“His design philosophy is characterized by a mixture of modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour,” according to Target.com. And even though this collection is created for the masses, it seems as though Gurung, since launching his own line in 2009, has not put any less effort into endowing this collection with his signature design tactic.

Just in time for the Valentine season, Prabal Gurung’s collection is inspired by “love” and “a woman’s journey through it.” This is most noticeably expressed through the print names — “Floral Crush,” “First Date” and “Meet the Parents” — which make appearances on tops, dresses and cardigans throughout the collection. His color scheme follows suit in a seductive, yet modest use of apple red.

“I like my collections to have femininity with just a little bit of bite,” Prabal Gurung said in a behind the scenes video of his look book. So while most pieces in the collection are totally appropriate for meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time, lace-up pumps and kaleidoscopic floral prints give the collection its edge, consistent with his reputation for bold prints.

Prices range from $19.99 to $199.99 for apparel, the most expensive piece being a blue leather jacket. Accessories go for $39.99 or less. And luckily for Binghamton University students, this collection will be coming to the Target on Vestal Parkway.

“We always get every collection,” said Lisa, a softlines sales floor team member. “But there’s no telling which items we will be getting.”

The collection will also be available online.

Though Prabal Gurung for Target is only the most recent in a long history of mass market luxury brand collaborations over the last 10 years, Target seems to have taken greater pains in their advertising campaign to warm up the majority of its customers who are not familiar with the designer. A movie trailer-esque television commercial featuring Olivia Thirlby and a quiz on Target.com called “What’s Your Love Style?” emphasize that Target also wants us to know that this collection was created for YOU (whoever you are).

To the majority of Target’s consumers, Prabal Gurung will go unnoticed for what it is, but for the Prabal Gurung enthusiast, this collection is another answered prayer for the brand whore on a budget.

Pajamas are a form of self-expression, printed with your favorite childhood cartoon characters. But in college, where laziness is an epidemic and “getting ready for bed” turns into passing out from exhaustion (or inebriation), the necessity of owning something solely for sleeping becomes minimized.

Johanna Jordan, a junior majoring in human development, remarked that pajamas as a set are very insignificant to her.

“My mom definitely bought me a set last year,” Jordan said. “I was excited about the comfy pants and quickly forgot about the matching top.”

Dane Banks, a junior majoring in English, also confirmed that while she does like pajama sets, the matching factor quickly loses its novelty.

“I think they’re adorable,” Banks said. “But after I wear the matching set once, I generally incorporate them into the rest of my pajama wardrobe and end up mixing and matching.”

In a Pipe Dream survey, only 5 of the 100 respondents claimed to wear matching pajamas to sleep, while 62 said they wear a ratty t-shirt and a variation of bottoms, including sweatpants, shorts or underwear and 36 reported wearing either underwear or nothing. 76 students admitted to receiving pajamas as a holiday gift, while only 24 said they had asked for them.

This year, websites like Macys.com and Bloomingdales.com continue to include matching pajama sets in their holiday gift guides, whereas Asos.com and Urbanoutfitters.com, more alternative apparel sites that cater more to college-age students, do not include pajama sets or any form of sleepwear in their gift guides. However, underwear is featured as a gift for both women and men on both sites.

Asos.com and Urbanoutfitters.com have gotten the memo that less is more in the bedroom for college students. But perhaps pajamas are not being marketed to college students because they are an unnecessary expense in a world in which you are constantly hoping that by the end of the night your clothes will end up on the floor. Also, with the appropriation of loungewear into the public sphere, there is no boundary between sleepwear and loungewear, and thus the two categories merge for the 18 to 24-year-old bracket.

As a continuation of its parent restaurant, the lounge follows suit with its funky style, casual atmosphere and suitability for any occasion. It places a heavy emphasis on live music and intellectualism, which creates a relaxing yet vivacious environment. This is very much in part due to the Lost Dog Café’s history. Not only is the Lost Dog Lounge a physical extension of the restaurant, but it is also an extension of café co-owners Marie McKenna and Elizabeth Hugh’s original plans for their restaurant.

“We’ve always had this idea because we love music, and we just wanted a place where people could hang out, but we felt limited by space,” McKenna said. “We wanted to go back to our roots when we were a small café.”

McKenna got her wish. The lounge is incredibly spacious, divided into three separate vibes, giving patrons options for how they would like to spend their time there. Situated in the center of the lounge, the bar area triggers the nostalgia a saloon would, but with a modern touch. Dark wooden beams and some standard high tables are contrasted with all-white seating pieces and futuristic lighting.

After ordering one of the 18 craft beers on tap ($3-$6), a specialty cocktail ($6-$8) or maybe just a pineapple juice, patrons can mosey on over to one of the side rooms for live music or intimate conversation.

Several nights each month, the lounge hosts bands from far and wide on their designated stage corner in one of the side rooms. Under 80’s-inspired mirrored chandeliers, patrons can sit at tables and munch on one of Lost Dog Café’s classic appetizers, stand around or dance with minimal room to flail while live music plays.

Like many bars, the lounge also has its staple events. Beginning in October, every Tuesday will be Trivia Night, hosted by McKenna’s son, Ferrell McKenna, a graduate of Cornell University. Every first and third Wednesday of the month is Jazz Jam.

People can bring their instruments and jam with the jazz group, Miles Ahead. Every third Thursday of the month, local favorite Enerjee featuring Anaya D will perform sultry jazz. And every first Tuesday of the month, the lounge hosts an event called “Science Cabaret,” where scholars of any study can lecture on their knowledge in layman’s terms followed with a question-and-answer panel.

While the lounge does not have a bouncer at the door checking IDs,  Monica Michaels, a publicist for the lounge, said that the lounge doesn’t want the lounge to attract people who go out for the sake of getting smashed.

“While we want the lounge to be a fun place, it is not meant for rowdy people who are trying to drink cheap beer,” Michaels said. “It is for like-minded people who are interested in arts and culture.”

Emily Skydel, a senior majoring in English, saw a live band play at the lounge over the summer and is not concerned that the lounge’s intentions will be displaced.

“I think it’s setting a new standard for nightlife in Binghamton, and I hope to see more places like it pop,” Skydel said.

Upcoming Events at Lost Dog

Wednesday, Oct. 3 and Tuesday, Oct. 16: Watch the presidential debates at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 11: Watch the vice presidential debates at 8 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 13: Band: Mama’s Black Sheep from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 20: Upstate Rubdown 9-11:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 23 and ongoing dates: Binghamton Cabaret TBD 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 27: Halloween Dance Party 9 p.m.

Correction: Oct. 3, 2012

An article in the Oct. 2, 2012 edition of Pipe Dream about the opening of an expansion to the Lost Dog Café incorrectly identified Monica Michaels as a manager of the Lost Dog. Michaels is actually a publicist. 

Located on Chenango Street, just down the block from the bus station, sits Chroma, a modest and fairly priced up-and-coming café that offers breakfast, lunch and homemade confections to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Chroma is owned and run by Nancy and Heath, a couple from Endicott, N.Y. Before opening up Chroma, Nancy, a jovial and attentive woman, owned a bakery in her hometown in Michigan, while her husband Heath was a paramedic for 17 years.

“Enough was enough,” Heath said. “Cooking and baking have always been a big part of our relationship, so this was a logical direction for us to go in.”

Cafés have previously operated on Chenango Street, but I have high hopes for the lifespan of Chroma. While the café is quite small, with only enough seating for about eight people for lunch, Chroma is one of a kind in the downtown Binghamton area.

As you approach the storefront, the vibrant colors invite you in, with the smell of focaccia bread wafting from the standard kitchen oven and the sight of Heath at the baking counter preparing a panini. Upon entry, Nancy and her dessert counter displaying various baked goods behind glass and on cupcake tiers welcome you. From brownies, to cookies, to muffins and mini tarts, pecan sticky buns and cookie sandwiches, the desserts are so rich and decadent they have the potential to cease the cupcake craze.

The environment feels like home. There is no barrier between the kitchen and patrons, so all can feel ensured their food is coming from quality ingredients and being prepared hygienically. The green back wall is lined with a mahogany shelf that holds every dry ingredient a pastry chef could ever need.

Since the menu focuses heavily on carbohydrates, it is one to be indulged in and may not be appropriate for the diet-conscious. Soup, empanadas and paninis, as well as a few of their desserts, are daily specials. For my dining experience, I ordered all three of their specials: tomato bisque, a ricotta and spinach empanada and a grilled vegetable with Monterey Jack panini as well as a sampling of desserts.

Nancy and Heath are very conscious of people’s dietary needs and provide the option of customizing your meal. I chose to have my tomato bisque without the optional cream, and it was the perfect starter to my lunch. The soup was slightly chunky but not too hearty, even though it was filled with carrots and onions. But I was slightly surprised to have it served to me in a Styrofoam bowl and my accoutrement, a slice of tomato focaccia, on a paper plate. I accepted the casualness of the atmosphere, ripped off a crispy piece of focaccia and dipped it into my soup.

My panini and empanada came shortly after, and I was pleased that neither was too oily for my liking. I find that grilled vegetables can be slathered and sometimes slide easily off a sandwich, but they were confined to more focaccia bread by a layer of homemade walnut pesto and a single slice of flawlessly melted cheese.

The empanada was a flaky crescent of comfort food. It was warm, chewy, not too cheesy and pseudo-healthy, but it was lacking in memorable flavor.

At last my taste buds truly met their match: the cookie sandwiches. Similar to a whoopie pie, the cookie sandwich is comprised of two butter cookies held together by a generous layer of butter cream cheese frosting. Whether you prefer key lime, chai latte or cocoa butter between chocolate chip cookies, or the peanut butter cookie with chocolate ganache, they are a finals-week-bad-breakup kind of treat — one is enough to cheer you up. I always say “the more butter, the better,” and there is no better way for a dessert-obsessed person to end their meal. The butter cream cheese soothes, the cookie melts — it’s like a dream made of sugar.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, the sandwich cookies put the chromatic quality into Chroma Café and Bakery.

If you aren’t forced to wear a uniform for your job, dressing for work is the toughest thing in uncomfortably warm weather. If your job is in an office environment, you likely have to remain somewhat modest and professional looking. This usually involves way too much clothing for hot weather, but is perfect for overly air-conditioned buildings. A good middle ground for these temperature extremes is to dress in lightweight clothing and accessories, no matter where you’re going.

Clothing for girls

The materials to focus on are cotton, linen or silk, which are made from natural fibers that make you sweat less. Pants should be loose and airy, like boyfriend jeans or harem pants. Anything tight, like skinny jeans, will cause thigh chaffing, and that’s simply not attractive.

Dresses should also be flowy, but if you prefer something more body conscious, a dress with a shirred waist will give you shape and relief from stagnant air.

Whether it’s a t-shirt, a tank top or a button down, your top should be loose so if you do sweat, no one will see. A silk blouse is great for corporate environments, and if it’s sleeveless, always bring a sweater or a scarf. Also, light colors don’t absorb the sun as much, so white will be your best friend in the heat.

Accessories

If you’re always on your feet, it’s best to leave the heels at home in a heat wave. Strappy sandals or flats will be the most rewarding for your body. Espadrilles are the ultimate summery shoe and are just the right hybrid between a sandal and a flat. Flip-flops are never an option unless you are going to the beach.

Jewelry should stay at a minimum. While arm candy is the latest trend, wearing fewer bracelets will make your wrists feel freer. Wear your hair back either in a bun or a braid and decorate your neck with a thin necklace and big studs — these pieces of jewelry will create the least amount of tension on your skin.

Clothing for guys

Materials are the same for both guys and girls. Investing in linen suit pants may be a good idea. If your job isn’t too strict about dress code, take advantage of wearing shorts and pair them with a light weight short sleeve or long sleeve button down shirt. Save polos and shorts for a golf outing, but if you must wear a polo, wear one with dark chinos, not khakis.

Accessories

For corporate environments you’re probably required to wear nice shoes, which means wearing socks, which means never wear white ankle socks. Get a few nice pairs of lightweight cotton or silk blend ankle socks and have your mom do your laundry. In other types of environments, boat shoes or espadrilles can be appropriate. They make them for men and they come in lots of different colors and patterns so you don’t have to be too into style to pull them off.

At 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, three paid undergraduate student chefs and a number of student volunteers begin preparing lunch, to be served at noon to around 50 people. The changing daily menu is based on the creativity of the kitchen staff and what ingredients they have to work with, but they always try to find a balance of protein, carbs and vegetables. Though the Food Co-op has its own recipe book, the recipes tend to be as spontaneous as the menu.

The Co-op emphasizes the use of local and organic ingredients. Every dish is vegetarian approved, but extremely rich and decadent, heavy on the spices and low in sodium, which is the antithesis of any other food dispenser on campus.

People who are not used to eating vegetarian food may be initially turned off by the buffet of meat substitutions, but don’t knock it before you try it. The Co-op food is a filling and flavorful alternative to pasta from the University Union.

When I visited on Thursday, they served teriyaki tofu, spicy scalloped potatoes, rice with wild mushrooms, mock cock salad (chicken salad made of tempeh) and Popeye’s salad (spinach salad). After consuming a small plastic to-go container of scalloped potatoes and rice for $3.25 at 4 p.m., I was sated by fresh and natural food made by people who love to sustain the earth.

For those who are not members or regulars in the Co-op community, eating there for the first time is slightly intimidating. The dining area seats about 40 people, and everyone seems to have a passion for environmentally conscious and healthy living. Conversation over who is a better recycler can potentially be blocked out by an impromptu guitar jam session during the peak hour from 12 to 1 p.m.

However, the Co-op recognizes that not everyone who wants to eat organic, homemade food can withstand the crunchy and sometimes crowded environment and provides the option of take-out containers in addition to sit-down plates.

The preparation that goes into the hot lunch is the driving force of the tight-knit community in the Food Co-op, but members also promote organic and community living through other means. During regular Co-op hours there is a small grocery store that sells packaged organic snacks, local dairy and meat products, grains, dried fruit, seeds, snacks, cooking ingredients in bulk and eco-friendly paper goods.

The Co-op always serves freshly brewed coffee from Laveggio for $1 and tea so people can sip hot beverages while they sit on a distressed couch next to a sleeping hippie and read a book from the lending library. On the last Tuesday of every month, the Co-op hosts an open mic for striving musicians and artists to perform their crafts.

The Food Co-Op thrives on environmentally conscious food distribution and individuals’ dedicated volunteering. While it has a steady base of members, the non-committal nature of this campus organization makes it a great place for students who simply want to learn how to cook. Every Monday to Friday, starting at 8:30 a.m., the Co-Op is happy to accept volunteers with personal motives as well as community ones. Volunteers can be as involved as they would like, but it is more beneficial to be a member, which costs $5 per semester or $8 per year and gives you 5 percent off everything in the store. Members who volunteer one hour per week get a 10 percent discount on hot food and a half-off meal for each hour worked in the kitchen.

Adam Gausepohl, an entrepreneurship student at University of Southern California, along with his sister, Sarah, and his roommate, Bryant Laitipaya, founded DormStormer in July 2011. They wanted to create a way for trendsetting college students to shop for their favorite brands without spending a lot of money or traveling too far.

After holding a successful offline sales event at USC, they decided to recruit a team of students from USC, University of California, Los Angeles, and Fashion Institute of Design & Manufacturing to help launch the website and bring the sample sales to students nationwide.

Here’s how it works: DormStormer will host 48-hour online sample sales, with up to 70 percent off retail, exclusively for college students. The sales will feature top brands in apparel, shoes and accessories for both men and women. Students from FIDM hand-pick each item to ensure that members are sold only the best in fashion. Every 48 hours there will be a new sale featuring a new brand and different products to keep students coming back for more.

The first sample sale brand will be American Apparel. Melanie Murray, vice president of public relations at DormStormer, promises it will be a success.

“The prices will be incredible and the buyers have been working hard to find pieces college students will really like,” Murray said.

When students sign up, they must provide either their college email address or their college name to gain access to the student-only prices. When the sales begin, students will be directed to either the men’s or women’s featured brand for that 48-hour period. There will be large pictures to make shopping easier, featuring the ability to see product details, zoom in on different angles and check how products fit.

Under the “Lifestyle and Accessories” section, there will be deals on costumes (available 24/7) for every type of party imaginable, sales on accessories or a college brand of the week (a brand started by a current college student).

DormStormer also aims to eventually become a social shopping site for students. There will be the option to “like” certain items so students can keep track of their friends’ tastes.

Many of us at Binghamton rely on online shopping due to the limited selection of clothing stores around us.

DormStormer invites Pipe Dream readers to receive an exclusive promo code when they sign up. Enter “Pipe5” when you create an account to receive a $5 coupon today.

Lani Levi, a sophomore majoring in graphic design, explains what makes Passover so special to her.

“It’s a tedious holiday where you have to be very careful with the rules, but overall the rules are meant to symbolize an event that the entire Jewish nation experiences together,” Levi said. “And there are so many small things that we have to do to always keep the memory of that in our mind.”

One extremely central aspect of Passover is the commandment to eat matzah (Hebrew for unleavened bread) instead of chametz (Hebrew for leavened bread or any product containing traces of it). We eat matzah because, according to the Torah, the Jewish Old Testament, when the Jews left Egypt they did not have enough time for their bread to rise, resulting in unleavened bread.

The holiday of unleavened bread entails a few things. Firstly, scrubbing your kitchen to the bone so that it is clean of all chametz. Then, selling the chametz or burning any that is found in your house the day before Passover begins because you are forbidden to have it in your possession.

Lastly, eight days of constipation because matzah becomes a substitute for anything that you would normally eat with bread, and then some, such as matzah pizza, matzahbri (matzah soaked in water and egg and then fried — it’s a delicacy) and simple matzah and cream cheese sandwiches. Eating matzah is not all that bad, though; think of it as the largest, crummiest edible cardboard-tasting cracker ever created.

Benny Summers, a senior majoring in history, feels that eating matzah and not eating chametz is an essential part of the Passover experience.

“Every holiday in every religion has something that sets it apart from other holidays,” Summers said. “And not eating chametz sets Passover apart from every other Jewish holiday during the year.”

When doing activities during Passover, it can be a hassle to remember to bring matzah-filled snacks with you, but Summers thinks otherwise.

“I always thought it was more fun to bring Passover snacks to the movies or the zoo than buying food at those places when it’s not Passover,” Summers said. “It makes me look forward to doing those things even more because I have to specially prepare for them.”

Though boxes of matzah lining the shelves in your local grocery stores is the most outwardly recognizable sign that Passover has arrived, the preparation and execution of the Seder is the tell-tale sign in Jewish homes that it’s time to throw out that week-old box of Cheez-Its on your desk.

Translated from Hebrew, “Seder” means “order,” referring to the particular order in which the 15-step ritual to retell the story of our Exodus is performed. Traditionally, Jewish families gather together on the first and second nights of Passover to conduct the basic structure of the Seder with their own twists. The Seder can last between two and six hours, depending on how little sanity your family has. Many families like to create activities to keep everyone, especially the younger participants, interested.

Maya Yair, a sophomore majoring in political science, shared two of her family traditions that successfully managed to get people excited about the Seder over the years.

“My uncle, who typically leads our 40-person Seder, likes to begin by asking everyone questions like what the Seder means to us personally,” Yair said. “He’s very philosophical and enjoys finding new meaning in our tradition so it doesn’t feel repetitive.”

At every Seder, there’s generally one person who leads, and their performance can usually make or break a Seder.

Another crucial aspect of the Seder experience is the food we use for rituals to reenact the slavery experience. For example: dipping bitter herbs in salt water to symbolize the tears we cried as slaves and the bitterness of our lives as slaves in Egypt. We also eat charoset — a mixture of apples, cinnamon, nuts and wine — which, when mixed and grounded together, symbolizes the cement we used to build the pyramids for the slave drivers.

Yair’s Persian family playfully hits each other with scallions when they sing the song “Daienu” (translated into English as “enough”) to symbolize the whips the Egyptians used to hit the Jews as they worked. But there are so many rules and rituals that it’s hard not to trivialize some of them.

Sometimes the best way to truly capture the essence of Passover is to go to a Seder (if you have never been to one before), drink the four cups of wine that every man and woman of Israel is commanded to drink and embrace the commemoration of the Exodus.

When you go to State Street or a frat party, it’s not uncommon to see four or five couples leaning against a wall, shamelessly making out next to one another. Is it that uncommon for a group of horny undergraduates to take that step from the bar to the bedroom as a team? Pipe Dream conducted a survey to find out.

Of the 179 male and female Binghamton University students who filled out our survey, 13.4 percent said they have participated in an orgy, while about half said they know someone who has participated in an orgy.

When asked if they would participate if they hadn’t previously, 36.8 percent of the respondents answered “Hell Yeah,” 42.9 percent answered “Fuck No” and 20.2 percent answered “only under the influence of drugs and alcohol.”

In response to whether orgies are more likely to occur on college campuses or later in adulthood, 63.1 percent responded “college,” 27.4 percent said “adulthood” and 7.3 percent said “neither.”

Where are our friends having orgies? And how can we explain the discrepancy between what BU students think and what they have actually experienced? Based on the survey, one hypothesis could be that when students answered that college is the most common place to have an orgy, they did not have Binghamton in mind.

Another survey question asked students if they considered their college campus to be a sexually liberal environment. 39.1 percent said “definitely,” 50.8 percent said “slightly,” 3.9 percent said “not at all” and 6.1 percent answered “I can’t tell who likes men and who likes women.” When the survey was filtered by specified sexual identities, the majority of students who answered “slightly” were heterosexual.

Sexual identity may be an influence on the results. According to the survey, LGBT students are more likely to try an orgy. It seems that Binghamton is doing a good job supporting its students who aren’t straight.

Mike, a junior majoring in linguistics, believes that students with minority sexual identities are more sexually experimental. [Due to the nature of this article, names have been changed to protect the privacy of those interviewed.]

“Orgies are definitely more common in homosexual culture,” Mike said. “Kids are always worried about being judged and what sexuality should and shouldn’t be.”

Our college years should be the prime time in our lives to have an orgy, but it seems as though factors like ego, homophobia, academics and a general feeling of self-consciousness stand in the way of experiencing a sexual awakening. The students in Binghamton are not unique in this regard. So is the lack of orgies a product of living in the 21st century?

Eric, a junior majoring in psychology, believes that Freud may play a role in the sexual conservatism on campus.

“People are more self-conscious because this is not a liberal school,” Eric said. “We’re owned by our mothers.”

While our family values may play a larger role in our decisions than they have in previous generations, Eric dismisses our constant need to please our parents as the sole reason for abstaining from an orgy. Instead he thinks the lack of orgies is due to an issue of physicality.

“The academic excuse is a front,” Eric said. “I don’t think that enough people on this campus are attracted to each other.”

Binghamton may fall low on the ranking of most attractive student body, but the overall mentality of the academic environment doesn’t allow for us to see each other in a better light.

“People are too competitive with each other and teamwork is a key component in having a successful orgy,” Eric said. “I think if we got rid of the School of Management, people would be down.”

Mike shared similar sentiments about academics preventing students from taking part in such activities.

“The students here are very career-oriented, goal-focused to the grindstone, almost like zombies,” he said. “Everyone is too caught up in their own shit to even entertain the possibility of pleasuring someone else like that.”

Academics take up a good portion of our brain power, leaving little room for thoughts of sexual exploration. And binge drinking on the weekends may not be enough for us to let go of inhibitions. Taking part in an orgy requires an even greater force than alcohol that many students still do not possess even by the time they graduate. That force may be maturity.

The kids of the 21st century are often plagued by a fear of vulnerability and insistence on self-entitlement, which makes college feel more like an emotionally hostile environment than a place where free love can thrive. Because we are more educated about sexual health, there is a greater concern for catching an STI or HIV, so when considering having sex with multiple partners, fear and discomfort prevail.

If you are interested in staging an orgy, students may be more receptive to a résumé submission process. It couldn’t hurt to take a look at past experiences, internships and a letter of recommendation before accepting three or more people into your orgy crew.

Tom & Marty’s

Sunday and Monday: Enjoy a 16 oz. Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3.

Tuesday: You can get mixed drinks, domestic beers and shot-wheel shots for $2.

Wednesday: It’s Trivia Night with varying specials, usually including special beer for $3 and $3.75 mixed drinks.

Thursdays: It’s Mug Night — $1.50 for domestic beer or $2.50 for a mixed drink.

Friday: Buy either a 32 oz. jar of Rolling Rock or Long Island Iced Tea for $3.75.

Saturday: Get either a 32 oz. jar of Pabst Blue Ribbon or a Cranberry & Vodka for $3.75.

JT’s Tavern

Wednesday: It’s Beer Bingo night. Whichever drink is chosen is the 2-for-1 special.

Friday: 2-for-1 beers or mixed drinks until midnight.

Saturday: Miller Light Bottles for $2.50.

Uncle Tony’s Tavern

Tuesday: Get pitchers of Bud Light for $3 or vodka drinks for $2.50. There’s also a beer pong tournament with prizes.

Wednesday and Thursday: Buy a beer mug for $1.50 and refill it for 75 cents with Butter Bell Light.

Dillinger’s Celtic Pub & Eatery

Thursday: You can get bottles, pints and Cranberry & Vodkas for $2 each.

The Rathskeller Pub

Tuesday: Beer Pong Tournament Night — $3 pitchers or $2 Kamikaze shots.

Ramy Gabal, an undeclared sophomore, reminisces about his favorite ’90s trend that today has seemed to fall by the wayside.

“A typical outfit for me in the ’90s included baggy jeans, baggy everything actually,” Gabal said.

Hardly any brands still sell what Gabal refers to as “baggy jeans.” And if someone is still wearing a pair, they were probably purchased over a decade ago. Jeans are still sold in boot cut, and that ’70s flared leg has even made a recent comeback, but it seems the skinny leg is the new style of this generation and here to stay. We left loose jeans in the ’90s with MC Hammer, Dennis Rodman and financial stability.

Us ’90s babies were also the first generation whose style was a direct byproduct of children’s television. We associate our childhood wardrobe with a little less self-consciousness and a bit more character.

Anxhela Zenuni, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law, recalled anything with characters as one of her favorite ’90s trends.

“I was obsessed with Power Rangers and videos games, so I wore a lot of graphic tees, with spandex and belts around my waist and lots of pink,” Zenuni said. “I wanted to be the pink Power Ranger.”

Christian Garrido, a sophomore majoring in computer science, was also stylistically inspired by the Power Rangers.

“My favorite shows were ‘Power Rangers,’ ‘Friends,’ ‘Pokemon’ and ‘Digimon,’” Garrido said. “I definitely wanted my style to emulate the cartoons more than the characters in ‘Friends.’”

Children didn’t have the Internet to lure them away from television, so more time was spent watching “Saved By The Bell” and “Boy Meets World.” As a result, we were immersed in the fashion trends of the decade.

Kurt Anderson, an American novelist, wrote in his article for Vanity Fair’s January 2012 issue about how issues such as technology have been able to influence people today to reflect on fashion of the past.

“Ironically, new technology has reinforced the nostalgic cultural gaze,” he said. “Now that we have instant universal access to every old image and recorded sound, the future has arrived and it’s all about dreaming of the past.”

And it’s true with clothes. Certain stores are devoted to reviving and preserving ’90s styles, like American Apparel, which was a originally a store for basics. It now sells “mom jeans,” all kinds of acid-wash denim, confetti-print shirts, hypercolored T-shirts, tribal-print parachute pants, flannels and other retro favorites. In other words — ’90s clothing heaven.

But not everyone is accepting of American Apparel’s mission. Many young adults who lived through the ’90s view the store as a knock-off, and feel that it doesn’t grasp the true feeling behind this unique era. Who wants to pay $80 for a scrunchie?

While fashion constantly draws on inspiration from the past in order to reinvent itself, the “anything goes” attitude that permeated the 1990s has changed. Teens in the ’90s were innovators, trying new styles and trends. Fashionable teens today are copycats, just trying to dress like the kids from decades past.

What even constitutes the perfect bathing suit?

Generally speaking, it’s a style that flatters your form, suits your skin tone, covers everything that should be left up to the imagination and doesn’t leave you with embarrassing tan lines. So as much as we might like the idea of those one-pieces with sexy mid-drift cutouts, they are simply not practical for the majority of bathing suit purposes.

Ladies, stand in front of the mirror in your bra and underwear. Pay attention to the cuts of your undergarments. If you are getting a lady boner from your silhouette, then those are the exact styles you should be searching for in nylon material. If not, then hopefully these tips will inspire you to get rid of your Roxy bikini from high school and find the confidence to buy something a little more mature and less ill-fitting.

1. The fit

Anyone with breasts (sorry, A-cuppers and down) should stay away from stringy tops and ruffled bandeaus. That’s not to say that busty girls cannot wear a bandeau at all; just find one with removable straps. You should aim for something supportive, like a bra — a top that has underwire cups and thicker straps to keep you afloat both in the water and on land.

Flat-chested girls have the privilege of ignoring this category because there is less to hide or emphasize.

Aviva Mandell, a senior majoring in English, hasn’t purchased a bathing suit in six years and is skeptical that there’s actually a cut out there for everyone.

“Not all boobs are made for bathing suits,” Mandell said. “That’s why I stick with nude beaches.”

2. The cut

The perfect bathing suit is not going to be a triangle top. If you are buying a triangle top, then you’re probably settling.

“Triangle tops equals death,” Mandell said.

Don’t let the Victoria’s Secret swimsuit models fool you; a triangle top will not make you look as sexy as they do.

Bandeaus are great for avoiding tan lines, but can sometimes make it look like you have a uni-boob. Strapless alternatives include a sweetheart cut, a ruche or twist in the middle or some kind of blingy centerpiece detailing. You also want something that gives a decent amount of coverage so you don’t have four boobs either.

3. The color and pattern

Again, there is a privileged category of females. The olive and darker-skinned girls can get away with almost any color and pattern of bathing suit. But you should still be practical about it. You may not love a hot pink bathing suit forever.

Girls with pale or pinker skin should opt for anything in the darker brown family; those shades will bring out warmer tones in your skin.

Solids are always better than patterns. But if you feel compelled, polka dots are timeless and can be worn by any body type because of their smaller range.

Another way to alleviate bathing suit shopping stress is not to tempt yourself with brands that sell bottoms and tops as a pair. Realistically, how many girls out there are perfectly proportionate? You need to give yourself the flexibility to try on different sizes. And most stores that sell bathing suits for reasonable prices give you that option.

Emily Skydel, a junior majoring in English, recommends Target for happy bathing suit hunting.

“I usually go to Target for bathing suits because I don’t care if my bottoms and tops match,” Skydel said. “And they’re usually so much cheaper.”

Victoria’s Secret and H&M also have large selections of bathing suits that you can mix and match for less than $50, so there is something out there for everyone. Avoid ordering your bathing suit in a mad dash for something new to wear on the beach. The more time you put into searching for the perfect suit, the more likely you will find one that will last you at least until next spring break.

Forget about the overly emotional single guys and gals, the recently broken-hearted or the unrequited-love-sick puppies.

Valentine’s Day can be the most awkward holiday for people who are not quite tied down, but still want to show their hook-up buddy/main squeeze/one-night stand that they enjoy their company.

There is no reason to hold back just because you think the other person won’t reciprocate affection. Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be the mushy holiday that it’s made out to be. The heart-shaped chocolate boxes and pre-written Hallmark cards were invented for people who don’t want to put too much effort into expressing their heart-felt commitment. But there are more casual ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day for people in love limbo.

Everyone loves food, and your confection need not be sweet. Grab some mozzarella sticks from the grill in the dining hall and write “HVD” in marinara sauce. If your lover is lactose intolerant, get a hamburger instead and draw a heart with ketchup. Then get some french fries and broccoli heads, hollow out the stems and place them on top of your French fries to make an edible and silly bouquet of flowers.

But the broccoli-french-fry flowers don’t have to be a substitute for real flowers.

Timothy Campbell, a junior majoring in psychology, thinks that flowers are not just for people in love.

“Flowers are a beautiful and expensive gift, but the number of flowers can change their symbolism,” Campbell said.

Giving a single flower (anything but a rose) rather than an entire bouquet is a much less scary way to say “Thanks for the great sex” or “I appreciate our drunken rendezvous.”

If you want to acknowledge the holiday, but do not want to give a material item, writing a note on lined paper is personal yet casual.

Lauren Kiesel, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, thought of a cute and easy way to show your appreciation.

“Whip out your elementary school creativity and doodle a card during one of your boring classes,” Kiesel said. “If you want to get really creative, send your message in a clean bottle from a nearby recycling bin.”

Writing a card on notebook paper is a much more fun use of time than listening to your professor drone on about the Napoleonic wars. Plus, it’s convenient and effortless. Just keep your words casual and humorous. If you have no sense of humor, then skip it.

Even if you’re just keeping it casual, there are still ways to celebrate V-Day without pushing the relationship boundary.

So what is proper etiquette for telling your friend that you two simply will not be “livin’ on a prayer” in the fall?

1. Honesty is the best policy

Though telling the truth can be risky, it is a useful approach to test the strength of your friendship. Bring your friend to a quiet place when you are both sober and tell him or her that living in such close quarters would be a bad idea. Just try not to sound like Gretchen in “Mean Girls” when she screams at Regina, “You can’t sit with us!”

This can generate a few different reactions. Your friend may be shocked by your suggestion, find the nearest object and throw it at you. She may hold back the tears and acquiesce because she is sensitive, but mature enough to realize how important it is to preserve your relationship. Or he can end up being totally nonchalant about it like any good frat boy and say, “Yeah man, whatever, it’s totally cool with me.”

James Kirdahy, a sophomore majoring in English, feels that telling the truth may be the best option, but not always the easiest.

“I think it’s important to maintain integrity in a friendship, but some people just aren’t as understanding as you want them to be,” Kirdahy said. “Of course it makes sense to be straight up with your friend about living with them, but even if you say it in the nicest way possible, he may still hold it against you.”

2. The little white lie

You start looking for an apartment with some people and purposely neglect to tell your one friend whom you would prefer not to live with. Instead of being the bigger person, you wait for your friend to approach you about housing. When he or she asks about your housing plans for next semester, pull a Shaggy and say, “It wasn’t me.”

In other words, you were blinded by a housing plan that transpired so hastily you did not realize what was flying. Be sure to say this in a rapid and baffling manner to reflect the way the events “occurred” to leave your friend speechless and defenseless.

EJ Brotons, a junior double-majoring in French and Chinese, believes that white lies are sometimes the necessary route.

“If the person is unstable and they are one of those friends you have to baby, then tell the white lie and save yourself the headache,” Brotons said.

3. The Post-it/whiteboard note

The “Sex and the City” episode where Carrie’s boyfriend, Jack Berger, breaks up with her on a Post-it note is a model for all who fear confrontation. “I’m sorry. I can’t. Don’t hate me.” are the infamously curt words that Carrie mulls over for the entire episode. This may scar your friend for life, especially if you write it on a whiteboard mounted on the door to his or her room. Leaving this impersonal message is to the point and no hassle for you. But be aware that your friendship might not make it to next semester.

Telling a friend you do not want to live together can evoke feelings similar to telling your significant other you need space. It doesn’t mean you don’t want to be around him or her anymore. It just means you have a great thing going and coming in closer proximity may be hazardous. You never know how they will bear the news, but delivering it cordially can lead to a positive reaction.

Real fur and animal skins were once a necessity for warmth but over time have been replaced by cheaper synthetic materials. Over the past 30 years, the fashion industry has been criticized by PETA activists for using real fur, so designers have sought out other, less controversial ways to continue incorporating animals into their collections.

While animal prints like leopard and zebra have been recycled on the runway for years, it’s the rise of more realistic images of animals that should be focused on. Last February, many collections showed a number of these items. Jill Stuart featured silkscreen printed dresses of owls and foxes; Givenchy showed an array of panther T-shirts for women, and Rottweiler-adorned button-downs for men.

Vintage T-shirts and sweatshirts featuring tranquil forest animals have long been seen on the racks of Urban Outfitters for ironic hipsters. But on Jan. 14, fashion blog www.refinery29.com showed how this trend trickled down to the masses. The blog posted a gallery of 10 different animal sweaters.

“Today, the sweaters on the market are a little less cheesy, a little less try-hard, but just as fun,” wrote Connie Wang, the website’s global editor.

The post offered a wide variety of clothes, from a wolf sweater from Zara as low as $19.99 to a white tiger sweater by Stella McCartney for $885, targeting fashionistas of different demographics.

Though animal imagery has been a huge focus of women’s wear, designers have taken a cue for their fall 2012 menswear collections. The New York Times reported that the runways in Milan were reminiscent of a zoo.

“A whale, a dinosaur, a hound, an owl, a duck, a fox, a chimpanzee, an eagle and small bear walked into Milan Fashion Week,” wrote Eric Wilson, a Times reporter. “And nobody laughed.”

There are two things to be said for this PETA-safe trend and why it will endure. First, fur and animal prints have become symbolic of status in our society, despite the fact that faux fur and cheap-stenciled leopard skin have become accessible to everyone. Wearing an animal makes a person feel expensive, even if the piece of clothing looks cheap. However, there is nothing truly glamorous about wearing a realistic depiction of an animal on your chest.

This trend fits perfectly into our society’s obsession with comfort and street style. For all we know, Riccardo Tischi, the designer at Givenchy, could have seen someone walking out of the Bronx Zoo wearing a panther print T-shirt and decided it was the inspiration for his next line.

Second, a screen printed or knitted 2D image of an animal connotes our generation’s other obsession — self-expression. It allows people to wear their emotions on their sleeve, literally.

“Whether you’re into foxes, peacocks or even raccoons, there’s an animal sweater out there for you — come find it!” Wang said.

EJ Brotons, a junior double-majoring in Chinese and French.

The best thing I ever ate was in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, China. Sichuan and the adjacent province, Hunan Province, are known for their spicy food. Most street restaurants in Chengdu are what we would describe in America as “holes in a wall.” The places look like open storefronts with no doors and tables set up in front of an open kitchen. From experience, the cheaper and less fancy the place, the more authentic and rich the spices were. The more expensive restaurants in Chengdu tend to cater to softer pallets.

My absolute favorite dish was called “Erzi Laji,” meaning spicy baby chicken. Words cannot express how rich the spiciness was. The dish was made up of chicken meat, peppers, a handful of peppercorns, a serving of cabbage and a bowl of rice. Sichuan peppercorns are very spicy; every time I ate one, my sinuses would open up. But the serving of cabbage was a little spicy and generally served to cool down your mouth from the peppers. And, of course, rice was a necessity at any proper Chinese meal.

Justin Cohen, a senior majoring in bioengineering.

I can’t decide on the best dish, so I’m going to have to go with my top three, which were in Spain, Italy and Hawaii.

In general, I’d say that Spain has the best food and a pretty good variety. The dish that really sticks out in my head is a seafood paella that I ate with my roommate on the beach in Malaga. I don’t know how to describe it other than delicious. Also, Spanish tapas bars are a great way to try a wide assortment of Spanish cuisine for not a whole lot of money.

Another one of my favorites was on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. The dish consisted of a fresh ball of mozzarella, prosciutto and berries. I also don’t know what to say about that either, other than it was amazing. The restaurant was also in a beautiful location on an island in the middle of the lake overlooking the Swiss Alps.

Last, but not least, on my list of top three meals ever was at a restaurant called La Mariana, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The dish was a fresh Ahi Poke, which is a type of tuna. It was served raw and seasoned over a bed of tomatoes and onions, and garnished with scallions. It was delicious. Hawaii has great seafood everywhere, for obvious reasons, and seafood happens to be my personal favorite.

Gabby Fixman, a junior majoring in economics.

There are a few special foods that are unique to Curacao, a Caribbean island. These are more traditional dishes that you would typically find in locally run restaurants, which have very low-key atmospheres and open storefronts because the weather is so nice and warm.

I would say my favorites are pastechis, which is a type of pastry made of dough filled with cheese, meat or tuna, and then fried. It’s like an empanada, and is typically served as a snack at parties. Another thing is called funchi, which is fried polenta, served typically as a side dish. And a meal would be stoba, which is a dish made of chunks of meat served in bread. It’s really flavorful and tasty.

Raina Fishkin, a sophomore majoring in Judaic studies.

The best thing I ever ate was called Poikeh, at my friend’s kibbutz in Israel, but it’s a well-known dish among Israeli scouts. It’s kind of like a stew and it consists of carrots, lentils, soda, potatoes, onion, meat and chicken broth. It’s cooked in a Crock-Pot for many, many hours so that when you eat it the contents are very delicate and soft, but rustic and meaty. The flavor is a perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Gabriel Wolfson, a junior majoring in biology, had a unique sartorial experience last Thanksgiving.

“Last year my family ordered T-shirts in the most disgusting shade of maroon that said the ‘Wolfson/Weinerman Thanksgiving 2010′ and Thanksgiving-themed hats, a.k.a. whole turkeys with their legs sticking out on the top,” he said.

Any kind of dinner memorabilia can be applauded, but there is also a less embarrassing way to show your American pride.

Think back to how elementary schools teach children about Thanksgiving, dividing half the class into Indians and the other half into Pilgrims. The way students were dressed was integral to their learning process. Convincing kindergarteners to dress up in full Puritan and Native American outfits is a stretch, so the minimal amount of effort to establish the different groups was executed through headgear.

The Native Americans wore headbands crafted out of construction paper ornamented with sloppily glued feathers, while the Pilgrims wore either bonnets made of cloth or tall, wide-brimmed black hats with a buckle, also fashioned out of construction paper.

This memory may not sound familiar to everyone, but regardless, the colors and symbols of the stereotypical depictions of Pilgrims and Indians give a good basis for a wardrobe choice for your dysfunctional family dinner.

The Native American look captures the quintessential hues of fall. For men and women, wear crimsons and burgundy, burnt orange, forest green, caramels, tans and browns. Think of the leaves and trees in the Nature Preserve, excluding bright yellow. These hues are unisex in the form of a sweater or collared button-down, even corduroys and jeans. For women, a dress or skirt and shirt combination with these color tones is perfectly acceptable.

Footwear should be boots or loafers. Any leg-length leather boots (preferably flat), sand or chestnut suede booties, desert boots with or without a little wedge or heel, tobacco-colored driving shoes, oxfords or moccasins (for authenticity) are perfectly acceptable. Hanging feather earrings or brass feather studs for girls and some kind of leather accessory for men will add a nice touch to the Native American image.

The Pilgrim look is slightly darker and appeals to the more somber type, who already has a penchant for dressing in black. Pair black or dark wash jeans with a navy or black sweater and a white collared button-down underneath to break up the monotony. Another color alternative for a top is ash or heather grey. Girls, do not wear a pencil skirt or a black bodycon dress. This is not an opportunity to flirt with your sexy third cousin twice removed who is not even blood-related. Save that for the Christmas/Chanukah party. Velvet and wool skater skirts are welcome.

Black boots at any leg length or booties and loafers are encouraged for both sexes. Ladies, no stilettos or sky-high heels — there were no dominatrixes on the Mayflower. Leave your diamonds and pearls in the safe and accessorize with beaded or simple gold and silver jewelry.

The idea of Thanksgiving is to revert to simplicity and be thankful for what you have. It’s about food and family, not yourself. Do not wear any bold prints, especially stripes. Also, remember that the turkey is the centerpiece of the meal. So even though it is already dead, you may not want to offend it with animal prints or fur. Plus, you will always be remembered as the crazy family member who stole the show by wearing zebra-print pants to Thanksgiving dinner.

Lastly, this is a formal family dinner, so there needs to be some level of sophistication and seriousness in your outfit. No matter if it is with your immediate relatives or extended family or if it takes place in your own home, sweatpants are strictly prohibited.

Danny Arenson, a junior majoring in biology, has an incentive for putting prior thought into his outfit.

“If I showed up in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, my dad wouldn’t give me any dinner,” Arenson said. “So it goes without saying that we need to dress nicely.”

Food Type: American Nouveau

Price Point: High

Restaurant Week: Lunch and dinner

Adjacent to the abandoned train tracks lies Remlik’s, one of the classiest restaurants in Downtown Binghamton. Located on the first floor of the Kilmer Building, its regal aesthetic is the closest thing in the Southern Tier to the Plaza Hotel. The ceilings are extraordinarily high, the dining rooms are dimly lit and spacious and the tables are covered with starch white cloths with a candle in the center. It is the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner.

For Restaurant Week, its dinner menu had a choice of three different appetizers and entrées and two desserts. I chose the soup du jour, tomato Gorgonzola, to start, the vegetable Napoleon for my entrée and the chocolate ganache cake.

My waitress had a congenial and attentive demeanor and the service was prompt. However, I was pretty disappointed with the food. For such a pricey restaurant, Remlik’s was very stingy with its portions. In New York City, this food-to-price ratio is common, but I was a bit surprised to see this in Binghamton, where you generally get a bang for your buck. The food itself was not particularly appealing to my taste buds either, but both of these factors may be accountable to the Restaurant Week menu.

Remlik’s gave us a complimentary basket of bread, which contained four small cylindrical slices of a skinny baguette accompanied by enough butter to bake a cake. The tomato Gorgonzola soup was a cup-sized portion and admittedly quite tasty, but nothing special. For a dairy soup, it was not too creamy, and the pungent flavor of Gorgonzola was repressed by the smokiness of fire-roasted tomatoes.

The vegetable Napoleon was not what I expected it to be. It was a layered tower of cooked vegetables. One slice of a beef-steak tomato, one slice of eggplant, onions and a chunk of zucchini surrounded by a puddle of yellow-pepper purée, sprinkled with feta cheese and mint leaves. The vegetables were light and the mint was refreshing, but the Napoleon was so bland; even the feta was not redeeming.

Despite my dissatisfaction with the first two courses, the chocolate ganache cake salvaged the meal. Not only was it delicious, but I was also glad that the triangle of chocolate dessert was smaller than the size of my palm. It was just enough rich fudginess for a chocolate lover’s delight.

College students and the Internet have a complicated, clingy relationship. These days students spend more time on laptops and smartphones than ever before. In fact, a study at Bryant College indicates that for 65 percent of college students, Internet use is pathological. We don’t need proof in numbers to realize we’re all hooked on Wi-Fi though. How many times a day do you feel your phone vibrating when it really isn’t? How many times a day do you open Facebook on your MacBook without even realizing it? Internet use is much more than a trend — it’s an addiction.

Many students would agree the Internet is becoming almost drug-like.

“If you close Facebook, you open a new tab and then open Facebook again,” said Nikko Marata, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience. “That’s a sign.”

Why has technology dependence become so serious? For one thing, the Internet hasn’t offered another form of communication; it’s replaced other forms of communication. Today, college students use social networking sites to communicate with friends rather than have conversations in person. A lot of students feel they are more social online than they are in real life.

“I feel more comfortable talking to people on Facebook,” said Rachael Utstein, an undeclared sophomore. “It’s easy to be social on the computer because all your friends are behind one screen. You can post pictures and write statuses and everyone can instantly know what your interests are and what you’re doing.”

Facebook has made friendship streamlined and convenient. You can communicate with friends and family without moving or going outside. But while keeping in touch is easier, have we lost something in the process? It seems that friendships just aren’t as personal as they once were.

Instead of spending more time with someone, a simple family request validates closeness just as well. This shift to a more visual, less real social life may be convenient, but if we live in a society where convenience always comes first, something’s wrong.

In reality, when students are socializing in person, a phone or laptop is always close by. Access to your alternate reality is always looming.

“I can’t quantify how much time I spend using technology,” said Karen Coronel, a sophomore majoring in political science. “My phone never gets put away which is so sad. It’s not necessarily that I’m texting someone but that it’s out, it’s in my hand.”

Not only has technology changed the social aspect of the college experience, but also those rare moments of solitude. With your friends always at your fingertips, it has made confidence less of a necessity. The notion of a solitary walk from your dorm room to Lecture Hall no longer exists. Looking someone in the eye and actually connecting with them requires effort. Walking with your head down and your thumbs beating the keys on your cell phone signifies your security.

Back in the day, students may have meandered through the Fine Arts section of the library to pick up a book. They may have even sat and spent some quality time alone without any distractions. There was a time when spending time reflecting and getting to know yourself did not involve vibrating interruptions every two seconds. In 2011, this has been replaced by Wikipedia and tweeting about Binghamton’s weather.

In fact, those who spend their alone time attached to their computers tend to be more depressed. Researchers at Leeds University in the United Kingdom have linked excessive Internet use to depression.

“This study reinforces the public speculation that over-engaging in websites that serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction,” one scientist said.

Being social in college means much less than it has in the past. Today, a typical night in includes three or four students sitting on beds talking to each other sporadically because they are all on their own personal laptops. When laptops are away, we’re all checking our phones or texting other people. We obviously don’t know exactly how college used to be, but it probably consisted of kids all sitting out on the quad on nice days and people playing board games or hooking up with each other in the dark. Is it just us whose parents talk about college like it was four years of social stimulation and bliss?

The saddest part about the technology addiction is that those who rebel, those who decide against having a Facebook, are essentially committing social suicide. Without a Facebook in our world, without a set number of friends and photos of you at some frat with your friends, how will people even know you exist? How will you know others exist? The main reason why these sites are so addicting is because without them, we wouldn’t know what to do. We would be lost.

College is first and foremost an academic environment that requires an immense amount of selfishness to survive. Ken Russo, a senior majoring in psychology, finds that having a girlfriend can be detrimental to a guy’s academic performance.

“College is about schoolwork and if you have a girlfriend you spend a lot of time with them and worrying about them,” Russo said. “You’re not just focused on your schoolwork; you’re focused on what your girlfriend is doing and what she did last night.”

Thinking about a girlfriend can be disruptive to your academic performance, but balancing time to speak to her or hang out with her and doing work means acquiring decent time management skills. And who has time for that?

“When I had a girlfriend freshman year I spent all night iChatting with her, which resulted in an F in Calculus,” Russo said.

Secondly, college is a hub for some really unusual social experiences that can only be hindered by a serious commitment to a significant other.

“Alcohol and parties make life very interesting,” said Steven Iuliucci, a junior majoring in management information systems.

Jeremy, a senior majoring in biology, who preferred not to share his last name, explained the general social objective of college students more blatantly.

“The weekend pursuit in college is really based on who you’re going to have sex with, and if it’s not sex, then who’s going to blow you,” he said.

Though hooking up with random girls can get old for some people, college presents a unique opportunity for guys to get plenty of sexual experiences under their belt. There are many girls who are willing and able, so why limit yourself to one who may not give you any blowjobs? The ideal way to go about “the weekend pursuit,” hopefully without contracting any STIs, is to alternate among a few different hook-up buddies. That way, guys and girls can actually learn a thing or two about each others’ bodies, so one day they can be the grad students and professors that undergrad girls should be dating.

Sexuality aside, college is a great place for meeting people who may actually be intellectually stimulating. Well, maybe. Casey Lloyd, a senior majoring in psychology, thinks that being in a relationship can affect the relationships people develop with other people.

“Trust and jealousy are probably the two biggest issues,” Lloyd said. “You never want to put yourself in a situation where that line can be crossed and the other person in the relationship could think that that line is much closer than you do.”

Trust and jealousy are two of the stickiest emotions to get involved with, and tend to surface most prominently among people in serious relationships. Guys who are already extremely clueless about girls should not subject themselves to those kinds of emotions. It can get messy and ugly and, once again, affect your academic performance.

Lastly, independence is the most sought-after, intangible grace when a boy is becoming a man. For many guys, college is the first time they have had to grapple with the notion of independence.

Russo explained that guys have a greater fear of losing their independence when they are in college than at any other point in their lives.

A relationship has the implication of dependency. As fun as blindly coaxing guys into being subjected to their greatest fear or playing the role of their mother may sound, impeding a guy’s independence is actually the worst thing a girlfriend could possibly do. Allowing them to be slightly standoffish in their youth will only make them more appreciative and eligible bachelors in the future.

The BSU youth program was created for BU students to work with Broome County youth, ages 5 through 13. It provides fun and unique ways to promote the values of self-awareness, determination, education, responsibility and unity.

“Our main goal is for the children who attend, [the youth program] to consider Binghamton University their ‘weekend home away from home,'” explained Anasstaja Burgher, a junior majoring in sociology.

Burgher is also the social cultural coordinator of BSU. She has played a large role in organizing the event and will do so for other social or cultural events held by the BSU in the future.

“We hope to foster a sense of mentorship based on friendship coupled with positive role models,” she said.

Set to take place at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Anderson Center, the objective of the youth program coincides nicely with “Rebe11e,” the theme of the show.

“Rebe11e should convey boldness, excitement, fearlessness and, most of all, confidence,” Burgher said.

These positive characteristics of being a rebel evoke self-expression and individualism, not only in the way you dress but also in your beliefs and social interactions. Rarely is the ideology behind a fundraiser as fitting for the place where the proceeds are going.

“We are not telling our youth to rebel against doing what’s right, but rather to not be afraid of rebelling against those actions that are wrong,” Burgher said.

Continuing the emphasis on community, some of the clothing featured in the show has been designed by BU students such as Brianna Friia, whose designs have been featured in the Fashion Industry Club show. Also featured are a group of students who call their line “Acris,” and a BU and BSU alumna, Ashley Nunez, who is coming all the way from Los Angeles to show her line, “Weirdo Inc.” Other designers will include Je Suis NYC, Aussie and Davis, created by student jewelry designers from Howard University and two others who do not have labels.

The models on the catwalk will be BU students who are active members in BSU. In addition, Julius Ojo, an undergraduate student, and Janet Mejia, an alumna and former BSU Executive Board member, will be hosting the show.

BSU is selling tickets for $14. The event will be a great opportunity for current students and alumni to connect in a fun, meaningful and entertaining environment.

For spring 2012, the popular trends on the runways so far appear to be mesh, tropical floral prints, lots of ankle strap shoes in all heel heights and plenty of bright colors. But what does any of this mean for students at Binghamton University, who generally care very little about their appearance and are beginning to fear the oncoming chill of winter?

Though many are unaware, this Fashion Week actually has a few collections that cater to the needs of BU students.

American designer Prabal Gurung has been the talk of the runway for using the work of Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki for inspiration. Gurung has turned the photographer’s fetishistic work into handmade, trippy, silk-printed, bondage-accented frocks.

There is no need to wait until spring to begin incorporating Gurung’s collection into your wardrobe. What critics may see as bordering on the darker work of Alexander McQueen could be seen as inspiration for an outfit for the Pretty Lights concert — or any other rave for that matter.

Forget electric shades of pink and yellow — Gurung’s style elicits memories of Christina Aguilera’s around-the-neck criss-cross bra top at the Video Music Awards circa 2002. To top it off, Gurung adorned his models with shoes containing a quadruple ankle strap that can easily replaced by light-up bracelets and oversized butterfly-shaped sunglasses, which are much freakier than those silly wayfarers.

Speaking of black lights, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s line, The Row, prolonged the white-is-no-longer-strictly-worn-between-Memorial-and-Labor-Day trend of fall to the spring season.

The cuts of some of their jackets could be great lab coat and hospital alternatives for the abundance of pre-med students at BU. For the evil scientist, they showed a three-quarter length cream-colored jacket with a Chinese-style collar and asymmetrical side lace up detail, accompanied by a pencil skirt. Forget the scrubs.

For the psychology majors, they showed a boxy white jacket that screamed “Insane Asylum Chic,” featuring double-breasted button detailing to the neck and bell sleeves accompanied by white trousers.

But Fashion Week is hardly limited to suits and gowns. There are always designers who have the loungers in mind, and thus there is always a look that resembles sleepwear.

For a refined pajama, we can nod to Band of Outsiders, who showed a red vertical-striped half button-up colored shirt with cuff detailing and contrasting breast pockets, combined with matching boxer shorts. They accessorized with hanging suspenders, but if you’re going for a half-dressed blue-collar worker look, putting them on your shoulders could add a nice touch.

Lastly, as rain gear tops the list of Bing girl essentials, Rag & Bone showed an array of anoraks, perfect for fending off flood weather.

Here is what you need to survive the height of any storm.

Clothes

Umbrella

And not one of those $5 ones from a street vendor in Manhattan. A large one that spans the width of your body, made from sturdy material that won’t flip up in the wind. Spending $20 is recommended, and you will get your money’s worth living up here for four years. It’s also advisable to just keep an umbrella in your bag at all times. Binghamton has extremely sporadic weather.

Waterproof boots

In the event you do venture into the outdoors, an umbrella hardly ever protects your feet. Nobody likes walking around in soggy socks and sneakers. Plus, boots can also prevent the bottom of your pant legs from getting wet. Since the rain boot trend arrived a few years back, you can find a cute pair at a very low cost, and they can be used as a medium for expressing your personality.

Raincoat

NOT A PONCHO. Simply put, ponchos are like a condom. They’re for single use and only 80 percent effective. Again, it rains all the time here, so it’s worthwhile to search for an attractive raincoat, because it will make you feel better about the poor weather.

Food

Peanut butter

Everybody loves peanut butter. You can put it on bread, crackers, cookies, fruit, cheese and especially Oreos — so pick up all those things too. For all “The Parent Trap” fans out there, there is nothing more comforting on a rainy day than Oreos and Skippy.

Hot liquids

Bad weather is kind of like being sick; it makes you want to stay in bed all day and wallow in your misery. The best cure is to drink plenty of fluids, juice, water, but nothing warms your heart like tea, hot cocoa and soup.

Water bottles

For drinking, brushing your teeth and showering, just in case you receive 14 emails in a row telling you to conserve water or that the faucet water is contaminated.

Activities

Card games

Take another cue from “The Parent Trap” and hone your poker skills. Spice up your life and make it strip poker. Get warmed up from a game of spit, since there isn’t much else to energize you. Kings, anyone?

Read a book

Preferably a mystery novel. It seems appropriate to read something sinister when it’s dark outside. It would be pretty frightening if lightening struck right at the apex like in the movies.

Play an instrument

Find that one person who has a guitar, grab everyone you live with and start a Kumbaya circle. After all, college is not that much different from camp.

It can arrive in many different situations, but for the sake of generalization it usually occurs drunkenly Downtown. It happens while you are jovially strutting around, or huddled with your buddies in a circle.

While scanning the crowd figuring out your next move, she, he or Rasa appears, and you are given a single opportunity to continue a pattern or veer away and overcome repetition. Should you let that magnetic force pull you toward your hookup buddy from last year, or should you try to fight it?

Putting aside any influential outside factors, the initial and easy decision would be to go for it — you should do it if you want to.

After a year, or even just a semester of hooking up with the same person, it is easy to fall back into a routine. The person is familiar and you feel comfortable with him/her, so what’s the point in searching for someone else?

A study titled “‘The ‘‘Booty Call’: A Compromise Between Men’s and Women’s Ideal Mating Strategies,” conducted by Peter K. Jonason at New Mexico State University, sought to find why a booty call, or hook-up buddy type relationship, occurs.

“We contend that as a consequence of men and women attempting to enact their ideal mating strategies, trade-offs occur and compromises may emerge not only in the types of mates men and women actually choose, but also in the type of relationships in which men and women find themselves,” Jonason found.

So if compromises are inherently being made, it is important to take a step back and evaluate if those compromises are worthwhile and healthy for you.

“I think it depends on how you treat each other over the summer,” said Christian Hall, a junior double-majoring in accounting and global business. “If you would like to continue hooking up the next school year, you have to hang out a few times during the summer.”

Maintaining contact over the summer implies a hook-up buddy relationship that is not strictly about sex, but possibly the additional bonus of friendship. In most cases one party has to go out of their way to see their hook-up buddy, whereas in school, hooking up is much more convenient.

If you didn’t maintain contact over the summer there is less of an incentive to continue hooking up the next school year. Therefore, making an effort can merit compromising your integrity for the sake of sexual contact, but not necessarily satisfaction.

Whether or not you and your hook-up buddy kept in contact over the summer, previous emotions and the dynamics between you two are also important factors in deciding if relapsing is a good idea.

Raina Fishkin, a junior majoring in biology, thinks that relapsing with an old hook-up buddy really depends on how serious your feelings are for one another.

“If there isn’t much basis for the relationship then you shouldn’t fight the urge to hook up with them again,” she said. “If it’s already a messy situation you should try to get out of it because it can affect your lifestyle. If it doesn’t mean much to the other party then what’s the point? It’s bad for you.”

Returning to the same person after being apart for periods of time could seem like you are settling, which is easier than holding out for the challenge of a serious relationship.

In Jonason’s study, women who partook in hook-up buddy type relationships did it in hopes of it turning into a long-term relationship. Having an expectation like that, or any expectations for that matter, is a telltale sign that you should not be having casual sex in the first place.

In the event that you do decide to continue hooking up with your hook-up buddy from last year, there is the possibility it will not feel the same between you two, even if you ended on a good note last year. Sometimes relapsing is simply meant for closure.

Many students view their relationship with Bartle as a kind of friend with benefits. Its old, dark outer structure isn’t exactly appealing, until that one night of desperation when you’re forced to find a quiet place to study. Bartle is where you can satisfy that desire.

Here is the lowdown. The Bartle Library is comprised of four floors, each housing books for loan and ample spaces for study. However, it serves as more than just a place for academics; it also happens to be one of the biggest social scenes next to Downtown.

First floor: the PODS and the Fine Arts stacks.

The PODS, which house a wide array of Mac and Dell computers, are great for doing work that involves splitting your screen, graphic design or editing a paper. Although they are meant for off-campus students who don’t bring their laptops to school or those without personal computers, the PODS are typically used for the popular procrastination technique of Facebook stalking.

Or the computers are hogged by laptop-holding students who make someone else who really needs one annoyed as they have five minutes to print their final paper and get to class in time to hand it in. There is no such thing as silence as the sounds of chronic printing, clicking and typing fill the air and telling someone to be quiet is viewed as a crime.

The Fine Arts stacks have a much more serious atmosphere, and shooting dirty looks at people whispering loudly over the ancient wooden desks is much more acceptable. But you will undoubtedly see someone you know, and then it’s game over. But it’s also the best room to procrastinate in, since the shelves are lined with some of the most interesting books in the library, complete with pictures.

Second floor: North Reading Room, more PODS and the Hebrew/Arabic room.

Somehow the PODS on the second floor are significantly less loud than the ones on the first, considering the open space of the room and the fact that it’s the most popular place to conduct group study sessions.

The Hebrew/Arabic room definitely takes the cake for the optimal place of concentration, but unfortunately there are only minimal conventional workspaces available.

The North Reading Room, also known as the White Room, is the most highly coveted study room in all of Bartle. Getting a seat there during finals week involves waking up at the crack of dawn packed with a day’s worth of supplies. During the rest of the year, moseying on over at the leisurely hour of 10 can still guarantee a good spot, but any later can be risky. With its awfully bright fluorescent lighting, new cushioned chairs, comfortable despite ugly upholstery and spacious desks, it’s the place to be seen, although studying there can be tough.

Despite the sign on the entrance to the room that says “Quiet Study Room,” it’s the nosiest place on planet Earth. First, the sound caused by the friction of the chairs rubbing against the floor makes everyone cringe. If that doesn’t disrupt workflow, then the tapping or squeaking of shoes walking through the main aisle will undoubtedly cause your head to lift until the person reaches the heavy glass door, which makes another piercing sound when opened, but not as bad as the slam when it closes. And, anywhere you turn you’re bound to see someone you know.

Those who are naturally good at drowning out background noise are golden. Otherwise, noise-canceling headphones may be the only way to enjoy this room without being distracted.

Third and fourth floors: basically the quieter versions of the first two floors.

The top two floors are not nearly as exciting as the first and second, especially if you are considering cultivating a social life in conjunction with your academics.

They are much larger versions of the Hebrew/Arabic room, filled with rows and rows of bookshelves, most of which probably haven’t been touched in at least a century. There are a few allotted studying spaces with the same old wooden desks found in the Fine Arts section. There are plenty of interesting books, especially good for use as secondary sources and procrastinating, but not nearly as fun as the picture books in the Fine Arts section. Although pretty unpopular, the third and fourth floors are truly the best for late-night study breaks that involve much needed privacy and quiet.

Depending on your study habits, some will obviously find particular rooms better than others, but the underlying purpose of the Bartle Library is for exploration. Bartle is nothing less than a great asset to all Binghamton University students, so make sure you check out all the different spaces and rooms before finding your niche, whether it be for work or for play.

Lindsay Weinberg, a junior majoring in English, thinks the desire to meet someone in the summer is merely a superficial feat.

“I think that a summer fling is the same thing as a winter fling except warmer and everyone wears less clothes so everyone looks attractive,” Weinberg said.

But based on the students of Binghamton University, 80-degree weather is not the sole excuse to shed your clothes.

During the school year, academics and other activities can prevent people from seeking a partner, whether it’s casual or serious. Also, a school environment, no matter how big it is, becomes smaller and smaller over time. Things become a routine, and meeting someone whom you may see every day for the next four years seems less appealing. At the same time, school is a great setting for a long-term relationship to blossom.

Summer, on the contrary, is one big party that kids don’t have to go to in order to drunkenly hook up with someone. The lustful aura of freedom from responsibility and warm weather is enough to make people feel they can do whatever they please.

“Summer flings are just about having a good time. It’s much more laid back,” said Dan Tierney, a junior majoring in English. “Plus the weather’s nice and there’s less to worry about over summer break, making the encounter all the more fun.”

According to www.urbandictionary.com, a website containing the lexicon of modern youth, a summer fling is defined as “a sexual adventure free of hassles, commitments or drama, timed for the summer only. Something light and fun-filled with nothing to worry about at the end of the season. Usually not exclusive to one person, ends in a mutual agreement of friendship.” Or no further contact. However, this is not always how summer flings pan out.

The idea of real romance ensuing from a summer fling has been deeply embedded in our culture by epic movies such as “Grease” and “The Notebook.” Though these are fictional stories and a bit old-fashioned for modern youth, they set an expectation for the hopeless romantic during the warm summer months. For the more pessimistic folk, they are an example of exactly what should not happen over the summer.

People are also more inclined to have a summer fling when there is more leisure time to spend with a person, such as on vacation or in summer camp. Sometimes summer love is simply inevitable.

No matter the motive for partaking in a summer fling or the nature of the relationship, summer flings are viewed as a positive thing.

“Summer flings are fun, and I guess short-lived,” said Elaine Ezrapour, a freshman majoring in philosophy, politics and law. “It’s young and fresh and exciting.”

“When I think about you I touch myself”

The highest form of masturbation a person can possibly partake in is with a Real Doll. For only $6,000, a man or woman can custom order an incredibly life-like doll made entirely of silicone to fulfill all of their sexual fantasies. Customers can choose every physical aspect of their doll from penis or breast size to amounts of pubic hair to weight and height.

“But I’d rather get some head”

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the individual attention of some fellatio or cunnilingus? Well, now for only $65, there’s a way to give it to yourself whenever you desire without needing to contort your body into a compromising position.

The Sqweel is a wheel that contains 10 silicone tongues. The wheel is encased in a plastic holder for easy holding. It features three different speeds, complying to the rate at which you enjoy the buildup to your climax.

But this toy is not limited to just self-stimulation! It’s also great for people who would prefer to avoid catching semen in their mouth, don’t enjoy the taste of vagina or people who would simply rather watch their partner be tickled by 10 lapping tongues than doing it themselves.

“I’m just living for some new vibrations”

During vaginal intercourse it can be difficult for a man to stimulate all of his partner’s erogenous zones while focusing on thrusting. Not anymore! With We Vibe II a woman has the ability to have it all, while her partner gets to have sex with a vibrating vagina.

This nifty little stapler-resembling toy features two heads, one for stimulating the G-Spot and the other for the clitoris. The G-Spot stimulator is inserted into the vagina, while the clitoris stimulator rests on the clitoris. This device is small enough so that a penis, dildo or strap-on can still be inserted in the vagina as well and clamps onto the vulva so as not to interfere with thrusting.

“I said, what, what, in the butt”

Like the G-Spot in vaginal intercourse, the prostate is like the Snitch of anal sex — difficult to find, but once found by the Seeker, the results are incredibly rewarding. Any old vibrator or dildo can stimulate the prostate, but the Aneros Prostate Stimulator helps achieve an orgasm by stimulating the prostate from inside and outside the body.

At $58, this toy looks similar to a squid with only two tentacles. The body is shaped like a thick baseball bat, smooth at the top with a ribbed stem. The user or a partner holds one of the “curly handles,” while the other is meant to press into the perineum, stimulating the root of the penis.

Though Aneros Prostate Stimulator is targeted for men, women can also enjoy it.

Sex toys are a great alternative or additive to sex, but it’s important to be cautious about your frequency of usage because they can become incredibly addicting.

Portfolios is part of a program created by the Catholic Charities of Broome County aimed at “providing opportunities for individuals with mental health needs who are interested in seeking community employment.”

Portfolios serves breakfast and lunch from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, and nothing on the menu costs more than $6.99 — perfect for a college student’s budget. Its menu items are simple, ranging from omelettes and buttermilk pancakes to salads and sandwiches. The portions are rather generous, so it definitely feels like you’re getting more than your money’s worth.

“The best meal is the daily special because it’s always something different and fresh,” said Danielle Hennekens, the café’s manager and current chef. Along with its regular menu items, all made in the café, it also serves a different homemade soup every week.

Most of its business comes from catering events. Because of the café’s early hours of operation, it rents out the space at night and during the weekend.

“We have a lot of people who rent out the café to do business meetings or regular meetings. We’ve done prom parties, wedding rehearsals, baby showers, fundraisers,” Hennekens said.

Portfolios’ busiest hours are between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., though the immaculately clean café never gets overly crowded. Many people don’t know about Portfolios, which is why its slogan is “The Best Kept Secret in Broome County.”

Despite Hennekens’ satisfaction with the success of Portfolios as a catering business, she said that she wishes it was busier.

McGruder has been selling vintage clothing on Washington Street for nearly 10 years. Prior to opening his store, he had a multitude of jobs, such as writing about fashion for the Ithaca Journal, working as a fashion assistant for a designer and owning a vintage clothing store in his hometown of Ithaca.

As a child, McGruder was always interested in fashion. Despite growing up in upstate New York, he learned about style, fashion and trends through his siblings and The New York Times delivered to his home.

According to McGruder, clothing is considered to be vintage if it’s pre- 1970s, with the exception of high- end clothing

from the early ’70s to the early ’90s. “Most of my inventory is destiny,” he said. “I have things from the

1800s to the early 1980s.” His inventory is not limited

to sales for the average customer who enters his store. He also lends his clothing out to sororities and organizations, such as Chabad, which creates fashion shows to raise money for good causes.

“I also wholesale to high-end stores in Manhattan and do projects for big fashion houses,” McGruder said.

However, buying and selling vintage clothing is not McGruder’s only goal as a sales associate. He is extremely invested in building relationships with his customers. He prides himself on his excellent people skills and makes an effort to get to know every person who walks into his store.

“People come back here after eight years for reunions,” McGruder said. “I can pick out who will become a regular.”

Being a regular at Stephen’s comes with some benefits — he knows what looks good on you and will be able to keep you in mind. It will also quickly become a destination in which you can easily forget your troubles, which can be attributed to his jovial demeanor and the abundance of gems waiting to be found.

One of the popular trends shown by designers for this fall was a shapeless pant, veering closer to pajamas than wide-legged trousers. Yes, sleepwear as day-wear is finally acceptable. On Feb. 10, the first day of Fashion Week, Los Angeles-based designer Jenni Kayne revealed silky pajama pants in hues of ruby and sapphire. A bit on the frisky side for class, but still on par with the “just rolled out of bed” look.

On the third day, British designer Charlotte Ronson continued the military trend we grew so fond of last fall. Her version of the pajama pants was a slouchy knit drawstring featuring a two-dimensional line pattern in olive green. This style is already likely to be owned by the pajama wearers of this University and seen even more in the future.

On the fifth day, Yeohlee, a Malaysian designer, paired red, black and white plaid pajama pants with a piece, which will hopefully inspire BU students to work together to create their own masterpiece. She showed a giant sweater dress/coat, most likely made of a wool-blend material. This frock bears a striking resemblance to a Jedi cape, including hood. So get your friends to donate to your cause, and you’ll be dressed to fight Darth Vader by fall.

Jill Stuart and Mary Kate and Ashley’s high-end line, The Row, had Binghamton’s greatest asset, the Nature Preserve, in mind when they designed their collections for fall 2011. Jill Stuart’s collection featured dresses and shirts printed with various wildlife animals found in our own backyard, such as owls and foxes. The Row’s statement, however, was a simple one: “Dead or alive, animal head gear we shall have.”

To join Jill Stuart’s subliminal anti-hunting brigade, go to the Nature Preserve and take an abundance of invasive pictures of animals. Then screen-print the cutest one on to some plain T-shirts and voilà! You are now in high-end designer territory.

Channeling The Row may be a slightly more illegal feat, considering it would involve capturing and imprisoning the poor little creatures and is only recommended for the most dedicated fashionistas.

British designer Jenny Packham’s collection was made for the brave Binghamton girls who strut Downtown sans outerwear. Daniel P. Dykes, author of www.Fashionising.com, describes Packham’s collection as “designed for the girl who thrives on the social scene, one that pays no credence to the weather” — Binghamton nightlife in a nutshell, conveyed through metallic silks, tulles and beads.