Paulo Dybala and the art of being second

How does it feel to be good, but not quite good enough? Otto Fritton PZ ’27 explores the confusing career of footballer Paulo Dybala, feeling as though some chapters were left unwritten for the Juventus regular and Argentine international.

Read more

Where is your Ballon d’Or? Don’t need it

Otto Fritton PZ ’27 likes to look at the “what-if.” Few careers saddened him more than that of Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, a man who influenced an entire generation without ever quite fulfilling his potential. Yet, despite his shortcomings, Fritton wonders if it even matters. Perhaps Neymar shouldn’t be judged on what he didn’t accomplish, but on the generation he inspired.

Read more

American in Reims: Searching for the Magical Abroad Experience

Stuck in a foreign land, Otto Fritton PZ ’27 finds himself confused. After hearing months of promises about the “study abroad” semester, he wonders if he held his expectations too high. The champagne city of Reims has given Fritton his first experience of smaller-town life, and he remains uncertain if it is the person or the place that makes study abroad? Or, is it both?

Read more

Chasing the ghosts of Mourinho’s Chelsea: Arsenal’s impossible task

Sitting atop the Premier League, Arsenal is currently facing the impossible task of breaking Chelsea’s record-breaking 2004-05 season, in which they conceded just 15 goals. Ten games into the season, the Gunners have conceded three goals in 10 games, and are currently on track to break the record. Otto Fritton PZ ’27 discusses Arsenal’s true chances of breaking the records, as well as the problems they may face en route.

Read more

The Writing Process: How not to compute your writing

Otto Fritton PZ ’27 used to write like he was solving a math equation. Mimicking others’ writing like a copy-and-paste equation, his stories continued to reflect a stubborn, rushed voice that ultimately left him humiliated. His new formula: Ignore the easy solution.

Read more

The Writing Process: Park benches, 80s synthpop and Toni Morrison

Writing and divining a story is an exercise in extremes, superstitions and eccentricities. From Jack Kerouac’s amphetamine-fueled writing benders that birthed “On The Road” to the rigor and intentionality that bore Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” the rituals that create the craft bear the marks on the work itself. Otto Fritton, PZ ‘27 provides a view into his ritual and the authors he is inspired by as he wraps up his first manuscript.

Read more

Living with a Banter club: the disappointing recent history of Arsenal

Otto Fritton PZ ‘27 would have loved to experience the “invincible” season, where, in 2003/4, Arsenal won the Premier League without losing a single match. However, since that season, Arsenal — one of the biggest clubs in England — has failed to return to this same pinnacle, sliding into mediocrity for the past 15 or so years.

Read more

Claremont Men’s Club Soccer falls to Cal State Fullerton in a 0-1 battle

Kicking off their season with an intense show-down, the Claremont men’s club soccer team faced off against the Cal State Fullerton Titans. On Saturday, Oct. 21st, despite their valiant effort to defend their turf (but actually grass freshly ruined by a men’s rugby game), Claremont fell to the Titans 1-0 in their first game of the season.

Read more