EXPRESSIONS
- Senior Ospreys leave the nest Ross Brooks
- Students get finals buzz from caffeine Jamie Williams
- Musician in tune with future Cristina Stebbins
- Artists' albums need saving Kellie Conboy
- "Hot Fuzz" blows audiences away Matt Coleman
- Genres mix in Arena
- Ask Dr. Osprey
- Oddball Antics Mike Pinree
Senior Ospreys leave the nest
The University of North Florida draws in thousands of students every year from across the sunshine state. While the goals and majors of students may differ, most come in search of a sound education in the hopes of bettering their chances in the job market.
Majors and interests change, plans to complete a bachelor's in four years quickly spill over into five, and the constant juggle of classes with work and the rest of your life can make even the most steadfast of students consider trade school.
But ask any of the seniors graduating
May 4, and they'll likely say it's all
been worthwhile.
"I've had a damn good time," said William Fletcher, graduating senior and civil engineering major. "For me its been about the people I've met and the growing up I've done over the last five years," Fletcher said.
Fletcher said he had taken a full-time job in Jacksonville working for a company that funds small municipalities for infrastructure and any town building needs.
"I design water treatment and distribution systems for potable water," Fletcher said.
Where once the goal was to earn a degree, Fletcher has now set his sights on more
professional goals.
"In four years, I hope to pay off all my debt and obtain my professional engineers license," he said.
Other than paying off his debt, Fletcher said he was looking forward to work and "to possibly, in five years, be worth $100,000 and buy a sailboat, sail the Atlantic and anywhere else it might take me. But this is, of course, ideally," Fletcher said.
While many of the graduating seniors would go to great lengths to find a job as quickly as Fletcher, some are searching for
a different path.
Leilani Pasicolan, who is graduating with a degree in biology, has opted to join the Peace Corps. She said the process hasn't been easy.
"We had an essay portion, an application and an interview with the regional recruiter just to be nominated as a candidate for the Peace Corps," Pasicolan said. "Then you have to be medically cleared by every doctor you've ever seen for a two-year period," she said.
Pasicolan's own commitment runs so deep that she recently had all four of her wisdom teeth removed just to be eligible for service in Africa, her first choice destination.
Pasicolan said her decision to join the Peace Corps developed during her last year
at UNF.
"The first thing that motivated me was a class on the biology of AIDS. For the first time I saw how the AIDS virus was destroying Africa," Pasicolan said.
"I could easily cash in on my degree, but you have to do more than that in life. I'm a citizen of the world, and I figure I might as well help the world with the capabilities that I have. I believe in active engagement in helping to alleviate the worlds suffering. I want to reduce my fellow man's pain through active engagement."
Even with so much in front of her, Pasicolan still admits a little
sadness at leaving a place she's been at
for four years.
"Compared to larger universities, it's
a more personal education," Pasicolan said. "I've had a great education at UNF,
complete with good classmates and
a good environment."
Contact Ross Brooks at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Students get finals buzz from caffeine
It's that time of the school year again: final exams. So get your thinking cap on, your pencil sharpened, your notes together, your textbooks in tow and find a quiet place to study all night long.
Something's missing. Alas, it's that sleep-murdering, potent potion itself, the world's most
popular psychoactive drug - caffeine. There are no two ways about it: Caffeine is king. It is the world's premier drug of choice, eclipsing both nicotine and alcohol in annual consumption.
With the dual power to counter physical fatigue and increase alertness, caffeine is an extremely popular tool college students frequently use to aid in studying, with no time being more predominate than finals.
Four out of five college students consume caffeine on a daily basis, according to a recently published study released by the Department of Psychology at the University of New Orleans.
"Coffee is delicious and is perfect for any time and any place," said Beth Coulter, a freshman communications major and local Starbucks employee. "During finals time I tend to drink a lot more caffeine."
And so do most students at the University of North Florida. Because caffeine combats fatigue and improves performance on vigilance tasks like driving, flying, data entry, and solving simple math problems, it's no wonder many people, including UNF students, ingest mankind's favorite stimulant on a daily basis.
Effects from caffeine, however, don't peak until about an hour after it hits the bloodstream.
Jenn DePaul, store manager of the Starbucks at the St. Johns Town Center, said she would recommend coffee to students to stay alert during finals to "give them a buzz."
"When I was in school, that's all I drank," she said.
Also very popular among college students, are energy drinks like Red Bull.
These contain a plethora more caffeine than coffee, or even straight shots of espresso. But be forewarned - too much of these types of caffeinated beverages can lead to detrimental effects, even death, as was the case of a young Irish man who drank them to fuel his energy before a basketball game, and then collapsed.
If you prefer getting your caffeine-driven buzz from soda, Mountain Dew is the one for you as it contains more caffeine than any other soda brand.
But if you're a coffee drinker looking for more caffeine, the cheaper ones usually have more of it; they are made using a less costly bean, the Robusta, and more expensive, gourmet coffee is made with the Arabica bean. Robusta beans contain almost twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans do.
Robusta beans are used in brands such as Folgers, but in turn for getting more caffeine, you are giving up the better taste found from Arabica bean brewed coffee like Starbucks.
Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means it increases urine output, but only about the same as water would. Contrary to popular belief, our bodies retain as much fluid from caffeinated liquid as they do from water, according
to studies done at the University
of Connecticut's Human Performance Laboratory, which means caffeine is not dehydrating when taken in moderate amounts.
It also helps to relieve pain, thwart migraine headaches, reduce asthma symptoms, and elevate mood. It is also ergogenic, which improves physical performance and output.
Something this good must have some bad qualities about it, right? Caffeine, despite its nearly universal use, has rarely been abused.
One population study, though, said people who consume caffeine have higher rates of kidney, bladder and pancreatic cancers, and osteoporosis and fibrocystic breast disease, though these finding cannot prove that caffeine contributed or was to blame for these diseases either.
A day or so without caffeine can cause headaches, irritability, a lack of energy, and sleepiness - signs that you're going through symptoms of withdrawal.
These withdrawal symptoms tend to disappear in two to four days, but can last a week or more. The desire to avoid these withdrawal pangs might explain why people routinely drink it everyday.
"Use it [caffeine] sparingly," said Mathew Eccles, a junior history major and local Starbucks employee, "because too much at once is not good for you, and you can get addicted."
Plus, it can affect your sleep. As a wake-promoting therapeutic, it can immobilize your mind's ability to sleep, even if your body itself feels tired.
The human body will not function at its best physically, mentally
or emotionally without at least eight hours of sleep,
preferably nine.
So a cup of joe to go or no? Caffeine has an effect on everyone who ingests it, but the effects are different for every person. If it works for you and helps you study, then go ahead and indulge - but not too much of it.
If it doesn't, then maybe another stimulant or activity will help keep you awake in the wee, small hours of the morning while your eyes gaze over a semester's worth of notes and text.
Contact Jamie Williams at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Musician in tune with future
Alex Nguyen is one cool cat. Making his way though the University of North Florida Music Department, the senior music major has been amazing audiences for the better part of
a decade.
Nguyen holds the jazz trumpet chair in the department's Ensemble I. His talent won him the 2005 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition.
"Nguyen's sense of style is remarkably mature," said Dr. Randy Tinnin, an associate professor of trumpet. "His improvisation has been described as 'thoughtful,' 'mature,' and he's been called 'an old man's soul in a young man's body' by visiting artists."
Savannah-born Nguyen started playing jazz trumpet when he was 12 after a friend of his sister's told him he looked like a trumpet player. Some of his greatest influences are Miles Davis, Lee Morgan, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Art Farmer.
After attending a concert in Savannah where UNF music professors performed, he made the decision to apply to UNF. After being accepted to other schools around the country, including several in New York, he decided UNF was the best school for him to "re-learn" how to play the jazz trumpet.
"The university is definitely one of the best," Nguyen said. "A lot of great musicians have come through here."
Now with several performances under his belt, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and Savannah Onstage International Arts Festival, he is ready to take on New York. After graduating from UNF in May, he will either attend Queens or Purchase College for the fall semester.
"[Nguyen] holds a strong grip on the tradition of the past, yet always strives to push the music in new directions," said Alex LoRe, Nguyen's fellow band member and sophomore jazz education major. "His love for music combined with his dedication will lead him to become an inspiration for the upcoming generation of jazz musicians."
Nguyen sees a great future for himself, too. He said he hopes his musical growth will bring him a shared stage with some of the greatest jazz musicians to-date. Somewhere down this musical road, he hopes to return what has been given to him and become a teacher or mentor to young, aspiring musicians like himself.
Nguyen's senior recital is scheduled April 27 in the Fine Arts Building.
Contact Cristina Stebbins at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Artists' albums need saving
Student Opinion
A band's album is like an author's book. Whereas an author consciously puts one word in front of or behind another and thinks about the story's order, a band puts thought into the order songs appear on its album.
Bands intend for listeners to hear their songs in a particular order because sometimes the arrangement of the songs is meant to tell a story.
Thanks to music downloading - legal and illegal - the concept of the album is slowly getting lost.
Maybe someone heard a song he or she really liked on the radio or in a friend's car, so the listener went home, downloaded it and listened to it obsessively until it became played out.
The song is then tossed aside and forgotten.
If only people knew what they are missing out on by not hearing an album in its entirety.
There could be a track that would become a favorite song or would give them a new appreciation for the band they're
listening to.
But in a top 40 world where radio programming is ruled by what's "hot" and what's "not," and the same 10 songs are kept in constant rotation because they are the current chart-toppers, everyone is on the bandwagon and mainstream music fans don't have the courage to step off it and explore more than just
hit singles.
Mainstream music fans are annoying and are the reason why "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind got so overplayed on the radio in 1998 that for years afterward I had to skip track four on my all-time favorite band's debut album to avoid
a case of insanity brought on by redundancy.
But what annoys me more about mainstream music fans are their closed-minded approaches to music, to appreciating an album as a single work of art and not just a collection of 10 to 14 songs.
A whole-album kind of listener, gets pissed off when a band plays a live show but excludes his or her favorite song from the set list.
Only a true music fan who has heard a band's album in its entirety will obsess over a particular song, play it on repeat for hours because until holy crap - that band gets them, and
understands them.
I'm not knocking the idea of downloading music. I feel if people paid for their music and no one downloaded illegally, a good percentage of the bands out there wouldn't have gotten to where they are now.
The majority of people aren't willing to pay for an album by a band they've never heard before.
Finding a couple of tracks on the Internet to get an idea of how a band sounds is virtually effortless and costs nothing (unless you end up getting sued by the music industry for pirating music, in which case, congratulations on being one in millions of people to actually get caught).
It was a single phrase in a music magazine advertisement that caused me to dwell on this subject: save the album.
And I agree it needs saving.
If a band spent months and possibly years recording an album, paying for studio time, taking bullshit from a cocky, know-it-all music producer, don't you owe that band the simple respect of listening to their record?
Download the whole thing in its order. Maybe you could buy
it too.
Contact Kellie Conboy at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
"Hot Fuzz" blows audiences away
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Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) and Danny Butterman (Nick Frost) clean up the town in "Hot Fuzz." |
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Good: The movie is a fantastic parody that skewers every action film from "Point Break" to "Bad Boys 2." |
As the saying goes, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." British filmmakers Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright (from "Shaun of the Dead") give credence to this statement with "Hot Fuzz," a parodistic tribute to the action movie genre. While "Hot Fuzz" might mimic certain films from the blow-em-up genre, the film actually exceeds its source material in almost every aspect.
Pegg stars as Nicholas Angel, a staunchly by-the-book police officer with an astronomical arrest record. He is transferred from the big city to a sleepy English hamlet by his less-than superiors for making the force look bad in comparison.
Upon arriving in his new home, Angel begins to realize there is a sinister underbelly in the seemingly idyllic village. However, the local police are too preoccupied chasing wildlife to recognize a disturbing trend in the startling high "accident" rate.
Pegg plays the poker-faced Angel to a tee, avoiding the pitfalls of many of the leading men from movies "Hot Fuzz" is actually parodying. Starting out as an overly enthusiastic do-gooder, Angel eventually transforms into a gun-toting, tough-talking bad ass, as evidenced by the deep, intimidating bass his voice takes on toward the end of the film.
Playing second-fiddle to Pegg again is Nick Frost, the lovable oaf from "Shaun of the Dead." Frost doesn't have to expand his acting range much, as he portrays the portly sidekick once again. Instead of a lazy slacker trying to survive a zombie apocalypse, Frost takes a big leap by playing Danny Butterman, a lazy slacker who just happens to be
a fellow police officer and son of the local
police chief.
The supporting cast is rounded out by a veritable who's who of British cinema. Former James Bond Timothy Dalton, Bill Nighy, Paddy Considine and Jim Broadbent all take amusing turns in the comedy, foregoing Masterpiece Theatre for sight gags and one-liners.
Director Edgar Wright (who also wrote "Hot Fuzz" along with star Simon Pegg) utilizes visual cues from action genre notables like director Michael Bay and producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Joel Silver. Montages of Angel writing parking tickets and walking his beat are enhanced with sharp edits and pounding rock music, making a tongue-in-cheek reference to the high-adrenaline world in which action movie stars reside.
The movie's pacing does well to heighten the anticipation, because the first half of the film progresses like a BBC murder mystery. People are being killed off by exceedingly gruesome accidents, and Angel is the only officer who recognizes the grave nature of the situation. Once the culprits are revealed, the film takes a sharp turn into the land of big-budget Hollywood action.
Two-fisted shootouts and white-knuckle car chases become standard as Angel and Butterman try
to bring the murderous spree to an end. But,
instead of typical action movie mainstays like
villainous Easter European terrorists, "Hot Fuzz"
deviates from convention by having decidedly
geriatric antagonists.
It's rare that a film homage actually improves on the films it's miming. America has seen a glut of terribly unfunny pseudo-parodies ("Scary Movie," "Date Movie" and "Epic Movie" are all horrible movies), and "Hot Fuzz" serves as a welcome respite from any film involving a Wayans brother.
Contact Matt Coleman at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Genres mix in Arena
The University of North Florida Arena served as the backdrop April 21 for an eclectic concert featuring rapper Common and punk/ska band Less Than Jake.
The opening act of the show consisted of a trio of UNF students: sophomore music major and singer/guitarist Joe Gaskin, junior broadcast major and bassist Garnet Tipton, and
sophomore jazz studies major and drummer Nate Stokes.
The Spinnaker interviewed all of the performers.
Photos by Matt Coleman and Joao Bicalho
Common
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Spinnaker: How is the atmosphere different between shows at colleges and your normal concerts?
Common: Colleges are alive and they definitely have a good vibe going on. Over all, they're exciting crowds, and it just depends on where you're at and how loud they're going to get.
SP: You played tonight with Less Than Jake, and that's an interesting match-up. Are you used to performing with artists outside your genre?
C: We did something with OK Go. We opened for some groups outside of the genre, but OK Go is one of the groups I remember. We did some stuff with the Marley brothers, Jill Scott and Alicia Keys.
SP: What do you think of the current direction of the music industry, especially within the hip-hop scene, in regards to the focus on materialism and monetary gain?
C: That aspect of hip hop is a reflection of the world in a way. The world is really based on money hungry, money sucking people, and hip hop reflects that. I can't say that we can't take any responsibility, because as an artist, it's your responsibility to challenge yourself musically, and with every story you tell.
SP: What's the status of Finding Forever [Common's new album]? Who was involved with the production?
C: We're finishing the album right now. It's due out July 10. The first single is called "The People." We're feeling really excited about it, it's a powerful piece of work. Kanye [West] did most of the production. Me and Will.i.am did some, and so did J Dilla.
SP: I recently saw "Smoking Aces," and I was wondering how you became involved with the movie industry?
C: I just really started studying acting, taking my time and learning what it's about. I enjoy it so much and I'm very passionate about it. I started going on auditions and went out for "Smoking Aces" and the director considered me, I got a chance to go audition for him again. It was just a blessing. I got the movie and I felt so grateful.
SP: The movie turned out great, and thanks again for your time.
C: Much love, man.
Contact Matt Coleman at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Less Than Jake
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Spinnaker: Your band is from Gainesville, how do you like playing shows in your home state?
Roger Manganelli: I like it a lot. My sister is going to be at the show tonight, it's cool that we are close enough to visit.
SP: The show tonight has you performing before Common. Do you often play shows with artists outside of your genre?
RM: We don't play with other genres while we our on tour, but we do at these types of shows and during festivals in Europe. It's cool for a show like this because you get a diverse group of people coming out who become exposed to different music and bands.
SP: I hear that you recently played a six-day show in Florida where you played one of your albums in its entirety each day, and that you are planning to do this again in London. How did you think of this?
RM: There must have been drinking or drug use involved because it's a faulty idea. We had to re-learn something like 119 songs. We were trying to do something new and wanted to challenge ourselves.
SP: What are you doing to prepare for your tour with Reel Big Fish this summer?
RM: I haven't even thought about it because we are going to Brazil to do a tour on Monday. We are going to do five shows, and it's the going to be my first time playing there.
SP: How did you decide to go to Brazil?
RM: Our manager has an international background, so he set it up. Brazil has a good punk scene, and lots of bands that we like have been down there.
Contact Larel Wright at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Joe Gaskin
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Spinnaker: How are you guys feeling about playing tonight?
Joe Gaskin: Tense and hyped, this is our first show together.
Garnet Tipton: It's like that movie, "That Thing You Do."
SP: How did the Joe Gaskin band form?
JG: I hunted them all down; Nate was playing [drums] in the game room, so I asked him to join.
GT: I've played in bands before and their manager knew me and asked if I wanted to join.
SP: How are you guys feeling about opening for Less Than Jake and Common?
GT: Anxious and ready to do it. I walked up to the singer from Less Than Jake like it was nothing.
JG: It's pretty big league, my last actual show was two years ago.
SP: How would you describe your music?
JG: We sound like if you took Prince and Johnny Cash's love child and mixed it with Robert Johnson and a touch of blue grass, and then blur the edges of all that.
SP: How are you guys getting ready for the show tonight?
GT: Drinking Red Bull. But also midnight rehearsals, it's stressful because practices go on and so does normal life.
JG: I don't drink caffeine so I've been running around.
SP: How long has the band been together?
JG: We have only been together for only three weeks.
SP: What band would be in your dream performance?
GT: Guns N' Roses
Nate Stokes: Jay-Z
JG: Whoever wrote "Green Sleeves."
Contact Larel Wright at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
How do I create a resume?
Ask Dr. Osprey
This week, Valarie Robinson, the College of Arts and Sciences liaison for career services, gives some valuable tips on how to create a great resume.
Searching for your first career-related job or perhaps
a summer internship? Now is the time to design a quality resume for your job search.
A "quality resume" is one targeted toward the needs of the employer and their job description.
"Targeting your resume" means you provide the employer with "relevant details" concerning your experiences.
Here are some basic resume guidelines:
- Design a one-page resume unless you have significant experiences directly in-line with the job requirements.
- Design a resume that is visually appealing and easy to read. Use bold print, bullets and underlining to accentuate important details.
- Concerning experiences, use action words to communicate what you have accomplished, learned, or can apply in the position you seek. Never use personal pronouns. Instead
of writing my duties include," begin your statements
with words such as "design,
supervise, write and organize."
- Maintain a consistent layout. Use the same format from one section to another when it comes to aligning job titles, dates and locations.
- Make sure your resume is error-free. Have it critiqued by career services before you send it to the employer of your choice.
lThere are several "elements" or "topics" you can include on a resume. Examples are education, skills (technical, language, personal), related experience such as internships, class projects, research papers, or any experience that communicates your ability to do the job without a lot of training.
Additional experience, certifications, and special interests that relate to the organization and its line of business are other elements or topics to consider having on your resume.
More information is available at career services in Founders Hall, room 2086 or room 2039 or by visiting www.unf.edu/dept/cdc/.
Click the "Edge" icon located on the bottom right side of the Career Services' "Students Welcome Page" or contact career services at 904-620-2955
to schedule an appointment
with a liaison for more
individualized assistance.
Contact Dr. Osprey at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Oddball Antics
PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE PAKALOCO
Police in Durant, Okla., encountered a heavily intoxicated woman walking down the middle of the street at 5:20 in the morning. One of the cops, who said she "did not have any normal behavior," asked her if she was high on any kind of drug, to which she replied, "I am. It's the Holy Spirit and a little bit of marijuana."
UH, SIR, THERE'S A SLIGHT PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR
While a couple was on a three-week vacation in Australia, thieves broke into their car, which was parked in front of their home in Streatham, England. Since the rear window was smashed, police towed the vehicle to the impound lot. Then, for some reason, officials there crushed it into a cube.
YOU'RE HERE TO BAIL OUT WHO? AND YOUR NAME?
When a man was arrested for drunk driving in DeQueen, Ark., for a second time, he identified himself to police as his brother. Alas, the ruse fell apart when he called his brother to come and bail him out.
THE PLAN IS FOOLPROOF, MY FRIEND
A man bought 175 chameleons in Bangkok from a man who told them that they would change color to make themselves invisible against any background making it easy for him to smuggle them out of the country. The man was arrested the airport in Zagreb, Croatia, when a customs agent noticed to top of a bag he was carrying appeared to be moving.
I'M THE MAN AND I HAVE SPOKEN .... NOOOO! ARGGHHHH!
During a disagreement with his two wives over how to divide up his property, a man in Saudi Arabia jokingly threatened to marry a third wife. In response, the two women attacked him and one bit off part of his nose.
IT'S CALLED MULTI-TASKING, OFFICER
A drunk driver crashed his car on a Florida road. Police said the accident occurred when the man tried to snort cocaine and drink some whiskey while rounding a curve.
I'D LIKE TO GET THE DAY OFF, BUT HOW?
In order to get out of working a Saturday shift at her job at a credit card service center in Omaha, Neb., a woman called in a bomb threat. She was arrested.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE