Just what IS that big BG doing there in front of Dallas Hall?
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By Willow Blythe / wblythe@smu.edu / @willowblythe
With Sony’s big reveal of the PlayStation4 in February, it’s only natural for us to wonder when Microsoft plans on catching up to par with its announcement of the next gen Xbox. “Xbox 720,” the currently unveiled console, is likely to be officially revealed at a press event held sometime in April. Though the console was initially believed to be announced at this year’s E3, many gaming sources worldwide are saying that it will be disclosed much sooner. To make matters even better, members at NeoGaf have discovered that Eventcore, an agency that has been known for handling Microsoft’s groundwork, registered the domain name “Xboxevent.com” on Feb. 21. I have to say, interesting timing in relation to Sony’s PS4 event on Feb. 20, eh?
Though Sony may temporarily have the upper hand, this also leaves an open field for Microsoft to take advantage of. For starters, the biggest criticism of the Sony reveal event was the fact that the PS4 console wasn’t even shown. Microsoft can use this to its advantage by revealing at its event what the hardware of the next gen Xbox will actually look like. Microsoft’s Xbox 720 is believed to launch during the holiday season this year, however, there has been no official confirmation. Let’s hope that Microsoft leaves a long lasting impression on fans soon enough. My thoughts on this reveal race between Sony and Microsoft are clear: sometimes faster isn’t always better.
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By Adriana Ovalle / aovalle@smu.edu
It’s been nearly two weeks since the Houston Street Viaduct that connects Oak cliff to Downtown has been closed. The changes were implemented due to construction of the new DART streetcar that will soon connect the Bishop Arts District to the other side of the Trinity River.
Last Monday, March 11, Brookville Equipment Corp.(http://www.brookvillecorp.com/default.asp) , the company manufacturing the streetcars released photos and a brief description of how these streetcars will look like. The 66.5 foot-long, 8 foot-wide cars will feature three passenger compartments and will include more than 70 percent low-floor area to provide accessible seating.
The streetcars will run between Union Station and the Colorado-Beckley intersection and most likely extend to Zang Boulevard at Davis Street in the future.
If you’re just as excited and eager as I am to try the new DART streetcar, we have a while to go. The streetcar line is expected to be finished in late 2014. – for everyone else, don’t worry, the Houston Street Viaduct will reopen the summer of 2014.
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By Alexa Horner / alexah@smu.edu For people who can’t stand waiting in lines, being in crowded malls, and fighting to get their size on a piece of clothing, shopping online is their sanctuary. With the growth of social media and technology, online shopping is becoming the “next big thing” in the retail business.
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By Valerie Thompson / vthompson@smu.edu
To sum it up, junior Meadows student Chris Escarfullery is a jack-of-all-trades.
“I'm into helping people out, making things happen, writing music, and writing words…I stumble into cooking once in a while too,” he said.
Escarfullery, a music composition major at SMU, is a self-proclaimed product of the Dallas “’burbs”. He came to SMU to follow his love of music and – fittingly - he can always be found somewhere on campus with a musical instrument.
“Piano is one instrument I know my way around. I can sing (when I remember how to), play electric bass, guitar, ukulele, a bit of mandolin, percussion (horrible at drum-set though), hand drumming (still percussion), xylophone/marimba/bells, and I can fake my way with a harmonica if need be,” he said.
Escarfullery cites artists Minus the Bear, Bloc Party, Antonio Tom Jobim, Yann Tiersen (http://www.yanntiersen.fr/), and Yoko Kano as the five core influences that got him going. He also tries to surround himself with many different types of people.
“You have to be active in getting to know people to find the ones who will change your life,” said Escarfullery. “I like passionate people, we tend to follow our dreams.”
The enthusiastic self-starter is President of T.R.E.A.T Productions , an on-campus talent and entertainment recruitment agency, and he regularly writes about the thriving Dallas music scene for entertainment websites like houseofplates.com.
“In another life I might have been able to be a decent dancer if I wasn’t so focused on music. I can’t act very well when I need to, and when it comes to visual design I rely on other peoples’ skills to make what I see a reality,” said Escarfullery on his artsy potential.
“The end goal is to be happy, make music, share experiences with others and do awesome things. So that’s what I’ll do,” he said.
I think we can all identify with that on some level.
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