Winter 2011 Issue by the GW Issue

Foreward

Editor’s Note: bigger & better

January is all about change. Change of calendar, change of schedule, change of shoes (let’s be real, no one likes soggy flats). What The GW Issue chose to focus on this winter is to elaborate and expand the realm of our publication. If I do say so myself, we’ve certainly kicked it into high gear this time around. As a new publication on campus, it comes as no surprise that we’ve had our fair share of struggles in developing our own voice and presence on campus. Given the vast amount of positive feedback we’ve received since our first appearance, we want to let everyone know that The GW Issue is here to stay! I, personally, could not be more excited about this project. It’s so strange to think that no more than 5 months ago, the entire magazine was merely a bright idea. Now, we’ve begun to establish ourselves as a legitimate publication at GW. It just goes to show all that can be accomplished with a lot of perseverance and hard work (throw in a dash of luck for good measure). A lot of students have asked me

questions like, “What makes The Issue so different from the tons of other publications on campus?” This is true – GW does have a wide variety of newspapers and magazines run by students. However, The GW Issue has striven to break away from the mold that other publications have set in place. With a large fashion focus, our goal is to appeal to a slightly different demographic than the others. Ultimately, I want students to be able to flip through the Issue and think, “Wow, that’s so accurate!” or “I should try this out.” Written from a total student perspective, the articles found in our magazine are true to the events that go on in our lives as college students in the big city. That being said, our goal is to ensure that The GW Issue becomes students’ go-to reference for everything from fashion tips to relationship advice. This time around, we’ve included 20 additional pages full of juicy articles and eye-catching photo spreads that will have you going “coo-coo” for the Issue… Or Cocoa Puffs, for that matter. In the 2nd edition of our maga-

zine, you’ll find that the underlying theme relates to that little holiday that’s right around the corner – the beloved (or dreaded) Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air… If you have a special someone to share V-Day with, kudos to you lovebirds out there. If not, I hope that instead of wallowing away in your dorm room blasting Dashboard Confessional and eating Nutella straight out of the jar (no spoon required), you’ll flip through The GW Issue and check out some of the new additions we’ve included this season. If you fall into the second category, you’ll get a huge kick out of “It’s Facebook Official,” a witty and oh-so-accurate piece in our Flings section. Or, you could whip up a delicious recipe featured in our Baker’s Corner, located in the Fare section. Whatever you fancy this Valentine’s Day, The GW Issue’s got you covered. So, grab a comfy seat and let the marveling begin.

Editor-in-Chief

Foreward

IN THIS ISSUE... FASHION

p.6 winter trend report featuring stylish pieces that keep you warm! p.16 how to dress for a date, perfect for valentine’s day.

FORTE

p.28 top ten albums of 2010

FARE

pg.24 healthy eating on gw’s campus

FILM

p.32 chat with frat talk p.35 oscar contender blue valentine review

FEATURES

p.36 gw volleyball’s mackenzie and taylor knox

FLINGS

p.42 relationship survey p.44 are you facebook official? p.46 your sex stories

OUR STAFF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR FORTE EDITOR FLINGS EDITOR DESIGNER DESIGNER DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHER WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER

rachel platner caitlin curnyn lizzy simonofsky jenn neuner colleen fitzsimmons devika agarwal becca grayzel frank huynh sarah joyce ian balina alex conlan petra person laura chin craig dudek carsen zarin shannon sweeney kat valdes

Foreward

february

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sunday, 13th Monday, 14th Tuesday, 15th

Wednesday, 16th Thursday, 17th Friday, 18th Saturday, 19th Sunday, 20th Monday, 21st Tuesday, 22nd Wednesday, 23rd Thursday, 24th Friday, 25th Saturday, 26th

march

Sunday, 27th Friday, 4th Saturday, 5th Sunday, 6th Thursday, 8th

Friday, 11th-Sunday, 20th

Antique and Collectible Market, Georgetown Flea Market, 8am-4pm Presidential Scholars in the Arts Show, Smith Classroom 102, through February 27th. Spend time with someone you love! Mind and Meditation: Introduction to the Art of Living, Sri Sri Center for Peace and Meditation, 7-8pm Hollywood Guns Exhibit, National Firearms Museum, Free Beyond the Story: National Geographic, Exhibit at the National Geographic Museum, Free 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes, Kennedy Center, 7:30 pm, $18 Lego Building Zone, National Building Museum, Free Sunday Night Movies at EatBar, free movies and snacks Happy Hour at Flying Fish, $1 sushi+cheap beer, Old Town Alexandria, VA Slice and Pint Happy Hour at Radius Pizza, 5-7pm Free S’more, gelato, and s’more-tinis at the Ritz Carton in Georgetown, 6:30-7pm Anyone Can Whistle, Betts Theatre, 7:30 pm, through the 27th Free Wine Tasting at Vidalia with complimentary appetizers, 5:30-6:30 pm Monday-Friday You Tube Celeb Bo Burnham at Lisner Auditorium, 8 pm, $20 Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony at Sidamo Coffee & Tea, 2 pm, Sundays Honors Thesis Dance Concert, Betts Theatre, 7:30 pm First Friday Receptions at Dupont Circle Art Galleries, Studio Gallery, Hillyer Gallery, 6 pm Baby Turtles at the National Aquarium, open 9-5, $9 Hora Feliz, cheaper-than-usual margs, beer, and tacos at Oyamel, 4:30-6:30 pm Ritz Happy Hour, half-price food and drinks, 4:30-6:30 pm SPRING BREAK, take a fabulous vaca.

fashion Top 5 Winter Accessories

Chunky scarves

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll keep you warm and stylish paired over any winter coat

Trapper Hats Channel Amelia Earhart with this trendy accessory

Over-the-knee socks They look great under boots and will make your legs look instantly longer

Texting gloves Maximum bbm/texting/facebooking/tweeting capabilities

Knitted headbands

They come in cute patterns with embroidered flowers and will keep your ears from getting chilly!

FASHION

TREND REPORT: WINTER WINDS written by sara murali

This season, style is taking a trip back in time. Vintage looks are all the rage right now, whether it means raiding your grandmother’s closet or hitting up your local thrift store. So, tune into an episode of Mad Men and get shopping! First on our lineup for winter is the color camel. As a neutral tone, camel can be worn in a variety of ways, surprisingly enough. The versatile shade has been seen on several runways this season, included in collections ranging from Michael Kors to Alexander Wang. Pulling off a head-to-toe camel outfit may be a bit challenging, so combine certain pieces with darker neutrals like black or chocolate brown for an overall high-end look. For example, rock a pair of camel pants with tall brown riding boots or a camel coat over a black dress. Next on the list are vintageinspired fur accents. If you are proudly anti-fur, as I know many are, there are several faux styles that produce virtually the same effect, so have no fear. When it comes to fur, the trick is subtlety. No one is asking you to walk down the streets of GW wearing a 15-pound mink coat (à la

etsy

Golden Girls). Instead, fur makes a bold statement when it’s styled in less-obvious ways. A great example of this is a cute furry accessory, like a fur vest or a fur clutch. These would make great additions to any chic wardrobe and double takes are a flattering plus. Pair a fur gilet over a going-out dress, tights, and heels and enjoy being a showstopper for the evening. Contributing to our Mad Men inspirations this winter are slouchy trousers. This menswear favorite looks best when paired with a tucked-in blouse and a thin leather belt. For an overall schoolboy look, add on your oxford flats from last season. Be sure to purchase these trousers in neutral tones, such as tan or dark brown. Or, if you are feeling more adventurous, opt for a dark olive shade. Slouchy trousers also look best when they are slightly relaxed at the hip and gradually become more tapered as they approach the ankle. Because this style is a bit tricky

urban outfitters

to get right, make sure to keep the rest of the outfit relatively simple, in order to draw attention to this trendy fashion choice. Finally, sequined frocks have made their way back on the map this season. 20’s inspired dresses are a great alternative to that go-to LBD that you’ve had forever. With this style, however, accessorizing is key. It’s important to ensure that the rest of the ensemble is fairly simple, bringing the focus to sequins. Sequin touches aren’t just restricted to dresses, though. They look great on tops and accessories as well. Or even, for you daring folks out there, skinny sequined pants can contribute to a trendy evening look. There you have it, girls! Remember: the most unique vintage-inspired items can pop up when you least expect it, so be sure keep an eye out.

anthropologie

FASHION

asos

urban outfitters

3.1 philip lim

alice + olivia

madewell

anthropologie

amy smilovic

miu miu

ONE ITEM, 3 BUDGETS: THE STATEMENT RING AFFORDABLE

Long Filigree Ring Free People, $38 freepeople.com

MODERATE

Crystal Ring Bergdorf Goodman, $110 bergdormgoodman.com

PRICEY

Smokey Quartz Victorian Ring Neiman Marcus, $295 neimanmarcus..com

FASHION name: kacey urlaub year: sophomore major: business administration hometown: rochester, ny

j.crew

name: nicolas bedoya year: sophomore major: international affairs hometown: medellĂn, colombia

nordstrom

hugo boss

h&m

nordstrom j.crew

steve madden

salvatore ferragamo

HOW TO DRESS FOR... A DATE

FASHION

written by katrina valdes & ian balina

February 14th is around the corner, and a fun, romantic evening with your Valentine is probably in your agenda for this weekend’s plans. With many restaurants around the city offering fixed priced menu specials Thursday through Monday, dinner is the number one choice for a V-Day date. Our featured couple, Kacey and Nicolas, shows us their picksfor a night out on the town.

For Her:

Whether you’re going to a casual restaurant or to a five-star bistro, Valentine’s Day is an occasion that allows you to dress up nicer than usual. Kacey chose a simple, yet elegant black silk frock with a ruffle v-neck cut, making it irresistible. The skinny silver belt she added on gave the dress more form, showing off her figure. Chilly February temperatures made adding opaque black tights

a must. Her black suede pumps make this outfit perfect for both the fall and the winter, but a quick change to black patent leather pumps make it just as functional during the warmer months. Though understated, her silver accessories add the right amount of sophistication to finish off a timeless and classic outfit. You can imitate Kacey’s look by choosing a dress that fits your personality. The darker and deeper hues fit the weather, but using a pop of bright color to get out of the winter drab could be just as fitting. Whatever you decide to wear for your date night, make sure to add that special touch that will leave your valentine speechless.

For Him:

Just because you are a guy does not mean you can slack off on dressing for a date. First impressions go a long way. They’re the bonus points that might help put you

over the edge, so read closely. Leave the sneakers at home and make sure your shoes match your belt. Nick is wearing black shoes with a black belt. Notice that the focal piece of the outfit is his patterned dress shirt. This attracts attention to his chest and brings out the features of his face. The other parts of the outfit are playing second fiddle and complimenting the dress shirt. For this reason, it is ideal not to have more than one focal piece in an outfit. Nicks tops it off with a tie, which is optional depending on what you are comfortable with. However, if you do go with a tie, make sure the colors compliment your shirt and don’t outshine your focal piece. If your tie is your focal piece, then your shirt should be complimentary. If you follow these simple tips like Nick does, you will have your date wooed from the moment you say hello.

FASHION

THE SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT WINTER BOOT written by sarah joyce Many of us have realized that UGGS no longer cut it these days. As we try to remain fashionable in the cold weather, we sometimes ignore the fact that there is a difference between a “winter boot” and a boot that isn’t going to be destroyed the second it steps foot on winter snow. That being said, here are the top five GW Issue approved, DC weather-tested boots that will get you through the next few chilly months.

This boot doesn’t screw around when it comes to the winter climates. Lucky for us, practical doesn’t have to mean unstylish. Bonus: you can get these at Target! For those of us who could use an extra boost even in the snow, our dear friend Mr. Madden has made a boot for you.

The Duck Boot: this Maine classic hits the city in a big way. Popping up all over, these boots say, “DC, meet rustic chic.”

For the gals who aren’t willing to sacrifice statement shoes in the snow, Mukluks has the boot for you. There is a certain way to pull off fur, and this moccasin-inspired boot nails it.

5 4

Who can pass up a good sale? These classic Tory Burch boots are marked down to $248 from their original price of $495. Plus, they come in two stylish colors!

FASHION

BLACK & BROWN: NO LONGER A FASHION written by frank huynh FAUX PAS? ...MAYBE If you were to look around you and count the number of girls wearing brown and black together in the same outfit, you would most likely come up with a number that you could count on your ten fingers. Now before you start judging the few girls who actually attempt a black and brown ensemble by using words that come to mind such as “tacky”, “lame”, and “she-looks-like-mygrandma,” you may want to look again and realize that upon closer examination, certain outfits actually work. While it is unclear as to how exactly wearing black and brown became taboo in the first place, the negative connotation of wearing the two colors may stem from it not being acceptable to combine neutrals. However, if starlets such as Anne Hathaway, Scarlet Johansson and Heather Morris can wear head-to-toe shades of a neutral pale-tan at the Golden Globes and still be considered fashionable, is it still a crime to combine black and brown (both of which are neutral) together? In fact, Olivia Wilde, another starlet who also attended the Golden Globes,

worked a stunning brown and black tulle Marchesa gown down the red carpet. With women’s Spring 2011 collections having already been released during fashion week of last fall, it is of course important to spot new trends for the upcoming change in season. One of the trends (surprise, surprise) is the “forbidden” combination of browns and blacks being put together. Rodarte’s Spring 2011 collection is made up primarily of browns in the form of skirts, pants, and dresses that are lightly accented by a touch of black. Valentino’s Spring 2011 collection also utilized the brown and black combination in a variety of lace skirts and dresses. Christian Dior’s recently released haute couture Spring 2011 collection features breathtaking ombre dresses, including a color gradient ranging from a light brown to a deep black. Famous fashion designers around the world have clearly dismissed the old fashion faux pas, which leaves the implication that maybe the

rest of the world should follow suit. If you think about it, a color is considered “neutral” because it can be worn with any other color without clashing. Therefore, logistically, there should be no reason as to why black and brown can’t be paired with each other because they are both neutral shades. While wearing head-to-toe black and brown may not be the easiest look to pull off, it is still feasible. A cute brown pea coat can be accented with a nice black scarf. Also, a skinny black belt is the perfect accessory to pair with any simple chocolate brown dress that you may have. Although it may still come as a surprise, when done properly, brown and black can be worn in a fashionable and chic way. With the upcoming ready-to-wear Fall 2011 collections being released in less than a month during New York Fashion Week, it will be interesting to see if the black and brown clothing trend continues to make a comeback or if it will recede back into the fashion faux pas that was set in place by ancient fashionistas.

FASHION

WHERE THE BOYS AT featured service “Lost boys is more than a store. It’s a place where

The GW Issue decided to take a look into one of DC’s hidden treasures: a retail store and style re- We offer complementary minisource, called Lost Boys, that ev- styling appointments during our ery GW guy should refer to for style in-house styling hours: expertise. We spoke with Kelly Wednesdays: Muccio, the owner and brains be11am-3pm hind the operation, to learn a little Fridays: more about her vision. Lost Boys is the brainchild of fashion expert, Kelly Muccio. After working for one of DC’s premier private equity companies, Kelly quit her job and moved to New York to pursue her love of fashion. She quickly rose through the ranks of the fashion industry and has gained extensive bi-coastal experience working for major fashion houses, launching designer collections nationally, re-branding couture collections, and expanding high-end boutiques in New York and Los Angeles. Kelly returns to DC and brings premier collections and fashion expertise with her.

men get lost to find their individual style

”

3pm-6pm Saturdays: 11am-3pm

lostboysdc.com 1033 31st St. NW

202.333.0093

Kelly Muccio was excited to tell The GW Issue a bit of her story:

I moved back to DC from New York and Los Angeles with one mission: to give men in DC a place where they could come, let their guards down and be surrounded by the best men’s collections and top of the line style experts to help find their signature style. And 2 and 1/2 years later after styling everyone from celebrities to politicians to savvy GW students I can say that we are accomplishing the mission.

fare

Food To Say “I Love You”

(because we all know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach)

red velvet cupcakes from Baked & Wired no one can resist. check out p.23 for a homemade recipe chocolate fondue with strawberries a delicious and playful way to spend Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed nothing says “I love you” more than a fresh batch of banana pancakes after you’ve just woken up edible arragements definitely the healthiest V-day food... good old-fashioned candy hearts you’re the one. always and forever. fax me.

FARE

ROMANTIC RENDEZ-VOUS written by alex conlan

KAFE LEOPOLD$ georgetown 3318 m st, nw

Kafe Leopold is a trendy yet authentic Austrian restaurant in Georgetown. The main dishes never disappoint and the desserts are…well, to die for. However, the restaurant is fashioned in the European style of eating – small plates of delicate food that are largely insufficient for an American dinner. Consequently, we recommend coming here for an afternoon snack on Valentine’s Day for the weekly Wine and Fondue Mondays from 5 to 10 pm. This special offers delicious Swiss fondue with a half price bottle of wine – what’s not to love? We also give our highest recommendation to the Karamell-Gray chocolate cake.

VALENTINE’S DAY LOVE POTIONS PROMOTION$

georgetown

From February 11-14, 19 restaurants in Georgetown will have a special menu of “aphrodisiaccontaining Love Potions.” These drinks contain at least one natural aphrodisiac, from strawberries to sage. Couples can sip these drinks as they look out onto the romantic Washington Harbour in a private table for two. Each restaurant will offer two drinks for $14 – such a great deal! Check out the ‘Events’ portion of georgetowndc.com for more details on participating restaurants.

DOMASCO TRATTORIA$$$ MATE $$ arlington, va - 1121 north 19th St

washington harbour 101 k St, nw

Arlington, Virginia is brimming with extraordinary dining experiences. Domaso Trattoria, one of Arlington’s best restaurants, boasts fine Northern Italian cuisine in an intimate setting close to campus. From the chic décor to the breathtaking views of Georgetown, the trattoria is best for any special occasion. Saturday, February 12th and Monday, February 14th will be celebrated with the “Chef’s Aphrodisiac Valentine’s Day Menu”. Four courses of enticing dishes are offered for $49 per person and can be paired with complementing wine flights for an additional $20. Since this menu may be more appealing to the taste buds than the wallet, we do suggest selecting dishes from the regular menu. These items are less expensive yet do not compromise price for exquisite taste. We highly recommend the braised sea scallops.

One of the most romantic areas of the district is the Washington Habour at night. If you haven’t been there before, the harbor is part of Georgetown and lines the Potomac River with restaurants, bars, and scores of people. Maté is a favorite among locals in search for an escape from the “hustle and bustle” of city life. This fine AsianLatin fusion restaurant will not offer a formal Valentine’s Day menu, but does have a Happy Hour available on Monday through Friday, 5-7pm. All 8-piece maki rolls (California, spicy tuna, etc.) are priced at $4 per roll, while special rolls are only $8. The rainbow roll is delicious, as are all of the items listed in the happy hour cocktail menu!

BAKER’S CORNER

FARE

red velvet cupcakes

baked by preeti parulekar

2. 1. 5. 1.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy

4. INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup milk 1 (1 ounce) bottle McCormick® Red Food Color 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat.

4. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, softened, butter, sour cream and McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Ingredients for Frosting: 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons sour cream, 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract, 1 (16 ounce) box confectioners’ sugar

FARE

6 INGREDIENTS OR LESS spicy miso ramen

written by shannon sweeney

10 WAYS TO EAT HEALTHY ON CAMPUS written by carsen zarin Between buffet style meals, late night lattes, too many restaurant options, and drunken “munchies,” college is infamous for weight gain. Yet, Washington D.C. just topped the annual ranking of the Fittest City in the United States — and yes, GW students were counted into the population. Ready to hop on the bandwagon? Here are ten ways you can begin revving up your healthy eating habits: 1) Always start your day with breakfast. Research shows that people who eat breakfast consistently have a better chance of losing weight — and keeping it off. Don’t have time? Grab a breakfast bar or a piece of fruit and bring it to your first class. 2) Starbucks can contribute to packing on more calories than you think. A caramel macchiato alone is 224 calories. Tea, which has caffeine and virtually zero calories, is a good alternative. If you find yourself in Gelman during the A.M. hours, think about your choices.

ingredients:

1 Package of Maruchan Ramen (Any Flavor) 1 Package of Instant Miso Soup Hot Sauce (My Recommendation: Chili Garlic Sauce by Huy Fong - The Makers of Siracha) 1 Egg

directions:

Ramen can be bought virtually anywhere and most students have a Costco pack in their kitchen. The instant miso soup can be found at most convenience stores on campus like Gallery Market. The Chili Garlic sauce is more difficult to find - I bought mine from an Asian grocery store in Virginia. But you can substitute the chili garlic sauce for it’s older brother - Siracha, which can be found pretty much everywhere now. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package’s instructions. Discard the flavor packet it came with. Add to the cooked noodles and water the instant miso soup packets. One packet has the miso flavoring and the other usually has the seaweed and tofu. You can add the miso by itself if you don’t want the seaweed and tofu. Then get the egg frying! Add the chili garlic sauce (you only need a teaspoon or so depending on how spicy you like it) or whatever other hot sauce you prefer. Then place the soup in a bowl and add the fried egg on top. This is a really easy way to spice up your ramen.

3) More than ever food trucks seem to swarm the streets of our campus. It started with the well known Sweet-Flow Mobile and Curbside Cupcake, but now you can get empanadas, pizza, and even lobster! I recommend Fojol Bros., which provides healthy meals with no preservatives. Plus, shout out to the vegetarians! These guys provide you with great options too. 4) Don’t forget that Lerner Health and Wellness Center (HelWel) includes Campus Fresh. Something you may not know about Campus Fresh? All of the food served is organic, local, and naturally raised. With chicken, kosher, and vegetarian options, there is something for everyone. 5) Feeling lethargic? Order delivery. Not all places are as bad as you may think. GW has many healthy options for delivery, such as Wisey’s and Avacado Café. 6) With Trader Joes just a few blocks outside campus, it is a great alternative to going out to eat. A hefty load of groceries can last you a few weeks and cooking means you make your own portions. Say “so long” to supersized meals. Plus, this option will end up saving you money in the long run. 7) Subway, Campus Fresh, and Pita Pit may be known for their delicious pitas, sandwiches, and burritos, but remember that all three vendors offer salad options too. 8) We all have that one day of the week that is jam packed with a busy class load, labs, meetings, practices, and discussions. If this applies to you, think ahead and pack a snack! Think high in protein and fiber to keep you fuller longer: bananas, protein bars, or almonds, for instance. 9) If you’re craving something sweet, like I often am, swap your ordinary ice cream cone for Fro-Yo. Fro-Yo is frozen yogurt that comes in many flavors, but lacks the fat and high calories other desserts have. It also packs in benefits like protein, calcium, and active probiotic cultures. Find Fro-Yo at Campus Fresh, Freshens, and Cone E. Island. 10) My last word of advice: be reasonable. As college students, it’s inevitable that we’ll indulge in not-so-healthy food. Remember, it’s all about balance and nothing is irreversible.

FARE WHERE TO GET THE PERFECT...VALENTINE’S DAY DESSERT written by craig dudek

ACKC

1529 14th Street Northwest, Washington D.C., DC 20005

After a long walk to a seemingly isolated part of the city, I was relieved, to say the least, for a delicious cup of hot chocolate at Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Collections, or ACKC as most locales refer to it. The shop is famous for its unique method of blending a café with a candy store (and a winery for those of us over 21). Unlike most cafés, ACKC specializes in hot chocolate confections, with alternate options of coffee, ice cream, milkshakes, and loads of homemade truffles and chocolate selections available for purchase. Of the fifteen options for hot chocolate, I chose the elegant Lavender Pistachio Hot Chocolate. The idea of a lavender hot chocolate is wonderful in theory, though unfortunately, neither the chocolate nor the lavender were particularly pronounced, leaving the taste of the beverage to be overrun by the saltiness of the pistachio nuts, crumbled on top of the whipped cream. The first few sips were perfect, but as the drink got cooler, it also got progressively less tasteful, and thus less tempting. All in all, it was a slight disappointment, yet a valiant attempt. For the sake of redemption, the atmosphere of the café was cute and cozy - perfect for the upcoming holiday, though I had to fight for one of ten tables available for the large amount of customers. On display, there were plenty of fun decorations perfect for the season, and the idea of chocolate, hot chocolate, and chocolate covered fruit practically screamed Valentine’s Day. Though my adventurous drink choice may have been a little too much of a risk, the place would be perfect to spend some alone time with that special someone on V-Day. Not to mention, the other fourteen flavors each sounded equally delicious.

Kramerbooks & Afterwords

1517 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC, 20036

Anyone who has been to DuPont Circle has most likely noticed Kramers Bookstore, located right off the north side of the circle. However, few have probably ventured to stop by for some of the best dessert in the city. Aside from a wonderful selection of books, the adjacent café, slightly less traveled upon, was an absolutely fantastic experience. The café itself is located in the back of the store, with an entrance on 19th street in a glass room overlooking the circle. On the table were two delicious desserts - a peach cobbler, fresh out of the oven, and a classic chocolate cake. The peach cobbler is one of many alternatives to a chocolate dish served at Kramers, though it was a bit more of a pie than a cobbler. However, it included the perfect ratio of crust of peach, complimented perfectly by the vanilla bean ice cream on top. Unfortunately, the large portion made it a bit of a struggle to finish, so it would have made an excellent dish for two to share. The chocolate cake, as described by my companion, managed to successfully combine a compilation of textures in between layers, including sprinkles, crumbs, cream, and a little bit of coconut, all while maintaining the traditional richness of a chocolate cake. From the looks of it, it would have been satisfying for any chocolate lover. Other options on the menu were red velvet cake, raspberry chocolate cake, vanilla bean cake, and all other traditional desserts one would expect from a classic bakery. Though delicious and fun, the atmosphere was almost a little too intimate, as my companion and I were nestled very close to the neighboring table (and practically a part of their conversation). Therefore, not the best romantic getaway spot for this Valentine’s Day. Given that it is such a landmark within the DuPont community, it gets a lot of customers, so it had somewhat of a loud and chaotic feel. I would most certainly go back. Peach cobbler done well is practically unbeatable, but as a romantic V-Day excursion, certainly not for everyone.

forte

the gw issue v-day playlist I Remember - Yeasayer

The Gardener - The Tallest Man On Earth Corona & Lime - Shwayze You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot Never Had Nobody Like You - M. Ward Honey And The Moon - Joseph Arthur The Girl - City and Colour

FORTE

UPCOMING CONCERTS sunday, february 13th

friday, february 18th

tuesday, march 1st

monday, february 14th

friday, february 18th

monday, march 7th

tuesday, february 15th

thursday, february 24th

wednesday, march 9th

saturday, february 26th

tuesday, march 29th

Jimmy Eat World @ 9:30 Club

Josh Ritter & Scott Huchinson @ 9:30 Club Joshua Radin @ 9:30 Club

thursday, february 17th Slightly Stoopid @ 9:30 Club

The Avett Brothers @ D.A.R. Constitution Hall Rooney with Eisley @ 9:30 Club

The Low Anthem @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Beach House @ 9:30 Club

The Get Up Kids @ 9:30 Club

The Scissor Sisters @ 9:30 Club Say Hi @ The Black Cat Cut Copy @ 9:30

STUDENT MUSICIANS GETTIN’ DOWN

GW ISSUE: What is the Student Musi- ferent groups? What genres of music? cians Coalition all about and when was it established? SMC: As of right now, the administrative members of this organization are Jared Student Musician Coalition: The Stu- (president), Louie (Venue manager) and dent Musician Coalition was established myself (treasurer). New bands are added early last semester (around october), by all the time so its difficult to say exactJared Brenner, Louie Diller and myself ly how many there are, but roughly 20 (Sally Behan). The Ivory practice rooms groups are involved and they are from had been vacant for a very long time all genres of music: we have rock bands, and were sparingly used by bands who punk, folk, reggae, jazz, funk, fusion and were fortunate enough to a) have their acapella groups who all come to practice own equipment in DC and b) were able to here. transport it to Ivory. As members of various bands on campus, it seemed like be- ISSUE: Where do the groups practice ing able to have access to these rooms and play? Do they own all of their own and leave have equipment for us there instruments? would not only be ideal but truly a great opportunity. So, we went to the SA and SMC: All groups are assigned a room in proposed this idea of having an organiza- the Ivory tower practice rooms (in the tion of bands that used one of the rooms basement of Ivory) and practice there (Room 4, the larger room) for practice and in there room alone. Generally peospace. Tim Miller, our advisor loved our ple own some equipment like guitars idea and suggested that we run not and basses even some people with keyonly one room but all six. We were also boards. However, it is our goal to supply given a generous co-sponsorship to run students with as much equipment as the organzation including PA systems, possible to practice with. We also have keyboards,mics, amps drum sets and separate equipment groups can rent for more. Since advertising for our organi- an evening for gigs. zation, many bands have joined, all of whom work out a practice schedule with ISSUE Are there ever any off-campus the bands they share the room with and shows? are able to rent equipment for gigs. SMC: Though the SMC itself has not held Issue: Who is involved? How many dif- an event off campus, many of the bands involved have their own shows off cam-

pus, playing at all kinds of venues from Luck Dub (SMC member) playing at the Kennedy Center to smaller venues such as the Harpies playing at Level X this Thursday. We just hosted an event in mitchell hall which was a great success and a lot of fun. still, we are definitely hoping to host events all over DC soon. ISSUE: How would someone go about getting involved in the Student Musicians Coalition? SMC: The best way to get involved is to send us an email at studentmusicianscoalition@gmail.com at which point we can begin to integrate your band/group into a practice room by giving you a key and swipe access to the main area. Our only stipulations are that the rules are followed and that each group pays a total of 25 dollars per semester (though we don’t necessarily like charging people for its use, the money goes directly to improving the quality of the practice rooms). ISSUE: What’s coming up next? SMC: As of right now, we do not have a specific date or event set. However, we are in the process of planning a fundraiser in the practice rooms to showcase our bands and to show the practice rooms to anyone who may be interested in helping/joining our organization.

FORTE

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2010 YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE MISSED by caitlin curnyn

High Violet – The National B

Although it’s their fifth album, it’s not too late to start listening to ‘High Violet’ and discover The National. They deliver a unique and undeniably haunting sound that will leave you wanting more. At first, Matt Berninger’s vocals may throw you off due to their unusual baritone, but it’s impossible to miss the quality and impressive musicianship that was put into the album. The National offer a sound like no other and the songs draw you in so that you feel along with them. Starting off with “Terrible Love” the album goes through a range of various emotions. Almost every song is notable, but “Bloodbuzz Ohio” and the epic sounding “England” stand out among the rest. The National offer a unique atypically, yet extremely beautifully put together album. After you fall in love with ‘High Violet,’ use the rest of 2011 to listen to their other albums, which are equally as terrific.

Sir Lucious Leftfoot: CThe Son of Chico Dusty – Big Boi

It’s hard to describe how infectious every song is that Big Boi (one half of the well-known Outkast) presents on his album. Whether you’re shaking it like a “Tangerine” or reveling in the all around amazing “General Patton,” Big Boi will give you ATL pride no matter where you’re from.

The Suburbs – Arcade Fire D

The third release for this indie rock group from Montreal is filled with their signature sound, guaranteed to please any old fan or new listener. Arcade Fire captures their interesting sound using a multitude of instruments and switching between male and female vocals. Check out the album, starting with “Ready to Start” and “Sprawl II.”

EOne Life Stand – Hot Chip

Once you put on “I Feel Better” you’ll wish you were in a club with the strobe light spinning. This synthpop/dance punk band from England infuses powerful beats along with some slower songs, like “Brothers,” leaving listeners a satisfying mix on their fourth album.

FORTE Go – Jónsi F

The lead singer from Sigur Rós takes a venture on his own with his first solo album, though his signature falsetto voice follows. Unlike Sigur Rós, some songs are in English, but even in Icelandic they remain beautifully put together. Ranging from the lively “Animal Arithmetic” to the heartbreaking “Tornado,” Jónsi’s supreme talent can be clearly noted.

GThe Wild Hunt – The Tallest Man on Earth Channeling Bob Dylan, Kristian Matsson doesn’t hold the Guinness Record for being the tallest man on Earth, but once you hear him you’ll forget all about his moniker and become completely enveloped in his music. “You’re Going Back” and “King of Spain” are two standouts on his latest album.

Treats – Sleigh Bells H

In their debut album, this Brooklyn-based duo combines intense beats along with the vocals of Alexis Krauss, whose voice alternates from sweet sounding to an angry scream in between tracks. The result is a new refreshing sound that makes you feel a little badass. Listen to “Crown on the Ground” and “Rill Rill”.

ISigh No More – Mumford and Sons

Though this album has been around for about a year - and hopefully you’ve listened and fell in love with it by now - the spot-on harmonies and mandolin playing of Mumford and Sons never gets old. This English band offers plenty of epic songs to sing along with (especially great for when you’re driving and you think no one can see you). Check out “Sigh No More” and “Little Lion Man”.

Teen Dream – Beach HouseJ

Beach House delivers another beautifully airy sounding album. Perfect for a calm or rainy day, the album flirts back and forth from relatively low-key with songs like “Take Care of You” and powerful with “Norway” and “10 Mile Stereo”. The culmination is a seamless ethereal sounding release.

KThis Is Happening – LCD Sound System

LCD Sound System has crafted another brilliant album. It gets off to a great start with “Dance Yrself Clean”, followed by the hilarious “Drunk Girls”. The remaining songs stay true to their typical style, mixing up rock with synth beats, resulting in something a little more off the beaten path than the regular ‘Top 40’.

film Staff Oscar Picks Best Actor: Colin Firth in The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speech Best Actress: Natalie Portman in Black Swan Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale in The Fighter Best Supporting Actress: Hailee Stenfield in True Grit Best Art Direction: Inception Best Costume Design: Alice in Wonderland Best Directing: Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan Best Original Score: The Social Network Best Picture: Black Swan

film

LOVE, ACTUALLY: A VALENTINE’S DAY CLASSIC written by laura chin

“All you need is love, love, love is all you need.” Valentine’s Day symbolizes the season of love, passion, and affection. An excellent way to spend Valentine’s Day this year is by watching a classic movie that depicts all aspects of the occasion. Love Actually is a British romantic comedy, released in 2003. Since then, it has become a classic feelgood love story. It is a perfect fit for the occasion of V-Day, aside from the fact that it takes place around Christmas, with its huge all-star cast (Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, and Colin Firth, to name a few) and witty script. Love Actually is a compilation of story lines accounting for the different trials found in love: love triumphs, love fails, love ends, love begins, love unrequited. Yet, the moral of the story concludes, “love is all around”. Some of the stories tend to be messy, complicated, twisted, and confusing - but that’s love (...actually), making this film totally appropriate for Valentine’s Day. The film begins with the voice over of David (Hugh Grant) saying, “whenever I get gloomy with the state of the

world, I think about the arrival’s gate at the Heathrow airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that; it seems to me love is everywhere.” He sets the tone for the rest of the movie with the fact that love is in everything and is something that should be celebrated. In each storyline, the characters encounter obstacles and challenges that they are able overcome with love as the driving force. Through this, they realize what is most important to them. Sarah, for instance, is finally given the opportunity to be with the man she has been in love with for two years, but gives it up in a heartbeat to take care of her mentally ill brother. The film doesn’t just depict romantic love, but also love among family members, making it a movie that everyone can relate to. Love actually also includes stories of unrequited love, such as with Mark’s situation. He is secretly in love with his best friend’s wife, Juliet (played by Keira Knightely), but it is clear throughout the movie that he

values his friendship with Peter and is willing to give up a potential future with Juliet. Another instance of love as a driving force is the story of Jamie (Colin Firth), the recently heartbroken writer, who takes a vacation to France to forget about his cheating ex-wife. During his travels in France, he falls head-over-heels in love with his Portuguese housemaid, Aurelia. The two create a form of sign language in order to communicate, as neither speaks the other’s language. There is great chemistry between them right off the bat. After he leaves to travel back to England, he realizes how much he loves her, so he learns Portuguese and finds her to confess his love to her. Although not a recent movie, Love Actually is centered around the idea that love is timeless and is all around us. So, even if you don’t have a special someone to share Valentine’s Day with, the characters of Love Actually can inspire you to look around at the people in your life and realize that love is, in fact, “all around.”

film

THE ART OF TALKING FRATTY written and photographed by rachel platner

Adam Pistel has no problem admitting he is confused. He knows quality sneakers, how to bring it on the squash court, and everything one could ever know about the Yankees, but when it comes to Greek life, Pistel is at a loss. A junior transfer student from Massachusetts, Pistel is hoping to get the inside scoop on the fraternity and sorority culture that manages to be both conspicuous and secretive. GWTV offered him the perfect platform to do so by granting him the opportunity to create a TV show. Thus, Frat Talk was born. “Essentially, it’s me diving into the fraternity and sorority culture at GW and finding out norms and customs of the worlds that we live in, but I also want to have fun with it,” Pistel explains. Pistel first got the idea for the show from one of his best friends from home. “Last summer my friend was constantly talking about his frat like it was the best thing in the world, and I had no idea what it was all about, so I would always say to him, ‘Stop talking frat talk to me,’

since it was some kind of code I didn’t understand,” Pistel recalls. Because his previous school, St. Lawrence University, did not have any sort of Greek life on campus, Pistel does not belong to a fraternity. He realizes, though, that he walks a fine line between mocking someone for a laugh and poking fun. For this reason, Pistel went through a longer-than-usual process of getting his show approved. After presenting the concept to GWTV, Pistel made his case in front of the Interfraternity Council. When IFC granted him permission to move forward, Pistel did not waste any time in starting to draft Frat Talk. “For the most part, people have been very proactive about getting involved,” Pistel said. “I want to get Greek life involved in the show to figure out what it’s all about. I want it to be a fun, interactive community.” So far, the team consists of Pistel, cameraman Chris Castelo, editor Julie Steinberg, as well as a group of friends who are excited to help brainstorm ideas. Possibly the most exciting part

of the show is bound to be its introductory song. Instead of opting for a popular song, Pistel chose to write his own. “Teach Me to be Fratty” by A-Bomb will debut on the show’s premier episode - a true testament to the fact that all jokes aside, Pistel is willing to work hard for his show. In the first episode, Pistel gets right down to business: defining the word, “frat.” “I went around the Washington monument asking people what ‘frat’ is and I got some pretty funny responses from tourists,” Pistel said. Other Frat Talk highlights include: “Frat Cribs, frat shopping sprees, interviews with the members, and various contests.” Pistel is no stranger to working on film. As a kid, he would make James Bond movies with his friends. He hopes to continue his relationship with the camera after college. “My dream job is to be in silly movies or host silly shows and just have fun. I’d love to just have fun,” Pistel said. If hilarious situations focusing on GW’s Greek life are not enough reason for you to tune in, there’s more: attention ladies, he’s single.

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Adam Pistel year: junior major: communications hometown: amherst, ma

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FAVORITES accessory: shoes animal: penguins and tigers (but not together) color: red food: pizza and mac & cheese team: Yankees drink: Jack and Coke (he’s 21, don’t worry) comedy: Who’s Line, The Office, Austin Powers, Borat, 40 Year Old Virgin artists: jay z, tyga, wiz khalifa, drake, chris brown, collie budz, kid ink, big sean athlete: derek jeter actor: steve carell

“like” frat talk on facebook to get all the latest updates!

film

LOVE LOST & LOVE FOUND IN BLUE VALENTINE written by petra person

Blue Valentine chronicles the tale of two star crossed lovers, Dean and Cindy. The delicate yet volatile romance that unfolds depicts the contemporary deterioration of a young and passionate marriage. Blue Valentine shows the beginning and end of a relationship through a shuffled narrative, with frequent out of sequence scenes depicting pivotal early moments of their relationship, beginning with their first encounter. Despite possessing obverse ideas towards parenting and life in general, Dean and Cindy both are united in the profound love they share for their young daughter Frankie. Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling play characters Cindy and Dean, a hard working couple living in a rural Pennsylvania town who both must come to terms with the erosion of their relationship. Cindy is a hard working nurse from a lower middle class family who struggles to maintain order at home while balancing the bad cop role that she has found herself in. While Cindy’s ambition for a higher quality of life is apparent, Dean is satisfied with his blue-collar work as a

house painter because it assures him the luxury to consistently day drink on the job. The initial mundane, minor bickering between Dean and Cindy subtly reveals the heavy tension crippling their relationship. Through the darting past and present scenes, the creative zest for life Cindy once used as a crutch seems to have dissolved. In a last attempt to rekindle their erratic romance, Dean books a gaudy room for the couple at an out of town motel with individually themed rooms. Having selected the window-

less “Future Room” that resembles a low budget 1980s space station set, Dean persuades a begrudged Cindy to a poignant night of drinking and tawdry sex. Cindy and Dean begin to evaluate their lives and the dreams they used to share which results in an emotional battle tantrum disaster extravaganza. The peak of the hysterical turmoil occurs the next morning when unrestrained emotions are publicly, catastrophically unleashed in fury that not only jeopardizes Cindy’s career, but ultimately signifies the expiration of their relationship. Frequent flashbacks throughout the live story line juxtapose the plot to show the couple’s lusty chemistry throughout the infancy of their relationship. The more vivid details we see into their past, the more unrecognizable Dean and Cindy become. Ultimately, Blue Valentine is laced with melancholy arsenic, thus leaving the involved movie spectator slightly disillusioned with the complex concepts of love and how we change as individuals in a relationship. The convoluted, eroding relationship between Dean and Cindy is a hauntingly realistic tale of a modern decaying union.

sister, sister

The GW Issue sat down with volleyball stars Taylor and Mackenzie Knox to talk about their love for the game, as well as each other 36

Issue: So, you girls are from the

West Coast. What have GW you noticed about people go to GW from the East Issue: who Coast?

Issue: What are some things you Issue: When did you first realize like to do back home with your family and friends?

you had amazing athletic talent?

T: Obviously since I am from

M: Well we grew up in a very

Huntington Beach or ‘Surf City USA’, I spend a lot of time at the beach either is in clothing and style. I feel relaxing or playing beach like people from here dress Taylor: volleyball. I am also lucky to up a lot more than people have a lot of my extended from the West Coast, where family live very close by, so it’s a much more laidback, its nice being able to visit beachy style. and spend time with them anytime I want. MacKenzie: We live about a mile from the beach so we love riding our bikes down to the beach and enjoying the beautiful sunshine! It is hard to hear that your friends from home are at the beach when it is freezing out here!

Taylor: I guess the main difference

athletic household - my dad is the head track coach at Orange Coast College. Taylor and I tried different sports growing up until we both fell in love with volleyball. It was during my junior year that I started to get scholarship offers from different schools to play. When I visited George Washington

how do you like to unwind after a hard practice or game? I believe that “daily naps are the key to success… naps and Gatorade! - Mackenzie

”

with my sister because it Issue: What do you and your I immediately knew it was the teammates do to get gave us the opportunity place for me and I didn’t have pumped up before a big to stay together and go to to think twice about my decigame? college together! sion. Everything seemed to just fall into place and I have M: Everyone on our team usuM: As someone who has never been happier! ally sits in the locker room played sports for their enand relaxes while listening T: Athletics has always been a tire life I could not imagine to music before we play. big part of my life. But I don’t going to school without beFor the most part everyone think I really realized that athing on a team. I really do tries to stay very calm and letics could actually take me enjoy working out and getkeep there mind clear until somewhere until I was offered ting into shape, I get really we get out onto the court. a scholarship to play at a Diviantsy and kind of cranky if Then when we get on the sion I college. At that point, I I don’t work out! And more court to warm-up we turn got a little more confidence in than anything else I am the music up and go all my athletic skills and realized so lucky and thankful to out! what an amazing opportunity be able to be playing volathletics can give you. leyball with my sister. We Issue: Is there any competitiveness between you and your always dreamed of going Issue: Tell us about playing volleyball sister? to school with each other at GW. What is your favorite and playing together but T: For the most part I think we part about being on the team? with the rarity of scholarare both just able to really ships we never thought My favorite part of being on the push one another since T: it would actually be an team is that you always have we both know what each option This experience people around you that are other’s limits are and what is something I will never going through the same things to say to one another to get forget and I am sad that I and are always around to help each other fired up. I know only have one more year you get through it. But beyond we are both each other’s all of that, I am just so thankful to enjoy it! biggest fans on and off the 38 to be able to be on the team court.

if you had a superpower, what would it be?

“ The ability

to time travel or control time.” - Taylor

Issue: What do you think is the

Issue: What’s your favorite thing

team laundry and water bottles.

to do in DC? biggest difference between you and your sister? M: My favorite thing to do in Issue: What’s next after GW? DC is to go on runs in the T: I think overall my sister and I T: After I graduate from morning when we don’t are pretty similar to each othGeorge Washington, I plan have volleyball practice. I er. MacKenzie is much more to go on to graduate school. love making up my own open to try new foods where I am still in the process of runs before I go and then I like to stick to what I know trying to figure what I want just enjoying the scenery. I like! But it is hard to find to major in, so once I figure All of the monuments just big differences between us… that out, I will probably have never seem to get old; they MacKenzie has been my role a better idea of where to go really do amaze me every model and who I have looked from there. time I see them. up to since I was little so naturally I have always strived to Issue: What else are you involved M: After I graduate GW I be like her! in on campus? Any jobs? definitely want to go to gradM: Once you get to know us you uate school, I am hoping to M: During season we practice go to the University of Orcan see that we have different from 7-10 every morning, egon. I am not sure exactly personalities, but other than lift some nights, and then what I want to do in my life that we are very similar. I don’t travel and play games on yet but I am also enjoying remember us really ever fightthe weekends. So that the unknown. I know I will ing or not liking being around doesn’t leave much time for eventually find something each other. I think as we get a job or internship. that I love doing and I am older, the closer we become T: I consider volleyball to be looking forward to the day and the more we realize how my job! Also, being a freshwhen I find out what that is! lucky we are to have each man on the team, means Until then I am just living life other. Some people make fun you get to have ‘freshman and enjoying the moment! of how close we are but I just duties’ which mean you are take it as a compliment! also responsible for the 39

everything you need to know about TAYLOR KNOX GRADUATION YEAR: 2014 MAJOR/MINOR: Undecided FAVORITES STARBUCKS DRINK: Carmel Apple Spice SONG RIGHT NOW: Love Like Woe - The Ready Set RESTAURANT: California Pizza Kitchen BAKED GOOD:: Brownies!

everything you need to know about MACKENZIE KNOX

MUTUAL LIKES:

GRADUATION YEAR: 2012

PLACE IN DC:

MAJOR/MINOR: Sociology/Art History & Fine Arts

The National Mall/ The Lincoln Memorial

FAVORITES

SEASON: Winter

STARBUCKS DRINK: Iced Green Tea SONG RIGHT NOW: Hey Soul Sister - Train RESTAURANT: Chipotle PERFECT DATE With the right guy... any date is perfect! BAKED GOOD Apple Pie

flings Our Favorite Celebrity Couples BeyoncĂŠ & Jay-Z: the Platinum Duo Brangelina: Oldie, but Goodie Barack & Michelle: Too Much Beauty for One White House Sarah & Matthew: Ferris and the City Heidi & Seal: Project Runway meets British Soul Ellen & Portia: the Power Lesbians Frieda & Dev: Now Actual Millionaires Katy & Russell: The Wild Couple Jada & Will: Creating an Entertainment Dynasty Posh & Becks: Spicing up their Fragrance Ads

FLINGS

4.2% 25%

4.2% 20.8%

45.80%

RELATIONSHIPS conducted by lizzy simonofsky

We took a deeper look into relationships at GW with this survey. Here are our findings...

“

”

How would you describe your current primary relationship?

happy ending

good stable

excellent

few months or less

half a year

year + almost a year

“

How long have you been in your current relationship?

”

nothing

more time together

better communication

better understanding

“

If you have problems in your relationship, what do you feel would make it better?

”

“

FLINGS

“

understanding compassion physical attractiveness differences similarities stability fun time apart independence religion family time together mutual interests intimacy sense of humor communication sex

What are the most important factors to a happy loving relationship?

”

10%

20%

40%

30%

50%

70%

60%

“

strongly agree

agree

unsure

i’m htinking about leaving

our sxual relationship is adequate

i would like to have an affair

i’m happy with out level of intimacy

our communicatio is effective

we make a goog couple

we have doof times together

25%

i am afraid to be on my own

”

50%

i depend on partner to be happy

What best describes your current primary relationship?

i love my significant other

75%

i have opportunity to grow

“

i want to stay in this relationship

100%

strongly disagree

80% 70%

How would you rate your level of satisfaction in your current relationship with respect to the following areas?

”

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

x se c

ion

t ica

tim

h et

g to

n er

e lov

ion

s as

p m

e nd

ing

d an

n de

en al ep u d ut er t m in

e ind

n de

er int

Flings

facebook official

written by lizzy simonofsky

College inevitably makes a mess out of dating, hooking up, and relationships. Facebook makes that mess extra smelly and dirty. Through Facebook, you can ‘send a message’ or ‘poke’ that hottie from history, and even send ‘gifts’ in the form of a troll with blue hair or maybe a birthday cake. Also, through Facebook, your relationship can be made public to everyone from your best friend to that girl that you sat next to in high school English. To understand exactly what ‘Facebook Official’ meant, I looked no further than to the most reliable dictionary on the internet: Urban Dictionary. Out of several definitions, one stood out: “How you know shit’s real.” This contributor to Urban Dictionary makes a bold claim: legitimacy of a relationship can only be judged by its announcement on Facebook. Everyone saw that scene in The Social Network where supposedly, Mark Zukerberg creates the ‘Relationship Status’ section after the curiosity of an acquaintance. So maybe you’re dating someone (or not), and you start to get a few questions about whether you’re with the person. And each time you look at your own profile you start to see the area on your status and orientation as “SINGLE. STILL??????”. It almost lures you to eharmony.com or to feign compatibility with the nearest person you can find. If you’re single with no one in your midst, then the relationship status is indeed unpleasant. Yet, it is all the more beckoning when you start to question if officialdom is somewhere in your future.

I’ve never decided how I felt about being ‘Facebook official.’ I like the idea that when two people are in a relationship, they are comfortable enough to slap a label on it. They are happy to have a direct link on their profile to their significant other. Now, their combined 2,164 friends are all well aware that they have made a small step to a big commitment. The days are over of dissecting the 41-minute gap time between text messages she sent you and the look in his eyes when he leaned in to hug you. It sort of reminds me of a time when you got to wear someone’s varsity jacket, or could tell your friends that you’re ‘going steady’. That moment of gratification when a relationship request is sent or confirmed feels excellent, and the pilings of notifications that take place only add to that excitement. But what if you’re just trying to have fun? When if the commitment of an html-coded link to a hook-up is a few more strings than you intended? What does it even mean when it is official? Do you have someone to go to when your night of fratting and clubbing has come to a close or is it the announcement of a relationship that has been fully established? Possibly the worst part about a Facebook official relationship is the break up of this relationship… on Facebook. As if the dissolution of a relationship wasn’t difficult enough, add into the mix that those 2,164 friends are all in the know. If you aren’t smart enough to delete it from your feed, then you start to get virtual pity in the form

of questions, comments, and condolences, appearing on your wall, in your inbox, and everywhere else. I don’t think that Facebook is the place for comments like “you deserve better <3 <3” or “lets get so hammered tonight you don’t even remember their name,” but it’s especially painful when one member of the party has to see this, all while coping with his/ her own feelings. When is it even the right time delete the relationship? Is the day after jumping the gun? If it takes more than 5 days, does it seem like you’re holding on to something that is long gone? Facebook doesn’t have an option for everything. I still don’t understand the purpose of the “It’s complicated” option. Whose life isn’t complicated? Especially when it comes to dating? Even though it doesn’t have the option of, “In the process of getting over a break up so I’m not really up for 3 AM texts just yet” or a “Casually hooking up but still really single even thought I want a boyfriend LOL,” relationships shouldn’t be defined by a social networking service. The two people in the relationship should really be the only ones who have a say. By all means, though, if you’re ready for your cousin’s exbest-friend’s girlfriend to know that you and your date to semi-formal have finally “tied the profile,” then log onto gwireless right now. But just make sure you understand what’s actually going on with your beau before the World Wide Web makes up their own opinions.

Flings

COUPLE’S PROFILE

devon horowitz & connor davy How did you meet?

Where did you go on your first date?

C: At CI, I had gotten to know one of the members of cabinet, and he introduced me to her. She was asking about College Republicans. D: And then we just became good friends. When we came back to school, he moved in early with CBC, and we kept in touch, and we started hanging out a lot, and started dating on September 11th. C: Yep, the first week of school. We both had a class that wasn’t excused on Freshman Day of Service, so we were the only two freshman on campus. C: Our first date was at a party in New Hall. D: …and we were the freshman who didn’t know anybody. So we left and we ended up at a church, almost in Georgetown, we must have walked the wrong way. C: Devon said she knew where she was going.. D: and I was trying to GPS it on my phone, but I’m really bad with directions.

What’s D: His sense of humor is definitely my favorite your thing. He makes me laugh, He makes everybody favorite laugh! thing

about the other person?

C: I love how she’s so down to earth. It’s fun every time I’m with her.

Was it love D: Um, I don’t know about that… C: I don’t know about that. (laughing) at first D: We get a long really well, we’re best friends. sight? D: We like to go to sporting events.

What’s your C: We do a lot of them actually. Boston only, NOT Orlando! favorite kind of date D: He’s a big Boston fan. I got him tickets to the to go on? Wizards-Celtics game for Christmas, but I’m like a

What are you plans for Valentine’s Day?

huge Orlando Magic fan so I had to be a Boston fan for the night, and it was surprisingly fun! D: We don’t have any yet! C: Last year, Devon was really sick. D: And you were really sick too, right? C: Yeah, I was sick too, so I called in Crepeaway. D: He went around to all of my friend’s rooms because we didn’t know how to use blockbuster or anything, like typical Freshman, so he went and borrowed a lot of chick-flicks. C: Like ’10 Things I Hate About You”. And all of her friend’s lived near me. So we just watched movies all night. D: In bed together. It was cute!

FLINGS

“

YOUR SEX STORIES

I used to date this girl who loved going out to this one Indian restaurant where you eat with your hands. One night, we came back to my house and were about to have sex and to be safe, I put on a condom. I forgot to wash my hands, before this, but my girlfriend noticed pretty quickly.

”

--22, male

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Once I was at a frat house having a great time with my girlfriends. We were dancing to some reggae beats and enjoying the general party vibes. I was dancing up on this tall guy, and we were really hitting it off. We started hooking up on the dance floor and decided it would be better to go back to my room. However, once we made it to my room, my pre-law major roommate was studying, so instead we went to my next-door neighbor’s room. I started to move my hands southward and realized there wasn’t anything to find. He was a little lacking in the package services department. The night ended quickly after that..

--20, female

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I drunkenly, and stupidly hooked up with a guy at the beginning of my freshman year. Nothing too serious, but once it started getting late I told him he couldn’t stay because i was afraid my randomlychosen roommate would walk in on a half naked drunk man in my

bed. He, apparently, thought I was a “huge bitch” for “kicking him out” which I heard from mutral friends. Months later, after never seeing or talking to this guy, I see him in one of my lecture classes and hope to GOD he’s not in my discussion. The first day of discussion i look around and thank god he isn’t there. However, typical of most Vern classes a ton of people walk in 10 minutes late and, great, the awkward hookup is in my class. Even though we had mutral friends in the class we NEVER talked to each other and no one knew we had ever known each other. We would talk in groups but never to each other. One day my TA tells us we’re doing group projects in groups of 4. I literally cross my fingers hoping this guy isn’t in my group. First group out of my TA’s mouth comes the guys name... And then mine. REALLY?? my friend, the only other person in the class who knew literally almost died trying to keep herself from laughing. Our team meeting was literally the first time we talked to each other since our hookup. After working in this small group for a while we actually became friends? Now we are on pretty good terms and hopefully he doesnt think I’m the same “huge bitch” that “kicked him out” of my room at 4am. However, TO THIS DAY we have not once mentioned the hookup to one another and we pretend like it never hap--19, female pened.

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to submit a anonymous sex story, email thegwissue@gmail.com

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This one time I got booty called and I told him I was playing Pokemon and so I couldn’t go over. He was completely okay with it.

--19, female

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I was talking on facebook with this hot guy, and we were dropping subtle inuendos. I ran over to meet him at Starbucks, and while he was finishing homework I played angry birds. We soon went back to the basement of my dorm, and started making out. We traveled up to my room for someplace a bit cleaner and hooked up in my closet while my roommate unknowingly was fast asleep”

--20, male

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A little while ago, my boyfriend and I were in the mood for some pizza. We gave Domino’s a quick call and our pepperoni pizza was on our way to my house. We sat down to watch a movie and things got a little cozy and we started to have sex. We heard the doorbell indicating that the pizza was here, so, not to keep the delivery boy waiting, we stopped in the middle. We got the pizza, and since our stomachs were practically growling, we sat down and ate it. After the whole pie was gone, we proceeded to pick up where we left off. Clearly, we were hungry for more than just pizza.

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-20, female

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