MINI ISSUE
LIVE
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER
UFC ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING A MAJOR SPORT by Arik Wonsover
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arlier this month, the UFC debuted the new Ultimate Fighter Live on FX. For some of you, this article will be the first time you’ve heard of it; which seems almost impossible considering the glob of advertising the UFC has used to hype this up. But can you blame them? The debut on March 9 was one of the most important nights in its history. The UFC has transformed from its barbaric beginning, collecting hoards of fans along the way. But the brand is still a far cry from the NFL or the NBA. This marked the 15th Ultimate Fighter season, but this season is in every way as important as the first. It wasn’t long ago - on April 9, 2005 - when the UFC showcased the Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale to the world, welcoming a new generation of fans. On that night, Ultimate Fighter 1 finalists Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar battled in a 15-minute slugfest that put the UFC on the map. Fans who were in attendance or watching from their couch, who were hardcore MMA fans or watching it for the first time, knew alike that they were watching something special. Fans were glued to the television as the two met toe-to-toe in a back and forth fight that opened the door to new mixed martial arts fans. And I was one of them. This season has given me a sense of nostalgia back to that time, the time when I first became a fan. That night, nearly seven years ago, earned the UFC millions of dollars and assured it was here to stay. With this season of The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC hoped to entice a new cluster fans to push the brand into the national spotlight, side by side with major sports. What make this season different from the first 14? The previous seasons included a group of UFC fighters that would participate in a tournament to become the “Ultimate Fighter,” which would mean a six-figure UFC contract. The fighters all lived in a house together, creating bitter rivalries and drunken antics, which were all caught on tape. The season would then culminate with a live finale, which was aired on Spike TV. This season will have all of that, but all
of the fights will be aired live on FX. The live aspect adds a sense of unpredictability and professionalism, which makes these guys feel like they’re already under UFC contract. I was intrigued to see how this would work. Would the fights be at a big arena? Would there be a ton of promo videos before each fight and presentation? Would Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg announce the fights? After sitting on the edge of my seat for two and half hours of action-packed fights, I was satisfied to say the least. It felt like the anti-EliteXC, devout of any glitz or glamour, with the only semblance of announcing coming from coaches Dominick Cruz, the Bantamweight UFC champion; Urijah Faber, the number one contender for the Bantamweight title; and UFC President Dana White, who were all mic-ed up. The event was held at the same UFC gym used in the past for the Ultimate Fighter matches, giving it the feeling of a college wrestling meet.
THERE WERE 16 FIVE-MINUTE FIGHTS, SETTING UP FOR A FULL FLASH KO’s AND SUBMISSION FINISHES. THERE WAS EVEN AN EIGHT-SECOND KO. HECK, SOME GUY EVEN BROKE HIS TOE MID FIGHT, AND THE WHOLE NATION SHARED A COLLECTIVE GRIMACE. This format made the fighters have to think on their feet, putting them in an uncomfortable environment where they had five minutes of fame to showcase their skills. With 16 fighters coming out victorious and prepared to live in a house together, it will be interesting to see how this season pans out. The live fights add a new wrinkle to the show but also breathe new life into what was the foundation of the UFC’s success.
THE ALTERNATIVE
ALTERNATIVE ALBUM: A REVIEW OF THE KID CUDI & DOT DA GENIUS ALBUM WZRD
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ost often, when an artist breaks away from the genre or style of music they became famous for creating and performing, their fan base decreases rapidly and critics tear them apart with ease. Such was the case for Kanye West’s 2008 album 808s and Heartbreak. Mr. West’s fans wanted to hear him rap, not sing in autotune. Evidently, 808s and Heartbreak failed miserably, and Kanye moved back to his original style. This is not the case, however, with Kid Cudi and Dot Da Genius and their new album WZRD, which dropped February 28th. While Kid Cudi has been rapping and singing Hip-Hop music since he was 18 years old, he does not limit himself to Hip-Hop when it comes to what music he listens to. Inspired by artists like Nirvana and Cream, Cudi was moved to work with producer Dot Da Genius to create what he likes to call “the alternative to everything”. Titling themselves WZRD, Dot and Cudi went out on a limb to produce an entirely alternative album. Before WZRD, Cudi had played only a small amount of recreational guitar and Dot had never produced an alternative album, posing a challenge for the duo as they attempted to learn as they went along. This learning process, however, proved to be to their advantage, as they created an album unlike anything the music industry has ever seen. As Kid Cudi said in an interview with Complex Magazine, the songs on WZRD still “have that content, that Kid Cudi shit”. Even though the album is alternative, Cudi’s lyrics still provide a relatable story in each and every song, namely “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie”, a song Cudi made about missing his girlfriend while he was away on tour, and the most popular song on the album. However, the main way in which WZRD differs from anything that has ever been produced before is the way in which beats, guitar riffs and other unique sounds are combined. The album begins with “The Arrival”, a song with no lyrics that embodies the essence of the entire
album in 2 minutes and 51 seconds. While their sound stays away from Hip Hop, WZRD manages to hang onto an electronic influence all the same. The songs “High Off Life”, “Dr. Pill” and “Live & Learn” embody the unique rock sound WZRD brings forth on the album, while “Love Hard” and “Upper Room” stick close to the traditional Cudi sound. Some songs, however, cannot be categorized in any genre of music that has already been created. “The Dream Time Machine” sounds surreal and ethereal, resembling something like a combination of Indie and R&B, hinting at the fact that WZRD collaborated with Empire of the Sun for that particular track. The first song released off the album, “Brake”, sounds like an electronically influenced version of something Jimi Hendrix would have played. Yet somehow, every song on the album remains unique to Kid Cudi and Dot Da Genius, including Cudi’s cover of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”, a Leadbelly song that was also covered by Nirvana in 2004. For all the Kid Cudi “fans” out there who have managed to complain about this new album: This is not Man on the Moon III. This is WZRD, a masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of alternative music and shows that no artist can be tied down to his or her label or original genre of music. In the end, WZRD is an album that must be experienced, not simply listened to.
“THIS IS IMPORTANT Y’ALL, SO PLEASE TURN IT UP IF YOU CAN. I HAVE MATURED SO MUCH, THE BOY HAS BECOME A MAN. FINALLY I CAN SAY, I’M FEELING PROPER. NO NEED TO WORRY, I’M A HAPPY NEW ME.” --WZRD, “Upper Room”
WE FANCY THE
INTERNET
by Stephany Guerrero
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eed to get out of your everyday Internet shuffle? Find your Internet peace by matching your mood with the video titles below.
A KID’S DILEMMA “Goodnight iPad” is what we will soon be reading to our future children. A parody of the children’s book “Goodnight Moon,” it’s the tale of how one anthropomorphic grandma decides to unplug her little ones from Eminem, HDTV and the addictive glare of the gadget. It’s a video preview, but the book is available on hardcover, and you guessed it, as an e-book too. “How Do You Decide Who To Marry?” Running the gamut from bad dating experiences to proper kissing etiquette, kids respond with eerily insightful views as to how it should all be done. Notable points include: marry when you’re 23 (because you’ll know everything) and kiss the rich.
“THERE ARE DOZENS OF US!” “Awkward” finds its calling in the web show titled “Misadventures of the Awkward Black Girl.” And if you didn’t get the Arrested Development never-nude reference, you are not awkward enough to understand. We’ve all been in those self-conscious situations. Long narrow hallway, only one person on the other side, what is the protocol for acknowledgment? That annoying person you try to avoid happens to ride up next to you at the stop sign? Check out episode one to learn all the techniques of fake phone talking, fake laughing, and awkward speedy driving.
ARE YOU A FOODIE? AREN’T WE ALL REALLY? “The Perennial Plate” creatively combines colorful Americana imagery, a sustainable message and upbeat indie music to showcase short episodic videos about a cross-country road trip undertaken by Chef Daniel Klein and videographer Mirra Fine. Ninety-two episodes strong, Perennial Plate offers a quick bite of sustainable farms,
restaurants, dumpster diving, hunting and much more.
IS IT HIPSTER? IS IT THE DOG EQUIVALENT OF PLANKING? OR IS IT AN INTROSPECTIVE LOOK AT PHYSICS? MAYBE DOGS ARE JUST BETTER THAN CATS? Yes, all these rhetorical questions will be answered once you visit “Maddie the Coonhound.” Maddie the dog is amazingly skilled at standing on bicycles, fences, shopping carts or pretty much anything physics and bad balance skills would bring down. Yet, she manages to retain poise and class while doing her balancing act. Dogs whose owners like to dress you up, lookout, there’s a new, more dangerous trend in town.
REAL TALK In “Underwear Horoscope,” YouTube vlogger Jenna Marbles gives a candid look at what our underwear says about the rest of our day. Animal printed underwear? Maybe not the sexiest day ever, after what Jenna predicts. There’s also deep insight into the sacred issues of bathroom time, and gym pet-peeves.
HOOF IT HIPSTERS Light-hearted sarcasm would describe Marc Johns’ artwork of simple-line drawings with witty comments, aimed at sometimes poking fun at hipster-ish trends (hello ampersands and antlers!). Drawings range from U.S dating maps– based on online dating site searches – to grammar puns and inanimate objects with snippy retorts. Display your inner hipster (you know you are!) by purchasing a print in iPhone skin format.
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veryone seems to be in relationships in college. There are couples holding hands and kissing on the quad. Seeing this makes you go, “Aw, that is so cute!” One thing people fail to realize is that balancing a relationship is stressful. You can’t spend time with your loved one when you want to because you have a paper to write, an upcoming exam, a lot of reading, etc. Some students have jobs and are a part of organizations as well, which takes away from time that could be spent with their significant other. Couples want to talk on the phone all night when they have 8 am classes, but they decide to stay up anyway. The next morning is a hassle for them because they are tired. For some couples the less they see each other the more their love fades, for other couples that absence makes their hearts grow fonder. This may sound cliché, but it’s accurate. Students don’t want their grades to drop, but they also don’t want to lose their loved one, so what do you do? When filling out daily planners, couples have to set aside time for their boyfriend or girlfriend. Compromising is essential within a college relationship. Couples can plan where to eat together and study together. Hang together on weekends for some time, and some days friends can be included. This is not high school; the course load is way heavier so couples can’t expect to see each other every day. Perhaps every other day, like going to the same class every other day. Couples must be on the same level mentally and believe in the same goal, which is that education is the main priority. If they are not, then this presents a serious problem because no one wants to slack off in college and fail out. Once members both agree that education is the main priority, then the relationship should work out fine. When couples feel their relationship is rocky, they can’t go to the AAP office and request it as credit or no credit because a relationship is like a GenEd, not an elective, it must be taken seriously. A relationship can’t be easily replaced like an elective, there isn’t a website where lists of other single people are available and that person chooses what they are most interested in. Balancing a relationship and schoolwork can be an overwhelming process, but couples must remain focused on both the relationship and schoolwork, passing tests in both.
RELATIONSHIPS by Nicole Jones
MAKING IT LAST
ON CAMPUS AND BEYOND by Bria Purdiman
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pring is approaching and flowers aren’t the only things blooming. Relationships among college students are always beginning, growing, and ending. Between juggling your love life, grades, work, and extra curriculars, life can be hectic. One of the beautiful things about college is meeting people from other places, and forming bonds with them. College sweethearts can often be found on the same campus, or in a long-distance setting. There are plenty pros and cons of on-campus relationships and long-distance ones. Having your other half on campus provides a constant physical connection. You can see them whenever your heart desires, and that’s not to be taken for granted. Senior Stacy Anderson feels that, “I always have my best friend around.” Face to face time is a huge perk. However, public presence gives leeway to privacy issues. Even on a campus as large as the University of Illinois, news travels fast. In order to have a lasting relationship at the same university, you might want to cut back on the PDA. Keeping a low profile will provide a greater opportunity for your love to flourish, without all the extra eyes and ears. Long-distance has it perks too. Not being able to see your significant other to your discretion can create a needed sense of longing. Sophomore Brittany Rogers feels that this makes the bond much stronger. “Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.” Long-distance love thrives through Skype. You have a feeling of closeness, that’s not provided many other ways. Also, approach your relationships in a non-bias way. Don’t blame location for your issues; blame your lack of understanding. (pull quote this, Theresa) The best way to prevent relationship drama is to communicate. Whether it’s over Skype, or over dinner, talk it up. Don’t forget to listen, either. Don’t let your other half feel neglected. A simple “Good morning” text does wonders. College is stressful enough, so why make love stressful too? Relationships take patience, understanding, and words! Just let Cupid serve his purpose.
by Taylor Odisho
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here‘s a cool breeze, a dance circle to your left, and the craziest light show coinciding with the bass of the guitar as your favorite band puts on another great show. These are the sights and sounds of a summer music festival. Chicago is known for one of the biggest three-day music festivals in the nation, Lollapalooza. However, another festival that is garnering much attention is Pitchfork’s threeday event. Pitchfork operates on a much smaller scale. It includes three stages and about 45 bands play throughout the weekend. Pitchfork bands, unlike the acts that play at Lollapalooza, are usually pretty underground and mostly unheard of if you are not up-to-date on the alternative music scene. In the past, artists such as Diplo, Spoon, Beach House, Bon Iver, The Flaming Lips, Frightened Rabbit, Sleigh Bells, OFWGKTA, and Animal Collective have played at Pitchfork. This year’s line-up holds no different a music atmosphere than what we have seen in the past. One headline set to perform this year is Vampire Weekend. This comes as no surprise since Vampire Weekend is set to release an album in the coming months. However, it is surprising to see that they will be playing at Pitchfork instead of Lollapalooza. A part of me thinks they are too well known for Pitchfork, but it will be exciting to see them in a smaller venue than Lollapalooza. Vampire Weekend is a definite must-see act this summer. Another highly anticipated artist to see at Pitchfork is Rakim Mayers, better known by his rap name, A$AP Rocky. A$AP began rapping at the age of 8-years-old after the death of his brother left him wanting to pursue a better life for himself. Now, at the age of 23, he is doing just that as he recently signed a $3 million record deal with SONY/RCA. His mixtape that was released in October 2011 had positive reviews from critics and listeners. He plans on releasing a mixtape on May 8th entitled A$AP Forever Part 1: Blood. If you have yet to listen to A$AP, I highly suggest it. A few key tracks to listen to are “Palace”, “Peso”, and “Purple Swag”.
Kendrick Lamar is another artist to perform Pitchfork this year. Lamar is highly acclaimed in the rap scene. He has worked with Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Dr. Dre to name a few and is currently on tour with Drake, along with fellow Pitchfork performer, A$AP Rocky. Lamar’s album, Section.80, was ranked as one of iTunes top digital releases of 2011. A few songs to check out from Lamar are “Hol’ Up”, “A.D.H.D.”, and “Ronald Reagan Era”. AraabMUZIK, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Hot Chip encompass a few of the electronic artists that will be present this year. AraabMUZIK has recently been mixing more dubstep into his music, and the fans have had very positive feedback. Godspeed You! Black Emperor is known for their slow songs that feel like you are in a deep trance, until they splice into a crescendo of music at the climax of the song. Godspeed takes you into another world when you listen to their songs so their performance at Pitchfork, on a warm summer night with a vibrant light show, is sure to not disappoint. Last but certainly not least, Hot Chip has been on the electronic music scene for over a decade now and were nominated for a Grammy in 2009 in the Best Dance Recording category for their song “Ready for the Floor”. They will be releasing a self-produced album, entitled In Our Heads, on June 11th. Other artists that have been proclaimed for the line-up are Feist, Grimes, The Field, Liturgy, Cloud Nothings, Tim Hecker, and Willis Earl Beal. While I definitely recommend Feist’s new album, Metal, for a slow-song listening session — she has some really moving songs that will sound great live — I am not a huge fan of Grimes (I think she sounds like a 6-year-old). I’ll leave the rest for you to check out and form your own opinions on. If you like them, be sure to checkout Pitchfork’s music festival that will take place on July 13-15 this year. Three-day passes go on sale this month for $145 and will no doubt sell-out. Happy listening!
KELLY CLARKSON CONCERT REVIEW
by Emma Weissmann
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hile I never made it through a season of American Idol (Paula’s finger-tip claps and Simon’s demoralizing demeanor were a little too much for me), I give the reality show full credit for giving birth to one of my all-time favorite artists: Kelly Clarkson. That’s why, when I found out Clarkson was scheduled to perform at Assembly Hall on Feb. 25, my friends and I jumped at the chance to snag ourselves tickets — even if it was for seats so far away from the stage it was difficult to see facial features. The concert was a part of Clarkson’s “Stronger” tour, with Matt Nathanson opening for Clarkson. While I’ve always been a huge fan of Clarkson’s oldies, I only knew a couple of songs off of the “Stronger” album. I was fully expecting to be swinging my hips and bobbing my head, pretending to move my lips to all the lyrics I surely didn’t know. Nathanson performed well, playing favorites like “Come On Get Higher” and “Faster.” But, for a crowd composed of many families with young children, the jokes he made on-stage seemed inappropriate, laced with sexual innuendo. Although Nathanson’s songs sounded fine, the segments in between felt awkward, and I found myself eager and ready for Clarkson to take the stage. The concert began with “Dark Side,” a track from “Stronger.” Images of newspapers brandishing headlines like, “Twenty-nine and Still Single” and “Too Fat” dotted the Jumbotron, referencing criticisms Clarkson regularly faces from the media. The lyrics to the song were powerful and moving, with Clarkson’s booming voice filling the hall. An array of multi-colored lights accompanied her as she strutted on-stage to the beat of the chorus. Within seconds of this first song, fans were already on their feet, with no intention of sitting back down. Technology was used well throughout the concert, especially in “Houses of Hope,” a song written in honor of the charity of the same name that Clarkson supports. During the performance, images and video of Clarkson’s
trip to Zimbabwe flashed across the Jumbotron. Additionally, a video of Jason Aldean singing “Don’t You Wanna Stay?” was projected so that she could sing the duet along with him. Clarkson also connected with her fans in creative ways, letting them choose a song for her to play at one point, and creating an audience sing-along at another. She even ventured into the audience (with security personnel in tow) for the cover of Florence + the Machine’s “Heavy in Your Arms.” She also sang a cover of fellow Idol Carrie Underwood’s “I Know You Won’t.” Clarkson added some classic favorites into the mix, including “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” “Since U Been Gone” and “Breakaway.” She also sang a few songs off her 2003 debut album, “Thankful,” including “The Trouble With Love Is,” “Miss Independent” and “Because of You.” She sounded straight off the record, her voice never breaking pitch once. Thanks, Idol, you done good! While I was ecstatic to hear all of my old favorites, I wondered why Clarkson chose to play only a few tracks from “Stronger,” considering this was the “Stronger” tour. She also made a candid comment about someone needing to go “grab a knife” after a solemn rendition of “Never Again,” because the song was so “depressing.” Although most of the audience laughed, I found the comment unnecessary and in poor taste. Besides these minor disappointments, Kelly, a native Texan, was dripping with Southern charm. She was witty, charismatic and connected with her fans well, and I’m convinced that the concert would have been enjoyable to any concertgoer, Clarkson fan or not. She even referenced Idol once or twice, circling back to her humble beginnings. At the end of the concert, I walked out of Assembly Hall with only one thing on my mind: Fattening up my iTunes Library, one Clarkson song at a time.
DAZED BUT NOT CONFUSED: THE LOW DOWN ON THE HIGH HOLIDAY by Honey Bear
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t doesn’t matter if you get down with the get down or not, you probably know what’s up when the three numbers 4, 2, and 0 get used together. It means something about that sticky-icky, that Ganja Goddess, Mary Jane. Now I’m not going to bore you with details of what that mary-ja-wanna all those kids are talking about is because I’m guessing you are not looking for the D.A.R.E break down of cannabis and its effects. However, since April 20th is rolling closer and closer to its smoky annual debut, the origins of this alternative holiday should at least be touched upon in this month’s article of degeneracy. Every article about 4/20 discusses its origins because very few people know or remember how it got started. The untrue rumor is that “420” is police code for marijuana smoking in progress. The real origins are a bit hazy, but come from Point Reyes, California in 1971 when a group of high schoolers self-named the “Waldos,” used the phrase 420 as code for meeting at 4:20pm to go look for a legendary pot field. Later they used the phrase simply as a discreet way to talk about getting high. It was spread through the people they hung out with which included some famous musicians such as Phil Lesh, one of the founding fathers of the Grateful Dead. Now, through the spread of the term through popular culture, the number is synonymous with every thing having to do with smoking weed. Today, April 20th is celebrated in a matter of ways. It used to be the cool thing to do; to get together with your fellow tokers and have a massive smoking bonanza in public. Schools like the University of Colorado at Boulder still celebrate the day in this way. Schools like the University of Illinois used to have people smoking doobies on the quad, but due to increased intolerance from the University and local law enforcement, the dazed and confused had to take to the confines of their hazy apartments, houses and frats. The holiday is an unmentioned but not unnoticed phenomenon on campus. Unofficial is not the only holiday full of green, but it is the only one of the two holidays
full of green, but it is the only one of the two holidays acknowledged by the University. As marijuana seemingly becomes more accepted in general society, almost in a 1960’s-esque fashion, the blatant celebration of the holiday might become a school wide occasion. Sure, a school wide celebration would be less rowdy than Unofficial, but that’s because more people would be glued to their couch covered in Cheeto powder. But that’s a while away, and for now it’s celebrated in a low-key manner. Those who wish to let their freak flag fly generally wear green or some other attire that says, “How’s it going, I’m high”. But for those who don’t wish to blatantly show that they are taking a ride on the Ganjola, the usual uniform is the cologne of cannabis and some eyes that are more closed than open. It’s always fun playing “coincidence or not”, looking at all the people wearing green on April 20th. People celebrate this holiday in a variety of ways, mainly by smoking a joint or two at 4:20 p.m. But those who decide they are going to smoke a “bluntzilla” (of which there are commercial versions over a foot long) will have to roll to class in a wheelchair. True high rollers have been known to save up samplings of the finest of the trees they have been burning from the previous year. Overall, 4/20 has had some pretty insignificant beginnings and is viewed by many as just an excuse of stoners to smoke more. However, for those people that do celebrate, it signifies that the good times and shenanigans of the holiday are too legit to quit. So if you are going to be flying high this April enjoy the flying friendly skies.
NBA TRADE DEADLINE TRADES THAT SHOULD HAPPEN by Arik Wonsover
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ith the NBA trade deadline drawing near, the rumor mill has exploded with trade scenarios. There’s been some buzz on Michael Beasley and Chris Kaman, but stars like Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo might also be on the move. The trade deadline is the best time of the year for NBA fanatics. As the deadline approaches on March 15, I give my take on some trades that should go down before time runs out. Los Angeles Lakers get Monta Ellis, Andis Biedrins and Brandon Bass; Golden State Warriors get Rajon Rondo and Pau Gasol; and Boston Celtics get Stephen Curry and Kwame Brown. I know what you’re thinking. Yet another Lakers trade that involves Pau Gasol and Kwame Brown… We know what happened last time. But in this scenario, it’s not a completely bogus lop-sided trade that handed the Lakers’ two championships. With rumblings of Ellis, Curry, Gasol and Rondo all available, why not package them in one super-mega-blockbuster deal. The Lakers could slide Ellis over to their black hole at point guard and move Derek Fisher into a retirement home. The Celtics would free up about $4 million, cut the Rondo-drama and potentially get a fresh start with Curry, if his shaky ankles hold up. The Golden State Warriors could finally give up on their Ellis-Curry backcourt experience that hasn’t sniffed a single playoff game and add two NBA champions in Gasol and Rondo. Can you say 2013 NBA playoffs? New York Knicks get Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Chris Duhon, Orlando Magic get Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, and Iman Shumpert. Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando. If he doesn’t leave now, then he will this summer, but either way his foot is halfway out the door. This trade idea may not relieve salary cap, but it will keep the Magic competitive. It would also help them avoid a Cavaliers-esque collapse once Howard leaves. They could certainly do worse than replacing Howard with Chandler in the middle and adding Carmelo
Knicks, Linsanity has proved that the Knicks offense runs better through a capable point guard than it does through a ball-stopping scorer. Carmelo hasn’t been the player the Knicks had hoped for, so acquiring Howard would be a nice get out of jail free card. With Howard and Stoudemire in the front court, the Knicks would be unstoppable. Dallas Mavericks get Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns get Rodrigue Beaubois and Jason Kidd. I understand that most people that go to sunny Arizona never want to leave, but Steve Nash has overstayed his welcome. Nash needs to break out of the cacti prison and tell owner Robert Sarver he wants out. Nash signed an extension with the Suns after he was promised they would acquire talent, but Josh Childress doesn’t exactly scream talent. At 38, Nash still has meat on the bones and there’s no better place for his talents than a return to defending champion Dallas. The Mavericks would have to give up 24-year-old Rodrigue Beaubois, who would excel with more opportunities in Phoenix’s offense. Jason Kidd would serve as a cap-filler and his contract expires after the season. I think this trade would give the Mavs an edge in the playoffs and start the Suns much needed rebuilding mode off on a high note. The NBA trade deadline is a time where teams could turn from pretenders into contenders from one swing of the pendulum. Teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers might be one player away from making it past the Miami Heat. The Minnesota Timberwolves or Houston Rockets might look to add players just to get into the playoffs. The deadline is make or break, and it’s all part of the fun.
BLACKHAWKS CONTINUE TO BE A COIN TOSS
by Steven Wear
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t’s obvious the Blackhawks haven’t been playing to their potential. There have been many set-backs for the Blackhawks this year. After winning the Stanley Cup two years ago, the Blackhawks faced financial turmoil of which the effects are still felt as the salary cap made it impossible for the championship team to remain intact. Players like forward Dustin Byfuglien were traded in what Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman called “simply a salary cap move… to get some draft choices.” Last year, the Blackhawks struggled during the beginning of the season, but managed to stumble their way into the playoffs. Blackhawks fans are hoping for a similar recovery this year, but it’s looking glummer. The team cannot remain consistent; its season is marred by long losing streaks followed by short-lived glimmers of hope, such as the recent three-game winning streak that was ended by a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. An eightgame losing streak is the longest losing streak the Hawks have had, which is unacceptable for a team with playoff ambitions. Because of the Hawks inconsistency, Coach Quenneville has received a ton of criticism. Barry Smith. director of player development, has followed the team on the road to oversee practices and coaching. That is a clear sign that upper management is not accepting the team’s play this season. In reality, the coaching and efforts of the staff are only partially to blame. Key players are not performing up to their historic abilities. Anyone that has watched the Blackhawks this season can attest to the fact that there are some games where it looks like the players aren’t even trying. In a lot of games they have been slow off the bench, not chasing the puck with the same ferocity and ducking hits. In other games they’ve played model hockey; their win against the number best team in the league, the New York Rangers, is one such example of the Blackhawks being on their game. Patrick Kane ended the 2010-2011 regular season with a shooting percentage of 12.5. Although the regular season is
not done yet, he is down this year to 7.7. Kane is attempting almost half of the shots as he was last season. But Kane isn’t the only player not living up to his potential; the team has been a disappointment across the board. It also doesn’t help that Jonathan Toews is missing games due to an upper body injury. The Blackhawks ended their massive losing streak and have won against top competition, including their bitter rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. The Blackhawks are still top 10 in the league in winning percentage at .581. Blackhawks are by no means a terrible team, simply one that is having a bad season. The Blackhawks still have a shot at the playoffs, but don’t expect to see them hoisting the Cup above their heads.
TIE DYE TREATS by Betsy Drazner
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do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them Sam I am. Using food coloring to make eggs green may not be your thing. However, don’t rule out the use of food dye in baking altogether. One of my favorite ways to bring color to the plate is with tie dye cupcakes. Whether you are looking for a way to brighten up the end of winter or welcome in the beginning of spring, these colorful cupcakes will keep your eyes bugging and your taste buds tripping until the very last bite. What’s the most important part of this recipe? It’s easy! Follow these six steps to get a delightful dessert.
INGREDIENTS
CUPCAKE MIX FOOD COLORING (ANY COLORS YOU WANT) CUPS/SMALL BOWLS FOR MIXING COLORS (ONE CUP/ BOWL PER COLOR) SPOONS FOR MIXING EACH COLOR (YOU NEED A NEW SPOON FOR EVERY COLOR)
DIRECTIONS 1.
Mix cupcake batter according to instructions. Separate batter into individual cups/bowls depending on how many colors you want to use. Recommended number is 6. 2. Mix food coloring into the batter in the individual cups/ bowls until colors are satisfactory. 3. Pour colors into cupcake pan one at a time. Be careful not to fill each cupcake too much- with all the colors combined you want the batter to fill each cup halfway. 4. Be creative! Make some cupcakes in rainbow order, reverse rainbow or your favorite colors. Every design comes out stunning, so you can’t go wrong. 5. Bake cupcakes and frost if desired. 6. Watch everyone’s face as they bite into the most psychedelically delicious cupcakes they’ve ever tasted.
WHAT’S COOKIN’ GOOD LOOKIN’?
by Kayla Flam
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’m semi-poor and hate drunken college kids, so I don’t travel for spring break. But man, do I wish I were sitting pretty on some beach in the heat. Mother Nature can’t make up her mind this time of year (snow Monday, rain Tuesday, 60 degrees Wednesday, wind advisory Thursday…) so if you’re going to be laying around your parents’ house, at the very least you can eat and drink like you’re thousands of miles away. Speaking of drinking, what’s a tropical vacation without a cool, tropical drink? If you’re not sure your mother would approve of you knocking back some tequila-laden margaritas all day, here are some non-alcoholic drinks that will satisfy your taste buds (and of course, you COULD always add your choice of liquor to these): Watermelontini: Run a lime wedge around the edge of a glass to moisten it, then dip it in sugar to create a sugared rim. Add a half cup of watermelon soda and a splash of cranberry juice, then top off with Sprite and a squeeze of lime juice. Citrus Fusion: Mix equal parts lemonade and Sprite on ice, then add a splash of pulp-free orange juice. Toss in a flower bud to make it tropical. Almond Joy: In a blender, mix a handful of ice with equal parts coconut milk and chocolate milk, a drop of almond extract and a squeeze of chocolate syrup. Use a chocolate covered pretzel stick to stir. Now onto the food. Here are some recipes for delicious meals that might make you feel like you’re not in your own kitchen… or introduce you to your kitchen if you’ve never cooked in there. Those warm locales sure like their spice, so anything with a bit of a kick would be awesome for your staycation.
Jambalaya | Serves six INGREDIENTS 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 8 ounces sausage of your choice, diced 1 onion, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 1/2 cup diced celery 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon onion powder Salt and ground black pepper to taste 2 cups uncooked white rice 4 cups chicken stock 3 bay leaves 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
DIRECTIONS Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Sauté chicken and sausage until lightly browned about five minutes. Stir in onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic. Season with cayenne, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook five minutes or until onion is tender and translucent. Add rice then stir in chicken stock and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce.
Hawaiian Burger Add some tropical sweetness to your burger. To make your burger Hawaiian, simply cook the burger as normal (ground beef formed into patties and placed on grill) and when assembling your burger, add your normal toppings (ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce and tomato) but add barbecue sauce and a grilled pineapple slice. Take a pineapple and slice it long ways, much like you would a tomato.
Place the slices on the grill for a couple minutes on each side to get a bit of charring. Place on burger and dig in!
Jerk Chicken | Serves six to eight INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup malt vinegar (or white vinegar) 2 Tbsp dark rum 2 habaneros peppers with seeds, chopped (seeds make it hotter, so if you don’t like a lot of heat, either scrape out the seeds or go with a milder pepper) 1 red onion, chopped 4 green onion tops, chopped 1 Tbsp dried thyme or 2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 4 teaspoons ground allspice 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 4 teaspoons ground nutmeg 4 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons molasses 1 (5 or 6 pound) roasting chicken, cut in half, lengthwise 1/2 cup lime juice Salt and pepper Safety note: Habanero chile peppers are very hot and can cause extreme pain if they come in contact with your eyes, so were gloves when making the jerk paste.
DIRECTIONS
1.
Put vinegar, rum, hot peppers, onion, green onion tops, thyme, olive oil, salt, pepper, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and molasses into a blender. Pulse until mostly smooth.
2.
Place chicken in a large freezer bag. Pour lime juice over the chicken and coat well. Add the jerk paste to the chicken pieces and coat well. Seal the bag and refrigerate overnight. 3. When you are ready to cook the chicken, remove chicken from the marinade bag. 4. Preheat oven to 350° F. 5. Place chicken halves in a rimmed baking pan, skin side up. Roast until chicken halves are cooked through, about 50 to 60 minutes. The chicken is done when the juices run clear – not pink – when a knife tip is inserted. Transfer chicken to platter. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm and let stand 15 minutes. 6. Cut chicken into pieces. Serve with black beans and rice.
NO REPEAT PLAYLIST
LMFAO ft. Lil John – “Shots”
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Kanye West – “All of the Lights”
by Dan James Broderick
elcome ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, old maids and spinsters, to DJ B’s music extravaganza corner. Now with 50% more sexual undertones! Unofficial had its fill of amazingly kick ass music blasting at parties, but sometimes enough is enough. There are songs that you could keep on repeat forever, while others just lose value immediately. Here is my take on this incredibly sensitive subject. And please do not take offense (everyone is entitled to their own opinions, right?).
Tyga -“Rack City” Let’s go to the local strip joint, boys and girls! Please do not bring your grandma though, as Tyga might want her to ride his unmentionable area that a male man has. Throw some “hunnits”.
Avril Lavigne -“Girlfriend” This song is just so repetitive and awfully written. The bridge in “Girlfriend” will make you cry or simply annoyed. Listen to it yourself!
Dev- “Bass Down Low” We all go through a Dev phase, don’t we? I’m not the only one, right? Well I used to listen to this song constantly, but now it’s just old news. I recommend her song “In My Trunk” for repeatable plays.
Rihanna – “Birthday Cake” I’ll put my name on it! But only once in awhile will I lick the icing off of Rihanna.
Owl City – “Fireflies”
I have listened to this song once and only made it halfway through the song. I feel a little less manly to be honest. WTF, American society?
I really like this song and its playful attitude. However, my friends and I have used this as a drinking song/game back in the day. I can’t keep this song on repeat or I will die from alcohol poisoning. The amazing Mr. West falls victim to too much radio play. Also this song is just so epic you only have to listen to it once. Cassie ft Lil Wayne – “Official Girl” She should really stick to being a model and video vixen in my opinion. Two plays of this song is enough for the year. And Lil’ Wayne? His rap does not make any sense to me.
Wiz Khalifa – “Roll Up” This song was a repeater a year ago for me but not anymore. The bridge always kills this song. But Cassie is still nice to look at in the video!
Alkaline Trio – “Lead Poisoning” Alkaline Trio used to be my utmost favorite band, but their new stuff just makes me wish for the good ol’ times. They are casualties of time, I suppose. I recommend listening to their album Goddamnit! for some punk rock awesomeness.
Drake – “Headlines” Cool beat and cool melody, but this former Degrassi star (who made me believe he really couldn’t walk and that he was stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life) ruins it for me because of his supposedly smooth and sexy voice. To me, his voice sounds like he’s taking a dump throughout the song.
Selena Gomez – “Love You Like a Love Song” Such a boring song. And it’s Selena Gomez people. She dated Justin Bieber and was in a Disney TV show. I don’t want to hear this song anymore. Please, I beg all of you to stop playing it.