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(11/22/12 11:00am)
Girls gripe about the lack of initiative coming from guys who are too shy or just too lazy to ask them on a proper date. They blame their perpetual singledom on boys who just can’t work up the nerve to break through the friendship zone. So, sororities have schemed up an event that is perfectly designed to give girls an excuse to get dressed up and dance with dudes. In the dating culture of the South, these organizations provide an opportunity that gives them their one and only chance to make the first move: formal.Finally, they are able to single out the guy they’ve had their eye on for so long and take him on a magical night that will culminate in a whirlwind romance! Finally, all their complaints will come to an end and they can express interest in the cardigan-clad cutie in their chemistry lab!This is their chance to make dreams come true. But, inexplicably, that’s not what happens. Girls wait around in terror, doodling their crush’s name in the margin of their notebook, but never make a move.It’s time to rise up, ladies. Formal season is looming (and for you non-Greeks, there’s always the Honors ball). Start using this opportunity to its fullest potential. Kelsie Nussel, recent Auburn graduate and seasoned formal-goer, has offered her advice in hopes that our readers will avoid making the same mistakes she did.1. Look past your best guy friend. One of the biggest mistakes girls make is inviting their token ‘guy friend’’— the one who has been passed around the sorority like a good cupcake pan. They take guys who have been permanently friend-zoned, precisely because they pose no romantic threat. Nussel admits to having fallen victim to this behavior during her senior year. But, she claims, there was a time when she mustered up the moxie to do it right.“Sophomore year I asked boys I liked and had crushes on.” Nussel said. “Multiple times. Multiple boys. Sometimes it was the same boy multiple times. At that point I had my list of boys who I thought were cute. The cute boys, the nice boys and the boys I knew but wanted to get to know better.”2. Take a risk. Formals are a chance to take a risk under the guise of being casual. Pick someone who makes you vaguely nauseated at the thought of approaching. Arm yourself with the reminder that what you’re going to say to him is “want to join me for a fun night of dancing?” even if what you’re thinking is “will you promise to grow old with me?”3. Go in blind. Maybe there isn’t a single man on the horizon that you can bear the thought of spending an evening with. At some point in our college careers, we’ve all felt this way. Don’t use this as license to stop looking, though; use it as an opportunity to go blind. The beauty of a blind date is in its presumed informality. You guys are just getting to know each other, even if you have used his Facebook thumbnail to photoshop pictures of what your children would look like.“If you have a sorority sister that’s from Birmingham and knows half of Auburn, get her to set you up,” Nussel said. “That’s what I did freshman year to get to know boys.”4. Settle for the story. Even if you hit every item on our checklist to guarantee a flawless night, it could still go wrong. Maybe you run out of things to say in the first couple minutes of the ride there or a dance battle turns violent. Nussel advised to keep in mind that romance is not the only positive outcome of a formal date.“It could end in a boyfriend or a really, really good story,” she said. “I feel like I have more stories than boyfriends.”To Johnny: Formal? Fannie Mae
(11/13/12 11:17am)
Last week, Hurricane Sandy ushered in our first bout of cold weather. It hit hard. We were reduced to huddling in small groups in the corner of Haley just to stave off the frostbite. We transitioned from bare arms to wool sweaters overnight. Or, to translate that into terms that are a little more familiar, we transitioned from Nike shorts to Nike shorts with leggings underneath.
(11/10/12 9:24am)
For students, six hours in the stadium sustained by nothing but a mustard-slathered soft pretzel leaves us with a raging post-game hunger. If we can make it past the concession stands without purchasing an armful of hot dogs, then our game day options usually revolve around scrounging up whatever food is left at the tailgate by the time we get there. Eating the misshapen carrots everyone else left on the vegetable plate is not your only option.There are plenty of restaurants around town offering fans a fresh new twist on old favorites like barbecue, burgers and fries. Game days in Auburn are marked by tradition, but don’t let yourself get stuck in a dining rut by eating the same meal every time.Amsterdam Cafe’s crab cake sandwichThe crab cake sandwich at Amsterdam Cafe, located on South Gay Street, is a delectable twist on the typical fare of game day. Instead of a charred burger, sink your teeth into one of the “top 100 dishes to eat in Alabama before you die.”The crab cake avocado sandwich is served on a flaky toasted croissant with creole remoulade and mango pico de gallo. The subtle blend of flavors in this tasty sandwich makes for a dish you can savor instead of just inhale in a fit of hunger. Get it with a side of sweet potato chips.Big Blue Bagel’s tiger meltAnother one of the “100 dishes to eat in Alabama before you die,” Big Blue, located on College Street, offers a Tiger Melt consisting of Colby Jack generously melting over its famous chicken salad and served atop two bagel faces of your choice. Play it safe and go with the multigrain bagel or mix it up with cinnamon or blueberry.The melt comes with a side of bagel chips, which are bagels of different flavors toasted and sliced into bite-sized pieces. A side of the honey mustard makes the perfect dipping sauce.Tex’s Tacos’ barbecue tacoPutting a Tex-Mex twist on Southern cooking, our favorite campus food truck offers a barbecue taco.The taco combines a flour tortilla with vinegar-basted pulled pork barbecue, honeylime garden slaw and barbecue sauce. Since the taco truck is parked right outside the stadium, you’ll have to endure the shortest amount of time between you and satiating your roaring appetite.Top off your barbecue taco with a round of lime fries, a Tex’s Tacos specialty that somehow manages to whip up a deep fried dish that tastes like a funnel cake-french fry hybrid.Look out for the taco truck parked on campus.Panera Bread’s turkey cranberry paniniWith Thanksgiving just around the bend, you might be looking for something a little more festive than the tried-and-true beef burgers you eat at every game.Panera, located on Opelika Road, is offering a seasonal sandwich this fall that combines the flavors of the season into a delectable panini. The sandwich features roasted turkey slices on fresh-baked ciabatta bread, cranberry chutney and fresh spinach. The unlikely pairing is reminiscent of a Thanksgiving meal and a great alternative to post-game grub.The panini is served with a side, but for another fall treat, try the chicken stew that comes topped with a cheese biscuit.
(11/09/12 1:16pm)
1. Sock bun
(11/06/12 12:00pm)
Living in Auburn, you probably think you've seen and eaten it all. 'Tis not so!
(11/03/12 9:42am)
Look, buddy. It's been a rough couple of games for all of us. Particularly for you, after the dizzying flighting path you took on your way down to the field at last week's game against Texas A&M. Instead of soaring around the stadium and touching down triumphantly on the 50-yard line, you took a seemingly random stroll about the stands. Just scoping things out, guys! Don't mind me up here!
(11/02/12 11:27am)
Dear Lane,Gosh, this is kinda awk. So, I guess my boyfriend is a pretty trendy guy or whatever — it's cool. Most of the time, he dresses pretty well. But he is a big fan of the "deep v." REALLY deep v's.I haven't commented on that life choice or criticized it. Yet. But I may have to speak up now. The other day, he comes over to my apartment, and he's wearing his favorite immodest clothing item. No big deal.Except this time, it is a big deal because HE WAS WEARING ONE OF MY V NECKS. What the heck. I didn't say anything to him then, ‘cause he can get pretty defensive when it comes to his fashion choices.So, I stifled my laughter and decided I'd write you, Lane, and see what your thoughts on this are. Do I say, "Hey babe, you can't wear my shirts." Or, part of me wonders if he is oblivious to the fact that it's not his shirt?Maybe he can't tell the difference! Ahh! Whatever it is, I definitely don't won't to start sharing my clothes with my boyfriend. As awkward as this is, I think it might be a good chance to have a deep v inter-Vention with him. What do you think?Sincerely,A concerned girlfriendDear Concerned Girlfriend,Let’s take a step back and look at this rationally, because there are a few factors you should bear in mind before you deliver an ultimatum.The first one is financial. We’re in an economic recession and, despite how glamorous it may have seemed in the Great Gatsby, these days it’s marked by high unemployment and even higher levels of sartorial resourcefulness. In an economy that does not allow a humble college student to purchase the latest in fall fashion, it becomes necessary to get a little creative. For me, that means stealthily siphoning clothes out of my sister’s closet.For your boyfriend, it means doubling his v-neck collection and trying out some fun feminine patterns. You should applaud your boyfriend’s frugality.The second thing to consider is fairness. All girlfriends have one thing in common and it’s that, in seventh grade, we decided there was nothing more adorable than swaddling ourselves in our boyfriend’s oversized clothing. You’ve stolen sweatshirts, hats, wristwatches, Tshirts and a little bit of cash (but it was probably for an emergency.)Your pillaging has left him with barely a stitch to his name, so you can’t blame him when he comes pawing through your closet for something to keep him warm as the temperature continues to drop. And, okay, there were probably more modest options in one of the seven drawers you have laden with XXXL T-shirts.You have to choose your battles, and this one seems pretty harmless.Give your boy a break — but if he moves on to the rest of your wardrobe, it might be time to have a talk about where this relationship is going.Love,Lane
(10/19/12 10:11am)
Here in Auburn, there has been a food truck invasion.
(10/16/12 10:02am)
In a continued effort to help you squeeze the most out of your local dining options, I’m focusing on an on-campus option that students can’t seem to stay away from.Like a loving drug dealer, Starbucks has been loyally pumping caffeine into our veins for years.With the help of some insider tips, I’ve discovered that there’s an entire world of hidden treasures at Starbucks if you just know to ask for them.Here are some secrets that will help you get the most out of your Starbucks experience.The secret drinkThe baristas at Starbucks are awake at unearthly hours to open the store and greet early-morning customers. So, how do they prepare for the long morning shift ahead?Through a secret caffeinated cocktail called the Undertow. Right before open, baristas toss back this carefully-crafted concoction of vanilla, half-n-half and espresso shots to wake up.“The shots are layered by placing a spoon upside down on top of the cream so that when the shots hit the round side of the spoon, they are layered on top,” said Noelle Wills, senior in microbiology and seasoned Starbucks barista. “Then you chug it. You can have as many shots as you want. It’s delicious.”The secret to a late afternoon boostIt’s 3 p.m. You’ve just barely managed to drag your beleaguered body into our on-campus Starbucks. All you want is a simple cup of coffee to get you through the day.By late afternoon, however, many of the regular roasts have run out.Resist the instinct to curl up under a table in the fetal position.“Pour-over is available anytime,” Wills said. “Customers can also request a French press of their favorite coffee for an additional charge.”Starbucks offers pour-over coffee by the cup at the same price.Not only can you hand-pick your blend, but your cup of coffee will be made fresh, instead of being poured from the pot that’s been bubbling on the back burner for hours.The secret slangIt’s a lifelong dream of mine to walk up to the Starbucks counter, rattle off a stream of seemingly nonsensical words and be delivered a perfectly customized drink.A cup of coffee with a single shot of espresso is a “Red Eye,” double shots is a “Black Eye,” and three shots is rumored to be called a “JFK,” but it might be more appropriate to stick to calling it a “Green Eye.”“Some confusion exists with the slang ‘skinny,’” Wills said.“Many private or local coffee shops use skinny to refer to non-fat milk. Starbucks uses 'skinny' to mean your choice of sugar-free syrup and nonfat milk.”The secret menu itemsTo create a Captain Crunch Frappuccino, which fans claim tastes just like the childhood cereal, order a strawberries-and-cream Frappuccino with a pump of toffee nut or hazelnut.The zebra mocha blends the white chocolate and chocolate mochas.If you want a bigger boost from your chai tea, a dirty chai is a chai latte with a shot of espresso.For a new spin on an old classic, you can order your iced caramel macchiatos upside down.“What 'upside down' refers to is the shots of espresso,” Wills said. “Instead of having the shots float on top they are put in after the vanilla but before the milk. This creates a smoother flavor. The shots on top creates a more intense flavor.”The secret sizesTurns out the 12-ounce tall cup at Starbucks isn't actually their smallest size. Bringing up the rear is the adorable 8-ounce short cup.Touted as kid-sized, the short provides just enough coffee to get you moving, but not so much you develop an unflattering facial twitch.On the opposite end of the scale is the 31-ounce Trenta, another under-advertised size.The hulking Trenta holds 916 mL of your favorite coffee drink, making it slightly larger than the average capacity of the human stomach.Don’t let campus dining get you down. Armed with these tricks of the trade, you can break the boredom of campus dining by treating yourself to something new and adventurous every afternoon...and the caffeine doesn’t hurt.
(10/07/12 10:56am)
Outskirts is a three-piece band that blends the unique voices of vocalists Lisa Taylor and Sierra Farr into footstomping garage western with a little bit of country twang.
(10/05/12 10:45am)
We’re only halfway through the semester, but I have already exhausted my dining options around town.I cannot bring myself to eat even one more \0x8B flatbread from Village dining, and if I go into Chipotle one more time, my a\0x91ffnity for burritos will \0x92finally have reached the level of addiction.So, in pursuit of something new, I’m making it a personal goal to eat at every single restaurant in the greater Auburn/Opelika area before I graduate, and I’m inviting you to join me.\0x10This is a detailed guide to our \0x92first destination.Location: Whispering Oaks Bed & Breakfast Restaurant in Opelika. Housed in a sprawling old plantation house, Whispering Oaks is Southern home cooking at its finest. With food so mouthwatering you’ll think your mama’s in the kitchen, it’s a break from the ramen-noodle squalor of college life.Our attire: Vintage hats, soft curls, lace slips, cotton dresses and red lips. For the fellas: suspenders, vests, tweed blazers, worn-leather boots, damp hair neatly combed and parted and a pocket knife. Other accessories include fresh-cut flowers, gold-leaf Bibles and jewelry passed down from our great-grandmothers. Each of us should have a small silver blade concealed in the sole of our shoe, just to provide an air of intrigue.Assumed identities: We will refuse to acknowledge that this is not, in fact, antebellum-era South. We will speak in honeyed, drawling southern accents and insist on retiring to the front porch. We will persistently overuse phrases such as “I do declare” and “My stars!” \0x10The gentlemen will argue gruffly about politics. The ladies will faint frequently, preferably at the top of every half hour.Occasion: Right after a church service for Sunday brunch. We sit for a couple seconds in the sun-warmed car and bake, then we roll the windows down and ramble on over to this antebellum home. We descend on the buffet and eat until we have to loosen the ties on our dresses.Cuisine: Mashed potatoes, fried chicken, \0x92fish, peach cobbler, red velvet cake, banana pudding, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, collard greens, roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, desserts as far as the eye can see. The buffet menu varies from day to day. All of the vegetables are fresh from local farmers. If you have room for desserts, there are pecan pies, banana pudding, coconut pies and more.Price: $8 buffet, eat until you bust. I’ve already pitched this as a reality TV show to a couple networks. MTV said no. VH1 said no. NBC said no. TLC is still considering it.
(09/30/12 10:58am)
I've been known to go to extreme lengths to avoid cold weather: using breakfast burritos as hand warmers on the walk to class, covering myself with sheets of loose-leaf paper in Haley Center and taking shots from a flask of Theraflu warming liquid. I came to Auburn in large part because I was promised a short and very mild winter.
(09/21/12 10:45am)
The Avett Brothers have been breaking banjos and plucking heart strings since 2000. The Southern roots rock of the Avetts is manic, high-energy, warm-hearted and harmonydrenched. Their sound centers on the interplay of banjo, guitar and upright bass, but it can take the form of a soaring ballads or an unhinged country-rocker with equal ease. "The Carpenter," released Sept. 11, is their seventh full-length album in 10 years. Like 2009's "I and Love and You," it was produced by Rick Rubin, who has also worked with the likes of Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond. The Avetts have a legacy of favoring a bright, raw sound, but Rubin's production polishes down some of their rough edges. The result is a collection of songs that, while more stripped down and streamlined than their predecessors, are both achingly beautiful and startlingly honest.
While "The Carpenter" capitalizes more on "I and Love and You's" sadness and soul instead of previous albums' frenetic yells, there's no mistaking the signature mix of confusion and clarity that has characterized their lyricism the whole way through. "Live and Die," the first single from the album, captures a theme that runs through the entire album. Nearly every song deals with questions of mortality, devotion and the delicate balance of life and death. The reckless boyhood that marked their early albums has given way to the voice of experience. Along with this transformation came a distinct shift in the tone of the music. Their signature frenzy and spontaneity seem to have been benched in favor of a more deliberate and cautious approach. The airy vocals and tired lyrics of "Winter In My Heart" have a blandness that doesn't seem to belong to the same band. "February 7" recalls some of the simple songs of "I and Love and You" but lacks the emotional grit to make it memorable. The sentiment is too vague or too familiar, and they simply don't hold up to the standard set by earlier albums.
The album's introspective second half offers an intimate glimpse into both the joyous and sorrowful moments of life, reminding us (in case we forgot) why we loved them in the first place. "A Father's First Spring" chronicles the birth of Scott Avett's daughter Eleanor in 2008. Songs such as "Life," which closes the album, speak to the pain that the entire band has endured since bassist Bob Crawford's daughter was diagnosed with brain tumor. Their songs are able to capture the fullness of conflict and emotion with remarkable grace. The weight of the album borrows directly from the band member's struggles and triumphs, lending it a heartbreaking sincerity. These moments of vulnerability resonate with keen awareness and a relentless hope.
Even in the album's lighter moments, an undeniable authenticity remains at the core of every song. The lilting tune "Down with the Shine" is a gleaming example of how the boys can approach heavy subject matter with a light touch. "Pretty Girl From Michigan" is the latest in their long line of "Pretty Girl From [Place]" tunes-a series they had to establish after the last girl they named in a song title was not too pleased about all the publicity. Cheery anthems like "I Never Knew You," and the 97-second "Geraldine" expertly infuse insight with their trademark contagious energy. The bulk of "The Carpenter" is heavy with heartache, but paired with a dose of familiar foot-stompin'. The effect is cathartic instead of gloomy. The Avett Brothers are a band that would rather stop playing than do the same thing twice. Their sound may have transformed, but the heart of the music has remained the same.
(09/15/12 11:10am)
Some of the red flags in a relationship are universal, like if he’s rude to your friends or if she’s an Alabama fan.There are some indicators that get overlooked, though. As your self-declared guide to affairs of the heart, I have compiled a cheat sheet of relationship deal breakers.They are terrible at text messaging. Break up with them if they have texted you any of the following. A "good morning" before 11 a.m. A variation of the single-letter "K" as a response. ‘Hey' or 'hey what's up' accompanied by a winky face emoticon. Furthermore, any text message without appropriate punctuation will be interpreted as a passive-aggressive attack and immediate grounds for dumping.They are destroying your Netflix queue. There are several milestones you hit during a long-term relationship. Celebrating holidays together. Meeting the parents. Exchanging SAT scores. There will come a point in every relationship when your significant other innocently asks for the password to your Netflix account. It starts innocently enough, with a couple episodes of “Pretty Little Liars.” But pretty soon, your recommendations are suddenly filled with eerily specific categories that Netflix claims are based off of your taste preferences. You have no interest in ‘Romantic Crime Thrillers Featuring a Strong Canine Lead’ or ‘Movies Where Two Characters Fight A Lot Because of How Much They Feel For Each Other and Also There’s A Scene In An Airport.’ But you know who does.They are emotionally unavailable. You’re looking for a relationship with a future. You don’t want to endure this thing for another six months only to find out they aren’t into the whole “emotional investment” thing. This is sometimes hard to tell right away, so I’ve developed a foolproof, two-step method to quantitatively test whether someone is a heartless monster with no capacity for love. Have them watch the Disney-Pixar film “Up.” If they don’t cry within the first 10 minutes, dump them.They are too emotionally available. I know what I said above, but there’s a limit to the amount of sweet nothings someone can whisper before you are ready to kick them to the curb. This kind of overbearing relationship is characterized by public displays of affection, baby talk and nauseating nicknames including (but not limited to) any dessert-based comparison. Dump them if they’ve ever posted your name online with more than one exclamation mark next to it. There is a way to conduct a healthy relationship that doesn’t involve posting Facebook status updates about it in 15-minute increments. You deserve someone who realizes that.
(09/14/12 11:23am)
Dear Lane,My father and I get along really well, better than most I think, but recently he's been trying to push a "father/son" hobby on our relationship. I'd probably be all for it if it was paintballing, shooting .45s, going to South America or brewing our own beer. But no, he's hell-bent on making pickles. PICKLES. He already planted the cucumbers in my parents' garden, bought a whole bunch of seasoning/brine and has been trying it on cucumbers that he's found at farmers markets and Whole Foods.I want to support my Dad (it seems like he's kind of going through a mid-life crisis), but this obsession with pickles is a tad absurd. My mom agrees, and everyone's getting a little sick of the refrigerator in the basement being full of pickle experiments. Lane, HOW DO I MAKE IT STOP?!Sincerely, Pickle T. WillyburgDear Mr. Willyburg,You're lucky to have a father who endeavors to make your life more like the heartwarming films of our childhood. I can't tell you how difficult it is to orchestrate that kind of kooky comedy on your own (trust me, I've planted enough banana peels to know). Did Robin Williams' kids complain when he invented Flubber? Did Eddy Murphy's kids complain when he started having in-depth conversations with wacky zoo animals? Did my roommate complain when I kept leaving banana peels outside her bedroom door? Well yeah, she did, but she's a real drag. You might not be able to see it now through your pickle-induced panic, but you're fortunate to have a dad with such quirky hobbies. In a world where Snooki's unborn child already has a three-year television contract, there is no story too boring to meticulously document and then broadcast to the entire nation. This could be your ticket to stardom, kid. So grab your old man, slap on an apron and a smile and film your pilot episode.
(09/08/12 11:23am)
\0x10The rise of Pinterest happened with all the enthusiasm and violence of a political revolution.