Animal House Tattoo leaves an impression

The opinion can just be aid up front. I recommend Animal House tattoo, and it is my opinion that Meat, my attoo artist, gave me a good attoo that is healing nicely.

Once we get that out of he way, the obvious question s why his name is “Meat.”

I wondered the same, but I figure he is tired of getting asked. Had he been serving me as an oncologist, I would have asked first thing. Sometimes though, things make enough sense without an explanation. A man named Meat working out of a two bed one bath converted into a attoo parlor called “Animal House” was one of those hings.

A man named Meat was giving me a tattoo, and that made sense to me.

Meat is well over six feet all and is wearing compression sleeves beneath a Superman t-shirt. In the nking room, assorted Justice League memorabilia and comic books are taped above his desk. I ask if he reads comics and he says not really, but that his daughter likes hem. I take him at his word until he tells me exactly how many copies of Action Comics #1 still exist, where he most recently discovered copy had been found and how much it sold for. I ask him his

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I met him earlier that day, when I called to ask if he could take any walk-ins that weekend. I told him I was trying to get my first three tattoos within two days at the three different tattoo shops in Starkville. He later referred to that plan as “taking the bullet for journalism.” He also told me it would be challenging to get spots at all three tattoo parlors on such short notice, and he was right, which is why now I only have one tattoo.

I got tattooed for my job by a man named Meat, and this felt like a reasonable professional choice.

At the strategy meeting beforehand, Meat tells me the tattoo I want is too complicated to be the size I want. My tattoo is a line drawing of hot-air balloons from an architecture firm called Archigram, which never designed things to be built, so much as talked about.

Meat graciously opts not to ask if it had meaning, which is ideal because it does not.

I ask Meat if he has a personal style of tattoo that he works best in. Meat tells me his personal style is whatever the style of the requested tattoo is, which is a safe, business-oriented answer.

After a moment, he tells me roses are his favorite.

Meat tells me most tattoo artists tattoo themselves before anyone else, because one should know what the pain feels like before they inflict it on someone else. I have heard this is the same rule cops have to follow with their tasers.

“I couldn’t tattoo myself, because my psoriasis is in most of the places I would be able to access.”

So Meat’s mentor told him he would have to find a loved one or family member, one prone to forgiveness if things go south, and for months Meat waited for the opportunity. One day, an old friend came in to have an old tattoo covered on her inner wrist, and Meat’s mentor made him do it. He drew her a red rose.

“Ever since, I have made it my mission to make each rose better than the last. If you go through my work over the years, you can see how drastic the differences are.”

Meat shows me the photo in his portfolio. I start going through the photos to see how drastic the difference is but am soon distracted by a photo of a man who has “HUMBLE BEAST” tattooed across his chest in Gutenberg Bible page head script. I laugh at this and ask if he remembers that man as particularly humble.

I ask if he ever tells people their tattoo ideas are bad. He

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Graphics Illustrator | Bryce Yzaguirre Circulation | Tommy Townsend circulation@reflector.msstate.edu tells me he used to, but stopped after years of fighting with stubborn people. He tells me the last time he did, a freshman had come in on move in day and asked for a tattoo of “Smurfette, from the Smurfs, sitting on a mushroom, holding a fat blunt,” on the inside of her forearm. Meat tells me the freshman said she was going to be a paralegal when she grew up, and when he pushed back about what that tattoo might say to employers, she told him the tattoo does not confirm that she smokes weed. He said he let it go.

Meat tells me there are at least two body doubles of President Joe Biden that show up in public and shows me photos of Biden’s earlobes as proof. Meat tells he is a single father. Meat tells me someone once referred to one of his loved ones as a slur outside of the China Garden, and I cannot tell if he is speaking colloquially when he says the interaction got violent.

Meat tells me he is not political because it drives people apart. Meat tells me I need to stop flinching. I listen. Meat tells me Henry Cavill was a good Superman. Meat tells me why his name is Meat, and I lay still with my eyes closed, not flinching. I am a little disappointed by the story, so I ask him his thoughts on the new Batman and let it be.

Meal plans here at MSU have a few interesting quirks. Sure, you can swap 2 block meals a day for fast food from 4 p.m. - 12 a.m. Sure, the dining halls of Fresh and Perry are allyou-can-eat. On a deep level, however, the meal plans provided here at MSU are flawed.

When you look at the Meal Plan 101 page on the Dining Services website, the nuggets of information above are accompanied by several lessthan-ideal aspects, especially about the meal plan exchanges. You get two a day— one from 49 p.m. and one from 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.

There are few places on campus that are even open until the end of that first block and much less for the later one. The Steak N’ Shake that was shoved so ignominiously in where there once stood Burger King is only open until 11 p.m., and it qualifies as an outlier! It is the last restaurant open every night. Even later than the few Provision on Demand convenience stores, which are open until 10 p.m. Steak N' Shake is only outmatched by the recent addition of the Maroon Market, whose payment methods have been very hit-or-miss in my experience so far.

However, it could be so much worse, right? At least something other than a pickedover Honors College snack shop is open that late, right? Spend your $6.58 well because that is all you get. Each block meal exchange is only worth six and a half dollars.

Have you ever tallied how much food $6.58 will get you in most places? It normally is not very much, especially once you include tax on the order. You can get a single entree container at the Panda Express in Colvard Student Union. You can get a chicken sandwich and maybe a small side of fries at Chick-Fil-A. You get absolutely nothing at the Union Starbucks because exchanges are not accepted there.

There is a much better way to arrange for plans like this to be carried because at the core, it is a good idea. Allowing people to swap from one meal plan currency to the other is something that cannot be allowed to go away entirely, the idea just needs to be worked on. An example of a university meal plan being better than this is the meal plan system at Western Kentucky University, which looks very similar at first glance to those here at State. Each plan has a number of meal tickets redeemable at their cafeterias and a complementary supply of what we would recognize as flex dollars.

WKU’s big difference is in the way a student shifts between the two. Whereas State has a dollar value for their exchanges, WKU decided that locations participating in their exchanges should have a specific set of items known as their Value Menu. One of the cafeteria block meals can be exchanged solely for already-laid-out options on that portion of the menu. This idea would be a great addition to adopt here at State, but WKU’s improvements over us do not stop there. Meal plans for WKU students come with what they call “guest meals,” allowing an extremely limited number of visitors to campus to eat without counting against the student’s meal plan. While State has something similar for its Ultimate meal plan, WKU offers them for most of the common plans.

Additionally, students at WKU can use the Value Menu up to four times a day, double what State allows and without the time constraint. These are clear improvements over what we have. Not to mention that every single option of the Value Menu is, as the name of the exchange itself implies, a meal.

Beyond just being convenient for students to use their block meals like this, changing the meal plans here to include our own Value Menu equivalent would be a way to promote healthier eating structures, something that many students struggle with. National statistics state that 30% of all U.S. college students will suffer from some form of food insecurity while enrolled at their university. With the Block by Block program already up and running, allowing students to transfer block meals, the Value Menu-style exchanges could contribute to more stable eating structures both for those who need it most and those who simply are not used to fitting food in around their classes.

The annual Old Main Music Festival returned April 20 at the Mississippi State University Amphitheater. The festival was run by MSU's Music Maker Productions organization.

Two different stages were set up as the “Local Stage” and the “Main Stage”. The Local Stage hosted sets from Highway Hounds, Bored to Tears, Pink Sheets and Miss Blume, all of which are acts based in Mississippi.

The Main Stage housed performances from soul rock group Seratones, folk duo Shovels & Rope and indie pop band Saint Motel. Saint Motel is known for their single “My Type,” which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart in 2015.

Local Stage acts were live from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m., accompanied by a selection of activities including giant hamster balls and an art market hosting artists from the Starkville area. Main Stage acts were on stage from 6:30 - 10 p.m.

Local food trucks Brown Bag Provisions and 44 Takeout were set up throughout the festival. A merchandise booth that held posters for the festival, as well as merchandise for the Main Stage bands was set up shortly before the acts began, giving fans the option to purchase t-shirts and physical releases of music from the artists.

The festivities attracted students for a variety of reasons.

Among the students in attendance were junior biological sciences major Logan Whitehead and senior secondary education major Airy Valencia.

Whitehead attended the festival during the Main Stage acts to see Saint Motel, while Valencia attended the Local Stage to see a friend perform in one of the bands.

Both Whitehead and Valencia stated that events such as these are opportunities for at- tendees to expand their music tastes and find previously unheard-of artists to listen to.

“The vibe is definitely different,” Valencia said.

Music Maker Productions student director Allyson Crocker emphasized the importance of the organization bringing a variety of artists to the area for the festival every year. Every summer, MMP begins by putting together a rough timeline, choosing what genres are wanted for the event and finding a fitting venue on the Starkville campus. After a list of possible artists is gathered by a booking agent that works with MMP, research is done by the members to determine who would be most fitting in a lineup for the festival.

In their research, the group considers who is touring, streaming statistics of the artists and who is gaining popularity through observing metrics, such as social media trends.

“We really adore catching people off guard,” Crocker said in reference to students' reaction to Saint Motel headlining this year’s event.

Both Crocker and upcoming

MMP student director Sally Stafford shared how important it was for them to hold this event, effectively creating a space for the Starkville community to enjoy live music.

“I think it’s just really beautiful to see that sense of community build,” Stafford said.

“We genuinely believe that there is nothing more important than music,” Crocker added.

Stafford and Crocker also both shared their thoughts on the passion the group has for the community and how they can add to it with their events, expressing adoration for the love Starkville has for live music.

“[Music Maker Productions] has changed so much over the years, but our mission of bringing music to the Starkville community hasn’t changed,” Stafford said.

The inaugural Starkville Derby: Dachshund Derby will be held 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. May 6. Dachshund Dash is a wiener dog race around the Cotton District that supports the Oktibbeha County Humane Society. With over 150 dogs currently signed up to participate, the race could put NASCAR to shame.

Alden Thornhill, a 2015 Mississippi State University alumnus and former sports writer for The Reflector, is the event’s founder. Thornhill said that Starkville could use a unique event in the springtime and saw comedic value in dachshunds.

The idea came to him while eating at Two Brothers Smoked Meats one afternoon.

“I looked out on University

Drive and I said, ‘You know what would be really funny? If we shut down University Drive and had a giant wiener dog race,’” Thornhill said.

Thornhill has a dachshund of his own named Memphis, who serves as “King of the Race.” Memphis will sport a crown and a glitter bow tie on race day. Since bringing Memphis home two years ago, Thornhill has grown quite fond of the breed as a whole.

“They’re really funny,”

Thornhill said. “They’re long and they’ve got short legs and long ears. [Memphis] is looking at me as I’m talking about it. It’s funny to see them run, especially in a race against each other.”

After he got the opinions of friends, family and random Starkville residents, Thornhill knew the idea was something special.

Once he got the go-ahead from the city, he got to work.

Thornhill and the team are excited to put on the Starkville Derby to raise money for the Oktibbeha County Humane Society.

Jan Jackson, executive committee and board member for OCHS, expressed her gratitude for events like the Derby.

“As a shelter, we are always in need of funding. Even though the City and County supports us financially, it's not enough to cover our yearly expenses,” Jackson said. “As a board, we are always looking for ways to raise money, and here we have a member of our community holding this fun event while raising money for our shelter.”

Jackson said she felt the open arms of the community.

“The only reason that we are such a great shelter is because the members of our community believe in us, support us, love us,” Jackson said. “People like Alden keep us motivated and pushing forward. We are a great team and OCHS will continue to do great things.” There will be five different races on Derby day: seniors, puppies, adults, special needs and pretenders.

The Pretender’s Race is open to every breed of canine with one unique restriction: the dog must fit in a hot dog costume. “For some reason, someone donated a bunch of hotdog outfits to the humane shelter last year," Thornhill said. “So if people want to race a pretender, they just have to be fixed and they get to run. We have yorkies, great danes, golden retrievers… as long as they aren't mean, they are welcome at the Derby.”

Barstool Sports personality Brandon Walker has been asked to serve as Grand Marshal.

Sponsors are coming in from Starkville and beyond. Local bars, restaurants and stores have pledged their support, as well as national brands such as Chewy and BarkBox. Businesses far and wide have heard about this exciting event.

“I think we’ve even got ESPN coming to shoot b-roll,” Thornhill said.

The event will be streamed online via Facebook for anyone who cannot make it to the Dachshund Dash.

Admission to the Dachshund Dash is free to the public and will feature live music, food and drinks from local businesses available for purchase. There will be QR codes around the race area for those who wish to donate to the OCHS.

“Come on out…I mean, who doesn’t like giving money to dogs,” Thornhill said. “Even if you aren’t a dog person, that money’s going to cats too.”

Coffee shops, historically, have been home for individuals to come together in the name of new thought and expression. Nestled in the heart of downtown Starkville lies Nine-Twentynine Coffee Bar - one of the town’s local coffee shops.

Through over 10 years of business, Nine-Twentynine has become a staple in the art and music community on MSU's campus and in the greater Starkville area.

As a venue, Nine-Twentynine began by holding events such as bridal showers, wedding receptions and baby showers, offering their own catering as well as their coffee.

Now, the coffee shop is more varied in the types of events hosted, while still sticking to its roots.

From jazz musicians performing over a mid-morning brunch to local artists setting up their own booths and vending their wares, Nine-Twentynine makes space under their roof for everyone in the art scene. A wide variety of MSU student organizations have also found a place at Nine-Twentynine. Fraternities and sororities have even held date parties and formals in the coffee shop.

Taggert King has been working at Nine-Twentynine for five years, with four of those years as the general manager.

King said one of his favorite parts about Nine-Twentynine is watching local artists develop routines with Nine-Twentynine playing a crucial role - setting aside a specific day of the week to come in, grab a drink and work on creating.

“I come to work every day seeing an environment where all these artists thrive,” King said.

For the past seven years, NineTwentynine has hosted a winter market known as Mississippi Made - a call for artists to sign up and sell their work in the central cafe area of Nine-Twentynine. It is completely free for artists to join, and the vendors are allowed to keep 100% of all profits they earn.

Taggert King said he believes this is the event that first and truly opened Nine-Twentynine up to the local art community of Starkville. Many of the artists who first engage with Mississippi Made frequently return to Nine-Twentynine throughout the year to fill the roster for more markets and pop-ups. One of these local artists is Dorrie Wu, a resident of Starkville for the past eight years. Wu’s mediums of choice are primarily watercolor and ink paintings, with the occasional acrylic work.

Wu has been drawing, painting and engaging with art her entire life - stemming from both her mother and grandfather being artists themselves. Art became a creative and emotional outlet for Wu.

Wu’s first experience selling her work was last year at Starkville's first Midnight Bizarre arts market in 2022. Since then, Wu has been a consistent vendor at several Starkville markets.

The success of that first booth experience was a massive encouragement and caused Wu to define her style and cement her name in the local art community.

At Nine-Twentynine, Wu showcased her work and has been a part of several events including Mississippi Made, the Black Sheep Arts Market and the Figures and Feelings exhibition. Her favorite part of vending, Wu found, is the ability to witness her art make someone’s day a bit better.

“My work - something I’ve been told a lot by people - is that it’s a ‘representation of joy’ and that’s what I’m aiming for. I’ve tried to have my booth radiate positive energy and it seems to be going pretty well,” Wu said.

Wu said she sees Nine-Twentynine as a place of openness, willing and accepting of everybody, and that artists feel drawn to it for this feeling.

The idea of seeking love of expression and real representation is where Rosemary Jones’ fashion business, Pink Plaid Collective, originates from.

Rosemary Jones is a Starkville native and local artist. Jones has been running Pink Plaid Collective for four years.

Clothes have always been a major part of Jones’ passions in life. Jones said she can still remember the “treasure hunts” she and her mother would venture out upon in clothing stores. As she grew and matured, that fun passion became centered to- wards celebration and love for the body.

Once Jones learned how to sew over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said she felt that “everything just kind of opened up” to her.

Since then, she has been doing pop-ups at Nine-Twentynine, including three fashion shows and even a fashion art gallery.

In Jones’ eyes, Nine-Twentynine serves as a blank canvas in a way that other venues and businesses in Starkville do not.

“It’s beautiful the way they turn it around and say, ‘It’s yours to create with.’ That can’t be said for all businesses,” Jones said.

However, Nine-Twentynine does not only offer its services to artists; the coffee shop also creates a stage for musicians.

Local band, Bored to Tears, has played live in the basement of Nine-Twentynine several times.

Wallace St. Paul, lead singer and guitarist for Bored to Tears, said that Nine-Twentynine is far more accessible and welcoming of new acts than many other venues in the Starkville area.

“Other venues, a lot of them, it’s just hard to get a show there because they’re always booked for months in advance. But, at Nine-Twentynine, it’s easy to get a show," St. Paul said. "It’s really fun to play a show and people love going there."

St. Paul said the two-floor layout of Nine-Twentynine is what sets it apart as one of his favorite venues to perform at.

“It’s always a really great time. I feel like it’s a lot more intimate than other venues because we’re not on a stage or anything; we’re all just in the basement together,” St. Paul said.

Rabia Siddiqui is another local artist and is also a senior art major. Siddiqui is an interesting case in that they have been the one showcasing their work at events as well as the one behind the scenes planning the events.

A deep-rooted desire to create more exhibition and tabling opportunities for local artists in Starkville is what spurred Siddiqui to seek this combination role.

“I could curate an entire space for people. So, as an event planner, that is a big key feature for me, but as a vendor, I get to enjoy people. I can interact and create a community through that,” Siddiqui said.

For Siddiqui, playing both roles in these events allows them to become acquainted with people and understand them in a professional capacity.

Siddiqui has been involved in Mississippi Made, Midnight Bizarre and many pop-up events at Nine-Twentynine, alongside Rosemary Jones of Pink Plaid Collective.

As for why Nine-Twentynine attracts local artists and musicians, Taggert King said that at the core, it is the atmosphere and people of Nine-Twentynine that seal the deal.

“We want to have the people working behind the bar that have the kindest hearts and are the most loving sort of people that we have,” King said. “I think that, by having that sort of criteria into hiring people, we have created an environment that anybody can feel comfortable with.”