#HumbleBrag
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
Unfortunately, not every one of your friends is lucky enough to go to USC. This university is exclusive and maybe your friends didn’t get in or chose to go somewhere else. Either way, USC is the best university and whether your friends know it or not, they wish they went here. When you go home and start telling people how amazing USC really is, it will probably make them jealous and sometimes friendships end because of jealousy. SO for you to keep your friends, here are some sarcastic examples of how to talk to your friends about USC that sound like bad things but are actually good.
Can You Go The Distance? Not Everyone Can
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Having a relationship during college is a fairly controversial matter—and by controversial I mean that depending on whom you ask, attitudes toward it varies. Many view their college years as a time to find themselves, make lifelong friends and discover our potential in the field(s) pursued. Often times, having a significant other just doesn’t fit in. I have friends who don’t see the logic in wasting their precious youth on a person they most likely won’t end up with. For them, the trade-off of focusing on themselves far exceeds focusing on a boyfriend or girlfriend. I don’t necessarily disagree with that. Relationships can be, at times, emotionally and mentally draining. It can also take up a lot of your time.
Help Your Studying -- With Puppies!
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
Studying for finals can be difficult and while it is necessary, sometimes some small dogs can be ever more helpful. Every semester, USC and USG help sponsor an event where study snacks are a plenty and there are puppies to stroke. Outside the Leavey library on Thursday December 4th, Friday December 5th, and Monday December 8th, the University sponsored this exact activity, which definitely did brighten my day.
JON LOVETT DOES NOT FAIL: The Art of Bull$#!t
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
So this guy walks into a classroom a couple minutes late and tries to find a seat near the front. He then gets up to talk in front of the room holding over 200 people. I would probably already be asleep if this was a normal classroom. But this is not a usual classroom. Usually, I wouldn’t expect this guy to be cussing, relating to the students, and encouraging these students to become more politically active and not simply take what the media gives them so willing. But on Monday, December 1st, at 8:00pm, a former speech writer for the President of the United States and a current comedy writer for NBC came to speak to talk about the complete and utter bull$#!t our media is consumed by and how to overtake that. Jon Lovett spoke in that classroom, bursting with students, and it was throughly entertaining as well as enlightening.
A Very Vegas Thanksgiving
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving, whether they went home or stayed on campus! I went home for two days and came back in time for the Notre Dame Game (Fight on!) but Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. That might have something to do with the fact that my birthday is November 29th ( today !! ) and Thanksgiving is the closest holiday. Truthfully, it probably has more to do with the food. For all of you who stayed at USC or didn’t get to celebrate, here is the rundown of my Thanksgiving and you can live out your holiday fantasies through these photos.
Don't Be THAT Roommate
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
Okay, we all know of these people or have the unfortunate luck to be living with them, but they are the people who are vindictive, passive aggressive, or just plain horrible roommates. You are not always going to enjoy who you are living with and skip off into the sunset. Life is going to be full of difficult people who are going to try to bring you down. Don’t let them. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you are either: 1. Oblivious and fine with everything (bless your pure, adorable soul) or 2. It’s you.
Cromwell Field New OUTDOOR Equipment
By: Matthew Freihofner ‘15
Trojans! For those of you who want to workout but want to get outside at the same time there’s great news. Cromwell field, across from the bookstore, just put in BRAND NEW outdoor fitness equipment. I personally love mixing it up and working out outside on the weekends. I’m especially excited to use the new equipment at Cromwell called a ‘Rogue Rig’. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, here’s what it looks like and what you can do with it.
Hikes In LA That You Must Try Right Now
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Hikes are a great way of toning your body (a natural lift for your backside, ladies!), getting your suggested 30 minutes of cardio in, as well as simply venturing outside the concrete confines of USC and downtown. The best part: you get to chat to your friends throughout the entire trail and be close to nature. One of my biggest accomplishments was hiking the tallest mountain in South Lake Tahoe called Mt. Tallac. It took me nearly the entire day and I was gasping for oxygen as I literally crawled the last quarter mile. In my defense, oxygen was becoming sparse considering the increased elevation and change in altitude but I felt the greatest surge of endorphins imaginable when I finally reached the top. Never had a PB&J tasted so heavenly. Maybe you’re not about that 12.5 mile hike. Instead, I outlined a handful of hikes around Los Angeles that range from less than two miles to up to seven miles.
Campus Eats: The Many Places Students Can Use Dining Dollars At
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
At the end of every semester, my lucky friends who are privileged with Trojan Plan tend to have over $1,000 dollars leftover in dining dollars. This is typically around finals week when I am practically living on campus and all sense of self-sufficiency has flown out the window. Fortunately, my friends are generous enough to order me meals on campus using their Dining Dollars (all hail free Lemonade!!). If you currently have dining dollars and aren’t clear on where to spend your funds, I’ve outlined where and what on campus you can indulge in during your breaks. Explore outside the confines of Campus Center. There’s a plethora of cafés and quick stop offs situated around campus and if you play it smart, you can find yourself sipping on boba and munching on a pitaya bowl during your gap between lectures. #fancy
In a World Where If There Isn't an Instagram, It Didn't Happen...
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
Much like most other college students, I constantly use social media. To stay relevant, you need to tweet 5-6 times a day. If you Instagram more than two photos a day, all of your followers will be annoyed with you and unfollow you. Do not send anyone game requests on Facebook because no one actually wants to help you play Farmville. I feel the need to post about my life on all of my social medias because that’s how people know I did them. If I don’t have a photo to show someone, did I really go to Venice or did I just watch The West Wing on Netflix all day? The line continues to blur on whether social media is for those who want to show off their lives or is it actually to stay in touch with old high school friends and family members? Social Media- positive or nah?
![The Ugly Truth: We Live In A Rape Culture [Part 2]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d3cc4a960d41134f9099d7/1645925497355-4741FME18EQIG1F9FX4G/tumblr_inline_pcha7vwsIH1rjic88_500.jpg)
The Ugly Truth: We Live In A Rape Culture [Part 2]
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Last week I posted Part 1 of this two-part piece. Today, the story continues.
A Positive Future, as Seen by Former President Bill Clinton
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
A lot of people are pessimistic about the United States of America’s future. The economy hasn’t been doing amazingly well. The two main political parties are constantly at odds and are too stubborn to compromise. Many people are worried. Fortunately for us, on Friday November 7th at Bovard Auditorium, Former President Bill Clinton reminded us all that change can be our friend and must happen to ensure that the U.S. continues to be an amazing country.
Luke Lenza from The Dream of The Burning Boy
By: Matthew Freihofner ‘15
Here is my interview with Luke Lenza the lead from USC’s play, The Dream of The Burning Boy. He is currently a senior at USC and in the School of Dramatic Arts.
Play (Professional) Football
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
With everything that has been going on with USC football this season, I sometimes wish Los Angeles had a professional football team in the NFL. I still love the Trojans and will always support them but having an NFL team would be really sick. Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks this way. There has been a lot of talk about bringing an already existing NFL team to Los Angeles. Plans have been made to build a football stadium close to or in Downtown Los Angeles. Would this be a good thing for LA? Does Los Angeles need another professional sports team? Here is my list of pros and cons of Los Angeles having an NFL team.
Diane Winston Speaks on What Matters in Journalism
By: Isaac Moody MA ‘15
Diane Winston, former journalist and scholar spoke at Ground Zero today about issues that matter most to her, both as a person and journalist.
![The Ugly Truth: We Live In A Rape Culture [Part 1]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d3cc4a960d41134f9099d7/1645925072064-VHIR26OFH4TOEFON020O/tumblr_inline_p7r82evudm1rjic88_400.jpg)
The Ugly Truth: We Live In A Rape Culture [Part 1]
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
So I am standing at Study Hall, the newly remodeled 2-9 off of Hoover that serves draft beer, sandwiches and shareable starters. It’s Saturday and USC is slaughtering Colorado at our home front. An older male wearing a Colorado shirt approaches me and my boyfriend and strikes a conversation. I learn he went to USC undergrad and is currently a grad student at Colorado. After getting the fundamental details of our backgrounds out of the way, he asks if I want to hear a joke. I love jokes and I am not easily offended—why not? He says: “What’s the best thing about duct tape?” By choice, I am not going to finish this joke because I do not advocate rape jokes of any type—but nonetheless he delivered a rape joke to me, a female. I was disgusted.
Spirits at Troy: The Spirit of Philanthropy and Fun
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
This past Friday, October 31st, Residential Student Government put on a safe trick-or-treating event for children in the surrounding areas. Every building government, from Parkside to Pardee to Cardinal Gardens, had a booth for children to do some spooky activity and receive candy. One of my favorites was Mark’s Tower of Terror.
Feminism Done Right: Why Everyone Should Declare Themselves Feminist (And Why Most Are Too Embarrassed To)
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
“Want to Hear a Joke?”
“Sure.”
“Women’s Rights!”
Why are We Here? (At USC, Not Life in General)
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
Whenever I think about my life and where I am, I just feel so incredibly lucky. I am at the University of Southern California, I have a roof over my head, I’m listening to “How Deep is Your Love?” on a laptop computer. I have the opportunity to do some many things that a lot of people don’t have the chance to do. I am at THE BEST UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD AND I AM DAMN PROUD OF THAT.
THE HIGHEST OF HIGH PRIORITIES: Thanksgiving Break Netflix Watch List
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Thanksgiving break is just weeks away. Many return home to be reunited with family but most importantly we have a ton (and I mean TON) of Netflix to catch up on. It seems like the norm these days is the watch Netflix when you’re not in the mood for human interaction. Ironically, when I go home to see my family we utilize Netflix as a means for getting everyone in the same room to enjoy quality home entertainment. Whatever you use Netflix for, consider some suggestions that I have received from family, friends and my personal (and eclectic I hope) taste.