Centre College Horoscopes from Fred LaPasada
The Spring cash crunch strikes again
Spring break is coming–are love handles going?
“Healing Journey” convo heals some old wounds
Busy time of year for Student Congress
Relax and enjoy it while you can...
Dominic Barbato
Features Co-editor
It’s hard to believe, but another year at Centre is once again nearing its end. I don’t know where the time goes, but it sure seems to fly by nowadays.
It feels like just yesterday that I arrived at Centre for my sophomore year. I can still remember the walk to the post office that first day back. It was so great to see all the familiar faces and hear the friendly "welcome backs" from friends.
Centre is an odd phenomenon. When you are here, it feels as though you have been here for an eternity, but the moment you leave you feel like you just got here.
This year was unique for me. I have always been a busy and active person, but this year has set a new record. Going from 8 a.m. until 2 and 3 a.m. the next day nonstop didn’t seem that bad.
But, it did catch up with me eventually, and for the first time since the summer, I was finally forced to slowdown when I got sick with mono in the winter term. For the first time, I had to MAKE time to relax.
It occurred to me that college is a place where you can start over, be who you want to be, find out who you are. I am of the philosophy that you should make full use of your time here at this fine institution. Being active and involved in campus life is an excellent chance to develop skills that will be useful later in life. To tell you the truth, I love to be busy and going nonstop.
Having mono killed me. I can only imagine the look on my face in the Parson’s Wellness Centre that day when Alice told me I needed to slow down.
I felt useless sitting around doing nothing. All I could keep thinking of was all the stuff I HAD to be doing and how I didn’t have time to be sick.
However, I realized that the world keeps on spinning with or without you. Meetings don’t get cancelled, deadlines still get met, time marches on.
I guess the whole point of this article is just to remind everyone to slow down every now and again. College is supposed to be one of the best times of our life, and my time here at Centre is almost half over already!
I guess I am saying that every once in a while it is okay to take a break. If that means skipping a workout one day, or not going to a meeting that you think you have to attend, or even putting off that homework for an hour to watch some television, then so be it.
Now, I suppose that the opposite is true and that some people just sit around all the time.
But at Centre, I think it is so easy to get caught up in the rush, that we fail to make time to do the things we enjoy, whether it be watching television, reading that magazine subscription that has been sitting on your shelf since Christmas, playing basketball with some friends or just shooting the shit with that person you haven’t seen since fall term.
College is supposed to be about hard work and finding out what you’re made of but don’t run yourself into the ground and forget to have some fun every now and again! Sometimes by the time the weekend rolls around all I care to do is sleep! That is definitely not cool.
In any case, make the most of the last two months of this academic year–enjoy life while you are still young. Spring is here and the sound of summer is just around the corner.
And of course, don’t forget Spring Break. Whether it be going home or heading to Cancun, make the most of the down time–hang out, enjoy the weather, get tan, whatever.
I guess what I’ll be doing over the break is the same thing my younger brother says to me every time I call to ask him what’s up … "Nothing", he says, "just chillin’ B." Back to top...
Centre College Horoscopes from Fred LaPasada
(Note: The author of this horoscope has not yet received his license to practice astrology, so take his predictions with a grain of salt.)
ARIES (Mar. 21—Apr. 19)
You will see a tall bearded man walking along the side of the road and carrying a briefcase. Don’t talk to him or make eye contact, though. He is a Bible salesman, which is fine, except that he uses the profits for unholy means.
TAURUS (Apr. 20—May 20)
There is a problem in your personal life that you don’t feel comfortable discussing with anyone. The Bible salesman mentioned in ARIES will be able to help you. Travel to the road of the high plain and seek him out.
GEMINI (May 21—Jun. 21)
Prepare for a great success in the upcoming week. Enveloped in a luminous cloak of gaiety and mystical charm, and you will feel as if nothing can harm you. Take heed, as you are wrong. VIRGO involved.
CANCER (Jun. 22—Jul. 22)
The quarrel with a loved one that you are involved with will come to an end, for better or for worse. Any ill will wished towards this person will come back to haunt you. Kill them with kindness.
LEO (Jul. 23—Aug. 22)
You are a lover of animals, but not for much longer. Be prepared for an attack by a rabid pet. The outcome of this mauling is cloudy, but amputation will likely be involved. Intimate encounter with LIBRA is likely this week.
VIRGO (Aug. 23—Sep. 22)
In a tragic accident, you will unfortunately be the cause of manslaughter. While talking to your friend in the backseat, you mow down a drifter with a briefcase. Bibles will be thrown everywhere. Try to avoid driving.
LIBRA (Sep. 23—Oct. 22)
During an upcoming intimate engagement with your significant other, you will notice a slight foaming at the mouth. Beware of your now one-armed lover, as they have been stricken with hydrophobia. Watch out for LEO.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23—Nov. 21) You have been working too much lately. In order to avoid burn out, toss a fresh bag of buttery popcorn in the microwave and pop in your favorite movie, “My Giant.” Let the comedic styling of Billy Crystal ease your tensions.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22—Dec. 21)
You will have trouble concentrating in your room this week because of the noise from next door. Your neighbor is watching some "Giant" movie with some foreign basketball player named Muresan. Put on some headphones, or the sound track might take you straight to a "D" in your early morning class.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22—Jan. 19)
Watch out for your SCORPIO professor. Before the week is out, you will receive a pop quiz over a subject that hasn’t even been breached in any lectures or reading. It has something to do “My Giant.” Be vague with all of your essay answers and go for partial credit.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20—Feb. 18)
A recent financial loss will be recovered within the next two weeks. A close friend will ask to borrow the funds, but refuse him/her, or your loss will be permanent. To avoid further begging, smack him/her with a wet sock containing two billiard balls–the eight ball and the six ball. Expect the sock to be stretched and unwearable.
PISCES (Feb. 19—Mar. 19)
You will soon become the center of attention amongst your classmates. Sadly, the attention is coming from a t-shirt you choose to wear which reads "I’m at the top of the cool chain." You thought it was cool when you bought it. Burn it when you realize your mistake. Never buy clothes from “Krogers” again. Back to top...
The Spring cash crunch strikes again
Ben Costley
Features Co-editor
The ocean waters are warming up, and the freshly sunned beaches are ready for the stomping of Centre feet. With less than a month to go before Spring Break, there should be only one thing on the minds of students–start saving your money.
We are once again at that dreaded time of the year when the cash crunch strikes the hardest. For most of us, that refund check is still a few weeks away, and summer savings are all but gone.
Those weekend trips to Lexington and excursions to the Danville Bowl-a-rama through the fall and winter have left their mark on our savings and checking accounts.
Besides running low on cash, there are some big cash events right around the corner. How on God’s green earth are you going to pay for your spring break, flings, crushes and formals?
Mom and Dad are tired of dropping money in the bank and sending checks in the mail, so it’s time to think of something different.
Luckily, there are lots of ways to cut corners and scrape together a few bucks in order to make ends meet. Here are a few tips to stretch out your dough and leave a little something for Spring Break.
First of all, going out to eat has to stop. For the most part, we’ve all have a meal plan, so we’re just going to have to suck it up–all your friends will be in Cowan anyway.
If you are desperate for non-Aramark food, you can always sneak over to Wal-Mart and pick up a six-pack of Easy-Mac.
You could even splurge and pick up a delicious deli sandwich for only $5.98. If you play your cards right, that hoss of a hoagie will feed you for three days.
This is also a good time of year for what I like to call "creative dating." This is a tough one because of the inherent blow-up-in-your-face potential. Trust me–no girl is going to like the airport observatory date.
However, with a little thought, anyone can really pull off this idea. Freshmen Lee Boyd, for example, says, "taking a girl on a nice hike is one of the most pleasurable experiences a man can have in life."
There are lots of places to walk or visit around Danville that are aesthetically pleasing. A comfortable stroll down Lexington Avenue and through Constitution Square on a calm sunny afternoon can be so much better than any movie.
Go out to the park and have a picnic, but beware, as Outkast warns: "You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather."
As the weather continues to improve, there are countless activities on campus in which one can get involved.
Get your friends together and play some ultimate Frisbee. There’s no law that says you have to be athletic to go outside and have a good time.
There are lots of things you can do that won’t wear you out in a soaking sweat. Break out the pitching wedge and go to town in the backyard.
If you don’t have one, then borrow one. Participating in these types of gatherings in place of going out on the town is a surefire way to pad the wallet.
But who am I kidding? This is the pot calling the kettle black. I can’t give up my Friday night meals or weekday movie rentals, and I’m sure that some of you are just like me. So what do you do to finance these outside-your-budget expenses?
The answer is actually pretty simple. Pick up some odd jobs–they are all over campus. There’s a Phone-a-thon coming up in the alumni office. Put in about three hours for one or more nights, and you can make some easy money.
You are helping your school and yourself. If you take a few friends down with you the time flies by, and it can be quite a bit of fun.
There are activities like this going on all the time. Call the Danville Country Club and see if you can do some valet parking.
Pick up a blue-sheet job on campus somewhere. It’s easiest to justify spending money outside of your budget when you add extra income.
The last place anyone wants to cut money from is the Spring Break budget, so go out and get a head start. Putting in the time now will be so worth it once you hit the road to the beach. Back to top...
Spring break is coming–are love handles going?
Nate Kissel
Cento Columnist
The weather is starting to warm up, and we all know what that means. It’s almost Spring Break, when each of us can throw down the books and retreat to the happiness of laying around on the beach and showing off our attractive, perfect bodies, while enjoying the attractive bodies of others…
Okay, for those of you whom the last statement was true, this article is not for you. Go away and never ever speak to me again.
For the rest of us, this time of the year brings about the same mad dash for quick fitness every time. We all want to look good for the opposite sex and ourselves on Spring Break, and we all want it IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS!
Have you noticed? I’m sure you have. In the last few weeks, more and more people are out jogging after classes. With determination and willpower in their eyes, like Rocky in the scene where he runs up the steps, they continue each day, hoping and praying that those love handles will disappear mysteriously and miraculously before they have to squeeze into last year’s suit.
And the gym is just as bad. It’s almost as crowded in there as after New Years, when everyone is trying desperately to cling to those resolutions.
Cowan has become a wasteland, as the salad bar becomes a last hopeless attempt at finding healthy alternatives for food. That chili that was so good winter term is now like a devil, calling your name and adding cellulite to your ass.
I speak as a voice of reason to all here at Centre. Please, don’t kill yourselves these weeks before Spring Break.
Trust me, I’ve tried it, and I have come to grips with the fact that it doesn’t and never will work. Plus I am incredibly out of shape and am too lazy to do it anymore. I mean, I get winded using a rotary phone. It’s that bad.
Plus, I’d like to point out that you can have fun as the fat person at the beach. When I was younger, I was a really fat kid, and I had loads of fun times at the beach.
One time, I was sitting down building a sandcastle all day, and I got sunburned. However, because I was such a fat-ass, the top parts of my fat rolls were the only thing to burn. Consequently, I had these sunburn stripes of red on me when I stood up. My parents commented that I looked like a big chunky barber’s pole.
So, in closing, I’ll just say that although I know it’s never gonna change, I wish people would stop trying so desperately hard to lose weight before Spring Break.
There are lots of lonely fat kids lying around on the beach getting sunburned, and they need companionship and love as well.
And a word of advice from personal experience to those of you planning to go to the beach and plan on being fat this year-when the conservationist groups think you’re a manatee and try to roll back into the ocean, just sit back, relax and enjoy the attention. Back to top...
“Healing Journey” convo heals some old wounds
Daron Mills
Layout Editor
As I was leaving Cowan Dining Hall last week, I noticed an advertisement for a convocation on the Kiosk. In big gold letters, it read "Healing Journey."
Like many students who are in need of convo credits, I neglected to read the description of the program and searched for what is most important things to college students—the date, time and location.
From word of mouth, I found out the premise of the program was the testimonial of several people who had survived cancer. I soon grew hesitant about going. I figured I had heard it all before. If anyone knew anything about cancer, I certainly did.
I have friends whose parents have either battled or succumbed to cancer. In the fall, I had attended the funeral of my high school trainer, "Doc" Hamilton who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year earlier. I had also survived the year of 1989. In the span of nine months, I lost my grandfather, aunt, grandmother and sister to cancer. What else could I learn?
Finally I decided to go. At worst, I would still get a convo credit. As the program begin, Dr. Phil Leming, an oncologist from Cincinnati and also the father of Liz Leming ’01 began speaking. He spoke of the bravery and the undying faith possessed by those who are battling cancer. To the right of him sat two people, both of whom were set to tell how their battle with cancer has affected their lives.
While Dr. Leming continued to talk, I noticed the demeanor of both of them. They seemed calm, collected and delighted to be speaking that evening. The first person to speak was Terry Smith, an athletic man in his early thirties.
While in college at Indiana University, Smith excelled in football. After a successful collegiate career, he found himself in a Cincinnati Bengals uniform. But his hopes would soon fade after doctors revealed that an unsuspecting mole was melanoma.
After undergoing a brief remission, Smith’s worst fears had caught up with him. Once again he was faced with the fight for his life. His cancer had relapsed. Eventually, he would overcome it but he still lives with the fear of another relapse.
And then there was the story of Carla Nahering, a professional, petite woman in her late forties. She had lived a fairy tale existence. She was a successful businesswoman, married to a wonderful man and lived in a nice home.
But the fairy tale went awry one day when she visited her doctor after suffering from flu-like symptoms. What she soon found out was that she was actually suffering from lung cancer.
After the removal of a lung, radiation and alternative medicine treatments, Nahering’s cancer went into remission, but relapsed shortly after. During her second bout in which she underwent chemotherapy, she had divorced her husband and watched her mother die of cancer as well. She spoke of how her mother’s death seemed as if it was sign of things to come. She then revealed that two days prior, she had found out that her cancer had relapsed once again.
But then there was something that she said that struck a chord with me. She said that with cancer, “it isn’t a pretty death.” At that point, I began crying, thinking about the year 1989. My grandfather did not have a beautiful death, nor did my aunt or grandmother. And most of all, my beautiful and talented sister, only 20 years-old did not have a beautiful death.
I was overwhelmed by the irony of the situation. Four beautiful people who had ugly deaths. But reason soon intervened. What I failed to realize was the most important fact. They lived beautiful lives.
That evening, I learned a lot. I learned that there was a portion of my life that I believed to be healed, but had actually been ignored. As a result of the convocation, I was able to add some closure to their deaths. They have gone on to a better place. Even though I do miss them, I am thankful for having them as apart of my life. That evening, I too went on a healing journey.Back to top...
Busy time of year for Student Congress
Jed Doty
Student Congress President
As I enter my last term at Centre College, not only as a senior but also as Student Congress President, I am happy to report on a few recent accomplishments provided by your Student Congress.
I know I have not written too many articles in the Cento this year, but I will take the liberty in this issue to explain the important policy that came to pass as of Monday at 7 p.m.
Also, we have two major happenings/events that will take place in our near future.
The parking issue has been examined extensively. Wes Fugate ‘02, chair of the Campus Improvements committee, has worked diligently for the past few weeks to come up with a fair proposal to benefit the Centre College and Danville communities. Fugate, Gary Bugg, Cary Hearn ‘01, Ashley Sides ‘01, David Eberhardt, and myself presented this proposal to the City Commission of Danville on Mon. March 12.
The conclusion of the meeting was positive in our favor, but we as Centre students must follow the new rules and live up to our end of the agreement.
The decision that was favorably voted upon reads as follows: Centre College students have three spaces in which to park in front of the Centre College Post Office.
The three spaces will be ten minute maximum parking with flashing lights. The decision to make this a trial period was also favorably voted on.
In other words, we have until June 3 to show that this system is going to work for both Centre College and the Danville community.
Our participation is key! Without the cooperation of the entire student body, our newly found privileges will be taken away permanently.
The fact that we worked hard to get parking by the post office is wonderful, but this also means there will be NO PARKING on the side of the road of the fraternity houses.
The reason they were reluctant in giving us this parking area was because of the bottlenecks that sometimes occur because people, including me, park on both sides of the street.
I will be happy to do my part in order to park in front of the P.O. As soon as we mess up, the city will be there to tell us so. Be accountable for yourself. Please give me a call if you have any questions or concerns-
936-7771.
The next two issues are really just announcements for upcoming events. Richard Trollinger will be speaking March 15 at our next general session. The topic discussed will involve college finances and where all of the money goes. If you have concerns about the funds of our school, come to Olin 124 at 6:30 p.m. All Student Congress general sessions are open to everyone.
A Deans’ Forum has been set for April 4 at 7 p.m. in Young 101. There have been a lot of questions and open feelings about the new ‘Centre Term’ next year, and so the Undergraduate Fellows and Student Congress will co-sponsor this advantageous get-together.
The panel will include Dean Perkins, Dean Lackey, Dean Ward and a few members of the committee that have aided in the creation of the new term.
I expect most of you have no idea what next winter term is going to be like. I encourage the student body to come to Young 101 on the night of April 4 to have your questions answered.
Student Congress has been active. We have been doing what we are here for; to hear your concerns and be your voice.
I am proud of the accomplishments we have made thus far. Please, if you have any comments for me, give me a call – 936-7771 or email me at jjdoty00@centre.edu. Have a week and smile… it’s SPRING TERM! Back to top...