Ampersand Magazine: The Exploration Issue by The Red & Black

THE

EXPLORATION ISSUE

In Perspective:

Drones Take Off

a production of The Red & Black

Scooterbabe Reprised Fine Dining: The $15 Menu

AMPERSAND SEPTEMBER 2015

& Ampersand Magazine

8 30

VOLUME 5 // ISSUE 2 6 Love Letters 8 Athens Answers 10 Sexploration 12 Take Weekend Trips Like a Local 15 5&10 for Under 15

18 Sampling Athen’s Hidden Eateries

20 Redefining Your Style 24 Putting the Pieces Together 26 Going the Distance 28 Cave and Mountain Tours 30 It’s Time for an Adventure 32 Take to the Skies

FOOD

MUSIC

FASHION

ART+LEISURE

FEATURES

& Ampersand Magazine EXECUTIVE EDITOR Grace Donnelly

EDITORIAL

STAFF

ADVERTISING

PRODUCTION

BUSINESS

Managing Editor

Writers

Advertising Manager

Creative Director

General Manager

Daniel Funke

Shannon Adams

Eric King

Dan Roth

Natalie McClure

Senior Editor

Jordan Gore

Account Executives

Student Production

Business Manager

Jackson Moore-Ragusin

Greyson Ike

Morgan McMains

Manager

Melissa Mooney

Section Editors

Ishana Ratan

Alex Pierce

Victoria Nikolich

Business Assistant

Shelby Eggers

Blis Savidge

Savannah Rybski

Chandler McGee

Jonny Williams

Emily Schoone

Aubry Snow

Student Business,

Design Editor

Page Designers

Paige Thompson

Promotion &

Lisee Pullara

Rakel Johnson

Assistant Design Editor

Thomas Mills

Dylan Floyd

Monica Padilla

Photographers

Distribution Manager

Classifieds

Photo Editor

Emily Holst

Conner Gettmann

Savanna Sturkie

Austin Steele

Promotion Team

Assistant Photo Editor

Ashlyn Cathey

Megan McNearney

Hank Taylor

Illustrators

Aubry Snow

Online Editor

Mandy Le

Circulation Assistant

Kelcey Caulder

John Berrigan

Recruitment Editor Emily Dardaman Senior Fashion Writer Amanda Cooper Senior Music Writer Blake Morris Senior Art & Leisure Writer Jianna Justice Copy Editor Nicolle Sartain

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F

AMPERSAND SEPTEMBER 2015

EDITOR’S NOTE

Unchar ted territor y is a hallmark of the college years. You’re plunged into new activities, new subjects and new relationships on a weekly basis. It’s a prime time to discover aspects of yourself as well as your surroundings and to uncover passions and interests you may have never considered. While you can push your limits with expeditions that can land you class credit (pg. 30) or weekend trips to nearby destinations (pg. 12), you don’t have to go far to find new experiences. Whether you’re familiar with Athens or experiencing life here for the first time, the Classic City is full of oppor tunities to explore. The list of restaurants to tr y is daunting, even over the span of four years. Don’t be afraid to venture into fine dining establishments (pg. 15), but don’t forget to seek out the lesser-known gems either (pg. 18). The thriving Athens music scene ensures you can find a show that exposes you to new styles and genres. The constant forming and dismantling of bands means you can find new acts (pg. 24) and, if you’re lucky, catch a reunion of one of your local favorites (pg. 26). There’s room for exploration ever y day. Reinvent yourself with a bold look (pg. 20), indulge your intimate curiosities (pg. 10) or reimagine your surroundings (pg. 28). Whether you’re full of questions about Athens (pg. 8) or searching for a new perspective of the city you know and love (pg. 32), this issue can help you make the most of your adventures this fall.

Dear Athens,

on personal exploration

I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y M A N D Y L E

I wake up every single day and know that I am championing a cause that makes a difference in people’s lives. There is nothing more rewarding and fulfilling. I entered college trying to find “it.” While I don’t know if I have found “it,” I haven’t lost an ounce of passion eight months into my journey. Fast forward: My junior year in college, the relationship I had with a girl I was dating came to an utter halt. For the next six months I was a shell of myself — lost, lonely and scared. I remember going home for spring break and telling my mom that I need help. From March to July, I worked with a psychologist with whom I spent a lot of time writing about myself, my past and how my life had been spiraling out my control. It was through these exercises that I was finally able to make sense of who I was and gain clarity over why things were happening. When I returned to school for my senior year of college, I knew I wanted to share my transformative experience with people around me. I also realized the power behind my work, and I felt others could gain value in doing the same type of exercises. So in October 2014, I started a blog called “Influence” with the purpose of having others share stories to influence others for the better. I began receiving content from close friends. Their stories were so compelling to the point where every post I read gave me shivers or goosebumps down my back. Then, a friend — now my best friend and roommate — reached out to me and told me to start a website. It took me about two months to learn to build a website. Before I knew it, TheWishDish.com was created and launched Jan. 1. In the past eight months, we have published 130 stories, transformed lives and given people an outlet to discover and express who they are, but I believe this is just the beginning of our self-expression movement. Imagine having people all around the country connecting in a meaningful way on a platform where they can express themselves and be vulnerable without judgement from others That is what I am fighting to create. That is what keeps the fire lit.

BRYAN WISH

FOUNDER OF THE WISH DISH

Dear Athens, I am a self-proclaimed bug-a-phobe who just happened to spend her summer interning in one of the most biodiverse (read: buggy) places on earth. I traded my homey apartment in the thick of downtown Athens for an open-air, “casita” tucked into the cloud forest of Monteverde — a virtually untouched, sacred state of land hidden away in the clouds. My insect-free space was swapped for a room with a tarantula that showed its hairy legs (as if teasing me!) from the crevice in the wooden wall. My diet of whatever-happened-to-be-in-thefridge was substituted for a hearty, yet repetitive diet of rice and beans. This summer I left behind my familiarities to fully experience a new language, a new culture and a new environment. It wasn’t easy. My Spanish was (and still is) laughably terrible. There were more bugs than I’d seen in my entire life just inside my left rain boot. Not to mention, I had unrelenting cravings for ice cream sundaes. But, as the weeks went on, something inside me changed and these little troubles became less of a worry as I began to fall more and more in love with Costa Rica. Being surrounded by so much life and biodiversity really was my dream come true — even though I didn’t realize it at first. The greens, the blues, the hills, the beaches — everywhere you look a new adventure and possibility. All I had to do was step outside and I could feel my body physically reacting to the beautiful abundance of the land. The best part of my summer was that I got to experience this feeling every day. I experienced it in the morning when I woke up to the natural alarm clock of hundreds of birds calling to one another. I experienced it hiking up to the Continental Divide and becoming completely captivated by the beauty of the Gulf of Nicoya. I experienced it when I realized just how abundant life is in this part of the world, rich with countless plants, insects and animals. All of this natural beauty really opened my eyes to how important it is to protect our planet. I like to think that if everyone could experience the sort of awe-inspiring moments like the ones I felt everyday when I was in Costa Rica, maybe more people would see the value in protecting these wonderful places and the world would be a better, more sustainable, home. Reflecting on my summer, Costa Rica gave me far more than I could have ever given it. I left Costa Rica with a decent amount of bug bites, a huge appreciation for this sustainable country and a passion for protecting our environment and the natural entities that exist in this world. So, I encourage all of you to discover for yourselves and see the world in a new way. See a world that is worth protecting and sustaining — just make sure to bring some bug spray.

ALLY HELLENGA

U G A O F F I C E O F S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I N T E R N

Dear Athens, When I first called you my home that hot, humid summer day in August of 2010, I had no idea the transformations that would take place over the course of the next few years. The surface level characteristics that make you great are obvious. You have the University of Georgia, the Saturdays in Sanford Stadium in the fall, the many wonderful restaurants and bars downtown and the music festivals and bike races that you host, among many other things. These are all fantastic reasons one could love and appreciate you, but for me, it’s much more than that. I suspect that most of the thousands of other students who have had the privilege of living in Athens share the same sentiments when I say it is on your hollowed grounds that I experienced tremendous personal, social and spiritual growth. It was here that I first experienced true independence. It was here that I made the most incredible friends from diverse backgrounds, colors and creeds. It was here that I first had the ability to explore, pinpoint and pursue my passions wholeheartedly. It was here that I found my passion for languages and politics. It is here that I decided to take a leap of faith and go on one of the most amazing adventures of my life. When I had to leave you after my junior year, it was truly bittersweet. You had been my home away from home for three years. You still had a lot of my friends. You still had a lot to offer me, and I still could have experienced growth in Athens-Clarke County my senior year. Leaving you in a way felt like a betrayal, but I know that I made the right decision. It is because of the opportunities you gave me that I realized that I needed to leave you and step out of my comfort zone. It is because of you that I decided to pursue my passion further and study Arabic and Middle Eastern politics in Amman, Jordan, in lieu of my senior year in the Classic City. I’m not going to lie, there were times when I really did miss you. I missed the football games. I stayed up many Saturday nights into the wee hours of the morning so that I could rally behind the men who wear the red and black, watching from a European sports channel on my laptop in my host family’s kitchen at 3 a.m., regardless of the fact that I always had an Arabic class at 8:30 a.m. I missed doing my homework on Herty Field and celebrating victories large and small by ringing the Chapel Bell. I missed those friends who had supported my decision to follow my dreams but were now 7,000 miles away. Although I missed you dearly, my experience in Jordan was priceless and has forever changed me — just as you had changed me. Athens, I love you, and you will always hold a very special place in my heart.

CAL THOMAS

UGA ALUMNUS OF THE CLASS OF 2014 SEPTEMBER 2015

AMPERSAND

thens nswers

BY SHANNON ADAMS

What if I look stupid ordering? Where do I sit? What do they even sell there? Can anyone just go in? Questions like these can keep the average Athens newbie from understanding the details that make our city so remarkable. Athens is chock-full of places to explore — it’s probably not even possible to explore them all. Regardless, here are the answers to questions essential to planning your next expedition right here in the Classic City.

Does 1000 Faces sell coffee by the cup, or do you just buy beans there? Both, 1000 Faces is an Athens-based coffee roaster intent on creating a more sustainable coffee culture. They obtain artisanal coffee beans from all over the world and roast them here in Athens. You can walk right in, or visit them at the Athens Farmer’s Market, and order a latte, pourover coffee, mocha, cold brew or buy a bag of your favorite beans. Tip: If you buy beans, you get a drink on the house.

What is the Tree Room, and can anyone just walk in whenever they want? The Tree Room is a venue for parties, events and photography, but when it’s not booked you can just walk right in. Located at 159 Oneta Street, the room is worth seeing. With koi ponds and trees growing through the wooden floor to spread in the open air like a natural ceiling, it may be your new favorite spot in Athens.

PHOTO BY AUSTIN STEELE

I’m not 21 yet, but I don’t want to sit at home. Where can I get into? This is a problem in Athens, because a lot of the venues are 21 and up, but fear not, there are definitely places you can go for entertainment. Go Bar, located on Prince Avenue, does not require you to be of drinking age. It’s a small bar, but it has karaoke and live music. Right next door to Go Bar is Hendershot’s Coffee, which is a great place to go for a latte during the day and an awesome place to hear some live music at night. Check their website for individual show listings, but their events are rarely age restricted. Lastly, the Georgia Theatre hosts some great shows — and some of the bigger names that come through Athens. You definitely need to check events, because some are age restricted, but most are friendly to the under-21 crowd.

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PHOTO BY MACKENZIE DETHOMAS

What and where is this Pope that everyone seems to be getting cute stuff from? The Pope on Prince is a vintage and thrift store. Located directly above Daily Groceries on Prince Avenue, the Pope is full of previously owned goods, some of which are junk and some that are absolute gold (really, there’s probably some gold in there). It has everything from vintage wedding dresses to records and old cameras, so Pope is always fun to look through. Don’t always go there thinking about a specific thing you need, though. Go in with an open mind and you might find something amazing.

Can anyone shop at Daily Groceries Co-op? Yes, anyone can shop at Daily, although you can pay $100 — either all at once or bit by bit — to become a part-owner. Being an owner comes with perks such as monthly specials, special ordering discounts and patronage dividends, but owners and nonowners alike can reap the benefits of Daily’s shop-local mentality and interesting buys. Aside from meat, you can buy everything at Daily that you can at most grocery stores including chocolate, wine, bread and vitamins — in order of importance, of course. Daily’s variety, and the fact that you can buy things like tea and herbs in bulk, make it worth working into your daily or weekly grocery run.

What other places should I know about?

Oh, the places you’ll go! Athens is full of activities and hangouts for every kind of personality. Into Indie films, or just looking for an alternative to traditional theaters? Ciné is a fantastic little theater downtown that shows independent films, classics and bad movies. It also serves bottled sodas, beer and cocktails.

PHOTO BY MACKENZIE DETHOMAS

Crafty? Check out Revival Yarns or Good Dirt. At Revival you can learn to crochet or knit and buy yarn, and at Good Dirt you’ll learn to use a pottery wheel.

Sporty? Athens has a roller derby team, the Classic City Rollergirls, and Active Climbing on Barber Street is a great place to learn to boulder. Athens has something for everyone, so start exploring.

Unzip and Unwind

Sexploration BY KELCEY CAULDER

he current generation of college students has been labeled sexually deviant — masters of hook-up culture and destroyers of marital purity because of a willingness to explore the realms of sexuality — because many embrace the idea that you don’t have to put a ring on it to engage in intercourse. College is a time of exploration in all other aspects, so why should people pretend that they are not interested in trying new things sexually? This semester, put the shame aside and follow these tips and tricks to spice up your sex life.

Take it slow Lisa, an employee at Sexy Suz Couples Boutique on Atlanta Highway, warns couples to not do too much right away. “I’ve seen people come in on their first visit and they ask me what they should buy and I’ll suggest something, and they’ll leave with one of the most hard-core things in the store. I don’t suggest that,” she says. Instead, she encourages shopping together to ensure both partners are comfortable with what is being purchased. “I know it’s kind of cheesy, but you need to talk to your partner about what you’re doing and whether or not you like it,” Lisa says. “If you can’t do that you probably shouldn’t be doing this stuff. It isn’t fun if one of you isn’t into it.”

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Start Small Jessica, an employee at Elations on Lexington Road, recommends starting off small. “It’s important to know what your limits are whenever you start to explore things,” she says. “Start small. Don’t just make the jump from missionary to bondage.” According to these women, lingerie, dirty dice and free sex apps are good places to start exploring sexual boundaries. “Take things slow. Maybe try out a free Kamasutra app instead of buying sex toys at first. It’s less intimidating to just use your bodies to do things than to try and force toys into it too soon,” Lisa says. “Shop together. It’s a good way to see what things in the store you both like and might want to do later, and it’s a good way to make sure your partner doesn’t bring home something that seems crazy to you.”

Toys, Toys, Toys After taking the time to try the little things, you may be ready to try something more intense. Jessica suggests a couple of toys designed to please both partners — the couples’ vibrator and c-rings. “C-rings are fun because they are good for everyone,” she says. “They keep him harder longer and they increase sensitivity for him, and the ones with vibrators on the front are good for stimulating women at the same time,” she says. For people looking for more kinky satisfaction, Jessica recommends looking into things like bondage kits. “I’ve never tried it, just because it isn’t for everyone, but it’s a favorite of people who come into the shop,” she says. “Getting one of the kits would be good for people just trying it out because you can work up from just being blindfolded.” When you’re downtown this semester with your significant other, and you start to get the feelin’ for some sexual healin’, remember these tips and be sexually shameless. You might just be in for a wild ride.

PHOTOS BY AUSTIN STEELE

Take Weekend

Trips Like a Local BY ISHANA RATAN

hile Athens has a variety of local restaurants and outdoor attractions to explore, a weekend away from the Classic City can be an exciting and refreshing change of scenery from the University of Georgia campus and the familiar streets of downtown. Cities like Chattanooga, Asheville, Charleston and Nashville are all possible weekend getaway trips for students looking for a break from Athens, and Ampersand magazine talked to a few UGA students who have personal experience exploring these cities.

Asheville

Sarah Bryan, a sophomore at UGA and an Asheville native, recommends taking advantage of the local food scene in this North Carolina city. “I really love the restaurant Early Girl, as well as Mayfel’s and the Laughing Seed,” she says. “I’m vegetarian, and all of these places have a great variety of farm-to-table, vegetarian-friendly food.” Bryan also suggests checking out the Asheville Yoga center for fun and relaxing classes, and adds that “art lovers definitely need to check out the River Arts district; it’s a street with all of the artists’ workshops.” She also says outdoor-lovers should check out the Blue Ridge Parkway, “There are so many great trails like Graveyard Fields and the hike to Mt. Pisgah Summit that are good for beginners.”

Nashville

While Nashville is typically known for its barbecue, Emily Brown, a senior at UGA, suggests Coco Green’s Vegan Cafe and Wellness Center for a fresh and healthy meal. Another of her favorite restaurants is Fido, “a quirky and eclectic coffee shop that’s great for lunch and is super cozy.” She also suggests checking out Hatch Show Print Shop, which uses old-fashioned letterpress techniques to make custom ordered posters and the like. 12

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PHOTOS BY EMILY SCHOONE

Chattanooga Although Tennessee is primarily known for Nashville, Chattanooga is an alternative weekend destination that has activities for everyone from foodies to rock climbers. “What I like to do is go to High Point; it’s a really cool new rock climbing gym with an outside climbing wall that has a great view of the city,” says Hannah Vance, a junior at UGA. In terms of food, she recommends tacos. “There’s this one really great restaurant called Taco Mamacita, and their food is amazing at college friendly-prices,” Vance says. She also says there is great thrift shopping in the city. “I’ve been to Chattanooga a lot for climbing, but there are also some cool thrift stores to check out if you’re interested in vintage fashion. There is really great variety of things to do.”

Charleston

Charleston has a reputation for its beautiful waterfront and delicious southern food, and sophomore Cody Pyle says it lives up to the hype. His two favorite beaches in the area are Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. “Sullivan’s Island is better for surfing; there are definitely more waves,” Pyle says, “but Isle of Palms is great for relaxing, since it’s in a sound and the water is calm.” Instead of eating at Hyman’s, a popular touristy seafood eatery, he recommends Cotton Exchange. “It has such good southern food,” Pyle says. “Paula Deen would have blessed it with a stick of butter.”

PHOTOS BY AUSTIN STEELE

5&10 for Under $15 BY JORDAN GORE

hile college students sit in apartments eating Easy Mac and waiting on their next paychecks to arrive, they could be fine dining in some of the most famous restaurants in Athens for a surprisingly low price. Although restaurants like The Branded Butcher, 5&10 and The National have a reputation as places students only go with their parents because they pick up the check, the myth should be busted. Athens “fine dining” doesn’t have to cost as much as one month’s groceries. With a strategy or a split check, the foodie town’s favorite spots can be enjoyed for under $15.

P H O T O S B Y S AVA N N A S T U R K I E

“You can come in to 5&10 and don’t have to spend a ton of money.” - Jason Zygmont Executive Chef I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y R A K E L J O H N S O N

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5&10 Athens officially entered the food scene after owner of 5&10 and The National, Hugh Acheson, appeared on Bravo’s “Top Chef”. Since then, foodies and students have been migrating to the Classic City trying to get a taste of what Athens has to offer. 5&10, made famous by Acheson and more recently by the restaurant’s front porch and location on South Milledge Avenue, has an ever-changing menu, but a Sunday brunch staple. The chocolate buttermilk Johnny cakes topped with blueberry compote and whipped cream cost $12. If 11 a.m. is too early to indulge in a sweet tooth, start with the avocado toast then the shrimp and grits to split with a friend and write a check for $13.50 each.

The Branded Butcher

In the heart of downtown Athens, The Branded Butcher occupies real estate next to the Georgia Theatre and occupies stomachs of those who order the chef’s favorite. “As far as dishes are concerned, the pork belly confit has been on our menu since we opened. It’s probably my favorite dish on the menu,” says Trey Rayburn, chef at The Branded Butcher. “It’s literally pork belly, the same thing that bacon is made out of, that’s slow cooked in duck fat until it’s super tender. It’s right around $12. My biggest habit when I come here to eat is to get a pork belly, a Miller High Life, and a shot of tequila.”

The National On the lighter side, The National, featuring Chef Peter Dale, is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine where tapas are filling enough to be the main meal. Indulge in four different tapas including olives, hummus, stuffed dates, and patatas bravas to split the meal and the bill with a friend for only $12.50 each. “Small plates give chefs more creative freedom as opposed to entrees, which usually stick to a formula such as protein, starch, vegetable, sauce,” Chef Peter Dale says. “I urge students to be adventurous and challenge their palates. It would be a shame to graduate without fully experiencing this important part of Athens’ cultural landscape.” For those on a Ramen budget with “Top Chef” taste, Athens restaurants have open arms and open tables. “You can come in [to 5&10] and don’t have to spend a ton of money,” says Jason Zygmont, executive chef at 5&10. “You can snack on a cocktail here. It’s fine. You don’t have to spend $100 a meal.” As the price of Chick-fil-A rises, think about exploring the famous local food scene. The hype is priceless, but the cost can be within a budget.

Sampling Athens’ Hidden

Eateries BY GREYSON IKE

Food For The Soul Located on West Broad Street, you’ve probably passed Food for the Soul many times, but chances are you haven’t given it much thought. From the exterior, this little restaurant actually appears as though it may not even be open for business. The windows are somewhat foggy and the signage not quite up-to-date. But as you walk up to the restaurant, the aromas coming from the kitchen are undeniable. It’s no “Southern Living”, and if you’re looking for flaming crème brulee you might as well head back out the door, but what Food for the Soul does offer, as you may have guessed, is real soul food. It’s a family-owned restaurant and offers traditional southern fare. “It’s the best southern restaurant around,” said John Bryant, a frequent customer and previous employee at Atlanta restaurants. Loyal patrons rave that the food is always fresh. The setup is cafeteria-style, buffet spread of all the fixins’. Order by a plate or go all in with the all-you-can-eat option. Most customers choose the latter, for the plethora of items is hard to resist. The buffet includes meatloaf, fried or roasted chicken, catfish, shrimp, lima beans, pinto beans, okra, broccoli rice casserole, deviled eggs — the list goes on. “It’s the type of food that mom’s been cooking forever,” said owner Harold Henderson. Some of Food for the Soul’s most popular dishes are their macaroni and cheese and their rice. Sounds of satisfaction can be heard throughout the restaurant as patrons chow down. “The mac and cheese is to die for,” said University of Georgia 18

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alumnus Jeff Tresk. It’s clear that when you come to Food for the Soul, you’re not going to a restaurant — you’re heading over to Mama’s kitchen.

El Camino Real

You may see the word “Supermercado” when approaching El Camino Real, but don’t be fooled — it is a restaurant. “El Camino Real has the best tacos in Athens hands, down,” said Matt Martin, a UGA student. The food is prepared behind an open window, in-house, freshto-order and by people who know, and clearly enjoy, what they’re doing. The sopes and gorditas are favorites of regulars, as is the Asada Taco, which boasts a homemade corn tortilla, smeared with a layer of refried beans, a meat of choice, lettuce, radishes, cheese and a “cream” that is definitely not store-bought. The salsas are on the table, and it’s up to you to decide which and how much you want. If the authentic Mexican food isn’t convincing enough, they also serve Coca-Cola in a glass bottle.

Dawg Gone Good BBQ

Have you ever had a late-night craving for some barbecue? With hours as late as 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dawg Gone Good BBQ is right downtown and is “student heaven,” according to owner

PHOTOS BY EMILY SCHOONE

BJ Hardy. Right across the street from Little Kings Shuffle Club, Dawg Gone Good BBQ actually began as a hair salon, which probably explains it’s unassuming location. Hardy explains how he, having moved from Florida, “saw the bulldog spirit,” and began tailgating at his salon with some homecooked barbecue. Soon enough, the food became so popular that BJ opened up his own restaurant — originally only between the hours of 5 p.m. and 3 a.m., three days per week, and soon expanding to include more regular hours as well. “These are grandma’s recipes right here” he proudly says. “I cook as if she was standing behind me watching” Owner BJ Hardy is there any time the restaurant is open. He always sports a signature red and black apron, and greets everyone like family. At Dawg Gone Barbecue, you’re sure to be served with a smile and will leave with one, too.

Kelly’s Jamaican Food If you want to get a true taste of the Caribbean, Kelly’s is the place to go. “It’s the best Jamaican food around,” according to Robert Gilliard, a UGA alumnus who lives in Sweden. Upon returning to the U.S. for a few days, he made a beeline for Kelly’s. Owner Kelly Codling, who is originally from Jamaica, rises early every morning to start up the fire grill out back to cook the food for the day. Fresh vegetables, a variety of meats, and homemade cornbread with every meal — It’s all natural and very authentic. “If I have a cold I come eat their jerk chicken — it clears the sinuses,” laughs Terry.

Style

Boundaries BY AMANDA COOPER

he comfort zone is an appealing and safe place to dwell. Sticking with what you know almost always guarantees ease. But it also almost always limits growth and exploration of your personal expression. Expressing yourself through clothing is one of the most underrated pleasures this life has to offer. For some, inspiration is found in fashion magazines, bloggers and celebrity style icons. Those stylish trendsetters have no issue with wearing the newest pieces of the season. Others, in contrast, may find themselves discouraged and constantly gravitating towards plain sweaters or basic items for the sole purpose of staying within their area of ease.

P H O T O S B Y H A N K TAY L O R

Ansley A. Meet Ansley Aiken. She’s your typical “girl next door” who loves shopping at girly boutiques, especially in the heart of downtown Athens. Recently, however, she’s wanted to toughen up her ultra-girly look. To give her a cool-girl, edgy vibe I switched out her floral print romper for a muscle tank and leather booties. After changing into her rocker chic outfit, Ansley was timid at first. But after a few minutes in her new look, her persona began to shift. She rustled her hair and smiled, admitting that she “felt like a badass.” I asked Ansley if she would ever consider switching up her usual look for something similar to what she was wearing and she conceded that she would consider it, depending on the situation or event she would be attending. I’d definitely consider wearing this to, like, a concert or something. Or even downtown just for fun.” Whether or not she’ll permanently exchange her floral dresses for combat boots? Not likely. “I’ve always been girly. I think I might try to incorporate pieces here and there, but I want to stay true to myself. I do like the mini-bun, though,” she giggled.

Brian Next, we have Brian. A “frat dude” at heart, I styled him in a v-neck with a beanie to match in replacement of his typical khaki shorts and Comfort Colors t-shirt. The most hesitant of the trio, Brian seemed unsure of his new look. “This just isn’t anything I’d think to pick up at a store,” he shrugged when I asked if he would ever purchase these items. After some time, however, he seemed to warm up to the idea of a hat that didn’t have a swoosh or mountains emblazed on the front. Although he still loves his date night t-shirts, he eventually discloses that he wouldn’t mind adding a couple graphic t’s to his wardrobe.

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Ansley S. Lastly, we have Ansley Silva, the epitome of classic, conservative style, but looking to spice up her everyday look. To help show off her sultry side, I put her in a lingerie-inspired blouse with a strappy bralette to match. Upon stepping out of the changing area, I saw a completely different woman than the one from before. Ansley oozed confidence, and she looked like a million bucks. “Is it too much?” she asked. Not only did she look amazing; she also felt great about herself. She’d wanted to try a bralette for a while, but when she broke down and bought one, she had no idea how to style it. Paired with a semi-sheer sleeveless blouse, a bralette adds the perfect touch of sexy to an ensemble. “I love that I can wear something that’s seen as super ‘sexy’ and make it tasteful,” she adds after glancing in the mirror. Overall, Ansley was pleased with her look and seemed eager to make an effort to spice up her style when appropriate. Changing up your typical, everyday look is sometimes daunting. A lot of people have this notion that they can’t “pull off” a look — which is totally a lie. As shown by the subjects above, the first and hardest step is just going for it; rocking your new look in confidence is the most important factor. If you’re the kind of person that likes to jump in head first — go all out. If not, try one updated piece at a time. You don’t have to automatically ditch your favorite sweater in lieu of an all black, leather outfit. A sweater could just as easily be spiced up with a pair of leather pants and booties. It’s all about finding balance with stepping outside of your comfort zone while still remaining true to yourself. Branching out and trying something new can be intimidating, especially when others might not be acclimated to seeing you in a something other than your norm. Uncertainty is inevitable, but so long as you feel comfortable and confident in your look, that attitude will reflect on the outside and soon, others will be looking to you as their style inspiration.

BY EMILY SCHOONE

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOSAIC

conglomeration, a myriad, a collection, a collage, an arrangement — these are all terms that embody works of art known as mosaics. Fragments come together to make a whole, but unlike a standard puzzle, a mosaic’s beauty lies in the diversity and unpredictability of each piece coming together for a larger image. The pieces in this instance are Andrew Huang, Lydia Nichols and Kamron Munch. It’s November 2014, and they’re in a time crunch. In a month, the trio would be taking the stage before Nashville’s Judah and the Lion to a sold-out 40 Watt Club. All they had at that point was passion and the credibility Huang had gained from a previous EP, which he released under his own name the year before. All they needed to move forward was a name to go on the event posters. During a cursory brainstorming session, the name they casually landed on was Mosaic. What started as Huang’s channel of thought and emotion ended up being an explorative launch into the arts, Athens, and the world. And with that, the first pieces of Mosaic came together.

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As a designer, photographer, artist, singer and songwriter, Huang is familiar with self-exploration through the arts. It’s the music, however, that allows him the greatest expression with the greatest reward. “The thing that ties it all together is not necessarily the art itself, but the mindset behind making art,” he says of his work and projects. “I think it’s really challenged me and forced me to learn how to think creatively and how to approach doing creative things because it’s not easy and it’s not ever defined.” His self-awareness has made him quick to acknowledge that an artistic skillset is never fully sharpened until a few years of practice are under the belt, but his dedication to his own music since high school has clearly been a driving force in making such emotionally driven work in the field. “With music, I can’t not do it,” says Huang. “And that’s how I know, when you love something that much where you just feel weird if you don’t have the chance to do it, it’s like you’ve got to at least see about it.” And even though Huang is focused on his musical growth, he hasn’t limited himself to this project alone. In the midst of Mosaic’s birth came “Vitae”, a project he and Munch launched in December.

The two traveled to Jamaica for a week to take film portraits of the children in St. Mary’s Pringle Orphanage. They brought the film back to Athens, developed it, printed books and sold them to raise money for the home. Huang and Munch executed the project much like their music, the portraits captivate the viewer with their clean composition, draw them in with the questions they present and keep them there with an unbreakable connection. “It was really eye opening to me,” says Munch about their travels. “And it was a big step forward in moving the music projects along because really the plan was after that trip was to link the music together with Vitae.” If everything goes according to plan, their music will take them on other philanthropic journeys across the globe. “We don’t want to just raise money, but we want to inspire people to also find a place that pulls on their heart a little and just go and see what they can do,” explains Munch. “But it’s a huge part of our lives, so we want it to be a part of what we do, whether that’s directly involved with the music or not.” The founding members of Mosaic aren’t the only ones with a vision for the young project. Originally an acquaintance Huang knew from an online music theory class in high school, Nichols was quick to get behind Mosaic’s work. “Andrew’s song writing is amazing,” says Nichols. “As a songwriter myself, I learn from him.” She quickly moved from playing just the cello to vocals and keys as they learned that Huang’s poetic lyrics and folk compositions were enhanced by her contribution. But this discovery is only the tip of her anticipation

for where they will go as they begin to enter the local music scene. “So we’re not the most experimental Athens band, but I feel like we’re more accessible in a way,” she says. “We really want to get to the heart, because we’re all real, life is hard, but there’s grace there too.” The title of their first EP, “Read Not the Times,” was derived from a Henry David Thoreau poem. Much like their band name, Huang stumbled upon it and knew it communicated his message clearly: life is a lot of messy pieces, but there’s something beautiful to be made of them. “The overall … idea of the record, or maybe even the band, is that we really want to make music that just reframes hope in a way that I’ve experienced it as a songwriter,” says Huang. “I think I was getting to a point in my life last year that I was really realizing how human we all are.” This rawness he and his bandmates explore through this compilation to be released in September has been a driving force in moving the project forward in such a short amount of time. But with the rapid rate in which Huang and company bring songs to life, it’s safe to assume that their next destination isn’t far away. While the next stop may not be totally clear, what matters to them is that they continue to move forward with the project in a way that allows them to explore the possibility of where their music can take them. “I just wanna see where it’s gonna go. I have no idea [where that is],” says Huang. “That’s the fun of it I guess.”

Going the Distance: How Scooterbabe Survived BY BLAKE MORRIS

or most bands, the decision to pursue other interests means the group’s ultimate demise. Barring a reunion tour decades down the line, most fans learn to live with the fact that their favorite act will never again take the stage in performance. This bleak reality isn’t always the case, though, and sometimes band members reunite for both their fans and themselves. After something of a hiatus, Athens noise-pop band Scooterbabe announced a reunion show at The Caledonia Lounge. While the band’s most dedicated fans (and friends) are likely up-to-date on the reason for its disappearance, many listeners may be wondering why Scooterbabe suddenly returned for a live run in Athens and what this means for the group’s future. To understand Scooterbabe’s return, one has to first understand that the “end” was never really the end for this band. Although Scooterbabe began to acknowledge its impending disbandment back in fall 2014,

the group always intended it to be a hiatus rather than a full-fledged break-up. With one of the band’s members leaving town, the original trio, JJ Posway, Michael Buice and Grafton Tanner, announced that its “final” show would take place at that year’s Rowdy Dowdy Halloween party. It wasn’t long after that performance, though, before another version of the group would resurface far from its hometown. After moving to New York City just “to try it out,” Scooterbabe frontman JJ Posway put together a new incarnation of the group that played two shows in New York and New Jersey in spring 2015. Although swapping two-thirds of a group’s members might seem like a drastic change to some, a flexible line-up has been characteristic of Scooterbabe since the beginning. “We just kind of go with what’s convenient,” says Michael Buice, the band’s bassist. “Our first show, Grafton didn’t play with

us, and I think just because of that we’ve just kind of really had an open mindset about letting people come in and play.” Such changes in line-up have only been temporary, though, and Scooterbabe’s core roster seems to have always remained despite who might take the stage on any given night. “It’s generally like Scooterbabe is us three, so if any of us are around it’s kind of like a guarantee no one gets replaced,” says Posway. “And that doesn’t mean we treat people playing with us like they’re fill-ins... the only people that have filled-in have been good friends, and it’s been a pleasure to play with them.” Depite the physical separation of Scooterbabe’s original line-up, the three musicians have maintained their close relationship through text and phone conversations. Such camaraderie has been a key factor in keeping together a group that’s been nearly a thousand miles apart.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOOTERBABE

“With the dynamic, it’s always like us being friends first, and then music comes after,” says Buice. Shortly after its two New England performances, the band continued its streak of activity by re-releasing its two EPs in a compilation album through Jigsaw Records. Dubbed “The Scooterbabe Companion,” the release sought to bring all of the group’s music to a CD format for the first time. Come July 2015, the band finally released the fresh material that fans had been waiting eight long months for. Although the new song, “I Want to Write Your Name Across the Sky in Big Clumsy Strokes,” had been recorded around the time of the Scooterbabe’s last show in Athens, the group decided to release it as a somewhat random single “to keep people on their toes,” according to drummer Grafton Tanner. Despite the group having never really died, all of Scooterbabe’s members used some of

their time apart to pursue more individual interests. Tanner remained connected to his musical roots through studio drumming, playing in the Athens band WANDA and working with Team Clermont, and has also spent much of his free time pursuing academic endeavors — he hopes to have his first book, Babbling Corpse: Vaporwave and the Commodification of Ghosts, published through Zero Books around the end of the year and will be headed off to graduate school at Northwestern University in September. Taking classes at the University of Georgia and working at a dollar theater, Buice has spent his time away from Scooterbabe taking a break from music in general. In an attempt to see what his life would be like with a focus other than performing, he claims to have hardly picked up an instrument since last October. Posway, on the other hand, seems to have thrown himself into music more than ever before. In addition to playing with

his New England version of Scooterbabe, doing radio promotion with Team Clermont and working in a furniture store, Posway has spent a lot of time making songs for two different solo acts. He reports having completed a new album for his ambient project, Aprotag, and has also been working on a new electronic project tentatively dubbed Orca Mug. “I can’t stop myself,” says Posway. “If no one was listening, I would still be doing stuff.” After his time in New York, Posway recently made the decision to return to Georgia for the foreseeable future. Citing his existing network of local musicians and the lower living costs of Atlanta compared to New York City, Posway hopes to be able to spend more time playing live shows in the future. “It’s just been hard not making music the way I was in Athens,” says Posway. “People are all so busy in New York.” With the group’s driving force returning to Geor-

gia, another Scooterbabe show seemed like a natural choice for the group. Although Tanner’s plans for grad school will once again separate the group’s members geographically, this reunion show will hopefully be the start of something new for the group. Posway says he already has fresh material written and hopes to see it recorded or at least played live at some point. “We’re figuring things out right now, but we fully intend on releasing new music as Scooterbabe if possible,” says Posway. “If I’m speaking strictly for myself, I think it’s definitely going to happen. It’s just a matter of how and when.” Looking into Scooterbabe’s future as a band, things seem both as uncertain and as hopeful as they were last fall. With the band’s adaptability and roots in such strong friendship, though, it seems likely that Scooterbabe won’t see a true finale any time soon. SEPTEMBER 2015

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Cave and Mountain Tours ...minus the caves and mountains BY GREYSON IKE

“C

and just “let things surprise me,” he explains. He decided the Dodd ome on. We’re going on a cave and mountain exploration Galleries would be a perfect place for the next Cave and Mountain tour.” This is what friends of artist Keith Wilson would hear on an Tour, and proceeded to further research the places that particularaverage Friday night about seven years ago in graduate school. ly intrigued him. This included a mixture of architecture, places in Today, Keith Wilson makes his living as a photographer and vidthe natural world, common locations and even some spaces that are eographer based in San Francisco. However, he also keeps himself usually off-limits. busy by giving various “Cave and Mountain Tours” as he calls them “It kind of opens your eyes to different aspects of the building — an adventure that may not exactly be what it sounds like. you may not have known before,” comments gallery director Katie Exploring, journeying through places we’ve never really looked Geha, who organized and attended Wilson’s tour last semester. And, into before — and may not be entirely sure we’re allowed to — is with Wilson’s sometimes questionable “facts”, Geha touches on how something most of us have probably all been familiar with at one it is more than just exploring places — how Wilson’s tour did “what point in our lives when we were young and curious. great art does, it makes you question the reality you’re living in.” Wilson, for one, recollects often exploring through houses Wilson mentions one particularly interesting site, which many under construction when he was a kid, which has transcended into of us most likely pass by on a regular basis but never really give much the tours he gives today. “Doing this again sort of felt childlike, and thought to. There is a traffic triangle over on East Campus behind felt free in a way; in a way that’s hard for adults to Lamar Dodd, a little patch of concrete marking where kind of just… not give a s*** as much,” says Wilson. road divides into a fork. This seemingly mundane “Doing this again the Going on these little adventures during his time spot, as Wilson explains, actually once served as the as a graduate student “was mostly a way of getting sort of felt child- location for an ancient Cherokee ceremony called “The my friends and myself off of our computers, off of our of the Crow.” A spot where dozens and dozens like, and felt free Naming devices and into the world again,” explains Wilson. of feet trod every day, without much thought, was once There was a catch though. These “Cave and deemed holy — a sacred ground. in a way; in a Mountain Tours” would involve neither caves nor Wilson certainly doesn’t fail to remember the more way that’s hard hidden mountains. Keith would take his friends exploring gems in his tours, either. Guests of his tour in around the types of places they may have passed for adults to kind the spring got the chance to travel to the “penthouse” by every day: parking decks, construction sites, old level of the art school. If you’re an art student, you know of just… not give that this is essentially the Forbidden Forest of Lamar neighborhoods s and strip malls. These locations seemed to have a different atmosphere when expea s*** as much” Dodd. Wilson laughs as he remembers telling the tour rienced late at night with no one else around. Wilson group that they absolutely must keep quiet, only letdescribes “how nice it was to just explore” alone or ting them know after the fact that it was because “we –Keith Wilson with a small group. weren’t allowed to be there.” Perhaps more importantly Pretty soon, word of Wilson’s tours spread. Interest grew quickfor Wilson, he wanted people to keep quiet in order to really take in ly as people heard about late-night explorations through empty locathe atmosphere of the place. Though the Penthouse is simply a floor tions, which were accompanied by a production from an eclectic tour filled with pipes and air conditioning units, Wilson describes how guide. Wilson explains his excursions as a part cave and mountain “it’s very peaceful and quiet… just listening to the humming of the tour, part art performance. He creates the full experience by adoptmachines.” ing many different tour guide personas, which he describes as varyThis is the type of place Wilson finds the most rewarding, the ing from a closeted gay man to a guide with a thick Russian accent. places that are just “away from everything” — away from our rouHe’ll give facts and history behind the locations he takes groups to tines, from our familiar boxes and our day-to-day paths. He describes and often provide visual aids or photos to go along with the gag. the tranquility of a place where one can “be alone, but with other While these facts and histories are often true, what someone people — just away from computers and everything.” might hear on a tour can sometimes be a little questionable — the Wilson currently lives in California. He is planning a tour for tour guide may not always be the most trustworthy, or likeable for his local area there while also working on a book with tour of his that matter. Wilson does this on purpose to facilitate exploration — parents’ old neighborhood, a destination not too far from here in not simply of a place and its physical features, but of your own mind Gwinnett. as well. He wants to encourage people to question, to get back to that This doesn’t mean that Athenians have to wait around for child-like curiosity they once had. Wilson to return in order to go exploring. His tours show that someToday, Wilson has given tours in about 12 locations, one of his times the most gratifying experiences can be had simply by exploring most recent being right here in Athens at Lamar Dodd School of Art’s the places around you — whether that be a neighborhood, a parking Dodd Galleries. deck, a construction site, or even the building where you have your Wilson spent four weeks at the University of Georgia in the 8 a.m. At some point in our lives we’re all curious about the world spring for an artist’s residency and was able to explore, wander around us. Wilson just reminds us of how to return to that time. 28

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KEITH WILSON

It’s Time For An

Adventure “I can’t imagine a place more desolate, fragile, unique, exciting, or perfect” -Audrey Waitts BY BLIS SAVIDGE

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F A U D R E Y WA I T T S

The freedom to travel to a new place every week and the excitement of exploring new things are often considered impossible this time of year with the beginning of school. Summer break may be officially over, but that doesn’t mean your adventures have to stop. There are endless places, near and far, that you can discover through the University of Georgia.

GA offers some exciting and unusual classes, and what’s better than having a little fun while earning class credit? For example, there’s MARS 4740: Scientific Diving, better known as the scuba diving class. Professor Scott Noakes had wanted to teach this class for a while, but it didn’t become a reality until last January. Students spend most of their time in the 75,000-gallon Marine Sciences pool not only learning how to scuba dive, but also studying oceanography. The course offers optional certification dives to local lakes and even the Florida Keys. It is offered fall and spring semester, and the only prerequisite for the class is a love for the ocean. Noakes says he has really enjoyed teaching the class and watching his students become excellent divers. “If a student is looking for adventure, this course will set them on the right track,” says Noakes. “Once certified, it offers them to a lifetime of underwater adventures.” If the water isn’t for you, maybe you should consider joining Skydawgs, the UGA skydiving club. By offering transportation, a group to go with and discounted prices on tandems and certification courses, Skydawgs makes it easy for you to take the plunge. “It’s basically a good way for students to meet other students interested in skydiving so that they can explore the sport together,” says Megan Li, president of Skydawgs. And it’s not just leaping out of airplanes — the club often meets up after jumps for a post-sunset beer and cookout. Prefer to keep your feet on dry land? Maybe you will find your next adventure through the Outdoor Recreation Center, or the ORC as it’s often called. The ORC offers a wide range of adventure clinics and weekend trips throughout the year. While most trips are around the Southeast, they have some that go as far as the Grand Canyon. No experience or equipment is necessary to go on any of the trips and you can breathe easier knowing each excursion is led by experienced guides. Additionally, all outings and skill clinics are open to everyone over 16 years old. “Any of these trips, they are all designed so that anyone can go,” says graduate assistant Tony Blasucci. “It’s formatted so that everyone is going to have a good time and enjoy it.” Trips range from caving to rafting and backpacking, and if you have ever wanted to snorkel with manatees, there’s a trip for that too. If you prefer to explore on your own, the ORC also offers a wide range of equipment that you can rent. If you want something a little more extreme, you could always take a trip to Ant-

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT NOAKES

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F A U D R E Y WA I T T S

arctica. Discover Abroad offers a two-week program over winter break that is open to all majors. You will learn about the biophysical, social and political issues in the region through lectures, reading and, of course, plenty of hands-on work out in the field. Audrey Waitts went on the trip in 2013 and can’t stop talking about it. “I haven’t seen many places, but I can’t imagine a place more desolate, fragile, unique, exciting or perfect,” says Waitts. “I fell in love with it while I was there.”

Not only will this trip earn you six credit hours, but you get to visit the world’s least inhabited continents. If you think you might be interested, make sure to look up more information and plan ahead because this once in a lifetime trip is only offered every other year. Let it be known that this is just a small sample of all of the adventures you can have with the help of UGA. College is a time for exploration, and UGA makes it easy to experience many new things. Don’t let these opportunities go to waste — adventure is calling. SEPTEMBER 2015

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Take to the skies

BY SAVANNA STURKIE

very Friday, I, along with thousands of others, look forward to a new aerial video of Athens as a part of the “#fridayflyover” collaboration between the locally famous Instagram accounts Aerial Athens and My_Athens. Maybe this week it will be a shot of downtown and through the arch, or the railroad bridge in Watkinsville, or the rock quarry that I still cannot seem to find. Aerial Athens had almost 6,000 followers as of press time, and the views of our city from far above offer a “new perspective on the Classic City” for all to enjoy. These videos are all made possible by two things: Preston Summerrow, the face behind Aerial Athens, and his drone. A May 2015 Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, Summerrow grew up making videos. He saw his first drone “in action” last summer, and was convinced to buy one after witnessing the impressive steadiness of the film without any post-stabilization — something Aerial Athens has become known for.

PHOTOS BY AUSTIN STEELE

However, Summerrow didn’t want to buy the drone for just himself — he wanted to give everyone the chance to see things from new heights. “When I decided to buy a drone, I didn’t want to just purchase one and that was that,” says Summerrow. “I wanted to do something a little more, something everyone could be a part of.” Summerrow and the success of Aerial Athens is a prime example of the opportunities that this technology offers. And with the incredibly fast growth of drone technology, the learning curve is trying to keep up. The New Media Institute at the University of Georgia offers a course called “Drones, Drones, Drones!” for those interested in tackling this new realm of opportunity. “Not only has the class generated a lot of buzz and interest in the technology, but it has also paved the way for future projects in other New Media classes,” says Chris Gerlach, a facilitator for the drone class and a wellpracticed drone pilot. Recreational, personal and commerical use aside, students can have a firsthand glimpse of the future of journalism with unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. With the aid of UAV technology, citizen and professional journalism alike can reach entirely new heights. “Prior to this technology, for a photojournalist to get an aerial shot it required a passenger aircraft and a pilot,” says Gerlach. “Today, you can get any shot or view you need with an affordable drone and a little practice.” The growth gained from this class and drone technology is not limited to journalism students. Drones benefit countless industries, from agriculture to photography and videography for personal and commercial use — as we’ve seen with Preston and his own UAV. “Many industries will be able to benefit from this technology, such as professionals in the agriculture industry affordably monitoring crops, scientists safely collecting data from hazardous locations, videographers in the film or journalism fields gaining aerial access

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F A E R I A L AT H E N S

and perspectives and more,” says Gerlach. With increased use of drones in the public sphere, paired with a lack of knowledge and regulation, there is the potential for abuse of the technology. But Gerlach believes the New Media Institute’s class, in addition to other opportunities students have to learn about this technology, will aid in combatting the potential for misuse. “As with any technology from computer systems to passenger vehicles, there will be cases of mistreatment which can lead to harm,” says Gerlach. “This is yet another reason we need to stay one step ahead of this technology to help prepare and guide future users to making wise, ethical and all around responsible decisions with drone technology.” He explains that as drones become less expensive and easier to operate, an increasing number of people have the desire and ability to purchase their own — and safety and responsibility need to be taught in tandem with basic instruction. Summerrow agrees that the growth of drone usage is inevitable and ultimately a good thing. “I think drone use will become even more normal over the next few years and I’m a huge supporter of encouraging people to take advantage of this technology and joining the #dronefamily,” says Summerrow.

Additionally the Federal Aerial Administration has been working for the past few years to regulate the use of drones as it grows. To encourage recreational as well as commercial use of drones, the FAA has paired with several other UAV-related organizations to begin a campaign titled “Know Before You Fly” that emphasizes and simplifies the regulations surrounding UAVs and drones. According to the campaign’s website, the basic regulations of personal and recreational use, which would include drone usage for a personal hobby, are for the pilot to remain within sight of the drone at all times, to not fly above 400 feet and to abstain from “No-Fly Zones,” which include highly populated areas and within five miles of an airport. The campaign also breaks down the regulations surrounding commercial drone usage and UAVs utilized by public entities. Although the FAA and the New Media Institute are working hard to keep up with the quick-moving development of drones, the future seems to offer nothing but excitement for this technology. “The potential benefits are immense and includes current and near future,” says Gerlach. “Far-future possibilities could be anything from advanced early warning systems to automated aerial delivery and shipping.” Drones may seem daunting to some, but they ultimately hold the potential to completely alter the way we learn and develop our industries. They allow us to gain an entirely new perspective on where we live, as we’ve seen from Aerial Athens, the way we communicate, as taught in the New Media Institute, as well as countless other possibilities. Students should take advantage of this technology and learn how to utilize it safely and responsibly so that we may eventually all gain this new perspective. Until then, we will see how the FAA keeps up, and we will keep looking forward to our #fridayflyover.

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