The Oredigger Issue 5 - October 1, 2012

THE OREDIGGER
The student voice of the Colorado School of Mines

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Volume 93, Issue 5 October 1, 2012
JON DEMPSTER / OREDIGGER
News
CSM students volunteer at animal shelter
Features 4
Homecoming events celebrate school spirit

Orediggers proudly show school spirit at the Homecoming football game. Check out Homecoming highlights on page 6.
Sports 11
CASA is a home Donors dine at for new students Century Dinner

Aaron Pfeifer Staff Writer
teachers, and life at Mines from a student perspective. Students with work study hours looking for leadership experience are encouraged to apply for a peer advisor position. Another area that CASA will be involved is in undergraduate advising. They noticed a large discrepancy in the quality of the program between students in their first and second years. Any incoming student, regardless of how many credits they have, what discipline they are in they will receive consistent, universal, timely and accurate advice from our staff, said Colin Terry. This will allow younger students to get advice on how to excel at Mines, while lessening the load on the faculty who have many other duties as well. After sophomore year, students will be assigned their faculty advisor. This advisor will be able to better serve upperclassmen with advice for a future in their discipline. Currently the CASA administrative staff consists of Director Colin Terry, three Academic Advising Coordinators and an Administrative Coordinator. Additionally, CASA co-employs 76 peer mentors with Student Activities and more than 25 tutors/facilitators. Continued at home on page 3
CSM Volleyball wins against SDSMT
Evan Ford Staff Writer

Prestigious donors and alumni were honored and entertained at the annual Mines Century Society Dinner; the largest donor event of the year. Lockridge Arena was elaborately decorated to embody the nights theme of water. Alumni and students discussed the importance of water in engineering over an elegant meal. Awards were given during the event to alumni and faculty who exhibit exceptional kindness and contribution to the Colorado School of Mines. Awards were given for top young alumni, top faculty members and outstanding philanthropists. To conclude the evening, a surprise announcement followed the dinner and was the highlight of the evening. The event included performances from the Mines Interpretive Dance Team, presentations recapping recent campus changes, and an announcement regarding an even newer change the Clear Creek Athletic Complex Initiative. Known as CCACI, this program will include improvements to the current Campbell Football Field and outdoor training center. Changes will convert the field into a state of the art stadium dedicated to legendary CSM alumnus, All-American
Opinion 12
Commericals grind our gears!
Satire
12
Oh dear I think I hit a deer!
CASA, the Center for Academic Services and Advising, provides academic advising for first and second year students. In addition, CASA hosts academic services such as Tutoring, Academic Excellence Workshops, and facilitates CSM 101. CASA is part of the makeover that the Colorado School of Mines has been undergoing this past year in order to enhance the undergraduate experience. The new CASA facility will also manage readmissions and the university withdrawal process. From this location they will create an early identification program that will work with teachers to identify those students struggling in classes. Additionally, they will sponsor pre-finals workshops and various academic programs. CASA existed on campus last year in a lesser form as Student Development and Academic Services. In May, the Board of Trustees, in recognition of the growing needs of the campus, approved the CASA program. A new initiative from CASA is the Peer Advising Program. This program will consist of upperclassmen helping underclassmen by providing advising on classes,
athlete, Mines football coach, and athletic director, Marv Kay. Until Friday, this announcement was a tightly held secret among high profile members of the school. When the moment of announcement did come, the entire gym erupted with full-hearted applause and two rounds of standing ovation. Kay is legendary on campus, due to his lifetime of devotion to the school, participation in athletic programs, and his genuine, warm attitude. Following the special announcement was a recitation of the Mines fight song, uniting the current students and the alumni in attendance. Annual donor and alumnus, Gary Gantner said, There is a good energy surrounding Mines. The facilities are keeping up with the times, which is great to see.Gantner also explained why he donates saying, I want to remain a part of the Mines network. The camaraderie and friendships last a lifetime. Additionally, the donations are directed by engineering and leadership, so I can be sure my contributions end up where they are needed. The Mines Century Society is a group of esteemed donors who demonstrate a lifetime of generosity to the school and the student experience. Continued at Donors on page 3
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Seattle, Washington - The popular old belief that a womans brain acts differently when she is pregnant with a boy, known as pregnancy brain, may actually hold some truth, according to a new study regarding the effect of male DNA on a womans brain. The study says that when a woman is pregnant with a male, the DNA cells from that child gradually migrate from the child to the mother. While there is no scientific correlation between being pregnant with a boy and thinking any differently, there does appear to be a correlation between pregnancy with a male and a significantly decreased likelihood of developing Alzheimers disease.
Josh Kleitsch, Staff Writer

Edinburgh, Scotland - Long before the Great White shark was the king of the oceans, a group of prehistoric sea-crocodiles fought and maimed their way to dominance. the largest of the species is known as the Plesiosuchus Manselii, with a skull as large as that of an adult T-Rex. After extensive study, the research group that has documented the ocean-going dinosaurs compared the killing methods these monsters used to modern-day killer whales, who are known for their ferocity. The skulls of the crocs allow them to effectively tear and shred their prey, not unlike modern killer whales. Their size allowed them to exert dominance over anything in the oceans, giving them a similar reputation to the well-known Tyrannosaurus Rex. These massive crocodiles were larger and and probably stronger than modern Great White sharks, which has lead the researchers to postulate that they may have eaten early humans.
San Francisco, California - New viruses do not appear often, so when the cause of death of three separate cases of a hemorrhagic fever is linked back to a virus that doesnt match any yet known, virologists and geneticists immediately take notice. Such was the case last week, when the genome of a virus that killed three people in the Democratic Republic of Congo was successfully sequenced and found to be a new virus in the same family as the rabies virus. Samples were sent to a group of researchers at the University of San Francisco, where they assembled the roughly 140 million pieces into a single genome.
Gainesville, Florida - There is a select group of animals capable of regenerating significant parts of their bodies as needed. Until recently, scientists believed that only reptiles and crustaceans could regenerate limbs and skin at will. However, there is one known mammal that is also capable of regenerating the skin; everything from muscle to the epidermis. The group that established the identity of this unique mammal had heard stories of a mouse in Africa that had tiny, hard spines on its back that resembled a hedgehog. After observing the mouse, they found that its skin was so weak that it would simply tear off if a predator attacked it, allowing the mouse to escape. The regenerated skin looks nearly identical to the original skin, including hair follicles. The rodent, aptly named the African Spiny mouse, does this by forming a pool of embryonic cells when the skin is removed.
Oredigger Staff
Katie Huckfeldt Editor-in-Chief Deborah Good Managing Editor Steven Wooldridge Webmaster Barbara Anderson Design Editor Lucy Orsi Business Manager Ian Mertz Copy Editor Arnaud Filliat Asst. Copy Editor Nick Davis Asst. Design Editor Trevor Crane Content Manager Stephen Hejducek Content Manager David Tauchen Faculty Advisor
Headlines from around the world

Josh Kleitsch, Staff Writer
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the man suspected of making the anti-islam film that inflamed much of the Middle East two weeks ago is being held in the U.S. without bond until a hearing can be scheduled. The man will be tried for eight probation violations following his arrest for his participation in bank fraud in 2010. Last week was confusing for the Israeli populace, due to miscommunication on the part of President Benjamin Netanyahu. During a speech at the United Nations Thursday, Netanyahu took a simple drawing of a bomb, and drew a red line through the bomb illustrating 90% completion of the bomb. Netanyahu did so to point out that Iran must be stopped before they reach 90% completion on their uranium enrichment process. Much of the Israeli populace took that to indicate that Netanyahu thought Iran was nearing 90% enrichment of their uranium, which would mean they are fully capable of producing a bomb. The Obama administration attempted to give Egypt $450 million Friday, but was stopped by congress. Nervous of sending any foreign aid to a country run by the Muslim Brotherhood, legislators decided to stall the payment for the time being. In light of the recent changes in government in Egypt, lawmakers are wary of supplying the government with more funds. Questions about the quality of the Iraqi security forces continue after the deadly prison break in Iraq last week. The break is suspected to have been orchestrated by Al-Qaeda. 16 police officers are dead, and 102 prisoners have escaped. Of the 102 escapees, 47 of them are affiliated with Al-Qaeda. As of Friday evening, 40 of the prisoners were recaptured and put back in holding. The air is heavy with frustration between China and Japan, as the decision of who owns the cluster of small islands in the East China Sea continues. Last week China organized a reception for many top-level businessmen and officials from both China and Japan to commemorate the 40-year anniversary of diplomacy between the two powers, but denied entry to a select few Japanese attendees. The two countries are again at odds. The Greek government has reached an agreement to implement several austerity measures that are intended to bring them out of economic turmoil. The new plan calls for $15 billion in pension cuts, salary restrictions, and various state spending, as well as more taxes. Investors the world over are waiting for the U.S. election results to determine their course of action for the next fiscal year. With the U.S. economy still weak, many are unsure of the safest way to use their money, and are electing to wait until the next president is decided to pursue new investments.
Local News
Recent tests by CU grad students Neil Stewart and Ben Miller indicate that the Upper Snake River near Keystone is unhealthy. Insect diversity is an important indication of river health, but the students found only one kind of insect. They hypothesized this was due to high metal concentration. Metals seep naturally from rocks into the river at a constant rate. In years with low water level and high temperatures, this leads to a higher concentration of metals. The students expressed their concerns over the trend with respect to climate change. A 14-year-old boy saved his mother and another resident from a Steamboat Springs house fire Saturday morning. Authorities say the boy was woken by the smoke alarm and found a fire in the hallway. He was unable to pass directly to his mothers room, but went outside and woke her by banging on a window. His actions also alerted another tenant to the danger. Fire Chief Mel Stewart praised the boys actions. Colorado Department of Agriculture officials lifted four ranch quarantines instated after an anthrax outbreak amongst Northeastern Colorado cattle. The outbreak killed about 55 cattle, about 50 from one ranch and a few from the three surrounding ranches. Cattle were subsequently vaccinated and treated, stopping the outbreak. Montezuma County officials are considering filing charges over the Weber Fire. The fire lit June 22 south of Mancos, Colorado. It burned 15 square miles and cost $3.2 million before being contained in early July. Sheriff Dennis Spruell recently contested that the fire was set intentionally by a local youth.
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october 1, 2012
Donors dine at New sports complex to Century Dinner be named after legend
Continued from page 1 There are varying levels of donation, from Copper to Platinum and more. Private donations from members like these allow new additions to campus, such as the W. Lloyd Wright Wellness Center and Marquez Hall. The entire spectrum of donation levels can be seen on the Donor Wall on the second level of the student center. The Mines Century Society Dinner embodies the schools dedication to enhancing the student experience, which will continue well into the future with new endeavors.
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Lucy Orsi Business Manager
CASA is a home for new students

Continued from page 1 Currently, there are roughly 1000 students in the CASA program, which includes the entire freshmen class.We are an additional layer of support for students who either just need someone to talk to about academics or need assistance with how to better prepare for classes and exams, said Amy Argyris Dupont, one of the three Academic Advising Coordinators. Colin Terry, the newly appointed Director of CASA, explained that, We chose the name very intentionally. Casa means home in Spanish, the idea being that all incoming students view this as home. Colin explained that CASA aims to help students with the many decisions they face during their college career. Sometimes students will struggle with school for reasons outside of class, and the staff at CASA want to help students find the as-
Tyrel Jacobsen Staff Writer
Up Till Dawn raises awareness
sistance they need. Colin states that, Its really our hope to support students holistically. Along with a new name, CASA is almost ready to unveil their new office. CASAs newly renovated building is being designed for students. This space will consist of several tables, and some cushy chairs for students to relax. Students will be able to use this space after hours via Blastercard access. In the back, there is a restroom and a kitchen available for student use. The building also hosts offices for the director and three coordinators as well as a member of the faculty to hold their office hours. Colin pointed out that teachers have their office and students have their space, but the CASA building can be the shared ground to bring them together. CASA will be sponsoring an open house in mid October to show off their new office, located in the old wellness building.
Colorado School of Mines is not a nationally known football school, so when students at the Century Society Dinner Saturday night officially announced and named a planned state-of-the-art football stadium, it raised a few questions about the priorities of the school. Recently, President Bill Scoggins sat down for an interview with The Oredigger to explain how this project came to be and to clear up any misconceptions. Scoggins started by explaining that the existing stadium is in engineering terms, basically at the end of its useful life. The school has previously invested in the stadium in order to prolong its life, but believes at this point it would be throwing good money after bad. Thus, it became a goal of the Scoggins Administration to find a way to build a new stadium. The school came up with a vision that, according to Scoggins
Orediggers pay it forward at local animal shelter

Katie Huckfeldt Editor-in-Cheif
Mines students continue to be top-notch graduates not only because of their technical skills, but also because of their involvement and contributions to the local community. One of the newer organizations on campus, Orediggers Paying it Forward, offers students the ability to volunteer around the Golden area. Headed by Nick Antonicci, a resident life coordinator who began the program last year, Orediggers Paying it Forward strives to create opportunities for Mines students to become more active in the community. Because of successful volunteer events with over 30 students and faculty members last spring break, the program continues this fall. To kick off the year, volunteers headed to the Foothills Animal Shelter a few minutes outside of Golden. The volunteer group, a mix of both students and faculty memKATIE HUCKFELDT / OREDIGGER bers, began their afternoon of work with an introduction from the Foothills Animal Shelter. The shelter, located at of 6th Avenue and Indiana, was built only two years ago. The building features a dog kennel, kitty condos, and a critter corner, as well as medical offices and holding facilities for lost pets. The shelter accepts any animal dropped off at their door. One volunteer member recalls the visit of a 200-pound pot-belly pig named Penelope and even an alligator. The staff keeps busy with approximately 10,000 animals coming in and out of the shelter each Two Saint Bernards wait for their owners at the lost and found. The year. The paid staff of shelter welcomes all kinds of lost or unwanted pets. 41 people is aided by a volunteer staff of over 500. Volunteers that want to work on a more frequent schedule must go through training in order to assure proper care of the animals. In addition to caring for and fostering pets, the shelter also offers discounted spay/neuter clinics, dog trainings and much more. With such dedicated employees and volunteers, the shelter proudly boasts an 85% adoption rate. The shelters goal is to do what is best for the animals. All dogs go through a behavioral analysis to help determine what home will suit them best. The staff works hard to find every animal a home or a nearby rescue. After learning the history of the shelter, the group set to work. The staff remarked at how excited they were to have Mines students, as the shelter recently held their largest fundraising event at the CSM Green Center (the event was a success, raising close to $90,000.) The group split up and tackled tasks throughout the building. One team readied a room for a spay/neuter clinic, one organized medical supplies in the sick ward, and one washed dishes and dog toys, among other activities. While none of the jobs were glamorous, they were vital for the shelter to operate smoothly. At the end of the afternoon, the group was rewarded with a trip to the puppy room where they played with two eight-week old puppies, Zach and Cody. Each group member received an appreciative nip and kiss from the small puppies, which had a home due to the efforts of volunteers such as the Mines group. To learn more about volunteering at the animal shelter, visit their website at www.foothillsanimalshelter.org. To join the Orediggers Paying it Forward team, watch for email notifications about opportunities coming up throughout the year.
was more than just a football stadium. The newly named Clear Creek Athletics Complex will be what Scoggins called a campus wide facility that will not just benefit the football team, but a number of varsity sports, club sports, and intramural sports. The new facilities will include a contemporary 5000-seat football stadium, locker room and training facilities, office and event facilities, functional space for club sports and intramurals, updates to the soccer pitch area, restroom facilities, and a modern press box. The scope of this project implies a substantial financial commitment, but Scoggins made it clear that this was obviously [something] that [they] had to fund with private money [and] gifts to the school. Fortunately for the school, an anonymous donor came forward with a financial proposition that allowed the project to move forward. The donors proposal financed three-quarters of the projects cost and a gift covered approximately
one-third of the project. Scoggins explains that the donor essentially gave [the school] a loan to move the project forward while the foundation collects the remaining two-thirds. This type of proposal is called bridge financing. In addition to officially announcing the project on Saturday, students also revealed the name of the new stadium, Marv Kay Stadium. The name, which honors legendary football player and school coach Marv Kay, was met with a standing ovation from those in attendance on Saturday night, including Kay himself. Kay graduated from Mines in 1960 and went on to be drafted by the Denver Broncos before returning to Mines as the head football coach from 1969-1994. The project, which officially began in August, is slated for completion in September of 2014. The school has scheduled construction in two phases so as to allow for continuous football play at Harry Campbell Field.
Nearly everyone knows someone who has battled cancer. This week, the student-led group Up Till Dawn spread all over campus increasing awareness for childhood cancer, as they raised money for the St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. St. Judes is a unique organization, as its patients are not required to pay for the treatment that the hospital provides. Therefore, keeping the organization up and running is incredibly expensive. Currently, it costs about $1.8 million per day to operate St. Judes. Christian Feagans, Public Relations chair for Up Till Dawn, visited the hospital this past summer. Normally when you think of a hospital you think of drab, smelly, old people, said Feagans. But at St. Judes, its really awesome. Its brightly colored [and] instead of wheelchairs they have wagons for the kids. One of the coolest things I saw there is we got to see some of the kids and talk to them. There was a little girl that had danced before she got cancer, and the people worked really hard with her to get her back to where she was in her dancing career. On the Mines campus, Up Till Dawn hosted several events over
the past week. Fundraisers included giving away free snow cones on Kafadar and selling baked goods for suggested donation. One night Up Til Dawn hosted a Cosmic Bowling event which complemented their slogan Blackout Cancer. The group also featured information tables in prominent campus areas such as Kafadar Commons and the Student Center. All of these events not only raised awareness for childhood cancer, but they also promoted Up Till Dawns biggest fundraiser of the year, the letter writing event to take place at Mines on November 9, 2012. The letter writing event is a team competition where participants send prewritten letters to people they think would be interested in donating to the cause. After the event, Up Till Dawn hosts a variety of activities, such as laser tag for the teams that participated. Feagans Encourages everybody to sign up for this good cause. Its lots of fun and we have some sweet door prizes! Anyone interested in starting a team can fill out a signup form that can be acquired from any Up Till Dawn executive member, including Feagans. Additionally, teams can register online at www.stjude.org/utd and www. stjude.org/utdreg if using a mobile device.
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Bildungsroman Atwood discusses genetics, is a powerful film philosophy, and literature

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring is a South Korean film chronicling the life of a boy raised by a Holy Master. The two live in a small temple built on a floating platform in the middle of a lake. To get on and off the platform, they must use a boat and paddle back and forth. The film is set in modern times, but the isolation of their environment and archaic lifestyle creates a whimsical world of ancient splendor. As a young boy, the child finds humor in tormenting animals. He ties one end of a string to the animal, and the other to a rock, inhibiting the movement of the animal. The master catches him in the act, and in return, ties a large rock to the sleeping child that night. When he awakes, he can barely move, and is instructed to search and release the animals he tortured. What the child finds will change him forever. This sequence of this boys life was designated spring, and after this chapter, the movie moves on to summer. Now, the boy is a teenager and beginning to desire exploration. When a young woman comes to the temple to be healed by the master, the two teenagers interact awkwardly, but eventually succumb to temptation. When it is time for her to leave, the young man is devastated, and is not the same as before. He abandons the temple and master in search of his first love. Moving to fall, the boy returns as a man to the temple, but is now permanently transformed. His actions in the city have attracted the attention of the police. The police track him down, but before he is taken, the master requires him to complete a daunting task that will help him achieve inner peace. This will be the last time the master will teach his pupil. The following winter and spring are turning points in the film. Although the movie is subtitled, this should not steer the viewer away. The beautiful scenery and rich symbolism is intriguing, and can spur some fascinating reflections. For someone looking for comedy or action, this might not be the movie for them. Spring will provide cerebral stimulus and confirm that there is more to South Korea than Gangnam Style.
COURTESY OF CINECLICK ASIA
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Esther Lowe Staff Writer

A full-house audience in Shove Chapel at Colorado College gave Margaret Atwood a standing ovation at her recent address. Atwoods lecture at Colorado College focused on key aspects of survival, as highlighted by her life and numerous literary works, in particular her novel The Year of the Flood. Atwood has 18 honorary degrees from universities around the world and has received many notable international literary honors. Her latest novel, The Year of the Flood, published in 2009, was nominated for the IMPAC award. The Year of the Flood follows Gods Gardeners, a small group of people who survived a
pandemic that annihilated the rest of the human race in the preceding novel, Oryx and Crake. Commenting on modern civilization, Atwood said, We have opened the biggest toy box in the world - the gene code. The designer people created in The Year of the Flood beg the question how far is too far? Regarding the focuses of the book, Atwood said, The book is driven by questions of the kind that people are continually asking themselves. One message of the book incorporates Atwoods perspective on the age-old argument of superstition verses belief. Many wonder whether spirituality is an evolved adaptation, built into humans, or whether people simply adopt it. Atwood believes hu-
mans are not inherently selfish and that belief has been built into the human genome. Accordingly, Atwood said, Its not whether or not to have a religion, its about what kind of religion you shall have. Another message of the text is that without spirit, will, and a can-do attitude, nothing happens in the world. Hope is inherently built into life, Its catching, with hope people make an effort, said Atwood. The huge success of The Year of the Flood makes Atwoods next book in the Oryx and Crake trilogy, MaddAddam, a highly anticipated and discussed novel. For all those interested in perturbing, philosophical, and uncannily realistic fiction, The Year of the Flood is a perfect read.
COURTESY SARAH MILTEER
The Expendables 2 more than just explosions

Joshua Kleitsch Staff Writer
The Expendables 2 opens with one of the most thrilling displays of superior firepower seen this decade. The movies characters may not have the biggest guns or the biggest bombs, but the way they demonstrate dominance leaves no room for any challenger. Sylvester Stallone returns to the screen as Barney Ross, the leader of this motley crew of world-class powerhouses in the second installment of The Expendables. This time around, Barney has only one thing on his mind vengeance. Mr. Church, expertly played by the enduring Bruce Willis, has assigned Ross and his crew to retrieve a computer from a crashed plane deep in the woods somewhere in Eastern Europe. During the execution of his mission, Barneys young protege Bill, played by Liam Hemsworth, is cruelly murdered by the dastardly villain played by JeanClaude Van Damme. Barney will avenge the death of his friend. No man will stand in his way, and any who try are not likely to walk away. As the film progresses, the possibility that Barney and his men could lose does not even cross the viewers mind. They are so good at what they do that one cannot help but wonder why every enemy in the movie does not just lay down and play dead when they see 2000 pounds of pure muscle and pain approach. While some may argue that the plot was just an excuse to showcase massive pyrotechnics and watch the biggest names in action films duke it out, the plot actually works on many levels. This movie pulls spectators in and forces them to pick sides. Of course, one might be completely wrong to pick any side but the one that Arnold Schwarzenegger is on, but that is beside the point. Viewers will become emotionally involved, and will cheer when they hear the words, tional low to random outbursts of erything action heroes, there is Ill be back. laughter. only one film that can satisfy There is more to this movFor the viewer who wants ev- The Expendables 2. COURTESY OF MILLENNIUM FILMS ie than violence, however. Throughout the development of the plot, viewers may even find a lump in their throat when Stallone says a prayer for the death of the youngest member of the crew. Five minutes later they will be laughing hysterically when Gunnar, played by Dolph Lundgren, makes some crack about how he has a way with the ladies. That is just the way this movie flows emotionThe Expendables 2 is the perfect film for action hero enthusiasts. al high to emo-
This South Korean film provides beautiful scenery and thought-provoking symbolism.
Margaret Atwood, left, with Sarah Milteer, Colorado Colleges Colket Center Staff Assistant at Atwoods book signing after her lecture.
october 1, 2012
Black Swan hates bell curves Salomon Slalom skis

Sean Lopp Staff Writer
What do 9/11, the stock market crash of 2008, and a statistics class all have in common? The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable contains the answer. Originally published in 2007 and reprinted in 2010, it is an argued thesis by self-declared philosopher Nicholas Taleb. Taleb, who made his money applying quantitative models on Wall Street, has dedicated his life to understanding the role of the unpredictable. He argues that black swans, or events which cannot be predicted, have a definitive impact on society. He asserts that they can be either beneficial or harmful, depending on how society prepares itself. Fit for an NHV lecture or human systems discussion, the book demonstrates that predictions made by induction are generally wrong. Taleb makes specific reference to the failures of the Gaussian bell curve. As an example, the book discusses the Wall Street crash of 2008. Taleb argues that the crisis was in part the result of bank and hedge funds using risk models based on the bell curve. These models underestimated the likelihood of catastrophic market losses, which in turn made banks feel comfortable with large amounts of leveraging and unconventional financial engineering. The book provides further examples of black swans with an assessment of how to maximize the potential benefit of these unpredictable events. Taleb writes with a strong argumentative voice, but includes an entertaining mixture of stories and anecdotes to offset the otherwise heavy philosophic analysis. The stories are usually accompanied by a graph or equation, as are the higher-level analyses. This book challenges the reader to change they way he or she thinks, as it uses a formal argumentative approach. Though not a light read, the arguments are interesting and the pages turn quickly.
COURTESY RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING
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John Bristow Staff Writer
A mouthful thats worth it

As the weather gets colder, many start thinking of winter, skiing, and shopping for new ski gear. For most, the question of what ski to purchase is intimidating. The Salomon line of slalom race skis, officially titled 3V Race Powerline, offers a great solution. The ski is designed for fast carving through short radius turns. Do not be intimidated by the racing classification; this ski is unique because it balances stiffness and flexibility. This balance allows for confidence when flying down groomers and the ability to bounce through moguls and trees. The ski has a large sidecut, meaning that when the ski is put on edge the resulting turn has a short radius. Additionally, it has a short beneath-boot radius, allowing every motion of the boot to have a large impact on the motion of the ski. This leads to a design that allows for great responsiveness, making it different from
most all-terrain skis. Yet, this ski is not a perfect fit for everyone. The small beneath-boot radius combined with the heavier weight of a race ski means the ski sinks in deep powder. The weight and cut also might pose challenges in the park, exacerbated by a design that is not conducive to skiing backwards. A final note this ski is designed for expert level skiers. Intermediate or amateur skiers may find the responsiveness of the ski to be a double-edged sword, at once exciting but also unforgiving. However, for those skiers who want to enjoy groomers, bumps, and trees, this ski offers an exciting alternative to cookie-cutter all-mountain models. The ski comes in lengths of 155, 160, 165, and 170cm, and should be fitted shorter than most skis, with the tip only reaching chin or nose height for most skiers. The price of a new pair will run anywhere from $600-$800, but there are many used models for sale at used ski stores and online for much less. Generally these used skis have only been skied for one or two seasons by a racer who has kept them in beautiful condition.
A fast and filling An alternative recipe for lunch or dinner chocolate chip cookies
Nassim Nicholas Taleb argues for greater attention to catastrophe in The Black Swan. Esther Lowe Staff Writer Deborah Good Managing Editor
Chocolate chip cookies are a quintessential American dessert. Though every baker has their own variation, the basic ingredients in the cookie rarely change. Convention, though, does not preclude delicious alternative methods from existing. Graham cracker chocolate chip cookies represent an alternative and maybe even an improvement over traditional recipes. Ingredients: -1 cups crushed graham crackers - cup flour -2 tsp baking powder -14 oz (1 can) sweetened condensed milk - cup softened butter or margarine -2 cups chocolate chips -1 tsp vanilla extract Instructions: 1. Create graham cracker crumbs by placing the crackers in a plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin, heavy ice cream scoop, or even a light hammer. 2. Mix dry ingredients (graham cracker crumbs, flour, and baking powder). 3. Beat sweetened condensed milk and butter. Add vanilla extract. 4. Combine wet and dry ingredient mixtures and add chocolate chips. 5. Place dollops of dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. 6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit then bake cookies for 12-15 minutes. 7. Enjoy!
KATIE HUCKFELDT / OREDIGGER
This tuna casserole is a great dish for combining a plethora of ingredients because the tuna acts as a unifying flavor. Prep time is 10-20 minutes, bake time is 2030. To start, obtain the following items a mixing bowl, mixing spoon, and a 9 x 11 baking pan (or an equivalent). Preheat the oven to 350. Necessary Ingredients: -12 oz cooked rotini pasta -2 cups tuna salad (as easy as plain tuna with mayo & eggs) -5 slices bread (dried/stale bread works well) -Shredded cheese -Tomato sauce -1 cup plain yogurt Optional Ingredients: -1 4 oz container goat or other soft cheese crumbles -1 cup chopped carrots -1 cup chopped celery -1 ear corn kernels -1 cup chopped purple
cabbage -1 cup beans Directions: 1. Mix the veggies together with a splash of vinegar. 2. Mix in 1 cup of the tuna salad. 3. Using 2-3 slices of bread, break off crouton sized bits and add to the mix. 4. Pour in half the pasta and mix. 5. Pour in the yogurt and mix. 6. Add the remaining tuna salad, pasta, and goat cheese, mix. 7. Add tomato sauce to inte grate the ingredients - not too wet. 8. Oil the baking pan on all sides. 9. Use the remaining bread slices to spread crouton sized bits on the bottom of the baking pan. 10. Put spoonfuls of the mix on the bread crumbs in the pan. 11. Once the pan is full, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. 12. Bake at 350 until the cheese on top begins to brown.
Try this alternate recipe for traditional chocolate chip cookies and let graham crackers take the place of your dry ingredients. w w w . O R E D I G G E R . n e t
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JON DEMPSTER / OREDIGGER JON DEMPSTER / OREDIGGER
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TYREL JACOBSEN / OREDIGGER
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rallies csm Spirit Rallies CSM

Emily McNair Staff Writer
The events of Homecoming 2012 ended on a spectacular note as the music of MTHDS, which could be heard all over campus, led right into the grand finale of fireworks over the intramural fields. 58 to Portland opened the afternoon concert and entertained the audience with songs of love and beloved pets. The six members of MTHDS, a Denver-based group, then stole the show. With a unique blend of hip-hop and rock, they captured the audiences attention early on and with strong vocalists, succeeded in keeping the audience amused throughout the show. MTHDS played some of their more well-known songs, including No Regrets and Uppers and Downers. Their cover of Elton Johns Rocket Man especially kept the audience on their toes. After the concert, fireworks lit up the sky above the intramural fields. People of all ages came to watch this spectacle, which was much larger than the City of Golden show earlier in the semester. The display lasted nearly twenty minutes and included fireworks of all shapes and sizes as well as a few brightly colored flames. Its so much fun because youre sitting there and you feel it. Even the cars feel it. They protested loudly, said Elizabeth Frank, responding to the many car alarms that went off in the distance and testified to the sheer magnitude of the fireworks. It was summoning the sun, said Sara Viau, as spectators dealt with the deafening booms of the shells bursting above their heads. The fireworks rocked my socks, said Rylan Hess, and other students echoed his sentiment.
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EMILY MCNAIR / OREDIGGER
Opening for MTHDS, three-man band 58 to Portland performs on Kafadar Commons.

Homecoming fireworks create a great spectacle that dazzles and awes on-lookers.
1. Judges Derek Morgan, Patrick Kohl, and Matt McNew anxiously wait for the parade to begin. 2. Residence Hall Association float, modeled after Maple Hall, proceeds down Washington Avenue. 3. Gumby-based FIJI float receives first place beating out the rest of the competitors. 4. Beta float flaunts a homemade Blaster the Burro and Guggenheim Hall model. 5. Residence Life takes home gold in the wing eating competition during half-time of the Homecoming football game. 6. Mines football team huddles to strategize against their opponent Western New Mexico University. 7. Three Mines students take a dive down the first ever Homecoming Paint Slip and Slide on Sorority Hill. 8. Fireworks explode over Mines IM Field.
I G G E R . n e t
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Try this sweet A perfect intro to dark beer and tangy slaw
Joshua Kleitsch Staff Writer Whitney Welch Staff Writer
This is not your typical coleslaw. This sweet and tangy recipe is the perfect side dish. The slaw is just as good the next day, but from experience, there is rarely any leftovers. Ingredients: -2 tbsp. vegetable oil -2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar -2 tbsp. white sugar -1 package chicken flavored ramen OR 2 tbsp. low sodium ramen mix -2 tbsp. onion powder -2 tbsp. ground ginger -2 tbsp. garlic powder, along with salt to taste (mix should be stored in an airtight container) -1 package shredded green cabbage OR 1 small head of cabbage shredded - cups sliced almonds or sesame seeds (optional) Directions: 1. To make the dressing, mix together vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and ramen seasoning in a medium bowl. 2. In a large bowl combine shredded cabbage, crushed ramen noodles, and almonds. 3. Pour dressing over cabbage Toss until the cabbage is evenly coated. 4. Best served chilled.
WHITNEY WELCH / OREDIGGER
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october 1, 2012
As you walk to the kitchen and open the refrigerator, the icy blackness of a smoky, smooth, chocolate milk-like stout stares you right in the face. Now, after a long, tough day of classes and quizzes, homework and housework, you are ready to relax with a nice dinner and cold glass of Ska Brewings Steel Toe Stout. Crafted in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing is known for eclectic, hearty beers, none of which is short
Guild Wars 2 redefines MMO RPG foundations

Stephen Hejducek Content Manager
quests at his or her own pace. As players travel through the world, they may come across world events that give them the opportunity to play with other people to obtain a goal. The best part about these missions is that they do not force players to join a group or a team. The events naturally allow players to work together to obtain a goal. Group fights that involve at least 20 people really test a players skill and knowledge of his or her character. These events comprise the main focus of the game, and encourage exploring and fighting in groups rather than grinding and trying to get the best items in the game. Many other MMOs have what is known as a metagame, a collection of the best and most powerful team builds that often dominate player vs. player (PvP) battles. Arenanet worked to break this trend by not creating one profession or team that is better than every other team. PvP also seeks to break the mold of equipment determining how often it is possible to win, by putting all players on an equal playing field. The game tests skill rather than how shiny an enemys sword is. An expansion to the PvP combat is the World vs. World Arena. This environment consists of three different servers of players battling across four massive maps, struggling to hold onto castles, supply depots, watch towers, and many other objectives. The environment
on flavor and all of which are full of strength. The Steel Toe Stout represents the ideal stout quite nicely, as it balances the dark, malty flavors of roasted barley with the sharp, tangy flavors of hops. The addition of milk sugars (lactose) make this stout very smooth and slightly sweet. The lactose binds up a certain amount of sugar, preventing the yeast from converting it to alcohol during the brewing process. This results in a sweet flavor, as well as an excellent smoothness that makes the beer go
down easy. The Ska milk stout pairs well with desserts and sweeter foods, especially tiramisu and ice cream, due to its subtle coffee overtones and caramel aftertaste. If you have never enjoyed dark beers because they were either too bitter or too strong, then look no further than the Ska Steel Toe Stout. This beer provides an excellent introduction to the world of dark beers, and an outstanding introduction to the increasingly popular milk stout.
This Asian coleslaw is simple and delicious and makes the perfect side dish to any meal.
Charlatans and Chauvenets

Deborah Good Managing Editor
This week in Colorado history
hood, said the publication. The Colorado Transcript reported this week in 1887 that the Golden residents discovered newest member of the Colorado the dangers of trusting patent School of Mines faculty, Profesmedicine companies this week sor Soutler, had begun his career in 1887. The electric oil company successfully. Soutler taught metwas to have given a concert at allurgy and ore treatment. The the opera house September 30 school year had recently begun and had given away a ticket for and the school had many new the concert with every bottle. The students. Always the voice of Goldens concert failed to materialize, as the salesmen folded their tent Democrats, The Colorado Transcript comand quietly stole about away Friday The Republican argued plained another paper, morning. that this would neutral- The Denver Dr. Regis Chauvenet, after ize the indignation which Republican, in unfamiliar terms whom a labyrinthine building the grand army now feel but over quite familiar topics. would later be named, enjoyed towards the president. The Transcript took issue with a visit from his mother this week in 1887. Mrs. the Republicans statements Chauvenet lived in St. Louis, and on General Stonemans addition had no particular intention of re- to the 1888 Democratic ticket. locating, much to The Colorado The Republican argued that this Transcripts chagrin. The paper would neutralize the indignareported she was impressed with tion which the grand army now her sons choice in his residence feel towards the president. The in the rockies. There was no Transcript retorted that said word on her opinion of the Colo- indignation was bred by newspapers of the most intensely asirado School of Mines. The Transcripts motives nine proportions whose partisan were not entirely focused on Mrs. feelings overcome truth, honor, Chauvenet herself. Perhaps her pride of country, expediency, and presence could have been some decency. Also, Republicans felt solace to what a few young la- that party loyalty trumped all othdies in Colorado are pleased to er loyalties, according the Trancall her sons obstinate bachelor- script.
World of Warcraft, Runescape, and EVE Online dominate in an otherwise stagnant video game genre known as MMOs (Massively Multi-player Online). Now, a new MMO seeks to squeeze out the competition with a fresh style of both artistic combat and creative story telling. Released last month, Guild Wars 2, an MMO designed by Seattle-based gaming company Arenanet, allows characters to fulfill their role in an ever changing world full of monsters, conspiracy theories, and constant attacks from unintelligent rabble. Each player is able to choose a race to begin their adventure in the massive world of Tyria the technical Asura, the natural Sylvari, the decaying humans, the powerful Norn, and the wild Charr. Every race follows a different story that eventually leads them against the powerful dragons that threaten to completely destroy the world. While each race in other games may have different abilities that allow it to succeed more than other races, Guild Wars 2 breaks this mold by using balanced racebased skills. One of the better aspects of Guild Wars 2 is the free-roaming ability of every player. While natural barriers like mountains and cliffs may obstruct a players travel, the overall landscape allows for every player to explore and complete
is constantly changing because while one team may control a point in the morning, by the afternoon, the enemy may have forced that entire team out of a particular section of the map. Teams often include up to 100 players that work together to obtain a goal, or split up to conquer smaller objectives. Unlike other MMOs where players are forced to buy both the game and pay a monthly subscription, Guild Wars 2 does not charge a monthly fee. Many Korean MMOs function on a system similar to this, the main difference is that they sell items that any player can buy with real money, not in-game currency. Guild Wars 2 also tears down this aspect of MMOs by allowing players to trade in-game currency for store credit, or gems. This is achieved by allowing players to swap in-game currency for gems in a fluctuating gem market. Some days players will get more gems for their gold, while on others, the inverse may occur. These gems can be used to buy cosmetic items, limited experience boosters, miniature pets, and more. Overall, for only $60, Guild Wars 2 is easily worth the money because it offers a theoretically unlimited number of game-play hours, incredible scenery and stylized fighting, and best of all, a mostly friendly and non-trolling atmosphere where many players offers to help each other all the time. For an MMO that truly breaks the mold, pick up Guild Wars 2 today.
STEPHEN HEJDUCEK / OREDIGGER
The artistic styling of Guild Wars 2 works to immerse players into a new world.
october 1, 2012
Pirate Latitudes gives a Its the end of the realistic approach to pirates world as we know it The stars above Mines
Emily McNair Staff Writer
One of Michael Crichtons last books, Pirate Latitudes, tells the story of a character who exerts a lot of effort with a less-than-ideal result. This novel follows Captain Charles Hunter, a pirate in 17th century Jamaica, as he takes a Spanish galleon from a heavily fortified post in the Caribbean. The amount of realism in this novel is astounding. Crichton uses words specific to the era to describe everything from a womans dress to the landscape. His language immerses the reader in the time period and builds the stage for an engrossing story. Most importantly, Crichton does not sensationalize pirates. Pirate Latitudes shows the reality of being a pirate, not simply the quest for treasure. This sets the book apart from others in the genre. Crichton puts more of the focus on the journey rather than the end result, which develops the characters quite well and makes their stories intriguing. All of the characters within Pirate Latitudes exemplify the extremes of life in the 17th century. Their varied backgrounds keep the novel interesting while spreading out the action. Crichton takes the time between important scenes to explain the background of various characters. In addition to slowing down an action-packed novel, this helps readers empathize with the characters and build emotional connections to them. In the end, these emotional connections build the suspense in Crichtons novels. Most importantly, the actionpacked story keeps readers on their toes. The variety in characters makes Pirate Latitudes unpredictable. Just when a reader thinks he knows what will happen next, everything changes. The plot twists set this novel apart from others in the genre and make it one of Crichtons more interesting books. Sadly, there is one downside to this otherwise amazing novel some parts do not seem finished. The lack of description during a few key scenes detracts from the tale, and although the lack of description gives readers more license with their interpretations, it does not fit with the rest of the story. These scenes require much more description than what Crichton wrote. As a result, the novel suffered and feels incomplete. However, Pirate Latitudes is still a good read. The novel itself reflects a pirates life without giving the reader an overwhelming amount of information. The characters fit together and their adventures are believable. The only problems arise during some of the more important scenes where the lack of description takes away from the plot. Overall, Pirate Latitudes is an interesting story that will keep the casual reader, bookworm, or pirate enthusiast entertained.
COURTESY HARPER PUBLISHING
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The are many ways the world could end and most of the ways are entirely unavoidable. Whether or not prior warning of the end of the Earth is a good thing is truly a subjective matter for discussion, perhaps over drinks and dinner. Armageddon, whether a result of huge asteroids or the demise of the sun, has been a subject of a few major blockbusters and even more made-for-TV, B-grade films. Common as it may be in films, the idea of a significantly sized asteroid plowing into the planet is without a doubt the least frightening doomsday event. The era of gigantic, rogue hunks of metal and rock patrolling the solar system waiting to cause a catastrophe was millions upon millions of years ago. While astronomers do see some major impacts freckling Jupiter from time to time, for the most part, planet-enders reside beyond the main asteroid belt. Without the large beasts, there are still plenty of smaller baddies out there, but with a little bit of scientific postulation and some precise work, provided there is ample warning, asteroids are by no means a terrifying end. One will eventually hit and it may cause a catastrophe, but not on the level hypothesized in films. So, without the fear of asteroids, is the Earth, and humanity, invincible? Unfortunately the answer is a succinct, No. Asteroids are not the only source of cosmic danger in the universe. The expanding sun, primordial black holes, galactic collision, rogue planets, comet strikes, and the inevitable heat death of the universe are all worth looking
Secular Student Alliance gives students a community

Ramiro Rodriguez Staff Writer
Whether they are hosting a speaker talking about philosophy and theology or having discussions about their own personal experiences, the Secular Student Alliance prides itself on being a place for the community of secular students at the Colorado School of Mines. The following is an interview with Secular Student Alliance president John Bristow, a graduate student in geology. Those interested in joining can attend bi-weekly meetings every Thursday in Meyer Hall 220 at 5:00 pm. What is an average meeting for the Secular Student Alliance like? At this point we are in kind of a building phase so were trying to determine in what direction the club is taking. One of the things we do at each meeting is trying to figure out ideas for new events and getting new speakers. For example, today we talked about what we could do as a philanthropic event. What does the club mean to you? I believe its a source of community. When I went through this school as an undergraduate I always felt as though there was a significant lack of community for secular students and it wasnt necessarily something that bothered me but it was something I wanted to see that never really happened. To me, it represents that community and home for this diverse population. Are there any big plans for the future of the club? We are trying to set up a big philanthropy dinner event, the Flying Spaghetti Monster Dinner, which would be a spaghetti dinner. That would go towards helping out outreach and bring in new speakers. Are there any plans to cooperate and interact with other groups? Yes, doing philanthropy isnt something you can or should do alone. We also want to build bonds with other groups to show the openness of the secular community. We want to reach out to the groups. Are there more events in the near future? Well, two weeks from now we have one of the Mines faculty, Dr. John Humphrey, speaking. Thats really big for us; we want to reach within our own community as well as outside. This community isnt just about the students, we want to get the faculty involved as well. We are definitely trying to get outside speakers such as Phil Plait as well though.
Pirate Latitudes is a realistic, but still action-packed depiction of pirate life.
P!nk grows as an edgy pop artist

Tyrel Jacobsen Staff Writer
Billboard magazine named her the number one pop artist of the decade in 2009. Forbes named her the 27th most powerful celebrity in the world. She has three Grammys, five MTV VMAs, and two BRIT awards. Alecia Moore is one of the best-selling artists of all time and with her latest release The Truth About Love, P!nk continues to deliver the top-quality entertainment that has earned her numerous accolades. P!nk has always been a conscientious songwriter whose lyrics support important issues. This trend continues with the opening track Are We All We Are in which P!nk tries convey a message of empowerment to her listeners singing We are the people that youll never get the best of, not forget the rest of. P!nk herself describes this as a true 99% song, for the rest of us, and hopes that it will resound with the working class. Her string of crowd pleasers
forward to too, for one reason or another. Still, all of these can be spotted by one means or another. However, there is a possibility that a lurking surprise with the potential to wipe out at least half of the life on earth exists. It is a sunny fall day, millions across the United States are tuning in to their favorite major league football game, but even with the reintroduction of professional referees, doom is lightseconds away. On the outer edge of the solar system a gamma ray burst glances through the Jovian system, only hitting a minor moon. The beam continues, barely diminished. A few minutes later, the skies light up as the massive radiation wave pummels the atmosphere. Almost instantaneously all but the deepest life on the exposed side perishes. Within a few days, destruction has spread to the other side, fires along the sides of the exposed earth pollute the skies and irradiated atmospheric contents bring doom to the survivors. The chances of this happening are minor, but it is a potential event and unfortunately, due to the speed of the wave, there is no way that it could ever be detected. However, despite the danger from the sky, most likely, doom would come from humanity itself. Humanity may be its own biggest downfall; even without the fears of global warming and drought, within the past century, weapons capable of leveling more than just city blocks have been developed. Luckily, the use of such weapons can be avoided. With careful negotiation towards the amiable goal of world understanding, humanity can leave the destruction of the world to the stars.
continues with hits like Blow me (one last kiss) and Slut Like You, using her powerhouse vocals and gritty pop rock melodies. She treads the line of social acceptance with well over half of the songs on the album bearing the EXPLICIT warning. Of course there are couple of disappointing tunes such as Just Give Me a Reason featuring funs Nate Ruess. While there is nothing specifically wrong with this track, it lacks genuineness. When the songwriter herself describes it as a song about separating, No longer sleeping together, spooning together, it is confusing that the music in the background sounds like it is from a Disney movie. The Truth About Love came out Thursday, September 18 and is recommended for anyone looking to dance and just have a good time, listening to some refreshing, empowering songs. While many pop artists continue just to pour out the same electronic background and poor lyrics, P!nk continues to push the envelope and grow as a musician.
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The Knight, the Seer, and the Child Sir Caldon

Nicole Johnson Staff Writer
Shortly after he arrived with Miranda, the news arrived from the islands. The queens body was burnt from head to toe. They thought her dead until she started screaming when the priests doused her with blessed water. Blind and crippled, the queen was rumored to have been locked away in her chambers while King Haron hosted lavish parties with his mistress. That last bit of gossip boiled Sir Caldons blood, but he swore an oath to Cassandra he would keep Miranda safe no matter what happened beyond the Goshken Forest, even when it meant he could never return. For fifteen years he held his oath. In truth hed come to love the village theyd settled into and its simple farmers. In exchange for a small plot of land, Sir Caldon would bring back medicine and tools from the Zukalan capital, Aldana. On his return from one such trip, he stopped by a cool mountain stream to rest his horse and gather some more firewood. The crisp afternoon air signaled the coming of autumn and soon after the harvest season, the nights would drop to near freezing. The sun was nearing the horizon by the time he was done and had loaded the last of the firewood into his saddlebags. His mare, Sandra, ignored the extra weight, nibbled on sweet grass and flicked her tail at the buzzing flies. Patting the mares mane, he untied the reins and led the horse down the hardly used trail. Although it was overgrown with vegetation, the ground itself was smooth enough for Sandra to get a good footing. The trail zigzagged lazily down a small hill where it joined with the main road that led to the village. Sir Caldon wiped the sweat away from his brow and took a swig from the water skin hanging from his belt. The humid air made his hair stick to his forehead and neck while another layer of sweat hid amongst the black stubble covering his jaw and upper lip. As he passed over the second hill, the forest opened into a large valley. Clusters of dried mud huts were spread out along a circle within the valley. Thin plumes of smoke rose from the shrine in the middle of the circle. Off to the right, Sir Caldon could see the men toiling over their land. The harvest season was upon them and the crops this year looked as big as ever. Perhaps next time he went to Aldana, he would bring Miranda. She would certainly enjoy all the ships and the spices from the Kaitu Islands. Disguised as a boy, no would recognize her. A dull pain throbbed in his knee as he led the horse down the steepest part of the hill. What he wouldnt give for a tall glass of ale from Karos. The pier side restaurant was always Cassandras favorite. She and King Haron dined there often, much to the delight of those damn fish wives who gossip more than they breathe. It was enough to drive anyone mad, but Cassandra would just smile. When he first arrived, he was convinced she would order him back home and he would be able to see her smile again. He rolled his eyes at himself and patted Sandras mane. After fifty harvests and three wars youd think Id have more sense than some giddy recruit fresh out of his mothers arms. When will I ever learn, girl? Uncle! Sir Caldon looked up to see Miranda and three of the older village children running towards him. Mirandas hair was tied back into a braid that rested on her right shoulder. Wisps of hair fell across her face, which was also covered with dried mud and spots of blood. Sir Caldons hand flew to the dagger secured at his belt, but he kept it sheathed. What happened? The village children began talking fast, delving quickly into hysterics. Miranda touched the shoulder of the youngest, about fifteen, and pointed to his horse. The young girl nodded, taking the reins from Sir Caldon and leading Sandra to the makeshift stable Sir Caldon had built a few years ago. Miranda turned back to Sir Caldon. S-she just collapsed. She was giving p-praise to Zurla when her shadow started growling. She fell to the ground and wouldnt stop shaking. Shes so cold. Who is it child? Her eyes were on him, but her mind was somewhere else. Miranda. Is it the priestess? She barely nodded. He placed a hand on her shoulder. Bring me to her. With a shudder, Miranda shook herself from her thoughts and nodded. This way. The two village children led the way to the shrine to the Earth Goddess. They pushed back the flap at the entrance and Sir Caldon entered a room crowded with almost everyone from the village. Lying on a makeshift bed near the altar was the priestess who took care of the temple and acted as a healer for the village. Sir Caldon approached, smelling the stench of death in the air. He looked down upon the old woman and a sudden jolt of fear struck him. The womans skin was so yellow and wrinkly that it reminded him of old temple scrolls. He knelt beside her and placed the back of his hand to her cheek where it felt as cold as a mountain stream. Her eyes fluttered open and looked towards Sir Caldon. Thats when he saw the gold light emanating like torch from within her eyes. Hed only seen this once or twice before, and it was dangerous up close. The crowd around then began to whisper while a two year old cried in his mothers arms. He rose and swept an around out. I need everyone to get out, he said. Miranda, get me some water. The rest of you, get back to your work. I will take care of her. You have my word. They left one by one until it was just Sir Caldon alone with the woman. She kept whispering something under her breath while her eyes widened and shifted rapidly from left to right. Hidden. Shadows. Hidden. Her. Coming, coming, coming... Sir Caldon placed a hand over where the womans heart should have been. Peeling back the crude bandages, he sighed at the blackened skin. He heard the flap open. Whats wrong with her? He looked over his shoulder and back to the dying woman. A shadow dancer took her heartstone. The old woman rolled her head towards Sir Caldon. Shadows. Hidden inside. Shhh, he reached for a rag and wiped away the sweat gathering along her forehead. Rest now. Miranda placed the bowl of water on his left side and opened the box of herbs. But the shadow dancers are just a story, arent they? They are very real, Im afraid. The magic here protected the forest and all of us from them. What do we do? Mirandas voice was a whisper. Sir Caldon shook his head then touched the side of the priestess face. Fiona. Where were you attacked? The womans hands began shaking again. Shadows. By the Goddess. Theyre in the shadows. Her gaze flew to Miranda. Not safe. Magic is dying. Theyre coming for you. The light within her eyes grew brighter and brighter, until Miranda couldnt look directly at them. Miranda shifted uncomfortably next to him. What does she mean? Coming for me? Whos coming? Her voice grew louder and deeper in pitch. Your father. Hidden for so long. Free him. Free him, child. The woman broke into a mix of intelligible murmuring and maniacal laughter. Sir Caldon grabbed Miranda and yanked her from the tent. A bright flash of light followed them along with a high pitched scream. Most of the villagers stared at Caldon and Miranda unsure of what to do. Two women, apprentices of the priestess, ran inside. One came out, crying, and informed them that the priestess had passed on. The villagers bowed their heads in prayer and the men were called back from the fields for the day of mourning. Sir Caldon was surrounded by questions. He raised a hand and called for silence. The priestess informed me that the magic protecting this area is weakening. We will need to move. Gather whatever possessions you can carry and in an hour we will find another home. Why should we follow you? Sir Caldon bit back the retort in his throat. Zurla showed Fiona a vision of terrible creatures that will be upon us within a few hours. We need to move now or many of us will not make it. More ran after him with questions on the priestess death, but Sir Caldon managed to deflect them onto another priestess who would oversee the funeral pyre. Better to burn the body than risk it turning. Sir Caldon had heard stories of the dead being infected from the shadow dancers. He grabbed Miranda by the arm and pulled her from the crowd. When they got to their hut near the edge of the village, Sir Caldon immediately started packing anything he could fit into a small travel bag. As he started rattling off instructions for Miranda, he noticed that far away gaze she had earlier. Miranda, he snapped. Are you listening to me? She said my father was coming. You told me my parents died when I was a baby. She was dying, Miranda. Her body was a shell without a soul. She said the old magic was fading. She said that right before... Miranda made a small choking sound and began to sob. He pulled her into his arms and allowed her to sob and beat at his chest with tightly balled fists. I know you were close to her, but we need to get out of here as soon as we can; find an older part of the forest where the protective magic of the goddesses is stronger. I promise I will keep you safe. Suddenly they heard screams coming from outside. Sir Caldon unsheathed his sword and handed Miranda the dagger at his belt. If one attacks you, use this. It will hurt them. Were leaving now. Miranda held the dagger in her hands and just stared at the black blade. Sir Caldon forced her hand into a grip around the handle. Miranda, listen to me. I need you to be brave. They will not get us, I promise. Bu I found them! Sir Caldon looked up just as a young man dressed in the livery of House Frey rushed through the doorway. Most of his face was covered in a black mask. Sir Caldon swore before pushing Miranda behind him. Who are you? Hardly the time for introductions. Another figure appeared beside the first. This one was taller and had dark violet eyes. He pulled up the sleeve of his tunic and rested three fingers against the inside of his forearm. Sir Caldon could barely make out the outline of the nighthawk tattoo on his wrist. We good? Sir Caldon nodded. Yes. The first figure nodded and handed a bracelet to each of them. Gold links connected what looked like sapphires. As she examined it, Miranda heard the screams outside turn to squeals of delight. It reminded her of when a wolf slaughtered its prey. She held back the urge to throw up. Thats when she saw something move out of the corner of her eye. She thought it was a trick of the moonlight until the shadow began to meld into an arm reaching from the darkness. She opened her mouth but the scream stayed locked in her throat. Sir Caldon pushed Miranda out of the way just as the arm reached for her leg, grabbing Sir Caldon instead. Three more arms formed from the shadows, grabbing a hold of Sir Caldons arms and other leg. His sword clattered to the ground as the pain flared in his knee. Behind him the darkness began to grow into a large circle and two pairs of red eyes stared from inside the portal. The color drained from Sir Caldons face as the arms began to drag him towards the large circle of darkness. Take her, you fools. Go now! The second figure paused for a moment, reaching for his sword when the first figure shook his head. Hes lost, Garreth. We have our orders. Miranda watched as the second figure narrowed his gaze on Sir Caldon. Lets go, then. The second figure grabbed Miranda by the waist and lifted her over his shoulder. What? No. No! Uncle. No, I cant leave him. Go back! Just before they disappeared from the house, Miranda caught a glimpse of her uncle disappearing into the shadows. The two men moved quickly to the edge of the forest. The second figure kept a tight grip as she punched and kicked anywhere she could. Tears streamed down her face, burning her cheeks. When they reached the edge of the forest, the figures stopped. When Miranda whirled around to run back, her jaw dropped. The village was covered in a sea of moving shadows. Occasionally a tentacle of shadow would rise and grab at a body lying on the ground. The screams had died, replaced with an eerie silence. The first figure pulled back his mask and started fiddling with something on his wrist. The second figure adjusted Miranda on his shoulder. Are we in range, Vanar? Vanar nodded. Within acceptable risk, yes. Good. Get us out of here. The bracelet on Mirandas wrist glowed a soft blue, growing brighter and brighter until her vision was consumed. When the light faded, she was in a dark room with moonlight streaming in through a large window to her left. The floor spun wildly beneath her and her head pounded with a fierce headache. On the brink of more tears, she collapsed into the second figures arms and let the exhaustion take her.
october 1, 2012
s p o r t s
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Lady Orediggers beat South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 3-1 at home
Ian Mertz Copy Editor
After dropping their first set to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT), the Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team roared back, taking the next three sets and winning the game, Tuesday, September 16, at Lockridge Arena in Golden. Following the win, Mines improved to 9-4 (3-1 RMAC). The Orediggers got off to a shaky start, as they allowed SDSMT to hit 0.527 in the opening set. Despite this staggering percentage, Mines managed to keep the set close and only lost by three points, 22-25. This would be SDSMTs most competitive set, as Mines took the next three 25-14, 25-15, and 25-13. Melanie Wannamaker was among Mines offensive stars, tying a career high with 20 kills. Wannamaker also recorded three blocks and three digs during the game. RMAC Offensive Player of the Week, Jackie Stabell, contributed 13 kills in the victory, with five blocks and eight digs on defense. Holly Hutchison recorded six kills and eight blocks, while Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood set a new career best with 48 assists and 10 digs, along with three kills. Hannah Margheim posted 15 digs and Corrine Din had 13 in the contest.
ALL PHOTOS JON DEMPSTER / OREDIGGER
Melanie Wannamaker (#11) and Jackie Stabell (#9) go up for the block.
Senior Anna Padget-Shields (#2) drives the ball across the court.
Womens Club Soccer has history of success

Sydney Liming Club Sports
Although womens soccer has had leagues in Europe as far back as 1930 and international competitions that date back to the 1950s, the US did not begin to have organized womens soccer until the late 1970s. The early 1980s saw the spread of varsity college team and the creation of the national squad, but it was not until 1995 that the first national womens league started and not until 2001 that the first professional league began. Even after the slow start in America, womens soccer is now fueled by a highly successful national team (multiple Olympic gold and silver medals and two World Cup titles) and enormous participation at the youth level. Even though organized soccer has been predominately a mans game for much of the sports history, women who lived before the 19th century often participated in pick-up games with participants from neighboring villages. These games had a rugby-type feel to them, as they were generally an allout riot that were continually suppressed by the government. The game became more modernized during World War I, when a factory in Preston, England had a women versus men game. The score was not reported, but the fact that the women (who at the time werent supposed to be working outside the home) had played a game that was seen by many allowed the game to become more and more popular. The factorys team played for more than 50 years, hosting charity matches to help raise money for the war effort. Now, thirty years later, the Womens Club Soccer is making waves here at CSM. The team has been around for nine years, with this year being the fourth time the team has been invited to Nationals. Club Soccer has grown to be much more competitive in the last few years and has seen a large increase in participation and dedication. The club initially had trouble finding enough players, as the varsity team was created so many girls went that route. Today, the club has to hold tryouts because there is so much interest in playing. As the team is already in the middle of their season, they are not looking for new players. However, if you are interested in joining next season, please contact club-soccerw@mines.edu for more information. Throughout the season, the team competes in both regular season games and tournaments. The two main tournaments are the CU Tournament and Nationals. Nationals are at the end of the season (November) in Memphis, Tennessee. This year has had an intense beginning, with the team already playing CU, CSU, and Boise State. The rest of the season sees the team playing CU Gold at 9:00 AM on October 6 on the IM Fields, with another match against Colorado Mesa University at October 20 at 3:00 PM on the IM Fields. The following day (October 21), the team will be playing DU on the DU practice field at 12:00 PM. The next match is against CSU on the IM Fields at 10:00 AM on October 26. The final match of the season is against DU on Oredigger Field on October 28 at 7:30 PM.
COURTESY CLUB SPORTS
In their nine year history, the Womens Club Soccer has made it to nationals four times.
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o p i n i o n / s a t i r e
Minds at Mines Homecoming & Fireworks

Arnaud Filliat Assistant Copy Editor
After battling through a tough first round of exams, students were able to relax and enjoy some entertainment during this years homecoming festivities. Compared to past homecoming events, this years was no doubt highlighted by the postponed E-days fireworks show. In honor of Mines Spirit, this week, Minds at Mines asks, How was your homecoming and what did you think of the fireworks? Homecoming was fun, just a little bit disappointed that we couldnt get it done today on the football field, But the fireworks were amazing. I couldnt really believe they were made by Mines students, that was incredible. -Christian Kratt
Grinds my gears
Jarrod Sparks Staff Writer
You know what really grinds my gears? Commercials. With the exception of the occasional announcement regarding the return of the never ending pasta bowl at Olive Garden or the Taco 12-Pack, I have never been motivated to do something because of an advertisement on television. Not only does this distract me from my show, it also scares me when an English guy is screaming at me to buy OxiClean. Furthermore, I have become fully convinced that everybody watching midday television must be either recovering from an accident with a truck driver or injured on the job, judging by the amount of commercials on those subjects. The worst offenders, however, are the candidates for leader of the free world Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The attack ads have even gone beyond the television boundary and are now on YouTube. How am I supposed to catch up on the latest Bieber music video when I have to hear how Romney making money is bad or how Obamas leadership has affected the economy? All I want to do is simply have a private jam session, but our presidential candidates are preventing me from doing that. If you really want the vote of the people, give them unhindered Biebs. They will respect you for it and your approval rating will increase exponentially. I understand that revenue as a
october 1, 2012
result of advertising may somehow make a company more profitable, but I still dont like it. Sure, Super Bowl commercials are entertaining for a little bit, but even they get old after a while. Ultimately, I would rather just watch the show, game, or news without being told what to buy, how to vote, or where to eat. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what grind my gears.
Editorials Policy The Oredigger is a designated public forum. Editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval and may edit submitted pieces for length so long as the original meaning of the piece is unchanged. Opinions contained within the Opinion Section do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado School of Mines or The Oredigger. The Oredigger does not accept submissions without identification and will consider all requests for anonymity in publication on a case-by-case basis. Submissions less than 300 words will receive preference.
I guess you could call the game kind of bitter, yet the fireworks were utterly spectacular, the fact that we have this kind of talented students in our student body makes me proud. Being a part of something like this and watching such spectacular fireworks knowing that my peers made them is just great. -Stephen Candelaria
Deer Review: White-tailed deer

You find yourself outside on a beautiful fall day, not fully expecting a dramatic autumn wildlife experience, but suddenly, a white-tailed deer appears. At first, one may find themselves disgusted, possibly revolted by the sight of one of the most common deer species in the world, but with a bit of patience and an open mind, Odocoileus virginianus may yet become a staple of your deer viewing experience. When considering the whitetailed deer, one really has to draw upon some outliers for a comparison; it is strange that such a common variety of ungulate has such incomparable traits. From first glance, the white-tail may look boring and pass, but any true deer connoisseur will tell you that with a careful glance, the common deer has hints of reindeer with a dash of okapi for the visual viewing pleasure. Now, of course, there is an element to the experience that has to be right for a prime viewing occurrence. No viewer wants to walk out on a white-tail chewing on his or her freshly planted pumpkin plants, especially this close to halloween. Then again, despite what some people say, even the best sighting of a possibly extinct Irish Elk gnawing away on what was supposed to be a Portal themed Jack-O-Lantern would cause ones temper to boil. On the other hand, if viewed during a 45 degree Fahrenheit morning after a frost has set in, at approximately two hours, five minutes, and 27 seconds past noon, with the leaves at a 45/55 yellow to red ratio, a white-tail could the best compliment the scenery. For a viewer on a budget, it is highly recommended to seek out the visual companionship of a white-tail, though for those who are really looking for the best from this category, it is recommended to seek out either the rare 16-pointed Elk or a Chinese Water Deer.
I only went to the football game for band and the fireworks. I enjoyed the fireworks a lot. -Drew Stimson
I didnt attend any homecoming events. I saw the fireworks, they were totally sick. The mining department made them. -Michelle Griffith
Ref hearing seeks approval

After the National Football League failed to meet the increased salary demands of the long-time regular referees this off-season, replacement officials from lower football divisions attempted to fill the void. However, three weeks of poor calls and questionable penalties has stirred up conversation throughout the league. On Monday, September 24, the horrific performance of the new referees hit an all time low the Green Bay Packers were defeated on the last play of the game by the Seattle Seahawks. Common interpretation of the play is that the Packer defense actually intercepted the pass, however, after reviewing the Hail Mary to Seattles wide receiver Golden Tate, the officials declared the play a touchdown giving the Seahawks the go ahead score. Fans, coaches, and everyone with an optical nerve was appalled by the missed call and blatant omission of offensive pass interference. After the game, disappointed Packers fan Sean Corby said, Even Helen Keller saw he didnt catch that. The NFL has no choice now but to move to the next tier of qualified refs trained Magellanic Penguins from Sea World. The new semiaquatic replacements already have a leg-up on the current league officials. Penguins are naturally black and white, so no referee uniforms need to be issued. Additionally, penguins have spectacular vision. The eyesight of a Magellanic Penguin is 156 times better than that of a peregrine falcon, allowing them to avoid predation from sea lions and sand bears in their natural habitat. A few of the players are skeptical about the change, but many are excited for a re-replacement. Joshua Cribbs, of the Cleveland Browns, said, These penguins cant fly, but I bet they can tell who catches the ball. Plus, seeing them waddle to and fro out on the field is gonna be simply adorable. Rumor of penguins as referee re-
The fireworks were some of the best I have ever seen, they were tight and Im gonna minor in explosives now. I worked at the football game and Im in a sorority, so I actually helped with a float. -Karen Gilsdorf
I was pretty disappointed that the fireworks show wasnt last E-Days but it was well worth the wait. The slip and slide was pretty cool and the game and tailgate were fun. Granted they didnt play very well, but it was fun. -Charlie Kruse
ALL PHOTOS ARNAUD FILLIAT / OREDIGGER
placements caught the attention of Warner Bros. Pictures in Hollywood. The movie studio has allegedly begun production of Happy Feet 3: Happy Feetball. Warner Bros. will be working directly with the NFL and their copyrights, so the league is promised a hefty portion of the revenue. The film is expected to be released in Summer of 2013. The Leagues Commissioner, Roger Goodell, ultimately made the controversial decision after taking his children to Sea World over the weekend. Looking at the penguins in the exhibit got me thinking; these birds couldnt be worse than what we have now, he said early Tuesday in an interview. Honestly, this situation is a win-win. We are able to pay them in diced cuttlefish and krill, and their high pitched squawk will replace the pricey whistles being used now. Fiscally, well be making more and spending less, and thats what its all about. Look for the penguins in upcoming NFL games on major broadcasters throughout the country.

The Oredigger Issue 5 - October 1, 2012

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THE OREDIGGER

The student voice of the Colorado School of Mines

CSM students volunteer at animal shelter

Homecoming events celebrate school spirit

CASA is a home Donors dine at for new students Century Dinner

CSM Volleyball wins against SDSMT

Evan Ford Staff Writer

Commericals grind our gears!

Oh dear I think I hit a deer!

Josh Kleitsch, Staff Writer

Headlines from around the world

Lucy Orsi Business Manager

CASA is a home for new students

Tyrel Jacobsen Staff Writer

Up Till Dawn raises awareness

Orediggers pay it forward at local animal shelter

Bildungsroman Atwood discusses genetics, is a powerful film philosophy, and literature

Esther Lowe Staff Writer

The Expendables 2 more than just explosions

Black Swan hates bell curves Salomon Slalom skis

John Bristow Staff Writer

A mouthful thats worth it

rallies csm Spirit Rallies CSM

EMILY MCNAIR / OREDIGGER

Opening for MTHDS, three-man band 58 to Portland performs on Kafadar Commons.

EMILY MCNAIR / OREDIGGER

Guild Wars 2 redefines MMO RPG foundations

Charlatans and Chauvenets

This week in Colorado history

John Bristow Staff Writer

Secular Student Alliance gives students a community

Pirate Latitudes is a realistic, but still action-packed depiction of pirate life.

P!nk grows as an edgy pop artist

The Knight, the Seer, and the Child Sir Caldon

ALL PHOTOS JON DEMPSTER / OREDIGGER

Womens Club Soccer has history of success

Minds at Mines Homecoming & Fireworks

Deer Review: White-tailed deer

Ref hearing seeks approval

ALL PHOTOS ARNAUD FILLIAT / OREDIGGER

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