Sustaining organic options
THURSDAY September 22, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 16 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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SDSU’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT N E W S PA P E R SINCE 1913
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SPORTS
ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR
Arturo Garcia staff writer The first Green Lunch Bag Series event of the semester was a success, according to Morgan Chan, Associated Students’ sustainability commissioner. Despite the reception of this AS initiative, another of Green Love’s movements seems to be getting the red light. “It was exciting to see every seat full with quite a few students taking seats on the floor,” Chan said.
A “Go” for Green Bags GLBS, a program hosted by the Green Love Sustainability Advisory Board and San Diego State’s Center for Regional Sustainability, offers free monthly organic luncheons. The program’s purpose is to educate students, faculty, staff and administrators about issues pertaining to sustainability. According to Chan, professionals join the conversation by speaking about sustainability in their own fields of expertise, including topics ranging from sustainable energy to health and nutrition. “Sustainable might sound like New Age jargon, but college students are embracing the idea of food grown locally with ecologically sound and seasonally sensitive methods,” Bruce Horovitz wrote in an article for USA Today.
Yet as clubs such as Green Love are extending its knowledge and embracing sustainability, the rest of SDSU’s students don’t seem to be as welcoming, especially as sustainable foods challenge their financial sustainability.
“We need to go beyond the San Diego region,” Melchior said. Last summer, Aztec Shops began to sell cage-free eggs on campus. The commitment was expensive, according to Melchior, and cost the not-for-
“They keep telling us they want lower prices and better value. They’re not telling us they want organic.” Paul Melchior, SDSU director of dining services Aztec Shops expresses concerns At A.S.’s first semester meeting, Chan presented Green Love’s challenge for Aztec Shops: To have them sign a commitment to have the store’s produce be 20 percent “real food” by 2020. According to Paul Melchior, SDSU’s director of dining services, the “Real Food Challenge commitment” consists of four requirements: Genetically Modified Organism-free, locallygrown, humanely produced and organic food. Melchior said most, if not all, of Aztec Shop’s produce is GMO-free. He also said Aztec Shops buys local when possible, yet feeding in large volumes and having an average of 30,000 customers per day makes it challenging.
profit corporation $20,000 per year, but egg prices were not raised to students because of the change. Having all organic produce is the toughest request, according to Melchior. “If the campus community wants to buy all organic and are willing to pay extra then that’s what we need to provide,” he added. According to Melchior, the University of California, San Diego has signed the commitment. Yet UCSD has a different operating module than SDSU and Aztec Shops’ operation. Aztec Shops, functioning primarily as an auxiliary of the university, cannot sign for the university. Melchior also said SDSU has a different student base.
“They keep telling us they want lower prices and better value,” Melchior said. “They’re not telling us they want organic.” Four years ago, Aztec Shops made its salad bar 100 percent organic. The food was labeled organic and thereafter students were asked about the change: For 95 percent of students polled, the change was not important. After a semester of apathy, more money was invested in having prime rib and more seafood. Melchior said he does not know what percentage of its produce is currently organic, but he is confident it is less than 20 percent. “We are a not-for-profit organization and 100 percent self-funded so we are not able to commit to covering the extra cost to provide organic at no extra cost to the customer,” he said. “We are here to present to you what you want to buy.” There are several “green” things currently being done without the need of a signature. Two years ago, Styrofoam was eliminated from campus, reusable containers were introduced to East Commons and all pre-consumer food waste on campus was composted as well as post-consumer waste in the dining room and faculty staff club. The next GLBS lunch will be on Oct. 12 and Aztec Shops will be participating in Food Day on Oct. 24.
SDSU hosts conference on reason Kevin Smead staff writer Last weekend, San Diego State hosted the first “Toward a Reasonable World: The Heritage of Western Humanism, Skepticism, and Freethought” conference at the Town and Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley. The conference brought together prominent figures from numerous fields to deliver papers and present about a wide variety of topics, ranging from the forms of unbelief and its origins, to modern interpretations of these varying schools of thought.
Chair of the department of religious studies Dr. Rebecca Moore organized the event along with Dr. Robert Tapp, the current faculty chair and dean emeritus of the Humanist Institute in New York. The three-day event covered a wide swath of intellectual ground, focusing on themes of science, society, religious belief and nonbelief. The conference was held in part to honor the birthday of Michael Servetus. He was a 16th century Spanish scholar and theologian executed in 1553 for his published treatise rejecting the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
see Reason on page 2
SDSU gets ready for a big game in “The Big House” this Saturday
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E N T E R TA I N M E N T “Detective Dee” falls woefully short of of a whodunit classic.
F E AT U R E S
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The second time I realized I was addicted to my smartphone was when the power went out. The Great San Diego Blackout of 2011 ... The first time I realized it was an extremely useful thing ... I figured out the only thing functioning on it was Twitter. B A C K PA G E
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W E AT H E R : PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH: 78 LOW: 63 SUNSET: 6:45PM MCT Campus
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D A I LY
AZTEC Thursday, September 22, 2011
CAMPUS
International volunteering changes lives Bill Crotty news editor Students who recently returned from an international volunteer program have said their lives were changed by the experience, and every hour on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at State St. Grill, the International Student Volunteers organization will be holding informational meetings for students interested in making the next summer a little more exciting. “I traveled to Costa Rica in 2008 and it absolutely changed my life,” ISV campus representative Mitch Trevillion said. “I think all students should have the opportunity to travel and make a significant difference in communities and environments that need it most.”
The nonprofit organization sends students to seven different countries for volunteer work. The countries available through this program include the Dominican Republic, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Thailand. Students who travel to any of these locations will spend their first two weeks working in hands-on projects for social community development, such as improving the quality of impoverished villages, building houses for refugees and teaching children English. Another project area is on conservation, in which students may work with endangered sea turtles, elephants and dolphins, ecosystem rehabilitation or environmental education. Lauren Peterson, an SDSU student who went with the Australia program, said she would recommend the program to anyone.
“Traveling to Australia with ISV was the best experience of my life,” Peterson said. “We got to work in beautiful forests in Tasmania and see a ton of wildlife, explore Sydney, go white-water rafting and then scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef.” Students may also apply to receive academic credit through independent study for their participation in the program, as there is a strong educational element throughout the entire trip. ISV was started about 30 years ago, but has been taking students abroad for around 11 years. Its mission is “to combine education; conservation and recreation into the most incredible experience of a lifetime, while giving back to the local communities in the countries in which we are traveling.” More information about the program can be found at isvolunteers.org
Interacting with exotic animals is only one of the perks of volunteering. | COURTESY OF ISV
Restructuring committee members chosen Arturo Garcia staff writer Throughout summer, Associated Students conducted several meetings to present its restructuring plans. A lack of checks and balances on representatives, an overly centralized system and job overlapping were the main issues with the current structure. The new structure promises to decentralize the power, shifting and dividing it among four different spheres or councils. Yesterday, the A.S. council voted on a restructuring committee. The committee will be responsible for reviewing and discussing the preliminary bylaws drafted during summer, as well as come up with the rest of the bylaws
and functions of the structure, according to Arts and Letters Council representative Tom Rivera. “I was very fascinated and thought it was a great idea that we would be restructuring,” Jonathan Davidi, a representative from the Jewish Student Union, said. “Obviously there needs to be tweaks and that’s why we’ll have the committee.” The committee consists of 10 members, five college representatives and five organization representatives. Two elections were held to determine the committee’s members, one for each type of representative. A.S. members first nominated the college representatives, though self-nominations were also accepted. Most representatives nominated declined the positions though, and those who
Reason: Three-day event hosted by SDSU examines various forms of religious unbelief. Continued from page 1 After a Friday night kickoff and discourse given by Dr. Ronald Numbers of the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Creationism and its contribution to modern unbelief, the majority of Saturday morning focused on Servetus and his life, work and legacy. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the 18th century, with speakers including James Herrick, former editor of The New Humanist for more than 20 years. Topics included the British Enlightenment, as well as unbelief in early-modern France.
Saturday evening proved to be diverse, as alternatives to unbelief were discussed, including presentations from Unitarian Universalist minister Mark Harris and expert on AfricanAmerican religion, Dr. Anthony Pinn. More topics included atheism in the Romantic period as well as gender and American atheism. Sunday brought the conference into a modern and global perspective. Focusing on the 20th century to the present, there was representation from different parts of the world, such as India and China.
accepted became members of the committee by default. The college representatives who accepted and were instated on the committee are: Professional Studies and Fine Arts Council representatives Kristin Sword and Nick Warner, Business Administration Council representative Cord Claffey, Arts and Letters Council representative Elizabeth MacKinnon and Science Student Council representative Alex Arena.
During the summer, several groups said they were concerned about the small number of seats on this council that would be available to student organizations. The election for the five organization representatives who would join the AS council representatives on the board came down to a vote to decide between nine potential candidates. “Even though we ask you for what perspective you will bring to the committee, you aren’t solely representing
Two elections were held to determine the committee’s members, one for each type of representative. Tapp concluded the conference by speaking on the future of humanism, skepticism and freethought movements. When asked to define the terms, many of the presenters had varying definitions. “We jokingly say these things are like herding cats,” Tapp said. “They don’t organize well.” However, there were similar themes in their responses. “Humanism, skepticism and freethought affords us a way of thinking about and wrestling with what takes place in the world without safety nets,” Pinn said. “It makes us fully accountable and responsible for what we do, why we do it and how we do it.”
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“Humanism,” Herrick said, “is a kind of nonreligion with values.” British literary scholar Dr. Martin Priestman said, “I think the word atheist is all right and probably should be used, but I’m aware of the issues it raises. Free thought seems to me something hard for anyone to disagree with, but the truth is that it involves a lot of doubt of learned religious tenants.” As for the future of the conference, Tapp discussed plans to produce a book from the oral papers presented. The conference’s ultimate goal, he said, is to promote and foster a culture in which nonbelievers of all kinds can be open about their beliefs without fear of rejection and persecution.
that group,” Afrikan Student Union representative Channelle McNutt told the nominees. “You will be responsible for communicating with every single organization in the college council.” Before the actual vote, each nominee explained why they would be an adequate candidate and what perspective would be brought to the committee by their election. “I want to build an A.S. a lot of people would want to be part of,” Residence Hall Association representative Jasmine Henderson said. The elected organization representatives are: Davidi, International Student Association representative Ashley Pakozdi, Afrikan Student Union representative Brandon Williams, Asian Pacific Student Alliance representative Michelle Ong and Andres Bonifiacio Samahan Representative Ronald Halili.
The initial idea for the conference came from Dr. J. Gordon Melton, who is the director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion and distinguished professor of American religious history at Baylor University. Melton has been active in the field of religious studies for 40 years, authoring more than 40 different texts, including the “Encyclopedia of American Religion.” The conference was underwritten by the James Hervey Johnson Educational Charitable Trust, with cosponsorship from the SDSU departments of Religious Studies, Classics and Humanities, and Philosophy, as well as the SDSU Institute for Ethics and Public Affairs and The Study of American Religion, from Santa Barbara.
D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, September 22, 2011
SPORTS
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F O R E C A S T I N G T H E M O U N TA I N Name: Antonio Morales (17-3) Title: Sports Editor Prediction: Michigan, TCU, Air Force, New Mexico, Nebraska, Boise State, Colorado State, UNLV Quotable: “I’m not worried about these picks as much as I’m going to be worried for my life in Detroit this weekend.”
AT A GLANCE vs.
Name: Ryan Schuler (17-3) Title: Contributor Prediction: Michigan, TCU, Air Force, New Mexico, Nebraska, Boise State, Utah State, UNLV Quotable: “I dare Antonio to yell ‘Ohio State is the best’ at The Big House this weekend. Let me know how it turns out, Antonio.”
Name: Agustin Gonzalez (16-4) Title: Staff Writer Prediction: SDSU, TCU, Air Force, New Mexico, Boise State, Utah State, UNLV Quotable: “Beau Bearden”
WHEN: Saturday, 9 a.m. WHERE: Ann Arbor, Mich WHY TO WATCH: The Aztecs are looking to beat the Wolverines, who are now led by former SDSU head coach Brady Hoke. Hoke led the Aztecs to their first bowl victory since more than 40 years ago. Follow me @AntonioCMorales for live in-game tweets.
F O O T B A L L S TA N D I N G S Mountain West Conference Standings through September 22
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Name: Beau Bearden (103) Title: Contributor Prediction: SDSU, TCU, Air Force, Sam Houston State, Nebraska, Boise State, Utah State, UNLV Quotable: “This week’s quotable comes from a buddy of mine who shall remain anonymous, ‘Hoke is a joke, come to Effin’s.’ 3-D.”
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
S AT September 24 SDSU at Michigan, Portland State vs. TCU, Tennessee State vs. Air Force, Sam Houston State vs. New Mexico, Nebraska vs. Wyoming, Tulsa vs. Boise State, Colorado State at Utah State, Southern Utah vs. UNLV
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FOR SDSU FOOTBALL
Advanced Test Preparation
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Wins for SDSU this year
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Straight games won by the Aztecs
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Number of wins for SDSU against Michigan all-time
13
Wins for Brady Hoke while at SDSU
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Losses for Hoke as Aztecs’ head coach
114
Points scored by SDSU
65
Points given up by the Aztec defense this year
110,000 Fans who will be in attendance at Michigan Stadium on Saturday
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Score Higher, Aztecs!
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D A I LY
AZTEC Thursday, September 22, 2011
SPORTS
Aztecs focusing on Michigan, not Hoke
ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR
Antonio Morales sports editor Well it’s finally here. The game San Diego State football fans have had on their minds since Jan. 11, the day Brady Hoke was named as Michigan’s head coach. The game everybody except the SDSU football team has wanted to talk about for the last nine months. The game that will receive more media attention than any other Aztecs game this season. So much can be said about SDSU’s game against the Wolverines on Saturday. It’s been circled on calendars and been in the back of the minds of everybody on Montezuma Mesa for a while now. The Aztecs are traveling to “The Big House” only to see the man they once called coach, Hoke, on the other sideline. This is the main storyline in a game that is chock-full of them. Last year, Hoke led the Aztecs to their first winning season since 1998 and a Poinsettia Bowl victory. It was the first bowl win in 41 years for SDSU. Hoke, 52, seemed to have the start of something promising with the program, until he was offered his dream job at the University of Michigan. The former Aztecs coach spurned his team in favor of the maize and blue and is now seen as a perfect fit in Michigan. Hoke brought five of his assistants from SDSU with him to Ann Arbor. One of the assistants who didn’t leave was Hoke’s defensive coordinator, Rocky Long, who decided to take control of the head coaching position Hoke left vacant. Looking back at how the situation unfolded, Long said there are no bitter feelings between the team and Hoke. “After the initial shock of him leaving, I think the players were happy for him too. I don’t think there’s any vendetta, I don’t think there’s any bad feelings,” Long said. “I think our team is excited about playing them, but I
don’t think it has anything to do with coach Hoke. I think they’re excited about playing because they’re playing a top-25 in a great big stadium.” Although Hoke may be the main storyline, he won’t be lacing up a pair of cleats or donning the famous Wolverine winged helmet. Coaches coach and players play. It’s something that has been echoed by the team throughout the week. When asked what he’ll think when he sees his former coach on the opposite sideline, senior quarterback Ryan Lindley was quick to note that he will be paying attention to Michigan’s players, not its coach. “I don’t think I’ve ever looked at a head coach on the other team,” Lindley said. “I think you’re always checking out the 11 guys on the other side of the ball. You’re looking at people with helmets on, not anybody else.” Someone who will be wearing a helmet on Saturday for Michigan is junior quarterback Denard “Shoelace” Robinson. Robinson is one of the most electrifying playmakers in all of college football and is capable of slapping 400 yards of total offense on a defense with ease. Shoelace totaled 4,272 yards of total offense last year, and has been putting pressure on opposing teams with his arm and legs so far this season. It’s impossible for the Aztecs to practice for what they’ll see in the game from Robinson. At his weekly press conference Long gave insight into how hard it is to prepare for such a multi-faceted signal caller. “You can’t (simulate it),” Long said. “He might be the fastest football player I’ve ever seen in a football uniform. He’s as fast as any guy I’ve ever seen on a field. He plays really fast.” SDSU would rather have Robinson try to beat them with his arm, not his legs. No matter how he chooses to attack the Aztecs’ defense, assignment football will be critical in order to stop Shoelace. “You have to bottle him up,” senior linebacker Miles Burris said. “You can’t give him too much space, he’s just so explosive and quick and dynamic.
“I don’t think there s any vendetta. I don’t think there’s any bad feelings. I think our team is excited about playing them but I don’t think it has anything to do with coach Hoke.” Rocky Long, SDSU head football coach Everybody has to do their job on every given play and make sure that they execute.” Robinson won’t be the only exciting player to take the field on Saturday. SDSU has an electrifying playmaker of its own, sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman, who ran for 191 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win against Washington State. Hillman has started to get some Heisman Trophy buzz as of late and currently ranks second nationally, averaging 165.7 rushing yards per game. Even though the sophomore tailback won’t be playing directly against Robinson, Hillman is ready for the chance to compete against the Michigan quarterback. “It should be fun,” Hillman said. “A showcase of athletes. He’s a good player and I’m a good player. He’s
going to try to help his team win and I’m going to try to help my team win. It’s a competition, that’s what this game is about.” Hillman will most likely see his usual heavy workload on Saturday. Hillman’s former coach expects Hillman to give his new team trouble. “Ronnie’s a pain in the ass,” Hoke said in a previous interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune. Playing against former coaches and a star quarterback in one of the most hallowed stadiums in all of college football, in front of 110,000 people, would be enough to make any player emotional. But being overemotional and too hyped up is something the Aztecs will try to avoid. Even though this game might feel like it’s bigger than any other game,
SDSU’s best chance at winning will likely be if it treats the contest like every other and tries to play its best football. Hillman knows it will be key for him and the rest of the team to play within themselves and not try to do too much during the course of the game. “I just try to go out and play it like a regular game,” Hillman said. “I don’t want to get too excited and get too emotional. You have to play levelheaded and just go out there and play.” For more information about the Michigan game, check out thedailyaztec.com
SDSU is looking to beat Michigan and its former coach
L O C A L F O O T B A L L WAT C H PA R T I E S Those who have Cox Televisions or don’t have the Big Ten Network seem to be out of luck when it comes to staying in the comfort of their homes to watch the San Diego State football team take on Michigan. The game is set for a 9 a.m. local start and will only be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network, leaving about 500,000 local Cox subscribers in the dark when it comes to watching the game. Here’s a list of local establishments for those who can’t watch the game at home.
All American Sports Grill - San Diego phone: 619-296-9600 Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar - Encinitas phone: 760-753-6300 Bullseye Bar and Grill (Inside Black Angus) - San Diego phone: 619-563-5862 Effin’s Pub n Grill - San Diego phone: 619-229-9800 Hooley’s Irish Pub - La Mesa phone: 619-713-6900 Hooley’s Irish Pub - Rancho San Diego phone: 619-670-7468 McGregor’s Grill and Ale House - San Diego phone: 619-282-9797 The High Dive - San Diego phone: 619-275-0460 Woodstock’s Pizza - San Diego phone: 619-265-6900 Woodstock’s Pizza - Pacific Beach phone: 858-642-6900
D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, September 22, 2011
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
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‘Detective Dee’ dreadfully disappointing Andrew Younger senior staff writer In director Tsui Hark’s mangled historical-mystery-martial arts mess “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame,” contemporary politics overwhelm the tale of China’s first female emperor, ultimately making the society that created “Detective Dee” far more fascinating than the film itself. Set in 689 A.D. at a time when, much like today, large immigrant populations existed in China, Empress Wu Zetian (Carina Lau) works on her grand coronation ceremony despite various political factions’ disapproval of a female taking the throne. In one sweeping gesture to win hearts and minds, Wu orders the construction of a Buddhist statue created in her likeness. Symbolically told to a foreigner inexplicably dressed in Roman armor, one exposition mouthpiece explains that the 66-yard statue is tall enough to reach the highest planes of heaven. However, during an inspection of the statue, royal official Jia Yi (Yan Qin) spontaneously combusts. When the workers fear the fire is divine retribution against the female ruler, Wu is forced to recruit the titular Detective Dee (Cantonese pop star Andy Lau) to determine the cause of the also-titular phantom flame before it threatens the construction of the statue before the coronation. This leads Dee on an investigation that encompasses both the natural and the supernatu-
COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.
ral as he realizes, in hard-boiled detective fashion, that everything is not as it seems. Yet, the pacing for “Detective Dee” falls apart under a constant barrage of unnamed assassins that results in wire-driven fight choreography a la “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” that has become de rigueur for the East Asian martial arts genre alongside conspicuously mediocre computer-generated graphics. And while the beautiful non-CG cinematography added a sense of grandeur to the production, screenwriter Chang
Chia-lu artificially attempts to create an epic through the use of inflated numbers (including a never-seen advancing army of 100,000) that induce more eye-rolling than awe. An hour into the story, the film introduces shape-shifting as a plot device and effectively destroys any internal logic a whodunit mystery has to offer. With its rote martial arts routines and the nonsensical mystery plot, “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame” is far more interesting as a gender study for
contemporary China. Given the disparate ratio of boys to girls because of China’s one-child policy as well as the Chinese government’s heavyhanded censorship, the idea of a major film about a female leader and the conflicted feelings it causes Dee and the workers fascinates more than any immolation scene. With didactic lines such as, “One cannot be conservative in state matters” and “Reform is good,” delivered by Empress Wu, the audience can feel that heavy hand reshaping public opinion one frame at a time.
However, those collections of frames add up to a film that is too joyless to be a popcorn movie and too incoherent to be taken seriously. For more information visit releasing.indomina.com/detective-dee.
Movie: DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY PHANTOM FLAME Distributed by: WARNER BROS. Directed by: TSUI HARK Release Date: SEPT. 23 Grade: D+
D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, September 22, 2011
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‘Deus Ex: Human Revolution’ dominates Eidos Montreal delivers a killer sneakoriented action title Cody Franklin contributor In a world where terrorists attack regularly, humanity replaces limbs and organs with machines and a world-renowned biologist is about to shake the foundation of human evolution while also breaking hearts, what’s a half-robot half-man badass crime-fighting corporate security officer supposed to do? That’s exactly the question the new shoot-andsneak game “Deus Ex: Human Revolution” is asking. A prequel to the critically acclaimed “Deus Ex,” released in 2000, “Deus Ex: Human Revolution” was released in August to a sea of rabid fans and critical acclaim. For good reason: “Human Revolution” is quite possibly the best game to be released in the last three years, if not longer. Taking place in the year 2027, players star as Adam Jensen, exSWAT officer and now head of security for Sarif Industries, who is one of the leading developers of “human augmentation technology.” While human augmentation is propelling human capability to new heights, not everyone is so keen to see augmentation run free. The resulting struggle between “purists” and “augs” is critical to the game’s storyline. Adam’s seemingly cushy job sitting behind a desk watching security cameras all day quickly escalates
MCT CAMPUS
after his brilliant biologist ex-girlfriend, who also works at Sarif Industries, discovers a major breakthrough in human augmentation. Adam quickly finds himself neck-
with an arsenal of powerful augmentations, or abilities, that allow Adam to take on challenges most humans would never be capable of. As players progress through the game,
Choice is perhaps the game’s greatest strength ... players don’t have to kill anyone if they don’t want to; in fact, there’s an achievement for that. deep in conspiracy, corporate espionage, terrorist cells and more. Human augmentation is a huge part of the game: players are armed
Adam levels up frequently and is awarded “praxis points” that can be used to unlock and activate many new augmentations. The new abili-
ties allow Adam to easily lift heavy objects such as vending machines (and to throw them around), turn invisible for several seconds, hack into computers to bypass security and more. Players who prefer a more direct approach have access to everything from 10 mm pistols, gatling guns, stun guns and tranquilizer rifles. Players who like to avoid combat can simply sneak around obstacles with a very well-crafted stealth system, further helped by incredibly well-designed levels that allow for many different pathways to a single objective. Choice is perhaps the game’s greatest strength. In an industry where games like “Call of Duty” force
players into linear paths and particular choices, Human Revolution celebrates freedom. Players don’t have to kill anyone if they don’t want to; in fact, there’s an achievement for that. Adam can bust his way through a door and shoot his way to the objective, or perhaps sneak through the air vents. Adam could even trick the guards into moving away from the door in the first place. The game is littered with little tidbits of information about the game’s universe that make it feel like a living, breathing place. Newspapers tell players about the latest in game events, PDA’s with short novels give players glimpses into the virtual society and there are always opportunities to overhear non-player characters telling secrets Adam was never supposed to hear. The only thing one could really complain about is the graphics for the game aren’t quite as sharp and sophisticated as expected. Some of the textures are rather low quality and many of the NPCs have facial animations that seem robotic, and not because they actually are part robot. However, slightly dated graphics are a small price to pay when every other aspect of the game is so incredibly well crafted. With a fantastic storyline, riveting gameplay, a huge variety of personal choice and a universe fleshed out better than almost any other game, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a must-buy. While Adam might not have asked to be made more than a man, anyone looking for a spectacular new game is definitely asking for “Deus Ex: Human Revolution.”
Read Courtney Rogin’s preview of this weekend’s Two Door Cinema Club show at House of Blues at:
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D A I LY
AZTEC Thursday, September 22, 2011
E N T E R TA I N M E N T TURN IT UP
KCR Radio reboot brings Beirut lifts itself refreshing new content to new heights
THINKSTOCK
Samantha Hirsch contributor When KCR College Radio first launched in 1969, life was a bit different for the average San Diego State student. Instead of protesting state budget cuts, students passionately protested the Vietnam War. Instead of attending music festivals, such as Indio’s everpopular Coachella and San Francisco’s Outside Lands, students flocked to Bethel, N.Y. to take part in the three-day music mecca known as Woodstock. Forty- two years have passed and KCR has experienced its fair share of changes. To reach a wider audience, the radio station relaunched earlier this semester, introducing a new array of topics including news, music, sports and entertainment. It also provides
substantial, up-to-date reporting of events around campus. Students are offered a wide variety of programming seven days per week, 24 hours per day. While getting ready for class, students can tune into the morning news program, “The Wake Up Call,” which airs for an hour at 9 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. For students who can’t roll out of bed before noon, KCR offers another news program every Wednesday from 6 to 6:30 p.m. called, “Today at State,” hosted by Julie Willis and Bethany Weisberg. To feed the athletic addiction, listen to the two-and-a-half hour block of sports programming, starting with “Aztec Nation” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. followed by “Sports Zone” from 8 to 9 p.m. every Monday and Thursday.
Josh Hoffman, general manager of KCR, cohosts the shows on Mondays and Thursdays. As for entertainment programming, it’s no surprise KCR has an abundance of gossip to dish. Instead of watching Blair and Chuck on Gossip Girl every Monday night at 9 p.m., tune into a real gossip girl (and boy) on “The Goods.” Got class on Monday nights? Get a hearty helping of “The Juice” every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. But for those real entertainment fiends, listen to KCR on Tuesdays which are jampacked with entertainment shows. Starting with “Celebrity OD” from 4 to 5 p.m, “The Weekly Squeeze” from 7 to 8 p.m. and the provocative sex talk show “Between the Sheets” from 9 to 10 p.m. Of course, KCR is not lacking in the music programming department either. “New Play Tuesday” from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays features emerging artists. Music show “Monster Mash” is on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Hosts J.T. Katavich and Jaron Degen have run the show together for the past three years. And throughout the day, KCR plays all different types of musical genres for listeners. In an industry dominated by multinational corporations, KCR is fighting to bring quality radio programming back to the SDSU community. Most importantly, it’s run by students, for students. Interested in becoming a part of KCR? Want to listen to fellow students (and future famous disc jockeys)? Visit kcrlive.com.
Connor Cox contributor Beirut has triumphantly returned to the indie rock scene with its new album, “The Rip Tide.” Although Beirut isn’t even close to gaining the success Arcade Fire has achieved, the band’s profile has risen greatly since 2007. In fact, this summer lead singer of the Strokes, Julian Casablancas, wanted to catch a glimpse of the Beirut show which caused the band to be 20 minutes late to its Bonnaroo show. It’s pretty obvious why Beirut was worth the delay: It’s one of the few bands doing its own thing and no one else sounds anything like it. “The Rip Tide” begins with a more cheerful energy than the band’s previous work, which seems to be symbolic of its return from hiatus. The first 15 seconds of the opener, “A Candle’s Fire,” sound like a lost accordion player trying to find the direction of the song before eventually transforming into a beautiful track. This gives the listener a promising notion for the rest of the record. Beirut has kept its traditional romantic European sound while adding more substance to each track. Songs such as “Santa Fe” and “East Harlem” have catchier compositions similar to “A Sunday Smile” from the sophomore album, “The Flying Club Cup.” But the album doesn’t quite meet its maximum potential until the title
track “The Rip Tide,” which is complemented by “Vagabond.” These two songs reveal the level of maturity the band has gained, while other songs begin as if they’re going to drag on without a climax. The last song, “Port of Call,” begins with a humble acoustic chord progression which is greeted halfway by a friendly trumpet section that enhances the rest of the track. Returning listeners of the Santa Fe, N.M.-based collective may feel sold short after only one listen, but “The Rip Tide” is a record that grows on the listener after a few rotations. While it’s disappointing that there are only nine songs on the album, each listen will provide something new to discover. “The Rip Tide” is now available on CD, vinyl, and digital download.
The Rip Tide Beirut
COURTESY OF POMPEII RECORDS
D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, September 22, 2011
BUSINESS & FINANCE
9
Alum inspire at happiest place on Earth
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Graduates explain job designing coasters for Disney Sofie Casillas staff writer After years of aspiring to work for the imaginative world of Disneyland, Scott Sabens and Dylan Olson were both given the opportunity to live their dreams as Disney engineers. “I always wanted to work in the amusement park industry but I never thought that I would be working for Disney as an Imagineer so soon out of school. It’s been a dream come true,” Sabens said. During their junior year at San Diego State, Sabens and Olson participated in
the ImagiNations Design Competition where they designed a ride based on the Disney-Pixar film, “The Incredibles.” Last year, they won the semi-finalist title, meaning their journey stopped after the competition. After a long year of contemplating whether to enter the competition again, they both decided to give the dream another shot. Their task in this year’s competition was to “design a unique, diverse and creative experience that maximizes enjoyment for guests.” This year, the two-man team won the finalist title for their unique ride concept “The Curse of Mythica Mine.” This ride was a thrilling adventure through the dark and abandoned caves of Mythica Mine. Their idea wasn’t inspired by any Disney film, but was based on myths
and folklore from the old west days of the Gold Rush. “We developed a hybrid enhancedmotion vehicle roller coaster ride experience that subjects riders through a series of exciting thrills,” Sabens said. The one-week process of creating the “The Curse of Mythica Mine” involved a lot of teamwork and time from the SDSU team. “Together, we came up with the concept, designed the ride system and layout, developed the story of our attraction, and built the models. I drew most of the artwork, but besides that it was a mutual effort,” Olson explained. Because the competition was only to enhance students’ imagination and creativity, the rides were not showcased or built at any of the Disneyland
theme parks. However, after being part of the final six teams, Sabens and Olson were granted an interview for the opportunity to participate in an internship as Disney engineers. “I started (the internship) in February of this year and since then I have probably worked on about 15 to 20 different projects. Our office is very fast-paced,” Olson said. Since beginning his internship, Sabens has workied at Disney California Adventure creating “Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree,” a ride inspired by the Disney-Pixar film “Cars.” This attraction will be located in the allnew Cars Land and will be open to the public by next summer. Another task in his internship has been to build and test the new Red Car Trolley that will run along California Adventure and Buena Vista Street, through the
Hollywood Pictures Backlot, ending at the Tower of Terror. “This attraction, along with the new main entrance design, will bring the excitement and romance of Los Angeles as Walt Disney himself saw it when he first arrived to California to begin his adventure,” Sabens said. Sabens and Olson, who are still interning for Disney, said they have learned many new things and hope to extend their stay. They encourage any SDSU engineer student to compete in ImagiNations. “It was one the most memorable, eye-opening, overwhelming and exciting weeks of my life. You will never know the meaning of allnighters until you start designing an attraction, but it is a great opportunity,” Olson said.
Site entices culinary moguls on a budget MOGL’s gamelike methods bring deals to diners Amy DeVito staff writer In a society where supply and demand reign, the essential elements of dining, money and advertising revolve around consumer needs. The relationship formed between business and customer should fall in perfect harmony , creating a stable profit for the supplier and a satisfied loyal patron. Luckily, a useful new tool has been introduced, acting as an accessible link to bountiful benefits in the dining world. Mogl.com is a new website establishing long-lasting bonds to help accelerate businesses, while offering unbeatable deals. Acting as the liaison between both sides of the market, Mogl.com uses psychology, technology and gaming mechanisms rather than memberships or coupons to encourage consumers to eat at their favorite restaurants. Through the creation of a fun and interactive game, the company aspires to have the nation’s population dine out more regularly to help boost the restaurant industry. “Typical coupon sites and daily deal companies offer restaurants a ‘steroid’ approach that helps to inflate their business quickly, but only temporarily,” cofounder and CEO of MOGL Jon Carder said. “Instead of jumping on that crowded
COURTESY OF MOGL.COM
bandwagon, MOGL is offering a more enticing alternative that keeps customers coming back for more, while promoting healthier, longterm success for businesses.” So how does it work? Free, safe and secure: All that is needed to utilize MOGL is a wallet and an appetite. Simply go to the website, register and apply a credit or debit card to the account. As soon as the registration process is finalized, members will begin to
“... MOGL is offering a more enticing alternative that keeps customers coming back for more, while promoting healthier, long-term success for businesses.” Jon Carder, cofounder and CEO of MOGL
receive 10 percent cash back on their recognized cards every time they decide to eat at participating MOGL restaurants. The company is linked with a wide variety of eateries, from hole-in-the-wall cafés to five-star lounges. Participating restaurants can be found by searching the website or downloading the application available for smartphones. Similar to the concept of Groupon, LivingSocial or Foursquare, this company seeks to involve more people with its go-to hot spots by competing for the title of “The MOGL.” By earning this title, the winner has the opportunity to win a MOGL “jackpot” cash prize. This jackpot is established by consumers and participating establishments of MOGL. Every time users swipe their cards while dining out, more money is added to the jackpot. Earnings are equivalent to 10 percent of the collected cash back earned by MOGL members each month. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of this site is its coalition with Feeding America San Diego, which assists those who are not able to afford their own meals. Each time a MOGL member spends more than $20 at a restaurant, a meal is donated to someone in need. This website is San Diego-based as cofounder and president Jeff Federman, a San Diego State alumnus, works to build a strong foundation for this growing business. With a membership base growing exponentially each month, Mogl.com is proving to be an enjoyable way for people to eliminate hunger in their communities and in themselves.
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D A I LY
AZTEC Thursday, September 22, 2011
BLOG
Aztec Appetite: How to love your server Jennifer Bowman blogger Here’s some food for thought that might be difficult to swallow — you’re probably rude and difficult when you go out to eat. Maybe you don’t realize those annoying little habits of yours at the dinner table — texting, refusing to eat anything that’s touched tomatoes, complaining about pricing to an entry-level employee — but it makes people’s jobs way harder than it needs to be. “So what?”, you might be thinking. You’ve probably never waited on tables if you’re thinking that. It’s not as easy as it seems. Servers are often serving up to 20 people at a time and constantly running around trying to keep everyone satisfied. Those who are exceptionally demanding — and especially rude about it — well, their demands are often put on the backburner. There’s the cardinal rule some often forget: don’t mess with people who handle your food. (Ever seen “Waiting?”) The better you treat your server, the better the server will treat you. And a dining experience with good service is what you went out to eat for anyway, right?
Here’s some tips on how to love your server, so you can get that love right back.
1. Treat your server as a human being. If your server says “hello,” and you say “Coke,” you’ll probably get a subtle cold shoulder for the rest of the night. Remember your server is not a robot or computer taking your order, he or she is someone working — to pay bills and/or support a family. Treat them as such. That includes being patient, understanding you are not the only table in the server’s section and yes, like Mom always said, treating them how you would like to be treated.
2. Communicate want.
what
you
“Oh, you wanted a booth?” Don’t wait to be taken to the back of the restaurant to a table with chairs — say something. If you tell your server your preferences ahead of time, the chance of them being met are more likely. It’s common sense really, but you may be surprised that people who don’t like pickles get upset when they show up on their burger — when they didn’t communicate that to their server. (By way, at that point, don’t send the burger back — if you’re not allergic, take them off yourself and enjoy the burger. No one likes a fussy person!)
3. Tip accordingly. $5 on a $25 or $30 check is acceptable. $5 on a $120 bill is a slap in the face. As previously mentioned, servers are working to support themselves. They are often paid minimum wage — less than that in some states — and usually the tips are what pays the bills. Unless your service was downright horrendous, leave at least a 15 percent tip. Loved your server? Repay him or her with 20 percent. Remember this important fact: a server’s sales are considered when he or she has to pay taxes, with the assumption that he or she is not receiving 5 percent tips. If you cannot afford a 15 to 20 percent tip, there’s probably a Subway down the street where you should go. Don’t go out to eat if you can’t follow this rule. If your table was more demanding than the usual — small children, a lot of modifications to the order — reflect that in your tip.
4. Don’t camp out. Of course, you can sit there and let your food settle, but don’t sit at the table for an extra hour after finishing your meal. An employee can serve another table within an hour and possibly make a $20 tip. For these servers, often college students or just another person trying to get by, that extra table can make their night. Don’t take money away from them.
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JAM: New soundtrack celebrates Pearl Jam Trenton Villanueva blogger Last month marked the 20th anniversary of one of the best albums of all time, Pearl Jam’s seminal debut album, “Ten.” Released in August 1991 and featuring songs “Even Flow,” “Jeremy” and “Alive,” “Ten” remains Pearl Jam’s most commercially successful release; jumpstarting the band out of Seattle’s grunge scene and into mainstream popularity. Today you can enjoy Pearl Jam’s newest release, “Pearl Jam 20,” the accompanying soundtrack to the forthcoming Cameron Crowe documentary celebrating Pearl Jam’s 20year career. Unlike other “best of” compilations, the 28-track “PJ20” consists entirely of live tracks, rarities and demos that are actually reflective of the band’s decade spanning career.
MCT CAMPUS
“PJ20” opens with five live versions of songs off its debut album, including “Release,” the last track off of “Ten,” and “Alive” and “Black,” two of the three first songs vocalist Eddie Vedder wrote lyrics to before joining Pearl Jam. “PJ20” also features songs from Pearl Jam’s other albums. “Vitalogy,” “Yield,” “Binaural,” and the band’s latest studio release, “Backspacer.” The highlights of “Pearl Jam 20” are also the most biographical. The track, “Crown of Thorns,” is a live cover of Mother Love Bone, the Seattle grunge band guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament were in prior to Pearl Jam. Mother Love Bone disbanded after the death of lead singer Andrew Wood, who died of an overdose. “PJ20” also includes “Say Hello 2 Heaven,” a song written as a tribute to Wood, performed by the band Temple of the Dog, which
included members of both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Another great track on “PJ20” is “Walk With Me,” which features Neil Young. This song’s inclusion not only reflects Young’s influence on Pearl Jam, but also is representative of the time Pearl Jam spent as Neil Young’s backing band during the recording of Mirror Ball. The last track on the album is a great live version of the song “Better Man,” which was originally written by Eddie Vedder while in the band Bad Radio here in San Diego. While many hits and memorable songs are missing from this album, “Pearl Jam 20” is perhaps a better reflection of Pearl Jam’s 20-year career than any of their previous compilations. It also contains enough rarities to appease even the most dedicated fans.
Healthy U: Sleeping with the enemy Wash your pillow in hot water at least twice a month (check your pillow for washing instructions so you don’t have to suddenly replace it). Consider getting a mite-resistant or hypo-allergenic pillow (synthetic pillows aren’t any better than feather ones). Wash all bed sheets weekly. Dust and vacuum the area around the bed (at least there!). Keep your room cool.
Dasha Sakharova blogger “Good night, baby.” “Good night, sweetie.” “Good night, Hughes.” What? You think you are alone in bed? Think again! Every time you implant your face onto your pillow, you are making out with millions of multi-legged creatures— Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes—who call your bed their home. Dust mites are microscopic organisms who reproduce nonstop. They usually inhabit your sleeping quarters, feed on your dead skin and defecate everywhere. They love moist and humid environments – the kind you create under yourself when you sleep. To top it all off, chances are you are allergic to them. These furry cuties eliminate protein as you sleep, and if you have even a mild allergy to dust, you produce antibodies to fight off the allergen. Your system then
To read more of The Daily Aztec blogs, visit thedailyaztec.com. Follow the bloggers on Twitter: @HealthyU_SDSU and @Jenn_Bowman. THINKSTOCK
releases histamines that cause the irritating stuffed nose and itchy eyes in the morning (to name a few upper respiratory symptoms). But just changing bed sheets and a pillow cover isn’t going to get rid of the dweller.
Mites cause more harm to you and more often than you realize, even if they are completely invisible to the naked eye. They live and die deep in your pillow leaving behind tons of feces – which means they continue to be a nuisance even in your fresh
Tide®-washed and Downy®-softened sheets. Did I convince you to take a second look at your bed-cleaning techniques? Here are five ways you can get rid of dust mites and improve your health:
Blogs include: Aztec Appetite, JAM, Lil Budget Corner, Paqui, Healthy U and DA Style.
D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, September 22, 2011
CLASSIFIEDS HOUSES FOR RENT
HELP WANTED
SERVICES
The Boys and Girls Clubs of East County is currently hiring recreational aids working directly with youth in our community. For more information visit us at www.bgcec.org or e-mail your resume to sal@bgcec.org
Free Party Buses / guest list every Thursday - Saturday. Going to clubs in downtown. PB and SDSU pick ups. 21+ Contact (424) 247.3270.
$850 mo. 600 sq. ft. unfurnished studio with fireplace and large yard. Three blocks from downtown La Mesa. Utilities and cable free. No pets. (619) 988-0775.
Tutors wanted for algebra, geometry, calculus, chemistry, physics, biology, English, and Spanish. Scripps Ranch area. 2:30-8:30pm, flexible hours, $40/3 hours. (858) 705-3342.
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12
D A I LY
AZTEC Thursday, September 22, 2011
B AC K PAG E
HUMOR
HOROSCOPE
Blacked out of service he first time I realized I was addicted to my smartphone was when I went a week and a half without it. It was excruciating. I had learned to love it, to hold it close to me, to cherish its existence and never let it go. And then, all of a sudden, it was gone. I was forced to use my ancient enV2. There was no Internet access. I couldn’t go on Facebook. I couldn’t tweet. I could only dial out and listen to my old ringtones. I was forced into nothingness. I sat on my lunch breaks at work staring off into the distance because I just didn’t know what to do with myself. I was without my one lowly form of entertainment. It was during one of those lunch breaks, while I was spinning around on the chair in the back room, when I realized how absolutely pathetic I was. “I might be addicted to my phone,” I thought to myself. But then I backtracked. “Hayley, you’re not really addicted to your cell phone. That’s ridiculous. You’re embarrassing yourself.” When I thought about the real world and its problems, such as famine, water shortages and who designed Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress, I couldn’t believe myself. I couldn’t believe what I was actually thinking. I thought about all the times I had been lectured by my parents and grandparents about how it was so unbelievable that I couldn’t put my phone down during a meal and how they survived just fine without them when they were my age. So, I began to rationalize. It’s not that I can’t put it down. Maybe what’s going on at this dinner table just isn’t interesting enough. Or maybe I just found pictures of Lindsay Lohan’s sister’s new plastic surgery-ridden face and I need to look at it. But whatever. I’m not even embarrassed. I’m part of Generation Y. All we do is talk about celebrities and complain about being uncomfortable in our own skin. We get bored with things every five minutes and if it doesn’t glitter in the sunlight or if it isn’t made out of hard, bulky, white plastic we don’t want anything to do with it. We sit in front of our comput-
T
Hayley Rafner contributor ers, we play “Call of Duty” and we illegally download music. That’s the way it unfolded. Technology advanced, and here we are to take full advantage of it. Our minds and bodies are willing and able to be molded into this new lifestyle. Instead of trying to fight it and claim we can sit down with a good book and be just fine without our computers and iPods, why don’t we all just embrace it? Let’s not use it to pass around sex tapes or anything. Let’s use it for good. Like passing around videos of a cat playing the piano or your 6-year-old brother yelling the Fword repeatedly.
sonous snake monsters to come slithering up the automatic walkway (think “Snakes on a Plane”). But they didn’t. It was just a power outage. A giant one, but still just a power outage. And for the next seven hours, there were no computers, no television, barely any phone calls and very sporadic texting. There were no streetlights, there were no stoplights and there was a ton of traffic. There was a lot of waiting, not enough flashlights and warnings via emergency radio broadcasts that residents should all start boiling tap water. The first time I realized it was an extremely useful thing that I was addicted to my smartphone was when I figured out the only thing functioning on it was Twitter. And soon enough, I had a crowd of peo-
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (9/22/11) An older person offers a partnership. Temptations for excess threaten your self-discipline, so compromise to stay balanced. Unexpected expenses could arise, and a little preparation goes a long way. In general, this year brings financial stability. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 Write down what you want and the logical steps to get it. Come up with a tagline, and words that clearly express the heart of your concept. Let your brilliance out of the box. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 Stick to the rules and routine, especially this morning. Handling old tasks provides clarity, peace of mind and relief. Harmony and happiness grow with great music. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 Ask your friends for tips on how to save money, and reap a bounty of creative ideas. Review your budget to apply the best ones. An antique plays a part. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - Even if someone questions your judgment, it doesn't mean they're right. Respectfully separate out the gold, and take notes. Make your own choices, and keep your promises. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 6 - If you focus on the limitations, you'll be limited. Listen through all the white noise for a solution that serves you well. Do your share of the work, and call for reinforcements. VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 -
BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES Don't start until you're ready (but don't keep folks waiting, either). Review the steps to take. Spend time with friends, but keep to the budget. Creative writing flows. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 Consider new opportunities where once there were none. Focus on what's real (or at least on what you believe to be real). Set your old fears down for a while. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - New doors appear in unusual places. These doors may very well open by themselves, but you have to show up to trigger the sensor. Ask for what you want. Say "yes." SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - Rediscover your sense of humor over the next few days, as you assume more responsibility. Accept well-earned acknowledgment, and enjoy some philosophical reading or discussion. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - As Bob Marley would say, "We don't need no more trouble. What we need is love." Whenever you're confronted or worried today, focus on what you're passionate about.. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - There's nothing you can't endure by using your mind and your muscle, with a dash of intuition. Common sense wins over hardheadedness, so be willing to step aside rather than push. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 It's not a good time for romance, but be nice anyway. A practical partner guides. Draw three things you want. Dream big. Then play big and go for it. ©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
When I thought about the real world and its problems, such as famine, water shortages and who designed Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress, I couldn’t believe myself. Sometimes I’m kind of embarrassed that, as a culture, we’re so reliant on this technology. I like to remind myself that there was a time without it. But there isn’t really a way around it now. The second time I realized I was addicted to my smartphone was when the power went out. The Great San Diego Blackout of 2011 (I just coined that phrase). I was at work when the power went out, in the middle of walking my coworker to the front door, when all of a sudden a pop, and then darkness. I made my way out the door and every other mall employee around was slowly creeping out, with the most oblivious “What the hell is going on?” look on their faces. Immediately — and maybe this is because I’ve seen 38 too many bad end-of-the-world horror movies — I waited for some alien spaceships to fall out of the sky (think “War of the Worlds”), a giant tentacle to come slamming through the AMC Theatre (think “Cloverfield”) or a bunch of poi-
ple around me while I read tweets from San Diego Gas & Electric and local NBC News anchor, also the only person I have ever been starstruck by, Susan Taylor. At that moment, when all I had between myself and the outside world was a tiny computer in the palm of my hand, I felt completely justified in every situation when I was ridiculed for constantly being on my phone. I realized our technology-obsessed generation finally did some good. And, for once, we did something other than telling people Abercrombie & Fitch paid the “Jersey Shore” cast to stop wearing its clothes. So, I felt really cool to be part of Generation Y. I felt this sense of accomplishment because, even though I was totally suffering without technology for seven hours, I could one day tell my children about this mess and how I was an active participant. And then, I summed up exactly how I felt in less than 140 characters and tweeted about it.
S DS -V I E W
Ballin’ Photo Editor Antonio Zaragoza captured a shot of these SDSU basketball players taking it easy off the court in preparation for another dominating Aztec season.
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PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed in the written works of this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Letters to the editor can be sent to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Story ideas can be sent to tips@thedailyaztec.com.
BY THE MEPHAM GROUP, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
SUDOKU
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. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudokudragon.com Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
/ DailyAztecvideo CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Clips for trailers 7 Fridge incursion 11 Triangular sail 14 Kia model 15 Dagwood’s pesky kid neighbor 16 Japanese salad ingredient 17 Daffy trying to hit the piĖata? 20 Campfire remains 21 It originates from the left ventricle 22 Pops 23 “Garfield” waitress 24 Detective Spade 25 Survey response at the farm? 33 Stows in a hold 34 x, y or z 35 Many a Louis 36 Supplies for Seurat 37 Sends regrets, perhaps 39 Entry in a PDA 40 Maui strings 41 Waterfall sound 42 Not at all good at losing? 43 Tom fooler? 47 Only reason to watch the Super Bowl, some say 48 Like a pretentious museumgoer 49 Plane parking place 52 Mountaintop home 54 Likely result of failing a Breathalyzer test, briefly 57 Loosey’s cakemaking aid? 60 Dedicatee of Lennon’s “Woman” 61 Jazz singer Laine
BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 62 Blanche Dubois’s sister 63 Place with presses 64 It may be a peck 65 “Mustn’t do that!” DOWN 1 Fizz in a gin fizz 2 PC “brains” 3 Make quite an impression 4 Beat back? 5 Boards at the dock 6 Strauss opera based on a Wilde play 7 Flat bread? 8 “M*A*S*H” actor 9 Currency-stabilizing org. 10 Thingamabobs 11 Hirsch of “Numb3rs”
12 Picked from a lineup 13 Shampoo ad buzzword 18 Shah’s land, once 19 New ewe 23 Brain freeze cause 24 Juanita’s halfdozen 25 Leverage 26 17-syllable verse 27 Slugabed 28 Green Bay legend 29 Abbr. on food labels 30 Adrien of cosmetics 31 Small woods 32 Bad-check passer 37 Acuff and Clark 38 Actor Mineo 39 With skill
41 Scapegoat in some downhome humor 42 Downs more dogs than, in an annual contest 44 “Get Smart” evil org. 45 Shirts and skirts 46 Mass leader 49 Visibly wowed 50 Chincoteague horse 51 Sufficient space 52 Sits in a wine cellar 53 Inflatable items 54 Shoulder muscle, for short 55 Bing info 56 Writer Dinesen 58 Bulldog booster 59 Shatner’s “__War”