University of Michigan Cellular and Molecular Biology graduate student.

November 2001

Chem Midterm #2

I think I did a lot better on this one than I did on the first. I’m feeling a “B” or an “A.” We’ll see, but I definitely think it will be my 25% midterm and not my 20%. Here’s hoping. The test covered Molecular Orbitals, Periodic Trends, Spectroscopy, and Hybridization. It was not a test that you could slack for. I studied my butt off this weekend and I think it paid off.


Harry Potter

I finally managed to see Harry Potter, with Mark and Suzanne at the Mann Village. It was surprisingly good. The flick is not entirely kid oriented. I really liked the quidditch match — I still don’t know how it was filmed and probably never will. The Mann Village is equally impressive, with its balcony and cool designs on the inside of the theater. Not your typical place. Harry Potter was better than I expected, in short.


UCLA vs. USC

I know this review is a little late, but just for recap, we lost to our cross-town rivals 27-0. How embarassing. I really don’t even want to go over the plays of the game, since they will only depress me. All I can say is that USC did not play the real Bruins, and that next year, we’ll get revenge.


Harry Potter Premiere

Dear Lord! I tried to go see the new flick with a couple of my friends on Dykstra 2, and I was amazed at the line outside the theater. It was similar to Star Wars: Episode I, although it wasn’t quite as long. Still, we got there an hour and a half early and the line was already massive. I didn’t want to see the movie that badly.


Burn Trojan Burn!

Tonight was the annual Beat ‘SC Bonfire, held below the Janss steps. It was pretty impressive, actually. I belive two or three TV crews were there, one being CBS 2. That’s the only one I can remember. I think ABC was there two, but I didn’t see their news van. Anyway, the night started off with a brief cheer from the cheerleaders followed by the Mighty Bruin, played by the band. Then Bob Toledo and the football got up and said a few words. Brian Poli-Dixon was the funniest, saying that this Saturday “will be crackin’.” They even hinted at allowing the fans to storm the field, although I’m sure it’s not up to the Bruin football team, since the game is away.

The actual fire wasn’t that big, since the school follows fire sanctions. However, it did burn quickly and was overall a sight to behold. I’m sure it will be on the 11:00 news, which I plan on watching. If you didn’t go this year, definitely mark your calendar next year; it is a very cool event that is easy to miss.


Tough night

Last night I went to bed at 11:00, which is early, by college standards. I went to bed early because I had a midterm the next day, which is now today. Regretfully, I was pretty stressed over the midterm and I couldn’t sleep. I think I probably didn’t fall asleep for two hours. Then I fell asleep, but only shortly. I remember waking up and not being able to go back to sleep for another hour period. It was awful. I ended up having to miss class because I was so tired this morning. Luckily, today is early enrollment day, so I’m sure attendance was not very high. I slept in until noon and am now feeling better. Hopefully I can ace my Calc midterm, which would relieve me greatly. I really need to focus on Chemistry, and getting Calc out of the way would take the load off my shoulders a little bit.


Jokes for Beat ‘SC Week

The following comes from uclalumni.net’s Beat ‘SC web page:

Admissions

What do USC and UCLA students have in common? They both got in to USC.

Last Requests

Submitted by Richard Brisacher ‘88

A Trojan grad and a Bruin grad were on death row. The warden came to them to ask them if they had any last requests. The Trojan said, “I’d just like to hear ‘Conquest’ one last time.” When the warden asked the Bruin what his last request was, he replied, “kill me first.”

The ‘SC Fan

Submitted by Wendy Law ‘92

A first grade teacher tells her class that she is an ‘SC fan. She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are ‘SC fans. Everyone in the class raises their hand except one little girl.

The teacher looks at the girl with surprise and says, “Janie, why didn’t you raise your hand?”

“Because I’m not an ‘SC fan,” she replied.

The teacher, still shocked, asked, “Then who are you a fan of?”

“I am a UCLA fan, and proud of it,” Janie replied.

The teacher could not believe her ears. “Janie, why pray tell are you a UCLA fan?”

“Because my mom is a UCLA fan, and my dad is a UCLA fan, so I’m a UCLA fan too!”

“Well,” said the teacher in an obviously annoyed tone, “that is no reason for you to be a UCLA fan. You don’t have to be just like your parents all of the time. What if your mom was a moron and your dad was a moron, what would you be then?”

“Then,” Janie smiled, “I’d be an ‘SC fan.”

USC Graduation

Submitted by Russel Heskin ‘96

Graduation had finally come to the USC campus. The sun was shining, and families and friends flooded Alumni Park for the ceremonies. The soon-to-be graduates were feeling good about themselves. They had survived four tough academic years as Trojans, and they were ready to conquer the world.

As the ceremony began, President Steven Sample took the microphone, “A few minutes ago, as the faculty and I were assembling outside Bovard Administration Building, we came to the conclusion that it would be an embarrassment to send you students out into the real world without knowing that you learned at least one thing at USC. So unless your valedictorian can answer the following question, you will all need to stay at USC another year.”

The students fell silent as the valedictorian, slowly stood up and approached President Sample. “The question is, What is 2 + 2?” You could hear a pin drop as the valedictorian timidly answered, “4?”

The students began to whisper, inaudibly to one another; until finally, the whispers grew into a chant:

“Give him another chance! Give him another chance!…”

The Wish

A Trojan fan and a Bruin fan were fighting over a lantern when suddenly a genie appeared. The genie said, “If you two will stop fighting, I will give each of you one wish.” The genie turned to the Trojan and asked, “What is your wish?”

The Trojan thought for a moment and then said, “I want a huge wall, 150 feet tall all the way around USC to protect our heritage. Make it so no one can get in or out, especially any of those Bruins!” The genie blinked his eyes, nodded his head and the Trojan’s wish came true.

Turning to the Bruin, the genie asked, “Now what is your wish?” With a huge ear-to-ear grin on his face, the Bruin replied, “Fill it with water.”

USC Library

Did you hear the library at USC burned down?

They lost both books, and one hadn’t even been colored in yet.

Oink Oink!

Did you hear the story about the semi truck carrying pigs that flipped over on the USC campus?

The officials had to check ID’s before letting anyone back on board.

Guy in a Bar

A guy in a bar leans over to the guy next to him and asks, “Wanna hear a USC joke?” The guy next to him replies, “Well, before you tell that joke, you should know something. I’m 6′ tall, 200 lbs., and I’m a USC graduate. The guy sitting next to me is 6′2″, weighs 225, and he’s a USC graduate. The fella next to him is 6′5″ tall, weighs 250, and he’s a USC graduate. Now, you still wanna tell that joke?”

The first guy replies: “Naw, not if I’m gonna have to explain it three times.”

USC Football

Members of the USC football team were placed in a remedial English class. “Because we are all new on campus we are going to start with the basics,” the professor explained. “Does anyone know what comes after a sentence?” All of the players raised their hands. “The appeal!” they all shouted with pride.

The Contractor

A woman was walking through her new house with the contractor. As they walked through rooms, she told him what color she wanted him to paint each room. In the bedroom she said, “I think this would be nice in a cream.” The contractor stuck his head out of the window and yelled, “GREEN SIDE UP!” This perplexed the woman. They moved to the living room and she said, “I would love rose in this area.” Again the contractor strolled over to the window and yelled, “GREEN SIDE UP!” Again the woman was confused but did not say anything. As they walked into the kitchen she proudly announced that she wanted this room to be “a glorious shade of mauve.” Once again the contractor went to the window and yelled, “GREEN SIDE UP!” Finally she could not stand this anymore. “What are you shouting GREEN SIDE UP out of every window of this house?” He replied, “I’m sorry. I have a crew of USC students laying sod across the street.”

Q and A

Q: What are the best four years of a Trojan’s life? A: Third grade.

Q: How long does it take a USC football player to run the 40-yard dash? A: I don’t know. After the sixth yard they get tired of climbing over the fences.

Q: What’s the difference between a USC cheerleader and a bag of trash? A: The trash gets taken out more often!

Q. Why did the USC Trojans get excited when they finished a jig-saw puzzle in six months? A: Because the box said “4 – 6 Years”

Q: How come the USC football team doesn’t have a Web site? A: They can’t string three “W’s” together.

Q: Why should the USC football team change its name to the “Opossums”? A: Because they play dead at home, and get killed on the road.

Q: How many USC freshmen does it take to change a light bulb? A: None–it’s a second year course.

Q: What does a Trojan and a bottle of beer have in common? A: They’re both empty from the neck up.

Q: Why doesn’t USC have ice on the sidelines? A: The guy with the recipe graduated.

Q: What do you get when you drive slowly by the USC campus? A: A degree.

Q: What’s the difference between a litter of puppies and USC fans? A: Eventually puppies grow up and stop whining.

Q: What does the average USC player get on his SAT’s? A: Drool.

Q: What do you call a person from USC in a three-piece suit? A: The defendant

Q: How do you get a USC graduate off your porch? A: Pay him for the pizza.

Q: Why do USC students put their report cards in their car windows? A: So they can get the handicap spot.

Top Ten Reasons Why You’d Rather Be a Bruin than a Trojan

  1. Your fight song has more than three notes.
  2. Your mascot doesn’t take a dump on the field.
  3. Your tuition doesn’t equal the national debt of most third world countries.
  4. None of your cheerleaders are named Buffy or Candie.
  5. Bruins need more than one hand to count their Nobel Prize winners.
  6. Your football highlights are in color unlike USC’s which are black and white.
  7. Your basketball team doesn’t think a fast break is a chance to get some water.
  8. Your band doesn’t dress in an emulation of decadent imperial arrogance.
  9. 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998.
  10. No one named “O.J.” ever played for UCLA.

UCLA vs. Oregon

First off, let me say that this game was a major let down. Man, losing by 1 (21-20) can never be taken well. If you really want a recap of the game, I suggest visiting uclabruins.com because I really don’t feel like writing one. Too depressing.


Beat ‘SC SAA e-mail

I just got this message delivered to my school account:

(it’s informative and gives a sense of the history of the rivalry between USC and UCLA)

Dear Bruins,

Since 1929, when the Bruins and Trojans first met on the football field, the beloved traditions of Beat ‘SC Week are special favorites of both students and alumni. If you’re not already a SAA member, then show your Bruin spirit and join this week!

There are some great events happening in honor of Beat ‘SC Week. Hope to see you all at them!

Go Bruins!

Joe Manko President Student Alumni Association

Car Smash Tuesday, Nov. 13 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Bruin Plaza

Take out your aggression for the rivals across town via a sledgehammer and an old car decorated in Trojan colors.

Blood Drive Wednesday, Nov. 14 10 a.m.-4 p.m., James West Alumni Center

Bruins and Trojans compete to see which school can donate the most pints of blood. Donors receive a free T-shirt, food and in the process help those in need.

Bonfire and Rally Wednesday, Nov. 14 9:30-10:30 p.m., Wilson Plaza

Join thousands of Bruin fans at the annual bonfire and rally. The UCLA Spirit Squad and band lead a rally featuring football players and coaches. Once everyone is fired up, the event culminates with the three-story high bonfire being set ablaze.

Bruin Night Out Thursday, Nov. 15 7-10 p.m., Westwood Village

Enjoy a special night of Bruin discounts on food and drinks in Westwood Village.

Bruinfest Friday, Nov. 16 8-11 p.m., Bruin Plaza

This annual carnival-complete with food, rides, games, prizes and entertainment-is a community favorite. Bruinfest provides one last opportunity before the big game for the UCLA community to come together and celebrate how great it is to be a Bruin! SAA members, stop by the James West Alumni Center to pick up your complimentary $5 worth of game and ride tickets.

Check out www.UCLAlumni.net/SAA/BeatSC/home.cfm?email=BBDA for a calendar of events, fight songs, jokes and more Beat ‘SC fun.

Join SAA online at www.UCLAlumni.net/SAA/join.cfm?email=BBDA.

Keri Kraft Marketing Manager UCLA Alumni Association 310-825-9519


Beat ‘SC Week

Well, although it’s not really the week before the USC game, the festivities have already begun. The bear is hibernating for one. What this means is the bronze bear across from Ackerman is under a blue and gold box…hibernating. Also, the recruiters for the blood drive are swarming Bruin Walk.

I’m disappointed that DeShawn Foster decided to take gifts from donors although he “didn’t know it was wrong.” Now USC has a chance at beating us. However, Foster is only supposed to miss one game, the one this weekend against Oregon. Let’s hope.