Women's Golf

Suicide attackers strike hotels in Jordan, killing 57

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 10:30 p.m.

AMMAN, Jordan -- Suicide bombers carried out nearly simultaneous attacks on three U.S.-based hotels in the Jordanian capital Wednesday night, killing at least 57 people and wounding more than 300 in what appeared to be an al-Qaida assault on an Arab kingdom with close ties to the United States and a common border with Iraq. The explosions hit the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn hotels just before 9 p.m. One of the blasts took place inside a wedding hall where 300 guests were celebrating. Black smoke rose into the night, and wounded victims stumbled from the hotels.

IMU voted best place to lay your head

By Kathleen Quilligan and Kathleen Quilligen · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 9:38 p.m.

Along with having a social life, studying and sleeping rank high on collegiate "to do" lists. The University population has spoken, and the library and the Indiana Memorial Union have been ranked as the Best in Bloomington for studying and sleeping on campus, respectively. Sitting in the lobby of the Herman B Wells Library, sophomore Katrina Babin simultaneously listens to her iPod and translates her Arabic homework as she waits for her professor.

Herman B Wells library isn't just for late night studying anymore

By -Kehla West · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 9:37 p.m.

The musty books. The harsh, overhead lighting. The allure of getting caught. Apparently, the Herman B Wells Library gets IU students hotter than campus in August. In this year's Best of Bloomington poll, the Best Facebook group was "I Would Totally Have Sex in the Library," and the Library won "Best place to Make Out."

Scotty's Brewhouse steals 'Best Burger' award from Opie Taylor's

By Bryan Lufkin and Byran Lufkin · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 9:35 p.m.

Few restaurants are awarded with the honor of being the "Best Restaurant in Bloomington" two years in a row -- and this year, Scotty's Brewhouse not only has that distinction, but it has also made a name for its burger. "We use the best black Angus beef patties. They're half-pound patties, and it's hard to find other burgers that are a half pound," says General Manager Matt Whisler. "They're made with love by people who genuinely care and are excited about what they're doing."

Best Of Bloomington 2005

By Rebecca Price · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 9:33 p.m.

Second to outfit selection, restaurant selection is the most stressful part of a Saturday night on the town. Have you just worked up the courage to ask that hottie in the third row of your psych class out for dinner? Well, when those big brown eyes gaze back and ask "where?" you've got to be prepared with an answer because, quite frankly, sweaty palms and flushed cheeks won't exactly keep 'em coming back for more. Or are your overeager parents in town for the weekend and ready to attempt to take Kirkwood on in true Hoosier manner?

Nick's English Hut 'sinks' the competition for 'Best Bar'

By Mike Wilson · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 9:22 p.m.

Nick's English Hut successfully defended its Best of Bloomington "Best Bar" title again this year. Students showed their devotion to the traditional favorite, which has been serving the city since 1926 in a variety of capacities.

Grokster shutdown after court loss

By Alyson Brodsy and Ted Bridis · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 9:02 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Grokster Ltd., which lost a Supreme Court fight over file-sharing software popular for stealing songs and movies online, agreed Monday to shut down and pay $50 million to settle piracy complaints by Hollywood and the music industry. The surprise settlement

Life in the 'Burbs

By Cordell Eddings and Cordell M. Eddings · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 9:01 p.m.

A crescendo of laughter and complaints have followed the notorious career of the little three-paneled comic strip "The Boondocks," since its quiet debut in college newspaper in 1997 at the University of Maryland. And creator Aaron McGruder's new animated series will ensure that those who haven't gotten the chance to be shocked or enlightened (depending on who you ask) reading the strip will learn their lesson visually.

Where's the reality in that?

By Alyson Brodsy and Ryan McLaughlin · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:57 p.m.

If there's one thing that gives me a proverbial rash it's "Laguna Beach." This horrible excuse for television is a prime example of TV execs wringing out the wet rag of a popular trend until every penny has dripped out -- in this case, so-called "reality TV." I mean, as if the first 20 seasons of "Survivor" weren't enough. Or the infinite number of piss-poor "Joe Millionaire"/"The Bachelor" shows, where people get to meet perfect strangers and then after 10 episodes marry them. What a great example for the youth of America today.

What's on your wall?

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Mellini · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:56 p.m.

I love looking into other people's dorm rooms. I don't necessarily care to meet those who inhabit them. I don't really care about how the beds are set up or the fancy lamp shades. My attention goes straight to the posters on the wall. Lately this game has become a bore. Every room seems to have the same posters. It's time for people to be different. We need to escape the lure of what I deem the "college posters." There are several overused posters.

Did you get the memo?

By Alyson Brodsy and Ash Cartwright · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:54 p.m.

As most of us already know, "work sucks." It's because we know this that we appreciate "Office Space." It seems when it came out six years ago, "Office Space" was underviewed but word spread and by now most people recognize it for what it is. This film is hilarious -- implausible but hilarious -- because it manages to resonate with anyone who has ever worked or contemplated the possibility of ending up in an office. Peter (Ron Livingston) is frustrated with his life, especially his painfully monotonous and frustrating job at Initech Corporation.

Not your normal family drama

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:52 p.m.

"Millions" is one of those films that leave you feeling good when the end credits begin to role. It's disguised as a simple family film with the same generic ethical issues you might find in an after-school special, however, as the movie progresses and the plot unfolds, we are presented with something much more important and meaningful.

'Pete & Pete' a brilliant paradox

By Alyson Brodsy and Daniel Hiester · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:49 p.m.

We had it lucky growing up. The kid shows we had were truly great, like "The Tick" and "Pinky and the Brain." But before an invulnerable idiot in blue spandex foiled a chair-faced madman's plan to deface the moon, and before two albino lab mice tried to take over the world, there were two red-headed brothers with the same name whose epic suburban adventures became the stuff of cult legend.

This 'angel' is a blessing

By Alyson Brodsy and Olivia Morales · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:46 p.m.

"An Angel at My Table" is a rare commodity: a film about a woman saved by her work. It's an uncommon scenario in today's films, where most narratives insist people can only be saved by each other. The film follows the life of Janet Frame, an English prodigy, from her childhood into adult years where she is hospitalized for schizophrenia. She then remains in the psych ward for eight years, not because she is crazy, but because she is paralyzed by her own fear of the outside world. Her way to heal herself is by writing stories and poems, which eventually free her from her self-made prison.

Not quite 'elite' but good

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Freiberg · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:44 p.m.

This generation of consoles has been oversaturated with stealth and World War II games to a point few gamers can really enjoy anymore. But amazingly, with "Sniper Elite," Namco has come out with a WWII stealth game that is actually fun to play and brings something new to both genres. In "Sniper Elite," you take on the role of a U.S. sniper in the closing days of the war who must stop the Russians from getting a hold of Germany's atomic secrets.

The concert of a lifetime

By Alyson Brodsy and Ryan McLaughlin · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:42 p.m.

In 1971 George Harrison agreed to help his friend, legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar, find a way to assist the refugees from war-torn Bangladesh. What resulted was the first large-scale benefit concert. The concert, held on Aug. 1, 1971, featured many influential musicians and friends of Harrison all playing under the direction of the late formal Beatle.

A DVD trip to the Dark Side

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:40 p.m.

Rarely in cinematic history have films begun with a money shot, but such is the case with George Lucas' latest, and most likely final, astronomically budgeted, multi-billion-dollar-grossing "Stars Wars" installment. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi pilot their Jedi Starfighters over the expansive surface of a massive cruiser ship, then plunge headlong into the biggest and most chaotic space battle (or battle, for that matter) ever seen in any film. The first 25 minutes of "Star Wars: Episode III" is crammed with non-stop action, almost to the point of geekish delirium.

Fear of the 'dark' light

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Wisner · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:37 p.m.

Hot Topic's favorite sons H.I.M. (His Infernal Majesty) have returned once again with Dark Light, a new album full of depressing dirges and melancholic music emulating their entire back-catalog. Thanks to Bam Margera's love affair with H.I.M., their music reaches the minds of every impressionable kid between the ages of 13-18, begging them to ask the ultimate question: should I just commit suicide now or try and become a vampire?

Say it ain't so Trey!

By Alyson Brodsy and Jeff O'Reilly · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:34 p.m.

Following the breakup of the seminal prog-rock/jamband Phish, Phish frontman Trey Anastasio quickly sought to break all ties with the band and its grassroots organization, favoring a clean slate for a solo career. Shine finds Anastasio, who released five solo works while with Phish, working free of the limits that come with the title of "side project." Phish's last release Undermind found Anastasio's compositions evolving from mere launch pads for the extended jams that came to define Phish into songs you might find on an alt-rock radio station.

'All' is nothing much

By Alyson Brodsy and Jeff O'Reilly · Wednesday, Nov. 9,2005 8:31 p.m.

Turn on VH1, plug in the guitar and press record. This seems to be the formula for Santana albums these days. It comes as no surprise that All That I Am, Santana's second attempt at recreating the magic of 1999's Grammy classic Supernatural, is the guitar legend's most unimaginative work to date. The man who released masterpieces such as Abraxas and Caravanserai noodles and wanks his way through 13 tracks that seemingly feature whatever pop star walked into his studio that morning, stars such as "American Idol" reject Bo Bice. Carlos, please, do we have to endure yet another "collaborative" effort?