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(11/02/11 11:19pm)
The men’s basketball season officially began on Sunday, Oct. 23 with an inter-squad scrimmage. Fans came out to support and display their love as the team rolled out onto the court in full get up. By the conclusion of the passionate game, the Black Team prevailed with a score of 46-44 over the White Team.
Freshman member of the team, TJ Hallice, was nervous about the game, saying that it was his “first time playing in front of everyone.” TJ has been playing since he was four, saying that he “just likes playing” basketball. Hallice believes, and most agree, that Sunday’s scrimmage went pretty well. He said it was really just time for the team to “work out the kinks” and get their heads into the game.
Head coach Bob Hoffman has been coaching basketball for over 30 years, and has been at Mercer for four years. Hoffman said his favorite part of coaching is “interacting with the players, the university community and the outside community.” To get prepared for this season Coach Hoffman began with focusing on the fundamentals of the game, including the physical and mental aspects of it. By getting these fundamentals down packed, the team will get better every day. The team is also focusing on their daily practice. By practicing elements of the game the correct way, the team can become winners. Coach Hoffman saw the scrimmage as a chance to put the uniforms on and let everyone see the team and what they can do. Coach Hoffman said that the scrimmage was more of a “dress rehearsal before the real deal.” It shows what the players need to work on and improve in before stepping into a real game. It is safe to say that everyone is ready and excited for this year’s season.
The goals of the team are unsure as of yet, but TJ Hallice is hoping that through hard work and concentrated skills they, as a team, can end up winning the Atlantic Sun Championship. The Atlantic Sun Championship is to be hosted at Mercer this year, with eight basketball teams competing in a four-day, single-elimination tournament. Coach Hoffman said his overall hope for the team is to “be the best they can be,” and if that means going to a championship, that’s enormous. The Bear’s basketball team has a bright season ahead of them with a lot of talent and skills to take down competitors. They are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
The team’s first exhibition is going to be held on Nov. 3 in the University Center, where the Bears will be playing Georgia College. The goal of this game, besides having a good time, is to bring about the recognition of a different type of fight: the fight against cancer. This Coach vs. Cancer game is designed to raise funds for cancer research, education, advocacy and community service efforts.
Come show the Bears some love and support a good cause on Nov. 3.
(11/02/11 10:05pm)
As a college student I am far past the point of trick or treating on Halloween. At my age it would really just be creepy. So I am left with two options. I could either stay home and lamely pass out candy, or dust off my cat woman suit and hit the town in search of fun. I honestly would rather go with the former. As fun much as being cat woman sounds, I could do without a night of weird stares, not to mention scaling buildings is a bit much. Therefore, I have come up with a brilliant solution of what to do in between the annoyance of answering the door bell—a horror movie marathon. A night filled with a mix of blood chilling fright, funnily crafted ‘horrors’ and everything sandwiched between makes for the perfect Halloween.
For anyone like me, an easily frightened scaredy- cat, it’s best to start the evening off diving straight into the deep end of horror films, or what I prefer to call ‘the nightmare worthy.’ At the top of the list has got to be Paranormal Activity one and two. If these aren’t enough there is a third installment being released in theaters on October 21, 2011. Another excellent supernatural horror must-see would have to be The Shining with Jack Nicholson. It’s a startling plot based on the idea of ghost and their affect on the human mind. The next movie choice would be any one or all five of the Final Destinations. These films are fear provoking due to the use of everyday objects combined with seemingly harmless accidents that result in rather disturbing deaths.
Joey Chan’s favorite horror movie is Chainsaw Massacre. She says, “Most people go to see the gore.” Chan watches for “the underlying story, and also partially the gore.”
If those aren’t enough, The Omen, filmed in 1976, is a chilling movie about the child version of the Antichrist. These films aren’t the nightmare list because of their blood and gore, but rather due to the way they play with the mind even after a few years have passed. It stays with the viewer. The audience is left with a sense of paranoia, and every time a floorboard creaks or a tree rustles, it will bring the viewer’s mind right back to this type of movie.
After summoning nightmares, it is best to cool the evening off by slipping into some of the best sociological thrillers in the history of movies. Start off with The Roommate. This film is the worst thing to watch before coming to college.
Alyssa Alphabet admitted that she like the thriller The Craft, a wild movie about a coven of witches. Alphabet said she “thought it was good, because (she) just likes crazy movies.”
Another great thriller is Black Swan. This chilling movie fills the viewer with a mix of horror and fascination due to its beautifully twisted plot.
If you are looking for a good old-fashioned classic, Sixth Sense is a brilliant movie that centers on a young boy with a unique gift.
The last thriller that must be mentioned is The Exorcist. Although it was made in 1973, this movie is eerie in its own respect. It poses the idea of a force beyond human control.
Thrillers are horror movies in their own respect. They amuse themselves by entering the viewer’s mind, frolicking about within it. Unlike the ‘nightmare worthy’ movies they are always present, and will always affect the viewer’s actions.
The best movies to watch for a true scardey-cat are the older movies. One of the best is Dracula, made in 1931. This classic vampire movie is beautifully done and not as fear-provoking as other horrors.
The Haunting, filmed in 1963, is a spine-chilling tale of a ghost ridden house and its captives. The original Halloween, made in 1978, is a frigid movie surrounding the escape of a psychotic murderer who decides to give his childhood town a gruesome visit. The last of the frightening older movies has to be the 1986 film, Children of the Corn, a frightening motion picture about a cult of children taking over a town. The older movies are less frightening and more artistic in their creation, due in large part to the lack of good graphics available.
Now for the part of the evening the fearful have been waiting for: the cheesier and less terrifying films.
Jennifer’s Body has got to be at the top of the list, because it is overdone and leaves the audience rolling in laughter rather than cowering in fear. Prom Night was another movie that tried too hard to be a horror, falling short instead with a predictable plot and bad acting. The last film to fall under this cheese filled category would be the original Scream along with all three of its sequels. Cheesy movies are renowned for their ability to fail at insisting any type of fear into the audience, therefore a perfect way to unwind after a tense horror movie filled evening.
The final movies to be added to this extensive marathon are funny ‘horrors’ such as all four Scary Movies. The Scary Movies are funny because all the cliché things that happen in them can also be found in actual horror movies. The British film, Shaun of the Dead, is a wonderfully funny film surrounding the idea of a zombie infested town. The last must-see movie is Zombieland, made in 2009. It is another comedic zombie film, just funny enough to end the night or morning on a good note.
The best way to spend Halloween is snuggled under the covers, sneaking trick or treat candies and laughing or cringing at some horror film.
If the idea is to really strike fear, it’s best to go with something that will give you nightmares. Alyssa Alphabet admits, “Snakes give me nightmares.” Because of this, she watches films like Anaconda. So find your fear, just don’t be too surprised if it ends up in your dreams.
(11/02/11 9:11pm)
Disney, one word that has everyone thinking of the magical land that just so happens to be “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Yet let’s be real folks, it’s just another amusement park and business franchise that fills our head with false hopes and dreams.
I am all for the imagination and creative aspect of the Disney culture, but when I really get to thinking about it, I become a bit worried for the young minds exposed to it.
Girls that are far too young finding themselves in full princess get up sighing and patiently waiting for their prince charming while boys try so hard to fit that awkward role of being perfect Mr. Right.
Since 1937, when Snow White first arrived on the scene, there has been a new culture arising, the princess culture. This, like any society, has positives and negatives.
All Disney princesses, from Snow White right up to Rapunzel seem to have the same qualities.
They are characterized by helplessness and the inability to produce a true personality while relying on men for their happiness, or in simpler terms they are restrained by “princess faults.”
I admit Disney has gotten better at making stronger, self-sufficient women, like Tiana, the first African-American princess, who was determined to make her dream a reality.
Yet these odd princess qualities did not shift until after 1991.
The films following Beauty and the Beast seemed to be open to independent beauties following their own path into their self made future.
Yet even some of these ladies can still be burdened by their “princess faults.”
Now something Disney seems to have done right was in representing different types of ethnic groups. Although it is sad it took so long for any of the ethnic beauties to arrive on the scene.
Up until 1991 there was only Caucasians represented with differing hair color.
There was Snow White with midnight black hair, Cinderella and Aurora were a Lady Gaga yellow, Ariel had a beautiful shade of fire engine red and Belle had hair colored a lovely shade of coco brown.
After 1992 there was an obvious switch in both the ethnicities of the princesses and their character. That year was followed by Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Tiana.
All of these women are more heroines than princesses, risking their lives for what they believe in or fighting to fulfill their dreams.
In following their destiny they never break the rules, and always manage to do the “right thing.” This is a better image for young girls to be exposed to.
It is more encouraging and exciting than sitting around waiting for prince charming.
The reality is that in life it is important to use imagination and drive to fulfill your dreams, while staying earth bound in realism.
Disney movies have found a way to encourage this, but lack the ability to stay down to earth.
They encourage the ideas of happy endings, which I can honestly say rarely happen.
So at the risk of sounding like a pessimist perhaps it is best to keep the Disney movies locked in a deep dark vault until kids are old enough to take them with a grain of salt.
Comments, views, and questions about this opinion can be sent to Olivia.Jasmine.Brayan@live.mercer.edu.
(10/20/11 12:06am)
Ghost stories, creepy crawlies and spooky scenery; it’s that time of year again. Halloween is moving in swiftly, it’s the main time of year where being scary is acceptable. As college students I find it’s our duty to ensure the horror of our hallways and what better way than to bring in the Halloween spirit with a haunted house?
The first step to a haunted house is the look. Decorations are a must. At the very basic level one would need the typical orange and black color scheme combined with spiders neatly hung in their webs, snakes slithering among the walls, bats swinging from the ceiling, random limbs hanging about the room with the usual blood, and perhaps a wicked witch or two creeping in the background. But let’s be honest, we all can’t afford to go all out at a fancy arts and craft store. So here are some neat decoration ideas on a college student’s budget.
To bring in the black and orange theme one can start off with some generic crepe paper, which can be bought at any Dollar General or Wal-Mart. By stringing the streamers along the walls, you can add the first layer of festive color. Next come the spiders, and unless the idea is to really freak the roommate out it may be a good idea to go with plastic spiders in fake webs. These can be bought at the same stores mentioned before. For spider webs the best thing is to purchase cotton batting that can be stretched out and hung or taped about the room. Phony snakes can be slung on the furniture in the room or placed slithering along the floor.
To add another dimension to the room, paper bats can be strung up and places about randomly on the ceiling or even added to the walls. Finally to add the finishing touches place large shadowy figures around the room, these can be as simple as a black figure cutout placed on the wall, or as complex as a stature placed in the room. Lastly is lighting and music. Buy colored bulbs and replace the lamp lights, maybe changing to a red, purple or a green. This, along with some ever constant spooky music can certainly set the right fear-provoking mood.
In the freshman girl’s dormitory, up four flights of stairs on Porter’s third floor, they have accomplished in making the spirit of Halloween come alive all along their floor. The floor’s resident advisor, Michelle Moran, was creating “a Halloween bulletin board and wanted to do something more that everyone would enjoy.” After getting the festive idea approved by her supervisor, she along with several of the floors residents collected the necessary items and set to work. Katie Montgomery finds that “the hallway decorations are really cute, and for the people that participated, it was a fun bonding experience.”
Creating a haunted house takes time and preparation, and if that’s something you don’t seem to have, the best solution is visiting someone else’s haunted house. The Haunted Montrose House is featuring a spooky showing called the Slaughter House. The show is running all October long on Thursdays through Sundays and on Monday, October 31. The shows start at dark and only cost $16 for general admission.
Haunted houses are a great amount of fun, Carolyn Dishburger finds that getting startled is the main reason she goes and “as messed up as that is, it’s fun to get scared and get into the mindset of Halloween.” Even if decorating for Halloween isn’t something traditional, there is some excitement in being chased down the hallway with a chainsaw.
If the goal is to really have a haunted dorm room, just hold a séance and meet a few ghosts.
(10/05/11 10:08pm)
Thursday, September 29 marked Quadworks’ first Poetry Jam, hosted by Jittery Joe’s. Several Mercer students read, and members of the Dulcimer staff were present to distribute past editions of the literary and arts magazine.
The sweet smell of coffee filled the air as I slipped into Jittery Joe’s. I glanced around the room, noting the assortment of people, as I tiredly fell into a chair in front on the impromptu stage. The audience hushed as the first woman took the stage; as if lit by an unknown force, her words took off, filling the heavily-lit room. The words spun in the room, building up in a beautiful frenzy as she finished another poem and took her place, adding to the energy of the room and setting precedent for the night.
One of my favorite pieces of the night came from a senior here at Mercer, Chantelle Young. It was a piece she wrote responding to Mrs. Martha Gram’s quote “The body is a garment,” titled “To Mrs. Martha”. It was beautifully crafted and spoken with emphasis in all the right areas. Despite being nervous, Chantelle spoke her writings from memory with such confidence and poise that it inspired me to perhaps share my own work in the future.
In performing poetry, Chantelle found that “It feels so good to say it aloud; it feels so freeing.” Not only is it releasing for the author, but also for the audience.
The best part about the evening was being able to relate to others through their words. The words and the story behind the poetry becomes so captivating that it soon becomes not only about the writer’s experience, but instead transforms the story into a group experience.
Another poet of the evening that I really enjoyed was Chris Tyler Young, who is in his second year here at Mercer as a mechanical engineer student. He shared two beautiful pieces titled “Symphony,” and they were a sweet remembrance.
Young desired to share his work because “everyone has something to give, and this is my little bit to give.”
It was my first time at a poetry reading and it was wonderful; never have I experienced such an artistic expression. Over fifteen writers shared their work with the eagerly-listening audience. This was the second Poetry Jam sponsored by Quadworks and there is more to be planned in the future. Taey Wright, a new member of Quadworks, is in full support of the poetry reading, agreeing that it’s “a really good opportunity for students to come express their creativity, and it’s something that everyone can enjoy.”
If you missed this Poetry Jam, rest assured that there will be another in the spring semester, but if you can’t wait until then, the Dulcimer is always accepting pieces to be reviewed and added into the magazine to become published in the spring edition. Audra Jones, Mercer senior and editor-in-chief of the Dulcimer, said, “I’m glad that Quadworks has taken on an active role in keeping poetry alive. It’s a pleasure to know that my love of the written word is shared by others.”
(10/05/11 2:16am)
All women know that feeling, a sickening feeling that takes hold as you mistakenly glance at the rack in the grocery queue. It starts in your gut and slowly rises as your eyes are captured by the stick-thin, perfectly-proportioned models staring up at you with their laughing eyes, like they know exactly what’s going through your mind.
Women have become standardized.
We are told and consequently misinformed.
The majority of the female population has come to believe that if they don’t look, act, or dress a certain way that they will never be considered pretty, or – dare I say – beautiful.
Who is to blame for this misconception? We all are in some way. The whole fashion world is made for the visual pleasure and it’s a well-known fact that men are the more visually-stimulated of the two genders.
But, ladies, come on. We are stuffed, stitched and set on display in a dress that is complemented by heels we can barely walk in. Then we loudly complain as we sip on water and eat like a bird to remain the perfect size, so the next day we can wake up and feel semi-satisfied with the helpless girl we stare at in the mirror.
You’ve got to admit that at some point in time the cycle gets a bit old.
We live in a new era of change. There are numerous avenues a person could take to transform who they are into their dream persona.
A person can go from that quiet pretty girl to a loud bombshell overnight if they truly wanted to. As long as you had enough money and connections you could change your very genetic make-up. You know, those sorry excuses for genes dear old Mom and Dad gave you that didn’t give you that natural eight-pack.
Yet, let’s be honest, if you aren’t happy with who you are, no amount of plastic surgery or hair dye is going to change that. It’s what’s inside that can change that, and how you view yourself is the only thing that’s going to make what you see in the mirror any better.
In the olden days—by this I mean before we had electricity —if you had some curve to you, it meant you were attractive and valued. So when did this change, when did we start to view anorexia as sexy?
The fashion industry does not help much, either: I know when I’m looking down at that “beautiful” model with her sparkling eyes, it’s really not her. That’s an over-edited, underfed young woman who probably doesn’t even have that small of hips. So why do we try to look like her?
I have watched some of my closest friends struggle to fit into society’s molds; I myself have struggled. Ever since I was younger, all I wanted was to be like tiny, cute, straight-haired girls in my class.
Then one day it hit me: I can’t try to look like them because I never will. I’m a big-boned girl, I’ve got a mess of crazy, puffy curls that, more often than not, chose to do whatever they want, and if I were still on MySpace my body type would be “a little more to love.”
So I’ve got to be honest with myself; nothing short of extensive surgery would change all that.
Then I realized, the more I looked in the mirror, the more I liked what I saw. It took me eighteen years, numerous diets, countless bottles of hair dye and a lot of words of wisdom, but it finally hit me. I’m beautiful the way I am.
So, ladies, go easy on yourselves.
Don’t change to fit society’s expectations; make your own. And next time your eyes are glued to that magazine cover, remember it probably took a whole day for that girl to get anywhere close to that ‘beauty’ and a team of photo editors to give her that extra boost.
I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want is a guy following me around campus with an eraser trying to fix my every cosmetic mistake.
It’s like that British singer, Jessie Jay, says: “There’s nothing wrong with who you are!”
Comments, concerns, criticisms or questions on this opinion can be sent to Olivia.Jasmine.Brayan@live.mercer.edu.