April 17, 2014
Juicebox Magazine In partnership with The Denisonian
Contents Fiction and Poetry:
Artwork and Photography:
“Moments He Saved In an Envelope” by Abby Current--p. 6
Photos by Debbie Gillum: p. 6, 12
“Losing Superman” by Stephanie Arhin--p. 7
Photos by Ori Segev: p. 13, 20, 21, 23
“Addiction” by Zara Holderman--p. 21
Photos by Zara Holderman: p. 11, 12, 13
“Winter Came Twice, That Year” by Autumn Stiles--p. 20
Photo by Ryan Walpole: p. 15
“Paradise Eaten” by Danielle Golds--p. 20
Photos by Jen Trimmer: p. 4, 24
“Greener Grasses” by Loryn Holokai--p. 20
Title Art by Nora Victoroff -- p. 25
“They Only Dwell Where There’s a Flame” by Autumn Stiles--p. 21
News and Views: The Jukebox by Chris Hardiman-- p. 2-3
The Box Office by Lola Mendeloff--p. 16
The Failures of Foreign Aid by Peter Hurford-- p. 3-4
The News Stand by Jenny Murphy--p. 17-19
The Reading Corner by Caroline McCauley--p. 14-15
Caleb’s Beer Review by Caleb Bower--p. 22-23
The Jukebox
Musical Musings by Chris Hardiman Today’s Focus: Tracing the Evolution of Punk Rock An ongoing musical fixation of mine is tracing the lineage of punk rock, and specifically the line from the blues to punk rock by way of ‘50s rhythm-and-blues, ‘60s garage rock, and early ‘70s proto-punk. Two of the bigger pop acts of the ‘60s, the Dave Clark Five and Paul Revere & the Raiders, figure as one of the more unlikely waypoints in that lineage. As the new PBS documentary The Dave Clark Five and Beyond: Glad All Over reminds us, the relatively forgotten Dave Clark Five were one of the biggest bands of the British Invasion. It’s likely that you think of the Rolling Stones and the Kinks as the major counterparts to the Beatles during the British Invasion, and those bands certainly have left a bigger mark on rock music. However, the Dave Clark Five were actually the original “second band” of the Invasion, scoring the first non-Beatles British hit on the U.S. charts with “Glad All Over” in January 1964. (In the U.K., it knocked “I Want to Hold Your Hand” out of the #1 spot!) They quickly followed up that single with “Bits and Pieces,” which, like its predecessor, sold a million copies. “Bits and Pieces” peaked at #2 on the U.K. chart and #4 on the U.S. charts; it was the second of seventeen Billboard Top 40 hits the band would notch before breaking up at the end of the decade. I think that “Bits and Pieces” is far and away one of the best British Invasion songs recorded by a band other than the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, or the Kinks. Here’s why: First of all, like a number of Dave Clark Five songs, this really captures a raucous rock ‘n’ roll energy, despite being a pop hit. It revives some of the ‘50s wildness of Chuck Berry, Johnny Burnette, and Little Richard, and just feels like it pushed the envelope a bit more than the teen idol mush that had been dominating the radio in the interim. Before each verse in “Bits and Pieces,” there’s a pause where all we hear is the clopping of boots as the band stomps out the beat; then drummer (and songwriter) Dave Clark pounds away at his snare drum to kick off the verse and the band begins to swing back and forth between two chords. Whatever instrumentation there is, it’s all in service of that beat. At the
end of the song, there’s no fade-out; Clark’s snare intro returns and comes crashing down as the bassist plucks one last note. The band rips through the whole thing in just under two minutes. Second and most importantly, “Bits and Pieces” stands out from the other songs of the era about breakups’ aftermath -- and there are plenty of them -- because of how angry it is. It’s not because of the lyrics. Take the first verse: “Since you left me and you said goodbye/ All I do is sit and cry/You went away and left me misery/ And that’s the way it’ll always be.” These aren’t shocking lyrics; they’re pretty generic and could be taken from any number of ‘60s songs. But most songs with those lyrics would be slower, or sadder. The message of the song would be that the singer is crushed, dejected, and misses his ex, that he wishes she would take him back. But the DC5’s lead singer, Mike Smith, isn’t weepy here -- he’s pissed off at the girl who’s dumped him. His delivery of these lyrics falls somewhere between a shout and a howl. He’s not sad that “that’s the way it’ll always be”; in fact, he’s enraged about it. And where a post-breakup ballad might add a hint of bitterness with second verse lyrics like these: “You said you loved me and you’d always be mine/We’d be together ’til the end of time/ Now you say it was just a game/But all you’re doing is leaving me in pain”. Smith makes the rawness of his wounds sound totally authentic, delivering that last line in what can only be described as a roar. I suppose that when you put downbeat lyrics to a decidedly upbeat song (the backing vocalists sound pretty happy about falling to pieces, don’t you think?), as a lead singer you’ve got to go for angry or bitter. I guess what’s ultimately so interesting about “Bits and Pieces” is that while it’s quite of-its-era, it’s also rather unique for its time. That is, it has several elements that clearly date it to 1964 -- the yakety sax; the halting attempt to play some organ chords during the bridge; and especially the sing-song, aren’t-their-accents-cute backing vocals. But I’m hard-pressed to think of many other songs from this time period that channel such outright anger about getting dumped. Still, there were other stereotypical popular bands which let a little bit of authentic nastiness bleed through. One of the DC5’s American contemporaries, Paul 3
Revere & the Raiders, were an equally bright-burning pop act, to the extent that my mother recalls them as “afternoon TV teeny-boppers.” According to Australian writer Ian McFarlane, “when the history of American pop and rock music was being examined authoritatively in encyclopaedic tones during the 1970s and early 1980s, Paul Revere & The Raiders were inevitably overlooked” as “their good time style became less fashionable in the late 1960s.” Nevertheless, he argues, their music was a touchstone in the progression of garage rock towards punk. For musical evidence, take an earlier Raiders song like “Steppin’ Out”; this is very much an example of the guitar and organ rhythm-and-blues style epitomized by the Animals. But what really interests me are Mark Lindsay’s snarled vocals, which have all the attitude and punch of similar vocals from contemporaries like Mick Jagger, Eric Burdon, and Reg Presley, the guy from the Troggs. But most interesting of all is the way these vocals point directly to the sneering delivery of Iggy Pop, the singer from the Stooges and one of the progenitors of punk rock. Certainly, it would be incorrect to ascribe punk sensibilities or attitudes to these two bands, or to imply that songs like “Do You Love Me” or “Louie, Go Home” weren’t corny cash-ins. Nevertheless, those who mostly scorn mid-’60s pop-rock would do well to consider the Clark and Revere discographies in this alternative light. By Chris Hardiman, Class of 2015
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“Winter at the Homestead” (Photo by Jen Trimmer)
The Failures of Foreign Aid (And Some Practical Fixes) In my blog The Everyday Utilitarian, I have previously mentioned that individuals can make a large difference in the lives of others through donations, as long as they choose very cost-effective charities. However, while our donation does make a difference to a few people, there are much more massive institutions working to make much bigger differences in the well-being of those in other countries – foreign aid. Foreign aid aims to eliminate extreme hunger, extreme poverty, and disease from the world altogether and usher everyone into lives in which they can be happy and live to their potential. Because foreign aid is perhaps the biggest attempt to make the world a better place, it is important to me that we get this right. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten it right quite yet. Fifty years of foreign aid efforts later, and extreme poverty, extreme hunger, and disease still exist. While it may seem wildly idealistic to believe that extreme poverty, extreme hunger, and disease can be eliminated soon, Peter Singer, in his book The Life You Can Save, argues that the elimination of all three plights is within our reach if only we studied foreign aid, looked at its failures, and made some modifications. In this essay, I explore his chapter on foreign aid. How Much Aid? Peter Singer starts off by quoting a prominent foreign aid critic, William Easterly, who makes the following argument: The West spent $2.3 trillion on foreign aid over the last five decades and still had not managed to get twelve cent medications to children to prevent half of all malaria deaths. The West spent $2.3 trillion and still had not managed to get four-dollar bed nets to poor families….It’s a tragedy that so much well-meaning compassion did not bring these results for needy people. However, as Peter Singer notes, $2.3 trillion on foreign aid over five decades is 46 billion a year, which distributed over all developed nations works out to $60 per person per year, or 0.3% of the economic output of these nations (30 cents per $100). In 2006, America was one of the least generous developed nations, giving 0.18% of GDP – though America still gave the most at the dollar by dollar level, sending $27 billion overseas. Other nations, like Sweden, give closer to 1% of their GDP. Misconceptions About the Quantity of Aid: Still, billions of dollars a year sounds like an awful
lot, though it’s also equally fair to describe it as $90 per person, per year – less than people tend to typically donate on their own from their after tax income, and much less than people give up in taxes. Interestingly, the American population feels like a lot more goes to foreign aid than 0.18% of the GDP. Peter Singer quotes a poll done by the University of Maryland, which asked 848 respondents “What percentage of the federal budget goes to foreign aid?”. The median answer was 25%, or $900 billion annually (the US budget has typically been $3.6 trillion per year), or $3000 per person – more than 33 times larger than the actual budget. More interestingly, these same respondents were asked how much they thought the government should spend on aid. Here, the median response was for the government to slash the aid budget down to 10%, or 13 times larger than it actually is. At 10% of GDP, the aid budget would work out to $360 billion annually, or $1200 per person. The Actual Cost of Aid: Whether $900 billion annually or $27 billion annually, these numbers for aid – both potential and actual – mean little without a baseline to compare them to. Just how much would it actually cost to do what William Easterly suggests – use medications and bednets to prevent half of all malaria deaths? To consider the cost, Peter Singer looks to a more broad initiative – the United Nations Millenium Goals, a UN-lead project to “Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; Achieve universal primary education; Promote gender equality and empower women; Reduce child mortality rates; Achieve universal access to reproductive health; Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other disease; Ensure environmental sustainability; and Develop a global partnership for development”. One of these subgoals is to prevent half of all malaria deaths. The World Bank has estimated that in order to meet these goals, it would require around $60 billion per year for twenty-five years. For the United States to do this alone, this would work out to $200 per person, and require roughly 2% of the US budget. The Politicization of Aid: So even if our aid was solely focused on the Millenium Development Goals, it still would fail because its simply not large enough. But the Millenium Development Goals isn’t the only target for America’s foreign aid, nor really would I be prepared to argue that humanitarian goals would even require us to do so. However, Peter Singer does spend some of his chapter arguing that the way America picks its foreign aid
targets isn’t the most humanitarian. Instead, it’s all about… politics. Who Benefits: During the Cold War, the politics of aid was at its height – money was spent on other countries not to reduce poverty or fight disease, but rather to tilt countries away from Soviet influence. Peter Singer writes about hundreds of millions of dollars that was given directly to a Congolese dictator, and all that money was included in Easterly’s $2.3 trillion figure. Obviously, those hundreds of millions did little to help meet the Millenium Development Goals. Likewise, in 2008 the top recipients of US Aid are Iraq, Israel, Egypt, and Afghanistan – together, these four nations receive 24.7 billion of the 27 billion, or 91% of the budget. Heck, Iraq alone receives the lion’s share 68% of the budget (18.44 billion). Again, it’s clear that these nations are the target of aid not because they are the most poor or most in need, but because – even though they have more than a fair share of legitimate humanitarian problems – they are key countries in the War on Terror. It’s no coincidence that all these nations are near or in the Middle East. Now, the point that Peter Singer and I are making is not that it’s unfair for nations to make their aid conditional to political goals. It’s just to point out that primarially political aid should not be criticized for failing at humanitarian goals – because humanitarian goals are just not what we have in mind. And that’s something we need to own up to. The humanitarian goals themselves need more work. By Peter Hurford, Class of 2014 You can read the full text of this article online here: http://everydayutilitarian.com/essays/the-failuresof-foreign-aid-and-some-potential-fixes/ Or, to find out more about Peter’s insights on utilitarianism, politics, and ethics, visit his blog, The Everyday Utilitarian, at: http://everydayutilitarian.com/
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Moments He Saved In an Envelope Today, I met a man who once was in love with my mother. He walked in quick, long strides, staying close to the walls and skittering across the open space of the lobby to my desk. I looked up at him and asked him about an appointment, but he shook his head so sharply that his small semicircle spectacles slid to the very tip of his nose. He pushed the glasses back up, pressed them into the skin between his eyes, and introduced himself. I had to lean over my keyboard to hear him. I asked him what he wanted but he only leaned closer until his belly pushed over the edges of my desk when he breathed. He demanded in a fast whisper if I was Linda’s daughter, and before I answered he slid a fat manila envelope across my desk, nudging my keyboard. This is for her, he told me. These were ours. And without another word, he turned and left the doctor’s office. I cradled the envelope in my palms like I held a sacred relic of an obscure, extinct people. There had been addresses on it, written in sharp, spidery letters that stood up very, very straight, but the black marker had faded long ago.
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The stamp in the corner had half peeled away, papery as a dead leaf. Like an intruder in a tomb, I slashed the end open and out on the table before me spilled the gutted entrails of that man, pictures of my mother in her youth, pictures of him and her, pictures with faded faces that had been rubbed to a dull, colorless gleam. Did he stroke them with his thumbs? Did he sit in his house by himself, or with his wife, and look at a manila envelope of pictures he couldn’t bear to part with? I can so clearly imagine him looking at the envelope every day and saying to himself, Those should be hers, today I will mail them, today will be the day that I let go of those pictures. I sat at my desk for a long time and imagined loving someone so much that I could not return her photos to her daughter until the day before her funeral. So that the photos I had loved so much could be slipped into her casket, tucked under her folded fingers like a prayer for the lives of two people with gleaming faces who once had been in love.
Photo by Debbie Gillum
By Abby Current, Class of 2014
“Losing Superman” A Play in One Act
Lights up on a classroom set. Seth and Maria are sitting on top of a table. Maria presses a bag of ice against Seth’s eye but he quickly pushes his body away. MARIA
Come on Seth! If you don’t let me ice it then the swelling won’t go down!
SETH
Then what? Maria attempts to press the bag to his eye again. Seth pushes her away.
MARIA
Dude, just let me ice this.
SETH
Then what? Superman enters the classroom and sits down in the back of the room. He struggles to adjust his cape.
MARIA
Then your eye won’t swell anymore.
SETH
Then what?
MARIA
Then your face will clear up.
SETH
Then what?
MARIA
Then… then… your face will look better? Hotter even – yeah, definitely hotter. Superman chuckles.
SETH
Then what?!
MARIA
Dammit... Come on, Seth. Then what Maria? Is the ice going to keep them from doing this to me again? Is this really going to stop me from feeling unsafe every time I walk down the hallway? What’s going to happen after this?
SETH
Maria sets the ice down on the table. MARIA
(softly) Look, I know this is hard but –
SETH
You really don’t have a clue. Seth stands up and walks away from the table.
SETH
How could you? (pause) You’re normal.
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MARIA
Hardly.
SETH
People won’t beat you up because you’re straight.
MARIA
Look, I know –
SETH
– you fit into this school perfectly.
MARIA
No one fits into high school perfectly. Superman nods, stroking his chin.
SUPERMAN
She’s right about that, Seth. Maria and Seth begin to back up.
SETH
Who are you? Why the hell are you dressed in tights? Our principal has a taser!
SUPERMAN
Oh dear, I probably should’ve introduced myself earlier…
MARIA
Superman stands up with his legs apart and bunches his fists to his hips. SUPERMAN SETH AND MARIA
Dun-da-daaa! I’m Superman! Seth and Maria glance over at each other. Run! Superman beats them to the door and stands in front of it.
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SUPERMAN
Stop! I just want to have a conversation.
MARIA
Yeah right.
SUPERMAN
About vigilante justice!
MARIA
You’re a perv!
SUPERMAN
Just listen to me-
SETH
We’re calling the cops!
MARIA
And our parents!
SETH
And the principal with the taser!
SUPERMAN
I know why those kids gave you a black eye, Seth! I know that you’re angry! (pause) You have every right to be angry about this...
He walks away from the door. SUPERMAN
I just want to talk to you. (pause) Is that okay?
MARIA
Seth?
SUPERMAN
I’m… Superman. Silence for a few long moments.
SETH
I don’t believe you. Seth walks over to a desk and sits down.
SETH
Why should I believe you? Maria sits beside Seth.
SUPERMAN
I’m faster than a speeding bullet… more powerful than a locomotive…
MARIA
What’s a locomotive?
SUPERMAN
I have super strength and X-ray vision.
MARIA
Ew...
SUPERMAN
And I saw what those jerks did to you.
SETH
You saw it? Superman nods.
SETH
And you didn’t do anything?
SUPERMAN
Seth, I tried…
SETH
You watched as they pushed me to the ground and started yelling at me?
MARIA
They did that?
SETH
And then you saw me crying… (pause) You heard me begging them to stop!
MARIA
I had no idea…
SETH
And you just watched it?
SUPERMAN
(Quietly) I’m sorry.
SETH
You watched it and you didn’t even help me. (pause) No one helped me. 9
SUPERMAN
I came here to apologize. I – I just feel horrible about what happened.
SETH
You watched it.
SUPERMAN
I am so sorry.
SETH
You watched it and you stood there you sick, voyeuristic freak! (pause) You’re supposed to be a hero, you’re supposed to swoop in and make sure I’m safe. (pause) My parents can’t do that, my school definitely can’t, but you… that’s the only thing you have to do. (pause) Isn’t that your job?!
SUPERMAN
I felt sick to my stomach. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do! Maria gets up and picks up the bag of ice on the table. The ice is melting.
SETH
You’re supposed to help me!
MARIA
It’s melting...
SUPERMAN
I was paralyzed with shock – I had no idea people could be so horrible –
SETH
Give me a break.
SUPERMAN
I – I just stood there. (pause) I didn’t do anything.
MARIA
You should’ve done something.
SUPERMAN
I don’t expect you to forgive me, Seth. God, I am so sorry. Superman begins to take off his cape.
SETH
What are you doing?
SUPERMAN
I’m not a hero, I’m not even close. Superman begins to walk away.
SETH
Where are you going? Superman doesn’t turn around.
SUPERMAN
I’m not sure yet. He exits. Seth walks over to where Superman was standing and picks up his cape.
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MARIA
You should keep it.
SETH
For what?
MARIA
For yourelf. (Pause) Here. Maria picks up the cape and ties it around Seth’s neck.
SETH
So now I’m faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive?
MARIA
Whatever that is. (pause) You’re all of it. Seth touches the cape.
MARIA
...You’re Superman. Lights fade out. By Stephanie Arhin, Class of 2014
Photography by Zara Holderman
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Student Photography Photography by Zara Holderman
Photography by Debbie Gillium
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Photography by Ori Segev
Photography by Zara Holderman
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The Reading Corner
Book Reviews by Caroline McCauley The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gaga Feminism by J. Jack Halberstam How does one find liberation from the grip of a dominant culture’s norms, conventions, and boundaries? According to J. Jack Halberstam, the answer lies within “going gaga.” Halberstam’s Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender, and the End of Normal uses Lady Gaga as a symbol for a new world that is free from notions of normativity. Gaga Feminism opens with a description of Lady Gaga’s gender-bending costumes to explain a new kind of feminism that grounds itself in defying simple logic. The prose is playful, powerful, and clever. Halberstam’s one-of-a-kind wit and intelligence explores sexual fluidity, marriage, global capitalism, grassroots political movements such as Occupy Wall Street, and of course Lady Gaga. Gaga Feminism successfully uses Lady Gaga as the epitome of “going gaga” and draws upon anarchism, surrealism, radical feminism, gender theory, and queer theory to urge its readers to go gaga! 14
After her beautiful memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert switched gears to write her first novel in twelve years. This sweeping saga, spanning the 18th and 19th century, follows the intelligent heroine’s, Alma Whittaker’s journey to find knowledge, love, and a sense of identity. The novel has strong parallels to Eat, Pray, Love, and the reader cannot help but to wonder if this piece of fiction is more of a memoir. Alma Whittaker is the daughter of the opinionated, strong-willed botanical explorer, Henry Whittaker. Alma does not live the confining, inactive lifestyle as most 19th century women. Instead, Alma is taught to venture out into nature, voice her opinions, and read voraciously. With a passion like her father’s and a thirst for knowledge like her mother, Alma devotes her life to studying the vast world of moss. Alma immerses herself in her studies and grounds herself in reason and science until Ambrose Pike enters her life. As she falls in love with Ambrose, Alma is transported into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Through the unlikely bond of a scientist and artist emerges the quest to fully understand the workings of this world and the secret behind all life. Gilbert’s novel is a well-researched, thrilling adventure that takes the reader from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond. The prose in The Signature of All Things is much like its heroine- brilliant, strong, and captivating.
Shards by Ismet Prcic
The reader is left to question not only Ismet’s story, but the so-called “truths” of life as Ismet reasons, “By calling nothing something, nothing become something, but the truth remains that nothing really changes in the great scheme of things. The physical constitution of nothing/something, if it can even be called that, remains the same.”
In his novel Shards, Ismet Prcic documents the life of his eponymous hero, Ismet Prcic, leaving his war-torn homeland for a new life in California. Through a series of flashbacks, the novel vacillates between the story of Ismet’s childhood in Bosnia and his new life in southern California. His life as a college student in the States becomes more troubled than his harrowing childhood of war. Ismet cannot leave his traumatic past behind him and is encouraged to create a memoir. However, he cannot separate the past from the present, and becomes entangled in his story. An alter ego named Mustafa, a man who joins an elite troop of soldiers in Bosnia, consumes Ismet’s thoughts. The reader begins to question what is reality as the tales of Mustafa and Ismet become intertwined. The reader enters a postmodern sphere where certainty and truth are nonexistent as Ismet writes, “Minds record fiction. My mind was never one for remembering things right. Too much fantasy. Too much muggy past. Too many daydreams. Plus, the present reality with all its tedious details, is just way too complicated.” The author accurately captures the absurd, impenetrable world of Ismet and the surrealism of war and its after-math through questioning if a stable truth, meaning, and self exists in a cruel, meaningless world. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Coming Soon...
“The Oak Facility”
In this student-written, student-produced film, rising director Ori Segev brings to life his vision of a bleak futuristic world choked by pollution. Columbus actor Drew Collins works alongside student actors to play a group of scientists trying to grapple with the perils of this toxic wasteland, searching for a sign of hope that humanity might yet redeem itself. Creative and directing assistance from Ryan Walpole, Brett Reiter, Gina Ezzone and Dylan Dyer. Don’t miss the debut screening on May 2nd and 3rd at the 2014 Denison Film Festival!
A behind-the-scenes look at the set of “The Oak Facility” (Photography by Ryan Walpole)
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The Box Office:
Film Reviews by Lola Mendeloff THE HOBBIT: DESOLATION OF SMAUG
Tis the season of sequels as the Harry-Potter-Syndrome continues with the release of the second installment of The Hobbit saga. This film picks up somewhere after the last one left off; the group of dwarves and Mr. Baggins (played again by the marvelous Martin Freeman) are battling the wilderness trying to reach the Lonely Mountain. In this next section the group must battle more forces of evil (and maybe not so evil) as they continue their quest to reclaim the dwarf homeland. This movie is based on the middle section of the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien The Hobbit, which serves as a prequel to his well-known trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. For those who have not read the book, it will be an entertaining experience, though a painfully long one. Comically timed and aesthetically pleasing, the visual experience is something to behold as Middle Earth is brought to the big screen once more The overall affect is that the story has been ramped up in order to keep interest during scenes of potential monotony— which then creates a confusing and unclear sequence of events and intentions. However, if one reads the book, it is during those non- action scenes when background information is given or puzzles solved. Besides, when did it become a rule that all movies must be over two and a half hours long? While the first movie was able to stick (mostly) to the original story, this adaptation makes very little effort to do so. With an unclear hierarchy of bad guys, forced slapstick comedy, and dizzying cinematography choices, the second hobbit film leaves the viewer still excited but also very nervous for the final movie next year. Lola’s Rating: 2.5 stars
THOR: THE DARK WORLD
The parade of Marvel movies continues to be released as the newest installment; Thor: The Dark World was released in November. The story is set post-Avengers, and features Jane Foster and her intern Darcy Lewis (Natalie Portman and Kat Dennings), as well as Dr. Eric Selvig, who is having some trouble coping with the after-affects of his mental trauma in The Avengers (Stellan Skarsgård). The team has moved to London after the incidents in New Mexico and New York, tying in the plot nicely with events in previous movies, though it becomes clear Jane is having trouble moving on while Thor has been away dealing with Loki and turmoil in the other realms. Bigger problems emerge however as all the realms are threatened when the survivors of a long forgotten race called the Evil Elves and their leader, Malekith (played by Christoper Eccelston,also known as the Ninth Doctor on BBC’s Doctor Who) attempt to harness a dark energy so powerful and evil that all light will be extinguished from the universe. The film takes the audience to Earth and Asgard, as well as all around the realms following Thor’s attempt to save the woman he loves and the brother he wishes he could trust.
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Rather than simply seeing how Asgardians act on Earth, this movie shows more of their world and provides the characters a chance to develop on their own terms. Thor’s family in particular is given much more attention and depth, though none can compare to Tom Hiddleston as he dons the Loki wig once more. It is no wonder that the fan base for Loki is almost as popular as the whole of the Avengers group. Hiddleston is the villain you just can’t quite hate with his witty comebacks and cool countenance—contrasted in this film with moments of pain and actual heartbreak. The image of Thor and Loki, one blonde and strapping, the other dark and lithe, makes for quite the pair as they work to save their home world. If comic books, science fiction fantasy, (or maybe strapping young men and women with muscles and flowing hair) interest you, Thor: The Dark World is worth the price of admission. Lola’s Rating: 5 stars
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
This Thanksgiving theaters were overflowing with fans of Suzanne Collins second installment in the Hunger Games trilogy: Catching Fire, (no the film is not The Hunger Games 2, the title is Catching Fire, read the books). In addition to being forced to live with the nightmares left over from her time in the arena, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) must also continue convincing the nation that she only defied the rules because of her love for Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), having been threatened by the President (played semi-convincingly by Donald Sutherland) that her family and her loved ones will die if she does not calm the citizens by playing her part. Now they find out they must re-enter the arena to once again fight for their lives—only this time the pool of tributes is made only of previous victors (so other experienced killers). For fans of the novels, the writers and directors have done a very good job of following the original story rather than reinterpreting it (I am looking at you, writers of the Harry Potter films). Most of the cast returns for this film, while also introducing new characters such as the heartthrob from District Four Finnick Odiar (Sam Claflin) and new Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee (Oscar Winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman, RIP). Those complain about the length of the film (all 146 minutes), and that the Games don’t start until halfway through have missed the point of this story—the Games are not what is important in this novel. Revolution threatens the nation and it is put on Katniss and Peeta to try and calm the people, while having to survive the Arena all over again. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has something for everyone—fighting, explosions, action, fantasy, family, humor and you leave the theater with a overwhelming impatience for the third movie. Lola’s Rating: 5 stars
The News Stand
Current Events with Jenny Murphy
Senkaku Islands Dispute Flares over YouTube Video The Senkaku Islands, a cluster of about five uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, has recently been a serious source of tension between China and Japan. These islands at first glance seem inconsequential – the largest island is about 2.68 mi2 in size. But when a 1968 survey found that there may be oil reserves in the area, China and even Taiwan intensified their claim to the tiny islets. And now, a video that surfaced on Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affair’s YouTube Page (MOFA channel) has sparked these territorial tensions once again. As of now Japan officially has control over the islands, but the islands’ history is quite messy. They are closest geographically to Japan, about 140 km away from a Okinawan island (vs. 170 km away from Taiwan and 300 km away from mainland China), but China has the earliest documentation of them, with records from as early as the 15th century. Currently the Chinese government argues that the islands have been under Chinese control since at least the 16th century. But when Japan scouted the uninhabited islands in the late 19th century, they declared the land Terra nullius, or “belonging to no one.” They acquired the islands in 1895. Because both China and Japan have historical documents that argue their case, there are no clear answers. Things got more complicated at the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. The Treaty of Shimonoseki transferred control of Taiwan and all its islands from China to Japan. The treaty did not stipulate, however, exactly which islands belonged to Taiwan. The Japanese argue that the Senkaku islands were integrated into the Okinawa Prefecture before the treaty was even signed; they did not receive the island as a result from that treaty. If the latter case were true, and Japan did receive the Senkaku islands as a result of the Sino-Japanese War, then when Japan later lost control of Taiwan and its islands after World War II, they would currently have no claim to the Senkaku islands. But, as it happened, when America ended its post-war occupation of the Okinawan Prefecture in 1972, they returned the Senkaku Islands to Japanese control. It wasn’t until this year, 1972, four years after oil was found near the islands, that China and Taiwan officially declared ownership of them. Events in recent years have sparked protests on each side for the territorial issue, with many fearing this conflict may lead to a military conflict between the two countries. Although both sides stress their desire for a peaceful solution, a 90-second YouTube video posted on Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Channel again provoked arguments on either side. In the video, Japan defends its claim to the Senkaku islands using various photographs and documents. It has reached almost 300,000 views since it was published October 16th.
Location of the Senkaku Islands
(Image from the Conflict Observer Project)
China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying attacked the video, saying “Whatever propaganda tools Japan employs to support its illegal claim, it will not change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China. She added: “We strongly urge the Japanese side to correct its attitude, stop all provocative words and actions and make concrete efforts for the proper management and resolution of the question of the Diaoyu Islands.” A Foreign Ministry press secretary, however, defended the videos by saying, “The government is doing what we must do regularly, from the viewpoint of promoting a more correct understanding of the situation surrounding our country.” Although the international community can only hope for a peaceful settlement of the Senkaku islands, the debate remains so fierce that not even YouTube is safe from the propaganda of international politics. It has certainly come a long way from Numa Numa and Star Wars Kid. By Jenny Murphy, Class of 2015
Overhead view of one of the islands. (Image from the Japan Daily Press)
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The Diary of Anne Frank Vandalized in Tokyo Libraries Libraries across the Tokyo area have reported that hundreds of copies of Anne Frank’s Diary of a Yong Girl and related books have been vandalized. The diary documents the life of Anne Frank and her family during Nazi occupation, and was published by her father after her death. Humanitarian and Jewish rights groups around the U.S. have called for a probe in the situation, and Japanese police promised to begin an investigation in the mysterious vandalism. At least 265 copies of the diary and Anne Frank related books have been reported vandalized in 31 libraries since January. Some libraries have even taken the copies off the shelves to protect them, although they can still be checked out, if asked, local news media has reported. The BBC reports that Anne Frank’s diary is a fairly well-known book in Japan, listed as required reading in many school classes. And in terms of copies of the book sold, Japan is the second-highest in the world, beaten only by the U.S.
Below: Image of the diary after the act of vandalism. (Source: BBC/AP)
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What makes the case even stranger is that anti-Semitism is not necessarily common in Japan. The Jewish population is miniscule, and there is very rarely be an article or book written by an extremist that denies the Holocaust happened or claims that a Jewish conspiracy theory was behind various historical events (as you find in several countries, if you look hard enough). In general, the connection between Japan and the German atrocities to the Jewish population in Europe was minimal – at least small enough that a group of Japanese harboring resentment to Jewish people nearly eighty years later would be note-worthy.w By Jenny Murphy, Class of 2015
Sources For Further Reading: The Japan Times, “Anne Frank’s work defaced in libraries” by Kyodo, Feb 21, 2014 (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/02/21/national/annefranks-work-defaced-in-libraries/#.UwkK0fRzfUM) The New York Times, “Hundreds of Anne Frank Books Vandalized in Japan” by Martin Fackler, Feb 21, 2014 (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/22/world/asia/diary-of-anne-frank-vandalized-at-japanese-libraries.html) BBC, “Anne Frank’s Diary vandalized in Japan libraries” Feb 21, 2014 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26284614)
PS4 Launches in Japan, Sony Optimistic
The President of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Asia, Hiroshi Kawano, firmly denies these claims. He insists that the delay was so that game titles that It was the first time in PlayStation history that a new would be popular with the Japanese audience would be game console was launched at the home market last. available when the console launched. It has been three months since the PS4 was launched Whatever the reason, Sony remains optimistic about in the U.S. and Europe, and since then the console has the response in Japan to the PS4. Thus far, the PS4 received generally favorable reviews and has sold more is shaping up to become the most successful console than 5.4 units worldwide, outstripping Sony’s own prelaunch ever in Japan, matching similar receptions in the dictions. U.S. and Europe. Certainly, Sony expects this launch to Although some Japanese fans have been understand- widen the lead between PS4 sales and sales of the Xbox ably upset by the delay, it did not seem to deter hundreds One, priced at a hefty $499. from lining the streets of Tokyo’s fashionable Ginza Nikkei Business Daily reports that the home-use district Friday night (February 21). A hundred lucky fans video game market shrunk in 2013 “some 40 percent” to who bared the cold were able to take PS4 bundles home, ¥409 billion over six years, in contrast to the “fast-growbut the rest had to wait until the big retailers opened at ing smartphone game market.” This PS4 launch is 8:00 in the morning. offering a ray of hope to Sony after years of gloomy Although strategically it made sense to launch the sales and being out-sold by foreign competitors like PS4 in the U.S. before Christmas, especially considering Samsung. The predicted PS4 sales offer an optimistic the Xbox One launched in November, the delay in Jafuture for the Sony corporation, while it will likely take pan’s launch nonetheless raised questions in the gaming advantage of. community about how important Sony viewed its home market, and if the American gaming market was perhaps By Jenny Murphy, Class of 2015 surpassing the Japanese market.
Image from www.vg47.com Sources For Further Reading: “PS4: Home at Last – Sony’s prodigal son finally comes to Japan,” by Rob Fahey. February 22, 2014 (http://www.vg247.com/2014/02/22/ps4-home-at-last-sonys-prodigal-son-finally-comes-to-japan/) The Japan Times. “Gamers across Japan finally get their hands on Sony’s PS4 console.” February 22, 2014. (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/02/22/business/gamers-across-japan-finally-get-their-handson-sonys-ps4-console/#.UwqbBkCYbDd) Wall Street Journal. “Japanese Fans Get Hold Of Sony’s PS4 After Long Wait,” by Kana Inagaki. February 22, 2014. (http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2014/02/22/japanese-fans-get-hold-of-sonys-ps4-after-long-wait/)
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“Greener Grasses”
Poetry
By Loryn Holokai
The porcelain glassed, pink ballet slippered, dragonfly lily-ed, fragile, soft underbelly of everything, the diamond lined, steal encapsulated, cement surrounded, wholeness of it. the puddles of soft droplets spilled over it, the finger-lined purple bruises of it, the red liquid that seeps from it, it is all and it is nothing, it is you, and me and no one. The absence and utter fullness, enveloping the voids so deeply engrained in humanity. Leaving patches devoid, unreachable, unattainable and undesirable. It is a misty mountain fog.
“Paradise Eaten” By Danielle Golds
As you tell me the mountains are converging I drink the swell of vowels – stop my breath.
“Winter Came Twice, That Year” By Autumn Stiles
In winter's faded, flannel-gray, I pressed my palm against your cheek, Where rosy heat bloomed from the fray Of winter's faded, flannel-gray. Chiseled by wind's sharp soiree, You seemed Bernini's - marbled greek In winter's faded flannel-gray, I pressed my palm against your cheek. The scent of pine slashed through the air, As December's doldrums lumbered on, "A la guerre, comme a la guerre" The scent of pine slashed through the air "Ne me quitte pas, il faut oublier" The bread was burnt, the wine was gone The scent of pine slashed through the air And December's doldrums lumbered on.
When all is dust oceans away paradise eaten clean roses to be found is to be fallen one wounded, one shred.
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But I see the mountains divided I go closer to be sure – I am right. Parted.
Background photo by Ori Segev
Poetry “Addiction”
By Zara Holderman A cup of water sits, Idly awaiting my Predictable grip White, smooth, oval, I calmly caress the pills, Deciding how many to take today I put a few in my mouth, Take a drink, And wince as I swallow I study my reflection Staring back at me On the oven front I close my eyes, listening to the Gentle hum of the refrigerator that reminds me Of the times past, so similar to now I open my eyes to a world Blurrier than before, Hardly recognizable Only the cup of water Remains lucid on the floor before me Short, red, plastic cup The sound of the refrigerator Becomes muffled And my vision blurs Wrapped in a pharmaceutical cocoon That envelops my body For hours to come.
Background photo by Ori Segev
“They Only Dwell Where There’s a Flame” By Autumn Stiles
Salamanders are crawling out of your mouth, moonlight held in the palms of their backs, tiny and black bellowing breath after breath. They’ve come again and you’re frightened, flushed like chilli peppers rubbed on soft skin, dark skin your skin like salamanders conjured from your belly’s rotting wood. “Back Beasts!” you cry, but we both know they always come after love-making, our bodies still glowing with the glory of the tension, each visit briefer than the last. Yet we keep. and the sun, it rises and the chasm, it closes swallowing salamanders chilling the flame.
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Caleb’s Beer Review You can never really drink enough different beers. By this I mean expanding repertoire of different styles and variations. No doubt we are living in a beer renaissance where much like wine, people have become very passionate about beer—and for good reason. This isn’t to say that passion alone a good connoisseur of beer makes. Consider the case of the South Carolina resident, Helen Ann Williams, aged 44, who in a fit of passionate fury, attacked and stabbed her husband with a ceramic squirrel figurine after he “did not bring home beer” last Christmas (According to CBS News). The quarrelers are both in good health now, but I doubt the assailant will be sampling beers anytime soon. Let us explore a more constructive strategy for expressing a genuine interest in craft beer. My point is that, alongside a mere passion for beer, the experience of the new, be it a new brewery, new brew, new style, or what have you, is an experience worth sharing. I had the opportunity a few times over Christmas break to try a great number of new and exciting craft beers and I think that experience has made me appreciate the Ohio craft beer scene all the more. A new pub broke ground in my hometown of Eagle River, Alaska featuring the state’s largest beverage selection, topping out at over sixty beers on tap. The vast majority of these drafts are from within the state, but a variety of other west coast beers are available as well. For me, the vast array of beverages seemed intimidating at first. Learning to both appreciate the wide variety of beers, as well as developing a finely tuned palate for a particular kind is key to immersing oneself into the scene. While with a friend who had a particular liking for all things chocolate I recommended an oatmeal stout from the Anchorage based “Glacier Brewhouse.” Being admittedly newer to the world of craft beer, I hoped that the stout’s characteristic chalkiness and weight wouldn’t put off a newcomer. Unsurprisingly, the beer’s stellar flavor was enough to convince. I was told that its creaminess and chocolate-heavy aroma were immediately noticeable after the first sip—the kind of beer that would be delightful alongside a chocolaty tiramisu. Last time I heard, my stout-loving friend has tried a couple more varieties, and continues to delve into both stouts and craft beer in general. Picking out a particular variety of beer and pursuing it in this fashion also allows the drinker to build a more robust set of mental metrics 22
Photo credit: http://glacierbrewhouse.com/gallery/ (Same for opposite page) and expectations that both enhance the spectrum of flavors one can distinguish, and strengthen one’s critical lens. And this applies to basically all “acquired tastes,” as they often contain subtleties that the layman might not notice at first try. On the topic of well-roundedness I’m not really convinced by barley wines at this point, as they all seem to tread this weird gradient between what you’d expect from a dark red wine, and a hoppy strong ale. Notwithstanding the fact that barley wines commonly push ABV percentages into the teens (and therefore are often subject to Ohio’s 12% ABV maximum limit). Me? I am all about the session right now. These beers I’ve generally perceived to be in the lower ranges for ABV, 4%-6%. My session love story began with a six pack of “Broken Tooth Brewing” Chugach Session Cream Ale, which I found to be delightfully drinkable in casual settings. A sub five percent ABV was complemented by a low bitterness and light weight on the tongue, it is the perfect canned beer (but also great from a glass too). I tried hard to make the six pack last as long as I could, trying other beers to prolong its life, but I found myself returning to the cream ale night after night around dinner time. After
a few days (and a few gifted cans) it was gone. On the bright side, and to get back to a more Ohio/Denison related discussion, the “Homestead Beer Co.” out in Heath has been brewing up an absolute storm of great beers, the newest of which being the Station Master Session IPA. I was told it resides in the sub 5% ABV range, but that’s the last thing on your mind when you first experience this ale. Unlike their Claim Jumper IPA (also a must-try beer), the Station Master’s balanced flavor places itself in the category of beer that one could see themselves watching a game with, or standing around a grill. It is not very dense, and maintains a uniquely fruity aroma. With rumors circulating that Homestead may step up their bottling game, it’s likely only a matter of time until this beer makes it onto shelves. I’m personally hoping that the Station Master makes its way onto the bar tap in the Roost (or Moe’s). It’s perfect for that setting and exemplifies the Homestead’s uniquely delicious ales. With summer around the corner these new brews will be the perfect grilling companion. For fans of locally brewed craft ales, the future looks exciting. The scene in this area is growing quickly, and there will no doubt be a great deal of new and interesting beers to share with friends and family. By Caleb Bower, Class of 2014 Above: “Up, Up and Away” (Photography by Ori Segev)
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~Acknowledgements~ Editing Staff Nick Holland- Editor Lola Mendeloff- Editor Param Ajmera- Secretary, Treasurer
Graphics and Design Nick Holland- Layout, Formatting Lola Mendeloff- Layout, Formatting Curtis Edmonds- Web Layout
Artwork Back cover art by Nora Victoroff Inside Photography by: Ori Segev Debbie Gillum Zara Holderman Ryan Walpole Jen Trimmer
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Background: “Welcome to the Homestead� (photo by Jen Trimmer)
Contributors (by order of appearance) Chris Hardiman Peter Hurford Abby Current Stephanie Arhin Caroline McCauley Lola Mendeloff Jenny Murphy Zara Holderman Danielle Golds Autumn Stiles Loryn Holokai
Special Thanks: to Curtis Edmonds and the rest of the Denisonian staff, for their assistance and generous support to Dr. Fred Porcheddu and Dr. Margot Singer, for their encouragement and support And to everyone who contributed to this issue, thank you for your interest and commitment. Please continue to submit your writing, artwork, and ideas to juicebox@denison.edu!
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