Summer 2013 Issue by The Phoenix Magazine at Augusta University

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Inside this issue:

Downtown , Hipsters & Food

Summer 2013

Editor-in-chief Erica Wright

Assistant Editor Sara Tafazoli

Contributing Editors Ted Smith Brennan Meagher

Business Manager Tiffany Looman Phoenix magazine is published three times per academic year with a press run of 2,500 copies. It is created on Macintosh OSX computers using Adobe Creative Suite 5.0. The cover is printed on 80# gloss text cover; the text is printed on 60# gloss text. The body copy is Georgia, cutlines are Century Gothic and the nameplate is Desdemona and Archaelogicaps. This issue of Phoenix magazine was printed by K-B Offset Printing, Inc. in State College, Pa.

Advertising Manager Hannah Foerster

Advisor Dr. Debra van Tuyll

Phoenix magazine is a student publication of the Office of Student Activities and Department of Communications and Professional Writing at Georgia Regents University. Phoenix magazine is a designated public forum and has been recognized as such by Georgia Regents University. The publication is funded by advertising sales and student activity fees. The opinions expressed in the Phoenix do not necessarily represent the opinions of the University System of Georgia, the administration or faculty of GRU, the editorial staff or the adviser of the Phoenix.

Phoenix Magazine 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, Ga. 30904-2200 phoenix@gru.edu ericawright28@gmail.com

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Staff Writers Arianna Vazquez Dereck Chang Shea Anderson Brittany Frazier Danielle Francisco Allegra Blair Brennan Meagher Meredith Dailey Alicia Chargualaf Katherine Dyches Raven Norris Grace Waters Daniel Browning Ashley Trawick

Alissa Faulkner Shelley Williams Andrea Yano Russell Lindsey Lindsey Leverett Whit Morgan Haley Bourne Theodore Smith Gwendolyn Bagley Richie Iannacone Tanisha Hawkins Laura Starnes Victoria Lindgvist

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: this issue Inside

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2013 Summer

thank you , m a r g n I Taylor e your me to tak g in t t e l for er! r the cov Y Erica o f e r u t ic p

Contributors

Brea Boutwell Davis Gavitt Kelly Highland

Sydney Ewerth Shelby Crabb

Editor’s Note Dear Reader, It’s finally here! My last issue of the Phoenix. This magazine has honestly been one of the greatest highlights of my time on this school. I want to use my last editor’s note to say thank you. I want to thank my assistant editor, Sara, we have had a good run, and I don’t think I could have done it without you. You and Tiffany both kept me sane. Dr. van Tuyll, I want to thank you for always providing me with advice when I needed it, and for respecting the decisions I made as editor.

Downtown Dining page 4

Table of Content Downtown Dining by Richie Iannacone A World Away by Katie Dyches The Rev. Betty Love by Brennan Meagher The Art of Arguing by Danielle Francisco Who are D&D players? by Gwen Bagley Hipster Guide by Whit Morgan WINGSPAN Sydney Ewerth

... 4 ... 8 ... 14 ... 18 ... 20 ... 24

... 29

Thank you to those who have written articles, provided me with photos, comments, support and even criticism. Most of all I want to thank you for picking up this issue of the Phoenix. Whether you are a loyal reader or are picking an issue up for the first time. It’s been a good four years on this campus, but I am ready for my next challenge! Thanks,

Wingspan page 29

The Rev. Betty Love page 14 Phoenix 1

Photo by Shelby Crabb.

CALENDAR AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

FRIDAY, 2ND FIRST FRIDAY- 5 p.m. SATURDAY, 3RD CORNHOLE CHALLENGE James Brown Arena, 2 p.m. WEDNESDAY, 14TH - FRIDAY, 16TH FALL REGISTRATION MONDAY, 19TH CLASS BEGINS MONDAY, 19 - WEDNESDAY, 21 ADD/DROP PERIOD

FRIDAY, 6TH BORDER BASH Augusta Commons, 5 p.m. FRIDAY, 6TH - SUNDAY, 8TH SORORITY RECRUITMENT Jaguar Student Activities Center WEDNESDAY, 18TH STUDY ABROAD FAIR JSAC, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. FRIDAY, 20TH - SUNDAY, 22TH ARTS IN THE HEART OF AUGUSTA Augusta Commons SUNDAY, 29TH AUGUSTA IRON MAN Downtown Augusta

\ ]

2 Summer 2013

OCTOBER SATURDAY, 5TH COLOR RUN Downtown Augusta, 9 a.m. FRIDAY, 11TH - SATURDAY, 12TH HISPANIC FESTIVAL Augusta Commons SATURDAY, 12TH - MONDAY, 14TH GREEK FESTIVAL Downtown Augusta WEEK OF 14TH MIDTERMS! SATURDAY, 26TH BROAD STREET RAMBLE Augusta Commons

PUT THE BROWN BAG ON YOUR CALENDAR TODAY Breakfast, Lunch, catering with The Brown Bag Café & Food Truck, it’s in the bag.

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Interested in working with the Phoenix?

Get involved! We are looking for writers, photographers, and artists. If interested, contact us at phoenix.studentmagazine@gmail.com

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Downtown Dining A college student’s guide to :

Story by Richie Iannacone | Layout by Erica Wright | Photos by Davis Gavitt

Discover what restaurants downtown have our streets thriving and tastebuds watering. Here are some of GRU students’ favorite spots to grab a bite to eat.

Nacho Mama’s When deciding where to eat downtown, Nacho Mama’s is often one of the first to come to mind. They have great food and even won the “Best of Augusta” award in 2012 for “Best Burrito.” Kristy Harden, a GRU nursing student, loves Nacho Mama’s. “It’s is a cool restaurant, a very fun atmosphere and offers delicious food.” Harden recommends the Big Daddy Nachos because of the fresh ingredients and hardy serving size. 976 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901 www.nachomamasaugusta.com

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Pizza Joint Pizza Joint first opened in 1996 and has been a hit ever since. Pizza Joint not only has great pizza, but also an impressive beer menu. Shane Walker, a GRU education student, has been enjoying the freshly made pizza at Pizza Joint since he was a kid. What keeps him going to Pizza Joint are the low prices. Walker recommends only getting one to two slices because of how big the slices are, and going on Tuesdays to take advantage of their special on slices, only $1.95 per slice. 1245 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.thepizzajoint.net

Whiskey Bar (Kitchen) People go to Whiskey Bar to eat good food, try new drinks, and enjoy each other’s company. Whiskey Bar opened in 2012 and has been popular ever since. Brittany Matthews, a GRU communications student, prefers Whiskey Bar over any other restaurant in Augusta. “There’s a cool vibe in Whiskey Bar,” Matthews explained. “The service is always friendly, and I really like the food. They also have a pretty big selection of whiskeys which makes them kind of unique.” Matthews recommends the Cali Burger because of how fresh it tastes with the avocados and cucumbers. Matthews believes Whiskey Bar (Kitchen) has the best Waffle Fries in Augusta, and recommends the Jameson Whiskey because “there’s not as much of an aftertaste as the others (whiskeys).” 1048 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.whiskeybarkitchen.com

Farm Haus

Knuckle Sandwiches

The newest restaurant to enter downtown is Farm Haus. Expect to wait in a line, it’s that good. Farm Haus has really unique burgers and specialty milk shakes. Ben Barmore, a GRU business student and employee of Farm Haus, thinks that Farm Haus is so successful because of how tasty the food is, but also because of the cool atmosphere and reputation of its sister restaurant, Frog Hollow Tavern. Barmore explained that Farm Haus’ atmosphere made it a unique restaurant downtown. “It’s just very modern inside and it’s a fresh look for downtown. It’s not so dark and grungy, which is okay sometimes. If you want good burgers, go to Farm Haus,” Barmore said. Barmore recommends getting the Turkey Burger with the avocados and pickled onions because of how light and delicious it is, “it’s not a greasy ass burger.” 1204 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.farmhausburger.com

Knuckle Sandwiches is a great place to go after a fun night downtown. It’s open late and has some really tasty sandwiches. Chris Venable, a GRU pre-med student, goes to Knuckle Sandwiches every time he goes downtown. Venable recommends getting the Black Eyed Chicken sandwich with french fries, “It’s a solid riff on the chicken sandwich.” Another popular item on the menu is the PBR-B-Q Sandwich, a tasty sandwich that consists of beer braised shoulder with melting cheese topping it. Knuckle Sandwiches is open late night hours from 9 p.m. until whenever. And also open for lunch Wednesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1149 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901

Mellow Mushroom Mellow Mushroom is one of the only national chain restaurants downtown, but you would never guess that by all of the art on the walls, which are all painted by Billy Sanders, a local artist. The atmosphere is great, and the food is even better. Justine Davis, a GRU kinesiology student, loves Mellow Mushroom. “The pizza is just really good here,” Davis said, “I especially like the dough compared to other places.” Davis recommends getting either the Chicken Caeser pizza or the Jerk pizza with a side of spicy ranch, which she says is an amazing combination with the pizza. 1167 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.mellowmushroom.com

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Mi Ranchos In Augusta, Mexican restaurants are always an option, but they never really were downtown until a few years ago when Mi Ranchos opened downtown at the River Walk. McKenzie Horseman, a freshman at GRU, loves Mexican food and really loves that she can go to the Riverwalk and eat it. “I love that you can go there with your friends and karaoke. It’s just something different to do with your friends,” Horseman said, “and the people are always very nice.” Horseman’s recommends the cheese dip and a cheese quesadilla because it’s quick and inexpensive. 2 8th Street, Augusta, GA 30901

Boll Weevil Café and Sweetery When students are looking for a nice restaurant to go on a date they should consider Boll Weevil. Boll Weevil has great entrées, but they are mostly known for their delicious desserts. Tyler Horn, a GRU business student, will sometimes go to Boll Weevil just for the cake. Horn recommends getting something light, like the Hoppin’ John Soup, to save room for dessert. Horn recommends the Strawberry Cake for dessert because it is huge and has real strawberries in the cake. 10 9th St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.thebollweevil.com

Two Mom’s Cookies Just a short walk from the Summerville GRU campus and you will find Two Mom’s Cookies, a small intimate cookie shop. Patrick Fritz, a GRU business student, enjoys going to Two Mom’s Cookies for a quick snack in between classes. Fritz recommends the Iced Sugar Cookie because it is homemade and the icing is delicious. 2569 Central Ave, Augusta, GA 30904 www.twomomscookies.com

New Moon Café When students are looking for a place to study they should consider going downtown to New Moon. Not only does New Moon have a nice quiet atmosphere, perfect for studying, it also has great coffee, specialty drinks, and food. Emily Olson, a GRU Education student, stops by New Moon when she’s in need of a quick energy boost. “I always get the Green Monster Smoothie,” Olson said. “Its ingredients include peanut butter, kale, and green tea which give you a lot of energy.” New Moon has a lot to choose from for both breakfast and lunch. For breakfast Olson recommends the Green Monster Smoothie and for lunch she recommends the Joey sandwich, both are light and quick. 936 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.newmoondowntown.com

If you are looking to splurge a little, check out these five restaurants...

Frog Hollow Tavern

Hildebrants

5 O’Clock Bistro

If you’re looking for a place that offers great food and great service, then Frog Hollow Tavern is where you should go. Michelle Hamill, a GRU English student, explained why Frog Hollow Tavern is such a unique restaurant. “Frog Hollow is an exceptional restaurant because of its farm-to-table approach and the unique combinations of flavors in their dishes,” Hamill said. “I like that its menu constantly changes to reflect seasonal specialties prepared in new and innovative ways.” Hamill usually chooses the seasonal dish, but the entrée that’s always on the menu that she recommends is the Braised Pork Shoulder, “It’s delicious and comes with collards and one of Frog Hollow’s most decadent and addictive inventions, the smoked Gouda mac-n-cheese.” 1282 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.froghollowtavern.com

One of downtown’s best kept secrets is also one of the oldest, Hildebrants. Louanne Hildebrant, the owner of Hildebrants, explained that her family first opened Hildebrants as a small grocery store and deli, but it quickly turned into more of a sandwich shop after the deli started offering sandwiches. Wesley Bussey, a GRU kinesiology student, appreciates Hildebrants not only for its delicious food, but also for it being a part of Augusta’s history. “I think it’s cool it’s been around since 1879 in the same location,” Bussey explained, “and everything is reasonably priced.” Bussey recommends the Rueben, “the best Rueben in town,” along with their home made potato salad. 226 6th St, Augusta, GA 30901

For students wanting a fine dining experience, they should head up to 5 O’Clock Bistro. 5 O’Clock Bistro is an authentic French bistro with a wide variety of premium wines and tasty entrées. Ashley Johannsen, a GRU graduate student, likes to go to 5 O’Clock Bistro on special occasions because they have her favorite dessert. “The Fried Goat Cheese Cake is so tasty,” Johannsen said, “the goat cheese and black berries just go together so harmoniously, it’s the best combination. I definitely recommend that.” Johannsen also recommends the Warm Duck Breast Spinach Salad for your main entrée. 5 O’Clock Bistro’s goal is to make everyone feel as though it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. 2111 Kings Way, Augusta, GA 30904 www.5oclockbistro.com

The Bees Knee’s

Rooster’s Beak

The Bees Knee’s is a tapas themed restaurant. Tapas are smaller portioned dishes often served with other tapas as a meal. One dish they are known for is their Pad Thai. Brittany Henry, a GRU pre-dental student, enjoys going to The Bees Knee’s with her friends. “Bees Knee’s is perfect for a girl’s night out,” Brittany said. “Especially on Wednesday nights because it’s half off on bottles of wine.” Brittany recommends splitting a few different tapas with whomever you’re there with, like the hand cut French Fries, The Tempura, The Smoked Gouda Nachos, and The Pan Seared Scallops. 211 10th St, Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia 30901 www.beesknesstapas.com

One door down from The Bees Knee’s, is Rooster’s Beak. They prides themselves in having a “local kitchen,” which means they use local products, serve regional beers, and even decorate with local artists’ works. Brittany Munnerlyn, a GRU education student, appreciates the art on the walls. “It always so cool walking in Rooster’s Beak because the art is just amazing,” Munnerlyn said. Rooster’s Beak has really unique food options, like a range of unique tacos, grilled corn on the cob, Rooster Pizza and so much more. Munnerlyn’s favorite item on the menu is the chips and dips (any of the dips), but she recommends two Rooster Tacos as the main course. 215 10th St, Augusta, GA 30901 www.feedyourbeak.com

Richie Iannacone is a Georgia Regents University alumnus.

8 Summer 2013

A World Away: Discovering a Southern Gem Right Outside Augusta Story by Katherine Dyches | Layout by Sara Tafazoli | Photos by Brea Boutwell

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Just a short drive down the road, yet a world away lies Aiken, South Carolina. Home to an array of shops, restaurants, museums and parks, a day trip to Aiken is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Hop in your car and in 45 minutes you will be right in the midst of good ole fashion southern hospitality, where strangers say “Hello” as they pass you on the street, and gentlemen still tip their hats and hold doors for ladies. Despite its close proximity to Augusta, many GRU students have never experienced what this southern gem has to offer. As a long time Augusta resident, I was one of the many who are clueless to the unique experience that is Aiken, South Carolina. On a beautiful Saturday in April, my boyfriend and I hopped in the car and headed to Aiken to spend the day and see what Aiken was all about. The drive was quick and easy. Thankfully I was blessed with a great sense of direction, but even for the directionally challenged, getting to Aiken is a breeze. A few miles off of I-20 Exit 22 and you will be right in the heart of downtown Aiken. It is easy for visitors

10 Summer 2013

to navigate, with signs on every street corner pointing you in the direction of places of interest. Judging by the horses on the street signs, I could tell that this town was serious when it came to its equestrian roots. Not to mention the colorfully painted life-size horse statues on the corners every few blocks. As we arrived on Laurens Streets, one of the main drags through downtown Aiken, I almost felt that we were in a movie. The town is picture perfect. Streets are lined with quaint shops and restaurants, with colorful flowers and shrubbery lining the sidewalks. We parked the car and started out with a stroll down the street, peeping in to all the boutiques and cafes along the way. We stopped first at the Aiken County Visitor Center, to get some advice on where to go and what to do. We were greeted by a very friendly gentleman who was quite enthusiastic to help us experience everything that Aiken has to offer. Upon telling him that it was our first trip to Aiken, Richard Brancato, a volunteer at the visitor center, provided us with a wealth of information, brochures,

maps, and flyers of things to do in Aiken. “I wish y’all had more than a day to spend here. You’ll have to come back soon and check out everything you can’t get to today,” said Brancato. “I’ve lived here for decades, and still discover new things all time. It’s a very special place.” He gave us some great recommendations, and showed us exactly how to get to everywhere we wanted to go. After saying our good-byes and thanking him for his generous help and expertise, we decided to first visit Hitchcock Woods, a large nature preserve right in the heart of Aiken. The woods provide hundreds of acres of pristine wilderness for you to enjoy on foot or on horseback, no bikes or motorized vehicles are permitted. The weather was perfect, sunny and in the mid 70’s, so we took a walk down a series of trails through the forest. I was amazed at how quiet and peaceful it was, despite being less than two miles from the bustling downtown district. After a peaceful walk through Hitchcock Woods, we made our way to the Aiken County Historical Museum just a block away. We were greeted by an

Local shops on Laurens Street, Downtown Aiken.

elderly gentlemen with a very large beard in full Civil War regalia. The museum is located in a beautiful home from the 1800’s and houses a wealth of historical treasures, some of which dating back to the 1600s. Our guide, who would only refer to himself as General Hampton, one of South Carolina’s most famous Civil War generals, provided insight into the exhibits and definitely livened up our experience with his witty sense of humor and deep southern drawl. After our visit to the museum, we were ready to grab some lunch, so we headed back downtown. There were so many cute cafes and charming restaurants lining the streets of downtown Aiken that we spent about 30 minutes just debating which one we would chose for our lunch. Augusta residents will be pleased to find some of our local favorites, such as The Pizza Joint, Takosushi and New Moon Café, also have locations in downtown Aiken as well. We compromised by choosing the Aiken Brewing Company (I wanted to eat outside to enjoy the beautiful weather; my boyfriend wanted a beer). We sat outside under the shade of

the tree-lined street, and enjoyed a few craft beers brewed in house. Everyone passing by was so friendly, stopping to say “Hello” or tipping their hat (Yes, they still do that in Aiken!). My boyfriend had an enormous bacon cheeseburger, and didn’t leave a scrap left on his plate, while I had a Reuben sandwich so big I had to take half home with me. We chatted with the bartender, who gave us some insight into the southern hospitality we had been experiencing all day. “Aiken is a real friendly town,” said Bobby Harison, one of the bartenders at Aiken Brewing Company. “We love having visitors. It’s great to share a beer with them. By the time you’ve finished a few beers, they’re not strangers anymore.” After our filling lunch, we decided to take a stroll and check out some of the shops and boutiques. College students, especially those who love to shop, will be very impressed with downtown Aiken. Shops catering to every interest fill the store fronts for blocks. From a doggie bakery and antique shops, to horse-lover gift shops and girly boutiques, there is something in Aiken for all tastes. At every

I’ve lived here for decades, and still discover new things all the time.

Diners outside of Aiken Brewing Company.

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We love having visitors. It’s great to share a beer with them. By the time you’ve finished a few beers, they’re not strangers anymore.

12 Summer 2013

shop we entered, we were greeted with big smiles and a true appreciation for our patronage. I only wish my budget had allowed for more shopping. After shopping for a few hours, we decided to wrap up our trip with a visit to Hopeland Gardens, a beautiful public garden and park just a few miles down the road from the downtown district. Open daily, it is a beautiful place for a picnic, to read a book or just take in the beautiful surroundings. The gardens are home to giant oak trees and magnolias, winding paths and bubbling fountains. The day of our visit, we saw 2 brides taking wedding pictures. During the summer months, the gardens are home to a free concert series on Monday evenings. We sat on a bench under an enormous oak tree and enjoyed some candy we bought at a sweet shop downtown (homemade pecan pralines, delish!). As the day came to an end, I have to admit I was sad our visit was over. All the people we met had really made us feel so welcome and were so enthusiastic to show us what Aiken was all about. Talk about southern hospitality! While we

experienced so much in just one day, there was still so much to see and do. We didn’t have time to visit the Train Museum, the Farmer’s Market, or the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. I can’t believe that in all my years in Augusta, I had not made the quick drive to this hidden southern gem just a few miles down the road. With summer coming up, we are planning another trip to Aiken soon. This time we are going to get there early and head to racetrack to watch the horses practice, an insider tip from our new friend Richard at the visitor’s center, and try out some more of the great restaurants downtown. If you are looking to get away and try something a little different, give Aiken a try. It’s just a quick trip down the road, but truly a world away.

Katherine Dyches is a senior communication major on the public relations track.

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A glimpse of Hopeland Gardens.

The

Betty Love, owner of Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wedding Chapel, performing a marriage.

Rev

Betty L ve Y

and Augusta’s “little chapel on the boulevard” * Story and Layout by Brennan Meagher Photos by Shelby Crabb

A short, petite woman wearing a bright-blue muumuu ushers a nervous girl out of a consultation, all the while assuring her, “You will make the most beautiful bride.” Tucked away on a small lot on the corner of Wrightsboro Road and Monte Sano Avenue, and originally purchased to be a hypnotherapy clinic, Love’s Wedding Chapel bears witness to weddings almost daily, all performed by the Rev. Betty Love. After losing her husband to lung cancer, Love decided that she wanted to open a hypnotherapy clinic in order to help people correct their bad habits before it was too late. In 1999, Love opened a clinic that specialized in smoking secession and weight reduction. It was during this time that Love decided to become a minister. “I was told that if I was going to run a hypnotherapy clinic that I should become a minister because it was better to have those credentials when you’re working closely with and touching people,” Love recalls. *Quote from Bruno Mars, “Marry Me.”

After becoming an ordained minister Love found herself sending many couples to Aiken, S.C., to be married, because, at that time, the state of Georgia required blood tests and other paperwork before a couple could be married, but South Carolina did not. Eventually couples started to question why Love didn’t perform marriage ceremonies herself. “Every woman wants to lose weight and we all need to quit smoking,” Love said. “I wanted to be able to help at least one person. That’s why I originally bought this building to be a hypnotherapy clinic, but then people kept asking me, ‘Why don’t you do weddings?’” This prompted Love to call the courthouse and find out what she needed to do in order to be able to legally marry couples. It was then that she found out that Georgia no longer required couples to submit to a blood test. So, in 2001, two years after opening her clinic, Love began officiating marriages. “I hung up my shingle for weddings, and I got so busy that hypnosis went on the

“I’m gonna marry couples until I fall out” back burner,” Love said. The wedding business occupies much of Love’s time these days, and she no longer actively solicits patients for hypnotherapy. Weddings keep her so busy, in fact, that she found herself in the hospital being treated for exhaustion after performing six weddings on Valentine’s Day and six the following day. She now limits herself to three weddings per day. Despite all of this, Love enjoys what she does and wouldn’t trade it for anything. “I’m gonna marry couples until I fall out,” Love said. The passion that Love feels towards her job is infectious and is apparent to the couples that Love encounters. José and Melissa Maldonada were married by Love and continue to keep in touch with her.

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Love married Wilbert Maynor Jr. and Nicole Hewitt on April 30,2013

Lillie Stephens and John Marshall Jr. were married in March. They’ve been together for 25 years.

“We visit her all the time,” said Melissa Maldonada. “She’s like a family member now. She’s an amazing woman and a good person, not just on the job but 24/7. She is the sweetest person I could ever meet.” Love marries many elderly and military couples, like the Maldonada’s. She also believes many people come to her chapel when they either don’t wish to spend much money on a wedding or don’t want a big ceremony. Love married Lillie Stephens and John Marshall Jr., a member of the Tams, a musical group from Atlanta that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s, in March. “We just wanted the marriage,” explains Stephens of her decision to get married at the chapel. “We wanted a simple ceremony, that’s it. That’s why we didn’t bring a crew with us. We wanted something quiet and simple. Besides, a lot of people already think we’re married because we’ve been together so long, 25 years.” Although she enjoys her job, like most businesses, weddings don’t always run smoothly, and Love has found herself in a few unlikely situations. There is one wedding in particular that

Love’s Wedding Chapel sits on the corner of Wrightsboro Road and Monte Sano Avenue.

Love describes as “the most shocking” wedding that she’s ever performed. At this particular wedding, everything seemed to be running according to plan until Love asked the couple to say their vows. “I asked ‘Do you take this man to be your husband,” Love said. Rather than responding with the expected answer the bride said, “I would prefer to marry a woman.” To which Love responded, “Lady, I can’t help you with that. That’s illegal and I’m not getting arrested for you.” Despite these potentially awkward situations, Maldonada insists that Love always handles herself with poise and grace. “She knows how to talk to people and how to help them,” Melissa Maldonada said. “She always has the words to say, and doesn’t like to turn people down. She is straight-forward, but always has a good attitude.” Love also recalls another story of an interesting wedding. On the day she was set to marry a couple, Love got an angry phone call from the groom’s ex-wife. “The man you’re fixing to marry is

my husband,” Love recalls the woman explaining. “You should know that. You married us last July. We filed for divorce, but it’s not yet finalized.” Although there is the occasional sticky situation, Love insists that most weddings go off without a hitch. “There’s always something, but most of the time they’re sweet and fun,” Love said. “I’ve cried a few times. You get caught up in the couple you’re marrying. I try to gear every wedding to each individual couple.” Love feels as though she has found her life’s calling in marrying couples through Love’s Wedding Chapel. She plans to marry couples until the day she dies, and then she believes her son will take over the business. “I’ve worked at a lot of places over the years,” Love recalls. “I’ve been in banking, real estate, I even got a cosmetology license and did in-home hair for the elderly, but this has been the most rewarding. I have been appointed and anointed by God to do that, and besides my name’s Love.”

“I have been appointed and anointed by God to do that, and besides, my name’s Love”

Brennan Meagher is a senior communication major on the public relations track.

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The art of

arguing How to win the war when you’ve lost the battle

Story, Layout and Pictures by Danielle Francisco Arguments can be stressful, exciting, overwhelming and exhausting. The art of winning an argument requires as much strategy as a game of chess. Each opponent must know his/her sticking points and have enough information to back them up while anticipating the next move of their adversary. But what exactly causes individuals to quarrel in the first place? There are many psychological triggers that lead to conflict and argument. The prevailing school of thought is that when two rational individuals are involved, there shouldn’t be an argument but rather a civil exchange of ideas leading to a mutually beneficial compromise. However, it seems safe to assume that by the time these conflicts escalate, rationality has officially left the building. More often than not, both parties engaging in the argument have become passionate and emotional about their viewpoints. That said, certain events or topics can trigger anger, hostility, and a host of other emotions that lead to arguments. Valorie King, clinical psychologist,

18 Summer 2013

Fayetteville, NC, offers the following as common triggers: Stress- Stresses attributed to work, school, finances and numerous other factors can often turn an otherwise sane individual into a ticking time bomb. When ignored, stress can manifest itself into unwarranted aggression toward another individual. Lack of confidence- A lack of selfesteem or certainty in one’s ability can contribute to defensive and combative behavior. This is a common trigger for arguments between colleagues in professional relationships. Generally the person who feels inferior will lash out and become defensive. Abandonment- When one feels that his or her thoughts and feelings have been discarded or that he or she has been excluded, this individual may become passive aggressive towards the individual who caused the feeling. This is another common trigger for arguments between two people in an intimate relationship. Feeling/being misunderstoodFeeling or actually being misunderstood is an argument trigger in intimate

relationships. The individual becomes angry and frustrated due to the perception that his or her loved one doesn’t understand who he or she is . This trigger usually leads to general confusion and frustration in an argument, then hostility and unhappiness, which can trigger someone to become defensive. Georgia Regents University communications instructor Jim Brady said that most arguments are not about the topic at the surface level, but instead have a much deeper meaning. He offers that most arguments stem from three underlying causes: the power struggle, resentment towards the other party and general disdain for one another. The power struggle: Individual(s) involved in the debate are attempting to assert themselves as the dominant figure in the relationship. This trigger most often plays out in intimate relationships where one or both individuals believe someone has to be in charge, and it should be them. Resentment towards the other party: One or more individuals feel that they have been mistreated in some way,

shape or form. Resentment grows and festers over time because of hurt feelings and previous incidents that weren’t properly addressed at the time. According to Brady, individuals harboring resentment usually act out in a passive aggressive manner. General disdain for one another: An individual or group believes that the others’ feelings, thoughts or ideas are not worthy of respect. This is often displayed through a lack of eye contact or other engaging body language, and a literally ignoring the other person. Having the above information can be extremely advantageous during an argument in order to determine what set the individual off and how to respond to them. Freshman, Criminal Justice student, Paxton Gordon says the key to winning an argument is “lots of statistics, scientific research and historical data,” not a surprising response from a future lawyer. This is the best way to settle a disagreement, according to Brady. “If

the individuals are not in a state of mind where they can settle things logically and basing their arguments on facts only, then they should break contact,” Brady said. “I always prefer to reason with somebody. So I would use facts to try and diffuse the situation, cause I mean you really can’t argue with facts,” said junior nursing student, Karel Tulsie. When asked what really sets them off and triggers an argument, all students interviewed listed emotional triggers. “I’m such a nice person, so when people who know this take advantage of me, I can’t take it,” Tulsie said. “When someone who is supposed to be my friend uses my secrets to betray me,” said Gordon. Georgia Military College student Archie Mehrat said, “I can’t handle when a friend or other person I care about just completely ignores my feelings like I don’t matter.” This being said, logic and reason are still the most effective and ethical tactics to win an argument, according to Georgia Regents University communications

instructor Will Bryant. Bryant suggests that the way people choose to argue is a testament to their personal character, which should not be compromised just for the sake of winning an argument. Other students offered more combative ways to win an argument. Senior communications student Corianne Turnage resorts to tactics such as the silent treatment. “If I’m arguing with my boyfriend and he does something to piss me off I just stop speaking to him until he apologizes,” said Turnage. Other popular methods range from personal attacks, to ambush and manipulation, all of which are pretty unethical and underhanded, but they work if the end goal is to win at all costs. “If I really just want to end the argument with little regard to how the other person feels I use big words that I don’t think they will understand,” said Mehrat “they usually feel intimidated and abruptly end the argument.” However, if the end goal is to maintain any type of healthy relationship with the opponent then one should never resort to such lows. “Tricks, schemes and ploys such as intimidation, manipulation and guilt trips only serve to create a wider divide in an already strained relationship,” said Bryant “the only tactics I can recommend in an argument are active listening, compromising and logical rational thought.” Brady reiterates that winning for the sake of winning is never the right thing and those with more experience seek to avoid the argument altogether. Arguments, whether constructive or destructive can have long-lasting effects. So before engaging in all out combat, consider asking the following question: Is it better to win the battle or start a war?

Danielle Francisco is a senior communications major on the public relations track.

Phoenix 19

Who are D&D Players? Story, Layout and Photos by Gwendolyn Bagley

The drip of cold salty water hits your face. The ground is hard, rocky and cold. You open your eyes only to see darkness; a cave perhaps? Clang! Something just moved your sword across the ground. Just as you start to turn toward the sound, you hear the low rumble of a growl. Glaring red eyes stare straight into the depths of your soul. “Ok guys,” the dungeon master suddenly shouts. “That’s it for today. I’ll see everybody next week.” Despite popular belief that Dungeons & Dragons players are socially awkward guys living in their mother’s basement,

D&D players can be anybody from a cute Abercrombie model to the old cat woman that lives down the street. There are a plethora of stereotypes against D&D players. Some are dripped with truth and others are completely wrong. To fight these stereotypes, one needs an arsenal of knowledge. Remember knowledge is power, so here’s some power. Even though D&D has been around since the 1970s and has been frequently played by people other than the “nerd crowd,” the game has still been seen as geeky. “As with all stereotypes, there’s some

truth in them,” said Frank Bagley, 27, nursing major and going on 10 years of playing D&D. “But I’ve played with a married man who’s a father, an athletic junky, an actual couple, as well as the computer science majors.” Another stereotype that lives more among the adults who were around when D&D first started, is that D&D is satanic. This is not true. D&D is no more satanic than Harry Potter. “There were some wackos, who did wacky things, and ‘It was Dungeons and Dragons fault’ no, you are talking about one person who twisted something and did a bad thing and you’ve got a scapegoat: Congratulations,” said Christopher Terry interim chair and assistant professor department of mathematics. D&D is a game that can be played by anyone old enough to count and anyone brave enough to use their imagination. It is a game for any age, not just the young. Time and time again D&D has been seen as “A guys game.” When did it become law that women can’t play games? If women can cook and clean, they can play D&D. In the current game run by the Georgia Regents University gaming club, there are four women actively playing. One of them is Nicole Gay, a 21-year old psychology major who is now playing D&D for the first time. “A lot of different types of people play,” Gay said, “most of them are guys, obviously. Some of them are more shy and soft spoken than others and then some of them are a loud and boisterous bunch.” Perhaps the stereotypes began from a lack of understanding of what D&D truly is. “When I tell a lot of people [that I play D&D], they don’t really know about it,” said Gay. “They’re like ‘Ohh what is that?’ or ‘How do you play that?’...That’s the most common reaction I get; they’re just confused.” D&D, at its root, is storytelling. The tales can start as a simple quest to rescue a princess, only to turn to an epic battle against all the foes of men. “It’s supposed to be creating a story

GRU students Nick Labon, Cody Ford and Sam Williams playing D&D.

“It’s supposed to be creating a story together and improvising. Yeah, you get to kill monsters and get treasure and that’s fun too.” Phoenix 21

Jacob Sharff (standing) DMing a game. With Jessica Faust, Nick Labon and Brian Sargent.

together and improvising,” Terry said. “Yeah, you get to kill monsters and get treasure and that’s fun too.” D&D is not, I repeat, is not a card game. This is probably the most misunderstood concept of D&D. Where it came from, who knows. Nevertheless the game does not use cards nor is played with a board of any kind. D&D uses only three main things; a character sheet, dice and the players’ imagination. Like all games, D&D has rules, but most are simple and easy to follow. First players create a character who can take on the role of hero or villain. Players have the option to create their own character or use a prepared character provided by D&D story guides. Next the dungeon master (commonly referred to as the DM), who takes the role of the narrator, creates a base story and world the players’ characters are in. Players can either do exactly what that DM wants or decide to say, “Screw the DM” and do whatever they want. “You follow kinda what the DM says, but it’s very open. You’re allowed to do pretty much whatever you want to,” Gay said. The game begins. Characters are faced with challenges introduced by the DM. Players can choose how they want to react and then have to roll their dice. There are different types of dice all with different amounts of sides, but the one used most often is the 20 sided one.

The 20-sided dice is used to decide if the player performs the action they wish to implement or not. The higher the roll the more likely the action will work. On the other side if the player rolls a low number the action will not go through and depending on the type of DM the group has, things can go horribly wrong. This one failed action can result in being accused of murder, which then sends a whole army after the player and eventually ends in a dragon popping up out nowhere and dangling their impending death in front of them. The rest of the game is up to the players. They play how they want to play and change the story to their liking. “The only limitation to D&D is your imagination,” Bagley said. Each players reasoning behind playing D&D is different. Anything can happen or they want to participate in a truly interactive book. “I thought I would feel silly, but I don’t really,” Gay said. “I really like the randomness of it, anything can happen.” To some players, it is the experience they want, the feeling of being completely immersed in another realm. “It’s just what I like to do; I like to play,” Terry said. “Some people watch TV for fun, some people exercise for fun; I like to play games for fun, and Dungeons and Dragons is one of them. Some people like to watch their stories or read their stories; I like to play my stories.” Some players have other reasons for

playing. “Number one, there was girls there, so I was interested in that,” said Sherrod Harris, 22, biology major and four year D&D player. “And it wasn’t like this hood, cloak and dagger type affair. It was basically a bunch of people chillin’, talking and using their imagination and treating the day like you would any other day, except you have powers, and you have to kill things or other situations and it’s fun.” Deep down though, D&D players reasoning are the same; it’s fun. So were all the people in the past right? Is D&D evil and warps the minds of the young? Or is D&D actually good for people and helps develops skills for their future. “It gets you more in that mindset of

visualizing things and conceptualize things just on description, which is an important talent to have in a lot of fields,” said Gay. “Especially since I like to write, you have to be able to tell people what you are visualizing in your head. I think D&D does really help you to do that if nothing else.” In all fields of study there are skills that are needed to be developed. D&D provides a fun, constantly changing and engaging way to develop skills such as describing things so that others can understand and visualize themselves. As well as improvisation, being able to be quick on your feet and working with others to achieve a goal. D&D is a game, a game that can be simple or complex. It is played by anybody who wishes to explore the possibilities of

combining different imaginations. The next time a person says that they play Dungeons and Dragons, stop and listen and maybe even try it out and experience it yourself. “You don’t really get it until you get into the game and start doing stuff for yourself,” said Gay. “In D&D you learn by doing.”

Celebrities you might not have known play D&D: • Stephen Colbert • Vin Diesel • Tim Duncan • Jon Favreau • Tim Harford • Wil Wheaton • Rainn Wilson

Gwendolyn Bagley is a junior commication major on the public relations track

D&D gameing dice on top of a character sheet.

Phoenix 23

A “MAINSTREAM” GUIDE

TO BEING A

HIPSTER Story by Whit Morgan Layout by Erica Wright

For Guys:

What to wear:

Bottoms- Skinny jeans, jorts (must be homemade), vintage pants (corduroy, khakis, brightly colored pants [not fratty]. Tops- Ironic/cliché t-shirts featuring animals, bands, phrases or cartoons. Paisley, plaid and checkered shirts. Cut off t-shirts and other vintage shirts. V-neck shirts are even better. Fitted hoodies are a must for cooler weather. Footwear- Vans, vintage boots, Doc Martens, Adidas high tops and Toms(warning, becoming too trendy). Accessories- Bicycle (duh), suspenders, worn belts, hats (fedoras and beanies but don’t be too mainstream), bracelets (handmade hemp, leather, concert bands), messenger bags, tin lunchboxes, earrings, Apple products (note they must be covered in stickers and cool hipster cases), and a sweet mustache if you can grow it.

For Girls Bottoms- Skinny jeans, jorts (made from worn skinny jeans), leggings, jeggings, and high-wasted pants (like your mom in the 90s). Tops- Plaid, checkered and paisley shirts. Tank tops donning flowers, animals, cropped at the waist. Lace, knit and vintage floral dresses. Footwear- Keds, sandals, flats and vintage boots. Accessories- Bicycle (duh), headbands with flowers, bird necklaces, bright nail polish, belts (large and shiny), thick frame sunglasses, fedoras (trucker hats are too mainstream), old school over-ear headphones, and pins (only if they’re ironic). Don’t forget, bigger is better.

24 Summer 2013

Shopping

Food

Looking the part is important so you need to know where to go. Luckily, there are options. You’re too cool for the mall, and it likely won’t have the necessary attire for the image you seek. For those truly vintage garments that are already broken in, set your waypoints for thrift stores. Goodwill and the Salvation Army are the most obvious but don’t forget smaller stores with plenty of their own character. Doing this provides a great bragging right to your hipster comrades. Add some extra mystery to your persona by never being seen out shopping. If that’s a flop, don’t rule out asking your grandparents if they can part with some articles from their closet (though some alteration may be required). Now if you live off the money of mommy and daddy, high-cost outlets like American Apparel and Urban Outfitters are ideal for the vintage hip image right out of the box.

Organic foods don’t come cheap. Whole Foods and Earthfare can quickly break the bank. For some that doesn’t seem to be an issue but for everyone else it’s time to get your green thumb ready. If the freshness of homegrown sustenance doesn’t bring you enough satisfaction, telling all of your peers that you grew whatever it is you’re eating will. It’s probably the easiest to way to inform the public you don’t belong to the mainstream mold (unless you live in a large agricultural area, but then again if you did you probably wouldn’t try to be a hipster anyway). Being a coffee snob is more than acceptable, it’s practically expected. This doesn’t mean Starbucks though, that’s too big and commercial. Only local establishments will do. No need for a name on the cup because you should have already brought your own mug. Exotic foods make a quick statement but may not always adhere to your vegetarian eating habits, vegan if you’re really hardcore. #meatlessmonday

Illustration by Kelly Highland

Music Choosing what to listen to can prove difficult. An easy rule of thumb for music; if more than five people you know have heard of it, it’s probably not that cool anymore. You need to be on top of the game when it comes to knowing about the music no one seems to know about, and make sure to remind everyone of your far superior knowledge of discography. Constantly explore new music. It’s easier to get to the top than it is to stay there. Always support local music and learn as much as you can about it. Even if you don’t like something, knowing more about it than everyone else makes you cooler. The following groups can provide a good starting point: Bon Iver, Cloud Nothings, Company, Japandroids, Max Jared, and Grizzly Bear.

Where to go How will anyone know how hip you are if they don’t see you? You can’t just be anywhere though, that might detract from your greatness. Local cafes make a great daytime point to congregate after shopping for vinyl that will hang on a wall while you listen to a digital version on your MacBook Pro. Here in Augusta try checking out the Soul Bar or Sky City for a late night watering hole with a smooth atmosphere. If you’ve really made it down the rabbit hole then you’ll be found at a house party featuring some local band and a very select group of people. Don’t forget to bring the PBR.

Film Similar to the rules of music, mainstream titles are not what you’re looking for. Independent and foreign are the genres you seek. If it has an underlying political or social message, add cool points. Your newfound infatuation of indie French productions will really show your knowledge, and arrogance, of what is truly great in the film industry. Consider the movies Memento, In Bruges, Requiem for a Dream, and Garden State for a good launch point in hip American film.

Whit Morghan is a senior communication major on the public relations track.

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A section of the Phoenix magazine devoted to the works of art produced by students, faculty, staff and alumni of Georgia Regents University.

Ambivalent Resistance

wingspan

Featuring: Sydney Ewerth Georgia Regents University, Alumna Phoenix 29

A Place To Call Home Clay, Acrylic, Feathers, Found Object 2013

Conviction That I Could Bear Clay, Sand, Acrylic 2013

Phoenix 31

Kaleidoscope (You Make Me Weak) Clay, Wood 2013

Landslide (Who Cares?) Fabric, Soil, Clay, Cardboard 2013

Phoenix 33