Friday, October 22, 2004

by Alex Glick
Sports Editor

No matter how much Swatties like the outdoors, it is hard to deny that the weather has been kind of muggy recently and that it is beginning to get colder with each passing week. Even those who like walking may soon succumb to taking the shuttle. With a majority of the Daily Gazette staff living in Mary Lyon and PPR, we would like to provide some insight on taking the shuttle. With that in mind, we spoke to ML resident Andrew Abdalian ’06 while waiting for the shuttle on a misty Thursday night.

Daily Gazette: How often do you ride the shuttle?

Andrew Abdalian: I ride the shuttle at least once a day. I always ride it home. Every now and then I wake up early enough to ride it to campus.

DG: When would you ride the shuttle instead of walk?

Andrew: If it’s a really nice day out and I don’t have a lot to carry, I’d walk. Otherwise, my laziness gets the best of me, and I take the shuttle.

DG: What would you say to people that don’t really ride the shuttle?

Andrew: I’d say give it a try. I don’t think you guys know what you’re missing. You’re missing some quality transportation.

DG: Have you been happy with the service so far this year?

Andrew: Except for the one time that the shuttle wasn’t running, I’ve been quite pleased with it. I’d give it a definite A-.

DG: Have the shuttles been arriving on time?

Andrew: They’ve been pretty good. If one is late, another one is there to pick up the slack.

DG: What can be done to improve service?

Andrew: I could go for a leather interior and some heated seats.

DG: What would be good snacks to serve on the shuttle?

Andrew: Swedish fish: they taste even better when you’re riding at 30 miles an hour.

DG: If you could be driven between any two places on campus, what would they be?

Andrew: I would say the Science Center and Sharples.

DG: The sides of some of the vans say that only ten people are allowed to ride in a shuttle at once. How many people do you think could fit in at a time?

Andrew: If you’re talking about 1950s style, like how many people can cram into a VW Bug, I’d say a good 30 to 35 people.

DG: If you could replace the current shuttle with any vehicle, what kind would you pick?

Andrew: I’d pick a convertible land speeder. A Star Wars land speeder with a capacity of 20 would be an excellent way to travel.

DG: If you could pick anyone from the Swarthmore community to be your shuttle driver, who would it be?

Andrew: The Willets cat.

DG: What would be the best theme song for the shuttle if it had one?

Andrew: It depends on the driver. Sometimes it could be “Highway to the Dangerzone.” Other times “Magical Mystery Tour” would be ok.

DG: Thanks very much.

Andrew: No problem.

After personally waiting for the shuttle for almost forty minutes, including the time of this interview, we were informed by Public Safety that there was no shuttle driver at the moment and that one would arrive in about ten minutes. On the way back to ML, we again spoke with Andrew.

DG: How do you feel about the shuttle now?

Andrew: I feel betrayed. I feel hurt and angry and a little bit vindictive.

While this reporter did have to walk home, it is ironic to note that I did see the shuttle on Thursday night…it caught my eye as it passed me less than a minute before I got back to the dorm.

*****

by Victoria Swisher
Living and Arts Editor

After a break from school, we Swatties have returned to campus, asking ourselves, “Is this really it?” But wait: Philadelphia and the ‘burbs await you! Make use of Septa and take advantage of the variety of entertainment waiting to be enjoyed.

If you want to try some place other than Philly, go to Bryn Mawr! The Point, a sort of coffee house that offers live acoustic acts, is located closer to Villanova University than Bryn Mawr College (so some creative use of the bus system might be in order).

Did you know that Media has a theater? Neither did I. Go see “Cabaret” (http://www.mediatheatre.com/), and then walk up and down the main street in Media to choose from a variety of restaurants for dinner after the show.

If you have your heart set on going into Philadelphia, I suggest the White Dog Cafe for an alternative dining experience. Purporting to be “known for our unusual blend of award-winning cuisine and social activism, the cafe presents numerous events throughout the year which please palates while raising consciousness.” The cafe offers live music on weekend evenings and hosts events centering on social activism. They also use organic and free-range ingredients in all of their international dishes. It’s located in University City, so a quick trip on the R3 to the University City stop is an easy way to get there. For more information, go to http://www.whitedog.com.

Have a relaxing weekend. Remember that there is life outside the Swat bubble.

*****

* Even as the eyes of the country remain on the presidential race, governors’ races in several states remain tight. Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, and Washington are all considered battleground states in the fight to become governor, even though some aren’t considered swing states for the presidency. Voters in those states are increasingly focusing on local issues like education and unemployment, rather than the twin issues of war and terrorism that are driving the presidential race.

* With nationwide elections only three weeks away, Carlos Valenzuela, chief United Nations elections officer in Iraq, says that preparations for the election are underway. The government has already set up a list of 14 million voters, set up 550 voting registration sites, and hired 6,000 staffers. In summing up the preparations, Mr. Valenzuela said “so far, so good…there will be problems. It’s always like this. But it is possible to do it.”

* On the same day in Baghdad, US officials announced that they were beginning to establish a portrait of the insurgency that has continued to wreak havoc on American troops. The insurgency is most likely far larger than previously imagined, with the hard-core resisters consisting of between 8,000 and 12,000 people. The number swells to more than 20,000 when sympathizers or covert accomplices are included. Earlier reports had held that the insurgents did not number more than 7,000.

* The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Edogan, toured Europe on Thursday to try and gain support for his country’s membership in the European Union. He objected to several countries’ plans to hold domestic referendums on his country’s future. France, in particular, has been a strong supporter of the referendum plan, with French president Jacques Chirac urging a constitutional amendment requiring it. But Mr. Erdogan protested, saying that no other candidates for the EU had been threatened with the possibility of a referendum.

*****

Friday:

Thesis Writing Workshop
Writing Center (Trotter 120), 12:30 p.m.

Open Access
Cornell Library, 1:00 p.m.

Muslim Students Association
Kohlberg 226, 5:00 p.m.

Ruach Friday night services
Bond Memorial Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Letta Neely poetry reading
Kohlberg Scheuer Room, 7:00 p.m.

“Performing Ecstasy: Poetics and Politics of Religion in South Asia” concert: Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik
Pearson Hall Theatre, 7:00 p.m.

Movie showing: The Terminal
Science Center 199, 7:30 p.m.

Film showing: Coffee and Cigarettes
Intercultural Center, 8:00 p.m.

Anime showing: Last Exile 14-17
Kohlberg 228, 8:00 p.m.

Tempesta di Mare concert
Lang Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m.

Olde Club show: Alphabet Army and Apollo Sunshine
Olde Club, 10:00 p.m.

Gay Olympics party
Paces, 10:00 p.m.

Saturday:

Jumble Sale
Friends Meeting House, 9:00 a.m.

“Performing Ecstasy: Poetics and Politics of Religion in South Asia” symposium
LPAC Cinema, 10:30 a.m.

Capoeria lesson
Upper Tarble, 4:00 p.m.

ML & Community Potluck/Barbecue
Mary Lyons, 5:00 p.m.

Men’s soccer tailgate party
Behind Sharples, 5:00 p.m.

Voter Outreach Cell Phonebanking
Bond Memorial Hall, 5:30 p.m.

“Performing Ecstasy: Poetics and Politics of Religion in South Asia” dance concert: Mallika Sarabhai and the Darpana Ensemble
Pearson Hall Theatre, 7:00 p.m.

Free Culture Victory Party and film Showing: “Amid the Dead” by Kate Duffy ’05 and Eric Osheim ’03
SCCS Media Lounge, 7:30 p.m.

Movie showing: The Terminal
Science Center 199, 7:30 p.m.

Trees Not Walls: Eco-Justice in Palestine Concert
WRC, 8:00 p.m.

Grapevine concert
Belltower, 8:30 p.m.

Bungalow 8
Olde Club, 10:00 p.m.

El Carnival
Paces, 10:00 p.m.

Sunday:

Coming Out Week picnic
Parrish Lawn, 11:00 a.m.

Mallika Sarabhai workshop
Troy Dance Lab, 1:00 p.m.

SPC Singalong
Bond Memorial Hall, 4:30 p.m.

Documentary showing: “Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry”
LPAC Cinema, 9:00 p.m.

*****

SPORTS UPDATE

by Jonathan Ference
News Editor

On a cold and wet afternoon on the beautiful Bryn Mawr campus just off the Main Line, the Garnet Tide field hockey team took it to the Bryn Mawr Owls, handily winning a 4-0 decision. Despite slow and muddy field conditions and somewhat sloppy play by both teams, the Garnet were able to settle into a rhythm and dominate their opponents, outshooting them 17-7.

Swarthmore made it clear that control belonged to them early on in the game, and Julia Morrison ’07 put a shot past Owl keeper Aquila Alexander in the 9th minute to put the Garnet on the board. Bryn Mawr struggled to find its offensive legs, though the slow pace of the ball clearly posed a challenge to both teams. The Owls nearly evened the score on a breakaway with a little over 22 minutes remaining in the first half, but the finishing shot went wide.

The Garnet added another tally as Lindsay Roth ’07 took advantage of the confusion in an overloaded penalty to drive home a pass from Morrison. Swat continued to dominate possession, keeping starting goalie Karen Lorang ’07 from having to make a save in the first half. The same was not true for Bryn Mawr’s Alexander, who had to turn away several quality shots, including one hard hit ball from Neema Patel ’07 at 13:55 in the first. Though their transition game was slow to reach full speed, Swarthmore clearly outlegged Bryn Mawr, and the superb defensive play of Julie Monaghan ’07 and Chloe Lewis ’06 kept the Owls from mounting anything resembling an offense. The Garnet carried a 2-0 lead into the half.

In the second half, Bryn Mawr began to come alive, but Swarthmore proved absolutely able to match their intensity. Melissa LaVan ’07 got the start in goal and was forced to make six saves, a task she accomplished with ease. The Garnet Tide were unable to convert three early penalty corners, but the team managed to weave through the slightly more lively Owl defense for a penalty corner at 23:08 that captain Emily Szdylowski ’05 converted off assists by Patel and Julia Lindenberg ’05.

Bryn Mawr started to threaten to score late in the game, taking two serious shots in the 18th minute that LaVan stopped. Swarthmore switched to a mostly defensive style, though Alexander was still forced to the ground several times to keep Swarthmore from adding another score. Captain Katherine Athanasiades ’05 did just that, however, coming off the bench to slip a penalty stroke high to Alexander’s right with 0:48 to play. Lorang and LaVan split the honors for the 4-0 shutout.

Though Swarthmore moves to just 2-5 in conference, they are now 7-6 overall going into a conference game at Muhlenberg on Saturday.

*****

by Cara Tigue
Gazette Reporter

The women’s volleyball team beat the Ursinus Bears in 3 games last night at Tarble Pavilion. Despite the Bears’ inching back a couple of times, the Garnet dominated for the majority of the evening.

Swarthmore took the first game 30-15 on superb serving from Erica George ’07 and quality hitting from Katie Gold ’08 and Natalie Dunphy ’05. In the second game, the Bears appeared to be giving a Swat a run for their money as they got within one point of the Garnet, making the score 19-18. However, co-captain Emily Conlon ’06 pulled the team together and muscled out a hard-fought 30-24 win. The third game was all Swarthmore as Conlon served for 3 consecutive aces. Krista Spiller ’06 and Karen Berk ’08 also made important offensive contributions as the Garnet put away the Bears 30-18.

Conlon finished the match with 28 assists, 9 digs, and 6 kills. George also contributed 12 kills, 10 digs and 4 aces for her 16th double-double of the season. Patrice Berry ’06 backboned the defensive effort for Swat with 10 digs. This Centennial Conference win improves Swarthmore’s CC record to 2-6. The team is 9-15 overall and will next face Muhlenberg Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Allentown.

*****

Today:
Women’s Frisbee at Rutgers Tournament

Tomorrow:
Women’s Frisbee at Rutgers Tournament
Women’s Soccer hosts Dickinson, 12:00 p.m.
Field Hockey at Muhlenberg, 1:00 p.m.
Volleyball at Muhlenberg, 1:00 p.m.
Men’s Soccer hosts McDaniel, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday:
There are no contests scheduled for Sunday.

*****

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I had general amnesia for my surgery. It’s so weird. You go to sleep in one room and then wake up four hours later in a totally different room. Just like college “
–Ross Shafer

*****

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