Tigerburn

Within the first week of arriving in Columbia I was taught that I must hate Clemson, USC’s rival University. Although hate is a strong word, when they rep the nasty combination of orange and purple as their school colours it’s easy to see why they’re disliked!

Every year the USC Football team go up against Clemson in what’s arguably the biggest game of the season. Prior to the game it is tradition for the students at South Carolina to burn a tiger, which represents the Clemson team. This ritual is called the ‘Tigerburn’ and dates back to 1902 when the Gamecock mascot first made its appearance. Tonight with the temperature dropping below a brisk ten degrees, it was a chance to wrap up and watch the display. Similar to the Brits Bonfire night where we remember Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, there were fireworks and of course a massive bonfire – but this time it was in the shape of a tiger!

At the 1902 game Carolina defeated Clemson and a full-blown riot broke out. Apparently, (according to the website at least) during that first Gamecock game, Carolina fans were flaunting a poster which had an image of the Gamecock mascot standing on top of a tiger, holding its tail as if he was ‘steering’ or directing it. Obviously, the Clemson fans weren’t very happy with this poster and told the Carolina students that ‘if you bring this poster, which is insulting to us, to the big parade on Friday, you’re going to be in trouble.’ Naturally, the USC students brought the poster to the parade.

Rumour has it that a fight broke out between the two teams so in order to calm the situation both sides agreed to burn the poster. Every year Carolina plays Clemson, and each time the two Universities burn an object that represents the other. The annual Carolina-Clemson football game alternates between both teams' home stadiums, and this year we’re playing on home turf, so I’ll get to witness the rivalry in its full glory! Go Cocks!

12 Years a Slave

There are not a lot of things that make me speechless, but coming out of the cinema after seeing Steve McQueen’s '12 Years a Slave’, no words were needed to explain my utter sadness at what I had just sat through. Its films like these that make me truly question the justice of mankind.

The Professor from my ‘Postmodern Blackness in African American Lit’ class urged everyone to go and see this latest slave narrative film. '12 Years a Slave’ cleverly depicts history’s impact on masses of African-Americans through one person’s nightmare. Based on a true story of a single man’s fight for freedom and survival, this film had me in tears from the offset. But it wasn’t the violins playing at my heart strings which set the water works in motion, it was the fact that this truthful depiction of slavery really did happen, and it happened in the very State I chose to come to University in. Different from other pre-Civil War United States films, the violence was utterly painful to watch. The whipping scenes were unbelievably agonising as McQueen chose to focus on the character’s distressed faces rather than their mutilated flesh.

Unlike ‘Djano Unchained’ McQueen focuses on still, powerful images and patiently draws them out rather than using fast-paced, action scenes. Spoiler alert! - Arguably the most powerful image throughout the film, and one I couldn’t stop thinking about upon leaving the cinema, was the protagonist hanging with a noose tightly strung around his neck whilst he struggles to keep his toes touching the ground. With this shot being the focus of the scene, you then see other slaves moving around in the background going about their daily duties. It’s hard not to yell out ‘help him!’ when sitting in a theatre where everyone is unknowingly holding their breath and willing him to hold on. This lingering image is one that will surely stay with you! I recommend everyone who is old enough to understand to go and experience McQueen’s thought provoking film for yourself.

Reality Check

Coming from one of the safest places in the South East of England in which to study, (In 2011 Canterbury was actually named the safest student city in England and Wales) one of the first things that struck me as totally bizarre were the metallic, outlandish Emergency buttons that dominate the campus every corner you take.  Warned never to walk alone on campus or downtown, I immediately felt a little insecure and questioned where my parents had sent me to study!

But safety is considered with the upmost importance on campus, hence why there are emergency buttons strategically dotted around so that if you can get the attention of the USC Police almost instantly.  Simply push the red button and you’re directly connected to the Police, allowing the dispatcher to know your exact location. We were even told during an orientation that if you are being chased and you cannot stop, simply press the call boxes as you run past and police officers will be able to identify the pattern and the direction you’re going in.

It’s safe to say that we have nothing along these lines back at home! Yes we have a ‘Campus Watch’ system where you can get security to walk you back to your dorm late at night if you’re alone but these emergency buttons really seemed to be the cherry on top of the cake.

I’ve never been a fan of horror films, they tend to make me really jumpy and give me graphic nightmares for weeks on end, so I usually avoid them at all costs! However, I always feel a sense of relief when I realise that these films are usually set in some American corn-field or old barn across the other side of the world. This tends to reassure me and allows me to sleep safely tucked up in my bed a million miles away. But now I can’t really play that card. I’m in America where scary things happen, so there’s no use pretending!

Last month, I got a major reality check when a first year student was shot on a night out in town. The freshman, only 18 years old, was hit by a random bullet whilst waiting for a taxi down in Five Points. The shooting resulted in her being permanently paralysed from the hips down, after a 40-caliber bullet was lodged in her spine. This event made me realise how far away I am from home! And America still has the right to bear arms? My heart goes out to the young girl and her family; I cannot image how traumatic it must have been. But the scary thing is that it could have happened to anyone, any student; International or American, it could have been one of my friends, it could have been me. She was merely a bystander to someone else’s aggression, simply waiting for a taxi at the end of the night. If that’s not scary, I don’t know what it!

I'm Schmacked: The University of South Carolina

West End to ‘Benson Theatre’

A show set in a Brothel? Risqué numbers? Sultry voices and Sexy costumes?

Sounds very Musical Theatre!

After being in RENT’s infamous ‘contact’ scene last year back at The University of Kent I thought this would be nothing I couldn’t handle. Black lacy lingerie, smoky eyes and character shoes have become a necessity for any Musical Theatre showcase I’ve been in, especially if I’ve been cast in numbers from Chicago or Sweet Charity! My friends within the Musical Theatre Society at Kent are my closest friends at Uni; it’s safe to say that I am missing each and every one of them!  I knew that the American equivalent couldn’t be too different - surely the people would be just as over-dramatic and charismatic? One’s thing for sure, being cast in a show is a definite way to meet new people and make friends. So in the middle of a strange new city on the other side of the world I knew that I would have to put myself out there. Back in August I decided to bite the bullet and audition to be in the Autumn production – a showcase called ‘Off Off Brothel’ put on by the University of South Carolina’s Musical Theatre group; ‘Off Off Broadway’.  Interestingly, this showcase was raising awareness and money for the Polaris Project, an organisation against sex trafficking. The aim was to open the eyes of the viewers to an important social issue whilst also showing the audience a bit of hidden talent lurking around the USC campus.

I was cast in two musical numbers with a few solo parts and I even got some lines. I’m not sure how to describe my character without being brutally blunt and putting it down in black and white; the character I played was called Gigi, also known as the head prostitute! Classic! Typecast much? Bet they only cast me because of my accent!

It turns out the show was a huge success. Not only did the society raise lots of money for the Polaris Project but I got to meet some amazing, like-minded people and have a wail of a time rehearsing and performing. Although I’m still catching up on sleep from the dress and tech runs which lasted until ridiculous o’clock in the morning!

I’m hoping to audition for the Spring Musical next term; ‘Legally Blonde’, which I’m sure will be tremendous amounts of fun. But for now, I’m happy to have left my mark on USC’s ‘Off Off Broadway’! This was purely down to the fact that I was nominated to lead the vocal warm-up one night of the show, so I decided to teach the cast the song ‘I like the flowers, I like the daffodils, I like the mountains, I like the rolling hills and I like the fire-side when the lights are low, singing a do-wap a do-wap a do-wap-a’ which we do back at home as part of a round. Turns out these Yankies absolutely loved the song and have been singing it non-stop backstage during the shows trying to imitate my British accent. Which as you can imagine, is hilarious!  I wonder how many of them actually know what a daffodil is though?

Daddy's Girl

Last weekend my Dad visited Columbia for a few days after a business trip to the States. Naturally, I took him to the many exciting sites that Columbia has to offer, including; The State House, the Congaree River Walk and the infamous William Brice Football Stadium.

Fresh from the land where chips are crisps and gym memberships cost up to a months rent, I was excited to see his reaction to campus life in America. Of course he thought the food was amazing as stuffed croissants, waffles covered in maple syrup and whipped cream, burgers the size of Frisbees’, Charbroiled Ribeye steaks, and French fries were on the menu all weekend long. Watching him was like pressing re-wind on life’s remote control as I got to see his jaw drop and eyes widen at all the same things that seemed strange and exciting to me when I first arrived.

For the Homecoming game against Mississippi State I bought two tickets in the lower deck section so that my Dad could get a real feel for College Football. Decked out in a garnet USC t-shirt with a Bloody Mary before midday, Dad was ready to embrace the wall of noise which exudes from the Stadium. With weather matching that of a beautiful mid-summer’s day back at home, I couldn’t quite believe that we are now in November! Both of us caught the sun, and I can safely say that it’s the first time I’ve been sunburnt in ‘Winter’. But I’m not complaining! These warmer climates are definitely welcomed!

Having my Dad visit made me realise how lucky I am to get the opportunity to study abroad. The school spirit here never fails to amaze me. I have met some incredible, interesting and diverse people in the past three months, and I’ve made friendships which will last a lifetime. Time is doing a really weird thing where it feels like I’ve been here forever but at the same time it’s going really quickly. Soon enough it will be Christmas and I’ll have to start thinking about plans for when I return to London in the summer! My alter ego is screaming 'please not adult life yet!'

Overall, it was a short but much needed visit, and having a piece of home has definitely helped me get over the mid-term blues. Southern hospitality was out in full force over the weekend, while I’m still not used to being addressed as ‘Ma’am’, Dad certainly enjoyed being referred to as ‘Sir’. The people really are as sweet as the tea… well, at least most of them are… One exception to the rule was some rude guy in his SUV imagining he was ‘King of the Vista’. After the Football game, I wanted to take my Dad out to the Blue Marlin restaurant in town for dinner, but as it was the weekend parking spots were scarce. After driving around the block a couple of times, I saw a parked car put on its reversing lights and told Dad to indicate for the space. But low and behold, some absolute douche of a guy in a massive 4x4 comes up parallel to our car, rolls down his window and proceeds to talk at my Dad telling him that the space is his. I would continue by listing the stream of bad-mouth words that came to mind, but I’m not sure my blog is the most appropriate place to do so. Anyway, classy as ever, my Dad told the boy to ‘show some American hospitality’ and swiftly reversed straight into the space that we had previously been indicating for. Well you know what they say about guys who drive massive trucks, they do it for an ego boost, the bigger the truck the smaller the…

Homecoming

Last week was ‘Homecoming’ – a completely American concept which I’m still trying to wrap my brains around. Dance competitions, Beauty pageant competitions for Homecoming Queen and King, Poster competitions, and various other art-based comps consumed the campus whilst USC went mad over this year’s theme; ‘The United States of Carolina’ – how original!

I’ve asked so many students ‘what exactly is Homecoming?’ and apart from being laughed at for looking so lost, no one was able to give me the straight up definition I wanted. Basically it’s a week-long event with parades and showcases ending in a home Football game aimed at welcoming second, third and fourth year students back ‘home’.

The main event is arguably the annual showcase where the Homecoming King and Queen are elected from five male and female nominees. These students are made to perform one talent, usually in the form of singing or dancing; they also have to get their ‘swagger’ on by walking down the catwalk in their formal dress and answer a random question drawn from a hat that looks like it’s from the set of Harry Potter. You can be sure that these students will make you feel bad about yourself! Even if you’re the Captain of a sports team and an active member of the debating society at University, these students have done far more by contributing significantly to both their College and communities. The winners were both fourth year students belonging to Fraternities and Sororities (surprise surprise!) What seemed to be just a popularity contest at first, with a ‘pick the pretty Marilyn Monroe girl – she’ll look good in the parade’ attitude, instead, these students actually helped to highlight the array of astonishing achievements that we all can achieve. By putting the Homecoming candidates in the harsh spotlight on the stage, their accomplishments could help encourage other students to get more involved with extra-curricular activities and explore vast the world the awaits just outside of the State border.

But Homecoming wasn’t rainbows and flowers for everyone, for some students at USC the school spirit and extra-curricular fun clearly got too much after Saturdays’ Homecoming win! Home before midnight, my flat mate struggled to support her drunken friend away from the parties and into bed. Naturally, I helped play ‘Mom’ and spent the early hours of the morning holding back the hair for the poor girl who passed out on our bathroom floor! She got to know our toilet very well indeed… I knew all those years of Lifeguard training would come in handy one day! Putting a randomer in the recovery position to avoid choking sick wasn’t exactly how I planned to spend my Saturday night but it was an experience I’m sure all of us students have been through. Oh student life! It seems that I cannot escape drunken foolery even on the other side of the pond!

Halloween the ‘Mean Girls’ way

‘Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.’

However, I beg to differ. Halloween = scary. Halloween = zombies, witches, black cats, skeletons, vampires, devils and corpse brides. But in America, Halloween costumes don’t necessarily need to have a scare factor, you can simply be a school girl without being a walking-dead school girl covered in fake blood, in fact you might as well be a slutty school girl, because let’s face it, no one really cares. The less you wear the better! Whilst the days of ‘trick or treating’ are just fond memories from my childhood, pumpkin carving and dressing up to the nines are still all the rage. This past week I’ve been to two Halloween parties, and I must admit I did submit to cat ears and whiskers, but mainly because I didn’t want to spend $50 on a slut costume and I already have a wardrobe full of black clothing, so Cat Woman seemed like an easy and cheap choice! I also wasn’t feeling quite as daring as Lindsay Lohan is in ‘Mean Girls’ and decided dressing up like a corpse bride wasn’t really my thing and I didn’t want to have people continually asking me ‘Why are you dressed so scary?’

There were plenty of girls who wanted to dress like Regina, Gretchen and Karen though…. One girl was dressed up as ‘Buzz lightyear’ from Toystory, but instead of going to infinity and beyond and wearing an astronaut bodysuit with wings, she simply wore miniature white hotpants and a crop top/bra with a Buzz lightyear logo showing off her tiny tummy and leaving very little to the imagination. Halloween is a chance for ‘normal’ girls to push their assets up to their chin and fully embrace their slutty doppelganger for a night of alcohol induced madness. At home, one very practical reason for abstaining from ‘Slaggy Halloween’ is the simple fact that it’s too cold! But with South Carolina’s mild temperatures, wearing only the vital necessities of bra and knickers allows girls to get away with pretty much anything without anyone batting an eye-lid! Don’t get me wrong, I love fancy dress! I just liked Halloween when playing pranks, lighting bonfires, telling ghost stories, eating too much chocolate and scarring ourselves with the weegie board was also an acceptable way of celebrating!