Longform

'Memoirs of a Geisha' stirs emotions

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Friday, May 9,2003 12:26 a.m.

Engrossing, romantic and exotic are just a few words that can be used to describe the debut novel of Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha." From the first page to the last the reader is engrossed in the memoirs of the heroine Sayuri, a classically trained geisha who endured the process of becoming a geisha, suffered through World War II and moved to America, starting a new life for herself in her twilight years. The story is earthy and ethereal at the same time; from the first word reality stops existing; the reader is transported to Japan in the days when geishas were commonplace.

Vacation from life

By Michell Perry and Michelle Perry · Monday, May 5,2003 1:35 a.m.

Amidst the craziness of so-called "dead week" and the obsessive studying for upcoming finals, my friend Becky Phillips and I thought it was a good idea to take a break from the madness. We hit the road Thursday night and took turns driving for 12 hours straight.

Iraqi police return to work in Baghdad

By Niko Price · Monday, May 5,2003 1:34 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Police in Iraq's capital returned to work in force Sunday, but there were few patrols on Baghdad's lawless streets as officers struggled to navigate a chaotic new order that had yet to determine salaries, responsibilities or even chain of command. The verdict: in Baghdad, even some of the police don't feel safe yet.

If Dr. Phil were president...

By Elisha Sauers · Monday, May 5,2003 1:34 a.m.

In President Bush's Thursday evening speech about ceasing combat operations, he reaffirmed his foreign policy strategies and promised to prevent future terrorist attacks against the homeland by seeking out any nation abetting terrorist regimes. Without condemning any "anti-American" countries by name, Bush assured he'd be a "loyal friend" to the nations joining America on the anti-terrorist campaign.

IU offers writing classes

By Stephanie Sims · Monday, May 5,2003 1:33 a.m.

The IU Writer's Conference has provided classes and workshops for beginning and experienced writers since 1940.

Finding the exit sign

By George Lyle IV · Monday, May 5,2003 1:33 a.m.

Saying goodbye is cliché. Yet when it comes time for a human to end any familiar cycle of events, there must be an outpouring of remembrance, melancholy and well-wishes for the people that they shared their cycles with. Goodbyes happen to someone every minute. However, one will always think their own set of goodbyes was the most emotional or the most meaningful that ever was. Because it was their own, it happened to them, and no one will ever be able to take that memory away.

Sixth place puts NCAAs in doubt

By Josh Weinfuss · Monday, May 5,2003 1:32 a.m.

A miracle will be needed for the men's golf team to have an opportunity to play in the postseason, coach Mike Mayer said. In the Hoosiers' last tournament of the season -- the 2003 Big Ten Championships -- expectations were as high as their hopes for a run to the regional tournament. But as luck had it, a sixth place finish this weekend might have ended what hope the men in khaki and crimson had. The team will find out at 5 p.m. today when the NCAA releases its regional bids. "It's kind of disappointing," freshman Scott Seibert said. "The team didn't play as well as we would have liked to." Coming out firing, IU slowed down and eventually finished the tournament at an almost dead stop. After the first round, the Hoosiers were three strokes out of first place with a one-over-par 285, a tempo which was kept for the first nine holes of the second round.

Good luck graduates

Monday, May 5,2003 1:31 a.m.

To the last class to start in the second millennium: As if you won't hear it enough this week, good luck and congratulations. May in Bloomington is always a time of reflection for graduates. Imagine -- when you began your tenure here at IU, it was still the '90s. Songs like Len's "Steal My Sunshine," Lou Bega's "Mambo No. 5," and sadly, LFO's "Summer Girls" ruled the airwaves. You were petrified that the Blair Witch would leave a pile of rocks outside your bedroom door.

Student firm consults local non-profit organizations

By Kate Pardo · Monday, May 5,2003 1:28 a.m.

The Kelley Group, a student-run consulting firm, completed its first engagement Friday, financially and organizationally restructuring a non-profit organization in Bloomington. Due to a confidentiality agreement, the name of the group's first client cannot be released. The Kelley Group is one of only two firms in the country of its type on the university level, said junior Mark Hanson, a senior member. "The firm was founded for students, by students, to serve the non-profit community in Bloomington and Indiana," Hanson said.

Twisters tear through Kansas, Missouri

By David Scott · Monday, May 5,2003 1:28 a.m.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A series of tornadoes pummeled Kansas and Missouri on Sunday, killing at least five people as they left a swath of destruction a quarter-mile wide in some places. The tornadoes were part of a large storm system that hit the Midwest, spawning twisters in South Dakota and Nebraska as well.

CEO's book advocates respect, communication

By Lindsay Jancek · Monday, May 5,2003 1:27 a.m.

When Randall Tobias graduated from IU in 1964, he left with many experiences and a growing sense of confidence. Yet, he had no idea that this confidence would help to make him a successful businessman.

Hopes for home

By Asma Khalid · Monday, May 5,2003 1:27 a.m.

When boredom struck Esra Erdogan, daughter of the prime minister of Turkey and a soon to be IU graduate, she escaped the doldrums of daily life at her Islamic high school in Istanbul by coordinating protests with her friends.

Records could be released

By Adam Aasen · Monday, May 5,2003 1:27 a.m.

Information on the decision to fire former IU men's basketball coach Bob Knight might be released to the public, as the Indiana State Court of Appeals ruled that IU might have to turn over records to the media.

Rites of passage set for Saturday

By Colin Kearns · Monday, May 5,2003 1:27 a.m.

As classes end, exams wind down and blooming flowers decorate the campus, another group of students is ready to turn their tassels and toss their caps during this year's commencement ceremony. IUB's commencement is scheduled for this Saturday, while the seven other IU campuses' ceremonies will take place between May 10 to 16.

All-county ban passed

By Lori Geller · Monday, May 5,2003 1:27 a.m.

The amendment to the 1993 smoking ordinance that has caused controversy in Monroe County for months was approved in a 2-1 vote Friday. Monroe County commissioners passed amendments to Chapter 370 of the Monroe County code, which will ban smoking in most public places.

Team ends season in loss

Monday, May 5,2003 1:19 a.m.

After a weekend of ups and downs, one word can best be used to describe the Hoosiers performance in the Big Ten Championships this weekend: bittersweet. While the team had two rowers named to the All Big Ten team and had two boats advance to the grand finals, the Hoosiers finished last in overall standings and failed to send any varsity boats to the grand finals.

Field events put IU over rival

By Kristin Louderback · Monday, May 5,2003 1:18 a.m.

The IU women's track and field team used several strong field event performances to defeat Purdue 110-86 in West Lafayette on Saturday.

Distance runs spell win

By Steve Hinson · Monday, May 5,2003 1:17 a.m.

In a tight contest, the No. 21 men's track and field team was able to use late run to push past Big Ten rival Purdue. The team defeated Purdue by seven points with a final score of 105-98.

Season ends on high note

By Dan Patrick · Monday, May 5,2003 1:16 a.m.

The IU softball team ended up on the losing end of a 6-0 rout for Purdue's senior day, but the Hoosiers returned the favor to the Boilermakers with a 3-0 win Sunday. IU finished the season with a 19-31 record, which is actually the Hoosiers' best win total since the 1997 season when IU went 27-21.

On the Sidelines

Monday, May 5,2003 1:14 a.m.

Tommy Jones becomes a Bengal Former IU quarterback Tommy Jones signed a contract as a rookie free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals over the weekend. Jones split time last season for IU with Gibran Hamdan at quarterback, who was drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Redskins.