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Independent bookstores all over the country are closing because of large chains and online retailers. However, Athens’ Book Center and Little Professor are still thriving. How have they managed to buck the trend?
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On his latest album since 2008, Young Jeezy has decided to devolve from The Recession’s socio-conscious rhyming to make TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition a return to the drug-fueled corner stories that originally made him famous. On “Way Too Gone,” when Jeezy makes his proclamation to throw us into the Delorean and takes us all the way back to 2005, it’s almost enough to make the listener laugh, because this album is so 2005.
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In the olden days of Crayola coloring and glue eating, such treasure hunts evoked frenzied excitement, often during a birthday party or extended recess. They also enriched holiday memories—especially of the sibling brawls that ensued over the last chocolate-filled Easter egg tucked under the porch.
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As the holiday spirit begins to infiltrate Athens, Backdrop has a potential request from Santa Claus: a personal trainer. Halloween has passed, spring break is months away and cookie season is upon us, but as personal trainer, Rachel Olsheski, says, “Fitness is a lifestyle.”
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By Chris Longo |
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| The Occupy Wall Street movement has grown exponentially since its beginnings in New York City’s Zuccotti Park this past summer, sprouting up in cities across the country. Backdrop Magazine investigated the movement in its origin and in Athens. We wanted to know: is there a point to all of the noise?
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| It’s only 8:30 p.m.. The Courtside Bar & Grill is already preparing for its Thursday night crowd. Mike Logue comes around the bar and sits next to me. A black sweatband is wrapped around his short brown hair. He appears intimidating, and yet, he is immediately friendly.
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| Films like Scary Movie and Shaun of the Dead proved that scary material can offer fodder for choice comedy. More often than not, though, films that try to combine chills with giggles are terrible messes. When seeing the title and poster for Tucker and Dale vs. Evil one may assume this is another cheap, witless farce of the genre, and though the film isn’t without its missteps, Tucker and Dale is a thoughtful satire of cabin-in-the-woods thrillers, and it’s good for plenty of laughs.
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| Was it really that long ago that Fall Out Boy rocketed to mega-stardom because of heavy MTV airplay and the flocks of teenage-girl fans swooning over bassist and band mascot Pete Wentz’s mascaraed eyes and emo doo?
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| After four to five years of studying, Ohio University students who earn their degree must face reality and trade in their Athens lifestyle for a career. Since being named the #1 party school in America by the Princeton Review this past summer, the Ohio University faculty has gone on the defensive, citing declines in alcohol violations and warning students that the party school reputation will ultimately devalue their Ohio University degrees.
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| It’s a Wednesday night at Courtside Bar & Grill, which means that the establishment is hosting its notoriously rowdy “Slice Night” event. In the midst of the pizza- and beer-fueled chaos Lorenzo “Zo” Washington begins his bartending shift at 9 p.m. at the front bar. Zo is a senior broadcast journalism major and has been working at the bar for over a year. When Zo first started working for Courtside he checked IDs at the door, but after his recent birthday he has taken his mixology talents behind the bar.
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| A teacher drones to a crowded lecture hall as he points at a PowerPoint about a topic students are already struggling to remember. Eyes are glazing over, heads are dropping onto desks and snores echo from the back of the room. Sadly, this scene more resembles a massive slumber party than the average classroom, and the student’s listlessness has nothing to do with too much partying—it’s caused by static teaching methods.
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| For most, getting into shape involves hitting the gym. To help students mix-up their workout Mike Mayhew, a certified strength-and-conditioning specialist, helped create a circuit for students. What is a circuit? A circuit is a small group of exercises that emphasizes short repetitions. This type of training is easy to follow and the goal is to build strength and muscular endurance through short spurts of high-energy exercises. Not only does a circuit increase heart rate, but it also burns calories during and after the workout. Mayhew chose four specific exercises for this particular circuit and advocates that it be fully completed three times. For the workout to be successful he encourages students to have as little rest time in between each circuit as possible. His recommendation would be 30 seconds between exercises.
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| The ‘odd couple’dynamic has been a staple in Hollywood since, well, The Odd Couple. Straight-laced characters mingling with the scruffy, unkempt, and untidy has been a constant source of humor for films. When done poorly, the audience is treated to a series of clichés that completely kill a picture, but when executed well, like in The Guard, it can really work wonders.
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| Eight years: that’s how long it’s been since Blink-182 last released an album. During their break-up, diehard Blink-182 fans scrambled for news and leads on any projects that involved Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge or Travis Barker. Bands like +44, Angels & Airwaves, Motion City Soundtrack, Boxcar Racer and the Transplants all benefitted from the former Blink members. So it’s with this type of anticipation that fans have been waiting for a new album, especially since the band announced at the 2008 Grammy’s that they’d begin writing music together again. Here’s the finished product almost three years later, Neighborhoods
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| They’ve performed at monstrous music festivals and opened up for national acts such as Primus. However, Papadosio haven’t forgotten their Athens roots. Backdrop caught up with Rob from Papadosio after their recent set at the Groove Street Music Fest and talked influences; Ashville, North Carolina and the band’s progression from here.
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| “Defining dubstep is one of the hardest things to do,” Joe Sherwood says as he relaxes in the living room of his off-campus house in Athens. Although Sherwood couldn’t provide a proper definition for the genre, dubstep music is an offshoot of house or electro music that builds in power and contains something known as “the drop,” a point in each song in which the bass kicks in in full force.
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| I perched on a bar stool at the back bar. A few guys nonchalantly shot pool at a nearby table. Other than that, it was a quiet Wednesday evening at The Crystal. “You’re early,” the bartender said with a smile, as he let himself behind the bar. Corbin Coe has been working at The Crystal for almost two years. He used to be the president of the lacrosse team, and continues to be a full-time student studying sports management. Corbin’s warm chocolate eyes and matching hair add to his approachable presence. Yes, he likes his job, but he has witnessed some unexplainable nights at this Court Street bar.
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| Cancer isn’t funny, and 50/50 doesn’t try to change that. Given the cast at hand, it’d be reasonable to assume that the Will Resier-penned dramedy would attempt the unthinkable: crass, R-rated cancer jokes. In actuality, the film is a touching, subtle look at how terrifying cancer truly is, especially when dealt to someone in their mid-twenties. There are laughs to be had, but this movie is about something much realer than comedy.
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| This casserole is a fall favorite. It is hearty and can be served as an appetizer or a meal. I served it with blue corn tortilla chips; however, it could also be served in a wrap, a taco shell or a taco bowl.
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| For Jéan P, being accepted back into OU was a blessing. Over the past year while not in school, Jéan’s son, Amir, was born and his whole life changed. Now, he’s preparing to come back to school, as his most recent headlining gig at OU Hip-Hopalooza 3 highlighted his Athens return. Backdrop caught up with Jéan at the show to talk Hip-Hopalooza, upcoming projects and his feelings about not getting to perform at 8Fest.
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| Athens is notorious for its late night lifestyle. Every weekend students break from the books and head to the Court Street bar scene. Lines spill out onto the streetas popular bars hit capacity. However, we tend to forget the people who make it happen: the bartenders. Mixology is just a fraction of what they do. Their stories often go untold and forgotten, overshadowed by the haze of alcoholic beverages.
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