All eyes on the Snitch
Jared Wolf and John Rudolph The Houstonian
“Here, under the name “The SHSU Quidditch Club,” they do what every other club sport at the university does:
Students conjure up wizarding world sport By Jessica Priest Associate News Editor
The boy who lived may have grown up, but his fans never will. These days, you can spot a few of them at Upper Pritchett Field. Here, under the name “The SHSU Quidditch Club,” they do what every other club sport at the university does: practice. The only difference is how they do it, which could be seen, they guess, as slightly unorthodox. Clasping a broom between their legs, the team doesn’t really think they’re that unusual. After
all, aren’t they are just one team in a sea of many? Nevertheless, the group has got students talking. And, with each practice, the team gets one step closer to converting all nonbelievers and asserting that the fictional sport of quidditch has indeed leapt from the pages of J.K. Rowling’s fantasy text to become a reality to Muggles, or non magical folk, everywhere. “Just because [Quidditch] was originally fictitious, doesn’t mean it can’t be turned into something that is real,” said Jesse Harring, an SHSU junior and a beater for the team. “It has it’s own set of rules, and you
need good energy and good skills in order to play… It has all the requirements of a sport.” And many students, either battered and bruised after practice or simply just observing, have found that he is right. Quidditch, they discover, is not for the faint of heart.
Fantasy game, real rules
The sport wasn’t always within a Muggle’s grasp. Once dominated only by those capable of both sorcery and flying, many find it hard to imagine the game’s premise is still the same. — See QUIDDITCH, page 7
Jared Wolf and John Rudolph
The Houstonian
BREAKING RECORDS. Junior Kevin Mulcahy is among those who have turned the pages of a series that began nearly 10 years ago and has sold as many as 325 million copies worldwide.
Word of wizards IMPACTS YOUTH
By George Mattingly
Contributing Reporter
Through the years, the Harry Potter series has had a large cultural impact on the youth through the world of wizards and witches intertwined with love, drama, and comedy. Now, as the series comes to a close with its final movie installment, many have considered the true impact of the books on young readers. In the 10 years since the series began, it has sold a total of 325 million copies worldwide, 143 million in the U.S. alone. The final book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows,” broke the record for the fastest-selling book with 11 million copies sold in one day worldwide.
— See WORD, page 3
The Houstonian’s next issue will be on Tuesday, November 30.
Vol 116— Issue 25
Huntsville, Texas
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Special..................page 5
Viewpoints...................page 2
Entertainment........page 6 Campus................page 3 Sports....................page 7 Lifestyle...............page 4 Special..................page 8
Inventors realize Harry Potter technology Kymera Magic Wand Remote Control The Magic Wand is a universal remote control that has 13 “magical functions” that can be designated for different actions with a TV. To change channels, a simple flick of the wand up or down, to turn the volume up or down, make a clockwise motion. Other gestures include “Big Swish,” “Push Forward,” “Pull back” and two single and double taps. The wand sells for around $80.
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to meet safety regulations. The basic model will sell for $194,000 and so far the company has orders for 70 vehicles.
Invisibility Cloak Scientist in the UK have developed a breakthrough flexible film that could be used as a “cloak on invisibility,” according to a report in the “New Journal of Physics.” The material, called “Metaflex” is composed of microscopic structures that form a “metamaterial” that has the ability to control and channel the flow of light on a fundamental level. The ability to manipulate light is what creates the illusion of invisibility
Flying Car
The “real” Daily Prophet
Terrafugia, a company based in Woburn, Mass., plans to introduce its “car-plane”, the Transition, next year. The Transition has wings that can unfold for flying and fold back up in one minute, ready to drive. The plane is designed to fly below 10,000 feet, while most commercial planes fly between 30-50 thousand feet. The company is working closely with the FAA to meet regulations for the aircraft and
Much like the Daily Prophet newspaper of Harry Potter, Entertainment Weekly, in 2009, embedded a tiny video screen in a two page CBS ad. The screen is controlled by a slim LCD screen inserted between the pages. The screen uses chip technology to store up to 40 minutes of video content. The video plays each time the page is turned.
Viewpoints
Page 2
Thursday, November 18, 2010
houstonianonline.com/viewpoints
If you were a hoqwarts student, which house would you Anthony Ormsbee Freshman want to be “Gryffindor.” in?
Letter to the Student Body Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni:
Ryan McRae Senior
“Gryffindor, all the way.”
The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body. We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor. If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to e-mail your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian. Brandon Scott Viewpoints Editor bscott@houstonianonline.com
Humanization Burkhart Tiffany Wallace Ronda Kimmons Amy Sophomore Freshman
Sophomore
“I would definitely be in Gryffindor.”
“Gryffindor, I guess. They seem to have the most fun without getting in trouble”
“I would be in the Gryffindor house.”
‘Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I’ll be in Slytherin, all our family have been - imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I’d leave, wouldn’t you?’
--Draco Malfoy First year student
Out of the loop
Courtesy of comics.com
Comedy Cartoons
They must have missed me with this one, but my coworkers here at the paper have never been more enthused. If you haven’t noticed by now, the entire issue of today’s Houstonian is in the spirit of Harry Potter. It actually appears to be the common thread that brings these nerds together. We’ve done special issues before. Last semester we had a successful “go green” issue, but only a few people on staff were amped about it. This semester, we anticipated our football season opener against Baylor by unnecessarily taking up our entire front page with graphics of the starting quarterbacks. Of course, only us sports guys were into that. But this Harry Potter thing, everyone’s got their tickets, jubilated like children in a candy store; everyone
except me, that is. Without any hesitation, I can honestly say that I’m totally disconnected with the HP pandemonium. It’s interesting, though, because throughout the planning of the Potter issue I’ve made my friends out to be weird, when really I’m the only one in the office who doesn’t know what’s going on. I’m left out of the inside jokes. No one is passing ideas or suggestions off me. If you ask anyone in the Dan Rather Building Rm. 210, I’m the weird one. I’ve never read a single line in a Potter book or seen a single clip from the movies. Friends I grew up with would tell you the same thing about themselves. If I went home and told my family that I had an interest in the “wizarding world,” they would laugh at me hysterically and say I’ve been in college too long. They would right about that. Ever
since I came to Sam Houston, I’ve had the strongest urge to learn things that I would never know if I stayed home. Harry Potter, in some ways, has become one of those things. I’m not so much interested in what the plot is all about, as I am interested in why the hype is so intense. One of our editors even did a story on the SHSU Quidditch team. Nevermind what kind of journalist reports on Potter hysteria, but please, what the hell is a Quidditch team? It’s way over my head, that’s what it is. And I can make fun of Potter fans all I want, but the series of novels has sold more than 400 million copies and been translated in more than 60 languages since 2008. So even if it is a little late to join the bandwagon, being surrounded by nerds still gives me an opportunity to learn something.
Brandon Scott shamelessly admits he knows nothing about H arry P otter
Sean Goree on the detriment of instant access from athletes to fans
Shortly after the game played during Monday Night Football, one player criticized another after a bad performance. This is extremely common considering the competitiveness of professional sports. Players criticize opponents, coaches criticize players and the media criticizes all parties involved. However, I want to explore a facet of sports that has not always been accessible to the average fan. The manner in which the player was able to express his opinion is a byproduct of the growing humanization of athletes; especially those who wish to be heard or seen. The player’s comment was made to show disapproval towards a lofty contract being paid to a struggling quarterback. Twitter became the medium in which this message was viewed instantly by millions of people who frequent the popular networking website. Before the rise of online social networking, opinions were carefully groomed by public relations agents before their appearances in press conferences or
interviews. Players are not to use their accounts during a game and coaches would rather not discuss the distraction it poses to players they invest countless hours of time and effort into. The control over expression has become harder than ever for organizations to attain when statements and apologies were quickly prepared to protect reputations from the actions of its athletes. Is the expanding access to the mind of athletes a good thing for sports? How long will it be until a frustrated athlete crosses the often blurred line of expression? As of now, monetary fines are the only weapons used to combat poor judgment when it comes to time and appropriateness of comments. The business of sports will not allow many other options and with almost a billion dollars involved in contractual obligations between coaches and players, it could be a lot cheaper to simply log off and go to practice. As a fan, I’m left wondering what Babe Ruth would’ve drunkenly tweeted.
The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers. Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call (936) 294-4864. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.
The Houstonian Editorial
FACULTY ADVISOR Robin Johnson......................................................................936-294-1499 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meagan Ellsworth...............................................................936-294-1505 SECTION EDITORS Jessica Priest..................................................................Associate Editor Brandon Scott..............................................................Viewpoints Editor Mike Silva...........................................................................Sports Editor Thomas Merka........................................................Entertainment Editor Jared Wolf.......................................................................Graphic Designer STAFF Lotis Butchko.................................................................Sports Reporter John Rudolph.......................................................................Photographer Jessica Gomez......................................................................Photographer Erin Peterson.......................................................................Copy Editor
Advertising BUSINESS MANAGER Brittany Hampton...........................................................936-294-1500 ADVERTISING MANAGER Branden Price..................................................................936-294-1503 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Chelsea Boyd............................................................................................ Brittany Hamilton.................................................................................... Kyle Mackey............................................................................................ Stephanie Mashburn............................................................................... Chibuike “Chip” O.................................................................................. Mark Smith..............................................................................................
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Tuesday’s Issue............... Friday at 2:00 p.m. Thursday’s Issue........... Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Campus
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By Lotis Butchko
Sports Reporter
ony Dorsett sat in a room full of eager fans, dressed in an upscale suit, the retired running back preached education and its ability to transcend through the lives of people, when the Presidents Speaker series presented their newest speaker at the Performing Arts Center. In front of a packed crowd – the line wrapped around both stairwells – Dorsett entertained a crowd with funny jokes and amusing stories. “I was stoked about seeing Tony Dorsett,” said Freshman John Juneau. “I’m a long time Cowboy fan and this was a great experience" He discussed his life growing up in Alquippa, Penn., seeing his dad working the Steel mills and what it did to the families. “People I grew up with always wanted to get a job at the mills,” Dorsett said. “I never wanted that, I knew I had to get out of m $20 to $ fr o 85
t started with an obsession. At the age of 12, Paul Ruffin, now a proud professor with a Ph.D. and numerous publications under his belt, was just like any other 12-year-old boy. He went to the circus and fell for a pretty girl that he never, ever spoke to. Like any other 12-year-old, regardless of gender, he held on to that first love. Later, he wondered what had happened to her and began to almost obsess over her. Out of that single seed of obsession grew an ivy-like imagination that crept and crawled its way through publication after publication after publication. The pretty girl was a tight rope walker, a magical, “silver, ethereal creature” that scaled a wire high above crowds of curious, awe-struck onlookers. To the 12-year-old Ruffin, this girl was
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Copy Editor
simply an angel, though so skinny that he “could see every vertebrae in her spine” and with thin shoulderblades he mistook for “nubs where angel wings should have sprouted.” Years after his circus excursion, he wrote a poem about his experience, which he drew upon to write an essay, which he drew upon to write a short story. He was constantly “In Search of the Tightrope Walker,” the highly appropriate title of this particular short story. What Ruffin taught our small, curious crowd of students and faculty members, in a voice that clearly showcased his Southern roots, was that inspiration can creep up out of nowhere. As a writer of a weekly column, he showed that inspiration is everywhere. It can be found in the silliest of questions or the wildest of dreams. It can be the possible answer to a question that we just quite couldn't answer at some point, or possibly even the life story of someone that we met for the briefest of moments or the one, single
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that town.” Dorsett made headlines in high school as a running back and cornerback, finally getting recruited to the University of Pittsburgh, one of the few schools that was recruiting him as a running back. Pittsburgh had been a perennial doormat before Dorsett’s time, but with a great recruiting class Dorsett was able to win a national championship, and also take the most coveted trophy in college sports, the Heisman. Dorsett focused on his time in college, how it turned him from a young boy into a young man, and the relationships he was able to create while there. “In the end they can take away my sport,” Dorsett said. “But they can’t take away my education.” He also talked about his ideas about student athletes. Dorsett’s oldest daughter, Jazmyn, is playing basketball at Oklahoma State University. He glowed when speaking of her, but he made a clear distinction about her playing sports in college.
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students. In the Spring, Notable media personalities David Strickland, of Channel 13, and Lana Hughes, of om awsV L KTRH Radio, were e i n -T Melarter KTRK able to provide repo valuable career information for the By Meagan Ellsworth everchanging and Editor-in-chief | Priority One competitive industry at the Kat’s Meow program put on by Priority One Public w a r d Relations. w i n n i n g The on-campus journalist Priority One team is Melanie Lawson will staffed by students be at Sam Houston who seek a career State University on in the field and Tuesday, Nov. 30 provide on-campus for The Kat’s Meow: departments, Mingling with the organizations and Media. others with a public The event will be relations service. held from 6p.m. to 8 The Public p.m. in room 125 of Relation’s entity the Dan Rather Mass is under the Communication direction of Mass Building to give Communication students the chance Department faculty to hear the Houston’s advisor and former KTRK-TV reporter’s White House story of success. spokesperson Peter Food and drinks Roussel. will be provided free For more to the public at the information about event, which will also Priority One events feature a questions or services please and answers segment e-mail priority1pr@ for Lawson with gmail.com.
“I told her, ‘I don’t care about your playing time,’” he said. “’You have done something that less than one percent of people will ever do, get an education on scholarship for sports. You have to work on your grades now, because that is something they can’t take away from you.’” Dorsett did take time to answer questions, he talked about his being recruited, his
agic
weight and how he would play in the new national football league. He talked about his knees, and how they have held up since his retirement. But on his closing note Dorsett reiterated his biggest point, that an education is the best thing that any person can have, because unlike his career, and body, his education will never leave him.
Lawson t o media m talk
LUMOS. NFL star Tony Dorsett shed light the hardships he endured and triumphs he enjoyed during his career with the NFL Tuesday.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
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person that we'd always wished that we had. Life is full of unanswered questions and unfulfilled hopes and dreams. Ruffin simply sought to answer his own empty question, and did so in a tragically beautiful way that seemed to move nearly every soul scattered throughout the room. Ruffin is currently a professor with the English department and the 2009 Texas Poet Laureate. “In Search of the Tightrope Walker” is from Jesus in the Mist, a collection of short stories published in 2007. Ruffin has also written and co-edited 14 other publications.
page 1
From RELAY
It has no doubt become a cultural phenomenon, influencing movies, fashion, and music and beckoning fans to wait in line. Despite its major success, the series has not made an impact in terms of influencing readers. According to tests conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of students in fourth grade who said they read for fun on a weekly basis has declined from 75 percent in 2000 to 69 percent in 2009, with similar results for eighth graders. However, test results given by the NCES showed slight increases in scores for both age groups since 1998, the year the first Harry Potter book was released. Other studies show that as age increases, the frequency of reading decreases. However, many young readers claim that the Harry Potter series was the reason they began reading, which says a lot for a generation dominated by the thrill of technology. “I believe J.K. Rowling began a new generation of readers,” said Wally Barnes, Ph.D., director of the Reading Center. “Her series involved children in books rather than other things such as T.V. and video games.” This is due in part to the fact that readers of the series grew up along with the characters over the years, making the book’s central themes of love, friendship and the struggles of adolescents far more relatable for readers, Barnes said. Some students also agree with Dr. Barnes. “The Harry Potter books are so appealing because it allows us to
see a world in which we do not live in, yet, it still shows the importance of moral values and teaches us that doing the right thing may not always be easy,” said sophomore Adorina Ngyuen. “It combines love, comedy, pain and justice. People of all ages can relate to these books.” She also said that the Harry Potter series has a far more appealing message than the Twilght series, another major teen book series. Coincidentally, the Harry Potter series has sold far more copies with 143 million compared to the 40 million of the Twilight series. However, the Twilight series has spent more weeks on the best seller list, making the top ten for 52 consecutive weeks. Although the Newton Gresham Library is not as grand and does not contain nearly as many books on Herbology, Transfiguration, Wizard History, or Potions as the Hogwarts library, it has advantages of its own. After two previous library buildings, including Estill, the NGL was esablished in 1968 after Newton Gresham himself, a longtime member of the Board of Regents and SHSU benefactor. It holds approximately 1.3 million books, bound periodicals and government documents, as well as paperback books, periodicals and a children’s literature collection. It is also involved with the Bearkats Read to Succeed program, which introduces freshmen to the joys of reading, spreading knowledge and creating a connection between students and faculty. To find out more about the NGL visit http:// library.shsu.edu/index.
Lifestyle
Page 4 Thursday, November 18, 2010
houstonianonline.com/campus-news/lifestyle
White shirt Round glasses
Muggle ways to outfit magical feasts
The
Hogwarts house logo Loose hair Black robes Striped tie
Magic wand
Fashion police: wizarding wardrobe beginning, was curly, frizzy and big. In the newer movies, she wears her hair straight, either pulled back or down. Granger is usually seen with an abundance of books in her hands, so this is a detail that would add a good detail. She is considered the brains of the group and is teased for kissing up to her professors. Lastly, everyone wanting to imitate the young wizards should carry the weapon that every trained wizard owns, a wand. The easiest way to have a wand is to find any twig and carry it around. Another way to accomplish this is to buy a replica wand. Potter’s wand in the series was made from the Holly tree and was 11 inches long and contained a phoenix feather, and sold to him by Mr. Ollivander.
individuals practicing unrelated black magic rituals. “The sacrifices of owls on auspicious occasions appears to be a regular practice and [there could be] a possible increase in trade and sacrifices around Diwali,” the report said. Diwali is a major holiday on the Hindu calendar that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. “Diwali should be a time for celebration across our nation, not one when our wildlife is plundered to feed ignorant superstition,” Ramesh said. American owl populations have remained relatively steady, although there has been an increase in number over the past few years. In the United States there are very few endangered or protected owl species. A decline in owl population in India is attributed to the “Harry Potter” book and movie series, according to Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. In the series the main characters use owls to deliver and recive mail. Ramesh said that the popularity of the film increased the number of birds purchased from illegal animal markets. “Following Harry Potter, there seems to be a strange fascination even among the urban middle classes for presenting their children with owls,” Ramesh said at the opening of a report on owl populations. The author of the report, Abrar Ahmed said he chose to research owl trade after one of the “strangest
Senior Reporter
Report blames books, magic rituals on dwindling Indian owl population
India fails OWLS
As usual, the police will be out on Thursday night. However, this time the police will be avid readers of the “Harry Potter” series on the prowl for faulty costumes. One way to avoid getting a slap on the wrist is to make sure to dress accurately for the part. The dress code for the students of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is often referenced in both the books and movies. The basic wardrobe is described in the first book. Students wear black dress shoes, black robes, a white shirt and a tie fitting the colors of the House they are in. Students are divided into one of four Houses,
he was an infant. The attack was perpetrated by the antagonist, Voldemort. Those wanting to dress like Ronald Weasley, Potter’s best friend, has relatively few quirks. First is the hair. Ron is known for his fiery red hair and freckles. Those without can buy a wig and paint. In the books he has five brothers and a sister. Their family is also quite poor and they often use handme-down clothing so holes and faded clothing is acceptable. The author, J.K. Rowling, often describes Ron as being embarassed by his robes that show his ankles. Hermione Granger, friend of Potter and Weasley, is probably the easiest of the three to imitate. Her hair, in the
Senior Reporter
Everyone knows what is traditional Muggle, non-magical people, cuisine when it comes to a Thanksgiving feast. Turkey and gravy, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and green bean casseroles are staples of American Thanksgiving dinners. But what would characters such as Harry Potter or the Weasley family eat around their table? The first thing to point out is the difference in national cuisine. In America, Thanksgiving feasts are largely made of foods found locally, or within the country. The same can be said for the students of Hogwarts, who reside in England. Thus, traditional English food is the epicenter of lunch and dinners in the Great Hall, the school’s cafeteria, and similar food is eaten at wizarding homes. There are several mentions of food throughout the seven books, including when Ron Weasley accidently spits bits of Yorkshire pudding all over Harry Potter in the start of the term feast. There are only a few types of drink mentioned in the books that gives the reader insight to what the
characters consume. While students are in Hogwarts, their diet consists only of pumpkin juice, save one mentioning of a glass of water. Trips to the Three Broomsticks bar in the fictional town of Hogsmeade are frequent, especially during the winter months. There the bar owner, Madam Rosmerta serves Butterbeer, a slightly alcoholic drink similar to cream soda, to any who enter, including students who today would be considered underage. Food typically eaten with those drinks is rich and heavy. Roast beef and chicken, fried sausages, pork chops and lamb chops are traditional meats served in British households. Turkey is most likely not served, as it is considered an American food. Duck would be a more likely fowl served. As a side dish, wizards typically dive into sheperd’s pie, a traditional meat pie topped with mashed potatoes, various pastries and cooked potatoes. All of those items are mentioned in the books. Finally, for dessert, sweet-loving wizards eat pies, treacle tarts, and a variety of pies, doughnuts and rice pudding.
Courtesy Mugglenet.com
Ingredients * 1 cup Ginger Ale, club soda or cream soda * 1/2 cup butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping) * 1/2 tsp. butter Directions Step 1: Measure butterscotch and butter into a 2 cup (16 oz) glass. Microwave on high for 1 to 1½ minutes, or until syrup is bubbly and butter is completely incorporated. Step 2: Stir and cool for 30 seconds, then slowly mix in club soda. Mixture will fizz quite a bit. Step 3: Serve in two coffee mugs or small glasses; a perfectly warm Hogwarts treat for two!
demands” he has ever recieved. A friend asked him to get a white-colored owl for her son’s 10th birthday party, which was “Harry Potter”themed. These, according to the report, are examples of what is causing the demise of the owls. More than 30 species of owl are found in the markets, some are highly endangered. The species include the Spotted, Barn, Rock Eagle, Jungle and Collard Scops owl varieties. The report was backed by a leading Indian conservation group called Traffic who was advocating for a greater protection of the owls around the time of the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. It is around this time that the group is most worried about sacrificial owl killings by
Senior Reporter
like colleges, that include Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Each of these Houses are associated with colors that students wear around school. Students in Gryffindor wear red and yellow, Slytherin students green and silver, students in Hufflepuff wear yellow and black, and Ravenclaw students wear royal blue and gold. At magical sporting events, like Quidditch, the different Houses also bring spirit items colored appropriately. For men to accurately dress as Harry Potter they must have round glasses that are recently popular. They also must have the signature lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. He recieved the scar after an attack on his family when
By Stephen Green
By Stephen Green
By Stephen Green
If you have any story suggestions for this page, please contact Stephen Green at sgreen@ Houstonianonline.com, or Kolby Flowers at kflowers@ houstonianonline.com
INVENT YOURSELF. With over 140 degrees and certificates, there’s really no limit to who you can become. Not only are our classes more affordable than most four-year universities, we also offer financial aid and scholarships to help you pay for college. For information or to enroll, visit sanjac.edu or call 281.998.6150.
EOI
Arts & Entertainment
Page 6
Thursday, November 18, 2010
houstonianonline.com/entertainment
Billboard Hot 100 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“What’s My Name,” Rhianna ft. Drake “Like A G6,” Far East Movement “Just the Way You Are,” Bruno Mars “Only Girl (In the World),” Rhianna “We R Who We R,” Ke$ha
Radio songs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“Just the Way You Are,” Bruno Mars “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love,” Usher “Only Girl (In the World),” Rhianna “Just a Dream,” Nelly “Like A G6,” Far East Movement
Digital songs that maybe this director will have brought some of the qualities that made the third film so believable and enjoyable back into play, but by looking at the trailers for the film I can’t tell if my hopes stand a chance or are in vain. Despite my own skepticism regarding this film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is sure to be a box office phenomenon. Warner Brothers has announced that the film will be opening in a record breaking 239 IMAX screens nationwide, according to mugglenet. com. If you’re wanting to catch the midnight release of the film you’ll have to travel outside of Huntsville because the local theatre has sold out of tickets for the screening. Alas, I am in the same boat as many of you Muggles and did not think to get a ticket before they sold out, so Friday I shall venture to the theatre to see the film with high expectations and fingers crossed.
Photo courtesy of harrypotter.com
A
t this moment, P o t t e r f a n s across the nation are waiting in antagonizing suspense for the release of the newest installment of the Harry Potter films that premiers tonight at midnight. As a huge Potter fan myself, I, too, am excited to see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.” but with hopes of enjoying this film more than some of the previous movies in the series. I have been an avid reader of the Harry Potter novels since I was in the fourth grade and have since read every book in the series at least five times. This, I feel, is the root of my disappointment of in the Potter films. In my opinion, there has only been one film that adequately captured the true essence of the
Entertainment Editor
By Thomas Merka
novel and that is “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” This film is full of tiny details and nuances that fully immerse the viewer into the wizarding world J.K. Rowling creates in her novels. Every time I watch this film, I pick up on new details that I didn’t notice when I watched the film before. The first two films I feel did a fair job and are overall good films, but the third, “Prizoner of Azkaban,” took it to a new level, bringing realism and a dark edge to the films that is everpresent in the novels. After the third film, I feel the directors dropped the ball. Movies four, five and six lack the realism necessary to take the viewer into the world of Harry Potter. Also, I feel that the directors have focused too much on the love and social lives of the characters instead of the pressing issues central to the plot. With the coming of the latest installment in the film series, I am hopeful
New Potter film looks promising but still lacking
The End is Near Hot Hits
of Mus l o o Sch Wind En ic to t s s e e l m b o H By Erin Peterson Copy Editor
The SHSU Wind Ensemble will perform
works by Frank Ticheli, Steven Bryant, Vincent Persichetti and Donald Grantham during their recital this evening.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. “The Wind Ensemble
is the premiere wind band comprised of student performers selected by audition,” said Matthew McInturf, director of bands and the Center of Music Education. In addition to student performances, faculty artist Nicole Franklin, a soprano soloist, will be featured on Ticheli’s “Angels in the Arhitecture.” “[The concert will] feature works that take advantage of the wonderful acoustic environment of the concert hall,” McInturf said. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for senior citizens or students. For more information, call the School of Music at 936-294-1360.
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“What’s My Name?,” Rhianna ft. Drake “We R Who We R,” Ke$ha “Like A G6,” Far East Movement “Raise Your Glass,” P!nk “Only Girl (In the World),” Rhianna
Adult Pop 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“Teenage Dream,” Katy Perry “Animal,” Neon Trees “Just the Way You Are,” Bruno Mars “September,” Daughtry “Secrets,” OneRepublic
Hip-hop/R&B 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“Can’t Be Friends,” Trey Songz “Deuces,” Chris Brown “No Hands,” Waka Flaka Flame “Right Above It,” Lil Wayne ft. Drake “Ashton Martin Music,” Rick Ross
country 1. “As She’s Walking Away,” Zac Brown Band 2. “Stuck Like Glue,” Sugarland 3. “Anything Like Me,” Brad Paisley 4. “Come Back Song,” Darius Rucker 5. “Farmer’s Daughter,” Rodney Atkins
Rock 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“Say You’ll Haunt Me,” Stone Sour “Tighten Up,” The Black Keys “Little Lion Man,” Mumford & Sons “Radioactive,” Kings of Leon “Animal,” Neon Trees
itunes top 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“We R Who We R,” Ke$ha “Firework,” Katy Perry “The Time (Dirty Bit),” Black Eyed Peas “What’s My Name?,” Rhianna “Like a G6,” Far East Movement
Sports
Page 7 Thursday, November 18, 2010
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From Quidditch page 1
“At first, I just didn’t understand how Quidditch could be played if there wasn’t any flying,” said Ellen Whitten, a sophomore studio art major at the university who watched one practice from the sidelines. “It was interesting to see how they set it up.” Senior education major Amber Gamble shared similar concerns before becoming informed. “How do they catch the Snitch?” These questions and more attract a healthy crowd of students each night the team practices, and their curiosity does not go unrewarded. “Obviously, there isn’t any flying,” said Gabe Wilson, a team member. But the game, he insists, is no less magical. Remaining true to Rowling’s initial vision as much as possible, Muggle Quidditch inflicts only minor changes deemed necessary for the purposes of reality. First and foremost, a broom must remain between one’s legs at all times in order to simulate flying. “If the broom leaves between your legs, it’s a penalty and the play stops until you get back on your broom,” Quidditch Club President Geoff Palkovics said. “What we use for the quaffle, which is the ball you pass back and forth and try to score goals with, is a semi-deflated soccer ball … It’s easier to grip and you just throw it through the goals to try to score.” Goals are scored by team members called ‘chasers,’ he explained. Essentially, they are the offense. Similarly, those in the position of “Beater” make up the defense. They are responsible for berating opposing team members with a barrage of balls called “Bludgers” in an effort to make it that much harder for them to score. “The ‘Beaters’ use dodge balls as Bludgers and they just throw it at each other [and other players],” he
said. “Obviously, it would be very difficult to bat at a ball back and forth [like they do in the books] that doesn’t magically fly.” The team with the most points wins, he said, but not before two important tasks are completed. First, the team needs to successfully make it past someone called a “Keeper.” “The ‘Keeper’ is essentially a goalie that tries to stop you from scoring by standing in front of the three goals that we have on either side.” The goals are suspended hula hoops turned on their side, and they are supported by PBC pipe, which planted firmly on the ground with tires filled with 80 pounds of cement. Second, a “Seeker” must catch the Golden Snitch, a tiny ball that whirred past Potter and his Slytherin enemy, Draco Malfoy, on many occasions. And this, many say, is where things can get a bit tricky. “Perhaps the most interesting part [of Muggle Quidditch] is the Snitch, which is actually a person who is running around and trying to get away from the two Seekers,” Palkovics s a i d . “Basically, we [use] a flag football belt, [and], once you get the belt from the Snitch, the game is over and that team gets an additional 30 points. “I know in the real game it’s 150 points, but that would be ridiculous,” he said. “No one is going to score that many points.” Also, like the book, the Snitch has very lax boundaries within which they must avoid both seekers’ detection. They may stray as far away as Sam Houston Avenue, as long as they don’t venture into any of the buildings, Palkovics said.
“Before the game starts, the Snitch is released and they have about five minutes to wander off somewhere…How long the game lasts depends on how long it takes to catch the Snitch,” he said. Armed with timers, Snitches have henceforth 15 to 20 minutes to hide. But, once time is up, they must return to the field and resume running from the seekers. “This [rule] keeps the game from lasting forever,” Palkovics said. “It’ll also enable us to have more than one game in a day.”
Fantasy game, real bumps, bruises
So far, no one has lost all the bones in their arm, as Potter did one fateful day, but there have been a few close calls, Palkovics said. “People have gotten hurt while playing,” he said. “I slashed my finger the other day because I was using a mop with a metal interior. When I got tackled, the mop broke and sliced my finger open.” His teammates have similar stories. Herring, who is also a Beater, thinks Muggle Quidditch m i g h t even be harder than the Quidditch played in the books. “I’m sure Muggle Quidditch is a lot harder than actual Quidditch because it requires a lot more stamina,” he said. “Although, I do try to keep the Beater position as accurate the books as possible,” he joked. Still, despite the blood, sweat, and tears, there are still naysayers, Palkovics said, who insist that Quidditch is not a legitimate sport. Because of this, the team is often subject to harassment from students who just don’t understand. “Everyone I’ve been talking to has just been laughing about it and saying ‘I can’t believe you’re out on your broom, running around. You’re just going to rack yourself and be in so much pain.’” Palkovics also said that some students have even gone as far as refusing to leave the reserved field, equating the team with those who enjoy the game “Dungeons and Dragons.” “They just think that they’re better than us, but I don’t think they are,” Palkovics said. Quidditch Club Vice President
“We sweat, bleed, get hurt and run around just as much as any other team.”
-Quidditch Club Vice President McKinzie Nicks
Photos by John Rudolph
Golden Snitch
Bludger
The equipment
McKinzie Nicks agrees. “We sweat, bleed, get hurt and run around just as much as any other team,” she said.
From the World Cup
cupboard to the
Whether its considered a real sport or not, Quidditch’s popularity has propelled it into the spotlight. Last week, Middlebury College, the Virginian university that founded Muddle Quidditch in 2005, won the additional admiration of Potter fans everywhere by claiming the cup at the fourth-annual Quidditch World Cup in New York City. Hosted by a formal entity, entitled “The International Quidditch Association,” the event prompted at least 700 broomwielding athletes to the game, according to a TIME news article. Now, overcoming their humble beginnings, the SHSU Quidditch Club has stars in their eyes, too. “We should be able to go to the Quidditch World Cup next year,” Palkovics said. The trip, which will cost about $2,000, has forced the team to brainstorm fundraising and budget ideas. “Being a first-year organization, we don’t get any financing from the school, so next year, we’re going to have to have a budget plan.” “We were talking about having a t-shirt sale.” Palkovics said. “We figure it’s a unique organization so people might be interested in [buying them.]”
An Escape
to
Hogwarts
For many though, Quidditch is just a fun past time, serving only as a way to reunite with the world Potter and his cohorts inhabit, a need that has only heightened as the last two blockbuster movies set to end the lengthy saga. “I’m 20 years old now, but I started reading the books when I was seven, so, if you think about, Harry Potter has been apart of my life for a very long time,” Herring said. Vice President McKinzie Nicks, a sophomore, echoes this sentiment of attachment. “I just like the books because, I don’t know, [the characters] just all seem like someone I’d actually hang out with. I could kind of put myself in their position and understand the things that they were going through,” Nicks said. “It’s like they were my friends.” Quidditch, many argue, is just one more attempt to let the legacy of Harry Potter live on. “I started reading the books a couple months after they came out and I’ve been reading them ever since,” said Wilson. He too thinks wizarding world will continue to leave a lasting impression on Generation Y. “It will never be over,” he said. And, armed with a spirit like that, the SHSU Quidditch Club is confident they’d make even Potter himself proud of their efforts, whether they make it to the World Cup or not.
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Quaffle
Broomstick