87 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Movies can provide us with a great way to look at life. One of my favorite movies is "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." One thing that I always remember from that movie is something that Ferris said. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around every once in a while, you can miss it."\n While I always thought this quote was good, I got a better appreciation for it during Little 500 week. While everyone was out partying, I was in the hospital with appendicitis. And nothing gives you time to think like a nice hospital stay. Especially when no one is around to talk to except for your senile roommate who gets dressed to leave at 4 a.m.\nSo, as I said, I got to thinking, and something dawned on me. The school year is over, and that means I am about to embark on my senior year of college. That is a tad bit frightening, if for no other reason that in a year I will be unleashed upon this world as a full-fledged, money-making (hopefully) adult. But I suppose all good things must come to an end, right?\nAnd while the coming of my senior year is crazy and signals many different life changes or soon-to-be changes, I also realized what the end of the year meant to other people around me. In order for me to become a senior, that means that this year's seniors had to graduate (well, at least most of them).\nFor the first time in my years at IU, graduation will have a large impact on me. Oh sure, I've known seniors who have graduated already, and it's always odd for them not to be around anymore, but this year is different. The seniors graduating this year, I have more of a link to.\nWhether it's people I know from class or work, guys I've played lacrosse with or a roommate I have lived with for the past year, they are all people that I know and with whom I have built solid friendships. These were people that were there at the bars with me for my birthday, people that were there to guide me when I was picking classes or just people who were there for me when I needed to talk.\nNow, I know that you people out there will be saying, "Well, what did you expect, everyone to stay here forever?" And no, I don't expect everyone to be like Chris Farley in "Tommy Boy" and take nine years to graduate. In fact, while I would like it if some of these graduates would be around next year, I don't really wish for them to stick around any longer, either. That is because it's part of life, we move on, we go our separate ways and to wish that this never to happen is just foolish.\nWhat I want everyone to get out of this column is twofold. One, I want to say goodbye to all of you graduates, whose lives will forever change tomorrow when you get that diploma and go on your separate ways to anywhere from the East Coast to the West Coast and beyond. For those of you that I have known, you have made a mark on my life that I truly appreciate. For those of you that I never got to know, well, I really have nothing to say to you.\nBut while I say goodbye, I know that for those of you that are my good friends it's not goodbye for good. I know that we will stay in touch through the years, so that I will know wherever you might venture, whether you are living in a big city or if you move out to Arizona to escape the snow. And you will know when I become the manager of my very own Taco Bell (free nachos to anyone I know!).\nWhich brings me to my second point of this column. No, not how good the nachos are at Taco Bell, which they are, but one last thing that I want to say to the graduates. Good luck in whatever you might do. I'm sure that you will be successful in any endeavor you might pursue. And try not to forget about us younger kids that are still here in B-town, toiling away in our classes.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Memorial Day weekend is often viewed as the opening of the summer movie season. This year, for a change, the movie opening on Memorial Day weekend actually had some relevance to the weekend, as "Pearl Harbor" opened up. The movie is the latest from the blockbuster team of director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The trailers are a little misleading, but overall the film fulfills the typical summer movie experience.\nIf you have seen any of the trailers for "Pearl Harbor," which I'm sure you have since they've been all over the television, it looks like a great action flick, pertaining mostly to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the American response to it. This only makes up a quarter of the movie. The movie actually combines many different aspects: romance, comedy and action, so there is something for everybody, which is nice. And the action scenes during the invasion are pretty good too, once again reminding us why Bay and Bruckheimer love computer animation so much. The movie also does a good job of bringing in some little-known historical aspects of World War II, such as the Doolittle raids, a suicidal American bombing run on Tokyo which occurred shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Ben Affleck also does a pretty decent job, pulling off the cool flyboy attitude.\nThis is not to say the movie is without holes. The romantic element of the movie is pretty weak. It centers around Affleck's character, Rafe, his best friend Danny, played by Josh Hartnett, and Evelyn, played by Brit actress Kate Beckinsale, who pulls off a good American accent. While I won't give away all the aspects of the triangle between the three, I will say the girl bounces around more than a tennis ball between the two. Another staple of the Bay-Bruckheimer movies that makes an appearance are the sappy scenes they shoot with inspirational music to try to make you proud to be an American, which was also used a lot in "Armageddon." These scenes could be done without, especially in a movie that runs for three hours. \nThe reason you go to movies like "Pearl Harbor" is not because of the plot or the character development, though those would be nice, but you go to be entertained, to get away from the heat and humidity (whenever it might come) and any other troubles you may have. "Pearl Harbor" accomplishes that, and accomplishes it well.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Well, the NBA Finals are over and done with, and one more season is down the drain in the sports world, leaving only baseball for our summer enjoyment. The Lakers defeated the Sixers last Friday night, and the talk has quickly turned to if the Lakers are the next great dynasty and if Kobe Bryant is the next Michael Jordan. I am here to quash all those rumors, as a resident of the greater Chicagoland area who got to see up close and personal the Bulls dynasty and the great Jordan himself.\nIt is true, the Lakers have had a great run in this year's playoffs -- going 15-1 -- the best record of any champion of all time. They have even defeated some quality teams, such as the San Antonio Spurs, the only champion not to win two titles in a row since the '80s, and the Sixers, who were the best team in the East all season long and featured league MVP Allen Iverson. Yet what one needs to take into account with this team is that the talent pool of the NBA is diluted. The argument can be made that the Bulls played in a similar pool their second three-peat, which is true, but the Bulls persevered through six titles, which is what makes them a dynasty. The Lakers have won only two so far, which while a good accomplishment, is not quite enough to make them a dynasty.\nPart of what made the great basketball dynasties of the past great was how they were able to deal with adversity and roster overhaul and continue to win. If you look at the Bulls, the roster that made up the second three titles is dramatically different from the roster that won the first three, with only Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson. They were able to rebuild and recreate the team, and each time the team that won was a little bit different, and a little bit better every year. The Lakers have not had to deal with free agency affecting any of their roster yet, so it will be interesting in the coming years when players reach the end of their contract and leave if the Lakers will be able to rebuild as easily as the Bulls did during their run.\nFinally, the debate of Kobe being the next Jordan is ridiculous. The NBA is desperately looking for a star to take over Jordan's place and is not finding any suitable choices. They tried Shaquille O'Neal for a while, but it became obvious the general public didn't take to him. Iverson is a great player, but most people, including NBA commissioner David Stern, can't get past the tattoos and cornrows. Vince Carter has yet to win anything significant, so Kobe is the obvious answer. Dynamic player, successful, million dollar smile, alot of the traits of Jordan.\nBut the simple fact is, he is not Jordan. No one will ever be Jordan. It is time for everyone to realize that Jordan is unique and the next great player will be his own person with his own game. Do we call Jordan the next Oscar Robertson? No. In baseball, do we call Mark McGwire the next Babe Ruth? No. They are just who they are, just like Kobe is Kobe and not anyone else. In his defense, Bryant said he can't be the next Jordan because no one can fill his shoes. I just wish the rest of the country and media would realize the same thing.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Growing up through junior high and high school, music was often something I turned to during hard times, such as dealing with the whole puberty thing, not getting a date with that girl or just doing something to get away from my parents. One of these bands that I found solace in was Stone Temple Pilots, who burst on to the scene with their debut album Core in 1992. Now that I have gotten older and my music taste more refined (at least I think so), I turn to other bands for my escape instead of Stone Temple Pilots. Yet, when I heard they released a new album, Shangri-La Dee Da, I couldn't help but take notice.\nShangri-La Dee Da is the Pilots' fifth album, and frankly, it's not all that groundbreaking. While I am unfamiliar with the band's fourth album, No. 4 (clever eh?), I do know the other three records. Decent fare all, but none were ever quite as good as their debut. The Pilots had such success early in its career and not much lately -- perhaps they would return to a sound similar to their earlier material. In fact, the new material is more than similar. \nWhen listening to this album, you can't help but think you have heard some of these songs before. While it can be good to maintain a sound similar to one that first made you popular with your fans, it is also important to be able to branch out from that sound. This is something the Pilots don't accomplish at all with this album. The lack of creativity definitely knocks the album down a notch. \nYou can't argue this album doesn't have some enjoyable melodies, such as "Days of the Week". But anyone who has been around the music block will easily recognize these tunes as very similar to some previous Pilots songs. \nOne can't help but wonder if lead singer Scott Weiland has lost his edge since he went through drug rehab and got clean. Stone Temple Pilots started out as a hard rocking band full of rage that could also bust out some nice, slowed down music like "Creep". Yet, after his rehab, the music they have been turning out is like a more poppy, top 40 rock version of their earlier incarnation. Unfortunately for Stone Temple Pilots' music, Weiland's new clean lifestyle might have been the worst thing to happen to them.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Many anxious eyes were on their TVs Wednesday night, and not just to see the fate of Hoosier hero Kirk Haston and his future destination. The NBA draft was happening, and in the days leading up to and after the draft, one thing is obvious -- the NBA sure is changing.\nFive different trades came down through the pipes, with several teams looking like a shadow of their former selves. The Grizzlies, Suns, Hawks and Bulls all pulled off dramatic trades and when the draft is taken into account, fans in several cities will need rosters to recognize their favorite squad when they take the court. \nEverything got underway when the night before the draft, the Grizzlies of unknown origin (in process of moving cities, maybe) sent their all-star forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim to the Hawks for Brevin Knight, Lorenzen Wright and the number 3 pick in the draft. The Grizz was at it again shortly after the draft was completed, sending their point guard Mike Bibby to the Kings for run n' gunning guard Jason Williams, known for his flashy passes and a shot that even a junior high kid would be disgusted by. While the Grizz weren't any good to begin with, I'm not sure with all these trades and their draft picks, seven footer Pau Gasol from Spain and Duke forward Shane Battier, they will be any better. But, at least they are generating some buzz. \nThe next big move was made the night of the draft when the Bulls sent Elton Brand -- their only player who has cashed in on their potential -- to the Clippers for the rights to number 2 pick in the draft, high school forward Tyson Chandler. Add on high school center Eddy Curry, and the Bulls suddenly have a team suitable for college, with those two and Jamal Crawford, Marcus Fizer and Ron Artest, all players who would still be or just out of college. This works out well for the Bulls, since head coach Tim Floyd is known for his college coaching skills, not for any NBA coaching skills. \nNow, the Clippers become a team on the rise, adding Brand in to an already young and improving nucleus. So, while the Lakers might win a few titles, you get the feeling that if they ever don't win it, the title will probably be staying in Los Angeles anyway.\nThe last big trades came in the days following the draft, with the Phoenix Suns sending all world point guard Jason Kidd to the New Jersey Nets for shoot-first-ask-questions-later guard Stephon Marbury. The Suns followed it up with trading forward Clifford Robinson to the Detroit Pistons for a couple of bench players. Which raises the question, what are the Suns doing? \nKidd is the best point guard in the game right now and makes his teammates better. Marbury demands to be "the man" on his team, asking to be traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves when him and Kevin Garnett could be rivaling Shaq and Kobe, only to go to New Jersey and wallow around near the bottom of the standings. I see no benefit to this trade for the Suns, and for once, the Nets did something good. \nOne last thing, touching on some Hoosier pride here, the Charlotte Hornets astounded everyone by drafting Haston with the 16th pick in the draft last week, much higher than anyone anticipated. While I wanted Haston to stick around one more year, I wish him the best, hoping he erases the stigma of Hoosiers not making good professionals.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The All Star break is upon us fans of Major League Baseball, meaning the season is a little more than halfway home. So, with that in mind, it is time to reflect on what we have seen in the previous few months, and what may be to come as the season winds down to a close.\n1) The Next Great Home Run Race? Back in 1998, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were busy chasing each other and Roger Maris, in efforts to break the record for most home runs in a season since 1961. Well, by the end of the season, both McGwire and Sosa had passed up 61, with McGwire finishing on 70 and Sosa 66. While this is the era of the long ball more than any other, most thought that McGwire's record would last for a while. Right now, its looking like it might not even make it 5 years.\nBarry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants and Luis Gonzalez of the Arizona Diamondbacks are doing their best McGwire and Sosa imitation, with a staggering amount of home runs by the break. Going into Sunday's action, Bonds had 39 home runs, and Gonzalez had 35 home runs. At this point in the season, McGwire had 37 home runs. Can either Bonds or Gonzalez break the record? The feeling here is that Gonzalez probably can't maintain his pace, but Bonds just might be able to give it a run.\n2) Surprise Division Leaders. Back at the finish of last season, three of the four worst records in baseball belonged to the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. Most predicted all three teams would finish up this season pretty much in the same place as last year. Yet, a funny thing happened on their way to a last place finish, all three teams are leading their division going into the break. That's right. All three teams are on top in their division. While the Phillies hold a mere one game lead heading into Sunday's action, both the Twins and Cubs are four games up on second place. Depending on what happens today, the Cubs could go into the break with the best record in the National League. \nWhile it looks like the Phillies might not have enough to last the season, especially when the Braves are starting to look like themselves again, both the Cubs and the Twins just might have enough to make it through the season in first, or at least make it interesting. This is how I think the division winners and wild card teams will break down in each league; in the American League, the Red Sox will win the East, bolstered by Nomar Garciapara's return from the disabled list, the Twins will hold on to win the Central, the Mariners will maintain their giant lead in the West and the Indians will win the wild card by a game over the Yankees. In the National League, the Braves will win the East over the slumping Phillies, the Cubs will finally start hitting the ball consistently and win the Central, the Diamondbacks will win the West hands down and the Astros will win the wild card. Of course, these predictions are all taken with the understanding that moves made at the trading deadline could dramatically alter the landscape of the baseball world, which brings me to my third point.\n3) The Trading Deadline. This year, several big names could be on the move, which could spur a team on from a second place finish to the division crown, or put a team over the top from mere playoff team to World Series Champion. Most any move will probably be made with an eye toward the Mariners, who right now are looking like the team to beat, even though the Yankees have won the previous three World Series titles. The team that could have the most impact on the title hunt this year is probably the Oakland Athletics, of all teams.\nThey will influence the chase not because they will win anything, but because of who they have to trade, should they decide to. Closer Jason Isringhausen, outfielder Johnny Damon and first baseman and reigning AL MVP Jason Giambi could all have new addresses, any of whom could give a team the added boost to win it all. So keep an eye on the A's and when they might make some trades, as well as the Chicago White Sox with David Wells, the Kansas City Royals and the San Diego Padres with Woody Williams, Sterling Hitchcock and Phil Nevin. Several of these players might have a new home in a month, and could be hoisting the World Series trophy come October.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Ah, a nice rain-soaked July day. Well, at least rain-soaked for the 15 minutes or so that I needed to be outside in transit places. Got to love how that works out, don't ya? So as I sit, soaked from the rainstorm and my umbrella's pathetic attempt to keep me dry, a realization comes over me. Today is July 22, my mom's birthday.\nFor the first time in my life, I am not there with my mom to celebrate her birthday. Now, before everyone out there labels me a bad son, please understand my absence on this day. Because of my employment situation, I was unable to get home for this weekend, which my mom understands and has no problem with. She and my dad will be coming here in a few weeks to celebrate it then. But the point is, it is different not being there, especially this year. For this year is the year my mom turns 50 (sorry mom, but I had to say it).\nOverall, this has not been the best year for my mom, between her turning 50 and my turning 21, but it is simply the facts of life that aging happens, and we all get older. Yet while I reveled my birthday, finally being legal and all, I approach this day with a bit more of sadness. After all, turning 50 is a big thing for any person out there, especially when that person holds a close place in your heart like my mom does with me.\nTo tell the truth, today my mom will be no different than yesterday, and when I see her she will look no different from when I saw her last, save some perhaps a change in haircut or something. Aging isn't really something that you notice when you see someone often. Unfortunately, despite the lack of everyday changes, there will be a difference. \nAs the years go by, and I get older along with my parents, our relationship shifts and changes. Up to this point, it's been good to me. They did a good job raising me, aside from typical high school angst that every teenager has against their parents, and now the relationship I hold with my parents is great. They are more friends to me than parents, people who I share drinking stories with over a good dinner, both from me and from them, the two reminiscing of college days of yore. To tell the truth, the stories originally caught me off-guard, trying to picture my parents as partyers like me and my friends are. But now that I have had a couple years to digest them, the stories are just something that has rounded my parents out more, something that makes me see them in a new light and appreciate them even more. \nYet I am a year from college graduation and getting to a big step in my life, perhaps the biggest step I will ever take. Living on my own, away from my parents. Oh sure, wherever they live will still be "home", even if they move from our house, but the times when we live together in the same home are soon to be over. They probably were over the minute I moved into my house here last August, actually. And it's a bit sad, because my parents will no longer be who I come home to after a bad day. Instead they will be people who I see every once in a while, getting together for a day, perhaps going to a game and dinner or something. While I know it doesn't sound different than now in college, it will be in a way that is hard to put into words. Things like this happen when you get older, it's just a fact of life, but it doesn't make it any easier. \nSo I go forward into my future, unbeknownst to me or anyone what I will be doing or where I will live. The only thing I do know is that my parents will be there to support me no matter what I do, even if I'm the place I call home is vastly different from the address they can be found at. After all, they are my parents, and that's what parents do. And someday, I hope to do as good a job with my children as they did with me.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
About the time people here in America were waking up from a nice deep sleep Sunday morning, halfway across the globe, a fellow American was accomplishing something monumental. Lance Armstrong was crossing the finish line in the final stage of the Tour de France as the champion for the third year in a row -- the first time any American had ever accomplished such a feat. \nFor those that aren't familiar, the Tour de France is like the Super Bowl of bicycling. It starts out with a time trial and then goes on for 20 consecutive stages before its conclusion. The race tours the French countryside, from the flats to the mountains, including some time spent in the Alps. The tour ends up in Paris, by the famed Champs-Elysees. For all the riders in the world, this is the event they train for during the year. It is actually more prestigious than an Olympic medal. \nArmstrong's victory this year was quite impressive. He didn't win any stages until the 10th stage, falling back all the way to 22nd place at one point. Riders and fans throughout the world thought this might be the year that Armstrong gives up his title, but with the 10th stage being the start of the mountains, Armstrong was in his element. \nArmstrong picked up time in leaps and bounds, and by the end of the 13th stage, Armstrong had gained a lead that he would never relinquish. In doing so, he became the first American to ever win three Tours in a row, and just the second American ever to win three Tours. Armstrong has his sights set on other things though, hoping to attain the mark of five straight victories held by Miguel Indurain of Spain. \nWhile maintaining his edge for two years could be difficult, especially when one must consider the possibilities of injuries, you get the feeling that Armstrong can actually do it. That probably is because Armstrong was able to overcome testicular cancer, and an advanced case of it at that. \nComing up in October, it will mark the five-year anniversary of the diagnosis of Armstrong's cancer, that was so severe that it had spread to his lungs and brain. Yet, through surgery and chemotherapy, he has been able to beat it, and if you ask any cancer patient, if you make the five year anniversary and are still cancer-free, chances are you are going to make it. \nSo, on this day after his victory, Armstrong stands as a person of high admiration in the American populace, and he should be celebrated. Not only for dominating his sport for three years in a row, but also for battling and surviving one of the most deadly diseases of our time.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
With the coming and going of Aug. 27, another fall semester kicked off at IU. \nIt should have started with the yelling of "It has begun!" by that guy from the "Mortal Kombat" movie. (Only you TBS connoisseurs know what I'm talking about.)\nAnyway, the school year has started again, with all the typical signs. Freshmen walking around, bags full of books, eyes glued to their campus map and missing the street sign they are about to walk into. Old friends and classmates meeting in the street. And of course, those students lounging behind Woodburn Hall, taking a nap under the sun or just listening to someone telling us why we are all going to hell. (That's right, froshies, no use in fighting it!)\nOne more of the familiar sites is the madness going on at all the local bookstores, as students attempt to find their books. In all likelihood, these texts will be opened only once and will prove handier as a doorstop than in helping that calculus grade. \nThis year, I am lucky enough to be an employee at one of these fine book-peddling establishments, and my position has awarded me much time to people watch. My conclusion from my hours of observation is that college is set up all wrong.\nI have watched many a student, both freshmen and experienced Hoosiers, struggle to find their books in a relatively simple system. Future leaders of America, from business to theater majors, all seem to be unable to grasp the simple concept of getting their books. Which is what makes me think the educational system is wrong. \nSince I am about to walk out the door on academia, I'm pretty confident in my observations of the institutions in which I have spent almost my entire life. Basically, the classes we attend while at college aren't what we need for that mythical place that is the "real world." I know because I have been out there. I had an internship before my junior year, and basically much of what I learned was no good for me.\nSure, the theories I have taken from the journalism school helped me, but there have been plenty other classes I've taken that have not. While I am not against a well-rounded education, I think the requirements for graduation need to be scaled down a little. I took two full years of Italian, and I can't even speak it. And it's not because I wasn't any good in the class, I was a B student. But the time I spent in that class could have been used for something that is more practical. \nIt's true some people that know me might find this a little hypocritical, given the roster of classes I've taken. But my point is not that every class has to be strictly about whatever profession one wants to go into in life, but that the requirements should be scaled to that regard. \nCollege should be about preparing us for the rest of our lives, and knowing about the countries involved in the War of 1812 isn't going to be the edge that gives you that first job over some other applicant. What will give you that job are the skills you could be learning in college instead of learning about something else that is useless. \nNow excuse me while I go start my reading for my class about molds and fungi.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
In the last two weeks, a little league baseball team captured the attention of the American public with its efforts in the Little League World Series, placing second in the U.S. bracket. Sports radio and TV stations were abuzz over the team's play, specifically Danny Almonte.\nAlmonte threw a perfect game in the playoffs and followed up that performance with a one-hitter. He gave up one run in three games and three hits to boot. Almonte was dominating. A performance like his was unheard of on the Little League level, heck, even on the major league level. There was only one problem: Almonte is 14, in a league where 12 is the maximum age limit.\nWhat has also come to light recently was that Almonte's parents didn't have him enrolled in school this past year, instead letting him stay home and play some ball. It's quite evident that his parents blatantly cheated, enrolling him in a league in which he was older than any other player by two years just so he could be a more dominating player. For this reason alone, a second look needs to be taken at youth sports.\nI played sports growing up. A lot of sports. Soccer, basketball, baseball, football and more; making sure to try a little bit of everything. My parents were there for me every step of the way, helping me practice if I wanted to, or getting me to the next game I had to play. For that I am appreciative. I also am grateful that my parent's involvement stopped there. \nFor some adults, their kids are their second chance to be a sports star, and they aren't going to let the opportunity pass. So they ride their kids, make them practice all the time, play in off-season leagues, and even keep playing the sport if they don't like it just because the dad is a fan of it. \n The parents are always looking for a short cut to give their child the extra edge, whether it is some new summer camp, or in this case, just skipping school entirely. This is wrong, blatantly wrong.\n Youth sports are for kids, not for their parents. I mean sure, you can get excited from seeing your son or daughter out there succeeding, but at the same time, you have to be there for them when they don't make that big shot, not only when they make it.\nWe, as the future adults of America, have a chance to make a difference. Soon enough, we will be the ones with the children participating in youth sports. So instead of treating our kids like they are our retirement plan and their success is important, just let them do what they enjoy. Any time you feel yourself wanting to push your child in a direction they may not want to go, push yourself instead. Join a recreational league or start riding a bike every day. Your kids will thank you for it later.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The great thing about summer is the fact that you have no responsibilities. Oh sure, you might have a job or something, but you always get to have a vacation or some time off to yourself to do whatever you want. Maybe hang out at home, or take a vacation somewhere. \nMy vacation this summer was to good ol' Dallas, or a suburb of it. A friend of mine from high school moved down there last summer, so I thought I would pay him a visit. \nI didn't get to see a whole lot of Texas, just the northern part of the state, which I drove through on my way down to Dallas. \nFrom what I saw, you need to stick to the cities in Texas, because the only other thing in the state is dirt. That, and the second-biggest canyon in America behind only the Grand Canyon. I didn't make it to that, though.\nAnyway, Texas people are certainly a little different from what I was used to. I'm a Northern boy, specifically a Chicago boy, born and bred there my whole life. And while Bloomington is a little farther south, it's still fairly northern. So Texas was a bit different. \nI know some people around here might have some narrow minds concerning Texas, considering it a state that's a little slow -- though I'm not sure where they would get that idea given our president is from Texas. (Insert joke here.)\nSomething I picked up from Texas while I was down there is that the state is unique in some of the things that the laws allow that are not allowed in any other state. For instance, the carrying of firearms and the absence of open-container laws. Unfortunately, as of last Friday, one of those unique traits that makes Texas Texas is no longer there. Last Friday, they outlawed open containers of alcohol in the car.\nThat's right, no longer can one consume that sweet, sweet nectar that is alcohol, or more specifically beer, while you are riding shotgun in your friend's pickup truck. Try to hold yourself together for a minute, I know that thought is hard to take.\nI'm not sure exactly what it was that swayed the members of the Texas legislature to change their minds when it comes to the open-container law. Was it the threat of losing federal highway construction dollars? Or maybe it was the fact that in 1999 there were 1,734 alcohol-related highway deaths, which accounted for about half of the total highway deaths in the state. Mind you, the national average of alcohol-related highway deaths was only 32 percent.\nDon't worry, though. Those true blue drinkers down there in Texas won't let that silly ol' $500 fine stop them from drinking. As 45-year-old Charles Demet, resident of Lubbock, told the Associated Press, "If people want to do it, they're going to do it regardless of the law," as he drove off with a 12-pack by his side.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Thirty-one teams. Twenty-one weeks. One trophy. The NFL season is upon us again. With the season still young, many of these teams have high hopes. (To the fans in Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dallas: sorry, no glory for you this year). The previous two Super Bowl champions, the St. Louis Rams and Baltimore Ravens, are both back and looking for more championships. \nYet there are plenty more teams out there looking to claim the Lombardi trophy as their own this season; the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans and the Oakland Raiders are all looking to capture the title. And don't forget all those teams that could surprise us, like our neighbors an hour to the north, the Indianapolis Colts. \nThe great thing about the beginning of sports seasons is that all the writers of a publication can tell you who they think will win or lose. Will they be right? Will they be wrong? Will anyone actually remember who predicted what when the season is over? \nSo, without further ado, here are the fearless predictions made by many on the sports staff at the IDS.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
In light of Tuesday's tragedies, Big Ten athletics directors and commissioner Jim Delany is scheduled to call a conference at noon today to discuss the week's schedule of sporting events.\nIU athletics director Michael McNeely could not be reached. His secretary said he wouldn't comment on the possibility of cancelling any events until after today's conference call.\nSome teams across the country have already postponed games for the upcoming week. Both the Penn State-Virginia and North Carolina State-Ohio football games were canceled for Thursday night. Plans are for the N.C. State vs. Ohio game to be rescheduled for Nov. 24. The Penn St. game at Virginia is still up in the air. \n"The game is postponed in wake of the tragic events in the United States today," Brian Siegrist, assistant sports information director at Penn State said. "Officials from both universities are in discussions and hope to come up with a reschedule date sometime in the next 24 hours"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The typical box cutter is usually not an intimidating object. It is usually a plastic container with a thin strip of metal cut into individual blades. Movers use them. Artists use them. Store employees use them when shipments come in. But they were used to threaten, injure or kill airline employees aboard the planes that crashed on Sept. 11. And none of the victims had access to anything that would be a formidable defense against the instrument of their demise.\nPerhaps if there had been an air marshal or armed pilot aboard, things might have turned out differently. President George W. Bush recently called to mandate the increase of safety measures on planes. Bush unveiled a comprehensive piece of legislation that, if passed, will forever change air travel and might just be able to coerce those still afraid to fly back on board.\nHis plan includes several changes to the existing flight plan. Air marshals, currently being taken from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Immigration and Naturalization Service until they can train others specifically for the job, will be placed in almost every flight, according to CNN.com. These marshals will be in plain clothes, and will be carrying a weapon.\nBush and the FAA also want to step up cockpit security by installing stronger, more secure doors. CNN.com reports that white house officials oppose letting pilots carry handguns. Which makes sense because they need to concentrate on the really important task of actually flying the plane.\nThere is no need to worry about a bullet piercing the hull either, because they plan to use hollow point bullets. This kind of bullet penetrates the target, and the tip of the bullet explodes on contact. Therefore, it would be enough to stop a terrorist, but not enough to cause serious damage to the plane. \nThe airline industry is in dire need of a solution, and quick. Delta already released 13,000 employees in the past two weeks, according to CNN. This industry is a huge part of American economy, and we cannot afford to lose it. Bush has the right idea by acting quickly on a plan that will make both the airline employees and passengers feel more secure, especially in a time where everything seems insecure.\nStaff vote: 6-4-0
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
For the last few weeks, I've been in a bit of a blur, at least when I make it to my classes.\nSee, I'm starting to run myself ragged, because I have one too many things going on, and to top it all off, I am on the tail end of that wonderful time of the semester when all your professors like to give you exams at the same time. Isn't it great how that always works out?\nI spent the past three years of my existence here at IU at pretty much a snail's pace, having lots of free time to lounge around, but still staying somewhat active with a good amount of classes, as well as playing on the club lacrosse team. Sure, I would party and all that, but if I only made it out maybe two times a week, I didn't think anything of it. \nWell, apparently something clicked off in me this summer, and I decided to make the most of my remaining year here on the wonderful Bloomington campus. \nI am now juggling two different jobs, both at the IDS and at a bookstore, still playing lacrosse, as well as making partying a mandatory requirement in what is turning out to be a majority of the nights in a week. While work is not really ever optional, I am finding out that other things are. Sleep? Maybe every once in a while. Studying? Hmm, I think I've heard of that before. Eating nutritious foods? Well, Taco Bell and Burger King get me my vegetables, meat and bread products, and beer has got some bread products too, right? \nSo, I can imagine what is going through your heads right now as you sit in class, not even pretending to listen to what your professor is saying about calculus in your huge lecture hall. Why do I even care about how busy this guy is? Well, I got two reasons for you. One, I'm a columnist, and you have to read what I write and like it. And two, I'm gonna dish out a little bit of guidance to you younger kids out there.\nI am just now starting to get fully involved on campus, and appreciating all that there is to do around here. Through the newspaper, I have covered group panel discussions about the recent attacks and can gladly say I've never been more knowledgeable about a world problem. Also, since I'm spending so much time on campus either in jobs, class or with lacrosse, I am meeting more people than ever. And heck, you can never have too much of a nightlife, especially when there are so many bands to hear and different things to do despite this being Bloomington. Cause after all, the stupidest things seem fun while drunk at 4 a.m. Ever played softball with Hot Pockets? A definite "must try."\nBasically, I'm making the most of this year, and maybe a small part of me wishes I didn't wait this long to get all this enjoyment out of my experience here on this campus. So, for you young kids out there, while its mighty tempting to sit on your butt and see how many times you can see the same episode of "Friends" in one semester, get out there and do something else. You'll be glad you did. Now excuse me while I go to another class. What's that, a quiz? D'oh!
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The bands that are brave and venture out into new territory with their own songs have the most risk, but also the most reward. Oftentimes, the most popular bands are the ones who sing a majority of original songs. Local band YOU is one of these bands.\nRecently, YOU released its second album, Better Live. To begin with, the musicians should be commended with releasing a second CD worth of original material, which is no small feat. To top it all off, they do a good job with the music, too.\nYOU comes across with a funky, pop rock sound that is pretty catchy. Some of the songs are a little more upbeat, like "Player" and "Wonderband," and some are a little slow like "Here I Am" and "Davie," but all in all the songs do a good job of getting you moving, whether it be in your car or on the dance floor. They even throw in a little tribute to Indiana's bad boy himself, John Mellencamp, with the song "Random Option."\nPart of what makes YOU work so well with the music is the number of vocalists available in the band. Nick Niespodziani, Peter Olson, Matt Sonnicksen and Alyssa Finke all supply lead vocals for the band, which enables their songs to take on entirely different sounds, depending on who the vocalist is. \nIn the realm of music, college bands are always a toss up. Between making original music or simply covering another band, it's sort of a question of quick or long-term rewards. YOU chose to go the route of long-term rewards but are also receiving some success now. If Better Live is any indication, while YOU has room to improve, these musicians are laying the groundwork now for that bigger success later on.\nRating: 5
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
For those of you who have read my column with some regularity, I have made no secret of my being from Chicagoland and hoping to someday return there. I like to read the Chicago Tribune online to keep up with what is happening in both Chicago as well as nationally. So you can imagine my surprise Monday morning when I see the big, bold headline on the front page, "CIA gets OK to kill bin Laden."\nThe story goes on to talk about how our fearless leader, President George W. Bush, has told the CIA to take whatever action necessary, including assassinating Osama bin Laden and eradicating his network. In fact, Bush has gone so far as to allow up to $1 billion toward accomplishing this goal. I understand that bin Laden is not a favorite of the American people after his alleged involvement in the Sept. 11 attacks, but don't you think $1 billion is a bit extreme? And, for that matter, short-sighted?\nWhat I mean by short-sighted is that Bush doesn't see the true potential that exists in bin Laden's death. We are talking about a man who, for all intents and purposes, is the No. 1 most hated man in America. All Bush wants to do is just kill him covertly with the CIA over in Afghanistan and allow the public to take their word on it? Please. In this era of ultra-violence on television, immense popularity of the WWF and also the continued interest in Mike Tyson, the potential profit that could be turned on this can be immense.\nThat's right, profit. As long as we are going to go as far as spend $1 billion to kill this man, why not make a little of that back? If we are getting close enough to end the life of this man and his network, one would think that we could capture him as well as some of his cohorts. And if we capture them, why not bring them back here for a pay-per-view free-for-all? Can you imagine the profits on this sucker? People will pay in upward of $50 for a good boxing match, and those never involve public enemy number one. \nI can just see the main event right now, Osama bin Laden versus Mike Tyson in a no-holds-barred steel cage match, to the death. \n Would this match be fair? No, but you can't tell me that you wouldn't be a little interested in seeing what Tyson, a man who has attempted to bite off another man's ear during a fight, would do to bin Laden with the gloves off and no rules. \n Yeah, I know, there are a lot of you out there who are disgusted and repulsed by what I have written. Well, just think about the circumstances. Our president, the man who sets the example for the rest of us to live by, supposedly, has given his acceptance to kill another man and allotted $1 billion to do it. In the wake of the attacks on our country, is this truly what we have resorted to? How I yearn for days of old.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
A Bloomington man faces charges of attempted murder after two sheriff's deputies were shot at late Wednesday night. Police returned fire during the standoff, and a sheriff's deputy shot the man they say was shooting at them.\n Around 11 p.m. Wednesday, a neighbor called the sheriff's department to report shooting coming from the area of 2900 W. Vernal Pike, police reports said. \n The police report gave the following account of the incident:\n Shots were fired at her Officer Beverly McKnight's car when she arrived at the scene to investigate. \n After McKnight's urgent call that shots had been fired, three more officers reported to the scene, including Sgt. Jeff Brahaum, who became pinned down behind his car. He shot back at the shooter. \n Sgt. Chuck Wilson said the shooter was using two firearms, a .22 Magnum handgun and a 30-06 rifle which he fired several times. The standoff took place between the man's residence and the street, where the officers were positioned behind their cars. \n Wilson said the shooter "was in the garage and then he would step out of the garage and into the breezeway ... fire and step back into the garage." \n Steven Brummett, 47, resident of 3030 W. Vernal Pike, was shot in the stomach and taken to Bloomington Hospital. Brummett is under arrest and is being held at Bloomington Hospital. He is being held on preliminary charges of attempted murder and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. Hospital officials declined to release information on Brummett's condition at his request. \n No officers were injured, but Deputy Troy Thomas said Brahaum's squad car was shot during the exchange. Brahaum was the only officer to fire his weapon.\n The Bloomington Police Department also responded and helped control traffic. A portion of Vernal Pike was closed after the police arrived on the scene and reopened to traffic at about 4 am. \nThis is the first shooting involving a Monroe County Sheriff's deputy since 1988.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Ali - R\nStarring: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx\nDirected by: Michael Mann\nShowing: Showplace West 12\nGoing into the winter, one of the more talked about movies that wasn't based on a book was "Ali," starring Will Smith. Making a film about the greatest boxer and one of the most electrifying sports personalities of all time certainly piqued a lot of interest. Would Smith be able to accurately portray Ali? What parts of Ali's life would be covered in the film? What would the fight scenes look like? Upon seeing the film, these questions were finally answered, but with varying degrees of satisfaction.\nFirst and foremost, what needs to be pointed out about this film is the acting. It is superb. Smith does a great job taking on the role of the champ. At the start of the movie I was waiting for him to say something like "parent's just don't understand" but by the end of the movie, I saw him more as Ali and less as the Fresh Prince. He was very believable. Jamie Foxx shows that he is more than just a comedian in portraying Ali's cornerman, Drew "Bundini" Brown. \nThe fight scenes are also well done doing as good a job as possible to show the viewer what is going on as well as trying to convey the ferocity and craziness that occurs in the ring during a fight. The fight scenes very well might have been the best aspect of the movie.\nPraise aside, there are also some down parts to this movie. The movie is 157 minutes long, and it makes sure you are aware of every one of them. The movie takes a long time to get going, and many scenes feel like they drag on for much longer than needed. Director Michael Mann tried to show a different side of Ali than many were probably expecting, focusing less on the man in the ring and in the spotlight and instead on his quest to find himself and his struggles with the Vietnam War when he could not fight and was stripped of his title. In all, you only see Ali fight in five fights, leaving viewers more time to see Ali outside the ring.\nWhile this idea to show Ali for the man that he was instead of the boxer we all know was an interesting angle and could have made an interesting film, Mann fails to follow through with his view, instead presenting us with a rambling slow moving film that fails to really entertain and hold the viewers' attention. See this movie for Smith's portrayal of Ali, but wait till it's on video.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Music from Vanilla Sky\nVarious Artists\nReprise Records\nI don't know Cameron Crowe. Therefore it's hard for me to say a whole lot about him, but I do know that the man sure does know how to direct a movie, and additionally, he knows how to pick songs to assemble one hell of a soundtrack for these movies. Recent examples, such as "Jerry Maguire" and "Almost Famous," simply stand as examples to prove my point. You can add "Vanilla Sky" to this list.\nThe movie itself is a crazy mind-bender, and the soundtrack is chock full of songs that are found in the movie and that add ambiance to the story. The roster of artists on the soundtrack is practically a who's who of quality musicians. Included are REM, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Bob Dylan, just to name a few. \nSome of the more notable pieces of music on the album are both REM tracks, "All the Right Friends" and "Sweetness Follows," Buckley's "Last Goodbye" and Peter Gabriel's "Solbsbury Hill." The beauty of the two REM songs is that each is different in pace and feel, one is upbeat while the other is more melancholy, yet both are quality pieces of music and provide examples of to why they are one of the better bands of our time. Dylan's entry, "Fourth Time Around," starts off with his signature harmonica to the point where any listener could pick out the song after only a couple of notes without knowing what number it is. Yet that is the beauty of Dylan, he knows what works and keeps making it work, time after time after time.\nOf course, there are a few songs on this album that leave a little to be desired. All of these songs have a place in the movie so they make sense, yet on this soundtrack they just seem a little out of place. "Mondo '77" by Looper, "Afrika Shox" by Leftfield and Afrika Bambaataa and "Svefn-g-englar" by Sigur Ros all just seem like songs that would be better found on a different album than this. \nAlso, in terms of poor songs, the "Porpoise Song" by The Monkees just seems to be a bad unused track from the Beatles Sgt. Pepper sessions. I wonder why these guys were never able to shake the reputation as a bad Beatles rip-off?\nAll in all, this soundtrack is quality and is a good purchase. From start to finish, you will find yourself only wanting to pass up maybe one or two songs, and by the time it's done you'll want to start it all over again. When an album can do that, you get your money's worth.\n