Thinking Out Loud – 12/3

Hi folks–this is my last column for the Duquesne Duke this semester, because this week’s issue is ALSO the last one of the semester.  We’ll resume our regular shenanigans in early/mid January following winter break.  If you’d like to check out the entire newspaper, including archives of our previous issues this semester, check out www.theduquesneduke.com. Enjoy!
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Cowabunga! The 80’s Are Back, Legit

I recently discovered the heavy metal band Steel Panther. As usual, however, I am a few years late to the party. The best mock rock band since Spinal Tap, Steel Panther has been churning out ’80s heavy metal riffs combined with over-the-top, ridiculously sexual, ’80s heavy metal lyrics for the better part of this decade. As overblown as their ’80s rock image is, it still accurately portrays that culture of music. (99 percent of these lyrics aren’t allowed in the average college newspaper, so I won’t even try.)

The 1980s – especially its music – falls right behind “scandalous political figures” as the easiest target for comedians and humorists, and for good reason. Take a look at any music video starring Van Halen front-man David Lee Roth. Back then, these videos were considered funny, wild and crazy. These days it’s hard enough to look at any singer from the era and accurately identify their gender on the first guess, let alone take them seriously.

But I have a warning for you Dukes. You may take shots at the music, movies and fashion of the “Molly Ringwald Era,” but take heed, because the ’80s are back.

First, let’s analyze what made ’80s music so appealing. Music videos were much more relevant to the songs of the ’80s than any videos are today. Two of the top singers from the era, George Michael of Wham! and Madonna, were stylish and sexy, and their music videos went a long way to promote that image. Also, remember that MTV actually played music videos during this time; the regular rotation of videos did more to promote the music than it ever would today.

Dance music has always been “sexy” because dancing was generally associated with … yeah, you get it. But ’80s rock music was overtly sexual. You might be thinking, “Duh. Rock music is typically sexual. And the sky is blue, too.” Recall that in the ’90s, however, rock music was primarily infused with brooding, emotionally distraught messages.

The heavy metal group Pantera tried their best to be KISS-revivalists for the entire Reagan administration and ditched the leather pants and glitzy showmanship for angry modern metal, come the new decade. Grunge music was officially in, and outlandish glam rock was out.

But now, the look and style of ’80s music is making a “triumphant” return, depending on your opinion of the time period. It may not seem obvious to you now, but think about some of today’s most popular artists.

Lady Gaga, a dance-floor phenomenon, coats herself in layers of makeup the way farmers shroud their crops in pounds of fertilizer. She’s a modern-day Madonna, unashamed to make music that likely will be mocked in 10 years.

Music by Nickelback, one of the most polarizing rock bands of the new millennium, has been described as everything from “the scourge of music history” to “kind of OK.” The band recently teamed with producer Mutt Lange, the man who helped to sculpt titanic rock albums from AC/DC, Def Leppard and Foreigner. The resulting album is chock-full of party anthems and cheesy “heart-on-sleeve” ballads that follow the same pattern as many ’80s glam rock albums.

But the most evident proof is American Idol darling Adam Lambert. If you’re near a computer, take a minute to search for a cover image of his new album, For Your Entertainment. I’ll wait … OK. Done? It’s crazy, isn’t it? Combine the image with a shrill singing voice that would make Freddie Mercury proud and his passé attitude toward his recent awards-show backlash (blaming parents for letting their children stay up to see his antics), and you have yourself a modern mixture of Roth and Michael.

But, for the moment, he’s still considered trendy. I rest my case. Eighties music is back, and whether you like it or not, chances are … you’re going to like it.

The City Game

Like Matt, I was look forward to blogging about the City Game all week! Although the Dukes didn’t come out on top, the game was exciting from the tip off until the buzzer at the end of the 2nd OT. My family and I have been Pitt basketball fans for years (my dad went to Pitt), but I was donning my Red and Blue Crew t-shirt tonight, secretely hoping the Dukes could upset their cross-city rivals. Here are some pictures from tonight’s game, the last college basketball game in the Mellon Arena!

-Brittany

The Red and Blue Crew came out strong tonight. We easily outnumbered the Oakland Zoo!

The Dukes looking strong!

They can’t all be winners…

As a regular contributor to this blog, I couldn’t wait for the chance to write about theCity Game–that is, the annual men’s basketball game between Duquesne and Pitt.  Since I arrived at Duquesne in ‘07, Pitt had won both games against us–the first year at Duquesne, the second year at Pitt.  But this year’s game was special; it would be the last college basketball game ever to be played at the soon-to-be-demolished Mellon Arena.

I couldn’t wait to write about this because of how ecstatic I would be after we won.  I had memories of Duquesne’s upset over then-#9 ranked Xavier last year, detailing my chance to scream my lungs out and storm the court with my friends, living every college basketball fan’s dream.

Except I kind of forgot that we might not actually beat Pitt. Final score-Pitt 67, Duquesne 58, in 2OT.  Like most losses, it wasn’t losing that hurt the most.  It was the way we lost.

At halftime, the Dukes were cruising, up 33-20.  The three pointers were falling like raindrops, and Damian Saunders was swatting shots like nobody’s business.  But come the second half, the officials, who had swallowed the whistles most of the first half, decided to call a much tougher game, and the Dukes were the direct recipients of most of their wrath.  Foul after foul went against Duquesne; that, coupled with red-hot Pitt shooting and a long cold streak from the Dukes, allowed the Panthers to claw (pun intended) their way back into the game.  After Pitt missed a shot near the buzzer, the game was sent into its first overtime.

The energy was unlike many games I’ve attended.  While Duquesne was the home team, it was clear this was more of a “neutral site” game.  The number of Dukes fans and Panthers fans were nearly equal, each student section trying to outdo the other.  Even though it was early in the year, and even though Pitt and Duquesne don’t play in the same conference, this felt like a tournament game.  For Duquesne, a win meant finally taking down the big bullies in town for the first time in nine  years.  Lose, and Goliath would have another long, arduous year of bragging rights.

But in the second overtime, it quickly became clear that Duquesne simply had nothing left in the tank.  With the team’s top two big men, Saunders and Rodrigo Peggau, both fouled out, Pitt drove the lane at will; meanwhile, Duquesne’s shooters couldn’t get free without the threat of a low-post player to keep the Pitt defense honest.  After lighting it up in the first half, Duquesne scored a total of five points in the two overtime periods, allowing Pitt to take control.

There’s nothing more difficult as a sports fan than leaving a game at your “home court” with the opposing team’s fans chanting “This is our house!”  Well, aside from beings a Browns fan.  That’s pretty rough.  But you get what I mean.

But the one positive I took frm the game (aside from how thrilling it was, in spite of its poor outcome) was how fired up the hardcore Dukes fans and the alumni were.  I’ve only watched two years of Duquesne hoops so far, but in that time alone, the fan’s perception and relationship with the team has improved remarkably.  Two years ago, my friends and I joked our way through any game where Duquesne played a semi-difficult opponent; now, we expect our team to win these games.  In a way, the disappointment proved how much Duquesne cares about its team, which is incredible given how awful the team was just three or four seasons ago.

It’s early in the year.  In the grand scheme of things, this loss is far from our biggest game of the year.  But maybe having the bitter taste of this defeat lingering in the Dukes’ mouths will get them fired up and ready for the remainder of a difficult schedule.

-Matt

Duquesne University Fair Trade Week 2009

They have great stuff for sale in the Union.  Check it out!

Quiet in Gumberg

If you’ve been in the library in the evening, you know how noisy it can get sometimes.  The library has put up funny posters reminding people to keep it down.  Have you seen them yet?

From the Gumberg blog:

Too noisy, can’t concentrate in your dorm room and you need to study for a final exam? Gumberg Library is trying a slightly humorous approach to solving the noise dilemma during finals this semester. See the new quiet zone themes on floors 1, 2, and 3. “Tell Us” what you think – fill out a comment card at either Circulation or Reference. We appreciate your feedback!

Are you graduating?

If you plan to graduate in December, make sure you fill out this online form so the school knows where to mail your diploma.

December graduation

The Final Countdown

It seems as though Thanksgiving has come and gone, and with it the youth of the semester. Upon returning to Pittsburgh on a 9:00 A.M. flight on Sunday morning, I was faced with the realization that a ten-page semester paper was due on Monday… that’s like no other feeling in the world. After a long day of work, I was able to finish the paper. It was on the Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989, and although I did learn a lot about the subject, I doubt the grade I achieve will meet my standards.

It’s behind me now, I suppose, and I’m moving on to bigger and better things, like finals. I had my first one today in Research and Info Skills and I was not scarred by the experience. However, I am not, by any means, in the clear. Thursday is an optional final, which I’m hoping I do not have to take. Monday is my sociology final, and next Friday is my East Asian Civilizations exam. However, Saturday I’m back home in the world of road rage and The Sopranos.

I also have a paper to write, which is rather interesting. As a final paper for my media class, my assignment is to review G-20 media coverage and evaluate discrepancies between outlets or companies. I chose to do two newspapers; the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, presenting ideas from within the city, compared to a large metro daily, namely the New York Times. I am hoping to post excerpts of the paper, to share some of my ideas (if I ever finish it!).

Alyssa

Light Up Night

Duquesne has its own Light Up Night tomorrow starting at 5pm.  I’m sure if you’ve been around on campus, you’ve seen all the decorations and lights being put up over the past few days.   So check out some of the events tomorrow night!

2+ weeks. Hang on!

With a restful Thanksgiving break behind us, it’s back to the grind! Looking at my calendar for the next two weeks is enough to give me an ulcer. 1 presentation, 1 oral exam, 3 papers and 5 finals in the next two weeks. My only comfort comes from knowing that 2 weeks from now I’ll be almost done with all of it! There are the worst few weeks of the semester, and after my third year of enduring it each fall and spring, I barely feel any more prepared! Here are a few things I have caught onto over the past few years:

1. Be patient. If you want a seat in the library, be prepared to make friends or fight for it. (Kidding, no brawling in the library, please!) The library is never as full as it is during finals, and each year I am surprised at the number of students packing the pathways and tables among the books. Claim a table early, study with a friend, or find another quiet place to cram.

2. Keep you schedule. Don’t stop eating and sleeping to study from dawn until dusk. You’ll crash before your second exam.

3. Eat snacks! Take advantage of the refreshments in the library on Tuesday, December 8. Everyone needs a snack and a study break!

4. Chill out! Finals are not the end of the world. before we know it, it will be Christmas break and finals will all be a distant memory.

Hang in there, Duquesne!

-Brittany

Home for the holidays

Now that I’m at home for Thanksgiving break, it really feels like the holidays are here. I was kind of sad for all of my school friends to separate and go home, but I felt better when I started seeing my family members and high school friends. It’s very comforting and relaxing to be in my own bed and to have my mommy cook for me.

There are a lot of things I’m excited to do with my vacation time like helping cook for Thursday, eating a huge Thanksgiving dinner, shopping on Black Friday, visiting with friends and family, and of course, sleeping in. Already so far, I’ve seen a lot of old friends and gone to pick one of my best friends up from California University of PA. We were so excited to see our other best friend who has been at school in Lancaster since August. The reunion was a little emotional, but we got right back into our old, crazy friendship. I’m happy to know we can be apart for long periods of time and still be the best of friends when we’re back together.

Unfortunately I still have a lot of work to get done over break and I need to spend as much time as possible studying for finals. Fortunately, I have quite a few days to get this done and still have time to relax. It’s almost impossible to think that  we only have a couple weeks of class left before the semester is over. Although it feels nice to have a lot of work behind me, it’s strange to think my first semester of college is coming to an end.

Soon it will be time to get finals over with and start shopping for Christmas! This year is definitely flying by, so enjoy it while you can and try to at least get a little work done.

Have a great holiday season!

-Erica