played in three basketball games for the Gauchos.

“This is an exciting year, we have six to eight seniors who want to take this team to the highest level we can,” Fouch said.

“We have all the tools to be great and we are excited to get started.”

The Aztecs travel to Baton Rouge, La. this week to play in the Tiger Classic.

The first matchup comes against the University of California, Davis on Friday with the remaining two games Saturday being played against the University of Texas at San Antonio and the host school, Louisiana State University.

“I think we will face good matchups at the Tiger Classic,” Fouch said. “All the teams we play are pretty good so it’s

going to be a good test for our team.”

On Sept. 13, SDSU will play its first home game of the season at the Aztec

Court against Harvard University in its opening match of the annual Aztec Invitational.

Friday 08/30 - Volleyball vs. UC Davis in Baton Rouge, La. 4:30 p.m. CDT - No. 21 Women’s Soccer vs. Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. 5 p.m. EST - Men’s Soccer vs. USD at 7 p.m. PST, SDSU Sports Deck

Saturday 08/30 - Cross Country Mark Covert Classic, Brea, 9:15 a.m. PST - Volleyball vs. Texas-San Antonio in Baton Rouge, La. 12:30 p.m. CST vs. Louisiana State in Baton Rouge, La. 12:30 p.m. CST - Football vs. Eastern Illinois, Qualcomm Stadium 5 p.m. PST

Sunday 09/1 - Men’s Soccer vs. Florida International University at 7 p.m. PST, SDSU Sports Deck - No. 21 Women’s Soccer vs. No. 14/15 Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich.

2 p.m. EST

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President Elliot Hirshman is only the 8th president in San Diego State’s history.

Each president averaged almost 15 years in office.

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12 THE BACK PAGE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Aztec

#DAYOFTHEDEAD

Aquaplex The Day of the Dead visits Room 7 Pool

t was reaching midnight and my eyelids became heavier as I struggled to make my way through the cobblestone streets of a small pueblo called El Grullo, Mexico.

The cold air enveloped my body, but my skin welcomed it like one welcomes an old friend.

The streets were empty, but you could still hear drunk laughter spewing out through the open doors of small, colorful houses.

I had spent most of the day exploring the neighborhoods where my parents once ran through as children, chasing papermache balloons powered by a small flame.

I pictured them both as I saw them in their black-and-white photographs. Both were skinny and in their awkward preteen bodies, but with a smile that made anyone want to jump straight into the picture and bathe in that wonderful moment.

That’s how I liked to picture my parents instead of the frail cold bodies they left behind. I decided to relive the memories they used to tell me late on nights when I couldn’t fall asleep. This is why at 21 I was alone in my parent’s hometown, miles away from anything or anyone familiar. I’d spent most of the day visiting my parents’ old homes, aunts, uncles, cousins … all family members I’d never met, but who were ecstatic to have a family member from El

christian benavides staff WRITER

Norte visit them.

Although I had plenty of offers from them to stay the night, I was exhausted and needed time to absorb my first day here.

After an hour of getting lost and circling around streets with names “Galeana” and “Hidalgo,” I came to a small motel called the 4 Caminos. It stood in a corner behind a big red wall that connected to smaller homes on both of its sides. In the middle of all the red, stood a small black metal door with four fog window panels. I looked up at the name again, painted on carefully in black.

Almost immediately after I gave the door a couple of nervous knocks, a small round woman with hair black as night opened the door and, while nodding to the side, welcomed me in. I took a step inside and was startled by the beauty of this small mission-style motel. The whole middle was a square plaza that contained an old fountain in the center. The rooms stood around the edge of the perimeter and the vast starry night acted as the roof of 4 Caminos.

I told the woman I needed a single room and after signing in, she took me up a set of stairs to Room 7. She unlocked the door and slowly turned around, taking a couple of small steps before looking back at me with her big gentle brown eyes, “Espero que encuentres lo que estás buscando.” And just like that, she was halfway down the stairs.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for.” Her words clung to my tongue and felt heavy.

Going into the small room, I realized how quiet it had gotten and how alone I felt.

Here I was, wanting to learn more about a culture, my culture, that flowed up my roots and into my veins, yet there was a void in all

words

65 Tech news dot-com 66 Broadway shiner

this searching. I let my body collapse onto the soft white sheets of the bed and slowly began to be swallowed by the darkness of sleep as I pictured my parents standing at the edge of the bed.

Boom! A loud deep sound threw me off the bed. I kept hearing it, like a heartbeat. I put my hand across my chest. It was beating quick, too quick to be the source of the sound. I ran outside where I could hear whispering alongside the thumping noises.

It was the whisper of many people.

With the light of the moon, I made my way toward the front of the motel. There was a small room behind the check-in desk with light pouring out of the open door. I went in, but there was no sign of the woman except for a small bed with a cross hanging at the head of it.

The noise got louder. I could feel the thumping through the ground now. I heard a set of quick small steps and the front door close. Both from fear and wonder, I sped to the door and slowly made my way outside.

Everything seemed to be still until from around the corner, came a parade.

It was a whole wave of colors, flowers and skulls. Everyone had painted their bodies like skeletons. Day of the Dead, I immediately thought. I had forgotten all about the holiday, the day people encourage the souls of deceased family members to come and visit.

As if she had been waiting for me to finish my thought, the motel woman came out from the shadows, fully dressed for the occasion, grabbed my hand and pulled me into the parade that had already gone halfway past me. It was like an actual wave, maybe even a sea itself. Instantly, I felt a part of everyone. We were all one and heading to the graveyard to greet our families. For the first time, I began to feel full and present.

Across

1 Window sill coolers 5 Waffles no more 9 In an offbeat way 14 Spots teens don’t like 15 Unoccupied 16 Civic, perhaps 17 “Django Unchained” co-star 19 Different take 20 Rings of activity 21 Area near a hangar 23 Thoughtful type 24 “Malice N Wonderland” rapper 28 Cinders 29 Cross word 31 Pirouetted 32 Salk vaccine target 34 Group with a self-titled bimonthly magazine

35 “This Boy’s Life” memoirist 39 Beyond bad 41 Bedding item 42 It involves checks and balances 46 Cenozoic __ 47 Parisian possessive 50 Sal Romano portrayer on “Mad Men” 52 Stem cell research advocate Christopher 54 Kitchen gadget 55 First name of two U.S. presidents 56 Lost a lap 59 Super Bowl X MVP 61 Streisand title role 62 The Gaels of college sports 63 __ facto 64 Candy man

Friday

Aug. 30 12-4pm DUNK TANK

FREE PIZZA Open House

SDSU Red ID Required

No Outside Beverages

aztecaquaplex.sdsu.edu

thefuture Today’s Birthday (8/29/13) - Fun and enthusiasm at work and with friends keeps your year hopping. Social media and communications thrive, as does taking on community leadership. You have the gift of persuasion this year. Bring in the harvest, and store it well. Check facts before important decisions. Partnerships sparkle with loving attention.

HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a

6 - There’s a possible misunderstanding.

There’s a ton to learn from the process; it could even be fun. Do all the pieces fit? Get help from an older person. Love is in the air, and it’s contagious!

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - Shower the people you love with love. There’s plenty of money to be made right now, but don’t forget that your relationships are more important than your balance sheet. Find your way.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 - Provide facts after thoroughly reviewing the data. Think first. Don’t dive into water that’s over your head before learning how to swim. Don’t be afraid to push your limits, either. You’re getting stronger.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a

5 - Friendship is more valuable than money, so treasure it. Spend frivolously when it comes to affection, but not with cash.

Social contacts prove valuable in many ways. Share a tender moment.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 6 Kindness and generosity take you a long way. You’re surrounded by love of friends and family, even if you’re blind to it. Ask for a referral from someone who knows.

Explore dream images in conversation or writing.

numbers

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is

a 6 - You’re in charge and in control. Use your power wisely and direct your career in the direction that fulfills you the most. Add a little tenderness for better results. Waste not, want not.

Down

1 __ party 2 Boy who had a legendary meltdown 3 Tangle up 4 The Pont Neuf spans it 5 Wastes, mob-style 6 For 7 Perot, e.g.

8 One who’s really hot 9 Cuttlefish cousins 10 Vertical air movement 11 It makes SADD mad 12 Groovy music collection?

13 However 18 Bit of dangly jewelry 22 Fracas 24 Islamic branch 25 Norwegian royal name 26 An official lang. of Switzerland 27 National econ. stat 30 Clay, today 32 Spotty pattern 33 CIA forerunner 35 Minute 36 Use a strop on 37 “__ the fields we go” 38 Hears 39 Drop in the ocean?

40 Alt. spelling 43 Sitting at a red light, say 44 “Days of Our Lives” network 45 Language that gave us “galore” 47 Señorita’s shawl 48 “All the same ...”

49 Like some patches 51 Check for fit 53 Dickens’ Drood 55 Future MD’s class 56 Leb. neighbor 57 Beginning of time?

58 Half and half 60 Oak Lawn-to-Chicago dir.

Party

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 - Continue your adventure, and sail down the river of love. The water temperature is perfect for romance. Try something new, something you’ve never tried before.

Replenish your reserves.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 6 - You can accomplish more close to home, especially when you’re doing it for love. Play with friends and invent new plans together. Save every penny for what’s important. Build your funds together.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) -

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

Difficulty Level:

4/4

ALL SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.THEDAILYAZTEC.COM or IN OUR NEXT ISSUE’S CLASSIFIEDS CROSSWORDS, SUDOKU, AND HOROSCOPES COURTESY OF TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC., ©2013.

disclaimer

The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Aztec.

Express your concerns by emailing letters@thedailyaztec.com

Today is a 7 - Everything is easier when you’re together. Support each other on your strengths, and continue to increase your output. It’s easy to get sidetracked. When you do, just remind each other of your goals.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - Don’t take financial risks, yet. Go ahead and explore new opportunities in romance. It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation.

Check out an interesting suggestion. Read a book about your destination to get in the mood.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 6 - There’s more work coming in.

There’s more time for love. You’ll soon have time to relax. Invest in your future, but don’t dip too far into savings. Find valuables in your own home. Glamour works now.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 5 - What you have is more than enough. Clearing up your home of clutter is extremely rewarding and liberating. You may get stuck, but all ends well. Friends offer good advice.