Daily Titan October 28, 2010

Vol. 88 Issue 33

The Fallen Stars perform at the Becker Band combines country roots, classic rock and punk genres at the Fullerton stop on their 12-year tour See STAR-STRUCK, page 6

MyEdu.com launches as spring registration begins

New program helps students registering for classes by listing ratings of faculty, course statistics and other research See FREE, page 3

October 28, 2010

WHAT’S INSIDE OPINION Devil’s Advocate: “Going Green” in the United States ....................................... 5 DETOUR Four reviews of classic literary works ....................................... 7 SPORTS NBA season preview: East and West Conferences ....................................... 8

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The Fallen Stars Rock the Becker Amphitheater Check out the band’s performance on campus at dailytitan.com/ the-fallen-stars

JC VERA / For the Daily Titan Fullerton College is one of the hundreds of community colleges affected by the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act approved in September by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, increasing ease of school transfer for students.

Transfer made easy for students KAREN DICKINSON Staff Writer

President Barack Obama called community colleges the “unsung heroes” of the nation’s education system at the first White House summit on community college Oct. 5.

Community colleges are sometimes scrutinized and seen in a negative light because of their nature.

“I haven’t thought about going to (a community college) because I think a

Cal State or other universities are better,” said Brittney Beaman, 17-year-old Fullerton Union High School senior.

“Two of my friends are going to Fullerton College, but most think that if they go, they’ll be stuck there for years.”

On Sept. 29, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, making a smoother transition for students to transfer from a community college to a CSU or UC. Whether this will solve the transfer problem is yet to be seen. Some students take more than

two years to transfer because of innerinstitutional problems rather than lack of motivation or skill.

The transfer process becomes confusing when students move to universities where course numbers and prerequisites are different than those at the community college.

(STAR) Act eliminates the excess units many community college students felt obligated to take, which often didn’t transfer to universities.

See TRANSFER, page 3

DANNY CHAU For the Daily Titan

ALAYNA DURAN / Daily Titan Titan forward Nick Posthuma and UC Davis midfielder Jason Santos struggle for position as the ball approaches. Posthuma scored the winning goal for the Titans in overtime.

Titans earn huge win in Big West overtime ELLIOT COOK Staff Writer

The Cal State Fullerton men’s soccer team might have earned their biggest win of the year Wednesday night at Titan Stadium, defeating UC Davis 2-1 in overtime.

Both teams were tied for third in the Big West Conference, and this was a huge result for the Titans.

Only the top four teams make it to the Big West tournament, and with this being the two teams only meeting, it was a must win. Junior midfielder Kevin Venegas knew this.

“It was definitely a must-win. This was our season on the line, and we responded well. It wasn’t our best game of the season, but our effort was great tonight. After this weekend, when we showed no effort, and to come out like this tonight says a lot about the team,” Venegas said.

The first half had little to no action with neither team dominating possession. The Titan’s best chance of the

first half came off a Venegas corner kick that caught a Titan’s head and went just wide of the frame.

UC Davis had no real threats on goal in the first period, but had three shots on goal compared to the Titans’ one goal. The Titans had three corners as well.

The second half was much more exciting, as the Titans struck early at the 57 minute mark with a goal by junior midfielder Michael Denny.

The play was setup by a fabulous run by senior forward Celso Alvarez who sent a wonderful through ball to Denny, hitting it off the keeper, sending it back to Denny, who put it in the back of the net.

UC Davis answered 11 minutes later with a goal of their own. Freshman midfielder Alex Aguiar shot a rocket from 25 yards out that went into the back of the net to tie the game up at 1-1.

The Titans have had some controversy lately, and this game did as well.

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See TITANS, page 10

Rock Band 3, the latest installment in Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.’s popular rhythm-based video game series, brings new features that promise to revolutionize the genre.

Chief among them is the introduction of “Pro Instruments” game, peripherals that replicate actual instrumental processes.

These peripherals can be used as instruments outside of the game.

Rock Band 3 teaches the player hand placement and proper chord progression throughout the four difficulty levels of the game. By the time a player reaches the expert level, they have learned to play the selected song in its entirety.

The techniques and notes learned are all transferable to an actual guitar, bass, drums and keyboards.

Fans have eagerly awaited Rock Band 3’s arrival and are intrigued by the new developments.

“I play guitar occasionally, and I generally use websites to find tabs,” said Clayton Wong, an undeclared freshman.

“Rock Band 3 provides a new way to learn songs, so I’m pretty excited.”

The game’s developers have placed themselves in an intriguing position. While their product’s existence is still grounded in enter tainment, they’ve reintro-

Actors urge youth to vote in elections SAMANTHA DABBS & MICHELLE COOPER Staff Writers

JENNIFER CHUNG / Daily Titan

Rock Band 3 gets educational Latest version of video game utilizes real, transferable instrumental skill

Scan to view

duced it as an educational opportunity. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.

California’s economic difficulties have compromised music education programs all across the state.

Last year, Cal State Fullerton’s Classical Guitar Program was downsized because of a lack of funding, displacing many prospective students.

“I always joke with my students,” said Brian Morales, a 22-year-old music student. “I tell them music is just like Guitar Hero, but harder.”

California’s latest budget shows a marginal increase in higher education spending but nothing substantial enough to fortify the state’s art programs.

Morales insists that music education problems extend past the state.

See ROCK BAND, page 4

Actors Kal Penn and Kerry Washington urged young people to vote in the Nov. 2 elections. The actors, along with Kamala Harris, the democratic nominee for California attorney general, stressed the importance of the youth vote and the power of student-led political movements.

“Every important and major movement can be tracked in this country to its young people and students,” said Harris, who is currently San Francisco’s district attorney. “We want to encourage students to understand their power.”

If elected, Harris would be the first black attorney general in California.

Harris stressed the imminence and importance of current issues on the ballot. Environmental issues, gay marriage and health care are topics Harris said the younger generation can solve.

See ACTORS, page 2

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NEWS

October 28, 2010

IN OTHER NEWS Patent combats sexting

Death toll from Indonesian tsunami rises to 272 INDONESIA — Rescue workers were searching for hundreds of missing people in tsunami-ravaged villages on Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands Wednesday as the death toll rose to 272, officials said.

As many as 4,000 villagers were homeless and staying at temporary shelters after the quake-triggered waves hit their houses, said Febri, an official at the Disaster Management Agency in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province.

Febri, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, put the death toll at 272 and said a search was continuing for 412 missing.

NATIONAL

Biggest public-works project in nation derails NEW JERSEY— The nation’s biggest public-works project, a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River, was canceled Wednesday when the governor of New Jersey announced that his state didn’t have the money to pay its share of the almost $9 billion cost.

Gov. Christopher Christie, a Republican, who came into office last year promising fiscal restraint, said New Jersey couldn’t afford the construction overruns. He previously rejected any gasoline tax increase to pay for the project.

“In the end, my decision does not change,” Christie said at a news conference. “I cannot place upon the citizens of New Jersey an open-ended letter of credit, and that’s what this project represents.”

STATE Clovis woman in spanking case wins — again FRESNO — A Clovis woman is entitled to the $1.4 million that her former employer and its insurance carriers agreed to pay her to settle her sexual-harassment lawsuit, a Fresno County Superior Court jury ruled Tuesday.

The verdict gives Janet Orlando more ammunition in her fight to get some of the damages that another jury awarded her in 2006 for enduring spankings at Alarm One Inc., where she worked as a salesperson.

Alarm One and its insurance carriers have declined to pay, saying that the settlement contract depended on finding a bank willing to finance the deal. They say that didn’t happen.

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan.

Please contact Editor-in-Chief Isa Ghani at 657-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

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New Apple technology will filter texts for explicit words and photos ALVAN UNG For the Daily Titan

Apple’s latest patent award aims to combat sexting, and it’s generating a buzz, according to Apple Insider.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office website outlines a patent awarded to Apple for a “text-based communication control for personal communication device.”

This technology can be used by phone administrators to control communications in many ways, such as limiting Wi-Fi access points, correcting spelling and grammar and most notably, filter texts for explicit words.

CNN.com, as well as several other websites, states that this patent’s purpose is to combat sexting, or the act of sending sexually explicit messages or pictures with a phone. Apple’s new technology can catch and filter abbreviations and words that other filters miss, although it does not filter pictures, according to CNN. Chelsea Lee, a biology major, said sexting is a complicated issue because sending sexually explicit messages is a personal choice.

“When people choose to send out these kinds of messages, they run the risk of marking themselves as vulnerable targets, prone to molestation or rape - something that cannot be controlled

by Apple’s new technology,” Lee said.

“This technology is an ineffective attempt at combating sexting, because it cannot filter pictures,” Lee said. “If it doesn’t do pictures, it won’t change anything.”

Jonathan Machado, an undeclared major, said that sexting is a personal matter that can be consented to and that many who engage in sexting will go off and harass others.

Brief by Anna Gleason

Muslim students host lectures AARON GILLIAM / Daily Titan With Apple’s new text-based communication controls, texts will be filtered for explicit words .

Machado believes that this is why sexting has become a big issue and that Apple’s new technology will have no impact on sexting because “people can just come up with new words and ways to go around (the filter).”

“It won’t do anything if it can’t filter pictures,” Machado said. “If Apple’s technology gains the ability to do so down the road, it could become a privacy concern.”

Machado said that there is no foolproof solution when it comes to other measures that could be taken to combat sexting. “(A word filter) won’t have any effect,” Machado said. “We need to educate people and tell them that it’s a personal matter.”

Machado said people who engage in

sexting will continue to do it as long as they remain uneducated about its consequences - particularly the fact that sexting is a felony if minors are involved.

Nick Chapman, a kinesiology major, said people shouldn’t care so much about sexting.

“People should be able to (send these kinds of messages) if they want,” Chapman said. “But if it starts causing drama, we should look at it.”

Apple’s new technology will be ineffective because it cannot address explicit pictures, Chapman said.

In place of an anti-sexting measure, he suggests that younger children shouldn’t even be allowed to have phones.

Apple’s website does not make mention of the new technology.

ACTORS: PROMOTING CANDIDATES ... Continued from page 1 “Understanding the importance of the race and the imminence of all of these issues in terms of impact on our lives,” Harris said. “What we want to do is encourage students to organize as they have done before.”

Harris, Penn and Washington want to dispel the myth that the number of students that voted in the 2008 presidential election was not a fluke.

“It drives me crazy because everyone is doubting our voice,” Washington said, who plays Kelly in the upcoming movie For Colored Girls.

“We have to show up to the polls to make sure that our numbers are heard, that people know that we still care, that we understand that a representational democracy can only represent us when our voices are heard.”

In 2007, a large student population was responsible for the grassroots movement of the Obama campaign.

“This signifies that young people were moving the country forward,” Penn said, who left his role as Dr. Kutner on Fox’s drama, House, M.D.,

Irvine campus to move in spring

Student’s attending the Cal State Fullerton Irvine campus will have something to look forward to next spring semester - a shiny new campus.

The satellite campus will relocate about four miles southwest of the current location on the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

The move from the current location was prompted to make way for the development of the Great Park Neighborhood housing project.

The new location will be centered near two major freeways. Both the 405 and 5 Freeways will have easy access to the new campus. The new campus will also offer more transit opportunities with many bus services.

The Muslim Student Association is hosting a variety of lectures with guest speakers from all over Orange County to educate people about Muslim culture.

MSA has a variety of pamphlets for students to understand its rich culture and will also hold several meetings throughout the semester.

The organization will feature a special guest speaker when they meet Tuesday in the Legislative Chambers room at 5:30 p.m.

MSA welcomes all students interested in learning more about their beliefs. It will have its fall orientation Thursday, Sept. 23 at the Heterbrink in the TSU at 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the MSA Facebook page or e-mail them at msa@fullerton.edu Brief by Krystle Uy

Holiday care package drive The Women’s Center has started its holiday care package drive for troops in Afghanistan and will be accepting donations through Dec. 2. The drive is being coordinated by the Student Veterans Association, Veterans Student Services and the Human Services Student Association.

The center is accepting personal items such as body wash, deodorant and socks. Food, snacks and miscellaneous items such as books, batteries and calling cards will also be accepted for donations.

Fliers located throughout campus include a list of suggested items to donate. Drop-off locations are in UH-205 and EC479.

Brief by Stephanie Raygoza

LUCIO VILLA / Daily Titan Actor Kal Penn left his role in Fox’s drama, House, M.D. to join the Obama administration. Penn was a speaker at Obama’s speech at USC last week.

to join the Obama administration as have never voted, joined the Obama a political activist. campaign,” Harris said. “What was Penn and Harris joined cam- happening was just a part of the paigners in creation of a Des Moines, movement.”

Iowa, and Harris We have to show up to the went doorhopes stupolls to make sure that our to-door to dents will numbers are heard, that people ask people to channel a vote for Basimilar move know that we still care... rack Obama, ment in the a then unupcoming - Kerry Washington, actress known senastate elections tor from Ilby using solinois. cial media to “Everything from city college promote candidates and spread inforstudents, high school students, uni- mation regarding propositions. versity students, graduate students “Do not underestimate the power … people who have never been in- of what you guys can do in your own volved in a campaign, a lot of whom community as students,” Harris said.

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INTERNATIONAL

DTSHORTHAND

Acupuncture on campus Fridays Did you know Cal State Fullerton offers discounted acupuncture treatments to all registered students?

Each Friday the alternative medicine treatments are conducted for a mere $5 dollars. The ancient practice is said to aid in stress reduction, insomnia, back and joint pain, headaches, anxiety, weight control, sinus problems, depression and even PMS. Appointments can be scheduled by phone or through the Titan Portal. The initial visit lasts an hour and follow-up appointments are 30 minutes. It is recommended to book appointments in advance as they are only offered once a week.

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dailytitan.com

Brief by Alexandra Andersen

October 28. 2010

Campus & World

NEWS

TRANSFER: COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS TRANSITION

... Continued from page 1

Free in-depth class reviews

SOPHIA ISLAS Staff Writer

JC VERA / For the Daily Titan Students at junior colleges such as Fullerton College may face many obstacles in trying to transfer to a four-year university.

community college transfers graduate the highest quality in California,” said from UC Berkeley in four years and 84 Amy Cox-Petersen from CSUF’s Depercent do in five years. Thirty-eight partment of Elementary and Bilingual percent of those who transfer to UC Education. “Sometimes when you’re Riverside graduate in four years and 18, you don’t know what you want to 61.6 percent do in five years. do, but if you know early, you get out According to the Collegiate As- early.” sessment of Academic Proficiency, as The community college system is of October one of Cali2010, comfornia’s top munity colinvestments All types of students are at lege transfers and it is a community college. I know someone matter of graduate from CSUF how they who got into Harvard and their at a rate of are utilized parents wouldn’t pay so they are now or misused 50 percent.

at a community college...

The rate at by students which they that deter- Barbara Saur, graduate has mines who CSUF Center for Careers and Teaching its gaps. transfers out, Only 15 drops out percent gradand at what uate in four years, 38.6 do within five rate. years and 49.9 percent graduate in six Tom Clammer, emeritus dean and years. Cal State Long Beach commu- professor of the College of Humanities nity college transfers graduate in four and Social Sciences, agrees with Coxyears at 9.7 percent, five years at 32.8 Petersen. percent and six years at 46.8 percent.

“We definitely need a strong and “I think community colleges are ab- effective community college system to solutely an effective institution. They ensure we can meet the growing need allow better access for all students who for highly educated citizens,” Clammer get a college degree and are affordable said. because of cost, academic performance Some students think community and community college faculty are of colleges can better serve students if the

Contact Us at news@dailytitan.com

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“The number one issue since 1984 is getting all the two and four-year schools to adopt a common number system so that students can transfer with the right courses,” said Chuck Moore, Cal State Fullerton director of Enrollment Management.

Moore said there is a lack of effective guidance at some community colleges.

The transfer system should be simple to navigate for students who have set their educational goals. The course number system should line up with that of UCs and CSUs, but problems arise when they do not and the counseling system doesn’t make collateral courses articulated to students.

“I didn’t listen to my counselors,” said Brett McMahon, a 23-year-old Cerritos Community College transfer student. “I helped myself to graduate by looking at the courses I needed to take to get out of there.”

Other reasons some community college students find it difficult to transfer to universities is due to the lack of precollege education, motivation, money or time.

“It took me 20 years to transfer because I had kids and a divorce to deal with,” said Barbara Saur, from the CSUF Center for Careers and Teaching. “All types of students are at community college. I know someone who got into Harvard and their parents wouldn’t pay so they are now at a community college.”

Moore said higher education starts before college and that in order for students to transfer to the university of their choice, they should be ready coming out of high school rather than trying to catch up in community college. Students that are prepared for higher education through high school programs are going to be more successful at transferring from community colleges.

Moore said the reason many black students do not transfer is because of math impediments. As a result, Moore has created “Legacy Round Table,” a program for high school students to take summer math courses at the community colleges.

Students Moore works with have an 80 percent transfer rate by attending Mount Sac, Chaffey, Fontana or Moreno Valley community colleges before graduating high school.

According to the California Postsecondary Education Commission, in 2006, 60.9 percent of California

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stigma of attending them is eliminated. It starts with the attitude that surrounds community colleges. “(Community college) was a lot easier than CSUF, and the professors were more laid back. It kind of felt like high school,” said Miranda Charlnoes, who left for a semester to complete general education courses.

Cox-Petersen, Moore and Saur feel students have to be aware of the purpose community colleges serve in order to succeed, transfer and graduate in a timely manner.

The STAR Act will help focus students in the transition from community college to universities. It will not solve the entire issue that keeps some at community colleges for years or until they get impatient and drop out because of lack of money, time and/or motivation.

“I think people who actually understand the system don’t really understand what they are learning. You do complete lower division coursework. A lot of people think they are for people that can’t get into a four-year university,” Saur said. “We have to encourage the population to be more accepting of it.”

Saur said career education is becoming more popular in order to make education more vocational and that this will help the system as a whole.

With spring registration beginning this week, students will have the chance to test out MyEdu.com, a free program that allows them to research courses, view course grades and read reviews on faculty.

“Students (can) use MyEdu during registration to build the best class schedule by comparing professor reviews and grade records from past semesters,” said Chris Chilek, one of the company’s founders, in a press release introducing MyEdu to educational institutions in California.

Unlike RateMyProfessors.com, MyEdu offers more objective overviews of professors and the classes they teach.

Students can not only search through student reviews of professors, but can also see grade disbursements from previous semesters.

This is made possible because for each course MyEdu compiles official grade records from previous semesters.

These records are then displayed visually through a bar graph students can scroll over to see percentages for grades “A” through “F.” “It takes a certain person to post their opinions about their professor online. It’s very subjective,” said Candace Foote, a sociology major, about sites like RateMyProfessors. “Though it’s interesting to see the grades professors give,” she added.

In addition to accurate grade readings, students can also build schedules using a specialized “Schedule Planner.”

This planner creates schedules that work with what students want, their work schedules and other commitments. MyEdu also links up with Facebook, so students can share their schedules through the social networking site.

“I think a site (like MyEdu) would be helpful to students because they can see how professors graded their students,” said Arav Kahanna, a finance major. “As long as the grades are shown anonymously, I would use a site like this.”

Initially, the program required a small fee to use but has since changed its policies to allow students to gain “100 percent free access.”

“Anyone could write whatever they want on sites like RateMyProfessors,” said Alanah Kruger, a sociology major. “(MyEdu) seems more accurate because a lot of students use those kind of sites to write bad things about professors who gave them bad grades.”

According to a press release from MyEdu, the company was founded in 2008 and houses the largest warehouse of professor, course, degree and college information in the United States.

The resources that the site provides have helped over 2 million students graduate from college.

To enroll in the services and learn more, visit MyEdu.com.

Courtesy of MyEdu.com

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NEWS

Career Center helps create job résumés

LUCIO VILLA / Daily Titan

Courtesy of Genelle Belmas

Communications professor Genelle Belmas, who struggled with obesity for most of her life, decided to go through the drastic weight-loss surgery and dropped about four dress sizes.

Professor’s weight transformation HEATHER REST Staff Writer

It’s hard not to admire a person who shares themselves completely.

She will tell you that she shares too much, but it is the people that do not hide behind their insecurities that are leaders for people that are afraid.

Genelle Belmas, associate professor of communications, considers herself an open book; she has never been ashamed to share the details of her battle with her weight, or the particulars of the extreme procedure that almost killed her and saved her life.

After undergoing gastric bypass surgery one year ago, Belmas has now lost over 145 pounds. She has dropped from a size 5X to an XL or sometimes a large, but the surgery was only the beginning to living a healthy lifestyle.

The limited space in the stomach forces patients to be crucially selective about what they eat; it is imperative that they get the proper nutrition in first because it’s possible nothing else will fit.

“For people that are obese, I would say do everything else before this. I would still not say just do it on a whim,” Belmas said.

“Do everything you can before this because it is really hard, but if you have made this decision, don’t listen to the naysayers because it

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Genelle Belmas had gastric bypass surgery and drops 145 pounds

probably saved my life.”

Belmas said.

The road to where she is today Belmas admits to never being a was not simple; after the surgery, tiny girl; she said that the years afBelmas returned to the hospital on ter graduate school were the hardthree different emergency visits. It est. Her “freshman 15,” she jokes, was apparent to her and her family was more like a “freshman 50.” that something was wrong when Her racial background gave her any substance, including water, the Scandinavian bones to carry would come back up. She was ad- the extra weight and she complimitted and immediately hooked ments herself as a wonderful cook up to IV’s to compensate for the and entertainer for all her friends. extreme dehydration.

Belmas attributes her slightly On all three occasions, her doc- addictive personality and her love tors inserted a tiny balloon down for food to her continuous weight her throat to re-open the hole gain. leading to her new stomach, which After years of nurturing her acawas repeatedly closing. demic side, she had failed to take Since January, Belmas has suf- care of her physical side. She evenfered no more tually reached medical proba life threatlems, but to ening weight On all three occasions, this day she of over 300 her doctors inserted a tiny can’t look at pounds. balloon down her throat to scrambled eggs “I would or Sun Chips. drink a lot and re-open the hole leading “It was pretto her new stomach, which eat a lot. I did ty tough,” said not need to be was repeatedly closing. a communica200 pounds tions professor over weight,”

Belmas said.

Beth Evans.

She earned her bachelor’s degree “There were some initial side effects and complications, it was at The University of Wisconsin in tough as a friend to watch her go journalism and political science, her master’s degree at the Universithrough that.”

The actual bypass procedure de- ty of Wisconsin in political science taches both intestinal tracts from and her Ph. D. at the University of the stomach and re-attaches them Minnesota in mass communicato what is referred to as a “gastric tions.

She is currently the concentration pouch,” or the new stomach.

After the surgery, the pouch coordinator for the communication is the size of a shot glass and for department at Cal State Fullerton weeks patients are limited to con- and an expert in the First Amendment and freedom of speech. suming liquids and soft foods.

Virginia Belmas, Belmas’ moth“If you and I had this interview in December, I would have said er, shared feelings of regret for enwhat the fuck was I thinking,” couraging her daughter to finish

ROCK BAND: PLAY INSTRUMENTS LIKE A PRO ... Continued from page 1 “Americans have no idea of how our musical education is still in its infancy compared to places like Europe,” Morales said. “Music education starts before you can talk in places like Germany or France. Most Europeans can read music because they are introduced to it at a young age. In America, as has been the case for centuries, the arts take a beating.”

Department of Music Chair Marc R. Dickey sees reason for optimism in Rock Band 3.

“Although I have never tried Rock Band or similar video games, what is forecast for Rock Band 3 not only sounds like a lot of fun, but it could lead to some real musical learning on a limited scale,” Dickey said. He said that although video games could not replace formal training, basic skills could be developed.

As uncertainty surrounds California’s music education programs, it’s promising to know that the desire to educate is not diminished. Dickey poses a caveat: In the game’s small advancements lies a need for a more permanent solution.

“Music education should not be just for families who can afford it,” Dickey said. “It should be for every kid in Orange County, in California, in America.”

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Courtesy of RockBand.com

her plate as a little girl. She, as well as her daughter’s husband, became increasingly concerned with the weight gain.

Both of them were initially weary about the surgery Belmas would go through, but without a doubt, they gave her the support she needed every step of the way. Virginia, as well as Belmas’ father, flew to California to be with their daughter after her surgery.

“Her decision to have the surgery was not a surprise,” Virginia said.

“She had talked about it on and off for a few years, and although it wouldn’t have been my first choice for weight loss, I felt that her weight was at a point that it was dangerous to her health.”

Looking back, the problems have been extinguished by all the accomplishments and things that some people take for granted have been her greatest payoff.

“I had to buy all new clothes; the only thing I can still wear are my socks,” Belmas said.“What I have gained from what I have given up, the trade-off has been worth it. The trade-off is worth not being able to stuff your face with cheesecake, even though I love cheesecake.”

Belmas is a gem; she has a way of transforming huge concepts of law into obtainable daily ideas, keeping her students thoroughly excited about learning.

But it is through her honesty and straightforward attitude that she teaches everyone around her to take life by the horns.

While her physical silhouette is shrinking daily, it is Belmas’ unchanged brain and heart that makes her an extraordinary human being.

Valdivia-Pellkofer, who has worked at the center for 25 years, Cal State Fullerton guides said the center works with employstudents in the internship ers that represent a wide range of industries including Disney, Ernst and job search process and Young, Boeing, PepsiCo, Southern California Edison and Morgan FRANCINE RIOS Stanley.

Staff Writer Students have a tendency to repeat the information they included The internship and holiday job- in the résumé on their cover letters, hunting seasons are in full swing, Valdivia-Pellkofer said. and college students everywhere are “The cover letter is a great oppolishing up their cover letters and portunity to expand on the facts résumés to help put their best foot provided in the resume and ‘tell forward. With spring registration your story,’” Valdivia-Pellkofer said. looming, Cal State Fullerton is no “Don’t be afraid to show your enthuexception. siasm for the position and how you Many students, however, still can benefit the company.” don’t know what it is that grabs a When it comes to one’s major, potential employer’s attention and Neil suggested students tailor their what makes them quickly duck for resumes to their particular industry cover. of choice.

“You can’t crank out a quick list “Accounting firms, for example, of what you are firm in have done their belief and expect that a GPA The cover letter is a great it to be efmust be preopportunity to expand on the fective,” said sented on Laura Neil, the résumé; facts provided in the résumé and a CSUF Cawhereas, in tell your story.... Don’t be afraid reer Center the enterspecialist, in tainment to show your enthusiasm... reference to industry, I

the number usually ad- Maria Valdivia-Pellkofer one mistake vise students Career Center specialist she sees on to list it only student reif it’s a 3.5 or sumes. Neil higher,” Neil said. is one of six CSUF Career Center Neil said that computer science specialists and has worked here for and information systems students almost ten years.Her specialization who want internships should plan lies in the arts and entertainment on having a clear and detailed list of industry, which makes her a good exactly what software, hardware, opgo-to for students interested in that erating systems, languages and platfield. forms they are familiar with.

“That’s why we are always urging “Résumés for performers should students to start their job or intern- list their performance experience ship search early. It may take two first, separating film from theater, weeks to get a really good résumé from television, etc. and using a codone, polished and ready to send,” lumnar format. Graphic designers’ Neil said. résumés should be samples of their The Career Center is the premiere work,” Neil said. destination for students who need Some students, however, don’t use direction in their quest for employ- the Career Center for help with their ment, the perfect semester intern- résumé and cover letter writing the ship and need help writing résumé way they should. and cover letters.

“I tend to go to my parents for help “The Career Center has an em- with my résumé,” said Taylor Quinn, ployer relations team that has cre- a 20-year-old psychology major. “I’ve ated customized recruitment plans never been to the Career Center beto meet the hiring needs of many cause I never thought I needed it.” top employers,” said Maria ValdiviaThe Career Center is open MonPellkofer, the center’s specialist for day through Thursday from 8 a.m. to business majors.

5 p.m.

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October 28, 2010

OPINION

October 28, 2010

THUMBS

Should the United States continue to go green?

MIMI TRAN Staff Writer

Global warming is here to stay.

It’s not getting any better, and we’re all pretty much screwed if we don’t take drastic measures and make a change.

The United States should do all it can to not just protect our country but to protect our planet.

It doesn’t matter if China isn’t doing their part in the eco- movement; we should do whatever we can to improve the environment.

China is known for being one of the worst polluters in the world.

Water and air pollution plagues cities and villages because of the huge industrial factories that require massive amounts of coal for energy.

According to China’s Ministry of Health, cancer from the pollution is the leading cause of death for people living in those cities and villages.

A lot of the pollution is being generated from factories that manufacture cheap and pollutant products to sell to other countries.

It doesn’t help that China’s economy has improved and is at an all-time high.

The Chinese economic boom will only lead to more carelessness and greed as the demand

for products grow and local business and factory owners start making products resulting in the use of major amounts of energy (which would emit greenhouse gases) just to produce more revenue.

Earlier this month at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Tianjin, China, officials from the country said that they thought other developed countries like the U.S. have not done much when it comes to trying to change the current state of our climate.

According to an article from AltTransport.com, China also said that they refuse to cut emissions because they are afraid it might hurt their economy.

Hypocrite much?

Their economy is booming at the moment and they have done even less to help the environment compared to other countries when it comes to going green.

In response to what China said, I think the U.S. and other industrialized countries should all band together and cut back on ordering any products that are made in China.

We should make a treaty or contract with China and ask China to enforce eco-friendly regulations, production and packaging.

When that happens, we will agree to export their goods in return.

Until then, the U.S shouldn’t rely on China to clean up or green up its act. We can only be responsible for our country’s actions.

Who would want to live in a polluted, unhealthy world?

We need to continue with our own environmental practices to ensure a better place to live.

The government should do as much as they can to administer and enforce laws to reduce carbon monoxide emissions, gasoline consumption and water pollution.

Going green can save our planet and our future.

ALLY BORDAS Staff Writer

“Going Green” is the new fad, replacing the desire to adopt international babies that were abandoned at birth.

As Americans, we are obsessed with what movie stars in Hollywood are wearing, eating, shopping for and adopting. So when A-list superstars start wearing clothing made from potato sacks, meat and trash bags in order to save the earth, Lord knows that People magazine will inform the average American citizen about where to shop to achieve a similar look.

But is this really necessary?

There are plenty of other ways to go about erasing your carbon footprint than sporting a meatsewn outfit to prove that killing animals is “bad taste.”

Our government pushes and pushes its citizens to find small ways to stop the ozone layer from depleting. Some of their ideas: change your light bulbs, turn the lights off as much as you can, shower in five minutes or less, RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYCLE and buy a Toyota Prius to save on gas.

What the hell are we supposed to do when oil companies storm in and ruin it all? What happens when China keeps crushing all of our efforts? Cough cough, this is a waste of our money. And our

money is precious nowadays.

According to an article written in the Los Angeles Times, “China isn’t green at all; as the Chinese themselves say, referring to the ever-present smog in their megacities, it’s gray. Air pollution is getting steadily worse, and water pollution is a major crisis as well.”

Well since China and the U.S. are two of the world’s mega powers, won’t things affect both of these super powerful nations simultaneously? When China yells “screw going green,” the U.S. responds with a “keep trying to go green because the government can use the extra cash.”

And don’t expect China to be changing their ways anytime soon.

“We cannot blindly accept that protecting the climate is humanity’s common interest; national interests should come first,” Yu Qingtai, China’s chief climate negotiator, said in a speech last month, according to the LA Times article. “The country has to develop … and if that increases emissions, I say, ‘So what?’ The people have a right to a better life.”

Then there’s Proposition 23, which will suspend the Global Warming Act formed in 2006.

If Prop. 23 passes, then the government will have to suspend the 2006 act until unemployment goes down to 5.5 percent. It also requires all programs with “green” initiatives to stop until further notice. All of the effort that Californians have been putting into the idea of “going green” is a waste of time and money if this proposition passes.

Here is the main point of this argument: you are wasting your money. Everyone and their grandmothers know that wasting money is not good.

Save your money! Or, if you are as broke as me, save it to buy some spaghetti.

UP

Ellen DeGeneres

dailytitan.com

5

THUMBS

DOWN Yoko Ono

Courtesy of MCT

Courtesy of MCT

MARYANNE SHULTS

BRIAN ZBYSENSKI

For those who’ve been watching the news about the recent suicides of four gay teens who were relentlessly teased and bullied by their peers, I hope you are saddened and angry.

Trying to hold back tears, TV talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres posted a emotional call-to-action video to her viewers on her website. Subsequently, her digital plea has spread like wildfire across the Internet via blogs and social media like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. When Ellen speaks, people listen.

In the video, DeGeneres says these recent deaths, “need to be a wake-up call to everyone that teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country and the death rate is climbing.” She adds, “One life lost in this senseless way is tragedy; four lives lost is a crisis.”

DeGeneres is a lesbian. However, most don’t place that fact on the front burner when they think “Ellen.” Most see a funny, altruistic woman with smiling, bright blue eyes. I admire her courage to speak out about her own sexual orientation, but more so, to remind us that the LGBT community deserves to be treated with the same respect and love as any person would want for himself or herself.

Thumbs Up to you Ellen DeGeneres. You rock my world. See Ellen’s video at Ellen.WarnerBros.com.

In light of what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday, his wife, Yoko Ono, celebrated by singing “Happy Birthday” among his friends and family.

While this may seem like a respectful gesture, only those who have witnessed it (or viewed it on YouTube) can say for sure.

For those who may have heard this while listening to the radio in your car, this may explain why you could have sworn you heard tires squealing on your way to work.

Since Ono has recently been making news by creating noise at the Museum of Modern Art and shrieking her way through a performance with Lady Gaga, Ono deserves a major thumbs down.

Some consider her commotion “melodic” for the lack of a better term.

However, I would have to agree with BuzzFeed.com when they describe her singing as a “disturbing public orgasm.”

All I can say is that since Halloween is right around the corner, I hope her unconventional sounds don’t wake the dead.

No pun intended, John.

This should be seen as a source of motivation for every person who walks this planet. Anyone can make it big, even if you don’t have the talent to do so.

Staff Writer

Content Editor

Baseball is no longer America’s pastime JAMESON SWAIN For the Daily Titan

Baseball has long been considered to be America’s pastime, but with the focus on the game itself taking a back seat to overzealous, money-hungry players and the big business owners who are paying them, the future of the sport looks rather grim.

With some players earning well over 100 million dollars for these multi-year contracts, we (the loyal fans) are the ones paying these highprofile athletes their outrageous salaries. Ticket prices have thus increased dramatically in the last decade.

Once you do get into the stadium, fans find no comfort in paying an arm and a leg for amenities such as hot dogs and Cracker Jacks, items essential to the true baseball experience. Alcoholic beverages are another story, where you will be lucky to find a stadium where you can spend less than $10 for a single beer. Outrageous.

As the economy continues to struggle, fans are now questioning whether or not going to a game is a realistic possibility.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, whose owners Frank and Jaime McCourt are amidst a bitter divorce settlement, have been selling almost 2,000 fewer

tickets per game in 2010 compared to the previous year.

According to figures concerning the Dodgers’ ticket sales, prices in 2018 will be twice of what they were in 2007. This upcoming season, the average cost of a seat at Dodgers’ Stadium will be $44.68 compared to the $27.40 average of 2007.

The average ticket price in 2010 was $26.74, up a minuscule 1.5 percent. But, when ticket prices go up 1.5 percent per year for many years, it begins to add up.

The Minnesota Twins opened their new stadium, Target Field, this year and saw their ticket prices increase by 45 percent from 2009.

During the Yankees’ playoff home games, it cost you $40 to park your car at the stadium, nearly double the $23 it cost you in the regular season.

In 2009, the inaugural season of the new Yankees Stadium, the average ticket price was $72, with frontrow seats putting you back a mere $2,625! I know those Yankees fans are die-hard, but at what point do you draw the line and just watch the game from the luxury of your living room?

The newly labeled “Steroid Era” has also put a damper on what was once believed to be an honest sport.

With more and more current and former players admitting to have

used performance-enhancing drugs, fans feel as if they have been cheated on by these role models and idols which they adored. The suspensions the players must serve if they test positive for a banned substance offer little closure to the millions of fans that which they have let down.

Both of these factors have brought forth a “dark age” to the game of baseball. With no foreseeable end to the price increases in sight, fans will continue to support their beloved teams in and out of the stadiums.

Whether or not Major League Baseball will be able to pull itself out of the hole it has dug for itself, remains in question.

Courtesy of MCT

Letters To The Editor The Daily Titan welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must include the sender’s first and last name. Students must include their majors, and other writers must include their affiliation to the university, if applicable. The Daily Titan reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and spelling. Send letters to the editor-in-chief at dteditorinchief@gmail.com.

For the record Articles written for the Daily Titan by columnists, other Cal State Fullerton students, or guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Titan or Daily Titan Editorial Board. Only editorials are representative of the views of the Daily Titan Editorial Board. dailytitan.com/opinion

dailytitan.com

6

DETOUR

October 28, 2010

Twisted fairy tales ERIN BRADLEY Staff Writer

Classic fairy tales get a sexy twist this Halloween at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana with an electric Halloween ball.

Hosted by Club20Twelve, the Twisted Fairy Tales Electric Halloween Ball will have three full bars, celebrity guests and DJs like Jason Blakemore, who has played at Coachella, the Nocturnal Festival and the Electric Daisy Carnival.

“I usually play electronic-dance

Courtesy of Albert Garcia The exhibit at the Hibbleton Art Gallery allows contributing artists to share their views of how life and death is celebrated within Latin American countries. Artists were able to use a number of different mediums to convey their views on the gallery theme.

Art shows life and death SOPHIA ISLAS Staff Writer

Elaborately styled papel picados hang along the Hibbleton Art Gallery walls. These and other wall ornaments effectively frame the artworks of the Fullerton gallery’s current exhibit, “La Muerte y El Recuerdo en Latino America” (Death and Resurrection in Latin America).

Adorning the gallery are pictures and paintings that showed different views of how life and death are celebrated in Latin American countries.

There are also shrines surrounded by decorative lights. On the shrines are skulls and other miniature statues and trinkets. Mediums that range from photography, to painting to mixed-media art are used to depict how each artist represents the exhibit’s theme.

Serving as a guest curator for the exhibit is 40-year-old Cal State Fullerton alumnus, Albert Garcia. Garcia was put in charge of selecting the artists, artworks and the parameters of the exhibit after approaching

Hibbleton Art Gallery owner and CSUF English professor Jesse La Tour. He also contributed some of his own work.

“The pictures I have on display were part of my research and travels and inspired the theme. I chose the ones I felt would compliment the theme and framed them for the show,” Garcia said of the photography he presented, which was taken from graduate research done in Guatemala.

Garcia did his undergraduate and graduate studies in anthropology and graduated in 2006. For his master’s thesis, Garcia compiled his studies from three intermittent trips to Guatemala. The thesis, “Religious Syncretism: An Anthropological Study of Maya Myth and Ritual,” revolved around the study of the indiginization of 16th-century Catholicism into localized forms of religious observance and ritual, with an emphasis on the native point of view rather than the European point of view. Garcia currently works in an auxiliary office in McCarthy Hall that is part of the California Office

of Historic Preservation.

“La Muerte y El Recuerdo en Latino America” was the featured exhibit for the Hibbleton’s grand reopening. The Hibbleton’s newer and significantly larger gallery space is located on 223 W. Santa Fe Ave. in Downtown Fullerton, a few blocks away from its previous location. The new gallery is fashioned like a warehouse with a visible wooden-structured ceiling and contains many walls that help cut the exhibit into sections. The Hibbleton lies in the middle of PAS Gallery and Violet Hour Studio.

The exhibit runs through Nov. 2, but there will be a closing reception Oct. 29 that will feature live music and will serve as both a Halloween and Day of the Dead themed party.

Aside from being an art show, the gallery has an educational, almost museum-like feel to it. That was a very important idea behind it which allows people appreciate the need for exhibits that enlighten and intrigue.

The tell-tale Poe production STEPHANIE RAYGOZA Asst. News Editor

Fans of gothic literature and Edgar Allan Poe enthusiasts alike will appreciate the comical yet chillingat-heart retelling of some of Poe’s most famous tales being presented at the Fullerton’s Stages Theatre Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Poe Plays takes Poe’s mysterious poems and widely celebrated short storiess and reinterprets them to cater to a young-adult audience, while adding the right amount of suspense and spook.

Actors introduce the audience to selected and dissected works of Poe in the opening scene as a way of honoring and helping lay to rest the soul of the grim writer whose sudden death remains a mystery.

The Poe Plays is directed by David Chorley and opens up with the classic The Tell-Tale Heart. With an eerie performance by the character, Rupert, the interpretation puts the audience into the crazy mind-set of one of Poe’s protagonists as he fights hallucinations of his victim’s beating heart.

The Cask of Amontillado, set in a graveyard with costumed college

students and bountiful pop-culture references, puts a hip and witty punfilled twist to the story of revenge and murder.

Opting for a more science-fictioninspired story, Poe’s most critically

Courtesy of FacebookSTAGEStheatre Writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his darkly mysterious works.

Contact Us at dtdetourdesk@gmail.com

acclaimed work, The Raven, is presented in a new light by replacing the role of the sinister bird with a stranded starship vessel.

The lesser-known short story, Ligeia, is presented through interpretive dance and illustrates a tragic love triangle through the eyes of two female lovers and the man who comes between them.

The cast saves the best scare for last with The Facts In the Case of M. Valdemar. Incorporating elements of gore, blood and hypnotism, this piece keeps the audience gazing attentively at a projected video and leaves them with a suspenseful twisted ending.

Delivering memorable performances and good old-fashioned scary storytelling is what makes The Poe Plays worth seeing.

The Poe Plays is part of the Fullerton Shadows Theatre Festival and shows Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

music events, big events as well as warehouse parties,” Blakemore said.

“Twisted Fairy Tales will be off the hook! People dancing in unity with their hands in the air.”

DJ Slynkee, Miss Lisa, DJ Nitrous and Indecent Dan-O will also be at the Halloween ball.

“It’s not some underground, secret rave,” said Steve Rexroat, who is hosting the event.

After the death of a 15-year-old raver at the Electric Daisy Carnival in June, raves have been seen as places of illicit drug use and underage illegal activities.

“We’re hitting a niche of older people who want to have fun with responsible people their age,” Rexroat said.

People must be 21 or older to enter the Halloween ball. The party will start at 8 p.m. at the newly renovated Galaxy Theatre, which OC Weekly named “Best Venue Comeback of 2009.”

“You don’t need to dress up to get in (to the event),” Rexroat said. But costumes are preferred.

The event costs $30 on Oct. 31.

For more information visit TwistedFairyTalesParty.com.

Star-struck for music HEATHER REST Staff Writer

Their sound philosophy is like a musical tree. It has country roots, a classical rock base and the sprouting branches of contemporary punk.

The Fallen Stars have toured the world playing their “Americana Rock” for the past 12 years, and Wednesday afternoon they stopped by to play the Becker Amphitheater.

The trio consists of married couple Bobba Byrnes, guitar and vocals, Tracy Byrnes, bass and vocals, their Huntington Beach neighbor Gary O’Year on drums, and special guest appearances from Geoff Geib.

The Fallen Stars performed songs from their most current project Where the Road Bends, which is expected to be finished at the end of this year, as well as songs from previous albums and one AC/DC cover.

With song titles like, “Raining in Hollywood,” “Welfare Cadillac” and “Outlaws and Angels,” the band is staying true to their storytelling ways.

“The new album is a good mix of country, rock ‘n roll; now we have a couple punk songs, still in the country roots kind of and of course rock roots as well,” O’Year said.

HEATHER REST / Staff Writer Bobba Byrnes (left) and wife Tracy Byrnes (right) make up two-thirds of The Fallen Stars. The band plays “American Rock” which mixes several different genres.

Spectators gathered in the amphitheater to listen to the energetic mash-up band show off their stuff.

“It’s pretty fun, upbeat songs that tell a story. They seem to have a good energy,” said Thomas Moran, 18, a business major. “They seem to have a good range of influences.”

Since they are completely self-produced, everything from the booking, recording and writing they retain creative control, which is a blessing and a curse.

“To try to get on KROQ or Jack FM we don’t have the money to

do something like that, but we’re number 43 on the radio charts in Germany ‘cause they just play everything; they don’t care where it comes from,” Bobba said. “Having that kind of support and the fans are really awesome.”

The husband-and-wife duo has written almost all of their songs with exception of a few co-written songs from musical friends.

“We throw it all into the blender, bring it to rehearsal and see what it spits out the other side,” Bobba said.

October 28, 2010

dailytitan.com

DETOUR

Classic reviews

Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Essay: Slouching Towards Bethlehem

by Ken Kesey

“

During Didion’s time in Haight-Ashbury, she meets a 5 year old on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) who explains that her mother had been giving her drugs for the past year...

instead found themselves homeless, hungry and looking for their next drug fix.

Didion is told to offer these vagabonds hamburgers and Coca Colas in exchange for interviews and comes to the conclusion that their lives are now filled with aimless endeavors where the past no longer matters and the future can’t be planned.

“We were seeing the desperate attempt of a handful of pathetically unequipped children to create a community in a social vacuum... we had somehow neglected to tell these children the rules of the game we happened to be playing. They are less in rebellion against the society than ignorant of it,” Didion wrote.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem acts as a time capsule into the ’60s, with Didion reporting on the intrinsic pitfalls of the counterculture and allowing readers to catch an intimate glimpse into the lives of those entrenched in the hippie movement.

Her essay portrays a darker, more removed account of 1967 than could be expected from the versions of her subjects.

by Tom Wolfe

For those who haven’t experienced the ‘60s, it is perceived as a time full of radical changes. For those who were there but can’t remember, it was a time when the psychedelic scene was on the rise, drug experimentation was seen around the country and wholesome youths transformed into hippies.

This is exactly what journalist and author Tom Wolfe illustrates in his 1968 book, The Electric KoolAid Acid Test, categorized as literary journalism. The book features author and counter-culture-figure Ken Kesey and his group, the Merry Pranksters, as they travel the United States influencing the masses to experiment with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

The book begins with Wolfe and the Merry Pranksters waiting amidst the 1960s counterculture scene in San Francisco for the bail release of Kesey, who is running from the law due to drugs. From here on, Kesey and the Merry Prankster set out on

a hallucinogenic adventure (as Wolfe tags along) across the U.S. as Wolfe documents the depths of their journey.

Kesey, author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is the main protagonist in the book. The Electric KoolAid Acid Test follows Kesey’s odyssey as he notes the final stages of the Beat Generation and the formation of a new movement.

“

Wolfe references many cultural icons of the Beat Generation and the hippie movement...

“

Features Editor

Staff Writer

A mind-bending experience can be reached when reading Ken Kesey’s 1962 classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Set in a mental ward, the Big Nurse Ratchet wears a benign mask as she deftly and strictly controls her patients, and even their doctor.

Chief Bromden (named in mocking reference to his half-Indian heritage) narrates the story, though to the world outside he seems mute, deaf and slow. His, Ratchet’s and the other patients’ worlds are shaken in the mental ward when Randle Patrick McMurphy, a vibrant gambler faking insanity to avoid a regular prison stint, is admitted.

Yet, despite his seemingly and initially mercenary mo-

tives, McMurphy immediately starts a rebellion against Ratchet’s totalitarian rule on the ward.

The New York Times Book Review called One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest “a glittering parable of good and evil... a work of genuine literary merit” – such an apt description, as the parable is a short allegory where characters and actions are symbols

“

It’s not good versus evil on a grand scale, but insidiously, psychologically closer to home...

for ideas.

As for the good and evil part? It’s not good versus evil on a grand scale, but insidiously, psychologically closer to home, and in our very society, hearts and minds.

It’s obvious who is good and who is evil with regards to Ratchet’s and McMurphy’s struggle — yet, these symbolic stand-ins for morals still have the u n de-

who explains that her mother had been giving her drugs for the past year and that many of her fellow classmates “turn on,” too.

Didion, who was in her 30s at the time, describes her work Slouching Towards Bethlehem as the “first time I dealt directly and flatly with the evidence of atomization, the proof that all things fall apart.”

Throughout the essay, Didion encounters runaways who left their stable lives behind to live in the “Golden Land” of California, a place they believed promised freedom, LUCIO VILLA / Daily Titan love and ac- Ken Kesey (left), Tom Wolfe (middle left), Jack Kerouac (middle right) and Joan Didion (right) all had an impact on the literature of the 1960s. Much of their ceptance, but work focused on the Beat Generation and hippie movements happening during these years. Their works are renowned as defining a generation.

Literary journalism: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test CAROLINA VELAZQUEZ

ALYSSA WEJEBE

Wolfe tells of the social gatherings the Merry Pranksters encounter during their trip on the most outlandish bus, which the Pranksters dubbed, “Furthur.” The colorful bus, driven

by Neal Cassady (another prominent figure in the Beat Generation and psychedelic movement, as famously portrayed in Jack Kerouac’s 1957 book On the Road) throughout the

book, is the complete embodiment of the psychedelic scene and the first of its kind.

Wolfe references many cultural icons of the Beat Generation and the hippie movement. From Kerouac to The Grateful Dead to motorcycle gang Hells Angels, whom the “Furthur” have an alliance with, are all portrayed in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, allowing for a better insight of the era.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test takes you on an interesting journey within the hippie movement, making it one of the most memorable works written about hippies and their history.

Now don’t get confused, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test does not advocate the use of LSD or any other sort of drug, but solely chronicles the origins of the psychedelic movement.

This book isn’t just meant for baby boomers, but is Wolfe’s most important journalistic literature, as it reflects the counterculture shift from those of the Beat Generation to hippies, which makes it an essential read for everyone.

niable air of unlikelihood and uniqueness in the literary world.

But sinister Ratchet is a villain somehow more epic given the fact her battleground is a mental ward. Countering her is McMurphy’s quintessential outlaw nature, the walking individual rebel, myth America is so enchanted with, given its long-standing fascination with other fictional and pop-culture outlaws like Bart Simpson and Tom Sawyer.

The rest of the cast makes the book shine — not least of all is the story’s narrator, Chief Bromden. In a brilliant move, Kesey doesn’t make the narrator totally sane, though he isn’t as mentally unstable and unaware as he appears to other characters within the plot.

Kesey still employs metaphor, particularly a machine metaphor, the society’s wiring and Combine — but again, as he’s speaking in Bromden’s voice, what is metaphor on one level is implied to be delusion in Bromden’s mind. Kesey crafts a thoughtful, emotional whiplash novel — the story can leave you snickering and giggling one minute, feeling particularly enlightened the next and finally sickened and disturbed. Much of that lies in the fact that Kesey has made you genuinely care for the right characters — you want them to be successful and happy, and then are crushed when that doesn’t happen.

Kesey has made you genuinely fear the right characters — mainly Ratchet, when a chill goes down your spine, as you fear she has the upper hand.

A 1975 film adaptation was made with Jack Nicholson, who won an Academy Award for “Best Actor” for his role as McMurphy. The film also won Oscars for “Best Actress” (Louise Fletcher as Ratchet), “Best Directing” (Milos Forman), “Best Picture” and “Best Adapted Screenplay” (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman).

Book: The Dharma Bums

by Jack Kerouac

MICHELLEE COOPER Staff Writer

Jack Kerouac’s book The Dharma Bums is an autobiographical novel published in 1958 that describes the life of Beat Generation writer and poet Ray Smith. The narrator is a depiction of Kerouac himself and his friend, Japhy Ryder, is a depiction of real-life poet Gary Snyder. Other characters in the book are based on Kerouac’s friends as well. Smith suffers from middle-class American life and feels his life is empty and incomplete. It isn’t until Smith meets Ryder that he is able to see an iconic spiritual character that Smith will soon imitate his lifestyle on.

Starting out on a trip by train, Smith meets a hobo who gives him insight into the homeless lifestyle.

Along his journey, Smith rediscovers himself and the meaning of life through his own eyes. He meets people who become his close friends, who educate him in Buddhism.

Ryder introduces Smith to nature and hiking. With his new group of friends, Smith spends his time hang-

ing out, drinking and reciting poetry.

As Smith and Ryder set out for a nature hike, Ryder provides all the supplies they need, including shoes, sleeping bags and food, which appear to be the necessities of life.

On the ascent up the mountain, Smith talks about his disappointment in life as a drunk and says Ryder’s life seems to be the right way

“

Kerouac uses this novel as a means of selfdiscovery through Buddhist enlightenment...

“

During spring of 1967, just before the Summer of Love, thousands of Americans flocked to San Francisco, the epicenter of the hippie movement that challenged everything that was understood about the world.

Psychoactive drugs, creative expression, revolutionary music and political ideals swept the nation.

Long-haired flower children spoke of free love, peace and the necessity of exploring realms of consciousness.

People questioned the policies of the generations before them and demanded change.

The year itself was a time of change. Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa, the U.S.S. Liberty was accidentally bombed, the first-ever Super Bowl was played and the first Earth Day was celebrated.

It was during this time that awardwinning journalist Joan Didion stepped onto the scene.

Embracing the changing landscape herself, Didion wrote about her experiences in what was called the “New Journalism” style, of articulating facts through narrative storytelling, which was popularized

by Tom Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson and Truman Copote.

Didion spent months in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco not knowing exactly what she wanted to find out, but made friends “where the social hemorrhaging was showing up... where the missing children were gathering and calling themselves hippies.”

In her 1968 essay Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Didion draws upon her observations of Haight-Ashbury and removes the romanticized veil that has come to represent the hippie movement.

She bears witness to the social phenomena of the late ‘60s and communicates her experiences as an

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Asst. Multimedia Editor

observer rather than a participant.

The title for the essay and the book of the same name, is taken from the last line of William Butler Yeat’s poem The Second Coming (1919) and shares the same apocalyptic vision.

During Didion’s time in HaightAshbury she meets a 5 year old on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

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by Joan Didion

ALEXANDRA ANDERSEN

7

to go. Ryder strips down to a jockstrap and boots, representing life’s freedoms through Buddhism. Smith admires this sense of freedom and wants to attain that peace of mind.

As they climb, the elevation intimidates Smith. Then he realizes he can’t fall off a mountain and his fear disintegrates. Smith reverts back to Buddhist teachings and realizes

it’s not about falling, but about descending after you have arrived at the summit.

After the hike, Smith continues to travel alone and attends a farewell party for Ryder. Smith hitchhikes home to visit his mother for Christmas and spends his time at home meditating in the woods. He has escaped from his old ways of life that once consisted of drinking, partying and women.

Kerouac uses this novel as a means of self-discovery through Buddhist enlightenment, spirituality and teachings.

Throughout the story, we witness the life-changing events that take one man away from his lifestyle of drinking and partying, into the wilderness and natural sense of tranquility. This story of self-discovery takes a look into the life of an ordinary man stuck in the societal-based slums, where he feels he cannot rise above a life of boredom. His journey is not easy, as he hits bumps along the way, but once he discovers there are things in life that are out of his control, he is able to let go and live his life to the full extent.

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8

SPORTS

October 28, 2010

NBA season is among us

Courtesy of MCT

Courtesy of MCT Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (right) fights for position with Utah Jazz’s Raja Bell during a preseason game, Oct. 19. The Lakers are looking to defend their back-to-back NBA championship title this season.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (left) struggles with Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce for the ball during the season opener in Boston, Oct. 26. The Heat and the Celtics look to be among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Western Conference Eastern Conference

ELLIOT COOK Staff Writer

As another NBA season begins, the champions should once again come from the Western Conference. For the past two seasons, the preseason favorites have been the Los Angeles Lakers, and that doesn’t change this year. They are the clearcut favorite in the West.

The Lakers are led by the best player on the planet, Kobe Bryant, and all-world center Pau Gasol. The only way the Lakers wouldn’t make it back to the NBA Finals would be if either went down with an injury.

The supporting cast is filled with big names in Lamar Odom and young big-man Andrew Bynum, who is out with an injury, but is only 23. The Lakers also brought in veterans Steve Blake and Matt Barnes.

After the Lakers is a group of teams that could easily switch spots.

I see the Dallas Mavericks coming in second, as this will likely be their last chance to compete for an NBA title chance. The Mavs finally have a solid big man in Tyson Chandler, and

are led by Dirk Nowitzki. The problem is four of their rotation players (Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Nowitzki and Shawn Marion) are all at least 32 years old. If they all stay healthy, this team could be very solid.

Coming in third will be the talk of the Western Conference Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder will be the most fun to watch in the NBA because of their one-two punch Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. If they can get big-man rookie Cole Aldrich to be a force like he was in college, this team could once again be a pest to the Lakers.

The last team in the West that could possibly challenge the Lakers is the Denver Nuggets. Two seasons ago the Nuggets gave the Lakers a good scare in the playoffs, but last year had injury problems and Head Coach George Karl had health issues.

The Nuggets added Al Harrington to score the ball, but will Carmelo Anthony be gone by the trade deadline?

He obviously won’t sign his contract extension, but if he’s gone by February, this team has no chance.

The San Antonio Spurs will be the fifth seed come playoff time in

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the West. This team continues to get older, Tim Duncan seems to be losing his legs and Tony Parker might be gone by the trade deadline. If George Hill continues to improve and Tiago Splitter can play like he does in International games, they could move up.

One of the best point guards in the NBA leads my pick for the sixth seed, Utah Jazz. Deron Williams is a constant for this team, and Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are nice compliments. After that there really isn’t much, but that should be enough to get them into the playoffs.

My last two spots are taken by the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns lost big man Amar’e Stoudamire but surrounded Steve Nash with wings that can get out and run.

The Clippers finally have Blake Griffin back from injury, who is poised to make a run at the Rookie of the Year title. Eric Gordon is a budding star, and Baron Davis finally seems motivated.

I have the Lakers playing the Mavs in the Western Conference Finals, with the Lakers winning in six.

ELLIOT COOK Staff Writer

For the past two season’s the NBA champions have come from the Western Conference, but many are predicting that to change this year.

The Eastern Conference looks to have possibly four teams competing for a spot in the NBA Finals, but the team to beat in the East has to be the Miami Heat.

Already having superstar Dwyane Wade was enough to get them to the playoffs yearly, but now with LeBron James and Chris Bosh, this has to be the team to beat.

Even though the Heat seem to have the most talent, the Boston Celtics have been to the finals two out of the last three seasons. Even though they seem to get older every year, they do have one of the best young point guards in basketball, Rajon Rondo. Not to mention they added veterans Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal.

The other two contenders look to be the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls. The Magic went to the finals

two seasons ago and are led by big man Dwight Howard, who seems to have finally worked on his low-post game last summer.

The Bulls on the other hand have young point guard Derrick Rose, who won Rookie of the Year two seasons ago. The Bulls added big man Carlos Boozer but will have to survive without him for close to eight weeks because of a broken right hand.

The rest of the conference really has no chance.

The Atlanta Hawks re-signed shooting guard Joe Johnson this offseason but grossly overpaid for him.

The team has a ceiling of the second round and really has no chance against the big four, unless Al Horford becomes an elite big man and Marvin Williams lives up to his hype coming out of college.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that lost LeBron James, looks to now be rebuilding. J.J. Hickson looks to have a big year, Antawn Jamison is always solid, but other than that there isn’t much. Mo Williams should have a down-year at guard now that James is gone.

A team that should make a solid step forward are the Milwaukee Bucks. Led by big-man Andrew Bogut and sensational second-year point guard Brandon Jennings, expect them to make a push at the fifth seed. If they play like they did in the second half of last season, and Jennings plays like he did earlier, this will be a fun team to watch.

The two teams that have a shot to sneak into the playoffs look to be the New York Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats. The Knicks finally should be out of the Eastern cellar, with the additions of Amar’e Stoudamire and Raymond Felton.

The Knicks will also be going after stars Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul near the trade deadline.

The Bobcats on the other hand look to be backtracking. They will need D.J. Augustin to be more of a facilitator and get his teammates like Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson involved.

This should be an exciting year for the East. I see the Heat and Celtics in the conference finals but believe the Celtics’ old legs will give in.

I see it going seven games.

9

October 28, 2010

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Horoscopes

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Sudoku

Sudoku brought to you by dailysudoku.com

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Unless plans arise to spend time with someone special, stick close to home and get to bed early. Still, a magical night is worth yawns the next day.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) This is no time to keep secrets. Share information as well as logic. Then others understand your motives and will support what you’re up to.

2 7 4 3 8 6

7 6 9 1 2 5

4 9 3 2 7 8

8 1 6 4 3 9

3

7 6 9 1 2

6 2 8 5 1 7

9 8 5 7 4 1

7 8 9 3 1 4 5 6 2 6 4 2 9 5 8 7 1 3 8 1 6 4 3

4 9 3 2 7

9 8 5 7 4

ku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

3 2

2 7 4 3 8

7

8

6 2 8 5 1

9 1 4 5 6 2 3 2 6 5 8 1 4

5 3 1 8 6

Daily Sudoku: Fri 15-Oct-2010

3 5 7 6 9

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

1 4 2 9 5

7 8 9 3 1 4 5 6 2 6 4 2 9 5 8 7 1 3

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) An older person makes you aware of your own creative potential. Consider their suggestions in private. Adjust the idea to fit your personality.

5 3 1 8 6 4

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Spend part of the day on a creative writing project. Do some Internet research to gather information to flesh out a plot or character.

3 5 7 6 9 2

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Repairs create a drain on your bank account. Resist the desire to redesign things and just fix what’s necessary. You’ll be glad you did.

How To Play: Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9: and each set of boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

1 4 2 9 5 3

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) From your perspective, an older group member causes extra trouble. If you need results now, discuss it in person for best resolution.

Daily Sudoku: Fri 15-Oct-2010 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Apply your best effort to get more work accomplished now. An older person has a definite idea of what’s needed. It’s up to you to make it happen.

3

9 1 4 5 6 2 3 2 6 5 8 1 4 medium

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Your favorite person wants to take an entirely new direction. You’d prefer sticking to the familiar path. Either way, a map is helpful.

1 3 8 9 8

8 1 7 4 9 3 2 5 6

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Balance your checkbook before spending any money. This is no time to be frivolous. Your energy’s better spent considering your next step.

7

9 5 6 3 2

6 2

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Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) One-sided thinking creates extra stress for you and your favorite people. Review the facts to discover a previously unexplored option. Try it out.

4

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2010. All rights reserved.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Wherever you find yourself today, accept a service role. Others depend on your logical recommendations. You serve yourself this way, too.

Daily Sudoku: Fri 15-Oct-2010

Aries (March 21-April 19) An older individual, possibly a grandparent, makes you aware of circumstances from the past that answer a lot of questions. This gives new perspective.

October 28, 2010

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10

SPORTS

ALAYNA DURAN / Daily Titan

ALAYNA DURAN / Daily Titan Titan forward Celso Alvarez attacks the ball and dodges two Aggie defenders during the Titan’s game vs. UC Davis. Alvarez assisted on both goals in the Titans 2-1 overtime win.

Titan forward Nick Posthuma outruns an Aggie defender as the Titans took on UC Davis Wednesday, Oct. 27. Posthuma scored the winning goal for the Titans in overtime.

TITANS: REMAIN THIRD PLACE ... Continued from page 1

“I knew they were trying to trap With eight minutes to go, Venegas scored the go-ahead goal, but me offsides most of the match, so I was called offsides by a line judge. knew if I got a ball on the side I had The Titan bench couldn’t believe a chance to score,” Posthuma said.

Alvarez was huge for the Titans, it as it looked with key runs like Venegas was the second clearly on.

I knew they were trying in half.

The game went to trap me offsides most “I ran real into overtime as hard today. I neither team had of the match, so I knew if knew we would an opportunity I got the ball on the side I have some to score until the chances if I did

had a chance ...

Titans gained - Nick Posthuma that, and the possession toJunior forward ball I got to ward midfield Denny showed off a UC Davis that,” Alvarez turnover. Alvarez made another long run down the said.

The Titans are now 6-8-2 on the field and made a nice pass to junior season and 4-4 in conference play. forward Nick Posthuma who shot a low, far post ball into the back of the They play again next Saturday, Oct. net, sending the Titans home with a 30, against out-of-conference foe San Diego State. huge win.

ALAYNA DURAN / Daily Titan Titan defender Mark Nelson escapes from opposing UC Davis Aggie attackers during Cal State Fullerton’s 2-1 overtime win. This victory knocked UC Davis out of third place.

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