09-19-2012

Check out photos from last weekend’s San Diego Music Thing on page 5.

THE NEWSPAPER OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1913 VOLUME 99, ISSUE 14

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

SDSU trolley stop Japan protested closely monitored amidst land dispute world

MTS security monitors one of the four entrances to the SDSU Trolley Station.

J. Hutton Marshall Managing Editor

Yesterday at noon, there were seven extra “redshirt” MTS security guards at the SDSU Transit Center, who were there to monitor every entrance to the underground transit stop in addition to the usual MTS security team stationed there. All four entrances had 1 to 3 security guards making sure each passenger had a pass before walking through one of the recently erected turnstiles. The bulked-up security team will be there for the remainder of the week during the Green Line’s operating hours.

MTS Director of Marketing and Communications Robb Schupp said the turnstiles and extra security set up camp for one week near the beginning of every semester. According to Schupp, the primary reason behind this is

Madison Hopkins takes on Facebook: Pg. 7

j. hutton marshall , managing editor

to accurately measure how many people pass through the SDSU trolley station on a given week.

It’s also to ensure everyone riding has paid to do so. The security spike has no connection to last week’s bomb threat.

“This is really the only way to get an accurate number, which is our main goal,” Schupp said regarding the use of turnstiles to measure passengers. “All our funding is based on ridership.

We’re dependent on people buying passes, so we’re also ensuring people do so.”

While monitoring illegal activity at the trolley station is only an ulterior motive for MTS, its strategy parallels the SDSU Police Department’s practice of increased patrolling around “typical problem areas” during the first few months of each semester.

MTS security continued on page 2

Ana Ceballos Assistant News Editor

Approximately 2,500 outraged Chinese citizens participated in demonstrations across the country, displaying banners reading “Protect China’s inseparable territory,” to “Nuclear extermination for wild Japanese dogs.”

The dispute was prompted when the Japanese government announced its intention to nationalize the uninhabited islets of Senkaku, Japan and Diaoyu, China located in the East China Sea. The controversy about the islands intensified when China sent six surveillance ships to the area after Japan announced it nationalized control of the three islands.

Japanese companies such as Panasonic and Toyota Motor

‘47 percent’ stirs presidential race

national

J. Hutton Marshall Managing Editor

After circulating under the radar for weeks, a video of presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaking at what he mistook to be a private fundraiser recently gained enormous popularity.

In a low-quality video that appears to have been taken without Romney’s knowledge, he is quoted saying the 47 percent of U.S. citizens currently supporting President Barack Obama are dependent on government support.

This has led to severe backlash by citizens and the media.

“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what,” Romney said in the video. “There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has the responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement, and the government

mct campus

Corp. dealerships have temporarily suspended production as a result of anti-Japanese violent attacks. In response to the outburst, many Japanese restaurants and offices displayed the Chinese national flag outside their businesses, symbolizing a white flag for peace.

Additionally, Japanese schools across China have cancelled classes for this week. These events prompted a meeting between Japanese Primer Minister Yoshihiko Noda and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Pannetta to discuss the safety of Japanese citizens and property in China.

Last year, Japan deemed China as its top trade partner, totaling a trade of more than $340 billion. The current predicament is an economic showdown based on how tensions further between Asia’s two largest economies.

Education professor wins Monty Laura Nguyen Contributor

mct campus

should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what … These are people who pay no income tax.”

Obama’s campaign has not missed the opportunity to capitalize on Romney’s closed-door statements. In a Tuesday taping of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Obama responded to what he saw as Romney’s “writing off” of 47 percent of Americans. ”All of us make mistakes,”

Obama said. “What I think people want to make sure of is you’re not writing off a big chunk of the country.”

In a press conference on Monday night, Romney described his remarks in the video as “off the cuff,” claiming they could have been stated more eloquently.

However, he ultimately stood by the remarks made in the video.

“My campaign is about helpMitt Romney continued on page 2

Is it still worth it to have an account with Facebook’s privacy abuse?

Taking the Coronado Art Walk

travel

& adventure

April Stefanik Staff Writer

A passionate advocate of education and the San Diego State community since 1977, Dr. Cynthia Park was recently awarded a San Diego State Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions to the university, also known as Monty Award. Park is a professor of teacher education and the Executive Director of the Pre-College Institute, but her leadership role in the community extends beyond these titles.

As a world traveler and culture-lover, building strong communities has always been part of Park’s vision. She thought the diverse city of San Diego was the perfect place to pursue her aspirations. Park’s big-picture dream is to build

Art! A 3 letter word so simple, yet so broad in definition. What is art? Every individual has his own way of expressing himself creatively; his own way at approaching his truth through whatever medium he sees as fit.

That is art. At the Coronado Art Walk, many talented artists came together, to showcase just that: his or her attempt to express experiences and observations, however delicate, simple or farfetched they may be. From handmade jewelry of keys, beach glass, precious stones, paintings large and small, animal sculptures and pottery or glass-blown ornaments of any occasion, this fair had it all.

While reminiscent of other local art fairs and farmers markets such as the Ocean Beach fair, this art walk adorned itself less with kooks and more with dignified art.

Monty Award continued on page 2

Art Walk continued on page 4

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NEWS

Wednesday September 19, 2012 The Daily Aztec

from MTS security page 1

“We do typically staff special detail the first few weeks of school, to focus on typical problem areas such as weekend nights,” SDSU PD Police Capt.

Lamine Secka said.

He added this usually starts around the fifth week of school each semester, coinciding with a sharp rise in illegal activity at each semester’s beginning.

“Once school starts, we see a spike in pretty much everything,” Secka said.

Sorority shows love for women

Ethan Orenstein

from Monty Award page 1

better communities and to help people progress.

Park created the PreCollege Institute to promote college access and completion for underserved students through excellence and innovation in education.

The institute includes programs such as Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs and the Upward Bound programs. These programs target high school students, providing them with additional educational services and following their development as they transition into higher education. These programs are meant to push and motivate students toward a higher GPA and to find areas where the programs can improve strategies in teaching while further engaging students in learning.

Park wants students to embrace the changing world of education and to give each student the opportunity to pursue the American dream.

“The Upward Bound program has inspired me a lot,” SDSU freshman Juan Ugarte said. “The counselors helped us and motivated us and prepared us to attend college.”

Ugarte is one of the many students whose life was impacted by the Pre-College Institute.

Park brought more than $10 million to SDSU through several grants and contracts supporting these programs. Though she takes pride in this extraordinary accomplishment, Park sees the rewards of her work as priceless.

“Why would I do anything else?” Park asked. “When the students tell you what the program has meant to them, you know that you have been instrumental in helping those students find their path and their niche in society at large.

That’s what education is, what it should be.”

from Mitt Romneypage 1

ing people take more responsibility and becoming employed again, particularly those who don’t have work,” Romney said in the press conference. “Do you believe in a government-centered society that provides more and more benefits or do you believe instead in a free-enterprise society where people are able to pursue their dreams?”

Amazon.com purchases now subject to CA sales tax

Staff Writer

Kappa Delta sorority members celebrate International Women’s Friendship Month at SDSU.

Antonio Zaragoza Editor in Chief

Members of Kappa Delta sorority promoted “International Women’s Friendship Month” at San Diego State. Since 1949 Kappa Delta has celebrated National Women’s Friendship Day to reinforce the positive effects of having strong friendships with other women.

SDSU graduate student Michelle Rusin said although having good friends is important for everyone, for women, having another female to trust and share ideas with can have long-lasting effects.

“There are definitely things that I can only talk to other girls about,” Rusin said.

“Things happen in life and sometimes you just need a woman’s input and friendship.”

Business marketing junior

antonio zaragoza , editor in chief

Michelle Shepard, who participated in the event, said in 2009, National Women’s Friendship Day became a month-long international event.

Kappa Delta promotes the event with the help of other groups such as the Confidence Coalition, which is funded by the Kappa Delta Foundation.

“We are constantly working towards inspiring women to live up to their full potential and to feel comfortable in their own skin,” Kappa Delta President Carly Tinoco said.

The group handed out free sunglasses and brochures including ways to celebrate the month such as planning a girls night out, sending a card to a close friend, planning an adventure trip or reconnecting with a childhood friend. More information is available at womensfriendshipmonth.com

Construction Beat Aztec Student Union Since the construction site for San Diego State’s Aztec Student Union literally began moving upward at the beginning of the month, the structure for the building has continued to grow.

Earlier this month, two cranes were brought onsite to move the steel beams making up the skeleton of the building. As each floor of the building is finished, the decks, which will eventually be filled with concrete to form the floors, are placed.

According to Associated Students Marketing and Communications Manager Lorena Nava Ruggero, the steel skeleton should be finished within the next few weeks.

“We’re seeing a lot more growth,” she said. “Visually it’s a lot more obvious what’s going on.”

Ruggero said now that construction is growing vertically, people can finally see the size of the Aztec Student Union, which will have about twice the square footage of the former Aztec

Center.

“It will be more space for things that are really important for students,” Ruggero said.

Ruggero is confident construction on the Aztec Student Union, tentatively expected to be completed in November 2013, will be finished next year.

“We’re definitely on track to open in fall of 2013,” Ruggero said.

Once the building is complete, Aztec Shops and SDSU Food Services will work together to select dining options available at the student union. Currently, Starbucks is the only restaurant with a confirmed spot in the building.

Live footage from the construction site is available online at the new Aztec Student Union website: www.aztecstudentunion. com. Anyone interested in the latest updates can also find information on Twitter @aztecstdntunion and www.facebook.com/ AztecStudentUnion.

—Compiled by Staff Writer Amanda Guerrero

California college students may have to dig deeper to find cheaper textbooks.

Amazon.com and other major online retailers operating in California became subject to a new state tax law on Sept. 15.

As a result, Amazon, a website many students turn to find less expensive books, will now include California sales tax. In San Diego County, sales tax ranges from 7.75 percent in San Diego to 8.75 percent in El Cajon.

This could mean the difference between buying online and buying from a physical retailer, such as KB Books or San Diego State’s Bookstore.

“This tax law is fair, reasonable and long overdue,” KB Books owner Ken Appel said. “Ultimately we end up paying for the tax one way or another.”

With a proposed state budget deficit of approximately $16 billion for 2012-13, this new law may beneficial for California’s economy.

The money an individual avoids spending on sales tax can add up and come back in the form of fee increas-

es and budget cuts.

Appel said the tax exemption from online retailers could come back negatively and impact local businesses and the community.

“As a merchant, we don’t mind competing, we just like to compete on a level playing field,” Appel said.

According to the California State Board of Equalization, a 1935 use tax law was enacted “to protect California sellers who otherwise would be at a competitive disadvantage when out-of-state sellers make sales of goods to California customers without charging tax.”

The new law shifts the responsibility from the consumer to the retailer.

The sales tax applied by the retailer is unavoidable.

Although prices for many books bought online will increase, students are still likely to shop around.

“Usually I go to KB first,” SDSU senior Paul Rider said. “Then I use my smartphone to check the prices online.”

Rider said even with sales tax, the books he bought online this semester were far less expensive than at local bookstores.

Crime Beat Armed Robbery Near Campus At just past 10 p.m. last Sunday night, an armed robbery occurred in the F lot on Zura Way. The suspect allegedly approached the victim from behind with a silver handgun and demanded the victim’s wallet and phone. The victim gave the suspect his wallet, backpack and phone before the suspect ran to a waiting silver VW Jetta. While using the distress phone, the victim heard one gunshot but was not injured. It was determined the suspect fired the gun in the direction of the victim.

The suspect is described as an African American male in his early 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, of thin build, wearing a dark hoodie and light colored shorts.

Police have apprehended one of the two suspects involved.

Sorority Vandalized The Delta Gamma sorority house was vandalized at 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, according to police. The house sustained damage to its irrigation pipe from an unknown object.

The sorority house has been vandalized on other occasions recently, according to police.

Between Sept. 2 and 4, a car at the sorority sustained damage to its gas tank, totaling to about $450.

—Compiled by Staff Writer Allie Bidwell

Battery at Tenochca Residence Hall At about 11:30 p.m. last Thursday, a battery case was reported at Tenochca Residence Hall. The reporting party stated that two females engaged in a fight. The suspect, described as a Caucasian female with a brown tank top who may have been intoxicated, punched another female, who was heavily intoxicated, in the face. The suspect left the scene upon officer arrival and the victim, who was intoxicated and unable to walk, was transported to Alvarado Hospital.

High Criminal Activity Yields Increase in Police Activity The SDSU Police Department announced last Thursday that due to an increase in criminal activity on and around the SDSU campus, it will be leveraging all of its resources to “identify the individuals responsible while working to ensure a safe campus environment.” According to the police statement, four suspects from a Sept. 1 robbery have been identified and arrested and one of the two suspects from the Sept. 9 robbery has been apprehended. In order to deter further criminal activity, the department will be increasing the number of officers on patrol and deploying technologies such as more security cameras and other surveillance tools.

FEATURES

Wednesday September 19, 2012 the daily aztec

3

Curiosity hopes to discover proof of alien life Eric Dobko Staff Writer

As a newborn human being, I had no way of comprehending anything about the world around me.

I was completely and utterly bewildered. In my infancy, as I was running outside to explore my new world, I was immediately taken aback when I saw an immense blue dome overhead littered with white wispy clouds of moisture, flying feathery creatures and a big bright yellow light. As I stopped to stare, I noticed that the big yellow light was actually moving and it was falling straight toward the Earth!

But to my relief, it passed through the horizon, the blue sky fading to black. Countless flickering lights rapidly ignited above me, shining in the distance like a million silver eyes. The world brought me great feelings of intrigue and wonder, and I was determined to try and make some sense of it.

20 years later, I now have a much better grasp on this bizarre life, thanks to the rationality and willpower demonstrated by countless generations of scientists. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also known as NASA, is an organization full of inquisitive people. In their attempt to better understand this world we live in, they recently sent a robot expedition to our small red neighbor, Mars. On Nov. 26, 2011, NASA launched a robotic space probe called the Mars Science Laboratory. On Aug. 6 of this year, the MSL successfully landed NASA’s latest Mars rover,

If we happen to find signs of life on Mars, it could even help us answer ... how it began here...

Will Houston SDSU biology senior appropriately named Curiosity.

The scientific goal of the mission is to see if Mars has ever had environmental conditions necessary to support forms of life called microbes. The discovery would prove a major step toward answering one of humanity’s most fundamental questions: “Are we alone in the universe?”

With the Odyssey mission back in 2001, NASA made the major discovery of large amounts of water underneath the surface of Mars large enough to fill Lake Michigan twice. To study the Martian surface, Curiosity will take soil and rock samples. These samples will not only tell us about the planet’s geology, but also its climate. The climatic history can be assessed using the samples’ formation, structure and chemical composition. Generating its energy from the radioactivity of plutonium, the rover will have enough electricity for a lifespan of one Martian year, or approximately 687 Earth days. With the findings Curiosity relays back to Earth, NASA will continue to investigate Mars’ past habitability and prepare for a future manned mission.

SDSU biology student Will Houston commented on the significance of the Curiosity mission.

“By gaining a deeper under-

courtesy nasa /jpl- caltech

The Curiosity probe’s mission to Mars has rejuvinated discussion on whether life exists beyond our planet.NASA has given us another reason to stare into space and imagine.

standing of how life can be formed within our own galaxy, we’ll be able to grasp more about galaxies elsewhere and their potential for life,” Houston said. “If we do happen to find signs of life on Mars, it could even help us answer more precisely just how it began here on Earth.”

As much as we love to speculate, unfortunately, there has yet to be any credible proof for the existence of life elsewhere in the universe. People often misconstrue meteorite landings, the brightness of Venus and, nowadays satellites, as UFO sightings. And even if they are “unidentified,” how does this prove an alien is piloting it? As for the whole otherworldly crop circle phenomenon, I really doubt aliens would travel all the way across the universe just to draw some graffiti in our corn, like some kind of extraterrestrial Banksy. When you consider these factors, they don’t continue to make much sense for very long. It’s important to remember extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

With that being said, there is one argument for the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe that’s hard to ignore: ourselves.

If life arose on Earth, who’s to say it couldn’t happen elsewhere?

Our telescopes have observed hundreds of billions of different galaxies, each of which contains billions of stars, many similar to our own Sun. That’s a fairly large amount of stars! The universe is unfathomably big, so even if the conditions a planet needs to harbor life are incredibly rare, it’s hard for me to imagine that of the innumerable solar systems, we’re the only planet that got lucky.

Astronomer Carl Sagan described this search for life elsewhere perfectly in his fascinating book, “Cosmos.”

“All my life, I’ve wondered about life beyond the Earth. On those countless other planets that we think circle other suns, is there also life? Might the beings of other worlds resemble us, or would they be astonishingly different? What

would they be made of? In the vast Milky Way galaxy, how common is what we call life? The nature of life on earth and the quest for life elsewhere are the two sides of the same question: The search for

who we are.”

For the first time in our planet’s four-billion-year history, we are venturing outward into space to seek answers to life’s unanswered questions. Stay updated with

NASA’s website as Curiosity studies the red planet’s environment for the next two years, bringing us further insight into the mysteries of the universe.

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features

Wednesday September 19, 2012 The Daily Aztec

from Artwalk page 1

Sponsored by The Coronado Historical Association and The Unified Port of San Diego, the seventh annual Coronado Art Walk was held Aug. 15 and 16. The walk was nestled in the comfort of the quaint, red-walled Coronado Ferry Landing, picturesquely located on San Diego Bay with grand views of the city skyline.

While this marketplace already offers visitors nostalgic art galleries and appetizing eateries, the Art Walk added bustling energy, with patrons perusing the walk equipped with shades, visors and water bottles.

Jim Cosman, volunteer and

The shape and form that I do, very few people can do better, and I know thats bragging, but its true.

Elliot Newton Featured Artist member of the Coronado Historical Association, shared some history about the event.

“This year is the first year at the ferry landing, and the first year for a two day event,” Cosman said. “The Art Walk is mostly an opportunity for the artists to show their work, but it is also a

fun thing for the community, and a way to promote Coronado.”

David Tyrone Villa, a painter and San Diego native, exhibited at the Art Walk for the first time this year. Among his works were various paintings adorned with bright colors and painted with quick, short brush strokes to capture the energy of his chosen settings.

Villa normally doesn’t display his art anywhere, but the Coronado Art Walk presented a great opportunity for exposure. “I try to limit myself to how many art walks I do, and I thought this had good demographics,” he said.

Villa, a painter for more than 15 years, has sold his artwork for three years. While many artists gain skills in a classroom, Villa learned to paint through his own dedication.

“I am a self-taught painter,” Villa said. “My inspirations come from a lot of different areas, but I do not like to limit myself, so I call it my own work.”

Villa also reaps the benefits of support from the community.

“I am from San Diego, and when I paint the San Diego scenery, people connect with it,” Villa said.

One of the featured artists, Elliot Newton, located at the hub of the fair, sat under his umbrella as his pottery shone in the smoldering sun. His art, as well as his survival story, have gained recognition throughout the years.

Newton, who is now 75, has participated in nearly every Coronado Art Walk. He commented

paige nelson, photo editor

Atendees of the Coronado Art Walk braved the rising tempature and were treated to an eclectic arrangment of artwork created by local and renound artists.

on his journey as artist.

“I have been doing ceramics for about 20 years now. I had a heart attack and spent five years at a community college doing art classes and later decided to go to art shows on the weekends,” Newton said.

His pottery, ranging in colors from subtle ochre yellows to warm teals, all overlaid with faint brown distortions, are ubiquitous to his craft of choice. His style of crystalline-glazed pottery, creates unique works.

“The shape and form that I do, very few people can do better, and I know that’s bragging, but it’s true,” Newton joked.

Hailing from the desert area of Palm Springs, La Quinta, Newton comes to San Diego every year just for the Coronado Art Walk.

“I like participating in it because the scenery is just gorgeous,” Newton said. “It’s an upscale art show, it really is very profitable, except it’s a little weak today because of the heat.”

While the temperature rose to record-breaking levels, the heat did not stop people from enjoying the art showcased at the Coronado Art Walk. Newton ended by saying, “I deserve this location.

My work deserves this location.”

Whether it was the artists basking in the sun flaunting their art or the humble meanderers who floated about the fair, the Coronado Art Walk was a good time for any person who can enjoy the simple yet diverse pleasures of art.

Study shows early risers are happier than night owls Ethan Bailey Staff Writer

Rise and shine Aztecs, it’s time to put on your happy faces.

Are there any major differences between waking up early and burning the midnight oil? According to the University of Toronto, there are.

A new study shows early risers are generally happier and have more positive and upbeat outlooks than those who stay up late. For many students, the main benefit to waking up early is feeling a sense of accomplishment.

“Whether its waking up early for work or school, I get a lot more accomplished throughout the day,” San Diego State senior Chris Arechaederra said.

But not all Aztecs share Arechaederra’s enthusiasm about rising early. “I’m definitely not a morning person,” said SDSU student Leah Diehl. “I have trouble waking up in the morning and if I don’t have coffee, it’s hard to concentrate.”

Many students are forced to wake up early to attend morning classes.

When it comes to focusing, though, some students say it doesn’t matter whether or not their classes are early.

“I have an 8 a.m. class,” Diehl said. “It’s accounting, so it is not easy, but focusing isn’t any harder than in other classes.”

Students that find it a little harder to focus in the morning could benefit from changing their sleeping patterns and assimilating to early morning culture.

Cathy Beggan, founder of New Jersey based Rise-N-Shine LLC, is an early morning specialist and has eight tips for night owls looking to become early risers overnight.

First, Beggan says to avoid chocolate, red wine and coffee in the evening hours. Scientific studies have

Becoming a morning person can be difficult in the beginning, but a University of Toronto study shows the struggle yeilds beneficial results for your mood.

shown these foods disturb the intestines and interrupt sleep patterns.

Second, she recommends having dinner three to four hours before bedtime, which allows digestion to take place. Her third suggestion may be obvious, but it is one of the most important of all: consistently get enough sleep.

“That’s one thing that’s really important to me - getting enough sleep,” said SDSU student Diana Stubblefield. “I get at least eight hours every night.”

“I mostly go to sleep late and wake up a little bit later,” said SDSU student Emmanuel Orozco, “Sometimes I’m up on the computer, sometimes I’m studying. It all depends.”

For students living on campus,

getting regular sleep can be tough, considering living with others can affect individual/personal. But according to journalism junior Johana Hernandez, it is only a matter of adjusting.

“I think once you get used to living with roommates, you’ll eventually get regular sleep, but it will never be the same as home,” Hernandez said.

Beggan’s fourth tip is to better prepare yourself at night. The transition to becoming a morning person will be easier if the hustle and bustle of the morning doesn’t include everyday tasks that could have been completed the night before.

Next, she recommends trying a delayed release energy pill, such as Wake Up On Time, one her

thinkstock

company’s all-natural supplements targeted to meet sleep needs naturally. Taken before bed, this pill is said to make anyone wake up six to eight hours later feeling alert and refreshed without grogginess.

“I would probably be a little skeptical of that,” physical therapy grad student Blair Arceo said. “I would want to try and have a regular sleep pattern on my own.”

Beggan also recommends drinking a glass of water before bed to help fight dehydration during sleep.

She says to think positive thoughts, even to write down one positive thought, memory, goal or affirmation at night to read when you wake up and start your day. “Happy thoughts make happy people,” Beggan says.

Her final tip is to breathe deeply and stretch while in bed. Stretching, inhaling and exhaling increase blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, raising physical and mental energy levels.

Institutions of higher education around the country have begun to notice links between sleep and student performance. Some universities have even taken steps to offer programs and special environments for students who deal with stress because of irregular sleep. Duke University has a stress-free location on campus known as The Oasis, according to USA Today. The room features floor-to-ceiling windows, a water fountain and massage chairs.

“We’re trying to create environments where students can go to get away from stress so that they can work more productively ... and get to sleep earlier,” Director of Nutrition Services at Student Health Franca Alphin said. Other schools such as University of CaliforniaLos Angeles have plans to implement programs helping students suffering from insomnia.

Fortunately, SDSU offers a place of its own for students to de-stress at the Center for Well-Being. It’s located in the Counseling and Psychological Services office in Calpulli Center and offers many ways to relax. The room features an eggshaped chair with built in speakers, a TV, massage chair and a meditation area. The Hands-On Exploration area of the room also has activities promoting relaxation and stress reduction, including aromatherapy, art therapy and a Zen garden.

Graphic design sophomore Karen Kelly was a recent first-time visitor.

“It’s just really relaxed and the people at the front-desk are really nice,” Kelly said. “I just took a two hour nap and it was fantastic. Where else can I do that on campus?”

Entertainment

Wednesday September 19, 2012 the daily aztec

5

Missed the San Diego Music Thing? Maybe you attended and you’re missing it already?

No matter what you’re feeling, we’ve got you covered with some killer photos from Saturday night’s festivities. Enjoy!

All photos by Managing Editor J. Hutton Marshall.

Pinback @ Sunset Temple Room

Races @ Bar Pink

Colin Clyne @ Claire de Lune

The Burning of Rome @ Eleven

Shiva Trash @ Soda Bar

Jamuel Saxon @ Sunset Temple Room

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Entertainment

Wednesday September 19, 2012 The Daily Aztec

‘Warface’ is a shot of awesome to the face

aztec gaming

Cody Franklin Head of Aztec Gaming

One of the great games I played at Penny Arcade Expo Prime was a relatively unknown shooter called “Warface.” Developed by Crytek, the makers of the “Crysis” series, “Warface” was the dark horse of PAX Prime for me. Going into the demo generously provided by the game’s western publisher, Trion Worlds, I knew nothing. Coming out, I knew I needed to get my hands on this game again as soon as possible.

Originally developed solely for Asian markets and already released in Russia, “Warface” is a free-to-play first-person shooter set in the near future. The game features both Player versus Player and player versus environment combat. In particular, the PvE combat features an ever-evolving universe with new co-op missions every day. PvE shooters usually have terrible artificial intelligence, but this was not the case with “Warface.” My teammates and I were killed left and right, not because we didn’t understand the controls or because we were new

Sometimes the deadliest enemy isn’t always the environment: it’s another player. PvP combat is integral to the game.

courtesy of trion worlds

players, but because the AI is just that good. Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to try out PvP, so stay tuned for more on that aspect.

Gunplay in “Warface” felt incredible; it reminded me of “Crysis,” without the ridiculously overpowered nanosuits. Playing as a combat medic, I was armed with an automatic shotgun, which could lay down a truly epic amount of lead. However, at range, I had to swap to my pistol sidearm. Surprisingly, the pistol was very good at range and a nice change of pace from games that seem to turn pistols into BB guns in the name of balance.

Graphically, the game was gorgeous. Running on Crytek’s CryEngine 3, “Warface” surpassed the look of any other free-to-play game I’ve seen on the market. The animation detail blew me away (or perhaps it was the artillery strikes … forgive me, I’m a little shell-shocked). Rather than simply throwing a magical box of healing at my teammates, I actually had to run up to them to heal them. My character would run his hands up and down their bodies as if he was applying bandages and checking for wounds.

The only problem I noticed with the game was sometimes

Music Thing rocks San Diego

turn it up

Isabella Place Staff Writer

The San Diego Music Thing could be considered a miniature version of Comic-Con, but for bands and artists. This two-day festival not only offers musicians (and related professionals) the opportunity to see more than 100 bands in 14 venues around town, but also offers mentoring panels for those interested in the music business.

Contained mostly in North Park, the main hub of action takes place at the historic Lafayette Hotel.

Conferences began in the morning, presenting topics ranging from songwriting, m a r k e t i n g your band and everything in between. Speakers included industry professionals to various musicians.

Several iconic speakers spoke about their past experiences and divulged opinions about the current state of the music industry.

The panel which featured Chuck D, founding member of Public Enemy, not only entertained the audience with stories of his band’s rise during critical times, but also emphasized the importance of how cities would have better radio stations if the stations played at least 40 percent local artists on air. Chuck D said doing this would greatly increase any band’s potential for national or even global success.

Nightlife was also a major portion of the Music Thing’s event calendar with most bands performing after 7 p.m.

Logistically, it’s smart to have a

strategy for venue and barhopping during the evening hour events.

Maps and schedules were provided for your convenience, but winging it added fun to the night, allowing attendees to stumble upon new bands and artists. Taking place mainly in the heart of North Park, more than half of the bars such as Bar Pink, U-31 and The Office were w i t h i n walking distance, but a few others including the Casbah and Tin Can Alehouse

san diego music thing logo

required a cab ride or a lift from a designated driver.

Though Soda Bar and Eleven are further down El Cajon Boulevard than the bars in North Park, it’s an easy walk from one to the other because they are only a few short

Maps and schedules were provided for your convenience, but winging it added fun to the night ... blocks apart. The close proximity of the venues added to the overall experience of the festival.

Performers included San Diego legends Pinback, Gregory Page and Get Back Loretta. Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge also played host to a number of acoustic artists such as Josh Damigo and Colin Clyne. Dance fiends Jamuel Saxon lit up Sunset Temple Room Saturday, and Blackout Party blew the roof off U-31 Friday. There are too many performers to name, but it’s undeniable all of them were top quality.

The real beauty of the festival was the all-access badge (or bracelet), which granted barhopping privileges without paying a cover at each location.

This was an effective system, allowing patrons to enjoy various bars and venues, even if their intentions were not to attend the festival.

This well-organized event gave newcomers to San Diego a taste of the music scene in one of the most talked-about neighborhoods in town. This is not Gaslamp, but a casual experience with real talent, where patrons were able to seriously rub elbows with some upcoming artists. If you’re thinking about starting a band, are ready for the next step in your musical career or simply enjoy going to music festivals, be sure to catch San Diego Music Thing.

Players will encounter a variety of dangerous enemies, such as hulking suits of mechanized armor.

mission objectives were overly vague. We nearly failed the mission at one point when an enemy tank appeared and we were tasked with luring it back into an artillery strike. We had no idea this meant to literally run away as fast as possible until one of the developers came and told us. Another particularly hilarious moment occurred when my team had to make it to the helicopter extraction point. We all crowed up on the exact spot the mission

courtesy of trion worlds

objective showed the helicopter would be, only to have it land atop three of us, killing us in the process.

Overall, my time at the Trion Worlds booth playing this game was one of my best experiences at PAX Prime. With the constantly changing PvE world, a whole array of PvP fights and unparalleled gunplay, there are plenty of reasons to show Crytek your war face when this game releases in the U.S.

Humble Indie Bundle offers games and aid Donors receive a pack of independently developed games for their charitable contributions Kevin Smead Entertainment Editor

The Humble Indie Bundle, which kicked off its sixth installment yesterday, is already off to a great start. The Humble Indie Bundle is a group of games available in a single pack for a pay-what-you-want price with proceeds benefitting whichever cause you decide. The games included in this sixth bundle are “Rochard,” “Shatter,” “S.P.A.Z.,” “Torchlight,” “Vessel” and if you pay more than a certain amount, “Dustforce.” From a Diablo-style role-playing game (“Torchlight”), to interesting puzzle-platformers (“Rochard,” “Vessel”), this bundle carries the legacy a high quali-

select from three categories: developers, charity or the bundle’s organizational team. You can choose to give to all three, just one or in whatever combination you desire. The Humble Indie Bundle team suggests a rough 60-25-15 split, with the majority going to developers, and the rest divided between charity and the Humble team, respectively.

The charities involved are the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which defends free speech and open access to the Internet, and Penny Arcade founders’ charity, Child’s Play, which provides video games for sick children in hospitals across the globe.

The bundle runs for two weeks, beginning yesterday, and always raises a large sum of funds. Past games included “Psychonauts,” “Cave Story+,” modern horror classic “Amnesia:

It’s worth noting all games are DRM-free, meaning there are no usage restrictions, and are combatible with a variety of major platforms such as Mac and Linux. ty from previous installments.

It’s worth noting all games are DRM-free, meaning there are no usage restrictions, and are compatible with a variety of platforms such as Mac and Linux.

The most important aspect of the Humble Indie Bundle is financial. With the ability to pay as much (or little) as you want, you can decide where all of your proceeds go. You can

The Dark Descent,” “Super Meat Boy!” and countless others worth far more than the Bundle’s meager base asking price. With major donors including Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson, the Humble Indie Bundle is continuing to make a big impact in an even bigger way. Go to humblebundle.com to contribute and support two great causes: charity and independent gaming.

OPINION

Wednesday September 19, 2012 the daily aztec

Escape Facebook’s grasp

W

Madison Hopkins

ho knows you the best? If you make a mental list, it would probably include family and maybe close friends, not an online social networking community. Unfortunately for Facebook’s 955 million monthly active users, this is no longer the case. Facebook has steadily increased its access to private information, releasing it to outside companies. It’s common to find a “Login with Facebook” button on a multitude of sites to let our “friends” know what we’re doing. Our entire existence can be recorded and reported on a single website specialized in sharing every detail of what we post online. It has left me, along with others, asking how we can limit sharing our personal information only with the people we choose to.

Recently, Facebook added new features and regulations to its evergrowing online empire, allowing even more invasion into our private lives. In an attempt to combat cyberbullying and help those in severe emotional distress, Facebook announced its suicide prevention strategy, in partnership with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. With this new policy, users can report when someone posts a seemingly suicidal comment or status. Then the Facebook user will receive an email urging him or her to seek help. It’s clearly a wellintentioned policy and, if utilized correctly, could greatly benefit those in need. However, this new strategy means someone can be constantly

surveying your online activity for potential suicidal keywords. I’m not entirely convinced that in the midst of a suicide attempt, an email would do much to aid the situation. It might even go unnoticed in the midst of the larger crisis.

Facebook doesn’t limit itself to life or death situations. It now allows for an increase in targeted advertising on users’ pages. Previously, ads were targeted based on online activity and “likes.” Now, Facebook allows online advertisers to cross-reference records to personalize advertising content for consumers. Now, not even checking the little box at the end of your online shopping experience to avoid advertisements from the store can help you. Facebook has allowed them into your newsfeed and your life.

I’m not a fan of being bombarded by past, and possibly regretted, shopping decisions. Nor do I approve of my personal information being shared without my consent in an online environment teeming with identity theft and hackers.

Facebook even takes it upon itself to fight crime, with staff and technology on hand to monitor online chats for potentially illegal behavior.

This is primarily meant to observe the conversations of possible sexual predators. I commend Facebook for its proactive stance on online sexual harassment, but I still cannot help feeling violated by someone snooping into my private conversations. Even if the chances of someone actually

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reading my conversations are slim, I still think before I share personal and potentially embarrassing information in my supposedly confidential chats.

The final straw in my disillusionment was the denial of anonymity in my favorite Facebook activity: stalking. When I log in, I generally start off with an innocent scan of my newsfeed. Eventually this escalates into a full-blown investigation of the current happenings in an ex-boyfriend, new friend or random person’s life. Does this make me sound kind of pathetic? Probably. But you’d be lying if you said you don’t also do

it. Unfortunately for us profile stalkers, our covers may soon be blown.

Facebook now shows which users have viewed group and event pages.

Unless you want everyone to know you’re checking out who is going to the party you weren’t invited to, you better steer clear of those pages. My real concern with this new policy is where it stops. If Facebook has taken these steps in the wrong direction, it may not be long until someone is notified every time a user looks at his or her profile.

Despite all these new regulations and the seemingly constant com-

plaints about relentless changes, Facebook is still growing. According to Digital Buzzblog, one in 13 people on Earth use Facebook. It seems the growing animosity hasn’t driven many people away. It comes down to a simple fact that no one is making you join if you don’t want to. So I now have to make a choice: deactivate the account I made so many years ago, or learn to share my personal information with everyone, including Facebook employees. Maybe it’s time I took my own advice and made the deactivation leap to save whatever privacy I have left.

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Wednesday September 19, 2012 The Daily Aztec

The top 5 worst football fans Chris Blakemore Graphics Specialist

Fall is my favorite time of year. The days are getting shorter, leaves are turning a brilliant shade of spraytan orange and the country is once again inundated with a familiar pack of rabid beasts. I’m talking, of course, about football fans.

Don’t get me wrong. Football is one of my favorite sports, but the overly obsessed varieties of pigskin fans are what make me shake my head in a state of confusion normally reserved for girls who wear Ugg boots with shorts. To analyze every type of football fan who gets on my nerves would take more than my allotted word count, so I’ll list my top five football fanatics who need to chill out. #1. Overconfident Jersey Wearer This is the guy who bases his entire sense of masculinity and bravery on how well the guy whose name is on his jersey is performing on the field. “What?

Ray Rice just scored a touchdown?

Well, let me hold the front of my no. 27 jersey with the thumb and index finger of each hand and tout my undeserved sense of accomplishment to others around me, even though I didn’t actually do anything except buy this jersey from J.C. Penney.”

Congratulations, you’re pathetic.

#2. The Body Painter This guy can fall on either end of the fanatic spectrum. He’s either a 400-pound fat guy with an eating problem or a 180-pound frat guy with a drinking problem. There’s no in between. He prides himself on displaying his nipples of steel to thousands, nay, millions of viewers throughout the country. But his saucer-sized areolas aren’t enough.

He needs to cover his torso with at least three coats of his team’s colors to properly convey his fan pride.

All this guy needs is a front row seat and a can of Krylon. Oh and an intervention. #3. The Too-Hard Tailgater This guy shows up at the game four hours early in his lifted truck the size of a parade float so he can proceed to drink Coors Light until his liver bleeds. The only problem with this, other than cirrhosis, is by the time kickoff rolls around, he’s passed out in his seat. All that pregame partying and nothing to show for it except a clouded memory of being hammered on a Sunday morning. The combination of beer and adrenaline is like a Kardashian marriage: it’s only good for a few hours. #4. The “We” Guy This guy is my favorite. Most often heard on morning sports talk radio, this guy fancies himself as an

integral part of his favorite team’s coaching staff. “What we need to do is keep Wes Welker in the slot position, which allows us the quick post pattern when we’re in third and short. We’ve looked good in practice all week and if we perform on Sunday, we’ll get the W.” Of course, when the team loses, “they” should have played better. #5. Other Team Jersey Wearer A distant cousin of the “Overconfident Jersey Wearer.”

This guy shows up to a football game wearing the jersey of a team not even playing. This isn’t a concert where it’s frowned upon to wear the T-shirt of the band onstage. At a sporting event, it’s required you wear the jersey of one of the teams on the field. When you go to a Foo Fighters concert wearing a Wilco shirt, you’re cool. When you go to a Broncos vs. Chargers game wearing a Texans jersey, you look ridiculous.

To be fair, anyone wearing a Texans jersey looks ridiculous.

These are just a handful of the many types of football fans gracing the bleachers of American football stadiums every Sunday. Some are more annoying than others, but they all have one thing in common: They are in love with the greatest sport this country has to offer. Now, get me a beer and a can of body paint.

We’ve got a game to win.

HOROSCOPE

by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services

Today’s Birthday (9/19/12) - It’s a very auspicious time for making plans and priorities. Domestic life and career expand this year with steady growth. Education and research flourish, especially after fall. Friends and family remind you what’s important.

Share the love.

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 5 - Hold back on spending, and don’t get cocky.

Go slowly and steadily to prevent breakage.

Don’t get into a fight with your mate over preferences. It’s not worth it.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 - You and a co-worker clash. Patience and discipline are required. Use the awkward moment as another learning experience.

Change the appearance of the package.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 6 - Circumstances shift, so use this to your advantage. Work progresses nicely, but may require a compromise. There could be a tough lesson involved. It’s useful.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 Say hello to your creative muse. Your energy’s all over the map. Rather than trying to rein it in, discover where it takes you. Take notes.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - Work and romance collide, and something you try doesn’t work, but you’re stronger for the effort. Get outside and move your body to let your mind rest.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 - A romantic misunderstanding or barrier could

turn into a new possibility. Establish new accounts and watch profits grow. Beware of spending money you haven’t collected.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 6 - Don’t throw away something you’ll want later; its purpose comes to you. Be forgiving for your own foolishness and grateful for your abilities. Move quickly to increase sales.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the future. You have everything you need to move forward, so take action. A bump in romance makes you stronger.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 5 - You may want to postpone trying out a new idea until tomorrow. Handle mundane tasks now with ease. Balance your checkbook.

Tell friends you’ll see them later.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Try a new tactic with an artistic touch.

You don’t have to start from scratch. Add an emotional hook. Let a partner lead, so you can take it easier.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - Exceed your own expectations.

Work flows well, but it could interfere with romance. Avoid creating upsets that you will later regret. Let your partner choose the destination.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 - Study trends and listen to considerations.

Private concentration is productive. Learn from a recent loss. Grab a good deal. Be careful not to break anything. Old familiar love is best. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

SUDOKU

LOOKING THROUGH OUR LENS:

by The Mepham Group, Tribune Media Services

Difficulty Level: 3 out of 4 Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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Staff Photographer Thomas Skov

Black Light Party captured students as they danced

the night away at the annual Aztec Night’s Black Light Block Party.

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Across 1 1983 movie about a taxi company 6 Place for a sala 10 Home on the range 14 Kukla’s dragon friend 15 Israeli weapons 16 Optic layer 17 Leader for whom Houston’s airport is named 19 Really tired 20 Highlands honey 21 Narrow-bodied river fish 22 Intrinsically 23 Christmas __ 24 “The Chimpanzees of Gombe” writer 27 Fixed, in a way 29 Farm feed item 30 Salon supply 31 Saloon orders 32 Hot tub reaction 33 Bit of background in a Road Runner cartoon 34 “Superfudge” novelist 38 Nick and Nora’s pooch 41 Cold War agcy.

42 Shell propellers 45 Starfish arm 46 WWII craft 47 Not a good thing to be at the wheel 49 Pro Football Hall of Famer nicknamed “Crazylegs” 53 Traffic cops gp.?

54 Maxim 55 Do lunch, e.g.

56 Speaker with a .345 career batting average 57 Stallion feature 58 TV series that first aired 9/23/1962 whose family shares first names with 17-, 24-, 34- and 49-Across 61 Henry VIII’s fourth 62 Verdi slave 63 Squander 64 Ponies up 65 Office furnishing 66 Some McFlurry ingredients

/ Daily Aztec

by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com Down 1 Zigzag hole feature 2 Chop chopper 3 __ held: in few hands, as stock 4 Snob’s affectations 5 Avoid, as an issue 6 Like many Miamians, by birth 7 Clear blue 8 Girl sib 9 Campfire remains 10 Like ice or dice 11 Run-of-the-mill 12 Spotty condition?

13 Kneecap 18 “I say!”

22 Patio planter 24 Savior in a Bach cantata 25 Purpose 26 Interstate H-1 locale

28 __ vu 32 “Modern Family” network 33 Square food?

35 Salt sprinkle 36 Himalayan myth 37 Dance in a pit 38 Visitors center handout 39 Zoe of “Avatar” 40 Abuse of power 43 Flower for one’s honey 44 Foreknow, as the future 46 Caustic stuff 47 Part of a Molière comédie 48 Avoids an F 50 Arches with pointed tops 51 Oboist’s supply 52 Noted vowel seller 56 Nicholas II, e.g.

58 Wee bit 59 Hotfoot it, old-style 60 Pair