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Show AGGIE MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2005 11 LIFE Lame Spring Breaks can be saved with clever covering of the truth Dear Lindsay, Spring Break seems like such a big deal for college students and it's almost expected that you'll go somewhere and do something crazy. But this year, all I'm doing is going home and thinking about all the fun everyone else must be having. My question for you is: Are the majority of USU students really partying it up on the typical spring vacation? And, if so, how do I make myself sound like less of a loser when they all ask me what I did for the break? Sincerely, No Cancun for Me Dear No Cancun, Perhaps you've been exposed to a little too much MTV-style Spring Break programming, but your ideas of what students have been doing over the past week seem to be a little blurred. Honestly, do you really think the majority of your peers spent the break in tropical locations, entering wet T-shirt contests, spending exorbitant amounts of money and having the time of their lives? Of course they did. After all, TV and movies don't lie. It's not like MTV pays all those college students to just act like they are having a Ask and Ye Shall Receive lindsaykite@cc.usu.edu good time. That's reality and that's exactly what you missed out on. Almost every person you'll see on Monday will have a new tan, plenty of souvenirs and incredible stories to tell. If you happen to come across someone who claims to have done nothing for the break, understand they most likely had so much fun that they didn't even remember it the next day ... if you know what I mean. You know, because they hit their head really hard or happen to be suffering from fun-induced memory loss. Now that you can fully recognize your Spring Break minority status, we can move on to the next area in question: Covering up that status. And since loser is a harsh term, I won't actually refer to you as that - I'll only allude to it. To avoid any potentially embarrassing situations, simply exaggerate or distort the truth when asked about your vacation. But since this ques- tion is actually being answered the day school starts, you may have already faced a few questions before being able to consult this article. If you failed to enhance your actual situation and just stated the sad facts, stop now. Simply begin answering with a slightly altered version of your previous story, this time leaving out the family dinners and TV watching and including And since loser is a harsh term, I won't actually refer to you as that - I'll only allude to it. more table-top dancing. If confronted about your varying accounts, you can always fall back on that funinduced memory loss problem that seems to be prevalent here on campus. But by the slight chance this excuse isn't accepted, I'll do my best to save you from any further embarrass- ment. Being partly responsible since I didn't get an answer to you sooner, I would take it upon myself to solve the problem. I would first apologize for not being able to equip you with my advice sooner. Then, I would offer to speak with any critical questioners to back up your new story. "Yeah, we were totally on that boat together when you bashed your head into the side! Are you OK?" Or, "I am a trained medical professional and can certify that (insert your name here) has been properly diagnosed with short-term memory loss." These are only a couple of the examples I am capable of rescuing you with. If this is the case, please contact me immediately to set up potential meeting points. Remember to provide me with an accurate description of the enhanced story and your excuse for variation in the stories. This way, I can create a defense that is both believable and applicable to your specific situation. Lindsay Kite is a junior majoring in print journalism. In need of advice or a quick vacation story backup? Please contact lindsaykite@cc.usu.edu Western Wats is hiring all shifts! If you need a job that's flexible with your schedule, has a great environment and pays weekly, WE ARE IT! We'll give you time off for football games, tests, and holidays. Call 435-753-1303 or stop by 22 E. Center in Logan for more info or apply online: survevnetwork.com/application Whcif did n Waich ITlouies a Earn Cash n save H tire H Become a blood plasma donor & ITlake a difference Donate Plasma Student Web site seeks to increase equality as well as understanding BY ASHLEY W A C H Staff Writer A Web site founded by a Utah State University psychology graduate student in January to support gays has broadened its mission to include equality for all religions, races and minorities. "It started as a way for the straight community to show support for gay rights," said Jason Harlacher, 27, who started www.straightsupport.org. Now, equality for all minorities is the focus of the Web site. A friend announced he was gay after completing undergraduate school and Harlacher said he saw how difficult it was for the gay population to gain respect and acceptance. He began looking for a way to sustain his friend. Also, a new understanding of God has motivated him to spread acceptance. As the Web site states, the idea all started from a prank some friends of Harlacher played on another friend. A gay pride sticker was put on a rather conservative friend's car. Harlacher brainstormed for and ideas on how to support the gay community without making people think he was gay. Harlacher's original idea was to make stickers with catchy phrases, which evolved to blue wrist bands imprinted with the word, "Equality. After some thinking, he came up with a Web site that would show support not only for the gay community from those who are straight, but to promote treating each other with respect and equality, stated in the history of the Web site. "It seems like we are in a time where the majority population needs to show support for the minority population," he said. "It's a way to be proactive and take a stance even if you don't have direct contact with it." Wrist bands may be purchased at the site for $2. Money for the bands and donations are sent to the AIDS Research Alliance of America (ARA). The site has a link to the foundation, mission statement, thoughts from minority leaders and scriptures from the Bible backing up the idea of acceptance and tolerance. "It's cool that he is recognizing and trying to bring about more equality and acceptance," said Camie Stucki, a freshman student at USU. Harlacher is scheduled to graduate from USU this June, and plans to begin his doctorial studies at the University of Oregon in the fall. He works as a school psychologist at Davis County School District where he assesses students for special education. He also teaches an introduction to psychology class at USU. This summer he hopes to convince retail stores to sell wrist bands to spread the word about equality and to raise money for the foundation. Stores such as SugarHouse Coffee, 2100 S. Highland Doctor and Apple Fitness, 324 S. State St., in Salt Lake County are already selling the bands. Apple Fitness is sponsoring on March 19-20 a Spinathon for its members and nonmembers to raise money for AIDS research. Proceeds from a 24-hour stationary-bicycle ride and other donations will go to Harlacher's Web site, which will forward the money to the ARA. Although Harlacher said he doubted he would find much success selling bands Monday, March 21 •USU Women's Center30th Anniversary Historical Displays 9 am-10 pm, TSC Sunburst •Speak Out 4 Women 11 am-2 pm, TSC Sunburst Every 4 minutes, a woman will step to the mike and Speak Out 4 Women. Come listen to whaf s on women's minds. It may be a story from their life, reflections, a song or poetry, politics or a thank you. Tuesday. March 22 •USU Women's Center 30th Anniversary Historical Displays 9 am-10 pm, TSC Sunburst •A Gentle Awakening, Sally Keller, Ten Thousand Villages L noon-1 pm, TSC Sunburst Lounge Main Street in Cache Valley, he was surprised and pleased to note that he received few negative comments from people responding to his requests for comments on the Web site. -ashleywach@cc.usu.edu You can help save someone's life by giving plasma. Western Plasma 1061 No. Main • 753-7802 HOURS: Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat noon-4 pm. Closed Sun flow Renting for University Pines 400 N. 500 E. $2700 for School Year includes: All Utilities Furnished Wireless Internet Cable TV Dishwasher, Microwave Private Bedrooms t 435-770-5741 VALLEY VIE? -„ Natiomi Women's History Mcmfh March 2005 Cache Vaiievj Celebrations WESTERN PLASMA APARTMENTS RENT AS Apply Online: ValleyViewApartmenis.com LOW AS Thursday. March 24 •Women in the Medical Professions 6-7 pm, TSC Center Colony Room Saturday. March 26 •Cafe Femenino - Women Coffee Farmers in Peru, Sally Sears & Randy Wirth. 7 pm, Caffe Ibis, 52 Federal Avenue Tuesday, March 29 • Women over 65 Lifelong Achievement Award Ceremony 7 pm, TSC Stevenson Ballroom Celebrations coordinated by USU Women's Center. Events are free and open to all. For more information, call 797-1728 ENTIRE SUMMER! 787-21OO640E900NJ3 |