Image from the Guardian

We’ve all heard jokes about compensating for size, but have you heard about compensating with (super) size?

A new report out by the Journal of Consumer Research has found two interesting explanations for why Americans are susceptible to super-sizing.

First, we tend to associate larger food sizes with higher social status.

Researchers asked people to judge a person’s status, based on whether he or she picked the largest coffee, smoothie, or pizza offered. The people choosing the biggest portion were judged to have the highest status.

Second, when we’re feeling powerless, we’re more likely to compensate by choosing a larger size.  On days when we’re feel better about ourselves, we size down.

What do these results say about eating habits?  Could America’s obesity problem be blamed on low-self esteem?  Will you super-size next time?

Image from Colorlines

Unity in Greece?

Here we go again: another woman claims Herman Cain sexually harassed her.

Lovable curmudgeon and iconic brow-furrower Andy Rooney dies.

Infographics!  Generations!  Elections!  Check out NPR’s coverage of generational differences in political perspectives.

Check out the Before I Die project!

This week is not very great in the world of movies. Only two wide releases are coming out, both comedies that could be busts.

So, what’s out this weekend?

Tower Heist

I think this movie looks sort of awful but it could be one of those mostly non-offensive comedies that are an okay way to waste $10 and a Friday night. It really depends on what you’re into. Ben Stiller has been hit-or-miss the past few years, but this looks more Little Fockers than Tropic Thunder. Let usknow if we are wrong!

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas

I thought the original was great, the sequel was horrific, and this one doesn’t appear too promising. They seem to be going for the “3D is ridiculous so we’re exploiting it”-thing but Piranhas 3D already did that and I’m almost certain they did it way better. It’s also a bit too far from Christmas for that to be a drawing point. I do know people who caught a screener and thought it was pretty funny with some awesome claymation portions and an on-point Neil Patrick Harris. Seems to be a step up from Guantanamo Bay.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: See something at the Charles Theater this weekend. If you’ve never been, you definitely should make the roughly 20-minute trek from campus.

It’s Baltimore art-house theater but they regularly play mainstream movies as well–not to mention they have great popcorn. These are the new titles, but also showing is 50/50, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Margin Call, Take Shelter, & The Hedgehog. And to make the theater even more cool, they have a revival series with a different classic playing each week.

This weekend they’re showing The Grapes of Wrath. (Side note: stop by Sofi’s Crepes, right next to the theater, before or after for some great eats!)

Martha Marcy May Marlene

This film is described as a psychological thriller, but it’s more of a drama. Watching this film I was waiting for the more “thrilling” moments to start but it never exactly happened. However, this is not to say it isn’t good. This was an excellent film, with an amazing performance by Elizabeth Olsen (the twin’s younger sister).

Olsen’s character is recently escaped from a cult-ish commune where she has been living for two years under a Manson-esque leader (John Hawkes). The film portrays her attempt to assimilate back into normal life while having constant flashbacks to her time at the commune, all while her paranoia and fear grow. The cinematography, direction, and performances are all well-done as they tackle a subject that is hard to watch. If you are into indie dramas, definitely give it a watch.

The Skin I Live In

A artsy Spanish horror/thriller about a a surgeon (Antonia Banderas) who’s obsessed with creating more resilient skin and must test his creation on a human subject. The premise seems quite unsettling, although the trailer leaves basically everything to the imagination. The director, Pedro Almodóva is known for taking on intense stories with great results so I’d give this a shot.

Planning on seeing one of these movies this weekend? Something else? Watched anything good recently? Let us know!

Steven Massof, 49, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder, murder conspiracy and other charges.

Massof testified to a grand jury that he snipped the spines of more than 100 babies after seeing them breathe, move or show other signs of life.

"Severing the spinal cords of moving, breathing babies outside their mothers' wombs was, according to Massof, 'standard procedure,'" the grand jury report centered on Dr. Kermit Gosnell's clinic charged."

*****************

From Nancy Young, Vice President, Student Affairs

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Daniel Barnhart will be joining our division as the new Director of Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS). Dan comes to UMBC from Stevenson University with many years of prior experience in off-campus student services, student activities, veteran affairs and the military. He received his doctoral degree in Education from George Washington University and earned a Counseling degree from Wake Forest University. His demonstrated leadership skill, best practice research and strategic visioning will be valuable assets to the department of OCSS and the Division of Student Affairs. We do not yet have a firm start date, but I hope you will join me in welcoming Dan at danbarnhart@yahoo.com.

I would like to thank the search committee for the time and energy they shared on behalf of our students to identify outstanding candidates, organize the interview process and make recommendations based on evaluations. Under the leadership of Anne Scholl-Fiedler (Career Services), Chair, and Fritzie Charne-Merriwether (VPSA), VP liaison, the committee completed their work efficiently, effectively and professionally. Please join me in recognizing the work of Anne, Fritzie, Dale Bittinger (Admissions), Hans Cooper (Registrar),
Donna Huynh (OCSS), Abdias Irizarry (Commons) and Andrea Wynter (Transit). Our students and our campus will benefit from their efforts for years to come. Thanks also to colleagues across the division and camps who interviewed and submitted feedback to the committee.

I would also like to recognize Ben Goldberg and the staff of OCSS, Eraline Sabino, Donnell James and the Commuter Assistants, for keeping their department operating smoothly during the past year. Ben’s leadership as Acting Director has been instrumental in keeping program and service delivery coming off without a hiccup during this interim period. Ben will continue his leadership in OCSS, the division and the campus as he resumes his role as Assistant Director of OCSS in a full-time capacity and focuses on doctoral work as well.

Great people are key to our students’ success! Thank you in advance for helping make Dan’s transition to our division a smooth and pleasant experience.

On Thursday, November 10, the Department of Music presents presents a program entitled The Expressive Jewish Tradition Through Music and Words, featuring performers Maria Lambros, viola; Airi Yoshioka, violin; Audrey Andrist, piano; E. Michael Richards, clarinet; Lisa Cella, flute; and guests Alison Wells, cello; Michael Kannen, cello; and Diane Walsh, piano. The program will feature:

* Osvaldo Golijov – Doina (2001)
* Felix Mendelssohn – Sonata for Cello and Piano in D major, Op. 58 (1843)
* Michael Alec Rose – Burlesques for Piano Quartet (2010, world premiere)
* Gerald Cohen – Yedid Nefesh (Beloved of my Soul) (2007)
* Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein III – selections from South Pacific (1949)

8 pm, Fine Arts Recital Hall. $7 general admission, $3 seniors, free for students, free with a UMBC ID. To order tickets in advance using a credit card, order online through MissionTix or call 410-752-8950. Tickets will also be available at the door, cash or check only.

More information:
http://www.umbc.edu/arts

The Arts & Humanities at UMBC: think create engage
http://www.umbc.edu/engage