News

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Train of Thought 4.14.04

"Three, Two, One, Lift Off"

The UB men's and women's track and field teams ran wild over the competition at the Bucknell University's Bison Outdoor Classic on last Friday and Saturday.While there was no team scoring, the women's team took home 13 individual titles and the men's team took home four.Senior Allison Laske help lead the Bulls to their dominating performance, as they crushed Christina Keck's 1,500-meter school record, with a time of 4:27.15.

'Rainering' on Coheed and Cambria's Parade

The rock genre "emo" has almost become a curse word in the independent music world.Emo, stemming from the original definition "emotional hardcore," originated in the mid-1990s from the "mellowing out" of hardcore bands and has swelled since to classify everything from Jimmy Eat World to the corporate-branded A Simple Plan.No wonder emo fans are boiling beneath their black-rimmed glasses.So it was a breath of relief for emo fans in Western New York as Coheed and Cambria, Rainer Maria, Funeral for a Friend and Brazil electrified a distinctly horn-rimmed crowd Friday at The Sphere Entertainment Complex.While The Sphere may not have been the best venue - the horseshoe shaped two-tier structure allowed very few people a good view of the stage - the sold-out crowd didn't seem to mind.The highlights of the show came earlier than expected, however, as Rainer Maria performed a short but tight set.

Governors Dining Hall Vandalized

The Governors dining hall was vandalized late Sunday night by unknown persons who smashed four door windows at the entrance and a large exterior window.The damage, which exceeded $2,000, was repaired Monday, officials said.According to Kevin Ahuna, senior staff associate for University Residence Halls, a decision is pending on who will pay for the vandalism.

Bulls Take One of Three From Bowling Green

After reaching an emotional high in their game last Wednesday against Niagara when Al Barbato drilled a game-winning homer, the Buffalo Bulls baseball team looked to continue their clutch hitting against Bowling Green in a three-game series that began last Friday and ended on Sunday.On Friday afternoon at home in Audubon Field, Barbato stepped up once again, and belted the game-winning hit, which helped UB (7-19, 1-3 Mid-American Conference) beat BGSU (16-7, 4-4 MAC) by the score of 3-2.Bulls' pitchers Jeff Loveys and Dave Brozyna combined to hold the Bowling Green offense to just two runs on four hits.

Better Than Stick Figures 4.14.04

Sidelines

TennisBoth the men's and women's tennis teams achieved great success in conference play this past weekend, as they each earned their first conference victories of the season against Toledo and Akron respectively.Toledo played against Buffalo severely shorthanded with only five players ready to play, and had to forfeit both the sixth singles and third doubles matches giving the Bulls a distinct advantage.

UB Students Join in a Plan to March on D.C.

Don't underestimate Sarah Heynen's commitment to attend the March for Women's Lives in Washington, D.C.

Pretension Deficit Disorder

Let me preface this by saying I keep pretty abreast on politics, and I realize how imperative it is that everyone get out and vote, and in my opinion, not re-elect the worst president in my lifetime - yes, out of all four.Yet when I read Kerry versus Bush, I pretty much always think Chicago Cubs' ace Kerry Wood versus Grand L.

'Homage': The Rocky Buffalo Picture Show

Mohawks, chains, metal studs, leather jackets, dreadlocks, piercings, tattoos, free beer and a mighty pile of cheese ruled the Thursday night free Squeaky Wheel screening of the Buffalo-grown short film, "Homage."Squeaky Wheel is a not-for-profit media center located down in the heart of Allentown on Elmwood Avenue.They give cheap access to state-of-the-art filming and editing equipment, while promoting independent filmmakers and local media artists.Entering the "cinema" house of Squeaky Wheel Thursday night meant being struck with the contrasting black and blue walls and the snowy-screened televisions stacked three-high in the corner.A sculpture consisting of 20 naked girl's dolls straddling a metal cage-like structure, and Michael J.

Hazing Does Not Define Manhood

In response to the letter to the editor "Hazing is Normal on Campus," in the April 9 issue of The Spectrum, I offer an alternative point of view.In his letter, Cain Morano would have us believe that hazing is an innocuous ritual useful as an initiation into manhood, that feminists are to blame for the end of chivalry, and that there is one particular way for a man to be and act.Morano's views are an example of an oppressive and insidious essentialism that would have all of us guarded by a stringent gender policy.

"Simpson Expands Staff, Funding for Bioinformatics"

The first step is always the most difficult, but President John Simpson made his first executive move with a strong eye toward the future - expanding UB's bioinformatics center.

"Pass the Matzoh, Please"

There weren't any big decorations in the dining halls, and there wasn't a rush of holiday mall shopping.

Cool Hand Stacey

Softball is a sport dominated by pitching; it is extremely difficult for a team to be successful without an ace on the mound to dictate the flow of the game.Luckily, the UB women's softball team contains the pitching prowess of junior Stacey Evans and will look to her when they take on the Bowling Green Falcons (17-20, 4-4 Mid-American Conference) in a double header at home on Thursday.Coming off a very successful weekend at Akron in which the Bulls (12-15, 3-3 MAC) took two of three games from the Zips, UB will again rely on Evans to lead the way on the mound as well as look to an emerging offensive cast to put runs on the scoreboard."I think with the way our defense has been performing and the way Stacey has been pitching, I believe we have the upper hand against Bowling Green," said senior second baseman Marce Ross.

Upcoming Games

BuffaloSoftballThusday: at Bowling Green, 2 p.m.

Byrned to a Crisp

It came to my knowledge recently that there is no such thing as an actual "Logan" berry. Auntie Rosie needs a brick dropped on her head ASAP, if she even exists.I've been working at Champs Sports for the past year or so, and I have to say that it has been an exhilarating experience.

Lee Lives Up To His Outspoken Reputation

The large and energetic crowd gathered at Daemen College exploded in applause Wednesday night as legendary filmmaker Spike Lee made his way to the stage.

"Spring Is in The Air, and Wardrobe"

After a long cold winter spent huddling in customary hoodies and sweats, the sight of the sun after months of gray skies means that it's not only the snow that will be thawing, but spring wardrobes from their long winter's hibernation.For those with an eye on new trends, what was good for last season will have to make way for this season's hottest looks.Sarah, a co-manager at Express in the Walden Galleria, said the styles of past decades have made their way back to top-trend status."We're seeing a lot of tweed pieces like little jackets and skirts, " she said.

Blackmarket's New Heavyweight Champs

From a Second Story Window's first EP, "Not One Word Has Been Omitted" satiates the basest of testosterone-induced musical needs to the same extent as a knuckle-bludgeoning fistfight.Listening to it requires less cleanup too.The thrash/metalcore group from the nearby corners of Ohio and Pennsylvania ("Ohiovania," as they refer to it on their Web Site,) has made a consistently engaging EP in a genre that is known to hold interest only briefly.The first track, "The Challenge of Caring" has a 30-second intro of frantic, unhinged drumming, clashing guitar chords and screams of "Fear the sky." Once it falls into a time signature, the music barely changes.

"Way to Be, Hung"

For William Hung, music isn't about money or fame.It's about "sing-ging," as Hung declares on track four of his debut release, "Inspiration." One of four inspirational interlude tracks on which Hung imparts tidbits of Tony Robbins-style motivational credos, more can be understood about the American Idol reject from these 18 seconds of dialogue than can be found on any Entertainment Tonight segment.For those living under a rock, Hung is the infamous AI tryout who sang a butchered version of the Ricky Martin hit, "She Bangs." Hung's Chinese accent, coupled with his computer technician-like style, left many viewers both cringing at his horrible vocals and also intrigued at the singer's moxie.As is the wont in Hollywood, Hung's miserable vocal stylings became the hit of the moment.