Longform

Marriage doesn't define my relationship

The gay drug of choice isn't Ecstasy, it's equality, and lots of it. This choice has been confirmed in the last couple of years with the battle over marriage rights. I missed my mailing from Queer headquarters, lost somewhere among the HH Gregg advertisements and the weekly offer of platinum credit cards. The one that said, "We must be married! Now!"

A return to the simpler days

Sitting there in the barber's chair, I couldn't help but notice the gray hair on the apron that was draped over my shoulders. OK, so the gray hair wasn't actually there, at least not yet. But as I looked at myself in the mirror across from the red vinyl chair I was relaxing in, I couldn't help but imagine what I will look like as an old man and wonder, how many haircuts do I have left?

Special Olympians

Sounds of flailing and gasping awoke Ron McGovern, 59, in the dead of the night 15 years ago. Waking his wife Diana, 57, he rushed to the room next door to find their 22-year-old son Billy in the throes of a major seizure. Billy's head was twisted to the side and pounded against his pillow. His muscles convulsed as he lay unconscious on the upper deck of the bunk bed he shared with his younger brother, Steve. Billy, 37, and Steve, 35, suffer from the fragile X syndrome, a condition that leaves them both mildly mentally handicapped. Epilepsy also plagues their lives. Despite their disabilities, Billy and Steve live their lives to the fullest, whether at home, at work or in the Special Olympics arena.

Around The Arts

Kilroy's bachelor auction to raise money for RileyKilroy's Sports Bar, 319 N. Walnut St., will sponsor a bachelor auction tonight to raise money for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. Bachelors will include former soccer player and alumnus Dennis Fadeski, Interfraternity Council President senior Ben Schmidt and B97 General Manager Arthur Angotti Jr. The preliminary round begins at 8 p.m., and bidding will begin at 9. Cover charge is $1.

Religious aid inappropriate

President George W. Bush has only been in office for two weeks and already has created a stir. His latest plan, a faith-based initiative that would support many religious philanthropy groups, has turned Democratic and Republican heads. Distributing federal funds to religious groups is inappropriate and begins to blur the lines separating church and state.

Middle East nations discuss terms for peace

They have been fighting for more than 50 years. Since Israel gained independence in 1948, the Middle East has been a region of turmoil, each side hoping for peace. "It's a tough neighborhood," said Mark Regev, a counselor at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. Israel made peace with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 after years of war. To the north, in the lush Galilee bordered by Israel and Lebanon, fighting continues.

Alumna authors book, teaches belly dancing

Belly dancing gave IU grad Donna Carlton a new career. "I was working at a desk job, and I was really unhappy," Carlton said. " So a friend got me interested in Middle Eastern dance." Carlton now teaches a Middle Eastern dance class at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation building and has written a book called "Looking for Little Egypt."

School of Music honors late professor

The School of Music paid tribute to the late Walter Cassel, a singer and music professor for 20 years, Sunday in Auer Hall. Musicians from IU and Cassel's former students from across the country joined in remembering the legend. Although he was best known as a musical actor, he was also a photographer and an award-winning athlete.

Chocolate confections

My grumpy, cynical side longs to dismiss Valentine's Day as the Madison Avenue-produced frenzy of fluff I know it to be. But the strength of my testy convictions is curiously and invariably out-muscled each Feb. 14 by my softer, squishier side. After all, how could a winter's day dedicated to the sanctioned consumption of chocolate be all bad?

Hoosiers dominate first road trip match

After Saturday's match at Marquette, the Hoosiers remain perfect for the season.

Ask the Sexpert

Unusual quirks jump-start XFL

Here we go. Vince McMahon's answer to the NFL burst into the national spotlight Saturday when the Las Vegas Outlaws were hosts to the New York/New Jersey Hitmen and the Chicago Enforcers went on the road to face the Orlando Rage.

Haston helps save squandered lead

For the third time this season, junior center Kirk Haston has been named Big Ten Player of the Week. Haston led IU (14-9, 5-4 Big Ten) to a pair of road wins, the first time IU has won back-to-back Big Ten road games since 1995-96.

Another lead blown ... almost

March Madness fast approaching

This is the time of year guys like me start getting in a better mood. We start to shake off that January negativity and begin to look more optimistically to the future.

4 Purdue students die in 8 days

Purdue sophomore Travis R. Simpson was found dead Saturday in his off-campus apartment. The cause of his death is not clear, but police said they do not suspect foul play.

New ticket to push for campus involvement

Pledging to focus on the students and their needs, the Imagine ticket announced its candidacy forthe IU Student Association election Thursday. Executive candidates are senior Sidney Bosley, president; sophomore Benjamin Lewis, vice president for Congress; senior Dietrich Willke, vice president for administration; and junior Johnathan Goo, treasurer.

Brand vexed by athlete's punishment

IU President Myles Brand said this week he has asked two administrators to examine how the University handled the punishment of senior forward Rachael Honegger.

Friends mourn freshman

Seth Korona, a 19-year-old freshman, died Sunday, three weeks into his first semester at IU. He had been in a coma since he was taken to Bloomington Hospital Jan. 29. Friends said he was a fun, outgoing and positive person who often talked about his family. The IU Police Department is investigating his death, said Lt. Jerry Minger.

International forum draws leaders, protesters

Economic, political and academic luminaries gathered for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last month to discuss, among other issues, the growing divide between First and Third World countries.