FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012 PAGE 5A opinion Text your FFA submissions to 785-289-8351 FREE FOR ALL There is nothing more attractive than a girl who knows which door is unlocked at AFH during camping. Sometimes I like to perch on Watson and pretend I'm a gargoyle. If we really want to slow down Iran's nuclear scientist, we'd introduce them to Angry Birds. Go to Google Maps and ask for walking directions from The Shire to Mordor. You can thank me later. Editor's note: "One does not simply walk into Mordor." Omg did you see that girl walking and texting and hit a pole? Yeah that was me. Note to self: Never go see the Ying Yang Twins on a school night again. Real Jayhawks drink tiger blood FOR BREAKFAST. I'm now convinced that iPads are the most pretentious piece of gadgetry ever created. We might be "West Side Story", but everyone else is just playing "Star Wars." My baby cactus died in two weeks. Turns out I'm less nourishing then a desert. Saw a guy very seriously contemplating whether to get sour gummy worms or regular gummy worms for five minutes. People keep asking me how I've lost weight. This is college. You'd be surprised by what not sleeping, eating, and only drinking caffeine can do to the human body. Why do Eaton and Learned have to be connected by a wind tunnel? On my way to Budig, I imagined the KU campus was a life-sized video game, the UDK pick-up hut was my rejuvenation center. My dream guy just said camping for basketball games was pointless and stupid. Sigh. Looks like I'm on to the next one... Why is the internet on campus slower than my grandmother trying to juggle while pushing her walker? Since Tyshawn Taylor is from Hoboken, NJ...do you think he knows the Cake Ross? Walking through the halls of Malott. The air is cloudy and someone is wearing a mask. Am I going to die? There is a special place in hell for people who take the elevator from the second floor to the basement when they are perfectly capable of taking the stairs. Sex is important issue in relationships I swear I just saw a butterfly. No wait. That was a leaf. How awesome would it be if I could have a pet squirrel that would sit on my shoulder? RELATIONSHIPS A guy just asked me for my Reddit username instead of my phone number. I think I'm in love. Sometimes it seems like the worst offense in the dating universe someone could commit is leaving a significant other over lousy or non-existent sex. It is popularly believed to be a seriously shallow issue, and it frequently gives the dumper the stigma of someone who was only ever in it for the booty. But it can be justified. After all, we shouldn't always have to settle in relationships, so why settle on sex? of the subject and just hope our expectations will be met anyway In late 2010 I was involved very briefly with a guy right after being in a relationship with one of his friends. When it comes to making Sometimes they just aren't. We went out a couple of times, and I thought we would eventually seal the deal with our final "When it comes to making or breaking us, we shouldn't be sorry to make a decision over physical issues." comes to making or breaking us, we shouldn't be sorry to make a decision over physical issues. We have to talk about our sexual expectations at least by the time we enter exclusive relationships. If we're going to officially date someone in college or beyond, we can't hide behind the awkwardness date on the Plaza, but it turned out to be the last time I would see him for more than nine months. I've ever been on. He was rude and seemed totally foreign to intimacy on any level, and I just wouldn't have it. I found it mind-boggling when he said he didn't like to show affection. He wouldn't hold my hand on a crowded sidewalk and swatted my arm away when I put Hands down, it was the worst date it around him in private. I'm not about too much PDA, but he was just cold. Since we had been seeing each other for a few weeks,we had already planned on him staying the night at my place since wed be late getting back from Kansas City. That night was like nothing I had ever experienced before, and I don't mean that in a good way. He said he didn't have much experience with dating or sex, and I believed him. With all due respect, I could see why. It was at that moment that I knew any bond between us was destined for failure. 1 sat in my car and cried after In the end, I didn't split with him only because of sex, but I'll be honest to admit that it made my decision a lot easier. I wasn't satisfied and probably wouldn't ever be, and that's a real reason to end something that already isn't working otherwise. I took him home the next morning. I was so disappointed in him. I gave myself a few days to blow off some steam then told him I wasn't interested anymore and exactly why. with what's happening (or not happening) in the bedroom, we need to communicate with our partners about how to make it a better experience. Breaking up over this issue is only fair when we take the initiative to try to fix it first. I didn't want to settle for a subpar lover, and no one else should either. We're civilized now (at least mostly), but it's still important to listen to our id. Whether we want to deny it or not, sex is important in every relationship. This is an issue we have to be realistic about. If our partners don't want to have sex for a certain time, we should compromise and respect that. But a compromise shouldn't be a settlement. We have to decide which is more important: respecting our partners' desires or satisfying our own. Sometimes, in order to be truly happy we need to be a little selfish. So for our relationships to be healthy, we need to tap into our most basic instincts and finally give them the legitimacy they deserve because after all, you and me, baby, ain't nothin' but mammals. And if we aren't satisfied But after that point, this issue is a judgment call. Keith is a graduate student in education from Wichita. HEALTH Protein consumption in US is excessivse Protein is an essential part of any diet. However, according to a 2008 Center for Disease Control (CDC) survey, the average American eats more than double the amount of protein the body actually requires. This is due to the "Great Protein Myth" we have been taught to believe. This myth's narrative more or less states that large amounts of protein are needed to be strong and healthy and to build muscles, and in America, protein is heavily associated with meat, especially red meat. A meal is made to seem incomplete without an overwhelmingly large portion of meat on the plate; even just one meal of a cheeseburger and milk shake can contain up to three times your daily protein needs. This overconsumption of protein especially from animal-based sources can have dire consequences on your health, leading to problems like obesity and heart disease. This problem is further exacerbated by the low-quality processed meats most readily available and affordable to most people. The truth is this: The CDC says the average adult female needs 46 grams of protein a day, and the average adult male needs only 56 grams of protein a day. And there are plenty of healthy plant-based sources of it out there to suit vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. Pred is a junior in political science and peace and conflict studies from Kansas City, Mo. Vegetarian Chili INGREDIENTS 2 cups protein source like crumbled tofu, ground faux-meat products, ground turkey, etc. (optional) 2 Tablespoons chili powder 1 Tablespoon cumin 1 Teaspoon each cayenne, paprika and turmeric (optional) Salt and pepper to taste 1 large clove garlic, minced 1 cup chopped onion 2-3 cans of beans (I like to mix black beans, kidney beans, and black 2-3 cans of beans (I like to mix black beans, kidney beans, and black ewe peas) eyed peas) HOW-TO 1 can salt-free diced tomato (or 1½ cups fresh diced) 1 can tomato sauce 1 can corn kernels ½ cup water or stock 3 Tablespoons olive or canola oil In large pot, heat oil to medium-high heat and add onion, protein source, spices and garlic. If chili is too thick, add more water or stock. Enjoy! spices and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent and protein is cooked thoroughly. Next, add the remaining ingredients, and allow them to simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. ENTERTAINMENT ILLUSTRATION BY RYAN BENEDICH The dream of the '90s is alive in 'Portlandia' "Portlandia" is a show currently airing on the International Film Channel, starring and created by Saturday Night Live veteran Fred Armisen and '90s alternative rocker Carrie Brownstein. The show uses the same sketchcomedy format as SNL, and has a recurring, but not overarching plot. It is constantly making fun of stereotypes of Portland's counter-culture. In the opening skit of season one, Armisen comes back to L.A. to explain to Brownstein how amazing his trip to Portland was. He ends up using an impromptu music video to show Carrie that Portland is a wonderful place that seems to be stuck in the '90s. The opening skit gives the viewer insight on how this whole show is going to work. They are telling everyone that they are going to make fun of the hipster culture of Portland but love it at the same time. I used to make fun of hipster stereotypes as much as the next guy, but the truth is, I'm a hipster. I honestly believe anyone who analyzes culture has to be somewhat of a hipster, and that's what I'm currently doing with this column. It took me a while to finally understand this or even accept it, but with the help of "Portlandia," I think I'll be just fine. Although the show covers many different types of hipster stereotypes, they also make fun of bleeding heart liberals, hard core punk culture, feminists, Portland's liberal mayor, and anything else you can think of that can be considered somewhat counter-culture. Of course, "Portlandia" doesn't believe these stereotypes are bad; it's just easy to make fun of them by making them extremes. They make fun of Portland's liberalism by making the mayor a stereotype for liberals. When Armisen and Brownstein walk into his office, he doesn't have a chair for his desk; instead he uses a yoga ball. The use of extremes makes the show funny, but at the same time it makes it obviously ridiculous. In one of the recurring skits, Armisen and Brownstein play two women that own a bookstore, and happen to be extreme feminists. They also don't seem to be able to sell any books because they are the most difficult people on the planet. They deliberately go out of their way to not help any customers. This is, of course, not true about feminists. The extremeness of the show allows it to make fun of many different stereotypes without making a political statement. The reason I love "Portlandia"—other than that it makes me laugh out loud—is that it's hipsters making fun of hipsters. The making fun of stereotypes is more of a "look at the ridiculous things we do" instead of a "look at the ridiculous things all hipsters do." Armisen and Brownstein seem to be fully aware of their hipsterdom, and this has allowed me to realize the same about myself. There have been several times that I've watched "Portlandia" and noticed that the certain trait of hipster-dom they were making fun of was something I regularly do. There are many things that "Portlandia" has made fun of, and it's like I'm looking in the mirror realizing who I really am. I'm apart of the counter-culture, much like a lot of college students. I've been apart of the hardcore punk scene that is so often made fun of. I've been condescending to someone who hasn't heard of the newest hip band. Thanks to "Portlandia." I finally know: I am a hipster, and I belong in Portland. Lysen is a junior in journalism from Andover, Kan. HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Send letters to kansanopdesk@gmail.com. Write LETTER TO THE EDITOR in the e-mail subject line. LETTER GUIDELINES Length: 300 words Length: 300 words The submission should include the author's name, grade and hometown Find our *full letter* to the editor policy online at kansan.com/letters. Ian Cummings, editor 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com Lisa Curran, managing editor 864-4810 or lcurban@kansan.com Alexis Knutsen, opinion editor 864-4924 or lcurban@kansan.com Garen Lett, business manager 843-4588 or gmail@gansen.com Koran Eland, sales manager 843-4777 or gmail@gansen.com CONTACT US Malcolim Gibson, general manager and news adviser 864-7657 or mgbison@kansan.com Jon Schittt, sales and marketing adviser 864-7657 or schmitt@kansan.com THE EDITORIAL BOARD Members of The Kansan Editorial Board are Ian Cummings, Lisa Curran, Alexis Knutsen, Angela Hawkins and Ryan Schlescher.