Other

This was an interesting story to do. Nick let me hang out with him for a night and answered every question I threw at him (which was a lot). I didn't think this story would pan out, but it ended up working at the end. Can't wait to see how it looks in print. Yes, that's me in the photo.

During a typical night on 6th Street or during South by Southwest, one might overlook, in their drunken stupor, the group of people hanging out on one of the corners with bikes and cabs. These people are pedicabbers and they are there to provide a ride. But unlike taxis, they ride a bike instead of a car.

Nick De Cesare, a pedicabber, graciously gave UWeekly an inside look into his job one Saturday night. During the year, he usually works on Friday and Saturday nights, but during special events such as ACL and SXSW, he’s on his bike a lot longer.

However, his job hardly interferes with his studies at Austin Community College.

“I do all my school work during the week and I do this on weekends,” said De Cesare.

Click here to read the rest at UWeekly.

I don't know what's up with the blogosphere world but there is a lot of high quality writing going on out there. It's about time. People are using facts, coherent sentences and wittiness to express their thoughts. A new world has been brought upon us! Merry!

So here are some new blog posts that have grabbed my attention as of late:

I heart In the Pink blog. I've never been one for politics, because frankly, it bores me. However, I know it's important to know what our elected officials (no matter how crazy they are) are doing with their positions, so Eileen Smith keeps it real for me. Her entire blog is worth adding to the RSS reader.
"That said, I remain quite optimistic about 2011. I was inspired by The Fighter, which I saw yesterday, because if an emaciated Christian Bale can kick his crack habit long enough to help his baby brother in the ring, well then surely I can stand up to a few cedar trees. Hey—I’m a survivor."
It Depends on What Your Definition of “Issa” Is

"A message to today's children: mixes weren't always made by iTunes based on MATH. We had to work for these."
11 Nostalgic Activities Today's Kids Will Never Experience

Now that social media is the norm and everyone uses it either for personal use or for business use, the problem is now that there is a lot of fake bullshit out there and less genuine tweets. I highly recommend this read to keep yourself in check. Because coming from a journalist's perspective, fake crap generally turns me away.
"People can get turned off really easily if you're coming across as inauthentic or self-serving," she says. "Pause before you post and be mindful about how you're coming across to others."
How to network without being fake, cheesy, pushy or smarmy

SPEAK started a blog of their own (god, this band is taking over my life). But instead of self-serving posts about themselves and how awesome they are, they're focusing on reviews. They write reviews on various things: gadgets, coffee, music, etc. It's pretty new so there aren't a lot of posts on it, nevertheless, I like where it's going.
"With that in mind, I can at least explain my indifference when Nick inevitably shows up to rehearsal with a Trenta-sized Chai latte. I may even encourage this behavior: Pre-Coffee Nick is a dreadful grouch and the Trenta might be just the remedy he needs."
Starbucks Trenta

I love that Joey compared music to food. I wrote a similar post comparing musical taste to political parties (to be released soon).
"Here’s my take. Pop music is your hamburger or your pizza. Could be drive-through or Yuppie style, it doesn’t really matter. On the other hand, Classical music is more of your Mousseline of pattes rouges crayfish with morel mushroom infusion (this came up when I Googled ‘fanciest dish in the world’)."
Pop v. Classical

"You do realize that most of the bands playing this thing have day jobs, right? Did you think they just lived off drink tickets and applause? The Creationists’ Marc Dautreuil works as a line cook, getting hassled all day by The Man so he can bring you the rock at night, and you’re going to whine about a cushy desk job with free Internet? Besides, when you walk into the office with bloodshot eyes and 30 purple stamps on your hands, that hangover will feel like a badge of honor"
“I’m Broke,” and other lame excuses for missing Free Week

And last but not least, this is a new favorite blog of mine. Amber draws whatever happens in her life. They are hilarious. Sometimes, I draw in my planner when I'm bored. However, her stuff is way better.
Passive? Aggressive!

This is just one post in my wrap up of the year 2010. If you would like to read the rest, click here to the main post.

During the summer, I got a press release asking if Accent Newspaper would like to cover this "live-action graphic novel spectacular." And it is just like it sounds. It is a live performance where graphic novel images are projected on a screen with actors in-house providing the voice-overs so you don't have to read anything. Then, a Foley artist and a musician provide the sound effects and soundtrack respectively during the performance.

Sounds pretty freaking cool, right?

So I assigned the story to my writer who covers this graphic novel/comic book beat and because I made the initial connection to the publisist, I was awarded free guestlist spots to the show.

I personally was skeptical about the whole thing. Sure, it sounds like an amazing idea, but only if they can pull it off. It just seem like one of those situations that sounded like a really great idea and it could end up being as amazing as it sounds or they were just way over their heads and I was going to painfully sit through a disaster.

Luckily, it wasn't a disaster. Let me tell you, it was fucking amazing.

I was so impressed by this show that every time they announce a new screening, I would tell everyone, their mother, and their favorite barista that they need to see this show. It's just SO good.

When I sit back and actually break down what it entails to put together a show like this, my mind is blown. There are three actors that play multiple characters that have to sync their acting to the projected images. Then to add to that, the foley artist and musician have to perfectly sync what they are playing with the actors. Wow, practicing that must have been a bitch.

I met the creator Jason Neulander during Comic Con and I pretty much fangirl-ed it up on him. Luckily, he just laughed in appreciation and didn't think I needed to be escorted by security. This show seriously impressed me.

So if you ever see that it's playing in your area any time soon, go see it. I mean it. Buy tickets as soon as they go on sell because they always sell out and justifiably as well. It's something not to miss.

Now the current news on this production is that they are touring the show for 20 cities in the Midwest and a sequel has been planned for a June 2, 2012 release. Badass. Here's a sneak peek.

This is just one post in my wrap up of the year 2010. If you would like to read the rest, click here to the main post.

Like I mentioned in my Best of 2009 blog post, the moment I saw the preview for Glee, I knew it would be my new favorite show. My then-boyfriend couldn't see the preview (because he was sitting across from me), but he even said that Glee was definitely a Sarah show just from hearing the choral arrangement of Journey's reassuring "Don't Stop Believin'" and the brief sound bites from the show.

"Let your little glee kids have their little club, but don't pretend that any of them are something they're not."

That sentence right there said by the ruthless bully herself Sue Sylvester (play by the brilliant Jane Lynch) perfectly depicts most of the hate that Glee gets. Of course, I got a lot of hate for loving the show. Every time someone finds out I live for this show, I usually get the eye roll or a disgusted "Why? It's just show tunes."

Why?

Because I can relate to it. I love Glee because it makes me feel better about my high school experience.

Sure, a high school glee club singing show tunes and pop hits with jazz hands and choreographed dance routines would make anyone uncomfortable or immediately disregard the show. But Glee is more than that. It's not just about what pop song the students are going to cover in the upcoming week or if they're going to win sectionals.

The show is about the underdogs. I know. How many TV shows and Lifetime movies can be made that feature the underdog succeeding? We get it. "Don't pick on the little guy," but yet people still do it.

I was that teen that loved to perform in band (it wasn't a rock band) and choir. And while my high school was more accepting than William McKinley High School (which is sad because they weren't that accepting), being a band nerd didn't exactly mean high status to my classmates, and choir was only cool if you were one of the pretty popular kids, just like Glee's Santana (Naya Rivera) and Brittany (Heather Morris).

I never had slushes thrown in my face (but I've had worse done to me) or no one slammed me in a locker, but I know how it felt to have no one appreciate you because your talent didn't come in sports or you weren't an upper class beautiful person. I could have used those pep talks Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) gives his students week after week as a reminder to ignore all that crap. Not to mention, having my homework be to dress like Lady Gaga and sing "Bad Romance" would have made my semester.

I know it's been 10 years since high school for me so you are probably saying I should just fucking move on and get over it and you're right. I should just man up and forget that those whispers and comments and laughs directed at me ever happened.

Then those former jocks and cheerleaders need to put away their varsity jackets and pom poms and get over their glory days. Whether we admit it or not, those high school years are probably, if not, the most influential years in someone's life. High school is especially rough to those underdogs that the show features at that impressible age.

Sure, Glee has its flaw. I think Lea Michele is seriously overrated. Emmy nominations for playing overachiever Rachel Berry? Any girl can play a whiney spoiled brat. I know I bring out my inner Rachel Berry every month for three to five days. It's called PMS.

And I'm pretty sure it's in Matthew Morrison's contract to look emotionally moved to tears in every epsiode.

But if you remove all the cheesy over-the-top musical numbers that make the eyes rolls from every episode, Glee is actually a great high school TV show with amazing storylines. Each character has their own dramatic gut-wrenching backstory that represent just a handful of situations everyday high school students deal with. How they deal with their problems though is through song.

But what makes it more annoying that the two of the most popular TV shows right now, American Idol or Dancing with the Stars? It's still the same type of renditions of those broadway show tunes or current pop hits. Is it because those songs are taken off the stage to the hallways of a high school that make it cheesy? Is it too much High School Musical for your liking?

Why yes, it does seem like the same plot as High School Musical. But as I mentioned earlier, some of the storylines deal with the same situations that are currently being dealt with that are too real for Disney's perfectly-created world.

There's the talented vocalist who is so determined to get what she wants whether it's to be the next Barbara Streisand or date the hot quarterback that she will do anything to get what she wants (Berry). Even if it means annoying the hell out of everyone, including the audience. While I feel this selfishness has been drilled into our heads every single episode to make me want to crawl into my TV and punch Berry in the face, the creators have at least shown that they recognize this annoying trait. The other characters also make it a point to call her on her shit. If that didn't happen, I would have checked out of this show a long time ago.

Then there's the popular head cheerleader that quickly falls off the top of her world when she discovers she's pregnant (Quinn Fabray). A cliche teen pregnancy storyline. There's a shocker. However, with the always high teen pregnancy rate, it is a reality that needs to be brought yet again to people's attention. Some of the top baby names are inspired by those Twilight movies. Obviously, this country has problems with teen pregnancies.

But one can't forget the storyline with the gay teen Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer). A gay guy singing in glee club? Of course. And yes, he is the stereotypical gay teen we would expect. He lives for Liza Minnelli. He dresses better than I could ever afford and does a great impersonation of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" dance routine. So well that it got him on the football team. Wait, what? Yeah, watch the show for that one. That's totally unrealistic in a small town a la Friday Night Lights, but it was entertaining nevertheless.

The creators behind Glee did an amazing job with Kurt's coming out and how it effects the people in his lives. The Emmy nominations for the actors that play Kurt and Kurt's dad (Mike O'Malley) were definitely justified. Kurt's dad could have been like other parents who just cut their children off and kick them out of the house (although that happens with the pregnant cheerleader), but his father accepted it. After all, he's known since he was three. All he wanted for his birthday was a pair of sensible heels.

He does his best to be accepting and make Kurt happy now that he was out and free to be himself. Of course, there were some bumpy speedbumps along the way, but what parent knows exactly what to do when their teenager is discovering themselves, gay or straight? Parents aren't handed an instruction manual when their child is born.

It was the use of a song ("Rose's Turn") that not only helped Kurt get his frustrations out when his dad seemed to be favoring Finn (Cory Monteith) more than him, it also helped Kurt's dad finally understand just how Kurt felt about the situation. So even if you cut out all the show tunes and pop songs from the show, sometimes a song is the only way to really express how you really feel. Just like with poetry or a letter or a text message. The only different here is that it's said with music.

So yeah, Glee is a little too happy and cheesy for the average person who doesn't like their manhood threatened. But this isn't the first show about the underdogs and it definitely won't be the last. Some shows like to keep it real (Degrassi). Glee just likes to use song and dance.

You can hate on Glee all you want. You can hate on me for loving the show and wishing I could sing and dance like those kids all you want.

At least give the show a chance before you claim it's cheesy crap. That's what bothers me the most. Most of the people who give me crap have never sat through an episode. They see the quick 15 second previews between the shows they are watching and think they'll hate it. Because if you did give the show a chance, you would realize there is more to it. There hasn't been a show like this that brings out my inner music geek, tears to my eyes, and gut-busting laughter all in one episode.

The ironic part of the whole Glee teasing? The ones that hate on the show were usually the ones that teased those students the show is bringing attention to. Sadly, I can't say that I'm surprised.

This is just one post in my wrap up of the year 2010. If you would like to read the rest, click here to the main post.

2010 was also the origin of "Quote of the Day." I've been writing down quotes and one-liners that crack me up in my journals for years but recently, I posted these random quotes on my Facebook.

Eventually, it just started picking up which seems to happen with a lot of my projects (SoManyBands, SPEAK for a Year). Any time I posted a quote in someone's presence, that person would either be honored that I made them Quote of the Day or they would tell me how much they loved reading them.

I didn't realize how much of a big deal they were becoming. I was just posting them.

When I started working in the Accent newsroom, I realized my editors were hilarious, most specifically my then-editor-in-chief, Sarah. Most of my first quotes of the days were from her.

In fact, the first official quote of the day came out of her mouth:

Quote of the day by my editor in chief: "He has pretty hair and an art major. He doesn't have to be smart."
April 15, 2010 at 3:48 pm

So I've searched through my Facebook history and here are some favorites from 2010:

after my editor in chief found out her phone battery is low. "I was hoping to facebook the situation."
May 7, 2010 at 10:38 am

"If you do, I'm gonna punch you in the face with so much love."
May 10, 2010 at 2:51 pm

"I don't want a relationship. I just want my booty calls to be a little more reliable."
May 15, 2010 at 11:13 pm

talking about not wanting to use toilet paper with former Pres' face: "that's a VIP area. A velvet rope situation."
May 16, 2010 at 5:55 pm

"I need coffee so strong, it'll be 'slap.'"
May 17, 2010 at 3:37 pm

"you're just like google. you make my life easier."
May 21, 2010 at 3:08 pm

"We're in Dallas. Who knows where it is?"
May 30, 2010 at 12:24 am

talking about having children: "I got a sneak preview of what that would look like this morning and I would rather kill myself."
June 4, 2010 at 11:34 am

"Oh no, sex in the newsroom. I didn't take the panel so I don't know how to deal with it."
June 16, 2010 at 8:59 pm

"Do you have a snack in your purse?"
June 23, 2010 at 9:04 pm

"I look at that shirt and think that's a sensitive dude."
July 1, 2010 at 6:51 am

"How ironic is it that you get free Frosty's for donating to help diabetes?"
July 6, 2010 at 12:15 am

"I never had the typical high school experience. I only relate through TV shows and Lindsey Lohan movies."
July 15, 2010 at 6:18 pm

"Fun doesn't pay the bills."
August 7, 2010 at 4:35 pm

"I'm gonna feel like I rocked my life."
August 10, 2010 at 10:07 pm

"Your paycheck is gonna be awesome. ...well as awesome as our low paying jobs allows."
August 12, 2010 at 8:22 pm

"I don't need a piña colada in there."
August 13, 2010 at 6:42 pm

"Men's health magazine named Austin the most sexually active city in America. What part of Austin is that going on?" "In my bedroom."
September 13, 2010 at 4:35 pm

"We're at dinner. Let's not talking about work." "So what do we talk about?"
September 28, 2010 at 6:05 pm

"That's a new genre. Ghetto rock." "It was a genre. It was called nu-metal and it only lasted for 3 years."
October 15, 2010 at 7:26 pm

"Chris, I'm tired of staring at your face."
November 3, 2010 at 7:33 pm

"The security here is like having a substitute teacher."
November 7, 2010 at 2:10 pm

"She seems so nice. I totally feel better even though we have a giant hole in the paper."
December 1, 2010 at 7:03 pm

"Did you call him? Like '90s style using your voice?"
December 1, 2010 at 8:28 pm

Sometimes the quotes never make it to Facebook, but I still remember them:

"It's like they have a happiness reader in the back. 'Oh someone's happiness is down and the only way to bring it back up is with pancakes.'"

"Is that a laptop in your purse?"

"Someone asked if I wanted to buy some drugs there before. It's ok. It's culture."

This is just one post in my wrap up of the year 2010. If you would like to read the rest, click here to the main post.

Lockhart High School's Class of 2000 celebrated our 10 year reunion this summer and it was pretty much like witnessing Can't Hardly Wait 2: The Reunion.

Some of you until now didn't know I graduated from the high school in the BBQ Capital of Texas and that's mainly because those times weren't really kind to me. I was just another introverted-awkward-super-skinny-creative girl in a small conservative town who didn't really fit in and got picked on A LOT. I know. What a cliche.

Unfortunately, Christina Aguilera's empowerment ballad "Beautiful" hadn't come out yet. Otherwise, I would have stood in front my bathroom mirror staring at myself every night singing along with "I am beautiful dammit."

So I showed up after much convincing from my family and a high school buddy and curiosity getting the best of me, but I'm glad that I did. I saw old friends, reunited with former friends and actually made new friends. Granted, beer had a big influence on all the socializing but whatever. We're all adults now.

Well according to our birthdays...

I did learn that some of these classmates still haven't left high school and apparently, I spent eight years of school with K-Fed and didn't even know.

Ok, so let me relate this back to music as this is a music blog afterall.

As you saw in this post, I've been a music fan for a really long time.

In high school, I was a band nerd marching on the field with my flute. I sang in choir. And I was rarely seen without a pair of headphones in my ears. I always carried my discman (man, remember those!?! Instead of a small hard drive spinning in today's gadgets, an actual CD was spinning), and of course, I wrote in a journal. Some things never change, huh?

It wouldn't have been surprising to anyone if I stayed with music somehow in my life after high school. However, everyone was pretty surprised/jealous/amazed/thrilled that I could actually say that my day job is being a journalist. More specifically I'm a music journalist.

And now I also carry the title of editor for my school's newspaper.

Oh but you better believe I didn't leave it as that. I totally played it up.

"So Sarah, what do you do?"
"Well, I hang out with musicians and go to shows and get paid to write about it."

WIN.

Man those reactions made up for all those years of teasing; all those years of feeling out of place for so long. Friends came up to me saying that they had been keeping track of this blog ever since they added me on Facebook. Even some random classmates who I never had a connection with told me they were so proud and happy for me that I get to do what I love. Granted, I do some random jobs here and there like work at a bookstore for extra cash, but still, editors approach me to write for them and some offer to pay.

This whole situations sounds pretty freaking cliche, right? Seriously, they could write a coming-of-age movie about this.

But after getting my start by randomly joining newspaper in high school
to becoming a journalism major at Texas State writing boring news pieces at the University Star
to leaving Texas State because of money
to being unemployed for two years,
to getting a job, my parents both lost their jobs, forcing my younger brother and I to get a crash course on adult responsibilities pretty freaking quickly by having to support four people with two part time incomes,
to starting a little personal site on Geocities which quickly blew into the site that it is now,
I think I had a really damn good reason to gloat and rub my accomplishments in those people's faces.

Score one for the underdog.

I've been reading a lot of great articles lately. I sadly didn't save most of the links but here are some that I have grabbed my attention lately:

It's a bit tough to get through the beginning but once the writer gets his stride, this is a great post.
The country-wide exchange of ideas was too interesting to pass up, and I ponied up to the restaurant to see what had transpired over the week of brain and guitar picking. While I took another chance on the restaurant’s offerings (as unmemorable as comfort food comes, unfortunately), performer after performer strummed an acoustic guitar to the now warmed-over themes of trains, killing time, and, of course, Texas itself. “Lots of songs about ‘mama’,” I wrote in my notes.
Pastiche: Lose Your Idols

It was written in 2005 but still relevant after the recent November elections.
Dear Red States...
We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us.
Dear Red States..." A Letter From The Blue!

Indeed, technology often gets blamed for handwriting's demise. But in an interesting twist, new software for touch-screen devices, such as the iPad, is starting to reinvigorate the practice.
How Handwriting Trains the Brain

Sure, the Riverbat is silly. It's not as "regal" as a steer chewing its cud on the sidelines of a football game or as "fierce" as a feral cat - I mean bobcat. The Riverbat is not meant to bounce around aimlessly on the sideline of a sporting event, but to promote ACC at community outreach events, interact with little kids and get people to notice ACC.
EDITORIAL: Pick on mascot, not students

I didn't mean to post so much of this article but this paragraph hits close to home as I get closer to 30 (one more year).
Right around the time the Seattle scene was on its way down, I got the first inkling that I didn’t have many shots at being cool left in me–I wasn’t going to get up, dust myself off, and try much more. One night I was standing in a club, pretending to look like I “get it” as Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth played a solo gig by rubbing his guitar black anf forth on a metal folding chair. In the middle of this perfect storm of screeching, I realized I wanted my $20 back. Not that I was counting, but it was probably the 2,408th time I’d been standing somewhere like this, attempting to convince myself and a stranger in my peripheral vision that I was really into what was going on. It was also suddenly pretty hard to ignore that I had arrived at an age where the 21 and 22 year olds at the show were, well, way younger than I was. Instead of pretending to understand what Thurston was doing onstage, my attention shifted to how much my feet hurt. My back was just on fire. Putting on a good show for well over a decade had taken its toll. Going out to gigs like this one; ironically drinking cheap canned beer in well-worn dives with people who brag about not having televisions; acting interested in really broad discussions about foreign polity with stoned record-store clerks; making a point of ignoring cute girls in hopes of getting their attention while trying to convey the vibe that I was more intense than their boyfriend–it got to be a full time job. It started to feel a lot like punching the clock. And was this job ever going to get any easier?
Why I’m Cool (With Being Uncool) (opens a PDF)

Red River Noise contributor Brett Thorne has written some great commentary about situations he's encountered with his band Zlam Dunk. I couldn't decide which one to post so I'll just give you the highlights. He needs to keep writing these, whether it's on his own blog or the next publication he works for.
No one is going to bet on a Beatles reunion because of that whole “half of the members are dead” thing, so they would be a great choice in this game.
Festival Sparks Reunion; Not Wars, Elections

How many people used to record songs off the radio this way? *raises hand*
Sources (some of whom graduated high school in the...gulp...90s) confirmed that syncing the device was about as easy as syncing an iPod—the only difference being that instead of a cord running from the device to the computer that automatically updates the music library, one would have to insert a blank "cassette tape" (I know, I know. I'm confused too, but there is only room for so many explanations in this blog), wait by a radio (a what? I'm wondering if my sources are performing some sort of Ashton Kutcher-esque Punking on me), for a song to be broadcast and then activate the device's "Record" feature. I'm told that this "Record" function was similar to a manual Tivo, but for audio.
Notes From A Guy Who Fell Asleep In 1988 And Woke Up In 2010

My band began using the service over the summer and the strangest thing began happening. We started receiving e-mails telling us we had sold an album. We were making money. Through record sales.
And it was weird.
Alternative To The Mighty ITunes

And my personal favorite...
The service is mostly employed by mid to low-level bands who, while having received enough exposure to be deluded into believing they could actually make a comfortable living playing music, are not about to be interrupted by Kanye West at an awards show.
The Great KickStarter Dilemma: To Give Or Not To Give?

And last but not least, Natchet Taylor of his former band Natchet Taylor and his current band New Disaster wrote this interesting commentary that was sparked from booking a show at an out-of-town music venue. The post was originally posted on Facebook so I can't link it but here it is in its entirely.

How To Destroy Your Rock Scene

I recently got an email from a club in Dallas explaining the proper procedures that need to be adhered to in order to play their establishment. This all occurred after some friends of ours wanted to "hook up" a show with us in their hometown. I believe this all was talked about over a few cocktails and the general consensus was that we only need enough money to cover our gas for the trip.

This, however, cannot be guaranteed, according to the club:

"(The other band) asked about getting you guys gas money. I’m sure if the night does well we can get you something. But our payout is usually based on the band’s individual draws (detailed below). Do your best to get all your Dallas/FW fans out to the show and you’ll make some money.

After tax payout is 60% of your draw over age 21, 35% of your draw under 21, we keep a tally at the entrance.

$8 cover for ages 21+
$10 cover for under 21+ (all ages)"

OK, so being that we rarely play the DFW, I'd imagine that we aren't going to have a great individual draw. Especially since we are slated to play at 9PM... which is fine, I guess. I'll play at noon if need be, however, why would I tear through Dallas from Austin during rush hour traffic to play at a club that won't even cover the gas cost?

And then, there's always the parking situation... This is my favorite!

"7pm load in (Bring quarters for parking. Meters are the cheapest parking option.)"

Yeah, baby. This sounds like a dream gig. Time to raid my laundry quarters!

"Bring all your musical gear - guitars, amps, drums"

I realize that this is a catchall canned email... but really? Are there bands out there that DON'T bring their equipment and expect the club to provide it? I mean without a prior agreement... Is it egotistical of me to be insulted by phrases like this? I really try to be ultra professional in all dealings musical, is it wrong to expect the same?

"Post Flyers and Posters at area stores/schools..."

I am totally down, but I don't plan on being in the DFW area unless I am playing a show... I mean, there are ways to do this via street teams and etc, however, this email obviously doesn't seem to address that we are 4 hours away...

My rant, or point to this is this:
I wish all venues were like a lot of Austin venues (REF and Heath), or The Deadhorse, or European rock bars... They get people out to the shows and work just as hard as the bands do. They have rock scenes because THEY CREATED THEM.

CREATE a SCENE.

DON'T DESTROY IT.

Now, discuss...

Editor's note: I endured episode after episode of Community to watch this and I have to say, I'm now a fan.

"What is community college? Well you've heard all kinds of things. You've heard it is a loser college for remedial teens, 20-something dropouts, middle-aged divorcees, and old people keeping their minds active as they circle the drain of eternity."

Click here to read the rest at Accent.

Reading old journal entries on my Livejournal, I came across an entry with all the articles from the days as a wee little j-schooler. During my first semester at SWT, I joined the newspaper staff for The University Star as a news writer. Obviously, I didn't stay very long but I like reading these to remind myself how much my writing has evolved since I decided that I wanted to write for a living. Or maybe it hasn't evolved. It's all subjective. By the way, most of the comments in itatlics were written when this blog was originally posted in 2004.

We were having elections to our little government so each reporter had to write little profile on 3 candidates. Here were mine.

1/4/01

Name: Ryan McDow
Office Seeking: senator, applied arts
Major/Year: criminal justice senior
Age: 23

McDow has been involved with ASG for one and a half years. He is also involved with other organizations, including the Interfraternity Council, of which he serves as president. He said he works well with people and has a good understanding about what the university and students need.

One piece of legislation he wants to propose is a bus system that will transport students from San Marcos to Austin.

McDow said students should vote for him because he will accomplish things that need to be done and will represent the students well.

Name: Cory Todd
Office Seeking: senator, applied arts
Major/Year in school: criminal justice senior
Age: 22

Todd has been in ASG for a semester and hopes to make changes to make the SWT experience better for students. He said he is a team player and looks for the best for the students and university. He wants to organize the election next semester so students do not have to walk all the way to The Quad to vote, but with a click of a mouse, they will be able to vote for their choice on the Internet.

Todd believes students should vote for him because he cares about the school and wants to get the best for SWT, especially for the political science department.

Name: Brandon Smith
Office Seeking: senator, applied arts
Major/Year: criminal justice junior
Age: 22

Smith is new to ASG and wants to try it out and make changes. He said he has good people skills, which he acquired through his fraternity. He said he also uses his motivation to get stuff done.

One piece of legislation Smith wants to propose is to get a program started with student rides.

Smith wants to change the involvement with the students and school by trying to get them to participate with organizations and sporting events.

Advertising scholarship presented to SWT
By Sarah Vasquez

News Reporter
2/1/01

Undergraduate marketing students are now eligible to receive a new scholarship thanks to the contributions of the executive director of the Austin Advertising Federation.

Carolyn Barkley presented the scholarship to SWT in honor of her grandmother, who graduated from the university in 1950 at age 75 - the oldest graduate on record.

The scholarship will be known as the Carolyn Barkley Scholarship in Marketing and Advertising at SWT.

"I am thrilled that Carolyn Barkley has chosen to establish the scholarship at SWT," said Mary Ann Stutts, marketing professor and co-adviser of the SWT chapter of AAF. "I have known Carolyn for about 10 years. She is one of the most caring, generous people I know."

Barkley said she decided to give the scholarship while she is still alive instead of leaving it in her will so that she could enjoy watching a student benefit from the money.

"I had received a scholarship when I was in college, and it paid for my books and fees for my entire sophomore year. I said I would return the favor to someone someday," said Barkley, who received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas-Austin in 1967.

Barkley said she was happy to honor her grandmother, who went to school at a time when few women attended college.

"I have always had a fond place in my heart for SWTSU, as my grandmother received her teaching degree there," Barkley said. "My grandmother would be so proud to know I established this scholarship in the Barkley name."

The scholarship is for $10,000, with only the interest, about $500 a year, being awarded to a marketing student.

Each year, Barkley and the Austin Advertising Federation will add money to the fund, so the interest amount will increase regularly.

The money from the scholarship first goes toward paying the recipient's course tuition, and if any is left over, it may be used for purchasing textbooks.

The recipient must have at least a 3.0 grade point average.

"It will be presented to a needy person who is hardworking and not necessarily an 'A' student, someone who has a strong, positive attitude and does not give up easily," Barkley said.

The first scholarship will be given in April 2001, and interested students may apply to the University Scholarship Committee.

SWT students study American presidency
By Sarah Vasquez
News Reporter
3/28/01

While most students were lying in the sun getting a tan during Spring Break, two SWT students and a lecturer attended the Center for the Study of the American Presidency in Washington, D.C.

Todd Curry, a geography junior; Justin Fisher, a marketing sophomore; and Patricia Parent, political science lecturer, were invited to attend the symposium based on their leadership experience.

"I was invited to attend namely because of my service as vice president of the Associated Student Government at SWT," Curry said.

The focus of the symposium was on "The First Hundred Days" of a presidential administration. Scholars, media types and political practitioners evaluated the current administration, sometimes in a historical context.

The conference featured numerous policy seminars, including topics such as presidential-legislative relations and the role of the media. Speakers included David Gergen, an opinion columnist for U.S. News and World Report, and Eleanor Clift, a contributing editor for Newsweek magazine.

"I gained valuable insight on the necessary ingredients an U.S. president must assemble to start a new administration on the right foot," Curry said. "The speakers were fantastic."

Also between policy seminars, Parent, Curry and Fisher had the opportunity to meet former SWT students who are now working in Washington, D.C.

SWT alumnus Kevin Washington, House Majority Leader Dick Armey's legislative director, talked to them about life as a congressional aide and devoted a few minutes to giving them an insider's tour of the Capitol.

The group also met Jill Foley Angelo, who is completing three internship hours and will graduate from SWT in August. Angelo is working as an assistant to Karen Hughes, President Bush's Counselor to the White House.

"We also got to see the Oval Office and the White House press room," Parent said. "We couldn't resist taking photos behind the famous podium. Most people never get to see this part of the White House."

The Center for the Study of the American Presidency is a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization. It is the foremost educational institution in the United States devoted to the study of the presidency, government and politics. The center seeks to further the understanding of the American presidency and related institutions.

Other SWT students have attended the symposium in previous years. Last year, Cami Daigle, Kim Gunn and Tommy Sanchez attended, while Chad Sanders and Jennifer Jackson attended the year before.

"I think it is important that we continue to send representatives in future years so that SWT continues to get its name out in national settings," Curry said.

Even though the trip was during Spring Break, the three who attended enjoyed the time spent in Washington, D.C. Curry described the trip as fantastic.

"It's a bit more cerebral than lying out in the sun, but for politically minded students, it's worth it," Parent said.

Yeah. I got in trouble for this story by the professor teaching this class. She called me at 8 am (my class was at 10 I think so I woulda woke up at 9) and decided to bitch me out because of something I wrote in there (it's in bold). She was like "who gave you permission?" and I was like half asleep so my witty comebacks came like a minute after she had moved on therefore I seemed like a complete wuss because I didn't have anything to say. Ok that bolded part was in the PRESS RELEASE that was sent to me by her department therefore it's now public information. Ugh. Added today: I just noticed this was the last article I contributed to the Star and the angry teacher was in no way the reason why I stopped writing for them.

National expert to teach suicide class
By Sarah Vasquez
News Reporter
4/24/01

More than 30,000 deaths in the United States every year are a result of suicide. It is the third leading cause of death among adolescents, and the elderly have the highest rate of suicide.

A new course at SWT, Sociology of Suicide, will analyze the risk levels for suicide among these age groups.

The new upper level course will be offered starting in the fall 2001 semester. It is open to any students interested in taking the class.

"Sociology 3321 will be an excellent course," said Susan Day, professor and chair of the sociology department. "Students will develop an understanding of social forces that affect types and rates of suicide in different settings."

The class is going to be the only one of its kind offered in the country that examines the topic of a "suicide culture" and the connections between individual and societal orientations toward suicide, said Donna Holland Barnes, sociology professor who will teach the class.

Barnes is one of the nation's leading authorities on the topic of suicide. She is on the national boards of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention and the Organization for Attempters and Survivors of Suicide in Interfaith Services. She is also a founding member of the National Organization of People of Color Against Suicide and is founder of a Central Texas chapter of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. Barnes became interested in suicide prevention after her son took his own life several years ago.

"Suicide has been declared a national health problem by the Surgeon General and it is time more universities offered a course on the subject," Barnes said.

Barnes has taught this course at Tufts University and Northeastern University in Boston.

"I believe that Boston University is one other university, among few, that offers a course on the subject," Barnes said. "It's a course that needs to be recognized in all universities."

The class members will begin with the history of suicide and read literature written on the subject that dates back to the 17th century. Students will gain a better understanding of environmental, psychological and biological forces that can lead to suicide. They will also learn to identify those at risk for suicide and the importance of evidence intervention and prevention and programs.

"Even though the subject is suicide ... it is not entirely a course on death and dying," Barnes said.

The course will also study survivors and how individuals cope with suicide in their immediate families or in a close knit community.

"The frame of reference is drawn from sociology and social psychology, and therefore emphasizes interaction, context and the ways in which situations are defined by members and others," Day said.

The course will be offered from 11-11:50 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Evans Liberal Arts Building, Room 218. For further information, contact Barnes at db31@swt.edu or 245-8453.

Reading old journal entries on my Livejournal, I came across an entry with all the articles from the days as a wee little j-schooler. During my first semester at SWT, I joined the newspaper staff for The University Star as a news writer. Obviously, I didn't stay very long but I like reading these to remind myself how much my writing has evolved since I decided that I wanted to write for a living. Or maybe it hasn't evolved. It's all subjective. By the way, most of the comments in itatlics were written when this blog was originally posted in 2004.

This is the story that started it all. This was the first story assigned to me. She assigned it and wanted it done by the next day. So after I hung up with her, I had to call the guy to get the information, write it out and ready to go by 5:00 pm the next day. Well I did it which I kinda regret because she then expected that out of me all the freaking time. Added today: I do love that the abbreviation for the organization is completely wrong and even 10 years later, it's still not fixed.

Men Against Violence to rally in Quad today
By Sarah Vasquez
Star Reporter
9/20/00

Members of Men Against Violence (MVA) will hold a rally today to inform the student body about anger management and the purpose of their organization.

The rally will be held by The Fighting Stallions in the Quad at 11:50 a.m.

The organization's members will present a short skit about anger management and statistics about men and violence. They will also discuss what MVA has planned for the upcoming semester and what they are all about.

Men Against Violence is a registered student organization associated with the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center (ADRC). It is a program of predominately male members who try to open students' eyes about the different problems going on in and around the Southwest Texas community such as acquaintance rape, dating violence, hate crimes and alcohol.

"Our mission is to reduce frequency and severity of violent acts throughout SWT and surrounding communities," said John Capuano, health education senior and member of MVA.

Another aspect of MVA is interaction with different people on campus from student organizations, the greeks and residential halls. The group also communicates with students outside of campus attending boot camps, junior highs and high schools.

"We also try to collaborate with other organizations like the Shelter for Battered Women," said Julie Eckert, Peer Education Coordinator at the ADRC and a faculty advisor for MVA.

Students interested in participating in MVA can attend the rally for more information.

I lucked out with this story. I was supposed to attend this bbq right? I was really shy back then so the thought of having to go to this thing without knowing anyone freaked me out. Well turns out that I knew like 5 of the sisters because they were advisors and RA's in Upward Bound. Not to mention that my University Seminar professor was the sorority's advisor so he helped me out a lot getting interviews and meeting everyone. This also made the front page. Of course he showed it off to the class when it came out. He used to tell everyone I was gonna be a superstar one day. lol

Sigma Delta Lambda celebrates fourth birthday
By Sarah Vasquez
Star Reporter
10/03/00

Rick Green, State Representative for District 46, presented Sigma Delta Lambda with a documented history that recognized its contributions throughout the area at the sorority's fourth birthday celebration this past Saturday.

Sorority members and guests ate barbecue and hung out at the event, held at Sewell Park, while music filled the background. Many guests were in attendance such as Martha Tatum, San Marcos City Council member for Place 6, and her husband, Kyev Tatum, from the Willie May Mitchell Center.

"I just want to thank the sorority for the commitment they've made throughout the university and community and the difference they made on life, not only outside their sorority but also among themselves," Green said.

SDL first started four years ago when 11 female SWT students joined together to build a support network for Hispanic women.

One of the founding sisters, Vickie Vallasana, took measures into her own hands and researched what necessary steps it would take to create a sorority. The first interest meeting had over 100 girls in attendance.

"The need for this type of group was obviously there so we took it from there," said Tina Deolloz-Daniels, co-founder and SDL national executive board secretary. "We had to do all the writing for the constitution and once we did it, it immediately took off."

On March 1, 1997, SDL became the first handmade greek organization at SWT, and it is still the only group to hold this distinction.

The sorority's mission is to create a support network for Latinas in the SWT community so when new freshman girls come on campus, they can recognize that some women from their heritage have formed together.

Those who have already graduated can also come back and give advice on their experiences to those who still attend college.

The sorority also does community service. One place they help is the Mitchell Center, a community opportunity center for young people. At the center, the girls volunteer some of their time with the children.

They also try to collaborate with other student organizations and pull everybody together so they can get out and do community service.

The sorority is expanding by attempting to start other chapters at the University of Texas in Austin and University of Texas Pan Am.

"We've come so far," said Lori Ruiz, political science senior and member of SDL. "We started with 11 members and now we are going to expand to two other universities. Many people doubted us but we've become successful."

For all of its hard work, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named the sorority Organization of the Year.

"Another thing is the whole retention, which is one of the things that really makes me proud," said Anthony Daniels, faculty advisor and mentor and Associate Director at the LBJ Student Center.

"Because of the organization, we have a lot of the females that are really involved and engaged with other activities and their grades are better."

I had to sit through this speaker and it was pretty interesting. He showed slides and all kinds of "behind the scenes footage"

FBI agent explains government position regarding Waco tragedy
By Sarah Vasquez
Star Reporter
10/18/00

It has been eight years since the Branch Davidian siege at Mt. Carmel in Waco, but on Tuesday, the chief FBI negotiator visited SWT to give an overview on what really happened during the 51-day standoff.

Byron Sage, the negotiator, mainly had conversations with David Koresh during the siege and tried to bargain with him so the situation would be solved. During his presentation, he shared with the audience one conversation he had with Koresh on the day of the fires asking him to let the children that were still in the building go from harm's way.

"I asked him to let the rest of the children go, and he told me that he wouldn't let the rest go, because the ones that were still left were his biological children," Sage said.

Also, Sage presented slides from the actual scene during many of the standoff's highlights, including the raid and the fires. As he displayed each picture, he told the emotions he felt as he experienced each situation. When he showed the picture of the building on fire, he expressed that all he could think about was getting the children out. He used his parental instincts to bring the kids out, because that was the number one priority to him, he said.

Sage cleared up what he claimed were false statements about the siege. One unclear aspect of the standoff was the reason the FBI got involved with the Davidians.

"It was not because of their religious practice, because the Bill of Rights grants them that freedom," Sage said. "It was not because they carried weapons, because the Bill of Rights also grants them that freedom. It was because of the murders of four federal agents."

One reason the Davidians did not want to leave the compound was because they thought they would be harmed or arrested by the FBI. To combat that fear, the FBI allowed the Davidians, who were released, to use the PA system to tell the others inside the building that they were all right.

On April 19, 1993, the FBI used tear gas to force the people out of the compound, because it was the lowest level of force available, Sage said. The FBI had two plans of attack for using this weapon. Plan A was to insert cans in the building within 48 hours. If the Davidians attacked the agents, they would go to plan B, which was to saturate the whole building with the cans. The FBI gave prior warning to the Davidians by using the PA system 10 minutes prior to inserting the gas.

Sage presented his audience a list of facts regarding the events that occurred April 19, 1993. The Davidians intentionally started three separate fires within the compound shortly after noon, Sage said. The fires were not caused nor contributed to by the act of the government. It was Koresh and Steve Schneider, his assistant, who ordered the Davidians to begin spreading fuel, Sage said.

After the fire subsided, the FBI went in to inspect the remains of the compound. Officials found Koresh and Schneider lying dead next to each other. Koresh had a bullet hole in his forehead, and Schneider had a bullet hole in his mouth. The gun used to fire both shots was found next to Schneider.

A list of weaponry and ammunition that were found in the compound after the fire included 61 AK-47 rifles, 13 shotguns, multiple illegal silencers and several silencer components, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition and multiple grenade rockets.

A question-answer session took place after the presentation. One female student asked, "If this sort of situation were to happen again, do you think the government would be more prepared to handle it?"

"Yes, because the technology is more advanced than it was back then," Sage said. "The event took place in 1993, so we didn't have that many technological advances. If it were to happen again, I believe the government would be ready because they are more aware of what would be going on."

The reason why there's two names on the byline was because I got really lazy and just wrote out the press release. Not word for word because well that would be plagarism. (Added today: I've learned since then that can still be considered plagiarism or a blogging standard. Take your pick.) My editor asked me that night "Did you interview the guy because it seemed like you only used the press release." which I was like "uh yeah I did. He never got a hold of me." and she was all confused so she added some tibits of her own to the story. Man, I'm horrible.

SWT sponsors recruiting event
The Los Angeles Police Department will be recruiting on campus today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the second floor foyer of Hines Academic Center.
By Sarah Vasquez and Sarah Evans
Star Staff
10/26/00

Anyone who ever thought of becoming a Los Angeles Police Officer will get a chance tomorrow.

The Los Angeles Police Department will be recruiting on campus all day. Representatives of the department will have recruiting tables from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the second floor foyer of Hines Academic Center. They will also be offering the Police Officer Written Test, the first step in the selection process, at 3 p.m. in room 205 of Hines. After the test, they will give a short seminar about law enforcement careers.

"We're going around the nation looking for the best and brightest candidates for the Los Angeles Police Department," said Sgt. Bill Frio, the officer in charge of the LAPD Recruitment Unit.

The free written test consists of two parts: a 50-question multiple choice test, which measures reading comprehension and English usage, and an essay, which determines written communication skills. The score for the multiple choice test is usually given on the day the exam is administered, but the essay is scored at a later date.

"The test is to see if the applicant can write and decipher proper English," Frio said. "Some of the most important duties for a police officer are writing reports and testifying in court, and the officers need to be able to use correct English."

If the test-taker passes, he or she will be able to continue to the next step Ñ the interview.

The interview is a behavior-based review of the applicant's personal history, providing evaluation of problem-solving abilities, respect for diversity, community service orientation, role adaptability, communications ability and motivation.

The other steps of the selection process are the medical examination/written psychological test, physical abilities test, background investigation, psychological interview, and certification and appointment.

John Megerson, chief of the University Police Department, said large departments like LAPD often recruit nationwide.

"Departments like Chicago, Detroit, New York and L.A. do nationwide recruiting year-round," Megerson said. "Many times they want to increase their diversity, and they cannot always get a substantial pool from their area."

Frio said LAPD has visited 30 cities since the first of the year.

"We've had double our retirements, and we normally lose an average of 30 people a month, which is not good when we're trying to expand the department," Frio said. "The Southern California area is inundated with law enforcement agencies and the candidates just aren't there, which is why we travel around recruiting."

LAPD officers receive benefits such as family/domestic partner health and dental plans, pension plans, sick leave and disability benefits, vacation and holidays, and deferred compensation.

Starting salary for an LAPD officer ranges from $42,000 for those with a high school diploma to $47,000 for those with a 4-year college degree.

Applicants must be at least 20 and 1/2 years old to take the written test and not older than 35 at the time of the oral interview. They must also have a U.S. high school diploma, GED equivalent or California High School Proficiency Examination certificate, be a U.S. citizen or have an application for citizenship in process, be of excellent health and have no felony convictions.

Interested parties must have vision no worse than 24/40 uncorrected unless they wear soft contact lenses, and they must have normal ability to understand speech in noisy areas, understand whispered speech and be able to localize sounds.

Frio said applicants with a criminal justice background will have an advantage when they go through the LAPD's 7-month training academy, but that background is not a requirement and anyone can apply.

"I have a business degree, and I've been in law enforcement for 25 years," he said.

The LAPD encourages everyone interested to come out and take the test. For more information on the recruitment and The San Marcos Testing Event, call (800) 954-0321.

Mass Comm professor wins prestigious award
By Sarah Vasquez
Star Reporter
11/3/00

A close examination of advertising and its effects in Slovenia won an SWT advertising professor an award at the Ninth Annual International Advertising Association (IAA) World Conference this month. Michael McBride, the professor who researched this aspect of advertising, won the Best Paper award for his work titled "Eastern European Spirit, Western European Style: Advertising in Slovenia."

The association held its biannual convention in Miami Oct. 12-15.

During the conference, there were professional speakers and activities that dealt with advertising and support education. Different countries from all over the globe, such as Austria, Malaysia, Croatia, Egypt and ChilŽ were represented at the conference. The theme of the conference this year was Advancing Marketing Communications Education in a "Glocal" (global/local) Marketing Environment.

"We're excited that a member of the faculty got recognition from an international organization for his research," said Bruce Smith, chair of the department of mass communication.

During the conference, McBride enjoyed talking to old friends and meeting new acquaintances from around the world, and they shared information about teaching, advertising and students.

"We can learn so much from each other Ñ all it takes is listening," McBride said.

McBride taught in Bulgaria on a scholarship during the 1994-1995 school year, so he was informed about the country. He received help on his paper from Janez Damjan, lecturer in marketing at the University of Ljubljana, the capital and largest city of the country. Damjan is also the marketing director for Delo, the largest newspaper in Slovenia.

His winning paper described how Slovenia advertised in terms of appearance, style and design. What he found, though, was that the country used very westernized techniques. Its advertising content is very similar to that of the United States because Slovenia still looks to this country as a model of how a nation should be, McBride said.

Using this technique, helped put Slovenia ahead of many countries in Eastern and Central Europe with advertising, he said.

One aspect of Slovenia that McBride felt was interesting was that the cost of living is more than in the other surrounding countries. One would pay the same amount for a McDonald's Big Mac as they would pay in America.

One thing McBride enjoyed from Slovenia was the scenery.

"It is a beautiful country," he said. "They have gorgeous mountains and green valleys."

The research paper contest McBride won was judged by educators and professionals. On the last day during the closing luncheon, the director general of IAA announced the winner and presented him with a plaque. McBride was surprised when his name was announced.

"I had absolutely no idea they were going to announce my name," McBride said. "I was in shock. I never expected to win that award. It was a wonderful way to end the convention."

Cancer society seeks volunteers for ÔLife' event
By Sarah Vasquez
Star Reporter
11/8/00

Many volunteers are needed for the Second Annual American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life event in San Marcos.

The event's organizers need volunteers to organize and recruit teams, seek community logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend their support in any way.

"What we are looking for is to get the relay ready and to make it bigger than last year," said Lillian Wheaton, co-chair of Relay for Life. "We really want everyone to come out, help and get involved."

The first volunteer committee meeting, or "Relay Rally," will be held today at the San Marcos Public Library from 6 to 7 p.m. The meeting will begin planning the event that is designed to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer in San Marcos.

Relay for Life will take place on March 30, 2001, at the San Marcos High School track. The purpose is to have everyone from around the community join together to fight cancer.

Relay for Life is a team event where participants walk or run around a track relay style for 18 hours.

Even though the event is in March, the teams need to start collecting money now for the event, said Jamie Doty, co-chair of Relay for Life.

The ACS is hoping this year's Relay for Life will turn out as successful as last year's event.

"The relay turned out great last year," Wheaton said. "It ended up being the largest first-time event in San Marcos."

The event ended up raising $70,000 last year from more than 23 teams running and walking to support the organization.

The majority of the help received was from the university community. ACS would also like help from the San Marcos community this year.

If anyone would like to join the Relay for Life as a volunteer or team participant, they can attend the Relay Rally tonight.

For more information, call Doty at 754-6022 or Wheaton at 353-7449.

"We encourage everyone to come to the rally," Doty said. "If you can't come, call to volunteer or to join a team."

Thsi story was the headline story of the paper that day. I felt so cool. I remember it was freezing this event happened. It really sucked to be standing out there between classes interviewing everyone and so forth.

Goggles give drunken feeling during
By Sarah Vasquez
Star Reporter
12/7/00

Students wearing intoxication goggles attempted to maneuver a small tricycle amongst traffic cones Wednesday in The Quad as part of the Winter Challenge 2000.

The activity was one of many available to students during the two-day event, which continues today.

The Student Affairs Alcohol and Other Drugs Team is holding the event to help promote responsible drinking over the holidays.

"We're just trying to make an effort to make students aware of the dangers of drinking and driving," said Julie Eckert, leader of the team.

One of the activities included in the event allows students to sign a pledge card stating they will not drink and drive over the holidays. The cards will be sent to those who sign during the break.

Students who sign the card are entered into a drawing for dinners at restaurants in San Marcos such as Grins and the Outback Steakhouse.

"I hope doing thais today, our students will be safe during the holidays," said Erin Christille, crime prevention officer with the University Police Department. "I hope by pledging, they won't drink and drive."

Blanca Sanchez-Navarro, counselor and member of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Team, said her organization has mailed up to 800 cards in previous years.

"The cards are a reminder to the students of their pledge while they are home for the holidays and away from campus," she said. "It has been really successful."

There are other giveaways for participating that include cups, pencils, candy, key chains, whistles and notepads.

One educational event that was popular among the students Wednesday was the "alcohol factoid game." Students are asked questions about alcohol such as "Which of these factors does not influence blood alcohol concentration?" and "Eating slows down the effects of alcohol. True or False?"

For each questions a student gets right, he or she is awarded up to $3. In addition to the money, the students can also win prizes such as a money pouch and a mini Jack in the Box basketball game.

The Network and Men Against Violence were in charge of the fatal vision goggles activity. Students can attempt to drive a tricycle through traffic cones and walk a straight line wearing goggles that mimic intoxication of a person with a blood alcohol content of .10. Free T-shirts are given to those who participate.

Some students realized that using the goggles was not as easy as it looked.

"It was like being drunk," said Troy Lott, business management freshmen. "My friend wrecked the bike. He was riding on two wheels."

Adam Rodriguez, officer with UPD's Crime Prevention, said most of the students did poorly with the goggles activity.

"Some don't even stay on the line," he said.

Texas is No. 1 in the nation for alcohol-related deaths. The 2000 Core Drug and Alcohol Survey at SWT revealed that 52 percent of students reported driving a car under the influence of alcohol in the last year. The survey also reported that 2.4 percent of SWT students were arrested for DUI/DWI in the past year.

"Lots of people assume that you have to be drunk to get in an accident," Sanchez-Narvarro said. "There are other types of alcohol-related accidents that do not deal with driving. Alcohol affects your decision making."

According to one of the questions in the "factoid game," alcohol can affect students' academics by 40 percent.

"Forty percent is a lot to be affecting your academics," said Lilia Calixto, education freshman. "I think it [the event] is good for awareness of what college students need to know."

The Winter Challenge 2000 will continue today in The Quad from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We encourage the entire SWT community to participate in the Winter Challenge 2000," Eckert said.