The Avenue | Lifestyle - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Catching up on recent gaming news

By Andrew Wyzan | Mar. 30, 2011

I often use this column as a platform to rant about recent gaming news, and for that I am truly sorry. This is why you never should give a weekly column to a person who shouts his opinions at the TV. That being said, there has been a surplus of news in the gaming industry lately, and it’s important to be up-to-date on the often ridiculous headlines journalists use. Here’s some of the most interesting industry news:

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

To calm mind, tai chi emphasizes form and breathing

By Robert Imfeld | Mar. 30, 2011

Tai chi chuan, more commonly known as tai chi, is an ancient Chinese form of martial arts. It uses a series of slow movements designed to strengthen the body, increase flexibility and calm the mind.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

What to know about the Nintendo 3DS

By Andrew Wyzan | Mar. 23, 2011

Like an election year, the year of a new console generation is full of long lines, media-driven chaos and eventual disappointment. This Sunday, Nintendo will release the Nintendo 3DS, the successor to the system that sold more units than any other console in history. The hype machine has been in full swing in the industry thanks to the system’s much-ballyhooed 3D capabilities. Sony’s announcement of the NGP, a PSP with two touch screens and more tools than a Swiss army knife, and the rise of mobile gaming might make it hard to decide if you want to update your DS. So, here are the important things to know about the new system:

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

SAT prompt on reality TV nonsensical on paper but positive in the end

By Andrew Wyzan | Mar. 23, 2011

The most recent form of the SAT, the grueling trial of passage that every high school student most go through to prove his or her worth to society, recently featured as its essay prompt the ethics and benefits of reality TV.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Chatting with pop culture essayist Chuck Klosterman

By Benjamin Evans | Mar. 23, 2011

Pop culture essayist Chuck Klosterman, author of books like "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto" and "Killing Yourself to To Live," will speak at 8 p.m. March 30 at the Rion Ballroom at the Reitz Student Union.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

A local tour of three alternative religions

By Richard O. Stehli | Mar. 23, 2011

College is a time for change and the mill of experiences, realizations and revelations. While it probably doesn’t bother most people when they change their majors, course schedules or political affiliations, what about when someone changes his or her faith?

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Secrets of the Swamp: stripped Study shows college students having less sex

By Brittany Brave | Mar. 23, 2011

Crash courses in sex ed 101 might be paying off, according to a study released earlier this month by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The A-list

By LAUREN GOLD | Mar. 23, 2011

WATCH: “Jersey Shore” season finale on MTV at 10 p.m.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

College site Funny or Die to release original book series

By Brittany Brave | Mar. 23, 2011

Whoever said books would die didn’t realize there was a way for them to be immortal.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Getting sweaty with Jane Fonda

By Robert Imfeld | Mar. 23, 2011

Jane Fonda is known for many things — sub-par acting and skewed political beliefs outstanding. However, Jane was quite the fitness beast back in her prime, producing a series of popular home workout videos.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Teams gather to play Quidditch for Swamp Cup

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Mar. 18, 2011

Just because the last "Harry Potter" movie is coming out in July doesn't mean that the magical spirit of the wizarding world will end.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Pokemon still urges gamers to catch ‘em all

By Andrew Wyzan | Mar. 16, 2011

Although it’s no longer the cultural phenomenon it once was, Pokemon is still part of, and really never left, the video game world.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

New apps could be breeding status-obsessed stalkers

By Thomas Nassitt | Mar. 16, 2011

“You like someone. They’re in a relationship. Be the first to know when they get out of it.”

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The A-list

By LAUREN GOLD | Mar. 16, 2011

SEE: Limitless

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

For St. Patrick’s Day: An Irish Beer FAQ

By Richard O. Stehli | Mar. 16, 2011

What is good Irish beer?

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

March 11 release of iPad 2 draws giddy crowd at local Best Buy

By Carter Lyles. Avenue Contributing Writer | Mar. 16, 2011

The crowd snaked through the store, weaving a line of jittery, excited customers from the doors to the shipping area at the back. In this line, 6-year-old Mackenzie waited with all the patience a child could muster - just to get a glimpse of the object of her desire.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

GA Tech alumnus’ novel underlines college experience

Mar. 2, 2011

“…How liberated college students are, holding privileges of adulthood minus the constraints ….”

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Local meditation center a place to calm an uneasy mind

By Robert Imfeld | Mar. 2, 2011

A number of meditation centers call Gainesville home. And as meditation becomes more popular as a way to ward off stress, the Avenue wanted to find out the story behind a few of the centers in town.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Secrets of the Swamp: Stripped

By Brittany Brave | Mar. 2, 2011

Danielle has waited all week to gussy up and get herself ready for her hot night.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

On vacation, rejuvenate your game collection

By Andrew Wyzan | Mar. 2, 2011

By the time you have read this column, I will have left Gainesville, curled up on my couch back home and put myself into a video game coma. Instead of catching up on new releases during my time off, as I assume many will do, I like playing my favorite games during breaks. I feel as if I’m returning to a time of innocence before papers, projects and deadlines consumed my life. In my opinion, new releases — even the ones your friends rave about — are way too expensive to risk buying. However, if you do happen to have $60 burning a hole in your wallet and want to try something new, here are two new games you should play during your week of freedom.