The Art of Getting By by Union Weekly

WORK FOR THE LONG BEACH UNION WEEKLY Now accepting applications for the following positions for Fall 2015 Semester: SECTION EDITORS COPY EDITORS ASSISTANT EDITORS Contact info@lbunion.com for an application and/or more details

Issue 76.14

Molly Shannon, Editor-in-Chief editorinchief@lbunion.com Alfred Pallarca, Managing Editor alfredp.union@gmail.com Connor O’Brien, Art Director connor.union@gmail.com Trevor Desrosiers, Advertising Executive advertising@lbunion.com Eduardo Vargas, Distribution Manager distribution@lbunion.com

By Molly Shannon We made it through the wilderness. Somehow we made it through. Assuming you have no idea what I am talking about, I’m referring to the fact that this will be the Union Weekly print issue of the spring 2015 semester. Excuse me while I go weep/throw up in the corner. Date: April 25, 2015 Time: 2:06pm Location: Union Weekly I’m currently sitting at my desk, an iced

inspiration, for fun, or for old times’ sake; with today being our last production day, I’ve been

our publication has gradually evolved. With each week, semester, and year, editors have worked together to create something truly unique in style, direction, and spirit. And I love that we have changed over time. I love that we’ve progressed and grown. All the long Saturday nights polishing each page to perfection always yielded something great. Something tangible. Something we could bring home to our moms and say “Hey! Put this shit on the fridge!” Actually, not everything we publish is exactly mom-friendly, I’ll admit that. But whatever, we’re college students. This is our art, this is our ritual, and this is our lifestyle. Everyone is going to have their own interpretation of our expression, but that is not what is most important. What is most important, in my opinion, is the actual process of creating the paper. Ultimately I consider it a learning experience, and it has a slightly

year, purely out of nostalgia.

miss it more than I miss the Bubbleyum duck.

ART & DESIGN John Calhoun, Illustration Editor johnc.union@gmail.com Truc Nguyen, Web Manager web@lbunion.com

EDITORIAL Jacky Linares, Opinions Editor opinions@lbunion.com Veronica Craft, Community Editor community@lbunion.com Joel Martinez, Athletics Editor athletics@lbunion.com Renee Schmiedeberg, Arts Editor arts@lbunion.com

Illustration by Rose Feduk

in the other, scrolling through the Union’s Issuu account. For those of you who are not familiar with Issuu, it is an online publishing platform for magazines, catalogs, newspapers and more—a digital newsstand, if you will. Union Weekly issues have been archived here since the early 2000s, and every so often I’ll

issues, I’ve found myself comparing and contrasting them with Unions of the past. It’s quite interesting to visually see the way

P.S. If there are any features that YOU might have missed at some point during the year, I wholly recommend that you visit our page (issuu.com/theunionweekly) and check them out. And I’m not just saying this as Molls, Editor-in-Chief—I’m saying this as Molls, CSULB student/human being/ personal female. Every issue we collectively produced this year focused on subjects and stories that were both informative and entertaining, a direction I’m glad we took. Just from this year’s issues, you can read about experiences from diverse groups of people, including but not limited to: undocumented students, transgender individuals, feminists, Muslim Americans, international students, skateboarders, Viners, dancers, artists, and more. You can also read about some of our wacky adventures in blind dating, night hiking, thrift shopping, class crashing, and fortune to you, you’re weird. And you probably belong here. You should join us. (Hint hint: contact info@lbunion.com to apply)

Thank you, everyone. I love you. Molls

Katie Cortez, Entertainment Editor entertainment@lbunion.com Sam Winchester, Music Editor music@lbunion.com Zach Phelps, Lifestyle Editor lifestyle@lbunion.com

“THE LIST” VOLUMES 75 AND 76

Elizabeth Nguyen, Literature Editor literature@lbunion.com Alfred Pallarca, Travel Editor alfredp.union@gmail.com Beatriz Villa, Food Editor food@lbunion.com Gumby, Grunion Editor grunion@lbunion.com

In accordance with Union Weekly tradition, every year ends with a compiled list of who we’d like to acknowledge as an integral part of our

COPY & ASSISTANT EDITORS Elliott Gatica, Eric Reid Hamilton, Kaila-Marie Hardaway, Christopher Orozco ADVERTISING INTERNS Joel Kuehn, Jacqueline Simon STAFFERS & CONTRIBUTORS Alex Ramos, Heather Sandburg, Indigo Vu, Bronson Farr, Madison Gallegos, Ron Rodman, Andrew Linde, Victor Torres, Sarah Towler, Laura Marie Hennings, Lily Nguyen, Anna Abella, Ana Varela, Matt McNeese, Marcy Lopez, Helen Nguyen

those that we’d like to throw into a very sticky ball pit at McDonald’s. If you’ve noticed any we’ve forgotten, tweet us @UnionWeekly with the tags “#thankyou” or “#fuckyou” respectively.

THANK YOU Danny Lemos Sylvana Cicero Our volunteers Our contributors Our readers Valley Printers Chrissy Bastian Fernando Bogarin Rose Feduk Jonathan Gutierrez

Camille Hove Joel Keuhn Andrew Linde Heather Sandburg (DJ) Abdallah Seoud Women’s & Gender Equity Center Rusty Rust Yue Begay Professor Craig Stone Muslim Student Association

Heba Ali Joe Phillips Eva Morelos Katrina Krewe 2015 7:30 Shrimp Team Zion Lactation Room Bruce Jenner WOEs

FUCK YOU Yabba Dabba Mudbloods 2 Chainz Lint lickers Bill Cosby Crotch Moths Various nut “milk” “Infused” water Man-bun cutters Spotify ads Kevin Bacon I-G-G-Y

Adam Sandler Stale bread Joey Estrada Gluten Reagan Saltine Y’all Lemon Party Oppression Privilege Natural disasters Fuckboys

Bok Choys #KylieJennerChallenge Cancer Bucket hats Small pockets Smallpox Ebola Zombies Flat tires The Binary Trivia Crack Woes

Disclaimer and Publication Information: The Union Weekly is published using ad money and partial funding provided by the Associated Students, Inc. All Editorials are the opinions of their individual authors, not the Union Weekly, ASI nor CSULB. All students are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the Union Weekly staff. All letters to the editor will be considered for publication. However, CSULB students will have precedence. Please include name and major for all submissions. They are subject to editing and will not be returned. Letters may or may not be edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and length. The Union Weekly will publish anonymous letters, articles, editorials, and illustration, but must have your name and information attached for our records. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 500 words. The Union Weekly assumes no responsibility, nor is it liable, for

Opinions

Waka Flockin’ Shit Up An unlikely hero will save us all By Alex Ramos Illustration by John Calhoun

On 4/20, Waka Flocka Flame announced that he would be running for President of the United States. He may not have the conventional image of a politician, but believe me when I say I believe in Waka. He has a clear campaign that I think we can all rally behind and a down to Earth demeanor that’s hard to dislike. Never mind the fact that he’s a rapper that goes “BOW BOW” and “BRICKSQUAD”. If he puts that behind him I think he could be an awesome president. Let me explain why and break down his campaign to y’all. legalize marijuana, which I’m cool with. At this point, I think that legalizing it would improve things rather than make them worse. Don’t you agree? For starters, it would lessen the number of people getting caught up in drug related arrests and convictions. Like, how messed up is it to have your life ruined for having a little bag of leaves? It would also bring

more money into the economy that could go back into funding schools so they can have the plant can be used to make clothes and fuel and houses as well as a whole bunch people can have a little fun with it and old people are scared of that. That’s ridiculous, and I’m sure Waka knows this. That’s one of the reasons he has my vote. Waka’s next talking point was education. It’s not obvious but he cares about kids getting educated. Back in 2014, Waka put out a message on social media that he was going to hire a blunt roller and he got tons of responses back. One was from a guy named George who said he was gonna drop out of college just to roll Waka’s blunts. Waka shut him down and said, “That’s called being a dickhead. Don’t be a dickhead, George.” So Waka values education and said he would make changes to improve our current curriculum. The main changes he

training programs and make it mandatory for students to learn the lyrics to his songs. Anyone that fails to do so would have to go all the way back to the third grade. Hey, it’s a tough rule, but I think it’s fair and doable. And just like that, we’ve got another reason Waka has my vote. I have no doubt Waka would make a great president. No doubt at all. He knows what young people want, which is more than I can say for the other candidates. The other candidates always seem out of touch with what young people want. I’m not saying the issues they’re addressing aren’t important, but it would be nice if they took the issues

we want. vote for Waka, because a vote for Waka is a vote for our future. Bow bow!

Opinions

#NoVote2016 The frustrating reality of today’s politics By Indigo Vu

Lately, the discussions regarding the 2016 presidential election have been ramping up. As someone who is very politically minded, the discourse really annoys me and for reasons you probably would not expect. I, personally, will not be voting in the 2016 election. Today’s politics are so very convoluted, and America is such a literal dystopia that people frame whatever party wins as, “The lesser of two evils,” not even considering that there shouldn’t be any evil in our government institutions. The conservatives and Republicans directly endanger my life and livelihood, especially as a queer and trans person of color. But that part is obvious and to be expected, especially when I directly challenge their capitalist and patriarchal notions just by surviving. It’s the liberals and Democrats that queer and trans issues. They have made a beacon out of same-sex marriage without showing any desire to tackle the bigger issues

The Lewinsky Legacy A closer look at issues about public humiliation By Heather Sandburg

of violence, homelessness, discrimination, and sexual assault, especially among queer and trans youth. This, along with Hillary Clinton and the Democratic party’s history of supporting imperialism and genocide, means that I would not be able to have a clear conscience in supporting their continual rule in America. Yes, I admit that the passing of ObamaCare has directly helped me survive, but a government’s default position should not be to actively harm me. If the government were functioning as it should, health care and other such essential living standards would be a given, not a blessing. I am not voting because my vote does not matter. Even if no one votes, the electoral college will still make their own decisions. Especially since most people only show up to vote for the presidential elections, our state legislators will likely face no repercussions for however they decide to vote. In a system that is built to disenfranchise so many people, my vote neither matters nor helps.

When I was younger, an impressionable eight year old girl, I remember Monica Lewinsky President. She was public enemy number one for something I didn’t understand, but all I knew was I didn’t want our president out of about her, and ignored the issue of what really went down between them. Now thirteen years later, I saw Monica Lewinsky, and I remember her in a new light. I always knew her as public enemy number one, but I look at that notion in shame. I was a part of the people that forced her into hiding and aided her public shaming. Public humiliation is on the rise, and people, like me, go along with it and never give a second thought about the person of ridicule. public humiliation, but the advancement in technology opened my eyes to how much I see

people torment each other. Memes, YouTube videos, Facebook posts, and anything you can spread half lies and gossip that (I’m looking at you Tumblr) spreads the information and distorts it to where the humiliated party in question takes matters into his/her own hands. Some people aren’t able to handle the situation, and take their life to make the humiliation stop. While seeing Unfriended, I actually took the side of Laura; I wanted justice for this young Lewinsky’s interview, she mentioned a young man who took his life when he was caught kissing another, and saw her mother cry so hard for a man that easily could be her. She moves on to say she would never be so “presumptuous” to equate her story with the young man’s, but it stuck with her and she wished she could have Lewinsky’s written interview and her special “The Price of Shame” shows the ugly

side of public humiliation when it’s political. With the elections coming up and Hillary to see this scandal brought up again. Elections are notorious for spreading enough scandals for the world to see, but not many care enough to research what the truth is. People don’t care for the absolute truth sometimes, and sometimes, people just want to help spread the issue without a second thought to prove a point. Public humiliation and spreading lies via Internet will continue until we learn to dig deeper to the root of the issue. Lewinsky admitted it was her fault on this issue, but decided to tell her story to show what public humiliation really is and how she handled it. I may never understand Monica Lewinsky fully, or go through humiliation on a scale as large as hers, but I am aware of what happens. So I won’t be a part of the problem, spreading lies. Instead, I’ll look for the truth.

Community

Another Year for Women President’s Commission on the Status of Women holds Women’s Research Colloquium

By Madison Gallegos

her

CSULB President Jane C. Conoley speaks at the Women’s Research Colloquium (top right); attendees mingle at the 2015 Women’s Research Colloquium (middle); Dr. Bonnie Gasior presents “Monstrous Women in the Literary World of María de Zayas (1590-1661)” (bottom right)

Making a Difference ASI government cabinet now accepting applications until May 1

By Bronson Farr

Athletics

“...Through sports, it is possible for two groups of people to change the way they view each other...”

Crossing The (Finish) Line Transcending political barriers using athleticism Earlier this month, I had the unique privilege of being able to participate in the Pyongyang Marathon that was held on April 12. While many would regard this decision as “bizarre” and perhaps even “crazy,” my experiences there allowed me to acquaint myself with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (informally known as “North Korea”) on more personal, and amicable terms that were mutually beneficial for both of our countries. Even though the Pyongyang Marathon has been around since 1984, it was not until barely last year that the event opened up for participation by foreign amateurs. Due to concerns over Ebola, this year’s participation until the DPRK’s borders reopened at the last minute in early March. Categorized by the IAAF as a Bronze Label Road Race, it is currently the only way for someone like me—an American citizen—to freely jog on the streets of the fascinating and greatly misunderstood city of Pyongyang. Considering that I am neither Jimmy Carter, nor Dennis Rodman, this event also granted me an opportunity to diplomatically engage with the people of the DPRK as a mere private citizen. To register for the event, I had to enlist

the aid of a travel agency specialized in DPRK-travel. The agency I chose helped me obtain a tourist visa, booked my roundtrip flights between China and Pyongyang, and then offered me the option of signingup for the full marathon, a half marathon or a 10K race. I signed-up for the 10K race and trained at home by running 5Ks around my neighborhood in the weeks before race day. Interestingly enough, my goals for this event were not so much to be the fastest one in the race, nor to achieve a PR, but rather to be in enough shape to take in the scenery of Pyongyang and engage with the local people while completing the entire distance under the four-hour time limit. On race day, I strived for exactly that and greeted as many people as possible, with a smile, a wave, or even a warm “hello.” To my surprise, the vast majority of the people I encountered reciprocated with high fives, words of encouragement (in English), and even a few fist bumps from children, college students, and soldiers! Running in the race also afforded me a rare opportunity to independently cross several bridges over the Taedong River by foot and each time I did, I actually slowed down so that I could enjoy morning vistas of Pyongyang’s natural features.

category recieve their prizes at the awards ceremony inside Kim Il Sung Stadium The biggest take away from this event is that sports can be a way for individuals and entire nations to overcome political friendly terms, regardless of how strained their relationship may be on other matters. Seeing my fellow Americans (and other soldiers, cheered-on by school children, and honored on the winner’s podium in all honesty reminded me of the détente—and friendship—that developed between Rocky Balboa and the Soviet people towards the end of Rocky IV. Granted, the events that

is virtually the same. Through sports, it is possible for two groups of people to change the way they view each other and sports can open doors, generate understanding, and create friendships when all else fails. Although my role in this year’s Pyongyang Marathon was small and modest, I sincerely hope that I somehow made an impact on the people of the DPRK such that they were able to see the positive aspects of a nation they have historically been known to fear and hate. On my end, what I can say is that my experiences in Pyongyang have truly

Foreigners and locals mingle outside Kim Il Sung Stadium before the start of the race

Words by Ron Rodman Photos by Anonymous

touched my heart and led me to view the people of North Korea as fellow human beings, who eat, sleep, and work, run, laugh, and play just like you and me. Diplomatic dialogue, six-party talks, and even previous South Korean attempts at a “Sunshine policy” have all failed to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. This being said, perhaps it is time to give athletic exchanges a try, at both the professional and amateur level. I can now proudly say that I have jogged the streets of Pyongyang with both Korean and Western runners and that as a private citizen, I have done my part in trying to bring both countries closer together, as small as it may have been.

on friendly terms through basketball diplomacy, but there is only so much that one man can do, especially when he is a high to social and political scrutiny. Maybe if many more people gave this a try and if similar amateur events were to pop-up in Pyongyang—say, like an amateur 3-on-3 basketball tournament or international swim meets—the political status quo could be overcome someday.

Lifestyle

Buzzing for Love A young woman shows her solidarity with cancer patients Words and Photos by Helen Nguyen As I sit back and ponder about yesterday, I am still reminiscing on exactly how I decided to shave my head. I made the decision to shave my head for a variety of reasons. First, to donate it; second, to raise awareness and money for children’s cancer research in a fundraiser by the St. Baldrick’s foundation; last, to show solidarity for those who have been involved with others who have battled cancer. short and have donated it before, I wanted to

see what it would be like if I were to simply was lazing in bed with my good friend Mary Jane. As I began to lose myself in the murky gaze of Ms. Jane, I found myself mindlessly playing with my hair. After a while, I began to ask myself, “Why do people covet hair so much, when it’s dead cells that grow back enlightenment, I decided that as of the next year (aka 2015), I would shave my head. I wanted to actually empathize with those who

have had to go out and face the judgments of others, due to the simple premise of “He/ She is bald; he/she has cancer; he/ she is crazy, why does he/her have no hair?” We can sympathize and understand those who have lost their hair because of cancer, but we can never fully empathize until we actually immerse ourselves in the experience and tackle it face on. And now? I feel awesome, liberated, and also annoyed because I just remembered I still need to shave a happy face on the back of my head.

Take Back the Airwaves Podcasting as the underground communication format of the future By Andrew Linde I am a podcaster. Some of you might not know what a podcast is, so I’ll explain. A the Internet that is accessible via an RSS feed and delivered automatically to your phone or listening device. In other words, a podcast is like Internet radio, but available to you at any moment like DVR. If you’re an Apple user, you already have a Podcasts app on your phone. A podcast shares some of the same DNA with blogging, zines, or garageband culture. They’re very DIY and can be more about bonding between the hosts rather than how many listeners are downloading. A podcast only exists because someone wants to make it. Podcasting is so new that only now are major companies, like Buzzfeed and Slate, beginning to take it seriously as a new medium.

Along with making my own podcasts, I’m also constantly listening to other podcasts. Shows like My Brother, My Brother and Me keep me laughing when I need a mood booster. Slate’s Political Gabfest informs me of what is happening in politics from all perspectives. I listen to every episode of Roderick on the Line because of the chemistry of the hosts. One podcast I host is called shut up, leonard and it’s all about the TV show Community. Every week my co-host and I meet at his place and record ourselves having a conversation about the show. For fans of Community, our podcast is like sitting in on two friends talking about a show we all love. Podcasts

since they have a built-in audience. By creating a podcast about a show I love, I feel more connected with others when I talk about the show. I’m always thinking of new podcasts I’d like to make, but I don’t have the time. So I go looking for an already existing podcast about that topic. In fact, on May 1st I’m launching a new podcast called . Pick Your Path, which is a podcast in the style of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel. I think podcasts are the future of online journalism. Podcasts currently exist outside of what many call the “mainstream media.” While some podcasts are part of larger

“For the most part, everyday people host podcasts .”

networks, such as Earwolf, Maximum Fun, 5by5, and Nerdist, those only make up a small portion of all podcasts. For the most part, everyday people host podcasts. The biggest podcasts are currently hosted by comedians and former public radio hosts, but for every episode of This American Life, there are tens of thousands of others created by people with no professional experience. All you need to start a podcast is a microphone, the Internet, and passion for a topic. Whatever you’re interested in, there’s likely a podcast you’ll enjoy. And if not, I can only encourage you to make a podcast about it! For more information on Andrew’s podcasts, visit to BenviewNetwork.com.

FEATURE

THE ART OF GETTING BY Using visual language to convey what words cannot Intro & Images by Connor O’Brien

Some six years ago, I experienced the event that forever altered my life, molding who I am as an artist. My father was diagnosed. His brain has been plagued with Dementia, an unstoppable disease that slowly eats away the very essence of what makes him him. Before my eyes, I watch his body waste away, his mind cloud. His progression further away from lucidity was not capable of verbally expressing, I turned it all inward. My instincts told me to push away those near me, those who could see I was in turmoil and wanted to help. They wanted to know if I was ‘okay.’ They couldn’t help me, I became distant and guarded. How could I explain to them what was going on with me when I couldn’t understand it myself? A binding knot of fear, anger, and confusion began to develop within my ribcage, sending pings of self-destructive thoughts my personal issues separate from my artwork. I didn’t want to infect my virginal exploration into photography with the source of such pain. I was not ready to face my father’s illness, so I didn’t address it in my work. This throttling of creativity lead to that all-too-familiar, uninspired bullshit that exists for growth was stunted. I had to accept the fact that there was an outlet for the surges of emotion that I wrongly assumed I could smother. The transition into producing work about Dementia was rough, I stumbled around the issue like a newborn deer. I was hesitant in deciding what would be showing too much, how my dad should be portrayed, and how much of myself I wanted to be present in the work. Through constant edits and re-workings, the project’s thought process. The thoughts of my father that used to and concentrated into the visual medium. Unaware of it at it’s genesis, the project was and still is an outlet I use to therapeutically approach what vexes me. Making art is refreshingly nebulous. There isn’t one way to The artist has the ability to extract what they want from their work and how they want their art to work for them. Their art doesn’t have to be simply aesthetically pleasing, driven toward

Connor O’Brien, excerpts from Mentia series

FEATURE Words by Jacky Linares & Renee Schmiedeberg

that you’re in.” During trying and relieves his stress but just drawing, knowing that his work has the power to help others in similar situations. “Once I’ve expressed that, it might help somebody else or it might help me to look back and see something,” said Macaulay. Although Macaulay has been drawing since he was a child, he

musician, playing guitar and Maryann Gonzalez, Detroit

The tortured artist is a stereotype among writers, artists, musicians, and creative people in general. According to writer Christopher Zara, “Art is a humanity’s greatest virtue is its ability to overcome adversity,” which is where the small truth tortured artist lies. The snag behind stereotypes is that artists are then held to that idea, and they may not be taken

For Katia Swihart, a Drawing & Painting major, art is a and pleasure. “Making art entertains me,” she said. “I love to see an idea in my head and knowing I have the capability

and art is also enlightening,” making art is where the magic Art brings solace to a myriad create it. “It’s my everything,” said Peter Thomas Macaulay, a Senior Drawing & Painting major at Cal State Long Beach. “That’s how I cope, by just drawing.” Art helps him understand things, whether it be through releasing

something or working through the LGBT+ community that constantly experiences numerous societal pressures. However, he revealed that his art certainly helped him cope with those negatives. “I just even when I’m around people who are like me. It helps me ability to alleviate anxiety, as well as add to the angst that comes with being a student. “It takes away my stress, but it adds stress too,” said Maryann Gonzalez, a Drawing & Painting graduating senior. This stress between what she wants her work to look like and what it actually looks like. Macaulay described art as

in juvenile hall and excelled, moving up into an advanced drawing class, where a teacher

some way—scratch the paint image,” he said. “You have this imagination that nobody can and entered a camp where he and many others had to work, but were also awarded certain visit when the students held an art show that showcased their paintings. “He gave me his card and said, ‘When you get out, call me and I’ll tell you what you can do to go to our school.’”Although he already had a preconceived idea in his head that he would never go to college, he still kept the card. juvenile hall, his mother was practically homeless, and they were economically unstable. He knew he couldn’t attend school

model,” he said. Macaulay learned lighting and shading anymore. Instead, he got a job something click in his mind. “I knew when I was in there that

However, Macaulay eventually in Drawing & Painting at

me cope with my situation.” experience what he wanted to

student showcase at CSULB’s University Art Museum. “Generally speaking, art

art. Macaulay described art as something that noone could

Babbette, another Drawing &

no right or wrong answer. He has seen other artists express themselves in ways that have helped him, and mostly uses “When other artists somehow express something that I my destiny to see that,” he said. “Almost like you know you’re not the only one, or there

Katia Swihart, untitled

FEATURE

Painting student in this year’s student showcase at the UAM. something “It is such an ingrained aspect

important

and

express something that I can’t Babbette overcome her anxiety emotions when she is not through her work.

space exempt from time. “When

than how I used to. When I’m time when she is in her creative and it triggers an image in my in case she needs to sketch out a dissipates the moment you’ve There are times when making change in emotions when he’s Emily Babbette, untitled

When that happens I just need same way when away from her

it. Reception is 6pm to 8pm on May 24. for it. If you know that being

when you’re not thinking about “Sometimes you just need to she said. The urge to create art is a construction worker growing

encourage and the beginning of the summer tend to be a time of of them working together—her the same urge to create too. “Being an artist gives you an opportunity to be as unique as to see how far they’ve come. you can be and go against the students.

They

University Art Museum hosts Insights.

where her teachers encouraged her to pursue it as a career constructs that artists have to

and process of the artists on

this year at Insights 2015 whether it was the fun they had

Arts

Street Feats Celebrating snazzy dressers on our campus

Words and Photos by Renee Schmiedeberg

Clothes are something intimate; they physically touch our bare bodies, and we allow them to, because without them we would be naked and vulnerable. What’s more, fashion makes us love our bodies, makes us feel beautiful in a world that constantly tells us we are not. Through clothes, you make your idea of yourself public—a nerve-wracking and possibly embarrassing thing to do. Recognizing the courage needed for this, I’d like to highlight a few brave, creative, and unique dressers at CSULB.

TYLER BATTLES (PERCEPTION) Major: Criminal Justice Inspiration: Madonna and Cyndi Lauper.

HARRY Major: Inspiration:

JEN

STEFAN

Inspiration:

Major:

Where did you get your pieces? Where did you get your pieces?

Inspiration: Where did you get your pieces? Where did you get your pieces? Fashion Philosophy: Fashion Philosophy: My mom used to

Arts

Clandestine Crochet Photos and Interview by Renee Schmiedeberg Union

Union Weekly: What is yarn bombing?

something that is made of yarn and smiles

Gift Shop and couldn’t stop thinking about

Curb Coze: Basically, it is a form of street art where people cover public spaces in

I’m talking about more of the administrators

of productivity I could get from mindless muscle memory making knot after knot

UW: Has anyone ever tried to remove one?

or knitting, if you’re well practiced, you

CC: You aren’t plotting something, are you? I’ve removed some myself, because they were getting too heckled or subjected to the elements—another reason to use natural

you’re making something complicated (which many crocheters often do) muscle

removed them before too, for whatever

But eventually, crocheting for cash began

UW: Where do you plan on taking Curb Coze?

with all this yarn I had, something that for me, was not motivated by money, because then I knew I would want to keep doing

CC: Currently, all the cozes are in Long

a measuring tape around the lamppost in

measuring tape around with me because

UW: yarn bombers or street artists in general?

UW: Why do you yarn bomb? CC: There are a lot of reasons, but one of them is that I really like this idea of getting Notice. Because the more you look, the more you are rewarded

Another thing is that in my yarn bombing research, I came across this term: “guerrilla phrase—the idea of beautifying something, and doing it outside for the public, for free,

UW: A few campus lampposts host these

I can always think about other things or

campus lampposts? CC: No, because I’ve noticed that if you put too many around, people start to get

UW: How did you get started yarn bombing?

CC: But that’s the thing with street art, if you’re not doing it for money, you’re probably

CC: I started crocheting when I was in high feeling threatened when they see too much know you’re probably thinking it sounds weird, that people would feel threatened by

taking art history classes and learned about Exit Through the

street artists and yarn bombers alike, I say do some research, don’t forget to think, and

Music

It’s a Blast! An explosive album receives unexpected reactions By Alex Ramos

Tyler, the Creator’s latest album Cherry Bomb is a loud and obnoxious joy ride that makes you wonder how this album came to be. Then again, this is Tyler we’re talking about. The persona and reputation he’s built around himself over the years allow him to do whatever the fuck he wants with his music. He knows this and takes advantage of this fact in his latest record. For starters, Cherry Bomb is kind of messy

sing (fun fact: Tyler originally wanted Stevie

mellows out only to get loud in the middle and so on and so forth. There is a reason to this madness, though. Tyler wanted this album to sound like the type of music he likes to listen to, and it shows. For example,

to itself because of how ridiculous it is. Tyler basically sings about being in a relationship with a girl that’s just a bit underage and how that makes him feel uncomfortable. The whole song is just cringeworthy and hilarious

listen to and never gets boring. Tyler’s lyrical content isn’t exactly revolutionary on Cherry Bomb. He sticks to what he knows and raps about girls, growing keep things fresh with his signature delivery, attitude, and just a little inappropriateness.

date underage girls. Here’s looking at Tyga and Kylie Jenner. Cherry Bomb

but unfortunately some of his fans don’t seem to think so. They seem upset because Tyler has moved away from the angsty style he used on his past albums. To be honest, this seems like a silly reason to hate on this

natural that he would grow out of his angsty phase and move on to a happier one. And why shouldn’t he be happy? He’s 23 years old and has a solid music and business career going for him. He deserves to be happy at this point in his life. Anyway, Cherry Bomb is explosive and think about it, but it’s worth thinking about.

Entertainment

Dawn of Possible Disappointment Trailer for the most important superhero movie of all time does not live up to one fan’s expectations I love Batman. I know he’ll never love me back, but I will go to every Batman movie in theaters. I count The Dark Knight as my I’ve enjoyed since childhood and grounded them in a beautifully dark reality. Aaron Eckhart saved the public’s vision of Harvey Dent after Tommy Lee Jones hammed up the role in Batman Forever. Heath Ledger Hamill is the best Joker, and that’s only with his voice. So it is with a heavy heart that I see Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. I hated Man of Steel. I’ve never been a fan help. Snyder previously surprised me with Watchmen, a graphic novel that I enjoyed adaptation. But Man of Steel was about some character I’d never seen before, despite calling himself Kal-El and wearing an ‘S’ on his chest. Oh wait, he said it isn’t an S... The trailer for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice did not excite me. I was against Ben

Daredevil. a spandex costume? The zoom-shot of the Superman statue

was nice but having “False God” spray painted on its chest seemed overkill. Jesse Eisenberg was suspect as Lex Luthor, but hearing him say, “Devils don’t come from hell beneath us, they come from the sky” was a nice touch. I have always liked how Luthor hated Superman immediately because he’s an alien. This is clearly something embedded in this plot, since a crowd chanting “Go home!” is also heard during the statue reveal. I think the inclusion of Batman and his aligning against Superman will be much trickier. Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth is heard saying, “That’s how it starts, the fever, the rage, the feeling of powerlessness. That turns good men cruel.” I’m not sure who he is referring to in that sentence. Is he warning Batman not to let his feelings of powerlessness towards Superman turn him cruel? Or is he explaining why Luthor hates Superman? Perhaps we’ll see Luthor ask Batman to take out Superman. times because they’re both billionaires, but time will tell. I would have loved to see any footage of Eisenberg or Irons, but I have a whole year of is released.

Mortal Comeback Classic game franchise gets a new look for its tenth installment

By Victor Torres

Mortal Kombat X is one of the most

classic characters, but new blood was also

released in the history of gaming. It exceeds all expectations that one could have about Easily the best Mortal Kombat game gamers as well as those who are looking for a challenge. It’s easy enough for someone who does not play video games too often to pick up this game and enjoy it, but it also has more than enough for a person that wants to master all the technical aspects of this game. than ever before while still retaining the main key components of why Mortal Kombat is one of the most successful and popular franchises ever created. NetherRealm studios made many

decisions for Mortal Kombat X that were extremely important to separate itself from its predecessors and also games of the same genre. In many ways, it is the natural evolution from Mortal Kombat 9. The fatalities and special x-ray combos lore make comeback more brutal than ever.

characters, the series feels refreshed with new personalities to fall in love with. Fighting games do not usually hold a decent storyline, but with Mortal Kombat X the story is an important component of the game. The game is truly one of the deserves to have many players enjoy its story,

are much more appealing. It is easy to see the appeal of only seeing the visuals of a game like Mortal Kombat than any before it. from and all of them have three variations such as Scorpion and Sub-Zero, people can expect to take pleasure in playing with

By Andrew Linde

Literature

My Uncle’s Rotting Cabin The phantom memories of a loved one The Read ‘n’ Greet By Matt McNeese

Illustration by Claire DeWilde

Los Angeles Times Book Festival held at USC

don’t have a right to acknowledge his existence. He died inside – white parasites ate his mind away and all that remained were chewed scraps like the peeled bark from his cabin. A cold, hollow, rickety base it was indeed. And yet, I want to go back. Nostalgia was all I

By Marcy López 20th annual Los Angeles Times Book Festival. The festival had tents set up,

reason. The next three days have passed. I walked up the steep grassy, rocky slopes of Big Bear and nearly slipped. I nearly cracked my skull. There it stood, aged and wounded from its crawling invaders. Who knows how much time it has left? I walked in—nothing, but two old fishing rods. One was mine and the other was his. I grabbed one, left the other, and walked down to the nearby lake.

for readers of all ages. Along with select authors, there were a few publishing company representatives present, as well as LA Times subcriptions to the paper. One of the main reasons I decided to attend the event was because Keegan Allen was going to be there. Allen is a star Pretty Little Liars. He is also a photographer who just released a book, Life. Love. Beauty., of his photography on February 3. While being interviewed on the Los Angeles Times stage by LA Times Business and Entertainment

reflection, and there was his. He held the other fishing rod. I slapped the water and looked beside me—there was nothing but my uncle’s rotting cabin.

about why he likes photography and said that he loved being able to look at a photo from the past and remember everything that happened that day. During the Q&A portion of the interview, a high school senior girl asked Allen to the prom. He said he would go, but he has to be in Ohio that day. Before the interview was over, Allen took his phone out and recorded the

It Knew Nothing Another one in the deep... It knew nothing. This speck of dust. It knew it had a conscience. Floating in the air in this round dirt. It knew that it wanted to know why it lived. It knew it wanted know why it forced to live. What a prosperous and rude way to be brought into this world? It was just there and not giving permission if it wanted to live? What type of ill-mannered being would do such an act? It appeared out of nowhere. It continued alone. In the light, it noticed other specks. into the light, others disappearing into the darkness. It wanted to follow both, but it was being pushed by some mysterious force. The force wasn’t mysterious that it knew what it was not, but where did this force come from. It wanted to know why it moved and the other specks moved. Where is this force that pushes us? Why are Why did it feel that it had some control in its direction and it did not? Where is it heading? Is in the same area? Is there a meeting place? Do anyone of these specks have a single care for where each of them are heading? Do they know that I have a conscience? How do I know that they have a conscience? What if they are mindless and programmed? Am I the only one

with a conscience mind?

know what made it alter direction. It did not know if it felt any pain or pleasure. It got stuck in a moral conundrum. What in the world was this? I am suddenly moved by this force again. I know that there is force, but I felt a spontaneous burst of energy pushing me. I couldn’t see it. I know it’s there, because my body is changing of direction. It’s like it wants me to go somewhere. It didn’t even ask me permission to move there. Why is it that I, after a prolong comfort in a certain direction, am being randomly pushed aside in force? Maybe this force wants me to do something? I dare not give a care. I wish it just talked to me and told me what it was doing. If it did, then, I will give it my personal opinion on its decision and mind my own business. Humph, what hear me, I think you are a pompous self-entitled force? Why did you give me a conscience? I am here having a dilemma with you and myself and others. I don’t know why, but I know feel angry. Argh! Did you put these thoughts and emotions into me when you create me? Do you hear me?! arguing with itself because it was arguing in nothingness. The force never responded. It began to think if such force existed. It

By Christopher Orozco think that such force exists. Maybe it fooled itself to believe to blame something for an action that cannot be explained? It felt fear. Maybe all this is spontaneous and meaningless? It felt meaningless, wandering with all these specks’ purpose in life. It thought that we are all wandering meaningless lives. This speck of dust gave meanings to other specks of dust and labeled them as meaningless. knew nothing. It felt itself being moved again and gave no effort to argue or move against it. It knew it was a speck of dust. It cannot be an accident. It’s too strange to not believe that something gave itself a conscience. To have these thoughts. Where did these thoughts come from? It’s an absurd thought. It had power. The power to think. The power to choose what to hate, to enjoy, to see, to move! What joy it felt this speck of dust. At least it thought it did, but it new nothing still and life felt meaningless. It had a conscience and it knew it could make life meaningful. It had a conscience and the power to choose whatever it wanted to believe. This speck of dust had a conscience. This speck of dust, I swear, it is silly and I hope it can laugh at its silly thoughts. It has the power to think and change.

After the interview, I anxiously waited in line to get my copy of Allen’s book signed byt author. When I reached him, I spoke of how I am a big fan of the show and how I love his photography. I told him I was a photographer as well. He asked about what I shoot with, so I pulled out my camera and he had someone take our picture. He is a very nice guy, very friendly, and genuinely seems interested in what his fans have to say. Later on, Lorraine Ali, senior LA Times writer for the calendar section interviewed Billy Idol on his New York Times best selling autobiography, Dancing with Myself that Idol about the process of having to sit down and write the book. In response, Idol said it was an interesting experience. He went on to say he had never imagined himself writing a book about himself, but he is glad he did. After the interview, he performed his song “Rebel Yell” and then had his book signing. Idol’s book signing line was longer than Allen’s, and he had

book autographs. I went with my mother, and she when she handed him her copy, she told him that she has been a fan since

Literature

Poetry Corner Too Cool By Ana Varela I wonder if they knew that when that I’d pick one up hands as if I didn’t already feel it on my tympanic membrane. I could see the notes tooGras parade and you say they are only beads of sweat. to move but they’re too cool. their spine

heads as they do, arms crossed faces serious.

I know that music and words always reach

And yet, you can’t keep still, the rhythm inside you, can make you move.

Queen of the Unloved

Believe in Yourself

By Anna Abella

A student’s words of encouragement By Lily Nguyen

I wonder if you know that you’ve already done that the moment that you were born.

eyes of yours. He must have known in that moment that this was the one person he would protect forever. He would never want to let you down.

nails Her beautiful porcelain skin quickly went plum. No matter how much she shrieked, her voice

Illustration by Susana Lopez ways. You wouldn’t have known any one of them were ever sad because they never could

to them. You told them that they were beautiful when they felt like they weren’t. You told them that they were smart, even when they knew they failed. You told them that this was just the

that you are not beautiful? Why do you tell yourself that you are not smart, not special? Why do you say that you do not deserve second chances?

She returned the kiss to Evil She conceived his bastard child. As her heart dropped To the cold vacuum of space,

yourself don’t matter? You do not owe your emotions to

look at yourself in the mirror and think that

She then turned to become the Godmother of the outcasts, Queen of the unloved, Finally surrendered to exhaustion. all

ever existed. She must have known in that She would never want to take that beautiful smile away from you. your head. That’s not true, you say. ways, I say in reply.

themselves from those they know don’t deserve a second chance. There will be times in their lives where people will push them

What happened that made you hate yourself? I wonder... Why do you tell yourself that you are not worth the trouble? Why do you tell yourself

allowed to make mistakes. You are allowed to be scared of the future. You are allowed to complain. not lose yourself in the process. You matter. I believe in you.

soon.

Him in her heart, others. Secretly possesses you.

Travel

Living on Good Winds An adventuresome life exploring and learning in Buenos Aires By Laura Marie Hennings

asado vino tinto

dulce de leche

vos

tĂş

yo ella

Rocking it out at Lollapalooza in Buenos Aires, Laura was representing with her California new home, Laura made sure to visit wandering the country led Laura to one of Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gems, which profesoras

Ciao!

Food

Conscious Kitchen Improving our food choices By Sarah Towler Illustration by Jessica Phung

In a culture where we are constantly bombarded with advertisements, making health-conscious decisions isn’t always the easiest option. When we have a hankering for something crispy and delicious, most people’s McDonald’s for fries and a Coke. However, these whim decisions have a lasting impact on our lives, as shown by the record levels of obesity and heart disease. that healthy alternatives do not always sound like the most desirable option, but impossible. With practice, making those choices can

most processed foods. It’s a small change, but it makes a healthy option, I have recently become a fan of, is making your own smoothies or shakes at home. Ice cream is one of my favorite foods and I could it eat it every day. But due to the high fat and sugar content, it’s probably one of the worst things you can eat. However, learning how to make healthy blended drinks is both satisfying and fun. Craving chocolate ice cream? A shake made with almond milk, chocolate protein powder, avocado, frozen bananas, almond butter, and honey guarantees a rich and tasty drink that will also sustain you for hours, and provide your body with the nutrients it needs. Honey, fruit, and coconut sugar are all substitutes for regular sugar that can make something taste just as good. There are many ways we can improve upon our eating habits and overall well being as a society, but one of the most important is to eat the foods we were meant to thrive on. It takes a little practice and self-discipline, but these habits can result in the decreased risk of heart disease, obesity, and cancer, as well as a healthier and more energetic body.

“It’s a small change, but it makes a

One of the easiest ways you can make a small change is by paying attention to the types of oils you consume. According to the McDonald’s website, they use canola, corn, soybean, and hydrogenated soybean oil to cook their fries. These oils are detrimental heighten cholesterol. A much better alternative would be to make potato chips at home with olive oil and opt for baking instead of frying. When cooking with oils, try to use grape-seed, olive, coconut, or avocado oil, rather than chemically altered vegetable and canola oil, which are found in

By Heather Sandburg Eating healthy is hard work, especially for those like me, who can’t cook. My go-to take out food is Pizza. Pizza is the unholy, cheesy delight that graces my makeshift table every evening before every test day. I gain the

for convenience. Pizza is a catch 22; it’s delicious, but expensive and not very healthy when it comes from most take out restaurants. There are exceptions, but it takes effort, and I’m not sure you want to drive to

Whittier for Pizza Studio’s gluten free crust and fresh ingredients. I found that my substitute personal pizza helps beat the cravings and assures me that I can enjoy home-made, nutritious pizza without the hassle. This recipe will bring you back to middle school when pizza lunchables were the best thing ever. (256 calories) • • 2 tablespoons pasta sauce

• 2 tablespoons grated mozzarella • Toppings 1. Preheat the oven to 350F, or plug in your toaster oven. 2. 3. Top each half with one tablespoon of pasta sauce. Now you can use your favorite pasta sauce, but if you want to save on calories, buy one without cheese in it. 4. Sprinkle cheese over the pasta sauce. 5. Add toppings over the cheese. The

toppings could be spinach or sliced bell peppers for a healthier alternative, but if you love pepperoni, go for it! pizzas in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown, or if you are using the toaster oven, go for one cycle. Serve immediately, and enjoy! You can enjoy this healthy pizza alternative and feel good when you eat 6 of them in place of other healthy foods during

Volume 76 Issue 14

Monday, April 27, 2015

LBUNION.COM

DISCLAIMER: I CAN FEEL IT COMING, MY READERS. I don’t know why, it could be the Mexican food from last night, but I sense my near end. Help me, John Mayer. James Franco, I need you to be my firework! Oh man, I feel it. I actually feel this gut-wrenching pain. I think I am dying. Damn, Mexican food. This page is satire/parody and does not represent ASI nor the CSULB campus. Submit articlez to grunion@lbunion.com.

A Farewell to Green Arms As always, Gumby is found sitting at his clay-animated desk at the Union. He senses the Spring Semester coming to an end. Either that, or the 99 cent breakfast burrito from Taco Bell. Get it now before the limited time special ends today! Its commercial jingle rang in his head. Something in Gumby’s clay heart and mind had convinced him to pass the throne rather than simply watching the throne. Every year, a new editor is selected while the previous one must die. It’s mentioned in the contract every year in very small print. Gumby realizes this and chills slowly spill down his spine. Moments ago, he was informed of his predestined death. The editors knew about this ritual of killing the Grunion editor. They knew it very well. They always remember the Day. But they weren’t the only ones, turkeys around the world knew of this special death. A worldwide manhunt for a single person. Regardless, Gumby was screwed. It was time to face his to visit. He went to... [Where did Gumby go?] Go to Page 6-Walks to the Pyramid Go to Page 9-Recreational Center’s Pool Observatory Go to Page 42- Outside Go big or go home! Page 6 ...the Walter Pyramid. An eerie silence hung in the air as he headed

the situation as he walked through the emptied campus. A full moon lit his way. As he passed the CBA building, he noticed a red and yellow glare emitting from the Pyramid. He walked towards it. Slowly, he realized that a crowd of people were holding tiki torches. He moved closer and noticed the Walter Pyramid swarmed with thousands of people dressed in Mayan clothing. He stopped. Somehow, Gumby found himself on top of the Pyramid and strapped to a stone tablet. Ronald McDonald was performing “open-heart” surgery. Burger King stood there as an assistant to monitor the anasthesia. Before McDonald could slice his chest, Gumby died on the spot. He was allergic to granite. His heart was useless for the Mayan gods, they needed a live one for their feast. Page 9 ...to the Recreational Center to swim. He put on his little tighty Speedo and one million dollar-goggles. He dove into the pool. Focusing too much on his inevitable death, he failed to realize the shark that was placed there. He done messed up, yo! Gumby looked in hysteria for the stairs and ladder. People came out of the shadows and placed a barrier around the pool’s edges. Gumpy couldn’t escape, the ledges were covered with giant plastic Legos. They knew their Lego instruction manuals too damn well. The pool was too small for Gumby and the shark to swim together. They smelled each other’s blood. Gumby

and the shark knew their relationship as they laid eyes on each other. One of them had to die. They headed towards each other at a godly speed. Gumby’s speedos came off. dead. Gumby was nowhere to be found. Only a small piece of green clay was turned green. Page 15 ...to the Griffith Observatory. He decided to go hiking. He started from the bottom, but is now somewhere at the top. It was getting late, but Gumby wanted to experience the view at the Observatory. He didn’t believe in the buddy system. He had never felt so alone. He began to hear the sound of coyotes howling in the distance. Their primal yells reassured Gumby as a lone wolf. He continued up the hill. Suddenly, a coyote approached Gumby. It foamed at the mouth. Must have been that damn burrito. He knew that if he ran, he would be beaten and eaten. The coyote yowled a wild howl at the smell of his burritoinfused blood. A pack of coyotes sprang from behind Gumby. He was surrounded, the one foaming in front of him must have been the leader. Out of nowhere, Sasquatch came to his rescue. Or so he thought because Sasquatch enjoys green clay on top of his burrito. The coyotes disappeared at the sight of Sasquatch. Sasquatch and Gumby both glared at each other. They knew one of them had to come out of

this forest and make love to Gumby’s sweet wife. Witnesses reported Sasquatch eating Gumby or Gumby eating Sasquatch. However, police and investigators revealed it was neither. They were killed by the Hashsinging Sasher or Hasher Slingbasher or the Hashersinging basher. Wait...The Hash Slinging Slasher! Page 42 ...outside. He was surrounded. Thousands of humans stood there with masks on their faces. Not a single human carried a weapon. Gumby was hit from behind. He blacked out. He awoke on the sandy beaches of Malibu. At the bottom of Malibu’s cliffs, he stood up. He looked around and noticed the humans with masks overseeing from the cliffside. They were pointing towards the ocean. He looked that direction and in the sea. Gumby felt fear drop in his heart. Not of death, but of what may come after it. walked towards him or her. He stepped into the waves and joined the black hooded being. Face to face, the black hooded figure revealed its identity. It was Gumby. Gumby froze with shock. Before he could have said anything, his doppleganger hadouken him. Gumby flew across the ocean at the speed of light. He felt his body begin to split into small pieces of clay. He smiled. He was one with the world...cue Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones. You’ll be missed, Gumby. Or, not!

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TOP GRUNION EDITOR? #THEONE

JIMMY

THE WIND

SUGA MAMA

FLOYD