(03/09/04 5:00am)
Fall Out Boy is a catchy pop-punk-ish band possessing a familiar sound with some more diverse undertones. The band consists of Patrick Lachman-guitar, vocals; Joe Trohman-guitar; Pete Wentz-bass; and Andy Hurley-drums. They write songs that are removed from the noticeable angst and negativity of emo and hardcore, but still with enough edge to keep you from feeling silly for listening. The line at the door of Axis seemed never-ending as one confused teen after another showed the doorman their tickets marked "Evanescence;" tickets for the show playing next door. After all the confusion was sorted out, I was able to meet Wentz, the man behind the band. JustArts: It's only been a year since the creation of this band. Are you surprised that you are beginning to have so much success so soon?Pete Wentz: Well, it's actually been about 2 years; the site is a bit outdated. But yeah, it might be surprising for others, but not for us. Just a little while ago we were playing basement shows and small venues for our friends, but we knew the music was progressing and we had confidence that we were going to have success. JA: Pete, I understand you used to be the vocalist of Arma Angelus, a hardcore band. What brought about the abrupt change of pace to pop punk music? PW: Basically, I was tired of the negativity. Night in and night out we would be focusing on negative energy. At first Joe [Trohman] and I just started writing pop songs for fun, and then it just caught on and we decided to make a band out of it. JA: I hear some of the hardcore influence in songs like "The Pros and Cons of Breathing" and "Grenade Jumper." Is it safe to assume that's your hardcore past (and voice) peaking out from the poppy cover? PW: Yeah, it sure is. I love to get on stage and just give a lot of energy and jump around and scream. JA: You have gotten the opportunity to play with a lot of great bands on the road to where you are now. Which is your favorite band artistically and/or personality-wise that you had the opportunity to tour with. For example, I know you played with Rise Against, one of my favorite bands.PW: Oh yeah, definitely. We are a huge fan of those guys. Actually, the lead singer of Rise Against was in Arma with me. Other than that it is definitely Early November, Matchbook [Romance], Allister ...JA: I assume Patrick writes the lyrics...PW: Actually, I write the lyrics.JA: Ok, that's great, because I was going to say that they seem to be a sort of sly commentary on universal problems faced by young people, most likely from your own experiences. Are your lyrics more of a medium for you to air out your own feelings or more so a way to relate to your fans? PW: Oh yeah, definitely both. After the brief but engaging interview, it was time for the show to begin. Dynamite Boy, a foursome from Texas, was the opening band and they caught my ear immediately. Their harmonies were well done and their instruments well played. Their show included a cover of "TNT" by the band's favorite group AC/DC. Dynamite Boy put on a good show and was a sufficient opening band. The next band to come on was Matchbook Romance, a fairly well known underground "screamo" band. They put on an entertaining show that I enjoyed thoroughly despite frequent technical difficulties that messed up the flow of the set. Next it was time for Fall Out Boy to perform. The band entered the stage to a large ovation, clearly the largest of any band thus far that night. They opened their set with one of my favorite songs on the album,Tell Mick He Just Made My List of Things to Do Today. The song is poppy and catchy but with the angry and morbid lyrics that so often encompass this genre of music. "On the drive home / Joke about the kid you used to see/ And his jealousy/ Breaking hearts has never looked so cool/ As when you wrap your car around a tree/ Your makeup looks great next to his teeth." As the show progressed the fans got more and more into the music, thrashing around mindlessly to the signal of Wentz's sporadic background screams. Towards the end of the show the band played my favorite song "The Pros and Cons of Breathing," most likely the hardest song on the album. Cut off by time constraints, the band grudgingly played their last song citing their lack of radio play as the reason for being cut short. The show was still a success as the band seemed to gain fans after every song they played. If you are a fan of hard music with a light tone and infectious hooks, you should check out Fall Out Boy.
(03/02/04 5:00am)
From the same guys who brought you the satiric masterpiece known as Super Troopers, comes Broken Lizard's Club Dread, a movie that will leave you grabbing your sides but also with an urge to go home and read a book or watch The Learning Channel. The movie is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar, who also stars in the movie as Putman, a Rastafarian looking former tennis instructor with a British accent. The familiar comedic tone of the movie is typical of comedy group who dub themselves "Broken Lizard." The aforementioned Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan (Lars), Eric Stolhanske (Sam), Steve Lemme (Juan), and Paul Soter (Dave) round out this crew of hooligans who like to write movies and skits funny enough to leave viewers begging for more. The movie takes place on a beautiful resort island in Costa Rica where, thanks to the accommodating staff and the abundance of alcohol, drugs and sex, a person's every dream can come true. However, the booze-laden island is inhabited by one unwanted visitor. The plot starts to unfold as one by one staff members turn up dead, and it becomes evident that a serial killer is on the loose. Bill Paxton, who plays Coconut Pete, a former gold record-selling Jimmy Buffet-wannabe and present owner of the resort, is the man in charge, despite his constant inebriation. This inspires little confidence from the other staff members, who are at this point trapped on the island, cut off from all means of communication with the outside world. Aerobics instructor Jenny, played by Brittany Daniel (Babysitter's Club), and the rest of the staff, mostly played by the Broken Lizard crew, are forced to take the lead in the investigation to find the killer and a way off the island. As the body count grows, so does the internal questioning, mistrust, and panic by the staff members who are the sole targets of the island psycho. The movie ends in a fury of action that will leave the viewers on the edge of their seats; that is if the viewers actually cared about who lives or dies. The truth is that the movie's tone makes it impossible to care about the death of any character at all, causing the killings to be somewhat redundant and uneventful. Still, caring about the deceased is not the goal of the film. Each death takes place in its own comical way, creating an inner conflict for anyone with a conscience. One ludicrously hilarious example involves a man dressed as a giant pear getting his insides gutted out with a machete by a psychopathic maniac. In order to enjoy the movie one must first understand the comedic motives of Broken Lizard. The viewer must give them a chance because, after the initial scenes, one will adjust to the style of the movie and begin to appreciate it for its comedic value. Once the viewer is able to accept that the movie is simply a means to giggle and laugh and nothing more, they will have no problem letting go and appreciating the antics. Even though the premise of the movie is flat-out stupid, the writing is good enough to make it hilarious in many instances. Also, the movie provides many fantastic one liners. "The fun is done" exclaims main character and master masseuse Lars as he thrusts a machete through the midsection of the serial killer. It turns out that the fun is not done, as the wild ending continues to spin out of control. I suggest to anyone looking for a movie with light comedic value to go see Broken Lizard's Club Dread.
(02/24/04 5:00am)
For a couple of days, it almost seemed as if winter had ended. The sun shone, the air was warm and the snow finally started to melt. And then, yet again, the temperature dropped. But the Union Senate managed to cheer up chilly students by thoughtfully organizing "A Night of Acts and Snacks," featuring some of Brandeis' talented performers. The Ballroom Dance Team opened the show with a display of steamy, sexy routines. Each dancer did a commendable job of conveying the mood of each dance, from a sultry rumba number, to an energetic, 1950s-style jive. Following the dancers was Dan Hirshon '04 with his standup comedy act. Hirshon regularly performs in Boston and New York, and competed in Las Vegas last year. His signature dry, deadpan humor kept the audience on the edge, as viewers wondered whether he was laughing directly at them, or simply with them. Hirshon interacts well with the audience, and his blunt, self-deprecating jokes concerning his hair were well received. He included several jokes focusing on the fears and problems of college students, commenting on subjects ranging from problems with parents to finding a job after graduation. Overall, the routine was engaging, varied and perceptive. The next performer was Melissa Hunt, an off-campus comedienne. Her jokes centered on taboo subjects, including women's weight obsessions, anal sex and her mixed heritage. She had an excellent stage presence, and a brash, sarcastic attitude. The audience responded with roars of laughter to her take on these touchy subjects. Hunt challenged the audience, especially when she focused on female body image issues, and she creatively made light of the difficult topic. To Be Announced (TBA), the biggest act of the evening, came after Hunt, with a short introduction from Hirshon. Brandeis' newest improv group has grown in size and confidence since their debut performance in Chum's last year. TBA was well received by the audience, and presented an entertaining, if somewhat lengthy routine. Their unique "Police Log" skit, based on true stories from the Justice's Police Log, opened the show, much to the audience's approval. TBA featured eight games. the most memorable being a game entitled "Fairy Tale," which involved audience volunteers and the final game, which employed blindfolded actors and mousetraps. The group works well together, supporting each other in each skit. They have great chemistry, and this comes out through their enthusiasm during each performance. A game involving Rachel Bressler '04 and Darnisa Amante '06 was a great example of TBA's quick thinking and imaginative character portrayal. Bressler acted as a small child, learning to swim, and Amante was her sadistic, overbearing coach. TBA obviously practices often and thoroughly. This became apparent in the "Fairy Tale" game, where the improvised story of a "vegan dragon" illustrated the actors' skill by jumping right into the action. A tense, spontaneous game involving mousetraps ended TBA's program. The improvised story of the game was slightly unclear, but the audience was kept in suspense, as they eagerly watched to see whether or not the actors would be caught. TBA has matured as a group, and their dynamic is earnest, enthusiastic and fun.The evening ended with a performance by Spur of the Moment, one of Brandeis' many a cappella groups. The group was missing two singers, but Spur managed to carry on. The first song was slightly weak, but as the group gained confidence, the singers' strength and ability shone through. Spur is a great ensemble and their unity was communicated through the group's enjoyment of their performance. The second song, "What a Feeling," was a true pleasure to listen to and was the perfect display of Spur's talent. This evening of performance was rounded off with the "snacks"-cookies courtesy of the Union Senate. A well-organized program such as this helped students forget the arctic temperatures, and it provided a perfect Wednesday night study break.
(02/24/04 5:00am)
The International Collaboration Network (ICN) held a panel discussion called "Eyes Wide Shut: Opening Our Eyes to Stereotypes" on Feb. 10, exploring the nature of stereotypes and how to establish communication across cultural barriers. This was the first event sponsored by The International Collaboration Network, a committee of administrators, staff and faculty from a variety of Brandeis groups, including the Study Abroad Office and the International and Global Studies program. Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong facilitated the panel and introduced each speaker.Professor Andrew Molinsky (IBS) defined stereotyping as a means applying a generalization about a group to an individual. Molinsky introduced research results from Harvard-based Project Implicit, which conducts experiments testing how people have stereotypes."The bottom line of this cutting edge research is that we all use stereotypes. We absorb them from all around us. This research shows that a neo-Nazi may have the same bias as a business man," Molinsky said. Molinsky identified the challenge of fighting stereotypes. "Is there a way to fight against your unconscious mind? The power to change the negative effects of stereotypes lies within us and that is why sessions like this are so important," Molinsky said.Graduate student Mia Siscawati spoke on her experiences coming from her native Indonesia and adjusting to American perceptions of Islam after Sept. 11, 2001. "In Indonesia, we hear how the Muslims here after September 11 were treated. My family was very scared I would have problems in the U.S.," Siscawati said. According to the CIA World Factbook, 88 percent of Indonesians are Muslims.Siscawati, a Fulbright Scholar, said she had worn a head scarf for religious and spiritual reasons in Indonesia and in her visits to America. Without having problems in the past, Siscawati came to the United States despite her families fears. Siscawati said she always felt that it was stereotype within her culture that "we think everyone will hate Muslims." One year after 9/11, while walking down a street in Waltham, Siscawati said she was chased by teenagers and threatened because of her head scarf. Siscawati also said other negative experiences have reaffirmed the serious consequences of holding stereotypes. She said her experience triggered a serious change. "For the first time in my life I felt that I lost my freedom. I decided to remove my scarf because I didn't want to put my family in danger," Siscawati said. Professor Pamela Allara (FA) began with a presentation on how stereotypes are reinforced in our minds through images in media and art.She presented a controversial Time magazine cover featuring a mug shot of O.J. Simpson with the headline "An American Tragedy." She said the image was darkened through Adobe Photoshop. "Clearly there were racist intents here," Allara said. "They may have been unconscious but they were definitely there. This image, seemingly darkened and manipulated can potentially create or reinforces stereotypes in the reader, making us question our judgment on the entire O.J. Simpson trial. I think he did it. But why do I think he did it? These are the questions we have to ask tonight." Dara Wald '04 shared her reflections on her experience studying abroad last semester in Kenya. While describing her initial expectations of people on the program, she anticipated boarding the plane with students wearing khakis and sandals, and not a lot of makeup. "I realize now looking back on it that I was stereotyping myself and group members," Wald said. She said her interactions with the Kenyans demonstrated differences in cultural norms, perceptions on money, Americans and the role of women in society. After the speakers, those in attendance split into 12 discussion groups to participate in dialogue over dinner. "You could tell people were really willing to grapple with some of the issues. I think people are eager to work on these questions. I think people are really struggling to grapple with issues from last semester," Director of Coexistence Research and International Collaborations Cynthia Cohen said."It's only by being in these conversations that people can really learn across these institutional barriers. This is an example of something that needs to happen," Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs Michele Rosenthal said.
(02/24/04 5:00am)
Pornography, prostitutes and corsets: all topics on the syllabus for Prof. Alice Kelikian's (HIST) University Seminar, the Anatomy of Gender. Though perhaps her most risque course, this is not Kelikian's main academic focus. Kelikian's research specialty-Italy-takes her to this reservoir of history and culture at least three times a year. Her students describe her as charismatic and energetic and revel in the stories she brings home from her many travels abroad. She took some time to tell the Justice about her experiences.Alice KelikianRole at Brandeis: Associate Professor of history, specializing in modern EuropeRoles outside Brandeis: Board member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, author of numerous books.Just Feats: What inspired you to become a professor, and what career would you have chosen as an alternative?Alice Kelikian: I began as an undergraduate in an intensive B.S.M.D. program at the University of Illinois. I bolted to the humanities three weeks into my freshman year, and transferred to Princeton, where I joined the first co-educational class there.I had fantastic teachers at Princeton. I became drawn to Italian history in particular by way of a film called The Organizer, directed by Mario Monicelli. Had I not moved into academia, I most probably would have been in the family business, orthopedic surgery or pursued my interest in photography professionally.JF: You teach Modern History and Social Institutional History. What does this mean exactly? What is your speciality? AK: I teach modern European social history in a comparative context. Most of my courses have a thematic focus-History of the Family, Crime in Europe, Fascism East and West-but cover many countries. My area of scholarly expertise is modern Italy, and my own research has always stayed confined to Italy. I am currently trying to complete a study of the cult of appearances in liberal and fascist Italy. Happily, my teaching and scholarly interests will intersect next semester in my new course History 170 "Italian Films, Italian Histories." I hope to use authorial cinema as a medium for the representation of history. JF: Where is the most interesting place you have ever been?AK; In 1991, I went to the Armenian enclave Nagorno-Karabakh, then under martial law. From there I traveled on my own by bus, taxi and train into eastern Turkey, my ancestral homeland, and to the medieval metropolis of Ani.JF: What is the most exciting trip you've taken?AK: After graduating from Princeton, I went on a road trip to Brazil with friends from school. The journey in a Volkswagen Bus took three months to complete one way. We had originally intended to go to Chile, but the military closed off the borders before the coup against Salvador Allende. JF: Why do you travel so much? AK: I suppose I felt like a provincial from Chicago coming out of high school. And the environment at Princeton probably accentuated that sense. I went to graduate school at Oxford, which had a very open, cosmopolitan aspect about it. The experience widened my horizons.JF: Who was the most interesting person with whom you've had dinner?AK: I confess that's a tie between Sir Isaiah Berlin, the late philosopher and essayist, and Stephen Hawking . JF: Who would you love to have dinner with?AK: My fantasy would be Tony Soprano but I'd certainly settle for David Chase (the writer, director and creator of The Sopranos) .JF:What, to you, is the most exciting part about being a professor?AK: My research takes me to Italy at least three times year.JF: What was the most tense situation in which you have ever found yourself? AK: During that trip to South America, while waiting for the VW to come off a boat crossing the Panama Canal, one of my classmates lost my passport in Cartagena. The others in the group decided to proceed to Ecuador without me, leaving me stranded for three weeks in Colombia without papers.JF: What was the most inspirational event in your life?AK: On Nov. 15, 1969 Mick Jagger stepped on my hand. A photograph on page 217 of The Unauthorized Rolling Stones Biography captured the moment just before he tiptoed on the edge of the stage.JF: What is your favorite movie?AK: Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, a 1982 film by Robert Altman. JF: Who are your favorite actor and actress?AK: The late Marcello Mastroianni and Lorraine Bracco (from The Sopranos).JF: If one were to open a book of Professor Kelikian's philosophy, what might be an excerpt?AK: I cannot overstate the importance of patience, that virtue Oliver Cromwell called "waiting on Providence." Given my temperament, calm endurance does not come to me easily. But it is a quality I've tried to cultivate with discipline over the years.
(02/10/04 5:00am)
Pornography, prostitutes and corsets: all topics on the syllabus for Prof. Alice Kelikian's (HIST) University Seminar, the Anatomy of Gender. Though perhaps her most risque course, this is not Kelikian's main academic focus. Kelikian's research specialty-Italy-takes her to this reservoir of history and culture at least three times a year. Her students describe her as charismatic and energetic and revel in the stories she brings home from her many travels abroad. She took some time to tell the Justice about her experiences.Alice KelikianRole at Brandeis: Associate Professor of history, specializing in modern EuropeRoles outside Brandeis: Board member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, author of numerous books.Just Feats: What inspired you to become a professor, and what career would you have chosen as an alternative?Alice Kelikian: I began as an undergraduate in an intensive B.S./M.D. program at the University of Illinois. I bolted to the humanities three weeks into my freshman year, and transferred to Princeton, where I joined the first co-educational class there.I had fantastic teachers at Princeton. I became drawn to Italian history in particular by way of a film called The Organizer, directed by Mario Monicelli. Had I not moved into academia, I most probably would have been in the family business, orthopedic surgery or pursued my interest in photography professionally.JF: You teach Modern History and Social Institutional History. What does this mean exactly? What is your speciality? AK: I teach modern European social history in a comparative context. Most of my courses have a thematic focus-History of the Family, Crime in Europe, Fascism East and West-but cover many countries. My area of scholarly expertise is modern Italy, and my own research has always stayed confined to Italy. I am currently trying to complete a study of the cult of appearances in liberal and fascist Italy. Happily, my teaching and scholarly interests will intersect next semester in my new course History 170 "Italian Films, Italian Histories." I hope to use authorial cinema as a medium for the representation of history. JF: Where is the most interesting place you have ever been?AK; In 1991, I went to the Armenian enclave Nagorno-Karabakh, then under martial law. From there I traveled on my own by bus, taxi and train into eastern Turkey, my ancestral homeland, and to the medieval metropolis of Ani.JF: What is the most exciting trip you've taken?AK: After graduating from Princeton, I went on a road trip to Brazil with friends from school. The journey in a Volkswagen Bus took three months to complete one way. We had originally intended to go to Chile, but the military closed off the borders before the coup against Salvador Allende. JF: Why do you travel so much? AK: I suppose I felt like a provincial from Chicago coming out of high school. And the environment at Princeton probably accentuated that sense. I went to graduate school at Oxford, which had a very open, cosmopolitan aspect about it. The experience widened my horizons.JF: Who was the most interesting person with whom you've had dinner?AK: I confess that's a tie between Sir Isaiah Berlin, the late philosopher and essayist, and Stephen Hawking . JF: Who would you love to have dinner with?AK: My fantasy would be Tony Soprano but I'd certainly settle for David Chase (the writer, director and creator of The Sopranos) .JF:What, to you, is the most exciting part about being a professor?AK: My research takes me to Italy at least three times year.JF: What was the most tense situation in which you have ever found yourself? AK: During that trip to South America, while waiting for the VW to come off a boat crossing the Panama Canal, one of my classmates lost my passport in Cartagena. The others in the group decided to proceed to Ecuador without me, leaving me stranded for three weeks in Colombia without papers.JF: What was the most inspirational event in your life?AK: On Nov. 15, 1969 Mick Jagger stepped on my hand. A photograph on page 217 of The Unauthorized Rolling Stones Biography captured the moment just before he tiptoed on the edge of the stage.JF: What is your favorite movie?AK: Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, a 1982 film by Robert Altman. JF: Who are your favorite actor and actress?AK: The late Marcello Mastroianni and Lorraine Bracco (from The Sopranos).JF: If one were to open a book of Professor Kelikian's philosophy, what might be an excerpt?AK: I cannot overstate the importance of patience, that virtue Oliver Cromwell called "waiting on Providence." Given my temperament, calm endurance does not come to me easily. But it is a quality I've tried to cultivate with discipline over the years.
(02/10/04 5:00am)
When popular music seems to be in a slump, it is always exciting to hear fresh talent. Mindy Smith's debut album, One Moment More showcases her unique style that marks her as an up-and-coming artist. Smith's music is mellow, using simple melodies and a band. What catches the listener however, is her remarkable voice. Her voice is velvety; similar to Sheryl Crow's, but sweeter, meshing well with her spiritual lyrics. The album opens with "Come to Jesus," which may be the best song on the album. Her voice and bluesy melody catch a first-time listener immediately. The track peaks with a powerful chorus which contrasts with the slower sections and moves the listener to not only sing along, but repeat it a few times as well.The next track, "Falling" brings out a country quality, showing how she refuses to be branded with just one style. "Hard to Know" especially reveals her diversity by bringing an unexpected rock rhythm after a string of calm tracks that build on the first two. These songs are all good, but lose some of their edge when it becomes a little difficult to distinguish one song from the next in the middle of the album. For instance, the opening chords in "Falling" and "Raggedy Ann" sound almost exactly alike, with very minor differences. But for a first album, these are minor flaws.Though her album came out on Jan. 27, her debut came sooner than expected. Before One Moment More she had already performed on Late Night with Jay Leno and Lifetime's Women Rock special, had a music video on Country Music Television and recorded "Jolene" for Dolly Parton's tribute album, Just Because I'm a Woman, which includes fellow remarkable talents such as Norah Jones, Melissa Etheridge and Alison Krauss. Smith's big debut already has Rolling Stone and Billboard raving; all the more a feat considering she didn't compromise any of her style throughout the process of recording her album. Though she has lived in Nashville since 1998, Smith is not categorized as a country singer, but rather a singer/songwriter who just plays how she feels. With song titles like "Come to Jesus" and "Angel Doves" and with similarly themed lyrics throughout other tracks, it would be easy to pass it over if you have not been into spiritual music in the past, but she definitely has more going for her than the stereotypical Christian musician. Lyrics in songs such as "Fighting for It All," "Raggedy Ann," "Train Song" and a number of others all deal with subjects everyone can relate to. Her greatest strength that makes her voice so beautiful is how the whole package, music and lyrics, is so emotional. Whether or not you share her faith, there is still plenty of room to appreciate her talent as a musician capable of making such captivating music. The quality of her album is refreshing and gives hope to artists who do not want to change their sound just to sell more records. Smith looks like she's on her way to a bright future with a jump-started career and talent that is not likely to fade any time soon.
(02/10/04 5:00am)
The Brandeis men's basketball team (6-12, 3-6 UAA) is on a winning streak, turning it up a notch with back to back wins over Emory University, and a win on Sunday against Case Western Reserve University. Despite a disappointing start to the season in which the team went 3-12, the Judges retain a positive outlook and are hoping to ride this momentum through what is arguably the toughest stretch in their schedule. Brandeis overcame a six-point halftime deficit on Friday to defeat Emory University for the second consecutive time. The Judges trailed by as many as nine points in the second half before a 17-4 run over the final 4:24 gave Brandeis a decisive 10 point victory 82-72. The action went back and forth for most of the first half as neither team could seem to hold a lead over the first 14 minutes of play. Emory looked to take control after a layup by junior Chace Fawcet pushed the Eagles' lead to 12 with 1:48 left in the half. Brandeis forward Bryan Lambert '04 answered with a huge three-pointer for the Judges, cutting the lead to nine. Brandeis then forced two straight turnovers, and Scott Green '05 made Emory pay with a strong take to the basket that resulted in a three-point play to end the half with a momentum swing for Brandeis, now down only six. The change of fortune did not seem to help the Judges starting off the second half as Emory countered a Green layup with an 11-3 run and pushed the lead back to 11 at 58-47. Brandeis managed to come roaring back, holding the Eagles scoreless over the next five minutes and tying the game with 8:57 left on the clock. This was the first of four ties and five lead changes in the second half. With 6:34 remaining in the game, Brandeis grabbed its first lead since midway through the first half on a Lambert three-point play. The teams traded baskets over the next four possessions before a turnover by Stu Pradia '05 and two free-throws from Eagle sophomore Justin Zale gave Emory the edge at 68-65. Brandeis then went on a tear, holding Emory to just one field goal the rest of the game while pouring in 17 total points in less than five minutes. Good defense by the Judges and bad shooting by the Eagels sealed the Eagles fate they shot just 1-8 from the field over that span and just 32.3 percent in the whole second half. Conversely, Brandeis' hot shooting in the second half (59.3 percent) sparked the victory and its 58.5 percent for the game was a season high. The Judges also stepped up their rebounding overcoming, a 17-8 disadvantage on the boards at the half to even it up at 30 for the game. The Judges still need to cut down on their turnovers (they had 19) if they hope to compete with Amherst and Rochester next week. Lambert led a balanced scoring attack for Brandeis, scoring 24 points and snagging a game-high 10 rebounds. Greg Kristoff '04 had a big game off the bench scoring 14 points and hitting all four of his field goal attempts and both of his three-point attempts in only 18 minutes of action. Green also scored in double digits, putting in 12 points and along with Kristoff, led the team with only one turnover. Glenn Wright '05 and Omri Ayalon '04 also contributed solid scoring efforts, putting up 13 and 10 points respectively. Pradia led the Judges in assists with a career-high 13. Chase Fawsett had a career night for Emory as Brandeis defenders seemed unwilling to step out and guard his barrage of mid-range jumpers en route to 31 points and seven rebounds. Junior Rashawn Allen was the only other Eagle in double digits with 12 points as Brandeis was able to shut down Emory's other big guns. Despite his big 26 point game against the Judges last week, junior Clayton Fuller was held to just eight points and was hassled by Brandeis defenders all game, turning the ball over seven times. Brandeis continued its clutch performances on Sunday morning, beating Case Western Reserve University 83-73. In similar fashion to the win against Emory on Friday, the Judges trailed by as many as 10 in the first half and were down for most of the second before a late 17-2 run sealed the victory and a third straight UAA victory, the first three game UAA win streak since the 1995-96 season.Lambert led the Judges once again with 21 points and 12 rebounds, his fourth straight double-double. Ben Bosanac '04 was hot from behind the arc, shaking off a recent shooting slump and hitting 4-6 from downtown, scoring 15 points. "I have been struggling with making jump shots," Bosanac said. "But my teammates and the coaches have continued to give me positive feedback and sometimes you have to shoot yourself out of a slump." Kristoff had another solid game off the bench also shooting four of six from deep for 14 total points. Pradia broke double figures with 10 points and dished out a game-high seven assists while "Mr. Consistency" Ayalon had 12 points. Sophomore Carson Oren had a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 8-15 from the field to lead Case Western. Freshman Matt Cannon and sophomore Funso Lafe also both reached double-digits for the Spartans scoring 11 and 10 points respectively. The loss dropped Case Western's record to 4-16 (2-7 UAA).Brandeis will host third-ranked Amherst College today before traveling to Rochester on Friday to play the top-ranked Yellowjackets. Although the Judges have a difficult week ahead, last week's victories have given them some much-needed confidence. "It feels great to win some big conference games," Lambert said. "Our confidence increases everyday because we continue to improve. Everyone has worked hard to turn around our season and personally God has continued to help me and provide strength.
(02/03/04 5:00am)
Paul Gallico, an author and sportswriter in the 1920s, said that he quit writing about sports because of the lack of the month of February in the modern sports calendar. Sports flies through the seasons. There is baseball's opening day, the Masters, Kentucky Derby, Boston Marathon and "March Madness" in spring. Summer brings the French Open, the Belmont Stakes, Wimbledon, the Indianapolis 500, baseball's all-star game and the British Open leading right into the U.S. Open and the World Series in baseball in autumn. The year is wrapped up with winter's rivalries and bowl games in college football, NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl. Yet the month of February, after the Super Bowl is over, becomes a seemingly vast wasteland. While it would be apropos for some sportswriters to lament about this lack of action, upon further inspection, basketball and hockey, are going to provide plenty of flavor this February. The NBA in the era after Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan has lost much of its allure. Even the posteseason has lost excitement. There used to be huge games played on all the big holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years), but those days of Knicks vs. Bulls/Heat/Pacers or Rockets vs. Sonics/Jazz/Suns, or other intense rivalries of a decade ago, have fallen by the wayside. Defense is a far second to high scoring, wide open play, big dunks and behind the back passes. While it is always common to lament about the state of the NBA today, it is important to look closely and see that some very big games are being played. There should be no more inter-conference games. The West is like the varsity team and the East is the J.V. squad. If the conferences were put together, the season ended today and the top 16 teams made the playoffs, five out of the 16 teams would come from the Eastern Conference and only one would come from the Atlantic Division. Westerm teams still play some big games. Sacramento, Minnesota, San Antonio, the Lakers, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Memphis and Utah are all over .500 in the West and all provide great match-ups when they meet. One of these teams over .500 right now will not make the playoffs, which is amazing. They will all be battling hard down the stretch, while also looking over their shoulders at Seattle and Portland who aren't too far behind. Shaq, Kobe, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Peja Stojakovic, Carmelo Anthony and Yao Ming all play in the beefed up Western Conference. The match-ups they create every night put lots of fannies in the seats and should bring in a lot of viewers, especially down the stretch. The hall of fame destined starting lineup of the Lakers, the play of Sacramento without Webber, the amazing offenses in Minnesota and Dallas and the young, overachieving teams in Utah, Denver and Memphis are all storylines that make the Western Conference such an interesting subject to follow the rest of the season.Then there's the East. The Pacers, Pistons, Nets, Hornets and very surprising Bucks will all be competing in the playoffs. But the storyline in the East is the teams that are going to sneak into the other spots that will try to upset them. Will it be the Toronto Raptors with Vince Carter and Jalen Rose? Or the new look Knicks with Allan Houston and Stephon Marbury? Or the Boston Celtics being carried on their shoulders by Paul Pierce? Or maybe the Miami Heat who lost the first 7 games of the season but have surged under the rejuvenation of Eddie Jones and Lamar Odom? And don't forget about Allen Iverson or LeBron James lurking in the background. While they may not be able to compete with the West, the East definitely will have some exciting match-ups as the season nears a close. What the NBA needs to do to really rejuvenate things is to beef up the Slam Dunk competition again. In the past decade, only Vince Carter's performance has made any dent in the American public. Less and less people tune in each year to view the event. What the NBA needs to do is to make it mandatory in each player's contract that, if they are not on the team's injured reserve, and the NBA picks them for the slam dunk competition, they need to compete. Imagine a slam dunk contest this year with LeBron, Kenyon Martin, Kobe, Garnett, and Carter. It gets me salivating just typing it. The NHL on the other hand, is enjoying great successes in leveling the playing field. The Eastern and Western Conferences both have strong teams and weak teams. The biggest problem with the NHL is the lack of interest in most American cities. When I mentioned going to a Bruins game last week, someone who I consider a pretty knowledgeable sports person asked who the heck the Bruins were. The problems of fan loyalty in the NHL are going to be exacerbated by the seemingly inevitable upcoming work stoppage at the end of this season. But while this season goes on, there are some important things to watch. Colorado vs. Detroit is one of the best rivalries in hockey and probably in all of sports. Since the mid-90's they have gone at it on a pretty consistent basis in both the regular season and the playoffs. Both teams have won Stanley Cups and both teams had the opportunity to keep the other from reaching that goal. The likes of Kariya, Forsberg, Selanne, Sakic, Tanguay, Hejduk and Rob Blake vs. Datsyuk, Brett Hull, Shanahan, Steve Yzerman, Mathieu Schneider and Lidstrom make for one of the best match-ups in the NHL. Even with a goaltending edge going to the Red Wings, this match-up is about as even as it gets, as shown by the teams sitting first and second in the Western Conference. The Western Conference features many young, fast and exciting teams. Los Angeles is in the hunt for a playoff spot despite missing many key players to injuries, and Vancouver has rode one of the strongest front lines in hockey and great goaltending. The San Jose Sharks started slowly but have surprised many people by coming up lately, and Nashville is looking to make their first playoffs. The Eastern Conference has some great stories too. The usual suspects of Toronto, Philadelphia, Ottawa and New Jersey are in the hunt again this year. But teams like Tampa Bay, the Islanders, Montreal and Boston will be right on their tails. If the Islanders or Montreal start to slip, they need to watch out for the Rangers, Atlanta,and Buffalo to jump up and take the 8th spot. February may be a slow month in sports, but this February should see some good action from the NBA and NHL. Bridging the gap between the Super Bowl and March Madness and the opening day of baseball, this time by the Hot Stove provides for some interesting match-ups. All in all, 32 teams will make the playoffs in those two sports, and, with the All-Star games for both coming up soon, signifying the start of the playoff push, many cities across the United States and Canada will start gearing up for an exciting finish. This should be a great February for sports. If not, Texas Hold 'Em can be played in any season.
(02/03/04 5:00am)
The women's track team and part of the men's team competed in the Terrier Classic in Boston on Saturday, while the rest of the men traveled to Gorham, Maine, to run in the University of Southern Maine Invitational.The Second Annual Terrier Invitational, held at Boston University, featured some of the premiere track programs in the country, ranging from Divisions I to III. In addition to elite runners who were flown in internationally, teams sponsored by Nike, Adidas and Reebok competed in Saturday's meet.The Brandeis women fared well in a pool that included many talented competitors. Katie Schill '05 finished 23rd out of 63 runners in the 400-meter dash, right in front of teammate Jane Farrell '06, who finished 25th.[Schill] has made a great impact on the team," captain Gretchen Chick '04 said.Chick also had a good day, coming in 16th out of 60 in the one-mile event. However, the highlight of the day for the Judges was the success of their distance medley relay team, which for the third consecutive year, qualified for the NCAA Championships with a time of 12:15.14, earning a third-place finish and defeating Divison I schools Fordham, Vermont and St. John's. The team consisted of first-years Camille Stevens-Meghan Bisceglia, Farrell and Chick.With this performance, the women proved they could compete with the best, no matter the level of experience each member may have with college-level competition. "The freshmen proved they are just as capable as the seniors. The season is starting off on a good note, and we look to improve on our initial performances," said Chick, excitedly.The competition was just as fierce on the men's side, but Brandeis held its own. Captain Ben Oh '04 finished 4th in his section of the 55-meter dash while Ryan Parker '05, who has had a very successful season so far, finished 2nd in his pool for the 400-meter dash. Dan Crespin '05 and Pete Vigneron '07, who have both been enjoying fine performances this season, tied for seventh in their section of the 3000-meter run with a time of 8:45.The high level of competition could have intimidated the Judges, but instead made them try harder. "It was fun just being in that atmosphere," Oh said. "We were running against world-class runners, some of who are going to be competing in the Olympic trials, so taking that into consideration, I think we rose to the challenge. We ran our best."Meanwhile, as their teammates were battling the cream of the crop in Boston, the rest of the men's team trekked to Maine and finished fifth out of seventh at the USM Invitational Meet. The Judges barely edged Salem State College by 2 points, while Bates captured the first place title. Sophomore Jackson Weber had a banner day, finishing 1st in the 600-meter run, while graduate student and captain Abe Weingrad took home 4th in the men's weight throw with a toss of 14.39 meters.Next up for both the men and women is the Greater Boston Meet at Harvard next Saturday.
(02/03/04 5:00am)
Brandeis students are enthusiastic about the introduction of the new International and Global Studies (IGS) program here.Faculty members gave their final approval to the establishment of an IGS program last spring. According to the program's Web site, the IGS Program is "an interdisciplinary approach of examining politics, economics, culture, society, the environment, and many other facets of our lives."IGS was designed to replace and build upon Brandeis' existing International Studies (IS) program. According to the University Bulletin, the IS program was "designed to familiarize students with the basic characteristics of the international system." The IS Program allowed students to concentrate on a particular area or topic relevant to the international community. Students in the class of 2006 are the last able to graduate with IS on their diplomas; after 2006, the program goes off the books officially.According to IGS Chair Gregory Freeze (HIST), former Provost Mel Bernstein and former Dean of Arts and Sciences Jessie Ann Owens originally conceived of the idea for a new major in the area of globalization. "We have all these faculty members doing different pieces of globalization but we didn't have anything that put them together for a student," Freeze said. "The idea," he added, "was to have a new concentration which is capable of reflecting the faculty we have and utilizes in more efficient ways the resources we already have."According to Professor George Ross (POL), in July 2002, a committee of six professors met for a few days to design a globalization program that would be "more innovative than [Brandeis'] competitors."After this initial meeting, a second interdisciplinary committee was established, with Ross and Freeze as the co-chairs. "We created a team from very different focuses who all had a relation to the topic of globalization," Ross said. "Being interdisciplinary at Brandeis is quite complicated and very innovative because of how Brandeis is so compartmentalized."Twenty faculty members, many of whom served on the original committee, then became part of the faculty seminar organized last fall to help plan the curriculum for the introductory IGS course. This introductory course, IGS 10a, is required for both the IGS major and minor. This semester is the first time the course has been offered; 105 students are enrolled. "We are trying to bring in outside experts to give specialized lectures," Ross said. Some members from the faculty seminar, including Freeze, have already given guest lectures. Ross hopes to have high profile scholars, such as Robert Reich, come to the classroom in the fall. "IGS 10a provides a platform for all your advanced specialization as well as a broader knowledge of what the other specializations are," Freeze said "Ideally it should be taken your first or second year." The IGS 10a curriculum, like the IGS major, is divided into six components: Cultures, Identities and Encounters, Global Economy, Global Environment, Global Governance, Global Media and Communications and Inequalities and Poverty. When declaring an IGS major, students are required to choose one of the six specializations or to design their own after consultation and approval from the faculty executive committee. Students are required to take four classes within their specialization. The classes available under each specialization, Freeze said, "draw on our existing resources...and fit the concentration's profile." Freeze said that the program is designed in such a way that there are enough classes offered to fulfill the specialization requirements in one year. Next year there will be 10 classes in the Cultures and Identities specialization and seven in the Global Economy group.There are additional requirements for the IGS major. All students are required to take three core courses: Economics 8b, Politics 15a and Anthropology 1a. Students must also take two courses outside of their specialization and one foreign language class above the University requirement.The most distinct aspect of the major is that students must either study abroad or complete a relevant internship. While some interdisciplinary programs already contain an internship option and certain majors include an aspect of practicum, this is the first concentration at Brandeis where major-related experience away from Brandeis is such a central component. The requirement to do either an internship or study abroad, "illustrates the emphasis on applied experimental learning," Freeze said. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad in their foreign language concentration to make that language functional. "We especially wanted to push languages given the fact that languages have been downplayed in the Brandeis curriculum," Ross said.Freeze said that the creation of the IGS program is part of a process "to really make a global community inside Brandeis." The IGS major is "really cutting edge and gives you an international and very current interpretation of the world that purely international relations programs lack," he added. Ross emphasized the culture component of Brandeis' program, which he said does not exist in similar programs at other schools.Freeze said there was a "great deal of enthusiasm amongst the faculty" during the creation of the IGS program. There are 42 faculty members teaching various courses that are listed under the specializations, and Ross said that over time, he hopes the repertoire will expand.Currently, there are 21 declared IGS Majors. Freeze said that many of these people are double majors. Sophomores, however, are not required to declare a major until the end of this semester, and often, said Freeze, students wait until April. He said he is expecting more students to declare an IGS Studies Major later in the spring, especially considering the large enrollment in IGS 10a of freshman and sophomores this semester. IGS appeals to students from many disciplines. Zoe Lieberman '06 is a pre-med student planning on majoring in both IGS and biology. "The IGS program gives me the chance to take humanities classes that otherwise would not fit into the pre-med program," Lieberman said. The goals of the IGS Major are being realized by many students, including Omer Rosenhand '06, who said "the IGS major broadens perspectives across virtually all disciplines as globalization increasingly becomes the way of our world.
(02/03/04 5:00am)
Triskelion (Trisk) invited Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders lawyer Karen Loewy '96 last Tuesday to discuss her experience in advocating same-sex marital rights. In April 2001, seven same-sex couples sued the commonwealth of Massachusetts for equal rights as married couples rather than as couples bound by civil unions, Loewy said in her presentation. Loewy represented the couples.According to Loewy, civil unions provide most of the same rights as those given to marriages except for an actual marriage license. Trisk outreach coordinator Andrew Wiechert '06 said that Trisk wanted people to know about this case because of its importance in the advancement of civil rights. According to Loewy, around May there will be a bill for or against the legalization of same-sex marriages. "I think, on a larger scale, [the bill] will make Massachusetts a better place and will provide rights for same-sex marriage," Loewy said. "The other thing is that everyone else will say that nothing else is being taken away from them.""Provided that [the bill allowing same-sex marriages] passes, this is a major achievement for the community," Wiechert said. "We were all in the [Trisk] office when it happened and were all really excited." Loewy said there is no clear definition of marriage in Massachusetts law. "The definition of marriage is 'the union of two people with the exclusion of others,'" Loewy said. Because of this clause, the Supreme Judicial Court-where the case is being heard-is currently deciding on whether to amend the law by replacing "two people" with "husband and wife." Loewy said how amazed she was by this having been her first experience as a lawyer."I went to law school to do cutting edge civil rights work," Loewy said. "Participating in this case fulfilled this dream beyond anything I ever imagined." Loewy also spoke about forms of religious and social opposition that her case has faced, among them the claim that marriage is a traditional institution and that legalizing same-sex marriages would be an offense to this historical ceremony. "Absolutely faith-based traditions have the autonomy to decide about faith in their own terms," Loewy said. "But that has nothing to do with the government. Practically speaking, the government has never and will never force a faith to perform a marriage inconsistent with it." Wiechert agreed with Loewy that something had to be done to show society that same-sex marriage is an acceptable institution. "I think people are just naturally afraid of change and it will take time for this sort of action to succeed," Wiechert said.Trisk Pride Coordinator Glenn Landauer '06 said that this civil actions fight is no different from those in the past and, as such, deserves to be fought. "History has shown, be it the civil rights movement for African-Americans or for women that giving those people rights was a good thing," Landauer said. "We can learn from the past and reform our laws so that society is more just." "This was the first case I filed as a lawyer and I can't think of anything that could set a better tone for my career," Loewy said. "It's been a completely enriching experience all around.
(01/27/04 5:00am)
The TintThe 11th HourOn Primary Voltage Grade: BNew to the Boston music scene is The Tint, consisting of Evan Evans (vocals, guitar), Sean Will (keyboard), Sean Green (drums) and Mike Geher (bass). The band is hoping that its second album on Cambridge's Primary Voltage Records, entitled The 11th Hour, will be its big break. While the songs seem typical to those one would hear on the radio, I didn't find anything mind-blowing about this album. In the press releases sent with the CD, The Tint was often classified as a punk-rock band. When I think of punk, however, I think of hard guitar with a vocalist who screams and yells more than he actually sings. Therefore, if I was going to classify this band, it would be more of a mellowed out Green Day-type punk. The main thing that stands out about The Tint is the interesting keyboarding that appears most obviously in the title track and throughout the rest of the album. This aspect of the band sets them apart from other punk groups. The songs are catchy, and it is very possible that the title track could become a radio single. However, their overly-familiar sound prevents them from being exceptional. Besides the innovative addition of a keyboard, The Tint's music could pass for that of many other bands. Along with Green Day, they sound similar to Sugarcult and the small Long Island band, The Reunion Show. Yet, not "mind-blowing" does not necessarily mean "not good." The guitar sound is more distinctive than I have heard in recent bands, and their songs display some variety-some tracks have a good dance beat while others are more melancholy. However, sometimes the rhythm and the lyrics of a song do not match. For example, the title track, "The 11th hour," talks about being left behind, feeling a little lost and perhaps needing to start over, but the music is surprisingly upbeat. Though it's not a requirement, I would expect the lyrics to mesh with the sound of the song. In spite of a few setbacks, this album has potential. The songs are catchy and easily got stuck in my head, particularly "Bad Mood," which I found myself singing at a later time. Some lyrics are convincingly heartfelt. In "Splinter," for example, after repeated listening, you can start to feel the longing in Evans' voice.Regardless of the occasional catchy tracks, this band also has the potential to fade in to the background due to the already too-familiar sound of the songs. On the positive side, The Tint does have the talent to develop their style. Evans has a lot of room to expand on the guitar, and could be great if he took some more risks with his method. The drumming from Green gives the band its punk sound. It's a little more frantic than your average rock song, giving some songs a much-needed edge. Their lyrics are also a little smarter than normal rock lyrics. While still broaching normal topics like heartbreak, it's more of a "this is how I feel about it" approach instead of "how could you do this to me?" If The Tint's songs make it to the radio, they have a good chance of going far. Fan of mellower punk or alternative rock will find this band up their alley. With some growth and maturing, The Tint has the potential to become an established punk band.
(01/27/04 5:00am)
It was another tough week for the Brandeis Men's basketball team who came up short in both of their UAA contests at Auerbach Arena this weekend. Brandeis (3-10, 0-5 UAA) fell to the University of Chicago Maroons on Friday in a blowout loss before fighting seventh ranked Washington University in a tough nine point loss on Sunday afternoon. On Friday night, their UAA home opener, the Judges stalled at the starting line and never recovered. The visiting University of Chicago Maroons started off the game on a 13-2 run over the first five and a half minutes and never trailed cruising to a 25 point victory. Chicago (7-8, 3-1 UAA) had three players reach double figures led by Justin Waldie who scored 20 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the floor. Waldie also had a game-high four assists and scored 16 of his 20 in the first half before sitting most of the second with the game in hand. Forward Mike Dolzeal '05 added 15 points and five rebounds and Scott Fisher scored 10 points despite shooting a poor 5-14 from the floor. The Judges were led by center Bryan Lambert '04 who had 14 points on 6-12 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. Tim Deihl '04, who tallied six points, was the next-highest scorer for the Judges who scored just 51 total. Brandeis' offensive ineptitude in this contest is inevitably what led to the 76-51 drubbing. The team's anemic 38.6 percent shooting from the field kept the crowd quiet all night as nothing seemed to be falling for the home team. The Maroons led 42-22 at halftime and Brandeis was unable to cut down the lead at any point from then on. To worsen the situation for the Judges, forward Pat Collier '06 suffered an injury in the game when teammate Scott Green '05 and a Chicago player rolled into his knee. Although the severity of the injury was unclear at the moment, Collier was forced to miss the Washington University game. Speaking about the nature of the injury and the commonality of similar injuries to those who play down low, Collier mused "It's a tough spot [playing in the paint]. But it's fun"The matchup on Sunday was significantly better for the home team despite a negative outcome. Conversely to their poor shooting performance on Friday, Brandeis started the game off on fire hitting 56.7 percent of their shots in the first half. Unfortunately for the Judges, Washington was almost equally as hot connecting on 53.3 percent of their shots. The game was ultimately determined at the free throw line as a 27-7 desparity from the line gave the Bears the edge in an 80-71 victory. Trying out an almost entirely new starting lineup, Coach Meehan and the Judges seemed to have an added spark against the highly ranked perennial powerhouse Bears. Every player who suited up for the game played a significant number of minutes as Meehan continues to search for the right combination. "I think the shake up was something that needed to be done," stated Ben Bosanac '04, "guys on our team in coach's eyes were not coming and giving everything they had to the team consistently enough. We need to come and play everyday and if that doesn't happen coach will address it." Bosanac then added "coach [Meehan] is a great coach, he knows how to get the most out of you, and I think it showed in the way some guys played today, he is gonna make you play better than you think you can and until he gets that he isn't gonna be content." Despite the shakeup and temporary loss of his starting position, Lambert contributed a solid output recording a double-double scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds and Omri Ayalon '05 added 10 points coming off the bench as well. Glenn Wright scored 10 for the Judges and was the only starter in double-digits. Barry Bryant led Washington University (12-4, 4-1 UAA) scoring 15 points and tearing down 7 rebounds while Ryan Deboer and Anthony Hollins added 13 and 11 respectively. The first half was tight and well played by both sides. Brandeis used its hot shooting from behind the arc (six-of-11) to take a 31-26 lead with 7:12 remaining in the first half. WashU answered with an 18-6 run over the next five-and-a-half minutes to take a 44-37 lead before Brandeis scored the last two baskets of the half on lay-up by Wright and a 3-pointer by Ayalon. Brandeis went into the locker room trailing 44-42. The second half was not as good for the Judges as WashU stormed out of the locker room and went on a 7-1 run to increase their lead to 51-43. The Judges still had some fight left. They creeped back to within two points with 9:15 left at 61-59. Unfortunately, over the next three minutes the wheels came off for Brandeis as 10 consecutive points for the Bears sunk the Judges' hopes for an upset victory. Still the outlook for the team is positive as they aim to turn around their season. "We just need to keep working and continue to reiterate what we are being taught because if we don't, our mental, physical and spiritual states will not find tranquility," professed Bosanac. "Nothing is gonna come easy playing in the UAA, so even for Coach Meehen this year is a learning experience but what we do know is that energy and effort are needed to head in the right direction.
(01/27/04 5:00am)
The men and women's indoor track teams traveled to Brunswick, Maine, to compete in the Bowdoin Invitiational meet on Saturday. The women finished third out of a competitive field of five teams, while the men took fourth out of seven.The women earned their ranking by taking home 1st place in four events, including the 4x400-meter relay for the second meet in a row. Jane Farrell '06 had a big day for the Judges, finishing first in both the pole vault and the 400-meter run, where she was the only runner to finish the race in under one minute. Co-captain Gretchen Chick '04 was the other Brandeis winner on the women's side by capturing the 800-meter run, while her teammate Megan Bisceglia '07 took second. The women earned some points in the 55-meter dash, where Jackie Schon '07 and Linda Kropp '07 took second and third, respectively, and co-captain Rachel Lebwohl '04 finished fourth. Kropp also finished second in the long jump and 3rd in the 200-meter run, right behind teammate Katie Schilla '05.Overall, the team placed third behind second-place finisher Bowdoin and Colby, which went home with the first place finish. Kropp was very impressed with the team's performance, citing the its camaraderie and closeness as a factor in their success. "I was very happy with the meet. We're clicking as a team and getting along very well. I think we're going to do very well thanks to a lot of new people and upperclassmen that are exceptionally talented," she said animatedly, before adding how excited she is for next week's meet at Boston University, which will feature what very well may be the Judges' stiffest competition all season. "It will be very competitive, but our best performances are yet to come. Competition brings out the best in us."On the men's side, Ryan Parker '06 won the 800-meter race for Brandeis, becoming the only first place finisher on the day for the team. Dan Crespin '05 and Peter Vigneron '07 took second and third in the one-mile event, respectively, and captain Ben Oh '04 placed third in the 55-meter dash. The 4x400-meter relay team finished second, as did graduate student Abe Weinograd in the weight throw.Bowdoin College's men's squad was the big winner of the day, followed by University of Southern Maine and Colby, which just edged Brandeis by two points to capture third place. Vigneron acknowledged there is room for improvement, but recognized that it is still early in the season. "Many of the schools at Saturday's meet have high-quality track programs, and it was great competition considering it was such a small meet and so early in the season. I think we're coming together pretty nicely. Overall we had a good showing," he said.Next week should be quite a test for the Judges, as the women's team and some of the men go to Boston to run in Boston University's Terrier Classic. Last year, the competition featured numerous Division I schools such as Boston College and Harvard, and next week promises the return of many of the same teams. The members of the men's team who do not run in the Terrier Classic will return to Maine to compete in a meet there.
(01/27/04 5:00am)
Reading Dave Eggers is like having a no-holds-barred friend who can shoot the breeze and speak eloquently, have a serious breakdown when he's drunk and in Senegal; and all the meanwhile convey a self-aware yet no less convincing depth unrivaled in fellow authors of his age. His second and most recent book, You Shall Know Our Velocity, also released under the title of Sacrament, is a promising testament to his burgeoning success. Categorically it's a "travelogue." The conventional summary is the narrator Will-with a voice similar to Eggers himself- inherits a ridiculous sum of money for a light bulb publicity stunt. The tragic death of one of his two best friends ravages him emotionally. His cockamamie solution is a huge allegory for what, in essence, could also describe Eggers' writing itself. He and his still living best friend Hand decide to travel around the world distributing $32,000 to random people who need it, directly into their hands. The trip has to be a week, the destinations obscure and far-away, mostly exotic sounding places in West Africa and Eastern Europe. The idea is ridiculous (the cost of the tickets, asinine), and yet at the same time beautifully philanthropic and a huge metaphor for life itself. Their mode of choice is to ask for directions even when they know where they're going, and in return, cold hard cash is thrust into the hands of the confused recipient. Not only is Eggers' voice fresh, young and filled with wit and self-deprecation, but his various messages are just as worthy of praise. We search for these moments that are real, to communicate on some level beyond the forced interactions of everyday life. And along the novel's journey Eggers' stuns with these scenes, chased through the streets of Marrakesh, alone in the quiet darkness on top of a mountain. It's here that we realize how lost we are all the time in our life, how all we want is order and a place and meaning. The brilliance of Eggers' writing is that in the end there's not one point, not one emotion you're made to feel. He bounces between sounding like a charming pundit, talking back to people in his head and sounding like a wandering lost soul, like a child who breaks down hysterically on the streets of Senegal. And in the midst he embraces you with your own loneliness, your own lost place. He dares to be constantly mobile, to travel the world-the literal enactment of our velocity, with constant movement that obscures the truth.In real life Eggers is fairly young; yet his only other book, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genuis, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize-not a bad feat for a book flooded with Frisbee metaphors and an entire section devoted to The Real World. But this novel seems more mature; he toys with the reader's trust as some of the editions have a middle section that unmasks the narrator as a liar, stricken with a grief entirely different from the aforesaid tragedy. He asks us to choose fiction over fact, to care whether we know it's a bunch of lies although we've invested our own reality into his characters and their pilgrimage. We too seek out order and meaning in the novel itself, and accordingly, as unconventional as always, Eggers leads us to an ending that answers nothing and maybe everything. His writing provides an arching view of our ponderies; he leads us to a cliff on the edge of human truth, the sky marked by beauty and meaning and then he leaves us stranded. Upon inspection we realize that the appearance isn't at all what it seems, traveling the world doesn't get us anywhere we haven't already been. All we're left with is naked experience, confounded by all our human errors and desires, and like a bunch of smog and pollution they're what made the sunsets so beautiful to begin with. When we forget that we're all just a bunch of kids stumbling through life, when we forget how to actually live, that's when the real dejection sets in.
(01/20/04 5:00am)
Last Saturday-while the temperatures outside were frigid-the competition inside the Ford Athletic Center was sizzling as the Brandeis men's and women's indoor track teams kicked off the new year in the Reggie Poyau Memorial Track Meet. The meet was named after the Brandeis student who drowned last summer while abroad in Africa. Popular and well-respected by his teammates, Poyau was a talented sprinter and former Boston Globe All-Scholastic runner from Brockton, Mass. He specialized in the 55-meter hurdles, an event before which a moment of silence was observed in his memory on Saturday. The men finished fifth out of seven teams, which was a respectable performance against such opponents such as the University of Southern Maine and Bowdoin-the latter taking home first place at the meet. Injuries plagued the Judges, resulting in fewer members of the team taking part in the meet as hoped. Continuing his success from last year when he qualified for the NCAA championships in his first year of collegiate competition, Ryan Parker '06 won the 1,500-meter run. The success of the younger runners bodes well for the future of the team, which includes Peter Vigneron '07. The first-year captured the 3,000-meter run in his first collegiate meet, edging USM's Mike Bunker by less than a second. The Judges are led by Dan Goldner '04, Ben Oh '04, Craig Simons '04, and Patrick Winn '04, as well as graduate student Abe Weinograd. Oh finished third in the 55-meter dash, while Weinograd was third in the weight throw with a toss of 13.81 meters. The captains and seniors are all very hardworking, and are good role models for the rest of the team, said Aaron Rothberg '06, who was unable to compete in the meet because of an injury suffered during practice. "The competition at the meet was very good, and our younger runners performed well. Staying healthy and having our younger runners do well will be important in upcoming meets. I'm looking forward to the season, Rothberg said." The women's outing was a bit more successful, as the team finished third out of eight, coming in only six points behind second place finisher MIT. Bowdoin took first. The success of the Judges came as a result of winning performances by the team's veterans and newcomers. Overall, the Brandeis women won seven events. Katie Schill '05 took home two individual events: the 55-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash, while Linda Kropp '07 won the long-jump and placed third in the 55-meter dash. Jane Farrell '05 won the 400-meter run and placed fourth in the pole vault. Captain Gretchen Chick '04 won the 1,000-meter run and anchored the 4-by-800-meter relay team that took first place. Her classmate ,Samantha Miller '04, won the 5,000-meter run.Much of this year's success will depend on the performances of the experienced upperclassmen and the newcomers, as the squad has acquired a number of talented first-years and transfer students. "I was very impressed with the team's performance at the meet," said Farrell, who is optimistic for the upcoming season. "There is a lot of new talent. We have a lot of potential, and I can't wait to see what we can do in the future." Up next for the Judges is the Bowdoin Invitational Meet, when both the men and women's teams will travel to Brunswick, Maine for Saturday's competition.
(01/20/04 5:00am)
Last Saturday-while the temperatures outside were frigid-the competition inside the Ford Athletic Center was sizzling as the Brandeis men's and women's indoor track teams kicked off the new year in the Reggie Poyau Memorial Track Meet. The meet was named after the Brandeis student who drowned last summer while abroad in Africa. Popular and well-respected by his teammates, Poyau was a talented sprinter and former Boston Globe All-Scholastic runner from Brockton, Mass. He specialized in the 55-meter hurdles, an event before which a moment of silence was observed in his memory on Saturday. The men finished fifth out of seven teams, which was a respectable performance against such opponents such as the University of Southern Maine and Bowdoin-the latter taking home first place at the meet. Injuries plagued the Judges, resulting in fewer members of the team taking part in the meet as hoped. Continuing his success from last year when he qualified for the NCAA championships in his first year of collegiate competition, Ryan Parker '06 won the 1,500-meter run. The success of the younger runners bodes well for the future of the team, which includes Peter Vigneron '07. The first-year captured the 3,000-meter run in his first collegiate meet, edging USM's Mike Bunker by less than a second. The Judges are led by Dan Goldner '04, Ben Oh '04, Craig Simons '04, and Patrick Winn '04, as well as graduate student Abe Weinograd. Oh finished third in the 55-meter dash, while Weinograd was third in the weight throw with a toss of 13.81 meters. The captains and seniors are all very hardworking, and are good role models for the rest of the team, said Aaron Rothberg '06, who was unable to compete in the meet because of an injury suffered during practice. "The competition at the meet was very good, and our younger runners performed well. Staying healthy and having our younger runners do well will be important in upcoming meets. I'm looking forward to the season, Rothberg said." The women's outing was a bit more successful, as the team finished third out of eight, coming in only six points behind second place finisher MIT. Bowdoin took first. The success of the Judges came as a result of winning performances by the team's veterans and newcomers. Overall, the Brandeis women won seven events. Katie Schill '05 took home two individual events: the 55-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash, while Linda Kropp '07 won the long-jump and placed third in the 55-meter dash. Jane Farrell '05 won the 400-meter run and placed fourth in the pole vault. Captain Gretchen Chick '04 won the 1,000-meter run and anchored the 4-by-800-meter relay team that took first place. Her classmate ,Samantha Miller '04, won the 5,000-meter run.Much of this year's success will depend on the performances of the experienced upperclassmen and the newcomers, as the squad has acquired a number of talented first-years and transfer students. "I was very impressed with the team's performance at the meet," said Farrell, who is optimistic for the upcoming season. "There is a lot of new talent. We have a lot of potential, and I can't wait to see what we can do in the future." Up next for the Judges is the Bowdoin Invitational Meet, when both the men and women's teams will travel to Brunswick, Maine for Saturday's competition.
(11/25/03 5:00am)
Walking away from Spingold Theater's latest production, an original adaptation of Miguel Cervantes' work "Don Quixote," my mind somersaulted in a lack of comprehension and understanding of the show. Thoroughly confused and mightily uncertain, I tried to realize the forces behind this strange production of Cervantes' greatest work. First, I realized that Double Edge Theater troupe (DET), the group with which Spingold jointly put together this past weekend's production, is anything but a normal theater troupe. Members are said to train and perform on a 102-acre self-sustaining property called the "farm," where, in addition to acting, they learn to grow their own food and support a separated lifestyle. This is all reflected in their performances, which are often very original and modern and not always as well received as more traditional theater style. Moreover, "Don Quixote" is anything but a run of the mill story. First praised as a novel, Cervantes' story of Don Quixote, played by DET's Carlos Uriona, is the anecdote of middle aged man, who through reading of fantastic tales becomes obsessed with the extinct values of knightly errantly and chivalry. Taking up his lance and shield - a traffic sign and broom in the production - Don Quixote, knighted by a paid-off noble, goes on what he believes to be a valiant adventure, searching for glory.After an initial failed adventure, he sets out on a second one with a somewhat befuddled laborer named Sancho Panza, played by DET actor Matthew Glassman, whom he has persuaded to accompany him as his faithful squire. In return for Panza's services, Don Quixote promises to make Panza the wealthy governor of an isle. On his horse, Rocinante - a tricycle - Don Quixote rides the roads of Spain in search of glory and grand adventure. He gives up food, shelter and comfort, all in the name of a peasant woman, Dulcinea del Toboso, whom he envisions as a princess. Along the way many people, often maliciously, but sometimes playfully, feed into Quixote's madness, giving him ridiculous quests and playing elaborate tricks on the "knight errant." The story is therefore one of madness, and part of the lack of comprehension in DET's original production of the tale is due to their harping on this madness, and thereon the stage exploration of one man's twisted psyche. But director Stacy Klein makes it obvious that there is something brewing under the surface of every scene, and her brilliant cues are subtle and beautiful.The effects of several scenes in a madhouse exemplify this. Being complete chaos, they show the depths to which the lead character has fallen in his mental health. However, the personifications of actors as objects are essential to the plot, as well as being awkwardly beautiful. The more personal realization that goes into the audience member after the show, the more the brilliance of the production shines through. In Quixote's shoes, Uriona is wonderful at explaining the depths of madness and obsession into which his character has fallen. His great encounters with the rest of the cast members, especially during his hallucinogenic episodes, are inspired. In the supporting role, Glassman demonstrates a strong reality and sensitivity in response to Uriona's role, his role as the faithful squire in the most awkward mental delusions of the protagonist are both silly and intriguing. Other memorable roles included a corrupted priest, played by Willie Teacher, and a barber played by Kevin Landis, both Brandeis graduate students. Both Landis' and Teacher's portrayal as outsiders to the story, as well as objects of reality to the play's lunacy, are awe inspiring and hilarious, especially when paired with the excellent connection that they make with the audience. At points during the show, they were both seen throughout the audience, reading analysis of the story to audience members, and making jokes offstage. The rest of cast, made up of Brandeis' graduate actors, most of whom play multiple roles, are a shining example of Spingold's finest. So much talent erupts on the stage that it is often difficult, though probably planned, to keep track of every exchange that goes on during a scene. The show never breaks; move actors and props on and off the Laurie Theater's sculpted stage with lucid and astounding grace. The prop usage is clever and uncontrived in its symbolism. In one scene, a rolling cage is made into a prison - of both physical and mental ramifications - and is also used as a podium for actress Jennifer Lafluer to proclaim that she is a princess of a lost land. The symbolism of the show is infinite, where every prop and every action relates to the main character's madness in one way or another. Very often during show women turned out to be men in feminine clothing, making for hilarious scenes and clever exchanges of wit between the audience and the actors. It can't be said that last week's production was for everyone. Most of the audience left with glazed expressions of doubt. But the more one can delve into his own perception of the play and the story, the clearer and more pristine DET's adaptation seems.
(11/18/03 5:00am)
On Wednesday from 7 - 11 p.m., the Student Committee at the Rose Art Museum (SCRAM) hosted a free party for students and members of the greater Boston area. Funded by the generous donation of Alex Barkas '68 and wife, Lynda Wijcik, the party featured a musical performance by Painting4 artist Jimmy O'Neal and DJ Richard Devine. Over the course of the evening, 211 people came to the Rose for a free night of dancing, eating and partying. At this event, students from the Berklee School of Music came together with Brandeis students to see a unique presentation in which brain waves were turned into musical sounds. SCRAM has held four parties since the spring of 2001 and will continue the tradition in the years to come. According to Helene Lowenfels, Coordinator of Student Events at the Rose and Chair of SCRAM, "the premise behind these kinds of events is to generate student interest in the Rose. Members of our community don't have to venture into the city to seek some of New England's finest contemporary art. I've made it my job to get students into the museum to both see the incredibly innovative and cutting edge works and have fun with friends simultaneously." In addition, Lowenfels said, over the past semester, the group has planned two art-related events, both within the Rose and beyond. In October, museum director Joseph Ketner led over 50 Brandeis students to the Harrison Street Studios in Boston's South End. Later that month, Professor Andreas Teuber(PHIL) held what SCRAM called a "Conversation in the Gallery," discussing the Museum's role in the "Making and Un-Making of Modern Art." Students interacted with peers and staff, trying to decipher the Abstract Expressionism exhibit currently on display. SCRAM is working on a full schedule of events for the spring semester. If you're interested in joining the club's mailing list to hear about what's being planned, e-mail Helene at hbl@brandeis.edu or Jennifer Rubin at jenn5@brandeis.edu.
