12-08-2011 by The Daily Aztec

Aztecs shed USD in slim gym

THURSDAY december 8, 2011 volume 97, issue 55 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M

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Tapley carried the offense with slam dunk and 23 points Antonio Morales sports editor The San Diego State men’s basketball team was a double-digit favorite coming into its game against cross-town rival University of San Diego, but found itself down by double digits against USD’s Toreros early in the game. SDSU trailed 14-2 at the start, but came back and won 74-62. The win would not have been possible without the strong play of junior guard Chase Tapley, who scored 23 points, and junior forward Deshawn Stephens, who added 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The 12-point deficit was the largest the Aztecs have come back from to earn a win this season. SDSU has now won three straight on the road and 20 straight games against schools in California. Tapley was honest when asked about the start of the game last night by SDSU; he called it one of the worst he’s seen since he’s been a member of the program. “Since I’ve been here, yeah, it was pretty bad,” Tapley said. “We started off pretty slow.” Head coach Steve Fisher wasn’t surprised by the way the game started. “This is the kind of game that I expected,” Fisher said. “I’m not so sure our fans expected it, I’m not positive our players expected it. This is what you would expect when you go six miles across town to play a team that knows you and your players.”

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ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

Stephens played his best game as an Aztec last night with his near doubledouble. At one point he was 7-for-7 from the field. His contributions were made even bigger because of the health of senior forward Tim Shelton, who was battling knee problems. Fisher told the media after the game that Stephens helped SDSU fight back against the toughness and grit of the Toreros. “We reacquired that (toughness) thanks in no small part, to the best game of his career, from Deshawn Stephens,” Fisher said to the media after the game. Stephens unleashed a rim-rattling dunk on a USD defender, which seemed to wake the Aztecs up from a slow start. Tapley said the dunk ignited the team.

“ I t d i d ( e n e rg i z e u s ) , s e e i n g Deshawn hyped up and our bench getting hyped up, it was just exciting,” Tapley said. “It made us want to play harder.” Tapley scored 25 points against Cal on Sunday and followed that effort up with another stellar performance. His 23 points led all players in scoring and he carried the Aztec offense when others were struggling to score. “I was just feeling it,” Tapley said. “I remember my freshman year we were here and I didn’t get to play that much because I was injured. So I just wanted to come here and put the ball in the rim and that’s what I did.” Sophomore point guard Xavier Thames, who had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists, said he

was trying to find shots for Tapley because he could tell the junior guard was feeling it. “Chase was on fire tonight, that’s why I kept on looking for him,” Thames said. “He was great tonight.” SDSU now has 12 days off before it plays UC Riverside on Dec. 19. It will be a nice rest for a team that has gone through a grueling 11-game stretch to start the season. Thames’ double-double was the first points and assists double-double in more than ten years. Deandre Moore was the last Aztec player to record one, which was on March 1, 2001. Stephens’ 16 points were a career high. The win was SDSU’s sixth straight against the Toreros.

Fitz and The Tantrums rocked KPRi’s annual holiday concert

T R AV E L & A DV E N T U R E

With move, SDSU goes big (east) Pres. Hirshman says Big East relocation will bring big changes Antonio Morales sports editor

ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

After being a member of the Mountain West Conference since 1999, the San Diego State football team is about to call a new conference home. In July 2013 SDSU will join the BIG EAST Conference as a football-only member. “This change will provide extraordinary opportunity to our student athletes, for our coaches and staff, for our alumni and supporters and for our entire university,” SDSU President Elliot Hirshman said at a press conference yesterday. The Aztecs won’t be arriving alone, Boise State, Houston, Southern Methodist and Central Florida will be joining the conference as well. Boise State and SDSU will be joining as football-only members. There will be a Western and Eastern division in the new BIG EAST. Hirshman said he received a phone call with a proposal to join

the BIG EAST two weeks ago, and that’s when talks began. The conference’s boundaries will spread from one coast of the United States to the other. SDSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Sterk noted the benefits of joining a conference with such a wide reach. “A national league captures the attention of fans coast-to-coast,” Sterk said. “With the new members the BIG EAST conference will continue to have the single largest media footprint in college football.” Since the Aztecs reside on the west coast and they’re moving to a conference based in the east, travel cost has been questioned.Sterk said travel won’t be much different than what SDSU faced this season. “Four of our five away games were out of the Pacific time zone,” Sterk said. “So with divisional play, the travel will not be realistically any more than what we experienced this year.” This move will bring the Aztecs more money. Sterk estimated that the school will receive somewhere around $6.4 to 9-10 million a year from the conference’s television contract. That doesn’t include the $1.8 million the conference the school will receive in BCS-money. SDSU was receiving around $1.5 million as a member of the MW.

NEWS Filner reaches for the student vote in upcoming election.

... I wonder if being a writer just sets you up for a an open oven or a fast, deep river. So, let me indulge ... B A C K PA G E

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

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KPRi’s holiday bash breaks into dance party Courtney Rogin staff writer The holidays are here again, and with the cold weather and decorations come radio station holiday concerts. Local station KPRi 102.1 hosted its annual Holiday Soirée last Wednesday at the classic San Diego landmark, the Balboa Theatre. Decked in holiday lights and trees, the show included performances by The Head and the Heart, Mayer Hawthorne and top-billed Fitz and The Tantrums. The Head and the Heart kicked off the evening, which was best suited for

those on dates, with a strong opening leading into a quirkily haunting set. The band’s harmonious sound is somewhere between Crosby, Stills and Nash and Mumford & Sons. While the live show was missing the female vocal component on the self-titled debut album, the vocals of the main members were well-matched with each other. Each of the three groups sets were only about 45 minutes, leaving little time to get comfortable on stage, which was noticeable for The Head and the Heart. The band seemed to be on a stage twice as big, hindering its overall performance. However, The Head and the Heart flowed from one song to the next, the highlight being

“River and Roads,” which pulled at heartstrings with its simplistic sound but overall complex tone. One of the closing songs, “Lost In My Mind,” was another standout, and also the band’s biggest hit to date. Guitarist and singer Jonathan Russell described his inspiration for the song as “being on a boat leaving the harbor out to sea.” The vocals are like the first sip of coffee on a chilly morning, with the guitar and piano embodying the mittens and scarf to ward off the cold. The acoustics provided by the venue elevated The Head and the Heart’s entire set. With a few more large-audience shows, its performances will grow into a fiery force of folk-rock.

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Mayer Hawthorne came on stage to shake things up and get the crowd dancing. While some of the dancing was best saved for after-hours, the night started to pick up from this point. Hailing from the motor city of Detroit, Mayer Hawthorne takes Motown from the 1960s, throws it into a blender with today’s R&B and produces sassy retro soul. Hawthorne and his band get the GQ award for their slick silver suits, which Hawthorne paired with Air Jordans. The set is best described as Al Green for the modern generation; Mayer Hawthorne is undeniably smooth and groovy. By the third song, the majority of the audience gave into the music and was dancing. Again, the downside to radio shows is that the sets are never long enough, especially with great musicians such as these, but Mayer Hawthorne pulled out some great hits, including, “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” and “The Walk.” While they pleased the crowd, “Dreaming” and “Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’” were the surprises of the night. The first morphed into a cover of Hall & Oates, “You Make My Dreams” and the later perfected the quintessential retro sound, similar to “You Can’t Hurry Love” from The Supremes. Mayer Hawthorne’s sound is well-polished and perfect for stage performances and bringing the crowd into the show. Coming off of a high point, Fitz and The Tantrums rolled onto the stage with a crowd primed for a funky dance party. Fitz and The Tantrums have exploded on the music scene this year, bringing back retro soul with a modern twist. The combination of Fitz and

Noelle Scaggs, with the suave Fitz on one side and spicy Noelle on the other, created a magical presence; their chemistry electrified the stage. Every song has something special when performed live that has not been previously heard on the album. While prolonged jam sessions can often become redundant, they are well-welcomed in this case. “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” breaks into a full cardio workout dance session for the performers and crowd alike. “Pickin’ Up The Pieces” would not be complete without the unique appearance of a flute, and nor would “Winds Of Change” without a baritone saxophone. The unique use of instruments brings a more dynamic sound to the songs. The band performed most of its debut album, “Pickin’ Up The Pieces,” which was certainly a highlight. “L.O.V.,” “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” and “MoneyGrabber” were crowd favorites as well. “MoneyGrabber,” Fitz and The Tantrums’ most well-known and biggest hit, had the crowd “as low as they could go” per request of Fitz, before breaking out of the bridge to end the song on a high note. Fitz and The Tantrums are most certainly a group everyone should see before they die. There’s a certain mystical quality to its shows, which could possibly be the blending of genres and sounds in its music. Fitz and The Tantrums’ live shows are high energy and polished, but not in a routine fashion. The band truly works for crowd involvement.

T R AV E L & A D V E N T U R E

D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, December 8, 2011

Affordable adventures await savvy travelers Winter travel deals offer excitement for all budgets Sandra de la Torre staff writer With the semester coming to an end, it’s time to think about how to enjoy the upcoming weeks of freedom. With so much time available, the possibilities for travel and exploration are endless, even for students on a budget. STA Travel has affordable deals for students who wish to travel to another state or country. Location is often an indicator of how expensive or inexpensive a trip can be, but discount travel websites often have special deals if booked at the right time. For example, students who wish to go to Europe during winter break can book a round trip to Barcelona, Spain for less than $2,000. Travelers can choose from hotels, hostels, apartments, guesthouses and hostals. A hostal, though similar to a hostel, is a lodging option like to a guesthouse or small hotel. When booking a hotel, the Barcelona Tourist Guide recommends travelers search according to location, price or star ratings. Staying in a hostal or hostel is usually cheaper than staying in a hotel, with prices as affordable as $22 per bed. STA Travel offers a Eurail Pass, which applies to train travel across Europe. Prices are determined depending on the places and the number of days individuals want to travel.

CHELSEA MASSEY, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

In Barcelona, travelers can ride the metro, bus or taxi. Barcelona is also home to an evening tapas tour that allows individuals to walk through the city and learn about local restaurants while sampling their food. Travelers who would like to stay in the same continent also have a wealth of options. Expedia.com has a page titled Deals & Offers, which displays available deals on a map using the new Trip Explorer tool. Dealseekers only need to know the air-

port they’re leaving from, the month they plan to travel and the amount of time they wish to stay. Some available offers include a trip to Las Vegas for $269, a trip to San Francisco for $285 and a trip to Seattle for $461. A trip to New York can also be reserved through the STA Travel website for $291. For those who fear flying, get carsick or just don’t want to leave beautiful San Diego, planning a “staycation” is always an option. Staycationers have the advantage of sav-

ing on traveling costs and hotel fees if they decide to commute to their points of interest. For the full stay-cation experience and a taste of the countryside, reserving a lodge or cottage like those available at the Orchard Hill Country Inn is an option. The inn, located in Julian, was named “one of the top six lodges in the west” by Sunset Magazine. It boasts several fireplaces, patios for picnics, breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres. Visitors can even go horseback riding or arrange a carriage ride during their stay.

With seasonal and holiday packages available, room rates at the inn range from $195 to $450. Others interested in staying in San Diego still have adventurous options to choose from, such as ice-skating at Horton Plaza. There will also be a number of light displays around the county in communities such as Chula Vista, Del Mar and Mission Bay. With the semester mere days from concluding, these options may serve as perfect motivation to persevere through the stress of finals.

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BARGAINS & DEALS

Clever creations lighten up holiday wallets ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

Amy Devito staff writer ‘Tis the season for merriment, gifts galore and quality family time. With all that jubilance, it’s hard for the most stubborn scrooges not to succumb to the holiday happiness. Winter spirit sparks in the hearth, but decking the halls isn’t always a cinch. Empty wallets and long wish lists don’t bring a whole lot of joy. So, before dishing out the dough to impress guests, explore some less expensive ways to keep the holiday spirit alive. First instincts may guide shoppers to the Christmas Tree Shops or Macy’s, but alternative decor can be found right in the backyard. With a little scavenging, unique ornaments may be created at no cost. Flowers and fruits such as berries and hydrangea blossoms or herbs such as rosemary can be picked to

accent a table. Even further, to make a handmade tabletop tree, spray paint pinecones, sprinkle them with evergreen leaves and weave them together with small branches. “Growing up I can remember painting 50 pinecones gold and silver for my aunt’s house and then spending hours stringing up popcorn garland,” biology junior Stephanie Davison said. “It seems kind of redundant in retrospect, but it was a great way to spend time with my family while having fun decorating together.” Seemingly random collections of dolls, holiday cookie cutters and forgotten ornaments can be revived when poured into a glass, plastic bowl or container filled with glitter. Mix and match sizes and shapes to exude a festive look comparable to what could be found at HomeGoods. Sometimes, candles may seem too expensive for their true value, but simple, small tea lights can generate the same twinkling effect. Lighting

“The entire kitchen was covered in my little art projects, but it added a personal touch to the home and my family loved it.” Lauren Lopez, psychology senior several along a pathway or grouping them together near mirrors can double the apparent quantity and reflection of the display. A bright bow here, a sparkling ribbon there and even Epsom salt sprinkled across a table can enhance a decorative atmosphere. Hang leftover candy canes, other sugary goods, wooden spools and holiday cards by thick threads to adorn the living room.

Icicles and moving statues can be costly and tedious. Instead, opt for white lights around windows and mantels or bunched up in a vase. With all that wrapping, there’s bound to be mounds of gift wrap left. Showcase pieces in picture frames or create colorful collages on the walls. Take down other picture frames and wrap them with gift wrap as well, completing the look with ribbons and bows.

Before buying expensive wreaths and sleighs, think about arts and crafts options. Imagination finds no limit with construction paper, paint and a pair of scissors. The Web offers hundreds of holiday home projects, with how-to kits to inspire ideas of ingenuity. “I remember my hand hurting after hours upon hours of cutting out snowflakes of every shape and design,” psychology senior Lauren Lopez said. “The entire kitchen was covered in my little art projects, but it added a personal touch to the home and my family loved it.” For the ultimate finish, be sure to make the arrangement of decorations well kempt, sticking to one color scheme or concept. This will help avoid impulse buys. The season is still young and there is ample opportunity to shop at holiday craft fairs and bazaars, which are almost always significantly cheaper than department stores.

D A I LY A Z T E C Thursday, December 8, 2011

NEWS

Fletcher calls for new generation of leaders “I grew up with technology; we are comfortable with it,” Fletcher said. “It is not something that’s new.” Fletcher said he was the first California candidate to announce his campaign through YouTube; three weeks before Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton announced their presidential candidacies in the same way. He said government needs to approach issues in a different manner. Gov. Jerry Brown recently proposed eliminating state-worker cellphones because of the budget deficit, which Fletcher said shows how government is stuck in the past. “Why would you get rid of cellphones, why don’t you get rid of worker landlines?” Fletcher asked. “I don’t know anybody that would give up their cellphone to keep their landline.”

Diana Crofts-Pelayo staff writer Before beginning an hour-long interview, Nathan Fletcher had his belongings organized on a conference room table. He quickly put away his white headphones plugged into his Apple computer, took a sip from his mug and straightened his tie. Fletcher, the 37-year-old State Assemblyman of California’s 75th district, is running for mayor of San Diego, because he considers himself the new generation of leadership San Diego needs. He said he hopes to reenergize the government and bring it to the current generation’s standards. “I think generationally … (it’s) a little easier for me to connect with college students,” he said. Fletcher said a commitment to higher education has to be made in order to rethink university institutions.

Understanding college life

Reforming government Higher education in California was recently 7 percent of the general fund, but that number has decreased to 3 percent, according to Fletcher. Because of this, he said he plans to introduce reforms within the correction system next year that may free some money for students to more easily receive a quality education. “We’ve got to be willing to look at things in a new light and look at things in a new way, and have some conversations that occasionally may be uncomfortable,” Fletcher said. This semester, the California State University Board of Trustees approved San Diego State President Elliot Hirshman’s $400,000 salary on the

COURTESY OF ROBERTO RENTERIA

same day it approved a 12 percent tuition hike. Fletcher said students had a right to be frustrated. “I thought the timing was bad, and if I was a student I would be pretty upset,” he said. Fletcher said politicians need to engage, motivate, inspire and lead people; give individuals a compelling reason to care. He also said there is an abundance of apathy or disconnect across society in politics, but blames himself and his fellow politicians.

“As the candidates, you are running because you have to give people a reason to get engaged and interested,” Fletcher said. “And there is almost like a relevance gap between what politicians talk about and what actually affects people’s lives.” He said the government is always the last institution to change and today’s younger generation understands the dynamics of a competitive global workforce.

Fletcher said he was just like any other student, working and juggling school commitments. He said his parents didn’t go to college, so he felt fortunate to have the opportunity. “I don’t think I slept much for that period of my life,” he said. “Part of that was because I was working, part of that was because I was enjoying college, part of that was (I) didn’t need as much sleep.” He worked as a forklift driver in a lumberyard, and was both a bouncer and bartender in a bar. “I really tried to find that balance between studying, work and sports,” Fletcher said. But now, instead of worrying about school, his priorities have led him to focus on his family and public service.

Fletcher said he is focused on solving problems, getting results and improving lives. “Look, I’ll sit down and work with you. I don’t care what party you are,” he said.

Chelsea’s law Fletcher has had 21 pieces of legislation signed into law, but he authored one law in particular that hit close to San Diegans. John Albert Gardner III sexually assaulted and murdered teenagers Amber Dubois of Escondido and Chelsea King of Poway in 2009. Fletcher later authored Chelsea’s Law, which placed a one-strike penalty for violent sexual predators who target children. AB 1844 enacted a lifetime GPS monitoring of sex offenders, created safezones around parks and placed comprehensive parole reform to better monitor harmful individuals.

Community and service Fletcher said San Diego has a collection of amazing individuals and diversity. “I think that’s something unique … in that the mayor represents the city and really needs to reflect its values, reflect its culture and reflect its energy … I think we are a good fit.” Fletcher committed 10 years of service with the Marine Corps. He worked in counterintelligence in the Horn of Africa and the Near East. Prior to this service, he worked in the Sunni Triangle region of Iraq. He earned several medals during both tours of services. For more information about Fletcher and his campaign, visit www.NathanFletcher.com.

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NEWS

Mayoral candidate seeks student support DUSTIN MICHELSON. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Filner vies for political activism from a younger generation Sandy Coronilla investigative editor Former San Diego State professor Bob Filner is running for mayor of San Diego, and he is asking for the student vote. Filner has a lengthy public service record and currently represents California’s 51st district in Congress. Previously, he served as the president on the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, as well as on the San Diego City Council.

Filner was a professor at SDSU for 20 years. He has plenty to say about the California State University system and the recent salary debate that continues to be a major concern across the state. “On the one hand, people argue that you have to have these big salaries to attract quality people,” he said. “On the other hand they’re way out of whack.” He said executives are not doing anything significantly more difficult to justify the large salaries they receive. Filner, who said he was paid $35,000 annually when he taught at SDSU, said the CSU underestimates the quality of administrators who can be hired for less. “I think what gnaws on people is that we’re cutting back, we’re cut-

“Political activity as a young person gave me a sense of optimism ... (young people) don’t understand their own power.” Bob Filner, California’s 51st district congressman Now, he says he wants to engage today’s youth just as he was inspired in his youth to become involved during the civil rights movement. “Political activity as a young person gave me a sense of optimism about change,” he said. “I think young people should be involved. They don’t understand their own power.” Filner said if he is San Diego’s next mayor, he will have students in his administration. “They have great ideas,” he said.

ting expenses. Your scholarships are being reduced, your class size is being raised and then they give this guy a huge salary,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense.” Filner said he sees a correlation between the energy of protesters in the Civil Rights movement and the Occupy Wall Street movement. “The weakness of the Occupy movement is that there are no real programs, specific demands,” Filner said. “There’s a general feeling that society is unjust

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and too few people have too much power, which is all true.” He said he met with Occupy protesters in different cities throughout the country and asked what should be done, but did not receive concrete answers. “You have to at some point have a program. Unless you do, why are you there?” he said. Filner said there are three major issues currently facing San Diego. “The top issue for anybody is jobs. Livability and sustainability issues. How do you get mass transit, affordable housing and environmental protections at the same time? And neighborhood power,” Filner said. However, he did not include a new Chargers stadium as one of the issues. “I love the Chargers, I’m glad we have a professional team, but you know the Chargers are a private business owned by a private guy who has a billion dollars and makes a lot of money,” Filner said. “Why does he need a public subsidy? Why should the taxpayers subsidize his private business and profit-making? “Especially when most of those people paying those taxes won’t even be able to afford to get into the games,” he said. He pointed to the Green Bay Packers as an example of a team owned by its city. In comparison to the games held at Qualcomm Stadium, he said their stadium has been filled during every game for the last 50 years. “There’s not a sense of, literally, ownership of the team,” he said. “If they said we’ll participate in the city more, we’ll give you a public ownership stake in it, I might talk to them. Otherwise, no public subsidies.” For more information, visit bobfilnerformayor.com.

“What are some concrete goals for San Diego’s infrastructure? Are we ever going to be a real city?” — Steve Griffin “I actually asked that question in my campaign speeches. We are America’s Finest City, but we’re nowhere near America’s greatest city. That means quality of life, intellectual activity, educational environment, universities. It means arts, it means culture. We’re in a binational area. That’s an incredible opportunity to have mutual interaction and learn from each other. The border should be the most vibrant, dynamic learning place in our area. Two cultures coming together. We could learn from each other. Yet did you know 65 percent of San Diegans have never crossed the border south? Tijuana and San

Diego should be interchanging so much more directly. It not only helps our economy but it helps us as human beings to become more civilized. Just as an example, we have one of the most beautiful ports in the world. Do you know how few jobs we generate through commerce? Every port city you go to – San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Miami, New Orleans – there’s a port and it not only brings in thousands of jobs, but it becomes a tourist opportunity. Why aren’t we doing that here? We have not taken advantage of our resources and assets, for jobs, for culture, for education.” — Bob Filner

The Daily Aztec’s News department is seeking talented writers from all majors. Interviews for news writers will start next week. All interested applicants can email the editor for more information at news@thedailyaztec.com. T H E

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B AC K PAG E

Feelin’ the MFA blues hy the gloominess? I’m guessing this is what steady decline looks like: those faces in the Laundromat and behind the glass doughnut counter. Is everybody just really tired? The average of 13 days of paid vacation per American employee could have something to do with it. Then there’s money, of course. The food of gloom. So is it all related to the crippling wealth disparity in our country? Maybe. Is it the excessive usage of the word disparity in every student essay that I read? Forgive me, RWS 102 MW 10-10:50, I digress. Where we are now makes me think about Rome around A.D. 300. One last century at the top, before the Visigoths came a-knockin’. Now, I will admit, all this gloomy doomy stuff does come as a sort of occupational hazard for someone in the MFA program. It’s the writer’s job to observe from outside of experience, automatically isolating him from the experience itself. If four friends go to a party and one is a writer, it’s the writer’s job to write about it. Sure, he may have a few drinks, meet some people, maybe contract something permanent and itchy, but in the back of the writer’s mind, always, is the hunger for new material. “How can I make this vicious burning sensation down below interesting,” he may think. The writer at the party has to observe what’s going on, while it’s going on, detaching him from the pure experience. The other three friends just get to have an awesome time, for the moment. It’s certainly a burden, but how else would the outside know anything without writers? Is it this writerly isolation that causes my gloom? Perhaps. It’s true that many great writers (I’m cer-

Conor Higgins fiction writer tainly not including myself in that category) don’t have the best track record when it comes to suicide prevention. Hemingway, DF Wallace, Woolf, Plath — were they just more in touch with reality? Too in touch? Is ceaseless misery the reality nonwriters don’t see? It could be, but I hope not. Those were some really, really smart people, who wrote some really smart things, but I wonder if being a writer just sets you up for an open oven or a fast, deep river. So, let me indulge in a couple more paragraphs of gloom.

rearview mirror. We’re the land of the free, home of the brave, the swamp of negative equity. Elsewhere, it’s not so bad. China and Brazil are wondering whether or not the west is creditworthy. They must be feeling pretty good about the fact that their former “superiors” are hurtin’ pretty bad. I can’t say I blame them. So, where is hope in all this gloom? Is it in the pursuit of intellectualism? Ha. It would be nice to think so, but reshaping the status quo to improve our education system just isn’t happening. I’m convinced the more you read and the more you know, the sadder you are. Who would want to put in all the work, moving their eyes across a page, with all those little black let-

Sure, he may have a few drinks, meet some people, maybe contract something permanent and itchy, but in the back of the writer’s mind, always, is the hunger for new material. I hate to break it to you, dear reader, but I think we’re going to be the first generation to see the beginning of the end of the West as we know it. Despite stats showing we have 100 million people living close to or below the poverty line, a 2002 Pew Research Center survey claimed that 60 percent of Americans older than 50 still think, “our culture is superior.” Even as our 1950’s-era bravado and bootstrap industrialism are clearly behind us, we can’t seem to understand our best days are shrinking in the

ters, when the only payoff is boredom and depression? So, education isn’t going to stop the gloom. Neither is money. So I don’t know, reader. Screw it. Just turn on the TV, put your feet up and enjoy. Our generation might see the beginning of the end, but we may not have to come to the end of the road ourselves. Turn up the volume. I hear a knockin’. Those Visigoths, in one form or another are never late.

HOROSCOPE TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (12/8/11) Artistic beauty calls to you, whether through a song, a painting or some other form of expression. Give in to the desire to create. Regarding investment ideas, get trusted counsel before signing papers. Go ahead and fantasize. Do the research. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 7 There could be elements to the puzzle that are hidden from view. Because of this, avoid expensive purchases or big decisions today. Those elements get revealed later. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 9 When you're feeling good, it's possible to lose perspective of the world around you. Be considerate of others. Spread the love and the good fortune. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 5 A lucky hunch could turn quite profitable. You have the confidence to make your plan work: Put your back into it! Try again at something you failed at before. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 6 Find a trustworthy friend to help you solve any dilemmas. Don't take it all so seriously. Not everything that glitters is gold. Inject a sense of humor. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 Stifle your crazy side for a moment. Complete unfinished business (and impress others in the process). Attention to detail comes in handy. Figure out what you really want.

BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 9 The adventure continues, and there's more work on the way. Don't be misled by fantasy. Check your oil and tire pressure, and bring a sack lunch. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 Business interferes with fun. Don't goof off! Plan a trip, and research the best tickets. Then focus on productivity to pay for it all. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Respect the people that helped you get where you are, and show some appreciation. Be careful not to lose what you have in order to get more, even if you're busy. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 9 - As you get lost in the maze today, don't forget your goal. Don't be afraid if you don't know the way. Use your network: Call someone whose view is wider. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 9 - Don't worry about the money. Conserve resources anyway. There's plenty to keep you busy, and more work coming in. Stay focused. It all works out. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Make sure what you build is solid. Fantasies fade in the sunlight. Romance is a growing possibility. Choose substance over symbolism, and have fun. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Don't let anyone push you. It's your life. Get into a homebody phase. Think about your roots, and where you came from. You choose where you're going. ©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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

— Conor Higgins is a creative writing graduate student.

S DS -V I E W

M O .C C E T Z A Y IL A D E H .T W WW CROSSWORD

WARRIOR WARNING Staff Photographer Peter Kluch captured this photo of the Aztec warrior sending out a warning call to Cal as the school approached imminent defeat at last Sunday’s game.

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ACROSS 1 Bombed 6 Hindu title 11 Easy letters? 14 Board 15 Bar mixer 16 Mme., across the Pyrenees 17 Evian, in Evian 19 One who can’t pass the bar? 20 Marked for removal 21 House coat 23 Thankfully credit 28 Org. concerned with the No Child Left Behind Act 29 Ambulance arrival sites, briefly 30 London taxi 31 She played Julia in “Julie & Julia” 33 Bohemian dance 34 Novelist Ferber 35 One way to serve beef 37 SASE enclosure, maybe 41 Weaklings 43 Place for a large umbrella 44 Mooches 47 She turned pro before her 16th birthday 49 Sch. with a Mesa campus 50 Sweet treat with an exclamation point in its name 53 One of the deadly sins 54 Pianist Claudio 55 __ Tomé 56 Classic noel 62 __ Today 63 Joint-forming bones 64 Surface with legs 65 Author

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 66 Tell off 67 Slammin’ Sammy of golf DOWN 1 Sailor’s pronoun 2 Ode title words 3 Kwik-E-Mart guy on “The Simpsons” 4 __ plume 5 1999 Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee 6 Takes the wheel 7 Prolix 8 Santa __ winds 9 “Cool” amount 10 Chipping tool 11 Make responsible for, as a case 12 19th-century literary family name

13 Stuffed mouse, e.g. 18 Card or Met 22 Capital south of the Black Sea 23 “My treat!” 24 Whacker’s target 25 Merit 26 Grand 27 Dutch Golden Age painter 32 Showed disinterest, maybe 33 Early a.m. wear 35 AKC part: Abbr. 36 Daisy lead-in 38 Try 39 Plastic choice 40 Decant 42 Formed by the solidification of magma 43 Bookish types 44 Absorbs, in a way

45 More than words 46 Buckeye 47 Put on alert 48 Concerning, in memos 51 Erie __ 52 John Arbuckle’s coffee 57 LPN skill 58 California’s __ Nuevo State Park 59 16th prez 60 Form ending 61 Post-op dose