Crescent Magazine March 2010 by UE Crescent Magazine

crescent College Culture Upfront

March 2010 n uecrescentmagazine.com

University of Evansville

magazine

Tattoo-mania & body art expression

to INK or not to INK TRANS-CONFUSION Gender identity is not so straightforward

THE BIG DANCE

Bracket time is back

ROLLINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; RAMPAGE A roller rink not for the kiddies

In the Know: Dissecting UE housing policies $2.50

prom “Prom’s A

DRAG”

7 p.m. • Saturday, March 20 Evansville Marriott on Hwy 41 $ 10 per person, at the door

Only King & Queen contestants are required to dress in drag. Security will be provided by off-duty sheriff’s deputies.

Sponsored by Tri-State Alliance www.TSAGL.org

Overcoming adversity and survival are just two of the things senior Logan Selby’s tattoo represents.

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To Ink or Not to Ink

Discover the truths surrounding gender identity and what the UE community is doing to support transgendered students

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24 Trans-confusion

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Tattoos and piercings — bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “body language”

Spotlight Junior Kate Chybowski serves up her perspective on tennis and hiking across the Grand Canyon

The Big Dance

March Madness — America’s favorite pastime is here, so get ready for Hoosier Hysteria

“I’ve never spent a day without music in my life. I don’t know what I’d do without it.” —Alyssa Furling, page 10

It’s All in the Voice

Learn what senior Alyssa Furling has in common with some of today’s biggest pop stars

MARCH 2010

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contents

uecrescentmagazine.com

INSIDE 3 The Cubicle 4 Liberal Conscience 5 Spotlight 6 Through the Lens 8 In the Know 10 Snapshot 12 Off the Wall 13 How to... 15 Body Art 19 March Madness 22 Wildcard 23 Janky vs. Juicy 24 Sexplanation 26 Health & Fitness 27 Beauty & Fashion 28 Cheap Dates 29 Crossword 30 Eats & Sidedish 31 Music 32 Schitzengiggles

For 1 Week in A LeveL 2 Bed

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Textbooks bought and sold, new & used, online buybacks. Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi (713) 429-4981 Espanol (212) 380-1763

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REGULAR CUISINE? Get some pizza and

BREAK THE ROUTINE!

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Crescent Magazine ● March 2010

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WOMEN. Having a month dedicated to the accomplishments of women finds us examining their role in today’s world and throughout history, as well as looking at UE’s commitment to women. Today marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, and there will be events on campus highlighting the many ways women have made a difference. Despite the advances, their role in history is often understated. Because of this, the National Women’s History Project believes the history of women has been written in invisible ink and has themed this year’s celebration “Writing Women Back into History.” While having a month devoted to women is commendable, women’s achievements should not just be celebrated for a month; they should be a highly underscored part of everyone’s education. The emphasis schools place on studying women’s accomplishments is as varied as the stars in the sky. It is impossible to know how important this area of education is to any school’s curriculum. Yes, many of the country’s first ladies — the Eleanor Roosevelts of the world — get ample coverage, and who doesn’t know about Rosa Parks or Clara Barton. But what about Harilyn Rousso or Anita Hill? You’ve probably never heard of them. And what about Bette Nesmith Graham and Marion Donovan? Graham invented Liquid Paper, and everyone who wants to be a parent should thank Donovan for inventing the disposable diaper way back in 1950. There are hundreds of women, most of whom we have never heard of, who have made huge contributions to society. And many of those women were achievers long before it was fashionable; before people saw them as equal members of society. While women have made great strides, society’s acknowledgement of those contributions haven’t kept pace. Annette Parks, associate professor of history, said it has taken time for curriculum to catch up. “When you look at women’s history as a whole it’s still a relatively new field,” she said. UE is further ahead than many schools considering that 60 percent of the student body is composed of women and 35 percent of the faculty are female. It can even boast that two of the five vice presidents and three deans of the four schools are women. Many academic departments are chaired by women, and of UE’s 194 administrator positions, 107 are held by women. But even though UE admits qualified women and hires competent women, women’s studies is still only a minor part of the curriculum. Michelle Blake, associate professor of sociology and social work and coordinator of UE’s Gender and Women’s Studies program, said interest in the program is not enough to support expansion. And with most things in life, if there isn’t interest, the area under consideration falls to the wayside. “[It’s] very difficult to make a case if there’s no demand for it,” Parks said. Nonetheless, both Blake and Parks are concerned with the way people view women’s history — especially how women themselves approach the subject. “I’m amazed at the number of young women who look at the struggle for women’s rights as a thing of the past,” Blake said. “While we’ve made a lot of strides since the 1960s, there is still work to be done,” All around the world women are making significant contributions. Every day a woman is responsible for something in your life. We ask only that you recognize the contributions women have made. Hopefully, the next time you are in a history class, you will wonder: What role did women play in this? History may not be your thing, but we still need to remember the women who made — and are making — memorable contributions. n

crescent MAGAZINE EDITORIAL Writing Director: Peter Hanscom Writing Editor: Lauren Oliver Departments Editor: Josh Fletcher Assignment Editor: Jennifer Stinnett Columnists: Regan Campbell, Monica Krause Contributing Writers: Michael Cowl, Brennan Girdler, Kent Johnson, Mindy Kurtz, Megan Merley, Heather Powell, Amanda Squire, Kate Wood

CREATIVE Creative Director: Sylvia Seib Assistant Creative Director: Jamie Willhelm Photo Editor: Alaina Neal Designers: Jennifer McKee, Jessica Siddens Illustrator: Courtney Hostetler Contributing Photographer: Sunny Johnson

EDITING Editing Director: Allison Butler Web Content Editor: Kristin Benzinger Copy Editor: Lacey Conley WEB SITE DESIGN & PRODUCTION Web Director: James Will Web Designers: Suzy Maiers, Kristofer Wilson

MARKETING & SALES Marketing Director: Chase Schletzer Advertising Sales Manager: Chris Watkins Advertising Design Manager: Melissa Weisman Advertising Designers: Tiffany Conroy, Sarah Powell, Amanda Topper HOW TO CONTACT US: Address: 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, Ind. 47722 Phone: (812) 488–2846 FAX: (812) 488–2224 E-mail: crescentmagazine@evansville.edu Marketing & Sales: (812) 488–2221 and 488–2223 Advertising E-mail: crescentadvertising@evansville.edu Printer: Mar-Kel Quick Print, Newburgh, Ind. CRESCENT MAGAZINE is UE’s student magazine. It is written, edited and designed by students, and distributed seven times during the academic year. The magazine is funded through advertising revenue and a subscription fee paid on behalf of students by SGA. Circulation is 1,750. © 2010 Student Publications, University of Evansville. Editorial Policy. Commentary expressed in unsigned editorial pieces represent a consensus opinion of Crescent Magazine’s Editorial Board. All other columns, articles and advertising are not necessarily the opinion of the Editorial Board or other members of the magazine’s staff. Letter Submissions. E-mail your letters to crescentmagazine@evansville. edu and write “letter” in the subject line. Crescent Magazine welcomes letters from members of the UE community, but material the Editorial Board regards as libelous, malicious and/or obscene will not be published. Letters should not exceed 400 words. For verification, letters must include the author’s name, year in school or title and e-mail address. Crescent Magazine will not print anonymous letters or those letters that cannot be verified. Letters may be edited for length, style, grammar and spelling. They may also appear on uecrescentmagazine.com.

March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

liberal conscience

Helping Others Despite my bleeding heart for global affairs, even I’m a bit skeptical of the world’s obsession with relief efforts after natural disasters

ver winter break, I went to a concert benefiting a local youth organization and a medical clinic in Haiti. The crowd’s turnout disappointed me, and I was left feeling sorry that so few people attended. A week later, an earthquake destroyed much of Haiti, and suddenly, the world was bombarded with news, videos and pleas for help from the tiny Caribbean nation. Back home, several churches and organizations teamed up for a benefit concert — this one much bigger and better advertised than the first. It was an incredible success — $14,000 was raised to add to the millions that had been privately donated worldwide. Celebrities, politicians and ordinary people are a part of this massive support network. The outpouring is reminiscent of the relief efforts after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and China’s earthquake in 2008. It’s hard for me to be cynical about issues like this, but sometimes it’s important to be critical. Natural disasters provide an opportunity for humanity to show their generosity — but also their selfishness. Many people only donate to relief efforts because it is the cool thing to do. Those same people probably couldn’t find these countries on a map, but a $10 donation sufficiently appeases their guilt before they buy an iPad. It is common to hear that people like to donate because they get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside from helping people. We’re hard-wired to have that reaction, but when it is the primary motivation, the action becomes self-serving. It should be about your ability to contribute, not your personal satisfaction. Despite some folks being too eager to show their support, others are openly critical of the movement. There have always been those who think taxpayers’ dol-

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

lars should never be spent on the welfare of non-citizens, but this is a ridiculous opinion. According to gpoaccess.gov, the amount of the U.S. budget spent on foreign aid has been hovering around one-half percent for the last several years. That’s almost nothing. As a recipient of the world’s generosity, we have a responsibility to pay it forward. There was $854 million offered to the United States for Hurricane Katrina relief from governments around the word, not counting the money donated to organizations like the Red Cross. But toppled buildings and washed-out neighborhoods alone do not make an area worthy of aid — the pre-existing poverty is already dehumanizing. It’s unfortunate that funding only comes after a tragedy and may already be too late. Even in areas across the United States, poverty is overwhelming, and no one is paying attention. They don’t care because it is a part of our normal lives. Maybe some agree with Pat Robertson — that people deserve the lives they live, even if the suffering goes back several generations. Then, natural disasters disrupt our mindsets of how the world should be, so the extra suffering inspires people to move from indifference to compassion. As always, the global response is overwhelming, but imagine what kind of change could happen if the world rallied around such causes more often. Even without a national catastrophe, the same dedication could eradicate hunger, supply clean water and ensure quality education for much of the developing world. Contributions for these social ills are typically from governments since private donations are generally not adequate. But the generosity in the aftermaths of natural disasters show what people can accomplish, so maybe the international community make more broad appeals to save lives.

n Monica Krause,

a senior interWhy are people ignational studies norant of the sad state major from Fort of the world, except in Wayne, offers her the case of natural diperspective on issasters? The answer is sues facing stuthe media. It’s a powdents today. erful force because it determines what we know, what we care about and how we react. No one would pay attention to any catastrophic event if the major media outlets didn’t report on it. Those images of dirty, bleeding victims haunt us so that we feel obligated to give, but they do not inspire us to know more about the world and get involved. This relates to the media coverage of the Ethiopian famine in the 1980s. Before that, no one cared much about another struggling African country, but the media created a movement by showing images of children with distended bellies. Ethiopia became the world’s favorite charity case. Relief efforts raised a lot of money to help, but the chronic underdevelopment was not resolved. Eventually the news articles trickled down, and Ethiopia was off the world’s radar. That meant that money stopped flowing in as well. The same will happen to Haiti, if it hasn’t already. Our attention span only lasts so long, but it should be the media’s responsibility to continue coverage. The danger is that people will assume that if Haiti is no longer making the news, the problems are fixed. It will be decades before Haiti is in a less dire situation, but with lasting support, the country can eventually develop. A critical perspective is necessary because being swept up with emotions like guilt is never a good thing. Actions can seem fake, though it is not possible to ultimately judge the sincerity of people’s generosity. But even if it’s a bandwagon effect, I suppose the end result is better than if it didn’t exist. n

sports

Spotlight on:

by Lauren Oliver

KATE CHYBOWSKI

You may think she’s only competitive on the court, but this tennis player plays a mean game of Catchphrase Between cello practice and hiking adventures, junior Kate Chybowski runs a tight schedule. This biology major from Appleton, Wis., takes on the task of being the No. 1 singles and doubles player, and still manages to teach Spanish on the side. Crescent Magazine: Do you like playing singles or doubles more? Kate Chybowski: I really like both. As a team, we mesh, and [freshman] Dora [Kotsiou] and I played together last year. Our new coach [Christine Bader] has helped us grow as a team. I think we can do well in conference this year. CM: What’s the hardest part of being a fulltime student and athlete? KC: The hardest part is waking up for 6 a.m. practice and going to

class all day, and then being able to concentrate at night. It’s all about balance. CM: What’s the best part of tennis? KC: I love to compete and fight for every point. I’m a scrambler, so I run down every ball. I also like how physically and mentally challenging it is. CM: What’s your motivation? KC: Just being able to compete. You can ask anyone; I’m just really competitive. CM: Do you have any personal or team rituals? KC: We always jam out in the van, but what happens in the van stays in the van. And if you think we’re competitive on the court, you should see us play Catchphrase. CM: Do you and your teammates get much of a Spring Break? KC: We go to Hilton Head, S.C., and play some matches, but we mostly just train a lot. We still have practice bright and early. My coach has turned me into a morning person, which is good. Mornings are more productive, so I can’t complain too much. CM: Who is your hero? KC: Roger Federer inspires me. He’s a master at what he does. It’s incredible how precise he is, and he’s so smooth. Watching the Australian Open helps me play better. I try to emulate what they do. I even call one of my serves a “Serena serve.” CM: Are you involved in any other activities? KC: Freshman and sophomore year I played cello in orchestra, and earlier this year I did chamber and a piano trio. I also volunteer at a nursing home

by spending time with a terminally ill patient every week. And I started a program teaching Spanish at elementary schools. CM: Do you still play cello? KC: I play for church at Neu Chapel, but I’m going to miss it if I don’t keep it up. I’m playing for my friend’s wedding — and other random gigs. It’s my stress reliever. On Friday afternoons, I like to go play (the cello) or piano. CM: What’s on your bucket list? KC: Riding in a hot air balloon, and hiking down one side and up the other of the Grand Canyon. CM: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? KC: A few of us had the amazing idea to hike the Appalachian Trail in the winter. The first day was awesome, but then came the rain and snow. It’s a 12-mile hike, and we were so cold and wet by the time we got to the shelter, we just decided to hike out. I had to lead the group for 19 miles through three feet of snow. CM: If you have a free weekend, what do you do? KC: I had one free day in February, and I’m went hiking with one of the guys from the Appalachian Trail trip. We’re going to try to do 24 miles in one day. Since we survived (the Appalachian Trail), we can do this. CM: What’s your dream job? KC: My goal is to be a physician and somehow use Spanish. I don’t know what specialty, but I have a little bit of time to figure that out. I want to go to University of Wisconsin-Madison. CM: What’s your favorite childhood memory? KC: Visiting my grandparents in Arizona and getting really involved in the Native American culture. Or going to the Irish Fest every year in Milwaukee since both of my grandmothers are 100 percent Irish. I love watching Irish dancing; I took a lesson once. n March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

through the lens Spunky Rodent — As a hyperactive “MADE” coach, junior David Riedford portrays “Gene the Giant Squirrel.”

Musical Madness Jan. 23–24 Shanklin Theatre photos by Alaina Neal

New Look — Freshman Christopher Rivera shows off his heart-covered boxers and caution sign ensemble.

Poor Baby — After being recruited for a reality show, senior Anthony Pyanoe shares the sad story of his life as “Pig Latin.”

Hot in Hiding — With the rest of the Zeta Tau Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta team, freshman Jenna McCord remakes a Nelly song to express how much she wants to take off her hair bows. (Photo: Sunny Johnson)

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

house 2

Crescent Magazine Needs You Academic Year 2010–11 Writing Director Writing Editor • Assignment Editor • Writers Editing Director Copy Editor Creative Director Assistant Creative Director Designers • Photographers• Illustrator Web Designer Marketing and Sales Director Ad Sales Manager • Sales Associates Advertising Design Manager• Ad Designers Marketing Liaison 7

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

APPLICATION DEADLINES• Directors & Supervisors: March 22 ••• All Other Positions: March 29

ru MAG• nificent?

in the know

House Hunters

by Peter Hanscom & Jennifer Stinnett

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the ins and outs of UE’s complicated housing market and find out where your money is going

crambling to find roommates, pleading with your parents to pay for the added expense of a North Hall suite and adding up credit hours with potential roommates are all a part of the nerve-racking UE housing process as you search for the perfect Village unit. The steps one must take to find their next UE home are often confusing. But after examining finances, registration and offcampus living opportunities, Crescent Magazine hopes you will have the information needed to make it through a different type of March madness. ••• What are the options if you don’t get to live where you want? There are about 340 Village spaces available to juniors and seniors, and each year well over that number apply. Don’t assume you will get placed in your first choice. In order to raise the chances of being placed in a Village unit, Residence Life staff recommends giving them more options to choose from. “Don’t just put in one preference card,” said Michael Tessier, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. “If people want a three-person [unit] and they’re juniors, they probably won’t get it. They need to find other options.” There is no limit to the number of preference cards students can submit. Cards are available starting March 1 and are due to Residence Life by March 5. Three-person units tie with North Hall as the most sought after Villages, followed by four-person units, two-person units and lastly the five- and six-person units. If for some reason you don’t receive a space in the Villages, there are still other options available. “Come see me, there’s a wait list,” said Brian Conner, assistant director of Residence Life. “You never know what’s going to open up.” Besides the waiting list, other housing alternatives include the three suites in Moore Hall basement, which house four people each. These units offer an apartment-like atmosphere combined with the

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

amenities associated with living on campus. But keep in mind, students living here are still required to purchase a meal plan. Conner said students interested in these rooms should see him immediately after the Village lottery ends. Also, if you’re still looking to live in a residence hall, remember there are opportunities like Powell Hall, where Honors Program students live, and Moore’s Global Living and Learning Community and the Asian Immersion Experience. “As far as which ones are better, it’s really down to personal preference,” Tessier said. Again, Conner stresses that every student is guaranteed a place to live on campus. “Just breathe,” he said. “It’s not the end of the world.” Why is it so difficult to get assigned to a suite in North Hall? Most would say that North is the nicest place to live on campus. “North is better than all the rest,” Tessier said. Like all other Village properties, the number of completed credit hours determines student placement. Therefore, those students with the most hours — such as fifth and sixth-year physical therapy majors — will have an easier time getting in. “Last year some people had close to 150 hours each,” Conner said.

Unless you’re a senior living with three other seniors, the chances of securing a room in North are remote. “There’s always been more people that want to live in North than there are spots,” Tessier said. Because of its popularity and amenities, North is the most difficult housing unit prize to win. It has 76 spots with one on reserve, not counting the eight spots allotted to the Athletics Department.

What happens to your scholarship if you move off campus? A housing option for returning students is to move off campus, but this comes with a price since it will result in a reduction in financial aid. Joanne Laugel, director of Financial Aid, said a student who lived on campus prior the 2009–10 year and wants to move off campus next year will have $3,400 deducted from their financial aid award. Students who entered UE this academic year will have $4,000 deducted. “We are a residential campus in nature,” she said. “We want to encourage our students to live on campus and participate in what’s going on here. There’s value to that.” The decrease in aid is UE’s way of persuading students to live on campus, for the benefits students receive and to help meet UE’s financial obligations. Laugel said UE loses about $8,600 per student each academic year — the combined cost of a room and meal plan — if they decide to live off campus. The scholarship reduction is one way for UE to recoup its losses. “We want the housing units to have people in them,” Laugel said. Although, she said that students who have their scholarships renewed for a fifth year are not expected to live on campus

and see no reduction in aid. Also, Harlaxton and any university approved study abroad program is still considered to be on campus, thus students see no change their financial aid during these semesters. How are housing costs determined? Prices for residence hall and Village living are set each year by the board of trustees. It takes into account inflation and the

cost of utilities, renovations, maintenance and insurance. On average, prices increase about 5 percent annually. “I wish I could tell you it was scientific,” said Jeff Wolf, vice president for Fiscal Affairs. He said students can expect a similar increase for next year. And housing costs will most likely continue to rise. In order for large-scale renovations to continue, like those recently completed with Hale, Moore, Brentano and Morton halls, UE must take out loans to cover costs. UE received large donations for construction projects like Ridgway Center and the School of Business Administration, but Wolf noted that residence halls don’t receive the same attention from donors. “There’s much less sex appeal in naming a residence hall,” he said. UE’s housing funds are grouped together; meaning payments are combined to help cover all costs associated with housing. So, charges paid by students living in the Villages — properties UE has no outstanding debt on — go into a general fund that helps cover the cost of other projects, along with maintaining the Village properties. “We consolidate all the housing costs,” Wolf said. “Everybody kind of shares the pain or benefit for what we’re doing with our housing program.” What are the next improvements to be made to housing? While there are no major renovations scheduled for this summer, like those that occurred over the last several summers, $25,000 has been dedicated to the Villages for general repairs. Although this amount will be used for normal routine maintenance, it is still more than has been allotted to the Villages for repairs in recent years. UE is aware that many of the village units need more attention and plans to address the concern in the near future. “The next major investment has got to be with the Villages, “Wolf said. But major improvements to the longterm housing plan will be determined after a new president is in place and discussions about UE’s master plan can continue. “We’re not sure which way they’re going to go, but Villages and Hughes [Hall] are our main concerns,” Tessier said. n March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

Photo by Alaina Neal

ina Neal

snapshot

All in the

by Amanda Squire

Life without music doesn’t compute for this vocal education major, who has made her mark in a big way

Furling’s Top 10 oni Braxton, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Nettles and Pink. All were born with a musical gift, a rare vocal range most people can’t identify by name. Senior Alyssa Furling has been blessed with the same gift. You may know that she was director of this year’s Musical Madness or that she is a member of almost every musical organization on campus. But as a contralto, the deepest female voice-type, Furling’s powerful voice sets her apart. Senior D.W. Williams describes his roommate’s voice as different than anything he has ever heard. “It’s not like any pop singer’s voice or even comparable to anyone I can think of,” he explained. Singing may come easy to Furling, but she has had her share of obstacles due to the magnitude of her voice, said senior Patrick Ritsch, also a roommate. And while others may be taken aback by her voice, Furling said she did not originally like it. “I thought it was off-sounding and not how a singing voice should sound,” she admitted. Now comfortable with her classical voice, Furling’s strength is in opera. While contraltos are rare, they are, ironically, especially rare in opera. Her vocal coach, Jon Truitt, assistant professor of music, said being different can be frustrating when almost everyone else is a soprano. “This kind of voice is unusual and rather rare, so there are challenges in finding repertoire that fits her voice,” he said. “Her uniqueness is something to be celebrated.” Over the years, Furling has learned to celebrate her ability and accept the challenges that go with it. “My first year here, Dr. Truitt told me right off the bat that, as a contralto, [I] would either play the witches, the bitches

or the britches,” she said. “I actually think it’s a lot of fun to be mean and play the evil character.” As a vocal education major, Furling’s taste in music is all over the map and eclectic enough to match every mood — from those rough days where only some Metallica is bold enough to drown out the distractions to those where lounging with Tchaikovsky and a cup of tea satisfies her frame of mind. “So many elements can be expressed through music,” she said. Her love for music started when she was young. Her mother sang to her just like most mothers do. It grew deeper as the Springfield, Ill., native participated in numerous choir camps in the U.S. and Europe. She even directed a choir at a Newburgh church. But her career truly started when her high school choir director opened her eyes to her many talents. “She saw I enjoyed being with people, talking to them and the music,” Furling said. “She made teaching not seem like work, and at the end of the day, I didn’t want to leave.” Now, as Furling student teaches by day and performs at night, she continues to share her gift with others, hoping to one day inspire her own students as she was inspired. “I’ve never spent a day without music in my life,” she explained. “I don’t know what I’d do without it.” She artfully balances her studies along with being president of Sigma Alpha Iota and a member of University Choir, UE Opera and the National Association for Music Education. As far as her future plans, who knows? “I could teach, I could perform, I could take a year off or I could work at McDonalds,” Furling joked. n

Must-Haves

1. Her voice. It goes everywhere she does, and it is always ready to make music. A favorite moment was during a choir tour where members performed at a little cafe in Florence, Italy, just for the fun of it.

2. XM radio. She said it’s always

good to expand your taste in music. “In my opinion, nothing is bad.”

Dave Matthews Band. Alyssa’s favorite musical group.

4. Her guitar. She loves to play. 5. Opera. “Nothing is more fun to

sing than a huge aria with lots of loud, low notes.”

6. Garage Band or M-Audio

Session software. “I like to play with mashing different sounds and loops together.”

7. A good performance space.

“It’s where you can create a moment by yourself and strike a light bulb with your voice.” Hers include her shower and car.

8. A good microphone. She thinks recording is fun and a great way to prepare for her dream — singing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

9. Friends. She loves being around

people and socializing, especially when it comes to music. In her opinion, it is better when there are lots of people involved.

10. Toys. “I envy the music therapy

majors because they get to play with fun things like boom-whackers and rainshakers all day.”

March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

off the wall

Guinness

OF THE

DRINK MONTH Float Remember your childhood days of parties with friends and root beer floats? Well, they’re not quite gone — just a little revised. To create this fun and tasty concoction, put a scoop of ice cream in a large soda-fountain glass and fill the rest of the glass with beer. For a little extra flavor and spice, top it with a swirl of whipped cream and nutmeg.

INGREDIENTS 1 scoop vanilla bean ice cream 1 14.9 oz. can Guinness Draught beer Whipped cream topping Dash of nutmeg

Did

know

YOU

According to superstition, green was considered bad luck because fairies favored the color, wrote Bridget Haggerty in “The Traditional Irish Wedding.” St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated not just in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the U.S., but in Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore.

CAMPUS >>COMMENT:

What’s your dream Spring Break vacation? “South America to the Amazon because I’m a Spanish major and I want to visit the rainforest.”

KATE SCHLARF “On the beach with lots of champagne. That’s what I did last Spring Break.”

RYAN EBERSOLE

[ senior ]

“The Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas would be pretty sweet.”

BRANDON LAWSON

[ sophomore ]

“Going to see a concert like Brand New in New York City.”

CHELSEY TOMPKINS

[ sophomore ]

“I want to go to Jersey Shore and hang out with Snooki.”

MARI LYN PRADOS

[ senior ]

“Cancun, because I love the beach, the sun and Señor Frogs.”

LAUREN LEAL

[ sophomore ] The first official St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in New York in 1762. Irish immigrants of the British colonial army sponsored it.

Good news for snake haters. According to legend, St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland in the fourth century.

Michelob Irish Red Coloring the Chicago River is a top seller for St. on St. Patrick’s Day began Patrick’s Day, said in 1962. The tradition startBobby Fuchs, a sales ed when a pipefitters union representative for poured 100 pounds of green Anheuser-Busch. dye into the river to celebrate the holiday. All the pubs in Ireland were shut down on the Irish holiday until 1970.

Crescent Magazine ● March 2010

[ freshman ]

WORD OF THE MONTH... lugendorph

AND A

Questions you

DON’T

Want to Answer During or After

4 5

SPRING BREAK:

You know that was a guy, right? You went to prison for what? How did your car end up in that lake? What did you get pierced?

1 2

They misspelled your tattoo? You hooked up with whom? She was how much older? You overdrew your bank account by how much?

ON THE

Tryouts for the Aces football team will take place in Carson Center large gym…

ATL

TMI

Oops, My Gas: OMG, I ate Taco Bell earlier.

Facebook’s My Life: I can’t do homework because FML.

FML

“

Eat Lucky Charms: Maybe they’ll make you magically delicious, too.

Carry a Rabbit’s Foot: If you can’t find one, the abundance of squirrels on campus make good substitutes. Date a Leprechaun: This way you can always get lucky at the end of the rainbow.

Head to Henderson, Ky: You know what they say about gettin’ lucky in Kentucky. Forward Crescent Magazine to 700 of your Closest Friends: That will give you good luck for at least an hour.

Get your Period: Ah, safe for another month.

”

Writers. Kind of like hookers.

WORD STREET OMG

As the winter cold begins to disappear, you’re ready for that pesky case of cabin fever to disappear too. It’s time to get out of your room for the more than five minutes it takes to walk to class, and frolic in the warmer temperatures. If you’ve got those mid-semester blues, try these tricks to bring a little good fortune to your life. After all, there may really be a pot ‘o gold at the end of the rainbow.

half

“Ouch, I bruised my lugendorph!”

A C R O N Y M S

Ways to Get Lucky

Take My ID: You’re not 21? Here, TMI.

BFF

Bad French Fries: I had some real BFF for lunch today.

What Tastes Funny?: I kissed him and immediately thought WTF?

Avoid the Lloyd: Definitely ATL at 5 p.m.

— Bill Baer, professor of English

WTF

tomorrow. March 2010 ● Crescent Magazine

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March Events COMEDIAN MIKE WINFIELD

SAB FASHION SHOW

9 p.m. March 1 • Eykamp 251

March 20 • Eykamp 251

ST. PATRICK'S BINGO

COFFEE HOUSE PERFORMANCE: ANDREW BELL

8 p.m. March 17 • Eykamp 252

SAB MOVIE: “TWILIGHT NEW MOON”

9:30 p.m. March 18 • Eykamp 251 MASSAGE NIGHT

March 19 • Ridgway 1959 Gallery

8:45 p.m. March 24 • Rademacher’s Cafe, RUC

SAB MOVIE: 2012

9:30 p.m. March 25 • Eykamp 251 MAGICIAN/MENTALIST: PETER BOIE

7 p.m. March 26 • Eykamp 251

Sneak Peek Into April SAB Movie: The Lovely Bones • 9:30 p.m. April 8 • Eykamp 251 Massage Night •April 9 • Ridgeway 1959 Gallery

Crescent Magazine ● March 2010

“Where the Fun's At!”

body art

by Kate Wood • photos by Alaina Neal

Sophomore Alex Bednarek uses body art to show what he cares about.

Taking the stage and bringing self-expression to a new level

ink

attoos are everywhere — at least in more places than you think. In fact, in a recent Crescent Magazine online poll, nearly a third of those who responded indicated they have a tattoo, and a large percentage of those who indicated they do not currently have a tattoo revealed they’re not opposed to getting one. This may be the growing hype for our generation, but the concept has been around much longer than most tend to think. National Geographic’s Cassandra Franklin-Barbajosa said the first known tattoos date back to the Copper Age, around 3000 B.C. Despite this, they’re just now becoming an acceptable form of self-expression: body art on campuses, for example, come in all shapes, sizes, colors and styles. And tattoos no longer mean you’re in a gang or you’re an ex-convict, though some still have their reservations. A Harris Poll conducted in 2003 found that nearly 16 percent of Americans have tattoos, and that men and women are equally as likely to get one. U.S. News & World Report dubbed the tattoo artistry as one of the fastest growing categories of retail business in America. Body art is not just the new fad; it is creating new trends of its own. The growing popularity of tattoos has become so mainstream they’re now inspiring television series. Watching tattooed bombshell Kat Von D on “LA Ink,” you can’t help but notice that, not only is she beautiful, but she also has something a lot of people don’t have — self-confidence. A large part of her appeal is the way she proudly wears her second skin. Her tattoos are undoubtedly the first thing you March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

body art see, and whether you admit it or not, you’re curious. He believes people with tattoos and piercings are Another token head-turner, Nick-o Robling, a tattoo treated differently than those who don’t have any, but he artist at Everlasting Impressions on Evansville’s west opts to embrace this. side, believes the television industry and people like Kat The way he sees it, people who have a problem with Von D have had a lot to do with the increasing popularity anything outside of social norms really just have a probof permanent body art. lem with themselves. He learned to tattoo the hard way: he practiced on At the same time, Ligon insists people are better off himself. Unlike a lot of artists today, Robling said he didn’t hiding their tattoos when first meeting someone, especialhave the benefit of going through an apprenticeship. He ly if he or she is older or more conservative. gave himself a sleeve on his left arm and practiced on This way, that person is guaranteed a first impression both of his legs. that is more than skin-deep. He said he wouldn’t feel comfortable tattooing any“How you conduct yourself as a person and why you one else until he was comfortable tattooing himself. He’s do things is more important than what you do,” he said loved art ever since he was a child, and for the past 10 confidently. “As long as you’re happy with your body at years, he’s been able to express his love for art by putting the end of the day, no one else’s opinion really matters.” it onto other people’s bodies. “It’s just art to me,” he said. Certainly tattoos are capable of putting forward cer“Art on a person — a walking billboard.” tain personas or perpetuating stereotypes, but they may Robling speculates that some people stick with tamalso reveal little-known facts er tattoos, like crosses, beand facets of a personality. cause of their families. Of her five tattoos, senior Crosses have become Angie Sheffler’s favorite is one of the most popular the skull and dagger in the tattoos he is asked to do. middle of her upper back be“I think that, deep incause it’s not something peoside, it could be a religious ple expect her to have, plus thing,” Robling said. “But a close friend designed it. mostly I just think that peo“I wanted something ple are afraid of what their kind of badass,” she said. mom or grandma might say, “People either see me as so they get something safe an academic person, or a that will make them feel bettattoo person — they never ter about themselves for dosee me as both.” ing something that is typicalLike Sheffler, sophoin e ar et effler’s fe senior Angie Sh . on ly seen as rebellious.” more Andrea Winter likes ch s ea ie r rfl fo tte rs bu lo The ed out the co Regardless, many students honor of her sisters, who pick the idea of getting a tattoo decide to get tattoos for reafor personal reasons, despite what others may think. sons other than fear of what friends and family will think. She got her tattoo to remind her of a certain stage of Junior Brooks Ligon said he didn’t get his tattoos for her life and where she has been. anyone but himself. In his opinion, it shouldn’t be about “Tattoos are like a map that represent who you were making others happy. and what was important to you, which is why I don’t reIn fact, he doesn’t feel it’s anyone else’s business to gret getting mine,” Winter said about the Korean writing know about his tattoos, or his personal reasons for getting on her left wrist that means “forever friendship.” them. The various personal meanings behind his body For junior Alex Bednarek, the script across his chest, art — and the several layers to those meanings — protect the anchor on his left arm and the motorcycle engine on against any negative opinions others may have. his right arm show the depth and variation of the things “I have a lot of odd feelings towards tattoos,” Ligon he cares about most. “The anchor represents the solid said. “I feel like a lot of people get tattoos because of a base (of family) through all the crazy stuff,” he said. yearning for cultural acceptance, a vain attempt to find For some students, a main deterrent from getting a tatidentity in consumerism.” too is the approval of parents and other family.

ANCIEN INK 16

According to nationalgeographic.com: • Mummified female Egyptian dancers from approximately 2000 B.C. were found with abstract dot and dash tattoos. Later, images were found on their bodies that represented Bes, the god of fertility.

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

• Ancient Roman soldiers followed their enemies’ lead and wore tattoos to symbolize their ferocity. • Crusaders in the 11th and 12th centuries would mark themselves with the Jerusalem cross so that if they died in battle, they would

Sophomore Tiffany Britton dedicated her snapdragon tattoo to her grandmother, who died of colon cancer.

be given a proper Christian burial. • In early 18th century, Tahitian girls from the South and Central Pacific Islands had their buttocks tattooed black when they reached the age of sexual maturity. • In 1870, the Japanese government out-

It took several months for Winter’s parents to notice she had her nose, lip and ears pierced, but once they did, she said they told her, “Oh well, do what you want. You’re an adult.” She believes parents’ concerns often stem from a generational gap and the realization that their children are growing up and have the ability to make such choices on their own. Unfortunately, parents are Sophomore Tori right on occasion, and some Apodaca used a students regret their decicardinal to cover her sion to get a tattoo or piercHello Kitty tattoo. ing. Sophomore Tori Apodaca originally got a tattoo depicting Hello Kitty when she was 17, but later regretted the decision. When she was 20, she covered it up with a cardinal. “I wanted something to represent where I had come from,” she said. “Since the cardinal is the state bird of Indiana, I figured it would be a good start to a leg sleeve if I decided to go that route.” The benefit of getting piercings as opposed to tattoos is that they’re removable. The only downside is the possible scars left behind. Winter removed her lip piercing last year and has a small mark from it, but said it doesn’t bother her. “People should always make wise decisions when it comes to getting a piercing or tattoo, but I feel like you can be more spontaneous with piercings,” she said. For students like Winter, the word “temporary” puts their parents’ minds at ease and gives them a chance to decorate their body without having to think: do I really want to be stuck with this my whole life? But for some parents, it all depends upon where the tattoo or piercing is located. “I’m not afraid of what [my mom] would think, I’m afraid she literally might kill me,” sophomore Evan Whitlock said about getting her nose pierced. She would like to get a tattoo as well but is still too afraid about the way her mother would react. “I might die for that one too,” she said. Deciding whether or not to inform parents about tattoos and piercings can put students in an awkward situation. When sophomore Rachel Zimmerman told her

lawed tattoos because lower class merchants would wear “Japanese body suits” in order to mimic the intricate kimonos that only the elite were allowed to wear. • The first electric tattoo machine was patented by American Samuel O’Reilly in 1891. March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

body art

Senior Angie Sheffler’s best friend designed her skull tattoo. parents, each took a different viewpoint. Her mom warmed up to the idea, while her dad was still against it — but her mom had the final say. Like many students, getting a tattoo took a significant amount of thought before making such a permanent decision. Zimmerman always knew she wanted a tattoo for the aesthetic appeal, but was unsure of what to get until a friend drew a design that she instantly fell in love with it. She said she continually drew the design onto her foot for several weeks, but before she went home for a break, she washed it off. “My foot looked empty,” Zimmerman said, but then realized she wanted to make the drawing a permanent part of her skin. She thinks people have a hard time stopping at just one tattoo because they want to go even further to decorate their bodies. “It sort of opens the floodgates,” she said. For some, no amount is too much. Freshman Kaitlin Oldfield has six tattoos and two facial piercings, and plans on adding to her collection. For her, tattoos are an avenue of self-expression, as well as a way to feed her addiction. “It’s better than being addicted to crack — I’d rather have tattoo problems,” she said. Junior Maida Vaughn has 10 piercings, and though most are

Y RIT A L U ST POPONTE C

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

on her ears, she has one where you wouldn’t typically look — a microdermal implant on her right ring finger. Although, she didn’t get it for attention, she does enjoy when people ask her questions about her piercings. To accompany her assortment of piercings, Vaughn has three tattoos, including Gaelic text on her foot that reads, “There is no luck except where there is discipline.” She said this represents her belief that hard work and skill will bring her good things in life rather than luck. Like Vaughn, senior Logan Selby has tattoos with special meaning. Two years ago, he got a paramedic symbol in memory of a friend who died. And while he was a senior in high school, he got a tattoo on his back that symbolizes his struggle with heart problems and overcoming the adversity. While many get tattoos with deep meanings behind them, there are handfuls of people in the world who simply like the way tattoos look and don’t believe they need to ascribe some greater meaning. And not everyone who gets a piercing or tattoo feels it’s necessary to continually add to his or her collection. Senior Phil Winternheimer only has one tattoo and an ear piercing, and is happy with just those two. A large part of his decision to get a tattoo was when his brother got one; he wanted to be there as moral support. Then there are students who are comfortable with their bodies just the way they are and don’t feel the need to decorate their skin with metal or ink. Freshman Justin Hamilton has no piercings or tattoos and would never get one. The medical He has too much of a cominsignia on senior mitment issue to get a tatLogan Selby’s too, and he thinks getting bicep is in memory a piercing would hurt of a friend. too much. Whether your skin is covered in permanent designs or needles freak you out, as long as you’re confident in your body and you’re happy with your decisions, no one should be able to make you feel otherwise. n

These are the most popular tattoos according to tattoonest.com:

Tribal

Star Cross

Flower Angel

Butterfly

march madness

the

BIG DANCE

by Michael Cowl & Megan Merley

Whether you know anything about basketball or not, March Madness is a time-honored tradition of friendly wagering and celebrating the heroic underdog; it’s truly an American pastime.

ie-hard fans have been following their favorite team for months, but now it’s time for the rest of us to join the insanity. Fixated on television sets across America, newly attracted fans and loyalists anxiously await the tipoff March 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Much of the excitement garnered by the tournament — known since the early 1980s as March Madness — is a result of its accessibility — a person doesn’t have to know much about basketball to be a part of the hoopla. Some of the greatest fans of March Madness are casual spectators who simply enjoy the hype and thrill surrounding the tournament. Since Selection Sunday — when tournament’s teams are announced — isn’t until March 14, sophomore Jake Harrington has yet to pick a winner, but he admits he always loses to others in his family when filling out the only thing many people know about the tournament — the bracket. Like the majority of devotees or those who know absolutely nothing about basketball and the teams competing, Harrington loves filling it out and seeing how well — or badly — he does against others. Part of the allure is seeing if you can oneup those that you are pooled with. “It’s a time to have fun,” senior Stephen Wilson said “There are a whole lot of rivalries between friends and enemies.” Rivalries and good times are the tournament’s foundation. What eventually became known as the national championship

actually started in 1908 as an Illinois high school basketball tournament. And who hasn’t heard of “Hoosier Hysteria?” James Naismith, who invented the game in 1891, observed Indiana’s passion for basketball. He wrote in 1925 that while basketball was invented in Massachusetts, “basketball really had its origin in Indiana, which remains the center of the sport.” By the 1930s, basketball was popular nationwide. Coach Phog Allen, who coached the Kansas Jayhawks from 1919– 1956 and learned the game from Naismith, receives much of the credit for creating the tournament. He founded the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1937, which created the tournament in 1939. But it is CBS sportscaster Brent Musberger who is given credit for popularizing the now trademarked term “March Madness” during his many broadcasts of the tournament Over the years the single-elimination tournament has grown considerably, since only eight teams competed in those early tournaments. Today, 65 teams participate. The tournament is made up of conference champions from the 32 Division I conferences, which receive automatic bids. The remaining slots are at-large berths — teams selected by the NCAA Selection Committee. The tournament’s seeds are based on things such as a team’s ranking March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

march madness and win-loss record. Regardless, the teams are followed by millions of spectators who fill out brackets to predict the winners of each game. “You have college teams playing at their highest level,” junior Jason Switzer said. “As a fan, you get to witness great games and good competition. These teams play as hard as they can, and the results are really good games.” But for many, the best part of March Madness is picking the winners using the bracket. People enter betting pools with the hopes of winning money or bragging rights, even though the probability of guessing a perfect bracket is roughly 1 in 18 quintillion, according to some estimates. “I usually make two or three brackets because it’s so hard to pick winners,” Switzer said. “Every bracket is a little different, and in each one I have an underdog going farther because you never know what can happen.” These amateur statisticians are an eclectic group. Participants vary from small groups of friends to professional sports enthusiasts.Everyone from a sports analyst to your next-door neighbor to someone who doesn’t know a single thing about the sport has a chance to win. While betting on the tournament is certainly not sanctioned by the NCAA, it is a popular outlet for basketball lovers and the sport-illiterate alike. Bets can range from a few dollars to thousands riding on a single game. Often debated is how to pick a winner. Some people rank teams based on their play over the course of the season; others pick because of school or conference loyalties. Others develop complex strategies like picking teams based on the color of their uniforms. “You can’t always go with the favorite,” Wilson said. “Sometimes I pick teams based on their rankings and others based off of games I’ve seen. It’s not a science. Occasionally I’ll go with my gut.” No matter the reason, people in varying levels of fandom unite over the madness of what

Crescent Magazine ● March 2010

WHAT’S WHEN? Selection Sunday — March 14 Opening Round — March 16 Round 1 — March 18–19 Round 2 — March 20–21 Sweet 16 — March 25–26 Elite Eight — March 27–28 Final Four — April 3 National Championship — April 5 ■ When the bracket is cut to 16 teams, these teams are regarded as the “Sweet 16.” The top eight teams are called the “Elite Eight” and the last remaining four teams are the “Final Four.” has become known as “The Big Dance.” The one thing they all have in common? The hope of seeing their team cut the net at the end of the tournament, the traditional right of the champion. Considering all of the excitement, this Big Dance would not be the same without its “Cinderella” stories. Each year, lower-ranked teams, usually from not-as-popular conferences, set out to beat the expected favorites. These teams hope to gain notoriety by advancing in the early rounds of the tournament. “It brings variety,” Harrington said. “You don’t want to hear the same names over and over again. These are up and coming teams, which add excitement and a sense of mystery.” Those teams making the tournament are grouped into four regions. One of the results is that most many teams have to travel to locations away from their fan bases and the luxury of their home courts to play. But that doesn’t stop fans from making the road trips. And even though most of us will never get to witness any of the games from a decibel-jarring, standing-room-only arena, you can almost feel the intensity as you watch the games on TV from the comfort of your own couch or a raucous sports bar. “Watching the games, you get to see everyone jump up and down,” Schmidgal said. “They’re all excited, and it makes the games fun.” Fierce loyalties spark competition between fans, creating rivalries that are displayed through creative body art, air

horns and playful banter. This will undoubtedly be the case when 70,000 fans pack Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the last of the championship games. “The Final Four has to be my favorite because everything’s crazy,” Switzer said. “The atmosphere is better than when the tournament began. This is when things get serious. It’s a whole different level.” Also helping to stir up the festive atmosphere are the many parties people around the country throw in order to support their teams. This is all part of the pageantry of March Madness, and it includes everything from barbecues to wild festivities on college campuses. “Parties for the games are intense and exciting,” Wilson said. “Everybody clowns and has a good time.” And as the weather heats up, so will the competition. The road to the Final Four ends when a champion is crowned April 5, and then preparations for next season begin. It becomes part of the tapestry of March Madness’ long celebrated tradition, inspiring new generations of fans to carry it on. “Whether you follow basketball or not, you and your friends can pick a team to follow throughout the tournament and be that team’s cheerleader.” Schmidgal said. “It creates a friendly rivalry and makes the tournament a lot more fun to watch.” It is all of this — the memories of past successes and rivalries, the pageantry of today and the fans of tomorrow — that make March Madness an enduring American pastime. Just don’t forget to get your bracket. ■

If it’s Friday at UE, then it’s Purple Friday. Wear your best PURPLE every Friday! You never know when the Purple Patrol will strike. UE Alumni Association and Student Alumni Ambassadors

www.ClubRoyaleNightClub.com • 401-1699 • 2131 W. Franklin

89 of UE students

60oz Busch Light Pitchers Everyday!

Daily Drink Specials & Entertainment • Tuesday Night Is College Karaoke Night • Live Entertainment Nightly

Mon. – Sat. Open at 3 p.m • MySpace.com/ClubRoyaleNightClub • Friend Us on Facebook

haven’t used

cigarettes or other tobacco products in the last 30 days. Fall 2009 Social Norms Survey Brought to YOU by UE Health Education

The Student Alumni Association is currently recruiting new members for the 2010-2011 academic year. If you are interested in joining SAA, please contact President Katie Litmer at kl97.

Free From Politics & Seriousness “The Lance & Joe Show” with Lance Hueston & Joe Brown Free from Politics & Seriousness Wednesday 9 – 10 p.m.

The Lance & Joe Show 9–10 p.m. Wednesdays

March 2010 ● Crescent Magazine

y k n JVSa Juicy

wildcard

Janky: Strip searches — Unless you’re a stripper, chances are this will be uncomfortable. Juicy: Full body scanners — We would rather be safe than sorry. ••• Janky: Late fees — Remember the 1990s? Juicy: Netflix — Watch what you want, when you want, where you want.

by Peter Hanscom & Lauren Oliver

••• Janky: Shoulder pads — Why would you want to look like a professional football player? Juicy: Bare shoulders — Show some precious skin without giving all the good stuff away. ••• Janky: Fanny packs — Are you a mom at Disney World? Juicy: Man bags — Call them what you will. Always remember, Indiana Jones wears one.

Matchstick Marvel Museums, Gladbrook, Iowa For those of you who spent your childhood building scale models, this museum will grab your attention. More than 3 million matchsticks have been used to create 60 models. Check out everything from the Capitol to Notre Dame Cathedral, and yes, even Hogwarts. 319 Second St. • (641) 473–2410 • Admission: $3 • Hours: 1–5 p.m. April 1– Nov. 30 • matchstickmarvels.com

••• Janky: Spray on condoms — Who has the time to wait the two minutes it takes for it to dry? Juicy: Spray on sunscreen — Prevent cancer without using what could be misconstrued as mayonnaise. ••• Janky: Collect calls — Unless it’s an emergency, is it really worth paying for someone else to talk to you? Juicy: Prank calls — Is your refrigerator running?

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

Vacuum Cleaner Museum and Factory Outlet, St. James, Mo. This museum is created for those with a love for vacuums. Yes, apparently these people do exist. The collection contains 544 vacuums dating back to 1910. Visitors also have the chance to see vacuums from famous films and television shows. Make sure to check out the gift shop and grab the perfect souvenir — a vacuum-shaped pen. 3 Industrial Drive • (866) 444–9004 • Admission: Free • Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday • vacuummuseum.com

reak away from the traditional Spring Break... If you don’t have the funds to travel to a warm, tropical location for break, try checking out some of these fine Midwest locations. While you may not get a tan or find clubs packed with other students, these destinations won’t disappoint. And if you can’t make it there during break, there’s always Easter recess. The Angel Museum, Beloit, Wis. Housing the world’s largest collection of angels, this museum could be called heaven on earth. The collection has more than 11,000 pieces made from more than 100 different materials. Visitors are greeted by an elderly lady dressed in a full angel costume for a narrated tour of the facility. The museum has artifacts from more than 60 countries and is the proud home of Oprah’s black angel collection. 656 Pleasant St., Highway 51 • (608) 362–9099 • Admission: $4 • Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday • angelmuseum.org Ahlgrim Acres, Palatine, Ill. Located in a fully functioning funeral home, this miniature golf course adds a new twist to the game. Families and guests are invited to play immediately following the service as a part of the standard funeral package. The nine-hole course is decorated with coffins, headstones, a guillotine for players to avoid — much different than the standard windmill. 201N. Northwest Highway • (847) 358–7411 • Admission: Free • Hours: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily • ahlgrimffs.com/golfcourse

70 World’s Largest Toilet, Columbus, Ind. ExploraHouse, an exhibit in the Kidscommons Children’s Museum, remains home to the world’s largest toilet. No, the toilet isn’t functional so don’t eat Taco Bell before visiting. All visitors are welcome to jump in and ride down the slide to the bottom of the bowl. For those women who simply must visit the bathroom with a friend, you can rent out rooms for group parties. 309 Washington St. • (812) 378–3046 • Admission: $6 • Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, 1–5 p.m. Sunday • kidscommons.org

90 African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton, Ohio The highlight of this park is certainly the drive-thru area where patrons can roll down their windows to feed the collection of animals from their cars. The parks’ inhabitants include camels, warthogs, buffalo, zebra, monkeys, elk, giraffes and more. Most of the animals roam free on the 100-acre property and regularly follow cars, hoping for a snack. 267 Lightner Road • (800) 521– 2660 • Admission: Varies per carload • Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily • africansafariwildlifepark.com

N E

W Illustration by Courtney Hostetler Map not drawn to scale. We weren’t even sure where Iowa was located. Travel at your own risk.

March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

sexplanation

Trans-confusion

A closer analysis of what it means to be a man or woman reveals a community that has embraced the exploration of gender identity

atural instinct may lead you to believe people are born male or female, and that gender roles are always associated with a person’s birth sex. But what if someone is born into a sex that doesn’t clearly match his or her gender identity? The American Psychological Association makes a clear distinction between the terms sex and gender. Sex refers to biological status as male or female, and gender is a term often used to describe the way people act, interact or feel about themselves, which are associated with gender roles — men and women. APA uses transgender as an umbrella term to describe people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from that usually associated with birth sex. Junior Eliot Colin, a transgender student who was born female, explained that within the transgender community, there are discrepancies of terminology and uses, too. “Technically, I’m transsexual, but I prefer to say transgender,” he said. “Saying you’re transgender is softer. Saying you’re transsexual is like hitting people with a bus.” Dr. Harry Benjamin, widely known as the father of transsexualism, first coined the term transsexual in his 1966 book, “The Transsexual Phenomenon.” He said transsexualism is a form of gender dysphoria — or confusion — and each case should be taken on an individual basis. Shay Gable, clinical director of Acacia Center for Human Growth and Development in Evansville, said transsexual men and women feel they are the opposite sex, and take medications — hormones or testosterone — to become more like their desired sex. Colin started hormone therapy after his freshman year at UE. He said there are obvious differences associated with being a female-to-male transsexual and a male-to-female transsexual.

by Josh Fletcher

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

“For transmen, it’s adding,” he said, “and for transwomen, it’s reversing what has been done.” Colin said transmen take a weekly testosterone injection to assist in a more muscular body composition, deepening of the voice and body hair growth. Gable said transwomen who start hormone therapy early could physically transition more easily. She also explained that many people realize they are transgender at a very early age. “Some recognize as early as pre-school, but don’t have a name for it,” Gable said. Colin said the realization of being transgendered was not as immediate for him, but there were clues along the way. “When I started my period, I started weighing the pros and cons of being a man or woman.” He also described a time in high school when friends were playing the game “Never Have I Ever.” In an attempt to pry into the minds of his friends, Colin asked if other people dreamed of having a penis. “I thought, ‘OK, check that off,” he said. “Not everyone dreams about having one.’” Transgender students across college campuses face obstacles that many students overlook. Caeden Dempsey, educator for the National Center for Transgender Equality, said in his recent article, “Advocacy for Trans & GenderQueer,” that even those schools that have supports in place for gay, lesbian and bisexual students tend to ignore issues associated with transgender and transsexual students. In a 2003 study, Susan Rankin, an as-

sociate professor at the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Penn State, found that 41 percent of transgender respondents reported experiencing harassment at their schools. The study reports that housing issues can be particularly

challenging for transgender students. Colin said he has been lucky to have never had a problem at UE, and that students either don’t know or don’t care about his gender identity. In regard to housing issues, he said at first he was hesitant to discuss transgender issues with Residence Life staff. “Sophomore year, I couldn’t talk to random strangers,” he said. “I finally talked to Brian Conner, (assistant director of Residence Life.) He was helpful, although probably out of his element.” Colin said that more gender-neutral bathrooms would be helpful on campus, especially in populated areas on campus — like Ridgway Center. “We have two gender neutral bathrooms [on-campus], that’s all,” he said. “It’s a problem.” He also said that standardized tests that ask students to check an “M” for male or “F” for female can be frustrating. Gable said the lack of resources and support from family is detrimental to transgender students’ lives. She said,

unfortunately, there are no physicians in Evansville who provide hormone or testosterone therapy for transgender and transsexual people, and across the Midwest finding supportive medical staff can be a challenge. “More and more primary physicians won’t provide hormone therapy,” Gable said. “It could be a moral issue.” Colin said people shouldn’t assume all transgender people plan on having gender reassignment surgery. “There is more than just surgery,” he said. “Practically a million steps before that.” While some people never intend to have the sexual reassignment surgery, only after living as the opposite sex for the one-to-two years are they comfortable with the lifestyle. “I’ve worked with a lot of transpeople who are now living as the opposite sex and will probably never get the sexual reassignment surgery,” Gable said. “Their biggest obstacle is the $40,000 cost.” In Indiana, the law requires sexual reassignment surgery for transgendered people to be considered the opposite of their birth sex. “My drivers license says I’m female,” Colin said. “Sometimes sales clerks are confused when I pay with a credit card. The clerk will ask, ‘Does your sister know you’re using her card?’” Entering the workforce as a transgender person can be all the more daunting. While some employers have a nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity, others do not. A 2008 Human Rights Campaign Foundation report stated that 58 percent of those respondents rated employers prohibited discrimination based on gender identity. Colin said he can only hope for the best after graduation, but is confident since he believes the social work field is more accepting of his and other gender identity issues. He is determined not to let any post-graduation fears deter from his current life — a life with which he is happy and content. Colin had some important advice for transgender students who were afraid to explore their gender identity. “Talk to people, even if it’s on the Internet,” he said. “Not to go Sci-fi on you, but you’re not alone.”

He said, along with finding YouTube video bloggers who were transgender, PRIDE and the Tri-State Alliance, a local nonprofit social service and educational organization that serves gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders in southern Indiana, have given him outlets to explore himself in a safe zone. With a smile on his face, Colin said that despite what his birth sex was, he is confident that he is where he should be in life. “I’m a man,” he said, smiling. ■

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March 2010 ● Crescent Magazine

health & fitness

{ }

by Kent Johnson & Jennifer Stinnett

What NOT to Eat

Helping you eat healthy — one receipt at a time For most of us, Cafe Court is the only place we go for a meal. We eat there so often, it’s easy to get in a rut and forget about the megacalories we may be consuming. Crescent Magazine took a look at the nutrition information posted on uedining.com to help students figure out what to eat and what to avoid. Here are just a few suggestions.

{MAIN COURSES}

Charleston Market Eat this: Grilled flank steak with scalloped potatoes — 300 calories Not that: Orecchiette, broccoli & pine nuts — 780 calories

Use common sense. Don’t eat the french fries (240 calories), the sweet potato fries (270 calories) or anything else with “fried” in the name. If you’re sick of side salads or vegetables from Charleston Market, try some of these surprisingly healthy side options. While Sodexo tries to be consistent with its portion sizes, these counts may vary. Pineapple cole slaw (salad bar) — 80 calories Mashed potatoes (Charleston Market) — 80 calories Rice pilaf (Charleston Market) — 130 calories Macaroni and cheese (Charleston Market) — 140 calories

Fusion Eat this: Pasta fusilli — 360 calories (is also veganfriendly) Not that: Orange chicken — 990 calories, which includes 149 percent of your daily fat intake

Soups Eat this: Old fashioned chicken noodle soup (6 oz. serving) — 90 calories Not that: Turkey and white bean chili (6 oz. serving) —280 calories

GRILL 155 Eat this: Quarter pound burger, plain with bun — 420 calories or the grilled chicken sandwich, plain with bun — 430 calories. Toppings will increase calorie count. Not that: Ultimate double cheeseburger with sauce, includes bun — 820 calories

Desserts Eat this: Snickerdoodle cookie — 80 calories Not that: Pineapple upside down cake, slice — 470 calories

LaVincita Eat this: Cheese pizza — 250 calories per slice Not that: Sicilian meatball pizza — 480 calories per slice

Sub Connection Lighten up your subs by eating wheat bread instead of white, using light mayo instead of regular or trying a wrap instead of bread. Although there are no nutritional facts for subs at uedining.com, use common sense in deciding what not to eat. For example, you can still get that delicious buffalo chicken sub, just get grilled chicken instead of crispy.

{SIDES}

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

Eat this: Jell-O cup — 100 calories Not that: Dirt pudding cup — 340 calories

{SODEXO embraces TECHNOLOGY}

If you want more information about the food you’re eating every day, uedining. com lists weekly menus along with the nutritional facts and ingredients on its web site. The web site even has a convienient option that will help you plan all of your meals, figure out your calorie intake and input your Weight Watchers Points. n

fashion & beauty

Eye Candy

by Brennan Girdler

MAKING A

MAN OUT OF YOU

hen it comes to skin care, a man’s greatest enemy is ignorance Knowing your skin is essential, and the first lesson in skin care is realizing men’s skin is different than women’s. “Men have greater amounts of collagen and sebum than women, which is why their skin appears thicker,” said Mary Willman, a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant. While guy’s skin is more resilient to the effects of aging and sun-damage, it is also more susceptible to acne and deeper, more dramatic wrinkles. But even if your skincare regime is lacking, you can still shave off years, and have the face you want. Being mindful of what helps and hurts is one of the most important steps to maintenance.

That’s right — no tanning. The sun bakes your youthful face into a decrepit, ugly one. Keep on a coat of sunscreen all year long, and stay moisturized.

REAL MEN MOISTURIZE

Most people bathe regularly, but only a handful truly wash their faces. Washing your face will keep your skin balanced, and certain skin-cleansing products may reduce acne or help eliminate other skin-care issues — like oiliness or dryness. What should you wash with? “The MKMen Face Bar keeps your skin smooth and healthy,” Willman said. There are many other options out there, and each will work differently based on your skin-type. n

There is a magical remedy for dry skin, and it’s called moisturizer. Whether your cheeks are chaffed from wintery winds or fake-baked from tanning, your face is constantly being eaten by the elements. “Your skin is the largest organ of the body and needs a strong moisturizer to stay intact,” said Dianne Haley, a Clinique accredited skincare expert, who recommends Clinique Skin Supplies For Men. “M” Protect moisturizes and keeps the sun’s rays at bay with its 21 SPF.

A SHAVE A DAY Every guy should shave, but to what extent is his own prerogative. “Areas you shave exfoliate dead skin,” Haley said, “and it’s best to use a soother to make shaving smoother.” Shaving cuts down on your skin problems. Applying a cooling after-shave that will refresh your face and prevent razor irritation will keep your cheeks angelic soft. Keep in mind that shaving is a commitment. Only in these precious years of pseudo-adulthood can men be scruffy and attractive.

WASH EVERYWHERE

Crescent Magazine asked women around campus what they think makes men attractive — and, thankfully, it isn’t just looks. Women say they’ll take a smile over “guns” any day, but sex appeal goes both ways. Having perfect hair, clean pores and unique style is essential to catching a person’s eye.

“I like clean guys that take care of

their bodies and have a nice head of hair.” JENNIFER WEGER sophomore

“I don’t mind pasty guys, but showers are required.”

ELIZABETH ABBOTT sophomore

“If you can make a

you can do anything.” [woman] laugh,

TIFFANY HOUCHIN senior

“Button-down shirts are nice, and maybe a jacket.”

ALI STANLEY sophomore

“Not sloppy. Guys need to be clean, but not overboard. Cologne is too much, and B.O. is terrible.”

SHANNON GALYAN sophomore

“A guy has to be able to hold up a conversation.”

KATE SCHLARF freshman

“A great personality, a nice smile and manners.”

MELISSA THOMPSON freshman

March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

cheap dates

RoRampage LLin’

by Kristin Benzinger

This isn’t just cruising around a rink, it’s roller derby — and these women are not afraid to get rough

ing team’s jammer from scoring. A team earns points when its jamalking onto the rink, you might expect to see mer gets ahead of opposing team members. On the first lap, no a handful of people gliding gracefully sideteam can score, but the first lap does decide who the lead jammer by-side. But in this arena, you better watch will be. After that, the team gets one point for each opposing playyour step. Instead of an easy-paced lap er the jammer passes per lap. around the rink, Demolition City Roller DerSenior Cortnye Stone watched the DCRD play several seasons by will knock you out with its screaming fans, and the ferocity you ago and loves the idea of a hands-on female sport. “I think it’s would expect to find at a hockey match. nice to see women beating the [crap] out of one another,” she “All the violence of hockey and football without all the proteclaughed. “It was a little violent for my taste, but it was really fun tive gear,” DCRD Coach Josh Pugh said. and energetic.” The women he coaches continually amaze Pugh. “It’s a bunch Roller derby is for women of all shapes and sizes. DCRD team of everyday women, teen to middle aged, who, one day a month, captain Jill “God-Jilla” Cannon, a 1999 UE alumnae, loves the variget to be rock stars,” he explains. So, if you are looking for some high-energy entertainment, then ety of women she meets through the sport. She is also involved in the sport because it’s a competitive outlet for her, despite being 34 roller derby is for you. “Awesome, cheap, action-packed, familyyears old. friendly night with an edge,” Pugh said. “There are so many [women] I would have never come into DCRD is also a great value. The matches are always double contact with otherwise,” she said. “I like that you can be big, be headers, giving you double the fishnet wearing, shoulderlittle, be tattooed or not, and be good at it.” checking, derby girl action. But DCRD is not the only team in Roller derby is an electrifying experience, one that will betown; there is also the Rollergirls of Southern Indiana. DCRD come an instant favorite after attending your first bout. With highholds its home bouts at Memorial Coliseum; Rollergirls at energy fans, intense jams and tough girls in fishnets, spectator Swonder Ice Arena. thrills are guaranteed. ■ Roller derby is not the same sport that was popular in the ‘70s. The new trend is flat-track roller derby — a race between two teams of five players. The bout is composed of multiple “jams,” which are the individual races and can last up to two minutes. There are two basic positions: jamROLLERGIRLS OF SOUTHERN INDIANA DEMOLITION CITY ROLLER DERBY mers and blockers. The jammer can be iden• Tickets: $6 in advance, • Tickets: $10 in advance, tified by her helmet, which has a star on it. $8 at the door $15 at the door Jammers are the only players that can score • Dates: April 10, May 8, May 29, • Dates: March 27, April 24, points. June 12, July 10, July 24, Aug. 7 May 22, June 26, July 24 The blocker’s job is to help move her www.rollergirlsofsin.com www.demolitioncityrollerderby.com team’s jammer forward and stop the oppos-

Go!

Crescent Magazine ● March 2010

2010 Home Bouts

crescent crossword

What

to WATCH THE JAMMER. She is the one who scores points and has a star on her helmet. THE REFEREES. They skate alongside the jammer. They also signal the score and penalties. BLOCKERS WHO FALL AWAY FROM THE PACK. If a blocker falls back to fight off a jammer, she can only get 20 feet away before the referee calls an “out-of-play” warning.

ACROSS 1 Lamb’s pen name 5 Knot lace 8 Maori seagoing canoe 12 Concentrated (abbr.) 13 Cheer 14 King killed by Samuel 15 German exclamation 16 Malt liquor 17 Tibetan priest 18 Serpent worship 20 Helm 22 Old Irish counterfeit coin 23 Bustle 24 Marvel 28 Of the eye 32 One-spot 33 Tree 35 American Cancer Society (abbr.) 36 Greek letter 39 Arp 42 Camel hair cloth 44 Science class 45 Evaluate 48 Plant filament 52 Legume 53 Warp yarn

55 S.A. toucan 56 Geological epoch 57 No (Scottish) 58 Included (abbr.) 59 Jack-in-the-pulpit 60 Pub fare 61 Blind in falconry DOWN 1 Spoken alphabet letter 2 Circular turn 3 Move little by little 4 Canna plant 5 Tread 6 Mulberry of India 7 Greek Letter 8 Smash 9 Bedouin headband cord 10 Ridge created by a glacier 11 Seaweed 19 Skin vesicle 21 Artificial language 24 Brit. halfpenny 25 Amazon tributary 26 Rapid eye movement (abbr.) 27 Ancient times

29 Jap. porgy 30 Science of (suf.) 31 Central standard time (abbr.) 34 Drone (2 words) 37 Bacchante 38 Absolute (abbr.) 40 Arabic letter 41 Fortification of felled trees 43 Hindu prayer position 45 Father: Hebrew 46 Cauterize 47 Room (Spanish) 49 Accent 50 Lo (Latin) 51 Bun 54 Formal dance (French) ANSWERS

THE PENALTY BOX. Penalties last no longer than one minute, but it puts the penalized team at a disadvantage. TEAM’S STRATEGIES. Once you get a feel for it, pay attention to why the pack does certain formations. Also, watch the jammer’s strategies.

2010 Santori Publishing

March 2010 n Crescent Magazine

eats by Mindy Kurtz

mouthwatering

unremarkable — the only word that comes to mind as you head down Lincoln looking for a place to grab lunch or dinner. Fast-foods joints line the street the closer you get to Green River Road, and as you try to pick some place different to eat, you get the queasy feeling that what you’ll end up with is typical, tasteless fare. Before you settle for that tasteless fare, try Manna, a small Mediterranean grill located at the corner of Lincoln and Dexter avenues. The simple exterior of the restaurant may not seem like much from the outside, but its cuisine is distinctive and delicious. Owner Ajmed Manna, a native of Damascus, Syria, moved to the U.S. in 1997 and attended UE to study English, later transferring to USI to study accounting. While he earned his accounting degree, it is when he enters the kitchen that Manna said he feels most at home. “The food served here is very inspired from my background,” he said. “My wife and I cook almost all the food. We make everything fresh and as healthy as we can by using no canned foods or preservatives. People can really tell the difference.” Senior Andrew Dial said he has been to the restaurant several times and has a special love for Greek food. “My first impression of Manna was that it was very friendly,” he said. “The owners were so welcoming the moment I walked in the door. The food is delicious, and a typical type of Greek cuisine. It’s definitely one of the best ethnic-style restaurants in Evansville.” The restaurant offers a little bit of everything, from popular gyro sandwiches and grilled meat kabobs to unusual choices.

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

One well-liked item is falafel, small balls of chickpea that have been fried and seasoned with sesame seeds. “The food was awesome,” sophomore Jenna Clark said. “I’d never really had Mediterranean food before.” Nearly every meal is priced under $10. Other reasonably priced items include grape leaves stuffed with rice, onion, garlic, parsley and tomatoes; Baklava, a sweet desert made with layers of phyllo dough brushed with butter and filled with pistachio and sugar filling; and hummus, a paste made from fresh chickpeas, tahini, salt, lemon and garlic.

A unique atmosphere and great food — all less than a mile from campus

Manna said he wanted the restaurant to be a family-oriented place. “Where people could gather together,” he explained. “You know, a place where you know everybody and they know you.” With its originality, exceptional taste and great prices working in its favor, the future for this Mediterranean grill looks bright. “I believe that the future is in the hand of God,” Manna said. “You do not own tomorrow, but the moment.” Manna is open for business 9 a.m.– 11 p.m. Monday–Saturday and closed on Sundays. n

What a Wonderful World For Indian food, make a trip to TAJ MAHAL. This restaurant offers exotic dishes such as chicken curry, lamb masala and Tandoori kababs, each for less than $15. Hours: 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday. • 900 Tutor Lane LOS BRAVOS is the place for Mexican food. With numerous combinations involving shrimp, chicken and beef, the possibilities are endless. Speedy service and reasonable prices are keys to this popular restaurant. Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Friday–Saturday, and 11 a.m.– 9 p.m. Sunday. • 834 Tutor Lane JAYA’S takes Korean to a new level, without being expensive. Offering dishes such as cashew chicken and numerous types of sushi, this eatery is for those who like to remain in their comfort zone and those who like to think outside the takeout box. Hours: 11 a.m.–3p.m. and 5 p.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5 p.m.–10 p.m. Friday–Saturday. Closed Sunday. • 119 S.E. 14th St.

music Project Trio is redefining what it means to be classical musicians

‘s a 3Charm by Jennifer Stinnett

A FLUTE, A CELLO AND A BASS USUALLY invoke images of classical music, concert halls and formal attire, but Project Trio is out to prove that classical music doesn’t have to be boring. When they pick up their instruments and start playing, it doesn’t take long to realize this is not your average chamber music. And with their indie appearance and casual, friendly attitudes, Greg Patillo (flute), Eric Stephenson (cello) and Peter Seymour (bass) are anything but oldfashion. When they stopped by WUEV last month to perform and promote their new self-titled album, Crescent Magazine got to sit down with them and learn more about this high octane chamber band. “[Our music] is genre-bending,” Seymour said. “It’s totally different from anything you’re hearing. So much music today is just like strip malls — all the same; but this is something different.” Senior Monte Skelton, WUEV’s station manager, invited them to campus and agreed that this different sound is why their music is so appealing. “Being a musician myself, I like the innovation, the originality of their music,” he said. Project Trio has been making its distinct blend of music together since 1998, when they met at the Cleveland Institute of Music, which, as they put it, was a “hardcore music school.” “There weren’t a lot of people entirely like us; people who played music just to play music,” Seymour said. Their love of music pushed them to experiment with different types of genres and led to sounds you don’t usually hear classically; for instance, a beat-boxing flute. Patillo uploaded a video to YouTube of him beat-boxing with his flute, and before he knew it, the video had over 20 million views. This sort of fame has led to a lot of

Sweet Music — Doing a little genre-bending, senior Monte Skelton joins Project Trio — Greg Patillo, Peter Seymour and Eric Stephenson — in the WUEV studios. publicity and has allowed Project Trio, an independent band that records its own albums, to reach more people. “[The publicity] has given us this YouTube platform, where we can get our music freely in the hands of our community,” Patillo said. And community is a big deal for Project Trio. The guys are focused on using their music to positively affect the places they visit. “Wherever we play, we try to make an impact,” Stephenson said. They promote creativity and the arts through combining the classical music they are trained in with other genres, like hip-hop, jazz and salsa. But whether they are teaching students or playing live, it all comes back to their love of music. “It still comes back to the music making,” Stephenson said. “It’s still just about getting up and playing with friends.” And they have learned a lot since they started playing together. “Musically, we’re still the same,” Seymour said. “We’re just more organized with what we do. They all agreed it was the business side

of being a professional musician that was the most challenging. “It’s the things you didn’t learn in college,” Patillo said, “like figuring out insurance, filling out paper work, buying plane tickets that you have to figure out.” So far, they have been able to juggle most things pretty well, but they admit they are still figuring it out. They had advice to offer any young musician looking to play music for a living. “Get organized,” Stephenson said. “Call people — anyone you can find. Sure, you’ll get a lot of no’s, but eventually you’ll get a yes. Always play in front of people as much as you can to get that feedback.” Also, practice as much and as often as possible. But they also had advice for those who might not be so musically inclined. “Keep experimenting, keep finding things you like.” Stephenson said. And once you figure out what those things are, they recommend going after it. “You have to work extremely hard to try to create something of your own.” Seymour said. “Try to bring your own voice to whatever it is you do.” n

Want more information on Project Trio? • View www.whatisproject.com and look for three albums, “Winter in June,” “Brooklyn” and “Project Trio,” on cdbaby.com or iTunes. • Check out Freedom Works Films on YouTube. It has the classics, like the beat-boxing flute, and the trio adds a new video every week. • Request Project Trio’s songs on WUEV, especially during JazzFlight. March 2010 l Crescent Magazine

schitzengiggles

ou are the son or daughter of your mother and father. Even if your bra-burning, fluid-thieving mother blasted you to life with a turkey baster, you retain the features of both your parents — physically and behaviorally. The unfortunate statutes of genetics insist that you look like them, and the even more tragic realm of party alignment insists you vote the way they do. I am the one exception. I was spawned by a father who, though educated, is incapable of spelling the most basic words such as “hedge,” “you’re” or “going,” and a mother who, though intuitive, completely lacks an ear for sarcasm, innuendo or witticism. Yet, I am here. The story of how I aligned politically, if it can be said that I ever did, began on the day I was born. That dark morning, my father had a plot. I was to carry the family initials, J.R.C., like he and his father before him and so on, but the “James” had to remain constant. He needed a fresh, new “R” name. Naturally, being a lifelong, hardcore Republican, he chose to give me the name “Reagan.” But my icy, liberal mother, at the edge of labor, wasn’t having any of that. So, to be super sly, he dropped the first “a,” and inadvertently gave me what would become a popular name for girls. As I grew, I did what every other child did throughout the early years. I learned to breathe and walk on my own, and then I learned the next most important skill: playing the parents off each another. It started simply. I would do something impossibly stupid; for instance, swallowing my toothpaste following a stern brushing. I’d tell this to my mother, the health professional, and she’d chastise me for it: talking about poison, how disappointed my dentist would be and what she’d do if I had died. Not content with that response, I’d turn to my father, the former dirt track stock car driver, and he’d reply, “Good! Lots of vitamins and minerals in toothpaste these days. You’ll grow up strong!” The fun never ended — they were a treasure trove of emotion. The best part

Crescent Magazine l March 2010

all in the NAME n was that you couldn’t predict which way Apart from her touch of insanity, my they’d go. When I poured a concoction of mother seemed to have nothing in comhousehold cleaning agents into a Styromon with my father. When they eventualfoam cup resting on the toilet seat — crely split, I had already wised up enough to ating a milky green fluid that would break know that it had nothing to do with me. with a fat, purple bubble when I sprayed It wasn’t as though we, the children, Scrubbing Bubbles into it — my mom lauddidn’t see it coming. Nothing was ever dised my natural curiosity and cussed without heat or maniacal aptitude for science. My dad hand waving. One time when my told me that I nearly blinddad drove me to school, he heard ed myself. a Victoria’s Secret commercial and Despite their binary, imarbitrarily said, “You know, son. If passioned responses to my I could build the perfect woman, I young endeavors, they nevthink I’d shoot for Heidi Klum.” er agreed. My parents were “But Dad,” I said, impressionably, polar opposites. It could be n Regan Campbell, “not like Mom?” a junior creative seen from a young age, but He laughed a short while and writing major from I was never tempted to take said, “Sweet God, no way.” Everysides. I was a dog mindlessly Vincennes, closes thing was about God to him — things each issue with chasing cars, thrilling at the like paying the heating bill and buyhis special brand chaos that sparked between ing groceries fell far behind. of humor on life’s them, over the heads of the Likewise, political motivation, lighter moments. children. like any form of ideal, is a real powYears wore on and my understanding of er — it is a frame of mind, even life, and it the social and political realms grew slightforces every person to behave erratically and I could better classify either parly. In the case of my parents, their divient with the help of my near-constant mesion was manifest and extended far beyond dia intake. political discourse. But the association of My father was the kind of guy who their alignments always stuck in my young drove long cars (station wagons) and still mind, and I still refuse to identify with eiwore his racing gloves. He believed Rush ther side. Limbaugh’s radio program was interactive, Of course, I do vote, as every citizen even without the use of telephones. A loud should. I’m currently zero-for-two on elect“Yeah!” and an answering fist pump were ed presidents, but if my write-in candienough for him. date ever reemerges from the sunken city My mother was extremely reclusive on R’lyeh and institutes a species-wide hivepolitical matters, but she stressed openmind, I think he’d have a fighting chance. mindedness above all other values, someSure, other children take a path similar thing I found baffling and a little scary. Evto mine, but too frequently it ends in either ery election, she would make it clear that political and social withdrawal, or their she voted, but she’d never say for whom, convictions plunge into a fairytale realm insinuating that she hated every candidate like communism, with the edgy Che Guewho ever ran for office. To her, it was a vara posters on the wall, even if they have choice between inherent evils, though she no idea who that stenciled face really is. knew nothing could be more evil than the Like all children, I am an exact byprodright wing. uct of union, the runoff of a lifetime of Her angle on things never appealed to ideas, dreams and potential. I pray for orme either. Not even after she uttered this der to this human chaos, but I defy all sentence to my brother and me — “I don’t chains placed at my wrists. I suppose it is want you two to grow up to be stupid redfaith, but faith perverse. necks, stereotyping people all the time.” Hug your parents often, kids. You are You see, it is possible to open the mind too their experimental blend, however volatile wide. It will start to eat its own tail. the ingredients. n

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Pick up your FREE copy of the 2008–09 LinC! Eligible students are those who were full time for the 2008–09 academic year.

T R E A S U R E T R A D

How Much Do YOU Know About UE? 1. Where do scholarships come from? a. A money tree b. Government funds c. Alumni, friends and parents of UE 2. How much money does it take to run UE for one minute? a. $ 11.49 b. $ 124.58 c. $ 57.33 3. What does the Annual Fund pay for on campus? a. Electricity b. Cable TV c. Wireless Internet d. Financial Aid e. Paper Towels f. All of the Above

O N S

When YOU are an ALUM, your support of UE will be appreciated. Have you thanked a donor? Upcoming Events to Remember

Snyder Lecture Series: Lew is Snyder Lecture Series: Azar

Hyde • March 2 Nafisi • April 7

International Speake Joseph & Valerie Plame W r Series: ilson • April 20

1. C – Scholarships come from people -- people who love UE and are interested in the success of our students! 2. B – Yes, it takes over $124 per minute to run the University. Just one reason why it’s so important for people to GIVE to UE! 3. F – Among other things, the Annual Fund pays for many operating expenses on campus; imagine if these things were not paid for! Another reason for giving to UE!

Answers:

University of Evansville Alumni Association • www.evansville.edu/alumni