11-30-2011 by The Daily Aztec

Gardener sees life’s green side

WEDNESDAY November 30, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 51 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M

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OPINION

Occupy protest is more interested in change than leadership. COURTESY SDSU

Ani Araya staff writer With colored roses blooming underneath vibrant yellow, flowered trees and exotic succulents enriching the Mediterranean Garden, San Diego State transforms from the stressful environment found inside the classroom into a piece of paradise, cultivated by well-kept vegetation. Who is the green-thumbed magician making SDSU a lush oasis for students? He would be the last one to admit it, but Virgilio “Benny” Apar has been one of the groundskeepers responsible for the upkeep of the university’s natural beauty for the past 28 years. “I can’t take all of the credit for the gardening and maintenance done at SDSU, because I am not the expert,” Apar said. “I am just trying to learn as much as I can about the craft.” Apar’s genuine roots of humility are evident in his appreciation for his SDSU Grounds Maintenance Staff coworkers. Apar’s unwillingness to receive the credit for his beautiful accomplishments on campus reveals the modesty of his character. The truth is, Apar has gone above and beyond in fulfilling the expected duties of an SDSU gardener. Apar’s daily routine ranges from minor jobs, such as picking up trash, to the more

F I N A N C E B E AT

prominent tasks, such as designing the layout of the landscape and choosing the specific plants to landscape with. When complimented on his tasteful eye for horticulture, Apar shyly smiled. “It’s what I love to do,” he said. Originally from the Philippines, Apar immigrated to the United States in 1978. Apar almost didn’t make the move because of his job and family in the Philippines. However, his brother, who was living in San Diego, pressured him to take the risk. Apar said it was one of the biggest decisions he has ever made. “I called my brother to tell him I wasn’t going to leave my life I had in the Philippines,” Apar said. “He called me crazy, and I had to admit he was right.” Apar studied horticulture at the University of the Philippines, and was working at a government agency as a horticulturist before embarking on his journey to the U.S. During his first few years in San Diego, Apar worked as an electrician to establish a stable life for his wife and three children. His heart remained in the field of horticulture and, when the electric company he worked for was sold off, Apar took the opportunity to pursue his passion. According to Apar, he came across the SDSU groundskeeper job by

Stocks update Stocks opened higher Monday on renewed faith in European leaders to get a handle on the European debt situation. The DJIA surged 2.59 percent to 11,523, the NASDAQ gained 3.5 percent to 2,527 and the S&P500 rose by 2.9 percent to 1,192. The yield on the 10-Year Treasury Note remained unchanged at 1.96 percent. Gold also added a few points to settle at 1,713. Yesterday morning’s stocks were trading flatly in general. The Dow was up four points 11,527, the NASDAQ down five points at 2,521, the S&P500 fell .7 points at 1,191. The yield on the

complete happenstance. On the way to an appointment with an employment agency, Apar walked into the wrong office. However, he immediately took note of an advertisement on the bulletin board for a gardening position at SDSU. The rest is history. Almost three decades later, Apar

“During this time of year, I leave the roses alone to rest,” Apar said. “I schedule the exact date of pruning to ensure the roses are in full bloom in time for graduation in the spring.” Whether or not Apar is willing to believe it, his appreciation for natural beauty has transformed the face of SDSU.

“I couldn’t imagine life in

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

a cubicle, and not being able to enjoy the sun or knowing if it was raining outside.” Virgilio “Benny” Apar SDSU groundskeeper SCIENCE & T EC H N O LO GY has performed miracles for SDSU. The gorgeous landscape from Hepner Hall to the Extended Studies department building is Apar and his coworker Scott’s work. When asked what his favorite area to maintain was, Apar referred to the rose garden in the middle of Campanile Mall. He described the treatment he performs on the classic flower with a nurturing touch one would give to his or her children.

10-Year Treasury Note rose slightly to 2.01 percent. Data taken from Monday’s close and Tuesday’s open on Wall Street. Tax overhaul could increase education funding An article from The Huffington Post last week reported on a new taxation and finance plan for California that would increase funding for K-12 schools and higher education. The Think Long Committee for California, led by Nicolas Berggruen, plans to submit to initiatives to the 2012 ballot that would decrease income taxes at every level, as well as corporate taxes. Taxes would increase for services such as

His plan to retire next year will be a loss for the campus, but it can be expected his legacy will be cherished by the SDSU community. The gratitude is mutual for Apar. “Sometimes, I look up at the engineering department building and wonder what would have happened if I was still working as an electrician,” he said. “But I couldn’t imagine life in a cubicle, and not being able to enjoy the sun or knowing if it was raining outside.”

haircuts, getting an oil change and legal advice or services. “Nearly one half of California’s $2 trillion economy is composed of services – none of it taxed,” Berggruen and Nathan Gardels, who is also an adviser to the Think Long Committee, said. The plan is said to allocate an additional $5 billion to K-12 schools, and another $2.5 billion to higher education. Nicolas Berggruen is also the chairman of the Berggruen Institute, a nonpartisan think tank with a mission devoted to “the study and design of systems of governance suited to the new and complex challenges of the 21st century.”

– Compiled by Chet Galloway, staff writer.

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Please don’t tell me you stood outside Target for three days with tents, portable TVs and endless supplies of pinwheel pork rinds. If you are this person, I cannot associate with you. B A C K PA G E

W E AT H E R : PARTLY SUNNY HIGH: 67 LOW: 47 SUNSET: 4:42PM

D A I LY

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T

A L L T H E W O R L D ’ S A S TA G E

‘Lydia’ captivates with moving intensity SDSU’s latest dramatic production sells out opening night David Dixon staff writer On paper, “Lydia” may sound like a feelgood story about a mysterious stranger who helps a dysfunctional family learn the importance of love and togetherness. Thankfully, the show is not that obvious in its handling of emotions or plot developments. Instead, “Lydia” is a gripping and wonderfully intense drama about a family living in extremely close quarters, yet they are secretive and disconnected from one another. Ceci (Chanel Lucia) is a 16-yearold girl who suffers from permanent brain damage resulting from a car accident. Eventually, her mom hires a maid, Lydia (Samantha Manjarrez), to help around the house. Lydia’s arrival leads to shocking revelations about what happened during the evening of Ceci’s car crash. The ability to connect with the plot requires a leap of faith. Though Ceci is nonverbal and severely disabled,

she is somehow able to communicate with Lydia. Lucia and Manjarrez are so convincing in their roles, their relationship appears to be authentic and credible. Every cast member gets a moment to shine, but Lucia’s performance is unbelievably effective. As Ceci, she is virtually on stage every second of both acts. The physical movements she makes are always convincing. Her delivery of lengthy, beautiful soliloquies gets to the center of her character’s soul. It is a brave role that requires a lot from Lucia. She is more than up for the challenge of making every moment count. There are some small flaws that should be addressed. Opening night at the Experimental Theatre was sold out, which rarely happens during a grand opening at San Diego State. The seats were comfortable, but the structure of the theater made it hard to find a seat without someone blocking part of the stage. It does not take away too much, but it can be difficult to see certain parts of Ryan Grossheim’s extraordinary scenic design. Also, the title itself is flawed. “Lydia” may be an important character, but she is not the protagonist. It

would make more sense if the play were titled “Ceci,” because it is ultimately her journey the audience embarks on. “Lydia” contains very dark material. While the first act is only occasionally tough to stomach, the second is consistently heartbreaking, as the inhabitants seem to be digging themselves in too deep. Even the maid, who would usually be the saintlike moral of reason in another narrative, commits some unforgivable sins, and is hiding some personal information of her own. The beauty is that the play’s author, Octavio Solis, gives the most unsympathetic humans, such as Ceci’s brutal father and her troublemaking brother, opportunities to show signs of love and tenderness. Solis clearly believes all individuals are multidimensional, and that in the bleakest of times, compassion will never truly die. “Lydia” is an evocative experience, and another highlight of SDSU’s season of plays and musicals under the self-assured direction of Peter James Cirino. Tickets and information about “Lydia” can be found at theatre.sdsu.edu.

COURTESY OF ZWINK PHOTOGRAPHY

U P C LO S E A N D P E R S O N A L

Future Islands discusses its touring success William Cashion: I listened to Smashing Pumpkins when I was younger. I also liked The Cure, David Bowie and Devo. Gerrit Welmers: Growing up I listened to a lot of punk rock and metal, but I usually don’t listen to anything when I record.

Connor Cox staff writer Future Islands is an upcoming postwave band from Baltimore that has embarked on a five-month U.S. and European tour in support of its latest record, “On the Water.” Before its San Diego show, band members Samuel Herring (vocals), Gerrit Welmers (keyboards) and William Cashion (bass) took time out of their busy schedules to speak with The Daily Aztec.

The Daily Aztec: You are halfway through your tour, have you sold out most of your shows? Sam Herring: I think we sold out the last four or five dates. We’ve played a lot of new cities on this tour. It’s good to play shows in areas that don’t get many big acts or even small acts. It’s cool to play in cities like Omaha or Santa Fe, and to see an audience who knows the lyrics to our music.

DA: So what do you do for inspiration, Gerrit? GW: I look in the mirror a lot. (Laughs) DA: If you had to describe your sound to an audience that had never listened to Future Islands before, how would you describe it? WC: Too noisy for new-wave and too p**** for punk. (Laughs)

COURTESY OF WE ARE SOLID GOLD

DA: When you record an album, what do you listen to? SH: I actually listen to some weird things. In the last year I’ve gotten into older folk from the ‘20s and ‘30s. I listen to a lot of old jazz, some

world music and Ethiopian jazz as well. West coast underground hiphop was also a big influence when I was a kid, and even till this day.

DA: I hear a lot of David Bowie in

your music. SH: I listen to no David Bowie. I actually think David Bowie is a real genius, but I’m not really a fan of his music. I don’t dislike his music; I’m just not really a fan.

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

DA: Are there any future plans in the works? Do you see Future Islands becoming more prominent in the indie scene? SH: That’s a hard question because it’s difficult to predict. We’re going to continue making music that we love, but there’s no telling what happens.

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Number of shows Future Islands has sold out on its current tour

Members in Future Islands

345

Miles to Glendale, AZ, Radiohead’s closest U.S. tour stop

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Gross domestic sales for the movie industry so far this year, in billions

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Average price of a domestic movie ticket this year

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D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, November 30, 2011

OPINION

Aztec Water is best bottled water at SDSU isposable plastic water bottles are probably the stupidest product ever to give birth to a multibillion dollar industry. The idea — expending enormous energy to enclose the same fluid coming out of your sink in petroleum products just to ship it across states or countries and sell it for hundreds of times the price of tap water — has never made much sense to me. Now that I have gotten that disclaimer off my chest, I can admit there are situations for which it is prudent to have individually packaged, mobile units of water on hand. For example, 6,000 free water bottles were given out to students living in the residence halls and emergency personnel at San Diego State during the boil water advisory, following September’s power outage. Water bottles are also handy for athletics and special events. San Diego State’s own Aztec Water brand has been used for all these purposes. The university’s signature water brand seems to be the most popular on campus, but few of us have stopped to wonder where that

Randy Wilde staff columnist water comes from. According to the Director of SDSU Dining Services, Paul Melchior, Aztec Water was born about 10 years ago for the purpose of enhancing school pride and as a less expensive campus alternative to Pepsi’s bottled tap water brand, Aquafina. And being distributed by nonprofit Aztec Shops, all surplus revenue from bottle sales is redirected back to the university. In addition to its value as an emergency water source, the university’s label is probably the most energyefficient plastic water bottle producer I know of. Aztec Water is collected locally at Palomar Mountain by Moceri Food and Beverage Inc. and then trucked to Commerce, near Los Angeles, for bottling. The spring water is treated with UV rays and ozone techniques. Chameleon Beverage Co., which handles the packaging, recently began using 100 percent recycled plastic, at the request of SDSU Dining Services. Aztec Water’s sourcing, transportation and bottling practices make it by

The university’s label is probably the most energy-efficient plastic bottle producer I know of ... Aztec Water’s sourcing, transportation and bottling practices make it by far the most environmentally friendly brand ...

ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

far the most environmentally friendly brand, if plastic bottles are the only option. Big brands such as Dasani, Aquafina and Fiji are incredibly inefficient and environmentally destructive by comparison. These factors aside, I think the pride of having our own brand, not to mention the price difference, makes Aztec Water the most popular brand at SDSU. So if you insist on buying water bottles on campus, Aztec Water is definitely the way to go. And at the very least, you can reuse or recycle the bottle after you’re finished. However, with so many places to fill up reusable bottles, it makes more

sense to buy a refillable bottle at the SDSU Bookstore. Our campus is full of water fountains, and students are encouraged to fill up at any Dining Services restaurant using the soda fountain machines or at the water spigots in the Aztec Markets. The hydration options are also set to expand with upcoming projects. The new cutting-edge Aztec Student Union will include filtered bottle-filling machines. And the planned renovations to the University Towers dining facility will include more fountains. Increased visibility of water-filling stations, as well as more convenient

recycling bin locations, would help increase the sustainability of the campus water landscape while these projects are underway. It’s easy not to think about everything that goes into bringing your water to you, but a little planning and effort from students can help SDSU keep its place on the cutting edge of waste reduction and intelligent campus consumption.

RANDY WILDE IS AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY & CONFLICT RESOLUTION SENIOR.

Gay homecoming couple is giant leap for SD f there’s one thing I’m proud of at San Diego State, it’s the open-mindedness of our campus to the gay community. Recently, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender major was created at SDSU to study the ins and outs of the gay community, gay life and gay rights. SDSU also hosts a thorough collection of gay and gayfriendly clubs and organizations, and not to be outdone, also added the rainbow flag to its flagpole in support of equality and acceptance. I consider what has been accomplished at our school in the last few years truly unrivaled; that is, until I read about Rebeca Arellano and her girlfriend Haileigh Adams, who were crowned the first-ever lesbian homecoming king and queen at

Heather Mathis staff columnist Patrick Henry High School. Apparently San Diego is the place to start creating change, because these two young ladies, with the support of their fellow classmates, have taken one huge step toward equality and widespread acceptance and even made national news. That Friday night pep rally in October may very well have been the best night of these girls’ lives, and Arellano’s Facebook page certainly shows it. Nearly 1,000 friends and hundreds of wall posts have been posted congratulating, thanking and praising the amazing statement these young girls and their

supportive classmates have made for the gay community as a whole. On Nov. 1 Arellano posted on her Facebook page: “I would really love to reply to every message or wall post, but that is impossible. So, thank you everyone for your kind words and encouraging messages. It feels amazing to know that so many people support us and what we’re fighting for. Although I can’t respond to every message, I do read every single one, and they definitely make me smile. So thank you PHHS students for giving Haileigh and I this unforgettable experience.” Despite the slew of hate mail from around the country sent to the school and the ladies themselves, PHHS staff and administration fully support the outcome and all that it means. San

Diego City Schools Superintendent Bill Kowba told Los Angeles Times the adults displaying criticism against these young girls are “demonstrating such a lack of tolerance and are presenting such a negative role model for children with their hateful comments.” I couldn’t agree more. This is a generation of change, a generation of acceptance and differences. We are not our parents’ generation, and that is exactly what makes us unique. There was a time when an AfricanAmerican was not considered a person. There was a time when women could not work, vote, act, write or escape the stereotype of barefooted and pregnant in the kitchen. There was a time when it was taboo to have a man and a woman of different ethnicities date, marry or bear children. Today is no longer that time. We

live in a different time and these young girls, not yet women, are making a more sensible statement than many adult public figures these days. Gay is in and no one is going to stop it. It’s not a trend and it certainly isn’t something your kids are going to learn from school or hanging with the wrong crowd. This old-school, traditional way of thinking is barring the open-mindedness of those who resent the lifestyle of those such as Arellano and Adams. This is no new lifestyle, but now it is in your face. It is in the media, the military, the government, the school systems and it is quickly becoming the norm that people who fear change have tried hard to suppress. But I’m not buying that anymore. Thank you Arellano and Adams and Patrick Henry High School students: Together you all have made a nationally recognized statement and put us all one step closer to establishing the equality everyone deserves.

HEATHER MATHIS IS A JOURNALISM JUNIOR.

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D A I LY

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OPINION

No need for leadership in evolving ‘Occupy’

MCT CAMPUS

ccupy Wall Street is entering its third month and is showing no signs of slowing. But as this unexpected milestone passes, we must reflect on what the movement has actually accomplished. The Occupy Wall Street movement began in New York’s Zuccotti Park on Sept. 17, in response to a call for political action by the magazine Adbusters. Since then it has spread internationally, with Occupy demonstrations in cities around the world. However, doubts remain regarding Occupy’s goals and how effective it has been in meeting those goals, whatever they may be. If the goal was to spark a debate about economic inequality, the movements have been resoundingly suc-

Leonardo Castaneda senior staff columnist cessful. News media mentions of economic inequality have increased 500 percent since the movement started. The growing wealth gap is at the forefront of our national discourse. Perhaps more concrete was the retreat by Bank of America from its planned $5 monthly debit fee after Occupy–led protests. This was an important victory, but hardly a crushing blow to megabanks. These victories are minor compared to what those inside the movement consider their most important achievement. They have managed to reject media pressures to issue specific

demands or anoint a leader. If Occupy’s victories are hard to quantify, its failures have been glaring. Characterizing protesters as hippies without goals or jobs is nothing new from an often hostile media. But recent vandalism and violence by fringe radicals has cast a cloud over the whole movement. The fact that most of the injured have been peaceful protesters hurt during police raids has been largely ignored. Most notorious of these is Iraq veteran Scott Olsen, who was hit by a police projectile during a protest in Oakland and fractured his skull. These incidents have been largely ignored by commentators eager to characterize protesters as thugs and criminals. But the most damning criticisms of the movement have come from those

on the political left who are weary of the movement’s lack of leadership or clear direction. Many marginal supporters of the movement are now reluctant to sympathize with protesters who appear unable to be controlled. If only someone would step up to lead, some think wishfully, they could take control of the movement. So what would an ideal leader of the movement look like? First, he or she would be an Ivy League-educated community organizer, bridging the gap between liberal intellectualism and activism. They would embody upward mobility, being independently wealthy despite coming from a lowermiddle class family. Of course, this wealth must be acquired through benign means, such as royalties from a bestselling autobiography. To appeal to minorities he or she should have a mixed ethnic background. They must also appeal to immigrants, so at least one of his or her parents should be a first–generation immigrant. They should be old enough to lead, but young enough to still “get it.” And finally they must have some political experience to give them legitimacy, maybe with a couple of years in Congress. Sound familiar? The established left doesn’t want a leaderless movement pushing for broad economic and political change. It wants Barack Obama 2.0 to rally Democrats and sweep them into electoral victory next year. Clearly, pinning all hopes on Obama alone didn’t work. The left’s obsession with finding yet another charismatic leader to follow reveals the short-term memory of a goldfish. It ignores the fact that real political power isn’t held by one individual in the White House,

but by the 535 members of Congress. Here we run the danger of entering into the Tea Party-esque “impeach them all” mentality. If Congress is the problem, throw them all out and start once again. However, focusing on electing friendly Congress members is pointless when they are going to enter a system built to corrupt them. Rather than fantasizing about a Congress comprised of brand new, supportive representatives, Occupy is focusing on making the government we currently have respond to the needs of the people. So if Occupy doesn’t care about leaders or electoral victories, what exactly do the protesters want? The movement’s unwillingness to issue specific demands seems to suggest they don’t know. But despite debates about specifics, many of the things protesters want have been clear from the start. Foremost is economic equality by taxing the rich and closing loopholes in the tax codes allowing multibillion dollar companies such as General Electric to pay nothing in taxes. Second is ending undue corporate influence in politics by eliminating corporate personhood and overhauling the campaign finance system. What we need is clear. Now it is up to our elected officials to do their jobs and determine what exactly must be done to carry out the will of the people.

LEONARDO CASTANEDA IS AN ECONOMICS AND JOURNALISM SOPHOMORE.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Gamer Girls play up the glam in geekdom Kambra Potter staff writer Since their inception in the mid1970s, video games have developed into a culture that consumes the pastime of millions of people across the globe. Just as games have changed throughout the past few decades, so have some associations with gaming culture. However, the link between gamers and nerd-like behavior is ever present, especially in regard to female gamers. The Gamer Girls group is attempting to enlighten the world’s perception of such gamers. Created in 2005, TGG’s website, thegamergirls.com,s began as an online forum. Its initial vision was to beat the stigma associated with female gaming. The site attempts not only to break the stereotype, but also establish the concept that girls who play video games are no different than their male counterparts. “There are a lot of female gamers out there,” model coordinator Chelsea Lynn, better known by her gamer handle, Rainbow Blast, said. “They just need reassurance.” Statistics from the Entertainment Merchant’s Association show 40 percent of all gamers right now are female. The EMA also states 46 million American households have a console video game system, and 67 percent of American households play computer or video games. According to these statistics, the average game player is 34 years old and has been playing games for about 12 years.

According to the EMA, consumers spent $10.5 billion in 2009 in console, portable and PC gaming software. TGG’s website serves as a safe online community where gamers, females and males alike, can chat about anything related to the “nerd” genre. The website describes itself as “an all-encompassing site for gamers, cosplayers, pop-culture nerds, gadget geeks and dorks of all sorts. Here to keep nerd pride alive, TGG offers a social space for our members to meet other gamers and explore topics concerned with the community.” The site is rapidly expanding, and now offers items for purchase at its online store, gamergirlstyle.com, including apparel, books, art, event tickets and gaming gear. Based in San Diego, TGG has more than 10,000 members from around the world. Its larger locations outside of San Diego include Las Vegas, Oregon and Massachusetts. It plans to even more by creating a TGG gaming team in the near future. A core function of TGG is to erase the idea that gamer girls are less physically attractive or more socially awkward than non-gamer females. The incorporation of modeling with TGG puts a face to the female gaming culture, and helps gamer girls create modeling portfolios for themselves. As opposed to other online modeling forums, TGG only allows females who actually play video games to become its models, regardless of previous modeling experience. The modeling aspect of TGG gives female gamers an opportunity to break into the industry in a safe and comfortable environment, surrounded by

COURTESY OF THEGAMERGIRLS.COM

people of similar interests. “There are a lot of gamers who want to model, but there’s also a lot of creepers out there,” Lynn said. Shoots and online portfolios are free of charge to the models. Interested gamers can find modeling applications at TGG’s website. TGG is constantly recruiting new

models for the website, promotions and events, such as next year’s Comic-Con. “Modeling has been entrenched with us for so long, we aren’t getting rid of it,” TGG founder, administrator and photographer, Eric Joseph, said. The newest aspect of TGG is its monthly event, Nerdcore Nights, at

The Ruby Room. On the second Thursday of each month, TGG hosts the event featuring Nerdcore, a subgenre of hip-hop music with themes and subject matter related to gamers and nerds. Several major Nerdcore artists have already appeared at the event, including MC Frontalot and San Diego State’s own Dr. Awkward.

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D A I LY A Z T E C Wednesday, November 30, 2011

“ B AC K PAG E ” HUMOR

HOROSCOPE

Buck Black Friday foolery re you happy with yourselves? Was it worth it? Did you get your Black Friday deals? Did you buy six televisions, four PS3s and a handful of guns (If you went to Walmart, you could have. Don’t believe me? Google it)? Please don’t tell me you stood outside Target for three days with tents, portable TVs and endless supplies of pinwheel pork rinds. If you are this person, I cannot associate with you. Did you rush to the malls to geek out about all the super exclusive deals at your favorite department stores? Did you get pepper sprayed or, better yet, trampled? Did you freeze your extremities off to save five bucks on a television? I don’t understand Black Friday. And after seeing what I saw this year, I’m definitely sure I will never participate. It all started when a friend of mine posted a picture of tents outside of Best Buy on Monday. Monday, you guys. Four full days before the store even opened its doors to Black Friday deals. And for what? A giant television for $1,000 less, maybe? I’ll give you this: If that’s what you’re in the market for, it’s a great deal. However, what these stores fail to mention in their glittering ads, placed weeks before the actual event, is that there are actually only 10 of those great TVs in stock. If you’re not one of the first 10 people in line, you won’t get the great deal, and the only way to get to the front of the line is to get there a whopping 96 hours early. Now really, have you ever been 96 hours early for anything? Will you ever be 96 hours early for anything ever again in your entire life? So, you left your house four days before the sales even began to sit in the cold for almost 100 hours. While you were there, there were riots, arguments about spot-holding, little or no sleep, and in addition to all of that, you missed Thanksgiving with

Hayley Rafner staff columnist your family. Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays ever. Did you really choose to miss it for electronics? And pneumonia? Did you forget about the stuffing? How could anyone purposely dismiss stuffing? Once the doors open, you have to fight tooth and nail to get to where you’re going. You, along with the 500 other people in line, are all going to purchase the same 10 TVs. What makes you so special? Spending 96 hours in line? News flash: People in lines cut. They’re the same people who cut in front of you in the cafeteria in fourth grade and, this time, no cute rhyme is going to stop them from doing it. There was a real-life stampede in my hometown. You heard me. Thousand Oaks made The Huffington Post’s comedy section Friday afternoon, after a mall opened at midnight to a slew of crazy shoppers. What store was it in front of? Was it Nordstrom’s, perhaps, with its designer duds and expensive ties? Was it Macy’s maybe, with its decently priced clothing, accessories and more? Nope. It was in front of Urban Outfitters. What does that tell you about Thousand Oaks? What could all of those people possibly be rushing in to buy? What could Urban Outfitters possibly offer that would cause the scene it did? Twofor-one plaid shirts? Useless, overpriced and oversized coffee table books about the history of the banana phone? A “Where the Wild Things Are” soundtrack? The video, posted on The Huffington Post’s website, is a truly mortifying spectacle. It begins with a swarm of hundreds of people waiting at the closed storefront gate. Three seconds into the video, the crowd goes wild. As the gate is slowly raised, people start ducking underneath before it’s even fully opened

and begin darting into the store. The mass begins screaming, pushing and flooding into the store. It’s like the real-life wildebeest stampede from “The Lion King,” except instead of Mufasa being murdered (indirectly by that a—, Scar), the only thing being killed is the collective dignity of an entire city. The commentary provided by the boys who filmed the video may be the best part. They scream, “Oh god, oh god, oh snap!” as people run under the gate and security theft detectors snap in half. One of the boys says, “That’s stupid. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.” I couldn’t agree more. There were other incidences throughout the country. A woman in Porter Ranch (a mere 30 minutes away from Thousand Oaks) pepper sprayed a group of shoppers lunging for discounted Xbox games, requiring the fire department to treat 10 different people for exposure. Someone caught this on camera as well. The cringe-worthy video shows people crying, wiping their eyes and a woman running through the crowd screaming, “My eyes are burning! My eyes are burning!” This was all about video games, people. Situations like these make me feel embarrassed to be an American. I am embarrassed to live in a society where $40 off a video game console is worth inflicting pain on other people. I am embarrassed to live in a world that airs shows such as “Extreme Couponing,” hosted by the “Krazy Coupon Lady.” I know we’re in a recession, but I will never support missing Thanksgiving, waiting in a line for four days and trampling people for ironic T-shirts. So while you’re fighting each other for $1,290 3D plasma screen televisions, I’ll be sitting at home, snuggled in my blanket and sleeping off my tryptophan coma. Congratulations on your discounts, but self-worth is more important to me.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (11/30/11) What would you like to be honored for this year? Your contributions are appreciated. You have extra charisma and use it to good advantage. You may need to log in extra hours, but you're building something of value. Imagine the medal. 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 Review the logical steps; define how you'd like it to play out; and prepare for that (in private). Roll out the promotional campaign to a receptive audience. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 Others are saying nice things about you. Keep on providing great service. Put your package together, and sell it now. Accept a generous offer. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 Talk leads to opportunities. You're a natural communicator, and you're interacting like a champ today. You've got powerful words to generate what you want. Use them. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 7 Let a partner choose the color or location. Reaffirm the passions that you share. Write down your inspirations. Create together. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - Keep all channels open, and good news comes rolling in. Take advantage of ease today to push your agenda forward faster. An older person offers a partnership.

BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 9 You can dive into a project now and be extremely productive, but don't forget about your health. Pace yourself so you don't lose sleep. It's a good time to sell. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 Poetry, anyone? If not with words, then with actions, as in a slow walk under a gray sky, or friends and candlelight. Mix to your own measure. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Go over finances with an advisor, and get clear on the big picture. This provides power and freedom. Celebrate with a delicious meal, for your efforts. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - Get in touch with family, and focus on the positive. There's so much to learn from one another. Your wits are especially appreciated (even if you don't think so). CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 9 - Let another person represent you. An accomplice helps you reach the next level. Use your imagination, and epic dreams result. Don't let your mind wander far. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - Listen to different perspectives for a wider view. Do the math to see the bottom line. When you have that, you have power to create. Put what you want in writing. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - You can accomplish what you set your mind to with persistence. Expand your territory, a little at a time. Practicality is your guide. ©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

SUDOKU

Difficulty Level: 2 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

– Hayley Rafner is a journalism junior.

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ACROSS 1 Trespass 4 With 36- and 62-Across, kids’ ball game, and something this puzzle’s four longest answers have in common 10 Collar or jacket 14 TNT element? 15 Ring of color 16 Powerful TV princess 17 One of the Gershwins 18 Early Mary Tyler Moore role 20 Puts in a fresh pot 22 Habeas corpus et al. 23 Name of three presidents 24 Noodle product? 26 Glacial ridge 27 Horticulturist’s hangout 31 Happy co-worker? 33 Some TV screens 34 Go for, as a prize 35 Hogwarts messengers 36 See 4-Across 38 Tower city 39 Bolo, for one 40 Nudge 41 “I’m outta here!” 42 Meeting of Congress 44 “Les Girls” actress Elg 46 Latin word on a cornerstone 47 Getaway 49 Ionian Sea island 52 Place for a bargain? 54 She played Carla Tortelli on “Cheers”

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 57 Genetic carrier 58 Arena level 59 2009 Ruben Studdard album 60 Held by us 61 Numbers for one 62 See 4-Across 63 Little thing to pick DOWN 1 Recipe direction 2 Discount rack abbr. 3 She played Nicole Chapman on “Fame” 4 Trivia game that involves bluffing 5 Autumn color 6 Neither masculine nor feminine

7 Fashion designer Michael 8 She, in Sčo Paulo 9 Jabber 10 Cast-of-thousands actors 11 Actress Hatcher 12 “Don’t count __!” 13 Rob Roy refusals 19 Washstand vessels 21 Gets the consolation prize 24 Creep 25 Snappy dresser 28 1996 Madonna role 29 Increase 30 Wine bottle datum 31 Colon’s pair 32 Abrasion, to a tot 33 Inc. abroad

36 Golfer’s selection 37 Thing to avoid 38 2011 TV show with multiple pilots 40 Calendar girl 41 Traffic cop’s request 43 Jungle journey 44 Working (with) 45 Lash out at 48 World-weariness 49 PC monitors 50 River formed at Pittsburgh 51 Lively dance 52 L.A.’s Sunset, e.g. 53 Bakery offering 55 Stately tree 56 Louis XIV, par exemple