Losing control of your own creation: A playwright learns to cope

There is nothing more unnerving than letting go of what you’ve created. IFP workshops are one thing — accepting criticism, listening attentively as your peers tell you, “It’s too melodramatic” or “You could really shorten this” — but watching a production of your own play? That’s a whole new precipice of stress.

What I’ll be rooting for on Oscars night

Party culture and the stress of Hopkins

It’s a typical Friday at Hopkins.

Ten things to do on Valentine's Day

February is upon us, and that means red and pink everything. Yes, it’s that lovely time of the year when romance is celebrated by the decorations in every store, restaurant or any public space, really. But as a freshman in college, is planning a date for Valentine’s Day really worth it? You’re probably so enthralled by your Chem lab that you have no space in your head for Valentine’s Day ideas.

Ten things to do on Valentine's Day

February is upon us, and that means red and pink everything. Yes, it’s that lovely time of the year when romance is celebrated by the decorations in every store, restaurant or any public space, really. But as a freshman in college, is planning a date for Valentine’s Day really worth it? You’re probably so enthralled by your Chem lab that you have no space in your head for Valentine’s Day ideas.

Spring trends: what's cool vs. cold

As springtime arrives, it’s time to clear out old trends and make room for the new looks of 2015. Velvet, corduroy and satin are quickly replaced by chiffon and denim as the temperatures increases and the sun begins to shine. This season is home to flattering cuts, feminine outlines and old-time charm.

Spring trends: what's cool vs. cold

As springtime arrives, it’s time to clear out old trends and make room for the new looks of 2015. Velvet, corduroy and satin are quickly replaced by chiffon and denim as the temperatures increases and the sun begins to shine. This season is home to flattering cuts, feminine outlines and old-time charm.

What is the value of varsity sports?

Because of its city location, Hopkins has very limited field space and outdoor athletic facilities. The vast majority of the time, these facilities are being used by varsity athletes, a very select group of students at the school. As far as I know, these sports teams are not self-sustaining (i.e. money from the University’s general fund goes into them, rather than the teams funding themselves through revenue and donations). Since the money from the University is generated from tuition and donations intended for the entirety of the student body, is it ethical for these very limited facilities to be earmarked for athletes?

A guide to romance for the lonely and alone

Valentine’s Day rapidly approaches, dropping our standards for Tinder rights — or rather, increasing the frequency of jokes about cheap chocolate and dates with fictional characters.

Following your bliss despite the baggage

Look at it in its purest form...Find what it is that you want to do and deconstruct that, until it’s so simple that it’s so easy. All the other stuff is just baggage. — Lucien Smith, New York City artist

The controversy behind American Sniper

American Sniper, Clint Eastwood’s brazen portrayal of Navy Seal Chris Kyle, sent off 2014 with a divisive bang. The film sparked controversy throughout the nation, polarizing the affronted left against the proud right. The former held that the film offended their liberal sensibilities through glorifying violence and brutality in a war that they found to be inherently unjust; the latter remained prideful of the film, praising Kyle’s valor and prodigious skill as a marksman.

There’s more to Birroteca than just pizza

Winter is coming! Ok, winter is already here, but the days are getting more bone-chilling by the second, and with that, our need for comfort food is at its most extreme.

Caught in a cinematic haze: how to be movie-obsessed

My amazing Intro to Cinema professor, Meredith Ward, always says that movies are better when watched together. There is something strangely magical about the shared cinematic experience as every laugh, every gasp, every tense, emotion-filled silence is amplified tenfold. It’s February, award show season, and as the pre-Oscar buzz fills cinephiles like myself with anticipation, the shared movie-going experience has wonderfully intoxicated this season.

Parks and Rec comes to a beautiful close

One of my favorite shows, Parks and Recreation, is in its seventh and final season this year. The newest episodes started airing in January, and they are being broadcast two at a time, until the series finale on Feb. 24. While this means that the 13-episode season will be over incredibly quickly, at least this gives Parks one last chance to churn out major plots that will hopefully satisfy long-time fans like myself.

How to deal with the end of covered grades

Ah, spring! When the snow melts, the trees grow back their green, and freshmen learn to be accountable for their academic successes and failures: no more covered grades.

What is the price and value of beauty?

Greek goddesses Hera and Athena offered the Trojan prince Paris power and glory, but he decided to give the golden apple with the inscription “for the most beautiful” to the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Why? She offered him the love of the prettiest woman in Greece, Helen. This, in turn, led to war, and the city of Troy famously went up in flames. Seems like too much ado about something so trivial: beauty.

RUSHing through your closet

To begin, welcome back to Hopkins and welcome back to the sorority and Greek life takeover. Much to the chagrin of the unaffiliated portion of campus, all conversations will only focus on girl dates, rush rooms and possible future homes. From personal experience, I can wholeheartedly say that my room looks like my sorority exploded in it. There’s glitter, streamers and bows covering the floor. This can only mean one thing: Greek rush is upon us. To be precise, rush starts this Sunday, Feb. 1.

The ethics behind petty theft and loss

In this column I will attempt to answer ethical questions that you, the readers, email me. You can direct your questions to ethics@jhunewsletter.com. I am in no way an expert on ethics, but I enjoy thinking and talking about it, and I’ll do my best to answer your questions in a reasonable and straightforward manner.

A senior’s story: What comes next?

I went to one class, the library, then Barnes & Noble to purchase my very last textbook. Here I was, a senior with one semester left, buying a contemptibly overpriced book from the store that everyone learns their freshman year not to buy textbooks from. After four years, had I really learned nothing at all?