Twirling In the Face of Adversity Page 7 PAGE 1
Vol. 106, NO. 52 UATRAV.COM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
From Tragedy to Inspiration by MEGAN HUCKABY Staff Writer
Aron Ralston, the climber depicted in the film 127 Hours, who amputated his arm after being trapped in Utah’s Bluejohn Canyon, visited the UA, Monday, as part of the distinguished lecture series. He was chosen by a student committee who compiles a list of possible speakers and then votes on the choices, said Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations. The distinguished lecture series is funded by student-appropriated funds released by the Associated Student Government.
UA Officials to Permanently Close Two Parking Lots
Ralston wants to encourage people through the telling of his story. “I think just in general that we have a lot of adversity in life and these are our boulders or sometimes are actual rocks,” he said. “How we react to them and respond can open doors and opportunities.” Helping people take what could be a tragedy and turn it into a blessing is his goal, Ralston said. “Something can be a trauma or a tragedy, but it can also be a blessing,” he said.
nently close Lot 67, which holds 500 parking spaces. A one-story, 227-space parking garage under the new athletic training building will take its place, Gilbride said. The new parking garage may not be done in time for next school year, Gilbride said. “The practice facility should be done but I don’t know for sure [that] the parking lot is going to be built,” he said. “I understand the university wants to use it for scholarship parking, so that is the reason they want it ready for next year. “The university wants it to be open by next year, but I don’t see how it can be,” Gilbride said. “It just takes time for construction.” Closing Lot 67 and 2 will be easier in the winter because the marching band won’t be using Lot 56, which leaves an extra 500 parking spots, he said. “We know we’ll have problems, but we just do not know how bad it’s going to be,” Gilbride said. “There shouldn’t be really that big of a problem this semester,” he said. “We’re more worried about the beginning of next school year.”
by JACK SUNTRUP Staff Writer
The closing of Lot 67 and Lot 2 will be postponed until winter break, said a Parking and Transit representative. Lot 67, which is adjacent to the HPER building, was slated to close after the last home football game against Tennessee on Nov. 12. But the closing was put off “for commencement and [the] football season, basically,” saidAndy Gilbride, parking and transit representative. The transition to a closed Lot 67 will be easier at the start of a new semester rather than the end of the current one, Gilbride said. Lot 2, a temporary gravel lot next to the UAPD headquarters that has 91 parking spots, will be closed so the UA can erect a new Information Technologies building, Gilbride said. “Lot 2 will be closed permanently. Parking didn’t pay for Lot 2; facilities management did, so it didn’t cost the students or staff anything. We are not losing anything for it except the parking spaces,” Gilbride said. The UA will also perma-
see RALSTON on page 2
LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Aron Ralston, who was depicted in the film “127 Hours” by actor James Franco spoke in Fayetteville Monday.
Lot 67 by the HPER will be closing after winter break. This marks the third lot this year that has closed because of construction.
MIKE NORTON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chartwells Steps Up Richardson Recognized for Silas Hunt Award Sustainability Efforts by SARAH DEROUEN Staff Writer
by ZEEK MARTIN and LANDON REEVES The UA produces 192 tons of food waste every year, according to an audit by the Office for Campus Sustainability, however several programs work to reduce this number by composting and finding industrial uses for the waste, officials said. Chartwells, the company responsible for feeding UA students campus-wide, started a program that prevented 15 tractor trailer loads worth of waste from going to the landfill in its first year, said Kim Johnson, marketing director for Chartwells. With enrollment continuously rising, that number would have increased exponentially over the years, she said. "Three years ago we re-
moved trays from the dining halls,” Johnson said. “That was big. It was when enrollment was about 17,000. Other savings were seen in water, gas and electricity that were not used to wash the trays. “Since going trayless, we’ve saved over 250 million pounds of waste from going into the landfills,” she said. Other programs have been created to teach foodservice employees how to conserve food waste when preparing meals. “We have a program in place called Trim Trax,” Johnson said. “With this we teach the kitchen-production associates about minimizing waste as they are preparing foods for cooking or serving.
see CHARTWELLS on page 3
In This Issue:
News
New Bus for the Blue Route
Parking and transit officials added an extra bus to combat record enrollment.
Page 2
Nolan Richardson, former UA men’s basketball coach, was recognized Monday as a recipient of the Silas Hunt Legacy Award. In 1994, Coach Nolan Richardson lead the UA basketball team to a NCAA championship, but of all the awards Richardson has won, he said that this was the best one. “Everywhere he has been, everywhere he has gone, he has won. For 17 years, he was the beating heart of of the University of Arkansas men’s basketball program,” said Chancellor David G. Gearhart. “Nolan was more than just a coach, he has become a part of Razorback lore. He gave us all the pride, all the respect, all the dignity, all the honor that anyone could hope for.” Richardson has a deep respect for Silas Hunt and spoke during the reception about Hunt “paving the road.” “To me that was one of my ultimate goals is to be the best
News
Plans for New Parking Deck
I could possibly be in order that others may follow,” Richardson said. “My grandmother raised me and she always would tell us that ‘if there is a crack in the door, that’s all you need.’ There
UA officials are plan to add a parking deck with 800 spaces. Getting shut eye during the day can be beneficial.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011 VOL. 106, NO. 52 8 PAGES UATRAV.COM
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Features
Harold and Kumar Bring New Flavor to Christmas
Not the typical Christmas movie, but full of laughs.
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Sports
Regular Season in Review
Opinion
#totalfreshmove: What I Learned at the UA
Arkansas finished the Five things many freshman football season ranked in learn during their first semesthe top 10. Check out the good and bad of the regular ter at the UA. season.
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tend a public university in the South when he was accepted in the School of Law at the UA.
Former men’s Razorback basketball coach Nolan Richardson was recognized as a recipient for the Silas Hunt Legacy Award Monday.
Features
The Art of Napping: A College Student’s Expertise
was a crack in that door for Silas and he kicked it down in order for us, African Americans, to move forward. In 1948, Silas Hunt was the first African American to at-
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NEWS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
PAGE 2
Blue Route Gets Extra P.M. Bus by JACK SUNTRUP Staff Writer
Facing record enrollment and increased ridership, Razorback Transit officials have added another bus to the Blue route from 3:30 to 6 p.m., one official said. “After 10:30 [a.m.], we go down to two buses, traditionally,” said Mike Seither, Razorback Transit manager. “Problem was, between 2 to 5 p.m., the system started to break down.” In October, the Blue route carried nearly 9,000 more passengers than October of last year. Ridership in September increased from 51,345 in 2009 to 65,637 in 2011, according to the department website. “There are obviously more riders [going home in the afternoon],” Seither said. “We added a bus in the afternoon to get more service for Blue because the schedule wasn’t being made.” The strip of apartments and housing along the route contributes to the large ridership, Seither said. “There’s a ton of apartment complexes in that general area along Garland and Leverett [Avenues],” he said. Records show a sharp decline in ridership during other months of the school year. Ridership on the Blue route declined to 32,694 in February. Even so, other factors contributed to the department’s decision. “The system started to breakdown, sometimes because of traffic patterns,” he said. “It was slower and slower to get up and down the Blue Route because of traffic signals.” New buses were slated to replace four old ones next school year, but Seither said increased ridership will make it necessary to expand the fleet instead. “We’re going to need to
RICHARDSON from page 1
“The Silas Hunt Award was inaugurated in 2006 as a means to recognize those who have helped to make our campus a
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Record enrollment has forced parking and transit officials to add an extra p.m. bus to the Blue Route, said Mike Seither, Razorback Transit manager. expand the size of the fleet even though we were going to replace old buses,” he said. “We’ll take two of them and expand the fleet size from 21 to 23.”
At 11:30 a.m. Friday, as the Blue bus carried a standingroom-only crowd, students like junior Cassidy McCants were pleased with the decision to add another bus to the
more diverse and welcoming place. One of the best features about the award is that is gives us the ability to simultaneously look backward and forward. The award allows us to commemorate Silas Hunt and the
other pioneers of color that mustered the courageous and deal with the hardships associated with beginning the first to desegregate this institution” said Charles Robinson, vice provost for diversity.
route. “The afternoons aren’t too crowded,” she said, “but it’s definitely a good thing they added another bus. I’m really happy with that.”
RALSTON from page 1
Before the accident Ralston left his job in order to be “a mountain man.” “I was following my dream” he said. He did this all for his love of the outdoors. He wants to inspire people to follow their passions. “When I look back on it from the bottom of that canyon where I was trapped and I was going to die I realized all of the accomplishments that I have had in my life,” Ralston said. “The one thing that I had that I was most proud of was quitting and leaving to go do what I actually wanted to do.” His accident gave him a different perspective on life. “We also have the perspective of ‘How bad is it?’ For me, I miss a plane, am late or delayed or forget a bag or something,” he said. “Or an [audio/visual] system melts down when I am speaking in front of 10,000 people, but did I have to drink my own urine today? No.” Amputating his own hand wasn’t easy, but something he knew he needed to do. “I can look at this, the amputation on my arm, and know that while I was doing something so horrific, to contemplate it as a healthy person: mobile and with our freedom and autonomy, that it would be terrifying to amputate your own arm,” he said. “Yet, I did it with a smile on my face because it meant that I was going to get out of there.” Ralston wouldn’t change anything, he said. This has been “the greatest gift in my life,” Ralston said. Ralston has given hundreds of lectures since his accident more than eight years ago, including more than 60 this year. The response to his lectures has been very positive, he said. He now has a wife and young son who enjoy mountaineering, rafting and skiing, Ralston said. He still climbs, even becoming the first person to climb all of the highest peaks in Colorado during the winter, he said.
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PAGE 3
NEWS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
CRIME REPORT: Sunday, Nov. 13
Public Intoxication; Minor In Possession Of Alcohol
A non-affiliated juvenile was found in Maple Hill South Residence Hall, and was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center and released to her parents.
Monday, Nov. 14 Criminal Mischief
A non-affiliated person reported someone scratched the hood, front bumper and right side of his vehicle while it was parked in Lot 73.
UA Officials Plan New Parking Deck by MEGAN HUCKABY Staff Writer
UA officials is in the early planning stages of building a new parking deck with 800 spaces, officials said. The deck will be built five to 10 years from now, said Jay Huneycutt, director of Planning and Capital Program-
ming, via email. It will be located north of Maple Street and east of Leverett Avenue. The need for parking is not as intense as students think, said Andy Gilbride, a Parking and Transit official. The main obstacle is informing people where the current lots are. The need for parking is not severe right now, Gilbride said.
“I think we will [need parking] next year with the loss of Lot 67 and the increase of enrollment,” he said. Lot 67 will close on Dec. 19 so that construction can begin on the new football building, according to the University Recreations website. If needed, there will also be changes in Lot 55. The freshman class steadily
increases each year, and parking is already a problem, said Jared Heiles, senior biology major. “I walk to class because I live close enough,” he said. “If I didn’t walk I would have no where to park.” Paying to park quickly becomes too expensive, he said.
Student’s Lives Intertwine
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Battery Third-Degree
A student reported an acquaintance knocked on his door in Northwest Quad C Building and punched him in the head and face when he opened the door.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Breaking Or Entering; Theft Of Property
A staff member reported someone stole a parking permit from her vehicle while it was parked in Lot 40.
Thursday, Nov. 17 Theft Of Property
A staff member reported someone stole a parking permit from a shelf at the Service Center in the HPER Building.
Friday, Nov. 18 Theft Of Property
A student reported someone stole golf clubs from the patio of his apartment at Duncan Avenue.
Theft Of Property
An employee of UAMS reported someone stole an iPod Touch from a nurses’ station at the UAMS Northwest Campus.
CHARTWELLS from page 1
“For example, something as simple as trimming an onion a certain way can lessen what goes out as waste,” she said. Chartwells officials also keep track of how many students they serve each day of the week in order to cut down on the amount of food prepared each day. “We carefully monitor our customer counts down to 15 minute service increments. We know how many more people we will serve at lunch on a Wednesday as compared to a Thursday at Brough [Commons]. We do this for every operation on campus,” Johnson said. The website for the Environmental Protection Agency lists guidelines for managing food waste. The foremost step is to reduce the source; food left from source reduction should feed hungry people, then animals. EPA prefers what’s left be composted or used for industrial purposes. The least favored method of handling food waste is a landfill or incineration. The office for campus sustainability composted food scraps from the Northwest Quad dining hall at one of the farms with two large containers called earth tubs. It was Zoe Teague, a UA student, who thought to use the tubs. What waste is left in dining halls is collected by Chartwells officials and taken to the university’s Agri Farm, where it is added to the earth tubs to be used in the Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s experimental plots. The Office for Campus Sustainability, which has managed earth tubs since April 2011, discovered that the tubs compost a maximum of 15 tons of food waste every year, said Carlos Ochoa, interim director for Campus Sustainability. “We don’t have an organic composting system other than the earth tubs, and they are not accepting anymore food scraps because it doesn’t make sense to put in the effort, energy, time and resources to convert five percent of food waste on campus,” Ochoa said. Other technologies, including the ORCA compost machine, reduce the organic
waste leftover by the composting program. Pomfret dining hall was using an ORCA composting machine that converted 600 pounds of food waste a day into water that was drained into sewage and cleaned by the city of Fayetteville officials, said Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for Facilities. The machine’s process of turning food waste into water uses “environmentally friendly microorganisms” to digest or compost food waste, according to greensmartfoodservices.com, the machine manufacturer’s website. Pomfret officials had the machine for a 60-day trial, which has now expired. UA officials are trying to get someone to pick up the machine, Johnson said. Oil from UA dining halls is also recycled and used for industrial purposes. “We collect used cooking oil from five cafeterias on campus and bring it out to the farm,” said Ron Cox, assistant director of the Agriculture Experiment Station. “We add some chemicals to it and run it through a processor, then the finished product that comes out is biodiesel, and we use it on our tractors here at the farm.” The process can make three-fourths of every gallon of used cooking oil into usable biodiesel. Waste from this process is composted and used as fertilizer, Cox said. “We make about 2,500 to 3,000 gallons of biodiesel a year. It cost us about a dollar per gallon to make,” Cox said. “With the price of diesel we are about to break even after three years. We save a $1.50 to $2 a gallon depending on the price of diesel.” These sustainability efforts are a step in the right direction, some students said. "I’m glad that they are attempting to reduce all of the waste students generate,” said sophomore Timothy Keas. “It’s great to hear that some of the food waste is being composted.” “I’ve actually wondered about what happens to all of the waste,” said Nick Roberts, a student who is studying sustainability. “These efforts give me a little bit more hope that we are heading in the right direction.
Students took a break from classes to knit while nibbling on snacks in the Union Connections Lounge Monday.
MADDIE LOGAN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
OCC Offers Breckenridge Ski Trip by KAREN STIGAR Staff Writer
Outdoor Connection Center officials will sponsor a ski trip to Breckenridge, Colo., from Jan. 8 to 14, officials said. “The ski trip is always right before the beginning of the spring semester,” said Jennifer Hazelrigs, assistant director of the OCC. There are 50 available spots for the trip, Hazelrigs said. Registration ends Dec. 6. The trip, which is not open to the public, costs university students $489 and university
members $549, according to the ski trip flyer. A $99 nonrefundable and non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration. The cost includes one night of skiing at Keystone Ski Resort, according to the flyer, but does not cover extra lift passes, transportation to other mountains, food, souvenirs and ski or snowboard rentals. The price also includes the condominiums where participants will be staying, which have two bedrooms with full bathrooms, a full kitchen, a dining area, a sleeper sofa,
and a fireplace and balcony. Each room will hold a maximum of six people. Signup for roommates will be conducted at a Dec. 6 pre-trip meeting in HPER 103 at 6 p.m. “The ski trip has been available to students since 2001,” Hazelrigs said. The pre-trip meeting will review details on equipment, food, what to pack, inherent risks and transportation, according to the flyer. Ski and snowboard rentals range from $100 to $150 per week, but students can learn
about discounted rentals at the Dec. 6 meeting. Attendees will be allowed to bring their own equipment, which will be stored under the charter bus, according to the flyer. “We offer over 70 programs per year to the student body,” Hazelrigs said. “We go on trips such as climbing, mountain biking, road cycling, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, international travel and backpacking. All are outdoor recreational and educational activities and we travel all over the United States,” Hazelrigs said.
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OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
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EDITOR: SABA NASEEM MANAGING EDITOR: MATTIE QUINN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
FROM THE BOARD
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff It’s easy as students to get caught up in the mundane day-to-day grind: We didn’t do as well as we hoped on a test, we couldn’t find a parking spot or maybe we forget we had a quiz in French, but in the bigger picture none of these things really matter. (Unless of course, you chronically forget about quizzes and end up dropping out of school. Don’t do that.) Aron Ralston spoke at the Fayetteville Town Center Monday night. Rolston amputated his arm during a 2003 hiking trip in Utah. Rolston’s speech and experience reminded us that despite how drastic or important things might seem in the short term, in the larger span of our life whether we had to park in the pit or on Lot 56, if we got a B+ instead of an A- on a quiz or if we don’t get to have another cup of coffee don’t really matter. That isn’t to say that some college students haven’t faced serious things, but students should remember not to sweat the small stuff.
It’s Time For You To Get A Watch Associated Student Government senators will once again debate a resolution to recommends officials synchronize all of the clocks across campus, creating a universal time. First of all, we should say that we should just be thankful that senators are proposing legislation, and not creating a month gap between legislation being introduced like previous years. But realistically, all of the clocks being synchronized across the UA campus isn’t likely going to happen. This at least the third time that ASG senators have proposed and passed similar legislation, and the UA students still do not have a synchronized, university time. Furthermore, the legislation states that a university-wide universal time, would be “a benefit to student punctuality.” This might be true, but we doubt it. Most UA students have a cellphone, if not a watch. Most of us are aware of what time it is when we’re heading from class to class. Even if we’re sitting in a class in Old Main, which is notorious for untimely clocks, and the clock says 4:45, students generally know that it’s really 10:23 and our professor is running over the end of class. (There’s a general trend that once you get within five minutes of the end of class, students start messing with their stuff as class gets closer to being over.) It isn’t that the legislation is pointless, we just don’t want ASG senators to get weighed down with smaller legislation, that likely won’t effect many students, when there are bigger issues at the UA senators could be going after.
Traveler Quote of the Day “We also have the perspective of ‘How bad is it?’ For me, I miss a plane, am late or delayed or forget a bag or something. Or an [audio/ visual] system melts down when I am speaking in front of 10,000 people, but did I have to drink my own urine today? No.” -Aron Ralston, distinguished lectures committee speaker “Tragedy To Inspiration,” page one
MCT CAMPUS
High School to College: A Different Mind Set Expanding Horizons
by DESHAUN ARTIS
Traveler Columnist
Well, it is the end of another semester here at the University of Arkansas. For some, this is the end of their first semester and for others it is their last. And then there are those of us in the middle – with a few more semesters to go. No matter which category you fit into, congratulations on making it another (or your first) semester so far! Hopefully the first year students have noticed during their first few months here that college is a lot different than high school. We all know that there is more freedom, tougher classes, there are more people and skipping class is not exactly illegal. Besides those differences, I hope that the 4,400
EDITOR Saba Naseem MANAGING EDITOR Mattie Quinn OPINION EDITOR Jordain Carney ENTERPRISE EDITOR Samantha Williams CONTACT US The Arkansas Traveler welcomes letters to the editor from all interested readers. Letters should be at most 300 words and should include your name, student classification and major or title with the university and a day-time telephone number for verification. Letters should be sent to traveler@uark.edu.
cerned with finding groups that fit their interests. With more than 350 Registered Student Organizations, there are plenty of groups to choose from. Even for those wanting to start their own RSO, the requirements for doing so are not that strenuous. According to UA RSO website, to start your own RSO you need to have at least six members and a full time faculty/ staff advisor from the UA. With a population of 20,000 plus, finding five other people with similar interests and a faculty or staff member to advise you should not be extremely difficult. A third reason that college seems to be more of an accepting environment than high school is the lack of the whole “seniority” aspect. In high school, being a freshman was possibly the worst thing you could be, but in college it almost does not even matter. Besides the fact that upperclassmen get to pick classes before underclassmen, there is not much difference between the classifications. First year students can sit in class next to fifth year students and sometimes no one can even tell the difference. Everyone is here for similar goals: to have fun, to learn about themselves
and to graduate. The “I’m a senior, you’re a freshman, I’m better than you” issue doesn’t matter anymore. There may be hints of high school here and there throughout campus but in some ways, these things are unavoidable. Drama just happens to be a part of life and therefore will be everywhere. I just think that it exists in much smaller portions here at the UA. For those of who are completing their first semester here, I hope that you have found (or are finding) where you fit in on campus and have learned lots of lessons that you can apply to future semesters. For those who are finishing up and will be graduating next month, I hope you have had the time of your life while attending the UA and will take the skills you have learned with you to become successful in your post-college life. And for the rest of us – stuck in the middle or close to graduating, let us to continue find our places and cultivate an accepting environment here while leaving all the high school problems back home. DeShaun Artis is a columnist for the Traveler. His column appears every other Tuesday.
#totalfreshmove: What I’ve Learned at the UA Rocket Science
byJOE KIEKLAK
Traveler Columnist
EDITORIAL BOARD
Club has seen that college is generally a lot more accepting than high school tends to be. I know this time last year I was exhausted. But it was a good kind of exhausted. I had nearly completed my first semester of college, my grades were looking good and I had gotten many new opportunities. The transition from high school to college had not been as scary as I initially thought. A great part of this came from the UA being a place where everyone can find a place where they fit in. Sad to say, high school oftentimes falls into the stereotypes in which it is portrayed on television. Cliques, everything being about popularity and drama fill the hallways of high school. Of course, I cannot speak for all high schools, just the four that I attended. Since coming to college though, I have noticed a different mind set. Everyone here has bigger things on their mind than the petty issues of high school. First off academics are more important now that it is no longer free. High school was about working hard to get here now we are working hard to stay here. Secondly, I do not think that people feel the need to be apart of a certain “popular” group, but are more con-
I’ve never been one for the generic writing. Sometimes, however, it’s inescapable. Regardless of who you are, what you believe in or the clothes you throw on your back; you’ve all heard a song on the radio, or watched a movie, and said, “That’s me!” Yet, this isn’t always limited to music or the silver screen, there are more than 4,400 freshmen at the UA, and we’ve all had some similar experiences. For those upperclassmen reading, while you’ve moved on from the semi-embarrassing time period that is, “freshman year,” hopefully you still remember the days of being fresh meat. Now that my only semester as a UA freshman is coming to a close, I’ve drawn a few conclusions that I feel at least some of you has came to during the past semester. 1. There is no such thing as a clean shower. While Debra and Madeline do a phenomenal job of keeping Futrall Hall clean, by 6 or 7 p.m., one can be sure that the men’s showers will have gone from “spic
and span,” to abhorrent. This poses a few problems though; one has to take a shower. And by running the water for a while before jumping it, one can alleviate the remains that “thoughtful” dorm mates have left behind. In a world where judgments are often made off first appearance, a solid shower could be the difference between a date, a job and the respect of one’s peers. Moreover, showers can decrease stress, insomnia and even relieve coughs, according to a medically-reviewed livestrong.com article. In a time when finals are rapidly approaching, it may be even more necessary to brush up on hygiene. 2. “It’s not what you make, it’s what you spend.” I wish I could take credit for that, because it’s some of the best advice I’ve received since I started the semester in the fall. Senior year of high school was a joke. Aside from AP classes, little time and effort was needed to get the same 3.5+ GPA I’d been making. Yet, while college so far hasn’t been impossible, it does require more time and effort. This has really scaled down the workweek from an average 22 hours to maybe 11. Because of the change and exhaustion of my flex dollars, I’ve had to become a better manager of money, which doesn’t necessarily entitle stretching every dollar, but means to spend wisely. This can be done in a few ways, like buying the 30-count package of water bottles at Walmart instead of wasting money at Club Red, or
using all the meals on a meal plan instead of hitting up popular restaurants. Save the money for the weekend. 3. Not all freshmen are created equal. Some are better than others. It sounds snide, but it’s true. Unless you’re literally the highest-ranking student on the campus, someone will be better than you. Yet, the trap one can get into is obsessing over it, and letting it prevent the skills that one does possess from flourishing. We’re not super humans, we’re freshmen. We won’t be professionals at everything we do; yet it shouldn’t stop us from doing our best. Moreover, by letting someone, especially a roommates’ perfect grasp on a foreign language, chemistry or even H2P prevent one from doing one’s best, that’s when it becomes a problem. One should rejoice in the fact that they have an expert in the room and not let it be a means of degradation. Finally, the competition should be a striving point, a friendly rivalry to do the best one can. 4. The lucky bird gets the parking space I can’t take credit for this one either, but it’s true. Many might be quick to rebut this by positing that if one gets to campus early, that there will always be a spot, however, if that spot is in Lot 73, it’s far from convenient. The early bird doesn’t necessarily get the worm. I’m lucky in that I live on campus, so I don’t have to worry about finding a spot for class every day.
Also, because I work at the University House for the National Phone Campaign, I have a maximum 25-second walk from the residence hall. Yet, I know there are those who aren’t so lucky. The sad part is that while getting here early might offer a small cushion, parking spots at UA largely depend on luck. It may have been helpful had Parking & Transit not grossly oversold parking permits by 95 percent according to a 40/29 News article. 5. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin’s above quote is open to reader interpretation, but as far as my freshman experience has been; it sums it up. Often people go into school with the mind set of drinking equals failure, or skipping a class ruins you, but for the helicopter parents reading, we can handle it. The point of this is: handle yourself. You know your limits, not your friends, significant other, parents, etc. The model student isn’t addicted to Club Mullins, the model student is one who can prioritize and balance their academic and social lives, and still be healthy. So I’ve learned to make Franklin’s quote my motto, and always know that I’m prepared to succeed when I wake up in the morning, regardless of where that is. Call me crazy, but while being a freshman was more than just five things, this is what I’m taking away from the beginning. Joe Kieklak is a Traveler columnist. His column appears weekly.
SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
Scan here to go to the Sports section on uatrav.com:
PAGE 5 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
SPORTS EDITOR: JIMMY CARTER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR: ZACH TURNER FOOTBALL
Highlight Hogs Regular Season In Review
Record: 10-2. Southeastern Conference: 6-2, third in Western Division. BCS ranking: No. 8. AP ranking: No. 6. USA Today Coaches ranking: No. 10 by JIMMY CARTER AND ZACH TURNER Traveler Staff
Best Win: Arkansas 42 Texas A&M 38 The Aggies failed to live up to their Top 10 ranking entering the season, but were still ranked No. 14 when Arkansas played them. The Razorbacks came back from an 18-point deficit against the Aggies to avoid its second straight loss after the dismantling by Alabama. Play of the Year – Joe Adams’ 60-yard punt return against Tennessee Adams’ electrifying return will likely be a candidate to win an ESPY for Play of the Year in July. It has more than 1.1 million views on YouTube and garnered attention after he broke five tackles and raced up the sideline. Offensive MVP – Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson Wilson had big shoes to fill replacing NFL draft pick Ryan Mallett, but turned in an impressive year and has an opportunity to break Mallett’s single-season school records. With the bowl game remaining, he has 3,422 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Aside from the statistics, he has a chance to lead Arkansas to more wins than Mallett could. Biggest Offensive Disappointment – Passing Game against Alabama, LSU As good as Wilson was, Arkansas struggled to throw the ball mightily against the Crimson Tide and Tigers. He threw for 392 yards and three interceptions, while getting pressured constantly. Wilson was sacked five times and hit many other times in the two games, in part because the
Best offensive performance – Texas A&M
Arkansas is down to just nine scholarship players. Four are true freshman. In the Razorbacks last two games against Utah Valley State and Grambling State, both Arkansas wins, the four freshmen averaged 21.8 minutes each after averaging 15.8 minutes the first four games. Forward Devonta Abron is the only freshman to start a game this season, starting the past two games for Arkansas, but coach Mike Anderson said he sees BJ Young as a starter with all the minutes the 6-foot-3 guard has logged. “I think the most important thing is when you get the playing time that you make it quality playing time,” Anderson said. “I consider him (Young) as a starter. He comes in and is going to play the same way whether he starts or not.” Young has been the Razorbacks’ leading scorer in all three games since junior forward Marshawn Powell suffered a season-ending knee injury before Arkansas’ game against Houston,. Over the
Extra Points
JIMMY CARTER
jicarter@uark.edu
The offense racked up 582 yards of offense and scored 25 second-half points to rally for a season-saving 42-38 win against then-No. 14 Texas A&M. Wilson threw for a school-record 510 yards and three touchdowns, while senior receiver Jarius Wright showcased his big-play ability, hauling in 13 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Offensive Area to Improve – Offensive Line The offensive line progressed throughout the season, but struggled to run and pass-block against elite defenses. Losing junior running back Knile Davis before the season hurt and Wilson took a beating throughout the season. The Razorbacks lose strong-side tackle Grant Freeman and weak-side guard Grant Cook and preparing a wealth of young talent for next season will be crucial. Defensive MVP – Junior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith The junior college transfer has exceeded expectations during his first year in Fayetteville. Highsmith started all 12 regularseason games for the Razorbacks and was third on the team with 73 tackles, with a team-high 10.5 tackles-for-loss. The junior linebacker also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and one interception. Biggest Defensive Disappointment – Junior cornerback Darius Winston The 6-foot-1 cornerback completed his third year as a Razorback and still struggled to
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arkansas junior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith scores his first career defensive touchdown against LSU on a 47-yard fumble return. Highsmith finished the regular season as the Hogs’ third-leading tackler with 73 tackles, including a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss.
2011 Highlights t t t t t
First back-to-back 10-win seasons since 1988-89. No. 3 ranking the week of Nov. 20-26 was the program’s highest since October 1978. Eight consecutive weeks in the top 10 is the best stretch since 1985. The matchup at No. 1 LSU was the highest-ranked game since a No. 2 Arkansas team lost 15-14 against top-ranked Texas in 1969. The Razorbacks are 25-6 in their last 31 games. Alabama, LSU, Virginia Tech, Boise State, TCU, Oregon and Stanford are the only teams better.
show signs of the five-star rating he had coming out of high school. Winston struggled with injuries in a few games this season and logged just 17 tackles and quarterback hurry. Best Defensive Performance – Tramain Thomas vs. LSU Arkansas lost at No. 1 LSU 4117 to end its regular season, but
the score could have been much worse without Thomas’ efforts. The senior safety had a gamehigh 14 tackles and forced a fumble that was returned for a Razorback touchdown, before also having a tight-rope interception on the sideline. Defensive Area to Improve – Secondary
Arkansas’ secondary was supposed to have increased depth this season and it was shown when starters Issac Madison and Darius Winston both went down in the Alabama and Texas A&M games, respectively. However, both players, along with senior Greg Gatson, struggled to have much of an impact in the big games for the Razorbacks this season.
BASKETBALL
Arkansas’ four freshmen increasing roles, productivity. by ZACH TURNER
Which Bowl is Best?
Razorbacks’ highly-touted receiving corps struggled to get open against top-tier secondaries.
Freshman Takeover Asst. Sports Editor
COMMENTARY
past three games, Young has averaged 17 points per game and is leading the team in shooting percentage making 50 percent of his shots. “I think he is doing a good job with his shot selection,” Anderson said. “A lot of them are layups and dunks so that is smart on his part, but even when he has open shots he is able to knock them down. He is getting into more of a rhythm and his body language is different in a game than it is in practice. “In practice I am all over him, but in games it is like the light goes off and he just goes 100 miles an hour. I think he is getting more comfortable with what we are doing and understanding what we are doing.” Young is the only player on Arkansas shooting 50 percent or better and has made 7 of 18 3-point shots to go along with 10 of 11 free throws. Sophomore guards Rickey Scott and Mardracus Wade, along with junior guard Julysses Nobles and senior forward Michael Sanchez are the only Razorbacks to start all five games. “It is getting competitive,”
Anderson said about potential starting lineup changes. “The more games we play the more I get a chance to see and that’s why I am looking awful hard. For the guys that have been starting out it is not etched in stone they are going to be the starters. I may end up having seven to eight starters when it is all said and done.” Freshman forward Hunter Mickelson had his most complete effort in the Hogs’ 86-44 win against Grambling State. The 6-foot-10 Jonesboro native played a career-high 25 minutes and scored 10 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. “I think Hunter played with the upmost confidence the other night,” Anderson said. “He played the most minutes of any of the big guys so that can only help him from an experience stand point. He made some tremendous passes out there and I like his aggressiveness going to the glass.” Mickelson weighed just 185 pounds when he arrived on campus, but has bulked up and is playing at 235 pounds. “He is moving real well with it and hopefully us-
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arkansas freshman guard BJ Young has averaged 17 points over the Hogs’ past three games and is shooting a team-high 50 percent from the field. ing that added strength even more so,” Anderson said. “He did it to go get the rebounds and now we need to get him around that basket and maneuver around some people. He is going to have an advantage on people at times.” Freshman guard Ky Madden has also seen his role increase during the past few games. The 6-foot-5 Lepanto,
Ark., native scored a careerhigh 15 points and shot 3 of 5 from 3-point range against Grambling State. “We are still a team that is a work in progress,” Anderson said. “Like I have told those guys, those (starting) slots are not in concrete. They have to compete each day and that only helps our basketball team get better.”
Arkansas should be playing in a BCS bowl this year. The Razorbacks are clearly one of the top five or six teams in the nation and both of their losses have come against teams that will likely play in the national championship game. The Hogs will likely finish the regular season ranked as high or higher than they were last year in qualifying for the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas won’t get a chance for a second consecutive BCS appearance because just two teams from each conference can qualify for a BCS bowl. The exception is if Georgia beat LSU and the Tigers stayed in the top three with Alabama. The Bulldogs would earn the automatic bid, while LSU and the Crimson Tide could receive at-large berths. Any way it works out, the Razorbacks won’t play in the BCS. I think that’s BS. If the system is supposed to find the 10 best teams in the nation each year, how can it limit the number of teams from one conference? It is basically saying we want the best teams as long as we can make everyone happy and appease each conference. That is prioritized before getting the best teams. Just look at the Big East and ACC the last several years. Diatribe aside, the Hogs are likely headed to Dallas or Orlando in January. The Cotton and Capital One bowls aren’t the BCS, but they’re about as high-profile as a non-BCS bowl gets. The Capital One Bowl has long been considered the premier nonBCS bowl. A strong argument can be made that isn’t the case anymore. The Cotton Bowl has made strides in recent years, including last season when 10-win LSU beat a redhot Texas A&M team. The Cotton Bowl has the better venue hands-down. Cowboys Stadium is the nicest stadium in the nation, while the Citrus Bowl is a larger War Memorial. The Capital One Bowl is a morning kickoff on New Years Day and has to compete with other games. The Cotton Bowl is a primetime kickoff Jan. 6, the final major bowl game before the national title. The entire country is watching. The Cotton Bowl is also more beneficial for Arkansas specifically this year. Playing the Cotton Bowl in Texas provides added exposure and helps the Razorbacks gain notoriety in one of their largest and most-important recruiting bases. The Hogs have 14 scholarship players from Texas, just three from Florida. Arkansas fans travel very well to Dallas, located just five hours from Fayetteville. Orlando is a nicer winter destination, but is an 18-hour drive. In the Capital One, the Razorbacks would likely play the loser of the Wisconsin-Michigan State game, Penn State or Michigan. In the Cotton Bowl, the Hogs would likely play the loser of the Oklahoma State-Oklahoma game or Kansas State. An Arkansas-OU or ArkansasOSU matchup would generate much more excitement than an ArkansasBig 10 game. It looks like an easy decision. The good news for Razorbacks fans is the Hogs can potentially have their first top five finish since 1977 if they win their bowl game. That’s regardless of the bowl. Jimmy Carter is the sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Tuesday.
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
DOWNTIME Comics, Games, & Much Much More!
PAGE 6 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
LAUGH IT UP
SUDOKU
Q: What does my fanger and lemon pie have in common?
A: My rang. Q: What happens when two snails fight? A: They slug it out. A terrible plane crash occurred in Lithuania last week. A twoseater airplane crash landed in a cemetery and exploded. They’ve recovered 300 bodies so far, and they’re still digging them up.
Difficulty:
TODAY’S SOLUTION
Q: What should you do if a Windows crash costs you a lot of money?
A: You should bill Gates. WELCOME TO FALLING ROCK
Josh Shalek
THAT MONKEY TUNE
Michael A. Kandalaft
BREWSTER ROCKIT
Tim Rickard
BLISS
Harry Bliss
CALAMITIES OF NATURE
CROSSWORD ACROSS
DOWN
1 Co. that makes Motrin and Tylenol 6 In __ land 10 Flew the coop 14 Happen next 15 “Doctor Zhivago,” e.g. 16 __ Lackawanna Railway 17 Home of the City of 1,000 Minarets 18 Ben Stiller’s mom 20 Best Supporting Actress winner for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” 22 Beehive St. capital 23 Aqua Velva alternative 24 Military division 28 Classic sports cars 29 Casino area 30 The Columbia R. forms much of its northern border 31 Edit menu command 34 General’s level 38 Night sounds 40 Kilmer of “The Saint” 41 __ flu 42 Quaint storage pieces 45 Animal rights org. 46 Arles “A” 47 “__ Day Will Come”: 1963 #1 hit 48 Set down 50 Household attention getter 52 Ancient Dead Sea land 54 Org. offering motel discounts 57 Major oil conferences (they’re found, in a way, in 20-, 34- and 42-Across) 60 Where many tests are given 63 Indian princesses 64 Lie low 65 Price-limiting words 66 Playing marble 67 Countercurrent 68 Noticed 69 Nuts for sodas
1 Wranglers and Patriots 2 Theater supporter 3 Backstreet Boys contemporary 4 Con 5 Long-distance flier’s complaint 6 Jumped 7 Sleep disorder 8 Omar’s “Mod Squad” role 9 Harsh, as criticism 10 2007 “Dancing With the Stars” contestant Gibbons 11 Horse and buggy __ 12 Christmas buy 13 Afternoon cup 19 Longtime Pennsylvania congressman John 21 Spirit __ Louis 25 “Honest!” 26 Zagreb native 27 Natural dye 28 Bit of dust 29 Skin 31 “Sure” 32 Nary a soul 33 Beardless Dwarf 35 Partner of out 36 Ballerina’s step 37 Glimpse 39 News exclusives 43 Funny-sounding bone 44 Plumlike fruit 49 Pacific Surfliner operator 51 Walk casually 52 Overact 53 Mischievous kid 54 Year’s record 55 Tums target 56 Beasts of burden 58 Make do 59 Rival of Cassio 60 Ally of Fidel 61 It may be flipped 62 Insert
Crossword provided by MCT Campus
SOLUTION
Tony Piro
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
FEATURES
Scan here to go to the Features section on uatrav.com:
FEATURES EDITOR: LAUREN LEATHERBY ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: KELSI FORD
PAGE 7 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
The Art of Napping: A College Student’s Expertise by STEPHANIE EHRLER Staff Writer
Kindergarten may not have anthropology, kinesiology or business classes, but it does offer something that all college students envy: nap time. It’s 1 p.m., and UA students may think that their large lunch from Brough is making them feel drowsy because of a “food coma,” but the real reason has nothing to do with food at all. According to the National Sleep Foundation website, napping occurs because the body is sleep deprived from the previous night. There are three types of napping: planned napping, emergency napping, and habitual napping. Planned napping can benefit the sleeper by allowing them to revive their mind after a long day of classes. “I try to take a nap at least once a day, usually after I get back home from classes,” said Joe Witherington, a sophomore civil engineering
major. “After walking around all day on this hilly campus and working out my academic mind, taking a nap usually refreshes me.” Emergency napping is when the person is suddenly so tired that they cannot function without sleep, while habitual napping is when a person follows a specific pattern of napping each day. “I have pretty strange sleeping patterns. It isn't uncommon for me to feel
a little sleepy and just crash, only to discover that it's only 6 p.m., and I'll wake up at like 2 or 3 a.m.,” said Aaron Douglas, a UA sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering. Tests cause many students to engage in last-minute cramming late at night before the test. This creates the irresistable urge to nap the following day.
“All-nighters significant- a longer nap can cause con- time would be around 1 p.m., ly affect my sleep schedule,” tinual grogginess throughout for those awake past midDouglas said. “Usually after the rest of the day. night that afternoon nap is a test for which I had to pull The best time to nap de- most beneficial around 3 an all-nighter, I'll nap p.m. a bit during the day U n and sleep a lot that “After walking around all day on this hilly f o r t u next night.” n a t e l y, campus and working out my academic As found in an arnapping mind, taking a nap usually refreshes me.” ticle in “The Boston can also -Joe Witherington, UA sophomore Globe,” people should h a v e limit their naps to negaunder 45 minutes. Taking pends on when you go to tive effects, according to The sleep. If bedtime usually oc- National Sleep Foundation. If curs around 10 p.m. a good people nap for long periods n a p of time during the day, it may harm the quality and length of sleep at night. A 2001 study in the “College Student Journal” discovered students who slept less had a lower GPA than students who slept longer. Sleeping for longer amounts of time allows the brain to process more information better. “Naps are beneficial when the body demands them; especially when doing a lot of cramming it's often more helpful to take a brief, fewCOURTESY PHOTO
NAPPING on page 8
Twirling In the Face of Adversity by SHELBY GILL Staff Writer
COURTESY PHOTO
Harold and Kumar Bring New Flavor to Christmas by NICK BROTHERS Staff Writer
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas 4 out of 5 stars For most people, the “Christmas movie” genre is the last thing they would ever associate with a baby on drugs or an accidental burning down of a Christmas tree by a joint. Sadly, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas includes both of those acts of debauchery, along with many others, yet at the same time you’ll find yourself laughing your head off. The film is raunchy, often in poor taste, and extreme at times—but it is one hysterical comedy worth a visit to the theaters this holiday season. A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas is the third installment in the Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) stoner-cult franchise, this time in glitzy 3D. It’s been seven years since the duo went to White Castle, and since then they’ve gone in the direction of political mockery of the U.S. in their second film, Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Within these previous films, characteristics of
the franchise were made. Misadventures on drugs, legendary run-ins with Neil Patrick Harris (playing “himself ”), and crass and offensive script writing became trademarks of the series. A little formulaic, to be true, but in this installment the film manages to stay fresh. The setting is six years in the future, and the two guys have separated, living different lives on their own. Of course, they couldn’t stay apart for long, and they’re brought together once again when a strange package arrives for Harold at Kumar’s apartment. So Kumar sets out to deliver the package to Harold and, sure enough, through unforeseen circumstances, he manages to burn down Harold’s father-inlaw’s cherished home-grown Christmas tree. Thus, the quest for saving Christmas begins with a night full of insanity and hilarity. Let’s be honest here: this movie franchise isn’t something held to high regard. Especially with the gimmicky 3D tagged in the title of this one. But sure enough, this
HAROLD AND KUMAR on page 8
The UA Twirlers flip their batons high into the air and flawlessly catch them on the return. They have intricate moves like ballet dancers, but show-stopping style like the Radio City Rockettes. Making the team is no easy feat. The twirlers have tryouts in April, but most of them have been twirling since they were in elementary school. The girls have a half an hour to warm up, and then they begin to learn the try-out routine in pairs. After performing the routine, they begin to narrow down the tryouts – which means letting girls go. Each twirler must try out of the team every year; even if they are a returner. Eighteen girls total tried out for the majorettes this year, and 11 girls were chosen for the team. Only three of those girls hadn’t made the team in past years. “I used to not want to go to the UA, but I realized that twirling for Arkansas would be the ultimate thing,” said Kristi Pinekard, a secondyear member of the Majorettes. The twirlers perform at pre-game, pep rallies and half-time shows for the UA. The team can have up to ten twirlers on the majorette line and two feature twirlers. The feature twirlers are at a higher caliber of twirling and are known for their solo routines, as well as their ability to twirl fire. The majorette line, headed by captain Rosalyn Taylor, thrives on tight, precise movements and cohesiveness of the group. “I was a cheerleader in high school. I stunted, I tumbled, and I competed – twirling is harder,” Taylor said. “Moves CONTESSA SHEW STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER in cheerleading are stagnant, The UA twirlers perform before a crowd of nearly 70,000 spectators at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback but when you twirl, you are stadium. an individual, and you have to forever better yourself.” excited – it makes me smile hours to avoid dropping the prevent this team from putTheir routines are often because I know this is where baton, it’s somewhat unavoid- ting on their best show for seen at the half-time show. it’s at — I’m so proud to be able. the 70,000 spectators at Don“Standing in “A basketball ald W. Reynolds Razorback the tunnel is the player missing Stadium. most nerve-rack“My first time walking on the field, I a shot is about This supposed time-honing. My first time equal to a twirler ored tradition is not getting literally wanted to cry ‘I’m here.’” walking on the dropping,” Tay- nearly enough recognition, - Kristi Pinekard, UA majorette field, I literallor said. “I can Pinekard said. ly wanted to cry drop on the easi“Were not as respected, and ‘I’m here,’” Pinekest thing. Then I it’s hard for us to be noticed,” ard said. representing every twirler be- have to stop, grab my baton, TWIRLERS Taylor also had a similar ex- fore us.” and pick up where I left off.” on page 8 perience. “I get chills. I’m so Although they practice for Lack of funding doesn’t
FEATURES FEATURES TWIRLERES from page 7 Pinekard said. The majorettes are not technically part of the “Spirit Squad,� but are part of the UA band. Their uniforms are paid for with money from the band but all of the extra gear is paid out-of-pocket. “Shoes get worn out in a semester because we practice on concrete. If the UA paid for just our shoes we would be forever grateful,� Taylor said. The majorettes are no longer allowed to practice in the HPER and have had to move their practices outdoors. “It wasn’t too bad, but the situation escalated. It went from ‘you can’t teach twirling lessons here’ to ‘no twirling in the HPER,’� Taylor said. “I don’t understand how the facility isn’t ‘fit for twirling,’ but we can still reserve it – they want us to pay for it,
NAPPING from page 7 hour nap and wake back up and grab some coffee and continue, rather than to just study through those few hours,� Douglas said. “I believe the mind can only absorb so much in one sitting, and sleeping allows the brain a break as well as a chance to absorb all that new material.� Naps can benefit students by providing a break from a busy schedule. “I take at least one nap a day because I work early in the morning, and naps help me not feel tired so I can be alert to get all my homework done,� said Amy Paul, a UA senior majoring in mechanical engineering. “Naps allow me to clear my mind and de-stress from a hard day at school.� Naps are so common that there are even “nap apps� available for smart phones and iPads. The “Naps Plus� app provides calming music that helps induce sleep while
and we’re paying for it as individual students most of the time.� They now have to practice on the campus grounds or, if they are lucky, under awnings. “We twirled in the rain last week,� Taylor said. “Then we have the danger of slipping in puddles. It’s not preferred, but we work with what we have.� The girls now have the climate working against them. Cold hands can cause the girls to fracture fingers when they catch the batons. Despite adversity, the UA twirlers had one of their best years this year, Taylor said. The girls' scholarship was even raised this year to $1000, double the past scholarship of $500. “We exemplify tradition in its most rare form,� Taylor said.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011
PAGE 8
Bringing the Tunes Back Home
the “Power Sleep and Nap� app lets the napper choose sleep frequency and then plays a tone in each ear to encourage the brain to sleep. Other apps provide sleep calculators and alarms so naps don’t take up too much time. The best way to take a nap is to find a quiet comfortable place to lie down, according to a story in “The Boston Globe.� Listening to white noise or imagining a relaxing atmosphere, such as a beach, can help quiet the mind. Even a 10-minute nap can boost productivity and increase alertness, according to Gerard Kennedy, a sleep specialist based in Melbourne, Australia. “I think naps are essential for college students,� Witherington said. “Depending on the major, we hardly get enough sleep as it is. Any opportunity you can to rest for a bit will help get you along throughout your college career.�
$'& $(& ! +!, " ! )!*
BEN FLOWERS ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Local favorite, Sarah Hughes, a bluegrass musician plays in her hometown, Forrest City, Ark., during Thanksgiving break with her cousin, UA junior Patton Hughes.
HAROLD AND KUMAR from page 7 movie stands tall as a notable Christmas comedy. The film mocks religious holidays a little bit, but it’s all in good humor, and the performances and writing are great. This movie is easily as great as the other two movies that preceded it. Whether it’s the sheer amount of irreverent jokes crammed in, the crazy situations the two find themselves in, a baby on cocaine, or a creepy waffle-making robot, the film comes through again and again as refusing to slow down. The writing also pays homage to the other films from time to time, with some flashbacks and sly real-world comments about the actual actors thrown in. One example being when Kumar’s annoyingly stupid stoner friend Adrian (Amir from collegehumor. com fame) tells Kumar his cover for the party they’re crashing is “You work for the White House,� to which Kumar replies, “They’ll never buy that.� It’s witty: in real life, Kal Penn is the associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. With a comedy such as this, you can’t go in expecting high-brow entertainment and intelligent banter every step of the way — you just can’t with Harold and Kumar. Yes, there are some very stupid things in the movie, but you could easily find yourself laughing along the whole way. When you take the movie for what it is it’s actually something to appreciate. The whole 3D thing isn’t
that big of deal, and the movie manages to make witticisms about it while making you pay extra for the experience, possibly intending to make the movie 3D as a joke in itself. Ironic, isn’t it? It comes off as laughable, though, as cheap as the laughs may be, with the over-the-top effects of weed smoke and various objects flying at you. Also worth noting in the effects department is the claymation section of the film. It’s colorful, fun, and a little outrageous — but that’s the idea. The writing is hit and miss, but when it hits, it cleans up. There are times where you’ll either moan at the off-color humor or find a few jokes to be cheap. But the movie offers moments of belly laughs that end up being memorable. The best scene involves Neil Patrick Harris. It’s a small part compared to the length of the movie, but it easily steals the show. His performing is applaudable and priceless. The script makes realworld references to his status on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and to his open homosexuality, and even sneaks in an “Ah, see you in the next one guys,� in reference to his role in the franchise. Again, this movie won’t be for everybody. The Harold and Kumar franchise is considered a “stoner cult-classic�. That in no way means if you don’t partake in the substance you won’t understand the humor. It’s laughout-loud funny all the way through, and one of the best modern Christmas comedies out there.