The Daily Californian » Tara Lookabaugh

Why we’re bummed we missed out on bago this year

Tara Lookabaugh — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:00:59 +0000

Don’t you just love the smell of stale beer in the morning? Love seeing campers with the words “Your daughter is in here” plastered on the side? Love driving six hours to SoCal in a winnebago full of frat stars, making that traditional stop at In-N-Out? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you probably found yourself at UCLA this weekend. While we’re grateful for the 20+ hours of sleep we got this weekend, we can’t help but feel like we missed out on a great #gameday.

Here’s why we’re bitter.

While you were drinking for Cal at a tailgate in LA, we were busy studying for Berkeley in a cubby at Main Stacks. #stressed

Upset that I can't bago down to ucla for the game bc I have a midterm & 6 page paper on Shakespeare to write

While you were watching the Bears live, we had to deal with literally the most ridiculous commercials. #unimpressed #pooradvertising

Just saw a snowblower commercial on @espn 2 watching @Cal vs @UCLA. Note to ESPN sales — it doesn't snow in Berkeley or LA

— Albert Chi (@albertchi) October 13, 2013

And while you were devouring your animal-style fries in classic Bear fashion, we were eating at Cafe 3 and dreaming about In-N-Out …

Cal drinking song…. In kettle man city..,, at in n out. #gobears #TFM

— Samantha Saravong (@samsaravong) October 11, 2013

So come next October, don’t make the same mistake we did.

Finish your homework early so you can trek down to SoCal and partake in the infamous bago festivities. #priorities

Image Source: Roadsidepictures under Creative Commons
Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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7 low-key things to do in San Francisco

Tara Lookabaugh — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:00:06 +0000

As adventurous as we Golden Bears are, trekking to San Francisco can sometimes seem daunting. With our hectic weeks and midterm frenzy, weekend hibernation time is essential.

Besides, we’ve seen Fisherman’s Wharf, we’ve “aw-ed” at the sea lions, we’ve treated ourselves to free chocolate at Ghirardelli Square and we can see the Golden Gate from our dorm room window. What more do we need to do?

The answer is: a lot! San Francisco is a big city, and we’ve only got four (or five …) years to explore it. So, if you’re already planning your weekend sleep-fest, we have a few suggestions that will get you out of bed and on your way before you can say “BART strike.”

1. If you’re bored of the typical museum scene …

The Exploratorium is a great alternative. Instead of silence, it’s filled with clicking gadgets and ringing bells, and instead of “Do Not Touch” signs, the Exploratorium encourages hands-on engagement. Huge plus: It just moved from the middle of nowhere to a more convenient location at Pier 15.

2. If you’re ready for some exercise …

Check out the mosaic on the 16th Avenue Titled Steps. This San Francisco secret is a hike of 163 steps to the top, but it’s well worth the view.

3. If you’re actually a pinball wizard …

Take your spare laundry quarters (as if) and spend the day at the Musee Mecanique at Fisherman’s Wharf. This antique arcade has games dating back to the late 1800s, and they still work!

4. If you’re a history buff…

Take a trip to 1906, and visit the “Golden Hydrant.” This (now golden) fire hydrant is responsible for the Mission’s survival of a seven-hour blaze that came after the April 18, 1906, earthquake.

5. If you love the Berkeley hippie scene …

Make your way to Haight and Ashbury, where SF’s hippie culture was born. During the “Summer of Love,” psychedelic music and cheap rent brought big names such as Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin to the area. The bohemian culture and bright-painted houses created a new world. We hear it hasn’t changed much.

6. If you’re sick of Cafe 3 …

Hit up the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays for some fresh food. With top chefs and local farmers, you’re bound to leave with your bags (and your stomach) full.

7. If you’ve been living under a rock …

You probably haven’t heard that the house used in the TV show “Full House” is located in SF. Although it’s a real house, with real people living in it, it’s still cool to say: “I’ve been to the ‘Full House’ house.”

Image sources: idleformat, sapphiresierramist, crossroads-vashta-nerada-yo, ganesha.isis, grant_loy, sflovestory, bgreenlee, Alaskan Dude, schrierc, LipBomb

Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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The 411 on a squirrel literally biting a student

Tara Lookabaugh — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:00:08 +0000

Grace Beaudoin/Courtesy

We’ve all fallen prey to Berkeley’s most abundant creatures. They look up at you with those big, innocent eyes, and you just feel the urge to feed the poor things. Unfortunately, this is not Snow White, and you are not a squirrel whisperer. When the peanuts run out, they will turn on you …

We at the Clog recently saw the more dangerous side of these furry frenemies.

One particularly outgoing squirrel made his presence known by sniffing and climbing around our feet. Of course, we assumed he was being friendly and proceeded to pet him. Strike 1.

Then we bent down to allow him to sniff our fingers. Strike 2.

And finally, we attempted to pet the squirrel. Three strikes, and the claws came out.

We looked down at our hands, horrified to find we had a new battle wound. So we sulked to the Tang Center with our fresh squirrel bite, feeling defeated. Life lesson: Squirrels are not our friends.

Image sources: iricordidellanima and vofawk

Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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Top 3 reasons you should resist the temptation of GTA-V

Tara Lookabaugh — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 15:00:12 +0000

At a whopping $1 billion profit in three days, “Grand Theft Auto V” has captured the title of the fastest-selling product in entertainment history. Hold your applause, because the new massive setting, improved graphics and thrilling plot could cost you. With the pressures of Berkeley filling your schedule, it’s natural to feel the urge to escape to Blaine County and relieve some stress with Franklin, Trevor and Michael. But while the soaring numbers of BAWSAQ are getting you high, we’re here to bring you back down. Next time you hit up GameStop on Shattuck and you reach out for that shiny new case, we suggest you try to resist … at least for now. Here’s why.

1. Midterm season has arrived.

You’ve completed all of your tasks, reported to your superiors and are awaiting your next assignment. No, we’re not referring to your classes — we’re referring to your GTA-V mission. Unfortunately, with all of your efforts dedicated to your avatar, you’ve forgotten about tomorrow’s paper and next week’s exams.

Do yourself a favor and wait until you steal an A before you steal a car.

2. PS4.

If the increase in your GTA bank account is worth a decrease in your GPA, consider how much better it will be on the new PlayStation 4 console. The new console is set to be released on Nov. 15 with a much more advanced system. Although there has been some debate about whether GTA-V will be made for the new console, we’re confident that it will not only be made but that it will be well worth the wait.

3. Blurred lines …

If you have a history of referring to your friends as Zelda or Mario — or of mistaking a stray dog for a Skyrim wolf — we would recommend refraining from ever playing GTA-V. You may have an issue separating the video-game world from the actual world. According to recent news, a freshman from Auburn University reportedly stole a pickup truck, held a woman against her will and crashed into no less than nine other vehicles in an attempt to live GTA-V. Needless to say, the Auburn police weren’t as understanding as the police of GTA’s Los Santos.

Image Sources: oO_GiuLiAnO_Oo, smbuckley23, camknows, phph oto2010 under Creative Commons

Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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5 reasons we love Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tara Lookabaugh — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 04:04:11 +0000

October brings us pumpkin lattes, horror movies and Halloween. But we’re excited to hit our closets for every pink object we own, because October also means Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Even if pink’s not your color, you won’t be able to resist showing your support, and we’re here to tell you why.

1. Pink food.

With sprinkles, too!

Everyone loves to eat. And with all of the opportunity to pinkify food, October consists of bake sale after bake sale after bake sale. Keep a lookout for fliers — even if it means braving the treacherous journey through Sproul Plaza.

2. Yogurt.

Helpful and healthy.

Yes, you read that right. Baked goods aren’t the only food that invites temptation during October. Each year, General Mills vows to donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen for every Yoplait yogurt lid collected. Enjoy the assortment of flavors and look out for a “Save Lids to Save Lives” bin at GBC.

3. For the athletic Bears:

On Wednesdays, we wear pink.

Show off your 5k skills at Race for the Cure. Unfortunately, San Francisco’s Race for the Cure was last weekend, but we recommend you start planning for next year. People get very into it.

4. For the (lazy) athletic Bear:

Reppin’ the ribbon.

Not a bad view, if you ask us.

If you’d rather sit on the sidelines than run the race, no worries! Watch your favorite NFL and MLB teams rep their support in their pink #swag.

5. Pink out your style:

Keep it simple.

Do not touch.

Or go all out.

So fabulous.

You can also tell punny jokes! Our favorite: What did the ghost say to the bees? BOObees!

Image sources: North Charleston, drothamel, bradleypjohnson, Bob Blackburn Photography, Marianne O’Leary, allygirl520, roger_mommaerts, and jonner under Creative Commons

Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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Would you pay $10,000 for a ‘Twilight’ T-shirt?

Tara Lookabaugh — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 15:00:18 +0000

We’re super excited about the opportunity to bid thousands of dollars on literally a plain green — but maybe blue — V-neck shirt that was worn by Bella during her first kiss with Edward. Catherine Hardwicke, the movie’s director, will give the shirt to a lucky contributor after she reaches her goal of raising $10,000.

With all of the sexual rivalry between #teamEdward and #teamJacob, we’re not sure why fangirls would go for one of Bella’s shirts. To top it off, the shirt wasn’t even purchased for the film itself. According to Hardwicke, it “was originally my T-shirt.” Needless to say, we’re not surprised at the lack of contributions.

After more than a week, she’s reached a total of a only little more than $550. But we’re still excited that we can take something kind of horrific — aka the seven years of Twilight we suffered through — and have it turned into money for the University of California’s scholarship fund.

For the sake of the Promise for Education fundraiser and for what’s left of the “Twilight” junkies, we hope she reaches her goal.

Image Sources: magesomido, Hilariousgifs, wifflegif

Contact Tara Lookabaugh at tlookabaugh@dailycal.org.

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