Wednesday, February 14, 2018

T H E O ’ C O L LY

W e d n e s d ay F e b r u a ry 1 4 , 2 0 1 8

Valentine’s day

The o’colly’s guide to a successful valentine’s day PHOTO BY DEVIN L. WILBER/O’COLLY

Valen tin e’s Day

sp e ci al Is s u e

Editorial: GIA is the perfect Valentine’s Day date spot o ’co l ly ed itor ial b oar d @ocolly

We all know you don’t have a date Wednesday night, so what better way to spend Valentine’s Day than with 13,610 other screaming maniacs in Gallagher-Iba Arena?

Even if you did somehow get a date, where else are you going to go in Stillwater?

This OSU team is fun to watch, especially when the building it plays in is full of energy.

OSU is 2-1 in sold-out games this season, only one of which was in Stillwater.

OSU coach Mike Boynton

osu vs. K-State When: 6 p.m. Wednesday Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena Watch: Go to Gallagher-Iba Arena

T.c. Brewster/O’COLLY

A sellout crowd of 13,611 in Gallagher-Iba Arena as OSU plays OU.

said he isn’t a fan of Valentine’s Day because it’s a holiday that doesn’t have much meaning behind it. But what is he willing to do to get the rowdy back in GIA? “Before or after, I’ll cook at halftime for some people if they want,” he said. “I just

want to get as many people in here as possible.”

So there’s your dinner for your date if that’s what you’re looking for.

But even if you’re still just trying to get that date, a basketball game seems like the perfect chance to shoot your

shot. If that girl is out of your league and you know she’ll reject your request for a dinnerand-movie date, just casually ask if she wants to go to a basketball game with you on a Wednesday night.

There’s your chance to be yourself and name drop the basketball player you know on the team. Then once your charm is starting to work, the Kiss Cam is when you seal the deal. She’ll look embar-

rassed, but if she has a heart, she won’t reject you in front of thousands of people. Just like that, you got a Valentine’s Day kiss, and if there was a kiss, then it must have been a real date.

Oh, yeah, back to the game.

The Cowboys are pushing for a spot in the NCAA Tournament thanks to road upsets against Kansas and West Virginia the past two weekends.

Their only loss the past three games was at home in a rather empty GIA. So if OSU can beat top foes away from Stillwater, what can it do if GIA is full? The only other time that’s happened this season, OSU upset Oklahoma in overtime.

Boynton says you can make a difference. So why not get the girl out of your league while you also help the Cowboys outshoot their expectations?

“Our fans are tremendous, and in no way, shape or form have they cost us any games; but what I hope they understand is how much impact they can have on the opponent and giving our team a boost of energy,” Boynton said. “They certainly can be the difference between a close game and maybe us having a chance to pull away from a team at the end. Fans are really important.

We hope as many of them show up as possible.”

2018

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

OCOLLY.COM

PAGE 2A

Valen tin e’s day

sp e ci a l is s u e

Kiss Cam experts share advice, will put it to test D ekota G r egory editor-in-chief @ d e kotag r egory

Jake Mankin and Anna Layton have been on only one side of the famous (or infamous) Kiss Cam at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Mankin and Layton work for Orange Power Studios as camera operators at Oklahoma State sporting events, including men’s and women’s basketball games. The two also happen to be a couple, and Wednesday night, they have Valentine’s Day off. The pair still plans to go to the usual spot when the Cowboys play Kansas State at 6 p.m. Wednesday but as fans instead for the first time in their relationship.

“We went to the Arkansas-OSU game this year because we’re both from Arkansas,” Layton said. “We went to that as fans, but this will the first one in GIA actually not working.”

When that Kiss Cam pops up on the big board in GIA during a break in action Wednesday, Layton and Mankin are bound to be forced to kiss in front of everyone on their Valentine’s Day date with Mike Boynton and Co. They are experts, after all.

“Especially people from OPS that go to games, if a camera person spots them, because

we all know each other, you’re kinda bound to be on one of those type of things, whether it’s Kiss Cam or the Emoji Cam or any of that stuff,” Layton said.

Layton and Mankin have already accomplished the first tip Mankin gave to get your face on the Kiss Cam: know a camera operator.

Well, the couple knows them all.

But that wasn’t the only advice Mankin shared for couples wanting to get videoed smooching in front of thousands of people.

The knowledge Mankin shared included making eye contact with a camera operator.

“I’ll usually look up from the camera to look around before,” Mankin said, “and if I make eye contact with someone and they get all excited, then I’ll know to go to them.”

The next tip was to simply look like a couple that wants to kiss, even if it means sitting away from other fans and making sure it’s just you and your significant other, probably with your arm around that person.

You can also get a camera operator’s attention. Layton said you could even tell camera operators during a break or when they’re not busy that you’re wanting to appear on the Kiss Cam. Ultimately, camera

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

T.C. Brewster/O’COLLY

A couple kisses on the Kiss Cam during the Oklahoma State women’s basketball game Tuesday in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

operators are looking for assurance that they won’t put their shot on a dud when trying to find a couple for the Kiss Cam. “You gotta remember, you’re there to entertain and keep fans engaged,” Mankin said. “Sometimes (a couple not wanting to kiss) can ruin the rhythm of things and dampen the mood.

“You always take that risk of, ‘Are they brother and sister? Are they cousins? Are they just friends?’ That risk is always there, but you just gotta take it; and sometimes it works out.”

Layton has also had

experiences putting her camera on people who haven’t wanted to appear on the Kiss Cam. “We don’t know if someone is a couple for sure,” Layton said.

“Sometimes they’ll go up, and someone will go, ‘Oh, that’s my brother.’

Then you just kinda have to switch really quick.

But those are always really funny because you never really know until they’re actually up on the screen whether they are going to kiss or not. It’s just kinda like a waiting game.”

So what about those who want to avoid be-

OCOLLY.COM

ing on the Kiss Cam? Mankin and Layton gave the same answer: just leave.

“The biggest thing I would say, that if you don’t want to be on it, is just don’t be there during the break,” Layton said.

“Or you could duck or something. Just don’t make it look like you’re in a couple, I guess.”

Mankin and Layton had plenty of advice to share as Kiss Cam experts, but Wednesday, their advice will be tested at GIA. They have everything it takes to be featured on the Kiss Cam: they know camera

operators, they’ll sit as a couple and they have the desire to kiss in front of thousands of people.

“It’s a cute little thing, especially on Valentine’s Day,” Layton said. “It’s one of those things during a break that kinda gets everyone happy.

Especially for (Wednesday), I bet that will be a lot of fun. And with it being a men’s game, hopefully there will be a lot of people there.”

Dekota Gregory is a university studies senior from Locust Grove. He can be reached at editorinchief@ocolly.com.

PAGE 3A

Va l e n t i n e’ s Day

s p e c i al Is s u e

what she really wants for Valentine’s day

Stillwater Property 633 N. Husband (405) 743-2126

K a i l e e Jaques S taff Repo rter @ OColly

It happens on every special occasion: it’s the day before, and you still have no idea what to get her.

Lucky for you, here’s a list of what she really wants for Valentine’s Day. Let’s start with the basics:

Chocolate

If she loves variety and a good smorgasbord, go ahead and get the heart-shaped chocolate box. This will allow her to try every option and put it back in the box after one bite. If you know she’s not a chocolate fan, be sure to snag her favorite sweet treat, not limited to candy. Don’t forget the chocolate-covered strawberries and doughnuts.

Seriously, don’t forget.

Handwritten notes

Whether it’s because technology has consumed our entirety or because there’s effort put toward hand writing how you feel about someone, a handwritten note will mean a 1,000 times more than any Hallmark card or text could.

Flowers

Cliché, but every girl loves receiving flowers. But not just any flower. Skip out on the roses this year. Even if you don’t realize it, roses are

Devin L. Wilber/O’colly

M ost girls love getting f lowers on Valentine’s Day.

the easy way out. They will reflect the lack of thought you put into choosing her flowers and send her the signal that she’s just like every other girl on Valentine’s Day. Pick out flowers that remind you of her.

If she’s bold, pick the lilies. If she loves dainty things, choose something with Baby’s-breath.

If she absolutely loves tulips, get the tulips. Head over to a local flower shop, or if it’s last minute, check out Sprouts.

One-on-one time It might be old fashioned, but put the phones down and spend some one-on-one time together. Valentine’s Day is about acknowledging and appreciating your significant other. Express and show your love for her not just through gifts but through your words and actions a little more than you normally do. That’s the cheapest gift on this list. Make the day personal because you want to make the day special, not because you have to. It’s

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

all about thoughtfulness and effort.

Little things like lip balm This one might catch you off guard, but it shows her how much you actually pay attention. If you know which lip balm she’s always reaching for or losing, throw that Burts Bee’s in the cart. This inexpensive addition to your gift will reveal how you notice the smallest things. This will make a world’s difference.

If you’re still at a complete loss on what to get her, just ask. Really, it’s better to ask than to receive the dreaded and awkward, “Oooh, um, thanks.” f o r t h e f u l l l i s t, g o t o o c o l ly . c o m / l i f e s t ly e /

Kailee Jaques is from Edmond. She can be reached at kailee. jaque@okstate.edu.

OCOLLY.COM

1616 W. Arrowhead 4Bed-3Bath Very Close to OSU Total Elec-Pets OK Granite Counters $2200 Per Month 6121 N. Parker 1Bed-1Bath Condo Nice Country Lvg Pets OK-Fenced Yd All Elec-Super Nice $620 Per Month 21 Elmwood 3Bed-1Bath Near Campus Secluded-Fenced Pets Welcome $825 Per Month 1523 W. McMurtry 1Bed-1Bath Studio ALL Bills Paid Pets OK-Fenced Yrd TV-Appliances Incl $590 Per Month 1724 W. Sunset 4Bed-3Bath Very Close to OSU Total Elec-Pets OK Granite Counters $2200 Per Month 518 W. 12th 6Bed-3Bath-TVs Incl Large Newer Home All Elec-Granite Appliances Incl Washer/Dryer $2250 Per Month 917 E. 8th 2Bed-1Bath Wood Floors Fenced Yard Central Location $675 Per Month 402 W. 9th 4Bed-2Bath Older 2-Story Home Centrally Located All Wood Floors $1200 Per Month

3914 W. Airport 3Bed-1Bath Country Living Newer Home Airport & Sangre $750 Per Month 1717 W. Sunset 4Bed-3Bath Fenced Yard Close to Campus Very Nice Inside $2200 Per Month 716 N. Husband 1 & 2 Bedroom Apts Total Elec-Pd Water Very Close to Campus $450 Month 1-Bed $460 Month 2-Bed 1405 W.McMurtry 5Bed-2Bath Mobile Home-Fenced Yard Cosmetic Updates Country Setting $1000 Per Month 2134 W. Sherwood 3Bed-2Bath Fenced Yard-Pets OK Very Close to OSU Wood Floors-W/D Hookups $1350 Per Month 117 S. Stallard 3Bed-2Bath Shop Large Fenced Yard Lawn Care Incl 25x20 Shop Bldg Pets Welcome $990 Per Month 1201 N. Ramsey 4/Bed-2Bath Large Basement Wood Floors Close to Campus Pets Welcome $1500 Per Month 1103 N. Lewis 4Bed-3Bath Total Electric 2 Lvg Rms-2 Kitchens Older Home $1500 Per Month PAGE 4A

Valen tin e’s Day

s p e c i al Is s u e

Valentine’s Day from a historical standpoint M ega n Hays S ta ff R epo rt er @ O C olly

Valentine’s Day is seen as two drastically different things, depending on what your Facebook status is.

For couples, it can be the high of romance, with heart-shaped boxes full of chocolate and a dozen red roses. For single people, it can be the embodiment of capitalist society as commercials try to sell love.

But before all of the chocolate boxes and punny cards, Valentine’s Day was not quite as romantic.

Let’s start with the name of this holiday. The name

Mike Coats/Flickr

The Skull of St. Valentine rests in Cosmedin, Rome.

comes from the Catholic Saint Valentine of Rome, who lived in the third century. He is the patron saint of fiancées, happy marriages, young people and epilepsy, according to Catholic. org. No, the last one doesn’t make much sense to the Catholic

writing this, either.

Many legends are attributed to him, but like many things, third-century records might have been lost. These stories might be just Catholic propaganda or legends attributed to the wrong guy. Most of the famous stories

about St. Valentine center on the Roman army arresting him for converting people to Christianity and tell of him sanctioning marriages of Roman soldiers when, under Emperor Claudius, it was illegal to do so. There is also a story of him healing a judge’s blind daughter so the judge would believe in God. Once he was arrested is when the tales get harder to determine if they are true. A sentimental story states that after Valentine was imprisoned for his crimes against the Roman state, he healed the blind daughter of the jailer. Before Valentine’s execution, he gave the jailer’s daughter a note signed ‘from your valentine,’ a phrase of endearment we

still use today.

Now, fast forward to when the Catholic Church ruled the empires. To get more pagans and give them an easier transition as they converted to Catholicism, the church often replaced major pagan holidays with church-related holidays, hence Christmas. Valentine’s Day was a Roman holiday to celebrate the Roman god of fertility, and to honor that god, a goat and dog were sacrificed.

Now, here’s where it gets a bit gross. The priests then walked the streets slapping women with strips of the bloody goat skin because it was believed that would make the women more fertile in the year to come. After

that delightful ceremony, single women put their names into a vase from which each Roman bachelor would pull a name, and the couple would spend the rest of the year together. Finding a last-minute Tinder date doesn’t sound too bad after reading that, does it?

The history of Valentine’s Day isn’t the romantic love story it is made out to be, but it does show the reality of a weird, cute and slightly unconventional story of love.

Megan Hays is a chemistry freshman from Bartlesville. She can be reached at mehays@okstate.edu.

Ponca City Wedding Show Wedding Professionals to Help You Plan Your Special Day Bakeries, Photographers, DJs, Dresses, Jewelers, Hair & Beauty, Gift Registry and Much More!

Fashion Shows and Door Prizes

Sunday, February 25, 2018 1 pm – 4 pm Tickets $8 in advance at osagecasino.com $10 at the door Free Parking Open to All Ages (children must be accompanied by an adult)

Osage Casino Hotel Ballroom · 64454 US-60 · Ponca City, OK 74601 For details contact Ericca Dennis at 918-947-5070 or email sales@osagecasino.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

OCOLLY.COM

PAGE 5A

I would dive on the floor for you WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

To: From:

PAGE 7A

h o ros cop e

Daily Horoscope oklahoma state

STUDENT MEDIA STUDENT MEDIA AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY 106 Paul Miller Building • OSU • Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone: 405-744-6363

Level: 1 2 3 4

The mission of Oklahoma State Student Media is to provide a professional environment where students create outstanding media and help local businesses.

Oklahoma State's award-winning newspaper since 1895 To place an ad, call 405-744-7371 or email ads@ocolly.com To place a classified ad, call 405-744-7355 or email lori@ocolly.com To pitch a story idea, call 405-744-6365 or email news.ed@ocolly.com To report an error, complaint or other issue, email editorinchief@ocolly.com To report an issue with newspaper delivery, email barbara.allen@okstate.edu or call 405-744-8369

2/14/18

SOLUTION TO TUESDAY’S PUZZLE

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.sudoku.org.uk © 2018 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Available throughout campus in print MWF, inside the Stillwater News Press TWF and online 24/7 @ocolly.com.

All your marketing needs under one roof, from websites to videos, from ad campaigns to social media

Our office is open M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 108 Paul Miller.

For a free video consultation, call 405-744-7039 or email videos@orangehouse.agency For a free consultation on other digital/marketing needs, call 405-744-4192 or email orangehouseagency@gmail.com

OCOLLY.COM

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Today’s Birthday (02/14/18). Pursue your professional passion this year for profitable results. Strategize, practice and coordinate your moves. You’re in your personal power zone this spring. Revitalized health, fitness and energy this summer leads to a shift in your style or image and a blossoming romantic partnership. Love grows.

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 -- Talk about recent changes with your team at work. Take charge to clean a mess.

Conditions could seem unstable. Business could interfere with romance.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Tackle a professional challenge. Reveal your hidden skills. The time for talk is past. Choose your course and go. Make an amazing discovery.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Unexpected news could interrupt your travel plans. Stick to reliable sources and routes. Can you work from home? Get creative. Prioritize love.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Follow the money trail to find hidden savings. Tranquilize vague fears and rumors by reviewing the true numbers. Adjust plans to recent circumstances.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Talk is cheap; support your partner with action. Misunderstandings are easily resolved with patience. Let go of expectations about how things “should” be.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Practice your moves. Exercise energizes and builds strength. The pace picks up; adapt to a situation in real time. Nurture your health and wellness.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Someone attractive has your attention. Relax and consider all possibilities. Get feedback from loved ones. A sudden move changes the entire game.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Narrow the scope of a domestic project to fit the current reality. Elbow grease pays off. Soap, water and a little paint work wonders.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Get creative.

Write, record and post your views. Anticipate tough questions, and address a controversy. Edit your expression carefully before publishing. Send a test first.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Action can get profitable, while talk is cheap. Put your money where your mouth is. Get moving on what you’re committed to accomplishing.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- Prepare to launch a personal project. Handle details, and lay the groundwork.

Have patience with someone who’s slow to understand. Actions speak louder than words.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 5 -- Slow down and listen to your intuition. Consider imaginative possibilities, and envision options to fulfill them. Private peaceful moments satisfy. Discover hidden treasure.

PAGE 4B

Misc. Services

cl a ss ifieds

Help Wanted Auto shop needs part‑time help. 405‑612‑1932.

Juicy’s Vapor Lounge has full‑ time and part‑time positions.

Please apply at JVL.resume@gmail.com subject line Stillwater.

Need part‑time house painter. some experience required. For interiors and exteriors. Salary negotiable. 405‑747‑5612.

Misc. For Sale

SCOOTERS WHY WALK?

Honda of Stillwater 105 S. Perkins Road stillwaterhonda.com

Apartment Rentals Duplexes For Rent

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Beautiful, huge, 3 & 4 bed‑ room duplexes available.

405‑762‑6464. www.cowboyproperty.com

Wanted

Kay‑Dee Apartments 1315 W. 3rd 1, 2 &3 Bedrooms $500, $575, $900 Per Month Close to OSU‑All Electric Small Pets Welcome

Senior citizen wants to rent 2‑ bedroom house in $600 range with garage or carport, by June 1st. 11 years at last rental. No dishwasher/washer/dryer needed. 405‑332‑4214

Terrace Townhomes 818 N. Husband 2 Bedrooms $575 All Elec‑Close to Campus Pets Negotiable

Society Squares

Bradford Court 304 S. Jefferson 2 Bedrooms $575 Very Close to Campus Pets Negotiable

Valley Acres Mobile Home Park, 2800 W. Lakeview. Lot available, $240/month. Requires 2006 or newer mobile home in good condition. 405‑ 372‑5532.

Lakeview Apartments 2209 N. Monroe 2 Bedrooms $460 Oversized Units All Elec‑Boomer Lake Area

Houses For Rent

Tyler Ten Apartments 1110 W. Tyler 2 Bedrooms $460 Close to OSU/NOC Pets Negotiable Summer Specials

3‑bedroom, 1‑bath, CH/A, washer/dryer, hardwood floors, 1‑car garage. 131 W. Elm. $1200/month. 405‑385‑ 9428.

Raintree Apartments 204 S. Duncan 2 Bedrooms $600 On‑Site Laundry West Maple Apartments 124 W. Maple $520 Per Month‑2 Beds Covered Parking Close to OSU‑All Elec

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Lodges Landing 127 N. Duck 2‑Beds $425 Month Close to Campus On‑Site Laundry

Check us out on the web at www.ocolly. com

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 14, 2018 ************************

Mobile Home Space

Why rent an expensive apartment when you can have your own exceptional home?

2,3,4 & 5 bedroom homes, all appliances, close to campus.

Call Rob 377‑9000

Complete horse stabling facility: Indoor/Outdoor arena, round pen, pasture available.

RV parking available also.

Trish‑405‑612‑9460

2‑bedroom, 1‑bath, CH/A, water/sewer paid. 1/2 block from Student Union. $900/month. Available now and preleasing for June and August. Eagles Nest, 306 S. Ramsey. 405‑385‑9428.

Stillwater Property 743‑2126 Stillwaterpm.com Available June 1st ASK ABOUT FREE SUMMER RENT

Misc. Services

Have a Heart volunteer fair

Taking a few hours out of your week to volunteer can not only allow you the chance to do good, it can change your life and help your future career.

Stop by to learn about volunteer opportuni‑ ties and participate for a chance to win prizes!

Wednesday, Feb. 14 2:00 p.m.‑4:00 p.m.

SU 417 OSU Student Volunteer Center

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Drive-thru device 4 Org. people line up for?

7 Sell under false pretenses 14 Tries to scam online 16 South Pacific region 17 Good thing to break gently 18 Bought time 19 Has no chance of working 21 “__ Lisa” 22 Golf’s “Big Easy” 23 “This is a sure bet” 28 “Halt and Catch Fire” network 31 Writers Patchett and Brashares 32 Korea setting 34 Rhodes of Rhodesia fame 36 “__-Man”: superhero film 37 Longtime SeaWorld star 38 Four-legged collar wearer 40 Indigo plant 41 Rubble-making stuff 42 “Hold on a sec” 46 Storybook crone 47 Close at hand 48 2000s sitcom starring Jason Lee 53 “God willing!”

55 “We’ve heard enough” 57 Accumulates 58 Cautious bettors 59 Mailer’s need 60 Many promos 61 Spot for family game night DOWN 1 Manhunt letters 2 Winter warm spell 3 Skirt style 4 Title role for Geena 5 Attached, as a button

OCOLLY.COM

2/14/18

By Loren Muse Smith and Bruce Haight

6 Give the go-ahead 7 Something struck by a model?

8 One in a cast 9 Circulars 10 Store collections 11 The Beach Boys’ “God __ Knows” 12 Quaint “For shame!”

13 Fidget spinners, apparently 15 Kate McKinnon is in its ensemble, briefly 20 End of a question begun by part of 19-, 23-, 42- and 48Across 23 Regatta entry 24 Diamond situation after a leadoff double 25 Full-length, as a film 26 Several CBS dramas 27 Bread grain 28 Yoga pose 29 Make like 30 Sink sealant

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

33 Captain described as a “grand, ungodly, god-like man” 35 Beirut natives 36 Bubbly prefix 39 Winged steed of myth 43 Performer with many fans?

44 Secured, as a gate

2/14/18

45 Tire features 46 Bouncing off the walls 48 Shape 49 Hairdressing challenges 50 Uru. neighbor 51 Swamp thing 52 Angler’s fly, e.g.

53 Pub letters 54 Squirreled away 56 Bank acct. info

PAGE 5B

anti-valen tin e’s day

s pe ci a l is s u e

The Manly Valentine’s Day: A guide to a testosterone-filled night B rad en Fost er S ta ff R epo rter @ BFosterOS U

Are you a guy who has found himself all alone this Valentine’s Day? Do you want to spend the night doing something awesome and manly instead of feeling down on yourself?

Well, whether it’s your own fault or just bad luck you’re alone, these movies and video games are sure to put hair on your chest.

So while your roommates and friends are out spending money this Valentine’s Day, save yourself some cash and a headache.

Watch a high-octane, no-holds-barred action film.

If you can’t decide, here are three suggestions to help you pick which explosion-filled extravaganza to watch.

First up is anything Paul Verhoeven directed.

Many will know Verhoeven for two things: awesome 80’s action and sickening gore. All of his movies feature classic action, futuristic settings and hundreds of blood squibs.

Watching the shotgun scene in “RoboCop” is no easy task, and that’s nothing compared to the CGI blood in “Starship Troopers.”

If you’re looking for a little more in your mov-

ie, Verhoeven is also notorious for heavy political commentary and satire in his films, but you have to look for it.

If you’re asking me, I’d buy that for a dollar.

Following closely is the ultimate destruction derby with a $150 million budget: “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

This movie is literally a two-hour car chase from beginning to end, with a story so simple a baby could follow it. You get Tom Hardy crashing, shooting and exploding his way across the insane post-apocalyptic Australian Wasteland while being chased by a maniacal overlord painted white. It’s the manliest movie made in the last 10 years and the only movie I can think of to feature a f lame-shooting double guitar on a truck going 150-plus mph.

Last up is the best Christmas movie ever made: “Die Hard.”

While most of the “Die Hard” movies are amazing, we’ll focus on the one that started it all and also featured the rarest sight of all: Bruce Willis with hair.

Trapped in a business tower by the sadistic Hans Gruber (the late Alan Rickman), John McClane must take down the terrorist organization by himself, using guns, knives,

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Doom/IMDB

While others spend money on Wednesday, have a night to yourself playing video games or watching action-packed movies.

rocket launchers and one famous “Yippee Ki Yay Mother F***ers.”

Play a manly video game.

When it comes to video games, there is no argument that they’re for men. Most feature guns, guts and glory, but which one is the manliest? Here are my top three picks to play on Valentine’s Day. The manliest game of all time has to be “DOOM.” The original, released in 1993, might be pretty manly, but most of us weren’t alive for that. Instead, I’m talking about Bethesda’s 2016 re-boot. When

you boot this game up, you’re almost immediately treated to the core gameplay, shooting and tearing apart demons to the blasting soundtrack of heavy metal. This game is everything a guy wants: gory kills, awesome guns, terrifying enemies and satisfying gameplay. The best part is the main character is known as only the “DOOM Marine,” and you know you’re a badass when even the demons from literal hell are scared of you.

Although it’s not nearly as manly as “DOOM,” the “God of War” series is mostly known for one thing:

OCOLLY.COM

Kratos.

Playing as the manliest Spartan to ever (fictionally) exist, the “God of War” series has you ripping apart demons, humans, mythical creatures and even the gods themselves. The hack-’n’slash mechanics make you feel like no one can beat you, and epic boss fights against the Greek gods give you that boost of testosterone you need.

Finally, we have the biggest bro-force in history: “Army of Two.” The appeal for this game was simply, “Why send an army when you just need two guys?”

Gameplay is simple: you play as a team of two guys who are sent to take down a criminal organization by themselves. With crazy armor, an extensive weapons customization system and awesome masks, nothing can stand in your way.

The best part about this game is you can play it with a friend for the ultimate manliness.

Tearing through hundreds of enemies with a buddy is pretty hard to beat.

Braden Foster is a creative writing junior from Kansas City, Kansas.

He can be reached at braden.foster@okstate.edu.

PAGE 3B

anti-Valen tin e’s day

S pe c i a l Is s u e

How to spend Valentine’s Day with your girl gang Pamper yourselves

K a i le e Jaques Sta ff R epo rt er @ O C olly

Why wallow in selfpity and Ben and Jerry’s as you obssess over why you are single when you can spend the 14th with your girl gang instead?

Celebrate Valentine’s Day just as you should: expressing the love you have for those who surround you. The best part about spending Valentine’s Day with your girlfriends is you still get to celebrate without all the lame mushy expectations and uncomfortable dates.

Odds are, you’re basically a couple anyway.

Here are some ideas on how to spend Valentine’s Day with your girl gang:

Food Whether you want to dress up and spend the night with a fancy dinner, go to brunch or experience the thrill of a Taco Bell drive-thru, food is always something to celebrate.

Treat yourselves Stock up on your favorite desserts, drinks and candies. Buy that dress you’ve had your eye on. Go get a new mascara, and most importantly, lose yourself in self-love and the love of your girls.

Start scrolling through your Pinterest feed and spend the night in DIY face masks, scrubs, lotions, the whole 9 yards.

If DIY isn’t your thing, check out Walmart’s two-for-$5 face masks.

Galentine’s Day party Everyone loves an excuse to throw a party, so plan one with your girls.

Bring hors d’oeuvres, treats and crafts, and take lots of pictures to show off on Instagram.

A fun game to play is dirty cupid/secret cupid, which is a Valentine’s Day edition of Dirty Santa/Secret Santa. Either draw names or pass around unwrapped gifts that could include hysterical anti-Valentine’s Day gifts or simple gifts that keep on giving, such as new nail polish or a small gift card.

Movie night Whether you head to the AMC for “Fifty Shades Freed” or make a giant pallet on the living room floor, enjoy a movie with your crew. If you’re wanting to steer clear of all things love, some phenomenal #girlsquad movies include “Bridesmaids” (2011), “Spice World” (1997) and “Charlie’s Angels”

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

(2000), though Bravo is always a great fallback.

Bowling Head over to Frontier Lanes with your girl gang if you want an inexpensive outing that’s bound to leave you in a laughing fit. Pro tip: Frontier Lanes is on Pocket Points.

Volunteer Load up your girls and show some love to those who need it most.

Whether you end up at the Humane Society or the Stillwater Medical Center, the key to Valentine’s Day is to spread the love and remind others what it feels like to be loved.

You don’t have to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a mushy pit of romance. Take advantage of those couple specials with your besties. Valentine’s Day is supposed to be spent acknowledging and conveying the love you have for those who surround you.

Sometimes we find our soul mates within our best friends, so why not spend Valentine’s Day with your girl gang?

anika waco/Flickr

Spending Valentine’s Day with your friends is a great way to celebrate each other.

Stillwater Property 633 N. Husband (405) 743-2126

Kailee Jaques is from Edmond. She can be reached at kailee. jaques@okstate.edu.

OCOLLY.COM

1105 N. Lewis 2Bed-2Bath Total Electric Total Renovation Secluded Location $650 Per Month

106 S. Kings 3Bed-1Bath Very Close to OSU Totally Remodeled Wood Floors-Pets OK $1200 Per Month

308 N. Husband 2-Bed Apartments Lots of Upgrades Laundry On-Site Very Close to OSU $575 Per Month

1115 S. Orchard 3Bed-1Bath Fenced Yard Wood Floors 1-Car Garage $750 Per Month

1517 W. 4th 3Bed-2.5 Bath 2-Story Townhouse Close to Greek/OSU Very Modern $1350 Per Month

1415 S. Husband Pl 3Bed-3Bath Shop Bldg Fenced Yard-Large Tons of Character 2Kitchens-2Lvng Area $1125 Per Month PAGE 2B

T H E O ’ C O L LY

W e d n e s d ay F e b r u a ry 1 4 , 2 0 1 8

Just another Wednesday

The o’colly’s guide to avoiding Valentine’s day PHOTO BY DEVIN L. WILBER/O’COLLY