By Missi Christensen Production Coordinator
Robyn Fickes, a freshman religion major, has a test she needs to study for. She has been up for 13 hours and is looking at another four or five before she lays down to sleep. "I tend to drink coffee to give me energy and to help keep me awake so I can study," she said.
Goats: The Original Coffee Addicts The pep and energy gained from a good cup of coffee may be as close as the Starbucks in Frogbytes, but it took an inquisitive Ethiopian goat herder and 1,400 years of travel and trade to get there. National Geographic tells of the legendary goat herder Kaldi around A.D. 600 who noticed his herd dancing from one coffee shrub to another, grazing on cherry-red berries containing beans. The goats stayed awake all night, even the older goats, and acted strangely energetic. Kaldi curiously ate a few beans, finding himself invigorated and wide awake. He showed the beans to a monk who boiled them in hot water, making the first cup of coffee. He served the drink to his fellow monks at the monastery. By the 13th century, coffee went wherever the Muslim people traveled, introducing the plant to North Africa, India and the Mediterranean. The Turks brought coffee to Europe through Venice, where the first coffee house was opened in 1683. The business still stands. The Dutch started growing coffee on their island colony of Java, where the drink become so popular, "java" and "coffee" became interchangeable. The Americas came to know coffee through the efforts of Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu, a French sailor who helped to colonize the Caribbean.
'A Cozy Environment' Fickes started drinking coffee in eighth grade with her father. She avoids drinking it in the morning to not become dependent but enjoys both the caffeine effects and the flavor. "I really like espresso drinks, but I do drink brewed coffee," she said. "I'm a pretty picky coffee drinker." Fickes prefers espresso coffees not only for the flavor but for the environment they come in as well. "Coffee shops provide an outlet to chat with friends or do some homework," she said. "The atmosphere is calm and soothing." Saylor Goforth, manager of The Coffee Urn on Blue Bonnet Circle, understands that coffee drinkers like Fickes prefer tranquility. "It's real quiet and slow, a cozy environment," Goforth said. "Customers can get personal attention and good conversation with their coffee." From Goforth's perspective, coffee serves both a physical and social function. "There are the regulars in the morning who are like 'I need my coffee, get me my coffee' and then there are the people who come in at night just to relax and drink coffee with friends," she said.
For first-time visitors to specialty coffee shops, the menu can seem confusing, Goforth said. The first thing is to know that espresso is concentrated coffee that comes in two-ounce shots, she said. From there, a latte or cappuccino is made. A latte combines espresso and steamed milk. A cappuccino has espresso, steamed milk and foam. "The main thing is to know the difference between the two," she said. Flavored syrups can be added, along with whipped cream, sprinkles and other garnishes. Less-fattening and decaffeinated options are available as well. "Mocha means there is chocolate and breve means we use half and half instead of milk," she said. For non-coffee drinkers, many coffee shops offer Italian sodas, club soda and syrup blended with ice. "The ice instead of ice cream makes it less fattening," Goforth said.
Give Me That Caffeine! Both Fickes and Goforth rely on the caffeine in coffee in late-night situations. Caffeine, however, can have adverse effects on the body. In his book "Caffeine and Health," J.E. James describes withdrawal symptoms: "Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to caffeine. When caffeine intake is reduced blood pressure drops dramatically, causing an excess of blood in the head (though not necessarily on the brain), leading to a headache. "This headache, well known among coffee drinkers, usually lasts from one to five days, and can be alleviated with analgesics such as aspirin. It is also alleviated with caffeine intake (in fact several analgesics contain caffeine dosages). "Often, people who are reducing caffeine intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported." The American Psychiatric Association relates restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, muscle twitching, rambling flow of thought and speech and periods of inexhaustibility as effects of caffeine. "I can never sleep if I drink coffee before bed," Fickes said. Goforth said she has built up a resistance to caffeine. "I have to drink more and more to get the same effect," she said. The APA reported that deaths from overdoses of caffeine are rare, but pregnant women should be aware of the amount of their intake.
Mmm Mmm Good For those who haven't tried coffee, Fickes and Goforth both suggest trying a mocha for its chocolate flavor. "Once I got used to the taste of coffee, I started trying drinks with a stronger flavor," Goforth said. Fickes agrees with the process. "I got used to the flavor and started to like more of it," she said. "It's yummy."
Missi Christensen
By David Reese staff reviewer
"American Beauty" leads the pack with eight nominations including Best Picture, Best Director (Sam Mendes), Best Actor (Kevin Spacey), Best Actress (Annette Bening) and Best Original Screenplay (Alan Ball). "The Cider House Rules" and "The Insider" follow with seven nominations including Best Picture. Other Best Picture nominees include "The Green Mile" and "The Sixth Sense". Here is a list of some major categories including my predictions:
"American Beauty" "The Cider House Rules" "The Green Mile" "The Insider" "The Sixth Sense" Should win: "American Beauty" Will win: "American Beauty"
"American Beauty" is one of the most original films in years plus it has an incredible cast including Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening. The only problem "American Beauty" faces is that the story is quite dark and dreary. Many Academy voters may turn away and vote for "The Cider House Rules" for sentimental and uplifting reasons.
Best Director Lasse Halstrom, "The Cider House Rules" Spike Jonze, "Being John Malkovich" Michael Mann, "The Insider" Sam Mendes, "American Beauty" M. Night Shymalan, "The Sixth Sense" Should win: Sam Mendes, "American Beauty" Will win: Sam Mendes, "American Beauty"
Sam Mendes did a beautiful and elegant job directing the misery of "American Beauty". Mendes received the Director's Guild of America, which is usually seen as a precursor to the Oscar's Best Directing award. But surprises could come from directing newcomers, Spike Jonze of "Being John Malkovich" and M. Night Shymalan of "The Sixth Sense".
Best Actor Russell Crowe, "The Insider" Richard Farnsworth, "The Straight Story" Sean Penn, "Sweet and Lowdown" Kevin Spacey, "American Beauty" Denzel Washington, "The Hurricane" Should win: Russell Crowe, "The Insider" Will win: Kevin Spacey, "American Beauty"
What a difference three months can make. Until January, Russell Crowe of "The Insider" won most critic's awards and was favored to win Best Actor. But since early 2000 this race has been a fight between Golden Globe winner, Denzel Washington as Ruben Carter in "The Hurricane" and Screen Actor's Guild winner, Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham in "American Beauty". "The Hurricane" has been under attack these past few months for it's incorrectness and "American Beauty" is highly publicized, which may give Spacey the upper hand.
Best Actress Annette Bening, "American Beauty" Janet McTeer, "Tumbleweeds" Julianne Moore, "The End of the Affair" Meryl Streep, "Music of the Heart" Hilary Swank, "Boys Don't Cry" Should win: Hilary Swank, "Boys Don't Cry" Will win: Annette Bening, "American Beauty"
I think it is fair to say that the Best Actress race is between Annette Bening of "American Beauty" and Hilary Swank of "Boys Don't Cry". Bening is a Hollywood darling, she has done some excellent work in the past, she is married to Warren Beatty and she is eight months pregnant. Swank was phenomenal in "Boys Don't Cry" but she's only 26 and her other most known performances were in "The Next Karate Kid" and "Beverly Hills, 90210". Although in my opinion, I think Hilary Swank deserves the Oscar, the Academy tends to vote on perennial favorites, not always the best performances which gives Bening a better chance.
Best Supporting Actor Michael Caine, "The Cider House Rules" Tom Cruise, "Magnolia" Michael Clarke Duncan, "The Green Mile" Jude Law, "The Talented Mr. Ripley" Haley Joel Osment, "The Sixth Sense" Should win: All of them especially Tom Cruise, "Magnolia" Will win: Michael Caine, "The Cider House Rules"
This will be the tightest category of the entire evening. Many believe Tom Cruise will win for "Magnolia" after two losses for "Born on the 4th of July" and "Jerry Maguire". Jude Law was absolutely terrific as Dickie Greenleaf in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" but he is not as well known as the other nominees. "The Green Mile's" Michael Clarke Duncan has had a lot of exposure within this last few months especially since his other film, "The Whole Nine Yards" was number one during the final weeks of voting. Haley Joel Osment of "The Sixth Sense" is only 11 years old but his performance has been highly acclaimed and could pull off a surprise victory in the spirit of children actors, Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon" (1973) and Anna Paquin in "The Piano" (1993). But I think the Oscar will be awarded to perennial favorite and past winner for 1986's "Hannah and Her Sisters", Michael Caine for his work in "The Cider House Rules".
Best Supporting Actress Toni Collette, "The Sixth Sense" Angelina Jolie, "Girl, Interrupted" Catherine Keener, "Being John Malkovich" Samantha Morton, "Sweet and Lowdown" Chloe Sevigny, "Boys Don't Cry" Should win: Chloe Sevigny, "Boys Don't Cry" Will win: Angelina Jolie, "Girl, Interrupted"
The most boring category of the evening is also probably the most predictable. Angelina Jolie of "Girl Interrupted" is favored to win. Most of the nominees are unknown with the exception of Jolie since she is Hollywood royalty (Oscar winner, Jon Voight is her father). The fact that she is a Hollywood daughter actually helps her chances since many famous children have won Oscars (Jane Fonda, Angelica Huston, Mira Sorvino, Tatum O'Neal, Liza Minelli, etc.). Whatever history-making events occur, the ceremony looks to be quite entertaining and enjoyable. For more information on the Academy of Motion Picture Association go to their web site www.oscars.com. |
"I need a double shot half caf latte with kaluha flavoring."
Saylor's Suggestions
The 72nd Annual Academy Awards ceremony, also known
as the Oscars, will be held 7 p.m. Sunday in Los Angeles and will be aired
live on ABC (Channel 8). Withscandals looming about the missing ballots
and stolen trophies, this year's ceremony promises to be quite exciting
especially with the return of host Billy Crystal and the elimination of
those dull and boring dance numbers. The presenter list includes Oscar
winners Gwyneth Paltrow and Roberto Benigni, nominee Haley Joel Osment
and actors Brad Pitt and Ashley Judd.
Best Picture| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |