Your friend is over and the two of you are just hanging out, relaxing, and talking about the week. The conversation is flowing, until suddenly a beeping noise and a faint vibration interrupts what you are saying. Your friend pulls a glowing cell phone out of her pocket, and begins typing away on the tiny keyboard. A silence settles over the room as you awkwardly look around and wait for the conversation to resume again.
Admit it; everyone has been that person who takes out her phone, causing the other person to feel uncomfortable. Then again, you have undoubtedly been the one left out, as your friend carries on a side conversation with someone else. So, where do you draw the line? When is it absolutely necessary to reply to a text message? When does texting change from innocuous to just plain annoying?
The answer is just plain simple - people should not send texts while in the presence of others. If you spend more time on the phone than you do interacting with your friend, it infers that you are more interested in your texting-buddy, you are bored with the person in your presence, and you would rather be talking to someone else. Isn’t hanging out with a friend while simultaneously texting both insulting and a waste of everybody’s time? If you absolutely have to send text messages, at least include the friend you are with in the conversation. Tell them who you are talking to and what the topic of conversation is, because nobody likes to be the outsider, or be put in a position where, to feel included, they must prod for information. So I tell you, leave the texting to when you are home alone, have an important question, or just need a good distraction from your endless amounts of homework.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Miss Video Game
By Andy Stratton
According to the ESRB or the Entertainment Software Rating Board, who puts ratings on each game to provide concise and impartial information about the content in computer and video games, they have found that almost 41% of PC gamers are women.
Miss Video Game is a “pageant” in sorts, where they try to promote female gaming and equality. The requirements from www.notaddicted.com include:
1. Must have personality
2. Must be a female (No wigs and makeup guys)
3. You play video games like it’s your job. (Not actually your job but like it is your job, this means ladies you actually have to be good at video games.)
4. Loves the beach. (I don’t get this last one but they are also trying to promote a sexy video gamer to encourage more ladies to become gamers.
Also, according to www.notaddicted.com, the 2007 competition began with an online application and then people were either voted through or voted off based on their appearance. The director of the site had these final words on her website, “On a serious note to my fellow ladies, if you want to ‘be the voice of female gaming’ then use that voice. Strive to be more than just eye candy, or a beauty queen who is advertizing fodder for the male majority. Speak out, game to your heart’s content, and be opinionated.”
Ladies don’t be afraid to try it because it is a “guy thing.” Try it, you might actually find video games can be really fun.
Word Count: 257
By Andy Stratton
According to the ESRB or the Entertainment Software Rating Board, who puts ratings on each game to provide concise and impartial information about the content in computer and video games, they have found that almost 41% of PC gamers are women.
Miss Video Game is a “pageant” in sorts, where they try to promote female gaming and equality. The requirements from www.notaddicted.com include:
1. Must have personality
2. Must be a female (No wigs and makeup guys)
3. You play video games like it’s your job. (Not actually your job but like it is your job, this means ladies you actually have to be good at video games.)
4. Loves the beach. (I don’t get this last one but they are also trying to promote a sexy video gamer to encourage more ladies to become gamers.
Also, according to www.notaddicted.com, the 2007 competition began with an online application and then people were either voted through or voted off based on their appearance. The director of the site had these final words on her website, “On a serious note to my fellow ladies, if you want to ‘be the voice of female gaming’ then use that voice. Strive to be more than just eye candy, or a beauty queen who is advertizing fodder for the male majority. Speak out, game to your heart’s content, and be opinionated.”
Ladies don’t be afraid to try it because it is a “guy thing.” Try it, you might actually find video games can be really fun.
Word Count: 257
Mysterious Disappearance
In class one day my friend, Alexa Sowers ’10, had a bright red apple. This is not an unusual occurrence for her. She typically brings one every day to class from home. But this day was not like any other. She left it on her desk and went to the hall. Upon returning she noticed her apple was no longer on her desk. After further observations, she noticed, along with several other classmates, that there was an apple on another girl’s desk that was across the room.
The girl looked nervous and would look in Sowers’ direction every once in awhile.
“She kept teasing me. She’d bring it up to her mouth then set it back down. She did this several times! It was terrible, and I was devastated and surprised.” Said Sowers.
Although, there is a reasonable doubt that maybe Sowers apple was misplaced and that this girl had brought her own apple to class. The question still remains; what happened to Sowers’ apple.
“All I want is the return of my apple, preferably in its original condition.” Said Sowers.
Word count 186 words
The girl looked nervous and would look in Sowers’ direction every once in awhile.
“She kept teasing me. She’d bring it up to her mouth then set it back down. She did this several times! It was terrible, and I was devastated and surprised.” Said Sowers.
Although, there is a reasonable doubt that maybe Sowers apple was misplaced and that this girl had brought her own apple to class. The question still remains; what happened to Sowers’ apple.
“All I want is the return of my apple, preferably in its original condition.” Said Sowers.
Word count 186 words
Dylan Carew DOMINANCE IN THE MVC
Monday night the Trojans won another MVC wrestling title. The Trojans defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy 64-9 winning 12 of 14 matches and clinching a title in the MVC.
“We wrestled solid in every match tonight, everyone competed out there.” Said West High head coach Mark Reiland.
West dominated getting 6 points at 9 weights. The most impressive fact is that they did it all without wrestling 4 starting members of the team. These include 119lbs. Hunter St. John, 130lbs. Garrett Hathaway, 145lbs. Dylan Carew and 189lbs. Berkley Grimm.
“Three of the four wrestlers we didn’t wrestle are ranked in the state, this could have been a lot worse of a score.” Said West freshman Justin Koethe.
This is West Highs 7th title in 8 years. The conference has been dominated by west who has lost 8 matches in 8 meets in the MVC conference.
“This is an amazing fact; not very many teams can say they average one loss per dual meet, especially in a conference that’s probably the best in the state.” Reiland said.
West High is now entering the post season and will be training for upcoming events such as the district tournament and the state tournament in a few weeks.
Monday night the Trojans won another MVC wrestling title. The Trojans defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy 64-9 winning 12 of 14 matches and clinching a title in the MVC.
“We wrestled solid in every match tonight, everyone competed out there.” Said West High head coach Mark Reiland.
West dominated getting 6 points at 9 weights. The most impressive fact is that they did it all without wrestling 4 starting members of the team. These include 119lbs. Hunter St. John, 130lbs. Garrett Hathaway, 145lbs. Dylan Carew and 189lbs. Berkley Grimm.
“Three of the four wrestlers we didn’t wrestle are ranked in the state, this could have been a lot worse of a score.” Said West freshman Justin Koethe.
This is West Highs 7th title in 8 years. The conference has been dominated by west who has lost 8 matches in 8 meets in the MVC conference.
“This is an amazing fact; not very many teams can say they average one loss per dual meet, especially in a conference that’s probably the best in the state.” Reiland said.
West High is now entering the post season and will be training for upcoming events such as the district tournament and the state tournament in a few weeks.
Soccer V. Track
Leah Murray
West High School has many athletes, and this year the spring athletic season is sure to be one of the best ever. This year students are able to participate in two sports instead of one which will benefit our track and soccer teams. Many people are taking part in this because it has been the first year this option has been available at West. Participating in both track and soccer was not an option in the past because coaches thought it might interfere with the “physical, academic, social and emotional stresses and overloads as well”. The track and soccer coaches will decide which games, and practices will be attended by the double sport students. Not only will track and soccer athletes be able to participate in this, but also the tennis players.
In the end this will most likely benefit the many sports teams, but might hurt the players. If any athlete is over worked, they could very possibly get hurt and be out for the rest of both seasons. This will affect not only one team, but two.
West High School has many athletes, and this year the spring athletic season is sure to be one of the best ever. This year students are able to participate in two sports instead of one which will benefit our track and soccer teams. Many people are taking part in this because it has been the first year this option has been available at West. Participating in both track and soccer was not an option in the past because coaches thought it might interfere with the “physical, academic, social and emotional stresses and overloads as well”. The track and soccer coaches will decide which games, and practices will be attended by the double sport students. Not only will track and soccer athletes be able to participate in this, but also the tennis players.
In the end this will most likely benefit the many sports teams, but might hurt the players. If any athlete is over worked, they could very possibly get hurt and be out for the rest of both seasons. This will affect not only one team, but two.
Are Iowa City Schools a little bit harder? by Mohamed Khalifa
The ICCSD, which stands for the Iowa City community school district, is a little harder than schools in other states, according to students that went to other schools that are out of state like: California, Minnesota and Louisiana, one of the people I interviewed was Josh Greene ‘9, who went to school in California, stated that “at West the work is harder, there is a lot more home work than the school I went to in California.”
When this is looked up on in the long run it’s a good thing that west is harder than schools that are out of the state, because it better prepares you for college and the real world right after that. For west being so hard in the class rooms, the school has pretty good statistics. We hear in advisory almost every Thursday, “the majority of the students that graduate form West High either went to 2 year Community college or a 4 year University. When a school is considered hard and has statistics being at that caliber, the school must be doing something right.
When this is looked up on in the long run it’s a good thing that west is harder than schools that are out of the state, because it better prepares you for college and the real world right after that. For west being so hard in the class rooms, the school has pretty good statistics. We hear in advisory almost every Thursday, “the majority of the students that graduate form West High either went to 2 year Community college or a 4 year University. When a school is considered hard and has statistics being at that caliber, the school must be doing something right.
Have a great time, Valentine!
Here it comes… the biggest, pink-wearing, fuzzy-bear getting, PDA--seeing holiday of all time: Valentine’s Day. And, as much as you’d love to make reservations at a crowded restaurant, spend 75 dollars on Hannah Montana valentines, or eat approximately six pounds of chocolate, it seems that (sigh) once again you are alone, on Valentine’s Day, amongst a sea of couples. Awesome.
So, just how exactly do you, being the single studly patron that you are, plan on making it through this love-sick day?
1. Have a horror movie marathon. Nothing quite says, “I love you” like promiscuous teenagers getting their heads chopped off.
2. Go to an unusual restaurant. Not having to be binded by a constricting significant other who is breathing down your neck to pay 50 dollars for an over-sirloined steak, you can dine wherever you please. Try some Indian food (Exotic Indian in Coralville), or if you’re feeling extra brave, some Thai (Thai Flavors in Iowa City).
3. Get all of your friends together and have a snowball fight. Some of your friends have a significant other? Lovely. Do couples vs. the singles, and show no mercy. Be reminded of the Valentine’s Day Massacre.
4. Buy yourself something nice! A box of chocolates, a new shirt, etc. Just…try not to splurge on a card for yourself, as that might be a bit creepy.
5. Hang out with your buddies, flirt with that cutie in your Chemistry class, or make up for some of that much needed family time.
Valentine’s Day is the day of love, but that doesn’t necessarily mean “coupley love”. Love your family and friends, love yourself, and love your life. Embrace this cursed holiday for singles, it’s only one day a year that ABC Family shows “The Notebook” fives times in a row without commercial breaks.
Happy Valentinein’!
So, just how exactly do you, being the single studly patron that you are, plan on making it through this love-sick day?
1. Have a horror movie marathon. Nothing quite says, “I love you” like promiscuous teenagers getting their heads chopped off.
2. Go to an unusual restaurant. Not having to be binded by a constricting significant other who is breathing down your neck to pay 50 dollars for an over-sirloined steak, you can dine wherever you please. Try some Indian food (Exotic Indian in Coralville), or if you’re feeling extra brave, some Thai (Thai Flavors in Iowa City).
3. Get all of your friends together and have a snowball fight. Some of your friends have a significant other? Lovely. Do couples vs. the singles, and show no mercy. Be reminded of the Valentine’s Day Massacre.
4. Buy yourself something nice! A box of chocolates, a new shirt, etc. Just…try not to splurge on a card for yourself, as that might be a bit creepy.
5. Hang out with your buddies, flirt with that cutie in your Chemistry class, or make up for some of that much needed family time.
Valentine’s Day is the day of love, but that doesn’t necessarily mean “coupley love”. Love your family and friends, love yourself, and love your life. Embrace this cursed holiday for singles, it’s only one day a year that ABC Family shows “The Notebook” fives times in a row without commercial breaks.
Happy Valentinein’!
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