The Wake

As University Rec Center patrons circle the track in the Fieldhouse and intramural-soccer games heat up nearby, the Men’s Rugby club is plopped right in the middle of the action taking part in what some may call Rugby 101. Spring is the season of a fresh start and high expectations for the club which has a high turnover of new athletes each season. The majority of the competition, including the national tournament, …

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So the ref blew a call. So what? The zebra turned his head and missed the illegal screen under the hoop. Big deal. Big deal!? “The refs need to see both sides of the game. They can play physical, but we can’t play physical,” said former Minnesota Golden Gopher and current NBA player Bobby Jackson last April. “I’d rather have high school refs than NBA refs.” It comes as no surprise his comments came after …

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A mode of transportation like nothing else is skiing across country. All you need for the sport are some skies, poles, snow and some open trails. The University of Minnesota Nordic Ski Club team consists of a great mix of people who have experience with the sport and also some who are just interested in learning. Cross country skiing is a physically exhausting sport. If you want to be able to compete, you must have …

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So what makes Aaron Robinson move so darn quick on the basketball court? Is it the Jay-Z album bumping in his headphones before the game or his motivational prayer during the national anthem? Both of these pre-game rituals and a desire to change the game to a faster level has made Aaron Robinson one of the scrappiest players in the Big 10. The junior guard from Rockford, Ill. relishes in …

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Aahh…February again. Out come the pink hearts, red flowers, squishy teddy bears and enormous amounts of stress for both the single and the committed! What to do? Where to go? And how to say what you feel? Here are a few guidelines to help you out on the holiday:Single?DO: Smile flirtatiously at your crush. People are looking for love and/or booty this week more than any other, so he or she may be more apt …

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While dining on my roast beast over the holiday break, I took time to read over the December issue of The Wake in its entirety. I came across a column that didn’t have kind words for the governor of our state, Tim Pawlenty. The author of the piece (“A Battle Cry Against Tuition Hikes: Reflections on the Student Protest Paradox”), Eric Magnuson, opinionated that the majority of blame for consistent tuition hikes the University of …

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty is not the sole villain responsible for continued tuition hikes at the University of Minnesota, but he definitely set the trend of this downward spiral. The higher education system of our state is facing a $170 million cut in the 2003-2004 biennium thanks to Pawlenty’s tax policies. He refuses to raise taxes even while his massive spending cuts are still not enough to keep Minnesota in the black.Pawlenty attributes the state’s economic …

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Valentine’s Day is designed to give guys an opportunity to show they have a romantic side. Some people actually plan this day months in advance because they want the night to be “perfect.” Even department stores will get into the spirit of the day by carrying romantic items such as flowers, candy and massage oil, or kinkier accessories like handcuffs, chocolate body syrup and flavored condoms. After all the gifts have been purchased and the …

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Since 1991, John Darnielle, the one-man powerhouse behind the Mountain Goats, has released more than 30 seven-inches, tapes and CDs. Self-recording most of his music with an acoustic guitar and a Panasonic boombox, Darnielle has developed a cult-like following. Fans have to search for the songs, too - most of the Mountain Goats’ albums came out on a handful of obscure labels, many now extinct. This homemade feel lends a personal quality to the Mountain …

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There are hundreds of restaurants in the Twin Cities that are ideal for spending a special Valentine’s date. One of them, right in the U’s back yard, is the Loring Pasta Bar.The Loring’s décor sets the mood for romance. The main dining room’s two plus-story ceiling opens the room, allowing guests to view the magnificent decoration; yet the seating setup—oversized moon-shaped booths and generously spaced tables—keeps each party’s dining experience private. Heavily dimmed lighting is …

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Exaggeration, white lies and stretching the truth – all common ideas associated with Tim Burton’s latest film, Big Fish.A man who could never be accused of being unimaginative, Burton has not only matured with this heartfelt story of family ties but has also proved to audiences that his work is more than simply something to poke fun at.Burton, who directed such films as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and Batman, has …

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If shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons have taught us anything, it’s cartoons are not just for kids anymore. Anyone who says differently has obviously never seen South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. Cartoons have always played on people’s senses of whimsy and humor, although some have more fun exploring the seedier side of human nature. The French animated film, The Triplets of Belleville, certainly belongs in the latter category. Animated films have long been …

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Dancing in a leotard, flaunting his fully-exposed chest to the likes of David Lee Roth and Freddie Mercury, lead singer, Justin Hawkins, of The Darkness has re-established ’80s glam-rock. Hailing from England, the foursome’s debut album Permission to Land has already gone four times platinum in the United Kingdom. Once a band struggling for mainstream acceptance, The Darkness have now become a cult-like hit. And why not? With such rockin’ hits like “Growing on Me” …

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With a new singer in tow (Tim Owens replacing Matt Barlow), Iced Earth has accomplished a masterwork. On The Glorious Burden, band leader Jon Schaffer has put together a conceptual double album based on military history and his love for the U.S.A. The album opens with a classy and respectful guitar version of “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by a power thrash track about the American Revolution (“Declaration Day”) and a somber ballad dedicated to …

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It has been brought to my attention that it may be necessary for me to explain some things about underground metal. I have decided to go through a quick primer for you on metal’s sub-genres. The first topic I will touch on is the style of DEATH METAL. Death metal began in the early 1980s with bands such as Possessed and Death. It became a more extreme evolution of thrash metal. Death metal consists of …

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