Jayplay

life. and how to have one.

October 1, 2009

*SUPER SENIORS
Some students dont stick to the four-year norm

doggie doppelganger
WHY DOGS SOMETIMES RESEMBLE THEIR OWNERS

the germy type

THE DIRTY TRUTH ABOUT WHATS CRAWLING ON PUBLIC COMPUTER KEYBOARDS

TOC TABLE OF CONTENTS

9 15
Thems fightin words
How to avoid getting into a bar fight

Musicology
A players guide to Lawrence music shops

12
Taking an extra lap
Whats keeping students from completing their majors on time?

23
A voice for the voiceless
The life-changing experience of working for improved insurance coverage for autistic children

Jayplay
October 1, 2009 // volume 7, issue 7
Table of contents and cover photo illustrations by Jerry Wang

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CALENDAR
thursday, october 1st
POKER PUB Conroys Pub, 6 p.m. & 9 p.m., free, all ages THE JUNKYARD JAZZ BAND American Legion, 7 p.m., free, all ages CLUB MOROCCO Lawrence Community Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $15-$22, all ages PEELANDER Z / BIRTHDAY SUITS The Jackpot, 6 p.m., $8-$10 all ages THE HANGOVER Woodruff Auditorium, 8 p.m., $2-$3, 17+ MIDNIGHT SUPPER The Jazzhaus, 10 p.m., $3, 21+ FLOYD THE BARBER Pachamamas, 9:30 p.m., free, all ages NEON DANCE PARTY The Jackpot Music Hall, 10 p.m., $1-$5, 18+ TEA TIME Kansas Union, 3 p.m., free, all ages GIRL TALK Abe and Jakes Landing, 10 p.m., sold out

friday, october 2nd

ORLANDO VENTURA, PIANO Pachamamas, 7 p.m., free, all ages KANSAS BEST OF UNDER 21 FILM FESTIVAL Lawrence Arts Center, 7 p.m., $5, all ages 18TH ANNUAL HARVEST OF ARTS FILM FESTIVAL The Granada, 7 p.m., free, all ages KU WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT The Lied Center, 7:30 p.m., $5-$7, all ages THE HANGOVER Woodruff Auditorium, 8 p.m., $2-$3, 17+ RETRO DANCE PARTY Wildes Chateau 24, 9 p.m., $3-$5, 18+ THE DACTYLS / MUSCLE WORSHIP / STUDENT FILM / JABBER JOSH The Jackpot Music Hall, 10 p.m., 18+ RAS NEVILLE AND THE KINGTONIANS The Jazzhaus, 10 p.m., $4, 21+ INDIAN JEWELRY / BANDIT TEETH / BABY BIRDS DONT DRINK MILK The Replay Lounge, 10 p.m., $3, 21+

saturday, october 3rd

POKER PUB Conroys Pub, 6 p.m. & 9 p.m., free, all ages MIDNIGHT MOVIE MADNESS PRESENTS GHOSTBUSTERS Liberty Hall, 11:30 p.m., $5, all ages RESIDENT ANTI-HERO The Jackpot Music Hall, 10 p.m., $8-$10, 18+ FASHION MONSTERS 3: ADORN OF THE DEAD The Replay Lounge, 8 p.m., $3, 21+ THE HANGOVER Woodruff Auditorium, 8 p.m., $2-$3, 17+ SHE WANTS REVENGE / KILL HANNAH / THE TENDER BOX The Bottleneck, 8 p.m., $16, all ages ICP The Granada, 8 p.m., $27, all ages SINGER/SONGWRITER NIGHT II Lawrence Arts Center, 7 p.m., all ages THE DOE DOES / ADAM STOKES / CAPITAL D. / AVANT NATIONAL GUARD / THE HATERS / MINDCONTROLL The Gaslight Tavern, 8:30 p.m., $3, 21+

sunday, october 4th

LAURA MEYER / MAW The Replay Lounge, 6 p.m., $3, all ages REBELUTION / GIANT PANDA GUERILLA DUB SQUAD / PASSAFIRE The Bottleneck, 7 p.m., $12-$14, all ages POKER PUB The Pool Room, 7 p.m. & 10 p.m., free, 21+ SMACKDOWN TRIVIA The Bottleneck, 7:30 p.m., free-$5, 18+ MV & EE The Replay Lounge, 10 p.m., $2, 21+ KANSAS Kansas Speedway, 7 p.m. all ages

monday, october 5th

RECLAMATION, NEW PAINTINGS AND MIXED MEDIA WORK BY ROBERT GANDY The Bourgeois Pig, all day, free, all ages DOLLAR BOWLING Royal Crest Bowling Lanes, 9 p.m., $1, all ages ORIGINAL MUSIC MONDAYS The Bottleneck, 9 p.m., all ages KARAOKE The Jazzhaus, $1, 21+ FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FALL BOOK SALE Lawrence Public Library, free, 5 p.m. , all ages

tuesday, october 6th

KRISTEN SCHAAL / THE BLANKS The Lied Center, 7 p.m., $8-$25, all ages TUESDAY NITE SWING The Kansas Union, 8 p.m., free, all ages STS9 Liberty Hall, 8 p.m., $25, all ages FELTAPALOOZA The Granada, 9 p.m., $5, 18+ WITCH AND HARE / BRER / The Replay Lounge, 10 p.m., $2, 21+ WHITE HINTERLAND The Jackpot Music Hall, 10 p.m., $5-$7, 18+ PNUMA TRIO The Granada, 11:30 p.m., $10-$12, 18+ PARAMORE / PAPER ROUTE / THE SWELLERS Uptown Theater, 9:30 p.m., $29.50, all ages

wednesday, oct. 7th

POKER PUB The Pool Room, 7 p.m. & 10 p.m., free, 21+ BRAND NEW / MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA Uptown Theater, 7:30 p.m., $25, all ages DOLLAR BOWLING Royal Crest Bowling Lanes, 9 p.m., $1, all ages GET FOOLISH WITH PSEUDO SLANG / FOREST OF LUXURY / SPENCE The Eighth St. Taproom, 10 p.m., $3, 21+ SUPER FRESH SOUNDS WITH CYRUS D Harbour Lights, 10 p.m., $2, 21+ THE ANGEL SLUTS The Replay Lounge, 10 p.m., $2, 21+

venues //
Conroys Pub 3115 W. 6th St. Ste D. The Bottleneck 737 New Hampshire St. The Jackpot Music Hall 943 Massachusetts St. The Jazzhaus 926 1/2 Massachusetts St. The Gaslight Tavern 317 N. 2nd St. Lawrence Arts Center 940 New Hampshire St. Wildes Chateau 24 2412 Iowa St. The Granada 1020 Massachusetts St. The Eighth St. Taproom 801 New Hampshire St. The Replay Lounge 946 Massachusetts St. The Pool Room 925 Iowa St. Duffys 2222 W. 6th St.

Best Pool Hall

by Students
$ 2 Imports $ 3 Jager Bombs $ 3 Guinness

Voted

Tonight

editors note //

Like Jayplay writer Patrick de Oliveira, I came into college fully expecting to graduate in four years. I brought in a handful of college credits from high school and enrolled in the standard 15-hour courseload. I was all set. But at the beginning of my fourth semester, I found myself in a stressful situation. After spending my entire Sunday at the library working on an assignment, I trudged into my apartment late at night, eager to get to sleep. But when I checked my planner to review the next days schedule, I saw something that made my stomach turn: I had a quiz at 9 a.m. that I hadnt studied (or read) for at all. As I often do when Im overwhelmed with school, I called my older sister for advice. I told her it seemed impossible for me to take a full courseload while working 20 hours per week,

especially if I had any hope for a good GPA, and I needed to take 15 hours every semester to graduate on time. She suggested something I hadnt even considered: Why dont you just take an extra semester? I had never considered spending more than four years in college but, as I continued to talk to my sister, the idea began to make more and more sense. So, like Patrick, I made the decision to postpone my graduation date. Now in my last semester, I am nothing but happy with my decision. The extra semester of breathing room allowed me to take a lighter courseload each semester, so I was able to maintain a part-time job and still have time to enjoy college. I was able to devote my summers to internships and I even had the chance to spend a semester abroad. Check out Patricks story on page 12 about students who have taken more than four years to graduate. Youll find that even though four years is the expected graduation schedule, it isnt always the best one.

EDITOR // Sean Rosner ASSOCIATE EDITOR // Alex Garrison DESIGNERS // Laura Fisk, Liz Schulte CONTACT // Mia Iverson, Hailey Osterhaus HEALTH // Kirsten Hudson, Amy Johnson MANUAL // Francesca Chambers, Patrick De Oliveira, Andrea Olsen NOTICE // Hannah DeClerk, Kelci Shipley, Valerie Skubal PLAY // Sarah Bluvas, Zach Getz, Jake Lerman CONTRIBUTORS // Mike Anderson, Taylor Brown, Amber Jackson, Chelsea Johnson, KJHK music staff, Sasha Lund, Landon McDonald, Abby Olcese, Brett Phillippe, Nicolas Roesler, Amanda Sorell CREATIVE CONSULTANT // Carol Holstead CONTACT US // jayplay09@gmail.com

$1 WELLS
(Every Saturday)

GAME DAYS
10 ft. HD TV

POKER

FREE POOL

Sun & Wed Cash Prizes Sun-Thurs (after midnight)

925 Iowa
(Behind the Merc)
785.749.5039

JAYPLAY

// SEAN ROSNER, EDITOR

The University Daily Kansan (785) 864-4810 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall 1435 Jayhawk Blvd. Lawrence, KS 66045

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Q&A haveGIRL TALKcelebrities have answers. // because we questions.

Gregg Gillis is a biomedical engineer turned full-time musician. Better known as Girl Talk, Gillis throws huge parties anywhere he goes, sampling Top 40 songs from the past and present and combining them to make a new, exciting sound for the audience. Gillis, who will play a sold-out show at Abe & Jakes Landing, 8 E. 6th St., tonight, recently chatted with Jayplay about his unconventional career so far. Jayplay: Explain the name Girl Talk. Gregg Gillis: When I was getting going I was really involved in a scene of musicians that were borderline experimental and it was overly serious. I wanted to pick a name that was very pop so I went with a name that sounded like a Disney girl-group of teenagers. To me it just represented something that wasnt in the same world as a guy playing a computer. JP: How did you get into music? GG: I was always into the idea of forming bands as soon as I was 13 or 14 but I didnt have any traditional training. I started a lot of bands and played keyboards or drum machines. I started playing pretty actively in high school. I was involved with electronics and synthesizers and I even did sampling using skipping CDs and cutting cassettes. JP: You lived a sort of double life for a long time, not telling your co-workers that you were flying across the country on weekends to play shows. What was it like when you finally had to tell them? GG: At first I didnt think it was necessary to tell anyone what I was doing, but two or three years later it was starting to blow up and I thought then it was too late to tell them. I had to pick one or the other. I went the obviously more fun route of flying out and partying for a living. I didnt want to seem like a liar or a creep so I just told them that I was quitting to travel and take advantage of my youth, which is kind of related to what I was doing. A lot of people who worked in the Pittsburgh [my hometown] media were cool with not using my real name but about a year later people started freely posting pictures of me and using my real name. So my co-workers saw that and they were really surprised. I think they all think its hilarious and get a big kick out of it. I dont think they couldve ever imagined it. JP: Youre now doing music full time. Do you plan on going back to biomedical engineering? GG: Potentially. Its a little difficult once you start doing music professionally. Money starts factoring into decision making and I never planned out for this to be a career for me. I

never made money off of it for six years. It wasnt like I was failing, it was just for fun and something I was passionate about. The fact that its blown up is great and Im really happy. I want to do what I can to keep pushing myself musically, keep the whole thing evolving. If I eventually want to stop or no one wants to listen anymore I dont think going back to a cubicle would be failing. Regardless Ill still make music just the way I was making music before. JP: What is your creative process? GG: Its not very intuitive to me. Its trial-anderror-based. I hear things when Im listening for samples or listening to music for fun. Things jump out at me that I want to use. Anything that has some elements not there, something that I could add something to: vocals, bass lines, melodies. I have a running list of things I want to sample and chop up and every day I sit down and do different things to manipulate them. Im just preparing tools to make something in the future. Once I have these the second part of the process is trial and error of combining different things and I might try out hundreds of combinations. Its a matter of which fits the best. JP: What is your take on originality? Sampling others music could be considered unoriginal, plagiarism, etc. GG: Im a big fan of everything I sample and I try not to be tongue-in-cheek about it. I do believe that if you trace the musical world there is so much music based on something from the past. Here in 2009, its almost impossible to have a truly original thought. I feel like with all music you reference the past. I know I walk a fine line where it is, to some people, the most original music and to some it might not be. Thats part of the excitement for me, to generate that debate to get people thinking about originality. JP: Is there any band or individual you find taboo that you wouldnt sample? GG: I dont think so. For me some of the most sacred music is stuff I grew up listening to in the 90s like Nirvana or Dr. Dre and Ive kind of cut those artists to pieces. Ill sample whatever but if there is really a classic band or artist that has a huge cultural impact, for instance, The Beatles, but I didnt listen

Contributed photo Not a DJ, not a biomedical engineer; just call me Girl Talk: Gregg Gillis, 28, starting living a double life of working as an engineer during the week and jetting cross-country to do live performances of his music energetic, raucous mashups and remixes of other songs in 2007. He is playing a sold-out show at Abe & Jakes Landing, 8 E. 6th St. tonight.

to them much growing up and I would be hesitant to cut up something with such an influence that I wasnt familiar with. I just want to make sure I understand [the music] on the same level of the fans. JP: The last few shows youve done in Lawrence have sold out the day the tickets went on sale. How did it get that way? GG: Its been a good run. For the past two years or so I would have to say 95 percent of shows

have sold out everywhere in the United States. Its been crazy. You never really know how its going to go. Two or three years ago when it started jumping off for me and the shows were selling out I was very surprised. I thought it was peaking and didnt know if it could get any bigger. As I toured it just got bigger and its still growing. Its been a really crazy ride. // VALERIE SKUBAL

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Q&A haveMICHAEL celebrities have answers. // IAN BLACK because we questions.

Comedian Michael Ian Black says, Youd have to shit in my mouth to make me really uncomfortable, and you have to believe him. From movies such as Wet Hot American Summer and comedy sketch shows such as The State and Stella, he shows the audience that he has no limit to his humor. The comedian talks to Jayplay about his new sketch comedy show, Michael & Michael Have Issues, who the real headlining Michael is and what he thinks about the University.

Jayplay: What inspired Michael & Michael Have Issues? Michael Ian Black: Michael [Showalter] and I have been friends for a long time and we thought it would be fun to do a show based on our lives. We also wanted to do some sketch comedy because we havent done that for a long time and thats where we got our start. This was a kind of natural way to do both with a sketch show and about our real relationship: best friends who hate each other. JP: You guys are pretty mean to each other on the show. Is your real-life relationship with Michael Showalter as love-hate as it is on the show? MIB: Its obviously a huge exaggeration. Our real relationship is far more love than hate. But there is some hate. I think we have a very competitive relationship in real life and exaggerate it for the show. Its not so far off though. JP: Who really is the headlining Michael? MIB: Well, in terms of whos the more famous and talented, obviously I am. But Michael has his good qualities too. Hes good at doodling. Im clearly the headliner. I spend a lot more time on VH1 than he does. JP: Would you say who you are on the show reflects who you are in real life? MIB: Like everything else, its an exaggeration. Theres nothing on the show that is exactly like it is in real life. At the same time theres nothing so far removed from real life. How much Showalter gets laid is an exaggeration. As far as I know, hes a virgin. Hes overcompensating with all the women on the show. JP: Why do you use Twitter so much? MIB: Im an attention whore. Thats the main reason. And Im trying to get more followers than Weird Al Yankovic. Im not sure how many he has. Were pretty close. JP: What makes you uncomfortable when doing comedy? MIB: There is very little that makes me uncomfortable. Youd have to shit in my mouth to make me really uncomfortable. I want you to print that. That needs to be your lede. If the article doesnt start with that Im going to be very upset with you.

JP: How do you think your approach to comedy has changed over the years from The State to Stella to Michael & Michael? MIB: It hasnt. By the time youre 12 your sense of humor is pretty much what its going to be. Its just a question of getting better at it. I dont know if Ive gotten any better at it. I just keep doing it. The things I was doing with The State make me laugh and will probably make me laugh for the rest of my life. JP: What will your kids think? MIB: Im sure my kids will be deeply mortified by me when they get old enough to see my work. We made a Stella video where we took turns sucking Ms. Claus dick. Im sure that wont go over well with my children but what are you going to do? This is who I am. JP: Where do you get your inspiration for the sketches you do? MIB: They just happen. People ask that a lot but I dont know how anyone comes up with ideas. Theyre like the little big bang in your brain. The answer is not smoke a lot of weed. People who assume that smoke a lot of weed themselves and look to justify their behavior. Thats a theory. I cant back that up. JP: What did you want to be when you grew up? MIB: A long-haul trucker. When I was growing up in the late 70s that was the coolest thing you could be. There was a TV show called B.J. and the Bear about a long-haul trucker and his chimp. I didnt need the chimp but I felt like I needed the truck. In retrospect I was lusting after the wrong thing. It would be far better to have the chimp than the truck. JP: What were you like when you were in college? MIB: The same. But just with cheaper clothes and an even worse haircut and slightly more acne. JP: What got you to leave college at New York University? MIB: I took a job as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, me and Ben Garant who was in

Contributed photo From TMNT to cable TV: Michael Ian Black left college to perform as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and has since built a successful career as an actor and comedian. His most recent TV show, Michael & Michael Have Issues, just finished its first season on Comedy Central.

The State. We traveled the country as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I left for a semester and didnt go back. JP: What is your favorite thing youve MIB: done? I would say the Stella TV show. I think its really good and its what might be called underrated. JP: Who are your comedic influences? MIB: John Belushi, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy. JP: Youve been doing Klondike bar commercials. What would you do for a Klondike bar? MIB: Make Klondike bar commercials. I had never had one before I ate one for the commercials. Terrific.

Any new projects we should know about? MIB: Waiting for Comedy Central to decide whether Michael & Michael is up for another season. Im just writing a book and waiting. But if you have a job for me Ill take it. Michael Showalter and I are going on tour but were not coming to Kansas, but if you want us to come we can. I like doing colleges. I like Lawrence a lot. JP: Any last words for the University of Kansas? MIB: Just the University of Kansas is my favorite university in the world. There is no better university in Lawrence, Kansas than the University of Kansas. JP: //VALERIE SKUBAL

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OUR ELECTRONIC

ADDICTION
Its hard to go into any classroom and not hear a buzzing noise from someones pocket. His or her cell phone is getting contact from the outside world thats just too hard to ignore during those 50 minutes. But now its not just text messages or phone calls it could be an e-mail, a Twitter feed or a Facebook notification. Emily Meyer, Shawnee senior, noticed her addiction to being connected while studying abroad in Spain when she realized she missed her BlackBerry. The sound of someone elses BlackBerry would send her to her bag searching for hers when it wasnt there. Now that Im back I constantly have it with me, Meyer says. She says she is always on her phone checking Facebook or CNN. I dont know how many times Ive said, Can you please put your phone away? says Andrew Demo, Shawnee senior and Meyers boyfriend. During her difficult classes she must stow it away, but during her dullest lectures she chooses to surf the web on her phone. I figure its better than sleeping, she says. Some students are now using their phones to be more productive. Meghan Puhr, Olathe senior, uses her iPhone to correspond with businesses about Rock Chalk Revue, an annual campus-wide variety show, which she is helping organize this year. Its more efficient and easy to get in contact with people with e-mail on your phone instead of going to a computer, she says. Communicating professionally is one of the reasons she has an iPhone, along with the fun personal aspects. Puhr thinks that at the end of college people must start acting like adults and her iPhone helps her in that process. Nancy Robinson, consumer strategist with a consumer research company, observes trends

There are text-messaging rehab facilities in the U.K., The pope has released an official warning about the dangers of facebook abuse and burger king challenges you to de-friend on facebook to get a free whopper. When did digital communication get so controversial and why do we seem so addicted to it?
// VALERIE SKUBAL within the millennial generation. She says the college-aged individual has been using computers with things like instant messenger and e-mail at a very young age. Instant access is something that the current generation has gotten used to. Robinson says that the anytime, anywhere ability to access media, information and personal contact has become the norm. And with smart phones, its even easier to stay connected. But Robinson says that its possible to have a good balance of personal time and work time. You can check social networks and e-mail while youre at school and work and youre not necessarily abandoning it. Its just a blend of both, she says. Another expert thinks our addiction has to do with status and sexuality. Frank McAndrew, professor of psychology at Knox College, believes that Facebook addiction is based on evolution. In our distant prehistoric past, people who were in tune with the status of other people like who was friends with whom, who is sleeping with whom and which falling outs were pending simply were more socially successful than people who were not good at this, he says. McAndrew says these things are a result of the heightened drive to find a mate that young adults have and having access to all of the information on Facebook aids the process. The problem with the electronic communication is that it offers 24/7 access to this kind of information, while its indeed highly addictive. If you are not spending time on this and your competitors are, who knows what might happen, he says. So for whatever reason someone can be addicted to technology, a balance is necessary because its here to stay. Jp

Photo illustration by Amanda Kitsner Has anyone updated yet? How about now? Now? The college-aged generation has grown up with the Internet and now has become accustomed to constant connection with the world through social media and smart phones. But are we all suffering from an addiction to being virtually connected, forgeting to connect in the real world? (Still no Tweets!)

PICK YOUR POISON

TWITTER
It asks, What are you doing? In 140 characters or less you tell the world what you're up to. Celebrities have started using this to be more accessible to fans and fans sign up to follow their favorites. You can also follow numerous University organizations such as Student Union Activities (and @JayplayMagazine!) to find out the latest news.

THE GADGETS AND SOCIAL MEDIA THAT GET YOU CONNECTED AND ADDICTED. FACEBOOK
Many of us have used Facebook from the day we got our first college e-mail addresses, but now anyone can be a member, making it easier to connect with friends, relatives and even strangers. going to a computer. It is customizable to the individual needs of the user and helps with organization. It also has entertaining and useful downloadable applications.

various applications to download to simplify your life, or at least entertain you between classes.

APPLE IPOD

APPLE IPHONE

BLACKBERRY

The smart phone allows you to get e-mail alerts on your phone and reply without ever

This touch-screen smart phone can do more than just make calls and text message. It can act as your iPod and your laptop, enabling you to store songs and get online. It also has

Whether you put those white ear buds in to give your walk on campus a soundtrack or to ignore that person on the bus next to you, this device stores thousands of songs and now with the iPod Touch you can access the Internet and check your Facebook in class.

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MORE THAN JUST

Studies show the psychological basis for dog and owner resemblance
James and Dante seem to look alike at least in some aspects. James has long, dark hair and so does Dante. Dante has long, floppy ears and James, well, he says he had to grow into his ears when he was younger. Its not unheard of for two close friends such as James and Dante, who live together, relax together and watch TV together, to look alike. But James and Dante are slightly different Dante is James dog. To James Hopkins, Overland Park senior, Dante, a 3-year-old beagle, is not just his dog but his best friend. The pair share similar traits and characteristics and sometimes Hopkins even wonders if they could be related. Hopkins is not alone in his love for and apparent similarities to his dog. In fact, research shows many pet owners do in fact look like their beloved canines.

MANS BEST FRIEND

// HANNAH DECLERK
Nicholas Christenfeld, professor of psychology at the University of California, San Diego, conducted a study on the subject in 2004. Christenfeld says he and a team of other researchers went to a local park and asked 25 people with dogs to pose for individual snapshots. The researchers separated the pictures of the owners and the pictures of the dogs and scrambled them up so no one could identify which dog belonged to whom. Once scrambled, student volunteers were asked to match the photo of the dog with the photo of the person they guessed owned the dog. The majority of the volunteers were able to match up the correct owner with the correct pet. Christenfeld says it was much easier for the volunteers to determine their guess of ownership when the dogs were purebreds. He says mixedbreed dogs were harder to identify because their

owners often dont pick them specifically for their breed. People do not think to themselves, I need a mutt, Christenfeld says. Instead they usually search for a pet that they ideally have in mind. Even though the purebreds were easier to determine, some of the mixed-breeds were still paired with the right owner. Christenfeld says the result of the study shows the psychological basis for pet-owner similarities when people pick their pets, they find one that in some way resembles them. Hopkins and Dante are an example of this phenomenon. And though the the study was based on looks alone, Hopkins believes they have very similar personalities as well. Dante is very sociable, Hopkins says. He loves hanging out with new people, kind of like me. Along with Hopkins, Lauren Haskin, Leawood senior, believes that her little puppy Bogart, a Peekapoo, or Peekanese poodle, could have some resemblance to her. As Bogart rests in Haskins lap in a bright blue KU jersey, the resemblance is pretty apparent. Haskin explains that even though Bogart is like a little white cotton ball, he shares a lot of the same facial expressions as her. She says one can tell by just looking at him whether he is happy or uncomfortable, and if he likes or doesnt like somebody. Like Haskin, Bogart has curly hair with big brown eyes to match. Bogart is also up for trying new things, and is always looking for new things to do, Haskin says. It is a lot like me. I feel like I have a little minime. Although some may completely agree with the concept, other dog owners remain a bit skeptical. Aric Schultz, Santana senior, says that his feelings about his resemblance to his dog are neutral. He is not sure that he and his yellow lab, Midus, actually look that much alike. Schultz agrees that Midus is medium height and likes to smile, much like himself, Photo by Ryan Waggoner but he does not see much beyond that. Schultz says that as far as All in the family: James Hopkins, Overland Park senior, says he resembles Dante, his 3-year-old beagle, in appearance and in
personality traits. Research shows many pet owners may pick their dogs based on a subconscious desire to co-opt parenting urges with their pets, resulting in Fidos that look and act at least in small ways like their owners.

looks go, theres really not much of a striking resemblance. But, the real question is, Why do we want to buy dogs that look like us? Do we really love ourselves so much that we need to have little pooches who worship us now look like us? Well, not really. The real reason, Christenfeld says, is that pets actually co-opt parenting urges. That is, people naturally are inclined to nurture and take care of a child. Pets are brought into a persons life to be taken care of, nurtured, fed and taught obedience, much like children. Looking like you, Christenfeld says, is a further resemblance to feeling like you own your own kid, thus driving a linkage between you and your pet. So, thinking about buying a dog? If youre a tall blonde, you may want to go buy a lab. If you are short with curly black hair, a toy poodle may suit you well. And if you are a giant with short hair and a long nose, a Great Dane may be up your ally. Regardless, if youre thinking about buying a dog, go take a good hard look in the mirror. Jp

DOGS, LIKE CHILDREN, WILL POUT WHEN YOU LEAVE THEM OUT
Dogs can be your best friend, but dont try to pull a fast one on them. According to a recent article published online by MSNBC, Friederike Range, from the University of Vienna and his team of researchers found that dogs react to inequality. Range says that the researchers gave the dogs unfair amounts of rewards. The dogs who did not receive any type of reward actually stopped playing with the ones who did. The findings show that dogs are sensitive to unequal treatment. To keep your dog happy, avoid treating him any differently than the rest of your clan.

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Twitter musings of the rich and/or famous.

celebritweets // BO BURNHAM (boburnham)

My driver is rocking a denim jacket and tear tattoos. We are stopped at a gas station cause he has to go the bathroom ... what?
7:39 AM Sep 22nd

wescoe wit
GUY: GUY: GUY (on phone):
Its kind of a big deal. You can have all the hamburgers you want at the tailgate, oh and wine. Hey, how are you?

GIRL: Kinda cool

Cool as in hip?

GIRL: No, just cold.

twitter is like a bad impressionist. 140 characters or less. all of which youve seen before.
8:26 PM Sep 21st

playing a show at my brothers alma mater, cornell, tonight. i dont go to college. why? because i am severely allergic to polo shirts.
2:34 PM Sep 21st

GUY: GUY 1 (offers a girl a seat on the bus) GUY 2: GUY 1:

Man, youre such a gentleman. Shut the fuck up.

You look like Little Red Riding Hood.

The Emmys are great! Its a bunch of tv stars giving awards to eachother! Its a hectacentagon jerk! almost a perfect circle jerk!
6:30 PM Sep 20th

GIRL: What? GUY:

I meant that in the best possible way.

maury is always on in my hotel room. i think the 4 potential fathers and the screaming multi-racial audience helps me to feel at home.
3:34 PM Sep 19th

GIRL: Like hot Little Red Riding Hood?

saw west side story. its the prequel to Step Up.

7:33 PM Sep 15th

GIRL: GIRL 1: GIRL 2:

Get that one. I do not want a bedazzled sweatshirt, thats just tacky.

In nyc, trying to find someone in skinny jeans. Oh theres one! And there. And there. And that homeless guy. And there..
11:12 AM Sep 15th

City girls are like country girls with better clothes.

// TAKEN FROM TWITTER.COM BY KELCI SHIPLEY

GUY 1 (on phone):
Dude, its a Jewish frat, theyre not going to offer any bids to Asians.

ON SALE NOW.

GUY 1: GUY 2: GUY 1:

I lived in the middle of the Johnson County bubble in suburbia. Whatd you do for fun? We would drink or smoke or do something illegal. Or hang out in the Hy-Vee parking lot.

GIRL 1: GIRL 2: GIRL 1:

Did you talk to me this morning? No. Oh I had a dream you did, and now im mad it didnt happen.

// KELCI SHIPLEY

$1.99 Sake Bombs Everyday!

99 cent Margaritas Monday - Thursday

October 21 8:00 pm The Midland by AMC

Tickets Available at The Midland Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com or Charge by Phone at 800-745-3000
10 01 09

Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

2907 W. 6th St.

785.838.3399

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PLAY

C O L MU I O G Y: S
A PLAYERS GUIDE TO LAWRENCE MUSIC SHOPS
// WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JAKE LERMAN
Thanks to video game sensations such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero, anyone can feel the thrills of a roaring crowd and their very own (digital) spotlight. But for some people the colored buttons just dont cut it. For anyone who craves a limelight a little brighter than the glow of their television screens, Lawrence has music shops that offer everything you need to take your musical aspirations out of the plastic and into reality. Heres a look at three of them. Richards Music Company, 15 E. 8th St., is perfect for the beginner musician. Even if you have no clue what frets or pickups are, the friendly staff at Richards is ready and willing to answer any questions you may have. The long-established store has been through many incarnations in Lawrence since its inception as Richardsons Music Shop in the late 1950s. Over the years the store dropped the sons but maintained the motto of affordable equipment for anyone who needs it. Along with quality instruments ranging from $100 to $1,000, Richards boasts a roster stacked with brilliant teachers. With half-hour lessons costing only $15, education is affordable. Even if youre an experienced player who simply wants to beef up your skills, guitarists such as John Bell, who has been teaching at Richards for more than 30 years, is sure to have expertise to share. Richards is a shop designed to help aspiring musicians who demand frugality. Were the Mom-and-Pop music shop of Lawrence we are here for the indie artists and the locals to get them what they need at an affordable price, says Austin Sinkler, Richard's store manager. Not everyone dreams of being a guitar god; thankfully, Lawrence has a shop for all the future Ringo Stars out there, too. Supersonic Music, 1023 Massachusetts St., has been the premier store in town for drummers since its opening in Aug. 2001. Supersonic offers a range of products that sound great and wont break the bank. There is no you touch it you buy it policy at Supersonic the employees welcome anyone who just wants to come in and whack on stuff within reason, of course. Were a really percussion-oriented store, but we offer guitar and bass lessons along with lessons for drums, manager Brian Baggett says. Chris Hannemann, Wichita junior, has taken gutair lessons from Baggett for only a few months but says Baggett has helped immensely. Other teachers Ive had are a lot older than me so we cant relate on music we like to play, but Brian is a young guy and a great guitarist," Hannemann says. Experienced freelance teachers such as Baggett teach all Supersonics lessons; their rates vary but they typically charge $15 per half hour. Supersonic has one of the largest selections of percussion instruments in town. From bongos to doumbeks, theyve got it all. Today, Mass Street Music's focus on restoring high-end guitars hasnt changed and the store offers a large collection of top-quality fretted instruments. With a knowledgeable staff, Mass Street Music can field any questions you have about a purchase. Ben Antes, Kansas City, Kan., senior, says Mass Street Music has his business because of their top-notch customer service and because whenever he goes in he never feels like he cant try out even the nicer guitars. Many guitars at Mass Street Music are considered boutique guitars. These are either vintage models or collectables, which can cost more than $20,000. If youre not in the market to shell out more for an instrument than you do for your tuition, the business also offers guitars made by reputable manufacturers at a more affordable price. We try to buy instruments that are the best that can be found for beginners or pros, Jim Baggett says. I spend as much time looking for a $200 guitar as I do a $20,000 guitar.

BOTTOM OF THE BARREL

Its not Ramen, but for an instrument its still pretty cheap. ACOUSTIC GUITARS Richards: Ventura VWD0 Dreadnought $99.95 Supersonic: Jasmine 35 $150 Mass Street: Ibanez SGT 110 NT $169

ELECTRIC GUITARS Richards: Used Fender Squire Stratocasters $100 to $150 Supersonic: ESP pack (amplifier included) $299 Mass Street: Fender Squire pack (amplifier included) $199

BASS Richards: Eastwood Hi-Flyer $425 (used basses range $100 to $150) Supersonic: Ibanez Soundgear $225 With so many great options for quality and affordable instruments in town theres no reason any aspiring musician shouldnt give playing a shot. It takes a strong will and hours of dedication but if you have it in you, music is something you Any experienced musician whos cracked the can do for the rest of your life. So before you go neck of his or her guitar on stage knows by now and pick up your copy of The Beatles: Rock Band, that Mass Street Music, 1347 Massachusetts St., think about putting that money into something is one of the best places in town for repairs. The that you wont be sick of once you reach the last iconic shop began in 1978 with owner Jim Baggett level. (no relation to Brian Baggett at Supersonic). The And you wont have to bother learning that original shop at 7th and Michigan streets had the Liverpool accent. Jp less-than-surprising name Michigan Street Music. Mass Street: Fender Affinity pack (amplifier included) $299

DRUMS Richards: Only used kits, usually just shells (no cymbals or stands) $300 to 400 Supersonic: Percussion Plus five-piece kit (cymbals included) $449

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PLAY

out & about //

random people. random answers.

What is the weirdest thing youve seen in Lawrence?

Breauna Rundus
Carrollton, Texas, sophomore

White Owl asking me why I wear a bra.

Katie Somerfeld
Springfield, Mo., sophomore

The fashion around town and the old hippies.

David Lassman
Overland Park freshman

A guy wearing a Speedo and rain boots walking a large dog down Mass. Street.

Brenton Mersmann
Scranton freshman

A homeless guy allowing people to pet his dog for a dollar and selling beads guaranteed to get you laid.

Taylor Ferrill
Topeka freshman

I saw this one guy dressed in a toga passed out on Mass. Street.

Andrew Pierce
Hutchison junior

I saw a guy wearing a North Carolina championship shirt.

Tyler Halle
Hutchison junior

There is this one girl that plays maracas to one rhythm and one pattern.
10 01 09 // ZACH GETZ

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PLAY

stage presence // THE ATOMIC BLUES

local musicians. feel free to swoon.
When you see The Atomic Blues live, youre sure to have a hell of a time dancing. Tom Ashe, Lawrence junior, and Lawrence residents David Liston and Nick Blessing formed the band in 2005. Citing a balance of influences that include Styxx, Van Halen, The Beatles and many others, the power trios sound could be described as progressive rock, although Liston wouldnt call it that. Were more a rock band with a radical flare, he says. The Atomic Blues, who just signed with independent label Red Hot Records, also show a good balance when writing their own material. Both Ashe, who plays guitar and sings lead vocals, and Blessing, who plays bass, bring ideas to the table and everyone works to piece it together. Nick can see the larger idea he has, like, our next three albums planned out. Tom is a little more explosive. So its all there, and we just glue everything together, Liston says. But their live show is a whole other beast. Its intense and fun on stage. Its there and its raunchy and its good, Liston says. Listeners should come expecting a rock show and leave exhausted from all the dancing. The Atomic Blues will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., and at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Duffys, 2222 W 6th St.

this weekend // TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL

because those CSI marathons are getting old.

PRESERVE

// SARAH BLUVAS

Contributed photo A rock band with a radical flare: The Atomic Blues put on an energetic live performance.

The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, located Venture out of the Lawrence bubble and into the great open prairie the Tallgrass near Strong City, is an hour and a half southwest Prairie National Preserve, that is. Located in of Lawrence. The park is open year-round from 9 the Flint Hills in northern Chase County, the a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Tallgrass Prairie was established in 1996 and is // SARAH BLUVAS the only National Park dedicated to preserving the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. With more than 10,000 acres, the park offers five trails, ranging from one to four miles long. Visitors can also explore different landmarks, including a ranch house and barn, that speckle the prairie. Katie Oberthaler, Wichita senior, explored the preserve when she hiked one of the frontcountry trails in May. Oberthaler believes the Tallgrass Prairie is a great place for students to go to escape Lawrence for a day. Students especially those from Kansas but not rural towns drive through that area and never stop to realize how beautiful it is, Oberthaler says. It gives you a better appreciation of the Kansas landscape. Of course, you may want to check the Contributed photo weather before you head into the prairie; Prarielaxing: Katie Oberthaler, Wichita senior, takes Oberthaler and her friends unknowingly hiked a break from exploring the Tallgrass Prarie National around during a tornado watch. Id like to go Preserve. Tallgrass Prarie is the only national park back, she says. Without the tornadoes. dedicated to preserving the tallgrass prarie ecosystem.

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FEATURE

TAKING AN EXTRA LAP

Those who graduate in four years are a minority at the University of Kansas and administrators are resolute on changing that. But whats // PATRICK DE OLIVEIRA preventing students from completing their majors on time?
When I first arrived at the University in the fall of 2005 with 4,121 other freshmen, I thought I had my college career sorted out. From the start of my freshman year I would take a consistent load of at least 15 credit hours and go to summer school so that I could earn degrees in journalism and environmental studies by May 2009. But on May 17, 2009 the day I was supposed to graduate I was at home barbecuing with my roommates while the procession of students made its way down the Hill. A distant relative sent me a congratulatory e-mail and I had to reply explaining why I was taking an extra year to graduate. I told him that by the middle of the second semester of my freshman year I had realized environmental studies was not for me, so I replaced it with history and added two minors: French and peace and conflict studies. Also, I realized that going back to my home country (Brazil) and visiting friends and family during the summer was worth more than catching up on credit hours. Graduating in four years became impossible. Im hardly in the minority. Not many of my friends got to walk down the Hill when their time had come. In fact, in the last 15 years, fewer than one out of three full-time students graduated in four years, despite the Universitys goal to have most students out on time. Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little brought up the issue in her first all-University convocation. She discussed the need to increase graduation rates and explained how the Four-Year Tuition Compact was an incentive to finish up on time. The University encourages timely graduation because graduation rates are used as a form of accountability, says Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success. The public perceives schools with high graduation rates as efficient, which brings in investments. Also, taking longer to graduate can be an unexpected expense for students, especially those under the Four-Year Tuition Compact. The compact guarantees a standard tuition rate for four years, but after that it is based on standard tuition. And, as Roney says, history shows tuition never goes down. Increases in in-state tuition in the last 10 years have varied from 2.3 percent to 25.1 percent, and the fact that rates are decided in June before school starts makes financial planning difficult. Standard tuition already is higher than what the first students enrolled under the tuition compact, freshmen who entered in 2007, are paying.

Photo illustration by Jerry Wang Decisions, decisions and please be quick: Students often are forced into more-than-four-year graduation plans because they choose to drastically change their majors or because they have to re-start a new major after not being accepted into professional schools.

So students who are expected to graduate in 2011 but end up staying longer can anticipate a price hike in their tuition. Another point students need to consider, Roney says, is that most scholarships only cover four years of school. TAKING THE TIME TO FIND A PASSION Chris Gordon, Leawood senior, is part of the majority that is taking longer to graduate. When she arrived at the University in 2006, she thought she would be a design major. She enrolled in the five-year design program and planned to graduate in 2011. But after two and a half years of design school she realized that it wasnt what she really wanted to do. Even though she enjoyed designing, she wanted to work more closely with people than design would allow.

Gordon talked to a friend who recommended nursing. An open house at the KU Medical Center convinced her to follow that path. Nursing combined her passions for working with people and aiding those in need. However, changing majors would add an extra year totaling six years as an undergraduate. At first I thought six years would be a long time, but I realized it was worth it because it is something Im really passionate about, Gordon says. Gordon dreaded telling her parents about her decision because she didnt want to ask them to spend more money on her education. But, after talking it over, her parents ended up fully supporting her. Gordon thinks that part of the reason she ended up changing majors was because she was under too much pressure to make a decision in the first

place. I just jumped into a major without thinking what I wanted to do and why I wanted to do that, she says. Julianne Kueffer, Overland Park senior, is in a similar situation to Gordons. She is set to earn her journalism degree in December, after six and a half years of bouncing from major to major. As a freshman in 2003, Kueffer wanted to study journalism, but she soon changed her mind and applied to the School of Fine Arts. It took her a semester to get into the school, and another year to complete the basic requirements. Once she got those out of the way she started studying industrial design. But then Kueffer panicked. She didnt think she had strong drawing skills and switched to graphic design. Kueffer passed her first review, an evaluation made by professors based on a stu-

09 10 03 01 09

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FEATURE

dents grades and work, but when she failed her second review she had to pick a new major. So she dropped graphic design and went back to her first choice: journalism. Kueffer thinks its difficult for students to graduate on time if they are uncertain about their track, especially if they choose a professional school. Tony Rosenthal, associate professor of history, has closely advised dozens of students and understands Kueffers situation. He says that professional school requirements can be difficult, and once students find out they cant get in they have to start over. Kueffer, for example, has a year of design credits that cant be applied toward any other majors. Rosenthal also believes there are too many general education requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which dont leave much room for students to explore different majors. Parental and institutional pressures often push students to follow a certain path, Rosenthal says. But it usually takes some time for students to find out what they really want. My view in gen-

eral is that one size does not fit all. People reach intellectual maturity at different times, he says. Rosenthal doesnt think students who take longer to graduate should be perceived as failures. Sometimes taking some extra time might be a good idea. Students who have done poorly their first couple of semesters might want to raise their GPA to make them more competitive for graduate school. DOUBLE-MAJOR ... OVERTIME Even though Kueffer is already taking six and a half years to graduate with a journalism degree, she still thinks about extending her undergraduate career for another semester. Doing so would allow her to get a photomedia degree, which was recently created by the department of design. She picked up a passion for photography while taking design classes. But staying an extra semester would have its price, and she would be paying it. Barbara Newbold, Kueffers mother, would like her to get some actual work experience before going back to school. Newbold understands

that when students are unsure of what they want to do, as is the case with her daughter, it takes him or her some time to get on track. But theres a limit. After six and a half years she probably, hopefully, figured out what she wants to do, she says. Its possible that Kueffer has some fear of moving on beyond college, Newbold says. Kueffer acknowledges that fear. Ive gone to school fulltime all of my life; ever since I left high school six and a half years ago. I never took a break from college and I just dont know anything different from it. RAISING THE GRADUATION RATES The University has made some progress in increasing the number of students who graduate in four years. Less than a quarter of the 1990 freshman class graduated in four years; for the 2004 class the proportion increased to 32 percent. But efforts are still underway. Roney says the University made some changes after a task force issued a report in 2005 analyzing why students

were taking longer to graduate. The task force reported that part of the problem was that the Universitys messages and actions were not consistent with the ideal of graduating in four years. As an example, public relations materials often showed a typical courseload of 12 hours, when the truth is that if a student comes in without any college credits he or she has to take an average of 15.5 credit hours per semester to graduate in four years. While the University is trying to adopt a consistent message, it has not implemented some of the other recommendations. For example, the task force recommended setting a minimum enrollment of 15 hours for full-time students and limiting the number of drops/withdrawals over a students career. These measures have not been adopted.

continued on page 14

FAMOUS PERPETUAL STUDENTS

The stereotype may not conform to the reality of most college students, but famous perpetual students have usually been people who refuse to graduate so that they can keep enjoying college life. Here are some examples of these I Love College types:

John Bluto Blutarski

One of the pack leaders, John Belushis character in the 1978 movie Animal House set the standard of living up college life in drunken debauchery. In the movie, Bluto was in his seventh year of college and had a 0.0 GPA. But he went on to become a U.S. Senator, showing everyone that even if you take forever to graduate you can still do great things in life.

Van Wilder
Played by Ryan Reynolds, this popular students credo was, Dont be a fool. Stay in school. But even though Wilder got his fair dose of partying, he also contributed to society, hosting a fund-raising party for the swim team and helping unpopular fraternity brothers get laid.

Johnny Lechner
A real-life perpetual student to the extreme. Lechner has been going to school in Wisconsin since 1994. He uses his fame and marketing deals to rake in some money for tuition, which for him is more expensive than normal. In 2004 the Wisconsin Board of Regents
Photo illustration by Jerry Wang Overload breakdown: When work, assignments, tests, extracurricular commitments, social commitments ... et cetera become just too much to handle, some students choose to take fewer classes per semester and take more time to graduate, a less-conventional but increasingly common route that many professors say can be a good alternative to the senior-year burnout.

doubled the price of tuition for students who have more than 165 credit hours it is popularly known as the Johnny Lechner Rule.

27 13 0909 17 0301

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B A U H A U S
NOW OPE N
Fo r Wo m e n & M e n
S p l e n d i d , L a R o k , Jo i e , Tw e l f t h S t . , 7 D i a m o n d s , Fr e e Pe o p l e

FEATURE
continued from page 13
Other schools have enacted a more radical policy. All three of Arizonas state schools, for example, place a 20 percent surcharge on tuition if students have completed more than 145 credit hours and the University of Wisconsin doubles the price of tuition after 165 credit hours. Starting in 2011, students entering the University of North Carolina will have to request permission to stay longer than eight semesters. Our focus has been not to penalize students, but to encourage them, Roney says. In that sense, she perceives the tuition compact to be an inducement for students to graduate in four years, although she concedes it may pressure them to rush and just get done with school. WORK + STUDY = MORE THAN FOUR Rosenthal, history professor, is concerned with this increased pressure for students to graduate on time. He says a lot of students feel pressured to take 18 credit hours or more, when that is not necessarily a good idea. Many students cant handle such a load, especially if they are also working. Rosenthal says he has perceived an increase in the last 10 years in the number of students working longer hours. I dont think the institution does enough to discourage people from working and studying, he says. Kyra Myers, Pratt senior, works approximately 35 hours per week at four jobs and is taking only 12 credit hours this semester. Shes taking an extra semester to graduate because of her heavy work schedule. Myers started working long hours after moving out of her parents house. At first she stressed out about balancing school and work, though eventually she got used to it. But it still isnt easy. Long hours make diligent studying difficult and she feels as though she doesnt get to enjoy the full college experience like a lot of students do. It makes me wonder what all these kids who take 12 hours and dont work do with their free time, she says. But Myers thinks that a heavy workload doesnt necessarily stop anyone from graduating on time, even if it proves to be difficult. It all depends on what the person is willing to give up and how much he or she plans in advance. Myers reserves some time for her social life, and she wouldnt have to work four jobs if all she wanted to do was sustain herself. I just really like to shop, she says. TUNING THE MESSAGE Roney says that even though the University wants to increase its graduation rates, there are still legitimate reasons to take more than four years to graduate. Students who changed majors, such as Gordon, who are double majoring, such as Kueffer is considering, or who also work, such as Myers, are all examples. That is why the message the University is trying to pass needs to be finely tuned. Its a really hard message. I really dont want anyone to feel bad because they took more than four years to graduate for legitimate reasons, Roney says. But even if the Universitys message is successful, it may still face larger problems in its goal to increase graduation rates. One of the points in the most recent tuition proposal submitted to the Kansas Board of Regents is that budget cuts are a threat to graduation rates. It reads that even with the new tuition rates, students ability to graduate on-time will be threatened by reductions in course and section offerings. If everything goes according to what Ive planned, seven months from now I should be staring at the Campaniles ceiling as I walk through its doors and head down the Hill into Memorial Stadium. There, after five years as a Jayhawk, I will officially end my career as an undergraduate student. End, that is, if all the classes I need are offered next semester or if Im not tempted to prolong my time as a perpetual student. Jp

We s t o n 9 t h S t . f r o m M a s s S t .
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09 10 03 01 09

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MANUAL

HEMS T HTIN FIG ORDS W

How NO T into a b to get ar fight // FRANC ES
CA CHA MBERS
Photo illustration by Jerry Wang Be above the bar brawl: Bar fights are often glamorized in movies and on TV, but in the real world they could leave you injured and in handcuffs.

Melanie Wayland sipped her PBR and swayed to the metal music. One of her favorite bands, Job for a Cowboy, was playing at The Bottleneck. All of a sudden, a drunken man barreled into her from behind, smashing her body into the bleachers in front of her. She regained her balance in time to see her friend running out the door, away from the guy who had punched him and the guy who had just fallen on her. In a splitsecond decision, Wayland pushed her drunken aggressor onto the bleachers, straddled him and started punching him. The whole time I totally didnt spill my PBR, she says, proudly, and I gave the guy a bloody nose. Although Waylands story sounds like a scene straight out of a movie, bar fights are not so glamorous in reality. With her short, dark brown hair and 16 tattoos, Wayland, a Lawrence resident and 2008 graduate, looks like the last girl youd want to get in a fight with. Though getting into a bar fight might sound like a bad-ass experience to tell your 882 Facebook friends the next day, the consequences of punching back even if you dont throw the first punch are not worth it. At the very least, you could be thrown out the bar for the night. At worst, you could be arrested and charged with battery, not to mention the possibility of getting injured. You could also suffer the repercussions of one of the door guys, adds Britton Zaloz, Overland Park junior and bartender at Quintons, 615 Massachusetts St. She says bouncers always try to break up bar fights before becoming part of them, but Zaloz admits her guys are hot-head-

ed, too. If people try to start a fight with our door guys, theyre goin down, she says. Zach Owen, a 24-year-old Lawrence resident, has seen a lot of bar fights working as a doorman for The Ranch, 2515 W. 6th St., and now at Jet Lag, 610 Florida St. Hes seen people hit other people over the head with beer bottles and cops mace everyone in the room. Own says girl-on-girl fights are usually initiated by a jaded ex-girlfriend. A guy trying to show off for a girl or a guy hitting on another guys girlfriend starts most guy-on-guy fights, he says. No matter the background situation, the majority of the bar fights hes seen have been caused by a combination of three factors, he says: alcohol, attitude and women. Thats kind of sexist and wrong, but thats just the way Ive seen it, Owen says. Most people try to avoid conflict, but there are some situations especially when alcohol is involved when someone seems determined to start an argument with you. If someone verbally assaults you, spills their drink all over you or instigates a fight with you, just walk away, says Norah Dunbar, professor of communications at the University of Oklahoma. If a person is drunk enough to confront a stranger, they are not thinking rationally. You cant really apply conflict resolution communication strategies, Dunbar says. Just apologize to them even if whatever happened is not your fault so the instigator does not see you as a threat. Make it clear you dont want to fight. Rock Ontiberos, Overland Park sophomore, says hes never been in a bar fight and he doesnt

Other Preventative Measures you can take to keep yourself and your friends out of a bar fight:
If you accidentally spill your drink on someone, dont hand her the cup and walk away. Melanie Wayland, Lawrence resident and 2008 graduate. Attempt to calm down the person provoking the fight by respectfully telling him hes had too much to drink. - Zach Owen, bouncer at Jet Lag. Being drunk is not an excuse to fight someone. Be respectful and polite to people, especially people you dont know. Wayland. Be respectful of other peoples opinions and sports team preferences. - Britton Zaloz, Overland Park junior and bartender at Quinton's.

consider himself the type of person to ever get in one because he controls his alcohol intake. But even if you keep yourself in control, there's still the possibility of getting dragged into a conflict by a friend. In this case, it is always best to just stay out of it. Bar fights often escalate because someone jumps in to either help a friend or stop the fight, Owen says. Even if you are just trying to calm things down, the other person just sees one more opponent. In these situations, you can always notify a

bar employee. Bouncers wont kick someone out because you ask them to, but they will ask the person to stay away from you, Owen says. And if all else fails, leave the bar, Dunbar says. You shouldnt really be so committed to being in a particular place that you cant get out of a dangerous situation, he says. Jp

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its not all about fast food and beer pong.

Whether youre a natural artist or creatively challenged, painting can offer a therapeutic break from the stress of life as a student. Its just you and the blank canvas, and the rest of the world melts away. But why not make that canvas something quirky and useful, such as a coffee mug or a picture frame? Sunfire Ceramics, 1002 New Hampshire St., gives you the opportunity to paint your own pottery, all of which is microwave and dishwasher safe. You pick your piece and the glaze, paint it and then leave it at the store to be fired in the stores kiln. In three to five days your item will be complete fired, shiny and vibrant. Sunfire charges a base fee of $4 for the glaze and firing and an additional cost for the pottery. Cheryl Roth, owner of Sunfire Ceramics, says you can complete a piece for as little as $12, making it a cheap way to relieve a little stress and show your creativity. Painting itself is really relaxing, Roth says. But seeing how they turned out is the best part they really change when theyre fired. But those with no artistic ability shouldnt be afraid. Sunfire has plenty of stencils and stamps to help you create your very own masterpiece.

get some culture //

SUNFIRE CERAMICS

in the life of ... // A KU FIT INSTRUCTOR

living vicariously through others is ok with us.
Every time you walk into her class you are greeted with the biggest, whitest smile youve ever seen. And while that smile is sincere, it doesnt show whats coming for you: an hourlong workout that will leave you begging for mercy. Stephanie Thompson, Lenexa senior, is one of 25 KU Fit instructors paid to teach weekly classes at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center. Shes had the job for a year and a half and has developed a bit of a cult following. Her classes include Cardio Cross Train, Butz and Gutz and the Boot Camp Challenge, her favorite because she likes tracking the progress of her students through the semester. Thompson has had a few people come up to her outside of class and complain that she worked them a little too hard, but she just laughs it off. She would never do anything to intentionally hurt anyone; its just all about fitness. But being in great shape is just one of the job requirements. You also need the motivation. Instructors try out in the spring for yearly positions. The process includes

And theres always the option of solid colors if youre really challenged. Sunfires quaint studio is decorated with customer works, examples and blank pieces ready to be painted. On sunny days employees open the studios garage door at the front to let the rays in. With midterms approaching and the weather getting a little cooler, letting the artistic juices flow just may be the perfect escape from hitting the books.

// ANDREA OLSEN

Photo by Andrea Olsen Looks can be deceiving: KU Fit instructor Stephanie Thompsons bright, warm smile hides her fierceness as an instructor, which has gained her a cult following.

Photo by Andrea Olsen All fired up: Sunfire Ceramics offers paint-your-own pottery for creative relaxation.

weekly meetings, a performance exam, a written exam, shadowing a current instructor and finally an audition where you teach your own class. But most importantly you need the personality, and anyone whos taken Thompsons classes knows shes got it. Shes always cracking jokes and interacting with her students during class, no matter how hard it gets. And if she sees you on campus shell almost always say hi, just dont whine about being sore.

// ANDREA OLSEN

UPCOMING

JUST ANNOUNCED

PNUMA TRIO
(STS9 Afterparty) Oct. 6, Doors open 11 p.m.

El Salvador Benet Show

Oct. 7, Doors open 8 p.m.
Featuring Colony Collapse, Alley Flowers & The Koskies

Homecoming Party
Oct. 8, Doors open 9 p.m. 18+, $2 wells

Pete Yorn Oct. 19

LMFAO Nov. 19th

Brazilian Latin Connection

Son Venezuela
w/ DJ Jalapeno Oct. 9, Doors open 9 p.m.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT 1020 MASS & WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM WWW.THEGRANADA.COM

10 01 09

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HEALTH

GERMS
THE SURFACES OF PUBLIC COMPUTER KEYBOARDS HARBOR HUNDREDS OF GERMS AND BACTERIA. ICK!
Ever awkwardly tried to open a door with your sleeve as a barrier against that dirty doorknob? Or done the tricky dance of attempting to flush the toilet with your foot to avoid that germ-laden handle? Despite your dances to avoid seemingly obvious germ hang-outs, the dirtiest surface in your life may be something you touch every day and its not in the bathroom. BACTERIA CAFETERIA Desk areas can conceal more creepy crawlers than public restrooms. Public computer keyboards contain 100 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat, says Chuck Gerba, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona. Leftover food particles from that sandwich you ate while watching YouTube on your lunch break and other gunk that accumulates in the cracks of keyboards feed more than just the cockroaches bacteria find plenty to munch on. Theyre basically a bacteria cafeteria, Gerba says of keyboards. If you turn over that keyboard youre typing on, you might be surprised and grossed out at what you find. And the grossness can depend on the location. If you flip over a keyboard in New York, youll get a bagel-flake snowstorm, Gerba says. GROSSED OUT Sitting at the circulation desk in Watson Library, Jessica Huff, Mayetta sophomore and student desk assistant, has a good view of the public computers. What she sees happening there will make your toes curl. Ive been in the bathroom and watched people not wash their hands then walk out and log in on a computer, she says. Thats not all the grossness, though. Shes seen students sneeze and cough into their hands and chew their fingernails while using the computer. Whats really gross is when someone eats at a computer right after the person before them sneezed all over it, she says. Chelsea Jacobsen, Chicago sophomore, says she thinks keyboards are probably one of the dirtiest surfaces on campus. One time I saw a guy licking peanut butter off of his fingers then continue typing, she says. It was gross.

KEYING IN ON

// KIRSTEN HUDSON
And the last users saliva isnt the only bodily substance sticking to keyboards. The guy that was just sitting next to me was scratching himself in inappropriate places then touching the keyboard. It was disgusting, says Leah Kirkland, Olathe senior. Some accumulation of germs seems natural when you consider the fact that tons of KU students use the computer workstations every day. In Fall 2008 the 149 computers at Anschutz Library had 1,256 average daily log-ins thats about eight students per computer per day. The computers at Watson Library and Harris Computer Lab in the Kansas Union had about six students per day and the computers at Budig Computer lab had about four. Thats a lot of grimy fingers. KEEP IT CLEAN As high-touch areas, keyboards easily transfer viruses. Viruses that cause the flu, colds and even diarrhea can prowl on the surfaces of keyboards, Gerba says. Bacteria can live on keyboards longer than viruses but viruses will remain active for several hours, even up to a day, says Jack Brown, professor emeritus of molecular biosciences. According to the Mayo Clinic, flu viruses stick to keyboards through the drops of fluid that fly out when someone coughs or sneezes. You can then catch the viruses by touching the surface of the keyboard and then rubbing your eyes, scratching your nose or touching your mouth. The easiest way to keep from transferring any type of virus or bacteria from a keyboard is just to keep your hands off your face, Brown says. Its a difficult thing for humans to do but its the best thing you can do, he says. You could also give that keyboard a swipe with an antibacterial wipe, Gerba says. The public keyboards and computers at the University go through a thorough cleaning during each semester break, says Karen Nicholas, communications and public relations manager for information technology. But that still leaves an entire semesters worth of grime accumulating on them. For now, to keep yourself from passing along more than just information as you use public keyboards, try to keep your germs to yourself. Jp

Photo illustration by Kirsten Hudson The keys to infection: Public computer keyboards contain 100 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.

Guys take the gold when it comes to desk cleanliness. In a 2006 study of 113 private offices and cubicles at 17 different sites, Chuck Gerba, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, found that bacteria levels in womens offices were nearly three times higher than in mens. Keyboards, computer mice and phones in womens offices harbored nearly five times more bacteria per square inch than in mens offices. Way to keep it clean, boys!

WOMEN TELEPHONE KEYBOARD MOUSE DESK SURFACE EXCLAMATION KEY PENS

MEN

= MOST GERMY
WHAT ARE THE DIRTIEST KEYS ON THE KEYBOARD? Your pinkies and the middle finger on your left hand might be pretty germy because the A, E and Enter keys are the most unsanitary keys on the keyboard. These are high contamination areas because theyre used the most often, says Chuck Gerba, professor of microbiology at The University of Arizona. Also watch out for that computer mouse youre clicking on. It contains high levels of germs because you place your whole palm on it, which transfers more bacteria, Gerba says.

10 01 09

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HEALTH
dude. gross.

thats disgusting // SHARING EARBUDS

good for you/bad for you // GOING

sometimes its hard to tell.

COMMANDO

You cant find your earbuds but refuse to head off to campus without your iPod. Oh look, how convenient your roommates are right there on the table. Surely she wont mind after all, whats a little earwax between friends? Well, as a matter of fact, a little earwax can go a long way. Everyone has bacteria and fungus in his or her ear canals that are normally in balance, and one generally keeps the other from taking over, says Robert Dinsdale, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) at Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates. A study published in the Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences found that regularly using earbuds significantly increased bacterial growth in the ear, potentially leading to ear infections. The study also found that 92 percent of commonly shared earbuds tested contained harmful bacteria. The same bacteria was found on only 8 percent of earbuds that were shared less frequently. Dinsdale says if youre sharing with someone who has a healthy ear canal you should be safe because most bacteria that is carried on earbuds will die in a dry environment within a couple of days. But infections can still be passed on. If you

Photo illustration by Amy Johnson No buds between buddies: Sharing earbuds can pass bacteria and even ear infection from earwax.

really want to avoid getting an ear infection, Disdale recommends just not sharing. Either that or be prepared to start examining your friends ear canals before use.

// AMY JOHNSON

Some people do it to let loose and air out, others because they think its sexy and some just plain think its more comfortable. But is it safe to un-invite your underwear to your pants party? Patty Quinlan, supervisor of nursing for student health services, says because a lot of blue jeans are made from linens or cottons theres no harm in wearing them without your regular underwear. Quinlan says that the best kind of fabric for underwear is made from natural Photo illustration by Amy Johnson fibers such as cotton, because it No undies at this pants party: Not wearing underwear can lead to doesnt harbor organisms that infection but if your pants are pristinely clean, wont do any harm. cause infection. When deciding whether to go commando, pants or jeans that are dirty could lead to an first consider the comfort issue. There are a uncomfortable infection, Quinlan says. In the end it comes down to personal preference lot more seams in jeans and pants that could make wearing them without underwear just make sure your pants are clean. uncomfortable. The tightness of the pants youre going commando in could also be a VERDICT: GOOD FOR YOU, comfort issue. IF YOU STAY CLEAN The other, bigger issue is commando cleanliness. Not wearing underwear in // AMY JOHNSON

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10 01 09

CONTACT

how we met // ELLIOTT STEVENS AND ROCIO

all great relationships had to start somewhere.
Elliott Stevens, lecturer of English, noticed Rocio Sanchez Ares, lecturer of French and Italian, in her office directly across from his. In the depths of Wescoe Hall, he tried to work diligently but he was distracted by the beautiful Spanish woman who he saw almost every day. Like a curious neighbor, Sanchez Ares admits that she too caught herself sneaking glances at Stevens. Sanchez Ares finally broke the silence with a little yellow cookie she gave to Stevens. We then talked, Stevens says. Or more exactly, she talked and I sputtered at her. Stevens says he couldnt believe such a beautiful person like Sanchez Ares was talking to him. After the first yellow cookie, Sanchez Ares continued to leave him homemade wedges of Spanish tortilla and cakes in his office. That was 10 months ago when the sparks started to fly. Like every relationship, Sanchez Ares and Stevens had a honeymoon period but for them it seems as though this honeymoon is never ending. With the butterflies refusing to quit fluttering, they plan to spend the rest of their lives together. We want to get married, have four children, teach many languages to nice

SANCHEZ ARES

catch of the week // STEPHEN RECTOR

our weekly peek at a fish in the KU sea. What is your ideal date?
Going to an early movie with dinner afterwards. I dont like to plan after that.

people, grow parsley in gardens, and, finally, take care of bees, Sanchez Ares says. Aside from this couples giving nature, Stevens says that the bees are symbolic of their relationship. He says that bees are creatures of royalty and fidelity. They also dance at each other to communicate, which is something that Rocio and I do, too.

Where do you like to get away?

I go home.

// HAILEY OSTERHAUS

What are your main hobbies?

I like to write, anything with sports, watch movies, hang out.

What is your favorite food?

Pizza.

What is your major turn-off?

Smoking.

Photo by Mia Iverson

What is your major turn-on?

Glasses.
Contributed photo Teaching languages and dancing like bees: Language lecturers Rocio Sanchez Ares (left) and Elliott Stevens started exchanging glances across their offices in Wescoe Hall 10 months ago. Today, they have a plan for building a life together.

major: Computer Engineering year: Freshmen interested in: Women What is your dream job?
Computer programmer for Google.

What is the first thing you notice about a person?

Eyes.

// MIA IVERSON

kansas in heat (print edition) // SETTING THE MOOD

Relationship researcher Mike Anderson tackles the sticky world of relationship advice, one weekly Jayplay column at a time
Im a strong believer in creating a good playlist of emotive music that really sets the mood for a couple. Music can be a great mood-setter and make the atmosphere even better for a night of intimacy. The ability to even create a good playlist is also a very attractive quality for a lot of people. Take some advice from Ryan Weaver, my friend and former KU instructor of women, gender and sexuality studies. He studies the rhetoric of music. His tips for creating a great playlist contain many words of wisdom for making the perfect playlist for those intimate nights: 1. The playlist creator should determine at an early point in the production process whether the mix will convey some type of emotion or message. If so, it might be useful to start with a handful of songs that you feel directly convey that message. In a similar vein, the best playlists typically are those that focus on one genre or theme. A theme gives your playlist a loose framework of organization and can serve as a reflection of an individuals creativity. Remember that how much you enjoy making the playlist will be evident in the final package. 2. As you begin selecting tracks for a compilation, remember to be flexible. Though it is important for a good mix to be reflective of ones personality and one should always include music he or she enjoys, be on the lookout for music that isnt familiar but may be perfect for your theme. Ask friends and local music snobs for help. 3. If you have the time, it is a good idea to listen to the finalized mix before putting it to work in the field. After listening to the mix once or twice, often you will think of tracks to add or subtract. You might also notice weaknesses in the initial organization of the mix and decide that complete rearrangement (or minor adjustment) is needed for the desired effect. 4. Audience analysis is always a crucial first step in making a playlist. Choose songs that both of you would feel good about hearing.

Mike Anderson, Dellwood, Minn., graduate student, is the host of Kansas in Heat, a talk show about sex and relationships that airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KJHK, 90.7fm and at kjhk.org. *THE OPINIONS OF THIS COLUMNIST DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF JAYPLAY. KANSAS IN HEAT IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP.

// MIKE ANDERSON

21

10 01 09

REVIEW

movie review // THE INFORMANT!

Director Steven Soderbergh is a man of diverse tastes and talents. Hes done everything from mainstream heist movies (the Oceans 11 franchise) to arthouse experimentation (Bubble) to epic biopics (Che parts one and two). Soderbergh has earned a lot of respect in the film world and rightly so. But even he couldnt make The Informant! (out now in theaters) a truly entertaining movie. The movie, based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald, tells the true story of corporate climber Mark Whitacre (a chubby Matt Damon). Hes a pathological liar and his lying eventually leads to his sort of (but not completely) inventing a price-fixing scam involving his company, ADM, for which he plays informant to two FBI agents (Scott Bakula and Joel McHale). Whitacres story is certainly an interesting one, full of corporate greed and intrigue. It tells well (for a more condensed, fast-paced version of the story, check out This American Lifes episode on Whitacre, The Fix is In). But, unfortunately, it just doesnt film well. The art direction and cinematography are great but, even with the addition of Marvin Hamlischs goofy score, it just

Hollywood hits, indie flicks and everything in between.

isnt enough to make up for characters who just arent that interesting. The Informant! isnt a bad movie. Its heart is in the right place, and the story it tells (at least conceptually) is intriguing. But one cant help but think it might have worked out better as a documentary, or some looser form of narrative that required less dramatic creativity. As it is, much of the movie just ends up being kind of flat.

music review // YO LA TENGO POPULAR SONGS

KJHKs weekly guide to sonic consumption.
Yo La Tengo have been a band longer than Ive been alive. This is their 12th album in the 25 years of their existence and when you think about that in the terms of the music industry, thats a lot its more than double how long the Beatles were together. In a place of one-hit wonders, singles and Yo-imma-let-you-finish-buts, 25 years is an eternity for a simple indie band such as Yo La Tengo. When you think about it, though, they arent really a simple indie band anymore. Their sound has developed over the years to incorporate so many intricacies of so many genres that they arent simple at all. When I first went through the album, I thought that it wasnt different from their other material and that they hadnt really developed any more. Well, they dont have to. Their sound has so much to offer in so many different facets that remaining the same for them is being innovative and different. 1970s-funk string parts, nasty garage rock guitar, disjointed electro-beats all of it comes together yet again in a composition by the incredible versatility of this band.

(MATADOR)

// ABBY OLCESE

Despite all of this variation, none of the songs seem out of place or uncomfortable. All of the songs are branded with that same label of Yo La Tengo that youve come to expect. The long and short of it is, this band is aging. Yet somehow, just like Mick Jaggers leather pants, they havent lost any of their luster.
KJHK Station manager and rotation DJ

// LOGAN NICKELS

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reading. its not just for textbooks, you know.

If youre looking for a tasty treat to add flavor to a boring night, try picking up L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad. Now I know what youre thinking, Why would I want to read a book by an ex-reality show star turned wannabe author? As crazy as it seems, Conrads book is actually entertaining. Though the book cover displays Conrads name noticeably larger than the book title, when cracking open the book it becomes obvious that it has an undeniably addicting quality that has you reading this book cover to cover. Conrad uses her personal experience to write a book about two fictional girls who go from recent high school graduates to reality TV stars in only a few months after moving to Los Angeles. This book gives readers an insiders look at the life of a reality TV star. Conrad gives readers a look at the initial interview, the shooting process and the variation of the end product of the show from the actual reality that took place. Surprisingly there arent many similarities between L.A. Candy and The Hills. Conrad keeps the book clean of any retelling from the hit reality shows Laguna Beach and The Hills, both in which she starred.

book review // L.A. CANDY LAUREN CONRAD

There are some similarities between Conrad and Jane, the main character of her book. Jane is a petite, blond girl-next-door type who receives an internship with a top event planner skipping college and heading straight into the work force. Jane is a little naive and seemingly always falls for the wrong guy. The best part about this book is the cliffhanger ending that is an obvious tip that a sequel is coming soon. Though Im still debating with myself whether Conrad actually wrote this book herself, the book still leaves the reader salivating for the next drop of Conrads L.A. Candy.

// AMBER JACKSON

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10 01 09

7 22

SPEAK

My right leg had fallen asleep approximately two-thirds of the way through the court hearing. But at that moment I didnt care. Instead I was focused on the emotional testimony of the families fighting for benefits for their autistic children. Seven members of the Colorado Senate Health and Human Services Committee sat in front of a map of the states rugged terrain, each accompanied by six-inch stacks of material put together by us: seven students who were also fighting for the cause. Our packets were full of colored charts and graphs, illustrated with the pain and emotion felt by those afflicted and associated with autism. If the Autism Insurance Bill was to pass, children with autism in Colorado would receive insurance coverage for the speech and rehabilitation therapies vital for their development. Although expensive for insurance companies, this bill would give autistic kids a better chance to live an independent life in which teasing, torment and torture werent daily occurrences. The childrens fate lay heavy on our minds and in their families hearts. A courtroom drama isnt usually a college students idea of a vacation, but there I was on an Alternative Spring Break. Six other KU students and I had been assigned to the Autism Society in Denver, a nine-hour drive away in our silver van crammed with pillows and backpacks. I sat in the back during the ride, mostly staring out the window as my iPod shuffled. I hadnt expected to be there. Three months earlier my application was turned down. After getting the e-mail that informed me I wasnt going, I realized how much I wanted to go. I wanted to think about other people instead of myself for a change. I ended up replacing someone else who couldnt go and the original heartbreak humbled me, making me appreciate the trip even more. We began working for the Autism Society doing organizational jobs such as clearing clutter from desks and entering program feedback into spreadsheets. Although the work wasnt exciting, we knew that the people at the society appreciated our help. I valued my experience more as the week progressed and I discovered the emotional toll the disorder takes on families. One night our coordinator, Tom, took us to hear families speak to city officials about their need for change. Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., was an eerie setting for testimony from parents whose children are often mercilessly bullied. I sat on a round, white plastic chair that swung out from a standard eight-person cafeteria table, watching a mother crumble as she tried to read a statement about her autistic daughter. Her

SPEAKS

AUTISM

{ Fighting for the cause on my spring break }

// KELCI SHIPLEY

Contributed photo Stepping up on spring break: From left, Monica Saha, Lindsay Elliott, Brooke Abney, Megan Logan, Jayplay writer Kelci Shipley, Xiaomin Wang and Jordan Lusnak the members of Shipleys Alternative Spring Break group. The students traveled to Colorado earlier this year to help children with autism.

husband took over after her inability to speak, easing her firm grasp on the tattered piece of paper. His hands shook as he continued to tell tales of abuse and teasing afflicted on a daily basis, his voice stuttering as tears crept into his eyes. Every family we interacted with had a story of pain, struggle and financial debt, challenges I got a taste of when we babysat for a family with three daughters, one of whom has Aspergers syndrome, a form of autism. The mother described the disorder as making her daughter Calyx overly hyper and unable to express her thoughts. While the parents went on a much-deserved date we split up into teams: those who would watch and entertain the girls and those who would help clean and fold the mountains of laundry that littered the floor of their rooms. We made neat stacks of Disney princess nightgowns, Dora the Explorer T-shirts and countless numbers of pink dresses. As I was folding a pair of purple pants, one of

my group members barged in, looking for a safe place to hide from Calyx during a game of hide and seek. As Calyx neared closer to ready or not, my group member threw herself behind the bed, pulling down blankets and pillows for disguise. Im exhausted, she groaned. I wondered how the parents did this every day, along with work and other grown-up priorities. I felt happy we could provide a nights relief. Seeing and sharing the immense responsibilities of the families in the smallest way made our group come together. Sitting in the courtroom, I could feel our collective tension. We believed so much in our efforts that anything less than a positive outcome seemed unthinkable. These families needed this to survive. Betty Lehman, director of the Autism Society and a KU graduate, finished off the testimony, speaking on behalf of the 20plus families who didnt have time to narrate their childrens agony. The gavel struck. It was time to vote. There

were three ayes and three nays. I couldnt breathe. My chest was going to explode. Betty Boyd, the chairwoman of the committee and the toughest to convince, finally uttered aye, relenting to the persistence of parents, advocates and seven students who a week before didnt have any attachment to this piece of legislature. We all beamed with pride, knowing we had a part in helping this pass on to the Colorado Senate Appropriations Committee. The seven of us kept in touch frequently after the hearing, getting updates from our former coordinator about the progress of the bill in the House and Senate. The day we found out that the bill was being signed by the governor of Colorado I felt like I did back in that courtroom. I felt the same relief, especially for the weight being lifted off of the families for whom Id grown to care so much. Jp

23

10 01 09

WEEKLY SPECIALS
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Legal Services for Students and the UDK urge students to be responsible: use SafeBus or SafeRide!
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