167 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(04/09/10 5:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Junior Emily Nicholls painted her toenails with gold glitter nail polish and marked her feet with “1 DAY SHOE LESS” and the TOMS Shoes logo on the back of her ankles.Nicholls is one of the founders of the TOMS Shoes Club at IU and was promoting TOMS Shoes’ global event, “One Day Without Shoes.” TOMS Shoes is a company that donates one pair of shoes to children in developing countries for every pair of shoes sold. Many IU students participated throughout the day, and a campus walk took place at 6 p.m. that brought together approximately 50 barefoot students to walk as a group.Although Nicholls and her friend, sophomore Alaina Klene, went barefoot with style, they were helping to raise awareness that going barefoot is no glamorous feat.Klene, treasurer of TOMS Shoes Club at IU, went on a mission trip to Nicaragua. While she was there she said she realized the value of a pair of shoes.While Klene was in Nicaragua, she gave out clothes and shoes and said the children were thankful and happy to be receiving a simple pair of shoes.“A pair of shoes makes a difference in a child’s life,” Klene said. “The sad thing is, though, that a child’s foot does not stop growing.”As Nicholls and Klene went on a walk around campus, they shared tips for walking barefoot and swapped stories.Klene suggested that when walking in rocky areas such as the Arboretum, one should walk on the balls of his or her feet, while Nicholls said walking on the sides of her feet made it less painful.Nicholls said she had to walk slower than normal because she was constantly looking down every time she took her next step.Nicholls and Klene, on their approximately 50-minute walk around campus, had to overcome many obstacles: mud, pebbles, gravel, wood chips, litter, rocks and worms.As Nicholls was strolling around campus, she wiped a worm off her foot but just shrugged it off.“It’s OK, this morning in class my feet were full of worms,” Nicholls said. “I peeled three worms off my feet. I’m used to it.” She said her morning walk around the Arboretum was much worse because it was her first time walking barefoot and the weather was even cooler.“Hard tile never felt so good,” Nicholls said.During the campus walk, the large group of barefoot participants caused looks of utter horror and inquisition.A student across the street from the barefooted crowd yelled, “Why are you walking barefoot?”“It’s to raise awareness about kids growing up without shoes,” said Erica Schori, senior and founder of TOMS Shoes Club at IU.In developing countries, many children grow up barefoot, which puts them at a high risk for soil-transmitted diseases and cuts and sores.During the campus walk, participants did not hesitate to look down to the ground because they were not in a hurry to get anywhere, but graduate student Amy Carol Wolff said children in developing nations do not have that privilege.“As I was walking I thought about how if these kids need to go get food for their families they don’t have time to worry about what they are walking on,” Wolff said.Although the walk was relaxed and participants were chatting, everyone was committed to the cause. Schori said the event was an “eye opener.”But Nicholls said even though she walked barefoot all day, it was not comparable to people who must live barefoot from day to day.“I will never really understand what it is like to have to live barefoot,” Nicholls said. “I won’t ever know what it’s like to walk in storms and not be able to go back to my place in order to get warm and put on a pair of shoes.”
(04/07/10 3:31pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Although we rarely associate words with genders outright in English, the subliminal associations can still have an impact.In languages like French and Spanish, when there is even just one man within a group of people, the pronoun that refers to the group is plural masculine. “That’s pure sexism,” said Richard Janda, a lecturer in linguistics.Phrases with sexist connotations We’ve all heard these phrases: “that’s so gay” and “stop being a pussy.”“That’s so gay” associates sexuality with stupidity, while “stop being a pussy” associates having female genitalia with being a wimp. Jen Maher, a senior lecturer in gender studies, said when a man is called “pussy,” he is feminized. The meaning behind the saying is that if the masculine body is to be penetrated, it is feminized.“That is the insult to other guys,” she said. The ultimate meaning of “gay” has changed over time. It went from meaning “happy” to meaning “homosexual.” The older generations can no longer say phrases such as “gay time” or “gay fellow” without people being confused by their meaning and drawing unwanted attention, Janda said. The negative connotation of the word will not change until “gay” is associated with something positive, such as intelligence, Jada said. “It’s a strange concept of linguistics,” Jada said. “If you want to kill the meaning of a word, use it all the time.” Culture affects language Remember when Ben Stiller’s character in “Meet the Parents” constantly gets criticized and laughed at by his in-laws because he is a male nurse?Why do we refer to Stiller’s character and others as “male nurses”? Nurses are stereotypically women, so we have to clarify that a nurse is a man or we assume that a woman is occupying that position. Can we change this? The answer is yes, but slowly.“In order to change things, you have to change the prototype,” Jada said. “It’s a two-way street. You can’t change language without changing the culture. Culture alters the way we look at language.” Does gender identification in language determine our interpretations of the objects?A recent study shows that people who are fluent in English but are native speakers of languages such as French, Spanish, Russian and German refer to objects as feminine or masculine depending on their native language. For example, “moon” is feminine in Spanish and Russian but masculine in German. Therefore, native speakers of Spanish would refer to the moon as a “she” and native German speakers would refer to it as “he.” And when asked to describe an object, different speakers used masculine or feminine characteristics depending on what gender the object is in their native language.For instance, if the word for “sun” is masculine, one might describe it as “powerful” and “threatening.” But if the word for “sun” is feminine, one might focus on its warming and nourishing qualities. Source: Sex, Syntax, and Semantics by Lera Boroditsky, Lauren A. Schmidt, and Webb Phillips.
(03/11/10 5:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Nearly 100 years ago, 10 brave men chartered the now historically black fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi on IU’s campus.Originally named Kappa Alpha Nu, the fraternity was founded in January 1911. It is the only national fraternity — white, black or otherwise — founded at IU. It is also one of the first historically black fraternities to form on a predominantly white campus.Members of the national chapter came to visit IU this February to begin planning Founders’ Day, the centennial celebration of its founding at IU next January. As many as 800 Kappa alumni are expected to attend. “The founders of Kappa Alpha Psi paved the way for all students that came after them,” said Eric Love, director of the office of diversity education and one of the chapter’s advisers. “They didn’t initiate change just for Kappa Alpha Psi members. They initiated change on the IU campus and the community for all students of color.”The fraternity brothers took a tour of places on the IU campus that are significant to their fraternity’s history. They call this the Kappa Trail and hope to mark each location’s historical importance.“We are at home,” said Richard Snow, executive director of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. “This is where we were born.”Their first stop was what used to be the Alpha chapter’s home on the IU campus.Although the Kappa members have lived in various houses throughout the years, the IU Foundation and police station building on 17th Street and Jordan Avenue was the first house IU officially recognized. It was Herman B Wells’ wish that the Kappa house connect with fraternity row, not isolated from the rest of campus. Members lived in the house from 1962 to 1995. In 1996, the Kappas moved out due to low membership, expensive repairs and lack of funds.Several generations of Kappa Alpha Psi brothers stood in awe of their former home, many taking pictures.One of the group’s other stops was the Jordan River, where Elder Watson Diggs and the other founders swam because they were not allowed in the public pools.For many Kappa Alpha Psi members, experiencing IU for the first time was highly emotional. Kevin Johnson, national convention meeting planner, had never visited IU before.“To be able to be standing on hallowed ground where my founders were and to see where members lived for over 30 years is very emotional,” Johnson said. “I’ve seen pictures, but to be able to see it for yourself gives me a deeper appreciation for what the founders did.”According to “The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi,” a chronicle of the fraternity’s history, by William L. Crump, in 1910 only a handful of black students were enrolled at IU. Their existence was almost completely ignored by white students, and they could go weeks without seeing each other on campus.Blacks were denied use of entertainment and recreational facilities, could not participate in contact sports and were only allowed to show their athleticism in track and field. After the fraternity was chartered, the struggle had just begun. During the early 1900s, the Kappas were denied a place to meet, and IU refused to recognize them as a chapter after they were chartered.The main goal of the fraternity was to push black students to strive for perfection, although the administration expected virtually nothing from its black students.A support system during the early yearsThe founding members of Kappa Alpha Psi could do little more than attend class. And little progress was made when George Taliaferro, an All-American football player at IU and the first African-American drafted by the NFL, became a member of Kappa in 1948.Taliaferro, now 83, met three of the men that founded Kappa Alpha Psi during his time as a student at IU, including Ezra Alexander and Byran K. Armstrong. The members told Taliaferro about their experiences at IU, and he said “I was living the same thing.”With no social activities to get involved in at IU, Taliaferro said he spent his time with fellow black students, which made it seem like a natural choice to join the fraternity.During Taliaferro’s time at IU there were about 100 black students. The rivalries between the various fraternities were never too intense because black students only had each other to depend on. “We were nice to each other because we didn’t have anyone else to be nice to,” Taliaferro said.Kappa Alpha Psi provided a shield for the brothers.“The older big brothers helped us adjust and they forewarned us ‘don’t go here, don’t go there, don’t stay out late and don’t be on campus alone,’” Taliaferro said. “Survival techniques were all in place.”Black students were not allowed to eat in the restaurants, live in the dormitories, swim in the pool or go to the movies, Taliaferro said. There was one table in the commons where African-Americans were allowed to eat — but no more than eight people could sit there.Taliaferro was in pursuit of knowledge and he did not allow racism to get in the way.“That’s why I stayed here,” Taliaferro said. “And that’s why I took all the crap I had to take — because I was filling my head with information.”He and his fellow Kappas pursued academic achievement and would frequently study together.“Kappa Alpha Psi provided a social intellectual environment, community involvement and at the end to the beginning, overall achievement,” Taliaferro said. “It inspired you to be the very best that you can be, and you have a brotherhood in support of you.” A shelter from the stormThe campus climate was different in 1965. Although the campus was not institutionally segregated, it was still not welcoming to black students. Edwin Marshall, vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs, said it was not rare for a black student to hear racial epithets out of a car window or have someone make a remark on their way to class. “A lot of African-American males looked at it as a shelter from the storm,” Marshall said. “It provided that place that one could go both physically and mentally that could be supportive.” Some fraternities were not as congenial with Kappa Alpha Psi, but no outward racism within the fraternity system took place, Marshall said. Vincent Isom, director of the Thomas I. Atkins Living-Learning Center and Kappa Alpha Psi member since 1987, said sometimes living on fraternity row was an “on the outside looking in” experience.The Kappas used to host events at the house such as “Christmas with the Kappas.” They had parties, educational programs and networking opportunities that “kept people to and from the house,” Isom said.Isom said because it was the Alpha chapter’s house, it was the “home away from home” not only for those members, but for brothers of all chapters. The brothers formed study groups as a means to strive for one of Kappa Alpha Psi’s main principles, academic excellence, Isom said. “You had your brothers to motivate you,” Isom said. Changing times, reassessing purposes Although the times have changed, current members of the Kappa Alpha Psi’s Alpha chapter joined for reasons not too different from Marshall and Isom.As a resident of Kokomo, sophomore Aaron Barnes could relate to the history of the fraternity.“The fact that it was founded on a majority campus almost 100 years ago spoke volumes to me,” Barnes said.IU can still be an isolating place for black students. Sophomore Burnell Grimes Jr. said being a member of Kappa is beneficial because he knows his brothers will be willing to help him with his schoolwork.“Sometimes you are the only African-American student in a class,” Grimes Jr. said. “And you may not feel comfortable going to a Caucasian counterpart for help, but you may feel comfortable going to an African-American who has been in the class or is taking it right now.”Love said he has seen a vast improvement in the men of the Alpha chapter: their GPA average has gone up, their presence has increased on campus and their reputation has improved.He said the Alpha chapter should be the epitome of Kappa Alpha Psi as the fraternity approaches its centennial.Kappa Alpha Psi is a part of both the National Pan-Hellenic Council and has recently been reacquainted with the Interfraternity Council.Taliaferro was invited to a Kappa luncheon at IU, and he was impressed with the brothers he met. “I let them know that I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of your conversations, what you are talking about, the way you appear and the way you carry yourselves,” Taliaferro said. “The young men that I see here today, I am proud to say I am your brother.”
(03/09/10 2:21am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>From writing lyrics and notes to playing the piano and drums, Jordan Pike does it all. And instead of focusing on one thing in college, he wants to keep doing it all.Pike is a senior majoring in song writing through the Individualized Major Program. His song writing major is encompasses various aspects of music. Currently, Pike takes song writing courses online through the Berklee School of Music. At IU, he has taken orchestral composition courses, vocal lessons, piano lessons, music theory courses and rock history courses to graduate with his IMP degree.Pike said he has thoroughly enjoyed his rock history courses, such as Rock Music in the ’70s and ’80s, because they have given him a long list of songs he needs to listen to.“Seeing how things progressed from the blues until now is vital for me, anyway,” Pike said. “I can’t really overstate how learning the history and progression of popular music has affected me.”Pike started at IU as a music education major but said he had to force himself to work hard at it. He decided to become a song writing major because music production was the “most rewarding thing I’d been doing, so I went with it.”Pike said he wants to be prepared for anything the music industry throws his way. Musicians of today need to branch out in order to be financially successful, Pike said, and in the future he might work on creating jingles and orchestral music. Currently, he is writing music for a string quartet.For his senior project, Pike will create and produce his album, titled “Codex.” For it, he has written all the lyrics and instrumental parts, plays all the instruments and will develop the cover concept.The song writing major is able to play all brass instruments, base, drums, piano and keyboard.Andrew Hollinden, senior lecturer in the Jacobs School of Music and Pike’s sponsor through IMP, said Pike is working on the most imperative aspect of music: song writing and part writing. Hollinden said an example band is The Beatles, whose song writing and guitar writing explain why their music is so timeless.“He is starting at the heart of the matter,” Hollinden said. “It’s a square a lot of musicians will overlook. I know I did.”Pike’s album will consist of pop-rock sounds, but not the kind you are used to hearing on top-40 radio stations.“What I want to get away from is the super-produced pop that is on the market now,” Pike said. “I want to go back to more organic, good playing and good arranging.”Some of the songs on his album have taken him five or six years to write while others take 20 minutes.“I tend to take a long time on something until I’m satisfied,” Pike said.He said his goal is to have all the pre-production elements of his album done by summer and to do the entire recording during it. He said he hopes to create a truly marketable album.Hollinden said he is impressed with the demos Pike has sent him, as well as with Pike’s ambition and independence.“He told me about his desire for song writing, and he seemed like he was going to do it come hell or high water,” Hollinden said. “He’s an independent person, hasn’t really called upon me to do anything. For what he is going into, I think that’s a good sign.”
(03/03/10 11:19pm)
Get the inside scoop on Bloomington's boy band.
(02/25/10 12:09am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Seniors Katherine Rampley and David Gould are Bucceto’s Smiling Teeth regulars.Without even thinking about it, they go there for dates about once every two weeks.“It’s never planned, we’re just like ‘we should go get food,’ and Bucceto’s is always an option,” Gould said.On this particular Saturday afternoon, Gould ordered a Sweet Lil’ Razorback pizza and Rampley had a salad.“Many pigs had to die to make this pizza, but it was really good,” Gould said.Aside from the food, Gould and Rampley enjoy the Bucceto’s atmosphere.“It’s relaxed but not loud,” Rampley said.And the couple finds the prices to be within the right range, and Gould said the food is even better than that of the more expensive restaurants in town. “It’s cheaper than a lot of places you would go on a date,” he said. General Manager Kieran Cooper said he thinks one of the main reasons people come to Bucceto’s for dates is specifically for that reason: the cost. “It’s not like your cheap date, but you can go out and enjoy yourself,” Cooper said. “But you still have room in the budget for other things.”Cooper also said the atmosphere is one of the reasons customers keep coming back.“It has a lot to do with the atmosphere, and I think that has to do with the pace we do things around here,” Cooper said. “We get a lot of smaller groups. ... There is not a lot of hustle and bustle around you. You can relax, eat and enjoy yourself a little bit.”Cooper describes Bucceto’s as having an “old Italian restaurant vibe.” There is bright, colorful artwork along its walls, and the lighting is not too bright or too dim. Patrons can order pizza, pasta and calzones.To get the true Bucceto’s date experience, Cooper suggests ordering the spinach artichoke dip as an appetizer because “it is one of the best around.” For the main course, he suggests ordering one of the pasta dishes, such as the diavolo and alfredo plates. If you are 21 or older, you can also split a bottle of wine with your significant other. And to top it off with dessert, you can order a Carnegie Deli cheesecake.But you don’t need to come to Bucceto’s to taste its delectable dishes. The restaurant also does carry-out.“So if you want to be cozy at home, you can also do that,” Cooper said.
(02/23/10 3:39am)
Benny Christmas Lights
(02/23/10 3:37am)
Give it a story
(02/23/10 3:32am)
Pick a name you won’t hate in 5 years.
(02/17/10 3:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Spoken word is more than a hobby for senior Chris Tabron — it’s a way of life.Tabron began performing spoken word when he started forming a more personal relationship with God. Tabron said he uses spoken word to speak with God and to help send God’s message to others.“I take life situations and connect them to the Bible,” Tabron said. “I like to give a message with it. Not only do I say the situation, but I give the solutions.”Spoken word is a form of poetry intended to be performed instead of read.“Spoken word is poetry, but it’s basically a song without music,” said IU alumnus Branden Scott. “Spoken word has more feeling. It’s like giving a speech. Poetry is reading from a book; it’s not emotional. Spoken word is a conversation meant to sway you.”This art form has been making its way through campus and the Bloomington community for several years.Along with Scott, Eric Love, director of the Office of Diversity Education, started Open Mic Nights at IU two-and-a-half years ago, and they have since been growing in popularity.MATRIX, a not-for-profit organization, which provides public forums for literary and visual artists in Bloomington, has poetry slams about once a month. The next poetry slam will be at 7 p.m. today at Rachael’s Café.The organization which began hosting poetry slams in 2001, is the oldest outlet in Indiana for these spoken-word competitions, said Tony Brewer, “slam master” and senior editor for the organization.Poetry slams are competitions specifically made for spoken word. The rules might differ, Brewer said, but typically there are three rounds in which each performer has three minutes to perform their piece. Judges provide scores, and those with the lowest score are eliminated during each round. The person who ends up with the highest score wins.Some poetry slams are themed for a specific style, such as haikus, sonnets or specific poets. Those who do the best in the competition tend to be the performers who get the audience involved.“The ones that score the best get the crowd excited either because they have interesting content or a unique take,” Brewer said. “Or their performance is more dramatic. ... It’s more about theaudience than the poet.”Delivery is a key element of spoken word, Brewer said. Performers should have their emotions connect to the audience members.To practice, junior Shawn Major-Winston said he goes on YouTube and watches videos of poetry slam performances. He impersonates the performers and observes how they “spit out” their emotion and drama. From there, Major-Winston said he works to deliver his own work, practicing how to locate which words to emphasize and which ones to rush over.But when performing your own work, Major-Winston said, you should not copy others.“It’s your work, your story, your interpretation of history so write and deliver like its meant to be heard,” Major-Winston said.For most, writing and performing spoken word is a personal experience.Major-Winston became invested in spoken word after he took African-American and African Diaspora Studies courses. He was troubled by the readings, learning about the injustices African-Americans have faced throughout history.Inspired by African-American poets such as Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, Major-Winston said he holds nothing back.“Through learning history, it let my emotions spill out,” Major-Winston said.Sophomore Toyia Maxey said she utilizes spoken word to bring attention to controversial issues that are typically overlooked and that she hopes her work catalyzes change.Maxey performed her spoken-word poem, titled “Misinformed,” at the most recent IU Miss Black and Gold pageant last December. “Misinformed” is about the inequalities women face, internal struggles of the African-American community and what it’s like to be a Muslim in America.For Maxey, this piece was personal because she is female, African-American and a Muslim. At the pageant, the audience cheered during her performance, which she said gave her the confidence she needed to continue spoken word.Although spoken word can be performed by anyone, males reign as the most prominent performers, Maxey said.“Maybe it’s because spoken word is so raw,” Maxey said. “Women are not looked at to be as raw. Poetry is soft, and this is why it is equated to women. This is the issue — people aren’t ready to hear from women.”Scott said spoken word requires opening up to strangers.“When performing spoken word, you are sharing a story with the public that is not meant to be shared with other people,” he said.
(02/12/10 3:55pm)
See the top 5 tips for making a band when Inside hits stands February 23.
(02/12/10 3:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Joel Washington is one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet — but you probably already knew that.Washington, a local artist and Indiana Memorial Union custodian, can’t seem to go more than two steps without someone tapping him on the shoulder.“There is always somebody I know, somewhere,” Washington said.He has become a local celebrity. You don’t have to look far to see his 1960s-inspired “pop art” paintings and portraits. You can pass his artwork while making your daily stroll through the Union.His works are not only featured throughout Bloomington and on IU’s campus but also in the Indiana State Museum and the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. This month, the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District is showcasing his artwork at the City Hall Atrium in honor of his 50th birthday. A reception celebrating his birthday will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Atrium.“The exhibit features brightly colored pieces, which is just what we need for the drab winter months,” said Miah Michaelsen, assistant economic development director for the arts for the City of Bloomington. “It’s an explosion of color. That’s what Joel’s work is.” The exhibit, titled “The Birthday Show: 50,” showcases 50 pieces — each representing a year of his life. Washington had a little less than a year to create more than 25 new pieces for the gallery. Washington filled the rest of the 50 spots with artwork he had previously completed.If his recent endeavors are any indication, his next 50 years show no signs of slowing down. Washington said he is seeking an art agent, wants to have his pieces displayed at major galleries in New York and Chicago, hopes to travel the globe and visit the various countries’ art galleries, plans to finish his film and aspires to become an illustrator for music magazines. “I’ve always felt like my art was going to do something and go somewhere,” Washington said. “Not to be boasting or anything like that, but sometimes you just feel something. And a lot of that comes from how hard you work on it and you get to a point, personally, where you feel like there is no turning back because you have worked too hard or come too far to let anything stand in the way of it.”Washington began working at IU in 1987 as a food service worker but switched to custodial work in 1989. He said many people do not associate his job as a janitor with his art, but his occupation has parlayed much of his success.“As far as being an artist, it has to do with being at the right place at the right time, and this is where I personally feel I got my first break as an artist,” Washington said. “I sold my third painting here ... Being humble to what I do has always had an end result of something really good. And you know, if I wasn’t working here, doing what I do, I wouldn’t have the work in IU’s permanent gallery.”Although Washington likes his job, he sees himself being a full-time artist in the near future. “I’m humble to do any job that keeps a roof over my head, but at the same time art is where I see myself making a living,” Washington said. “I enjoy working here, but my artwork is my calling.” He also said he is humbled by all the attention he receives. Just last week, while Washington was in line at a movie theater, the employee taking his ticket recognized him and said, “You’re the artist I’ve read all about.” Several IU students have made Washington their muse for course assignments. During the fall semester, three photojournalists used Washington as the subject for their final project. “It’s a privilege to have people that want to do something like that for me,” Washington said. “I think it’s kind of them.” Washington said every compliment he receives means something to him and makes him happy, but he has gotten some of the greatest compliments for his Wes Montgomery portrait. “They tell me that when they see my art, they hear music,” Washington said.
(02/10/10 11:05pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Stating that sophomore Sarah Kintzel does not have the best Valentine’s Day plans would be an understatement. Her boyfriend of three years left her a month ago – and she is 33 weeks pregnant. But Valentine’s Day remains her favorite holiday.“It’s really cliche, but since I’ve been a little girl I’ve been obsessed with the idea of love,” sophomore Sarah Kintzel said. “I love that people feel that.”So instead of sitting in her room crying, she has decided she does not need a boyfriend to make her Valentine’s Day complete. All she needs is a girls’ day out – complete with seeing the upcoming movie “Valentine’s Day,” watching “ridiculous rom-coms” and eating lots of chocolate. The 10 or so friends getting together don’t make the typical group you’d expect to see celebrating Valentine’s Day: One was dumped two weeks ago, one is in a long-distance relationship and one is single.Kintzel said for her the holiday is not about having a boyfriend. Her family always gives flowers and gifts to each other.“We embrace all kinds of love, not necessarily just those with boys,” Kintzel said. Like Kintzel, most people who can’t wait to celebrate Valentine’s Day have always loved doing so. But can someone reform from being the Grinch of Valentine’s Day to being a self-described moderate? Andrew Libby, assistant director of the Office of Service-Learning, used to wear black on Valentine’s Day, but since marrying his wife of seven years he has become a bigger fan of the Hallmark holiday and now wears brown instead.“When I got married I found someone I really loved,” Libby said. “On one level, it is clearly a corporate holiday commodified with presents and getting stuff, but being in love has softened my critique.”Libby said he enjoys getting his wife gifts such as flowers and chocolate to show his appreciation for all that she does. “It has something to do with material gifts,” Libby said. “But the real point is about being with someone you love.”Gender also has an impact on what is expected of each partner. Typically the men are expected to express their affection more than the women, said Sharon Brehm, a professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. In order to enjoy Valentine’s Day more, Brehm suggests forgetting about the gender expectations.“Males typically feel more pressure,” Brehm said. “Both guys and girls should do something they enjoy, like give a little kiss. Gifts do not have to be a burden.”Valentine’s Day could be good or bad depending on the state of the relationship, Brehm said.“If you are really in love, Valentine’s Day can be a way to communicate it to that person,” Brehm said. “Or maybe the relationship is not getting along so well and it is used as a way to repair it. It could be a way to exacerbate problems.”Sophomore Taylor Brown and freshman Alyson Wiggs have been in an on-and-off relationship for four years. Brown likes to show his affection more openly while Wiggs doesn’t like “all that mushy stuff.” “I like to treat her to things she deserves,” Brown said.Because Wiggs is not a huge fan of the holiday, Brown must refrain from doing anything too extravagant. “I like Valentine’s Day more for my feelings for her,” Brown said. No matter how much someone enjoys giving or receiving gifts, one’s relationship should always be the top priority of the holiday.
(02/08/10 2:53am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Club Rotation, the potential new dance club in town, wants to “reinvent the way Bloomington parties.”Rotation is the brainchild of IU seniors Ryne Shadday and Solomon Hursey. The two said they saw a need for a dance club in Bloomington and hoped to set it up in about a year.Bullwinkle’s is the last true dance club in Bloomington, and the dancing now involves having a shoe stuck to the floor, Hursey said.“The bars are not set up for dancing,” he said.Hursey said he was inspired by dance clubs he saw while in Europe. He sent Shadday a Facebook message asking him if he still wanted to open the club.Currently, they are looking for a space in the downtown area and for someone to invest in their idea.“Investors are not willing to just give money to poor college students,” Shadday said.Shadday said they’ve been talking to lawyers and local business owners for advice.The idea behind Rotation is that the themes will rotate about every two to three months, Shadday said.“Rotation is not completely unpredictable, but it won’t be repetitive,” Hursey said. “It will be new and fresh.”Recently they had a dance party called “HEAT!” at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater to raise money for the club. The preopening dance parties will help determine what will work for the club and give Shadday and Hursey a chance to see how the audience will receive the disc jockey, Shadday said.
(02/08/10 1:35am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Club Rotation, the potential new dance club in town, wants to “reinvent the way Bloomington parties.”Rotation is the brainchild of IU seniors Ryne Shadday and Solomon Hursey. The two said they saw a need for a dance club in Bloomington and hoped to set it up in about a year.Bullwinkle’s is the last true dance club in Bloomington, and the dancing now involves having a shoe stuck to the floor, Hursey said.“The bars are not set up for dancing,” he said.Hursey said he was inspired by dance clubs he saw while in Europe. He sent Shadday a Facebook message asking him if he still wanted to open the club.Currently, they are looking for a space in the downtown area and for someone to invest in their idea.“Investors are not willing to just give money to poor college students,” Shadday said.Shadday said they’ve been talking to lawyers and local business owners for advice.The idea behind Rotation is that the themes will rotate about every two to three months, Shadday said.“Rotation is not completely unpredictable, but it won’t be repetitive,” Hursey said. “It will be new and fresh.”Recently they had a dance party called “HEAT!” at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater to raise money for the club. The preopening dance parties will help determine what will work for the club and give Shadday and Hursey a chance to see how the audience will receive the disc jockey, Shadday said.
(02/04/10 1:08am)
The housing survival guide.
(02/04/10 1:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU students are required to live in the residence halls for their freshman year, and for many students that is one too many. But for others, it's only the beginning.For many upperclassmen, such as senior and Residence Halls Association president Jessica Schul, being active on campus is one of the reasons why they choose to live in the residence halls. Schul came to IU as a transfer student and chose to live in the dorms so that she could get to know the campus better and meet new people. While living in Eigenmann Hall, Schul said she found her niche in student government and was Eigenmann president for two years. Although Schul said she got little privacy, she still enjoyed many aspects of communal living. One of her best college memories was hosting a movie night for RHA members and people on her floor. “I’ve had a lot of great memories and experiences that I don’t think I could get while living in an apartment,” Schul said. However, there are some negative aspects of communal living. All of the upperclassmen interviewed disliked the communal bathrooms. Many residents also dislike the watchful eyes of the resident assistants and residence halls' rules and regulations, such as no alcohol possession. “I don’t mind the rules,” junior and Teter Quad resident Maurice Evans said. “I don’t really drink. I’m 22 so I don’t need to do it in my room.” Evans said all of his RAs have been influential in his success in college. “All of my RAs have been great and have encouraged me to be active and stay involved,” Evans said.Because of his positive interactions with his RAs, Evans hopes to be one next year.Many upperclassmen choose to live in the residence halls so they don’t have to make the schlep to campus. Junior Michael Coleman, Willkie Quad resident and vice president internal for RHA, said it is more convenient living in the residence halls because you can go to campus events easily and get back to your room if you forget something. Junior Brittany Mooney, Teter Quad resident, does not have a car on campus and thought off-campus housing would be too much of a hassle. “Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on not having an apartment, but I still have time to live in an apartment when I graduate,” Mooney said. “I won’t have the option to live in a dorm my whole life.”As an upperclassman living in the residence halls, residents must be okay with living with freshmen unless they apply for housing specifically made for upperclassmen. “It kind of bothers me,” Evans said of living with underclassmen. “You never know who you are going to get on your floor.”Upperclassmen have the option of living in residence halls that offer apartment-style housing.“I’m 23,” Schul said. “I’ve outgrown communal living.”Schul said she likes that there are only floor presidents in Willkie, not RAs. “Upperclassmen don’t need that extra attention that some freshmen need from their RA,” Schul said. Junior Julie Otis, Ashton Center student historian and a member of RHA, lived off-campus her first year when she arrived to IU as a transfer student.“I didn’t meet anyone, and I felt like an outsider to the campus,” Ortis said. Ortis said that students should decide what they value more: being surrounded by people or having greater freedom. “Meeting people was more important to me than having more freedom,” Ortis said.
(01/28/10 5:06pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>How to be the worst in four easy stepsDylan Germick, who graduated in 2007, knows how to make a band stand out in the worst (or best) possible way. Dylan Germick, along with his brothers Nathan and Ryan, formed the band Germart and are the masterminds behind the album cover “Planet Booty.” The Chicago Tribune gave the cover the distinction of being one of the “50 worst album covers of all time” this past summer. Here, Dylan gives you tips on how to make your band the worst it can be, or in his mind, the most "awesome" it can be.1. Be outrageous. Brainstorm ideas, but don't decide on one until you discover something completely ridiculous.2. Get inspired. The album cover for "Planet Booty" was inspired by a poster of Prince wearing a g-string while being crucified. "When you look at the album cover, 'Planet Booty,' the face causes a stirring inside of you," Dylan says, referring to a translucent blue face staring at a man in blue suspenders. "It makes me giggle. It's hilarious."3. Be selfish. "Don't have your audience in mind," Dylan says. "The only thing that should be on your mind is glory."4. Strive for awesomeness and glory. "Take a look at what you're making and ask yourself, 'How can I make this way more awesome?'" Dylan says. "Once you can no longer make it more awesome, it can't be worse."
(01/21/10 4:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Senior Jeremy Grover has never felt so violated.During winter break, someone broke into his Campus Walk apartment, stealing $7,300 worth of materials, including his Panasonic Viera 42-inch LED television, his Macbook Pro laptop and his entire video game collection.“Things were taken from me that will never be able to be replaced,” Grover said. Grover’s apartment, along with at least three others, was broken into and burglarized. A three-foot crowbar was used to force open the apartment doors and was left in Grover’s apartment. Campus Walk contacted all of the residents who were robbed. But the date that the break-ins occurred is unknown, and there were no witnesses.“I can’t even look at it the same,” Grover said of his apartment. “It is spoiled, and it can’t be cleaned.” The break-in has caused Grover a great deal of distress, which has spun into a depression. He is speaking with a counselor at the IU Health Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services to work through his unease. Grover has reason to be paranoid. His locks were replaced but not changed. His roommate received a new pair of keys from Campus Walk management, but when Grover saw them he realized they were identical to the keys he already had. He unlocked his apartment door with his old keys.In addition, a pair of keys were taken from his apartment during the break-in, meaning that the thieves could come back and get into his apartment without any struggle. “We are just as vulnerable as we were,” Grover said.Campus Walk has six units per building and is composed of two apartments on each floor. The complex is laid out in identical side-by-side buildings, and although each apartment door has a lock, the entrance is always open, even during breaks. Noises can easily be heard outside each door. “There is some updating that needs to be done,” Grover said. “We are in 2010, and if we need to invest $20,000, then that is what needs to be done. Video surveillance is fairly inexpensive technology. ... Why the hell would someone want to live in a place like this when they have so many things that are expensive and can be taken? They shouldn’t have to worry.”Grover said he spoke with Campus Walk management, whose members told him that if the building front doors were locked, it would be more difficult for paramedics and police to respond to situations as quickly. “This is not a legitimate reason,” Grover said of their response.Campus Walk management declined to comment.Thwarting theft Smallwood Plaza, another off-campus apartment complex, had no break-ins during winter vacation.Courtesy officers are on the property whenever the property manager decides to schedule them, and Smallwood has a prevention-controlled access system, said Denise Y. Haggard, senior property manager of Smallwood. There are no metal keys used at Smallwood; everyone has to swipe in. Unlike Campus Walk apartments, Smallwood visitors cannot get past the lobby. To get to someone’s floor, they have to punch in the person’s apartment number and get rung up in order to access the elevator, Haggard said.“It is a high priority of ours that this is a nice place to live,” Haggard said. Because of the privatization of Smallwood, solicitors do not have access to apartments.There have been incredible amounts of solicitation this past semester at Campus Walk, Grover said. He said he thinks solicitors have been coming to see what residents have and to get a feel for the layout of the apartments.Last semester, a solicitor questioned Grover about video games in his apartment. “We are not safe here, which is sad to say,” Grover said. Sophomores Kyle Mandarino and Sarah Bomher had their Campus Walk apartment broken into as well. They said that outdated video games and valuable jewelry were stolen. Purses were rummaged through, too. The thieves tried to pull the two gaming systems from the wall, but they did not succeed and must have been running out of time, Mandarino said. “I’m creeped out and scared of the door getting broken into,” Mandarino said. “It is causing me anxiety.”When Bomher and Mandarino spoke with Campus Walk management, their worries were not subdued. Campus Walk management told them that the issue of break-ins hasn’t been a problem for the last 40 years, Mandarino said. Although Mandarino and Bomher’s locks were changed, they are putting in a security system in order to feel safer. “What could have happened if we were here?” Mandarino said.Because of the break-in, Grover is looking into obtaining a weapon owner’s permit in Bloomington as opposed to one back home in Ohio.Campus dorms free from break-insThe residence halls did not experience any break-ins; however, there was an individual case in which a resident reported something missing, said Bob Weith, director for residential operations of Residential Programs and Services. Throughout winter break, and even while school is in session, RPS staff and the IU Police Department patrol the residence halls, Weith said.Weith said the key card system helps keep unwanted visitors out of the residence halls. During break Sara Ivey Lucas, residence manager for RPS, and her staff made sure that the residents who stayed in the on-campus housing facilities were able to access the buildings with their student identification, Weith said. Student housing ‘buffet for crooks’IU Student Legal Services deals with students whose homes have been broken into regularly. Students’ relaxed attitudes toward strangers, combined with their accumulation of state-of-the-art technology, are breeding grounds for burglars, said Randall Frykberg, director of IU Student Legal Services.“During the weeks from Christmas to New Year’s, it’s like a buffet for small-town crooks,” Frykberg said.Faulty locks and old windows in Bloomington are ideal for burglars, Frykberg said. Students also have a unique position in the community because they often have parties, offer alcohol and allow strangers free reign of their home.“Security is an issue in a college town because landlords are interested in getting students to pay rent and getting as much for their properties,” he said.IDS investigative reporters Alex Benson, Sarah Brubeck, Molly Johnson and Mickey Woods contributed to this story.
(01/21/10 2:37am)
If you’ve never heard a bassoon quartet, you might want to perk up.
Four Jacobs School of Music graduate students play the double reed instrument in the No Repeats Bassoon Quartet.