By Barbara McGuire Daily Bruin Contributor When it comes to studying in college, the most important thing isn’t necessarily learning the material, it’s finding a distraction. Read more...

By Allison Dixon Daily Bruin Contributor Before there were cars, mansions or high-tech electronics, the people of Central Asia used elaborate textiles as status symbols. During the 19th century, the textile industry reached an artistic crescendo, producing magnificent garments as well as elaborate fabrics for the home. Read more...

By Brent Hopkins Daily Bruin Senior Staff Whether it comes in the form of a marching band’s snares or a pounding disco beat, the drum has always been a universal instrument. Read more...

By Megan Dickerson Daily Bruin Senior Staff Portrait artists are like hunters, following the scent of a certain pose or an indescribable smirk. They stalk their subjects, in hopes of confining to the page an elusive twinkle or a characteristic shrug. Read more...

By Barbara McGuire Daily Bruin Contributor Forget the oven, don’t even think about the microwave, and who needs a stove. Clearly these cooking tools are passé, now that novel recipes call for cooking with dishwashers and car engines. Read more...

Everyone knows the standard first-year dorm initiation ““ the floor trip to “The Price is Right” taping. Usually one dreams the night before of hearing Rod Roddy shout out to “Come on down because you are the next contestant,” only to wake up to reality knowing that the chances are slim to none ““ actually 9 out of about 300 ““ of getting picked. Read more...

By Brent Hopkins Daily Bruin Senior Staff Saying farewell to the dead doesn’t have to be a somber occasion. Not if you’re an Orange County punk, at least. Read more...