February 2

Page 1

February 2, 2011

Serving The Community Since 1948

Volume lXV Issue X

The Pace Press

Egyptians protest current leader

New residence hall projected to be built for NYC Campus by 2013

NATALIE gAvILANEs executive editor

it has been approximately one week since the on-going rallies against the egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his government began. Protesters had been swarming the streets and took to twitter and other social networks to keep each other updated and hide from the government. After days of bloodshed, the military has decided to allow civilians to peacefully protest without drawing any fire. the government, however, shut down internet communication once they discovered many protesters were using it to get around without running into the military. Al Jazeera, an Arab news channel, reported that many have been told to evacuate to their homeland. Approximately 1,000 uS citizens were told to find refuge in cyprus or turkey. Members of the government who were considered non-emergency personnel have been advised to leave the country as well. President Mubarak’s response to the many who demanded he leave office was a hasty decision to shuffle around members of his cabinet, in hopes that it would bring some assurance to the protesters. Yet, most found this to be unsatisfactory. the “one Million March,” held Feb. 1, initiated the people’s demand that Mubarak has until Friday to leave his post. According to Al Jazeera, over a million attended. As a result, President Mubarak said he will not run in the upcoming election, but he will not step down before then. in his televised address, he ensures that he will stay on to oversee an “orderly transition.” Mubarak also stated his intention to “die in this land,” and would not flee much like the now former President of tunisia Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. the large protests in tunisia that caused their president to flee the country is said to have sparked inspiration for the citizens of egypt.

ALEx RufINo StAFF writer

pace.edu

the university is scheduled to open a new Lower Manhattan residence hall in 2013. it will replace roughly 600 beds that the university currently leases at the St. George Hotel and 55 clark Street in Brooklyn Heights. the new residence hall will be located at 180 Broadway, at the corner of John Street, five blocks from city Hall. the demolition of a small building that occupies the area is already underway, with the new residence hall being designed by Karl Fischer Architect of Montreal. the first three floors will be for retailers, followed by an activity floor and student rooms on 20 floors. the university signed a contract with NYc’s largest commercial landlord SL Green realty to build a 24-story residence hall in Lower Manhattan as part of a plan to spread out and create a downtown campus. Attorney Jack Bart of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP represented the university in the 180 Broadway deal. SL Green realty was represented by Stuart Mass and Noah Shapiro of Haynes and Boone, LLP as well as Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson LLP. “At least the St. George still has a year left with Pace and hopefully i can rent an apartment after that,” junior Monique Booker said. “it would be weird for me not to come back [to the St. George and 55 clark Street residence halls] to visit friends later on and

it’s weird thinking that Pace university’s future students will not get to experience Brooklyn anymore or walk the bridge [to and from class],” senior Andres daza said. the 180 Broadway building is part of a five-year plan for the school, which seeks to provide a five-minute commute to its 1,900 students living around Lower Manhattan. A total of around 7,600 students attend the downtown campus, including 4,500 undergraduate, full-time students. currently, other Lower Manhattan university residence halls include 55 John Street, 106 Fulton Street and Maria’s tower.

“ At least the st. george still has a year left with Pace and hopefully I can rent an apartment after that.  -Monique Booker, student “i like the idea of Pace taking over downtown because of competition from other schools and this is my school. i like this area of Brooklyn Heights a little more, however, because it has more of a homey, residential feel to it. it definitely is a bittersweet thing because it’s nice to see Pace expanding, but it was a nice option to live in Brooklyn for those who get sick of Manhattan,” junior Precious okunbor said.

Restaurant week takes over NYC on page 8 •  find out which 2011 movies might win an oscar on page 5

Find Us Online! Check out:

Visit our website at Pacepress.org!

Become a fan of The Pace Press on Facebook!

Follow us on our Twitter page @thepacepress!


NEWS

2

February 2, 2011

Stuyvesant High School offers pool access to the University for use Membership fees may deter students from registering due to high prices sTEPhANIE BouvIA StAFF writer

the Stuyvesant High School pool — located at 345 chambers Street — is now open to university students. Students ages 18 to 24 can purchase a $125 per year membership, while students age 25 or older along with faculty and staff members can purchase a membership for $300 per year. there is also a $10 day pass available to get into the pool without a membership. “i have often heard in my 12 years [at the university] that students wanted us to build a pool, a difficult task due to space and funding, so i wanted to provide some of the amenities that the westchester campus has [such as a fitness center and pool],” dean for Students Marijo russello’Grady said. Students do not need to sign up, but will be asked to show a valid and current university id and current class schedule in order to swim. the pool is open for use Monday through Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Some students, however, are finding that the pool fee is too high. “As someone who swam last year on the Pace swim team, i had to find a pool to practice at when i couldn’t make it

up to Pleasantville,” sophomore Michael Boyle said. “i go to chelsea rec center, which is a part of the NYc department of Parks and recreation. i think it was like $60 for a yearly membership.” Boyle added, “[the university] wouldn’t offer me or my friend Kathleen, who also swims for Pace, any ‘deal’ to help pay for the cost of the pool membership, even as members of the swim team.” considering the cost of the membership, it is hard to say whether or not university students will take advantage of the pool. “if i were an avid swimmer, then yeah, i’d want to use [the pool], but i’d never pay that much money,” sophomore Maggie Allen said. Sophomore Nick iannacone agrees that students should not be required to pay the fee themselves. “the [university] should pay for it,” iannacone said. iannacone suggested taking money from the student activities fee that every university student pays. currently, students pay $76 per semester for various student-related activities put on by the university. there are students who are interested in using the pool, but whether or not they will use it comes down to the membership fee. According to dean o’Grady,

The Broadsheet Daily

“the pool set up the fees, [the university] had nothing to do with the fee structure.” She added, “it is a great pool and opportunity so i am hopeful students will use it and become wellness and fitness enthusiasts.”

WEB Have any thoughts about the membership fees? Send your opinions to news@pacepress.org! Want to join the pool? Stop by with your University ID and class schedule.

Mark Poisel appointed as the new Office of Student Success associate provost NAzARY NEBELuk diStriButioN MANAGer

Mark Poisel has been appointed as the new associate provost for the office of Student Success. the office for Student Success helps students who are having trouble at the university, whether the problem is academic, disciplinary or financial. their website states, “the office of Student Success is here to help you create the Pace experience that you desire.” Poisel came to the university from the university of central Florida, where he was vice President of Student development and enrollment Services. He replaced dr. christine Shakespeare who was the acting interim provost. He has been working in higher education and student services for over 20 years. He serves on national advisory boards related to first year students, student success and transfer students such as the National resource center for the First-Year experience and Students in transition. Poisel describes himself as “a person that likes to set goals and accomplish tasks” and is “very interested in retention initiatives and finding ways of creating a positive environment that assists students in

succeeding while in college.” while he is settling into his new position, he is closely monitoring the office and hopes to head up new initiatives that will “enhance the environment at Pace to allow for the greatest student success,” Poisel said.

“It is my hope that the  Division of  student success will be able to engage  students in their  collegiate  experience in  meaningful ways that will impact their lives for years to come. -Mark Poisel, Associate Provost of Student Success “it is my hope that the division of Student Success will be able to engage students in their collegiate experience in meaningful ways that will impact their lives for years to come,” Poisel said, describing the role he sees the office of Student Success playing in student’s lives. He wants to help “those stu-

dents having trouble navigating the Pace system” and “resolve problems where possible, but also explain Pace policies and procedures so that students may understand them better.” when asked what advice he would give to students, Poisel said, “Find the resources and use them.” this is definitely a function of the office for Student Success, a go to resource for all university students when they’re having trouble. Although Poisel has high hopes for the office of Student Success to help students, not too many students know about it. Freshman Sarah Batchelor said, “i've known about it, but only through seeing the poster…i don't know even where it is or what exactly they do. i don't completely understand what this office does still, even after reading the mission statement,” Batchelor added. “i knew that we had the office of Student Success but know little more than what is advertised on the posters around school,” sophomore Spencer cammarano said. despite the fact that some students may not know much about the office of Student Success, Poisel seems to be willing to reach out to students. pace.edu


February 2, 2011

3

OPINION AND EDITORIALS

the pace press

DIsCLAIMER: These opinions are expressed by contributors (students, faculty, administration, and staff) to The Pace Press.These opinions are solely those of the individual writers and do not reflect the opinions of The Pace Press, the members of The Pace Press staff, or Pace University. The Pace Press is not responsible and expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use or relevance to any information contained in this section.

ERIC ABREGO

What happened to Camelot?

LIDOR ALMOG

perfect America died for a group of Americans inspired to action by its 35th President. what followed was Kennedy's successor in President Lyndon Johnson. He was determined to see his predeccessor's policies into fruition only to be bogged down by a war in vietnam that engulfed his Presidency and the stature of America domestically and abroad. it seemed like America as a whole suffered a series of body blows after the Kennedy Assassination that demoralized the country to its core. Among these were the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, the assassination of President Kennedy's younger brother robert F. Kennedy who was determined to resummon the American people to do great things. these tragedies were followed by richard Nixon’s Presidency that was plagued in controversy from the beginning until its end in 1974. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s inauguration, i think

it's time for a little self examination as a country. what has happened to us since that cold January afternoon in 1961? today our politics have devolved into an all out distrust of the other side. the separation of a nation by political differences, a fundamental distrust of the other guy, a no-can-do attitude and a general sense of apathy toward a government and economic system that most Americans feel is stacked against them. our 24-hour news cycle coupled with countless blowhard demagogues who make millions of dollars whipping people up into a frenzy has led to the perfect storm in our country. the dichotomy is so large today that tragedies like the tucson shooting can't even get Americans to come together and do great things anymore. i watched the tucson shooting in horror like millions of other Americans and this nagging question kept coming back to my mind, what happened to camelot? i wish we were there again.

Have something to say?

Say it here!

kaitlynn Blyth Managing Editor Ivonna Thompson News Editor katherine Riley Features Editor Brian Rentas Arts Editor kate hamzik Copy Editor

Leucepe Martinez Business & Ads Manager

Send us your thoughts at editor@pacepress.org!

DJ McErlean-hopson Web Editor Nazary Nelebuk Distribution Manager Mark Mcsherry Faculty Consultant

staff Mel Bailey Stephanie Bouvia Joanna Gonzalez Stephanie Hansen Craig Held Jessica LaRosa Nazary Nelebuk Bethany O’Grady Jessica Owens James Ryder Amanda Schiavo Vibha Solanki Ruveena Virk Quinn Wasson Julia Yeung

CONTRIBUTOR

gether, as one. we had no worries. we didn’t care what people thought or said, as long as we were true to ourselves and were together. we simply just worked. You truly are the matching piece to my puzzle. My whole life, i have believed that things happen for a reason. i can’t understand why your murder occurred. Knowing all this, i begin to realize that you had a purpose in everyone’s life. i believe that you served a huge purpose in mine as well. i believe that you were here to teach me to never settle for anything less than what you want. true love is out there. Your soul mate and life partner could be that best friend that you sit next to everyday and just like a light switch, your perception of that person changes forever, for the better. even though our time was cut short, i am so thankful that we had each other for the short time that we did. You taught me that i could do anything i wanted; anything is possible. Me,

kim Bui Associate Editor

hilda Adeniji Digital Illustrator

An open letter to Max Moreno My Beloved Max, As i am writing this, it is almost four months to the day you were murdered. the same question still arises: why you? why were you taken away from us? why was your time here on earth cut short? to maintain my sanity and cover the wounds that will never heal, i like to think that you were too good for this world. i like to think that it was your time to become an angel and watch over us. Max, i could go on for pages explaining how much of a good person you are. i have known you for about three years of my life. A phenomenal, down to earth, friend for the first two years and a loving and caring boyfriend for about the last year. we both experienced something that some people may never ever get to have in life: to fall in love with your best friend. that unexplainable connection we could never figure out. the way you made me laugh; a true great companion. we tackled life to-

Lynn Rickert Editor-In-Chief Natalie gavilanes Executive Editor

CONTRIBUTOR

on Jan. 20, 2011 Americans celebrated the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration as the 35th President of the united States. on that cold winter day in a bygone era, a young, charismatic irish catholic summoned Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Besides a few foreign policy flubs early on — botched Bay of Pigs invasion and the threat of all out nuclear warfare with the Soviet union — things seemed fairly good in America. A beautiful, young, energetic first family, a President who urged Americans to reach for the stars, literally. it was truly camelot. the united States seemed as young and idealistic as its leader. camelot and the fairytale Presidency came to an abrupt and tragic end with the assassination of President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963. with a single assasin’s bullet through the head, the hopes and dreams of a better, more

Editorial Board

The Pace Press is the student newspaper of Pace University’s New York City Campus. It is managed and operated entirely by members of the student body as it appears above. The Pace Press welcomes guest editorials and letters from students, faculty, administration and staff.

Courtesy of Lidor Almog

being a person who stresses about anything. You always knew how to make me feel better and calm me down. i will carry your charisma, love, and ways of life with me forever because, Max, you’re truly are the best person i have ever met.

i will love you forever and you are always with me. And so i’d like to end this letter to you with a quote that i stand by: "it has been said time heals all wounds. i do not agree, the wounds remain. in time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers

them with scar tissue & the pain lessens, but it is never gone." (rose Kennedy). Love always and forever, Your one and only Linda, Lidor Almog

The Pace Press reserves the right to not publish any submitted material, both solicited and unsolicited. All submissions must include the author’s full name and contact information. The Pace Press 41 Park Row, Rm. 902 NewYork, NY 10038 www.pacepress.org editor@pacepress.org Copyright 2010


February 2, 2011

4

ARTS

Lissie sure to gain fans with her inspiring live performance kIM BuI ASSociAte editor

Folk artist Lissie headlined a crowded show at webster Hall Jan. 28 while guitarist Landon Pigg performed as her opening act. Lissie was born elisabeth Maurus and hails from

rock island, ill. After paying her dues in the music industry and playing whenever and wherever she could, Lissie soon found herself recording her eP Why You Runnin’ with Band of Horses’ very own Bill reynolds in 2009. it was this past summer that she fi-

nally released her debut album Catching A Tiger. the concert began with two openers, including indie artist Pigg, who played songs from his album The Boy Who Never. His setlist also included “High times,” which is featured in the movie Whip It. Pigg ended his set with “Falling in Love At A coffee Shop.” Although it is one of his better-known songs, it is for a reason. Parts of the crowd sang along as he belted the romantic lyrics, “i think that possibly/ Maybe/ i’m falling for you.” it was the perfect ending to his sincere and simple solo set as the crowd grew for Lissie. Lissie’s headlining set included both original songs from her latest album as well as cover songs. “when i’m Alone,” which opened with jazz-like drums and guitar, was followed by “Bully.” She softly played guitar and built up her voice to the climax of the song as guitarist eric Sullivan ended with a crowd-pleasing solo. Next was “cuckoo,” a song reminiscent of an earlier time for Lissie. with hopeful opening lyrics like,

All photos by kim Bui/The Pace Press

“i walked alone/ i never tried to stay in line/ i didn’t know what i was doing half the time/ i didn’t know my life would ever change/ i didn’t think that anybody ever felt the same way/ And then you came,” it was not long before the crowd began to clap along. with a fun upbeat chorus and instrumentals, “cuckoo” is great example of a feel-good song

you’d listen to over and over again in the summer. Lissie sang “everywhere i Go” with such intensity and feeling, bringing the soft and serene song to a whole new level. it was hard to fight the urge to tap your toe, or in Lissie’s case, her bare feet as she performed onstage, to “Little Lovin’.” it wasn’t until the end of

the night when Lissie performed her truly unique take on the song that helped her gain viral fame, Kid cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness.” Lissie performed her set from start to finish with such passion and emotion: the kind you can only see in a musician who truly loves what they do and the music that they make.


ARTS

February 2, 2011

5

The Academy Awards and Golden Globes highlight the best of 2011 CRAIg hELD StAFF writer

winter is that magical time when Hollywood’s elite converge upon the Kodak theater in Los Angeles and celebrate each other for five hours straight at the Academy Awards, which is considered to be the pinnacle of achievement in American cinema. Although the Academy Awards are considered the highpoint of the awards season, they are preceded by the Golden Globes, which are awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and sometimes indicate who may receive an oscar. the most interesting aspect of these awards however, is the difference in categories. the Golden Globes have separate categories for comedy and drama, which allow for more winners at the time but for stiffer competition later. with Academy Award nominations announced on Jan. 25, there were not many surprises for those who were nominated. The King’s Speech dominated the nominations with 12, followed by True Grit with ten and Inception and The Social Network tied with eight each. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the measly five nominations given to Black Swan. with so much buzz going into awards season, the film was only nominated for Best Picture, Best director for darren Aronofsky, Best Actress for Natalie Portman, Best cinematography, and Best Film editing. while it isn’t the greatest film ever made, surely its costumes, which were designed by rodarte masterminds Kate and Laura Mulleavy, deserve recognition. the Best Actress category is shaping up to be the most exciting with Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right) and Portman, who were both winners at the Golden Globes, going head to head against Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole), Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) and Michelle williams (Blue Valentine). Although all five ladies brought fantastic performances to the table, it is safe to say that Bening and Portman are the frontrunners. the Best Actor category looks to be completely in colin Firth’s favor, who won at the

Nominees for Best Actor:

Javier Bardem, Biutiful

Jeff Bridges, True Grit

Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

James franco, 127 Hours

Colin firth, The King’s Speech

Golden Globes for The King’s Speech. Although Javier Bardem (Biutiful), Jeff Bridges (True Grit), Jesse eisenberg (The Social Network) and James Franco (127 Hours) made strong showings, none of them have the momentum that Firth is carrying after his win. other categories seem to be a lock like Best Adapted Screenplay, which clearly will be going to Aaron Sorkin for his work on The Social Network. while many praise the performances of eisenberg and Andrew Garfield in the film, it is Sorkin’s words that shape the whole story. As with all award shows, there is always the matter of the ever-present snub. the most glaring omission is director christopher Nolan for Inception. Nolan, who was also ignored for his fantastic work on The Dark Knight, seems to be the constant black sheep of the Academy Awards. on the documentary side of the awards, Waiting for Superman is mysteriously missing from the list. the quasi-controversial look at public education in America, which enjoyed both incredible financial and critical success, is thought by many as being too critical of the charter school system. Some critics of the film have gone as far as saying that its treatment of charter schools borders on fiction. As for the acting awards, Mila Kunis and Barbara Hershey were both snubbed for their incredible work in Black Swan. Kunis, who has risen from such humble works as “that 70s Show” and “Family Guy,” delivered a strong, eerie performance while Hershey showed everyone why she was once one of the most sought after actresses in her heyday. Yet, it is newcomer Garfield, whose absence is drawing the most fire from critics. His work as eduardo Saverin in The Social Network garnered him a Golden Globe nomination, but it seems that the Academy was uninterested. regardless of who wins, the oscars will certainly be an interesting night of television. the Academy Awards will be held Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. on ABc.

J. Roddy Walston and the Business gives other artists the business sTEPhANIE hANsEN StAFF writer

Formed in tennessee in 2002, J. roddy walston and the Business may be one of the most underappreciated rock groups of our generation. their delta blues-inspired sound is a raw display of talent that seems to be overlooked by the mainstream music industry. walston was told that “playing music that was not for God or family was a sin.” He may be committing that sweet sin of music, but his band’s sound still has a gospel influence. in 2004, the band moved to Baltimore, Md and, after a couple of changes in the band, settled on a fourman group. their self-titled album, released in 2010, consists of 10 tracks that feature a Jerry Lee Lewis style of piano playing and chuck Berry inspired guitar riffs with walston’s distinct raspy

voice. walston is not just the lead singer but also plays guitar and piano. Billy Gordon plays guitar and does vocals as well. the band is rounded out with Logan davis on bass and Steve colmus on drums. the band is clearly inspired by a blues rock sound much like Led Zeppelin, but with a more updated sound. every song on the album is the perfect blend of creative lyrics and catchy hooks performed over energetic instrumentals. the album opens with a strong, upbeat track titled “don’t Break the Needle.” the listener is instantly drawn in by the opening piano riff then stays captivated by the voice and lyrics like, “i’ve been pulling thread doing all kinds of evil/ i know you hate me baby but don’t break the needle.” the song “Full Growing Man” is about being with someone, accepting

who they are and the fact that they are changing. the album continues with “used to did” and “Pigs and Pearls,” songs about giving up on love. “Brave Man’s death” has a more serious tone but still exhibits the raw energy from the first half of the album. the song speaks about being more afraid of not dying like a brave man then dying at all — “if you want to live, you’d better die like a brave man/ i don’t want to die in the middle of the night/ i want a brave man’s death.” the album picks right back up with “don’t Get old” and keeps the momentum with “i don’t want to Hear it,” “uh oh rock and roll” and “caroline.” “use Your Language” is the final song on the album. walston opens with a strong energetic track and closes with just as much strength but

amazon.com

with a more mellow sound overall. J. roddy walston and the Business are a breath of fresh air for rock

lovers who have been suffocated by the faux pop-rock music that has “defined” our generation of music.


ARTS

6

February 2, 2011

U.S. show fails to fill the shoes of its U.K. counterpart MTV’s “Skins” causes controversy surrounding television censorship Another character whose charisma seems to have drowned during its voyage across the pond is that of cassie, originally played by Hannah Murray, whose name and psychoses have changed, as well. in the BBc version, cassie suffers from an extreme case of anorexia, is suicidal, abuses drugs and comes off as a loopy but loveable space cadet. in Mtv’s version, her name is changed to cadie (Britne oldford) and she harps on her affection for sharp objects but does not mention any disordered eating habits, save for the fact that she only likes to eat cheese-curls. in the script, when the character played by Murray asks a guy if he intends to “fuck [her] now or later” the jarring inquiry is received more acceptingly by audiences than when the character played by oldford brusquely and gracelessly delivers the same line. in essence, the effervescent sweetness of cassie’s insanity is greatly muddled by cadie’s flat out disturbing disposition. Although the premiere episode wrangled in impressive ratings for the network, it has been reported that those numbers are falling as the show continues to air. despite almost a half a dozen advertisers — such as taco Bell, wrigley and Foot Locker — having backed out of their sponsorships for the show, Mtv plans to keep airing their Americanized version.

BEThANY o’gRADY StAFF writer

in recent press releases, Mtv Networks stated that they would like to stray from their hackneyed utilization of reality shows and incorporate more scripted television series into their line-up. After a slew of foiled attempts like “the Hard times of rJ Berger” and “warren the Ape,” the network pegged “Skins,” the award winning British Broadcasting corporation (BBc) America television series as their show of choice to adapt for American audiences. the first episode aired Jan. 17 and was met with mixed results. while it garnered impressive ratings for the network, fans of the original uK series were anything but pleased—the across the pond crossover seemed a bit ‘wonky.’ the series capitalizes on our society’s fascination with the recklessness of youth. “Skins” is strongly rooted in the ‘trials and tribulations’ of recreational sex and drug use. Mtv’s version, however, while essentially a word-for-word reenactment of its originator, does not provide the same unadulterated peek into the teenage wasteland as BBc’s version did. it is, at best, comparable to a younger sibling following in its older sibling’s footsteps, but failing to truly do so. Advertising for the Mtv series promised just as much raunchiness as the original; scantily clad teenagers in compromising adult situations, four letter expletives left and right and other scandals of the like. BBc Amer-

mtv.com

ica’s “Skins” is full of the kind of material the Fcc demands that cable networks censor, which admittedly is a contributing factor to the show’s success. At the basic level, it is revered for its exceptional writing and its inimitable character development. the premiere episode entitled, “tony,” depicts the eponymous main character on a quest to help his best friend lose his virginity on his 17th birthday. while the episode is basically a play-by-play of its uK counterpart, it includes minor tweaks which Mtv applied to the script and which doom its treatment to be lost in translation.

the characters are not played up to par and the dialogue is embarrassingly American. Mtv seems to have made up ‘cool teenager slang’ to implement in place of the genuine vernacular present in the British script and the network fails to deliver on its initial promise of matched vulgarity. Bleeped out expletives and the forever menacing side-boob, strike again. it is the crossover of the characters that proves to be the most noticeable change between the two versions of “Skins.” the character of tony (Nicholas Hoult) from BBc’s version is unapologetically imperfect, but his

manipulative and cocky air can be excused by the charm he exudes. the old saying, “boys will be boys,” posits the slick-talking tony character, the audience can comfortably invest in. unfortunately, Mtv’s answer to tony (James Newman) comes off as a smarmy and entitled suburban snot. in the uK version, tony often refers to his girlfriend, Michelle, as ‘Nips,’ a nickname based on the purported abnormalities of her breasts, but the affectation is always charged with an endearing quality; when Newman utters the pet name, he just sounds misogynistic and sleazy.

Musical duo Way Yes releases short, catchy EP of unique songs BRIAN RENTAs ArtS editor

way Yes, a musical duo hailing from columbus, ohio celebrated the new year right by releasing their newest eP, Walkability. though the five-song eP is short — no longer than 20 minutes of play time — the band showcases an amazing array of sonic diversity and lyrical prowess, while making the cd enjoyable to listen to. Walkability is the type of eP that can be played while driving around town, relaxing at home or during extremely intense life moments. it is a breath of fresh air in terms of musical quality, that is short and to the point. Yet it fans out in many different directions. way Yes has patented a sound that is both unique and engaging, and for this reason alone, Walkability deserves a listen to. the eP starts off with its eponymous first track, where listeners will start to begin to understand why way Yes has a sound that can only be described as unique.

with a clever percussion track drawing inspiration from caribbean music, this first track really kicks off the eP and makes you want to continue listening. it is upon first listen, when listeners are drawn into the duo’s clever lyrics — sometimes as cheeky and upbeat as the music, or sometimes downright gloomy, but both fitting into the music quite well. the second track, “important,” continues the percussion found in “walkability,” but also adds lo-fi synthesizers as well as an infectious guitar track to the mix. it is on this track when the melancholy lyrics that the band does so well starts to make an appearance, “where have all the people gone i used to call my friends? /i have always known i’d end up alone in the end.” it is when the third track, “Singing,” starts to play where the album tends to win over any listener. the strong percussions and the almost too-cute-for-words vocals work perfectly together on this track and it is one that will be replayed plenty of times.

the fourth track, “Gino,” is exclusively synth and electronic driven. this sound definitely works for the band — way Yes is not a one trick pony by any stretch of the imagination. the eP closes with “ties,” a song that is equal parts uplifting and depressing — with hard to overlook lyrics such as “it’s sorta disturbing thinking about my death / what’s gonna happen to the people that are left?” it may not be the happiest song ever produced, yet it is still as enjoyable as the rest of the eP. way Yes’ Walkability may be short, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in an awesome new sound that will make the listener stay tuned for more releases. As the duo’s ability to mesh two distinct sounds into something that is not only catchy but also inimitable is something that any music lover will cherish. check this eP out and you will not regret it.

amazon.com

WEB Check out Way Yes’ website at: wayyes.com Check out their Myspace page at: myspace.com/wayyeswayyes


FEATURES

February 2, 2011

7

Google filters piracy related search results like BitTorrent kAThERINE RILEY FeAtureS editor

the internet has the ability to control whether or not a business prospers globally through promotions and advertisements. the entertainment industry, over the last couple of years, has come to resent the internet for providing its users with the ability to download media for free. Bittorrent networking is a form of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing which allows internet users to trade software, music, movies and digital books. Bittorrents allow users to download music albums, television shows and movies in minutes. these advertisements and adware free torrents are very unpopular with copyright authorities. “when i started downloading torrents i thought the amount of files

i was downloading was too good to be true. i used to download music with programs such as Limewire and always get viruses. the files were such a hassle to download. torrents are so fast and safe,” junior terry Son said. Starting Jan. 2011, however, it may be a bit harder to find these torrents. Google will begin filtering and censoring search results which are ‘piracy related’ when it comes to their auto-complete and instant feature on their search engine. terms such as Bittorrent, utorrent, rapid Share and Megaupload are included. when Google users type in a word to the search engine, seeing auto-complete results may lead them to downloading more files then they originally intended. Auto-complete provides arbitrary search results suggesting user’s similar and additional

google.com

terms. “As i type in a musical artist’s name, many of their album’s names and songs come up allowing me to make a mental list of additional things i want to download. i do feel that the auto-complete feature of [a] search engine makes people download more than they would otherwise,” Son said. Many torrents can still be found

through a Google search, with some results having been removed due to copyright claims. According to Stateofsearch.com, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the recording industry Association of America (riAA) had pressured Google to censor piracy related searches. “i don’t think that the torrent companies will be affected, since

search results are not completely filtered. this is probably the first step Google is taking to filter out illegitimate file sharing,” alumnus thomas Henry said. torrents may be the future of our access to the media, but in order for entertainment companies to provide us with our media and movies we love, we must be willing to pay a price.

YOUR STORY HERE Join The Press!

WRITE A STORY! It could end up here!


February 2, 2011

8

FEATURES

Restaurant Week returns to NYC with deals on dinner

newyork.cbslocal.com

foTINI sAChPATzIDIs coNtriButor

café 101 has a variety of food and drink options to cater to everyone’s taste buds; even the vegetarians. After a few weeks into the semester, however, the menu can become routine. instead of swiping your meal plan card, treat yourself to a three-course gourmet meal at one of over 300 acclaimed restaurants in Manhattan during NYc restaurant week from Jan. 24 to Feb. 6.

NYc restaurant week was originally created as an event to draw tourists to restaurants during the 1992 democratic National convention by well-known food critic tim Zagat and restaurateur Joe Baum. their main goal was to allow everyone a chance to dine at some of the city's best restaurants, for less than half the normal price. it has since evolved into a highly anticipated occasion for native New Yorkers and tourists alike. diners are able to get lunch at the prix-fixed

price of $24.07 and dinner for $35. these low prices make it possible for college students, tourists and everyday residents to afford and enjoy some of the city’s most lavish spots. Smith & wollensky serves as one of the best spots for steak. Based on reviews, the filet mignon is delicious. take advantage of restaurant week’s low prices and discover the steak yourself. if you are looking for a place to impress someone, one if by Land, two if by Sea is the

perfect match. it is known as one of the most romantic restaurants in the city, as diners are surrounded by flowers and fireplaces and lulled by a pianist. to taste some South American flavor, head over to Nuela. this new restaurant, located in the Financial district, offers South American food in an energetic environment. Nuela can seat up to 200 people, offering a separate dining and bar area. Sushi lovers may find SushiSamba to be their favorite location for restaurant week. this well-known eatery offers an extensive menu list during the week providing visitors with a modern and colorful atmosphere. to visit France without boarding a plane, stop by Le Perigord. this popular French restaurant is known for their tasty French cuisine and unforgettable elegance. "restaurant week is a blessing for all college students, because some places in the city are just are too expensive," Fordham university junior Ariana Hayward said. As NYc restaurant week only comes twice a year, during the winter and summer, it would be a mistake to let the opportunity of dining at some of the most expensive restaurants in the city for a fraction of the cost pass by. the overall experience will leave your pockets and your stomach happy.

WEB To check out a list of restaurants participating in NYC restaurant week visit: nycgo.com/restaurantweek

Post winter blues may leave you feeling a little bit SAD kERRY MCBRooME StAFF writer

in the frozen tundra of NYc, snow days and slush can be accompanied by a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective disorder (SAd). People can experience a shift in mood during the darker months, which can potentially develop into clinical depression. According to the Mayo clinic’s website, shortened days and less sunlight reduce brain stimulation and vitamin d levels, causing a chemical imbalance in the section of the brain which controls mood and activity level. the Mayo clinic is a not-for-profit group medical practice with doctors who specialize in a variety of fields. Signs of SAd range from loss of sex drive to suicidal thoughts, with fatigue and irritability also being common effects. “i feel much more down in the winter and even the fall, whether [that’s] because [i’m] stuck inside or because of [the] lack of vitamin d from the sunshine,” sophomore Stephanie Lee said. one of the most popular treatment options for alleviating these symptoms is antidepressants. Zoloft and Prozac are often prescribed, but fears of the side effects have driven many SAd patients to find homeopathic remedies.

Phototherapy is one emerging method, in which patients absorb light from a special lamp or light box. the light sources used in light box therapy are designed to mimic sunlight, and are commonly ten times more powerful than a common light bulb. Most require the patient to absorb the light for 30 minutes daily, but the length of time can vary with the intensity of the particular light source used. A dawn simulator is another kind of phototherapy in which a light source is timed to gradually grow brighter as the body begins to awaken. Similar to a silent alarm clock, a dawn simulator mimics the sunrise and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, reaching its brightest just as the person wakes up. People with SAd who find using a light box inconvenient may prefer this method, because it does not interfere with their activities during the day. “dawn simulation is a bit cheaper plus more accessible, and doesn't depend on following light box schedules,” sophomore Ben Knight said. Most insurance companies require a prescription in order to cover the cost of an at-home light box or dawn simulator, which can run into the $200 range. Light boxes such as the caribbean Sun Box, available at

Lighttherapyproducts.com, use Led lamps at a cost of $204. SAd sufferers looking to avoid costs often try holistic remedies such as aromatherapy. Scents like lemon, jasmine and neroli are said to have a brightening effect on mood, and are often used to treat SAd. they work by stimulating the olfactory nerves at the back of the nose, which are connected to the limbic system in the brain. “You just need a little lemon and some vitamin d” sophomore Madelyn Farris, who has relatives effected with SAd, explained. craving carbs and comfort food is one of the symptoms of SAd and switching to foods rich in protein is usually recommended. Fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, has also been connected to reducing the effects of SAd. A recent study by psychiatrist Andres Magnusson found that iceland has relatively few cases of SAd compared to countries with similarly severe winters. He attributes this fact to the amount of omega-3 consumed by citizens of iceland, who average 225 pounds of fish per person every year. Bergamot fruit, a crossbreed of lemon and bitter orange, has been used by Native

American tribes like the chippewa as a medicinal plant for treating depression. the bergamot plant can be cooked in a tea or applied as an oil and can be used by SAd patients for its uplifting citrus scent. its use in the treatment of SAd is usually accompanied by a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and regular exercise, which produces endorphins to counteract effects of this seas o n a l disorder.

comingupforair.net


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.