by Caitlin Selle | Feb 29, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion
With unseasonably warm weather outside and the continued blast from the heating system indoors, students in Old Johnson not only can’t cool off, many of them say they can’t sleep. And not much can be done. Students will have to wait until mid-March, when the heating system is turned off and cooling switched on. Head Resident Caroline Gallagher said the heating system in Old Johnson is old-fashioned compared to other recently renovated dorms. It is a steam-based system, and that allows warm air to flow even though the units are off, leaving rooms stuffy and uncomfortably hot even as the weather outside is mostly warm this winter. Since the system is a bit antiquated, it cannot be easily turned off and on to account for the outside temperatures, and even when the process occurs, it takes several days, according to Gallagher. Gallagher said the university generally makes the switch from hot to cold air only once a semester, and this semester’s switch is expected to take place in March. All students asked said they were uncomfortable with the hot temperatures currently in Johnson. More than half of them said the heat interferes with a good night’s sleep. It has become more of a problem this year because outdoor temperatures have risen and remained among the 60s the last couple of weeks, so students come in from the warm to cool and then get…hot. In the past, a quick fix was to open the window and generate a nice breeze to cool things down, but now, opening the window offers little relief. Plans call for Johnson’s heating and cooling system to be updated...
by Nick Glende | Feb 20, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion
All of us have a particular group of friends we hang out with. And in every group there is generally the same makeup of the types of people. However, it seems there is always a pessimist. If you know that person, or it is you, please do me a favor. Take the nearest solid object or surface, and bang his/her/your head into it thoroughly. Have a concussion yet? No, then keep going until you forget whatever it was you were complaining about. Trust me, it’s probably pointless. It is very apparent to me that we all have something to gripe and moan about. Let me tell you something – if you are reading this you’re already way more than privileged. You have access to a computer with internet, able to access this site – Lumination. Chances are you’re a student, maybe even a professor. That means you can afford tuition, get an education, shelter and a meal plan. You don’t have anything to complain about. Three billion people in the world don’t even know how to read. Here are some of the common “first world problems” I hear about day to day: “My phone isn’t working,” boy/girlfriend problems, “I can’t stand the parking here,” “This food sucks,” “I’m so poor,” “I need a new [insert luxury object here], my other one is too slow”… the list goes on. Here are my well-thought-out words to those people: Do you even know what type of insane technology goes into making a phone? Give it a second; it’s going to space! If you’re having troubles with your significant other once again, wait a minute. They won’t be...
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 20, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion
I, assistant managing/entertainment editor Cory Woodroof, welcome you to the “Top the Critic” challenge! The Academy Awards will hold their ceremony Sunday evening, and in honor of the season, I have offered my “professional” opinion on who will win in the major categories. You will have a chance to offer your own picks in the comments section below this article. If you can manage to prove me wrong and top my predictions, you will have a chance to win two free movie tickets to the Regal Theater! Please remember to include your name and email in your predictions post. See below for contest rules. BEST PICTURE The Artist Moneyball War Horse The Help Midnight in Paris Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close The Descendants The Tree of Life Hugo The Lumination Critic picks The Artist. BEST ACTOR George Clooney–The Descendants Brad Pitt– Moneyball Jean Dujardin– The Artist Demián Bichir– A Better Life Gary Oldman– Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy The Lumination Critic picks Jean Dujardin. BEST ACTRESS Meryl Streep– The Iron Lady Viola Davis– The Help Michelle Williams– My Week with Marilyn Rooney Mara– The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Glenn Close– Albert Nobbs The Lumination Critic picks Viola Davis. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Christopher Plummer– Beginners Jonah Hill– Moneyball Nick Nolte– Warrior Max von Sydow– Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Kenneth Branagh- My Week with Marilyn The Lumination Critic picks Max von Sydow. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Octavia Spencer– The Help Bérénice Bejo– The Artist Melissa McCarthy– Bridesmaids Janet McTeer– Albert Nobbs Jessica Chastain– The Help The Lumination Critic picks Octavia Spencer. BEST DIRECTOR Martin Scorsese– Hugo Michel Hazanavicius– The Artist Alexander...
by Clay Smith | Feb 20, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion
Daniel Johnston – you may not recognize his name, but you’ve probably heard his music. You may have even seen his “Hi How are you” frog, an iconic image of Austin, Texas. Please upgrade your browser Daniel Johnston started his artistic and musical career in his basement, but he’s influenced and been covered by acts such as Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, and Pearl Jam. So what brought this world-renowned songwriter to play a free concert in Alumni on Feb. 10? As it so happens, one of our own musical faculty, Dr. Sally Reed, is the sister of Daniel Johnston. Thanks to this connection, Lipscomb’s music department was able to put on one of its most unique and highly attended performances of the year, with a crowd of over 700. Johnston was glad to be able to perform in a venue where people of all ages were able to attend. In addition to his free concert, Johnston’s art will be featured in an exhibit in the Hughes Center through March 15. Johnston has suffered from schizophrenia and manic depression since his 20s, which has had a large effect on his music and art. His art is full of the angst that goes hand in hand with his ongoing mental battle. From vibrant cartoon images to the struggle between good and evil, it leaves the viewer yearning to learn more of the mystery. Some would call his pieces a trendy interpretation; others say it is a trip through his thought process, or a man searching for sanity. Even after a lifetime of albums and artwork, Johnston says he is...
by Brynn Watkins | Feb 8, 2012 | News Slider, Opinion
The crowd is silent and still, patiently waiting for me to give them my soul that I have written on the sheet of paper in front of me. I am shaky; my voice trembles. I begin. If you follow me on any given Tuesday night, you’ll find me in Swang 118. Look around and you’ll see eager faces of people armed with journals, sheets of notebook paper, computers and various other forms of press. Everything yields poetry. In this room, an unspoken freedom looms, nonjudgmental and loving, a circle of support. A room of an open environment, where you can come read your poetry, hear your neighbors or just sit back and take it all in. In the crowd you see a variety of faces from all different backgrounds with a common center: expressionism. Beatniks, beats, sonnets and slammers gather here in community. There is an atmosphere of an open mic. Nervousness and intensity fills the air as people boldly step forward to share the inner workings of their hearts. This is irrevocably personal. If you have the courage to approach the front you’re already halfway there. I come to the Lipscomb Poetry Group for the sweet release of yesterday’s problems. I feel alive when I get my feelings out in the open air. This is therapy for many people here, a way to cope with the madness we call life, hoping someone can relate and a connection will blossom. I send my words out of my mouth like ships, hoping they can harbor with someone and rest. Come to Lipscomb Poetry Group if you want to feel the heartbeat of...
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 6, 2012 | Opinion, Sports
Last night, yet another football team who beat my precious Atlanta Falcons went on to win the Super Bowl, yet another half time show kept me trying to improve my score at Temple Run, and yet another bunch of commercials aired that require my cold, critical opinion. So, join me in breaking down this year’s best and worst Super Bowl commercials! THE BEST: DORITOS, VW, SKETCHERS, SUZUKI, and CHRYSLER This year, the dogs led the pack of commercials in quality, ranging from a dog with a secret, a dog with a goal, a group of dogs with a new ride and a dog with a nice pair of Sketchers. Doritos has provided viewers with solid commercials over the past few years, and thankfully, they decided to provide yet another gem. The ad, simply entitled “Man’s Best Friend”, featured a sneaky canine who through a package of Doritos, gets away with a crime that would send shivers down any cat lover’s spine. The carmakers VW, whose 2011 ad featured the beloved Vader Kid, gave us the heartwarming plight of a large dog with the goal of slimming down to fit through the doggie-door (to chase a VW, mind you). Through his training, he managed to win the hearts of every viewer in the process. After the ad, viewers re-enter the Star Wars universe to see the loungers at the Mos Eisley cantina debating on whether this year’s lovable commercial matched up with the heartwarming tale of Vader Kid. I loved it. Suzuki offered us an Eskimo who decides to trade in his sled for, you guessed it, a new Suzuki....
