Niner Times: March 15, 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: GET TO KNOW PAUL BUCHANAN, CHARLOTTE-AREA UH-HUH GUY

NEW RELEASE “10 CLOVERFIELD LANE” FIRES ON ALL CYLINDERS— READ HUNTER’S REVIEW FOR MORE

PG. 7

NINERTIMES.COM

PG. 11

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

VIVIAN SHARES 10 THINGS SHE’S LEARNED IN 20 YEARS PG. 15

VOL. 28, ISSUE 22

1

Jordan Snyder editor@ninertimes.com

Nick Cropper news@ninertimes.com

Hunter Heilman ae@ninertimes.com

Casey Aldridge opinion@ninertimes.com

Diane Gromelski copy@ninertimes.com

News

Alyssa Fronk

community@ninertimes.com

3 4

Jared Allen

sports@ninertimes.com

video@ninertimes.com

Sara Carson

Clinton rally

Sports

John Lineberger lifestyle@ninertimes.com

Ben Robson photo@ninertimes.com

7

Uh-Huh guy

8

C-USA photo spread

Opinion

Andrew Hocutt layout@ninertimes.com

10

MANAGING EDITOR managing@ninertimes.com

Connect NC bond proposal Veterans conference

6

VIDEO PRODUCER

Andrew James

Contents

Salina Dickie, Sydney Stephens, Trevor Wilt, Mia Shelton, Jasmine Taylor

A&E 11

ADDITIONAL STAFF Erin Cortez, Annie Young, Pooja Pasupula, Kathleen Cook, Chris Crews, Ben Coon, John Patrick, Vivian Westra

All lives matter

Review: “10 Cloverfield Lane”

Lifestyle 14 Review: “Station Eleven” 15 10 things I’ve learned in 20 years

Matt Lorenz

Andrew Hocutt MARKETING STAFF

Tia Warren, David Mendez, Kristen Bobeng, Madeline Lemieux

NINER TIMES • RADIO FREE CHARLOTTE SANSKRIT LITERARY-ARTS MAGAZINE MEDIA MARKETING • TECHNICAL

MEGAN VAN EMMERIK

www.ninertimes.com/app 2

Cover and contents photos by Erin Cortez

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

NINERTIMES

North Carolina to vote on proposed bond, allocating $90 million to UNC Charlotte for science building Connect NC bond includes $2 billion for different North Carolina services NICK CROPPER NEWS EDITOR

Exterior of the Burson science building. Photo by Erin Cortez

Voting ends March 15 for the Connect NC bond, which allocates $2 billion for various North Carolina services.

If approved, this bond will grant $1.35 billion for different UNC system schools, $350 million for renovations at all 25 community colleges in North Carolina, $75 million for North Carolina’s state park system, $309 million for modernizing water and sewer infrastructure, $179 million for the National Guard regional facilities and $179 million for agriculture. This would be the largest agricultural investment in North Carolina history.

In a video posted on the UNC Charlotte

NINERTIMES.COM

YouTube channel, Chair of the Board of Trustees Karen Popp said, “This bond package is critical for [UNC Charlotte] and, frankly, for the whole UNC system.”

UNC Charlotte has accounted for roughly half of the growth in all UNC system schools.

However, with such large growth, some areas of campus have fallen behind and are unable to meet the demands of the growing student body.

Currently, 50 percent of all students attending UNC Charlotte are majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

In addition, close to 50 majors require students to MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

take at least one science lab course.

“Currently, every student that comes to UNC Charlotte is in the STEM field at some point. You must take science to graduate,” said Student Body President Mitch Daratony.

This puts the science building in high demand, but without a proper way to facilitate it.

“The materials, the equipment and the classroom, it feels old,” said Daratony. “When you go to many other campuses, you get this innovative, energizing, engaging atmosphere, which I feel we can have with this new science building.”

The $90 million that UNC Charlotte would receive from the bond will be used to construct a new science facility and possibly update the current one: Burson.

The facilities and equipment in Burson have not been updated in several years.

In addition to accounting for roughly half of enrollment growth for all UNC system schools, enrollment at UNC Charlotte has increased 142 percent since Burson was first built.

The bond package is also financially responsible for North Carolina. This bond borrows money at a crucial time when interest rates are lower than they have been in recent years. There is a huge rate of return on investment for the different North Carolina services that will be affected by the bond package.

This bond will also not introduce any new taxes for the people of North Carolina.

Gov. Patrick McCrory visted campus Oct. 22, 2015, when he first signed and approved the bond.

During the signing, McCrory mentioned how important this bond package would be for UNC Charlotte, all UNC system schools and North Carolina as a whole.

North Carolina will hold its Presidential Preference Primary March 15. The $2 billion bond referendum is included on the ballot. Voters will have the option to vote “for” or “against” the proposed bond.

3

UNC CHARLOTTE HOSTS VETERAN CONFERENCE Day-long conference discussing issues of veteran living assistance, employment searching, Veteran Affairs challenges ANNIE YOUNG INTERN

March 1, UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services hosted the event, “Military Culture: Have You Ever Served?” a day-long conference discussing the needs of military veterans.

Ilario Pantano, the head of North Carolina Veteran Affairs, was the first speaker of the day.

He discussed the working group of service members, veterans and their families.

Pantano was an infantry sergeant in Iraq during Desert Storm and spoke with fervent passion about helping veterans transition to civilian life after military service.

“The face of war is changing,” said Pantano. “There are more people doing less to help our veterans when they return to civilian life. This in turn creates a huge burden for veterans coming back home.”

Pantano urges listeners to create a “sea of goodwill” where people act out of love rather than moral obligation when helping returning soldiers.

North Carolina is home to 800,000 veterans and the third largest military force in the United States.

Pantano claims that many veterans come home to North Carolina only to quickly leave because there is not enough help for those who need it.

He explained that veterans are a key part of society. They offer discipline, morale and diversity in the work force and the public.

The N.C. Department of Veteran Affairs is now working with the Department of Commerce and Department of Health to aid and

4

support veterans as they make the transition back home.

“We have created jobs, working to end veteran homelessness and challenging the stereotype ‘veterans as victims,’” said Pantano. “If we focus on ‘veterans as victors’ then the wounds of society begin to heal, people become more comfortable around vets. If you come from love, the problem resolves and the fear is unpacked.”

Since working with the Department of Commerce and Department of Health, veterans have had a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans and homelessness appears to be declining.

Likewise, measures are being taken to break down the barrier between veterans and non-veterans through the Governor’s Working Group. The group meets once a month to discuss veteran affairs.

These meetings include both military personnel and civilians.

The floor was opened for questions.

Listeners asked about various programs for veterans and what else can be done to help.

The topic of new challenges facing the Veteran Affairs was addressed.

Pantano explained that the budget has increased three times the usual amount due to healthcare and labor unions. The need for volunteers has increased as well.

His closing words encouraged listeners to get to know veterans and act from a place of love to build the notion of “veterans as victors.”

Ilario Pantano speaks about veterans issues. Photo by Pooja Pasupula MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

NINERTIMES

NINERTIMES.COM

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

5

Presidents of Feminist Majority, National Organization for Women host Clinton rally NICK CROPPER NEWS EDITOR

Both the presidents of the Feminist Majority Foundation and the National Organization for Women (NOW) visited UNC Charlotte as part of a rally in support of democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The rally was held in support of Clinton and her platform. During the rally, guest speakers discussed different issues facing women’s rights, LGBTQ rights and the importance of student involvement in the coming election.

“The rally is to talk about Hillary Clinton and ... why it’s important for students to get out and vote, what Hillary’s platform looks like, why it’s important to women, but not only women’s issues, but other issues as well,” said student organizer Danielle Moore.

Moore is one of three student volunteers who worked to organize

6

the rally.

Moore and two other students were chosen to be student ambassadors for the Feminist Majority Foundation’s tour across North Carolina.

The rally started with some opening remarks from the different student organizers before moving into its first guest speaker, Eleanor Smeal, president of the feminist majority foundation.

Smeal has worked with Clinton when she was First Lady of the United States. Smeal has also made many contributions to feminism and the LGBTQ community.

The second guest speaker that day was President of the National Organization for Women Terry O’Neill.

This rally was held in the same week that the Super Tuesday votes were counted.

Clinton won the most states out of the democratic candidates. She tied with Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump for the most wins.

There were 12 states that voted on Super Tuesday including: Georgia, Vermont, Virginia, Alabama, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alaska, Texas, Arkansas, Minnesota and Colorado.

Clinton won Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Massachusetts, Virginia and Georgia for the Democratic Party.

Moore and the other student organizers hoped to use that momentum from Super Tuesday to have a larger turnout that day.

“Super Tuesday was definitely helpful to our following,” said Moore.

Moore and the other student organizers, as well as both the Feminist Majority Foundation and

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

NOW, hope that the students in attendance can be inspired to be more involved in what they are passionate for.

“I want people to take away something they feel passionate about and see that Hillary is a great candidate. If nothing else, I hope that they take away the importance of standing up for your rights and the issues that they believe in,” said Moore.

This rally was part of a North Carolina wide tour. The event will travel to different schools and universities throughout the state.

After they had finished their rally at UNC Charlotte, the tour traveled to UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University.

Students came and went throughout the rally that day as classes began and ended.

NINERTIMES

UH-HUH Paul Buchucanan’s spirited expression of life

KATHLEEN COOK STAFF WRITER

Uh-Huh! Attend enough Charlotte athletic events and that phrase becomes associated with a man by the name of Paul Buchanan.

Buchanan is always found at 49er sports waving his signs and slinging around various catch-phrases all in an effort to make the games more entertaining. And, boy, does he succeed.

A simple Google search of “UhHuh guy” displays Buchanan’s widespread popularity in the Charlotte area. Though he is well known for his presence with on-campus athletics, Buchanan actually got his start at Kannapolis Intimidators games.

“In ’05 I started going to Kannapolis Intimidator games,” said Buchanan. “It wasn’t good enough to tell them to ‘Sit ‘em down,’ so I put an exclamation point on it, which happened to be ‘Uh-Huh.’ I said it repeatedly, I guess, and for some reason it seemed to catch on, and you could hear ‘Uh-Huh’s’ all over the stadium.”

In this stage of his hobby, Buchanan’s only tool was his voice.

That changed once the Charlotte Observer came to do a story on him.

“About a year later, a Charlotte Observer reporter came to me and wanted to interview me. I told my sister about it, and she shows up with 50 of the ‘Uh-Huh’ shirts. Since then, I’ve given about 1,200 ‘UhHuh’ shirts away. I sold one, but I

NINERTIMES.COM

felt so badly I went and gave his money back,” said Buchanan.

A few years later, in 2007, the signs made their debut.

Buchanan hand makes each of his signs using just foam poster boards and magic markers. With slogans like “Don’t let anyone steal your joy” and “Bleacher Bums,” these signs are essential for the full “UhHuh” experience. They “add a little graphic” to Buchanan’s act.

Five years ago, Buchanan retired from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. He worked there for 38 years, spending 20 years teaching and 18 years as an assistant principal.

From his past job, Buchanan cultured a love for children.

“I love kids,” said Buchanan. “At a baseball game, I had 14 signs and the kids came running and begging me for signs. They offered to trade me a foul ball they had gotten for a sign. I only have two signs now. I didn’t take any of their baseballs, though. I’ve got kids that will come to me, that I gave a sign five or six years ago, and they’ll say, ‘My sign is still hanging up in my garage.’”

Buchanan was first introduced to Charlotte when he attended the university as a student. Ever since then, he has been hooked on the Niners.

“I was here when it was called Charlotte College back in 1965,” said Buchanan. “I went and saw one of the games when Charlotte

went to the Final Four in 1978 up in Indiana. People accuse me of being a bandwagon fan, but I think I’ve been here a little longer than they have been.”

Occasionally people tell Buchanan to “Sit down, Uh-Huh.” But he doesn’t let that steal his joy.

“Sometimes it’s very difficult. My inner self wants to lash back, but I’ve gotten to the point where I walk away and know that they’re part of the 1 percent that likes to kill your joy,” said Buchanan.

Though his main goal is cheering for the 49ers, Buchanan also keeps in mind the opposing team and fans.

“I try to keep it light hearted. I don’t want to make the visiting team fans upset with me. Today I got their

first home run ball and gave it to their bullpen so that they could give it to the player. It’ll mean a lot to that kid,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan is definitely well known in the Charlotte sports world.

Attending all athletics from football to basketball to baseball, he has become a distinguished figure.

“All the coaches know me,” said Buchanan. “I don’t know about Mark Price yet, but he probably does by the way I’ve gotten students into the game.”

Through his entertaining tactics and enthusiastic chants, Buchanan always finds a way to engage fully in the game.

Buchanan said, “I just want to make a boring game less boring.”

Paul Buchanan with two former 49ers basketball players. Photo by Chris Crews

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

7

8

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

NINERTIMES

Photos in spread by Benjamin Robson and Ben Coon

NINERTIMES.COM

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

9

WHAT’S IT MATTER? One take on why everyone—by virtue of being human—should matter

JOHN PATRICK STAFF WRITER

I must admit something that may come as a surprise to the impassioned American: I am not a fan of confrontation, especially when it’s avoidable. I pride myself on being apathetically stoic most of the time and a passive extrovert when absolutely pushed. I find something relaxing and calming in not making a fuss about issues that are beyond one’s control, and I forever prefer to hide from controversy so longs as it’s practical. In fact, I am going against my own normal grain of rodent allegories and decrying smoothies by attempting to approach a subject that has been at the fore in dividing America. It’s a recent issue with roots steeped in history.

I am, of course, talking about the daft, unscientific and groundless notion that has taken this country by storm, wherein we assume it is OK to decide that one collective group could possibly matter more than others. It’s as if, one day, everyone thought it best to wake up and judge who is worthy of mattering most.

Discrimination.

This applies to every faction that believes they deserve more worth than any other faction, regardless of who they may be. I will treat these people as equals, refusing to discriminate and let labels bias my judgment. Because whoever says “____ lives matter” is perpetuating the idea, whether intentional or not, that some lives do not matter. By singling only one group of people, thereby limiting everyone else from inclusion, we consciously accept the absurdity that they do not matter. Excluding.

I do understand that this movement started in good faith, bringing attention to the voices that have been traditionally left out and disadvantaged. I would have no moral qualms with this if it ended there, because those voices should be heard. However, it brings about further partitioning of sects and groups that need not be separated. Intolerance begets new intolerance, and with it, a degree of adulterated arrogance.

Because who died and left the supreme of deciding who should matter, and who shouldn’t

10

#BlackLivesMatter and immigration activists protest Donald Trump’s rally in Kansas City on March 12.

Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service

by default? Who do these groups think they are by saying they matter, while simultaneously omitting the fact that I do not? They may not shout to the high mountain tops that I don’t matter, but it is certainly implied when they discharge my importance, and everyone’s esteem, for that upshot.

Do black lives matter? Absolutely. Do blue (police) lives matter? You bet. How about the lives of the poor, the rich, the middle class, etc.? Do they also hold water? Of course. I will even go so far as to suggest the apparently unpopular belief that everyone matters. Think one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.

All of this is to say it is a rotten, double-dealing disservice to segregate the American person by way of dignity. We are all brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters under the allegiance of this great nation. It seems to MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

me we should embrace our diversity, unite as a whole and come together, rather than focusing so much on splitting us up. And while we do this, we must not forget to celebrate our differences and quirks, to cherish what makes us unique. It is precisely this, the diversity and cooperative camaraderie that makes this country so beautiful.

Why disparage it all for the sake of dissociation and seclusion?

We all matter. Every one of us. From the regal office of the presidency right down to the beggar on the street, we have something in common. We share a distinct trait: We are human. By process of elimination, by grace of breathing in and out, we all matter. It’s time we start acting like we do.

And in the end, we all are conglomerated by matter, so scientifically speaking we must matter.

So then, what’s the matter?

NINERTIMES

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

‘10 CLOVERFIELD LANE’ This J.J. Abrams-produced pseudo-sequel fires on all cylinders

HUNTER HEILMAN A&E EDITOR

For a large blockbuster film produced by the man behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “10 Cloverfield Lane” has had a relatively short road to the screen, going under the working title “Valencia” at Paramount’s low-budget brand Insurge Pictures. Up until Jan. 12, “Valencia” was a yet to be discussed film right up until the release of “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers,” when Paramount dropped a trailer out of nowhere under the title “10 Cloverfield Lane.” Many other fans of “Cloverfield,” like myself, rejoiced in the fact that we FINALLY were getting a sequel to the 2008 found-footage monster movie that gained a cult following (unpopular opinion: it’s one of the scariest films I’ve seen, in my opinion).

But turns out, “10 Cloverfield Lane” is not a sequel to “Cloverfield” at all, but a subtle spin-off, turning the Cloverfield series into a J.J. Abrams

NINERTIMES.COM

brand of low-budget sci-fi horror pieces.

The beauty of the Cloverfield series is its secrecy, even with the original film not having a title up until right before release, with trailers up to that point going under “1-18-08,” the release date of the film. So in reference to “10 Cloverfield Lane,” I will do my best to keep the plot a secret.

How can you tell that “10 Cloverfield Lane” isn’t a direct sequel? The plot itself. Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is a woman avoiding her boyfriend. While driving away from her issue, she suffers a terrible car crash and wakes up in a bunker owned by Howard (John Goodman), a large, intimidating man saying that there was an attack and that everyone outside the bunker is dead. Inside the bunker also is Emmett (John Gallagher, Jr.), a small-town boy who worked his way into the bunker after the supposed MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

“attack.” Michelle must find out whether she was kidnapped, or whether the claims of the apocalypse hold any weight.

From here, I will not disclose anything else about “10 Cloverfield Lane,” as that’s where not only the fun of the project come into play, but the genius as well. “10 Cloverfield Lane” is a masterclass in suspense, even for someone as seasoned to this genre like myself. First-time director Dan Trachtenberg does a bang up job building an incredibly atmospheric piece, one that finds just as much of a character in the bunker just as much as the incredibly elusive Howard.

While John Gallagher, Jr. and especially Mary Elizabeth Winstead (whom I have been championing since 2006 with “Final Destination 3”) are incredibly strong, it’s John Goodman who completely takes “10 Cloverfield Lane” into

11

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

his large fists. From the start, everything about Howard seems off, to which the typically feelgood actor surprisingly does perfectly. Goodman’s presence, not only in his large physical build, but in his terrifying, doomsday conspiracist character, is frighteningly intimidating to say the least.

The question soon becomes that when the time comes for the apocalypse, do we even want to share bunkers with the type of people who have “prepared” for something like this?

The writing in the film, especially in that of the dialogue, is an incredibly taut work in how to properly make a suspense film. An early scene at the dinner table between the three characters is one of the more tense scenes in the entire film … until its final act. During the final act of the film, not a single person in the theater was breathing Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

after its “reveal.” The film took a very original approach to an often tired trope in sci-fi films and turns it into something original and heartpounding. It makes perfect sense that Damien Chazelle, the writer of “Whiplash,” easily one of the most tense films I have ever seen, was behind some of the screenplay, because it shows.

The touch of Abrams is all over this piece, as it has many different touches of his past work, from “Lost,” to “Super 8,” to, of course, the previous “Cloverfield.” Hardcore “Cloverfield” fans might be a bit disappointed in the fact that “10 Cloverfield Lane” is not a direct sequel to the 2008 film, but I personally found the film to be even more thrilling in the fact that this film found something similar to do in the same vein, making the possibilities of a series of this with Abrams as

producer even more thrilling than this film is in itself.

Case in point, “10 Cloverfield Lane” ripped every expectation I had from the film out of my hands and morphed it into something even more thrilling and beautiful than I could’ve imagined, in a much different way. It’s not that “10 Cloverfield Lane” surpassed my expectations, it completely became something else entirely.

Do NOT expect anything resembling a sequel to “Cloverfield,” because you will be sorely disappointed, but as a small scale, tight, astute thriller, “10 Cloverfield Lane” is one of the best of the year in itself and Abrams has crafted a completely fascinating world of Cloverfield that I’m absolutely fascinated to see expanded. Bring it on Cloverfield, bring it on.

Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg Starring: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallager, Jr. Runtime: 105 minutes Rating: PG-13 for thematic material including frightening sequences of threat with some violence and brief language.

Also available in IMAX Paramount Pictures presents, a Bad Robot producion, “10 Cloverfield Lane”

12

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

NINERTIMES

FRESH.

FAST.

TASTY. 65 Like nonfiction 66 DeGeneres of TV talk 67 Pic, in ads 68 Skinny Olive and family 69 Prefix with foam

SERIOUS DELIVERY!

TM

TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM ©2014 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ACROSS 1 Decorator’s asset 6 PCs made by Big Blue 10 Casual tête-à-tête 14 Part of “Hamlet” in which Ophelia drowns 15 Game with cues 16 Wife of Zeus 17 Last word of “The Star-Spangled Banner” 18 Estimate words 19 Metrical foot, in poetry 20 Kid’s sidewalk business 23 Sixth sense, briefly 24 RR stop 25 Contented sounds 26 Air traffic org.

29 Nestlé bottled water brand 32 Director Wertmüller 35 Young Darth’s nick-

NINERTIMES.COM

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

name 36 Army base nickname 37 Amo, amas, __ 38 Green energy type 41 “The doctor __” 42 Monopoly payments 44 Summer, in France 45 Cancel an edit 46 Soda fountain order 50 At least one 51 Balloon filler 52 Civil Rights Memorial designer Maya __ 53 “Mamma __!”

56 “Applause, applause!” ... or what one might do in front of the last words of 20-, 29- and 46-Across 60 Loads (of) 62 Saddle or sofa 63 “Wheel of Fortune” co-host 64 Bread unit

DOWN 1 Place setting setting 2 Plowing measures 3 Post office purchase 4 Binge-watcher’s device 5 “That being said ... “ 6 Apple music player 7 Dull one 8 Israeli intelligence group 9 “Three-toed” leaf eaters 10 Whiskers spot 11 Like swan dives 12 Upper limb 13 Indent key 21 Book of maps 22 Once-sacred Egyptian snakes 27 Woman with an online list 28 Secret __: spy 29 Singer LaBelle or LuPone 30 Frasier’s brother 31 Pay hike 32 Immature insect 33 “Know what __?”

34 Billy’s barnyard mate 39 Olympic competitors 40 Adjust one’s sights 43 Czech or Serb 47 Fools with a fib 48 Blood carrier 49 Jacks in a deck 53 Masculine 54 Word before circle or city 55 Hersey’s “A Bell for __” 57 “Inside” dope 58 Yield from a heist 59 Stop 60 Furry TV E.T. 61 “__ many cooks ... “

13

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Station Eleven’

JOHN LINEBERGER LIFESTYLE EDITOR

“Station Eleven” is a science fiction/literary fiction novel written by Emily St. John Mandel. It was published on Sept. 9, 2014 by Knopf.

As I do with most novels, I picked up “Station Eleven” because of its beautiful cover. I loved the atmosphere it created. I’d heard about the novel somewhere before—maybe I read about it in a Goodreads list.

“Station Eleven” was a finalist for the National Book Award. In 2015, it won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science fiction novel first published in the United Kingdom, and the Toronto Book Award. Much of the novel’s critical acclaim comes

14

from the fact that, for a science fiction novel, it reads much like literary fiction. The novel creates a stunning blend that is both highly creative and unusual.

“Station Eleven” is a novel based around the outbreak of a terrible flu that rapidly wipes out 99 percent of the world’s population. There are no zombies, no aliens, no greater conspiracies, just the remnants of a lost world. The novel tells the story through several points of view.

We start off with Jeevan, whose story mostly revolves around day zero of the outbreak and the couple of weeks that follow, showing humanity’s fall.

Kirsten was an eight year old child actress when the outbreak happened. Most of her story takes place 20 years later and shows the reader what life has become post-apocalypse. Kirsten moves through what’s left of Lower Michigan in a nomadic band of actors called the “Traveling Symphony,” as they reenact Shakespeare plays for newly formed towns. She and the band run into dire issues once they accidently cross a religious extremist, known as “The Prophet,” who has taken complete control over one of the passing towns. Kirsten frequently obsesses over her small comic collection, titled “Station Eleven,” and the actor Arthur Leander, who she watched die as a child.

Miranda, Arthur and Clark’s stories tell us about their entire lives up to the outbreak and after, for as long as they can survive. Their stories weave the plot more tightly together and reveal many things about “Station Eleven” and how it came to be.

“Station Eleven” is quite the jewel. I think its biggest strong suit is that the novel is built to appeal to both lovers and haters of apocalyptic fiction. The novel strategically avoids stereotypes in the genre, and more than half of it takes place before the apocalypse even happened. The major focus doesn’t seem to be on the survival MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

of humanity itself, but on the survival of human culture.

I found Miranda’s plot to take hold of me the most. Many pages of the novel are dedicated to her point of view and really solidify the literary fiction aspect of the novel. Watching her grow up and her complex relationship with Arthur was incredibly fun to read, and it took place decades before the outbreak.

Kirsten appears to be the closest thing to a protagonist in the novel. She is the one who progresses the current world forward. Her struggle to remember the past prompts many of the other characters chapters, and all roads seem to lead back to her. I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of zombies or much of the supernatural, but Kirsten’s chapters felt very real and believable, which smoothed my transition into this postapocalyptic world and helped me stay on board with it.

As I read Kirsten’s chapters, I had to keep stopping to remind myself that she is 28 years old. For some reason, this did not come off to me at all. Kirsten’s mind read more like a young adult. My image of her is as a 16-18 year old girl.

This is probably not the author’s intention, but my enjoyment of young adult literature made it a very small issue for me.

Clark’s chapters came off somewhat sluggish.

He lives very long both before and after the apocalypse. While he does play a role in key moments, much of his chapters are just him doing a routine or wandering aimlessly. Many of his chapters existed also solely to give us view of another character, which I found took away from him as a whole.

Overall, “Station Eleven” is a fantastic novel.

I highly recommend it. Development recently begun on a film adaptation for “Station Eleven,” but the release date is currently unknown.

4.5 / 5 NINERTIMES

10 THINGS I’VE LEARNED IN 20 YEARS

VIVIAN WESTRA STAFF WRITER

As my birthday creeps around the corner, April to be exact, I found myself reflecting on how much life I have lived and what I have learned from my 20 years in this world. I compiled the key lessons I have learned these last 20 years and will continue to use moving forward.

1.

HURRY UP AND WAIT Maybe this is due to the fact that my mother was in the Army and always told me timeliness was essential to make it in this world, but nonetheless, she was correct. Being on time makes such an impression to any employer or person in your life. It can better your day, resulting in a more productive use of your time.

2.

STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS So many people today forget to enjoy the simple things in life, whether it is waking up a few minutes earlier in the morning to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise or the barista at Starbucks accidentally making an extra coffee so you get one for free. It is so important to be able to look at the world we live in and see how much we all take advantage of to be able to ensure that nothing is taken for granted.

3.

LOOK UP I noticed this as I began my freshman year of college; when walking around campus, very few people are not looking at their phone. I found myself doing the same thing for a little while until I noticed how insecure I felt without having my phone in my hand. I used it as an excuse to not interact with those passing by. I recently started putting my phone in my bag as I walk to places such as class or the library so that I can enjoy the nature that surrounds me and interact with those around me as well. This has been lifechanging, as bizarre as that sounds. I now smile more frequently at those that walk past me and am able to see more of my friends that might be passing by. You have forever to be on your phone, so soak in the earth when you walk around. Don’t take it for granted.

4.

SAY YES Not trying to quote Jim Carey in the movie “Yes Man” or anything, but say yes more. Take the extra opportunities to get out of your comfort zone. Trying new things is good, and it is a great way to meet new people.

NINERTIMES.COM

5. DISCONNECT My new favorite activity to partake in is to hike, run or walk without any electronics. Whether that is on campus or up a mountain, there is something so refreshing when you disconnect yourself from the mobile world. Taking time to meditate, practice yoga or take a bath can change one’s day for the better and help people become more in touch with themselves.

6.

SHOW ATTENTIVENESS I learned this throughout middle school and high school but did not actually take any of it into account until college. I find my mind wandering in classes and lectures that I am required to attend. Not that the subjects the professors are explaining are necessarily boring, but I have always struggled with focusing in school. What I have come to realize is that anything and everything can be related to your life in one way or another, even when it seems unlikely.

I especially felt this way in my math classes throughout my life. I always knew that I would need basic math skills to count money, do taxes, etc., but in the more advanced mathematics classes, I never tried to remember the formula. I learned that all of those things I found useless, actually did have an impact on my life. Take everything in because it may come in handy one day.

7.

GO WITH THE FLOW I learned this lesson from my father. He always stressed, “Go with the flow,” especially when something went wrong in life or if I was in an argument with one of my sisters. What I have found is that with those situations that can be brushed off and forgotten within a few days or hours, it is not worth it to make a big deal. This especially helped my when dealing with peers and friends. It is easier to brush small things off and not make situations more difficult. Pick your battles or else you’ll be fighting forever.

8.

BE SPONTANEOUS I used to always to be scared of everything— boats, planes, heights and so on. I found that being scared of these things wasn’t keeping my safe; rather, it has held me back in life. I was studying abroad in Costa Rica this past summer. I MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

knew that as a group we planned to go zip-lining.

Heights in general never really bothered me, but it was dropping from certain heights that had the impact on my stomach. After zip-lining, there was a Tarzan swing that everyone was so excited to jump off of. It was incredibly tall and dropped off of a mountain. It terrified me just looking at it. I was set on not participating with the death wish swing. But then I realized, though I am petrified of dropping from far heights, I had not actually tried doing something I was scared of since I was a child. I ended up jumping off the swing, and it was honestly the scariest thing I have ever done, but I am so glad that I did and proved to myself that my fears don’t have to hold me back.

9.

BE MINIMALISTIC Society today says that designer items such as bags, shoes and clothing are desirable and owning those types of items will increase your chances of one becoming more accepted into society. I used to think that way. There was always a new purse or item that I would kill for, but it would literally break my bank.

It took me a while to come to the realization that those things do not add much to your life.

If you think about it, what is that item doing for you? Making you more desirable to others around you? If those around you are attracted to you because of the things you own, are they people you want to surround yourself with? I’m not implying that having designer things is bad.

Rather, lusting after materialistic items, one after the other while falling into society’s trap of never accepting someone without those things can be very negative.

10. ARE YOU OK? It is OK to not be OK. Give yourself and those around you a break and embrace the sad, bad and tragic. Even though these times are not always the best situations to find yourself in, they help you grow as a person and are a part of life, something that cannot be taken back or prevented. Life happens and so do mistakes.

Take them in and embrace them, even if it seems impossible.

Read the full story online at ninertimes. com.

15

16

MARCH 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

NINERTIMES