January 17, 2018 | 34st.com
alone on campus How FGLI students navigate an empty campus during winter break
january 17
LETTERFROMTHEEDITOR
2018
This is not how I envisioned my first Letter from the Editor unfolding, but my 3 WORD ON THE original vision for this tiny block of print STREET space could not be more inconsequential. life of Rho Gamma I cannot justify penning some letter laying out my goals for Street this semester or explaining why I’ve made certain changes to 5 EGO the magazine. It does not matter. working at Allegro, EOTW: robbie warshaw As most of Penn is now aware, we lost a classmate two weeks ago. Blaze Bernstein died at nineteen, before he could return to campus and finish up his sophomore year 8 MUSIC Lorde boycotts israel, at Penn. His death is currently being invesbest songs of 2017 tigated as a gay hate crime. On December 24, 2017, Blaze was accepted as a staff member of Street. He was 10 FEATURES supposed to be a copy editor this spring alone on campus: staysemester. I read his application and was ing for break struck with his humor and excitement for the magazine. He called himself “an old soul.” I immediately wanted to bring him 12 STYLE throwing a dinner party, on. I sent him a congratulations email and connected him with the rest of staff. He how to protect your joined our staff Slack channel, which he home from the snow
still remains a member of today. But I never met him. And he never got the chance to officially join us. I find myself asking the same difficult question that my predecessor Orly Greenberg asked in the days following Nick Moya’s suicide: how does one mourn a person they never knew? As she rightfully concludes, there is no right answer. There is no correct way to process your feelings or understand why a tragedy is affecting you the way it is. But that doesn’t mean your feelings of grief are invalid. I do not mean to make this horrible event into some tired, introspective navelgazing about the meaning of loss. I want to take this space to share how amazing of a person Blaze was. He was involved in nearly every corner of the writing community at Penn and was close to members of our staff. I want to offer my sincerest sympathies to Blaze’s friends and family. I want to reiterate that 34th Street is a place for any and all students, as both a
platform for sharing thoughts and feelings and a space where you are always welcome to decompress. I am here for anyone who wants to talk. Yesterday, I had to make the decision to remove his name from the masthead of this issue. Our listserv is still delivering emails to a person who won’t be able to check them. This is the issue that Blaze never got a chance to copy edit, and I want all of you to read it and think of him. Though thoughts are kind, they’re also cheap. I would love for you all to do more. I encourage everybody reading this letter to donate what they can to the Blaze Bernstein Memorial Fund. Be kind and thoughtful to those around you. And take care of each other.
14 FILM & TV
2017 f&tv guide, Bachelow fantasy leagues, the post
16 ARTS
Philly art this winter, book list for 2018
18 LASTPAGE LOL
choose your own 10 am locust adventure
Nick Joyner, Editor–in–Chief Remi Lederman, Managing Editor Angela Huang, Audience Engagement Director Annabelle Williams, Assignments Editor Autumn Powell, Media Director Haley Weiss, Word on the Street Editor Jamie Gobreski, Word on the Street Editor Emily Schwartz, Ego Editor Zoe Albano–Oritt, Music Editor Julia Bell, Senior Features Editor Sabrina Qiao, Special Features Editor Colin Lodewick, Long–term Features Editor Dalton DeStefano, Developing Features Editor Lily Snider, Style Editor Catalina Dragoi, Film & TV Editor Sherry Tseng, Arts Editor Daniel Bulpitt, Lastpage Editor Danny Rubin, Video Editor Lea Eisenstein, Copy Director Chris Muracca, Print Director 2
Photo by Autumn Powell Ego Beats: Valetina Escudero, Sami Canaan, Caroline Riise, Caroline Curran Music Beats: Paul Litwin, Amy Marcus, Arjun Swaminathan, Isabella Fertel, Noah Kest, Michelle Pereira Featues Staff: Emily Rush, Angie Lin, Sharon Christner, Annika Iyer Style Beats: Liz Kim, Frankie Reitmeyer, Lily Zirlin, Molly Hessel Film & TV Beats: Jonnell Burke, Ana West, Avneet Randhawa, Naomi Elegant Arts Beats: Sophie Burkholder, Lizzy Lemieux, Christine Irmen, Michaela Tinkey Design Editors: Lucy Ferry, Gillian Diebold, Ben Zhao, Christine Lam, Alana Shukovsky, Zack Greenstein, Morgan McKeever, Teagan Aguirre, Judy Choi, Katie Waltman
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Staff Writers: Sophie Xi, Cass Phanord, Tamara Gelband, Andreas Pavlou, Jennifer Cullen, Isabella Simonetti, Eliana Doft, Vanessa Wanyandeh, Shinyoung Noh, Caroline Harris, Stephanie Barron, Emma Moore, Anna Callahan Illustrators: Jessi Olarsch, Brad Hong, Anne Marie Grudem, Reese Berman Staff Photographers: Dayz Terry, Virginia Rodowsky, Ha Tran, Christina Piasecki Video Staff: Megan Kyne, Jean Chapiro, Anab Aidid, Sophie Pelosi Copy Editors: Kira Horowitz, Kate Poole, Anna Waldzinska, Serena Miniter, Sarah Poss, Amber Auslander, Kimberly Batista, Riley Wagner, Morgan Potts Sofia Price, Analytics Editor Cole Bauer, Senior Marketing Associate
Marketing Associates: Lauren Donato, Chae Hahn, Brittany Levy, McKay Norton, Hanniel Dizon, Carly Shoulberg, Merry Gu, Paige Fishman Unless otherwise noted, all photos are by Dayz Terry, Virginia Rodowsky, Ha Tran, and Christina Piasecki. Contacting 34th Street Magazine: If you have questions, comments, complaints or letters to the editor, email Nick Joyner, Editor–in–Chief, at joyner@ dailypennsylvanian.com. You can also call us at (215) 422–4640. www.34st.com "I want to get a PhD, not just the D"
©2018 34th Street Magazine, The Daily Pennsylvanian, Inc. No part may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express, written consent of the editors (but I bet we will give you the a–okay.) All rights reserved. 34th Street Magazine is published by The Daily Pennsylvanian, Inc., 4015 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19104, every Wednesday.
WORD ON THE STREET
word on the STREET Ever since my freshman year, Shoutouts have been one of my favorite parts of Street (Ed. note: sorry not sorry we cut shoutouts). Every time the biannual issue comes out, I pore through it, hoping to find a juicy reference to decipher or a Shoutout I wrote to friends. Last fall, before I could even open the Shoutouts issue for myself, my friends bombarded me with texts about a Shoutout that they thought was about me. It read: “To my hot blonde econ TA: It would be pareto optimal for us to hook up.” I started working as a Teacher’s Assistant for Introductory Microeconomics in the fall of my junior year. After a year of working as an econ tutor, I realized that I absolutely loved working with students and wanted the opportunity to get more involved. From my own experience, I knew that having a caring and helpful TA could make or break a class, so I decided that becoming an econ TA would be the best way for me to make an impact. As a TA, I was responsible for holding two recitation sections a week for groups of 25 students each, in addition to holding office hours and review sessions and grading homework. I quickly realized that the job was a lot more work than I originally thought, as I spent a considerable amount of time outside the classroom preparing for recitations and review sessions and answering student’s questions. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how respectful and engaged my students were, and I quickly found that I didn’t mind spending extra time helping my students, as it was incredibly rewarding work. As an undergraduate TA, some of my students were friends and former teammates, while others were juniors and seniors, meaning that a few of my students were a year above me. At times, this was awkward. There were instances when I would be standing in line at Smokes' and a student would uncomfortably announce, “Hey! Aren’t you my econ TA?” as if I didn’t have a life outside the two hours a week that I taught. On other occasions, boys would ask me for my opinion on one of my freshman students who was rushing their frat (I never understood what I was supposed to say to this: "I don’t know, he struggles with the concept of supply and demand?") Once, a few days after the first midterm, a freshman approached me at a party and asked if I knew what his grade was yet. Working as a TA made me more grateful for my own TAs. The same semester I started working, I took a challenging statistical programming course. Many students, including myself, relied extensively on the TA for help understanding the material and problem
NOTES FROM YOUR ECON TA LEIGH ANN EISENHAUER
If you’re going to write a shoutout for your TA referencing a concept you learned in class, make sure you actually understand the concept.
Illustration by Anne Marie Grudem
sets. The TA for this course went above and beyond: holding extra office hours, review sessions, and meetings with students one–on–one. Before becoming a TA, I didn’t have an appreciation for the fact that my TAs were students theselves, which meant they were also balancing classes, extracurriculars, and job searches. Moreover, I didn’t appreciate that the TA is not responsible for holding additional office hours and review sessions, but chooses to do so in an effort to help their students. That semester, I found myself increasingly irritated with how some students treated the TA in my class. Students were rightfully frustrated by the pace of the course, but I felt many didn’t realize that they were taking out their frustrations on someone who had absolutely no control over the course material, pace, or schedule. I often found myself defending the TA for this class when my peers complained, reminding them that she was going out of her way to hold extra sessions to help us. I’m still not convinced that the Shoutout about the “hot blonde econ TA” was about me; it could have
just as easily been about the handsome blonde male TA that I worked with. Either way, it quickly gained attention after the professor I worked for included a revised, more appropriate version as part of a question on her final exam. Of course, the professor asked if I was comfortable with her including the shoutout in the exam (that conversation was just as awkward as you’d imagine). Despite the sometimes awkward and frustrating aspects of working as a TA, it was an incredibly fun learning experience. Of the lessons I learned, there are two I feel compelled to pass on to my fellow students: 1. Be empathetic and appreciative towards your TAs! They are also trying to balance school, work, and extracurriculars and are likely doing the best they can to help. As I learned firsthand, a quick thank–you email at the end of the semester could make your TA’s day. 2. If you’re going to write a shoutout for your TA referencing a concept you learned in class, make sure you actually understand the concept (newsflash, anonymous Shoutout author: it would NOT be pareto optimal for us to hook up). J A N U A R Y 17 , 2 01 8 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E
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EGO
EGOOF THE WEEK: ROBBIE WARSHAW
HALEY WEISS
This week's Ego of the Week was the most requested member of the senior class on last semester's nomination form.
You asked, and we listened. This week's Ego of the Week was the most requested member of the senior class on last semester's nomination form. Rob Warshaw is pretty involved across campus, but this self–proclaimed goofball is best known for his cheerful demeanor and outgoing nature. After all, it's about time we started celebrating more people for being plain 'ol good friends. 34th Street Magazine: You’re a pretty involved Ego of the Week. What’s the coolest thing you’re a part of? Rob Warshaw: That’s really difficult to answer! I can't choose between my cults. Between the Dean’s Advisory Board, PennQuest, and my fraternity, they're all cults—not so much in that they’re homogenous, but that they're all really tight. Street: Ok, so let’s go cult by cult. What’s the Wharton Dean’s Advisory Board like?
RW: I think because the name is really pretentious, people assume that WAB is just a bunch of these really Type A aggressive people. In reality, the people in WAB are some of the kindest people at Penn. They are so kind, and goofy, and smart, and not at all aggressive. I can kind of break down my time in WAB into the “giving view” and the “taking view”. In terms of giving, it's been so cool to be able to have a positive impact on the Wharton academic experience. We get to problem solve and approach new ideas from tons of angles, like if we want there to be a new concentration, or any other problem, it’s fun to figure out who we need to talk to, how we can present it, what research we need to do. In terms of things that I've gotten out of it personally, everyone in that group is just so committed and by being around them I’ve gained so many skills in terms of how to think critically about issues. It's interesting, because I think
LIGHTNING ROUND MY COMMON APP ESSAY WAS ABOUT... "Raising awareness for this new law Pennsylvania called the Good Samaritan law, which basically allowed you to not get in trouble for calling the police if your friend was really drunk." THE BEST PLACE TO POOP ON CAMPUS IS... "The single bathroom in College Hall that I've Instagrammed with Lizzie McQuire Movie lyrics" THE BEST FOOD TRUCK ON CAMPUS IS... "Bui's. I have gone almost every single day since freshman year." THE SONG I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW IS... "'Don't Waste Your Heart' by the Dixie Chicks." THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE AT PENN... "People who are openly weird, and people who hide their weirdness."
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a lot of other groups at Penn are either academic or social, and so you don't really ever get feedback on yourself as a whole person at Penn. My friends on WAB will give you feedback on critical thinking and on writing and on things like that, but they'll also give you feedback on stuff like how you are as a friend, and how you are as a person. Because you really feel like they know you so well and in so many different domains, you can really trust that whatever they're telling you is true and honest feedback and mentorship. Street: Switching gears, let’s talk about your biggest cult: PennQuest. RW: PennQuest! I love Penn, and a big contributing factor to that was PennQuest. I think coming into college, there's a lot of pressure to be “cool”, or to very quickly assimilate to what everyone else is like. For example, when I was shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond for college stuff, I remember looking at the display of trash cans for ten minutes and thinking, “How will people judge me based on my trash can?”. Then, I went to PennQuest, and had the most amazing time and felt so much more comfortable with who I was. I was so happy to realize that people at college would like me for who I am, like my home friends did. It sounds silly, but I think we all have that same worry, like, “My home friends like me for who I am, but my college friends will never get that.” I remember coming back from Penn Quest, and seeing my trash can and thinking, “I can't believe that I cared what my trash can looks like, or thought that anyone else would care.” PennQuest
HOMETOWN: Wynnewood, PA MAJOR: Management and Operations, Information, & Decisions Department (OIDD) CLUBS: PennQuest, Wharton Dean's Advisory Board, Wharton 101 Teaching Assistant, Kite and Key, Phi FRESHMAN DORM ROOM: 333 Hill (Hill's address is 3333 Walnut St., so that's seven three)
allowed me to be myself coming in to college—to just be a weirdo and be goofy. I think carrying that same personality with me across all my different groups at Penn has let me feel much more like I'm being myself, and has helped me meet a lot more people. Street: What trashcan did you end up getting? RW: Oh, I still have it. It’s this really nice greenish–blue trashcan, very sturdy. Street: What has been the most surprising thing to you about Penn? RW: I think I do have to say the prevalence of mental health issues. I think freshman through junior year I really thought that it w a s w
something that affected Penn, but didn't really hit my close circles. This year, I've seen a lot of people in my close circles really dealing with those issues, and in recognizing that, I don't know if it's a Penn bubble or a higher education problem but it’s important to realize that people here are struggling. It’s hard, because at Penn there's a lot of emphasis on being accomplished, and being in lots of clubs, and getting lots of great grades, and getting great internships—and I think that all takes time. What’s not really valued is the fact that being a really good friend takes a lot of time, too. And that's time that is taking away from those accomplishments. There are some people at Penn who aren't really involved in any clubs that are incredible friends. If Penn could be a place that has a lot more of those types of friends, it would be a more
EGO
comfortable place. Those people are really making this a safe and comfortable space for their friends and taking time aside from selfish goals to really help those around them get by. And we should value that more. Street: How are you going to make sure that you stay true to yourself and your goofiness post Penn? RW: I think it's a lot easier to be true to yourself when you surround yourself with people you respect and who elevate you. So I think just continuing, whether it be at work or in my personal life, to keep people who I trust and respect close, and to always try to bring them in to check myself and make sure that I'm being true to who I've always been. I think that's always going to be the best move. Street: Considering all of the different communities you’ve been a part of at Penn, are there any things you think could change to make the school less divisive? How do we get more Wharton kids leading PennQuest trips? RW: Hmmm…I think change has to start small. So there are a few things that just came to mind that I think could help reduce divisiveness at that level. One is that the current trend in snake memes needs to end. Street: The Wharton ones? RW: Yes! I interview for the Dean's Advisory Board, and during the interview we ask students about problems they want to solve. We found that this year an overwhelming number of them talked about the competitiveness at Wharton, even though they had only been here for about a month or so, and students in the past generally haven’t mentioned that. I think that the snake memes have actually perpetuated a culture that might not have fully existed before! And I think we see the freshman feeling the need to fall into that stereotype, so I worry because although I know that the meme page is a joke and people don't take it that seriously, I think that the prevalence of the snake memes is possibly having the opposite effect that those who are using it wanted it to have. As someone who never wants any group to be labeled, I think that the more we stay away from applying labels and stereotypes at Penn, the better off we will be in terms of reducing divisiveness. Another piece is that I think people stop opening up their circles after freshman year. Once sophomore spring rolls around, when someone introduces you to a friend of theirs, you think “Oh, well, it was nice meeting that person” rather than, “Oh, this is a possible new friend for me!”. I think that people who go through all four years wanting to meet and get to know more people are better off, whether they’re friends, or acquaintances, people in group projects, people at Wawa, people at Pret, people at food trucks...just really being open to making new relationships and meeting new people. Penn starts to feel incredibly small, and it would reduce divisiveness so much if everyone got to know more people in more circles. We’d all have more empathy.
The Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center at the Wharton School presents the 17th Annual:
Real Estate Career Fair Friday, January 19, 2018 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Houston Hall Open to all Penn/Wharton undergraduate & graduate students interested in pursuing a job or internship in real estate. Meet professionals in all areas of the industry, including: development, finance, management, and more. A great opportunity to find summer internship or full-time positions in real estate. Questions? Contact Ron Smith: smithrk@wharton.upenn.edu; 215-746-4709. The Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center gratefully acknowledges the Jeff T. Blau Endowment for Student Placement, which helps make this event possible.
This interview was conducted in December 2017. Rob and 34th Street send their heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Will Steinberg, who was a beloved member of Rob's PennQuest group. J A N U A R Y 17 , 2 01 8 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E
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MUSIC
STREET PICKS: BEST SONGS OF 2017 Street's contenders for the absolute best song of 2017
MUSIC WRITERS With 2017 already flying into the past (wtffff), we decided that it was high time to round up our best and favorite tracks of the year—and we're extremely proud to announce that Ed Sheeran is nowhere to be found. Without any further ado, here are Street's slappers of 2017, hand–selected by each member of Music staff:
lyricism as Carter weaves a contemplative love story regarding his relationship.
"DUCKWORTH." by Kendrick Lamar
Noah Kest, Music Beat Often overshadowed by the bigger hits on DAMN. like “DNA.” and HUMBLE.,” Kendrick’s “DUCKWORTH.” is a four–minute story recounting his father’s past with Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, founder of Kendrick’s label Top Dawg Entertainment. Kendrick tells the tale of his father, who worked at the local KFC that Tiffith planned to rob. However, Kendrick’s father’s kindness stopped Top Dawg from committing the crime, possibly preventing the death of Kendrick’s father and allowing Kendrick to achieve the success he has. It’s a multi– layered song that goes beyond just the story. Kendrick’s acknowledgement of this event and its significance in his life displays his appreciation for both the status he’s attained and the people who have gotten him there. Using this song to close off a profoundly introspective album, Kendrick shows his recognition that he is not purely self–made and is a product of predecessors who shaped the path he's on. Kendrick is at the top of today’s rap game, and his ability to weave a somewhat dull past experience 6
Illustration by Jessi Olarsch
into an almost awe–inducing story of fate in “DUCKWORTH.” proves just that. “Fire” by The Dangerous Summer Amy Marcus, Music Beat The Dangerous Summer caused a lot of musical heartbreak back in 2014 when they announced their break–up, but towards the end of 2017 they got back together out of nowhere and put out a new track that’s incredibly them. Full of passion and emotion, "Fire" is the perfect comeback for the beloved alt band, and it sets a stunning precedent for their new self–titled album coming out later this year. "Perfect Places" by Lorde Zoe Albano–Oritt, Music Editor I thought for a long time
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about this, and my thoughts always led me back here. Melodrama came out at a time in my life when I desperately needed it to. It gave me the tools to describe every emotion swirling around inside me and provided me with a road map to catharsis. "Perfect Places" is a microcosm of the entire record, even when you just look at small chunks of the song. Furthermore, "Perfect Places" showcases some of the poppiest melodies on the album, while simultaneously maintaining its melancholy mood. In fact, many of Melodrama's themes can be boiled down to the three lines repeated over and over again in the outro: "All the nights spent off our faces / Trying to find these perfect places / What the fuck are perfect places, anyway?" It's maybe the most relatable phenomenon, yet it bites every time—we're all distracting ourselves from the reality of our circumstances one way or another, but is what
we choose to distract ourselves with really any better in the long run than sucking it up and facing the truth?
"4:44" by JAY–Z Arjun Swaminathan, Music Beat From the moment a mournful Hannah Williams sample opens the song, “4:44” holds a vice–like grip on the listener’s ears. As the title track of Shawn Carter’s 13th studio album, the record serves as an open apology letter to his wife, Beyoncé Knowles–Carter, and his daughter, Blue Ivy. Carter’s candid lines are full of confession and regret over his alleged marital infidelity, perfectly capturing a somber, self–critical mood, and his smooth sentimental flow meshes neatly with the soulful beat. “4:44” is a rare instance of a Jay–Z song with minimal double entendre or wordplay, but there is almost no need for such multilayered
At its core, that’s what makes “4:44” the best song of 2017: Carter's unique ability to strip down his emotions and the secrecy surrounding his marriage with the world’s biggest pop star in order to deliver a masterpiece of storytelling. There’s no need for a catchy hook or a grandiose background instrumental, as the poignant Williams’ sample and the introspective content alone suffice to make the listener keep hitting the replay button. Ultimately, it serves to reemphasize Jay–Z’s standing among the pantheon of great hip hop artists and musicians in general.
"Doves in the Wind" by SZA ft. Kendrick Lamar Isabella Fertel, Music Beat The third song on SZA’s debut studio album CTRL, “Doves in the Wind,” is modern feminism at its most aesthetically pleasing. Self–described as a “dedication to vaginas,” “Doves in the Wind” showcases SZA's soulful narrative–telling ability to talk about sex and the extremities people go to just to get so. Co– written by the great Kung Fu Kenny himself, this R&B ballad packs some serious lyrical punch, with lines like “how many times she gotta tell you the dick is disposable” and “wait for it, dine for it, spend time for it, see no colored line for it” superimposed on top of an urban gritty track. Street gives this song 10/10 middle fingers up.
MUSIC
BEHIND LORDE'S BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL Some slight melodrama ensued last week as Lorde became the latest artist to boycott Israel, announcing her decision to cancel her upcoming concert in Tel Aviv this summer in a written statement. While Lorde did not explicitly mention the Palestinian– led group BDS (which stands for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) or any specific events in her statement, the singer mentioned an open fan letter that discussed the “human rights violations” on the part of the Israeli government. The BDS movement is a global movement aimed at "effectively challenging international support for Israeli apartheid and settler–colonialism,” according to the group’s website. The group has received increased media attention over the past few years as various bands, artists, and celebrities have been vocal about their support for the movement on social media. Before Lorde, other artists, including former Pink Floyd founder and singer Roger Waters, Elvis Costello, Thurston Moore and Lauryn Hill, have
all cancelled their performances in Israel due to pressure from BDS members. On the other hand, Radiohead and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds came under fire by BDS and their BDS supportive artist counterparts for proceeding with their shows. In a written statement, Lorde explained her decision to fans and critics following the inevitable post–announcement social media storm. "I pride myself on being an informed young citizen, and I had done a lot of reading and sought a lot of opinions before deciding to book a show in Tel Aviv,” Lorde wrote. “But I'm not too proud to admit I didn't make the right call on this one." So, Lorde is deciding to make a call, and “the right one” at that. If she believes in not performing as a stand against what she is calling human rights violations, I fully support and applaud that. But the fact remains that Israel is the only country she is boycotting on this tour. Lorde apparently has no problem playing
in Russia, where LGBTQ folks are continually persecuted, free speech is a punishable offense, and elections are less than fair (and that's not even touching the state's support of Middle Eastern dictatorships in countries such as Syria and Iran).
It goes deeper than Trump's Jerusalem decision. ISABELLA FERTEL
While some are saying that this dichotomy in choice has hints of anti–Semitism, the Israeli culture minister Miri Regev expressed his hopes that Lorde would reverse the cancellation and still come to play in Israel.
"Lorde, I'm hoping you can be a 'pure heroine,' like the title of your first album,” he said in a written statement last week. “Be a heroine of pure culture, free from any foreign—and ridiculous—political considerations."
Illustration by Anne Marie Grudem J A N U A R Y 17 , 2 01 8 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E
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FILM & TV
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH BACHELOR FANTASY LEAGUES? JENNIFER CULLEN My fantasy team had a great season. Some of my players had a bit of a shaky start, but I had some pretty good team members—my team even included the MVP. But instead of a championship ring, the MVP got an engagement ring, and instead of a trip to Disneyland, a rose. Yes, I’m talking about The Bachelor. I’ve watched my sports–loving friends participate in fantasy football leagues for years, and seen how much they lusted after the ultimate prize. Usually, this prize amounts to bragging rights more than anything else. Winning is no easy feat: a fantasy league consists of a group of “bros” (Ed. note:
Exploring the wild and sometimes feminist world of "The Bachelor" fantasy leagues "Bro" is gender–neutral and describes a lifestyle.) who each put in money, and then try to put together the best team possible. They strategize, look at the statistics, and try to get the best possible players on their team. While they watch highlight reels, I go to the ABC website, read contestant bios, and watch previews trying to find even a glimpse of who could make it to the next round. I’ve been an active watcher of The Bachelor(ette) franchise since I was old enough to understand what my mom and older sister had on the TV. I was immediately drawn in. As a naive elementary schooler, this show
seemed like the ultimate fantasy: a handsome and successful man taking equally beautiful and successful women on whirlwind dates with the ultimate goal of falling in love. It was like a real–life fairytale. As I got older I started to realize the flaws in this fantasy. Even though these women often had a plethora of degrees, accomplishments, and professions, most of their time on the show was spent discussing their appearance, or how much they liked the man chosen as the bachelor. When lawyer Andi Dorfman became the Bachelorette, the show aired her putting her law degree in a box in order to “find true
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Illustration by Reese Berman
love.” Since then, Dorfman hasn’t returned to her career. There’s definitely a problem with this narrative. When my sister and her group of friends suggested we participate in a fantasy league, I was already losing interest in the show, and wasn’t sure I had any reason to keep watching. But once she told me that there would be a $100 reward for the person who picked the best girls, I reluctantly agreed. The first day our fantasy league got together, it was all girls. We watched the first episode together, drank wine, and laughed at all the ridiculous antics of the show. Every week, it gave me a group of other women to watch the show with. These women are 20–somethings who are college students, nurses, and lawyers, all successful in their own right, self–assured and often feminist, all women like the ones competing on the show. I realized that with a fantasy league, we watch the show for another reason than a fairy– tale romance. We watch it as a psychological case study. We realize how wrong the judgments we sometimes make
about the contestants are, and how surface–level we tend to be. Almost every season, the winner ends up being someone we didn’t even think to consider. And more than anything, by researching these contestants beyond their on– screen personas, we’ve been able to understand that they’re more than just a pretty face. Just like a group of bros doing fantasy football, our fantasy league brings us together. And eventually, even the guys in our friend group began to take note and asked to join our league. Even if you don’t want to dedicate your time to analyzing the contestants like we do, I encourage you to try to look deeper. Instead of looking at the contestants as objects for the public’s consumption, see them as people with unique attributes that make them more than eligible for love. See the friendships they make during the show with the people who are supposedly their “competition.” Watch the fairy–tale proposal at the end of the show and enjoy it, knowing that success, whether it comes in the form of a diploma or a rose, should be celebrated.
FILM & TV
THE POST
"Because sometimes bad news makes good newspaper," Streep told Street in a group interview. NICK JOYNER As part of a college press roundtable, I joined a Skype call with Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg to discuss their hyper–relevant new journalism drama The Post. It was by far the best nine–minute interview I've participated in. The Post follows Kay Graham (played by Streep), the publisher of The Washington Post and the first woman in the country to hold such a position, in her ultimate decision to circulate the Pentagon Papers. These leaked documents revealed a host of secret bombings that the U.S. was carrying out across Southeast Asia, as well as the true intent of the Vietnam War: to contain China's growing influence. The central thrust of the film is Graham's debate over whether to release this dossier or bow to legal intimidation from the Nixon administration. This struggle plays out in her relationship with Ben Bradlee, a dogged Post editor who challenges Graham's Victorian ideals and pushes her to take a risk and publish the intel. The Post marks the first cinematic collaboration between Hanks and Streep, and the script provides generous opportunities for all the onscreen duels you could hope for. Their chemistry translated beautifully into real– life, as they had no problem needling each other in front of us. As the interview inevitably circled back to Trump, Hanks joked about his calling Streep "one of the most over–rated actresses in Hollywood," saying: "No, I disagree. She is the most overrated." Streep laughed and added, "I actually think he may really like The Post weirdly, because it is a great movie and it is a patriotic
movie." The film is painfully relevant amidst all the free speech and fake news debates that have saturated 2017. And Streep's character portrayal of the hesitantly feminist Graham is only made more timely by real–world Hollywood events, including an anti–Streep postering campaign and Rose McGowan's public condemnation of her involvement with Harvey Weinstein over the years, which Streep has only recently responded to. The Post is the first movie to truly center on Kay Graham, illuminating just how instrumental she was to the long–term success of The Washington Post. She was not referenced at all in Watergate scandal film All the President's Men, which takes place just two years after the action depicted in The Post. She appeared in the first draft of the script, but was eventually written out. In a scene that never was, Graham was supposed to meet with Bob Woodward (played by Robert Redford) to question his confidence in his Watergate sources. In her only moment of dialogue, she touches on her hesitation to release the Pentagon Papers: "I was thinking back a year or two ago when Ben [Bradlee] called me and said he wanted to publish the Pentagon Papers the next day. So we published, and that night, after I'd told Ben to go ahead, I woke up in the darkness and I thought, 'Oh my Lord, what am I doing to this newspaper?'" This anxiety plagues her for the entirety of The Post's 116–minute runtime. Spielberg was a little more buttoned–up when he discussed his newest directorial project. In the group interview, he told
Photo from Niko Tavernise, 20th Century Fox
me that he made an active effort to distance his film from All the President's Men, which he cited as one of his personal favorites. "I really believed the Pentagon Papers is not the prequel [to Watergate] or The Post is not really the prequel to All the President’s Men," he noted. "I think it’s a standalone piece of reflective history about how this woman, Katharine Graham,
came into her own and found her voice, finally, and [how] that voice led to a tremendous explosion of courage and faith in the free press." "Well, it wasn’t only the high– minded risk, it was a business risk ... because sometimes bad news makes good newspaper," Streep added, describing Graham's bold decision in a pre– Watergate news environment.
"It’s a great thing at the end of the film where they say, 'You know, I couldn’t take another one of these things again,' and two years later, right?" "Two years later they were at it again," Spielberg chuckled. Here's to more political scandals, courageous journalists to cover them, and Hollywood movies to dramatize their efforts.
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Alone At Penn
F E AT U R E
How first-generation, low-income students navigate an empty campus during winter break
Gianna Ferrarin
D
uring finals season, Penn buzzes with a stress so potent it electrifies campus. Hoards of students make a temporary home out of Van Pelt and hustle down Locust Walk with their heads down, tucked into winter coats. Isis Trotman (N ‘20) was one of those students, indecipherable among the blur of Penn students rushing to finish their exams. When finals season released its chokehold on campus, students Ubered to airports and train stations to head home for winter break. But after suitcases were thrown into car trunks, doors were locked, and roommates bid farewell, a blanket of calm settled over campus—along with a blanket of snow. For a handful of students Penn transformed into a different place entirely after finals. The temperature sunk to a frigid ten degrees, snow piled on top of the Compass, and College Green was as silent as Fisher Fine Arts. This is the Penn that Isis found herself in when winter break arrived. Isis is a FGLI, or “First–Generation, Low– Income,” student. Some FGLI students remain on campus during break due to the financial burden posed by transportation costs. On
top of this, some of these students also juggle unstable home lives that make traveling anywhere from unpleasant to dangerous. While their classmates were making travel plans in the weeks preceding winter break, many FGLI students were filling out applications to live in the high–rises—the only residential buildings that stay open over break. This year, 71 students identified as “high–need” by Student Financial Services remained
FGLI community, doing so can mean having enough money to eat throughout the semester, avoiding a toxic family situation, or getting much–needed time to destress. Though this may not sound like an ideal break, some students acknowledged it was their best option. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Looking down from her Rodin window, Isis watched the pedestrians walking outside vanish as the usual Locust Walk traffic slowed to a
"There's always an elevator on my floor because I'm the only one who rode it there." Daniel Gonzalez | C '20
on campus. Most Penn students would never choose to spend New Year’s in a dorm room, but for some members of the
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trickle. She knew that there were other residents living in the dorm, but she didn’t recognize any of the faces she saw on her rare forays
outside of her room. Isis couldn’t help but admit that the start of her break was a little depressing. ”The first two days were really lonely, not even gonna lie, just because it was so dark out and it’s cold,” said Isis, laughing at her own bluntness. “It’s Christmas and everyone is home with their families and you’re just here by yourself in this building.”
Experiencing New Year’s alone was a first for Damon Duchenne (C ’21). While Damon, an international and FGLI freshman, watched the snow fall from Rodin’s 12th floor, the temperature reached a balmy 80 degrees in his home country of Mauritius, a small island near Madagascar. Back in Mauritius, people were celebrating in the streets, lighting firecrackers, and camping on the beach. On Penn’s empty campus, silence. “Here the impression was very calm,” he said, “except downtown where I could see, far away, some lights.” If watching the student body flee campus felt isolat-
ing, trudging through a barren Locust Walk was even more bizarre. During winter break, he was hard–pressed to see another face at all. While Penn’s transformation during break is undeniable, Daniel Gonzalez (C ’20) remarked how some constants made campus more comforting. Daniel, a FGLI student, came back to campus early on January 3 due to increasing tensions at home. As he made his way from the Tampons to Harrison, Daniel was surprised to see plowed sidewalks and a high–rise staff working almost as regularly as they did throughout the semester. Still, despite these glimpses of normalcy, little details reminded Daniel that he was one of the only people living in his building: “There's always an elevator on my floor because I'm the only one that rode it there.” While Daniel only stayed on campus for part of the break, he knows that he will not return home to Cleveland, Ohio for the holidays in future years. His family environment is far too difficult and stressful. Daniel will remain in Philly instead of incurring transportation costs—costs which he has paid for himself in previous years.
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“Compare that to someone who spent their time vacationing or their time in a nice house with a really big family,” said Daniel. “That’s not the narrative I get to have. And I’m not jealous
per se, I’m just trying to find my own way of being happy and not have it sound sad or weird.” Remaining on campus during winter break poses an extra challenge for students: funding—and finding— meals. To help residents eat during winter break, Penn emailed a list of “high–need” students to offer them free meals at the Sheraton Hotel from the start of break until January 2, when dining services reopen. Students could then sign up for specific meals and select days to pick them up. Although this program was a substitute for Penn’s dining plan, students could only receive a maximum of two meals per day. According to Director of Business and Hospitality Services at Penn Dining Pamela Lampitt, 48 high– need students signed up to receive meals, and 28 of
those students also received on campus housing during the break. “The food items that were offered from the Sheraton were really a nice selection ... We made sure we had vegan
was nine degrees outside and I walked out and my hair was a little damp and it froze before I even got to the street and so I turned right back around,” Isis said, laughing. “I don’t own a pair of gloves
"It's Christmas and everyone is home with their families and you're just here by yourself in this building." Isis Trotman | N '20
and those types of options,” said Pamela. “Anything from chicken parm and spaghetti and green beans to a grilled lemon chicken and harvest rice and broccoli.” Even with the promise of warm food at the Sheraton on 36th and Chestnut Streets, the brutal wind tunnel and icy sidewalks certainly didn’t make the trek there any easier. ”There was a day when it
or a hat and I didn’t have any money so I couldn’t buy one so I was like okay, we’re just not gonna eat today, that’s not gonna happen.” Isis quickly acknowledged that this was probably poor planning on her part. She was overall surprised that Penn was able to offer such high quality meals at no cost to the students. There are many improvements to be made for the FGLI commu-
nity, but in this case she felt Penn was incredibly generous. “I think that they did a really good job of making sure we had everything that we need—food, shelter, housing. Like, they covered it all,” Isis emphasized. “So I’m always hesitant to complain because I don’t think there’s anything more that they could have done.” While these accommodations are certainly helpful, staying on campus still remains difficult, especially for younger students coming off of an overwhelming first semester. Daniel didn’t disguise the admiration in his voice when imagining freshmen who spend their breaks at Penn. "For me, I feel like I would be stressed. Freshman–year– me would not be able to survive living on campus, even if I was in a high rise,” admitted Daniel.
As break went on, Isis grew to appreciate the relief that this unique kind of solitude brought her. After Christmas, her homesickness subsided and she came to enjoy
being one of the only people on campus. Isis realized how much she needed a mental break when she recalled the tiring barrage of social events at the end of the year. Joking that her family can be a “bit much,” she pointed out how being surrounded by them for two long weeks wouldn’t have allowed her to recuperate from weeks of finals stress. When January 7 comes around, everything changes. The trademark hustle returns to Locust. Penn buildings turn their lights and heat back on and unlock their doors, beckoning the start of classes. Packs of girls huddle for warmth in front of sorority houses, a symbol of the social responsibilities to come. Whether or not they'll do it again, the students who stayed on campus over break saw a version of Penn that their classmates may never glimpse.
GIANNA FERRARIN IS A SOPHOMORE FROM SANTA MONICA, CA MAJORING IN LINGUISTICS AND MINORING IN COMPUTER SCIENCE. She is a staff reporter for the Daily Pennsylvanian.
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FILM & TV
YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO 2017'S BEST FILM & TV
LOL
Street objectively has good taste FILM & TV STAFF Follow our advice and watch all of these before the first round of midterms (just so you have time to come back for more.) This past year wasn’t a great one in a lot of aspects—but it was definitely rewarding in terms of cinematic novelty. With notable names flooding theater billboards and Netflix accounts almost every month, it can be hard to keep track of what’s worth watching and what’s not. Street asked the Film & TV writers for recommendations, so we, as a qualified jury, present you with 2017’s best releases.
Movies Call Me by Your Name Picked by: Cat Dragoi, Film & TV Editor One year after it first premiered at Sundance, I’ve already watched Luca Guadagnino’s coming–of–age drama twice— and I’ll probably add a couple more times to that. If you, like me, hold the belief that a good movie focuses on aesthetics while appealing to both the intellectual and the visceral, rejoice: the heartbreaking story, set on the picturesque backdrop of 1980s Northern Italy, brought back my hope for the future of cinema. Guadagnino’s portrayal of a young boy exploring his sexuality while also falling in (and out) of love with an older man is sprinkled with witty lines, risky shots, breathtaking performances, and an overall air of freshness. And if that doesn’t convince you, listen to Sufjan Stevens’ two original songs from the soundtrack—you’ll probably watch the movie later.
divorced mother attempting to raise her teenage son with the help of her boarding house tenants. Set in 1979 Santa Barbara, California, 20th Century Women showcases the rebellious, changing social dynamics of contemporary America. Starring Greta Gerwig, Annette Bening, and Elle Fanning, this film features female characters of vastly different personalities and anxieties that epitomize the struggles and joys of growing emotionally. From Gerwig’s punk artist persona to Fanning’s nonconformist guise, the actors articulate an endearingly human and familiar personality through their roles. Plus, the soundtrack features Black Flag, Talking Heads, and David Bowie, so what’s not to love? The Shape of Water Picked by: Ana West, Film & TV Beat Director Guillermo del Toro has spent his career thus far riding the edge between two extremes. He's shown a capacity for producing both dark, unconventional narratives rich in horror and fantasy— think The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth—and bright, mainstream flicks
packed with action, such as Pacific Rim. His latest film, The Shape of Water, finds a happy and beautiful medium. This love story between a mute woman with a cleaning job in a government facility and the amphibious godlike creature being kept there makes for a movie strange enough to be memorable, and universal enough to be relatable. del Toro's directorial renown comes from his unique talent for world–building, which is in full force here. The film's first shots are of an underwater world, which feels fitting. Even as the film takes us to the unlikely setting of Cold War Baltimore to tell its story, it's hard not to feel like you're immersed.
who wants him to marry a Pakistani girl, and Emily breaks up with him when she finds out. Here, the story makes a turn from being just about the struggles of interracial dating: Emily falls into a coma. Though the screenplay is hilarious and moving, the majority of the second act— the movie’s strongest, by far—follows the burgeoning relationship between initially reluctant Kumail and Emily’s parents (played with stunning performances by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter).
The Big Sick Picked by: Naomi Elegant, Film & TV Beat
Aside from Get Out being the first horror film I know of where the black guy gets to live, I think it does something really special in telling a story that haunts because it’s familiar in that Black Mirror–esque fashion we’ve all come to love. Watching Get Out, you get the overwhelming sense that this terrible thing could happen, will happen, is happening somewhere—even if not exactly like this. It creatively validates feelings many viewers already had and places an uncomfortable discussion in an uncomfortable setting, making it impossible to skirt around. The fact that it deserves a standing ovation for the screenplay, editing, and stellar performances at every screening is just the well–deserved icing on the cake.
Kumail Nanjiani wrote and directed this romantic comedy, which is based on his real–life relationship with his wife. In the movie (and in real life!), Kumail, a Pakistani–American standup comedian, meets and falls in love with Emily (Zoe Kazan), a white grad student. He keeps the relationship secret from his family,
20th Century Women Picked by: Avneet Randhawa, Film & TV Beat Written and directed by Mike Mills, 20th Century Women tells the story of a 1 2 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E J A N U A R Y 17 , 2 01 8
Photo by Autumn Powell
Get Out Picked by: Jonnell Burke, Film & TV Beat
Notable mentions: Lady Bird Wonder Woman Logan Girls Trip The Square Marshall Spider–Man: Homecoming T2 Trainspotting Phantom Thread The Killing of a Sacred Deer
FILM & TV
Screenshot // YouTube
TV Shows Dear White People Picked by: Naomi Elegant, Film & TV Beat I finished this Netflix series adaptation of the movie Dear White People in a single day during finals season. I really liked the movie but I liked this version even more. The series format allowed for more room to flesh out flatter characters like Coco into complex, three–dimensional people, and the recasting of protagonist Sam with the captivating Logan Browning made the cast even stronger. This half satire, half social commentary, comedy–drama follows a group of black students at Winchester University, a mythical ninth Ivy League school, as they struggle with racism and social injustice. Standout Episode: “Chapter V.” Big Little Lies Picked by: Jonnell Burke, Film & TV Beat If there’s anything to say about Big Little Lies it’s that it deserves its HBO home. That the mini–series boasts such a killer cast (from Nicole Kidman to Shailene Woodley) is evidence enough. It’s endearing and distractingly good—enough to make you forget to roll your eyes at this little addition to the Skarsgård plan for world (or at least film) domination. Maybe we’ve seen the "sleepy town turns upside down when a new stranger arrives" storyline before. So what? I promise you, you’ve never seen it like this. Mozart in the Jungle Picked by: Avneet Randhawa, Film & TV Beat Adapted from acclaimed musician Blair Tindall’s book Mozart in the Jungle,
this Emmy–Award winning comedy– drama show centers around the life of a young, struggling oboist navigating a budding professional career in the New York Philharmonic. Starring Lola Kirke as the wide–eyed Hailey Ruteledge and Gael Garcia Bernal as the new, eccentric conductor willing to push the symphony orchestra through unorthodox methods, Mozart in the Jungle combines the professional world of classical music with the personal anxieties associated with the longing to succeed. Now on its fourth season, the Amazon Studios show continues to exemplify the quirky, clever dialogue that made thousands (including me) want to watch a story about success, love, and of course, Mozart.
with the suspense that the flawless script generates, are worthy of a quasi–ceremonial viewing experience. For that reason, Game of Thrones is timeless—and I think it managed to dominate 2017, too. The Handmaid’s Tale Picked by: Ana West, Film & TV Beat A lot has been written about the political relevance of The Handmaid’s Tale in 2017. Many writers—including us at Street—have hailed Hulu’s original adaptation of the Reagan–era novel, that imagines the oppressive takeover of America by the Christian right, as particularly salient in the era of Trump. To be clear, it
totally is—but it’s also just damn good television. Margaret Atwood’s source text is well–loved and incredibly rich, and the show honors her worldbuilding talent by bringing the Republic of Gilead to life in immersive and terrifying detail. Between torture, executions, sexual assault, mutilation, and families being torn apart, The Handmaid’s Tale tells a number of gritty and bleak stories. Even so, an undercurrent of hope runs through the entire show, and the cast might just be the reason why. Elizabeth Moss gives a heroic performance as Offred, but the entire ensemble is strong. Alexis Bledel and Samira Wiley are likewise at their best here, filling the show with strong performances depicting strong women, and nothing could give us more inspiration to #resist. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum, bitches. Notable mentions: Veep Runaways Stranger Things Black Mirror American Gods This Is Us Godless Rick and Morty
Game of Thrones Picked by: Cat Dragoi, Film & TV Editor I struggled a bit with this one—2017 was a great year for TV—but I don’t think there’s any other show out there that will never cease to amaze me. The long– awaited seventh season got a lot of attention in the media for constantly being targeted by hackers, but who wouldn’t want to see what happens as soon as possible? Game of Thrones managed, once again, to keep me, my family, and basically everyone I know at the edge of our seats—quite literally, since it’s the only show I don’t watch in bed. The realism of the highly unrealistic storyline, along
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HOW TO: PRETEND YOU ARE INA GARTEN AND THROW A FRANKIE REITMEYER Our guide to low–effort, high quality hosting. DINNER PARTY We always tell our friends that we should get together for a dinner party, but it never happens. Street is here to show you how to throw together an easy dinner party that is quick, cheap, and allows you to spend more time drinking wine than preparing elaborate meals to feed the masses. Cheese to Seem Classy Hit up trusty Trader Joe's for cheap cheese that is actually delish. Crowd favorites are the Jalapeno and Honey Chevre, Pesto Gouda, and Canadian Cheddar. If you want to stay closer to home, pick up some mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and basil at FroGro as well as some tooth picks. Place a cherry tomato
and a piece of mozzarella on the toothpick, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and top with a basil leaf. Everyone loves a nice tomato–mozz situation. Throw Shit in a Pan and Call it a Day Everyone loves chicken parm. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser and all you have to do is throw everything into a bowl and then into the oven. Then maybe hang out and pretend like you have slaved over it for hours. –Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. –Spray a 13” x 9” in dish with cooking spray and add 1 box uncooked penne, 1 jar of marinara and 3 cups of water. Place 1 ½ lbs of chicken
breast tenders or thinly sliced chicken breast on top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 mins. –Uncover and stir. –Spread mozzarella cheese over the top and sprinkle with 1 cup of breadcrumbs and ½ cup parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 5–10 mins until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top. Pro tip: make sure that the chicken is cooked through so you don’t give your friends salmonella! Because Everyone Wants Something Sweet These baked peaches literally consist of slicing them in half, sprinkling goodness on top and throwing them in
the oven. So easy that even a heavy wine drinker can do it post–meal. –Preheat oven to 375 degrees. –Slice peaches in half and remove the pit. Place skin side down in a pan and place a piece of butter in the middle of each peach. –Combine 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture on top of the peaches. –Bake for 8 to 12 mins until golden brown and serve with whipped cream or ice cream is desired. Upgrade Your Leftover Franzia All this sangria recipe takes is some random fruit and some
Franzia, so you can finally sip on a classier beverage instead of boat–race–ready hooch. –Fill a pitcher halfway with white wine of your choice (Franzia, Carlo, whatever) –Slice a green apple and a nectarine into thin pieces and add to the mixture. –Slice two limes into wedges and squeeze them into the mixture. Add limes. –Add vodka (a splash or two, or three, or maybe four…). –Mix and enjoy. Armed with these recipes, it's easy to have a cheap and easy dinner party that requires very little actual cooking time and makes more time for accepting compliments from all of your impressed guests.
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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR APARTMENT THIS "BOMB CYCLONE" SEASON Quick tips for keeping your off–campus domicile toasty and unflooded this semester. TAMARA GELBAND By now, you've probably heard of the Bomb Cyclone and are wondering how the hell you're supposed to deal with it. As college students still learning how to adult, we obviously need help not destroying our apartments. Don't be that person who had to move out of their house because the pipes burst and ruined everything. So, worry not: Street is here to help with some quick tips for keeping your house in order this winter. Take care of your pipes Set your thermostat to 55°F or higher so that the water in
the pipes is above freezing. It's also a good idea to keep doors open so heat can circulate around your tiny apartment and warm any areas that have pipes. If possible, leave one faucet slightly dripping so that water keeps flowing and pressure doesn't build up. Get a space heater If you're not particularly fond of the freezing temperatures, it's a good idea to invest in a space heater (yes, aside from your other heater). They're run about $40 and will make your room much warmer and cozier. Just two clicks on Amazon and you'll be thawed out in no time.
Photo by Jessi Olarsch
Keep an emergency kit You never know when you're going to get snowed in or whether to look out for an official notification from Penn saying that normal University operations are suspended. Just in case, it's a good idea to keep an emergency kit at home if the power goes out. You can stock it with flashlights, a
portable charger, some cash, a three–day supply of food and water for everyone in your house, a first–aid kit and some medication. Feel free to decorate and customize your kit for all your survival needs. Can't hurt.
monoxide poisoning, which can occur due to improper ventilation of furnaces, generators, and similar devices. To be safe, it's a good idea to get a carbon monoxide detector and make sure the air you breathe won't poison you.
Invest in a carbon monoxide detector One of the most dangerous parts of winter is carbon
Breathe Being a grown–up and having to take care of your own home sucks. Be safe out there.
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READ YOUR WAY THROUGH 2018 Come the beginning of each new year, bookstores fill their windows with weight–loss guides and self–help books promoting mindfulness in the spirit of New Year resolutions. Amazing! But while they directly channel the spirit of resolution, there are also plenty of more entertaining options that indirectly accomplish the same thing. So, with the goal of reading more in the New Year, here’s a college–themed (read: time–saving) list of refreshing and invigorating works of literature. Consider the Lobster: And Other Essays by David Foster Wallace Named one of Time's 100 best novels of the last century, Wallace’s 1,079–page Infinite Jest is by no means meant to be daunting. This collection of essays displays his ironic style from discussions of going to the Adult Video News Awards in “Big Red Son” to boiling
lobsters alive in the famed titled essay, “Consider the Lobster.” Because the essays are easy to read in short periods, they are ideal material to bring to the gym or pull out between classes—and an even better way to become familiar with the work of one of the most noteworthy postmodern authors. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie One of Christie’s most riveting mysteries, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a classic Poirot novel, only better than the popular Murder on the Orient Express, because you don’t already know the ending. This book is a great choice if you’ve abandoned your reading habits for a while because it always keeps you on your toes. Best read on a dark, rainy night, this mystery engages you in a way that will help you rediscover your love of reading.
Just Kids by Patti Smith If the modern socioeconomic turmoil of the world has you listening to angst–filled punk music again, then Just Kids is for you. In her memoir, Smith describes her development as a musician, and how that coincided with her relationship with the controversial artist Robert Mapplethorpe. A natural storyteller, Smith will bring you to tears from laughter and sadness with her tales of being a struggling artist in New York City. In her vivid descriptions of both artistic passion and poverty, Smith shows how to find beauty in desolation, and reminds us what it means to suffer for your art, whatever that may be. Nine Horses by Billy Collins Originally published in 2002, this collection is poetry for people who don’t like poetry. Collins' simple language makes his words comprehensible to the modern reader. With each word, you can
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Five classics for those of you who resolved to be SOPHIE BURKHOLDER well–read in 2018. hear the clang of his typewriter in “Royal Aristocrat" and see the cool composition of colors in “Study in Orange and White.” Collins even critiques what poetry means in his conclusion, “Poetry.” If you’ve previously shied away from this genre, Nine Horses reels you back in and shows you the way a collection of words can be beautiful in its phonetics—subtly, without the John Donne level of complication. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Ishiguro, the winner of the
2017 Nobel Prize in Literature, paints a picture of post–WWII England from the point of view of the traditional butler, Stevens. As this brief novel progresses, nuances of Stevens’ past life become painfully clear to the reader, while Stevens himself remains frustratingly unable to connect the dots. In a story that questions the sacrifices we justify in pursuing our aspirations, The Remains of the Day leaves you with the clichéd (but still needed) reminder to chase your dreams and live each day to its very fullest.
Live music • Film • Dance • Theater Art Education • Community PEACE-A-THON: Public Health Initiatives on Aggression, Violence, Bullying and Preventive Life Choices of Grief & Loss as a Community Engagement Jan 17 @ 4:00 PM
A 2018 Celebration of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday and Civil Matters Keepsakes. Honoring Peace Not Guns, Penn’s Fels School of Government Peace-the-Hood, Peace in the Streets Campaign
Who Will Win the Bag? Competition Jan 18 @ 7:00 PM
Come witness a show like no other...some of the best Artists around competing for ONE BAG OF MONEY. The crowd picks the winner...the crowd can also boo the artist they don’t like off the stage...this gone be too much fun...DON’T MISS IT!!! doors open at 630 show starts at 7! @supaflynowings
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Audrey Chen + special guest with Daniel de Jesús pres. by Bowerbird Jan 19 @ 8:00 PM
Admission is FREE Bowerbird is excited to present a rare Philadelphia appearance by experimental vocal duo Audrey Chen and her British singing partner Opening the evening will be cellistsinger Daniel de Jesús.
Sirius JuJu | Fly Or Die Jan 21 @ 7:00 PM
Admission is $5. More appreciated. Sirius JuJu | Fly Or Die a soundbending by Bop Life & Pionic Records. Sirius JuJu: Heru Shabaka-Ra – trumpet, Mike Watsun - bass clarinet, Alex Kulick – guitar, Ben Rosen – bass & Julius Masri - drum
As an alcohol-free/smoke-free venue, The Rotunda provides an invaluable social alternative for all ages.
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ARTS
CHILLY PHILLY ART THIS WINTER While the Bomb Cyclone may have dampened our enthusiasm for Philly’s winter wonderland, there are a number of exciting arts events around town this winter. This winter offers both old favorites (Les Mis) and new exhibitions (Design in Revolution). Spanning January to March and covering architecture, visual art, and performance, these pieces offer something for every kind of art appreciator at Penn. The Winter Fountains 100 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Open Until: March 18 What is It: Four large fiberglass domes installed by artist Jennifer Steinkamp at Aviator Park, The Rodin Museum, Park Towne Place, and the Spring Garden Triangle.
Your guide to all the art events MICHAELA happening in Philly this season. TINKEY
The installation features video projections that were inspired by the research of Benjamin Franklin and the flowing water of the parkway’s fountains. Cost: Free Who should go: The installations are fun for all art lovers, but especially those who loved the Oval’s Summer Waterworks. Les Miserables at The Academy of Music Open Until: January 21 What is it: RED, THE BLOOD OF ANGRY MEN.... Yes, Les Mis is making its triumphant return to Philly stages for a limited run this January. Cameron Mackintosh directs the Broadway Philadelphia–affiliated show. Tickets to see the story of the French peasantry’s fight for liberty and love can be bought at both Vividseats.com and on the Acad-
Photo by Megan Kyne, From The Winter Fountains on Benjamin Franklin Parkway
emy of Music’s website. Cost: Tickets from $20 Who should go: Your roommate who never stops bragging
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about getting Hamilton tickets. Kiefer Rodin The Barnes Foundation Open Until: March 12 What is it: Featured contemporary paintings by Anselm Kiefer, created in response to the works of sculptor Auguste Rodin. The exhibition is organized with the help of the Musée Rodin in Paris and commemorates the 100th anniversary of Rodin's death. The two artists’ works are presented in dialogue with one another, exploring the themes of architectural ruin and mutability. Cost: $5 with student ID Who should go: Visual studies seniors looking for final design project inspiration. Terracotta Warriors Exhibition The Franklin Institute Open Until: March 4 What is it: The institute takes a more STEM focused approach to the famous archaeological exhibit with a free virtual reality app available at the start of the exhibit. Cost: Daytime tickets cost
$35 and grant admission from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while nighttime tickets are $20 and grant admission from 5–9 p.m. Thursday–Saturday. Who should go: For the student who visited the Penn Museum for more than just the NSO toga party. Design in Revolution: A 1960s Odyssey The Philadelphia Museum of Art Open: February 3–September 9 What is it: A comprehensive collection of countercultural art focusing on the civil rights, anti–war, and psychedelic movements. While the collection features the works of designers, artists, and architects, the standout of the collection is the PMA’s collection of vintage rock ‘n‘ roll posters. Cost: Free if you tell the front desk that you're a Fine Arts student ;) Who should go: For the Jazz and Grooves groupie and those who enjoyed the civil rights themed Speech/Acts last semester.
Graphic by Alana Shukovsky J A N U A R Y 17 , 2 01 8 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E 1 9
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