Your Magazine Emerson Vol 3 Issue 8: May 2014

MAY 2014

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9

CHELSEA SPICES IT UP

EMERSON ACCELERATOR:

Start your business before you graduate

Our romance editor takes some of her own advice

WE THINK WE CAN

Bid farewell to our seniors on staff

ART ON THE STREETS

If it feels like art then it must be art

STAFF PICKS: SUMMER VACATIONS My ideal summer getaway is London. After graduation, I’m headed there for a week to say hi to the Queen, drink some tea, eat some crumpets, and channel my inner Downton Abbey.

MEGAN TRIPP Design Director, Blog Editor

There is no vacation like a Sound of Music-themed trip to Salzburg, Austria—the official movie tour, a visit to famous locations from the film! There’s no place I’d rather be this summer than in the hills of Austria channeling my inner Julie Andrews.

ANDREA PALAGI Style Editor

My ideal summer vacation would definitely by Greece!

ASHLEY JURANICH YourMag TV Director

Exploring a new summer vacation destination each year is the way to go. This year I’m pumped to go on a road trip to Nova Scotia!

MADELINE BILIS Living Editor

As a Boston Native, Cape Cod has always been my favorite go-to summer destination. Seafood and sunning? #Always.

MICHAEL MAHIN A&E Editor

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR May is my favorite month of the entire year (not just because I will be turning 21 on the 16th)! It is time for school to finally end and for the glorious summer to begin.

This semester has been filled with many ups and downs, but I have really grown from my experiences and so has the magazine. Your Magazine, with every issue, becomes better than ever before. To say that I am proud of our staff would be an unfair understatement.

Our entire staff is full of hardworking, creative, and tenacious students. I think that as individuals we are outstanding, but as a group we are capable of more than we could have ever imagined before entering Emerson. To me this magazine is a big pizza with various and unique toppings; who knew anchovies complemented bacon so well? I hope that our readers share our enthusiasm with what we deliver every month. And to our staff, take a bow, because in a month of chaos we always turn up with a sixty page magazine and gorgeous photography on every page. Our readers and staff are flawless. In this issue we bid farewell to our senior staff members with the “We Think We Can” editorial. The four of them are headed to great heights post-graduation. If they ever doubt themselves about their ingenuity, I’m here rooting for you cheering “I think you can! I think you can!”

CLAUDIA MAK Editor-in-Chief

Finally, May is here. Doesn’t it feel like just yesterday that the trees in the Common were just beginning to brown like crisp cookies and the year was just beginning. I feel like a completely different person and I hope you feel the same way. True, we might be the same height, wear the same clothes, and like the same songs we did in September.

But underneath it all, I think we’ve moved on. This sentiment is particularly present in our senior photo shoot where, with much respect, we say goodbye to Editor-at-large Olivia Jacobini, Your Mag TV Creative Director Ashley Juranich, Blog Editor Megan Tripp, and Creative Director Elijah Clark Ginsberg. Each is moving on with their lives and while we wish they could stay, they’ve got places to go. Additionally, our grunge train editorial, conceived and executed by the amazing Peyton Dix, has a bold sense of where style is heading. I think that if you take the time to really look at this supreme issue, you’ll find a theme of movement among the content, whether it’s depicted as literal transit or as something more subtle. Our executive staff has joked about “Oh the Places You Will Go!” by Dr. Seuss, but I think I can speak for all of us at Your Mag when I say that we’ve been made into better people by knowing and working with each other. Enjoy the May issue and your summers. See you next year!

DANNY LEMAR Asst. Editor-in-Chief

YOUR MAGAZINE Volume 3 Issue 9 • May 2014

DANNY LEMAR Asst. Editor-in-Chief

CLAUDIA MAK Editor-in-Chief

OLIVIA JACOBINI Editor-at-Large

ELIJAH CLARK GINSBERG Creative Director

CHEN XU & ASHLEY JURANICH YMtv Directors

MATTHEW MULLEN Managing Editor

MEGAN TRIPP Design Director

ABBY WOODMAN & PEYTON DIX Head Stylists

KATHY COLLINS Photo Director

ANDREA PALAGI Style Editor

MICHAEL MAHIN A&E Editor

MADELINE BILIS Living Editor

CAITLYN BUDNICK Head Copy Editor

MEGAN TRIPP & MADELINE BILIS Blog Editors

CHELSEA TREMBLAY Romance Editor

LEIGHA MORRIS Marketing Director

KAREN MORALES Asst. Blog Editor

HALEY SHERIF Talent Manager

Layout Designers MEGAN TRIPP, CLAUDIA MAK

Copyeditors DEVAN NORMAN, MORGAN METZ, JANELLA ANGELES, MEGAN TRIPP, JACQUELYN MARR, MOLLY

LEGROW, CHRISTABEL FRYE, OLIVIA JACOBINI, PAULINA PASCUAL, KELSEY PERKINS, JASMINE TAYLOR, ASHLEY HOWARD, JAMIE KRAVITZ

Marketing ELISE MESA, JAMIE IANNACE, KINSEY MINSCHKE, REBECCA FLUHR, KELSEY JOHNSON, TRACY

PARCO, LIA BROUILLARD, CAMILA ORIOL, BRIANNA MARTINIELLI, ESTHER GLASIONOV, MAX CHERRY, NATALIE BENJAMIN, STELLA SANGUANSIN, NIKOLAI JACKOWSKI

YMtv AMANDA GOMEZ, LINDSAY GUALTIERI, TERRENA SCANNELL, MEGHIN HEWITT, RORY MCCANN, WILLIAM VICKROY, STEPHANIE PUMILIA, JAIME TOSCANO, ALEXANRDA JAMES, TATIANA OCHOA, ANDY KEYES

EDITORIAL CREDITS: G-STAR 160 NEWBURY STREET BOSTON MA 02116 WWW.G-STAR.COM

BETSY JENNEY 114 NEWBURY STREET BOSTON MA 02116 WWW.BESTYJENNEY.COM

BALL & BUCK 144B NEWBURY STREET BOSTON MA 02116 WWW.BALLANDBUCK.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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12

ROMANCE

6 Sexamination: A History of Oral Sex by Cabot Lee Petoia 8 Spicing It Up by Chelsea Tremblay 12 Lesbi-honest by Cabot Lee Petoia 13 Get it Up by Ellie Romano

STYLE

14 Flatform Platforms by Andrea Palagi 16 Back To Basics by Megan Cathey 24 Don’t Sweat It: Makeup by Courtney Major 25 Don’t Sweat It: Date Outfit by Serena Kassow 26 Your Suit For Summer: Women’s by Antonia DePace 26 Your Suit For Summer: Men’s by Brian Thomas

LIVING

36 The Emerson Accelerator by Madeline Bilis 40 Biking In Boston by Wendy Eaton 42 Go Find Fort Point by Riana Odin 44 City Splashes by Jenna Gianelli 45 Perfect Picnic by Jamie Kravitz 46 Pathetic Summer Hobbies by Chantelle Bacigalupo 47 The Hub Levels Up by Madeline Bilis

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

50 A Poet At Heart by Ruhi Radke 52 Boston Shows Off Its Ink by Kelsey Conner 53 Touch Me by Matt Mullen 56 A Sweetooth For Food Photography by Pimploy Phongsirivech 58 May Playlist

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FEATURED 8 SPICING IT UP

by Chelsea Tremblay

18 WE THINK WE CAN 28 THE LOST BOYS 36 THE EMERSON ACCELERATOR

by Madeline Bilis

53 TOUCH ME

by Matt Mullen

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SEXAMINATION: AN ORAL HISTORY text by cabot lee petoia photo by paul buckley

A history lesson that will bring you to your knees...literally Eating out. Blow jobs. Sucking off. Going down. Giving head. This is the universal jargon of today’s young adults.

Oral sex, to us, is pretty commonplace. However, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, despite the tens of thousands of years that oral sex has been practiced, the attitudes surrounding it changed more recently than many might realize.

The practice of oral sex, known as fellatio when being performed on a man and cunnilingus when performed on a woman, can be traced back as far as 200 B.C. The Kama Sutra, an ancient Indian Hindu text, refers to oral sex as “oral congress” or “mango-fruit sucking” and even discusses 69-ing, or “Congress of the Crow.” The author, however, attributes the act of oral sex mostly to homosexuals and transwomen.

In ancient Rome, fellatio was considered taboo unless performed on a man of high social status by a woman or another man of lower social status. In the fifth century, Emperor Augustine declared sex to be immoral unless its purpose was to procreate—a category that oral sex clearly does not fit into.

Often, oral sex was praised instead of discouraged. The Moche culture of ancient Peru included oral sex in their worshipping of daily activities and featured drawings of fellatio on their pottery. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics featured detailed pictures of oral sex. Chinese Taoism, under heavy influence from Confucius, regarded cunnilingus as spiritually fulfilling and a source of longevity.

The T’ang Empress from 683 A.D. viewed cunnilingus as a privilege reserved for royalty; she demanded that her visitors “lick the lotus stem” upon arrival. Now that’s a lady with the right idea.

Although all these examples demonstrate how long oral sex has been around, the attitude that sex outside of marriage is sinful, and should be solely for reproducing, was prevalent in America until the 1950s. This attitude kept oral sex at a low, or at least on the down low. My grandmother, who came of age in the 1950s, said, “People just didn’t talk about it. Yes, it happened, of course it happened, but no one knew how often because it simply was not discussed.”

Society’s attitude about sex began shifting in the 1960s, when traditional values were challenged loudly and publicly.

For example, the introduction of the birth control pill in 1962.

While the legalization of the pill was more of a result of political change than of female demand for contraceptives, 1,187,000 women were using it less than a year after it hit the market. This showed the underlying desire Americans had to have sex without reproducing, contrary to the previous belief that the purpose of intercourse was to create a family.

Another factor driving the 1960s sexual revolution was The Feminine Mystique, a 1963 novel written by Betty Friedman. It helped foster the second wave of feminism (after a fairly unsuccessful one in the 1940s) in the United States by addressing “a problem that has no name.”

“Lesbian oral sex in particular has hit the silver screen again and again, with steamy sex scenes”

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Among many other societal issues of her time, Friedman discussed the alarming level of sexual dissatisfaction present among housewives. She wrote, “… procreation became a cult, a career, to the exclusion of every other kind of creative endeavor.” Friedman’s suggestion that the life of a housewife stifles the woman as an individual led to an outcry of agreement among American women, who realized their stifled potential and rushed to end it.

Alex Comfort’s The Joy of Sex, an illustrated sex manual published in 1972, continued the major stir in the already brewing sexual revolution of the United States. The book featured classical Japanese and Indian erotica and was the first popular modern book to discuss oral sex in detail and present it as a positive aspect of a healthy relationship.

Cosmopolitan, a wildly popular romance and fashion magazine created in the 1960s, reveals the changing attitudes of Americans. Cosmopolitan issues of the early 1970s included articles with titles like “How to Find True, Lasting Satisfaction in Married Love” (1973) and “How to Stay Happy Though Married” (1974). A few years later, the content noticeably shifted focus, including articles such as “The (Terrific) Case for Marrying Later” (1976) and “Would You Believe It? The Diaphragm is Back in Town” (1976). The titles alone show a United States leaning towards social freedom and birth control; in other words, the acceptance of having sex for fun or for love instead of just for making babies. By the 1980s, articles in Cosmopolitan were permeated with lust and even recognized America’s new view on sex with titles like “The (Surprising) New Sexual Attitudes of the 1980s” (1980) and “How Sexy Are You? A Handy Quiz” (1980). By the time the 1990s rolled around, “seductive excerpts” and “the best advice about sex” was filling Cosmopolitan covers.

Today, Cosmopolitan includes the following sections, each containing hundreds of articles with detailed pictures: “Love/Sex,” “All Sex Positions,” “Sex Tips From Guys,” “Bedroom Blog,” “Sex Advice,” and “Sex Q&A.” The 2014 let’s-get-kinky Cosmopolitan, in contrast to the 1960 everyone-is-married-and-unhappy Cosmopolitan, is striking evidence of the nearly 180 degree sexual attitude

shift that America experienced over the last half-century.

Evidence of the changed opinions about oral sex became evident when an urban legend of “rainbow parties” swept the nation in the early 2000s. According to the rumors, girls would choose a color of lipstick, and the guy with the most colors decorating his dick at the end of the night essentially won the party. This led to a widespread panic among parents, professionals, and icons such as Oprah, all of whom were concerned that teenagers were ruining the moral fiber of our society through careless and meaningless sexual acts. Investigation into this phenomenon turned up little to no evidence of these parties actually existing, but it did reveal the completely different view of oral sex that teenagers of the 2000s had from teenagers of the 1960s. Today’s teens, as reported by The New York Times, don’t consider oral sex “real” sex, and often use it to “preserve virginity” as opposed to the feeling of previous generations that oral sex was even more intimate than intercourse.

Mainstream media is often a reflection of the beliefs of the public. Oral sex, especially cunnilingus, has been featured in Hollywood movies frequently within the past 10 years—and the reason this is possible is because no one has objected. Lesbian oral sex in particular has hit the silver screen again and again, with steamy sex scenes in Game of Thrones and Black Swan. Perhaps these scenes sparked some discussion, but it was certainly more awe than criticism. While sex scenes were certainly present in movies in the past, they were often included as a representation of marriage or a scandal, and oral sex was considered a shock factor until the last decade. Now, it is accepted as part of a cinematic love story.

The history of oral sex is rich and full of widely varying attitudes. Today, it is a more or less accepted part of sexual relationships, which are, in turn, an accepted part of society. Most young adults in 2014 seem to embrace free love as an ideal. However, we did not get here on our own. We have generations of lovers to thank for pushing the boundaries of sex and love, leading our generation’s acceptance of the intimate, incredible act that oral sex is.

ROMANCE

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SPICE IT UP text by chelsea tremblay photos by olivia jacobini

I just want to be the girl you like, the kind of girl you like is right here with me A pair of golden testicles hung from the wall. They stared at me as if to say, “Hey you, it’s time to grow a pair.

Be confident. Be sassy. Be sexy.”

Or maybe they were just trying to say, “Go balls to the walls, girl,” and I misread them.

The rest of the décor included a rather scandalously dressed Bugs Bunny, a pillow that said No Boys, a topless Barbie, and colorful, feathery lamps. There seemed to be an endless supply of bright colors, leopard print, and sparkles. I turned to Connor and gave him a look as if to say, “How did I get us into this?”

Rewind to the previous weekend. My boyfriend Connor sat across from me, feet perched on a chair, gaze fixated on some video game battle. He wore hole-y white tube socks, hole-y jeans, and a grey long-sleeve (no holes). Empty Fruit Gushers wrappers and a bag of cheddar pretzels were spread carelessly around him.

“What should we do for dinner?” I asked, looking up hazy eyed from my laptop.

“I don’t know, what do you want to do?” he asked, gaze never leaving the flat screen TV. “I don’t know,” I responded and went back to my Word document.

Typical Sunday night. When you’ve been dating for three and a half years, most of the excitement has worn off. Conversations turn from learning about each other’s favorite things, cute quirks, and falling in love to learning how to live with each other, balance different interests, and cope with each other’s less lovable habits.

After three years it’s easy to let the “spice” fizzle out, both in conversation and in actions. It’s easy to stop listening so intently to every detail about their day; to answer most things with “doesn’t matter, whatever you want”; and to get lazy. I’ve found myself getting lazy with Connor— spending most Sundays strolling around in his sweat pants, wearing no makeup, and paying more attention to my pile of homework than to him.

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On this particular Sunday, I was making a list of the possible options to bring our romance back to life.

Members of Your Mag suggested I write a piece about my love life, since I am one of the few to bring a high school sweetheart to college and survive the transition. My immediate response to this request had been, “No way, our relationship is so boring!”

What a disappointing answer from a 20-year-old living in Boston during the prime of her life, huh? So instead, I decided to find something that would help get us back on the right track. So far on my “Chelsea and Connor Spice It Up” list was: Dancing lessons (Swing? Ballroom?)

Cooking class Couples Yoga Do it in public (ew, gross) The list itself was even boring. How were those activities going to help? Ooo Chelsea, I really like the way you marinated that roast. Or ooo ahh, your Downward Dog was so good; you must have stretched before class.

Now let’s get one thing straight—this wasn’t an adventure to revitalize a lacking sex life. Connor and I aren’t just casual hook up buddies, we’re in a serious relationship that we’ve been working on for a long time (yeah, I know, barf). A real relationship takes a lot more than just sex. You have to have fun together all the time and, hopefully, have more to say to each other than the conversation mentioned above. A typical weekend for us consists of working, being too tired to go out afterwards, marathoning TV shows, and having barely any conversations of true substance. That’s what we needed to fix.

On that note, we signed up for a lap dance class.

That may sound like a contradiction, but Gypsy Rose Dancing is all about building self-confidence and creating an experience for couples. Sure, the experience may involve go-go boots, fake hair, and sequins, but it’s a

relationship building experience, nonetheless.

Some who have taken Emerson’s burlesque class may know Wendy Reardon ‘93, the owner of the studio. She’s quite the character—just enough of a character to try teaching this ultra-conservative, timid girl to be sexy and self-confident. The process involved quite some work (a lot of sparkles, lip stick, and “Suck it in!”) but by the end of our lesson I received a “Well done!”

Meanwhile, Beyonce’s “Partition” played on repeat in the back ground, and who the hell can compete with Queen B’s moves? Sorry, but when you’re booty-lacking instead of Bootylicious, it’s no competition.

Oops, I have to take that back. Reardon’s number one rule at Gypsy Rose is no apologizing ever. Number two is “I decide what looks ugly and what doesn’t, not you!”

But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. First of all, what does one even wear to something called “Lapdance for Lovers”? For someone who never even grinded at a high school dance, this was a challenge. I opted for yoga shorts, a loose black tank top, and white Keds. As soon as I walked into the studio, Reardon gave me an up down and went, “Oh, boy.” That’s when I saw the golden testicles. Maybe they meant “have some balls for the outfit Wendy is about

to put you in.”

Leaving Connor alone in the lobby, she pulled me into a dressing room filled with costumes from sexy Tinker Bell to sexy Pocahontas. Dozens of shoes lined the walls and covered the floor. There were platform boots, strappy pumps, and even combat boot heels. Much to my displeasure, the walls were lined with mirrors so that I could witness every angle of my transformation. The first thing to go was the airy shirt that showed off zero of my curves. She replaced that with a hug-every-Ben-andJerry’s-you’ve-had-this-year kind of dress. Next came the platform knee high boots. Turns out, I had come prepared for more of a cheer squad workout when Reardon needed a Coyote Ugly bar dancer. This was definitely not a lesson in comfort, but one in feeling hot (which was good, seeing as being comfortable was what landed Connor and I there in the first place).

After bitterly announcing that she was almost the same age as his mother, Reardon explained that she would give (an unsuspecting) Connor the first lap dance so I would know what to expect from the lesson. Expecting a light grinding, hip swaying, butt-shaking sort of ordeal, I found myself more surprised at the dance than my ROMANCE

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boyfriend who had a strange woman rubbing all up on him. As she swung all over the chair, climbed Connor like a playground set, peeled off layers of clothes with casual poise, and smothered his face in her bosom I had one reoccurring thought: I can’t do this, I can’t do this, I can’t do this.

But ladies and gentlemen, I did do it. It admittedly took a lot of “Again! And mean it this time!” and threats from Reardon; she pulled out both the goat puppet and whacking stick (the ultimate “I really mean it” tools). I put on my big girl shoes—literally, those things probably gave me an extra four inches—and stepped onto the dance floor. The shocked look on Connor’s face when he saw me dressed up and decked out was priceless. Sometimes you have to be willing to try new things and step out of your comfort zone in order to have fun or to grow in your relationship.

Throughout the lesson, she kept telling me not to look at Connor because the point was for me to be confident.

It was about accepting that sexy was a state of mind that I had to enter for my benefit, not something I had to do for his approval. But I couldn’t help looking at him. I had to see if he was having fun or thinking, “Why on Earth are we wasting our time here?” After she made me slam my pelvis on the floor and swing my butt in his face (separate actions—no one is that flexible!) I figured he must have been thinking this was the dumbest thing ever.

Or that I looked stupid. But he was loving it. It didn’t matter to him that my dress looked like something from a 1990s prom gone wrong, he was enjoying laughing together and seeing me be confident. However, I’m sure it helped that I was being confident with lacey accessories and not cooking pans or a yoga mat.

“He’s not going to remember a single move you did,” Wendy promised at the end of the lesson. “He’s just going to remember your attitude.”

She wasn’t trying to say that I wasted an hour and a half learning her moves for them to not matter, but that it wasn’t important if I couldn’t perfect them. The lesson wasn’t about nailing every turn, arch, and pop, but owning them anyway. Honestly, I think if it wasn’t for Connor’s enthusiasm and encouragement, I would have ran out of that room back to my comfort bubble of covered thighs and low to the ground footwear. But as soon as I turned my attention to him and he would light up, I knew that I didn’t look stupid. It wasn’t that I needed his approval, but his positive reactions definitely boosted my self-esteem. I

could do whatever Reardon was ordering me to. He helped me overcome the embarrassment and shyness. Like I said, it’s more than sex—it takes support and connection.

Which, okay, are words that sound akin to sex. Just work with me here, people.

After the 25th round of “Partition” came to an end, Reardon exited the room in nothing but her bra and panties. This had definitely been the strangest experience Connor and I had ever had together, but strange was kind of what we needed, especially after living like a married couple going on 50 years. We gathered our things, I fished my conventional clothes from the depths of the dark, sultry, dressing room, and we headed out. Reardon said goodbye to us as if we had just ended a lunch date; there was no trace of evidence that just an hour ago she had been humping Connor’s lap.

As we waited for the T, fake hair and risqué attire replaced with a maxi skirt and jacket, he told me that he wished I were always confident in myself. “It’s heart breaking that you don’t have any self-confidence. I had a lot of fun in there, I hope you did too.”

After dating for a long time, it can be easy to assume that your partner is just used to you, not necessarily attracted to you. After seeing you first thing in the morning, hair a rat’s nest, last night’s makeup running down your face, etc. they can’t possibly think you’re hot anymore, right? Sexy?

Pfffft—not a chance.

No, the lap dance lesson didn’t make me an exotic dancer, but it helped Connor and me talk about this. Now that I’m not so new to him, I don’t get the same compliments as I used to, which led me to think that he didn’t find me as appealing anymore.

Sure, I used to be his favorite shiny new toy, but now I’m just kept as memorabilia—the toy that he can’t bring himself to donate to Salvation Army. Right? Two hours at Gypsy Rose showed me how ridiculous that sounds. It also taught me that we can have a lot of fun when I come out of my box, but that he needs to help me out of it, too.

A few extra compliments here and there could get a girl back in some go-go boots!

Will there still be nights when we stay in and can’t decide what to make for dinner? Of course. But I think Reardon helped us find some of the weaker spots we need to work on. So hopefully when we do get those rare nights out now, we will join everyone on the dance floor instead of standing awkwardly on the sidelines. If “Partition” comes on, I have a couple moves.

“No, the lap dance lesson didn’t make me an exotic dancer, but it helped Connor and me talk about this”

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LESBI-HONEST text by cabot lee petoia photos by beth treffisen models: gabrielle tyson and megan tripp

If you still need “Mr. and Mrs.” go back to 1950 As a gay woman, the question I dread most is, “So, who’s the guy in your relationship?” These words make me cringe, and yet they are uttered often. I try explaining that neither of us are “the guy.” We’re both women. That’s the point.

Then the next inevitable question comes; something like, “Okay, fine, you’re both women. But who wears the pants? Which of you is more masculine?” Suddenly, we are hurled back into the 1950s—I’m wearing rubber yellow gloves as I scrub the dishes and obey my husband’s every command because society decided he is more dominant than me.

In 2014, stereotypical gender roles are becoming increasingly less relevant. More women are enrolled in college than men. Many women work outside the home, and many men stay there with the kids. Women often handle household finances—if money is power, then women actually dominate in this sense. Despite this social progress—this supposed path to equality of the sexes—gay women are still forced into an outdated mold of heterosexuality into which they do not fit. And who does, really?

The reason I get asked this question so often is because I typically dress girly and tend to date women who dress girly, or “femme,” if you will. People who see us out, wearing skirts and holding hands, seem to think it an excess of femininity, and hastily struggle to label one of us as the man. My style changes occasionally; one day I’m in lipstick and heels and the next I resemble

an adolescent boy. On those dyke-y days, no one asks the dreaded gender question. They can rest easy with the shallow representation of my personality through a snapback and baggy jeans. I can’t speak for all lesbians here. There are countless kinds of relationships, and a unique dynamic exists between every couple. Point being, there is more to people than how they dress (not the most profound of ideas I realize, but certainly one that is overlooked), and that people possess a medley of qualities that could be labeled as either masculine or feminine, but should not be labeled as either. Power should not be automatically associated with men, or the more “boyish” of two women in a relationship.

Empathy and compromise are not specific to women or ultra feminine women. These are characteristics that are seen in all kinds of people, regardless of sex, sexuality, and especially clothing style.

I encourage readers to pay attention to their personal dialogues when discussing gender roles, and to look beyond appearance to find the elements that make humans beautiful. Keeping an open mind will help bring out the best in everyone, and will foster our society’s progress. And to anyone in the future who asks me who the man is in my two-woman relationship, I will respond by asking her/him the same question and watch her/him awkwardly falter. It doesn’t work, just like this preconceived notion of masculinity and femininity doesn’t work. Let’s change it.

GET IT UP text by ellie romano photo by valeria c preisler

If you’re having some difficulty, you’re not alone It’s finally Friday night. You decide to hit up a party with some friends to blow off steam from a stressful week. You down a few beers and are really feeling the buzz. A sexy girl is sitting across the room; you walk up to her and you two hit it off. The party is winding down, so you suggest she come back to your place to hang out. Just when things are getting hot and heavy on your couch, you realize, to your horror, that you can’t get a hard on. While this may seem like the end of the world as you know it, it’s not. You whisper in her ear, “I don’t think it’s going to happen for me tonight, but we can do other things…” The apocalypse didn’t occur, and you wake up the next morning with the girl from the night before still in your bed.

A lot of guys have been in your position before; you’re not alone. “There is this certain point I reach when I drink where there is no going back,” Justin* told Your Mag. “I’m completely smashed and can’t control myself anymore.” Even when he’s reached this point, he doesn’t pass up the chance to bring a girl home. Justin’s secret on handling the situation: “If it seems like she really wants to have sex I’ll slow things down and make an excuse like, ‘I have to get up really early the next day,’ so she’ll leave and then I won’t have to tell her the truth that I really just have whiskey dick.” He still gets a sexual rush from the hookup -- who doesn’t love making out, -- and knows he shouldn’t drink as much the next time he wants to get it in with a girl. So as much as Justin may be questioning what went wrong, know that there are other factors as simple as too much alcohol that can make a big difference.

Just like alcohol can put a damper on the mood, so can a lack of a healthy lifestyle; not only does diet and physical activity affect your overall well being, it also has a psychological effect on your libido. Dan* and his girlfriend have been together for a while,

they have a committed and satisfying relationship.

To both of their surprise, one night Dan couldn’t get hard. This happened several times in a row; he would get nervous about the last time right as things were getting steamy, and he wouldn’t be able to get a boner.

He said, “I didn’t know what the problem was because it was so random and out of the blue. I just wanted to see a doctor to check if everything was okay.” After Dan’s doctor’s visit, he learned he was suffering from an acute depression attack -- he wasn’t taking care of his body properly. He hadn’t been eating, sleeping, or exercising regularly, and this caused his body to go into a slump. “It was such a relief to learn that there wasn’t anything seriously wrong with me.”

If ever your night goes awry, rest assured that this has happened to other people –so ladies, and gents, just because we are young doesn’t mean this isn’t common. We all hope that sex can be a freeing experience, but sometimes things don’t always go as planned. It is common for girls not to orgasm every time, and this may trigger a sense of inadequacy.

Understand that if your guy can’t get it up, it can be for a number of reasons, and be empathic. Just because you can’t have sex, doesn’t mean that you can’t do other things and have an amazing pleasurable night.

HIGH FASHION: THE FLATFORM PLATFORM text by andrea palagi stock photos

When it comes to trends, size does matter Somewhere between the land of flats and the sphere of stilettos is a place where everyone feels (and looks) like they’re on top of the world—planet flat platform. In a place like this, without the air of normalcy that comes along with ballet flats and without the immobility of heels, “flatforms” are changing the way we wear and think about our shoes.

This multifunctional style encompasses the comfort and stability of a flat with the height and the hype of a high heel to give wearers the best of everything that the realm of shoes has to offer.

Sneakers, sandals, loafers, and flats—you can give any footwear style a lift by turning it into a platform with a flat sole elevated anywhere from two to four inches. The actual platform can be made of wood, clear plastic, or rubber. They can have add-ons like ankle straps, buckles, tassels, or laces. Since the flatform can work with almost any style of shoe, it can be worn with almost any outfit.

Flatform loafers often look best when paired with slim-fitting, straight leg pants and a lightweight blazer for an edgy professional look. Flatform sandals are best for elongating the leg in skirts and shorts and can be accessorized with nylon pastel, printed, or floral socks. The sneaker flatform is made for a basic look including black leggings or black denim paired with an oversized white top and a few pieces of chunky MAY 2014

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gold jewelry.

The flatform has become a stylistic rejection of the status quo stiletto heel. This season, designers and buyers are moving away from glossy, sexy high heels and the trendy, clubby style that accompanies them. Instead, designers are moving closer to these unexpected, versatile flatforms and the underground chic fashion scene that goes along with them. Already, many designers have made this trend their own. New York’s edgy Cuban shoe designer Alejandro Ingelmo has created a line of brushed neon platform loafers that are handcrafted right in Brewer, Maine. Every shoe guru’s idol, Jeffrey Campbell has made a series of these flatform shoes, notably a patent leather ankle strap platform with an open top. High-end designers like Prada have released crafted patent leather oxford sneakers with a multicolor platform that raises wearers nearly five inches off the ground. Even more popular retail brands like Vans have molded their classic kicks into floral printed flatforms made especially for women. It seems like the verdict is in: bye bye, high heels and hello, high fashion.

Take a very close look at your shoes this summer.

Don’t be caught flat on your feet or stumbling about in stilettos, take the high road and strut on down to flatform town.

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BACK TO BASICS text by megan cathey photo by nydia hartono model: jake greene

Fashion used to be about individuality, but when it comes normcore, it’s all about blending in Calling Steve Jobs a fashion icon may seem like a bit of a stretch, but his basic black turtlenecks are perfectly unassuming for the latest trend of normcore. Normcore, as coined by trend forecasting network, K-Hole, is hard to precisely define.

However, there seems to be one encompassing theme: being inconspicuous. It’s supposed to be unpretentious, albeit a bit awkward at times. White crew socks, tracksuit bottoms, gym shorts, mom jeans, Teva sandals, Birkenstocks, and baseball caps usually aren’t considered fashionable items. But with the emergence of normcore within the past few months, the fashion world’s cool kids are making the anti-fashion, fashionable.

Normcore is not for those who want to be special snowflakes. Rather, as New York Magazine says, it’s for “those who realize they’re one in a billion.” It celebrates sameness and minimalism. It’s a movement against wearing flashy and overwhelming garments.

The trend caters to those who want simplicity, unlike daunting stilettos or skin-tight denim. Normcore is all about comfort and functionality.

Some, like Jeremy Lewis, a stylist and fashion writer, believe that normcore is an anti-fashion sentiment.

“Right now a lot of people use fashion as a means to buy rather than discover an identity and they end up obscured and defeated… I like the idea that one doesn’t need their clothes to make a statement,” says Lewis.

It seems ironic then that even fashion’s darlings and designers are cashing into the trend defined by clothing usually considered ugly. Phoebe Philo of Céline released a high-end take on Birkenstocks in her spring 2013 show in Paris. Deemed “Furkenstocks,” the Céline shoes were a luxe reinterpretation of the

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classic German sandal, lined with different colored fur. Although fur-lined shoes are by no means practical, the shoes revived the comfortable and functional silhouette. Other designers, like Michael Kors, have sent $1,000 gray sweatpants down the runway. Naturally, the trends on the runway filter down to popular fashion bloggers.

There’s a thin line behind your average ‘90s American tourist and normcore. Which side you fall into probably depends on your environment, whether you’re near the Grand Canyon or walking down the streets of Soho in New York City. As Fiona Duncan says in her NYMag article, “I could no longer tell if my fellow Soho pedestrians were art kids or middleaged, middle-American tourists.”

Normcore gives you the freedom to be consciously unconscious about your fashion choices. When all your clothes are in basic designs and colors, everything goes together. And if it doesn’t, normcore allows for awkward pairings. If you feel like your wardrobe is too unpractical or uncomfortable, normcore may just be the trend for you.

Anatomy of Normcore: Baseball Hat – Whether or not you brushed your hair is irrelevant when you stuff it under a baseball cap.

Black Turtleneck – Take a page of Steve Jobs’ book and throw on a black turtleneck. Apple products not included.

High-Waisted Mom Jeans (Urban Outfitters has some, as does American Apparel) – Did you raid your mom’s closet or buy a new pair? Who can tell?

Birkenstocks (the “Arizona” style in black) – Whether or not you think they’re ugly, you can’t resist the arch support and toe space.

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WE THINK WE CAN PHOTOS BY KATHY COLLINS HAIR & MAKEUP BY CLAUDIA MAK, MADDIE KAWALEK, AND PERI LAPIDUS

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ELIJAH CLARK GINSBERG CREATIVE DIRECTOR BS MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

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MEGAN TRIPP BLOG EDITOR & INTERIM DESIGN DIRECTOR BFA WRITING, LITERATURE AND PUBLISHING

ASHLEY JURANICH YOUR MAG TV CREATIVE DIRECTOR BA FILM PRODUCTION

OLIVIA JACOBINI EDITOR-AT-LARGE BA WRITING, LITERATURE AND PUBLISHING MAY 2014

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DON’T SWEAT IT: MAKEUP text by courtney major stock photos

Don’t let that pretty face go to waste; manage your makeup for the summer!

PREP

Step one to any good makeup routine is hydration.

The better you take care of your face, the less makeup you’ll have to use to cover up blemishes. Start with an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and dirt from pores. Once skin has dried, apply an oil free moisturizer. St. Ive’s offers both a great exfoliator and moisturizer priced at $4.99 each from most drugstores.

FACE

Apply a dime-sized amount of primer to your t-zone, forehead, nose, cheekbones, and chin. A good primer will allow the makeup to stay on skin without running, and will also help to gradually improve skin. BareMinerals offers one from Sephora for $14.

Once primed, use small amounts of cream concealer on problem areas. Cover these areas with an SPF tinted moisturizer, which feels lighter then liquid foundations. Ulta offers a range of shades beginning at $12.50. Next, use a sheer powder with SPF and, in circular motions, buff it across your face. This will protect your skin from the harsh rays and will blend the concealer and tinted moisturizer.

CHEEKS

Apply a cream blush to the apples of your cheeks

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to highlight cheek bones. Take a very light luster eye shadow or highlighter and apply it over your check bones, down your nose’s bridge, and above your cupid’s bow to highlight those areas when the sun’ rays catch your face.

EYES

Since it’s summer, it’s time to break out lighter colors—the pearl, gold, and even light purple. In summer heat, it’s best to stick to one matte shade on your eyelids to avoid having the shadow travel as you sweat. Before applying eye shadow, use either your face primer or an eye shadow primer across the eyelid to make sure shadow will stay, despite the heat.

Once eye shadow is finished, move on to eyeliner. In the warmer weather, opt for brown liner and apply it lightly, stopping half way on the bottom lid. Or, forego bottom eyeliner and use a waterproof liquid on the top lid, Stila has ones that can be bought at Sephora for $20.

LAST MINUTE TIPS

Finish off with a setting spray, like ELF’s at $3.00, so everything stays in place.

Remembering to prime and that not applying any product too heavily will cement your look so you can defeat the heat.

DON’T SWEAT IT: DATE OUTFIT text by serena kassow stock photos

How to stay cute and sweat-free on your dates this summer

Let’s face it, ladies. Summer dates can be hard.

We want to look cute, but not overdone, natural yet polished, and most importantly…dry. Yes, we can all agree that nothing deflates your mojo (and your confidence) with a date more than sweat stains. Here is what not to wear this summer so you can stay easy, breezy, and beautiful on your seaside lunch dates!

STAY AWAY FROM SILK

And anything that even feels like silk, for that matter (polyester, rayon). Although silky smooth and super luxurious, silk is extremely thin and not absorbent at all, it will pick up on even the smallest drop of moisture on your skin. Since it’s thin, it seems like a good choice for summer, but it’s not! Much like paper, the stain could also bleed throughout the fabric since it is so thin, making it appear bigger than it is. Yuck!

AVOID ANYTHING CLINGY

General rule of thumb: if you consider yourself to lean towards the sweatier side, stay away from the ultra-fitted clothes you own during the summer months. No matter how flattering the shape of that

bodycon dress is on you, that won’t be what anyone is looking at when you’re sweating through it!

DON’T BE AFRAID TO WEAR BLACK ON TOP

Most don’t go for black in the summertime, but it can really be your best friend—especially on a date.

Unlike whites or grays, black has an incredible ability to conceal stains of any kind. Black and lace? One of our favorite combos ever, plus you don’t need to wear a jacket, sweater, or coat to cover up the cute top!

LET YOUR SKIN BREATHE

The most important thing about dressing in the summer is giving your skin the Vitamin D it deserves, not keeping it stuffed up in too many layers. Light, breathable fabrics will make you look and feel better, making you your best self around your new guy!

Mesh tops, when done right, are an amazing summer piece. As long as the top is sheer in a tasteful (not tacky) way, another outfit idea is a cream mesh top over a colorful bustier (not bralette—don’t show too much skin on a date) tucked into some distressed jean shorts. You’ll look cute, plus you’ll be airing out your skin.

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YOUR SUIT FOR SUMMER text by antonia depace stock photos

Dip into this season’s swim styles.

Imagine you could walk right into a store, pick out the first (and cutest) bikini you see, confidently walk into the dressing room and try it on. Unfortunately, no one can seem to do this. Why? Because shopping for a bathing suit is one of the most important and hardest buys that you are going to make during the summer. There are just so many factors that can go into it: style, color, pattern, size, and price. It is a difficult and frustrating process, but it can be made fun! All you have to know is a few things: the newest trends, what looks best with your body, and what fits with your style.

New trends for this season include ruffles, sexy one-pieces, crazy cuts, and high-waisted bottoms.

The ruffles are perfect for pear-shaped body types, and help to draw more attention to the top half of your body rather than the bottom. As for onepieces, if you aren’t comfortable wearing bikinis, be expecting some really hot versions of them. From dramatically dropped necklines to side cuts, you will be able to look just as good as the girls flaunting bikinis. Athletic body types should take advantage of this, as a sexy neckline will make you feel confident and elegant. Crazy cuts, on the other hand, leave nasty tan lines. So be careful when buying one! Highwaisted bottoms have been an on-and-off trend over the past couple of years. While they are categorized as old-fashioned, they are surprisingly flattering when tried on, and make you look curvier when relaxing on the beach.

In order to wear any of these new trends, you need to know a few things first. All swimsuits are made for different body types. Therefore, you should be looking for specific types and styles when shopping.

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ATHLETIC: You most likely have a nicely toned body and some curves. When shopping for a bathing suit, try and pick ones that have feminine cuts and details, like embellished hips or patterned bandeaus. Check out Tilly’s to make your shopping trip faster.

HOURGLASS: You are pretty much the same size on the bottom that you are on top, with an accentuated waist.

It’s important to find a suit that can keep your breasts and butt in place while swimming and playing around with friends. Try to avoid suits that have crazy patterns. A solid bikini is your best friend! Patterns will overly emphasize your top and bottom; a solid one will keep you looking evenly proportionate. Try TOPSHOP.

PEAR: Your bottom half is larger than your top.

Try to find a suit that has a block colored bottom and a patterned top. The pattern on top will pull focus away from your lower half. If you want to look more elongated, try asymmetrical bottoms.

They’ll make you look taller and are very “in” this season. Try looking at Tommy Hilfiger or The Girl and the Water. Their suits have awesome patterns and can run at a reasonable price on sane. Also try Charlottle Russe.

YOUR SUIT FOR SUMMER: MEN text by brian thomas photo by kathy collins model: john lewis

Make a sexy splash in men’s swimwear this season.

With the sun’s long awaited arrival approaching, it’s time to throw off the winter jacket, slip on a swimsuit, and tan those pale legs. Like any other article of clothing, choosing the right type of swimwear can accentuate your body in a flattering way. Paying attention to your swimsuit’s construction, length, and patterns can offer some edge and swagger as you strut down that shoreline.

CONSTRUCTION

Looking at how a swimsuit is built is important because a well-constructed swimsuit will last the wear and tear of the waves, in addition to preventing rashes. Swimsuits consisting of a well sewn-in mesh lining protect sensitive areas of skin from continually rubbing against the legs.

Also, swimsuits consisting of classic rope ties will hold together better than Velcro or buttons. A good indicator of quality can be derived from simply feeling the swimsuit right on the store rack.

LENGTH

Next, let’s talk length. Many guys may feel self-conscious when wearing swimsuits that reveal the thighs but depending on how it is worn, shorter swimwear can make even the scrawny or husky guy look good. Wearing a suit that falls well past the knees can make you look like you’re drowning in a mass of brightly colored fabric.The way to go is determining how short you want your suit. Board shorts are great for all body types—they tend to be longer, falling right at the knees. Also, they are very durable because they were originally outfitted for surfers on the West Coast.

Thinner or athletic body types deserve to be showcased in more form fitting cuts like swim shorts. Swim shorts are constructed out of stronger material and are a bit tight while swim trunks tend to be a tad looser fitting but both styles fall well above the knee. A common misconception for huskier body types is to disguise the extra weight under loose fitting material. This looks sloppy and gives a sense of carelessness. In this case, try the board short or even a pair that falls a bit above the knee—just make sure it’s not super tight and releases a little flare at the ends of the pant.

PATTERNS

Choosing certain colors and patterns can also accentuate your body. Darker colors like blacks and dark reds are great for hiding extra weight. Even though not calling attention to you may be the idea, it does not mean these simple colors are in any way boring. Simple, monochromatic color schemes can be all you need to pull it off—let the style do the talking. If you have something resembling a sixpack, try bright, patterned shorts—but remember, you’ll be calling attention to yourself. These include the classic floral patterns, polka dots, or even plaid. For the slimmer guy, try stripes. Similar to dress suits, stripes can showcase slimness while making you appear taller.

Being color and form conscious can make you look that much better while walking down the sandy, foot-burning beach. You may even look so good that you’ll become the envy and heartthrob of the boardwalk.

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PHOTOS BY MICHAEL THORPE HAIR & MAKEUP BY ABBY WOODMAN MODELS: CODY BOWMAN, DONDRE STEWART, JANINE MOODY & NIK RHODES 28

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THE EMERSON ACCELERATOR text by madeline bilis photos by kelsey davis

How two alumni got started bringing startups to Emerson “Our second commitment is to advance innovation.

For more than a decade, Emerson has promised that we ‘bring innovation to communication and the arts’… We will establish a creative laboratory to develop new works and new products. The lab will provide funding, resource support, advising, and space for faculty and students to develop and advance their good ideas and will complement our already highly successful Emerson Experience in Entrepreneurship program. Participants will be selected on a competitive basis by a committee of faculty, students, and professionals.”

As President Pelton described the second of his five commitments to Emerson College, Jake Bailey ‘14 had an idea. Sitting in the Cutler Majestic during the Inaugural Address, Bailey realized that he and President Pelton needed to talk.

“That’s it; that’s an accelerator program and it’s just not realized yet,” he recounts.

He decided to let President Pelton know what was on his mind. If Emerson could just provide a little bit of funding and some space on campus, a program could be built to foster entrepreneurship on campus.

“I thought for someone who isn’t doing the entrepreneurship minor but is really passionate about building a business and being an entrepreneur, I really had nowhere to turn. It was E3 or nothing.”

Great minds think alike After a few meetings with Bailey, Pelton suggested he meet with a recent alumnus, Tripp Clemens ‘13. Clemens was also discussing ideas with President Pelton about a startup accelerator program, and these ideas ran in parallel to what Bailey had in mind. Both had even already started their own companies—it was a match made in Emersonian heaven.

“We were basically finishing each other’s sentences,” says Clemens about their first meeting.

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to build their own businesses before they graduated. It was to be an extra-curricular program so no class time would be necessary, like in the Emerson Experience in Entrepreneurship, or E3. Students would receive the funding after being accepted to the program and would start right away on creating a business plan for real world ventures.

“We hit it off and we both had the same exact idea for how this needed to work,” says Bailey.

“We expressed a lot of the same needs and desires for what we’d like to see in the future of Emerson and we both shared some stories of struggle as to how we couldn’t really find the right support we were looking for,” says Clemens.

“We were looking for something without a lot of academic red tape.”

Clemens, a Newport, R.I. native and a BFA visual and media arts graduate, started his own film production company, Windy Films, shortly before beginning at Emerson. Clemens was the 2012 Puopolo Entrepreneurial Scholar. Bailey, a marketing communications fall semester graduate from Houston, Texas, founded the “software as a service” Recommenu in summer 2013, which helps restaurant chains leverage word of mouth to improve their business. He’s worked for multiple tech startups in Boston and also founded his own t-shirt company, Rite Brothers Clothing, after starting at Emerson. The two alumni share a business studies minor and a passion for entrepreneurship.

Determined that their idea would not hit any road blocks, Bailey and Clemens set out to make the program a reality.

“I just think with universities, they are very risk-averse.

They don’t want to try things if they think they might fail.

They are very resistant to change but luckily Lee isn’t like that at all,” says Bailey.

The two commend President Pelton’s responsive administration.

“It wasn’t like we just had this idea and had to pitch it to

faculty to get it moved up the ladder. We had the blessing from the top and that sort of just let us run with it. That’s not very common.”

THE STARTUP BANDWAGON As put best by Clemens, startup accelerators are a phenomenon going on in schools across the US. He explains that generation-wide there are many more resources to teach ourselves certain skills than previous generations had access to.

“We’re at a point now where no matter what your major is, especially at Emerson, you can teach yourself a lot of about things only schooling used to offer,” he explains.

“Schools all across the country are trying to come up with innovative ways to essentially be ahead of the curve and allow students to teach themselves and get real world experience before they graduate. That’s really what [the Emerson Accelerator] is.”

The trend to start a business while still in school may soon become a necessity. Clemens explains that when parents of millennials were of college age, it was competitive to attend school and the real world experience came after.

Only then would they think of starting a business. A half a generation ago, it was competitive to start a business right out of school. “But now it’s almost to the point where, to be competitive, you really have to be thinking about your startup while you’re still in school. And that’s because we all have the tools of self-education and we all have the ability to start our own business before we graduate,” he says.

At a school known for extra-curriculars and a do-ityourself attitude, an extra-curricular entrepreneurship program was begging to be created. Bailey explained that if you’re a theatre student and you’re interested in journalism, you can write for one of the many publications on campus.

If you’re a journalism student and you’re curious about

marketing, you can join a group like EmComm. If you’re a student who doesn’t have time to spend two semesters in E3, you can now join the extra-curricular Emerson Accelerator.

Emerson has hopped on the accelerator bandwagon at precisely the right time. Boston student accelerators like Babson B.E.T.A, MIT’s Entrepreneurship Competition, and BU’S New Venture Competition have been cranking out successful startups in recent years, and now Emerson can do the same. Wymsee, a winner of Boston College’s Venture Competition, created a software called Sync OnSet, which allows creative designers to budget and track inventory during TV and film productions. 30 Rock, Boardwalk Empire, and Anchorman 2 have taken advantage of this student startup already. myLINGO, a winner of Harvard’s i3 Innovation Challenge, allows non-English speaking audiences to watch mainstream US movies by enabling them to hear the corresponding dub in their own language. The next new film startup could have its beginnings in the Emerson Accelerator.

“A lot of people hear the word ‘entrepreneur’ or the word ‘startup’ and they think it’s reserved for an iPhone app or tech and that’s really not true,” says Clemens. “We’re looking for ideas that run the spectrum.”

AN IDEA IN MOTION Bailey and Clemens sent in an official proposal for the startup accelerator program in August 2013. The extracurricular program, called the Emerson Accelerator, was to provide three things: funding, space, and mentorship for students who want to start innovative businesses, work for themselves, and turn their passions into professions.

President Pelton was enthusiastic about the proposal and had the duo present it to Emerson’s Board of Trustees for approval. The Board of Trustees, made up of people like LIVING

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“Emerson is not a technical institute.

It’s more, as we know, arts and communication. It’s creative. That’s where we see innovation going.”

Vin di Bona ‘66, Richard Janssen, and Max Mutchnick ‘87, are essentially Emerson’s top dogs.

“Right before it happened, Lee called us into his office and he was basically like ‘just know that no students have ever gone before the Board of Trustees before so don’t mess it up.’ And we were like ‘Wow okay, no pressure,’” jokes Clemens.

The two had 30 minutes to pitch the program and hopefully leave with approval and financial support from the board.

“That was probably the most terrifying moment of my life,” describes Bailey.

They stood at the front of the room, facing 20 to 25 of Emerson’s most powerful and influential people, the chairman of the trustees, the president of the college, and…

Bailey’s dad. Bailey’s father was in Boston on business, and Bailey asked President Pelton if he could sit in on the pitch meeting off to the side. “He and my mom have always been my biggest supporters,” says Bailey. “I’ve seen him do his thing for years and now I wanted him to see what I can do.”

With pressure on high, Bailey and Clemens nailed it. The meeting quickly surpassed the 30 minute mark because of a bombardment of excited questions from the board.

“Going in and seeing how receptive these people were just made it seem like we were preaching to the choir. This is something they’ve wanted from the college for a while and it was something we were finally able to bring them,” says Bailey.

One trustee member even wrote a check on the spot for the program.

“We went to the board of trustees not just to ask for their financial support, but also to get their advice,” adds Clemens. “A lot of them have started their own businesses and ultimately a lot of them are a part of the team who will be meeting with student startups and offering their advice.

We really value their expertise as an asset.”

THE EMERSON ACCELERATOR In mid-March, the Emerson Accelerator was launched as an extra-curricular activity to complement E3. The main difference between the two lies in their structures. To participate in E3, students must dedicate two semesters to entrepreneurship classes resulting in an entrepreneurship minor. The Emerson Accelerator is strictly outside of the classroom. During E3, students learn to build a business model and meet with mentors to test their hypotheses. At the end of the program, they pitch their ideas in hopes of acquiring funding. In the accelerator, the money is given out at the beginning. Participants decide on how much they will need to start their business and work from there.

“We wanted to flip the model. So, instead of going through the whole year of school and then getting the money when you’re done, we want to give out the moneyat the very beginning. This way, you can use that money

throughout the entire year while you’re getting the hands on mentorship and while you have the office space. That way you can really maximize how far that money goes,” says Bailey.

However, budding entrepreneurs don’t have to make a choice “It’s set up so that they’re not mutually exclusive.

You can do one, you can do the other, you can do both,” explains the accelerator’s faculty administrator, Stanley Miller.

Open to undergraduate and graduate students alike, time commitments in the program can vary. Miller compares the accelerator to being on a sports team and the dedication that goes along with it.

“One of the nice things about it is, there could be some flexibility as to when you do it. You could have a team that meets at 11 p.m. or 7 a.m. We hope to provide all of that openness and flexibility,” he says.

HOW IT WORKS A group of established professionals that make up the program’s executive board will review the applications submitted through May 1. They’ll choose three teams to kick off the program’s pilot year. The Accelerator is designed to span over two years, with the first year in place to perfect the business internally by defining its mission and designing a business plan. After learning from mistakes made in year one, year two focuses on the external characteristics of the business. These include pitching to investors and testing the business in the real world.

Teams are matched up with mentors through a form of speed-dating. All teams and mentors will meet to determine their chemistry based on expertise. Teams can then take advantage of the capital and space provided to them by the accelerator. Spaces designated specifically for the accelerator and joint spaces for other Emerson groups are still being determined. What sets Emerson’s startup accelerator from other successful programs is, well, Emerson.

“It has been significantly tailored to be Emerson,” says Miller.

Emerson’s unique and creative student body harbor much potential in the startup department.

“Emerson is not a technical institute. It’s more, as we know, arts and communication. It’s creative. That’s where we see innovation going,” says Miller.

With many applications to sift through for the accelerator’s first year, the executive board has its work cut out for them in narrowing it down to three teams.

“The initial feedback is very exciting. I’ve been inundated with e-mails and requests from people inside and outside of Emerson who have interest in such a program. I’ve had the lament of those who are leaving soon, saying ‘Why didn’t we have this two years ago?’ But it’s been quite exciting,” says Miller.

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BIKING IN BOSTON text by wendy eaton photos by kathy collins

Fear the pedals no longer Biking in Beantown has had a bad rap. For a long time, angry drivers and crazy street configurations have kept cyclists off the road. But not anymore. The city of Boston has taken steps, and has more planned, to create a bikefriendly city for citizens and visitors alike.

So what exactly does Boston have in mind to go from one of the worst cycling cities to the best? The answer is the Boston Bike Network Plan. This plan, introduced by previous Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino, aims to “improve the quality of life for every Bostonian and help keep Boston strong by improving our health, our air quality, and reducing congestion on our city streets,” according to the Boston Bike Network Plan’s website. Menino’s plan comes with a view for the future.

It outlines a five-year plan and a 30-year plan. The work for these plans will be evolving constantly with the creation of new bike paths. Within the next five years, the plan aims to add 75 miles of new biking facilities for cyclists and within the next thirty years it aims for a complete network of 356 miles. With work being done constantly, changes can be seen in the city and Greater Boston communities.

In addition, Boston Bikes was established by Mayor Menino in 2007. It aims “to make Boston a world-class bicycling city by creating safe and inviting conditions for all residents and visitors,” according to its mission statement.

The non-profit teamed up with the Boston Department of Transportation to create the Boston Bike Network Plan.

Boston resident and cyclist Amanda Nicoles, who is the Head Athletic Trainer at Emerson, thinks that the changes that Boston has made to its biking environment have already made an impact.

“The city of Boston has already done a decent job about adding more bike lanes and lanes of different colors,” she says.

These changes, which are part of the plan, create safer travels for cyclists.

Citizens and organizations of Boston are also taking a stand in making Beantown a safer and more accommodating place for people other than motorists.

Two senate bills are being sponsored by State Senator William Brownsberger to create an environment that caters to walkers and bikers alike. If passed, Senate Bills 1639 and 1640 will prohibit cars from idling in bike lanes and will also create heavier consequences for motorists who hit cyclists.

Creating a safer and more enjoyable biking environment was exactly why the Boston Bike Network Plan was designed with the public in mind. While developing this project, Mayor Menino and his staff called upon the opinions of citizens at open houses and through an online mapping tool that allowed people to submit suggestions on where bike routes should be established. These avenues allowed Bostonians to have a voice while tackling the issue of cycling in the city.

“Within the next five years, the plan aims to add 75 miles of new biking facilities for cyclists and within thirty years it aims for a complete network of 356 miles.”

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The plan’s 30-year vision is focused upon primary routes and secondary routes. The primary routes will be placed along the city’s linear parks and waterways as well as on major bridges that will connect neighborhoods with adjacent cities. Primary routes will also hold the highest volume of bicycles and will provide the most separation from traffic in order to provide a “comfortable, lowstress experience that will welcome riders of all ages and abilities,” according to the network plan’s agenda. Riding along a primary route will create an experience that is vastly different from some of the current high-stress cycling paths on the streets of Boston today.

While the plan for the primary routes is to create a “spine” for the network that encompasses longer routes, the secondary routes fulfill more of the needs for neighborhoods and communities. The secondary routes are designed for more connective paths to schools, parks, and neighborhood stores. These routes are for lower volume travel, meaning that their capacity is for a fewer amount of cyclists. The paths will connect to the primary routes which give cyclists easy connections to main roads for them to commute to work and into the city.

Initiatives such as these will bring Boston into the realm of great U.S. biking cities and attempt to erase the hostility between cyclists and motorists. “I think drivers and bikers have a mutual annoyance with each other,” says Nicoles about her experience with cycling in Boston. Nicoles says extra measures need to be put in place to make it a safe and enjoyable experience for all. “I think the city absolutely needs to create a better biking environment. Having protected lanes with lane dividers is an easy way to increase biker safety.”

Boston has already worked to implement serious changes into their biking system, and the Bike Network Plan has a future full of potential for cyclists. This plan will give rise to a new biking culture in Boston. No longer will cyclists feel as though they are competing with motorists, but rather that they are enjoying an experience that is all their own.

This experience is already being offered by services like Hubway, a bike sharing system that was implemented by

Boston Bikes in 2011. Mayor Menino worked with Boston Bikes to create this sharing system that began with 600 bikes and 60 stations throughout Boston. Anyone can rent these bikes for one low fee and travel to any other Hubway site in the city, with rides under 30 minutes for free! Just four months after the plan began, the system had 3,600 annual members and over 100,000 rides. Suddenly, cycling in Boston was in. This new trend continued. By November 2013, the Hubway share system had reached 1,500,000 rides.

Hubway has affected the surrounding areas of Boston as well. Cambridge, Brookline, and Somerville have all launched share stations. This trend illustrates the newfound change in the Boston biking environment.

Tatiana Motevalli-Oliner ‘14, a marketing major who uses Hubway, thinks that the Hubway bike shares offer a higher level of accessibility to the citizens of Boston.

“Boston is an incredibly accessible city and the Hubway system definitely adds to that reputation,” she says.

Boston has made serious strides to rid itself of the reputation as a bad biking city. It no longer wants to be viewed as a city full of hostile drivers who refuse to share the roads with cyclists. Honking, collisions, and opening doors into bikers are things of the past when it comes to the cyclist-motorist relationship.

The city of Boston has begun its years long journey to improve the quality of life for its citizens and its visitors.

Beantown wants to be known for more than its exquisite shopping on Newbury Street and its historical presence in America. It wants to look into the future and be known for the care of its citizens and its welcoming arms for its visitors. It wants to be known as the city that encourages people to ride bikes so that they can achieve better things for the environment and to achieve enjoyment for themselves. It wants to cut down on commutes made by drivers and instead replace them with cyclists. Beantown wants to give their citizens and their visitors something more: more growth, more opportunity, and more quality of life.

WHERE TO SPLASH IN THE CITY text by jenna giannelli stock photos

Take a dip to beat Boston’s sweltering heat When summer comes to Boston, it hits hard. There is nothing worse than being unable to get away from the hot and humid temperatures our city is notorious for. But before you huddle around your freezer with the door open, check out some of the coolest swimming holes in the Boston area that entail little to no charge!

MAGAZINE BEACH BATH HOUSE AND POOL BU Bridge and River Street Bridge, Cambridge Unknown to many is Magazine Beach, a casual and clean pool that resides near the Charles River. This pool is about 4-5 feet deep and open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every day during the summer. However, don’t forget to bring your own seating, for this hot spot does not supply any chairs!

MIRABELL POOL Commercial Street, Boston A popular swim spot in the North End is the Mirabella Pool. Children under 6 are eligible for free admission, children 6-12 are admitted for $5; young adults (13-17) are admitted for $10; adults (18-61) are admitted for $15; seniors are admitted for $5. However, this one-time cost provides membership for the entirety of the summer.

FRANCIS J MCCREHAN MEMORIAL SWIMMING AND WADING POOL Rindge Avenue, Cambridge The Francis J McCrehean is a city-operated pool that is open until early September. It offers traditional swimming for adults and a wading pool for kids. It is the perfect hole to dive into for a refreshing dip on a long, hot summer day.

REILLY MEMORIAL SWIMMING POOL Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton Beat the heat and go for a cooling public swim at the Reilly Memorial Swimming Pool. Open every day, all summer long until 7 p.m., this outdoor pool is T-accessible, free, and safe, with many lifeguards on staff.

CLOUGHERTY POOL Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown The Clougherty Pool is an outdoor pool used by swimmers of all ages. The biggest perk of all, is the diving board located in the deep end. It is the perfect choice for high-energy people longing to make a big splash this summer.

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THE PERFECT PICNIC text by jamie kravitz photos maya rafie

Throwing some food in a basket is not as easy as you think The sun sits high in the sky, its warm rays beckoning through your open window. After a brutal winter, there’s no reason not to be outside. Celebrate the warmer months by planning a picnic with friends and loved ones.

Whether you’ve been planning for weeks or you’re having more of an impromptu lunch, a little bit of forethought is necessary. There are logistics to think about when preparing a mini meal. Most importantly, check the weather and don’t forget a blanket to sit on.

PACKING Packing the food is the most important part of the entire operation. First, while a basket may be cute, a cooler is practical to keep perishable food fresh. Pack meats and cheeses in a cooler, and put silverware, plates, and napkins in the basket. Second, think about what will make cleaning up easy. Individually bottled drinks eliminate the need for cups and disposable utensils reduce mess. Finally, when arranging the food, consider the order in which you will want to unpack. Put dessert at the bottom and appetizers at the top with the main course in the middle. That way, you can easily find what you are looking for and won’t be rummaging around for a specific dish.

FOOD When picking out food, it’s fun to stick to a theme.

But whether you keep it simple or go gourmet, make

sure to include many options so that guests can pick and choose what they want. Colorful fruits and vegetables will brighten up any mini meal. Use skewers to create different combinations. You can also add meats and cheeses.

Consider using edible containers, like a bread bowl to hold hummus or spinach dip.

ATMOSPHERE Pick a sunny day that isn’t too hot or humid. Nothing ruins a picnic like sweaty people and hovering bugs. An afternoon bite is great for a casual get-together, but an evening meal works better for a romantic setting. Plan to watch the sun set or gaze at the stars. Just make sure you think about lighting the area once it gets dark.

LOCATION From your backyard to a nearby beach, you can have a picnic almost anywhere. If it is a public space, make sure to follow all the rules regarding things such as alcohol and pets. Pick a scenic spot and capture the occasion. Hello, Instagram!

If you’re the one organizing the picnic, it’s easy to get stressed out. Don’t forget that the point of this meal is to enjoy yourself. Put your worries aside—once the day arrives, you’ve done all that you can. It’s great to plan ahead, but it is more important to have a good time.

FIND FORT POINT text by riana odin stock photo

This up-and-coming neighborhood is waiting to be explored.

Given Emerson’s enviable proximity to, well, everything in Boston, it can seem like you have experienced all that there is to see. The streets and neighborhoods that attract visitors from thousands of miles away are the places Emerson students populate on a daily basis. Newbury Street is our mall, Beacon Hill is where we do brunch, and Boston Common is our backyard. Fort Point may not be on your list of go-tos now, but it definitely should be. This South Boston neighborhood is making its name as a hub of the arts, dining, and history.

Located just beyond South Station, the Fort Point neighborhood is easily accessible to Emerson students.

Summer Street, a block past the Paramount Center, leads you directly to the heart of Fort Point, also called the Seaport District. The community occupies both sides of the Fort Point Channel, which is a picturesque body of water that is worth the walk alone. A series of bridges on Congress Street, Summer Street, and Seaport Boulevard offer access to an assortment of worthwhile attractions whether you plan to spend the day, semester, or just stay for a meal.

Boston is known for being one of the most historic travel destinations in the U.S. While there are many modern ventures that make this a forward-thinking city, you can hardly walk a block without encountering a momentous landmark. Fort Point is currently making headlines as a blossoming new neighborhood, and for good reason, but the name has been around longer than the country has.

Fort Point was named after the military base located there in colonial times. In the late 1800s, the local economy took precedence over military efforts, so the land was redesigned to accommodate more businesses. The trend has continued ever since. In 2006, Mayor Thomas Menino started an initiative to boost the 1,000 acres of waterfront property for the sake of the local economy, nicknaming it the Innovation District. The effort was responsible for more than 5,000 new jobs and the arrival of a diverse group of industries. Fort Point is home to technology, educational, and life sciences companies, as well as MAY 2014

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non-profit groups and creative endeavors. Its businesses may certainly interest Emerson students looking for employment, and living in the neighborhood is also an enticing opportunity. Upperclassmen interested in living off-campus may now have a new district to add to their search. While other neighborhoods have been Emerson favorites in recent years—Beacon Hill for the views, Fenway for the nightlife, the North End for the dining— Fort Point combines each of those elements in one lively section of the city.

A trip to Fort Point does not require much planning ahead. The approximately 10 minute walk from campus brings you to the neighborhood, where finding something to do only requires deciding on your interests for the day. The HarborWalk is a waterfront path that winds through Fort Point, allowing you to explore while getting some exercise. The trail stretches from South Boston to Charlestown, and is similar to the Esplanade but with a refreshing change of scenery. Along the path you will come across four parks that offer a range of seating and scenic views of the channel—they’re a great way to experience something other than the Boston Common.

Following the HarborWalk not only gives you a frontrow view of the Harbor and passing boats, but the route includes other worthwhile Fort Point destinations. The InterContinental Hotel and the Moakley Courthouse are aesthetic wonders, and the Independence Wharf Building at 470 Atlantic Avenue has a public observation deck on the seventh floor. The floor is open daily from10 a.m.-5 p.m. at no charge, and is the best vantage point for viewing the neighborhood. Martin Scorsese took advantage of Fort Point as a location when filming shots of the Boston skyline for his 2009 film The Departed. The HarborWalk is also regularly chosen as a place to feature public art done by local artists. More permanent displays are easily found in the many open studios that call Fort Point home.

Art abounds in Fort Point. Over 300 artists have chosen the inspiring locale and spacious warehouses of Fort Point to both set up shop and reside, making it one of

the largest art communities in New England. In addition to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) local artists encourage visitors to view their workshops and galleries.

For those unfamiliar with the arts community, start at 30 Channel Center. This is an open gallery that not only features but also sells the work of more than 75 local artists. Area volunteers frequently organize free public art events. There is an annual holiday sale, spring art walk, and summer park party that collectively draw an estimated 10,000 visitors each year. This year, the art walk will be held May 9-11, and studios will be open to the public during that time as well. The Fort Point Theatre Channel is an inexpensive way to enjoy a live performance outside of the Emerson stages and hosts a diverse selection of shows. The theater even holds auditions for actors in the Boston vicinity. Technology start-up companies make up much of the business landscape in Fort Point. HelmetHub is working off the idea of a helmet-dispenser that would be used alongside city bike programs and is just one of the exciting ventures coming from Fort Point. The creative nature of start-ups contributes to the unique cultural blend of lifestyles that make up this neighborhood. Fort Point certainly has many reasons to visit, but those looking to stay more permanently also have their needs met. The architecture of the area is rife with roomy warehouses that make attractive options for apartments.

Fort Point is harboring a booming restaurant scene that will make it hard to decide on where to dig in and easy to decide on coming back. Because of its proximity to the

seaport, you can find an array of fresh seafood on nearly every menu. For a traditional crab-shack atmosphere, your top two choices should be the Barking Crab, which has live music, or No-Name Restaurant, which would have a 97-year-old reputation to back up its name if it had one. For a more upscale evening, the Daily Catch, also of the North End, has a Seaport location, and Sam’s features a French-bistro menu. Anthony’s Pier 94 is perhaps the most high-end, and has been visited by numerous notable names, from Richard Nixon to Alfred Hitchcock and Julia Child. If you are looking for something for casual, Flour Bakery and Cafe has reasonably priced salads, sandwiches, and, of course, sweets. If you’re interested in something less family-friendly, Fort Point is still the place to go.

There is a collection of breweries, pubs, and even Lucky’s Lounge, an underground hangout with a weekly Frank Sinatra tribute and speakeasy vibe. Drink is a bar that has been touted as one of the best in Boston. More exciting than the sleek, industrial-chic decor are the bartenders who prepare cocktails for you based on your conversation with them. Ice is chipped into your personalized glass from a 50-pound block in the center of the room. More casual is the Trillium Brewing Company, which crafts pale ale, aptly named for its own corner of Beantown.

Given that Boston already has its tourist attractions solidified, it is no easy feat to garner as much attention as Fort Point has already managed to obtain. Its historical significance put Fort Point on the map, and the eclectic mix of restaurants and art life has kept it there.

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PATHETIC SUMMER HOBBIES text by chantelle bacigalupo illustration by pimploy phongsirivech

Choose wisely what you do with your downtime this summer Summer is known as the season of snow cones, adventures, cutoff shorts, and sweat stains.

Unless you are an overachiever taking on summer courses, you’ll probably have a considerable amount of free time to fill-in. And let’s be honest, college tuition annihilated just about every exotic trip in your book until at least age 25. Here are a few daring hobbies that will easily satisfy the unattainable dream.

KNITTING Call your grandma because summer 2014 is about to get wild with knitting. Ponder on the endless supply of hand-made garments you’ll have for fall.

Warm and…trendy? Discussing your grandma’s past shenanigans while knitting your way down the social ladder may be no Ibiza, but at least the water at grandma’s isn’t over priced. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the brownies that granny offers you having anything other than flour, sugar, and chocolate.

BOOK CLUB Sun tanning with a classic book doesn’t sound too dreadful…until you realize you’ve dozed off into a sleep that will result in sunburn and offensive tan lines. Folks, that’s why we read inside, on a couch, with the air conditioning blasting on high. Nature reading is really only glamorous and enjoyable in the movies. Just don’t forget to consult Spark notes before your book club meet-up.

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JEWELRY MAKING This is an art you mastered as a child and have continued to practice sporadically over the years.

But you may question: why does my necklace from 10 years ago look surprisingly similar to my creations today? But then again, how else will you compliment your newly knitted clothing? What else will you snack on when your sweet tooth craving kicks into high gear? Thank goodness for candy bracelets.

CHOPPED- HOME EDITION Your mouth is watering after hours of watching Chopped on the Food Network. It’s time to get your bum off the couch, tie on your mom’s floral apron, and get cookin’. Make a Chopped home edition. Try and challenge yourself by focusing on gourmet food.

Nothing too advanced, so just stick to duck egg or escargot. There is always a possibility that your food might not be edible; so if you are starving, just call for take-out.

PAPIER-MÂCHÉ Remember the good ole’ days when you would peel the dried glue off your hands instead of wash them? Remember the cool kids from the PBS show Zoom who taught you all kinds of fun arts and crafts?

Papier-mâché was definitely one of them. At this point in your life if you are not a pro at papier-mâché, what have you been doing with your spare time?

You never know when the neighborhood kids will be having a birthday party. And obviously, there is no party without a homemade papier-mâché piñata.

Crafty and cool.

THE HUB LEVELS UP text by madeline bilis photos by madeline bilis

Boston is reinforcing its reputation as a center of innovation in the US The glory days of cutting edge technology in Boston may seem like they’re in the distant past. An older version of Beantown proudly boasted Route 128 as being “America’s Technology Highway”, with successful companies like EMC Corporation and Sun Microsystems (now Oracle Corporation) setting up shop in the suburbs. Lovingly referred to as the “Massachusetts Miracle”, the beltway that circles the city defined the technology industry from the 1960s to 1980s. However, the launch of Silicon Valley in San Francisco was a blow to Boston. As countless techies and venture capitalists flocked to California, it was evident that Silicon Valley had usurped Boston’s ranking as number one. While the region still dominates the technology industry in the United States by housing tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Adobe, Boston is fighting its way back in as a tech startup hub.

BEANTOWN IS BACK With the recession in the rearview mirror, Boston’s technology scene is no doubt flourishing once again.

Aside from startups raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars left and right, major tech companies are opening up offices in the area. A popular spot for prospective businesses is Kendall Square, the neighborhood of MIT, and home to Google and Microsoft offices. Twitter claimed a spot in Kendall Square in March after acquiring two local companies, Bluefin Labs and Crashlytics. The San Francisco-based company decided to establish a presence on the East Coast partly to take advantage of the brainiacs the city is home to. Some of Twitter’s new projects, such as the new Twitter Amplify program, are being developed in the Cambridge offices. Advertisements through Twitter Amplify will target specific audiences. The future of Twitter’s profit margins and user experiences rely on our Cambridge neighbors.

Amazon also hammered down some space in Kendall last

year. Amazon’s corporate headquarters in Seattle decided to buy Kiva Systems Inc., a robot-maker in North Reading, before moving in on Cambridge. Other companies, such as PayPal and StubHub, are also closing in on some Boston real estate. The two eBay-owned businesses have a new home in the Financial District. PayPal settled in after buying Where Inc., a mobile technology startup, for $135 million. The two companies will be located at International Place, which is also offering free office spaces for small startups in the area.

What’s the big deal about a few new cubicles in the city?

Jobs. PayPal brought in 160 employees, StubHub 50, and Amazon a whopping 240. Twitter is at 100 and counting.

Software developers, research scientists, and computer engineers are swimming in opportunity. But not all techies are keen on the idea of working for a big corporation, which is fortunate for them because Boston is home to over 1,600 startups.

THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT Boston is the ideal tech startup city. It has a history of innovation in robotics, software, science, big data, and healthcare. In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg invented Facebook while he was a student at Harvard, and in 2007 Drew Houston developed Dropbox at MIT before relocating to the Golden State to expand. Startups in the Hub are born in an essentially perfect environment. They’re surrounded by some of the best universities in the country, and Bostonians are generally a highly educated bunch. There’s also a great deal of venture capital, or money that can be invested into a project with a high level of risk (such as a startup), in Boston. There’s a large quantity of investors and professionals who understand what it takes to make a new business work. Money plus brains equals high potential for budding ideas and companies.

Keith Cline, founder of the Boston-based technology

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5 UP-AND-COMING STARTUPS TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR SPRITZ

A developer of a speed-reading technology that actually might change the way people read forever

SPRINGPAD

Allows users to organize and share their ideas, to-do lists, and more

COACHUP

Connects athletes with private coaches

RUELALA

An online shopping resource for members seeking the best brands and prices

PLATEJOY

A menu personalizer that delivers ingredients for recipes specific to you each week

WHY HAVEN’T YOU DOWNLOADED THESE BOSTON-BASED APPS YET? RUNKEEPER

Enables runners, hikers, cyclists, and other outdoor enthusiasts to track their fitness activities

DRIZLY

Place orders for beer, wine, and liquor to be delivered to your doorstep

LEVELUP

Pay for purchases and rack up rewards through this app instead of using cash or credit

WALKING CINEMA: MURDER ON BEACON HILL

Solve the murder of a 19th century wealthy Bostonian through this interactive location-based story telling app

DUNKINRUN

Lets your co-workers know when you’re going on a coffee run and organizes their orders

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HUBSPOT OFFICES IN CAMBRIDGE

“There’s so many people that are successful entrepreneurs that are now paying it forward by providing mentorship to a lot of startups,” says Cline. “Whether you’re early-stage or later-stage, there are so many people you can reach out to that are willing to help.”

Although many flock to Kendall Square in hopes of success, former Boston mayor Tom Menino pushed for an “Innovation District” in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston in 2010. In a statement on the initiative’s website, Menino states, “A new approach is called for on the waterfront—one that is both more deliberate and more experimental. The massive expanse of the South Boston waterfront, with its existing knowledge base, opportunity for growth, and world-class infrastructure is ripe to produce world-class products and services.”

The initiative seeks to convert 1,000 acres of the Fort Point waterfront into an “urban environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.” So far, 5,000 new jobs in over 200 new companies have been created in the Innovation District, with tech companies making up 30 percent of this growth. Companies such as Rethinking Robotics, Zipcar, and EnerNOC now call the Innovation District home.

Cline also stresses the importance of Fort Point in Boston’s flourishing startup community. “That really didn’t exist four years ago and it has really catapulted the startup community to extra levels of success. The whole Fort Point Channel area is absolutely thriving.”

STARTUP CITY With so many successful startups packed into Boston, it’s hard to keep up with the latest advances. One of the hottest growing startups in the city is HubSpot. Founded in 2006, it is now the world’s number one marketing software platform. It works to help its customers market their products through inbound marketing, or creating content that draws people to a company, as opposed to outbound marketing, where the company draws in the customers through tactics like advertising. Hannah Fleishman ‘13 landed a PR job at HubSpot after graduating in December and has been immersed in the startup since.

“Everyone is ridiculously bright so coming to work every day is exciting because you know you’ll be challenged,”

says Fleishman. “It’s definitely fast-paced, wearing a million different hats is pretty much a requirement, and there’s always a lunch ‘n’ learn, networking event, or some type of fun activity going on.”

Fleishman explains that working at a startup requires you to put your skills into action quickly and also drives you to develop a lot of new skills. “Startups are great because everything you produce actually matters. Every single person moves the needle for an entire company in some shape or form.”

With countless promising startups taking over Boston’s tech scene, it might seem like there isn’t any space for more—but there’s definitely room to grow. Organizations like Mass Challenge and the Cambridge Innovation Center work as startup accelerators. Mass Challenge holds a yearly startup competition, awarding $1 million to early stage entrepreneurs. Its goal, as stated by its website, is to “catalyze a startup renaissance.” The Cambridge Innovation Center is a coworking center that offers workspace to new businesses and startups. Spaces range from offices to single desks, with all the amenities of a private office, such as stocked kitchens, conference rooms, Internet access, tech support, and a print and copy center. The philosophy behind this is that being surrounded by entrepreneurs is the best environment for new entrepreneurs.

Many startups spawn from the minds of creative college students, which is great news for a college town. The Dorm Room Fund and Rough Draft Ventures are two popular organizations that help students develop their businesses. It’s a no-brainer that universities like Harvard, MIT, and BU offer well-established entrepreneurship programs for students. Babson University was just ranked number one in entrepreneurship for the 21st consecutive year! But recently other Boston schools have taken the entrepreneurial hint. Northeastern’s venture accelerator IDEA was established in 2009 to help students start their own businesses and the stone-cold professional business school Bentley University has just added a Liberal Studies Major to help fuel entrepreneurial creativity. The most recent startup developments have occurred right here at Emerson, with the Accelerator program being introduced this March. Boston has worked its way back up as a center of technology innovation in the US—and it plans to stay.

A POET AT HEART text by rudhi radke photo courtesy of bobby crawford

Emerson student finds his voice through the art of poetry “I’m so sorry!”

The waitress smiles at writing, literature, and publishing major Bobby Crawford ‘15, who looks down at the flowing puddle of water on the table, embarrassed.

We are sitting in a crowded corner in the bustling Burger Cottage in Cambridge. In the background, the handful of waitresses chant food orders of Ricki Lake drinks and Tom Brady burgers. I’m a mere observer as Crawford’s sincerity has the waitress assuring him that everything is fine. He takes his Sharks hat and adjusts it on his head as he gives me a small smile. “You can probably write this into your profile.”

The table next to us is mostly dry and Crawford looks back at me with a shrug. A shrug so nonchalant that you wouldn’t guess that he was ranked 15th out of 70 poets in the 2013 Individual World Poetry Slam. Until you hear him speak, that is. He’s truthful and has a humble air that carries confidence. He loves being the center of attention and can easily admit that his writing is getting better with time. The people at the table next to us start listening in on our conversation as we talk about national events where Crawford has gone to reach titles, such as runner up in the Cantab’s Champion of Champions while being Emerson Poetry Project’s slam master. He’s also getting his collection of poetry, titled Only Show in Town, published by Emerson’s student run organization Undergraduate Students for Publishing through their imprint Wilde Press. His book will be released by the end of this semester. To say the least, Crawford is busy.

The biggest revelation was learning that Crawford discovered slam poetry in college and has been “at it” for only four years. His sage knowledge of poetry and ease in

performance seem to suit a person who has been involved in slam poetry for many years. He was dragged to the Emerson Poetry Project welcome show his freshman year, and at the end of the night he had found his niche. He went on to win his first slam and it quickly became his passion.

As a home-schooled child, Crawford defied the stereotypical “quiet child” attitude and was very competitive and driven. He was a figure skater for 14 years, which is where he found his competitive spirit. On the other hand, he loved poetry from a young age. Poets such as Walt Whitman and Ezra Pound inspired him. He wrote for himself and about subjects such as love and music. Also, Crawford can play almost any instrument “averagely.”

When he came to Emerson, he didn’t really know what to expect (like most of us) and found a beautiful outlet for poetry. On that fateful night freshman year, Crawford courageously picked one of his poems and performed on the stage that has since become his second home. Other people might be nervous or apprehensive about performing on stage and sharing personal details with an audience full of strangers, but he finds the stage comforting as he becomes one with his poems. The allure of performance with the marriage of poetry has given Bobby a comfort that is hard to find for anyone. Crawford is very relaxed on stage and can unabashedly state, “I want to be the center of attention.” This, along with the creative and competitive aspect of slam poetry, is what he loves the most about slam.

It is clear that Crawford is a true artist. His Tom Brady burger arrives, and it gives me a moment to recollect my thoughts. Maybe his experience with figure skating gave him enlightenment in the complexities in performing.

When asked what he would have done if he hadn’t found

“A shrug so nonchalant that you wouldn’t guess that he was ranked 15th out of 70 poets in the 2013 Individual World Poetry Slam”

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unapologetic in his delivery and narrative. His capricious voice catches the attention of the audience and holds them with his palpable persona. He is a performer, and his many body gestures entertain and enlighten at the same time. The theatrical aspect towards slam poetry is evident, and I keep asking Crawford if he ever acted or wanted to act in theater or film. He says has thought about it and would definitely try those mediums because of the performance aspect. It is a fine balance that he walks with ease. Crawford himself believes that he’s a better performer than a writer. On top of that, he’s funny.

As a slam poet he’s drawn to other poets who have an element of performance and a personal narrative.

He lists Janae Johnson, a slam poet who is ranked number four in New England, as one of his favorites to watch and listen to. Crawford has noticed that over time that his subject matter is becoming more personal, which triggers a memory of his friend Oz: a slam poet and confidant. He says, “He told me, ‘I write to understand myself.’”

That quote stayed with Crawford and resonated with me. On some level, every writer can connect with that.

His humility is refreshing and he doesn’t take himself too seriously. His burger is almost done, and we are running out of time. I ask one final question; it is one of the most complicated questions.

“Are you happy?”

He looks at me, surprised, and I decide to change my choice of word.

“Okay, how about this—are you content?”

He smiles widely with sureness and says, “Yes.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

slam, he recounts a tale many freshman feel when they enter college: a sense of being lost and found. A WLP major before discovering slam, Crawford had the intention of teaching poetry at a higher institution. “No one wants to read poetry. No one, even the poets that publish poetry, they just want to get their book published.”

He’s right. Poetry doesn’t have a huge selling value and has not exactly been a part of popular culture—until now. In essence, slam poetry has given a voice to many. Slam poetry allows individuals to communicate in a comprehensive way, and it is a platform to bring light to many pressing issues.

Crawford sees himself doing more competitions and then gradually moving away from slam poetry. At this moment, the life span of slam poetry is short, but it is expanding and reaching out to a larger audience. In short, poetry has become cool. Crawford views this as a positive move for poetry as it begins to move into high schools and give teenagers another form of creativity. When asked where he sees himself in five years, his answer is practical: “Hopefully in a MFA residency in a liberal arts college where I get to teach as well as continue to write.”

Crawford doesn’t plan to leave poetry any time soon.

His poems serve to express a message and give thought to relevant things. His personal narrative flows seamlessly and has the quality of connecting with his audience.

“Do you feel that you have control over words, or that the words have control over you?” I ask.

“Oh, definitely the latter.”

As Crawford slams “Subaru Lover,” he demonstrates tremendous control over his emotions. Phrases such as, “We are a burning engine under the hood of a piano,” highlight the intricate simplicity of his metaphors. Crawford is

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BOSTON SHOWS OFF ITS INK text by kelsey conner photo courtesy of social palates photography

Tattoos are like potato chips...

It is often said that tattoos are like potato chips—you cannot have just one. There is certainly an addictive quality to this art form; just ask any tattoo collector. Whether you are a serious collector with hundreds of hours’ worth of ink on you or a newbie looking to get your first piece, the Boston Tattoo Convention held every August is a great way to meet new artists, shop, and even compete in tattoo contests. It is an entire weekend dedicated to body modification, drawing tattoo artists, piercers, and clients from all over New England.

From 1962 to 2000, tattooing was illegal in the state of Massachusetts. This law was put in place after there was a severe hepatitis outbreak due to loose ideas of sterility in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Tattoo studios along the Massachusetts borders were very common, with residents having to travel out of state to get new art. It wasn’t long after the ban was lifted until the first Boston Tattoo Convention (BTC) was held. Now in its 13th year, the BTC is hoping to cover every inch of the Bay State in beautiful ink.

So what exactly does one do at a tattoo convention? Get tattoos, of course! But if you’re not quite ready to add to your collection yet (or start it), there is still plenty to be done. You can consult artists on your future pieces and watch others get new ink. You can get new piercings from the many piercers that are present and ready to go to work. There is also an art show,

as most of the tattoo artists aren’t only skilled with decorating skin. You can also attend various seminars on everything from new piercing techniques to oil painting. Are you the next Miss Boston Ink? Then enter the beauty contest! Looking for something a little more offbeat? The infamous Black Cat Burlesque will be performing their spooky half horror, half striptease show. If you do decide to get a new tattoo, then you and your artist can enter the daily contests that are held and get the chance to have your tattoo published in various tattoo magazines.

BTC artist Jay Ski loves tattoo conventions, going to “at least once a month.” Jay Ski works out of Hobo’s Tattoo in Rochester, N.H., but through conventions gets to “travel the world, tattooing and being tattooed by people I’d never meet otherwise.” Jay Ski’s number one piece of advice for convention goers? “Do not go from booth to booth asking about prices.

You’ll make the artists very mad.”

The 2014 Boston Tattoo Convention will be held at the Boston Back Bay Sheraton Hotel. It will take place August 29 through 31. Tickets are available for purchase on the Boston Tattoo Convention website. Single day tickets start at $25, and weekend passes start at $45. So if you are looking for new artwork or just want to see the sights, check out the BTC because there is certainly something for everyone.

TOUCH ME text by matt mullen photos by kathy collins

If a painting hangs in a museum and no one is around to see it...

Picture, if you can, a museum as a large birdcage and all the art inside different types of birds. Then imagine what would happen if you opened the doors to the cage and let the birds fly free. Some would soar skyward—to far away destinations—while others would land in the street, or in a park, or on top of a building. It would be an explosion of beauty: art would nest in the city and lay eggs of more art and more expression. Tomorrow, after reading this, explore Boston and see for yourself: this very thing has happened.

What do we call these birds of art? We’re taught meaningful art is kept in museums. As a society, we love museums but treat them with the same reverent detachment as a place of worship. Consider the tacit rules of being in a museum: speak softly, don’t take pictures, and never, ever touch the art. While there is value in collectivizing and protecting our works of art, there is an inherent hegemony found in the structures of a museum.

Although the art is well displayed, it’s sealed off from all forms of human interaction. You can’t run your hands across a sculpture to feel it’s texture or press your nose against a painting to see its brushstrokes. And so these masterpieces become fragile birds we are to admire but never truly see fly. When we let them out of the museums they become a new form of art: public art.

The term public art came into being in the 1970s— around the same time the American civil rights movement radically redefined our understanding of public space. Shared space and its ability to unite people

suddenly became an important function of society.

Artists—backed by the newly formed Public Art Fund in New York City—began installing both permanent and temporary works of art in streets, parks, plazas, building lobbies, and any other urban slivers of space they could find. The effect was astounding: across the country, pieces were made ranging from imaginative Miro and Calder to minimalist Richard Serra and Donald Judd. For once, people who had never seen a work of Picasso’s— the poor, the homeless, the depraved—could touch with their hands his great sculpture “The Picasso” in Chicago. Even remote areas saw the rise of environmental art—large sitespecific works that use only the natural surroundings.

Public gardens, like the High Line in New York City, are also considered environmental art. Dr. Cher Knight, an art historian and professor here at Emerson, says audience response to public artworks is essential. “Even when people do not like a work we learn about their beliefs, what is important to them, and how they view their city and their roles within it,” she says. “Public art helps articulate a city’s values.”

Boston was not spared from this cultural renaissance.

Established in 1890, the Boston Art Commission is Boston’s only institution that oversees all permanent and temporary public art. It was originally founded to manage the installation of many of the historic sculptures we see in the Common and Public Gardens. (The late 19th century was arguably the first heyday for public art, although the

“As a society we love museums but treat them with the same reverent detachment as a place of worship”

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term had not been coined yet). Today, the Commission is in charge of the care and custody of all paintings, murals, statues, bas-reliefs, sculptures, monuments, and fountains around the city. They even have a process by which artists can propose a work of public art. “We want to engender accessible art,” says Karin Goodfellow, director of the Commission. “Part of that is about public participation and conversation.”

The key to understanding public art is embracing its protean nature: these works can range from more traditional forms of art—such as the classical bronze statues who keep watch over the Gardens—to the transgressive. The glowing Citgo Sign in Kenmore Square is an example of contemporary public art in Boston. The Citgo Sign, first installed as an actual advertisement in 1940, then updated in 1965, has over time become a beloved part of the skyline. Much like Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, the Citgo Sign is literally a glowing emblem of the intersection between consumerism and aesthetics. In the North End you’ll find the stark modernity of Stanley Saitowitz’s New England Holocaust Memorial, erected in 1995. Memorial is comprised of six glass towers under which steam slowly rises from grates. You can walk through the towers and observe the engraved numbers in the glass, which represent the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. “It contrasts silence and stillness with urban rush in a moving way that underscores the incomprehensible loss of life during the Holocaust,” says Cher Knight.

The Citgo Sign and Memorial are examples of large-scale public art. However, there are also examples of small-scale works everywhere. Next time you’re standing on a street corner, see if you can find a colorfully painted utility box.

Chances are, it’s a contracted work by the Commission as part of its PaintBox program. PaintBox, which is funded by private benefactors, invites Boston artists to decorate a utility box in any way they choose. “PaintBox is all about highlighting local talent and creating a widespread installation that captures the energy of the city,” says Goodfellow. The boxes are wildly kinetic in their uniqueness. One, on Boylston Street, depicts an underwater scene infused with dream-like creatures.

Another, in Jamaica Plain, is painted in a shocking geometric pattern and uses only black and white. “They’re proof art can be anywhere, so long as someone has the means to make it,” says Goodfellow.

And there’s more art out there: murals on the walls of alleys, drawings on the sidewalks, sculptures among the weeds. Next time you are walking around the city, try to find them. The only rule of interacting with public art is that you must interact with it. For example, when visiting New England Holocaust Memorial, press your hands against the floor and feel the emanating warmth. Find a number etched in the glass and trace it with your finger. Do it again. Look skyward: through the steam you will see the tops of trees, and buildings, and clouds, then birds, and eventually endless sky.

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MAY PLAYLIST photo by irene he

May is a month of both beginnings and endings. As we bid adieu to the 2013-2014 academic year, we also blissfully embrace the impending summer season. Along with the warmer, we welcome wealth of musical talent gracing Boston’s concert halls and festival circuits. A mix of touring artists, album-dropping indie up-and-comers, and perennial favorites, this bittersweet playlist should be the perfect capper to what’s been another fantastic year here at Emerson.

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“OFF TO THE RACES” Lana Del Rey

“SHOCK TO YOUR SYSTEM” Teagan and Sara

“FORGIVE ME” Casualties of Cool

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“PRETTY BIRD” Jenny Lewis

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“FOREVER” Haim

“SING ABOUT ME,I’M DYING OF THIRST” Kendrick Lamar

“TAKE ME SOMEWHERE NICE” Mogwai

“TRANSATLANTICISM” Death Cab for Cutie

“REAL” Years & Years

“OR NAH (REMIX)” The Weeknd

“HEY NOW” London Grammar

“PAPAOUTAI” Stromae

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“THE SONG OF SOLOMAN” Kate Bush

“LOVE IS TO DIE” Warpaint

“WORST BEHAVIOR” Drake

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“LOVE OF MINE” Nickle Creek

“LIAR” Built to Spill

“ROSES” Outkast

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“ECHO” Foxes

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“PACIFIC AIR” Sunshine

“RED HANDS” Walk off the Earth

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“CIRRUS” Bonobo

“SMOKIN & DRINKIN” Danny Brown & A-Trak

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“OPHELIA” Natalie Merchant

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“CRYSTAL BALL” Grimes

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“CRUCIFY” Tori Amos

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“MAN OF THE YEAR” Schoolboy Q

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“ANIMALE” Don Diablo & Dragonette

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