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Sunny with a 0% chance of rain HIGH LOW 65 40

Vols seek to extend win streak at Vanderbilt

Friday, November 19, 2010

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Issue 65

E D I T O R I A L L Y

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906 http://utdailybeacon.com

Vol. 115

I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T

N E W S P A P E R

O F

T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

PAGE 7 O F

T E N N E S S E E

Caffeine, alcohol makes dangerous mixture Alcoholic energy drinks contain large percent of alcohol, may be banned in some states Students say the experience of drinking the two is very different.

“It is definitely a much different feeling than drinking beer,” Cummings said. “The alcoholic content is higher than that of beer, and it also is more of a sugary kind of fruit drink, and so they are easier to drink faster. This leads to the alcohol hitting your system harder and gives you a sugar rush feeling. This results in a very different experience.”

Though these drinks are cheaper, consuming these drinks comes with health risks.

“The combination of caffeine and alcohol is nothing to toy with,” Dr. Spencer Gregg, who works at the Student Health

gy drinks to be taken advantage of sexually, take advantage of someone else sexually or drive under the influence.

Rob Davis The interaction between the two substances can also lead Staff Writer to heavy drinking, which has hospitalized people across the country.

Alcoholic energy drinks, like Four Loko, Sparks and Joose, “Generally, when someone drinks, the alcohol acts as a have recently come into the spotlight following several hospidepressant, and they will eventually get tired and want to talizations on college campuses. sleep,” Gregg said. “Alcohol combined with caffeine has the Washington state, where nine Central Washington students opposite effect. The person feels more alert and tends to drink were hospitalized after consuming large amounts of Four more. This can lead to blacking out, alcohol poisoning and, Loko, will temporarily ban alcoholic energy drinks. even worse, possible death.”

During the 120-day ban, the state may join Michigan, Utah People who consume alcohol with energy drinks are three and Oklahoma — who all currently have emergency bans in times more likely to binge drink, the report place — in discussions on totally banning says. The gratuitous amounts of caffeine that alcoholic energy drinks. students can intake by drinking multiple “The alcoholic energy drink ban in energy drinks can lead to heart dysrhythmia Washington is a complicated subject,” Will and even seizures.

Cummings, senior in economics, said. “The “Whenever I drink alcoholic energy state is seeking to ban alcoholic energy drinks, I have more than one, because I don’t drinks, but the real problem is stopping feel the effects as much,” Davis said. “When underage drinking. It seems unfair to single I start to feel it, it hits all at once.” out a particular category.”

The students who were hospitalized at Drinks like Four Loko, which has been Central Washington University were reportcalled “black out in a can” and “liquid ed to have blood alcohol levels of between cocaine,” have become more and more popu.123 and .35. A BAC of .08 is the legal limit lar among college students. for operating a motor vehicle and a .3 BAC “If you go to a party, a lot of people are is considered lethal. drinking things like Four Loko or Sparks,” Studies have shown that the caffeine Caleb Davis, freshman in political science, mixed with alcohol has no abnormal effects said. “The alcohol content of energy drinks on the consumer the morning after drinking. in Tennessee is only 6 percent. When I am The lower alcohol content in energy home, I usually go to Georgia to get the 12drinks in the state of Tennessee allows them percent drinks.” to be sold in gas stations. These drinks seem The laws in the state of Tennessee require Rob Davis • The Daily Beacon to be marketed towards youth because of the malted beverages to be 6-percent alcohol by colorful cans, low price, fruity flavors and volume ,and since drinks like Four Loko are Four Loko is an alcoholic energy drink that has been banned in Washington and sevalcohol content. eral other states. The 23.5-ounce can is 12-percent alcohol by volume, making it far malt liquor, they are held to this law.

Gregg said this this could be a reason for “I think 6 percent is a reasonable amount more potent than a regular 12-ounce can of beer. the bans. of alcohol for the energy drinks,” Cummings “I think that the bans on alcoholic energy said. “In order to have receive the 12-percent content, a person Center, said. “The caffeine and the alcohol work in two differ- drinks is partly due to consumption by minors,” Gregg said. would have to drink two 24-ounce drinks. In the time it would ent ways. The alcohol makes you inebriated, and the caffeine “People are always going to mix caffeine and alcohol but havtake them to do this, the first drink would have more time to cancels out the effects.” ing this pre-mixed drink just makes it easier.” process through their system, as opposed to being hit all at Gregg went on to say that people lose their inhibitions and Some states, like Montana, have limited alcoholic energy once by 12 percent in 24 ounces.” attempt more things they regularly would not. drinks to be sold only in liquor stores.

Another persuasive factor for students drinking these alco“People who drink these beverages are more likely to do Many states are considering banning the sale of alcoholic holic energy drinks is the price. At most gas stations, a 12-pack things such as drink and drive or participate in other risky energy drinks. of Natural Light runs between $7 or $8, whereas a single can behaviors,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if more states followed suit in banof Four Loko is $2.50 and provides the same alcohol content.

A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ning these drinks,” Gregg said. “The mix of the two subA 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko, which is 12-percent alcohol states that drinkers who consume alcohol with energy drinks stances, alcohol and caffeine, just seems to be too dangerous by volume, is comparable to drinking five or six beers. are twice as likely as people who do not mix alcohol with ener- of a combination.”

Vols beat Bears to advance in NIT position,” Tatum said. “We knew and had a lot of confidence in them that they would be ready. We really didn’t study it Staff Writer too much. We just tried to stay ready like Tennessee men’s basketball played yet Coach always tells us.”

Golden made his first college start in another close game in this year’s young place of Goins. Golden scored eight season, nearly upset by Missouri State. points and made two critical free throws With nine lead changes throughout the with nine seconds left on the clock to help game and the score tied four different times, the Vols fought hard to emerge on seal the Vols’ victory.

He credited his ability to sink pressure top with a 60-56 victory.

Thanks to key performances from free throws to his dad. Before leaving the Tobias Harris, Cameron Tatum and Trae gym as a kid, Golden would have to shoot 10 free throws, and Golden, the Vols the practice paid off. will be playing in “Trae is a confiMadison Square dent player,” Pearl Garden next week said. “One of the in the semifinals of things that attracted the NIT. me to him was I saw “(Knoxville him hit pressure free News-Sentinel throws in game-wincolumnist) Mike ning situations, and Strange said if that was attractive. we’re going to win It’s great to have a the right to go to point guard close out New York, we were games.” going to have to Tobias Harris led earn it,” UT coach the Vols in scoring Bruce Pearl said. “I with 15 points. Harris – UT coach Bruce Pearl on think he’s right. sank a timely 3-pointthe Vols’ advancing to play The constant has er with 4:47 left on at Madison Square Garden got to be on the the clock in the secdefensive end. ond half to further When you guard the rebound, you give yourself a chance. I the Vols lead.

“You know it just started with a three thought we guarded well. We were physical with our defense. With the scout, guys and then the free throws after that,” played close attention to it. I think we’re Harris said. “After that, I think we all just pretty good at the fast break, but the half- picked up on it right there.”

Pearl plans on finding Harris more in court offense still needs work. I haven’t crucial game circumstances because of his done a good enough job teaching it. We’re performance against Missouri State. not working hard enough at it.”

“When it got down to the nitty gritty, The injury to senior guard Melvin Goins raised questions about the Vols’ obviously we got the ball to Tobais a couball-handling capabilities during the ple of times,” Pearl said. “We’ll continue to. When you’re 5-for-9 (shooting), 2-for-2 game.

“Not having Melvin kind of hurt us at from (beyond the 3-point arch) and 3-forTia Patron • The Daily Beacon first, but we have some backups like Trae 4 from the foul line, you probably should get more than nine looks.

We’ve got to do Laura Batey, junior in retail and consumer science, helps sort clothes during the Pop (Golden) and Skylar (McBee) who have been working all summer long and during a better job of finding him in those situa- Up Boutique on Nov. 11. The boutique was hosted by the UT Retail Student Association to raise awareness for the retail department. the preseason working at the point guard tions.”

Matthew McMurray

“

If we’re

going to win the

right to go to New York, we were

going to have to earn it.

”

2 • The Daily Beacon

InSHORT

Friday, November 19, 2010

Wade Rackely • The Daily Beacon

Tennessee fans watch the Pride of the Southland Marching Band perform the Salute to the Hill before the Vols’ homecoming game against Ole Miss on Saturday, Nov. 13. UT defeated the Rebel Black Bears 52-14.

Nov. 15

Crime Log around 10:10 p.m.

A UT student reported that her bicycle was stolen from Aconda Court sometime between 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 11 and 2:15 p.m. on Nov. 15 A student reported the illegal possession or use of her credit cards at the IHOP and Subway in Presidential Court from 2:35 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 14.

A female student reported an incident of assault in the Hess Hall lobby around 6 p.m. The known suspect is also a female student.

A student reported that his bicycle was stolen from the Hess Hall courtyard

Nov. 16 A student reported that someone entered and attempted to steal his silver 2004 Jeep Wrangler while it was parked and unattended in the N8 parking lot between 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 8:10 a.m. on Nov. 16.

A student reported that his bicycle was stolen from the bicycle racks near the second level entrance of Hodges Library while it was parked there between 2 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 12:43 p.m. on Nov. 16.

A student reported that her purse was stolen from

the Humanities building sometime between 11:10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

A student reported that his student ID was stolen School of Information after he left it on a printer Sciences to offer new counter in the Pendergrass course Library around 4:15 p.m.

The School of A student reported that Information Sciences is his bicycle was stolen while offering a new interdiscipliit was chained to a post nary course this spring in near Morrill Hall sometime the Information Studies & between 12:40 p.m. on Nov. Technology Minor program.

11 and 11 a.m. on Nov. 16. The course is Information Sciences 495, —Compiled by Robbie Environmental Information Hargett Science.

This course recognizes that overarching issues like climate change Compiled from a media log global require widespread access to provided to the Daily Beacon by datasets of all kinds, to supthe Universty of Tennessee Police interdisciplinary Department. All persons arrested port are presumed innocent until approaches & big-picture proven guilty in a court of law. solutions.

Students will learn how People with names similar or identical to those listed may not to manage scientific data in ways that maximize their be those identified in reports.

ability to be shared and communicated to researchers from all kinds of fields.

Students will also be involved in participatory citizen science activities to broaden the sources of observational data.

UT’s Ruby Tuesday Speaker Series to discuss private, public boards The differences between public and private corporate boards will be the topic of a panel discussion on Friday sponsored by the Corporate Governance Center at UT. The event is part of the Ruby Tuesday Corporate Governance Center Speaker Series.

Warren Neel, executive director of the Corporate Governance Center, will moderate the discussion between Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot Travel Centers/Flying J, and Sandy Beall, CEO of Ruby Tuesday, on the differing expectations between private and public companies’ corporate boards. The focus will be to contrast the legal requirements of publicly listed company boards with the chosen structure of private boards.

The discussion will be from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. in Room 401 of the Haslam Business Building. Students will be attending from UT’s MBA and master of account-

ancy programs.

UT Continues Sustainability Success The grades are out and UT continues its leading position among the greenest universities in the Southeast, according to the 2011 College Sustainability Report Card.

UT’s B grade for 2011 puts it in the top half among Southeastern Conference universities in an annual grading report by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. UT overall grade is up from a B- in 2009.

The campus earned an A grade for student involvement, and its efforts to address climate change and energy conservation, noting the 7 percent overall reduction in carbon and other emissions from 2008 to 2009. The report highlighted the campus’s reduction in building energy consumption due to temperature set points, among other measures.

The campus’s orientation activities and the Venture L i v i n g - L e a r n i n g Community, a residential program within the College of Business Administration that emphasizes social responsibility, were commended in the grade report.

UT earned its highest grades to date in food and recycling efforts, green building and investment priorities. The campus’ dining services were highlighted for purchasing hormoneand antibiotic-free dairy products from local sources and serving organic dairy products, free-trade coffee and other sustainable food items.

UT’s sustainable building policy requires that construction and major renovation projects of more than $5 million meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

The campus is currently exploring opportunities for increasing on-site solar generation, and donors can direct gifts toward campus sustainability projects via the Campus Environmental Stewardship Fund.

The College Sustainability Report Card is one of several recognitions UT has received for its green efforts.

See BEACON BITS on Page 3

Friday, November 19, 2010

NEWS

Dance Marathon events to raise money Dodgeball, basketball tournaments contribute to Dance Marathon events

Joe Tolbert Staff Writer The third annual Dance Marathon Dodgeball and 3-on-3 Basketball Tournaments will be held in HPER on Sunday to aid East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

The Dance Marathon philanthropy first began at Penn State University in 1973. Now, more than 100 colleges and universities have a dance marathon event on their campuses. Dance Marathon began at UT in 1995. Throughout the year, students use various fundraisers to raise money and Dance Marathon culminates with a large event during the spring semester. At this annual event, many UT students give 14 hours of their time to raise money for children.

“Each year, students work to raise money through various fundraisers in order to help support the hematology and oncology unit of the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital,” Frances Ferree, junior in psychology and vice president of community outreach for Dance Marathon, said. “The hospital is known for not turning away any patient under the age of 21, regardless of their ability to pay. Thus far, over $900,000 dollars has been raised and donated to the hospital. This year we have high hopes to break the million-dollar mark.”

Because of the amount of money raised, Dance Marathon is the largest event that benefits East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

“This past year, more than 400 students participated in the February event and raised more than $37,000,” Katie Mittura, senior in biomedical engineering and vice president of dancer relations for Dance Marathon, said.

In 2008, Dance Marathon’s executive committee added a dodgeball and basketball tournament to the list of Dance Marathon activities.

“We picked dodgeball, because who doesn’t like to hit the opponent with dodgeballs?” Ferree said. “It brings out the competitive spirit in a fun way.”

Besides the entertainment aspect, the events were also added to increase the event’s presence.

“Basketball was added in to add to the event to make it bigger, in hopes of raising money,” Mittura said.

Ferree said each fundraiser serves as a way for people to meet their Dance Marathon goals.

“As a dancer, you are also asked to raise money in your name to be donated to the hospital,” she said. “We ask each dancer to be responsible for a $175 fundraising goal, as well as a $25 registration fee, which buys you two T-shirts, food and tons of entertainment during those 14 hours. If you are willing to participate in our multiple fundraisers, then it is extremely easy to reach your goal.”

Not only does the committee have programs for UT students, it also reaches out to the community to provide various ways for others to get involved.

“We try to reach out to the community by asking for sponsorships and catering donations from local businesses,” Ferree said. “We also try by making it available for people within the community to participate in our fundraising efforts, such as our 5k on Jan. 29 and the Jay Storm Band Party we hosted at Tin Roof last October.”

For students who would like to learn more about the events leading up to Dance Marathon, go to activities.utk.edu/dancemarathon.

BEACON BITS continued from Page 2 This fall, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) gave UT the Green Power Leadership Award for the campus’s commitment to advancing renewable energy. Last year, SACE awarded the university the Energy Efficiency Leadership Award for its Switch Your Thinking campaign.

Earlier this year, The Princeton Review listed UT in its “Guide to 286 Green Colleges,” citing the Student Environmental Initiatives fund and recognizing the campus’s 2007 sustainable building policy. Last summer, The Princeton Review gave UT a “green rating” of 85 in its 2010 edition of “The Best 371 Colleges.”

The full 2010 report from the Sustainable Endowments Institute can be found online at http://www.greenreportcard.or g.

UT Air Force ROTC wins best in nation honors Air Force ROTC Detachment 800 at UT has received the 2010 Right of Line Award, honoring it as the best of the nation’s 56 medium-sized AFROTC Detachments.

The award is given in three categories based on detachment enrollment: Small (75 or fewer cadets), Medium (76 to 150 cadets) and Large (150 or more cadets). Massachusetts Institute of Technology won best small detachment and Purdue University won best large detachment. UT’s Detachment won the right to compete for the national award after being named the Southeast Region Medium Detachment of the Year.

The competition measured performance in five categories: production of officers, education, recruiting and retention, university and public relations and cadet activi-

ties.

Some specific AFROTC Detachment 800 accomplishments include commissioning 21 officers this spring (a 250 percent increase from 2008), having its training program lauded as outstanding and “one of the best training programs ever seen” by the Air Education and Training Command Inspector General, and having several cadet leaders recognized for winning national level awards that include three Society of American Military Engineer Awards.

The Detachment also was commended for providing unsurpassed leadership development opportunities for cadets, including a mentoring session with the 22nd Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley.

The Daily Beacon • 3

SunTrust bestows gift to UT finance several years,” Williams said. “There have been no salary increases for UT employees for four years.”

Copy Editor Wansley recognized the detrimental impacts of budgThe UT College of Business Administration was given etary concerns as well.

“The economic downturn has had a negative effect on a generous gift of $25,000 from the SunTrust Foundation the entire university, with funding reduced,” Wansley recently, intended to augment resources available to its said. “Faculty and staff have indeed gone for four years programs.

The beneficent donation was allocated specifically for without a pay raise, and other areas of the university have the Department of Finance’s Enrichment Fund. been impacted as well. These effects have been felt by Specifically, the funding will be applied to bolster pro- other universities across the states.”

While Williams acknowledged some negative repercusgrams aiding the finance department’s faculty and stusions for UT, he also said that some donations are still dents. flowing to the College of Business Administration.

Jim Wansley, “It is diffiC l a y t o n cult to say how Homes Chair the economic of Excellence downturn has and head of affected private U T ’ s giving, but it is Department of reasonable to Finance, supassume that plied the reacurrent private soning behind giving is down S u n Tr u s t ’s from what it support for his would otherdepartment. wise have “The simple been,” Williams answer is that said. “Deferred we asked for giving, i.e., the gift,” estates, on the Wansley said. other hand, is “We (the strong.” finance departParticularly ment in the in the field of • Photo courtesy of SunTrust College of Business) have SunTrust Foundation has given the UT College of Business Adminstration a business, servhad a long and donation of $25,000. The gift will be used to help the Department of ices provided to corporations strong relation- Finance’s faculty and students. by the universiship with SunTrust. They recruit at our university, and they have ty have seen constriction in their consumer market. hired our students in the past. Each year, several people Businesses have tightened their belts, reducing budgetary from SunTrust have spoken to our classes and our student allocation to programs like employee educational organizations about several topics, including banking and enhancement.

“Companies are using executive education, which is careers in finance.”

The Department of Finance requested this aid to com- big for us, less than before the economic downturn, reducpensate for state budgetary cuts, and the SunTrust ing the resources coming into the college,” Williams said.

SunTrust decided to contribute their gift under the Foundation stepped in to fulfill the department’s request.

“SunTrust believes higher education is important, and Campaign for Tennessee project, which aims to raise $1 their gift is, in part, an effort to support higher educa- billion for the university. The foundation believed that the tion,” Wansley said. “A significant part of our (and the gift was especially relevant given the tough budgetary clicollege’s) total spending comes from private funds, either mate postrecession.

Jan R. Williams has been part of the UT faculty since gifts outright or endowments where the income is spendable. As state funding has declined over the past years, we 1977 and is the Stokely Foundation Leadership chair. He have tried to supplement that with private funds ... The has been a faculty member at the University of Georgia bank (SunTrust) must have felt that it was a worthwhile and Texas Tech University. To date, he has coauthored three books and more than 70 of his articles are in print, contribution.”

Mike Butler, chairman, president and CEO of SunTrust most dealing with corporate financial reporting and Bank, Eastern Tennessee presented the check to represen- accounting education.

James Wansley received his Ph.D. from the University tatives from the college’s faculty. The donation will be applied generally to support the Department of Finance’s of South Carolina. He has authored more than two dozen publications and research papers. These works have been faculty and students.

“The funding was specified to go to the Finance published in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Department Excellence Fund, which is a general fund that Analysis, the Journal of Banking and Finance, the Journal benefits students and faculty,” Wansley said. “It has not of Financial Services Research, Financial Management, The Financial Review, the Journal of Financial Research been marked for a specific purpose.”

Jan Williams, dean of the College of Business and the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting.

Administration, reflected on the current financial outlook Wansley’s research targets the method of payment used in acquisitions, as well as the understanding of corporate of his college.

“State support has declined significantly in the last financial policies.

Blair Kuykendall

OPINIONS

4 • The Daily Beacon

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Hot Spot Keeping normal routines key in finals week Brandi Panter Managing Editor As finals are quickly approaching (and yours truly doesn’t have another column this semester), I thought I would take the time this week to devote the ole column to stress and management during finals.

As someone who perpetually overstresses, I have found myself spending every finals season a hallowed shell of my normal self, driven by caffeine and motivation to succeed and not much else. I realized this isn’t healthy, usually as I flocked to the doorway of the nearest building for some source of heat as I lit up another cigarette, usually at some ungodly hour, and I wondered how my roommate was and whether or not I should eat a candy bar for energy, even though I don’t like candy at all.

As you can tell, finals turn me into a completely different and obviously super unhealthy/crazier person than usual. And as someone who needed the advice almost as much as she feels compelled to give it to spare other people from turning into what my best friend has affectionately coined as the Brandi Monster, here are some helpful tips I have accumulated over the years for managing stress as finals approach.

1.

Get sleep — Yeah, I know, I don’t believe this either most of the time. I usually spend what hours I do sleep during finals having nightmares about the exams I’m going to wake up to, and I have about five alarm clocks turned on because I also have a phobia of oversleeping and missing an exam.

Is this insane? Yes. The average adult male needs around eight hours of sleep a night, and the average woman needs between six and eight hours minimum to even function. So by not sleeping for days, you are robbing your body of vital rest. You could be going into an exam without full mental capacity, which could possibly make you do worse on the exam!

2.

Eat well — Again, I feel like a huge hypocrite saying this, because I eat an average of one meal a day. However, eating well and sustaining your body with GOOD fuel will help keep your blood sugar level normal, which will keep you from reaching dramatic highs and lows. Stable blood sugar is key to focusing on and retaining information, which could in turn help you do better

on your exams than if you scarf down pizza in the middle of the night or just don’t eat anything for days, because you forget because you are too wrapped up in school.

3.

Take it easy on the caffeine — Apparently my entire advice list is going to become things that I don’t do. Last finals, I drank two pots of coffee one morning … yes, two whole pots by myself. Was it disgusting? Yeah. Did it make my teeth a weird color and make me smell a little weird? Definitely. Was it completely unhealthy?

Absolutely! My hands started getting these weird tremors, and I was uncontrollably shaky for most of the day.

Needless to say, I learned my lesson. Caffeine is good for a temporary boost in energy, but you do eventually crash, and the more tired you are, the more painful the crash can be. Also, caffeine raises your heart rate (I have a genetic heart condition that causes chronic heart failure, and I actually have a pacemaker and definitely felt it during the coffee stunt … again, I am just all kinds of win with this advice today) which can lead to high blood pressure, which is naturally already high because of the stress finals bring. So, be heart healthy, and stick to only one cup (not pot) of coffee or whatever your stimulant of choice may be.

4.

In your post-finals celebration, don’t binge drink. Just don’t, end of story. It leads to awkward situations and having to apologize to entirely too many people.

I’ve learned a few valuable lessons over the past five semesters of college. Obviously I’ve figured out that staying awake for two straight days studying Reformation history will nearly kill you, that drinking two pots of coffee will make your heart nearly explode, that not eating for several days will make you completely binge on gross food and that spending more time in the library than you do with the people you love will make you absolutely batty.

So, as a seasoned veteran of the GPA scour, I impart my hard-learned lessons on to you. Stop for five minutes, take a deep breath, walk away from the books and hug someone (preferably someone you know — hugging strangers leads to some sticky situations and possible lawsuits).

As always, it has been a pleasure. I’ll be back next semester with more health advice to ruin your morning while you look for the crossword puzzle and the comic.

—Brandi Panter is a junior in history and English literature. She can be reached at bpanter1@utk.edu.

THE DAILY BACON • Blake Tredway

Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.

Absurd notions pinnacle of human thought Ac or ds and Other Seeds by

Anna-Lise Burnette The books said boil vigorously five young bottles before placing the flowers in front of the horse.

I’ve been interested in studies of the absurd since I was in high school. I was so taken with Tzara’s “Dada Manifesto,” in fact, that I chose random snippets from it, compiled them and presented them as my speech at our graduation ceremony. Perhaps it goes without saying, but most of the couple thousand people that filled the arena had no idea what was going on for that minute and a half, but I enjoyed immensely the feeling of accomplishment that came with my honest expression.

What qualifies something as absurd? The line drawn between new or innovative and “just plain crazy” is one that is so fine it can hardly be seen.

Indeed, over and over and over throughout history we see that what was once deemed impossible became a reality — not necessarily the only reality, of course, just the reality that the majority of humans choose to agree on.

You have a basement full of carrots; they’re baby carrots, but they’re big when you move closer to them.

It is tempting to assume that for most people, the absurd holds no charms. Most of you consider yourselves to be sensible, logical human beings.

Never mind the fact that modernity has steeped in our veins; you are rational, are you not?

But pause for a moment and think about all those small moments of pure delight you’ve experienced in your life that should not have happened. Are these instances not absurd?

Think about your own conception. You and your entire self was spawned (though by no means completed) in an instant of wild chance, when two microscopic dancers tangoed together to the oldest tune in history. Maybe your public high school’s

sexual education class jaded some of you, but I think the way in which babies are really made is much stranger than the stork story.

This is what we call “fertile ground.”

However, none of this is really my point. I wish to drive home the idea that rationality is only half the picture, meaning that the other half is something we can’t grasp at, because we haven’t got the right kind of hands for it. Or have we? How strange are these digits we use, so flexible and nimble. Opposable thumbs — ye gads! — what a notion.

Our laughter is but a sigh on the field of spangled, and we are too cold to rebury the dead.

The absurd isn’t an abstract concept insomuch as it is abstractly felt; rather, the absurd is an abstraction of reality that is very much real because it was thought (and produced, or mimicked, or destroyed). I imagine it is very hard to be a thought. To be told that one is merely abstract and not real at all probably causes quite the metaphysical mid-life crisis for some thoughts.

We cannot leave absurdist notions on the curbside simply because we do not fully understand where they come from or where they are headed. Too much good has been done as a result of absurd thoughts, and too much evil has been on account of mangled logic to excuse one while abandoning the other. A peace must be made.

This is where An Education steps in, dressed in spandex and a fluttering red cape. But if I were you, I’d be wary of any institution that says it has everything figured out, whether it be fish or fowl or faculty. Though I am not disparaging education in general, I do live in constant fear of its current incarnations’ deadening weight on our souls.

Our hope rests, I am afraid, in a generation of toddlers that will one day soon be too old to guide us. And so in an attempt to save the human race, I ask each of you to slip off your collegiate bifocals and view the world through the unfiltered and uninhibited eyes of a child that understands very little; be a child that knows so much.

—Anna-Lise Burnette is a junior in global and Asian studies. She can be reached at kburnet7@utk.edu.

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Krista Lewis Sarah Smith

Managing Editor: (865) 974-2348 Newsroom fax: (865) 974-5569 Photo: (865) 974-5212 E-mail: newsroom@utk.edu letters@utk.edu

The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Friday during the summer semester. The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: http://utdailybeacon.com.

LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utk.edu or sent to Zac Ellis, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style.

I find it oddly appropriate that my last column of the semester comes out the Friday before Thanksgiving. For me, Thanksgiving is certainly a special holiday. My family comes together, and we share great food along with great conversation.

For most people, Thanksgiving is the biggest meal of the year. It is a chance for loved ones to reconnect and rediscover how much they actually care about one another.

As I thought of what to write about this week, I reflected deeply on what makes Thanksgiving so special. At the core of Thanksgiving is the simplest and most fundamental concept of why good food is essential to happiness. When surrounded by great food, we have the tendency to share with one another. Strangers around a table may have completely different viewpoints on nearly everything but can somehow almost always agree on the food they share. Food is the ultimate equalizer and unifier.

More important than the food at the Thanksgiving table are the people. I am fortunate to have some of the best friends and family anyone could ever ask for. I have said time and again that since I was born, I have been surrounded by nothing but love.

Writing about food is something that I am certainly passionate about. When people ask why I write about food, I always tell them that food is the one thing that, no matter how bad things get, will always make me appreciate where I am and who I am with.

Since sophomore year, my closest friends and I have made it our mission to eat lunch together every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you want to find me at noon on one of these days, you better look in Rocky Top at the University Center. You will find me happily conversing with my best friends.

Though the food we eat is not the greatest and the atmosphere is loud and congested, we find time for one another. It is our chance to stay caught

up on each others’ lives. It also serves as a reminder that no matter how busy one gets with school and work, friends and food are always there.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column that discussed vegetarianism and how I view it. The column was certainly one of my more controversial columns of the semester. When it ran, I expected to hear from two or three disgruntled vegetarians who thought my words were malicious. Instead, I heard feedback from both sides — and lots of it. People wrote me emails, posted on my Facebook wall and stopped me on campus to tell me how they felt about the subject of vegetarianism. Rather than picking out which people were right or wrong in their arguments, I thanked each one for showing such tremendous passion for food.

As a food writer, I want to stir the pot on topics that I think will interest people and evoke conversation. Two weeks ago, I succeeded in doing this. What I saw and read was not the voice of a dull, absent-minded student body that cares little of the food it eats. Instead, I heard from a student body that begged me to write more on vegetarianism and food sourcing (two topics that I will gladly discuss with anyone), because its passion for food is so strong.

While I wish I could touch on every single topic that was brought up in all of the emails and conversations following the vegetarianism column, I simply don’t have enough time or space.

When I began writing at the start of the semester, I was afraid that what I would find was an audience that did not care about food. That has not been the case at all. Now that the semester is winding down, I can safely say that the people of UT and Knoxville are a foodcentric group of individuals.

I preach this a lot, but if there is anything I want you to take away from my column it is this: Food goes beyond what is on the table. It is the people and places that make it so special.

Whether it is my family, friends, followers, or the food itself, I am thankful for it all. I encourage you to take a moment this Thanksgiving — in between bites of turkey and dressing — to thank your family and friends for being at the dining table with you. The smiles on their faces will serve as your reminder of why food is so powerful.

—Jonathan Grayson is a senior in advertising.

He can be reached at jgrayso3@utk.edu.

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Daily Beacon • 5

NEWS Sheila Hannus The Daily Beacon

Leadership guide Avery Howard and SGA vice president Angie Sessoms chat during a luncheon with Vice Chancellor Timothy Rogers. Some of the topics discussed during the luncheon were summer school, school beautification and parking.

SERVICES Bartending. 40 hour program. Must be 18 years old.

Day, evening and Saturday classes. knoxvillebartendingschool.com 1-800-BARTEND. Harry Williams Cash for Gold. Located on 1712 Cumberland Ave. (865)789-3739.

TUTORING TESTPREP EXPERTS GRE/ GMAT/ LSAT For over 30 years, Michael K. Smith, Ph.D., and his teachers have helped UT students prepare for the GRE/ GMAT/ LSAT. Our programs offer individual tutoring, practice tests, and computer- adaptive strategies at a reasonable price. Programs can be designed around your schedule, weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.

Conveniently located at 308 South Peters Rd. Call (865)694-4108 for more information.

EMPLOYMENT Bartenders Needed Earn up to $250/day. No exp. required. Will train. FT/ PT Call now (877)405-1078 ext. 4201. Agent.

CHILD CARE. 3 kids: 2, 8 and 11. Near Northshore & Pellisippi Pkwy. Up to 5 weekdays 2:30–6:30 and weekend hours. $9/hr.

Begin over winter holiday if possible. Must play sports! Also be outgoing, active and fun.

Non-smoker, good driver, swimmer. Have your own car. Resume and refs required. Leave message at 406-2690.

Karate instructor needed.

Wednesday 2-3 PM $30/day.

Glenwood Elementary 425-9401 or 384-7284.

EMPLOYMENT Customer Service Representative $12.00 per hour.

Serve customers by providing and answering questions about financial services. You will have the advantage of working with an experienced management team that will work to help you succeed. Professional but casual west Knoxville call center location, convenient to UT and West Town Mall. Full and part-time positions are available. We will make every effort to provide a convenient schedule.

Email: hr@vrgknoxville.com Fax: (865)330-9945.

Kidtime After School Program seeking caring counselor $7.50/hr. Alotts Elementary School M - F 12:006:30PM. Please call Olivia at (865)640-3108.

We are searching for a nurturing, responsible person to care for our baby boy in our home 4 miles west of downtown. Position would begin in January for 20- 40 hours per week. Needs someone with availability during business hours. If interested contact Stephanie at stephanie_kodish@yahoo.co m.

LOST & FOUND Found Dog on Campus: A multicolored, mixed breed male dog (possibly part hound, part lab) approx. 6 months old was found on UT campus in Circle Park by Neyland Stadium. If this could possibly be your dog please contact the UT Graduate Admissions Office @ (865)974-3251.

UNFURN APTS 1 and 2BR Apts. UT area.

(865)522-5815. Ask about our special.

UNFURN APTS

FOR RENT

ROOMMATES

CONDOS FOR SALE

MERCH. FOR SALE

AUTOS FOR SALE

KEYSTONE CREEK 2BR apartment. Approx 4 miles west of UT on Middlebrook Pike. $500. Call (865)522-5815. Ask about our special.

Special 1 month FREE. Convenient to downtown, UT area. 2BR apartments available now. $475/mo (865)573-1000.

Female needed to share 3BR 2BA condo. $450/mo. Renaissance II, 16th & Highland.

Furnished. Call 901-237-9549.

Call me to sell your condo.

Ring Chuck Fethe, Keller Williams Realty (865)719-1290. www.chuckfethe.com.

Super pre-owned cars. Great prices, financing, warranty 5 years. 60,000 miles. Firsttime buyer program.

(865)454-4072.

HOUSE FOR RENT

1BR, 2BA, walk-in closet and master bath. All appliances included with refrigerator and W/D. Big living room, eat-in kitchen, private patio with view of wooded area. $69,900. Close to Adair Park.

10-15 minutes to campus.

Call Glenna (865)689-4329.

You never know what you might find: Seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, white elephant gag gifts and much more! Conveniently located only 10 minutes from campus. Knoxville Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store., 2209 N. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917.

(865)521-4909.

FOR RENT 1 bedroom apt available in January. Includes parking, laundry and convenient walk to campus. $300- $600/mo.

Call (865)300-9898.

3 & 4BR houses. 2BA Nice 1 block across river from UT and downtown. $850 and $875/mo.

(865)546-0995.

Cell (865)680-8606.

2BR apt. 3 blocks from UT. 1803 White Ave. 584-5235 or 607-5395

3BR/ 3BA house for rent.

Near downtown.

W/D hook-up. $875/mo. Deposit and references required.

Available now.

Call 898-4808 or 599-8446.

CAMBRIDGE ARMS Just 4 miles west of campus.

Small pets allowed. Pool and laundry rooms. 2BR at great price! Call (865)588-1087.

HUNTINGTON PLACE UT students! Only 3 miles west of campus. We have eff. to 3BR. Hardwood floors. Central H/A. Pets allowed. Call (865)588-1087.

Ask about our special.

LUXURY 1 BR CONDOS 3 min. walk to Law School. $480R. $300SD. No app. fee.

865 (4408-0006, 250-8136).

Monday Plaza 1BR and studios available on The Strip.

Starting at $365/mo. Call (865)219-9000 for information.

RENAISSANCE III Sublease wanted for Spring. master bedroom. Includes parking and util. First month FREE. $550/mo. (513)260-3392.

Spacious, quiet, and clean 1BR, 1BA condo located on Highland Ave., Fort Sanders.

Walk to the University. Assigned, covered, off street parking, on-site laundry.

Pets are negotiable. NO SMOKING. Deposit required. $600/mo.

CONDOS FOR SALE

Townhouse Condo 3BR, 2BA garage. Close to UT. Keller Williams Realty Call (865)719-1290. www.chuckfethe.com.

Read the Beacon Classifieds!

Classified ads can work for YOU! Give us a call at 974-4931

7BR 2BA, 3 blocks to campus. Remodeled, W/D, Central H/A, porch. Midterm special available Jan 15!

Other houses 3- 10BR show soon for Fall 2011. Call/ text 964-4669 volrentals.com UT Fort area. Walking distance campus. 4 rooms, 2BR, 1628 1/2 Forest Ave. Red House behind Highland Ave. Fire Hall. No pets. Lease. $630/mo. (865)938-1922.

CONDOS FOR RENT 1201 Highland $575-$650.

Cherokee at West Cliff. $600 - $850. Cable, internet trash pick up and parking.

Other condos available Sullins Ridge, Laurel Station, River Town. (865)673-6600.

University Real Estate & Property Management LLC.www.urehousing.com or rentals@urehousing.com The Woodlands. 3BR, 3BA townhouse. Ideal for 3 students. $395/mo. each. Near campus behind UT Hospital.

All amenities included. Howard Grower Realty Executive Associates. 588-3232 or 705-0969.

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz Across 1 Party bowlful with zing 9 Joint 15 “No problem!”

16 Bad way to carry something 17 Pitchman who said “It has more seats than the Astrodome!”

18 Peripheral, e.g.

19 They may be fluid: Abbr.

20 Covenants 22 ___ Prairie, Minn.

23 Sporty ride 26 Its final production was released in 1959 27 Cat of comics 28 One of the Home Counties 29 Thing picked up at a water cooler 31 Year China’s Liang dynasty began 32 Part of some cultural nights out 34 “___ Mine” (track on “Let It Be”) 35 Total bore

38 Large pieces of cabbage?

40 Humana offering, briefly 41 Unlike a type A 45 Letters for enlistees’ letters 46 “The Lamp-Lighter” painter 47 ___ Spring 51 Solidified 53 Relative of “Apt.” 54 Paradigm of piety, in Pamplona 55 Have down 56 In the middle 58 English composer/pianist Lord 59 Pitcher Lopez or Vazquez 61 “No problem!”

64 Port named for a Norse god 65 Setting for half of Chopin’s 24 preludes 66 Thrust oneself heedlessly 67 Flimflams

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE

Down 1 “I swear!”

2 With 6-Down, gets bombed 3 Parts of many roleplaying games 4 Technology for “Avatar,” e.g.: Abbr.

5 Noel syllables 6 See 2-Down 7 He had Atahualpa executed 8 High-hat 9 They’re normal: Abbr.

10 “Hop-Frog” writer 11 Flame 12 Controversial O. J. Simpson book 13 Camera hog’s concern

14 Fans may be worked into them

43 Many went bust after booming

21 One with an extrawide spine

44 Cause for an alarm

24 Half of oct25 Let out, in a way 27 Crick who codiscovered DNA’s structure 30 Cousin of a blackfish 33 Eddie who inspired “The French Connection”

48 What only a select few might get 49 Person firing a locomotive 50 Uses cajolery on 52 1992 Dream Team member 56 Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew

57 Noted reader of headlines 36 South-of-the-border 60 Official conclusion? snack 35 Nut

37 Grabbed the reins

62 ___-hoo

39 Soup thickener

63 Nickname for Dwight Gooden

42 Childish rejoinder

6 • The Daily Beacon

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, November 19, 2010

Faux Ferocious mixes new, old sounds Ferocious to perform with fellow Tennessee band at local Pilot Light Amanda Wulforst Staff Writer Get ready UT, Faux Ferocious is back.

This Saturday, the band will be performing at the Pilot Light with The NonCommissioned Officers.

Faux Ferocious consists of singer and guitarist Jonathan Phillips, drummer Reid Cummings, bassist Dylan Palmer and keyboardist and guitarist Terry Kane.

The band is known for its garage band feel and evolutionary sound style. And in the article, “Faux Ferocious Builds Local Buzz with Off-Kilter Garage Pop,” the writer, Carey Hodges, said that the band “favor(s) short and simple pop numbers over solo-driven and jam-based ballads,” which gives its shows a fun atmosphere.

“We just want to keep writing songs and playing them furiously like idiots for as many people as possible,” Phillips said about their own songs. “We have a group of songs that we feel have both an energetic performance and something else too, like a story or a feeling in the lyrics that make the songs interesting beyond the initial noise and energy.”

Wade Rackley • The Daily Beacon

foreknowledge of them, an intimacy with the embryonic version of them that we perform live,” Phillips said about Faux Ferocious’ new tracks. “This way the songs will be new but somehow familiar, like waking from a worrisome dream with relief, and then finding — with horror — that you really did grow goiters in the dark folds of your body during the night.

Of course, it would be a much more pleasant experience than that.”

The brother band of Eric and Jordan Lehning, known as The NonCommissioned Officers, also hail from Tennessee and is known for its musical appearance in the Deagol Brothers’ film, “Make-Out with Violence.” The Officers’ pop beat and energetic sound will complement Faux Ferocious’ sound perfectly, and their combined musical personalities will make for an interesting night.

Though Faux Ferocious is experiencing time constraints because they are separated in different cities of Tennessee, the band is still working on new works for the future and preparing for upcoming shows.

Keep expecting more from Faux Ferocious in times, but for now, just anticipate a fun show and good time Saturday.

• Photo courtesy of Faux Ferocious

Students cheer during the finals of Smokey’s Howl on Nov. 12 at Tom Black Track.

Expect songs like “We’re Fine,” “Rodney Rodney Rodney,” “Write Me Off ” and other fan favorites to make the set list. But while Faux Ferocious will keep its old songs alive in its upcoming concert, it will also incorporate some new songs to introduce and test out.

“We’ve worked up a new batch of songs that are awaiting mastering, but we have been playing them live so that when we release the songs people will have some

“It’s going to be fun, we can’t promise anything else,” Phillips said. “The NonComs are cool, and they are on the rise.

And the Pilot Light is an institution that you should all support.”

The Pilot Light show will begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Entry is $5 and is permitted to those 18 and up. For more information about Faux Ferocious and to get a glimpse at its new tracks, check out its website at www.fauxferocious.com.

Recycle your Beacon!!!

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Daily Beacon • 7

HolidayGUIDE

Artificiality taints Christmas joy Brandi Panter Managing Editor

Great gifts make prices irrelevant Kristian Smith Student Life Editor

With Black Friday, the official start of the holiday shopping season, just a week away, it’s time to start thinking about gifts for everyone on your list. Whether you need gifts for your family, friends or colleagues, there are plenty of ways to do all your shopping without breaking the bank.

For those brave shoppers who plan to scour the stores on Black Friday, make sure you check the websites of your favorite stores before you start shopping. Many retailers have “secret deals” on Black Friday that they only announce on their website on Thanksgiving. Also, many stores actually start their Black Friday sales on or before Thanksgiving, so be sure to check out websites all next week for deals. For those who are not planning to fight the crowds next Friday but still want to snag great prices, try shopping online on Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) when many online retailers like amazon.com have deals that sometimes match or beat in-store prices.

To plan your online shopping, go to cybermonday.com and dealio.com to get online coupon codes and a sneak peek at online deals for hundreds of stores. Don’t worry about shopping only on those days, though.

Many stores continue their discounts through Christmas Eve. If you are on a tight budget and/or don’t have time to shop on those deal days, there are many other ways to get inexpensive gifts.

Sometimes inexpensive gifts can look, well, inexpensive, but here are some great gifts for a great price: 1. Magazine subscription: Instead of giving a random gift that will most likely never be used, give something that will keep on giving all year long. These days, yearly subscriptions for many magazines run anywhere from $10 to $20. Also, most magazines offer promotions for Christmas where the subscription will be sent to the recipient in gift packaging, and many magazines also offer a free gift with a subscription. Because there are so many different magazines out there, this can be a gift for anyone: parents, siblings, friends, etc. Just go online to a magazine’s website to subscribe.

2. Gourmet coffee or chocolate: Great to give a boss, colleague or parent, gourmet coffee or chocolates are perfect for this time of year.

Check out www.gourmet-coffee.com or a store like Coffee and Chocolate in Market Square for inexpensive, but unique, coffee and chocolate.

Grab a holiday-themed coffee mug to go with the coffee, and put the chocolates in a festive gift bag (these can be found at WalMart and Target) for a pretty gift that everyone will enjoy.

3. Cute household items: Go to

www.cb2.com, a modern, affordable store from Crate and Barrel, and check out the stocking stuffers under the “Gifts” tab. Gifts range from shoe-shaped ice cubes to kitchen supplies, and while each item is less than $12, all the gifts are unique and fun.

4. Gift Cards: The go-to Christmas gift, gift cards are the perfect gift for those that are hard to buy for on your list. While this gift is not especially creative or unique, there are some ways to spend money on gift cards.

One of the best websites for gift cards is www.plasticjungle.com. This is a gift-card buying and selling website, and gift cards for hundreds of retailers can be purchased for up to 30 percent off their value (This site will also come in handy if you get a gift card for Christmas but you would rather have the cash — Plastic Jungle buys unwanted gift cards for up to 92 percent of their value). To give restaurant gift cards, go to www.restaurant.com to get discounts on gift cards for restaurants all over the country. Bulk retailers like Sam’s Club and Costco also sell gift cards to restaurants and stores for 15 to 20 percent off their value.

5. Homemade goods: Who doesn’t love home-baked cookies or cake? For a very inexpensive gift, bake anything homemade and package it in a tin, gift bag or hand-painted jar or glass. Search for something like “Christmas cookies” online to get easy recipes.

A tip on gifts for your friends: Since most college students are low on cash, set up a Secret Santa program instead of giving individual gifts to each of your friends. Draw names, set a spending limit, then have a party where everyone brings their favorite dish or dessert to exchange gifts.

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in gift-buying that we forget that the holidays are really about being with family and friends and helping others. For those on a budget that want to give gifts that give back, here are a few ways to do it: 1.

Instead of buying a gift card to a store or restaurant for your friends and family, give a gift card that gives back. Go to www.justgive.org to purchase a gift card for $10 or more; the recipient can redeem the card for a cause of his or her choice at any of the website’s 1.5 million charities.

2.

Buy (Red) products like T-shirts and iPod nanos at www.joinred.com; purchases benefit The Global Fund and help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

3.

Give TOMS shoes; for every pair you buy, a child in a developing country gets a pair of shoes (www.toms.com).

4.

Perfect for anyone who enjoys working out or outdoor activities, purchase a limited-edition Camelback water bottle for $20 at www.water.org; all proceeds go to a charity started by Matt Damon to provide clean water to countries around the world.

In the end, no matter how much (or how little) money you have to spend, always remember that cliché but very true statement: It’s not the gift but the thought that counts.

—Kristian Smith is a senior in journalism and electronic media. She can be reached at ksmit113@utk.edu.

The holidays are an interesting time of year.

Between the mysterious outpouring of syrupsweet kindness and compassion for fellow human beings that otherwise doesn’t seem to exist, and the Griswold-esque level of decorating by my neighbors, the holidays are a very confusing time of year for me. Like most (borderline) sane people, I get a little overwhelmed by the holidays. As you can tell from my written work over the course of my tenure at the Beacon, I’m not naturally inclined be nice. In fact, I’m a downright Grinch, and I am very unapologetic about it.

The holidays, while a lot of fun, have always seemed a bit overdone to me. I have always loved the decorating, buying gifts for others, the merrymaking, the Christmas cocktails, the fun holiday parties and the general warmth I feel around the season. However, I don’t appreciate the more “in-your-face” holiday traditions, like the live-action Nativity scenes and the campaigns to put the “Christ” back in Christmas. As I’ve mentioned in several other pieces, I was raised Catholic, and I do appreciate the religious nature of Christmas. I just feel so uncomfortable about it.

To me, the holidays are a very bandwagon, all-for-one and one-for-all time of year. If you aren’t on the Santa-Jesus combo bandwagon, it almost feels as though you are left behind entirely. Not being excessively cheerful and wishing good will to all men (Frankly, I’m not wishing anyone anything that they don’t deserve, and, while we’re at it, get off my lawn you annoying carolers, you are making this song sound like “Unholy Night.”) seems to draw ire from people who can’t understand why it is that you are refusing to play nice.

I don’t do fake, and to me, the merriment of the holidays is very, very fake. I have never seen the point in being impossibly nice to people who don’t deserve my kindness. I am either expected to be excessively kind to people I otherwise do not tolerate or risk the branding of a spoilsport, and I am expected to enjoy that giant inflatable Santa on your front lawn, when in fact, I think that it looks very tacky. It doesn’t stop at superficial annoyances, though.

The holidays also make me very conscious of the people who are left out. The marketing of the holidays as Christmastime, with Santa

bringing children gifts on Christmas and Jesus being born on Christmas and CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS makes me extremely aware of those who are of nonChristian heritage and don’t really get targeted this time of year.

One of my closest friends is Jewish, and I always feel a bit sad for him during the holidays. Not in the way that he is somehow missing out on anything, because he has wonderful parents and a great life, but that somehow I worry that I am offending him when I put up my tree and knit him an orange stocking filled with candy every year. I felt genuinely bad last year when, as we ate dinner during finals, our waitress wished us a “Merry Christmas” without a thought. He didn’t take it personally, but I was overwrought with guilt. It’s just a kind gesture, but it makes me feel terrible.

I always wonder, when I spend Christmas morning curled up with my dog and parents, is something wrong with me because I don’t get the excessive joy out of the holidays that everyone else around me does? To me, it’s just one more day out of the year, and I get to be with the people I love the most. I realize it should be enough, but there is still something missing.

Maybe it is the recognition that as soon as the trees go down, everyone returns to their normal state of being. Suddenly, the “love thy neighbor” cuteness vanishes, and the selfabsorbed reality sets in again. It is no longer about how thoughtful that gift was but rather about whether or not there was a gift receipt included. The obsession over the numbers — amount of money spent versus the gift that was received — becomes the bigger concern.

It’s very distressing.

So, as a proposed model of change, the Grinch of Grand Avenue is making her final verdict on the holidays. Let’s try and spread the kindness around all year, instead of just holding it hostage to one particular day, because you’re worried that Santa might be watching.

Also, let’s try and be a little bit more considerate with our enormous “HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON” signs (true story, my neighbors actually made a 50-foot sign, all decked out in multi-colored lights, with this phrase on it and stuck it in their yard), because not everyone shares the same beliefs.

And one last bit of advice: Listen to Dean Martin’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and configure it into your mistletoe-hanging schemes.

Happy Festivus!

—Brandi Panter is a junior in history and English literature. She can be reached at bpanter1@utk.edu

8 • The Daily Beacon

How UT will win Tennessee will look to extend its winning streak to three games Saturday against Vanderbilt.

The match-up in Nashville will be a virtual home game for the Volunteers, who look to build on backto-back, 50-point showings against Memphis and Ole Miss. The Vols’ defense also had two of its best performances on the year, giving up just 14 points in each of the last two games.

Quarterback Tyler Bray has been the catalyst for UT’s late-season charge.

Since throwing an interception on his first pass against South Carolina on Oct. 30, the true freshman is 45-of-81 for 807 yards and 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Bray has benefited by playing against three teams that rank near the bottom in passing defense in the country, though.

This week, look for the Vols to run the ball more than they did last week against the Rebels. Running back Tauren Poole could surpass the 1,000-yard mark if he has a good day, needing just 164 yards to become the 13th Vol to accomplish the feat.

Defensively, the Vols have forced 10 turnovers the past two Saturdays.

Despite a banged-up secondary, look for the Vols to be aggressive with their blitzes and put pressure on Commodore quarterback Larry Smith.

Without star running back/returner Warren Norman, who is out for the year with a dislocated wrist, Vandy’s offense poses little threat to the Vols.

While the offense may not reach the 50-point mark, Tennessee should be to shut down the Commodores’ offense and keep its bowl hopes alive.

SPORTS

Friday, November 19, 2010

Vols looking for third straight win up 241 yards a game through the air, but Dooley does not expect it to be an easy task to advance the ball against Vanderbilt.

“I don’t think they’re going to give us opportunities to just Staff Writer chunk the ball around over their head like the other teams have,” The Vols hope to take another step toward a bowl game on Dooley said. “This is going to be a good challenge to see how we respond to a big SEC win the way we had. We need to keep buildSaturday, when they face the ing on the success we had, and I hope Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt it will motivate us to work even hardStadium in Nashville. er, so that we hit the field with the Tennessee (4-6, 1-5 SEC) will look same kind of confidence we had last to avoid a trap game against a week.”

Vanderbilt (2-8, 1-6 SEC) team with Tennessee currently ranks last in nothing to lose. the SEC in rushing yards per game, “This is their bowl game, we know averaging just of 118.9 yards. that,” UT coach Derek Dooley said.

UT running back Tauren Poole “We’re trying to get our second win in rushed 12 times against Ole Miss for the SEC, so there shouldn’t be any 107 yards, going over the century reason to be thinking that we’re going mark for the sixth time this year. He is to go in there and roll through it. tied for the lead in the SEC with They’re very tough and physical, and Auburn quarterback Cam Newton for they play with great scheme discimost 100-yard rushing games. pline and good fundamentals and “Tauren is playing good football,” they run to the ball well.”

UT offensive coordinator Jim Chaney Tennessee’s defense has improved said, “so we want to get him on the over the last two games as it has field as often as we can.” forced 10 takeaways, good for 24th Tennessee has suffered numerous nationally with 21 turnovers this seainjuries on an inexperienced offensive son.

The Big Orange defense will face Joy Hill • The Daily Beacon line throughout the season, but senior off against the 115th-ranked Offensive guard Jarrod Shaw lines up guard Jarrod Shaw has been able to fill Commodores’ offense, which pro- opposite the Florida defense on Sep. 18. the injury-plagued positions.

“I am thankful (Shaw) is here,” duces just 280.3 yards per game.

“I see an athletic quarterback,” UT Vols coach Derek Dooley said Shaw has Chaney said. “He has moved around defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox been one of the team’s MVPs, because of everywhere, and he has done everything we have asked him to do. If we said. “I see a running back that hasn’t his versatility on the offensive line. have an MVP, I don’t know if we do or played a lot but came in and gave them a spark last week. They have a tight end that is their lead- don’t, but he would certainly have my vote.”

Along with the inexperience of the offensive line, Tennessee ing receiver. They are multiple on offense.”

Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray passed for 648 yards and has seen numerous freshman step on the field and make contrieight touchdowns while giving up zero interceptions the past butions. The Vols lead the nation in the number of freshman played this season, and Dooley has seen growth on the practice two weeks against Memphis and Ole Miss.

“I think (Bray’s) playing the way we expected him to play,” field.

“I think a lot of the younger guys, as time goes, they just start Dooley said. “He struggled in a lot of things the other day, but getting it better,” Dooley said. “There’s always that early part. I what he does do and what we’ve seen from the very beginning is he has an ability to make plays that change the game. When just think we got over the hump. You hit that kind of grind periyou’re able to do that, it kind of masks some of your other od, and they realized we weren’t changing anything, and so somebody’s got to surrender. The players, I think, finally said issues.”

The Commodores rank 95th nationally in pass defense, giving OK, we’ll practice better, since you’re not going to change.”

Seth Jensen

Friday, November 19, 2010

SPORTS

The Daily Beacon • 9

Vandy playing for pride against UT have the ball in his hands.

“The most impressive thing, everybody saw him run, but they didn’t see him block,” Caldwell said. “He did a great job blockStaff Writer ing, particularly in that late scoring drive. He had to take on that The Vanderbilt Commodores (2-8, 1-6 SEC) will be looking big defensive end in several situations and had a great collision for the upset as the Tennessee Volunteers (4-6, 1-6 SEC) come with him.”

Against Tennessee, Reeves will to Nashville on Saturday. have to have another big day to The history of these intrastate rivals help open up the passing game for can easily be described as a lopsided quarterback Larry Smith, who is affair, with the Vols holding a comcurrently completing less than 50 manding edge in the overall record, percent of his passes with a touchwinning 71 of the 103 matchups. down-to-interception ratio of 3-2.

These numbers include a 22-game winOn defense, Vanderbilt will ning streak that was snapped in 2005. look to slow down a Tennessee Since 1998, the Vols have won 12 out offense that, as of late, has been of the last 13 games by a margin of lighting up the scoreboard.

21.9 points.

“I’ve been impressed with their In last week’s game, the energy and how they run the footCommodores lost a heartbreaker to ball,” Caldwell said. “The change Kentucky 38-20. The final score might at quarterback really has them suggest to some that the game was not going, it appears. (Tyler) Bray that close, but Vanderbilt was threw the ball all over the field outscored 24-7 in the second half. last week and did a great job. I A problem for the Commodores last think they scored 50 points.” week was the lapse of concentration in Vanderbilt enters the UT game key situations, which often resulted in with nothing to lose; it has no big plays for the Wildcats. On four of bowl bid on the line, no possible its plays, Kentucky’s offense gained spot in a conference champi263 yards — including a 73-yard run onship game. But instead, the by do-everything player, Randall Cobb Commodores will play Saturday’s — nearly half of its total production game solely for respect and to for the game. close out their season with a two“We just didn’t tackle (Cobb) well,” fold victory: beating Tennessee linebacker John Stokes said. “I think and keeping the Vols out of the that’s the bottom line. We had a good • Photo courtesy of John Russell/Vanderbilt University postseason. plan. We had people there. But without Caldwell realized that this game seeing the film, I just don’t know.”

Vanderbilt quarterback Larry Smith drops While the Commodores’ defense back to pass against Ole Miss on Oct. 3. will not save the season, but he did look forward to the gains that had issues last week, the offense has Smith has thrown for a total of 1,186 yards could be made from victory. fought through a long list of injuries to “I don’t know about salvaging perform at an adequate level. One such this season. the season, but it sure would be a example of this is running back Kennard Reeves, who has been filling in for injured starter great feeling and bring great pride,” Caldwell said. “It would be Warren Norman. In last week’s game, Reeves rushed for 105 a sense of pride for us just to win.”

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. on CSS. yards, but probably his best contribution came when he did not

Preston Peeden

How Vandy Will Win One way to turn around a truly dismal season for Vanderbilt this year would be defeating its cross-state rival, the Tennessee Volunteers. Unfortunately for the Commodores, the Vols are looking to win their third in a row and are coming off a sparkling performance against Ole Miss.

The Vols possess a young quarterback who has thrown for more than 800 yards in two and a half games in Tyler Bray. On the flip side, the Commodores defense ranks 91st in the country in points against, surrendering 31.6 points per game and allowing offenses like Arkansas, Florida and Georgia to roll all over them. If the Commodores want to have a chance against Tennesse, they will have to pressure Bray, especially from his blind side, to force turnovers. The Vols have forced 10 turnovers in the last two games, something Vanderbilt must limit if it wants to beat its rivals.

Vanderbilt’s offense has sputtered and collapsed all year, beginning in its first game when it couldn’t score late to top Northwestern in a 23-21 loss. Quarterback Larry Smith has only thrown for 1,186 yards on the year, and leading rusher Warren Norman is out for the season with a wrist injury. The Commodores have had problems playing tough for four quarters all season and have also had issues with injuries and protecting the quarterback, similarities they share with the Vols.

The crowd won’t be a factor for the Commodores either, as plenty of Orange is expected to help fill up the 39,790-seat Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodaores will have to live on a prayer and use any momentum they can muster to complete the upset against the confident visiting Volunteer team.

SPORTS CALENDAR

10 • The Daily Beacon

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What’s HAPPENING IN SPORTS

Nov. 18 — Nov. 20

Friday, Nov. 19 — Men’s Swimming Tennessee Invitational Knoxville All Day

THESPORTSPAGE

Pick ‘Em

Friday, November 19, 2010

1. Tennessee at Vanderbilt 2. No. 5 LSU vs Ole Miss 3. No. 6 Stanford at California 4. No. 7 Wisconsin at Michigan 5. No. 8 Nebraska at No. 19 Texas A&M 6. No. 13 Arkansas at No. 23 Mississippi State 7. No. 14 Oklahoma at Baylor 8. No. 16 Virginia Tech at No. 24 Miami (FL) 9. Florida vs Appalachian State Game of the week: No. 9 Ohio State at No. 20 Iowa

Women’s Swimming Tennessee Invitational Knoxville All Day

Saturday, Nov. 20 — Football Vanderbilt Nashville 7:30 p.m.

Men’s and women’s Swimming Tennessee Invitational Knoxville All Day

Daily Quote

“He’s helped me a lot,

Matt Dixon

Colin Skinner

Zac Ellis

Sports Editor

Asst. Sports Editor

Editor-in-Chief

1. Tennessee (41-13) 2. LSU 3. Stanford 4. Wisconsin 5. Nebraska 6. Arkansas 7. Oklahoma 8. Miami (FL) 9. Florida 10. Ohio State (5-4) Last week: 8-2 (.800) Overall: 77-23 (.770)

1. Tennessee (45-7) 2. LSU 3. Stanford 4. Michigan 5. Nebraska 6. Arkansas 7. Oklahoma 8. Virginia Tech 9. Florida 10. Ohio State (24-17)

1. Tennessee (42-7) 2. LSU 3. Stanford 4. Wisconsin 5. Nebraska 6. Mississippi State 7. Oklahoma 8. Miami (FL) 9. Florida 10. Ohio State (27-17)

Last week: 8-2 (.800) Overall: 75-25 (.750)

Last week: 10-0 (1.000) Overall: 78-22 (.780)

he’s taught me things about football I didn’t even knew existed so having him here is great.”

– UT freshman quarterback Tyler Bray on offensive coordinator Jim Chaney

Kevin Huebschman

Ally Callahan

Brandi Panter

Chief Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Managing Editor

1. Tennessee (35-24) 2. LSU 3. Stanford 4. Michigan 5. Nebraska 6. Arkansas 7. Oklahoma 8. Virginia Tech 9. Florida 10. Iowa (17-13) Last week: 7-3 (.700) Overall: 72-28 (.720)

1. Tennessee (42-17) 2. LSU 3. Stanford 4. Wisconsin 5. Texas A&M 6. Mississippi State 7. Oklahoma 8. Virginia Tech 9. Florida 10. Ohio State (17-10)

1. Tennessee (24-17) 2. LSU 3. Stanford 4. Wisconsin 5. Nebraska 6. Arkansas 7. Oklahoma 8. Virginia Tech 9. Florida 10. Ohio State (28-24)

Last week: 8-2 (.800) Overall: 67-33 (.670)

Last week: 8-2 (.800) Overall: 73-27 (.730)