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(09/06/01 5:08am)
Target or Walmart shopping is a staple in Bloomington. You go in for cotton balls and come out with two bags of pretzels, pajama pants, a stapler and soap. Grand total: much more money than you originally anticipated.\nBut I've found the cure for this needless spending. Check out the toy section. In these isles you will be able to busy yourself with things you know you don't need to buy. While your friends cruise the store for practical, but unnecessary, expenses, you can play with a Furbie, a See n' Say or the talking Malibu schoolteacher Barbie.\nIf this sounds juvenile to you, you've been in college for too long. Not only do adventures in Toyland prevent you from spending lots of money, but more importantly playing with toys can be a cathartic experience. As your fingers graze over the miniature keyboard that lights up with each note, or as you listen carefully to the instructions of Simon, you are temporarily a child again, untouched by the complications of everyday college life. \nMy favorite toys were the ones I could interact with. I found a large plastic frog with a British accent who taught me how to spell "table." A cartoon-like telephone played the classic "Twinkle twinkle little star" every time I pushed the three button. But the highlight of these talking toys was a soft, plush dog that indicated I should squeeze his right paw, which resulted in a beautiful rendition of "Who Let the Dogs Out," complete with choreography from the puppy. I found it so entertaining I then pressed two paws at the same time so I could see an entire doggy chorus.\nBut even the silent toys held my attention. Not to sound like my 80-year-old grandmother, but it truly is amazing the toys that decorate the shelves today. I grew up with simple games like UNO and Sorry!, so for me to see a Palm Pilot and a laptop for children, walkie talkies in the shape of watches, all 20 characters in Harry Potter and a battery-operated miniature Volkswagen Beetle is truly incredible. Though I can't go back in time and trade in my Garbage Pail Kids cards for a singing dog, I can pretend the world still revolves around toys by simply perusing the isles and discovering that Mattel now makes Ken dolls with hair. Astounding, isn't it?\nBefore you think I'm off my rocker, let me just clarify that I don't go to Target everyday for hours and hours. In fact, I hadn't been anywhere near the toy aisles until just a few short weeks ago when I accidentally discovered this life-altering pastime.\nBefore leaving Cleveland to return to Bloomington, I went with my younger sister and a friend to Target with the sole intention of buying a new bulletin board and shampoo and conditioner. But before leaving the store, my friend convinced me that there are hidden treasures in the toy isles that we should definitely take advantage of. For the next 45 minutes, I felt young and full of wonderment, looking at things I hadn't touched in years. Laughing together at the wonderful things we had just experimented with, my sister, friend and myself all left the store feeling a little bit lighter.\nAnd as for that saving money thing … well, I came really close to contradicting myself when I almost bought the watch walkie talkies. Have no fear, I put them back on the shelf. Maybe I'll get them next time I explore the toy aisle.
(09/06/01 4:23am)
Alex Matson, keyboardist of The Samples for the past four years, said he sometimes feels he has to pinch himself.\n"(Being in a band) is what I've wanted to do since I was 16," Matson said. "When you share the stage with somebody huge and get to meet the guys, and look over their gear and get the overall vibe.\n"We've been in the company of several heavy hitters in the business and when you see they're ordinary people and that they take tomatoes off their sandwich, too, you just feel a part of the whole thing."\nThe Samples, with guitarists/vocalists Sean Kelly and Rob Somers, bassist Andy Sheldon and percussionist Sam Young, have produced 11 albums since 1989 and will bring their tour to Bloomington Sept. 10 at Axis to promote their latest album, Return to Earth.\n"The vibe was great in the studio. We recorded in a century old church where the pews used to be and converted the church office into a studio control room and the recording system was entirely computer-based," Matson says, stopping himself from getting into the technical details of the album's sound. \n"It's a neat dichotomy in terms of old and new. I'm pretty proud of the it."\nSheldon, a founding member of the group, shares Matson's dedication to playing music. Though he says he understands that 11 years of touring and recording is strenuous and at times a sacrifice, he says making an eclectic and diverse album like Return to Earth reminds him of his deep appreciation for music.\n"It's one of the best recordings we've ever made," Sheldon says. "It's a little bit of everything from harder edge guitars right down to acoustic. I'd say it's a blend of folk, pop, world beat and rock. Some songs are very much like songs that you'd expect to hear from us, but there's always that area of our album that ventures a little farther."\nAs with most musicians, developing their live show is also an area The Samples try to venture further into. Though formed in Colorado, many of The Samples have Burlington, Vermont roots --home of a large hippie culture and the celebrated Phish -- whose influences found their way into The Samples early work, which was heavily instrumental. \nMatson says that since the departure of the band's former keyboardist and drummer, The Samples have progressed. They improvise less and play more songs per concert, but still maintain a sound that he classifies as "soulful and yet danceable and that's what this band's trump card is."\n"For the most part, we still try and play things a little differently every night. There's a sense of mystery there because we're not playing it just like on the album," Sheldon adds. "We've also just naturally gotten tighter and we're able to listen more to each other. We've definitely evolved and as we try different styles, we improve without even knowing it -- just by playing live so many times we gain the ability to hear one another and work off that groove."\nThough Matson is still a new addition compared to other band members, he also senses the natural "groove" between the Samples and relies on it to keep him motivated.\n"When you have a really cool musical moment on stage -- usually at least once a night and sometimes for the whole show -- you just feel so in sync," Matson says. "It really makes you believe in what you're doing and it all comes together. It's during these inspired moments when I consider myself a lucky person. We believe in the music and enjoy each other's company and until someone makes us stop we probably won't."\nSenior Joe Choma says he hopes Matson is right. Struggling to remember how many Samples shows he's attended, he classifies their sound as Bob Marley meets the Police meets Neil Young, influences he says are evident during their concerts. \n"I've probably been to over 20 shows," Choma says proudly. "The first time I ever saw them live was here at Hoosierfest my freshman year and we all went and somehow got on stage during the show and got to meet them. It was a pretty exciting night."\nChoma not only enjoys their music but also respects their message. He says that in an industry where popular music can emphasize image and conformity, The Samples should be commended for maintaining their individual sound and down-to-earth stage presence.\n"Instead of worrying about commercializing or following trends of the music industry, they have decided to take things in own hands and do their own stuff," Choma says. "They don't want to be a band of the moment but stick with what they believe in. It's very commendable. So many are willing to sacrifice integrity just to get big and (The Samples) are in it for the real reasons."\nSerious fans like Choma do not go unnoticed -- Sheldon says fans act as a motivating force for the band, which solidifies why he has dedicated his life and career to making music.\n"I think every night I play, when I actually see the people who come, that verifies right there that I'm doing something good and positive and it makes me feel great-that a bunch of other people can enjoy it," Sheldon says with enthusiasm. "The fact that I'm doing what I want for this long and make a living out of it -- I could never take that for granted"
(09/06/01 4:00am)
Alex Matson, keyboardist of The Samples for the past four years, said he sometimes feels he has to pinch himself.\n"(Being in a band) is what I've wanted to do since I was 16," Matson said. "When you share the stage with somebody huge and get to meet the guys, and look over their gear and get the overall vibe.\n"We've been in the company of several heavy hitters in the business and when you see they're ordinary people and that they take tomatoes off their sandwich, too, you just feel a part of the whole thing."\nThe Samples, with guitarists/vocalists Sean Kelly and Rob Somers, bassist Andy Sheldon and percussionist Sam Young, have produced 11 albums since 1989 and will bring their tour to Bloomington Sept. 10 at Axis to promote their latest album, Return to Earth.\n"The vibe was great in the studio. We recorded in a century old church where the pews used to be and converted the church office into a studio control room and the recording system was entirely computer-based," Matson says, stopping himself from getting into the technical details of the album's sound. \n"It's a neat dichotomy in terms of old and new. I'm pretty proud of the it."\nSheldon, a founding member of the group, shares Matson's dedication to playing music. Though he says he understands that 11 years of touring and recording is strenuous and at times a sacrifice, he says making an eclectic and diverse album like Return to Earth reminds him of his deep appreciation for music.\n"It's one of the best recordings we've ever made," Sheldon says. "It's a little bit of everything from harder edge guitars right down to acoustic. I'd say it's a blend of folk, pop, world beat and rock. Some songs are very much like songs that you'd expect to hear from us, but there's always that area of our album that ventures a little farther."\nAs with most musicians, developing their live show is also an area The Samples try to venture further into. Though formed in Colorado, many of The Samples have Burlington, Vermont roots --home of a large hippie culture and the celebrated Phish -- whose influences found their way into The Samples early work, which was heavily instrumental. \nMatson says that since the departure of the band's former keyboardist and drummer, The Samples have progressed. They improvise less and play more songs per concert, but still maintain a sound that he classifies as "soulful and yet danceable and that's what this band's trump card is."\n"For the most part, we still try and play things a little differently every night. There's a sense of mystery there because we're not playing it just like on the album," Sheldon adds. "We've also just naturally gotten tighter and we're able to listen more to each other. We've definitely evolved and as we try different styles, we improve without even knowing it -- just by playing live so many times we gain the ability to hear one another and work off that groove."\nThough Matson is still a new addition compared to other band members, he also senses the natural "groove" between the Samples and relies on it to keep him motivated.\n"When you have a really cool musical moment on stage -- usually at least once a night and sometimes for the whole show -- you just feel so in sync," Matson says. "It really makes you believe in what you're doing and it all comes together. It's during these inspired moments when I consider myself a lucky person. We believe in the music and enjoy each other's company and until someone makes us stop we probably won't."\nSenior Joe Choma says he hopes Matson is right. Struggling to remember how many Samples shows he's attended, he classifies their sound as Bob Marley meets the Police meets Neil Young, influences he says are evident during their concerts. \n"I've probably been to over 20 shows," Choma says proudly. "The first time I ever saw them live was here at Hoosierfest my freshman year and we all went and somehow got on stage during the show and got to meet them. It was a pretty exciting night."\nChoma not only enjoys their music but also respects their message. He says that in an industry where popular music can emphasize image and conformity, The Samples should be commended for maintaining their individual sound and down-to-earth stage presence.\n"Instead of worrying about commercializing or following trends of the music industry, they have decided to take things in own hands and do their own stuff," Choma says. "They don't want to be a band of the moment but stick with what they believe in. It's very commendable. So many are willing to sacrifice integrity just to get big and (The Samples) are in it for the real reasons."\nSerious fans like Choma do not go unnoticed -- Sheldon says fans act as a motivating force for the band, which solidifies why he has dedicated his life and career to making music.\n"I think every night I play, when I actually see the people who come, that verifies right there that I'm doing something good and positive and it makes me feel great-that a bunch of other people can enjoy it," Sheldon says with enthusiasm. "The fact that I'm doing what I want for this long and make a living out of it -- I could never take that for granted"
(09/06/01 4:00am)
If you don't listen closely, you might think the first track of David Mead's Mine and Yours is a Radiohead album in disguise, with undertones of Britain's pop artist Jason Falkner. But if you listen more carefully, Mead's sweet, high-pitched voice is laced with insight and optimism, proving he is his own musician.\nOverall, Mine and Yours combines an impressive variety of sounds -- ranging from slow and somber to rhythmic and hopeful -- but the album fails to completely avoid the common manufactured sound of today's mainstream pop music. Nonetheless, Mead's lyrics provide a depth that most pop music lacks, thus giving his music a compelling sound worthy of listening to at least once. \nSeveral tracks are beautiful, containing lyrics you can identify with and beats that require listening to over and over again. But Mine and Yours also contains several tracks where the poignant lyrics are lost in the annoying melody and too-shrill lead vocals of Mead. Songs like "Girl On The Roof" and "Flamin' Angel" are painfully monotonous.\nThe fourth track, "Echoes Of The Heart," sounds dark and ominous, but as the chorus repeats, "Not a sound, then it starts/Something speaks from the dark/Not a voice/Only echoes of a heart," the song is immediately colored with a more uplifting sound.\nMead also showcases his ability to reach a crazy amount of high notes as his voice constructs the beautiful rhythms of "No One Left To Blame." "Comfort" has a meditating instrumental sound, as Mead's voice truly conveys the human need for comfort. "We're talking trash again like long sedated lovers/Baby what's become of us/A latent memory of Southern spring and summer/Maybe Winter in New York," suggests the universal issue of relationships in trouble.\nIn contrast to these slower, introspective songs, Mead also shows a more upbeat side with "Mine And Yours" and "Venus Again," both of which sound like they belong on the aforementioned Falkner's first album, Author Unknown. The most unique sounding song "Elodie" is reminiscent of the United States' Peter Salett and Scotland's Belle and Sebastian, with a syrupy-sweet rhythm and soft drum beats that keep the song moving.\nMead's Mine and Yours is certainly worth listening to, but will most likely not stay in my stereo for long.
(09/06/01 4:00am)
Target or Walmart shopping is a staple in Bloomington. You go in for cotton balls and come out with two bags of pretzels, pajama pants, a stapler and soap. Grand total: much more money than you originally anticipated.\nBut I've found the cure for this needless spending. Check out the toy section. In these isles you will be able to busy yourself with things you know you don't need to buy. While your friends cruise the store for practical, but unnecessary, expenses, you can play with a Furbie, a See n' Say or the talking Malibu schoolteacher Barbie.\nIf this sounds juvenile to you, you've been in college for too long. Not only do adventures in Toyland prevent you from spending lots of money, but more importantly playing with toys can be a cathartic experience. As your fingers graze over the miniature keyboard that lights up with each note, or as you listen carefully to the instructions of Simon, you are temporarily a child again, untouched by the complications of everyday college life. \nMy favorite toys were the ones I could interact with. I found a large plastic frog with a British accent who taught me how to spell "table." A cartoon-like telephone played the classic "Twinkle twinkle little star" every time I pushed the three button. But the highlight of these talking toys was a soft, plush dog that indicated I should squeeze his right paw, which resulted in a beautiful rendition of "Who Let the Dogs Out," complete with choreography from the puppy. I found it so entertaining I then pressed two paws at the same time so I could see an entire doggy chorus.\nBut even the silent toys held my attention. Not to sound like my 80-year-old grandmother, but it truly is amazing the toys that decorate the shelves today. I grew up with simple games like UNO and Sorry!, so for me to see a Palm Pilot and a laptop for children, walkie talkies in the shape of watches, all 20 characters in Harry Potter and a battery-operated miniature Volkswagen Beetle is truly incredible. Though I can't go back in time and trade in my Garbage Pail Kids cards for a singing dog, I can pretend the world still revolves around toys by simply perusing the isles and discovering that Mattel now makes Ken dolls with hair. Astounding, isn't it?\nBefore you think I'm off my rocker, let me just clarify that I don't go to Target everyday for hours and hours. In fact, I hadn't been anywhere near the toy aisles until just a few short weeks ago when I accidentally discovered this life-altering pastime.\nBefore leaving Cleveland to return to Bloomington, I went with my younger sister and a friend to Target with the sole intention of buying a new bulletin board and shampoo and conditioner. But before leaving the store, my friend convinced me that there are hidden treasures in the toy isles that we should definitely take advantage of. For the next 45 minutes, I felt young and full of wonderment, looking at things I hadn't touched in years. Laughing together at the wonderful things we had just experimented with, my sister, friend and myself all left the store feeling a little bit lighter.\nAnd as for that saving money thing … well, I came really close to contradicting myself when I almost bought the watch walkie talkies. Have no fear, I put them back on the shelf. Maybe I'll get them next time I explore the toy aisle.
(08/22/01 4:07am)
I'm the kind of person that relies on the company of others. Though I'm capable of going to the bathroom on my own, I rarely do anything else by myself. My philosophy is it's always more fun with two.\nBut this summer, I learned the true meaning of independence when I decided to accept a newspaper internship in Angola, Ind. for 10 weeks, knowing I'd have to move three hours away from home (Cleveland, Ohio) to a town a fifth the size of IU's student body with not a single soul to call a friend, let alone an acquaintance.\nI was 100 percent on my own for the first time in my entire life.\nAnd I was terrified.\nI realize establishing a group of friends takes time, but I couldn't help wanting that to happen instantaneously -- expectations that I quickly realized were unfair to the community and to myself. But after four days void of human contact outside of the office, I was convinced moving to Angola had been a terrible mistake. With trembling hands, I dialed home and in between sobs admitted to my mom my defeat: I wanted to come home. \nShe calmly told me to give myself more time and reassured me things would fall into place soon enough. After promising she'd call me everyday, we hung up.\nNot only had I never moved to a new place without knowing anyone before, I also had very little exposure to small town life. I was surprised to see how early in the evening stores and restaurants closed; I was shocked to see only six stoplights on their main street; I was astonished at the lack of diversity. \nAnd now, after completing my internship, I'm truly amazed at how wrong my first assumptions were.\nAs a reporter, I was immediately forced to get out into the community to dig for stories and sources, which gradually resulted in several new friendships. Everyone I encountered was so genuinely nice, wanting to do anything they could to help me feel comfortable in the town. I can honestly say I've never met so many nice people in such a small place and in such a short time in my entire life. \nAnd when it was time to leave, I was sad to say goodbye to what had become a familiar and comfortable place -- a drastic contrast to my initial feelings.\nAlthough the goal of this internship was, of course, to teach me about journalism, I learned so many other lessons as a result of taking a risk and moving to a new place.\nI learned about myself. I learned about love and life and how to be daring and spontaneous. I attended my first 4H Fair and my first car race. I pierced my nose. And the beauty of it all: I did it all on my own. \nAlthough I don't have any desire to move back to Angola any time soon, I have absolutely no regrets; rather, I have gained an entirely new sense of independence and a fresh outlook on life. And I'm now confident that I can establish a new world for myself anywhere and anytime I'm struck with the urge to explore.\nThe world really is my oyster.
(04/17/01 5:41am)
Creative writing isn't just a class at IU; it's a way of life for some local authors. \nBreaking into the business of writing for a living is a difficult task, but two Indiana writers have made it as far as getting their books published. David Schanker is on his third novel, and A'lelia Bundles said she plans to continue her research of her great-great-grandmother and write a biography of her. \nBoth writers said they do preparation work before starting the writing process. Schanker writes every first draft in longhand, which he said helps him to see the complete progression of his thoughts. Bundles spent countless hours researching not only the subject of her biography, but also the time period. Both writers advised aspiring authors to practice writing every day if they want to succeed.
(04/04/01 5:39am)
April 16, the Department of Theater and Drama will welcome a person to the stage who has absolutely nothing to say.\nThe silence on stage results from the performer -- Marcel Marceau, a world-famous mime, whose stage shows incorporate only motion.\nTheater and drama assistant professor Murray McGibbon saw Marceau perform in London in 1979. He said the performance was so extraordinary he still remembers it vividly.\n"His genius is that he is able to fill space with perhaps more eloquence of language without speaking," McGibbon said. "It's elevated poetry and motion. If Marcel is 'walking' along a glass window, you can see it because he creates it. To be able to create that sense of illusion is an extraordinary gift and ability."\nMarceau, born in France in 1923, was inspired at a young age by silent film artists such as Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy. He toured the United States for the first time in 1955 after years of study, which was followed years later by television appearances with Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin, according to the Marcel Marceau Foundation Web site. Marceau also had his own one-man show, "Meet Marcel Marceau."\nMcGibbon said seeing Marceau perform proved to him that Marceau was a true artist.\n"He has an absolute economy of movement," he said. "When you watch Marcel, you can absolutely visualize where he is. You can see a broadway musical -- a huge spectacle, whereas he can create a spectacle with nothing on the stage. It's a mark of genius."\nJunior Arian Moayed, a theater and drama major, said even people who are unfamiliar with Marceau's work will be entertained and intrigued by his performance.\n"He has a very imaginative mind, a virtuosity," Moayed said. "What he does better than anybody else, he demands everything of his body and controls it better than anybody else. He makes any object come to life out of nothing. He's brilliant in about 275 different ways."\nJesus Dapena, a kinesiology professor, said he is enthralled by how Marceau can fool the audience into thinking there is something there when there is actually nothing.\n"From a biomechanic specialist's perspective, the most interesting thing is how (mimes) can make it seem like they hit something when they really don't."\nSenior Tom Ridgely said he knows what it feels like to act and invent objects, as a member of Full Frontal Comedy.\n"Improv uses a lot of pantomime," Ridgely said. "It works in improv just like it works for Marceau. The audience is engaged when they are asked to fill in the blank and use their imagination."\nMcGibbon said he considers Marceau to be one of the major wonders of the stage.\n"To have such a world luminary here really brings home to you that Bloomington is a really extraordinary place to be," he said. "This all goes back to (the) brilliance of Herman B Wells, who said he wanted to bring the world to Indiana. To be able to expose students to the great stages of Paris and London is remarkable of any university."\nMarceau will perform at 4:30 p.m. April 16 and 17 in the University Theatre. The performance, part of the Ralph L. Collins Memorial Lecture series, is free and open to the public.
(04/03/01 5:28am)
With more than 20 novels, 30 honorary degrees from universities across the country, and Emmy and Pulitzer Prize nominations, Maya Angelou's next project will be here in Bloomington. The novelist, poet, dancer and teacher will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 at the IU Auditorium. Tickets are free to all IU students, faculty, and staff and will be available at 10 a.m. Thursday.\nAngelou's accomplishments do not exist only in awards -- she became the first black woman to speak at an inauguration ceremony at President Bill Clinton's celebration in 1993, which several professors said is indicative of her prominence. \nProfessor Tony Ardizzone, who teaches creative writing and ethnic American Literature, said Angelou is an expert at knowing how to reach an audience successfully.\n"She is one of the most eloquent readers," he said. "She's extremely articulate, extraordinarily gracious and has a charismatic presence. People will go and be utterly captivated."\nProfessor Emeritus Phyllis Klotman, who knows Angelou personally, said students can expect Angelou to speak about her life, read and perform her poetry and also allow students to ask questions.\n"She's spellbinding," Klotman said. "She moves around the stage, and she's great to watch because she knows the stage as well as she knows the words. When she combines the two things she brings everybody in -- it's as though she spreads her arms out and everybody comes in."\nJunior Vaughn Allen, Union Board president, said the board wanted to bring her to campus because she is categorized in subject area that has not been targeted lately.\n"A lot of what she speaks about focuses on triumph in the face of overwhelming adversity," Allen said. "Her life story is so compelling -- where she came from, the time she spent in Africa and her involvement with women's rights."\nBecause she deals with many social issues, her books have been banned across the country. Ardizzone said the controversy surrounding her work is a testimony to her strength as a writer.\n"It's not so much schools, but school boards. They sometimes can be full of timid people and want the books their students read in classes to be about as bland as the food served in cafeteria," he said. "They want to avoid controversy."\nBut he said because of the depth of her writing, students who read her work or listen to her presentation can learn numerous lessons.\n"I wouldn't want to reduce it to any single lesson," he said. "At the least, you learn how gorgeous and graceful the English language can be used. She'll have people lining up with copies of her books to sign … she'll engage them with always careful and articulate use of language."\nKlotman said although Angelou's unique use of language usually classifies her as a writer, she is better defined as an artist who offers many valuable lessons.\n"It's hard to say what students might learn," she said. "What do you learn when you read a book or recite poetry? You'll learn something about humanism, a culture that's not your own, learn something from someone who is insightful and perceptive about life. It's not as tangible as you might want it to be, but it's an experience you won't forget"
(03/08/01 5:04am)
Halfway through the first set of Pearl Jam's Aug. 29 Boston show, Eddie Vedder took a short break between songs to examine the audience and concluded it was the "liveliest crowd since Europe." But he added the audience would have to "check the bootlegs to be sure." \n Pearl Jam certainly seems to match the crowd's energy with its own dynamic performance, though the energy seems to peak during the first set and isn't met again until the end of the show. A minute of thunderous applause ensues before Pearl Jam launches into "Of the Girl," with another minute of thick electric guitar riffs until Vedder's deep voice takes over. The song has a lot of electric energy with even more elongated guitar jams interwoven in the opening song.\nThe explosive combination of intense rhythm and conviction of Vedder's lyrics produced a jammed-out, fun "Corduroy." Also standing out was an in-your-face "Evenflow," the craziness of Pearl Jam's stage presence is felt through the show. \nAn emotionally undulating "Given to Fly" best represented Vedder's observation of the crowd size, as the high-intensity song resulted in huge applause, a definite approval of the audience. The show slowed for an untitled track, the short melodic song containing high emotion certainly worthy of a title. "Betterman" began with a sluggish sound, but the band picked up vigor as the audience's sing-along erupted with the increased volume of the song.\nThe second set, all-round more rough and prickly, began with a dark ominous "Insignificance" that just didn't carry as much "oomph" as the first 16 songs. Vedder took a break to use his microphone to inform his fans of his support for Ralph Nader. His speech led into a tender, velvety version of "Patriot," which complemented his speech by involving the subject of nationalism.\nFinally, Pearl Jam concluded its Boston show with a seven-minute, intensely jammed-out "Rearviewmirror." The band continuously gained momentum throughout the song and didn't seem to want to end.\nBut the crowd expected the usual ending of "Yellow Ledbetter," and after four minutes of applause, the expectations were met with a supercharged encore of the classic song. Pearl Jam wasn't ready to end the show just there and played a second encore of "Fuckin' Up," the harmonizing lyrics and abrasive guitar riffs ending the show on an exciting, brisk note. And although the song asked Why do I keep fuckin' up?, in relation to its concert, Pearl Jam couldn't have been more off target with that question.
(03/08/01 5:00am)
Halfway through the first set of Pearl Jam's Aug. 29 Boston show, Eddie Vedder took a short break between songs to examine the audience and concluded it was the "liveliest crowd since Europe." But he added the audience would have to "check the bootlegs to be sure." \n Pearl Jam certainly seems to match the crowd's energy with its own dynamic performance, though the energy seems to peak during the first set and isn't met again until the end of the show. A minute of thunderous applause ensues before Pearl Jam launches into "Of the Girl," with another minute of thick electric guitar riffs until Vedder's deep voice takes over. The song has a lot of electric energy with even more elongated guitar jams interwoven in the opening song.\nThe explosive combination of intense rhythm and conviction of Vedder's lyrics produced a jammed-out, fun "Corduroy." Also standing out was an in-your-face "Evenflow," the craziness of Pearl Jam's stage presence is felt through the show. \nAn emotionally undulating "Given to Fly" best represented Vedder's observation of the crowd size, as the high-intensity song resulted in huge applause, a definite approval of the audience. The show slowed for an untitled track, the short melodic song containing high emotion certainly worthy of a title. "Betterman" began with a sluggish sound, but the band picked up vigor as the audience's sing-along erupted with the increased volume of the song.\nThe second set, all-round more rough and prickly, began with a dark ominous "Insignificance" that just didn't carry as much "oomph" as the first 16 songs. Vedder took a break to use his microphone to inform his fans of his support for Ralph Nader. His speech led into a tender, velvety version of "Patriot," which complemented his speech by involving the subject of nationalism.\nFinally, Pearl Jam concluded its Boston show with a seven-minute, intensely jammed-out "Rearviewmirror." The band continuously gained momentum throughout the song and didn't seem to want to end.\nBut the crowd expected the usual ending of "Yellow Ledbetter," and after four minutes of applause, the expectations were met with a supercharged encore of the classic song. Pearl Jam wasn't ready to end the show just there and played a second encore of "Fuckin' Up," the harmonizing lyrics and abrasive guitar riffs ending the show on an exciting, brisk note. And although the song asked Why do I keep fuckin' up?, in relation to its concert, Pearl Jam couldn't have been more off target with that question.
(03/06/01 5:45am)
Union Board said Monday that rap artist Nelly, who made a name for himself with "Country Grammar," will headline Union Board's annual Little 500 concert April 18 at the IU Auditorium. \nProminent jazz musician Wynton Marsalis will also perform April 26 at the Auditorium.\nNelly, a rapper from St. Louis, recently won the 2001 Soul Train Award for "Best New Rap Artsit." His album Country Grammar has spent 35 weeks on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart.\nUnion Board concert director Andy Proctor, a senior, said the show has been in the works for several weeks and has come together smoothly.\n"We had an opening that happened to coincide with Nelly's tour," he said.\nFreshman Adam Blake, assistant director of concerts, said although the process to bring Nelly to IU seemed natural, he had additional reasons for booking the act.\n"I'm from St. Louis," Blake said. "Personally, I'm a big fan and wanted to see that show happen. But I also know that being a freshman and going to parties in dorms or off-campus, that you hear Nelly, so I thought it would be a show the whole student body would have a good time going to."\nProcter said Nelly will appear with a special guest, although no one is confirmed as of yet. Tickets will be $24 for students and $29 for adults and will go on sale after spring break.\n"We're definitely in the midst of a hip hop genre, and it's important to meet that demand from the campus community," Proctor said.\nBlake said after the numerous jam bands who have performed at the Auditorium, Union Board wanted someone different. To further diversify Bloomington's concert events, prominent jazz musician Wynton Marsalis will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 26 at the Auditorium, co-sponsored by Union Board and SFX Entertainment.\nMarsalis will perform with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The musician, who Proctor said is the biggest name is jazz music today, became the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, in 1997.\n"We wanted to bring a whole different flavor to the live music scene that we bring to Bloomington," Blake said.\nDoug Booher, facility and events manager of the Auditorium, said that although Union Board has total control over the selection of the shows they bring to campus, the Auditorium is in support of the efforts to add variety to IU's concert schedule.\n"I think it's a great choice, both appealing to students, the University faculty and the Bloomington community," Booher said. "Wynton has long been known as one of the young, upcoming jazz musicians and it'll be great to have him come to our campus."\nTicket prices for the general public will be $50, $35 and $22. IU Bloomington students with current, valid, student ID cards can receive a $2 discount. All tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday. Tickets will be available at the IU Auditorium Box Office and through TicketMaster.
(02/13/01 5:43pm)
Death can inspire life, or so it did for Steve Schalchlin, composer-lyricist-singer-pianist and the mastermind of the musical, "Living in the Bonus Round," which will be performed 7:30 p.m. today at the Whittenberger Auditorium.\n"How does a songwriter on his deathbed write a few songs in his hospital room and one year later end up in New York with a hit musical off-Broadway?" Schachlin asked. \n"While learning about this success story full of real world 'you can do it, too' inspiration, (the audience) will hear the songs that created this phenomenon," he answered. "(The songs), not so inadvertently, also detail what it feels like for a human being to live with AIDS -- an HIV education program that puts the listener right there in that bedroom surrounded by friends and family and a will to live."\nIn 1996, Schalchlin's songs were put together in a life-affirming musical, "The Last Session." Shortly after composing the musical, he complimented his work on stage by composing an online diary, which can be found on his Website, www.bonusround.com. \n"I call this the Bonus Round because I shouldn't even be alive," he said on his Web site. "In the Bonus Round, time goes faster and the prizes are better."\nSeeing Schalchlin's "Life in the Bonus Round" was a prize unto itself for Kathyrn Brown, a health educator. She said hearing his voice several years ago just once was enough to convince her to bring Schachlin and his music to IU.\n"He's so wonderful and his music is so beautiful," Brown said. "He's so uplifting and positive, in spite of all that he's been through. It's just the message -- have compassion and understanding no matter what."\nShe said today's performance will shatter any stereotypes or misconceptions of the disease and its treatment.\n"I think a lot of people today think that the problem has been solved because we have these new medications," she said. "But people don't realize the tremendous negative toll these take on a person's body … We don't have a cure, and we need to understand what people are going through, a compassionate attitude that can be applied to any negative situation, disability or illness people have."\nJunior Vaughn Allen, president of Union Board, said he hopes students gain a better understanding of the AIDS epidemic that is becoming a bigger world issue every day.\n"It's an uplifting performance," Allen said. "I think people fear they'll be depressed or down, and my hope is that everyone learns something and comes out feeling good."\nSchalchlin said he has been featured in magazines and recognized by universities for his creativity and energy in raising awareness about AIDS and HIV -- recognition he said he greatly appreciates.\n"But mostly, I do this because I know when students hear my songs and my story, it changes them. It changes nearly every single person who attends," he said. "Ultimately, my goal is to make sure every person who hears my story knows they never have to become infected with HIV."\n"Living in the Bonus Round" is co-sponsored by Health and Wellness Education, Community AIDS Action Group, Richland Bean-Blossom Schools, OUT, GLBT, Lascivious Exhibitions, PFLAG and Indiana University's Department of Theater and Drama. \nIt will be performed 7:30 p.m. today in the Whittenberger Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
(01/26/01 3:40am)
When asked to classify their music, Chris Culos and Jerry DePizzo of O.A.R. describe their music as "island vibe roots rock," a sound that will fill the Bluebird Saturday night.\nMembers of O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) began playing together in high school in Maryland. Culos, the drummer, said their only intention was to have a good time playing music for their friends.\n"Our friends from Maryland took the CD with them when they left for college, so the music started spreading by word of mouth, without us having to promote or play at our own school," he said. "It's exciting to see what's come from that. It's amazing where we are right now."\nO.A.R.'s third CD, Risen, will be released nationally Feb. 6.\nAll five band members are students at the Ohio State University. DePizzo, the saxophonist, said balancing the responsibility of school and music is difficult.\n"We don't really sleep too much," he said. "It requires a lot of planning. You only have a certain amount of time, so we can only do seven or eight shows a month, given our schedule."\nBut the sleep deprivation DePizzo said he suffers is not enough to discourage him from being a musician.\n"Personally, all I've ever wanted to do is be a musician -- to do this for a living," he said. "I do that now and go to school. As far as goals, I've hit what I wanted to achieve. As for the band itself, as long as we're playing music and enjoying it and people like it, that's great."\nSophomore Amy Lessing said she would classify herself as one of those people. She said she first heard O.A.R.'s music at overnight camp. Shortly thereafter, she received their CD as a birthday present.\n"The lyrics are interesting, and I wanted to hear more," she said. "They have one of those original sounds that you don't get to hear too often."\nO.A.R.'s members said they pride themselves on that original sound. But Culos said the lyrics are an important dimension to their music.\n"Our music has grown along with us," Culos said. "Marc's lyrics are so interesting, and there's so much to look into if you really want to."\nDePizzo said the lyrics for Risen are all intertwined, based upon a story Marc wrote when in Israel, "The Wanderer."\n"When we chose songs for the album, there's old songs on it that everybody knows and new songs as well," DePizzo said. "We wanted to show the growth of the band by redoing old songs and coming out with new stuff."\nCulos said he is thrilled and proud of the band's growth, not only lyrically and musically, but also by its performance abilities.\n"Our stage presence keeps getting better and better," he said. "We love playing more than anything; we go nuts when we're not playing. When we have a few days off, we miss the energy of the crowds."\nLessing said she hopes to add to the energy of the crowd Saturday, depending on whether she can convince her friends to come along.\n"I'd say it's music you can get into really easily," she said. "If anyone is in the mood to relax and listen to music, have a great time, then put (O.A.R.'s) CD on."\nO.A.R.'s Web site is www.ofarevolution.com.
(12/06/00 5:10am)
A former student visited Bloomington a few weekends ago. But\nneither he nor his wife paid hotel costs. They enjoyed the \nhospitality of an old friend -- Bloomington Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis.\nGros Louis, who has served IU for 21 years as Bloomington chancellor, develops close relationships with students, many of whom he keeps in touch with after graduation. He attends their weddings. He invites them into his home. He has been invited into their homes. He knows their children, their brothers and their sisters. \nAnd when they visit, he refuses to be treated to a meal until the former student makes more money than he does.\nFor Gros Louis, the students define his satisfaction with his job.\n"I think this is a wonderful profession to grow old in," he said, the lines on his face hinting at his long career. "As I get older, I continue to interact with young people, and it keeps me younger. Reveling in changing values and attitudes of young people has been a pleasure."\nGros Louis' tenure as chancellor will end June 2001 when he retires and allows someone else to fill his size nine and a half shoes.\nDuring the past 36 years, Gros Louis' dedication to IU students has been unwavering. After undergraduate studies at Columbia University and graduate work at University of Wisconsin at Madison, Gros Louis came to Bloomington in 1964 as an assistant professor of English and comparative literature. He became an associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1970 and dean of the College in 1978. Since 1980, he has been chancellor and vice president of academic affairs. \nDuring his time at IU, Gros Louis has garnered a long list of accomplishments. He invites the leaders of about 25 student groups to his house several times throughout the year to learn about the happenings on campus. He developed three residence hall programs: Briscoe Fellows, Forest Friends and the Faculty Adopt-a-Floor. He originated the idea for the Wells Scholars program. \nCollins Living-Learning Center, floundering when Gros Louis took office, now flourishes with Gros Louis' guidance to improve the program. He strongly supported opening an office for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community.\nOne of his duties as chancellor, Gros Louis has appointed every dean of every school headquarterd on the Bloomington campus with the exception of one.\n"It's the deans who are the key figures in making the reputation of a university," he said. "I'm most proud of (these appointments). But there are little things too, like finding out a student's difficulty with his classes resulted from a learning disability that no one had checked for. These are small, but very important things I have done for faculty or students. \n"(They won't) be recorded in the annals of history, but I'm very happy with them," he said.\nScott Sanders, English professor and director of the Wells Scholars program, has known Gros Louis since coming to IU in 1971. Sanders considers the creation of the Arboretum, the land of the former football stadium many wanted to convert into a parking lot, a big accomplishment and a stroke of Gros Louis' characteristic vision. In 30 years as a co-worker and friend, Sanders has come to think Gros Louis' success has set high standards for his successor to follow.\n"He brings to the position of chancellor a real rich sense of the University history," Sanders said. "He has an extraordinary memory for people and events. There's no way that knowledge of history can be quickly replaced."\nGros Louis' younger daughter, Julie Gros Louis, 30, said she greatly respects her father's compassionate nature. Although she said it was initially difficult to say what she admired, she listed nine other characteristics she regards highly. Making the list were his open-mindedness, fairness, nonjudgmental demeanor and sense of humor.\n"It's hard to say what you admire most about someone when you admire so much about them," she said. \nBut Julie cannot immediately recall a specific funny memory that's a fair representation of her father.\n"I can't think of one single incident because everything is speckled with humor," she said of her father's personality. "In general, it's there all the time." \nOlder daughter Amy Gros Louis, 32, doesn't have a problem thinking of something specific. Amy said that in the mid-1980s, one of her father's student leader parties got slightly out of hand -- both the students and the chancellor jumped into the backyard hot tub with all their clothes on at 1:30 in the morning. A neighbor, who was the former mayor of Bloomington, called the police to complain of noise, and the fun ended when her mother had to tell everyone to quiet down.\n The hot tub incident is a perfect example of the enjoyment her dad gets from being with young people, she explained.\n "From the relationships he has developed with students, he has found some of his best friends," Amy said. "He really cares about people, and he will send me cards that say as long as you take care of others, you'll be taken care of as well."\n Senior Meredith Suffron, IU Student Association president, said she thought Gros Louis possesses a quiet but powerful disposition but later realized he was personable and full of laughter.\n"I will remember him most for his laughter," she said. "I'll never forget when we went to the opening football game of the season and he was quite the host. He really showed all of us students around and made us feel incredibly special."\nAmy and Julie said the remarkable character of their father is an asset to IU, and the University is an asset to her father, a man who loves to always be busy and productive. Julie predicts her father will enjoy himself once he retires but will go through a withdrawal.\n"Everything that keeps him busy -- essentially he'll be freed from that," she said. "He'll be more calm and mellow, for his own sake, but he'll be in shock with not being busy."\nBut Gros Louis is well aware that retirement will bring about a drastic change in lifestyle.\n"I have no hobbies," Gros Louis said in a half-joking, half-serious tone. "I work seven days a week, and my wife worries what I'm going to do because I have no hobbies. But I'll still have an office in Wylie Hall, and I've told Myles Brand that if there's anything he wants me to do, I'd be happy to do it."\nAmy also wonders what her father will do without the constant pressure of his demanding job. She can picture him reading spy novels in the backyard, a sharp contrast to his regimented schedule. His secretary outlines his schedule for six weeks in advance, but Gros Louis will pencil in an additional six to 10 weeks of plans to be even more organized. \nNancy Brooks, administrative assistant and special events coordinator, has worked with the chancellor for a decade. She describes his behavior as obsessive-compulsive, but she nonetheless loves working for Gros Louis.\n"I was devastated and shocked when he told me he would retire a year early," she said. "To find candidates who are as knowledgeable and versatile as (Gros Louis) will be a difficult task for the search committee."\nGros Louis admits to his compulsive nature. He always carries with him a calendar outlining his plans for the next 14 weeks, a habit that has turned time management into a science. \n"When people come to see me, and after business is done, I have time to ask how things are going with their families or their jobs because I'm well-prepared," he said. "I think a lot of what people see is that I enjoy getting to know people in terms of depth, not just a business relationship. One of the many things I've learned from (Herman B) Wells is that every person in the University is important: students, faculty, custodians, secretaries. The more you can learn about them, the better the atmosphere will be on campus"
(12/01/00 6:58am)
Every 24 hours, 15,000 people are infected with HIV.\nIn three days, the equivalent of the entire student body at IU would be infected with the virus.\nTo lower that statistic, Bloomington will honor World AIDS Day today, which marks the eighth year the city has participated in the world-wide initiative to heighten awareness and teach prevention of HIV and AIDS.\nTonight, the World AIDS Day Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Hope, sponsored by the Community AIDS Action Group, will consist of speakers whose lives have been affected by AIDS in different ways. Pat Muyskens, co-coordinator of the service, said she hopes the speakers will significantly impact those who attend.\n"I think that when any situation is personalized, people care more," Muyskens said. "If they don't have a face or a name to put with a disease, they can ignore it. (AIDS) has to be personalized in order for people to be touched by it."\nJunior Katie Dillard, who has been an AIDS activist since reading Ryan White's biography in eighth grade, said AIDS activism usually only focuses on America, and the most important aspect today is the global focus on the disease and efforts to combat it.\n"For a lot of people, the goal is to remember people who they have lost and loved," she said. "They will try to make their passing not in vain by doing something proactive."\nProactive efforts worldwide will focus on this year's theme "AIDS: Men make a difference," but in Bloomington, the theme has been changed to "AIDS: We all make a difference."\nAnne Reese, director of health and wellness education at the health center, said the theme was changed to better fit the community.\n"We thought (the original theme) was a little limiting," Reese said. "We do really believe that everybody makes a difference, and we get around having to address the issue of blame. It's a chance to get together and support each other in the work that needs to be done."\nThe growth of the disease has spawned a growth in AIDS research, and while medical treatment has improved in America, Dillard said the unfortunate consequence of this improvement has been a decline in the attention on the disease. She said especially in Bloomington, it is difficult to remember other countries don't have the same resources as Americans.\n"One of the most interesting things is that so many people in school and higher education have (information) available and know how to protect themselves," Dillard said. "They assume that's what everybody has, and that makes people lackadaisical about going out and continuing to fight HIV and AIDS."\nJosh Cazares, co-coordinator of the memorial service and the chairperson of CAAG, has worked closely in AIDS education since 1989. He said World AIDS Day is an opportunity for him to help put the disease at the forefront of people's minds.\n"My most powerful experience (involving AIDS) was helping a friend of mine who wasn't really close to his family to deal with his death and dying," he said. "Seeing him watch his life just evaporate before him taught me just how precious life really is. It's so easy for us to take so many things for granted. It's so important that young people understand it's a preventable disease and they don't have to die."\nTo visually promote Cazares' message, the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., will host the seventh annual "A Dance of Love" Saturday night at 7 p.m. Scott Jones, co-creator of the production, is thrilled to help in the seventh showing of what has become his obsession.\n"When we first started doing this, we had the idea of bringing together artists who wanted to express their own sense of loss because AIDS had hit the artistic community so hard over the years," Jones said. "It then became a way to bring all those people together in a communal effort -- actors, jazz singers, composers, dancers...we have a little bit of everything. That's been one of my primary focuses, to have as much of a variety as possible and to get artists involved with each other."\nMuyskens said she is proud of the evolution of World AIDS Day from the first one in Bloomington eight years ago. She said today should always serve as a reminder of how far we have come and how far we can go in reducing the pain caused from a disease that does not discriminate.\n"It would be great if World AIDS Day could turn into an annual celebration for the cure," she said.
(11/29/00 7:23pm)
Applications for the student position on IU's board of trustees will be available Tuesday, Dec. 5.\nAny full-time IU student may apply for the position, which begins July 1 and lasts two years. The student trustee must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student for the duration of the appointment.\nA student has been appointed to the IU board of trustees for the past 25 years, since Indiana law first mandated the position's creation. Functioning as a liaison between the students and the board, the only difference between the two appointments is the length of their terms. Regular trustees are appointed for three years.\nSusan Dillman, director of media relations, said the student trustee functions like a regular trustee -- attending meetings, participating in decision making and voting. \n"There was a pretty concerted lobbying effort to have student representation on the boards of all public institutions in Indiana in the '70s," she said. "(The student trustee) brings a very important student voice to deliberations and decisions that the trustees make."\nStephen Backer, a trustee since 1998, said he views the student trustee as his equal.\n"Their vote is the same as mine," he said. "It adds a very good dynamic to the board."\nBacker said all trustees bring something different to the table, and he finds it difficult to pinpoint one quality crucial to the success of a student trustee.\n"He or she must be somebody who can work with other people, who can balance all the different views and is able to compromise in their decisions," he said.\nDean Hertzler, whose term as student trustee expires June 30, said that although his term has been filled with controversial decisions, such as the firing of former men's basketball coach Bob Knight, the chance he has had to contribute to the University is memorable for him.\n"Being on the board is having a chance to influence the decisions that the trustees make," he said. "It's a chance to affect the long-term planning for the University, and what the current priorities of the University should be."\nHertzler said he suggests future student trustees remain open-minded, ask questions and be certain his or her voice and opinion is heard.\n"The position is what the student makes of it," he said. "It takes a lot of time, but it is very much worth the experience, both for what you learn and the opportunity you have to contribute."\nFor more information, call the board of trustees office, in Room M005 of the Indiana Memorial Union, at 812-855-3762, or visit www.indiana.edu/~trustees.
(11/17/00 4:05am)
A complaint filed with the IU Physical Plant has brought attention to the quality of water in the Jordan River.\nBecause the usual clear appearance of the water looked more like a brown, milky consistency Wednesday afternoon graduate student Linda Allen said she decided to write a letter to complain about the water condition. Dan Derheimer, hazardous materials manager with the office of enviromental management, said upon receiving the complaint he immediately went out to the north fork of the river, in front of the Indiana Memorial Union, to inspect the situation at about 4 p.m. Wednesday. \nHe said the darkening of the water was a result of the construction by the business school, which caused a limestone sediment run-off that was pumped directly into the river.\n"The pollution resulted from the pumping being performed by Wilhelm Construction," Derheimer said. "As soon as we found out about it, we told them to stop pumping and reported it to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management."\nDan Arnold, superintendent of Wilhelm Construction, declined to comment. \nIU's response was what Allen said she wanted. She described the water as looking heavily polluted with sediments, resembling a light colored coffee.\n"I was trying to bring it to (IU's) attention to see that some corrective action was taken," she said. "I understand that it is the construction firm's responsibility, but the fact that this firm works for the University makes the University, to some degree, responsible."\nMike Jenson, environmental compliance coordinator, responded to Allen's letter via e-mail, writing that Wilhem was primarily responsible for the sediment, which involved groundwater rather than stormwater.\n"We are working with them to ensure that it does not happen in the future," he said. "Indiana University is committed to working with those who contract with it to minimize the effects of stormwater runoff at construction sites on campus regardless of their size and has begun including detailed language in our contracts related to that topic."\nTim Coulom, spokesman for IDEM, said they have not received notification of a complaint, but would take action as soon as notified.\nDerheimer said he expected the water to clear up a few days after the pumping stopped.
(11/06/00 7:31am)
When I agreed to participate in Dance Marathon, I had no idea the 36 hours would test my limits so much. I've pulled plenty of all-nighters in the past to complete a last-minute paper or study for a final exam, and although I always feel exhausted from my lack of sleep, I nonetheless feel human.\nBut after 36 hours of standing and dancing in the School of Health Public Education and Recreation's gymnasium, the sheer exhaustion that penetrates every nerve in my body makes me feel like an alien from another planet. \nSo how can I explain Dance Marathon in a nutshell? In deciding how to do so, I originally wanted to explain the weekend chronologically, by the hour. But I have a poor conception of what time anything happened because I took off my watch off to make the time pass quicker. Had I the opportunity to glance at my wrist whenever I wanted to, I would have checked the time every 4.5 minutes and the marathon probably would have seemed twice as long.\nWe entered the gym by running through two lines of people cheering us on. I felt like a superstar Olympic athlete. After a few minutes of dancing, I realized the stage was filled with Riley children, the very ones who would benefit from our fund-raising efforts. Not even 15 minutes into the marathon I was crying, overwhelmed by the excited children on stage, shouting into the microphone for us to dance and sing along as "Eye of the Tiger" blared from the speakers.\nI learned my first lesson of the weekend as the Black family took center stage. Mrs. Black, a mother of Riley patient, reminded us not to complain about how much we have to stand up throughout the weekend -- she said we are blessed we can stand up because a lot of Riley children must use wheelchairs and don't have that option. \nSo put yourself in my shoes, which actually smell extremely bad after wearing them for so many consecutive hours, even though I did change my socks regularly. Friday night was the most difficult because of the many hours still ahead of us. The night sky as seen through the hazy glass windows of the gym made moving my body a challenge. I'm usually not standing by 3:30 a.m. on a Friday night.\nAfter surviving "boot camp" Saturday morning, the cool morning air intoxicated my lungs and muscles with new energy, and I was ready to rock to the morning musical acts. Who knew college students could muster the energy to mosh at 9 a.m.? The once dark hazy windows now allowed sunlight to filter in, telling my mind that moving made sense. As I looked around at the 700 dancers, I could see the determination to stay awake. \nBut by Saturday night, dancers were beginning to fade. Glossy-eyed people, drunk from exhaustion, walked around the gym, their slow saunter indicating their fatigue. At this point in the evening, I felt completely awake aside from the fact that my feet hurt, the burning sensation making standing in place absolutely impossible. Dancing, jumping and walking were all easier than standing still, for the movement kept my mind off of the intense pain. I escaped to the bathroom to sit down for a minute, even though I did not have to go.\nI also looked forward to my "eating time," not because I was hungry, but because eating allowed us an opportunity to sit. I have never appreciated the invention of the chair so much.\nWe received another opportunity to sit when several more Riley families spoke to the drained crowd. But the comfort of sitting was the farthest from my mind as these families and their children expressed their gratitude for our efforts. \nOne Riley patient wrote a letter addressing the dancers, which students read because she had lost her voice. She thanked us for dancing and said she considers us her guardian angels, which is such an honor for me. Here is this little girl who had been through so much pain ... my pain seemed so small in comparison. Tears rolled down my tired cheeks, but I wiped them away, motivated and ready for another round of entertainment and dancing. \nAs more of my friends looked so exhausted they would topple over if a slight breeze ran through the gym, I was still coherent and awake, though complaining about my extremely sore legs as if it were my job. \nAround 5:30 a.m., just two and a half hours before the end of the marathon, delirium set in.\nThe pain of standing was making me hallucinate, and I thought I was going to die. Not really, but maybe I did have a near-death experience and saw a white light. I'm not sure.\nDuring the 36th hour, the Morale Committee instructed us to form a circle around the perimeter of the gym. The huge circle illustrated our cooperative efforts to give hope and treatment to sick children. While the song "Angels Among Us" played, tears streamed down many of the faces of the tired but proud dancers, including mine.\nAfter counting down the last 10 seconds of the 36 hours, the song "We are the Champions" filled the gym as dancers cheered, elated at the thought of soon being able to sleep. Through my tears, I congratulated and hugged my friends, who were also crying. Our tears signified our pure exhaustion and craving for sleep, and our pride for overcoming the fatigue and completing the marathon that will help so many children to live.
(11/06/00 3:54am)
Rivals IU and Purdue will battle for victory this month, but no blood will be shed on the football field. That's reserved for another contest. \nThe two schools will compete to see which can donate more units of blood for the Indiana Blood Center, which is co-sponsoring the fourth annual IU/Purdue Blood Donor Challenge along with IU and Purdue's alumni associations.\nPurdue won the friendly competition last year, and leads the challenge 2-1. It's leading this year's event with 345 donations. IU has 232 donations.\nIU has set up sites to donate blood since Oct. 23 and will continue to take donations until the event ends Nov. 11. The school with the most donations will be announced at the IU-Purdue football game Nov. 17 and will receive the traveling trophy for the year. \nBut beating Purdue is overshadowed by the significance of donating blood, said senior Sarah Sartore, vice president of the Student Alumni Association. SAA has sponsored the challenge every year, and will again this year. It has been passing out fliers during football games during the past couple weeks and have made announcements at events and on the radio. Sartore said she is honored to participate.\n"It's a good way to get both students and alumni to participate in an event that helps so many people," she said. "Especially because there's such a shortage of blood in Indiana and across the nation."\nBlood drives will be held in Bloomington, at locations around campus, in Lafayette and in other surrounding cities in the state.\nKathy Able, marketing assistant for the IBC, said only 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood, and the IBC needs 500 units of blood each day to distribute to hospitals.\n"Anything that will get new donors and keep them coming back is a great (promotion)," she said of the challenge. "The idea was to have a competition between the two biggest universities in Indiana. We want people to go out and start donating blood."\nPurdue is encouraging students to donate blood, said Purdue's Student Ambassador Coordinator for its Alumni Association, Marie Hernandez. Hernandez said she supports any efforts to increase the number of people who donate blood.\n"(Donating blood) saves lives," she said. "You never know when you might be in the position when you need a transfusion and there isn't any of your blood type. It's a noble thing to do, and it's another form of volunteering and getting back to the community."\nSartore said the challenge is the largest push for donating blood during the year. Able said a significant increase in blood donations occurs during the challenge.\nAccording to the American Red Cross Web site, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health to give blood. Donors must also be able to present a picture ID. The entire process takes about an hour and includes an interview of medical history, a short check for blood pressure, temperature and iron level. The actual donation takes about five to 10 minutes.
