The Hoya Guide: Nov. 02, 2012

the guide

the weekly magazine for life on the hilltop

november 2, 2012

THE STRUGGLE FOR STATEHOOD

The Traditions Behind Rangila

G4

The Hidden Gems Of Netflix

G12

Haunting Music With Andrew Bird

G15

BATTLE FOR DC this issue 8 THE STATEHOOD lifestyle 3 10 food&drink arts & 12 entertainment rangila | center stage

quarterdeck | life beyond leo’s

wreck-it ralph | andrew bird

nextissue

Though it might seem strange to think of an American flag with 51 stars, the citizens of the District of Columbia are ardently fighting for statehood and the Congressional representation that it would grant. Many local politicians and pundits support this move despite the best efforts of members of Congress to maintain the status quo.

A current short-term goal is budget autonomy, a goal which is bringing in student involvement from the many universities that call Washington, D.C. home. In the end, ther city seeks to become a true member of the vibrant federal democracy.

COVER PHOTO BY AMY LEE

soundbite

‘SKYFALL’ SNEAK PEAK ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Next week, check out a review of Skyfall from our resident James Bond enthusiast. The much-anticipated 23rd Bond film will be released in the United States on Nov. 9. We’ll let you know if it’s worth the cash.

the guide Sarah Kaplan, Executive Editor Steven Piccione, Managing Editor Hunter Main, Copy Chief Emory Wellman, Layout Editor Leonel De Velez, Photo Editor Nicole Jarvis, Deputy Guide Editor Sheena Karkal, Deputy Guide Editor Emily Manbeck, Deputy Guide Editor Chris Grivas, Deputy Photo Editor Erica Wong, Deputy Photo Editor Zoe Bertrand, Deputy Layout Editor Kyle Hunter, Deputy Layout Editor Jessica Natinsky, Deputy Layout Editor Shannon Reilly, Deputy Copy Editor Jamie Slater, Deputy Copy Editor Sean Sullivan, Deputy Copy Editor

Connor Gregoire, Editor-in-Chief Victoria Edel, Guide Editor

Corrections and Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Sarah Kaplan at (202) 687-3415 or email executive@thehoya.com.

General Information THE GUIDE is published each week during the academic year with the exception of holiday and exam periods. Address all correspondence to: THE HOYA Georgetown University Box 571065 Washington, D.C. 20057-1065 The writing, articles, pictures, layout and format are the responsibility of THE HOYA and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University.

Signed columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of THE HOYA. Georgetown University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression for student editors.

THE HOYA does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, national or ethnic origin. © 2012. THE HOYA, Georgetown University twice weekly. No part of this publication may be used without the permission of THE HOYA Board of Editors. All rights reserved. THE GUIDE is available free of charge, one copy per reader, at distribution sites on and around the Georgetown University campus. Additional copies are $1 each.

Editorial: (202) 687-3415 Advertising: (202) 687-3947 Business: (202) 687-3947 Facsimile: (202) 687-2741 Email: editor@thehoya.com Online at www.thehoya.com

AMY LEE/THE HOYA

EduardoGueiros Page 14

“We don’t want to see the couple in The Notebook fight unless it’s going to end in a passionate make-out session, not a divorce filing.”

omglol >:( :) :0 :(

DARTH GOES DISNEY Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4 billion and has promised three more films. As long as Jar-Jar’s not involved, it’s OK with us.

NO SCHRUTE FOR YOU The ill-advised Dwight-based spinoff of “The Office” has been cancelled. Guess this means we won’t be visiting any beet farms.

GET WELL SOON Nadya “Octomom” Suleyman has entered rehab for presrciption drug abuse. No comment. We give up.



DROPPING BASSES, BREAKING HEARTS Ellie Goulding and Skrillex have broken up after a year of dating. Now their matching haircuts seem even weirder.

saywhat?

“

I braided his hair!

That was so nice.

— Armie Hammer, on bonding with “Lone Ranger” co-star Johnny Depp

”

lifestyle

Editors’ Picks

CHRIS CHRISTIE

‘MALIBU COUNTRY’

After a five-year hiatus from the small screen, Reba McEntire returns to ABC as Reba Gallagher, a former country music star who uproots her family from Nashville to Malibu after divorcing her husband. Though we can’t wait to see Lily Tomlin as McEntire’s sarcastic, medical-marijuana-using mother, we wonder if “Malibu Country” will just be “Reba” with palm trees.

NEWSOK.COM

NPR.ORG

HOPE THE CAT

Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc upon the northern Atlantic, but hopefully New Jersey residents have found much humor in their governor’s tweets and television appearances. From rescheduling Halloween to his disinterest in the upcoming election, Christie has proven that politicians can joke around and still be leaders.

Whether or not the guide editors agree with his policies, everyone can benefit from his humorous honesty and leadership.

OREOS

We cannot get enough of cute cats online, and Hope, a Persian feline whose life is chronicled on Instagram, is our most recent obsession. Modeling multiple adorable costumes in various indoor locations, Hope’s big eyes and natural innocence have made her an Internet sensation. We promise we won’t die old cat ladies — at least we hope not.

Milk’s Favorite Cookie has gotten into the holiday spirit, and we’re spooked. For its Halloween campaign, Oreo has released an advertisement straight out of The Wizard of Oz, replicating the image of the dead witch’s legs with their festive black and orange cookies. The Wicked Witch of the East has never looked so delicious. We’re excited to see what they’ll do for Turkey Day.

BUZZFEED.COM

KEVINANDAMANDA.COM

appyhour Leafsnap



price: free

This fall, hundreds of Georgetown students are bound to ask themselves “What type of tree is this?” while Instagraming a picture of its beautiful fall leaves.

Leafsnap, a new electronic field guide can provide the answer.

Leafsnap uses visual recognition software to help identify a tree from just pictures of its leaves.

the apps that will make you love your favorite gadgets even more

Weave

 price: free

This new app is designed to organize all sorts of projects among group members. Weave easily helps with managing school projects, chores, budgeting and group trips, letting users split up different tasks, keep track of time spent working and create a budget. It also allows its users to share both their progress made and the final results of the project.

ZACH GORDON Hoya Staff Writer

The Great Pumpkin



price: $2.99 This is definitely the most nostalgic app for the fall. Play this game and create your own Peanuts character and do fun fall things like carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples as well as something everyone’s wanted to do: play Schroeder’s piano. Featuring dialogue from the film and narrated by Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown, this app provides an easy walk down memory lane.

11.2.12 | the guide | 3

lifestyle A WHIRLWIND OF COLOR Student-Run Tradition Celebrates South Asian Culture sheena karkal Hoya Staff Writer

R

angila may be one of the most popular events on campus — more than 500 students will take part in this year’s show — but very few understand the cultural significance and history of the dances performed.

To those unfamiliar with the event, Rangila might seem like any other entertainment show held in Gaston Hall. Rangila, a Hindi word that roughly translates to “colorful,” consists of 11 dances and various independent acts that draw from the diverse South Asian culture. The 11 dances aren’t just meant to entertain audiences; each comes from a distinct cultural tradition in different parts of South Asia.

Six of those 11 dances stay true to major dance traditions from the Indian subcontinent. The first dance of the show is always Raas, the traditional folk dance form of Vrindavan, a town in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Characterized by the use of dandiya, decorated sticks that dancers click against their partners’, Raas is a flurry of coordinated movements — almost like intricate line dancing, and rhythms build to mirror the fast-paced music.

A featured folk dance that hails from Gujarat, a state in western India, is Garba. “[Garba] involves a lot of circular movements, hand clapping and formation work,” co-coordinator Neha Sobti (COL ’13) said. Dancers also typically wear full skirts that dramatically billow and twist around the dancers’ ankles as they spin and rapidly switch directions.

Another traditional number, Folk Dance, comes from Rajasthan. “They use a lot of props and formation work as well.

This year, the props are manjira … that are like cymbals for your hands that the girls are going to use,” Sobti said.

Many of these regional dances were part of the celebrations in historical festivals throughout rural India that have maintained their style in modern times. They are as ubiquitous as they were centuries ago, a testament to the vitality and strength of tradition in South Asia.

Not all of the dances are as obscure, however. Bhangra is a well-known form of dance based in the traditional folk celebrations of the Punjab region in north India, which borders Pakistan.

“Bhangra is very energetic, with a lot of jumping and hopping — big moves,” co-coordinator Rohan Muralidhar (SFS ’13) said.

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“There’s Bulldog Bhangra, which is pretty evenly boys and girls and more underclassmen. Senior Bhangra is huge, with about 160 seniors and lasting almost 10 minutes.

It’s kind of the culminating event of years of participating and part of the whole senior experience.”

Kathak, a dance also from Uttar Pradesh, has more of a classical influence, with its roots in ancient Indian professional, nomadic storytellers of mythological epics.

A very technique-heavy dance, Kathak is not as easy to pick up as many of the other ones in the show, which are primarily folk dances meant for mass participation in villages throughout South Asia during seasonal festivals. It was influenced by temple and ritual dances and later by the Persian techniques brought in by the Mughal royal court. Kathak usually features many skillfully executed chakkars, or turns in place similar to Persian whirling dervishes, which make the dancers’ skirts spread in a large hoop around them.

“Kathak is a dance that we introduced this year because we had a choreographer who, for the first time, we felt could actually teach the intricate dance,” Sobti said.

“We also have two audiences to cater to [during the show]. We have a lot of diplomats, VIPs and professors who want to really see that South Asian aspect more, and we have students who like to hear and see a lot of energy.”

“This year, we wanted to add a more classical feel to the event as a whole. It’s otherwise mostly mash-ups of Top-40 songs and Bollywood songs and stuff like that. We had heard that people wanted a more classical feel,” Muralidhar said.

The coordinators made sure to include dances that fuse traditional South Asian dance with more modern or Western styles of dance. Bharathanatyam, a classical Indian dance, is fused with ballet and contemporary dance in the aptly named Classical Fusion. Sobti explained that while somewhat similar to Kathak, Bharathanatyam hails from Tamil Nadu in South India and has an even stronger tie to ancient temple dancing without as much Mughal influence. It features a demi-plie stance in which the knees are always slightly bent, intricate footwork and abhinaya — miming to depict storylines.

Some more recent additions to the 18year tradition are Salsa Masala and Bollygroove. Salsa Masala is a collaboration

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS Traditional and modern South Asian costumes heighten the excitement of the performances.

lifestyle of Bollywood with tango and salsa styles — an unexpected combination of two very different styles of dance.

“The two actually complement each other very well. Latin music lends itself well to Bollywood and classical Indian moves, and some of the slower Bollywood songs are great for tango and merengue dancing. Our mix even includes a track where Bhangra overlaps with [Shakira’s] ‘Hips Don’t Lie,’” Smiti Mohan (MSB ’15), one of the Salsa Masala choreographers, said.

Sobti explained that Bollygroove is a collaboration with Groove Theory that has worked differently every year, fusing hiphop with Bollywood style.

“Bollygroove will surprise audiences this year because we have made it a little more hard-hitting since last year. There is definitely more of a distinctive hip-hop element,” Bollygroove co-choreographer Shantel Jairam (COL ’15) said.

No South Asian repertoire would be complete without spotlighting Bollywoodstyle dancing. Bollywood is India’s wellknown version of Hollywood which frequently features an integration of music, dance and acting that can most closely be compared to Broadway and musical theater.

Bollywood Remix will feature the songs currently popular in South Asia, complete with over-the-top choreographies and sassy dance moves. Old School is a return to the height of Bollywood success.

“It has the cheesy — but still good — Bol-

lywood songs from the ’90s that our parents loved. It’s also split into girls, boys and partner sections,” Muralidhar said.

Rangila stays connected to South Asian culture in other ways as well. Proceeds from the event will go to the Kumarappa Institute of Gram Swaraj KIGS is a grassroots NGO that focuses on microfinancing and creating sustainable villages in India.

“We’ve had a pretty long history with them, and Rangila started as one of their sole funders,” Muralidhar said. “KIGS focuses on women and children, giving them the tools to have a life. … For the board and for us, we feel like we’re making an actual difference. It’s not like we’re giving the money to some megacorporation and we don’t know where the money is going.”

Though Rangila is based in a strong South Asian tradition, the event allows all students to come together.

“The most important thing is to understand that it’s not just a bunch of people of South Asian backgrounds who are doing this … Actually, probably only 30 percent, — not even, are [South Asian]. It’s a bunch of people enjoying themselves. And I think that’s what people relate to more than anything else — just that pure energy,” Muralidhar said.

Performances are Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17 in Gaston Hall. Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 12 in Red Square.

FILE PHOTOS: CHRIS BIEN/THE HOYA

ACTING THROUGH DANCE Many classical South Asian dance styles depict stories from ancient mythology with intricate hand movements and facial expressions.

georgetown babel

Awkward Moments With Poor Product Labeling

W

henever I go home in between semesters, my mom tends to send my brother and me on so many errands that my summer and winter break agendas can almost compete with my weekly schedule during the school year. (I exaggerate, but it feels that way when all I want to do is eat some home-cooked meals and set the world record for watched number of complete TV series during one vacation).

This past summer, my brother had enough time sandwiched between a dentist appointment and a haircut to swing by the mall and pick up a few things. When he got home, before I had the chance to ask him if he wanted to watch any or all of the “Parks and Recreation” episodes that we had missed during the year, he said to me, “Did you ever notice how stupid some store names are?” I asked him what he meant, to which he responded, “Well, some of the shop names that I saw as I was walking around the mall seemed either really tacky or just made absolutely no sense.

Like that place Bare Escentuals. What words can we infer that they combined

to make ‘escentuals’? Essence, essential, mall are teeny-boppers who find that scent, sensual?” I thought about what stuff amusing, so these business owners he had said in between episodes of “30 might deserve more credit than I’m givRock,” and he had a point. If this make- ing them. Also, I’m not sure if the kiosk up company was trying to be so clever ‘So Ho Fashion’ deliberately left out the shouldn’t their play on words be slightly space between the first two words or if someone just failed to pick up on the more obvious?

As I drove around the next day in a typo, but I’m thinking that it was the latter. haze of appointments, All of these examples I started to make my will probably just fuel own observations about some jokes about New my brother’s remark.

Jersey being the armpit Among the dearth of of America, the guido tanning salons in New capital of the world Jersey, I saw one called and now the home to Sinful Tans. I don’t go AllieDoughty storeowners who don’t tanning myself, but to think before they open anyone who does: Is that a name that would appeal to you? You a small business. (My friend once had a might as well call it Burn in Hell Tans, birthday party at a pottery studio called A Time to Kiln.) As proof that poor prodwhich actually makes more sense.

I then made my way to the mall to uct labeling extends beyond the Garden check out the stores for myself. Besides State, here’s a case that I witnessed just Bare Escentuals, I took note of two other a few days ago in Georgetown as every shops, Perfume Kraze and 2 Cute. I’m shop stocked up on Halloween-related sorry, but substituting “k” for “c” or “2” merchandise: The description on a pair for “too” or “to” doesn’t make the name of gloves read “Child Predator Hands.” any more witty or creative. Then again, Judging by the size of the gloves, I think about 90 percent of customers at the that it was intended to say something

more along the lines of “Predator Hands — Child Size,” but the error apparently wasn’t conspicuous enough to catch anyone’s attention.

I also recall a store called The Athlete’s Foot, which still exists but operates in a significantly lower number of locations than it did ten years ago. To be perfectly frank, the company shares a name with a foot fungus, which would be like me opening a restaurant and calling it Food Poisoning or The Traveller’s Diarrhea.

It’s no wonder why The Athlete’s Foot went bankrupt — people decided to buy their shoes from less disease-riddensounding stores such as Famous Footwear and Foot Locker.

If I had a business-savvy bone in my body, I would come up with some awesome name for a company and open my own store. Sadly, I don’t, so I’m leaving it up to the MSB-ers to remember whatever their English professors may have taught them and am hoping for the best.

Allie Doughty is a senior in the College. GEORGETOWN BABEL appears every Friday in the guide.

11.2.12 | the guide | 5

lifestyle

centerstage

SIT DOWN WITH DALVIN Georgetown’s Newest Talk Show Personality emily grau Special to The Hoya

It’s no secret that Georgetown students like to stay informed about events occurring both on and off campus, constantly checking social media and news websites. Still, Dalvin Butler (COL ’13) thought Georgetown needed something more to help students deal with campus-related issues. Partnering with GUTV, Dalvin created “The Hoya Experience with Dalvin Butler,” a talk show filmed with a live audience and featuring interviews with important members of the student body. Dalvin’s first episode, featuring the Georgetown University Student Association President Clara Gustafson (SFS ’13) and Vice President Vail Kohnert-Yount (SFS ’13), was highly entertaining and shows that the program has enormous potential. We sat down with this vibrant campus personality to see what inspired him to talk about the Hoya experience.

How did you get involved with GUTV? I became involved with GUTV over the summer. I happened to be going up to the fourth floor where the GUTV office is located. I talked to a lady, and I told her

SPOTLIGHT What’s on Your iPod Right Now? Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo. One of my favorite songs right now is “Call Me Maybe,” and I’m kind of going back to the ’90s right now with Jon B. Favorite Movie?

I really enjoy watching horror films. I’m really a big fan of The Amityville Horror and I also like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Favorite Food?

I’ve been eating tacos continuously.

Favorite TV Show?

My uncle is an actor named Mark Curry. He has a recurring role on “See Dad Run” on Nick at Nite. I’m a big fan of that because I’m rooting for my uncle.

Favorite Class?

Money in American Politics.

6 | the guide | 11.2.12

Courtesy Jim McCormick

I was very interested in having a … show at the time. And I [told her that] I think GUTV needs to do a bit more in terms of talk shows, so I just pitched my talk show idea to her. She seemed [to think] it was a fantastic idea. We contacted the managing director at GUTV, and everything just kind of took on a life of its own after that.

What made you think there was a need for a talk show at Georgetown?

As you know, “The Hoya Experience with Dalvin Butler” is the only talk show on campus. I thought we needed to be more innovative, and I thought a talk show with an audience particularly would give some life to this campus to talk about some issues. I see “The Hoya Experience” as being a huge party, [but also] as being a provocative talk show that focuses on campus life.

As a senior, I [thought], “Well, everyone’s doing a radio show, or they’re a columnist for The Hoya,” and I wanted to think of something innovative that we don’t have.

Do you draw any inspiration from popular talk show hosts?

One of my guilty pleasures is watching the “The Wendy Williams Show” as well as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

How do you choose your guests?

I select my guests based on the climate, by which I mean the level of interest on issues or initiatives that are going on

JOY CHAY JEONG MA/THE HOYA

AN INNOVATIVE PROJECT Dalvin Butler (COL ’13) pitched his talk show idea to GUTV over the summer and started filming “The Hoya Experience” this fall. at the time. Our next guest potentially will be Julian De La Paz (SFS ’15) during our November shoot. However, we’re also going to be having [Georgetown] Improv Association on. They just had their first show [this past weekend]. I want to be very diverse in terms of the people who I select to come on my show.

That means people from study body government, people from performing arts, people from athletics — to give it a wide range because people’s interests vary.

Although the show appears to be probably more of a student body government

show right now, it’s going to transition.

What can we expect for the future of “The Hoya Experience?”

I see it having a better format, possibly another person acting or maybe a live band. Those are all things we’re talking about now with some of the producers — how we are going to format it differently for the spring semester [and] what things that we look and see that were flawed in the first season to make it a more lively show for the next semester.

lifestyle surviving endless summer

An American Girl in the Developing World

F

our months into my study abroad experience, I’ve come to realize that there is a lot about Costa Rica that I just wasn’t expecting. Sure, I had been warned about culture shock and how different classes in another language would be, but I’ve been able to manage those transitions with relative ease. However, Costa Rica faces another set of struggles that I rather naively overlooked — what I have since deemed “developing world problems.”

Costa Rica is arguably a well-developed country. It has a strong history of democracy and well-functioning political and economic systems. Nonetheless, I have learned to live with daily reminders of the differences between here and home, small things that I now realize I took for granted in the United States. However, living in a country still considered under development has also yielded a variety of small blessings, regardless of the inconveniences associated with them.

First of all, I have learned some serious patience thanks to the public bus system here. I use buses to get pretty much everywhere — school, downtown San Jose, my

friend’s houses — because they are very because I rarely text anyway, I’m just goconvenient and there is a stop a block ing to take the phone freak-out as a pro from my house. On the other hand, there in my experience abroad.

The developing world also has some is no bus schedule whatsoever. The next bus could come in the next 30 seconds or bizarre hygiene-related problems, alit could take 25 minutes. Therefore, I’ve though I promise I’m still squeaky had some pretty deep conversations with clean 99 percent of the time. However, myself while waiting for the bus, and I’ve I wasn’t expecting my neighborhood to not have running water also listened to “Call Me for one weekend every Maybe” on my iPod an two months. Luckily, this embarrassing number of problem is easily solved times in a row. The plus by scheduling my showside of this experience: ers ahead of time so I Transportation is super don’t spend too much cheap.

MariahByrne time being stinky in one Costa Rica is roughly weekend. The more imthe size of West Virginia which makes it relatively small, but I mediate inconvenience is that my uniwas still surprised when the entire na- versity, and pretty much every public tion’s Internet and cell phone service restroom, provides neither toilet paper once cut out for an entire hour. To make nor hand soap, which has led to some matters worse, it took my phone over a lowering of my personal standards. I’ll week to recover from the shock — I sim- let you ruminate on just exactly how by ply couldn’t send texts. Although it took yourself. However, as some sort of plus, me a while to figure out what was wrong finding a bathroom with toilet paper, a with my phone and my conversation toilet seat, soap and paper towels is like partners thought I was ignoring them, the Holy Grail and genuinely excites me it didn’t present much of a problem, and now. It’s the simple things in life that get

Collegiate A Cappella Hits a High Note

T

he D.C. A Cappella Festival — abbreviated as DCAF and pronounced like the coffee variety — returns to campus for its 21st year this Saturday.

Don’t let the name fool you: The performance will give you goosebumps and a jolt of energy. The Phantoms and the GraceNotes organize the event to showcase some of the most talented and competitive groups in the country. These widely successful groups are known to impress with truly uplifting harmonies and innovative arrangements.

DCAF occurs twice, this Saturday and next Saturday, with Georgetown groups performing on each night.

The GraceNotes, Georgetown’s oldest all-female group, has been singing for over 30 years with special performances at venues like the Kennedy Center and the White House. The co-ed Phantoms have been around for almost 25 years and have also performed at the White House as well as at the State Department and Blair House.

On their respective host nights, the GraceNotes and Phantoms will each perform a special opener and will perform five times by the night’s end. There will also be performances by groups hailing from The George Washington University, Yale University, New York University, University of Connecticut and other Georgetown a cappella groups.

Philip Dearing (SFS ’15), a member of the Phantoms, is very excited.

“The visiting groups change [from] year to year, but the point of the event stays the same: a chance to showcase the great voices of Georgetown and to bring a quality to show the student body [that they will] enjoy,” he said.

DCAF is the premier event of the fall for a cappella groups, and preparation is key leading up to it. Groups spend six to seven hours a week practicing in the days leading up to the event. Both groups prepare new songs, and when asked what musical numbers could be expected, members of both the GraceNotes and the Phantoms were reluctant to spoil the surprise. They did explain that audiences could expect songs from Beyoncé, Jessie J and some music from the ’90s. With a mix of so many different a cappella groups, audiences will hear all sorts of genres, from pop to hip hop to classic hits.

DCAF is a popular event on campus and has been known to sell out quickly.

When asked about her favorite part of the event, GraceNotes Musical Director Olivia Benson (NHS ’15) noted the talent of the other performers and the audience’s reactions.

“My favorite part is the feeling you get when you look out on the crowd and can tell how much they are enjoying

you through the day, people.

Ultimately, however, these “developing world problems” don’t actually matter. I might not have prepared myself for them, but they are part of my life in Costa Rica, an experience I am enjoying immensely. And, honestly, the fact that I have them means that I’m living life like a real Tica. I have waited for the bus with Costa Ricans, figured out what was wrong with the Internet when my host sister and I powwowed about our computers not working and followed my host mom’s lead on how to prepare for the water shortages. My intent in going abroad was not to live like a tourist in another country for six months but to fully immerse myself in Costa Rican culture.

Even if I’ll never be totally at home here, both personally and in the eyes of the Ticas around me, at least to some extent we can bond over shared struggles, no matter how simple.

Mariah Byrne is a junior in the School of Foreign Service. SURVIVING ENDLESS SUMMER appears every other Friday in the guide.

BREANNA MORET Special to The Hoya

FILE PHOTO: CHRIS BIEN/THE HOYA

PHANTOM VOICES Molly Roach (COL ’15) and The Phantoms will play host to D.C. A Capella Festival for the next two weekends in Gaston Hall. themselves. We are on stage doing what we love, so the audience’s reaction is always so rewarding,” Benson said.

Performance nights are Nov. 3 and 10, both at 7:30 p.m. in Gaston Hall. Tick-

ets are $8 for Georgetown students and $10 for non-students and can be purchased the weeks of the event in Red Square or at the Davis Performing Arts Center.

11.2.12 | the guide | 7

SEEKING STATEHOOD E

ach license plate on a car registered in the District reads “Taxation Without Representation,” the old Revolutionary War-era saying. But to residents of this city, that sentiment isn’t merely historical — it’s the slogan of a decades-old struggle that’s still ongoing.

BETHANY IMONDI Hoya Staff Writer Many in the District are fighting for D.C. statehood. This would give Washingtonians full representation in Congress — residents currently have no voting representatives in either chamber — and control over their local budget, which currently is subject to full oversight by Congress.

“We have all the responsibilities of American citizens, but people we did not elect are making decisions about our money, whether or not we fight wars, [and] they decide how we spend local dollars,” Communications Director for D.C. Vote and D.C. resident James Jones said.

A H ISTORIC EFFORT Though the issues of voting representatives in Congress and control over the budget now dominate the conversation about D.C. autonomy, there was a time when District residents couldn’t even vote for president and vice president. In 1953, President Eisenhower supported a constitutional amendment granting D.C. voting rights in presidential elections, but it took another eight years before the 23rd Amendment was ratified in 1961, granting the city three electors in the Electoral College. In 1969, a group including Julius Hobson, civil rights activist and statehood advocate, established the D.C. Statehood Party, an organization committed to ending congressional control over the District’s laws and budget.

In 1970, Congress granted the District a delegate to the House of Representatives,

A COMPLEX HISTORY The fight for District autonomy is almost as old as the country itself. This timeline chronicles the history of the movement from city’s early years to today.

a post currently filled by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.). Norton is able to vote in committee and draft legislation, but she lacks the full voting rights of the 435 other members of the House of Representatives.

Achieving the lofty goal of statehood would require the cooperation of most of the country. In order to become a state, a constitutional amendment would require approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress and from three-fourths of state legislatures. The other method of amending the Constitution, which has never been used, requires a convention of two-thirds of the state legislatures who can propose as many amendments as they want for ratification by three-fourths of the states.

But advantages of statehood go beyond budget and voting rights. According to Georgetown history professor Maurice Jackson, statehood would allow the District to establish a reciprocal state income tax for those who work in Washington but live in the neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland. Since 67 percent of the District’s workforce claims residence outside the city, the capital would be able to fund more of its own projects and investments through new taxpayer revenue. Moreover, as home to many nonprofits and lobbying groups, Washington as a state would be able to collect taxes from previously tax-exempt organizations including National Geographic and the National Rifle Association.

The U.S. Constitution establishes the District of Columbia as the country’s capital. Residents vote in either Maryland or Virginia.

1789

B ATTLING OVER BUDGETS While full statehood is the end goal for most voting rights advocates in the District, organizations like D.C. Vote, a nonprofit founded in 1998, have set their sights on a more achievable goal for the immediate future: budget autonomy.

“We support any means to getting a vote in the House of Representatives and getting our two senators,” Jones said, explaining his organization’s advocacy for an independent D.C. budget. “That path for us involves a couple of things, the most important one being advocating for any step that increases our right to self-determination.”

Under current laws, the District’s yearly budget has to be approved by Congress, a process that can take months and can impact the functioning of the local government.

This state of affairs was created when the District of Columbia Home Rule Act was passed in 1973, allowing for the election of the mayor and the city council. This was an important step in giving the local government control but in many ways left the city subject to the whim of Congress.

“That’s a basic violation of our rights to self-determination. No one else has someone [whom] they did not elect tell them when and how to spend their money,” Jones said. “And it always gets caught up in the partisan bickering on the Hill.”

In case of a federal government shutdown — a possibility that has reared its head

Congress begins direct rule and territorial government ends.

1801 Organic Act of 1801 takes away D.C. residents’ presidential voting rights and congressional representation.

1874

twice in 2011 and once in 2012 — the results would be far more troubling for Washington residents than for citizens of states. Not only would the government stop working, affecting thousands of employees for an unknown amount of time, but local services would also cease operating.

“Because D.C.’s budget is directly tied to the federal budget, our garbage would stop being picked up and the [Department of Motor Vehicles] would shut down,” Scott Stirrett (SFS ’13) said, explaining the consequences of a federal shutdown. “These are just other examples of why it is important for D.C. students to care about statehood.”

The co-founder of D.C. Students Speak, Stirrett works alongside peers from across the District to promote student voices in the city government. The organization supports full voting rights for the District of Columbia, among other platforms. According to its website, the organization “will not realize our shared vision of collaborative universities and communities until all of D.C.’s residents achieve full democracy.”

To reach this goal, DCSS is currently drafting a letter to send to students in order to encourage support for certain aspects of D.C. representation.

“Regardless of where people stand on the issue … the elected representatives in the District of Columbia should have a say where taxpayer dollars go under its jurisdictions. The federal government should not be able to boss D.C.,” Stirett said.

District of Columbia Home Rule Act passed by Congress, instating elected mayor and city council. Congress maintains authority over the city’s budget.

President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints a mayor and city council.

1961

23rd Amendment ratified, giving D.C. residents three Electoral College votes in presidential elections.

1967

1971 First non-voting congressperson, Del.Walter E. Fauntroy (D-D.C.), elected.

1973

1978

Congress appro Voting Rights A

PARTISAN POLITICS Whether in the context of calls for statehood or the fight for an independent budget, advocacy for D.C. autonomy often gets wrapped up in partisan political battles raging on the Hill.

In April 2011, several prominent D.C. officials were arrested during a protest against a federal budget rider that denied District politicians the ability to make decisions regarding funding for public education and for abortions for low-income women.

The rider, which was added to the budget as part of an 11th-hour deal to stave off a federal government shutdown, was largely supported by congressional Republicans.

Mayor Vincent Gray and D.C. Councilmembers Kwame Brown and Muriel Bowser stood outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building along with 200 other advocates to condemn the measure. The protesters sat in the middle of Constitution Avenue and chanted, “Free D.C.” and “We can’t take it no more.” The Capitol Police arrested 41 people in the protest, including Gray and Brown.

“The District of Columbia’s right to govern itself has, once again, been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency,” Gray said in a statement released after the protest.

“This indignity comes on top of the fact that no other state or jurisdiction had to endure the hardship of planning to shut down a municipal government, thus spending valuable resources and personnel on a process that never should have been necessary.”

Just as in the April 2011 protest, showdowns over District autonomy often come down to party politics. Historically, the GOP has been opposed to D.C. statehood — the party formally adopted an amendment to its platform opposing statehood for the nation’s capital earlier this year.

According to the Director of Communications for the Georgetown College Republicans Kathryn Bolas (COL ’15), the reason for the GOP’s opposition is based in the Constitution.

“The will of our founding fathers is explicitly stated in the Constitution, Article I Section 8, calling for not a state but a ‘District’ to house the federal government. As Republicans we support strict interpretation of the Constitution and, therefore, oppose D.C. statehood,” Bolas said in an email.

But the politics of support for greater independence for the District has been shifting. Recently, top Republicans, including

8

oves D.C. Full Amendment.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), declared their support for D.C. budget autonomy.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) also voiced his support for budget autonomy in a letter written to Cantor and Issa in which he wrote, “It’s what the governors of every state enjoy.”

And while the issue may bring about partisan difficulties on the Hill, within the city the subject unifies the two parties.

“There wasn’t a lot of opposition to [the Republican platform] except from Republicans in the District, who are very supportive of budget autonomy and statehood,” Jones said.

Following Congress’ return to the floor after next Tuesday’s election, Norton is hoping to push the issue onto the lameduck session agenda. Chances of federal success seem slim, however, given the opposition Congress has historically displayed towards the movement.

JOURNEY ON While their delegate advocates for statehood at the federal level, the city council is beginning to take matters into its own hands. On Nov. 9, the council will conduct a hearing about a possible citywide referendum in favor of budget autonomy that would limit Congressional oversight. The procedures for this referendum were established under the 1973 Home Rule Act. “We believe we have the rights under the charter to pass a referendum that would allow us to spend our own tax dollars after the mayor has signed the bill without Congressional approval,” Jones said of the plan for which his organization has been advocating. “Congress would still have the ability to overturn that. They would also have the ability to offer legislation to meddle with our budget, but this would create a budget process that would be much more in line with the way people are treated in every other part of the country.”

According to Joshua Matfess, a sophomore at American University and president of Students for D.C. Statehood, the District’s status is as much an issue for the college students who call the city home as it is for permanent residents. The District and its surrounding area serve as home to at least 140,000 college students.

“Students, especially university stu-

dents, should care about local issues in general, including D.C. statehood, because they are likely to live and work here in the future,” Matfess said. “[At] the very least, students will live in the District for four years, so they ought to take some ownership and fight to make it a better place to live for everyone.”

Matfess’ involvement with Students for D.C. Statehood began after visiting Gray’s office on a field trip for a government class. Having learned about the District’s subordinate status, he and a few other students picked up the paperwork to start a new organization to advocate for statehood.

According to Matfess, garnering student interest in the topic can be challenging because a large majority of students do not live in the District. Nevertheless, advocates say this diversity can be advantageous; once students learn about the issue, they are better able to educate people in their home states about the importance of D.C. statehood.

“The voting rights movement has been cursed with inward thinking, and so Students for D.C. Statehood wants to go outside the box and bring education to high schools across America and to tourists visiting the capital,” Matfess said.

Stirrett also emphasized the potential

D.C.’s first shadow senators, Florence Pendleton (D-D.C.) and Jesse Jackson (D-D.C.), and congressman, Charles Moreland (D-D.C.) are elected.

D.C. Statehood Constitutional Convention drafts a constitution that is ratified by the residents.

1982

AMY LEE/THE HOYA

KEEPING TRACK Outside the John A. Wilson building, the seat of D.C. government, a counter enumerates federal tax dollars paid by residents.

1985 D.C. Full Voting Rights Amendment rejected by a 13th state and thus fails to be approved.

1991

Candidate Obama endorses statehood.

2000 “Taxation Without Representation” slogan added to license plates.

2008

that D.C. college students have to raise awareness about the issue outside of the city.

“Where college students fit into this is that they are able to create a network across the country,” he said. Ideally, these students would carry the message back to their homes and help stimulate a national call for change, the only hope the city would have for the passage of a statehood amendment.

At the same time, Jones realizes that a national political climate that is receptive to the issue of D.C. statehood is a long way off.

“In the current political setup, achieving statehood is a very difficult proposition. People don’t understand it well,” he said. “People respond well to issues of democracy and voting rights and representation, but when you make the jump to statehood, it’s more difficult … Statehood raises a lot of questions with people.”

Jones believes that a strong educational program that would raise national awareness is the missing link for the movement.

“I think once a critical mass of people understand what’s happening in the District and understand the injustice, I think it’ll be a lot easier to get statehood,” Jones said. “In the end, we will get statehood. The District of Columbia will be a state.”

When the federal government comes close to shutting down in April, Mayor Vincent Gray and city council members are arrested for protesting the budget compromises.

2009

2011

2012

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.)

On October 2, D.C. City sponsors D.C. voting rights bill.

Council passes bill to launch Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) adds referendum process that would amendments to repeal gun amend the Home Rule Act and control laws. The bill is dropped. give D.C. budget autonomy.

food&drink Seafood Pleases But Prices Upset EMILY MANBECK Hoya Staff Writer

 QUARTERDECK

1200 Fort Myer Dr., Arlington cuisine: Seafood price: $$$$

B

efore dining in Arlington this past weekend, I never considered the land across Key Bridge one of multiple fine culinary options. However, Quarterdeck, a happening crab joint that is a 10-minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro station, proved me wrong.

The restaurant has been serving up fresh Maryland blue crab and other seafood for over 30 years, and I would highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time.

Upon arriving at Quarterdeck, my friends and I took our place in a very long line of guests waiting for seats. We received a table after about 20 minutes but some of those in line with us left before their parties were called. Others complained that their reservations were not taken at the time that they had requested, either.

Styled like the quarterdeck of a ship with wooden walls, blue gingham tablecloths and nautically themed paintings, the restaurant has a rustic charm. Providing both indoor and outdoor seating, Quarterdeck attracts many regular diners from nearby Rosslyn and Arlington neighborhoods — something that, in

my opinion, affected both the environment and the service. The noise level was high, though it was not so loud that my friends and I could not carry on our conversation. In fact, I thought that this noise added to the restaurant’s lively, convivial atmosphere. My party did get the impression, however, that the wait staff was more attentive to their regulars.

Though our particular waiter was quite friendly and talkative, a good number of servers seemed to ignore some of their tables in favor of others.

The menu offers mainly shellfish dishes but it does provide other options, such as steak, chicken and pizza, for those not interested in trying something from under the sea. The real reason to come to Quarterdeck, though, is the famous Crab Feast. Cooked to order, these steamed blue crabs are prepared with a semi-salty seasoning. You have to work at breaking open the claws and shell with your mallet, but the meat inside is well worth it.

Served with butter, the crab is so warm and soft that it melts in your mouth.

There are downsides, however, to having the Crab Feast. As stipulated by the menu, all in your party must order it. In

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QUARTERDECKARLINGTON.COM

LEFT FEELING CRABBY High prices and slow service marred an otherwise delicious seafood experience. other words, you cannot have a different entree if the rest of your table has the feast. Although it is “all you can eat,” no one may take feast leftovers from the restaurant. The meal is also priced at $37.99 per person, which is especially expensive for a group of college sophomores.

Quarterdeck offers soups, salads and sandwiches at more reasonable values — meaning under $10 — but I would still give it three out of five stars even if I hadn’t found my dish so overpriced. Although our waiter let us order the Crab Feast, he did let us know that generally reservations are needed if you are planning to order it. Because we did not order appetizers — because we noticed how much damage the feast would do to our wallets — we became very anxious and hungry during the crabs’ thirty-minute

cooking time. We noticed, however, that other parties who did not order the feast, or crab at all for that matter, waited just as long as we did. With the wait to get in, to have our orders taken, to be served and to receive our checks, our dining experience lasted over two-and-a-half hours. Factoring in our travel time from the Hilltop to Arlington, I do not know if we would have thought this process worthwhile if the Crab Feast had not been so tasty.

Quarterdeck’s biggest draw is that it serves fresh Maryland crabs, which is probably among the reasons why it appeals to northern Virginians like me who do not always want to venture over the border for quality seafood. However, because of its mostly unreasonable prices, I would wait until next year’s parents’ weekend to visit this crab shack.

a weekly review of the blogosphere’s best recipes

Leek and Potato Soup

Cuban Flan

christinascucina.blogspot.com

gastrofotonomia.com

Still feeling chilly after Sandy? This delicious leek and potato soup will warm you right up. Quick, simple and delicious, it looks great with little designs made from milk or cream.

A staple of all Latin American cuisines, flan is a simple to make but surprisingly rich tasting dessert. This particularly decadent variation is from a Cuban kitchen and makes a case for a trip south of the border.

10 | the guide | 11.2.12

Serving Up Burgers Worth Flipping Over jerrod macfarlane

Special to The Hoya

L

ocated on the 23rd Street corner of Washington Circle, Burger Tap & Shake serves perfect college food.

Cheap and delicious, its char-griddled burgers not only please the palate but also warm the soul — proving that comfort food can still impress the most refined of diners.

BTS prepares its House and Signature burgers with great attention to quality and preparation. BTS uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients that, in my opinion, improve its classic American menu of milkshakes, burgers and a la carte sides — namely French fries, sweet potato fries and onion rings. The restaurant grinds a custom blend of three-day-aged, naturally raised beef chuck and brisket for its burgers every day. BTS does not try to win its diners over with intricate culinary sleight of hand or with exotic ingredients but instead focuses on letting its diners taste the care that they put into their food.

A burger joint with a stainless-steel kitchen and an industrially decorated dining room, BTS only offers counter service — which also means that you seat yourself. This, I found, made the ordering process quick and easy. I selected the unfortunately named — but soon to be proven delicious — Big Daddy burger with a side of fries. After I placed my order, I was promptly provided with a buzzer. Not having eaten in what seemed like days, I eagerly anticipated receiving my meal. As I waited, I no-

BURGERTAPSHAKE.COM

MOUTH-WATERING MENU Burger Tap & Shake grinds its own meat daily.

 burger tap & shake 2200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW cuisine: American price: $$$$ ticed that the restaurant has windows on all sides and room for all despite the hustle and bustle. This provided a unique environment of constant motion without any of the usual hassles such as not being able to find a table or not being able to carry on a conversation with your party. I couldn’t help but get caught up in the atmosphere and in a bit of people-watching as well.

Suddenly, my buzzer went off. I walked up to the counter, trying not to show my eager anticipation, and picked up my order. I quickly spread some ketchup over the fries, picked up a lone fry and bit down. Crispy, salty and yet sweet, the fry met all of my expectations. I then directed my attention to my primary concern: the burger. With a better presentation than a Five Guys burger and fresher ingredients than a Shake Shack burger, this burger satisfies.

My burger, the Big Daddy, is composed of BTS’s daily prepared beef with smoked bacon, buttermilk blue cheese, Lea & Perrins mushrooms and AP sauce — which could best be described as what McDonald’s special sauce aims but fails to achieve. Also of interest was the proportion of my burger: The patty was perfectly formed — smaller and more manageable than a Five Guys regular patty but larger and more filling than your average fast-food chain burger. Furthermore, the burger is not sloppy. Unlike many of the “highquality” burgers we’ve been trained to accept — haphazardly put together and constantly evading grasp — my BTS burger could be put down without fear of collapse and could be eaten as easily as the fries that accompanied it.

If you are looking for a new place to go for a meal where the only surprise is the quality of your meal, you should you make your way down to Burger Tap & Shake, but bring a friend — you may need someone with whom to rave about the food.

food&drink life beyond leo’s

Throwing a Stormy Soiree

G

uest list? Check. Food? kiki is “a party including good muCheck. Libations? Definitely sic and good friends, held for the a check. Flashlights/Water/ express purpose of calming nerves, First Aid Kit/Battery-Operated Ra- reducing anxiety and stress and gendio? Umm … check? As soon as class- erally fighting ennui. May involve es were cancelled Sunday night, I locked doors, tea and salacious gosheard a collective thud as the entire sip.” (Many thanks to Urban Dictioncampus dropped whatever it was do- ary.) Preferring kikis to raging paring and immediately began to stock ties where the walls sweat, Sunday up for two days of partying. Em- and Monday nights seemed like the phasized by those eerie “food avail- perfect nights to take a break from ability” emails, Leo’s became a fren- the relentless march of midterms zied “Hunger Games” arena, while and relax with a hurrikiki. And a Vittles seemed like a Soviet ration- hurrikiki was just what the doctor ordered: good friends, ing house. I can only acoustic guitar jam imagine the amount sessions, Catchof money Dixie Liphrase, a viewing of quor raked in. College students look for anyThe Hunger Games, thing that will allow all complemented by them to procrastinate an endless supply of BrendanQuinn on their homework food prepared by my and spend time with son-of-a-French-chef their friends, so it follows that the roommate. Not to be outdone, I did range of social events spans to in- make chocolate chip cookies with clude natural disasters. Chock it up a smile, and we polished off the reto the youthful optimism and devil- mains of my “Georgie Porgie Pudmay-care attitudes of 18 to 22 year din’ Pie” (my last recipe) that I had olds. We were lucky that we didn’t made on Saturday. lose power, water or anything seriThis happens to be one of my faous like that — the storm could have vorite recipes that I generally make been much worse, as evidenced by for Christmas, but given the proximNew Jersey, New York City and my ity to Halloween and my more genhometown on Long Island. With my eral passion for cookies, I couldn’t experience of the storm, I just had resist sharing it this week. Next to periodically wipe up some oddly time a storm rolls through, throw leaking window sills, although I a good kiki and serve these treats; it blame Henle more than Sandy for will make the wind and rain all the that. more bearable.

I must confess, however, that I did hold a hurricane get-together, ap- Brendan Quinn is a junior in the propriately named a “hurrikiki.” For College. LIFE BEYOND LEO’S appears those not familiar with the term, a every other Friday in the guide.

sandy’s candy cookies INGREDIENTS Premade sugar cookie dough (the kind that comes in a roll/tube) Either Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Hershey’s Kisses A mini muffin tray, ideally Roll out the dough to the point where you can then cut it and roll it into tiny balls. One dough ball should fill approximately half of one of the mini muffin indents in the tray. Make sure your tray is greased.

Bake the dough as directed and then let cool in the tray for one to two minutes.

While the cookies are still moderately warm, push your candy of choice into it.

The candy will melt a bit, but don’t worry. Let the candy cookies cool for about fifteen to twenty minutes before attempting to remove the cookies from the tray.

11.2.12 | the guide | 11

arts&entertainment Swapping Out the Textbooks for Netflix

N

ow that midterm season is behind us, it’s time to return to what’s really important: watching television shows on Netflix. Lucky for you, the temperature is dropping, giving you even less of an incentive to close your laptop and go outside. Now, you can maximize the amount of time you spend staring at the lives of imaginary people who are much better looking than you. I’ve compiled a list of the shows you should either start watching or rewatch, all accessible on your (or your roommate’s or your roommate’s girlfriend’s or whoever’s) Netflix account.

If you’re feeling nostalgic for the late ’90s, both “Ally McBeal” and “Dawson’s Creek” are currently streaming and are worthy of a look. Callista Flockhart who plays the title character in the former is a young lawyer in Boston looking for love. The latter is about a bunch of attractive but angsty teenagers. Half the fun of watching these shows is seeing now-famous people way back in the day: Portia de Rossi, Jane Krakowski, Lucy Liu, James Marsden and Hayden Panettiere all appear on “Ally McBeal.”

One of Ally’s main love interests is Robert Downey Jr., who was in the midst of fighting his drug addiction during filming. (Full disclosure: Robert Downey Jr. is the reason I decided to watch the show. No regrets.) For its part, “Dawson’s

Creek” has Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson. I can’t help but laugh when I watch these famous people run around these overwrought but enjoyable dramas.

If, like me, you’re an Aaron Sorkin junkie, check out another ’90s show, the sitcom “Sports Night.” This short-lived series follows a sports news show purposefully similar to ESPN’s SportsCenter as characters deal with the ethical issues of their jobs as well as the entanglements of their love lives — think of it as “The Newsroom”-lite. Stick it out through the first few episodes, which use a jarring laugh track, and you’ll be chuckling along with the witty dialogue, even if Sorkin does let his characters become a little preachy for sports journalists.

I have spent hours and hours of my life watching “Law & Order” on television, and now I do it on Netflix, too: The original series, “Special Victims Unit” and “Criminal Intent” (the weakest of the franchise) are all online. I’m personally hoping that “Law & Order: UK” ends up on the streaming service, too, partially because everything sounds better with a British accent — even mass murder.

Speaking of British things, if you’re an Anglophile, Netflix will take care of all of your needs. There’s the prodigious “Doctor Who,” a show about a handsome, proselytizing, time-traveling alien, and one you should check out if you like sci-

fi, wit and absurd situations.

Check out “Skins,” which is also about a bunch of attractive angsty teens and is great if you want to see 14-year-olds who party harder than you ever have. If you’ve somehow missed the cultural phenomenon, immediately start watching “Downton Abbey,” the greatest thing to happen to heartbroken landed aristocrats since “Pride and Prejudice.”

I’ll take a moment to acknowledge how Netflix has allowed me to relive my childhood: “Hey Arnold,” “Spongebob Squarepants,” “Rugrats,” “The Fairly OddParents,” “Danny Phantom,” “X-Men” and a host of other shows are all available to watch instantly. When I’m having a bad day, I tend to go on a Bikini Bottom binge, finding solace in Sandy’s weird dome thing that lets a squirrel be BFFs with a sponge. Oh, the wonders of children’s television.

Netflix is also a wonderful place to catch up on the shows all of your friends are talking about but that you never got into. Critical darlings like “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men” are on there, but I’d also like to suggest you watch “Once Upon a Time.” It’s about a town in Maine populated by fairytale characters who’ve forgotten their real identities. They’re trapped there for eternity by the evil queen, who has an unexplained grudge against Snow White. The whole show is kind of dark but also pretty campy, which is a weird

VICTORIA EDEL Hoya Staff Writer

REELMOVIENATION.COM

SERENADE Robert Downey, Jr. showed off his surprising vocal talent with Calista Flockhart in “Ally McBeal.” balance that, to be honest, the show doesn’t pull off particularly well. But, in spite of that, it’s a lot of fun and pretty addictive — I mean, who doesn’t want to see Snow White as an action hero?

Of course, this list is only a start to the suggestions I could give. Almost every TLC show, from my beloved “Say Yes to the Dress” to “DC Cupcake” is available, as are shows I used to love, like “Charmed” and “Brothers and Sisters.” At this point, you’ve probably become a hermit in your dorm room who only leaves to buy more ramen noodles; sorry about that, but at least you can live vicariously through imaginary characters, right?

take it from a senior

Enjoy Today Without Worrying About Tomorrow

A

word from the wise to college freshmen (and really all students): Breathe. I’ve been an RA for three years and I can tell you that you aren’t doing it enough. I know it might seem like everyone older than you is telling you to do this right now, so it might seem a little trite, but take them seriously. Freshmen — and college students in general, really — are some of the most high-strung individuals I have ever had the pleasure of encountering in my short 21 years.

Breathe. Run. Take a walk. Watch a movie. Reflect. Meditate. Do something you enjoy. Don’t just sit around telling me that your life sucks without doing anything about it. Pick up a hobby.

I hear baking is nice (or eating baked goods, for that matter). Now, take us seniors, for example. Sure, we might look a little haggard from our previous

12 | the guide | 11.2.12

three years in school — and rightfully have imagined.” Even if those dreams so — but we’ve learned an essential les- change and your imagination wanders son that you’ve still yet to understand: into new territories, follow them.

Welcome to the real world, people.

It doesn’t actually matter. I mean, it does, but it’s not like the one class you That doesn’t mean life sucks or that take now is unalterably going to secure it’s all bad. Working hard and being happy are by no means muyour fate here and in whattually exclusive things (and ever next life you believe in. shame on whomever tried Chill out. Enjoy life, because to sell you that sad sack of let me tell you something: beans). You can do both Life doesn’t get any easier. and, quite frankly, most of Choices don’t suddenly become clearer; relationships MauraTimoney you will want to do both — even if “work” is a dirty don’t magically materialize word right now (I guarantee out of thin air. you’ll encounter a lot more Life takes work, and you keep working until you get what you dirty words as you get older). You’re want, at which point you decide you young and this is the only time in your want something else. I strongly recom- life you’ll be able to mess up badly and mend abiding by the advice of Henry Da- still get away with it.

Things don’t get any easier with time, vid Thoreau: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you but they certainly get more interesting.

One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Matthew 6:24: “Do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.”

The older you get, the more doors open up to you and the more barriers you can surmount. The older you get, the more tools you have in your arsenal to fight adversity and figure out what it is you really want out of life. Don’t waste time now worrying about what may or may not happen to you next year or after college or when you have to get a job.

Yes, do work and do it well, but have fun. Make some mistakes. Learn. That’s really what college is all about.

Maura Timoney is a senior in the School of Nursing and Health Studies.

TAKE IT FROM A SENIOR appears every other Friday in the guide.

photoessay The Path to a Runner’s Heart T

he District has never really felt like home. As a native New Yorker who grew up believing her city possessed the best of everything — museums, nightlife, bagels — D.C. leaves me less than impressed. I’ve yet to see a Smithsonian that competes with the Met. And a subway system that closes at midnight on weekdays? Fuggedaboutit!

There is only one place here that, in my mind, compares with anything New York has to offer: the C&O Canal towpath. Situated between the canal and the Potomac, this gravelly thoroughfare for runners, bikers and all manner of small children and pets is the place I most look forward to seeing when I return to school at the beginning of each semester.

I’ve gone running in Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge and along the Coney Island boardwalk, but the towpath will always be where my sneaker-clad feet feel most at home.

The solace I find from a jog along the

arts&entertainment

by sarah kaplan

canal goes much deeper than the simple, satisfying action of putting one foot in front of the other. I draw comfort and inspiration from the scenery itself. Though it’s never more than a few miles from the hubbub of downtown and the suburban sprawl of Montgomery County, Md., the towpath is a place of unexpected natural beauty.

This is especially true in autumn, when cooler weather and a steely blue sky give a run along the towpath an irresistible appeal. Yellow-gold sunlight filters through tree branches still decked with leaves — holdouts refusing to succumb to the concept that even sweaty D.C. summer must end. Flecks of sunlight dance on the slow-moving Potomac. Crisp air knifes the back of my throat as I pant along the path. I smile at passing joggers, pause to retie my shoe and snap a selfindulgent photo (or five) with my phone.

And for once in my life, I’d rather be here in the District than anywhere else.

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11.2.12 | the guide | 13

arts&entertainment behind the screens

Video Falling Short of Great On-Screen Expectations Games Come

T

hroughout my life, I’ve been genuinely like my friends. Maybe it’s told to prepare for the harsh real just me, but if suddenly my life did beworld, where things will only get come a sitcom — which is basically my harder as I gain responsibility. At least, life goal — I’d want it to be funny.

In a similar — but more drastic and that’s what people in the real world say. Television sings another tune. encumbering — way, our ideals regardMovies and television shows tend to ing romantic relationships are also temporarily draw people into their fic- shaped by the happy-ending requiretional stories, but sometimes they can ment most films and shows have. The affect people on a more permanent truth is, no matter how hard writers level. In my experience, they’ve some- make it seem for their characters to how weasled their way into my psyche, find love, it is still infinitely easier than creating unrealistic expectations for in real life.

There always seems to be some my relationships.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Af- complication or disagreement that ter all, optimism is welcome in any sit- prevents a couple from being together uation. But characters are often unreal- midway through the plot. They someistically optimistic, and highly unlikely how always overcome conflict and live coincidences are peppered through- happily ever after. This is the plot of out plots. The audience sees fairy-tale basically every movie Katherine Heigl, plots and cookie-cutter relationships, Kate Hudson or Jennifer Garner has formulations those in it tend to project ever been in. Essentially, it boils down to Hollywood’s campaign supporting onto real-life relationships.

This, of course, doesn’t just apply the existence of soul mates.

Again, I don’t necesto romantic situations. sarily find this idealism For example, the bestto be a bad thing, and, friend relationship is to be honest, I personone of the most ideally hope that it’s posalized and is often sible. But what I think characterized by unmakes the on-screen faltering loyalty and EduardoGueiros versions of romance the undying ability to unrealistic — at least in overcome obstacles.

We see it on “How I Met Your Mother” some cases — is the fact that the relawith Ted and Marshall, who practi- tionships are seemingly perfect. We cally never fight and support each don’t see what goes on after the couple other through called-off engagements, finally gets together. Hollywood tries deaths and near-bankruptcy. There’s to sell us happy endings because that’s Christina and Meredith, who are each what we want to see. We don’t want to other’s “person” and are always there see the couple in The Notebook fight for teach other in “Grey’s Anatomy.” unless it’s going to end in a passionate There is Troy and Abed on “Communi- make-out session, not a divorce filing. ty,” Anne and Leslie on “Parks & RecreHere’s the thing, though: At the ation” and many more; no matter how end of the day, I’m always going to hard things get, their loyalty doesn’t believe that a love like Noah’s and waver for more than forty-five minutes Allie’s and a friendship like Troy’s at a time. and Abed’s is possible, even if comObviously, we all have friends like mon sense often tells me otherthis, relationships in which conflict wise. Sure, television and movies is quickly resolved. However, film can be cheesy and predictable, but and television make those exceptions would we really want to see Allie seem like rules. Let’s be honest: Think yell at Noah for not taking out the back to freshman year. We make fast trash? Yawn. friends, only to later realize that we are I love these relationships, but I pretty different. also don’t let myself be disheartAt the same time, these expectations ened if my life isn’t as funny or flawgive us something to strive for. After less as the ones I see on the screen. all, seeing the trio in “Workaholics” or the funny yet insightful best friend in Eduardo Gueiros is a junior in the Colany romantic comedy, I want to have lege. BEHIND THE SCREENS appears relationships like that, even though I every other Friday in the guide.

14 | the guide | 11.2.12

Alive in Contrived Film ABBY KEEBLE Hoya Staff Writer

D

o you really know what happens have an intense multiplication capacity, when the lights turn off and can only be controlled within “Hero’s the video game arcades close? Duty” and are able to eat away at other Disney’s newest animated adventure, games’ code, destroying them forever.

Wreck-It Ralph, answers that question Ralph, with the help of the characters and more. While the movie’s plot falls he meets on his adventure, must find a short of recent Disney animated mas- way to save the gaming world. terpieces, references to the Wizard of Throughout his journey, Ralph preOz, Kill Bill and lots of old-fashioned dictably learns what it means to truly be video games keep the film fresh and a hero, and it’s a fun ride to watch him surprising, and learn. The patchy the exploration plot and overabunof the world of dance of puns are arcade games is sometimes difficult certainly an exto stomach, but the perience worth film’s animation is WRECK-IT RALPH watching. visually entertainstarring: John C. Reilly, Sarah The movie tells ing, and its diathe story of an arlogue is often very Silverman and Jane Lynch. cade-game villain funny. named Wreck-It The film’s most Ralph (John C. Reilredeeming quality ly) who’s tired of always being the bad is its charming cast of characters, which guy. Ralph works hard at his job, wreck- helps to make up for the otherwise weak ing buildings so the star of the game, plot. My personal favorite is Ralph’s newFix-It Felix, can fix them up. Ralph’s fel- found best friend Vanellope (Sarah Silverlow characters ostracize him simply be- man) — an adorably sarcastic character cause he works as the bad guy. He even from a Mario Kart-style racing game set in attends a bad-guy version of AA where Candy Land. Though Vanellope has never their mantra is “Just because I’m a bad driven before, she feels racing is what she guy doesn’t mean I’m a bad guy.” Want- was born to do, and she wants to race ing to just for once feel what it’s like to more than anything else. However, she is be the hero, Ralph decides to go escape banned from racing and ostracized by the from his game and explore other gam- other game characters because she is a ing worlds. In the first game Ralph vis- glitch, disappearing off screen at random its, “Hero’s Duty,” he battles alien cyber moments and making the game appear to bugs and succeeds in winning his first be malfunctioning. In characteristic Dismedal. Ralph, ecstatic with his own suc- ney style, Ralph helps her embrace what cess, accidentally releases a cyber bug makes her different and use it to her adinto another game. These bugs, which vantage.

The other standout is the hardened military commander Sergeant Calhoun from “Hero’s Duty,” voiced by the instantly recognizable Jane Lynch. Lynch brings to Calhoun the same no-nonsense attitude viewers have loved to hate on “Glee” and seems right at home in the “Halo”inspired world of the game. Even more entertaining to watch are the romantic advances made by Fix-It Felix (voiced by Jack McBrayer of “30 Rock”) towards Calhoun.

Wreck-It Ralph is far from an instant ROTTENTOMATOES.COM Disney classic, but the endearing cast of NOT A BAD GUY Wreck-It Ralph’s tituvideo-game characters and its pleasant lar hero fights to prove he is more sense of humor make the movie an enjoythan just a video game villain. able way to spend a few hours.

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arts&entertainment

Bird’s Album Flies Low

New Releases

COLLEEN SCANLON Special to The Hoya

JERROD MACFARLANE

J

ust in time for Halloween, Andrew Bird has released his haunting new album Hands of Glory. Recorded in his home studio/barn, the album serves as a musical companion to Bird’s last album, Break It Yourself, released earlier this year. Bird and his band created this ghostly blend of old-fashioned country and modern folk huddled around a single microphone in a physical manifestation of the album’s intimacy.

Hands of Glory opens with “Three White Horses,” which sets the tone of the album with sorrowful lyrics, beautifully blended vocals and echoing acoustics. As always, the highlight of this album is Bird’s unmatchable ability to tease emotion from the strings of his violin, which cries, dances and sings throughout the album.

Bird respectively honors his musical roots as he pays tribute to some of folk’s finest in his covers of Handsome Family’s “When That Helicopter Comes,” Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You” and the southern folk classic, “Railroad Bill.” Faithful to the original versions, these renditions fail to bring anything new to the table.

Maybe our remix culture renders traditional interpretations unproductive, but it does seem that Bird’s innovative talents could have taken these tracks to a new level.

Bird is able to show off that versatility in “Orpheo,” a reworking of “Orpheo Fights Back” from Break it Yourself. Stripped to basic acoustics with a soft, mellow listen, the new track provides an elegant, even simple, interpretation of its predecessor. The creativity and innovation that were somewhat lacking in his other covers on the album resonate in “Orpheo” as

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‘DOOM AND GLOOM’ | tHE ROLLING STONES 

In honor of their upcoming greatest hits album, rock ’n’ roll royalty The Rolling Stones have released its first new single in seven years. You shouldn’t need any more convincing than that. “Doom and Gloom” is a perfect high-energy blend of the classic Stones sound with new and unexpected turns to the dark and grotesque.

MOM&POPMUSIC.COM

GIVE HIM A HAND Andrew Bird’s new album displays his authentic style.

Bird turns introspective, analyzing his own work rather than that of folk’s past.

“Beyond the Valley of the Three White Horses,” the last track on the album, and the only primarily instrumental undertaking, demonstrates Bird’s unique ability to convey so much emotion without words. The song opens with sorrowful violins that grow into a harmony of mournful voices. His signature and immaculate whistling abilities also makes a brief appearance in this track.

It seems that Bird’s best work comes from his self-reflection and authenticity. When he veers away from his own work and into the past, Bird is unable to capture the same provocative elements of his original material. The album is redeemed, however, by an artful embracement of Bird’s unique style, which is dependent on, yet unique to, folk’s musical culture. For folk fans, Hands of Glory is a must.

E

HOLLYWOOD RECORDS

UNIQUE SIMPLICITY ZZ Ward self-describes her music as “dirty-shine.”

may seem like another Adele-soundalike but her debut album, Til the Casket Drops, shows that she has potential to stand on her own. While it is true that Ward’s soulful, powerful vocals do resemble Adele’s, that fact should be taken as more of a compliment than a critique. Ward refers to her music style as “dirty-shine,” her word for mixing elements of bluesy jazz and contemporary hip-hop. What emerges is a unique, energetic and elegant music style.

The album was named after its first track, which was featured in the promotional campaign of the latest season of “Pretty Little Liars” before the debut album was released and which first made Ward famous. It is not difficult to see how the track earned Ward the attention she has received. With an original and beautiful melody, a catchy yet not cliche chorus, powerful beats and cryptic lyrics, the track has all it takes to make a hit. Moreover, the track maintains a good balance between the percussion and instrumental arrange-

ROLLINGSTONES.COM

‘I NEED YOUR LOVE’ | CALVIN HARRIS FEAT. ELLIE GOULDING 

Pairing two of the top artists of the moment — Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding — “I Need Your Love” is a luxurious and satisfying track for those looking for something new after listening to “Feel So Close” a few too many times.

The greatest surprise on the track is Goulding’s warm and refreshing vocals.

POPDUST.COM

‘SUNBURNT’ | UNDEROATH 

This is one of the last songs from Underoath before it disbands. The album will be a look at the band’s journey since 1999.

The song hearkens back to the band’s earlier mix of screaming vocals and crashing metal with a tinge of their newer, more refined sound. Still, this track is really meant for fans of the metalcore genre.

New Singer Treads Familiar Ground ver since Adele’s phenomenal success began, music producers have been attempting to reproduce her style. American singer-songwriter ZZ Ward

Special to The Hoya

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ments throughout — a feature that is characteristic of Ward’s “dirty-shine” style, and which I appreciate.

There are many other brilliant tracks as well. “Last Love Song” is a melancholic piece that puts the strength of Ward’s voice under a spotlight, with simple piano and guitar arrangements in the background and only occasional percussion.

This is one of my favorite tracks in the album not only because of the sheer emotional intensity of Ward’s voice but also because the lyrics of the song are genuine and original — some lines could even be called poetic. My personal favorite in the whole album, however, is “Save My Life.”

The melody of the song is hauntingly beautiful, and Ward’s vocals do not disappoint. The track also has lyrics that are not contrived, and even come off as profound and inspiring.

Despite the many successes on the album, however, there are also some songs that seem to fall flat. Tracks like “Home”

BILLBOARD.COM

kelly lui Special to The Hoya

and “Crying Wolf,” while decent, fail to make a strong impression. Moreover, my biggest critique of the album is of the lyrics. Music and lyrics go together and complement each other, but the lyrics in this album sometimes become cliche awkward and forced. Similes in lines like, “Just like a fuse, making the night so hot,” are cheesy, while cheap rhymes, forced parallel sentences and meaningless gap-fillers like “whoa” are ubiquitous.

With all that said, Til the Casket Drops is an impressive debut. The powerful vocal, original melodies, strong beats and generally impeccable instrumental arrangements make it a solid album, while the “dirty-shine” style of Ward’s music should make it appealing to a wider audience than fans of the blues or hip-hop alone. While the album is not flawless, it is definitely worth giving it a try on Spotify or YouTube. One way or another, there is no doubt that Ward is a new star to watch.

11.2.12 | the guide | 15

bestbets

kennedy lights — caitlin disantis

on campus

GLOBEMED AT GEORGETOWN BENEFIT DINNER Friday, 6:30 to 9p.m. — Copley Formal Lounge Join GlobeMed for dinner catered by Mai Thai and a discussion panel of international health professionals. Proceeds from the event will go directly to GlobeMed’s partner, a health and nutrition clinic in rural Guatemala that provides for women and children of the isolated valley. Purchase $20 tickets at globemedbenefitdinner.eventbrite.com.

One Night for Syria Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. — Sellinger Lounge

Come out and show why Georgetown is considered one of the most politically active universities in the country. Over the past year, and in many ways earlier, a number of tragedies have befallen the nation of Syria, which remains in dire straits. This event hopes to spread understanding of the events that continue to transpire in Syria and raise funds to help those most affected.

The Donn B. Murphy One Acts Festival Wednesday to Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. — Poulton Hall Stage III Mask & Bauble’s Donn B. Murphy One-Acts Festival is back for its 161st season. This year, it will showcase “Spiritual Ecstasies,” written by Katie Mitchell (COL ’15) and directed by Kathleen Joyce (COL ’15). The ensemble deals with gripping questions about humanity. Tickets are $7 for general attendants and $5 for students.

Ending Wars Well Thursday, 12 to 1:30 p.m. — Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs Senior Research Fellow Eric Patterson will talk about his new book Ending Wars Well: Order, Justice, and Conciliation. Patterson will speak about why modern wars never seem to have peaceful endings, citing recent examples like those in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as older wars like the Civil War. RSVP required.

around town saturday

friday

sunday

Tonight, Bandolero, one of Georgetown’s hottest restaurants, will hold its first Day of the Dead Party.

The night will feature music by DJ Yola Monster, themed cocktails and Bandolero’s delicious Mexican food. Though costumes are optional, we highly encourage dressing up to get into the holiday spirit.

Have a laugh at the State Theater’s Five Dollar Comedy Night. The show, which features seven different comedians from around the country, is sure to be a fun and entertaining way to spend a night off campus. Thankfully, it’s for a price fitting a college student’s budget.

Enjoy an evening of favorites by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich in the National Gallery of Art’s West Garden court. Whether you’re a classical music junkie or you just want a calming study break, you should attend this event and check out the PostClassical Ensemble, an experimental orchestra laboratory.

WHERE: 3241 M St. NW WHEN: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

INFO: bandolerodc.com PRICE: Will vary METRO: N/A

WHERE: 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, Va. WHEN: 9 p.m.

INFO: thestatetheatre.com PRICE: $5 (plus $1 service fee) METRO: East Falls Church

WHERE: Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

INFO: nga.gov PRICE: Free METRO: Smithsonian

JERROD MACFARLANE & CAITLIN DESANTIS Special to The Hoya