Friday, October 21, 2005 Picking the perfect pumpkin The air is beginning to feel crisper, the days are becoming short er and the leaves on the trees have already begun changing into beautiful hues of ruby, amber and gold. It is the season of Autumn Autumn is the time of year when many people like to go on hay rides, apple picking and even carve pumpkins for Halloween. Picking the right pumpkin to carve is no easy task. It has to be just right, not too big, but not too small either. It can't be too round, but it also cannot be flat. These were some of the criteria that the Penn State students who live in Senat Hall had for the free pump kin carving that was held in the Senat Lobby Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event was sponsored by the Resident Assistants of Senat Hall. There were 45 residents who signed up h participate in the free event, which involved the massive heap of pumpkins that lay on the floor of the lobby. There were many different types of jack-o-lanterns being carved, ranging from the traditional triangle-eyes, nose and one-toothed smile to ones that were the creation of the carver. A few of the stu dents decided to make it a team effort, making a design plan of what each member wanted to see in the pumpkin before any cut ting took place. A lot of time and effort was put into those pump kins, but there was also room for fun. The pumpkin carving is just the beginning for the students. The finished products are going to he put on display during the Trick or-Treat Program that Senat Hall is also holding. The Trick-or- Treat Program is for children of the Make a Wish Foundation. It allows the kids from the foundation and their parents to dress up and safely go door to door in the dorms for trick or treating. Jeff Barber, the coordinator of both events said that there would be about 60 kids coming to trick-or -treat, which will be held this Saturday evening from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The students will be able to decorate their own halls in preparation for the kids visit. The smell of Autumn was definitely in the air, with the scent of freshly cut pumpkins lingering around the lobby. Just looking around and peering though the glass windows, seeing the colored leaves on the trees blowing in the wind in the courtyard behind Bruno's was a nice reminder that Autumn has arrived. So let us celebrate by grabbing a carefully chosen pumpkin and a carving tool to join in on the fun of Autumn. Office Relationships: Proceed with caution Interoffice relations, a no no or a go go? In my years as an employee for several different companies, I have noticed that many people do not fear what will happen in the work place if they decide to carry on with a relationship. Most of the time, these relationships are spur of the moment and very impulsive. Things are not always thought out and consequences arc not always taken into account. Not only do these relationships cause issues for employers, but also for fellow employees. What would happen if the two people in the relationship were to break up? Sides would be taken and people would almost be forced to remain with one side or the other, creat ing even more tension if those sides became hostile and hateful. Having an inter office relationship can also lead to burned bridges. Burned bridges are never good if you plan on networking. If the two people engaged in the relationship ended it with anger and resentment, the two people will take mutual co workers for their sides and the people on opposite sides will probably not want to help you later on down the road. I have had two interoffice relations myself and I can honestly say that no strains or tensions came from them. However, shortly after one of my relations ended, I had to leave my job to start college. The other one just sort of fizzled out and we remained friends. Although, I have been in work environments where there were relations going on around me and i felt very uneasy at times. I found myself watch ing what I said and walking on egg shells. In a work environment where you are supposed to feel comfortable, it is inappropriate for coworkers to non-verbally ask you to just accept their relation with a smile and assume that since you are not involved, you have no qualms about being put in the middle of the whole situation. An interoffice relationship is not hard to develop. If you have feelings for someone, the feelings are not likely to go away with a snap of the fingers. It is very easy to get these types of feelings, and in a way it is convenient. You see that person almost every day and have some type of a bond with him or her already. It is easy to let these feelings blossom, but always be sure that you know what you're getting yourself into. I say, if you're going to have a relationship with someone you work with, you should have consideration for the your co workers. You should never go into a relationship knowing very well that it could not only jeopardize your job, but also your co workers' and the other person you had the relationship with. Also, if you are in a work environment that you plan on being in for a while, you should have priorities. If you are willing to have a rela tionship in the work place, then you have to be prepared to face the possible outcomes. As adults, we should be responsible, and if we do so choose to have a relationship with someone we work with, then we should very well keep it as low on the radar as possible so as not to put co workers in a sticky situation. Money for College The Army is currently offering sizable bonus es of up to $20,000. In addition to the cash bonuses, you may qualify for up to $70,000 for college through the Montgomery GI Bill and Army College Fund. Or you could pay back up to $66,000 of qualifying student loans through the Army's Loan Repayment Program. To find out more, call (814) 868-9979. sir :::) By Anthony Cianciosi staff writer auc 164 Or psusedu By Jennifer Haight news editor newseditor@ nsu.edu P 1,11) Ei\irr L 1 CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Charlotte Froom (Bass), Tennessee Thomas (Drums) and Z (Guitar/ Vocals) lerform sons from their new album. left to ri_ht The Like hit the mainstream scene It's all very surreal: three young women, who've been playing and performing in a hand together since their mid-teens. gradu ate from high school in 2004, sign a major label album contract, tour with mutli-plat inum it-hand Maroon 5 and 0.C.-favorites Phantom Planet, record their debut with leg endary musicians who've worked with Bikini Kill. Nine Inch Nails, and Smashing Pumpkins, and release Arc You Thinking What I'm Thinking in the summer of 2005 to critical praise. Naturally, however, the trio was concerned that trading their indie rock roots for the mainstream scene .would he their curtain call. "There was a hit of the old 'we're selling our souls' concern, - reveals lead singer Z Berg, "hut then I remembered that I'd sold my soul in ninth grade for history notes or something so I wasn't too worried about it. - And that's where it all began, in high school, when Berg joined bassist Charlotte Froom and drummer Tennessee Thomas to form the Like. After selling their own self-produced Homecomming shows the Heart of the Lion By Heidi Weismiller hmw50260 pstLedu There is one thing on the mind of every Penn State student as the week-long celebration kicks off on Monday October 24: Lion Pride. The antici ation will continue to build leading up to this weekend, which will be jam packed with fun. Since their election only weeks after last year's celebration, the 2005 homecoming committee has been working hard to plan a memorable week for everyone. "We have a great committee that has been working very hard," said Homecoming Overall Chairperson, Tara Burnham. The theme of this year's homecoming will he "Heart of the Lion." Burnham said that the theme was created so everyone would be included. Burnham feels that, in the past, homecom ing celebrations have focused mostly on the Greek community, and this year she hopes to make events more inclusive. "I am very passionate about all Penn Staters being able to come together and celebrate who we are," said Burnham. The 2005 Homecoming Committee wants to, above all, unify students, alumni, faculty, staff and community. They also want to honor a tradition of excellence and embrace Nilan) Lion pride and glory. The com mittee feels that this event will promote spirit, unity, and diver- By Sean Mihlo music columnist sillm4X(Ra ps,ti.e(lll staff writer CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Students showcasing Homecomming 2005's design created by Quentin Chan records at local gigs in L.A. and through their wchsite. the girls decided that signing with Geffen would ultimately lead to more opportunities. "It meant that we would he able to go on tour and make a real record and everything which obviously outweighs the whole soul thing." Berg says. In the spring of 2005, the Like entered Sunset Sound Studios in L.A., home to rock alumni the Rolling Stones and the Doors, to lay down tracks for their first record. Wendy Melvoin, of Prince and the Revolution fame, produced the hand's debut along with co producer John Goodmanson. "We got really lucky that those people actually agreed to work with us," Berg explains. But the real surprise was yet to come. After production had wrapped,. the band flew to legendary producer/engineer Alan Moulder's Assault and Battery studio in London to mix the album. "When we said we wanted Alan Moulder to mix our record we never thought that would actually happen," she says, "But it did." Then, in September of this year, the Like released Arc You Thinking What I'm Thinking, a compelling hybrid of dream pop and brit-rock, angst and beauty. Their sity. They also believe that it is important to celebrate the living legacy of Penn State's past, pres ent and future. Along with the theme and its purpose comes the design. This year's design was created by senior graphic designer, Quentin Chan. The committee chose his design because they felt it showed unity by incorporating a subtle heart design into a simple drawing of a lion. Chan said, "The lion represents all the stu dents, faculty and alumni. It is coming back to Penn State, which is the heart of all the pride that we have for our school." The festivities will begin on 1.1 ida). Oct. 28 with an ice cream social at Hintz Family Alumni Center from I p.m. to 4 p.m. The homecoming parade Fyn I - I 111 will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. immediatly followed by a pep rally and the coronation of the king and queen at Old Main Patio. Commonwealth students from branch campuses who have signed up ahead of time will have the opportunity for a "slcepovcr" Building. Space was limited, however, and unfortunately the spots filled up quickly. Relations University Chairperson, Deanna Nacreiner, said it was a great turnout and they hope to be able to do some thing like this on a larger scale in the future, possibly providing tickets. Nacreiner said, "We instated this idea because a lot of the time students can't afford a place to stay or they do not know anyone to stay with and The Behrend Beacon I first single. "What I Say and What I Mean," was originally released on one of the band's self-released EPs, but re-worked, sounds impeccable: a floating vocal delivery hacked with dark, drone-y guitars recalling the Cure and drums that steadily huff and puff for nearly three minutes straight. The single serves as a precursor to the record's gloomy song-stylings and love-soaked lyrics. After the record was released, the band was invited to open for Southern brothers Kings of Leon on their fall trek across the States, much to the delight of the band. "Touring rules!" says Berg. "We're just get ting started, so it's still very exciting." When the aforementioned. tour ybfraps,4k...4lol, week, the ladies will head over to Europdidt three weeks beginning in early November; it will he their first full-fledged overseas tour. And nearly four years after playing their first gig, the Like continues to enjoy the notion of packing-up and performing live. "Every day is an adventure... sometimes a dreadfully monotonous one, but an adven ture all the same," says Berg. we wanted to eliminate this problem." Burnham believes that by providing a place for the Commonwealth students from branch campuses to stay, they are helping to include more peo ple and unify Penn Staters. On Saturday, Oct. 29, students will have the opportunity to join in a brunch tailgate at the Shields Building park ing lot beginning at 9 a.m. Nachrciner said, "Look for the large homecoming ban ner marking the tailgate spot." Bagels, sandwiches, fruit and juice will be served. There will be food for over 100 people, and the committee encourages any Penn State students to take advantage of the free food. Then, of course, the Penn State Nitany Lions will face off against Purdue at 3:30 p.m. in a packed Beaver Stadium. The committee is in the process of tying up a few loose ends before the excitement begins. "We arc on the edge of our seats waiting for the events to happen," said Burnham. She explained that everyone is a little tired and worn out but very excited to see their plans execut ed. Nachrciner said, "I am thrilled at the way everything is turning out and it seems to be going smoothly." White The entire homecoming com mittee hopes that it is a great experience for everyone involved. They encourage all students to participate as much as possible, have fun and show their "Lion Pride."
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