Issue 01, Volume 78 (Life+Arts)

The Daily Cougar

LIFE +ARTS

Local sounds Coog Radio airs unique offerings p.2

Greeks ready to rush Fraternities and sororities ramp up recruitment for incoming freshmen p.5

EDITOR Allen Le EMAIL arts@thedailycougar.com ONLINE thedailycougar.com/arts

The Daily Cougar

2 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012

MUSIC EDITOR’S NOTE

Coog Radio revamps staff, sounds Variety of Darlene Campos Staff writer

Coog Radio, UH’s non-profit, studentrun radio station, was founded in fall 2011

by Conner Clifton, Markley Rogers and Matt Womack.

The station offers more than 30 shows per week broadcasted by 40 DJs. Officially 1-year old this fall, the station has prepared itself for celebrations and new material for airplay.

“This semester, students will definitely hear more from Coog Radio,” said Joyce Lin, the PR and Marketing Director of Coog Radio.

“We’re planning on collaborating with

different organizations like SVN and UH sports.

The station is also celebrating its one-year anniversary this fall — it’s going to be on Sept.

20 at Mango’s and we’re going to have a couple of local bands.”

Since its debut, the station has been featured in Rice University’s student newspaper, The Rice Thresher, and in Study Breaks.

Though Coog Radio does not offer any paid positions, it does offer experience to students interested in the communications career field.

The station centers around variety programming, which provides something interesting for every listener and prospective DJ.

“Fat Tony was one of our DJs, and he had a pretty big following. Same with Aimee Rivas and her show “Pulse,” which was big with the (electronic dance music) crowd in Houston,” said Music Director Alex Segura.

Coog Radio does not shut down during summer, either, as the station is always online.

According to Station Director Clinton Blankenship, 17 shows were added over the summer and there are seven more debuting this fall.

“We are on 24/7/365, including leap year,” Blankenship said. “Right now, we are only live while the UC is open, but we are playing music RADIO continues on page 3

University Eye Institute

Sunglasses Which ones are Right for me?

coverage headed your way The summer brought a lot of time to reenergize, refresh and rejuvenate ourselves as students as we are once Allen again getting Le thrown into the back-to-school activities for the fall semester.

The Daily Cougar Editorial Board, including myself, was never really given a summer break — some of us took on summer classes, internships and jobs — not to mention, reporting to the newsroom to produce summer issues every week. But we did it for you — the students, faculty and alumni of this institution — that are now heading into the second full year as a Tier One university.

I plan to have the Life & Arts sections filled with the best in entertainment — on — and offcampus. I will offer hard news about the pop culture happenings such as the next time Kanye West throws another on-stage fit, when Kim Kardashian breaks a nail or when your favorite Hollywood star finally becomes pregnant.

More importantly, the Blaffer Gallery. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Performing Arts, and the student produced works of the Moores School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance will all be frequently featured in this section. Get some daily. arts@thedailycougar.com

STAFF

Contact Lenses Which type is Best for my specific Needs?

Section editor Allen Le

Assistant editor Bryan Dupont-Gray

Staff writers Darlene Campos Channler Hill Harrison Lee Christopher Lopez

Open to the public, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

713.743.2020 or visit www.uei.uh.edu

4901 Calhoun (on the corner of Calhoun & Wheeler) free patient parking

Contact information Email: arts@thedailycougar.com Phone: (713) 743-5302

Monday, August 27, 2012 // 3

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RADIO

face-to-face interview,” Lin said. “We are looking for people who have a personality that can be memorable to our listeners.” continued from page 2 Blankenship said Coog Radio aims to be a unique radio station. all day, every day.”

“Someone once sent us an application Though Coog Radio is a campus organithat had nothing but Drake as their set zation, it is not limited to UH. Coog Radio list. That’s not going to get you hired. Our participated in Free Press Summer Festival general rule is we do not play mainstream in June and was also music that has been on terrestrial radio durhonored as Best Music Blog by Houston ing the last five years.”

Press.

Segura believes that Coog Radio serves as Becoming a DJ with Coog Radio can a way of keeping UH students connected. provide not only experience with radio “Radio has the power to bring us technology but also with the entertainment together,” Segura said. “It has the power to industry; however, the application process really bring our school together and fulfill must be completed first. this promise we made, and Coog Radio will “Applicants are required to submit a Senior in political science and psychology Khalid Alsomali is a Coog Radio DJ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. be there when it’s met.” show concept, a 15-song playlist and a topevery Wednesday. Coog Radio is a student run radio station that broadcasts from the second floor of five song and musician list. Based on that, the University Center. | Hendrick Rosemond/The Daily Cougar arts@thedailycougar.com we choose those who stand out to us for a

5

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2. Make contact.

Call us, e-mail us, contact us on Twitter or Facebook — make contact early and often and tell us about the event you’d like covered or the story you want looked into. Call 713-743-5462 to talk to the editor in chief.

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Send your event information to calendar@thedailycougar.com to be included in our print and online event calendar.

4. Blog it.

Apply for a blog on our Web site; they’re free to UH students and are a great way to get the word out about your organization or cause. Check out thedailycougar.com/blogs for more information.

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TWEETS O’ THE DAY:

BACK TO SCHOOL

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Grateful to Board of Regents for giving me a new contract...I feel blessed to be in Texas, in Houston and at UH.

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I’ll be the first to say, I’m so ready for the fall semester to begin. So many new and exciting changes for us #UHCougars!

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Gearing up for a great semester!

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www.schwartzimmigration.com I have now officially paid for classes at University Of Houston. Can’t wait!! Whose House? Cooogs House — @Shayan_Kabani, 20 Aug.

13 days until HOUSTON COUGAR FOOTBALL! Are you ready? Are YOU ready? ARE YOU READY?! WHOOOOSE HOOOUUUSE? #UHCougars — @coog57, 20 Aug.

I’ve lost count of how many UofH shirts I’ve collected over the years. #GoCoogs.

— @moronasaurus, 22 Aug.

Now enrolled in my last classes as an undergrad at UH. Feels great!!! #GoCoogs — @zeke_riser, 22 Aug.

Follow us! @TheDailyCougar

Monday, August 27, 2012 // 5

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GREEK LIFE

Greek organizations urge freshmen to join Beginning of fall semester heralds the heavy recruitment of fraternities, sororities on the University campus Andrew Pate Sports editor

When Panhellenic advisor Megan Francis came to UH from the University of Arkansas where she served as Graduate Assistant in the office of Greek life for 2 years, she saw an incredible opportunity in front of her. “The women of the Houston Panhellenic Council are capable of making their community whatever they want it to be and I am excited to help them through the journey,�

Francis said. “I believe that my experience can help the women grow their community into one that is a nationally competitive Tier One sorority experience.�

Both the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council (IFC) are in the midst of recruiting

potential members for the Fall semester and while members of Panhellenic are excited about the influx of interest, UH fraternities are also seeing a spark in their recruitment. “There are more incoming freshmen looking to get the college experience,�

Sigma Chi Fraternity president David Gelovani said. “Largely, I feel that each fall the interest in fraternities grow and everyone’s benefiting.�

To provide women with the chance to meet members and learn more, Panhellenic will be hosting several events on behalf of its 6 sororities in the upcoming weeks including a Greek picnic at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at Bayou Oaks.

“Joining a sorority is a great way to make friends, especially for those new on campus,� President of Panhellenic Laura Singleton said. “It’s an opportunity that will help women throughout college by providing them with a good support system as well as networking beyond school.�

The support system along with a sense of loyalty is echoed by many throughout Greek life. “There are many things I can take from my experiences with my sisters, but something I value most is always having someone by your side,� Chi Omega member Vanadie Carpio said. “Through thick and thin they are always there.�

At UH there are 15 IFC fraternities. Vice

President of Recruitment Joshua Chipley encourages students to push aside any stereotypes and come see fraternity life for themselves. “Find which fraternity you feel like has the most brotherhood,� Chipley said. “In many cases the fraternity you choose will provide lifelong friends.�

Both the fraternities and sororities work hard year round participating in events such as Frontier Fiesta and Homecoming in addition to putting on their own events to raise money for an assortment of philanthropies. “Supporting each sorority and fraternities RECRUIT continues on page 8

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CULTURE REVIEW

Allen Le takes a look back at the big moments in entertainment W

COOPER COMES OUT O CNN’s prominent news anchor, An Anderson nderson Cooper, publicly discloses that he e is a gay man via an email sent to a fri friend iend and gave permission to be posted on thedailybeast.com.

PRIDE The annual Houston LGBT Pride Parade and Festival celebrates one of the city’s many diverse communities and welcomes approximately 320,000 attendees who light up the evening parade in the Montrose neighborhood. According to pridehouston.org, next year’s parade will take place on June 22.

NEW SPIDER-MAN TOMKAT DIVORCE The five-year marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes comes to an end when Holmes files for divorce in New York City in June. Holmes currently seeks sole custody of their six-year-old daughter Suri. News of the TomKat divorce dominates headlines in mid-summer.

Harrison Lee analyzes the fall TV line up for viewers

Primetime Slot 666 Park Avenue

30 Rock

Premiere date: Sept. 30. on The CW Gabrielle Pierce’s meshing of “Dante” and “Gosford Park” looks to be ABC’s first soiree into the ethereal, demonic element. The cast is an eclectic combination of ABC elites, such as Terry O’Quinn and Rachael Taylor. They play characters residing in Upper East Side of Manhattan apartment building that may or may not be owned by the devil.

Few plot leaks have hit the market, leaving potential fans and critics awaiting the first episode for any legitimate information.

Gossip Girl

Premiere date: Oct. 4. on NBC It’s about time for guts to start bursting from uncontrollable laughter. “30 Rock” starts its seventh and final season in October. With 13 episodes including a one-hour series finale, fans can look forward to one last go-around of clumsy but loveable guffaws. With rumors of six seasons of guest stars making one last tour through the now memorable 30 Rockefeller Plaza, devotees can sit back and enjoy a retrospective on what true comedy is.

The Walking Dead

Premiere date: Oct. 8 on CW One of the more underrated and underappreciated night-time soap operas in recent years is entering its sixth and final season this fall. Fans should be thrilled to see the Upper East Side gang because most of the starring cast, such as Blake Lively in “Savages,” have debuted in stellar motion pictures during the off-season. Rumors speculate that with only 10 to 11 episodes left, every episode might function as a mini-finale for each character. Other rumors suggest that guest stars such as Barry Watson and Sofia Black D’Elia are staying on the show for extended arcs.

RE

“The Amazing Spider-Man,” which stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, officially reboots Marvel’s franchise of the blue and red web-slinger. The film premieres just before the Fourth of July and has a weekend gross of $65 million.

DUCE USE CYCLE

Premiere date: Oct.14 on AMC As season two came to a close, everyone’s favorite dysfunctional group of zombie survivalists stumbled upon a prison, a discovery that sparked dramatic music and left fans wanting more. “The Walking Dead,” one of the many potent bullets in AMC’s drama revolver, returns this fall with new characters and a darker plot line. Fans of the actual dead in the show need not worry; the show has never sacrificed dialogue for well-placed gore. Along with a darker storyline should come more of that awardwinning makeup and special effects.

In addition to keeping you updated on the latest news, sports, arts and campus happenings, The Daily Cougar can also be used as a bookcover, a paper airplane or an umbrella for those rainy days. When you’re done, don’t forget to recycle.

Monday, August 27, 2012 // 7

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TRILOGY ENDS Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale finally conclude their Batman trilogy with the release off the highly anticipated summer bl lockbuster blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises.

Rises.”” The film later becomes overshad overshadowed dowed and spoiled by the Colorado o shooting, where 12 people were killed k at the film’s midnight premiere. premiere.

LONDON OLYMPICS The 2012 Summer Olympics in Lon London becomes “the most watched entertainment or sporting event ever ente on A American television” — with 219.4 mill million viewers — according to an NBC repo report published by the New York Times. s.

Michael Mic Phelps becomes the most decorated Olympian of all time with dec m 19 medals, Gabby Douglas becomes Am America’s sweetheart overnight and the US brings home 104 medals, the most out off every country that competed. e

PRESIDENTIAL RACE CE CE Summer 2012 most notably concludess with Mitt Romney announcing his vice e presidential running mate — Wisconsin in n Rep. Paul Ryan. The 2012 Election Day on Nov. 6 is now less than three months away.

TWILIGHT STARS SPLIT

R&B GLORY R&B singer Frank Ocean confirms his bisexuality in a post on his Tumblr ahead of the release of his debut album, “Channel Orange.” Ocean’s letter is recognized for its brave and sincere message and refreshingly receives support from fans and hip-hop figures alike, including Jay-Z and Russell Simmons. “Channel Orange” debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart with 131,000 copies sold.

‘12 Fall Releases

CHICK-FIL-A Chick-fil-A’s donations to anti-gay organizations are in the spotlight again after the company’s president and chief operating officer vocalizes his thoughts against same-sex marriages. The controversy quickly causes strong debates and discussions about the First Amendment on Facebook and Twitter. Supporters and protestors alike attended Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on Aug. 1.

The stars of the “Twilight” films — Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart — break off their real-life relationship after photos surface online of Stewart kissing the director of “Snow White and the Huntsman,” a film the actress starred in earlier this summer. The final installment in the novelturned-film series — “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” — premieres in November. Will the two be able to reconcile their differences and walk the red carpet with each other by then?

Bryan Dupont-Gray highlights the major titles in the coming months

The summer may have been a great lineup of titles for the video game world, but that’s nothing compared to the months of titles that lie ahead. The Fall semester is finally here and while students crack open new textbooks and ready their spirals, some gamers have already chosen to pick up their joysticks rather than study for finals. Here’s five reasons why:

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Developer: Namco Bandai Publisher: Namco Bandai Console: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U Rating: Teen Release date: Sept. 11

One of the best-selling fighting franchises is going back to its team-play roots with Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Based on the original, TTT2 is all about forming a solid partnership and duking it out in the square-circle. The game has a 50-character roster, harboring new and old fighters from the series and spanking new stages and also introduces “World Tekken Federation” to the online mode.

Master Chief is back and ready to take on a new opposing force that threatens the entire universe. He’ll be set in an entirely new environment with new Halo 4 enemies and new weapons. Developer: 343 Industries Now in the hands of a new Publisher: Microsoft Studios Console: Xbox 360 developer, Halo 4 is the start Rating: Mature of a new trilogy with heavily Release date: Nov. 6 boosted multiplayer option and cooperative and mapediting modes.

What do you get when you have a role-playing first-person shooter that has more than a million weapons, four different classes ranging from a stealthy assassin to a two-gun berserker and various species of monsters that drop money or items after being killed? Borderlands 2. Set five years after the events in the first game, four new vaulters look to save Pandora from Handsome Jack, a cocky narcissist looking to release a forbidden threat that will wreak havoc on the entire land.

Treyarch is reinvigorating the Call of Duty franchise with Black Ops II by taking an already near-perfect style of gameplay and bringing it to the future. From unmanned aircrafts to hovering robots, Black Ops II takes warfare to a new level. Strike Force missions will force players to make tough decisions that will alter the campaign storyline. Plus, what would Black Ops II be without an insane online mode with bigger and better maps the Zombies mode?

Borderlands 2 Developer: Gearbox Software Publisher: 2K Games Console: PS3, Xbox 360 Rating: Mature Release date: Sept. 12

“Call of Duty: Black Ops II” Developer: Treyarch Publisher: Activision Console: PS3, Xbox 360 Rating: Mature Release date: Nov. 13

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RECRUIT continued from page 5

philanthropic causes are my favorite events to attend,” Carpio said.

“It really goes to show where our values stand as Greeks. Yes, we like to have a good time, but we know there are greater things in the world and we have the opportunity to put our time and efforts into The IFC’s recruitment continues until Sept. 28 while the deadline to sign up for Panhellenic recruitment ends Sept. 7. arts@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE Check it out online: uh.edu/panhellenic

The majority of Greek organizations at UH are housed in Bayou Oaks. The location is located a few miles away from campus and offers brothers and sisters a quite, isolated area to bond and form lifelong friendships with each other. | File photo/The Daily Cougar

Music fuels UH alumnus book debut Obama presidency inspires author to write Channler Hill Staff writer

University of Houston alumnus Chinedu Achebe’s debut novel “Blunted on Reality” follows the life of a Nigerian lawyer in his late ’20s who is trying to figure out the complexities of life, find value in his job, deal with his family and juggle two women during the Obama presidency.

“I honestly never had any intentions of writing a book,” Achebe said.

“I always thought you had to be famous or have some extraordinary story to tell before you could write something. I think after Obama won the presidency, I started to think about documenting this historic moment.”

“But I didn’t want to write the storyline that everybody else was doing. I decided to carve my own unique storyline covering the span of one year beginning the day after Obama won the presidency.”

He began writing “Blunted on Reality” in August 2010 and found musical inspiration from various artists like Fela Kuti, Jay-Z and John Coltrane. He completed the work in November 2011 and named it after The Fugees’ first album.

Although Achebe’s major was economics and he did not join any writing organizations in college, the craft has always been with him.

“I feel that my passion for writing has been with me my whole life, but I think it took me writing this book to see the full manifestation of everything,” Achebe said.

While Achebe published the 174-page novel himself, his editing company aided him by providing information on how to put together a book’s interior with the cover design, which symbolizing how life can be reflected in a multitude of lenses.

Achebe, a native of Richmond, Va., worked as a sales representative with Nextel Communications after graduation until he landed his current job working in the tax department of a state governmental agency.

The release of his novel has given Achebe confidence and he aspires to continue writing and pushing himself creatively. He is focused on marketing “Blunted on Reality,” which has received a mix of good reviews but low sales, and has learned through this process that everything takes NOVEL continues on page 10

Monday, August 27, 2012 // 9

The Daily Cougar

PLAYLIST

T

his summer introduced an overwhelming amount of relaxation and free time. The entertainment industry effectively capitalized on the liberty that young adults in college were able to enjoy over the past three months. Houston’s heat waves came with movie blockbusters, summer concert series, and one of my favorites — new music to listen to while soaking up the sun. Justin Bieber’s 26-year-old protégée scored a violin-based hit that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. Tweens and teens obsessed over the resurgence of boy bands — especially the one with five metrosexual British knock-outs. And Kanye West professed his affection for his Lamborghini Murciélago. Whether you hated or loved it, these were the songs that dominated the clubs, parties, and radio airwaves in the summer. — Allen Le

Welcome Back!

Fall Convocation August 30, 2012 Reception at six in the evening; program begins at seven o’clock Grand Ballroom, University Hilton Hotel

Dean William Monroe and the

Faculty and Staff of the Honors College Cordially invite you to attend the

Fall 2012 Convocation Keynote address will be delivered by

Mike Feinberg KIPP Schools Co-Founder

http://The HonorsCollege.com/convocation

The Daily Cougar

10 \\ Monday, August 27, 2012

NOVEL continued from page 8

time and patience.

“You should just enjoy the moment,” Achebe said.

“Don’t be carried away with thinking you aren’t a successful author because you didn’t make the New York Times Best Seller list. The reason that you wrote your book in the first place is because you had a story to tell.” arts@thedailycougar.com

ONLINE Check it out online: amazon.com/author/chineduachebe

MUSIC

Bloc Party outshines indie genre Album displays band’s depth, explores new sounds with strong instrumentations Christopher Lopez Staff writer

U.K indie-rock band Bloc Party has circled back to its post-punk revival roots with a refreshing twist in its new album, “Four.”

After Bloc Party’s emergence in 2005, fans have missed its original style. However, the group has returned with a new sense of maturity.

The album jumps off with the loud start of “So He Begins to Lie,” which showcases a heavy guitar and Americana sound many listeners are not used to.

In the track “3x3,” the lyrics start off raspy and low, with wordplay like that of Slayer and Megadeth. It

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later switches to lead vocalist Kele Okereke hauntingly saying, “No,” before screaming, “Yes.” The album takes a break from hard rock towards the middle, but closes with “We Are Not Good People.” The interludes that connect the verses give off a standard guitar sound that American fans easily adapt to.

Bloc Party’s best rendition of the harder style of rock is “Team A.” The untamed guitar near the end is exhilarating, and the adrenaline punch by the lyrics, “I am going to ruin your life,” serves as an icing on the cake.

“Coliseum” stands out in “Four” because it starts off with a bluesy folk intro and subsequently

powers through with a strong guitar presence. The song’s ravishing tone builds up to the astonishing lyricism.

Bloc Party still retains their irreplaceable depth in “Truth,” which has astounding vocal hooks and emotions relayed by the lyrics, “I am yours now respectfully. I am yours now truthfully.”

The band’s second single, “Day Four,” is this album’s version of “This Modern Love,” from their début album in 2005. The song ends with echoing vocals and violin music fading into the distance.

It also has a similar sound to Bloc Party’s other track, “Real Talk.” The second verse incorporates a banjo that assists the piece from start to

finish.

The first single, “Octopus,” reminds the fans of Bloc Party’s older sound. From its moving hooks to the lyrical structure of the song, avid followers of the indierock music are no strangers to this playful tone.

Some of the harder rock tracks do not fit the bill with this band, and may seem more like a tribute anthem than the original roots.

The thresher tracks should not be dismissed, though. The more tranquil and less power-driven tracks are amazing, and give us back the nostalgia that this band has created since 2005. arts@thedailycougar.com

Click on it: www.thedailycougar.com

Monday, August 27, 2012 // 11

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MINOR IN

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The Center for Mexican American Studies Celebrating 40 years of Excellence in Higher Education For more information:

Visit: www.class.uh.edu/cmas Email: lcano@uh.edu