by Kage Sanderson | Feb 4, 2014 | Opinion, Sports
Super Bowl XLVIII on February 3rd was the best game of the year for Seattle Seahawks fans and possibly the saddest game of the year for Denver Broncos fans. Something most viewers can agree with, I’m sure, is that this year’s Super Bowl commercials were pretty great. The commercial that had me teary was Microsoft’s “Empowering” commercial. The commercial is narrated by former NFL player Steve Gleason. I have been moved by Gleason’s story since I first learned about his diagnosis with ALS. The commercial shows how technology unites us, is a helping tool and as the commercial says, gives hope to the hopeless and voice to the voiceless. If you haven’t seen this commercial, do yourself a favor and check it out. Both of Tim Tebow’s T-Mobile commercials were some of the funniest. They were such a brilliant way to play on the whole “no contract” theme. I love that Tebow talks about not having a contract, but then turns around and shows how he (supposedly) spent the NFL season. Some of the things Tebow does in those commercials are so audaciously funny, like bull riding in one and playing football on the moon in the other. I definitely laughed with each T-Mobile commercial shown. The Hyundai commercial with the dad who has a “sixth sense” was awesome. It made you think about how dads always seem like the superheroes who save the day. By the end of the commercial the Hyundai Genesis saves the day when the young teen driver gets distracted. Hilarious. Alright, the Doritos commercial where the kid rides his mastiff like a horse was...
by Aaron Schmelzer | Jan 30, 2014 | Opinion, Sports
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmas, but the Super Bowl. This year’s 48th matchup is a rarity, pitting the two number-one-seeded teams in either conference against each other. The Denver Broncos (15-3) and the Seattle Seahawks (15-3), will square off at Metlife Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 2. This is the first time the New York metropolitan area has hosted a Super Bowl, and the first time the big game has been held in an outdoor, cold weather venue. The first question raised might be whether or not Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning can play in cold weather, much less win. Manning is 3-7 in outdoor games in which the temperature is, or is less than, 32 degrees. Actually, the weather does not seem to be an issue. The Weather Channel predicts that the forecast for Sunday’s game will consist of a low chance of precipitation, low wind speeds and relatively warm weather for winter in New York, so low 40’s to 30’s. The weather is most likely the least of any teams’ worries, though the cold most definitely will affect the passing game. Because of this, both teams may look to establish the running game early. The Seahawks defense is ranked first in total defense during the regular season, as well as first in passing defense and receiving defense. Seattle allows almost 102 yards per game, which is ranked eighth in rush defense. Denver’s running game is ranked fifteenth in the league with 117 yard per game. As cliché as it is to say it, the rushing game opens up opportunities for the passing game....
by Brianna Langley | Jan 27, 2014 | Opinion
In my experience, I have found the most stressful part of any journey oftentimes accompanies the preparation and anxiety that arises before ever even taking that first step onto the airplane, vehicle, boat, etc. Knowing something about where you’re going obviously helps, but if your destination is somewhere you have never been before, no amount of reading, packing or studying will keep those fears, doubts and second thoughts from festering in your mind. The key is to channel these oftentimes negative feelings into something positive, like excitement or eagerness. If you keep reminding yourself how fulfilling your trip is going to be, you’ll eventually convince yourself that you are excited and eager to be going. Then, one day, you’ll find that you actually are, just as you were when you first decided to take the trip. This was the process I had to work through when I decided to participate in Global Learning. The minute I saw my new home, though, I felt at peace and reassured. Santiago has been nicknamed the city of Saints for the capital’s deeply rooted traditions in Catholicism. This core essence of the city can be felt everywhere, from the world-famous Metropolitan Cathedral to the hilltop sanctuary “San Cristόbal”, where a 22-meter tall limestone Virgin Mary stands, looking out over her loyal and dedicated city. With its towering buildings and ongoing cityscape, Santiago has the potential to feel like a megacity to newcomers. Nearly half of Chilé’s 14-million inhabitants live in Santiago, giving it a population of over 7-million. The Chileans of Santiago seem to be especially proud and in touch with their European...
by Logan Butts | Jan 17, 2014 | Opinion
Well folks, it’s that time again. Thursday morning was the movie fan’s equivalent to Christmas morning, except with a much higher chance of heartache. The nominations were announced for the 86th Academy Awards. There were, per usual, outrageous omissions and pleasant surprises. I, Lumination Network Entertainment Editor Logan Butts, will break down the morning’s most important moments. Biggest Surprises: 1. No Tom Hanks: Believed to be a lock for one acting nomination, and in the running for two, the always lovable Tom Hanks was left out of both the Best Actor field for his riveting turn in Captain Phillips and the Supporting Actor field for his role in Saving Mr. Banks. I believe that he most likely canceled himself out by being in the running for both awards. 2. Lack of Saving Mr. Banks nominations: Speaking of Saving Mr. Banks, it was completely shut out of the major categories, only receiving a Best Original Score nomination. For a film thought to be right up the voting body’s alley, the film went home without a single nomination. 3. Sally Hawkins in, Oprah out: In the Best Supporting Actress race, Oprah Winfrey was predicted by most prognosticators to receive a nod for her role in Lee Daniels’ The Butler, which was shut out as well. Instead, her spot went to Sally Hawkins for the film Blue Jasmine, proving once again that the voters love performances from Woody Allen films. Cate Blanchett is the front-runner in the Best Actress category for her performance in the same film. Worst Snubs: 1. Inside Llewyn Davis: Although it always seemed to be more of a critical darling...
by Brianna Langley | Jan 15, 2014 | Opinion
They say when you travel, you should always keep a journal. And while I do plan on keeping my personal journal for my own sake, I also want my column for Lumination about my semester abroad in Santiago, Chilé, to be something like a journal for all of my readers to see. Now, that is not to say this column will be a jumbled mess of rambling, random thoughts and memories; it will obviously have more structure and preparation behind it than that. No, I use that analogy to introduce this column because the writing here will be conversational, and even borderline casual. If you choose to read this column, my hope is that you will be delightfully struck by the creative, colorful and free-flowing writing style, and that you will feel truly a part of the experiences and memories that I’m creating and expressing to you via the written word. I want my readers to know exactly what it is like to live abroad, and to feel as though they share in the valleys and peaks of that experience. My name is Brianna Langley, and I have been the lifestyles editor for Lumination Network since last August. I plan to double major in journalism and international affairs, and I am currently a second semester sophomore at Lipscomb University. My true passion is cultural and travel journalism, which is why I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do write this column during my time abroad here in Chilé. I chose to participate in the Global Learning program for one semester (three months) because travel is and will always be my...
by Cory Woodroof | Jan 14, 2014 | Opinion
Hello, fellow Bisons! I hope you’re having a great week! I wanted to take this time to welcome you all back to classes and share a few exciting updates with Lumination Network. With Lumination News, our student newscast, Jael Teme will be taking over as the news director, and Janice Ng will be taking on Jael’s former role as assistant news director. We’re extremely excited to have Jael and Janice working in these roles. We were also excited to bring on five new staff writers at the close of last semester. Lumination contributors Jesica Parsley, Kage Sanderson, Erika Thornsberry, Travis Byrd and Carter Sanderson will all be writing even more for us than before, and I’m excited to share their great work over the months ahead. Over the semester, be on the lookout for our coverage of various Lipscomb events and stories, including our recaps of men’s and women’s basketball. I also encourage you to tune in to Lumination Radio for their live broadcasts of Lady Bisons’ home basketball games. As you settle into the spring semester, I wish you well over the months ahead, encouraging you to keep up with the site (we’re @luminationnet on Twitter and “Lumination Network” on Facebook) as we keep you up-to-date on life at Lipscomb over the semester and beyond. Thanks so much for being one of our readers, and have a blessed...
